UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
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
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
93-0295215
(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:
Title of each class
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share
Trading symbol(s)
COLD
Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
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.
Yes ☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ☐
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.
Yes ☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§
232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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:
☒
☐
☐
☐☐
☐☐
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
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.
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)
Yes ☐
No
☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report
Yes ☒
No
☐
As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate market value of the voting common shares owned by non-affiliates of Americold Realty Trust was $6.4 billion, 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, 2020. The identification of 10% or greater shareholders is based on
Schedule 13G and amended 13G reports publicly filed before June 30, 2020. 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 26, 2021, was approximately 252,366,476.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III incorporates by reference portions of Americold Realty Trust’s Proxy Statement for its 2021 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
As used in this report, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our” 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,”
and references to “common shares” refer to our common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share.
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
1.
1A.
1B.
2.
3.
4.
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
5.
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
7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Overview
Results of Operations
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historical Cash Flows
Critical Accounting Policies
New Accounting Pronouncements
7A.
8.
9.
9A.
9B.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
PART III
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
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
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING 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:
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uncertainties and risks related to public health crises, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;
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;
acquisition risks, including the failure to identify or complete attractive acquisitions or the failure of acquisitions to perform in
accordance with projections and to realize anticipated cost savings and revenue improvements;
our failure to realize the intended benefits from our recent acquisitions, including the Agro acquisition, and including synergies, or
disruptions to our plans and operations or unknown or contingent liabilities related to our recent acquisitions;
risks related to expansions of existing properties and developments of new properties, including failure to meet budgeted or stabilized
returns within expected time frames, or at all, in respect thereof;
a failure of our information technology systems, cybersecurity attacks or a breach of our information security systems, networks or
processes could cause business disruptions or loss of confidential information;
risks related to privacy and data security concerns, and data collection and transfer restrictions and related foreign regulations;
defaults or non-renewals of significant customer contracts, including as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;
uncertainty of revenues, given the nature of our customer contracts;
increased interest rates and operating costs, including as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;
our failure to obtain necessary outside financing;
risks related to, or restrictions contained in, our debt financings;
decreased storage rates or increased vacancy rates;
risks related to current and potential international operations and properties;
difficulties in expanding our operations into new markets, including international markets;
risks related to the partial ownership of properties, including as a result of our lack of control over such investments and the failure
of such entities to perform in accordance with projections;
our failure to maintain our status as a REIT;
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 applicable governmental regulations and tax legislation, including in the international markets;
additional risks with respect to the addition of European operations and properties;
changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates;
1
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the competitive environment in which we operate;
our relationship with our associates, the occurrence of any work stoppages or any disputes under our collective bargaining
agreements and employment related litigation;
liabilities as a result of our participation in multi-employer pension plans;
losses in excess of our insurance coverage;
the potential liabilities, costs and regulatory impacts associated with our in-house trucking services and the potential disruptions
associated with our use of third-party trucking service providers to provide transportation services to our customers;
the cost and time requirements as a result of our operation as a publicly traded REIT;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
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, of our common shares;
the potential dilutive effect of our common share offerings; and
risks related to any forward sale agreement, including the 2018 forward sale agreement, the 2020 ATM forward sale agreements and
the 2020 forward sale agreements, or, collectively, our forward sale agreements, including substantial dilution to our earnings per
share or substantial cash payment obligations.
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 publicly traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation, acquisition and development 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, 2020, we operated a global network of 238 temperature-controlled warehouses encompassing over 1.4 billion
cubic feet, with 194 warehouses in North America, 26 in Europe, 15 warehouses in Asia-Pacific, and three warehouses in South America. In
addition, we hold two minority interests in Brazilian-based joint ventures, one with SuperFrio, which owns or operates 22 temperature-
controlled warehouses and one with Comfrio, which owns or operates 13 temperature-controlled warehouses. We view and manage our
business through three primary business segments: warehouse, third-party managed and transportation.
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 strategic 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.
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.
Recent Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures
On January 2, 2020, the Company completed the purchase of all outstanding shares of Nova Cold for C$338.7 million, or
$260.6 million USD. Also on January 2, 2020, the Company completed the purchase of all outstanding membership interests of Newport
Cold for cash consideration of $57.7 million.
3
On March 6, 2020, the Company acquired a 14.99% ownership interest in Superfrio Armazéns Gerais S.A. (SuperFrio) for Brazil
Reals of $117.8 million, or approximately USD $25.7 million, inclusive of certain legal fees.
On August 31, 2020, the Company acquired Caspers Cold Storage (Caspers) for $25.6 million. Also on August 31, 2020, the
Company acquired AM-C Warehouses (AM-C) for approximately $82.7 million.
On November 2, 2020, the Company acquired Hall’s Warehouse Corporation (Hall’s) for $489.2 million.
On December 30, 2020, we acquired privately held Agro Merchants Group (“Agro”) from an investor group led by funds managed by
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”) for consideration of $1.59 billion, which includes cash received of $47.5 million. This was
comprised of cash consideration totaling $1.08 billion, of which $49.7 million was deferred, and the issuance of 14,166,667 common shares
of beneficial interest to Oaktree, with a fair value of $512.1 million based on the share price on December 29, 2020 of $36.15. Financing and
sale-leaseback obligations associated with the acquisition totaled $119.9 million, and when added to the total consideration transferred brings
the total transaction cost to approximately $1.7 billion. Refer to Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for details of these amounts.
Refer to Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Notes 2 and 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K for further details of each of the 2020 acquisition.
Initial Public Offering and Follow-on Offerings
On January 23, 2018, we completed an initial public offering of our common shares, 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 “IPO”). The offering generated net proceeds of approximately $493.6 million to us, after deducting underwriting fees
and other offering costs of approximately $40.0 million. Subsequent to our IPO, we have completed multiple follow-on offerings, which are
described in further detail in Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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 (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. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is also made available through our website under “Investors - Governance
Documents”.
4
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 both
physical and economic 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 several 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.
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 and economies of scale provide us with a significant advantage over our competitors with respect to
expansion, development and acquisition opportunities. Being the first publicly-traded REIT focused on the temperature-controlled warehouse
industry provides us greater access to the capital markets than our competitors, which we believe better positions 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 one of 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.
5
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 existing retailers and 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.
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, thermal energy storage, 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, including solar, to improve the energy efficiency of our warehouses. We also utilize rain-water
recapture to reduce our reliance on municipal water supplies and reduce run-off. 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
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, lower costs, reduce supply-chain risks and
focus on their
6
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
supplemented our regional, national and truckload consolidation services with the Halls acquisition, which services the Northeast corridor of
the U.S. with an owned and maintained fleet. Our acquisition of Agro Merchants further expands our Transportation service offering. Agro
Merchants operates its own fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles in the U.S., Ireland and UK and also offers a variety of non-asset based
transportation management services. These include multi-modal global freight forwarding services to support our customers’ needs.
We also operated a limestone quarry, which was sold on July 1, 2020.
Customers
Our global footprint enables us to efficiently serve approximately 2,500 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 35 years. The total
warehouse segment revenues generated by our 25 largest customers in our warehouse segment represent 55%, 60% and 63% of our total
warehouse segment revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As we have acquired multiple businesses
over the past two years, this percentage has declined as our portfolio has expanded. For the year ended December 31, 2020, this disclosure is
calculated on a proforma basis as if the Company had completed all 2020 acquisitions as of the beginning of the year, except for the Agro
acquisition. This metric will incorporate Agro in 2021 as a result of it closing at the end of 2020. There has been no material change to the
composition of our top 25 customers. Each of these 25 largest customers has been in our network for the entirety of these periods.
7
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, 2020:
(1)
% of Warehouse
Revenue
7.8%
5.4%
3.8%
3.7%
3.6%
3.6%
2.7%
2.6%
1.9%
1.8%
1.8%
1.8%
1.7%
1.7%
1.4%
1.4%
1.2%
1.1%
1.1%
1.1%
0.9%
0.8%
0.7%
0.7%
0.7%
55.0%
# of Sites
12
40
29
50
30
20
20
4
3
5
16
24
6
12
5
10
21
29
25
17
21
10
3
14
16
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Producer
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Producer
Retailer
Total
Credit Rating
(Moody’s/S&P)
Baa2 / BBB
Baa3 / BBB-
Baa2
Baa2 / BBB+
BB+ / Baa3
NA
Ba1 / BB+
NA
Baa1 / BBB+
Aa2 / AA
B1 / B+
Ba3 / BB+
NA
Baa1 / BBB+
A1 / A+
Baa2 / BBB
A1 / A
NA
NA
NA
Ba2 / BB+
BBB-
NA
NA
NA
Network Utilization
Multi
(2)
Location Dedicated Sites
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
Transportation
Consolidation
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Value Added
Services
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Technology
Integration
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
(3)
Committed
Contract or
Lease
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 twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Presented on a pro forma basis as if the Company had completed all 2020 acquisitions as
of the beginning of the year, with the exception of the Agro acquisition, which was completed on December 30, 2020.
(2) Represents long-term issuer ratings as published in January 2021.
(3) A check mark indicates that the customer had at least one fixed commitment contract or lease with us as of December 31, 2020.
8
Seasonality
We are involved in providing services to food producers, distributors, retailers and e-tailers whose businesses, in some cases, are seasonal
or cyclical. In order to mitigate the volatility in our revenue and earnings caused by seasonal business, we have implemented fixed
commitment contracts with certain of our customers. Our customers with fixed commitment contracts pay for guaranteed warehouse space in
order to maintain their required inventory levels, which is especially helpful to them during periods of peak physical occupancy. On a
portfolio-wide basis, physical occupancy rates are generally the lowest during May and June. Physical occupancy rates typically exhibit a
gradual increase after May and June 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. Typically, we have higher than average physical
occupancy levels in October or November, which also tends to result in higher revenues. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we
have seen variability in physical occupancy levels as compared to the typical seasonality trends.
Additionally, 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 South America
also help balance the impact of seasonality in our global operations, as their growing and harvesting cycles are complementary to North
America and Europe. 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 ability to provide a wide breadth of high-quality integrated logistics management services is an
increasingly important competitive advantage 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, United States
Cold Storage, Inc. (an affiliate of John Swire & Sons), Interstate Warehousing, Burris Logistics, NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics, Hanson
Logistics and Seafrigo Logistics, in addition to numerous other local, regional and national temperature-controlled warehouse owners and
operators.
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Europe
Our main competitors in Europe include Lineage Logistics, LLC, Kloosterboer and NewCold Advanced Logistics. Generally, the European
temperature-controlled warehouse industry is highly fragmented among numerous owners and operators.
Asia-Pacific
Our main competitors in Australia include Emergent Cold Storage (acquired by Lineage Logistics in June 2020) and NewCold Advanced
Cold Logistics, 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.
Our main competitors in New Zealand are Emergent Cold Storage (acquired by Lineage Logistics in June 2020) and Halls Transport.
Emergent Cold operates an estimated seven warehouses and is the largest public warehouse operator in New Zealand. Emergent Cold
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.
South America
We have several competitors in the Buenos Aires and Santiago markets, which in the past tended to be smaller single-site operations or
fragmented networks. The greatest sources of competition in Argentina and Chile are the disproportionate number of producers (compared to
the United States) that continue to in-source their temperature-controlled storage needs. Through our joint ventures with Superfrio and
Comfrio, we now have a relationship with the top two owners and operators of cold storage facilities in Brazil. The largest competitor in
Brazil is Friozem Armazens Frigorificos Ltda.
ASSOCIATES
As of December 31, 2020, worldwide we employed approximately 16,300 people, approximately 37% of which were represented by
various local labor unions and associations, and 84 of our 238 warehouses have unionized associates that are governed by 73 different
collective bargaining agreements. Since January 1, 2016, we have successfully negotiated 95 collective bargaining agreements without any
work stoppages. During 2020, we successfully negotiated and renewed 19 agreements.
During 2021, we expect to engage in negotiations for an additional 11 agreements, which make up approximately 3.3% of our employee
population, covering all or parts of 13 operating locations worldwide. We do not anticipate any workplace disruptions during this renewal
process. We consider our labor relations to be positive and productive.
We believe that how we attract, develop and retain our talent is critical to how we deliver on our strategy and create sustained growth and
value for our shareholders, customers and associates. Our human capital measures and objectives focus on:
Caring for our Associates During the COVID-19 Pandemic
To address the dynamic nature of COVID-19 in 2020, we implemented social distancing and other health and safety protocols as
recommended and required by global, national, state and local government agencies and
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organizations, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. In addition to the number
of actions taken to promote the health and well-being of our associates, we also wanted to recognize our associates for their contributions to
our success. This included paying discretionary bonuses to our associates during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing additional personal
protective equipment.
Equal Opportunity and Development
We are an equal opportunity employer, with all qualified applicants receiving consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
national origin, ancestry, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation or identification,
gender, veteran status, political affiliation, physical appearance, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We seek to
foster a diverse and inclusive workplace with employees who possess a broad range of experiences, backgrounds and skills. We continually
assess and strive to enhance associate satisfaction and engagement. Our associates, many of whom have a relatively long tenure with our
company, are offered regular opportunities to participate in formal and informal personal growth and professional development programs.
Our formal offerings include tuition reimbursement, leadership development experiences, and a diverse curriculum of online learning
programs. One of our unique leadership development programs is the Americold Leadership Academy, which builds the leadership
capabilities of our global operations supervisors and managers, who have direct oversight of the frontline workforce managing our customers’
products through the supply chain.
Safety and Health
The safety, health and welfare of our associates is our number one priority. Our associates receive ongoing safety training to ensure that
safety policies and procedures are effectively communicated and implemented. Personal protective equipment is provided to ensure our
associates can safely perform their job function. We use safety scorecards, standardized signage, and visual management throughout our
facilities to reinforce safety principles and metrics.
Total Rewards
We provide programs and benefits designed to attract, retain and reward a high-performing culture. In addition to salaries, our compensation
programs, which vary by country/region, can include annual bonuses, share-based compensation awards, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with
employee matching opportunities, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings accounts and flexible work schedules, employee
assistance programs, and tuition assistance. In addition, to drive further engagement and individual ownership of the company, we recently
added a new Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) which provides an opportunity to purchase Americold stock at a discounted price.
The ESPP will be available to our associates during 2021.
Business Conduct and Ethics
We are dedicated to conducting our business consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. Our Business Code of Conduct and
Ethics sets forth our standards and policies and associates receive regular training and reminders about our standards. We also maintain an
anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy that includes mandatory harassment training for all managers. We do not tolerate any form of
racism, sexism or injustice within our facilities or across our organization. We also maintain a policy against modern slavery and we are
committed to ensuring transparency within our business.
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Community Outreach
We are passionate about giving back to the communities in which we live and work. We partner with and support organizations around the
globe that contribute to fighting hunger and supporting the growth and development of children and teens. Our most significant partnership is
with Feed the Children in the United States, through which we provide donations, complimentary temperature-controlled transportation of
food products, and volunteer opportunities for our associates.
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.
Environmental Matters
Our properties 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, consequently, amounts available for distribution to our shareholders.
Food Safety Regulations
Most of our properties in the United States 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. Any products destined for
export must also satisfy the applicable export requirements. 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 a recognized
global, 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,
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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 in the United States are subject to regulation under OSHA, which requires employers to provide associates with a safe work
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 associates who may be injured at our warehouses.
International Regulations
Our international facilities are subject to many local laws and regulations which govern a wide range of matters, including food safety,
building, environmental, health and safety, hazardous substances, 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.
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 commensurate with the size and nature of our operations.
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ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves risks and uncertainties. Below is a summary of the principal risks involving an investment in our
common stock. This summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussion of the risks summarized in this risk factor
summary, and other risks that we face, can be found below under the heading “Risk Factors” and should be carefully considered, together
with other information in this Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC, before making an investment decision regarding our common
stock.
Risks Related to Public Health Crises
• We face various risks and uncertainties related to public health crises, including the recent and ongoing global outbreak of the novel
coronavirus COVID-19.
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 geographic markets in which we are concentrated.
• We are exposed to risks associated with expansion and development, which could result in disappointing returns and unforeseen costs
and liabilities.
• A portion of our future growth depends upon acquisitions and we may be unable to identify, complete and successfully integrate
acquisitions of suitable properties, which may impede our growth, and our future acquisitions may not yield the returns we expect.
• A failure of our information technology systems, cybersecurity attacks or a breach of our information security systems, networks or
processes could cause business disruptions and loss of confidential information and may materially adversely affect our business.
Privacy and data security concerns, and data collection and transfer restrictions and related foreign regulations may adversely affect
our business.
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• 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.
• Recent acquisitions, including the Agro Merchants Acquisition, may not achieve their intended benefits or may disrupt our plans and
operations.
• Our current and potential international operations and properties subject us to additional risks, including risks associated with entry
into new markets and applicability of differing regulatory requirements.
• Competition in our markets may increase over time if our competitors open new warehouses.
• We may be unable to successfully expand our operations into new markets.
• We depend on certain customers for a substantial amount of our warehouse segment revenues.
• 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.
• We may be subject to work stoppages, which could increase our operating costs and disrupt our operations.
• Our warehouse business outside the United States exposes us to losses resulting from currency fluctuations.
• We may incur liabilities or harm our reputation as a result of quality-control issues associated with our warehouse storage and other
services.
• 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.
• We use in-house trucking services and third-party trucking service providers to provide transportation services to our customers, and
any increased severity or frequency of accidents or other claims, changes
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in regulations, delays or disruptions in providing theses transportation services, or damages caused to products during transportation,
could have a material adverse effect on us.
• We participate in multiemployer pension plans administered by labor unions. To the extent we or other employers withdraw from
participation in any of these plans, we could face additional liability from our participation therein.
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Power costs may increase or be subject to volatility, which could result in increased costs that we may be unable to hedge or recover.
• We hold leasehold interests in 62 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.
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.
• We could incur significant costs related to environmental conditions and liabilities.
• Our insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover potential environmental liabilities.
Risks Related to our Debt Financings
• We have a substantial amount of indebtedness that may limit our financial and operating activities.
• We are dependent on external sources of capital, the continuing availability of which is uncertain.
Risks Related to our Organization and Structure
• 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.
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.
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.
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• Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities or liquidate certain of our investments.
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.”
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Risks Related to Public Health Crises
We face various risks and uncertainties related to public health crises, including the recent and ongoing global outbreak of the novel
coronavirus and variants (COVID-19). The COVID-19 pandemic is growing and its impacts are uncertain and hard to measure and may
have a material adverse effect on us.
We face various risks and uncertainties related to public health crises, including the recent and ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic,
which has disrupted financial markets and significantly impacted worldwide economic activity to date and is likely to continue to do so.
Some of these risks include:
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potential work stoppages, including due to spread of the disease among our associates or due to shutdowns that may be requested
or mandated by governmental authorities;
that may be requested or mandated by governmental authorities;
labor unrest due to risks of disease from working with other associates and outside vendors;
economic impacts, including increased labor costs, from mitigation and other measures undertaken by us and/or third parties to
support and protect our associates or the food supply;
or third parties to support and protect our associates or the food supply;
completing developments on time or an inability of our contractors to perform as a result of spread of disease among associates of
our contractors and other construction partners or due to shutdowns that may be requested or mandated by governmental
authorities;
limiting the ability of our customers to comply with the terms of their contracts with us, including in making timely payments to
us;
increased political polarization;
limiting the ability of our suppliers and partners to comply with the terms of their contracts with us, including in making timely
delivery of supplies to us such as ammonia necessary for the operation of our temperature-controlled warehouses;
long-term volatility in or reduced demand for temperature-controlled warehouse storage and related handling and other warehouse
services;
adverse impact on the value of our real estate;
reduced ability to execute our growth strategies, including identifying and completing acquisitions and expanding into new
markets; and
the exacerbation of other risks discussed in our Annual Report arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, severe economic, market and other disruptions worldwide,
which could lead to material impairments of our assets, increases in our allowance for credit losses and changes in judgments in determining
the fair value of our assets. Conditions in the bank lending, capital and other financial markets may deteriorate, and our access to capital and
other sources of funding may become constrained or more costly, which could materially and adversely affect the availability and terms of
future borrowings, renewals, re-financings and other capital raises.
The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot
be predicted with any degree of confidence, including the scope, severity, duration and geographies of the outbreak, the actions taken to
contain the COVID-19 pandemic or mitigate its impact requested or mandated by governmental authorities or otherwise voluntarily taken by
individuals or businesses, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the illness and containment measures, among others. As a result, we
cannot at this time predict the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.
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To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations or
prospects, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this Annual Report under the heading “Risk
Factors”.
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.
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 legacy or
newly acquired properties. Expansion and development activities subject us to certain risks not present in the acquisition of existing
properties (the risks of which are described below), including, without limitation, the following:
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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 due to availability of labor
or materials or other factors outside of our control, resulting in increased debt service expense and construction costs;
we may experience delays in receiving materials or support from vendors or contractors which could impact the timing of
stabilization of expansion and development projects;
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; 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.
Our growth may strain our management and resources, which may have a material adverse affect on us.
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, complete and successfully integrate
acquisitions , 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 businesses. 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:
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we face competition from other real estate investors with significant capital, including REITs, institutional investment
funds and special purpose acquisition companies, 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 or returns;
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.
A failure of our information technology systems, cybersecurity attacks or a breach of our information security systems, networks or
processes could cause business disruptions and the loss of confidential information and may materially adversely affect our business.
We rely extensively on our computer systems to process transactions, operate and manage our business. Despite efforts to avoid or
mitigate such risks, external and internal risks, such as malware, ransomware, 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
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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. In particular, as discussed further below, our operations have been, and may in the
future be, subject to ransomware or cyber-extortion attacks, which could significantly disrupt our operations. Generally, such attacks involve
restricting access to computer systems or vital data. 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 associates, 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. 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.
On November 16, 2020 and on November 30, 2020, we filed Current Reports on Form 8-K disclosing that our computer network was
affected by a cyber security incident. We incurred, and continue to incur, costs relating to this event, including to retain third party
consultants and forensic experts to assist with the restoration and remediation of systems and, with the assistance of law enforcement, to
investigate and respond to the incident, as well as increased expenditures for our information technology (IT) infrastructure, systems and
network. We carry insurance, including cyber insurance commensurate with the size and nature of our operations. While the November 2020
incident did not have a material impact on us, there can be no assurance that this incident or future incidents will not have a material adverse
effect on our business, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated financial condition.
Privacy and data security concerns, and data collection and transfer restrictions and related regulations may adversely affect our
business.
Many foreign countries and governmental bodies, including the European Union, where we now conduct business, have laws and
regulations concerning the collection and use of personal data obtained from their residents or by businesses operating within their
jurisdiction. These laws and regulations often are more restrictive than those in the United States. Laws and regulations in these jurisdictions
apply broadly to the collection, use, storage, disclosure and security of data that identifies or may be used to identify or locate an individual,
such as names, email addresses and, in some jurisdictions, IP addresses.
Recently, there has been heightened interest and enforcement focus on data protection regulations and standards both in the United
States and abroad. For example, in November 2020, California voters approved Proposition 24 (Consumer Personal Information Law and
Agency Initiative), which will increase data privacy requirements for our business when its provisions take effect in 2023. We expect that
there will continue to be new proposed laws, regulations and industry standards concerning privacy, data protection and information security
in the United States, the European Union, and other jurisdictions. For example, the European Commission adopted a General Data Protection
Regulation, or the GDPR, that became fully effective on May 25, 2018, superseding prior European Union data protection legislation,
imposing more stringent European Union data protection requirements, and providing for greater penalties for noncompliance. The United
Kingdom enacted the Data Protection Act that substantially implements the GDPR. More generally, we cannot yet fully determine the impact
these or future laws, regulations and standards may have on our business. Privacy, data
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protection and information security laws and regulations are often subject to differing interpretations, may be inconsistent among
jurisdictions, and may be alleged to be inconsistent with our current or future practices. Additionally, we may be bound by contractual
requirements applicable to our collection, use, processing, and disclosure of various types of data, including personal data, and may be bound
by, or voluntarily comply with, self-regulatory or other industry standards relating to these matters. These and other requirements could
increase our costs, impair our ability to grow our business, or restrict our ability to store and process data or, in some cases, impact our ability
to operate our business in some locations and may subject us to liability. Any failure or perceived failure to comply with applicable laws,
regulations, industry standards, and contractual obligations may adversely affect our business.
Further, in view of new or modified foreign laws and regulations, industry standards, contractual obligations and other legal
obligations, or any changes in their interpretation, we may find it necessary or desirable to fundamentally change our business activities and
practices or to expend significant resources to adapt to these changes. We may be unable to make such changes and modifications in a
commercially reasonable manner or at all.
The costs of compliance with and other burdens imposed by laws, regulations and standards may limit the use and adoption of our
service and reduce overall demand for it. 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. Privacy, information security, and data protection concerns may inhibit market adoption of our business, particularly in
certain industries and foreign countries.
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 associates 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 associates above the applicable minimum
wage. If we are unable to continue paying our hourly associates 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 $16.00 per hour. In addition, specific legislative and regulatory
proposals regarding an increase in the federal minimum wage were discussed during the most recent election campaigns and more recently. If
such increases were to occur nationally or in specific 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. Our standard
contract forms include rate protection for uncontrollable costs such as labor, or costs associated with regulatory action, however, despite such
provisions, we may not be able to fully pass through these increased costs.
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) or offer retention bonuses. If we fail to
attract and retain qualified and skilled personnel, we could be materially and adversely affected.
Our temperature-controlled warehouses are concentrated in certain geographic areas, some of which are particularly susceptible to
adverse local conditions.
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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 39.7% of our owned or leased warehouses are located in six states; with
approximately 10.6% in Georgia, 6.3% in New Jersey, 6.3% in Pennsylvania, 5.8% in California, 5.4% in Texas and 5.2% in Arkansas (in
each case, on a refrigerated cubic-foot basis based on information as of December 31, 2020). In addition, as a result of the Agro Merchants
Acquisition, we now have a significantly increased presence in the European market (approximately 6.3%). 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. Such 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. Adverse agricultural events include, but are not limited to, the cost of commodity inputs,
drought and disease. 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.
Acquisitions, including the Agro Merchants Acquisition, may not achieve its intended benefits or may disrupt our plans and operations.
On December 30, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Agro Merchants (the “Agro Merchants Acquisition”). The Agro Merchants
Acquisition is a significant acquisition for us, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate Agro Merchants
with our business or otherwise realize the expected benefits of the Agro Merchants Acquisition. Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits
of the Agro Merchants Acquisition will depend, to a large extent, on our ability to integrate Agro Merchants with our business. The
combination of two independent businesses may be a complex, costly and time-consuming process. Our business may be negatively impacted
following the Agro Merchants Acquisition if we are unable to effectively manage our expanded operations. The integration process will
require significant time and focus from our management, financial and human resources teams following the Agro Merchants Acquisition and
may divert attention from the day-to-day operations of the combined business.
The expected synergies and operating efficiencies of our acquisitions, including the Agro Merchants Acquisition, may not be fully
realized, which could result in increased costs and/or lower revenues and have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, the overall
integration of the businesses may result in material unanticipated problems, expenses, liabilities, competitive responses, loss of customer
relationships and diversion of management’s attention, among other potential adverse consequences. Acquired businesses may also be subject
to unknown or contingent liabilities for which we may have no or limited recourse against the sellers. The total amount of costs and expenses
that we may incur with respect to liabilities associated with acquisitions, including Agro Merchants, may exceed our expectations, which may
materially and adversely affect us.
We are subject to additional risks with respect to our current and potential international operations and properties and our European
operations and properties in particular in light of the Agro Merchants Acquisition.
As of December 31, 2020, we owned or had a leasehold interest in 40 temperature-controlled warehouses outside the United States,
and we managed two 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. 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 and in particular our newly acquired European 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
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to those commonly found in the United States. Risks relating to our international operations and properties include:
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changing governmental rules and policies, including changes in land use and zoning laws;
enactment of laws relating to the international ownership and leasing 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;
changes in laws or policies governing foreign trade or investment and use of foreign operations or workers, and any negative
sentiments towards multinational companies as a result of any such changes to laws or policies or due to trends such as political
populism and economic nationalism;
variations in currency exchange rates and the imposition of currency controls;
adverse market conditions caused by terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, infectious disease and changes in international,
national or local governmental or economic conditions;
business disruptions arising from public health crises and outbreaks of communicable diseases, including the recent coronavirus
outbreak;
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, including the potential imposition of adverse or confiscatory taxes;
the potential imposition of restrictions on currency conversions or the transfer of funds;
general political and economic instability;
our limited experience and expertise in foreign countries, particularly European countries, relative to our experience and expertise in
the United States;
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If any of the foregoing risks were to materialize, they could materially and adversely affect 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, United States Cold Storage, Inc. (an affiliate of
John Swire & Sons), Interstate Warehousing, Burris Logistics, NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics, Hanson Logistics and Seafrigo Logistics
have added, through construction, development and acquisition, 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
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
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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, 2020 and 2019, our 25 largest customers in our warehouse segment contributed approximately
55% and 60%, respectively, of our pro-forma warehouse segment revenues assuming all acquisitions occurred at the beginning of the year,
excluding the Agro acquisition. As of December 31, 2020, we had one customer that accounted for 7.8% of our warehouse segment revenues
and seven customers that each accounted for at least 2% of our warehouse segment revenues, also on a pro-forma basis, excluding the Agro
acquisition. In addition, as of December 31, 2020, 43 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 physical occupancy rates and use of our services,
without lowering our fixed costs, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, any of our significant customers could
experience a downturn in their businesses as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, 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. Cancellation of, or
failure of a significant customer to perform under, a contract could require us to seek replacement customers. However, 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. Moreover, a bankruptcy filing by or relating to any of our significant customers could prevent or delay us
from collecting pre-bankruptcy obligations. The bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration of our significant customers, could
materially and adversely affect 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.
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.
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On a combined pro forma basis assuming all 2020 acquisitions occurred as of the beginning of the year with the exception of Agro,
46.5% of our warehouse segment revenues were generated from contracts with a fixed storage commitment or leases with customers as of
December 31, 2020. On a combined pro forma basis, 40.7% of rent and storage revenue were generated from fixed commitment storage
contracts for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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. Moreover, a substantial number of
Agro Merchants’ client contracts are short-term in nature, do not require a minimum fixed storage commitment obligation and/or are subject
to termination at the client’s option or upon the occurrence of a change of control (like the Agro Merchants Acquisition). 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 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 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, 2020, worldwide, we
employed approximately 16,300 people, approximately 37% of which were represented by various local labor unions, and 84 of our 238
warehouses have unionized associates that are governed by 73 different collective bargaining agreements. Unlike owners of industrial
warehouses, we hire our own workforce to handle product in and out of storage 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 95 collective bargaining agreements without any work stoppages. During
the calendar year 2020 we successfully negotiated and renewed 19 agreements. 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.
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 typically 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 naturally hedge this exposure by incurring operating costs in the same
currency as the revenue generated by the related property. 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.
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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.
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 and provide food processing, repackaging and other services. Product
contamination, spoilage, other adulteration, product tampering or other quality control issues could occur at any of our facilities 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 stored, processed, repackaged 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, including increased automation of our warehouses. Increased automation
may entail significant start-up costs and time and may not perform as expected. 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.
We use in-house trucking services to provide transportation services to our customers, and any increased severity or frequency of
accidents or other claims, changes in regulations or disruptions in services could have a material adverse effect on us.
We use in-house transportation services to provide refrigerated transportation services to our customers. The potential liability
associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. A material increase in the frequency or severity
of accidents or workers’ compensation claims or the unfavorable development of existing claims could materially and adversely affect our
results of operations. In the event that accidents occur, we may be unable to obtain desired contractual indemnities, and our insurance my
prove inadequate in certain cases. The occurrence of an event not fully insured or indemnified against or the failure or inability of a customer
or insurer to meet its indemnification or insurance obligations could result in substantial losses.
In addition, our trucking services are subject to regulation as a motor carrier by the US Department of Transportation, by various state
agencies and by similar authorities in our international operations, whose regulations include certain permit requirements of state highway
and safety authorities. These regulatory authorities exercise broad powers over our trucking operations. The trucking industry is subject to
possible regulatory and legislative changes that may impact our operations and affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in
operating practices or by changing the demand for or the costs of providing trucking services. Some of these possible changes include
increasingly stringent fuel emission limits, changes in the
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regulations that govern the amount of time a driver may drive or work in any specific period, limits on vehicle weight and size and other
matters including safety requirements.
We use third-party trucking service providers to provide transportation services to our customers and any delays or disruptions in
providing these services or damages caused to products during transportation, could have a material averse effect on us.
We also use 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 customer 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 may incur financial obligations or be subject to lawsuits
by our customers. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on us.
We participate in multiemployer pension plans administered by labor unions. To the extent we or other employers withdraw from
participation in any of these plans, we could face additional liability from our participation therein.
As of December 31, 2020, we participated in seven multiemployer pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements
with labor unions representing the Company’s associates. Approximately 13% of our associates were participants in such multiemployer
pension plans as of December 31, 2020. 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 Operations 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
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 $726.9 million as of December 31, 2020, of which we estimate that certain
of our customers are contractually obligated to make indemnification payments to us for approximately $699.7 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 associates 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.
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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, 2020 and
2019, power costs in our warehouse segment accounted for 8.8% and 8.9%, 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 or cost of power.
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.
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 conducting regular maintenance and upgrades to our refrigeration equipment, and 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.
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 prolonged
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,
2020, we have not had a significant power outage or breakdown of our refrigeration equipment.
We hold leasehold interests in 62 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, 2020, we held leasehold interests in 62 of our warehouses. These leases expire (taking into account our extension
options) from December 2021 to September 2052, and have a weighted-average remaining term of 27 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
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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.
Charges for impairment of goodwill or other long-lived assets could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We regularly monitor the recoverability of our long-lived assets, such as buildings and improvements and machinery and equipment,
and evaluate their carrying value for impairment. whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such
assets may not be fully recoverable. We review goodwill on an annual basis to determine if impairment has occurred and review the
recoverability of fixed assets, generally on a quarterly basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may
have occurred or the value of such assets may not be fully recoverable. If such reviews indicate that impairment has occurred, we are required
to record a non-cash impairment charge for the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the long-lived assets in the period the
determination is made. The testing of long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment requires the use of estimates based on significant
assumptions about our future revenue, profitability, cash flows, fair value of assets and liabilities, weighted average cost of capital, as well as
other assumptions. Changes in these estimates, or changes in actual performance compared with these estimates, may affect the fair value of
long-lived assets, which could result in an impairment charge.
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 real estate taxes, maintenance costs and debt service payments) 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:
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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 a general decrease in real estate property rental 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; and
disruptions in the global supply-chain caused by political, regulatory or other factors such as terrorism, political instability
and public health crises.
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, could result in a general decrease in rates or an increased occurrence of defaults under existing
contracts, which could materially and adversely affect us.
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
associates 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 2019, we identified and reported ammonia releases across
refrigeration systems in three of our facilities. These releases resulted in no significant property damage or injury. In 2020, we identified, and
reported, ammonia releases across refrigeration systems in
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three of our facilities. These releases resulted in no significant property damage or injury. 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 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
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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. Some 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 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 make us or our facilities less competitive. 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 associates 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
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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 associates, our customers, associates 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 that our properties are highly specialized temperature-controlled warehouses,
our properties 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, the difficulty and expense of repurposing our 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 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 may also be restricted by certain covenants in our mortgage loan agreement 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 Fort Smith, Arkansas, in each case exposing them to increased risk of casualty.
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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 labor, 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 new customers,
increases in these costs would lower our operating margins and could materially and adversely affect us.
Costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations could adversely affect us and our customers.
Our business is highly regulated at the federal, state and local level. 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. In addition, our warehouses are subject to regulation and inspection by the United
States Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture and our domestic trucking operations are subject to
regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Our ability to operate and to satisfy our
contractual obligations may be affected by permitting and compliance obligations arising under such laws and regulations. Some of these
laws and regulations could increase our 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, environmental, 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.
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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 associates 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 associates 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 associates 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 accrued, if any, 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.
We are currently invested in three joint ventures and may invest in joint ventures in the future and face risks stemming from our partial
ownership interests in such properties which could materially and adversely affect the value of any such joint venture investments.
Both our current investments and future joint-venture investments involve risks not present in investments in which a third party is
not involved, including the possibility that
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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 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.
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, 2020, we had approximately $521.3 million of variable-rate indebtedness outstanding under our 2020 Senior
Unsecured Credit Facility. Additionally, we had approximately $1.9 billion of fixed-rate indebtedness outstanding under our Debt Private
Placement offerings and $276.7 million under our 2013 CMBS Notes. Additional information regarding our indebtedness may be found in
our consolidated financial statements and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”
included in Item 7 in this Annual Report. 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:
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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 invest in 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 2020 Senior Unsecured 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
upon refinancing of existing debt or the issuance of 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 flows. 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 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
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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, 2020, our credit ratings were “BBB” with an Under Review with Positive Implications outlook from DBRS
Morningstar, Inc., “BBB” with a Stable outlook from Fitch Ratings, Inc. and “Baa3” with a Stable outlook from Moody’s. 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, 2020, $521.3 million of our outstanding consolidated indebtedness 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.
Elimination of LIBOR may impact our financial statements
In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) that regulates LIBOR announced it intends to stop compelling banks to
submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. As a result, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
organized the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) which identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its
preferred alternative to USD-LIBOR in derivatives and other financial contracts. On November 30, 2020, ICE Benchmark Administration,
the administrator of LIBOR, with the support of the United States Federal Reserve and the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority,
announced plans to consult on ceasing publication of USD LIBOR on December 31, 2021 for only the one week and two month USD LIBOR
tenors, and on June 30, 2023 for all other USD Libor tenors. While this announcement extends the transition period to June 2023, the United
States Federal Reserve concurrently issued a statement advising banks to stop new USD LIBOR issuances by the end of 2021. The Company
is not able to predict when LIBOR will cease to be available or when there will be sufficient liquidity in the SOFR markets. Any changes
adopted by FCA or other governing bodies in the method used for determining LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or
decrease in reported LIBOR. If that were to occur, our interest payments could change. In addition, uncertainty about the extent and manner
of future changes may result in interest rates and/or payments that are higher or lower than if LIBOR were to remain available in its current
form.
The Company has contracts that are indexed to LIBOR and is monitoring and evaluating the related risks, which include interest on
loans, amounts paid on securities, and amounts received and paid on derivative instruments. These risks arise in connection with transitioning
contracts to a new alternative rate, including any resulting value transfer that may occur. The value of loans, securities, or derivative
instruments tied to LIBOR could also be impacted if LIBOR is limited or discontinued. For some instruments, the method of transitioning to
an alternative rate may be challenging, as they may require negotiation with the respective counterparty.
If LIBOR is discontinued, the impact of such change on our contracts that are not transitioned to an alternative rate is uncertain and is
likely to vary by contract. If LIBOR is discontinued or if the methods of
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calculating LIBOR change from their current form, interest rates on our current or future indebtedness may be adversely affected.
While we expect LIBOR to be available in substantially its current form until the end of 2021 or June 2023, as applicable, it is
possible that LIBOR will become unavailable prior to that point. This could result, for example, if sufficient banks decline to make
submissions to the LIBOR administrator. In that case, the risks associated with the transition to an alternative reference rate will be
accelerated and magnified.
Our existing indebtedness contains, and any future indebtedness is likely to contain, covenants that restrict our ability to engage in
certain activities.
Our outstanding indebtedness requires, and our future indebtedness is likely to require, us to comply with a number of financial
covenants and operational covenants. The financial covenants under our 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility include a maximum leverage
ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio, a minimum unsecured debt service coverage ratio, and a
maximum unsecured indebtedness to unencumbered assets ratio. In addition, the financial covenants under the Series A, Series B, Series C,
Series D and Series E Senior Unsecured Notes include, without limitation, a maximum total leverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage
ratio, a maximum total secured indebtedness ratio, a minimum unsecured debt service coverage 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.
As of December 31, 2020, 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 8% 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
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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, 2020, we were a party to cross currency swaps on our intercompany loans. Periodically we enter into foreign
currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates. 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, interest 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, interest rates, and power cost changes could have a material adverse effect on us.
While we have no current mortgage agreements requiring hedging agreements, 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.
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. 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. 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.
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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 associates 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, would permit 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.
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:
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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.
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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. The foregoing
provision of our declaration of trust, when coupled with the power of our board of trustees to fill vacant trusteeships, 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.
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 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 or officer was
material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was either committed in bad faith or
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the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, the trustee or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or
services, or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, the trustee or officer 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 than might otherwise exist
under common law. In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our trustees and officers.
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. Our duties as a general partner to our Operating Partnership and any 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.
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 $0.84 per share. If cash available for distribution generated by our assets
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 therefore 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
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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. On August 26,
2019, we entered into a distribution agreement with a syndicate of banks through which we may sell from time to time up to an aggregate of
$500.0 million of our common shares in an at the market equity program (an “ATM Offering”).
On April 16, 2020, this ATM Equity Program was terminated and replaced with a new ATM Equity Program, pursuant to which we
may sell up to an aggregate sales price of $500.0 million of our common shares. There were 7,440,532 common shares sold under the ATM
Equity Program during 2020. We intend to use any net proceeds from sales of our common shares pursuant to the new ATM Equity Program
for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes, which may include funding development, expansion and
acquisitions opportunities and the repayment of outstanding indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2020, 251,702,603 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, 2020, the 14,773,725 common shares beneficially owned by our trustees, executive officers and other affiliates
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.
In addition, we have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 covering common shares issuable pursuant to options,
restricted stock units, performance units, operating partnership profits units and other stock-based awards issued under our outstanding equity
incentive plans and a registration statement on Form S-8 covering shares issuable under our 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
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. 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.
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
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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 16 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.
As a result of the Agro Merchants Acquisition, we acquired interests in certain assets and earn certain items of income that are not, or
may not be, qualifying assets or income for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests. In addition, although we intend to structure our
post-acquisition operation of Agro Merchants in a way that would allow us to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, no assurances can be given that we will be successful.
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 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
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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 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.
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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, including changes in applicable tax rates, 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, such changes could
have an adverse impact on our business and financial results.
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 any 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 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 be subject to state,
local, or foreign taxes on our income or property, either
47
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.
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.
Furthermore, even though we qualify for taxation as a REIT, if we acquire any asset from a corporation which is or has been a C-corporation
in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in our hands is less than the fair market value of the asset determined at the time we acquired
the asset, and we subsequently recognize a gain on the disposition of the asset during the five-year period beginning on the date on which we
acquired the asset, then we will be required to pay tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate on this gain to the extent of the excess of (a) the
fair market value of the asset over (b) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset.
These requirements could limit, delay or impede future sales of our properties. We currently do not expect to sell any asset if the sale would
result in the imposition of a material tax liability. We cannot, however, assure you that we will not change our plans in this regard.
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.
If our Operating Partnership fails to qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would fail to qualify as a REIT.
As a partnership, our Operating Partnership is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on its 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.
48
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
49
ITEM 2. Properties
General
In addition to the information in this Item 2, certain information regarding our portfolio is contained in Schedule III (Financial Statement
Schedule) under Part IV, Item 15(a) (2) and which is included in Part II, Item 8.
Our Warehouse Portfolio
As of December 31, 2020, we operated a global network of 238 warehouses that contained over 1.4 billion cubic feet and approximately 4
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, 2020.
50
Country / Region
Owned / Leased
North America
(5)
Central - United States
East - United States
Southeast - United States
West - United States
Canada
North America Total /
Average
International
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
International Total /
Average
Owned / Leased Total /
Average
Third-Party Managed
United States
Asia-Pacific
Canada
Third-Party Managed
Total / Average
Portfolio Total / Average
(6)
# of
warehouses
(7)
Cubic feet
(in millions)
(7)
% of
total
cubic
feet
Pallet
positions
(in thousands)
Average
economic
occupancy
(1)
Average
physical
occupancy
(1)
(2)
Revenues
(in millions)
Applicable
segment
contribution
(2)(3)
(NOI)
(in millions)
Total
customers
(4)
44
38
62
38
4
273.6
293.4
341.8
234.5
25.5
20 %
21 %
25 %
17 %
2 %
1,132.7
820.5
859.4
974.3
83.2
80 %
78 %
80 %
74 %
86 %
73 % $
71 %
74 %
69 %
86 %
364.0 $
320.0
354.4
269.3
27.4
141.8
97.2
111.0
101.3
11.9
756
768
775
657
88
186
1,168.8
85 %
3,870.1
78 %
72 % $
1,335.1 $
463.2
2,361
26
14
3
43
111.2
70.0
17.3
8 %
5 %
2 %
N/R
202.5
22.6
N/R
95 %
71 %
N/R
82 % $
71 %
N/R
206.5 $
7.7
N/R
55.1
2.0
198.5
15 %
225.1
93 %
81 % $
214.2 $
57.1
N/R
82
38
120
229
1,367.3
100 %
4,095.2
79 %
72 % $
1,549.3 $
520.3
2,473
7
1
1
9
238
38.5
88 %
— — %
12 %
5.3
43.8
1,411.1
100 %
100 %
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
259.3 $
18.3
14.2
7.8
2.8
1.6
4
1
1
—
4,095.2
—
79 %
—
$
72 % $
291.8 $
1,841.1 $
12.2
532.5
7
2,474
51
(1) We define average economic occupancy as the aggregate number of physically occupied pallets and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given
period, without duplication. We estimate the number of contractually committed pallet positions by taking into account actual pallet commitments specified in each
customer’s contract, and subtracting the physical pallet positions.
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, 2020. 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 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.
(2) Year ended December 31, 2020.
(3) We use the term “segment contribution (NOI)” to mean a segment’s revenues less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation 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.
(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, 2020, we owned 144 of our U.S. warehouses and 37 of our international warehouses, and we leased 38 of our U.S. warehouses and ten of our
international warehouses. As of December 31, 2020, fourteen 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.
(7) Data for the Agro acquisition is only included under “number of warehouses” and “cubic feet”, data for operational metrics is not relevant (N/R) for the year ended
December 31, 2020, as the Agro acquisition closed on December 30, 2020.
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, 2020, we owned or leased 91 distribution centers with approximately 649.5 million cubic feet of
temperature-controlled capacity and 1.8 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, 2020, we owned or leased 86 public warehouses with approximately 427.6 million cubic feet of
temperature-controlled capacity and 1.2 million 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, 2020, we owned or leased 47 production advantaged warehouses with approximately
270.7 million cubic feet of temperature-controlled capacity and 1.2 million 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, 2020, we had 5 facility leased warehouses with approximately 19.5 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, 2020, we managed 9 warehouses on behalf of third parties with approximately 43.8
million cubic feet of temperature-controlled capacity. We manage warehouses
•
52
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.
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
We sold our limestone quarry on July 1, 2020, and therefore are no longer required to provide information 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).
53
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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 26, 2021, we had approximately 252,366,476 common shares outstanding. The number of holders of record of our common
shares on February 26, 2021 was 48. 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. Refer to Item 7 -
Management’s Discussion & Analysis in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on dividends declared.
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.
54
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, 2020, 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 $100 invested on January 19, 2018
Assumes dividends reinvested
To fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
55
Pricing Date
COLD ($)
S&P 500($)
RMZ($)
1/19/2018
3/29/2018
6/29/2018
9/28/2018
12/31/2018
3/29/2019
6/28/2019
9/30/2019
12/31/2019
3/31/2020
6/30/2020
9/30/2020
12/31/2020
100.00
109.00
127.97
147.59
151.79
188.35
202.61
234.25
224.06
225.00
242.79
241.88
255.61
100.00
94.22
97.57
105.03
90.82
103.00
107.35
109.24
119.05
95.01
114.17
124.49
139.57
100.00
95.84
104.38
104.43
96.30
113.59
113.93
121.52
119.34
87.63
96.97
97.65
107.88
•
•
•
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 April 16, 2020, the 2019 ATM Equity Program was terminated and replaced with the 2020 ATM Equity Program. Under the 2020
ATM Equity Program, we may sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate sales price of $500.0 million of the Company’s common shares.
We intend to use the net proceeds from sales of our common shares pursuant to the 2020 ATM Equity Program for general corporate
purposes, which may include funding acquisitions and development projects.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, there were 7,440,532 common shares sold under the 2020 ATM Equity Program,
resulting in gross proceeds of $272.6 million. The proceeds were offset by $3.0 million of fees. Included in the shares sold under the 2020
ATM Equity Program were forward sale agreements to sell
56
4,346,101 common shares for gross proceeds of $162.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company settled 5,011,428
common shares for gross proceeds of $183.0 million under its ATM equity program. Pursuant to the respective forward sale agreements, the
remaining 2,428,604 of shares must be settled by September 1, 2021 for gross proceeds of $89.6 million.
After considering the common shares issued during 2020 and the shares subject to the forward sale agreements, the Company had
approximately $227.4 million of availability remaining for distribution under the 2020 ATM Equity Program as of December 31, 2020.
On October 13, 2020, the Company completed an underwritten registered public offering pursuant to forward sale agreements in
which the forward purchasers borrowed and sold to the underwriters in the public offering 31,900,000 common shares, as well as an option
for the underwriters to purchase 4,785,000 additional common shares. The initial forward sale price was $36.67 per share, which is the public
offering price per share, less the underwriting discount per share. On November 9, 2020, the underwriters exercised in full its option to
purchase 4,785,000 additional common shares. On December 29, 2020, the Company issued 31,900,000 common shares generating net
proceeds of $1.17 billion, upon settlement of its forward contract in order to fund the Agro acquisition, and through the issuance of
14,166,667 common shares of the Company (the “Acquisition Shares”) to the Sellers at closing on December 30, 2020. As of December 31,
2020, the underwriter’s option to purchase 4,785,000 additional common shares is outstanding under forward contracts.
Other Shareholder Matters
None.
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data
None.
57
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. Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed
on March 2, 2020, for a discussion of the comparative results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Management’s Overview
We are the world’s largest publicly traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation, acquisition and development 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, 2020, we operated a global network of 238 temperature-controlled warehouses encompassing over 1.4 billion
cubic feet, with 194 warehouses in North America, 26 in Europe, 15 warehouses in Asia-Pacific, and 3 warehouses in South America. We
view and manage our business through three primary business segments: warehouse, third–party managed and transportation. In addition, we
hold two minority interests in Brazilian-based joint ventures, one with SuperFrio, which owns or operates 22 temperature-controlled
warehouses and one with Comfrio, which owns or operates 13 temperature-controlled warehouses.
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, (10) government-approved temperature-controlled storage and inspection services, (11) fumigation, (12) pre-cooling
and cold treatment services, and (13) ripening. 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 services 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. Labor expense is also impacted as a result of discretionary bonuses. In
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have incorporated certain inefficiencies such as staggered break schedules, social distancing, and
other changes to process, all of which we expect to continue
to incur going forward. 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. Additionally, business mix
impacts power expense depending on the temperature zone or type of freezing required. Other facilities costs include utilities other than
power, property insurance, property taxes, sanitation (which include incremental supplies as a result of COVID-19), repairs and maintenance
on real estate, rent under real property operating leases, where applicable, security, and other related facilities costs. Other services costs
include equipment costs, warehouse consumables (e.g., shrink-wrap and uniforms), personal protective equipment to maintain the health and
safety of our associates, 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. Additionally, in connection with the Cloverleaf Acquisition, we acquired trucks and associates that support certain
customers within the geographic area. We supplemented our regional, national and truckload consolidation business with the Hall’s
acquisition, which services the Northeast corridor of the U.S. with an owned and maintained fleet. Our acquisition of Agro Merchants further
expands our Transportation service offering. Agro Merchants operates its own fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles in the U.S., Ireland
and UK and also offers a variety of non-asset based transportation management services. These include multi-modal global freight
forwarding services to support our customers’ needs.
Other. In addition to our primary business segments, we owned and operated a limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri for the first half of
2020. Revenues were generated from the sale of limestone mined at our quarry. Cost of operations for our quarry consisted primarily of labor,
equipment, fuel and explosives. The sale of our quarry business segment was completed on July 1, 2020.
Other Consolidated Operating Expenses. We also incur depreciation and amortization expenses, corporate-level selling, general and
administrative expenses and corporate-level acquisition, litigation and other expenses.
Our depreciation 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. Amortization relates primarily to intangible
assets for customer relationships.
Our corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of wages and benefits for management, administrative,
business development, account management, project 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, bad debt, training, office equipment and supplies. Trends in corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses are
influenced by changes in headcount and compensation levels and achievement of incentive compensation targets. 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.
Our corporate-level acquisition, litigation and other expenses consist of costs that we view outside of selling, general and administrative
expenses with a high level of variability from period-to-period, and include the following:
• Acquisition related costs include costs associated with transactions, whether consummated or not, such as advisory, legal,
accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees. We also include integration costs pre- and post-acquisition
that reflect work being performed to facilitate merger and acquisition integration, such as employee retention expense and
work associated with information systems and other projects including spending to support future acquisitions, which
primarily consist of professional services.
• Litigation costs incurred in order to defend ourselves from litigation charges outside of the normal course of business and
•
related settlement costs.
Severance costs representing certain contractual and negotiated severance and separation costs from exited former executives,
reduction in headcount due to synergies achieved through acquisitions or operational efficiencies, and reduction in workforce
costs associated with exiting or selling non-strategic warehouses.
• Equity acceleration costs representing the unrecognized expense for share-based awards that vest and convert to common
shares in advance of the original negotiated vesting date and any other equity award changes resulting in accounting for the
award as a modification.
• Non-offering related equity issuance expenses whether incurred through our initial public offering, follow-on offerings or
secondary offerings.
• Non-recurring public company implementation costs associated with the implementation of financial reporting systems and
processes needed to convert the organization to a public reporting company.
• Terminated site operations costs represent 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 consolidated statement of
operations.
• Other costs relate to additional superannuation pension costs related to prior years upon review by the Australian Tax Office.
Key Factors Affecting Our Business and Financial Results
Acquisitions and Joint Ventures
On February 1, 2019, we completed the PortFresh Acquisition for a purchase price of approximately $35.9 million, utilizing available cash
on hand. PortFresh consisted of one facility operating near the port of Savannah, Georgia and adjacent land upon which we have constructed
a newly developed facility. This newly constructed facility received its certificate of occupancy during the second quarter of 2020. Since the
date of acquisition, we have reported the results of the acquired facility within our Warehouse segment.
On May 1, 2019, we completed the Cloverleaf Acquisition for a purchase price of approximately $1.24 billion, utilizing the $1.21 billion
net proceeds from our April 2019 follow-on offering and cash drawn from our senior unsecured revolving credit facility. Cloverleaf was the
fifth largest temperature-controlled warehousing provider in the United States, based in Sioux City, Iowa and consisted of 22 facilities in nine
states. Cloverleaf also generates income through a small component of transportation operations. Since the date of acquisition, we have
reported the results of 21 facilities within our warehouse segment, the results of one facility within our third-party managed segment and the
results of Cloverleaf’s transportation operations within our transportation segment.
Also, on May 1, 2019, we completed the Lanier Acquisition for approximately $82.5 million utilizing cash drawn from our senior
unsecured revolving credit facility. Lanier consisted of two temperature-controlled storage facilities in Georgia serving the poultry industry.
Since the date of acquisition, we have reported the results of these facilities within our warehouse segment.
On November 19, 2019, we completed the MHW Acquisition for a purchase price of approximately $51.6 million, utilizing available cash
on hand. MHW consisted of two temperature-controlled storage facilities, one located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and another in
Perryville, Maryland. Since the date of acquisition, we have reported the results of these facilities within our warehouse segment.
On January 2, 2020, we completed the purchase of all outstanding shares of Nova Cold for cash consideration of C$338.7 million (USD
$260.6 million). Nova Cold consisted of four temperature-controlled facilities in Toronto, Calgary and Halifax. The acquisition was funded
utilizing proceeds from the settlement of our April 2019 forward sale agreement combined with funds drawn on our 2018 Senior Unsecured
Revolving Credit Facility. Since the date of acquisition, we have reported the results of these facilities within our warehouse segment.
Also, on January 2, 2020, we completed the purchase of all outstanding membership interests of Newport Cold for cash consideration of
$57.7 million, utilizing available cash on hand. Newport Cold consists of a single temperature-controlled warehouse located in St. Paul,
Minnesota. Since the date of acquisition, we have reported the results of this facility within our warehouse segment.
On March 6, 2020, we acquired a 14.99% ownership interest in Superfrio Armazéns Gerais S.A. (SuperFrio) for Brazil Real Dollars of
R$117.8 million, or approximately USD $25.7 million, inclusive of certain legal fees. We funded the purchase price using cash on hand. Our
pro-rata share of the Brazil JV’s results are included within “(Loss) income from investments in partially owned entities”. As of December
31, 2020, SuperFrio owns or operates 22 temperature-controlled warehouses in Brazil.
On August 31, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Caspers Cold Storage for cash consideration of approximately $25.6 million, utilizing
available cash on hand. Caspers consisted of a single temperature-controlled warehouse located in Tampa, Florida. Since the date of
acquisition, we have reported the results of this facility within our warehouse segment.
Additionally, on August 31, 2020, we completed the acquisition of AM-C Warehouses for cash consideration of approximately $82.7 million,
utilizing available cash on hand. AM-C Warehouses consisted of an owned facility in Mansfield, Texas and a leased facility in Grand Prairie,
Texas. Since the date of acquisition, we have reported the results of these facilities within our warehouse segment.
On November 2, 2020, we completed the acquisition of New Jersey based Halls Warehouse Corporation for $489.2 million. Halls consisted
of eight facilities near the Port of Newark. Halls also provides transportation
services to its customers. Since the date of acquisition, we have reported the results of the facilities within our warehouse segment, and the
results of Halls transportation services within our transportation segment.
On December 30, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Agro Merchants for total consideration of $1.59 billion, including cash received of
$47.5 million. This was comprised of cash consideration totaling $1.08 billion, of which $49.7 million was deferred, and the issuance of
14,166,667 common shares of beneficial interest to Oaktree, with a fair value of $512.1 million based upon the closing share price on
December 29, 2020 of $36.15. Financing lease and sale-leaseback obligations associated with the acquisition totaled $119.9 million, and
when added to the total consideration transferred brings the total transaction cost to approximately $1.7 billion. The one business day of
results was immaterial to the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. Agro Merchants operates more
than 236 million cubic feet of temperature-controlled warehouse and distribution space across 46 facilities and provides transportation
services in the United States, Europe, Australia and Chile. We expect to report the results of these facilities within our warehouse segment in
2021, and the results of the transportation operations within our transportation segment in 2021.
Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes the four months for the activity of the AM-C and Caspers
acquisitions, and the two months for the activity of the Halls acquisition. Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019
includes the one month and partial period of November for the activity of the MHW Acquisition, eight months of activity for the Cloverleaf
Acquisition and Lanier Acquisition, and eleven months of activity for the PortFresh Acquisition. Refer to Notes 2 and 3 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
COVID-19
We are continuing to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business and geographies, including how it
will impact our customers and business partners. While we have not experienced significant disruptions on our operations from the COVID-
19 pandemic thus far, we are unable to predict the future impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on our financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties arising from the pandemic. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our operations
will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with any degree of confidence, including the scope,
severity, duration and geographies of the outbreak, the actions taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or mitigate its impact as requested
or mandated by governmental authorities or otherwise voluntarily taken by individuals or businesses, and the direct and indirect economic
effects of the outbreak and containment measures, among others. Our business is deemed an “essential business” as defined by the
Department of Homeland Security, which means that our associates are able to continue working in our facilities during “shelter-in-place” or
“stay-at-home” orders. The outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States and other countries in which we operate, has significantly adversely
impacted global economic activity and has contributed to significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The global impact
of the outbreak has led many nations, states and local authorities to institute “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders, mandate business
and school closures and restrict travel. Certain states and cities, including where we own properties, have development sites and where our
principal place of business is located, have also reacted by instituting restrictions on travel, “shelter in place” rules, restrictions on types of
business that may continue to operate, and/or restrictions on the types of construction projects that may continue. Many states and cities have
begun implementing “reopening” plans, however, these restrictions vary widely by jurisdiction and may continue to change as the COVID-19
pandemic progresses. The negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are pervasive across a broad spectrum of industries, including
industries in which we, our customers and business partners operate. Negative impacts from COVID-19 may negatively impact the business
and operations of our customers and business partners (including our suppliers). Further, the impacts of a potentially worsening of global
economic conditions and the continued disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets, consumer and business spending as
well as other unanticipated consequences continue to remain unknown. The impacts of locations of outbreaks and actions mandated by
governmental authorities or taken voluntarily by businesses and individuals to contain or mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and the timing of
the repeal or loosening of such restrictions are also unknown. As a result, we cannot at this time predict the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic, but it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects. Refer
to “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Public Health Crises - We face various risks and uncertainties related to public health crises, including the
recent and ongoing global outbreak of the novel coronavirus and variants (COVID-19). The COVID-19 pandemic is growing and its impacts
are uncertain and hard to measure and may have a material adverse effect on us.
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 typically
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. The rates below represent the
U.S. dollar equivalent of one unit of the respective foreign currency. Amounts presented in constant currency within our results of operations
are calculated by applying the average foreign exchange rate from the comparable prior year period to actual local currency results in the
current period, rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the respective period. While constant currency metrics are a non-GAAP
calculation and do not represent actual results, the comparison allows the reader to understand the impact of the underlying operations in
addition to the impact of changing foreign exchange rates.
Foreign Currency
Foreign
exchange
rates as of
December 31,
2020
Average foreign exchange
rates used to translate actual
operating results for the
year ended December 31,
2020
Foreign
exchange
rates as of
December 31,
2019
Prior period average
foreign exchange rate
used to adjust actual operating
results for the year ended
December 31, 2020
(1)
Australian dollar
New Zealand dollar
Argentine peso
Canadian dollar
Euro
British pound
Chilean peso
Poland Zloty
Brazilian real
(2)
(3)
(2)
(2)
(2)
0.769
0.718
0.012
0.785
1.222
1.367
0.141
0.268
0.193
0.688
0.649
0.014
0.746
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.185
0.703
0.675
0.017
0.772
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.699
0.664
0.022
0.752
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
(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.
(2) Included due to our acquisition of Agro on December 30, 2020, no rates are reflected prior to our investment.
(3) Included due to our investment in the Brazil JV in March 2020, thus prior year rates not included during period prior to our investment. The average rate used
for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflects the average rate from the date of our initial investment through the end of the year.
Focus on Our Operational Effectiveness and Cost Structure
We continuously seek to execute on various initiatives aimed at streamlining our business processes and reducing our cost structure,
including: realigning and centralizing key business processes and fully integrating acquired assets and businesses; 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
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, thermal energy storage, 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.
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, the exit of certain leased facilities, the exit of certain
managed warehouse agreements, the sale of our quarry business and the exit of the China JV (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the China JV). Through our process of active portfolio management, we
continue to evaluate our markets and offerings.
Strategic Shift within Our Transportation Segment
Several years ago, we initiated a strategic shift in our transportation segment services and solutions. The intention of this strategic shift was
to better focus our business on the operation of our temperature-controlled warehouses. Specifically, we have gradually exited certain
commoditized, non-scalable, or low margin services we historically offered to our customers, in favor of more profitable and value-added
programs, such as regional, national, truckload and retailer-specific multi-vendor consolidation services. We designed each value-added
program 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 client retention, as
well as maintain high occupancy levels in our temperature-controlled warehouses. Over the last several years, we have made significant
progress in implementing our strategic initiative of growing our transportation service offering in a way that complements our temperature-
controlled warehouse business, for example, we have also added a dedicated fleet service offering through acquisitions. We intend to
continue executing this strategy in the future.
Historically Significant Customer
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 one customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues, with revenues
received of $257.3 million, $211.1 million and $212.8 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, $241.8 million, $195.4 million, and $196.3 million represented reimbursements for certain expenses
we incurred during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, that were offset by matching expenses included in our
third-party managed cost of operations.
Economic Occupancy of our Warehouses
We define average economic occupancy as the aggregate number of physically occupied pallets and any additional pallets otherwise
contractually committed for a given period, without duplication. We estimate the number of contractually committed pallet positions by
taking into account the actual pallet commitment specified in each customers’ contract, and subtracting the physical pallet positions. We
regard economic occupancy as an important driver of our financial results. 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. Additionally, we actively seek opportunities to transition our current customers to contracts that feature a fixed storage
commitment when renewing existing agreements or upon the change in the anticipated profile of our customer. This strategy mitigates the
impact of changes in physical occupancy throughout the course of the year due to seasonality, as well as other factors that can impact
physical occupancy while ensuring our customers have the necessary space they need to support their business.
Throughput at our Warehouses
The level and nature 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. The nature of throughput may be driven by the expected turn of the underlying product or commodity.
Throughput pallets can be influenced both by the food manufacturers as well as shifts in demand preferences. Food manufacturers’
production levels, which respond to market conditions and consumer preferences, may impact inbound pallets. Similarly, a change in
inventory turnover due to shift in customer demand may impact outbound pallets.
How We Assess the Performance of Our Business
Segment Contribution (Net Operating Income or “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 and
amortization, impairment charges, corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses and corporate-level acquisition, litigation and
other 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.
Same Store Analysis
We define our “same store” population once a year at the beginning of the current calendar year. Our same store population includes
properties that were owned or leased for the entirety of two comparable periods and that have reported at least twelve months of consecutive
normalized operations prior to January 1 of the prior calendar year. We define “normalized operations” as properties that have been open for
operation or lease after development or significant modification, including the expansion of a warehouse footprint or a warehouse
rehabilitation subsequent to an event, such as a natural disaster or similar event causing disruption to operations. In addition, our definition of
“normalized operations” takes into account changes in the ownership structure (e.g., purchase of a previously leased warehouse would result
in different charges in the compared periods), which would impact comparability in our warehouse segment contribution (NOI).
Acquired properties will be included in the “same store” population if owned by us as of the first business day of each year, of the prior
calendar year and still owned by us as of the end of the current reporting period, unless the property is under development. The “same store”
pool is also adjusted to remove properties that were sold or entering development subsequent to the beginning of the current calendar year. As
such, the “same store” population for the period ended December 31, 2020 includes all properties that we owned at January 2, which had both
been owned and had reached “normalized operations” by January 2, 2019.
We calculate “same store contribution (NOI)” as revenues for the same store population less its cost of operations (excluding any
depreciation and amortization, impairment charges and corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses, corporate-level
acquisition, litigation and other expenses and gain or loss on sale of real estate). 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 for the year ended December 31, 2020. While not included in the non-same store warehouse count in the table below, the results
of operations for the non-same store warehouses includes the partial period impact of the sites that were exited during the year ended
December 31, 2020, as described in footnote 2 following the table. In addition, we hold two minority interests in Brazilian-based joint
ventures, one with SuperFrio, which owns or operates 22 temperature-controlled warehouses and one with Comfrio, which owns or operates
13 temperature-controlled warehouses; these joint ventures are not included in the table below.
Total Warehouses
Same Store Warehouses
Non-Same Store Warehouses
Third-Party Managed Warehouses
(1)
(1)
(2)
238
135
94
9
(1)
At the beginning of 2020 we reclassified one facility in our portfolio to the same store population from the non-same store population as a result of achieving normalized
operations, two facilities were reclassified from to our non-same store population from our same store population as a result of the redevelopment impact to the Atlanta Major
Market Strategy that is in progress, and one facility that was in the same-store population was sold. During 2020, we acquired four facilities in connection with the Nova Cold
Acquisition, one facility in connection with the Newport Acquisition, two facilities in connection with the AM-C Acquisition, one facility in connection with the Caspers
Acquisition, eight facilities in connection with the Halls Acquisition and 46 facilities in connection with the Agro Acquisition, all of which were added to the non-same store
population. Additionally, during 2020 we completed a development upon land that was acquired in connection with the PortFresh Acquisition, which was added to the non-same
store population.
(2)
During 2020, we exited two third-party managed warehouses, which were not renewed upon expiration of the operating agreement.
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.
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 outside our control that are caused by the net effect of foreign
currency translation on revenues generated and expenses incurred by our operations outside the United States. 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. The constant currency performance measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the measures of financial
performance prepared 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.
SEC Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses
In May 2020, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC release No. 33-10786, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired
and Disposed Businesses, amending Rule 1-02(w)(2) which includes amendments to certain of its rules and forms related to the disclosure of
financial information regarding acquired or disposed businesses. Among other changes, the amendments impact SEC rules relating to (1) the
definition of “significant” subsidiaries, (2) requirements to provide financial statements for “significant” acquisitions, and (3) revisions to the
formulation and usage of pro forma financial information. The final rule is effective on January 1, 2021; however, voluntary early adoption is
permitted. The Company early adopted the provisions of the final rule in the third quarter of 2020. We have applied the new rules to the
contemplated and completed acquisitions since the date of adoption. The Agro acquisition met the SEC’s revised definition of significance,
requiring one year of audited financial statements and pro forma financial information and was filed on Form 8-K/A on February 26, 2021.
Presentation
A detailed discussion of the 2020 year-over-year changes can be found below and a detailed discussion of the 2019 year-over-year changes
can be found in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on Form 10-K filed with
the SEC on March 2, 2020.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Warehouse Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our warehouse segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
2019 actual
Actual
Constant currency
Change
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total warehouse segment revenue
(2)
Power
Other facilities costs
Labor
Other services costs
Total warehouse segment cost of operations
(3)
Warehouse segment contribution (NOI)
Warehouse rent and storage contribution (NOI)
Warehouse services contribution (NOI)
(5)
(4)
2020 actual
666,150
883,164
1,549,314
90,533
137,216
677,039
124,193
1,028,981
520,333
438,401
81,932
$
$
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2020 constant
currency
(Dollars in thousands)
$
(1)
$
669,154
885,728
1,554,882
91,039
137,887
679,306
124,767
1,032,999
521,883
440,228
81,655
$
$
$
$
$
$
582,509
794,708
1,377,217
82,380
113,551
614,049
119,646
929,626
447,591
386,578
61,013
Total warehouse segment margin
Rent and storage margin
Warehouse services margin
(6)
(7)
33.6 %
65.8 %
9.3 %
33.6 %
65.8 %
9.2 %
32.5 %
66.4 %
7.7 %
14.4 %
11.1 %
12.5 %
9.9 %
20.8 %
10.3 %
3.8 %
10.7 %
16.3 %
13.4 %
34.3 %
109 bps
-55 bps
160 bps
14.9 %
11.5 %
12.9 %
10.5 %
21.4 %
10.6 %
4.3 %
11.1 %
16.6 %
13.9 %
33.8 %
106 bps
-58 bps
154 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 $12.9 million and $12.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Includes non-real estate rent expense (equipment lease and rentals) of $9.4 million and $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(2)
(3)
(4) Calculated as rent and storage revenue less power and other facilities costs.
(5) Calculated as warehouse services revenue less labor and other services costs.
(6) Calculated as warehouse rent and storage contribution (NOI) divided by warehouse rent and storage revenue.
(7) Calculated as warehouse services contribution (NOI) divided by warehouse services revenue.
Warehouse segment revenue was $1.55 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $172.1 million, or 12.5%,
compared to $1.38 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a constant currency basis, our warehouse segment revenue was $1.55
billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $177.7 million, or 12.9%, compared to the prior year. Approximately $158.7
million of the increase, on an actual basis, was primarily driven by acquisitions completed during 2019 and 2020, including the growth
experienced period-over-period during overlapping periods of ownership. We acquired 23 warehouse facilities as a result of the Cloverleaf
and Lanier acquisitions on May 1, 2019, two facilities in connection with the MHW acquisition on November 19, 2019 and one facility as a
result of the PortFresh acquisition on February 1, 2019, and therefore did not have ownership of these facilities during the entirety of the
comparable prior period. In 2020, we acquired 62 facilities in the warehouse segment in the Agro, AM-C, Caspers, Halls, Newport and Nova
Cold acquisitions. Agro’s revenue is not reflected in the operating results of our warehouse segment as the
acquisition closed on December 30, 2020 with only one day of results for the year ended December 31, 2020. We consider the results to be
immaterial and have excluded it for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Throughout 2020, revenue growth has been driven by the impact of acquisitions. Additionally, we experienced higher than seasonal
grocery demand within the retail sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this was mostly offset by decreased consumption in the
food services sector due to stay-at-home orders and continued social distancing which resulted in lower services revenue due to the shift in
demand. Later in the second quarter of 2020, the food service sector volumes began to increase as re-opening plans were implemented but
still significantly lower than the prior comparable period. The increase was also partially due to higher economic occupancy in our same-store
pool from higher commodity holdings and a slowdown in food service activity and exports, coupled with an increase in fixed committed
contracts. The remaining increase was primarily due to a more favorable customer mix, improvements in our commercial terms and
contractual rate escalations, the incremental revenue from our expansion of the Rochelle, Illinois facility and the opening of the development
in Savannah. The foreign currency translation of revenue received by our foreign operations had a $5.6 million unfavorable impact during the
year ended December 31, 2020, 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 $1.03 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $99.4 million, or
10.7%, compared to $929.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a constant currency basis, our warehouse segment cost of
operations was $1.03 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $103.4 million, or 11.1%, compared to the prior year.
Approximately $97.8 million of the increase, on an actual basis,was primarily driven by the additional facilities we acquired in connection
with the aforementioned acquisitions. In addition, we incurred increases in our cost of operations in response to COVID-19. We undertook
initiatives to ensure the health and safety of our associates, incurring higher costs for items such as labor, due to social distancing
requirements, cleaning and sanitation supplies, and other personal protective equipment (“PPE”). These incremental COVID-19 expenses
include higher sanitation costs of $3.2 million and higher PPE costs of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, we
experienced higher property taxes and property insurance expense during 2020, due primarily to our growing portfolio. During the second
quarter of 2020, we also paid a front-line appreciation bonus to our associates in recognition of their dedication and efforts during the
COVID-19 pandemic, which totaled $4.3 million. The foreign currency translation of expenses incurred by our foreign operations had a $4.0
million favorable impact during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Warehouse segment contribution (NOI) was $520.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $72.7 million, or
16.3%, compared to $447.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a constant currency basis, warehouse segment contribution
was $521.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $74.3 million, or 16.6%, compared to the prior year. The foreign
currency translation of our results of operations had a $1.6 million unfavorable impact to the warehouse segment contribution period-over-
period. The increase was primarily driven by the additional facilities in the warehouse segment as a result of the aforementioned acquisitions,
including the growth and synergies experienced period-over-period during overlapping periods of ownership. The remainder of the increase
was driven by improvements in our core business, same store economic occupancy growth, and disciplined cost controls through the
Americold Operating System of our power and other services costs, which allowed us to generate higher contribution margins. The increases
were partially offset by the currency translation impact of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, the appreciation bonus paid to front-line
associates to recognize the efforts of our associates during the COVID-19 pandemic, increases in the cost of property taxes and property
insurance, as well as the increase in costs related to the COVID-19 response efforts to maintain the health and safety of our associates.
Same Store Analysis
We had 135 same stores for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. 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, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Amounts related to the AM-C, Cloverleaf, Caspers, Hall’s, Lanier,
MHW, Newport and Nova Cold acquisitions are reflected within non-same store results. The operational results from one day of ownership
from the Agro acquisition is not material for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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, 2020 and 2019.
Number of same store sites
Same store revenue:
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total same store revenue
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)
Same store services contribution (NOI)
(3)
(2)
Total same store margin
Same store rent and storage margin
Same store services margin
(5)
(4)
(6)
Number of non-same store sites
Non-same store revenue:
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total non-same store revenue
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)
Non-same store services contribution (NOI)
(3)
(2)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Total non-same store margin
Non-same store rent and storage margin
Non-same store services margin
(5)
(4)
Year ended December 31,
2020 constant
currency(1)
2020 actual
135
507,848
668,717
1,176,565
(Dollars in thousands)
$
510,614
671,079
1,181,693
64,088
104,537
521,880
84,773
775,278
401,287
339,223
62,064
$
$
$
$
64,576
105,122
524,044
85,308
779,050
402,643
340,916
61,727
$
$
$
$
$
2019 actual
135
494,273
660,843
1,155,116
66,648
95,772
518,652
92,835
773,907
381,209
331,853
49,356
34.1 %
66.8 %
9.3 %
34.1 %
66.8 %
9.2 %
33.0 %
67.1 %
7.5 %
Change
Actual
Constant currency
n/a
2.7 %
1.2 %
1.9 %
(3.8)%
9.2 %
0.6 %
(8.7)%
0.2 %
5.3 %
2.2 %
25.8 %
110 bps
-34 bps
181 bps
n/a
3.3 %
1.5 %
2.3 %
(3.1) %
9.8 %
1.0 %
(8.1) %
0.7 %
5.6 %
2.7 %
25.1 %
107 bps
-37 bps
173 bps
2019 actual
Actual
Year ended December 31,
2020 constant
currency(1)
2020 actual
94
158,302
214,447
372,749
26,445
32,679
155,159
39,420
253,703
119,046
99,178
19,868
31.9 %
62.7 %
9.3 %
$
$
$
$
$
(Dollars in thousands)
$
158,540
214,649
373,189
$
$
$
$
1
26,463
32,765
155,262
39,459
253,949
119,240
99,312
19,928
32.0 %
62.6 %
9.3 %
32
88,236
133,865
222,101
15,732
17,779
95,397
26,811
155,719
66,382
54,725
11,657
29.9 %
62.0 %
8.7 %
Change
Constant currency
n/a
n/a
79.4 %
60.2 %
67.8 %
68.1 %
83.8 %
62.6 %
47.0 %
62.9 %
79.3 %
81.2 %
70.4 %
205 bps
63 bps
56 bps
12.5 %
10.7 %
16.3 %
79.7 %
60.3 %
68.0 %
68.2 %
84.3 %
62.8 %
47.2 %
63.1 %
79.6 %
81.5 %
71.0 %
206 bps
62 bps
58 bps
12.9 %
11.1 %
16.6 %
Total warehouse segment revenue
Total warehouse cost of operations
Total warehouse segment contribution
$
$
$
1,549,314 $
1,028,981 $
520,333 $
1,554,882 $
1,032,999 $
521,883 $
1,377,217
929,626
447,591
(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 rent and storage contribution (NOI) divided by rent and storage revenue.
(5) Calculated as warehouse services contribution (NOI) divided by warehouse services revenue.
(6) Non-same store warehouse count of 94 includes 46 warehouses acquired through the Agro acquisition on December 30, 2020, eight warehouses acquired through the Hall’s
acquisition on November 2, 2020, three warehouses acquired through the Casper’s and AM-C warehouse acquisitions on August 31, 2020, and five warehouses acquired
through the Nova Cold and Newport acquisitions on January 2, 2020. The results of these acquisitions are reflected in the results above since date of ownership. The
operational results from one day of ownership of the Agro warehouses is immaterial to the three months and year ended December 31, 2020.
n/r - not relevant
The following table provides certain operating metrics to explain the drivers of our same store performance.
Units in thousands except per pallet and site number data - unaudited
Number of same store sites
Same store rent and storage:
Economic occupancy
(1)
Average occupied economic pallets
Economic occupancy percentage
Same store rent and storage revenue per economic occupied pallet
Constant currency same store rent and storage revenue per economic occupied pallet
Physical occupancy
(2)
Average physical occupied pallets
Average physical pallet positions
Physical occupancy percentage
Same store rent and storage revenue per physical occupied pallet
Constant currency same store rent and storage revenue per physical occupied pallet
Same store warehouse services:
Throughput pallets (in thousands)
Same store warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet
Constant currency same store warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet
Number of non-same store sites
Non-same store rent and storage:
Economic occupancy
(1)
(3)
Average occupied economic pallets
Economic occupancy percentage
Physical occupancy
(2)
Average physical occupied pallets
Average physical pallet positions
Physical occupancy percentage
Non-same store warehouse services:
Throughput pallets (in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
2019
2020
Change
135
135
n/a
2,440
80.5 %
208.10
209.23
2,204
3,031
72.7 %
230.45
231.70
25,133
26.61
26.70
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,405
79.4 %
205.53
205.53
2,282
3,028
75.4 %
216.62
216.62
25,842
25.57
25.57
94
32
793
74.5 %
762
1,065
71.6 %
460
79.9 %
446
576
77.5 %
1.5 %
110 bps
1.3 %
1.8 %
(3.4) %
0.1 %
-265 bps
6.4 %
7.0 %
(2.7) %
4.1 %
4.4 %
n/a
72.2 %
-542 bps
70.8 %
84.8 %
-586 bps
6,990
4,249
64.5 %
(1) We define average economic occupancy as the aggregate number of physically occupied pallets and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given
period, without duplication. We estimate the number of contractually committed pallet positions by taking into account actual pallet commitment specified in each
customers’ contract, and subtracting the physical pallet positions.
(2) 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.
(3) Non-same store warehouse count of 94 includes 46 warehouses acquired through the Agro acquisition on December 30, 2020, eight warehouses acquired through the Hall’s
acquisition on November 2, 2020, three warehouses acquired through the Casper’s and AM-C warehouse acquisitions on August 31, 2020, and five warehouses acquired
through the Nova Cold and Newport acquisitions on January 2, 2020. The results of these acquisitions are reflected in the results above since date of ownership. The
operational results from one day of ownership of the Agro warehouses is immaterial to the three months and year ended December 31, 2020.
Economic occupancy at our same stores was 80.5% for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of 110 basis points compared
to 79.4% for the year ended December 31, 2019. This change was primarily the result of an increase in fixed storage contracts. Our economic
occupancy at our same stores for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 781 basis points higher than our corresponding average physical
occupancy of 72.7%. The decrease of 265 basis points in average physical occupancy compared to 75.4% for the year ended December 31,
2019 was partially driven by lower protein occupancy and lower food service business occupancy due to “stay-at-home” orders as well as
port congestion as a result of COVID-19, which generated lower throughput of inventory within our warehouses. This was partially offset by
the increase in physical occupancy related to the retail products as a result of higher grocery demand related to COVID-19.
Same store rent and storage revenues per economic occupied pallet increased 1.3% period-over-period, primarily driven by
improvements in our commercial terms and contractual rate escalations. On a constant currency basis, our same store rent and storage
revenues per occupied pallet increased 1.8% period-over-period.
Throughput pallets at our same stores were 25.1 million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of 2.7% from 25.8
million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was the result of the COVID related impacts in various sectors and
commodities, including the initial surge and ongoing elevated demand from our grocery retail sector, offset by the decrease in throughput in
the food service sector and protein commodity. Same store warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet increased 4.1% compared to the
prior year primarily as a result of contractual rate escalations, favorable business mix and an increase in higher-priced, value-added
warehouse services such as repackaging, blast freezing, and case-picking, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation as
previously discussed. On a constant currency basis, our same store services revenue per throughput pallet increased 4.4% 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, 2020 and
2019.
Number of managed sites
Third-party managed revenue
Third-party managed cost of operations
Third-party managed segment contribution
2020 actual
9
$
$
291,751
279,523
12,228
(Dollars in thousands)
$
292,019
279,809
12,210
$
11
252,939
241,178
11,761
$
$
Third-party managed margin
4.2 %
4.2 %
4.6 %
15.3 %
15.9 %
4.0 %
-46 bps
15.5 %
16.0 %
3.8 %
-47 bps
Year ended December 31,
2020 constant
currency(1)
2019 actual
Actual
Constant currency
Change
(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 revenue was $291.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $38.8 million, or 15.3%,
compared to $252.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a constant currency basis, third-party managed revenue was $292.0
million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $39.1 million, or 15.5%, compared to the prior year. This increase was a result
of higher business volume in our domestic and Australia managed operations due to the consumer demand shift to retail. This increase was
partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation related to our Canadian and Australian managed revenues, and the
impacts from the exit of two Canadian managed facilities during 2020 and the exit of one domestic managed facility during the third quarter
of 2019.
Third-party managed cost of operations was $279.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $38.3 million, or
15.9%, compared to $241.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a constant currency basis, third-party managed cost of
operations was $279.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $38.6 million, or 16.0%, compared to the prior year. The
increase was a result of higher business volume and is in line with the increase in revenues, partially offset by the exit of the facilities
described above.
Third-party managed segment contribution (NOI) was $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $0.5
million, or 4.0%, compared to $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a constant currency basis, third-party managed
segment contribution (NOI) was $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $0.4 million, or 3.8%, compared to the
prior year. The increase in segment contribution was a result of the factors mentioned above.
Transportation Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our transportation segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Transportation revenue
Brokered transportation
Other cost of operations
Total transportation cost of operations
Transportation segment contribution (NOI)
2020 actual
$
$
142,203
102,230
21,166
123,396
18,807
Year ended December 31,
2020 constant
currency(1)
(Dollars in thousands)
$
143,742
$
103,575
21,194
124,769
18,973
$
$
144,844
104,393
22,384
126,777
18,067
Transportation margin
13.2 %
13.2 %
12.5 %
(1.8)%
(2.1)%
(5.4)%
(2.7)%
4.1 %
75 bps
(0.8) %
(0.8) %
(5.3) %
(1.6) %
5.0 %
73 bps
2019 actual
Actual
Constant currency
Change
(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 consolidation offerings. Transportation revenue was $142.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 1.8%, compared to $144.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a
constant currency basis, transportation revenue was $143.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $1.1
million, or 0.8%, compared to the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by the exit of certain low-margin international and domestic
transportation business, paired with the unfavorable impact from the foreign currency translation of revenues earned by our foreign
operations. Domestically, our transportation operations experienced an increase due to the revenue associated with transportation operations
from the Hall’s acquisition, which closed on November 2, 2020, and resulted in an increase of $4.6 million for the year ended December 31,
2020. Additionally, revenue increased from the Cloverleaf Acquisition, which contributed an increase of $2.0 million due to 12 months of
results during the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to eight months of ownership during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Transportation cost of operations was $123.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 2.7%,
compared to $126.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a constant currency basis, transportation cost of operations was
$124.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 1.6%, compared to the prior year. Domestically, our
transportation cost of operations experienced an increase due to the cost associated with transportation operations from the Hall’s acquisition,
which closed on November 2, 2020, and resulted in an increase of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, cost of
operations increased from the Cloverleaf Acquisition, which contributed an increase of $1.2 million due to 12 months of results during the
year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to eight months of ownership during the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the increases
in transportation cost of operations resulting from the aforementioned acquisitions, the strategic shift referenced above, paired with the impact
of the foreign currency translation of our international costs, led to a decline in transportation cost of operations for the segment.
Transportation segment contribution (NOI) was $18.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $0.7 million, or
4.1%, compared to $18.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Transportation segment margin increased 75 basis points from the
prior year, to 13.2% from 12.5%. On a constant currency basis, transportation segment contribution was $19.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2020, an increase of $0.9 million, or 5.0%, compared to the prior year. The overall increase in margin was primarily due to the
strategic shift referenced above, which resulted in more profitable business.
Quarry Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our quarry segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. We sold
our quarry business on July 1, 2020.
Quarry revenue
Quarry cost of operations
Quarry segment contribution (NOI)
Quarry margin
Year ended December 31,
2019
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
$
$
4,459
4,329
130
$
$
8,705
7,867
838
2.9 %
9.6 %
Change
(48.8)%
(45.0)%
(84.5)%
670 bps
Quarry revenue was $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $4.2 million, or 48.8%, compared to $8.7
million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Quarry cost of operations was $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease
of $3.5 million, or 45.0%, compared to $7.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in both revenues and cost of
operations was a result of the sale of the limestone quarry which closed on July 1, 2020.
Quarry segment contribution (NOI) was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $0.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2019, due to the sale of the quarry segment.
Other Consolidated Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $215.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an
increase of $52.5 million, or 32.2%, compared to $163.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily due to
the 2019 and 2020 acquisitions, expansions and developments.
Selling, general and administrative. Corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses were $144.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $15.4 million, or 11.9%, compared to $129.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Included in these amounts are business development expenses attributable to new business pursuits, supply chain solutions and underwriting,
facility development, customer onboarding, and engineering and consulting services to support our customers in the cold chain. Business
development expenses represented approximately 13% and 14% of corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses for the year
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We 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 share-
based compensation and higher payroll and benefits related to additional investments to support our expanded development pipeline and
higher professional fees. This was offset by a reduction in travel expense due to stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic, paired with net synergies realized from acquisitions. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, corporate-level
selling, general and administrative expenses were 7.3% and 7.2%, respectively, of total revenues.
Acquisition, litigation and other. Corporate-level acquisition, litigation and other expenses were $36.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 2020, a decrease of $4.3 million compared to $40.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Included in these amounts
are business acquisition related costs, litigation costs associated with litigation charges outside of the normal course of business or resulting
from a settlement, severance and equity acceleration costs incurred in connection with former executives, severance as a result of synergies
realized from acquisitions or operational realignment, non-offering related equity issuance expenses, and terminated site operations costs. We
view all of these costs as corporate in nature regardless of the segment or segments involved in certain transactions. During the year ended
December 31, 2020, we incurred $26.5 million of acquisition related expenses primarily composed of professional fees and integration
related costs in connection with completed and potential acquisitions, primarily related to the recently completed Agro Merchants
Acquisition, and employee retention. Additionally, we incurred $1.1 million of severance primarily related to reduction in headcount as a
result of the synergies from acquisitions, and partially related to the realignment of our international operations. During the fourth quarter of
2020 we were subject to a cybersecurity incident and incurred $7.9 million of costs related to it. The cyber incident costs include third-party
fees incurred in connection with the cyber incident that occurred in November 2020, as well as any incremental costs, internal and external,
incurred to restore operations at our facilities. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred $24.3 million of acquisition related
expenses primarily composed of professional fees and integration related costs in connection with completed and potential acquisitions,
primarily related to the Cloverleaf Acquisition, and employee retention. In addition, we incurred $4.3 million of severance and equity
acceleration expenses related to exited former executives and the resignation of a member of the Board of Trustees and $5.4 million of
severance related to reduction in headcount as a result of the synergies created from the Cloverleaf and Lanier acquisitions and organizational
realignment of our international operations. We also incurred $4.6 million of legal settlement and related litigation professional fees and $1.4
million of costs in connection with the secondary offering of
common shares on behalf of our previously significant shareholders in March 2019, for which we received no proceeds.
Impairment of long-lived assets. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded impairment charges of $8.2 million
and $13.5 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded impairment charges of $3.7 million for Quarry
segment assets related to the sale of our quarry business, $2.1 million for Third-party managed segment assets within the leased facilities that
we exited which could not be repurposed, $1.7 million for Warehouse segment assets related to a potential development project which we are
no longer moving forward with and $0.5 million for Warehouse segment assets which were deemed unusable subsequent to the sale of our
Boston facility. During the first quarter of 2019, management and our Board of Trustees formally approved the “Atlanta Major Market
Strategy” plan which included the partial redevelopment of an existing warehouse facility. The partial redevelopment required the demolition
of 75% of the current warehouse. As a result of this initiative, we recorded an impairment charge of $9.6 million during the first quarter of
2019. Additionally, during the first quarter of 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.9 million related to a domestic idle warehouse
facility in anticipation of sale of the asset, which was completed during the second quarter of 2019. Each of these impaired assets previously
mentioned related to the Warehouse segment. In addition, during the second quarter of 2019, management determined that certain
international transportation related assets were going to be idled and we recorded an impairment charge of $0.9 million as a result. These
impaired assets related to the transportation segment.
Gain from sale of real estate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded a $22.1 million gain from the sale of real estate.
On June 19, 2020, we completed the sale of a facility in our Warehouse segment, and began to transition the business to other nearby
facilities, resulting in a $20.1 million gain from sale of real estate. On January 31, 2020, we received official notice from a customer to
exercise its contractual call option to purchase land from us in Sydney, Australia, which we previously purchased for future development. We
received sale proceeds upon exercise of the call option during the first quarter of 2020, resulting in a $2.5 million gain on sale.
Other Expense
The following table presents other items of income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense
Interest income
Bridge loan commitment fees
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net
Other expense - net
Loss from partially owned entities
Gain from sale of partially owned entities
n/r= not relevant
Year ended December 31,
2019
2020
Change
%
$
(Dollars in thousands)
(91,481) $
1,162
(2,438)
(9,975)
(45,278)
(2,563)
(250)
—
(94,408)
6,286
(2,665)
—
10
(1,870)
(111)
4,297
(3.1)%
(81.5)%
(8.5)%
(100.0)%
n/r
37.1 %
125.2 %
(100.0)%
Interest expense. Interest expense was $91.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 3.1%,
compared to $94.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in interest expense on the
unhedged portion of our Senior Unsecured Term Loan A
Facility due to the decrease in the LIBOR rate. This was offset by the increase in the Senior Unsecured Term Loan A which was expanded to
fund the Nova Cold acquisition and the private placement of $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of Series C Senior Unsecured Notes
on May 7, 2019, which were used to fund a portion of the Cloverleaf and Lanier acquisitions. While our average outstanding principal has
increased from the comparable prior period, on average, the effective interest rate of our outstanding debt has decreased from 4.79% for the
year ended December 31, 2019 to 3.94% for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Interest income. Interest income of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased $5.1 million when compared to $6.3
million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This change was primarily driven by a lower interest rate of 0.51% earned during the year
ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 2.3% during the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as a lower average cash balance as
compared to the prior year.
Bridge loan commitment fees. Corporate-level bridge loan commitment fees were $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
In 2020 and 2019, we obtained a bridge loan to support the Agro and Cloverleaf acquisitions, respectively. The bridge loan facility for Agro
and Cloverleaf ultimately did not need to be funded, and accordingly, we expensed the lender commitment and loan fee.
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments. During the first quarter of 2020 we
refinanced our Senior Unsecured Credit Facility, which resulted in the write-off of certain unamortized deferred financing costs of $0.8
million. During the fourth quarter of 2020, we closed on a debt private placement of €750 million senior unsecured notes. In connection
with this issuance, we repaid $100.0 million of our outstanding Senior Unsecured Term Loan A-1 facility, resulting in a write-off of $1.5
million of unamortized deferred financing costs. In connection with the partial repayment of this debt we also terminated the related interest
rate swaps, resulting in the recognition of a portion of the remaining unamortized balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the
previously designated hedges for $7.7 million. The unamortized balance of $8.7 million will be recognized through 2024. No such costs
were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net. We reported a foreign currency exchange loss of $45.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 2020 compared to a nominal gain for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company
entered into an undesignated foreign currency forward contract to lock in the conversion of the expected proceeds of the €750 million
denominated debt issuance to USD, which settled on December 30, 2020, and resulted in $45.0 million in foreign currency exchange loss
when compared to the USD equivalent of the Euro denominated debt at market rates, on the date of issuance.
Other expense - net. Other expense, net was $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $0.7 million was primarily driven by the loss on asset disposal that was offset by a decrease in
pension non-service costs.
Loss from partially owned entities. We reported a loss of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to a loss of
$0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we entered into the Brazil JV for which we
recorded our portion of loss generated by SuperFrio. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the loss related to the China JV, which we
exited during the third quarter of 2019.
Gain from sale of partially owned entities. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we sold our interest in the China JV which
resulted in the $4.3 million gain.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $6.9 million, which represented an increase of $1.7 million, from an
income tax benefit of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily due to recognition by our U.S. TRS of
a deferred income tax benefit to reduce its valuation allowance by $2.0 million. The reduction in the valuation allowance is primarily
attributable to net deferred tax liabilities acquired that are a positive source of income for valuation allowance assessment purposes. This
deferred income tax benefit was offset by an increase in income tax expense of $0.3 million primarily attributable to our foreign operations.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use the following non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental performance measures of our business: FFO, Core FFO, Adjusted FFO,
EBITDAre and Core EBITDA.
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, real estate asset impairment and our
share of reconciling items for partially owned entities. 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,
non-real estate impairment, acquisition, litigation and other, share-based compensation expense for the IPO retention grants, bridge loan
commitment fees, loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments, foreign currency exchange loss and
gain from sale of partially owned entities. We also adjust for the impact of Core FFO attributable to partially owned entities. We have elected
to reflect our share of Core FFO attributable to partially owned entities since the Brazil JV is a strategic partnership which we continue to
actively participate in on an ongoing basis. The previous joint venture, the China JV, was considered for disposition during the periods
presented. 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 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 deferred financing
costs, pension withdrawal liability and above or below market leases, straight-line net rent, provision or benefit from deferred income taxes,
share-based compensation expense from grants of stock options and restricted stock units under our equity incentive plans, excluding IPO
grants, non-real estate depreciation and amortization, and maintenance capital expenditures. We also adjust for AFFO attributable to our
share of reconciling items of partially owned entities. 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
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 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 table
below 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.
Reconciliation of Net Income to NAREIT FFO, Core FFO, and Adjusted FFO
(in thousands)
Net income
Adjustments:
Real estate related depreciation
Net (gain) loss on sale of real estate, net of withholding taxes
Net loss (gain) on asset disposals
Impairment charges on real estate assets
Real estate depreciation on partially owned entities
Our share of reconciling items related to partially owned entities
(a)
NAREIT Funds from operations
Less distributions on preferred shares of beneficial interest
NAREIT Funds from operations applicable to common shareholders
Adjustments:
Net loss (gain) on sale of non-real estate assets
Non-real estate asset impairment
Acquisition, litigation, and other excluding 2018 RSU modification expenses
Share-based compensation expense, IPO grants
Bridge loan commitment fees
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)
Excise tax settlement
Alternative Minimum Tax receivable from Tax Cuts & Jobs Act
Gain from sale of partially owned entities
Our share of reconciling items related to partially owned entities
Core FFO applicable to common shareholders
Adjustments:
Amortization of deferred financing costs and pension withdrawal liability
Amortization of below/above market leases
Straight-line net rent
Deferred income taxes benefit
Share-based compensation expense, excluding IPO grants
Non-real estate depreciation and amortization
Non-real estate depreciation and amortization on partially owned entities
Maintenance capital expenditures
Our share of reconciling items related to partially owned entities
(b)
Adjusted FFO applicable to common shareholders
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2020
$
24,555 $
48,162 $
47,985
146,417
(21,759)
2,045
5,630
—
449
157,337
—
157,337 $
595
2,606
36,306
972
2,438
9,975
45,278
—
—
—
194
255,701
5,147
152
(628)
(13,732)
16,939
69,474
—
(65,547)
371
267,877 $
114,976
34
382
12,555
790
—
176,899
—
176,899 $
488
930
40,614
2,432
2,665
—
(10)
—
—
(4,297)
—
219,721
6,028
151
(521)
(10,701)
10,463
48,372
317
(59,300)
—
214,530 $
88,246
(7,471)
(65)
747
1,202
—
130,644
(1,817)
128,827
(739)
—
1,893
4,208
—
47,559
(2,882)
(128)
(3,745)
—
—
174,993
6,176
151
(179)
(3,152)
6,474
29,407
538
(43,975)
—
170,433
$
$
(a)
(Gain) loss on sale of real estate, net of withholding tax include withholding tax on the sale of Sydney land which is included in income tax expense on the Consolidated
Statement of Operations.
(b) 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.
We calculate EBITDA for Real Estate, or EBITDAre, in accordance with the standards established by the Board of Governors of NAREIT,
defined as, earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, gains or losses on disposition of depreciated property,
including gains or losses on change of control, impairment write-downs of depreciated property and of investments in unconsolidated
affiliates caused by a decrease in value of depreciated property in the affiliate, and adjustment to reflect share of EBITDAre of
unconsolidated affiliates. EBITDAre is a measure commonly used in our industry, and we present EBITDAre to enhance investor
understanding of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDAre 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 EBITDAre further adjusted for acquisition, litigation and other expenses, bridge loan commitment
fees, impairment of long-lived assets, loss on debt extinguishment and modification, share-based compensation expense, foreign currency
exchange gain or loss, loss or gain on other asset disposals, loss or income on partially owned entities and reduction in EBITDAre from
partially owned entities. 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 EBITDAre but which we do not believe are indicative
of our core business operations. EBITDAre and Core EBITDA are not measurements of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and our
EBITDAre and Core EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. You should not consider our
EBITDAre and Core EBITDA as alternatives to net income or cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with
U.S. GAAP. Our calculations of EBITDAre and Core EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, including:
•
•
•
•
•
these measures do not reflect our historical or future cash requirements for 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 and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated will often have to be replaced in the future and these
measures do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.
We use EBITDAre and Core EBITDA as measures of our operating performance and not as measures of liquidity. The table below
reconciles EBITDAre and Core EBITDA to net income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance
with U.S. GAAP.
Reconciliation of Net Income to NAREIT EBITDAre and Core EBITDA
(In thousands)
2020
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
24,555 $
48,162 $
47,985
Net income
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense
Income tax benefit
EBITDA
Adjustments:
Net (gain) loss on sale of real estate, net of withholding taxes
Adjustment to reflect share of EBITDAre of partially owned entities
NAREIT EBITDAre
Adjustments:
Acquisition, litigation, and other excluding 2018 RSU modification expenses
Bridge loan commitment fees
Loss from investments in partially owned entities
Impairment of long-lived assets
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)
Share-based compensation expense
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Net loss (gain) on sale of non-real estate assets
Gain from sale of partially owned entities
Reduction in EBITDAre from partially owned entities
Core EBITDA
$
$
Ratio Data:
Net debt to pro-forma Core EBITDA
(1)
215,891
91,481
(7,292)
324,635
(21,759)
1,022
303,898 $
36,306
2,438
250
8,236
45,278
17,911
9,975
2,640
—
(1,022)
425,910 $
163,348
94,408
(5,157)
300,761
34
1,726
302,521 $
40,614
2,665
111
13,485
(10)
12,895
—
870
(4,297)
(1,726)
367,128 $
117,653
93,312
(3,619)
255,331
—
—
255,331
1,893
—
1,069
747
(2,882)
10,683
47,559
(7,623)
—
—
306,777
2020
As of December 31,
2019
2018
4.4 x
4.2 x
4.3 x
(1)
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. Core EBITDA for 2020 and 2019 for purposes of this calculation assumes ownership of our acquisitions for the full twelve months of the year. 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
Deferred financing costs
Gross debt
Adjustments:
Less: cash and cash equivalents
Net debt
As of December 31,
2020
2019
(In thousands)
2,959,252 $
15,952
2,975,204
1,869,376
12,996
1,882,372
609,537
2,365,667 $
234,303
1,648,069
$
$
Liquidity and Capital Resources
In March 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X and created
Rule 13-01 to simplify disclosure requirements related to certain registered securities. The rule is effective January 4, 2021 but earlier
compliance is permitted. The Company and the Operating Partnership have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC
registering, among other securities, debt securities of the Operating Partnership, which will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the
Company. As a result of the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, subsidiary issuers of obligations guaranteed by the parent are not
required to provide separate financial statements, provided that the subsidiary obligor is consolidated into the parent company’s consolidated
financial statements, the parent guarantee is “full and unconditional” and, subject to certain exceptions as set forth below, the alternative
disclosure required by Rule 13-01 is provided, which includes narrative disclosure and summarized financial information. Accordingly,
separate consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership have not been presented. Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-
01(a)(4)(vi), the Company has excluded the summarized financial information for the Operating Partnership as the assets, liabilities and
results of operations of the Company and the Operating Partnership are not materially different than the corresponding amounts presented in
the consolidated financial statements of the Company, and management believes such summarized financial information would be repetitive
and not provide incremental value to investors.
We currently expect that our principal sources of funding for working capital, facility acquisitions, business combinations,
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;
our outstanding equity forward sale agreements;
our 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility;
our ATM Equity Program and related forward sale agreements; and
other forms of 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. As previously discussed, the COVID-19 pandemic has created disruption among several
industries. The outbreak of COVID-19 has significantly adversely impacted global economic activity and has contributed to significant
volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. While we did not incur significant disruption during the year ended December 31, 2020
from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to predict the impact that the pandemic may have on the sources of capital upon which we rely.
We are a well-known seasoned issuer with an effective shelf registration statement filed on April 16, 2020, which registered an
indeterminate amount of common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares and warrants, as well as debt securities of the Operating
Partnership, which will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us. As circumstances warrant, we may issue equity securities from time to
time on an opportunistic basis, dependent upon market conditions and available pricing. We may use the proceeds for general corporate
purposes, which may include the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, the funding of development, expansion and acquisition
opportunities and to increase working capital.
On August 26, 2019, we entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which we may sell, from time to time, up to an
aggregate sales price of $500.0 million of our common shares through an ATM equity program (an “ATM Equity Program”). There were no
common shares sold under the ATM Equity Program during the first quarter of 2020. On April 16, 2020, this ATM Equity Program was
terminated and replaced with a new ATM Equity Program, pursuant to which we may sell up to an aggregate sales price of $500.0 million of
our common shares. Sales of our common shares made pursuant to the ATM Equity Program may be made in negotiated transactions or
transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on
the NYSE, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, or as otherwise agreed between the applicable agent and
us. Sales may also be made on a forward basis pursuant to separate forward sale agreements. We intend to use any net proceeds from sales of
our common shares pursuant to the new ATM Equity Program for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes,
which may include funding development, expansion and acquisitions opportunities and the repayment of outstanding indebtedness.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, there were 7,440,532 common shares sold under the 2020 ATM Equity Program,
resulting in gross proceeds of $272.6 million. The proceeds were offset by $3.0 million of fees. Included in the shares sold under the 2020
ATM Equity Program were forward sale agreements to sell 4,346,101 common shares for gross proceeds of $162.2 million. During the year
ended December 31, 2020, the Company settled 5,011,428 common shares for gross proceeds of $183.0 million under its ATM equity
program. Pursuant to the respective forward sale agreements, the remaining 2,428,604 of shares must be settled by September 1, 2021 for
gross proceeds of $89.6 million.
After considering the common shares issued during 2020 and the shares subject to the forward sale agreements, the Company had
approximately $227.4 million of availability remaining for distribution under the 2020 ATM Equity Program as of December 31, 2020.
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 available to
us for re-sale. 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 $1.6 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of
December 31, 2020, we maintained bad debt allowances of approximately $12.3 million, which we believed to be adequate.
Dividends and Distributions
We are required to distribute 90% of our taxable income (excluding capital gains) on an annual basis in order to continue to qualify as a
REIT for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we intend to make, but are not contractually bound to make, regular quarterly
distributions to shareholders from cash flows from our operating activities. While historically we have satisfied this distribution requirement
by making cash distributions to our shareholders, we may choose to satisfy this requirement by making distributions of cash or other
property. All such distributions are at the discretion of our Board of Trustees. We consider market factors and our performance in addition to
REIT requirements in determining distribution levels. We have distributed at least 100% of our 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 status as a REIT.
As a result of this distribution requirement, we cannot rely on retained earnings to fund our ongoing operations to the same extent that
other companies which are not REITs can. We may need to continue to raise capital in the debt and equity markets to fund our working
capital needs, as well as potential developments in new or existing properties, acquisitions or investments in existing or newly created joint
ventures. In addition, we may be required to use borrowings under our revolving credit facility, if necessary, to meet REIT distribution
requirements and maintain our REIT status.
We declared the following dividends on our common shares during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands,
except per share amounts):
Month Declared/Paid
Dividend Per
Share
2020 (Common Shares)
Distributions Declared
Common Shares
Distributions Paid
Common Shares
December (2019)/January
$
0.2000 $
—
$
38,796
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
December
(a)
December (2019)/January
March/April
March
(b)
March/April
May/July
May
(c)
May/July
September/October
October
September/October
December
0.2100
0.2100
0.2100
—
—
42,568
—
—
43,271
—
—
43,282
—
(169)
4
42,568
(233)
10
43,271
(232)
10
43,282
(231)
$
0.210
$
—
53,820
182,941 $
10
—
167,086
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).
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).
(a) Declared in December 2019 and included in the $38.8 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(b) Declared in March and included in the $42.6 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(c) Declared in May and included in the $43.3 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(d) Declared in September and included in the $43.3 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
Month Declared/Paid
Dividend Per
Share
2019 (Common Shares)
Distributions
Declared
Distributions Paid
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
December (2018)/January
$
0.1875 $
— $
28,218
December
(a)
December (2018)/January
March/April
March
(b)
March/April
June/July
June
(c)
June/July
September/October
October
(d)
September/October
December/January (2020)
0.2000
0.2000
0.2000
—
—
30,235
—
—
38,764
—
—
38,795
—
$
0.200
$
—
38,796
146,590 $
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).
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).
(127)
7
30,235
(142)
15
38,764
(172)
13
38,795
(170)
7
—
135,443
(a) Declared in December 2018 and included in the $28.2 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(b) Declared in March and included in the $30.2 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(c) Declared in June and included in the $38.8 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(d) Declared in September and included in the $38.8 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
Month Declared/Paid
Dividend Per
Share
2018
Distributions Declared
Series B
Preferred
Shares
Common
Shares
Distributions Paid
Common
Shares
Series B
Preferred
Shares
$
0.0186 $
0.1396
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
1,291 $
20,145
619 $
—
1,291 $
20,145
(a)
January
March/April
March
(c)
March/April
June/July
June
(d)
June/July
September/October
October
(e)
0.1875
0.1875
—
—
27,250
—
—
28,072
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
(79)
20
27,250
(118)
28
28,072
(114)
28
—
76,523
619
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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).
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).
September/October
December/January 2019
$
0.1875
—
28,218
104,976
$
Series B Preferred Shares - Fixed Dividend
January
Total distributions paid to holders of Series B Preferred Shares
(b)
(a)
$
1,198
1,817
1,198
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.
Outstanding Indebtedness
The following table presents our outstanding and available indebtedness as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Indebtedness
2013 Mortgage Loans
Senior note
Mezzanine A
Mezzanine B
Total 2013 Mortgage Loans
Senior Unsecured Notes
Series A notes
Series B notes
Series C notes
Series D notes
Series E notes
Total Senior Unsecured Notes
(8)
(7)
2020 Senior Unsecured Term loan Tranche A-1
2020 Senior Unsecured Term loan Tranche A-2
Total 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility
(2)(6)
(1)
(4)
Stated Maturity
Date
Contractual
interest rate
Effective interest rate
as of December 31,
2020
(9)
Outstanding principal amount at
December 31, 2020
December 31,
2019
5/1/2023
5/1/2023
5/1/2023
1/2026
1/2029
1/2030
1/2031
1/2033
3/2025
3/2025
3.81%
7.38%
11.50%
4.68%
4.86%
4.10%
1.62%
1.65%
L+0.95%
C+0.95%
$
4.14%
7.55%
11.75%
174,693 $
70,000
32,000
276,693
4.77%
4.92%
4.15%
1.66%
1.69%
1.45%
1.55%
200,000
400,000
350,000
488,640
427,560
1,866,200
325,000
196,325
521,325
181,443
70,000
32,000
283,443
200,000
400,000
350,000
—
—
950,000
—
—
—
2018 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility
(1)(4)
1/2023
L+1.00%
3.14%
—
475,000
Total principal amount of indebtedness
Less: unamortized deferred financing costs
Total indebtedness, net of unamortized deferred financing costs
(3)
2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
(1)(3)
2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
(3)(5)
3/2024
1/2021
L+0.85%
L+0.90%
0.23%
0.36%
$
$
$
2,664,218 $
(15,952)
2,648,266 $
1,708,443
(12,996)
1,695,447
—
N/A $
N/A
—
(1) L = one-month LIBOR
(2) C=one month CDOR
(3) During the first quarter of 2020, the Company refinanced its Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. As such, the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility was in effect
as of December 31, 2020 and the 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility was in effect as of December 31, 2019. The above disclosure reflects N/A for the
reporting date that the respective instrument was not in effect.
(4) During the first quarter of 2020, the Company refinanced its Senior Unsecured Term Loan A. As such, the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility was in effect as
of December 31, 2020 and the 2018 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility was in effect as of December 31, 2019.
(5) The Company has the option to extend the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility up to two times for a six-month period each.
(6) The 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan Tranche A-2 is denominated in Canadian dollars and aggregates to CAD $250.0 million. The carrying value in the table above is
the US dollar equivalent as of December 31, 2020.
(7) The Senior Unsecured Notes Series D is denominated in Euros and aggregates to Euro $400.0 million. The carrying value in the table above is the US dollar equivalent as
of December 31, 2020.
(8) The Senior Unsecured Notes Series E is denominated in Euros and aggregates to Euro $350.0 million. The carrying value in the table above is the US dollar equivalent as
of December 31, 2020.
(9) The effective interest rate includes effects of amortization of the deferred financing costs. The weighted average effective interest rate for total debt was 3.19% and 4.57%
as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility
On March 26, 2020, we entered into a five-year Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility and a four-year $800 million Senior
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, which we refer to as the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. The proceeds were used to refinance
the existing $800 million 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility maturing January 23, 2021 and USD denominated $475 million
2018 Senior Unsecured Term Loan maturing January 23, 2023. The total borrowing capacity of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility is
approximately $1.4 billion USD. The Company reduced the margin on 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility and 2020 Senior
Unsecured Credit Facility by five basis points.
The 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility is broken into two tranches. Tranche A-1 is comprised of a $425.0 million USD
term loan and Tranche A-2 is comprised of a CAD $250.0 million term loan, both are five-year loans maturing in 2025. Tranche A-2 provides
a natural hedge for the Company’s investment in the recently completed Nova Cold acquisition. We refer to Tranches A-1 and A-2 in
aggregate as the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan Facility. In connection with entering into the agreement, we incurred approximately $3.2
million of debt issuance costs related to the term loan, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method. As of
December 31, 2020, $5.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility are included
in “Mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loan” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The maturity of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility is March 26, 2024, with the option to extend the maturity up to
two times, each for a six-month period. In order to extend, the Company must not be in default, all representations and warranties must be in
effect, obtain updated resolutions from loan parties, and an additional 6.25 bps extension fee must be paid. In connection with entering into
the agreement, we incurred approximately $5.2 million of debt issuance costs for the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility,
which we amortize as interest expense under the straight-line method. Unamortized deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2019 of $2.8
million will continue to be amortized over the life of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2020,
$5.8 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the revolving credit facility are included in “Other assets” in the accompanying
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
On December 30, 2020, we repaid $100.0 million of the 425000000 USD Tranche A-1 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A. This
was funded using the Series D and E debt private placement issuance, more details on this debt issuance can be found under the “Series A, B,
C, D, and E Senior Unsecured Notes” section below. In connection with this repayment, approximately $1.5 million of unamortized deferred
financing costs associated with the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility were written off. In addition, the interest rate swaps associated with
the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A were terminated, resulting in an extinguishment fee of $16.4 million. After accounting for the
refinance, the total borrowing capacity of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility is approximately $1.3 billion USD.
Our 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility contains representations, covenants and other terms customary for a publicly traded REIT.
In addition, it 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. Following a material acquisition, leverage ratio shall
not exceed 65%;
a maximum unencumbered leverage ratio of less than or equal to 60% to unencumbered asset value. Following a material acquisition,
unencumbered leverage ratio shall not exceed 65%;
a maximum secured leverage ratio of less than or equal to 40% to total asset value. Following a material acquisition, secured leverage
ratio shall not exceed 45%;
a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.50x; and
a minimum unsecured interest coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.75x.
Material Acquisition in our 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility is defined as one in which assets acquired exceeds an amount
equal to 5% of total asset value as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter publicly available. Obligations under our 2020
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility are general unsecured obligations of our Operating Partnership and are guaranteed by the Company and
certain subsidiaries of the Company. As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
There were $21.7 million letters of credit issued on the Company’s 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility as of
December 31, 2020.
2018 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility
On December 4, 2018, we entered into the 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving 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. 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
incurred approximately $8.9 million of debt issuance costs, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method. As of
December 31, 2019, the unamortized balance of Term Loan A debt issuance costs was $6.1 million and was included in “Mortgage notes,
senior unsecured notes and term loans” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On September 24, 2019, we reduced our interest rate margins from 1.45% to 1.00% and decreased the fee on unused borrowing
capacity by 5 basis points for usage greater than 50% of the total commitment and 15 basis points for usage less than 50% of commitment.
The fee for unused borrowing capacity was 20 basis points regardless of the percentage of total commitment used. During the third quarter of
2019, the Company received a favorable credit rating. This rating, when combined with existing ratings, allowed the Company to transition to
a favorable ratings-based pricing grid during the third quarter of 2019.
There were $23.0 million letters of credit issued on the Company’s 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility as of December
31, 2019. During the first quarter of 2020, the 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility was refinanced and no longer outstanding as
of December 31, 2020.
Series A, B, C, D, and E Senior Unsecured Notes
On April 26, 2019, we completed a debt private placement transaction consisting of $350.0 million senior unsecured notes with a
coupon of 4.10% due January 8, 2030 (“Series C”). The transaction closed on May 7, 2019. Interest is paid on January 8 and July 8 of each
year until maturity, with the first payment occurring January
8, 2020. The notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed by the Company and the subsidiaries of the
Company. The Company applied the proceeds of the private placement transaction to repay the indebtedness outstanding under our senior
unsecured revolving credit facility incurred in connection with the funding of the Cloverleaf and Lanier acquisitions.
On November 6, 2018, we completed a debt private placement transaction consisting of (i) $200.0 million senior unsecured notes
with a coupon of 4.68% due January 8, 2026 (“Series A”) and (ii) $400.0 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 is paid on
January 8 and July 8 of each year until maturity, with the first payment occurring July 8, 2019. 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 $600.0 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.
On December 30, 2020 we completed a debt private placement transaction consisting of (i) €400.00 million senior unsecured notes
with a coupon of 1.62% due January 7, 2031 (“Series D”) and (ii) €350.00 million senior unsecured notes with a coupon of 1.65% due
January 7, 2033 (“Series E”). Interest is payable on January 7 and July 7 of each year until maturity, with the first payment occurring July 7,
2021. The notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership and are guaranteed by the Company and certain
subsidiaries of the Company. In connection with entering into the agreement, we incurred approximately $4.5 million of debt issuance costs
related to the issuance, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method. The proceeds of the Series D and Series E
issuance were used to fund a portion of the Agro acquisition, provide long-term financing for the Halls acquisition and repay a portion of the
2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan Tranche A-1.
The Series A, B, C, D, and E senior notes (collectively referred to as the “Senior Unsecured 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 days 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 Unsecured Notes agreement includes the following financial covenants:
•
•
•
•
•
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 maximum total secured indebtedness ratio of less than 0.40 to 1.00;
a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00; and
a minimum unsecured debt service ratio of greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00.
As of December 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.
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, 2020, the amount of
restricted cash associated with the 2013 Mortgage Loans was $3.6 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 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.
Debt Covenants
Our Senior Unsecured Credit Facilities, the Senior Unsecured Notes and 2013 Mortgage Loans all require financial statement reporting,
periodic reporting of compliance with financial covenants, other established thresholds and performance measurements, and compliance with
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, 2020, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
In connection with the early repayment of a portion of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility during the fourth quarter of 2020,
the Company recorded $1.5 million to “Loss on debt extinguishment and modifications” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Operations, representing the write-off of the proportionate unamortized deferred financing costs from the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit
Facility. In addition, the Company terminated the two interest rate swaps related to the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility for a fee of
$16.4 million. Approximately $8.7 million of this fee will remain in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” and will be amortized to
expense through 2024, while $7.7 million was expensed to “Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications, and termination of derivative
instruments” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations during the year ended December 31, 2020.
In connection with the refinancing of the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility during the first quarter of 2020 the Company recorded
$0.8 million to “Loss on debt extinguishment and modifications” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations,
representing the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs from the 2018 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. These write-offs were a
result of two lenders in the 2018
Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility that did not participate in the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility, accordingly those
lenders’ portion of unamortized deferred financing costs were written off. Similarly, two lenders in the 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving
Credit Facility did not participate in the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, and those lender’s portions of unamortized
deferred financing costs were written off.
Credit Ratings
Our capital structure and financial practices have earned us investment grade credit ratings from three nationally recognized credit rating
agencies. We have investment grade ratings of BBB with a stable outlook from Fitch, BBB with an Under Review with Positive Implications
outlook from DBRS Morningstar, and an investment grade rating of Baa3 with a stable outlook from Moody’s. 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.
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.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures
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 maintenance capital expenditures related to our existing temperature-controlled warehouse network include replacing roofs and
refrigeration equipment, and upgrading our racking systems. Examples of 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 maintenance capital
expenditures related to information technology include expenditures on existing servers, networking equipment and current software.
Maintenance capital expenditures do not include acquisition costs contemplated when underwriting the purchase of a building or costs which
are incurred to bring a building up to Americold’s operating standards. The following table sets forth our recurring maintenance capital
expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Real estate
Personal property
Information technology
Maintenance capital expenditures
Maintenance capital expenditures per cubic foot
Year ended December 31,
2020
2019
(In thousands, except per cubic foot amounts)
55,967 $
4,768
4,812
65,547 $
0.055 $
50,966
4,357
3,977
59,300
0.055
$
$
$
Repair and Maintenance Expenses
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, 2020 and 2019.
Real estate
Personal property
Repair and maintenance expenses
Repair and maintenance expenses per cubic foot
Year ended December 31,
2020
2019
(In thousands, except per cubic foot amounts)
$
$
$
27,797 $
30,105
57,902 $
0.049 $
22,378
33,150
55,528
0.051
External Growth, Expansion and Development Capital Expenditures
External growth expenditures represent asset acquisitions or business combinations. Expansion and development capital expenditures are
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 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 thermal energy storage, LED lighting, motion-sensor technology,
variable frequency drives for our fans and compressors, rapid-close doors and alternative-power generation technologies. Examples of capital
expenditures to enhance our information technology platform include the delivery of new systems and software and customer interface
functionality.
Acquisitions
The acquisitions completed during the first quarter of 2020 relate to Newport and Nova Cold. The acquisitions completed during the
third quarter of 2020 relate to AM-C Warehouses and Caspers. The acquisitions completed during the fourth quarter of 2020 related to Hall’s
and Agro. The acquisitions completed during 2019 relate to Cloverleaf, Lanier, PortFresh, and MHW, and excludes amounts related to the
assets under construction for expansion and development projects, further detailed below.
The PortFresh acquisition cost included approximately $15.9 million allocated to land on which we have developed a new facility,
and have classified within Expansion and development expenditures in order to reflect the total cost of the project. The Cloverleaf acquisition
included approximately $17.0 million allocated to assets under construction which we have classified within Expansion and development
expenditures in order to reflect the total cost of the projects discussed further below. Refer to Notes 2 and 3 of the Consolidated Financial
Statements for details of the purchase price allocation for each acquisition.
Expansion and development
The expansion and development expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2020 are primarily driven by $74.8 million related to
Plainville, Connecticut and $73.3 million related to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which are our two fully-automated development sites for Ahold
Delhaize, $62.2 million related to the ongoing Atlanta major markets strategy project, $12.5 million in construction costs related to our
Savannah expansion site, which was completed during the second quarter of 2020 and $22.0 million related to the Auckland, New Zealand
expansion project which was started during the second quarter of 2020. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2020, we invested
$11.7 million in our Russellville expansion.
Subsequent to the acquisition of MHW, during the first quarter of 2020, we exercised our call option to purchase land from the holder
of the ground lease for $4.1 million. We also invested an additional $4.7 million for the Rochelle facility, which was previously opened
during the second quarter of 2019.
As a result of the Cloverleaf Acquisition on May 1, 2019, we acquired expansion projects which were substantially completed during
2019. We incurred an additional $2.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 for these expansion projects.
Expansion and development initiatives also include $20.0 million of corporate initiatives, which are projects designed to reduce
future spending over the course of time. This category reflects return on investment projects, conversion of leases to owned assets, and other
cost-saving initiatives.
Finally, we incurred approximately $10.6 million for contemplated future expansion or development projects.
The following table sets forth our acquisitions, expansion and development capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2020
and 2019 (in thousands).
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired and adjustments
Expansion and development initiatives
Information technology
Growth and expansion capital expenditures
(1)
Year ended December 31,
2020
2019
1,858,937 $
298,794
7,804
2,165,535 $
1,377,220
210,594
5,857
1,593,671
$
$
(1) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired and adjustments does not include $512 million of equity issued directly to Oaktree Capital, the former owners of Agro, as consideration for the Agro
acquisition.
Future Sources and Uses of Cash
On January 29, 2021, the Company expanded its 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility by $200 million. In addition, the
Company paid $200 million of principal on Tranche A-1 of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan. The maturity, margin, and other terms of
the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility remain unchanged.
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.
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Operating Activities
Year ended December 31,
2019
2020
$
$
$
(In thousands)
293,680 $
(2,249,125) $
2,329,901 $
236,189
(1,604,934)
1,395,371
For the year ended December 31, 2020, our net cash provided by operating activities was $293.7 million, an increase of $57.5 million, or
24.3%, compared to $236.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase is due to higher segment contribution in our same
store results and as a result of our acquisitions during 2019 and 2020.
Investing Activities
Our net cash used in investing activities was $2.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.6 billion for the year ended
December 31, 2019. Cash used for the acquisitions of Agro, AM-C, Hall’s, Newport and Nova Cold and accounted for as business
combinations totaled $1.9 billion. Cash used in the acquisition of real estate was $25.5 million, which related to the asset acquisition of
Caspers during the third quarter of 2020. Additionally, the net payment in settlement of a foreign currency forward contract in connection
with the issuance of the Series D and Series E senior unsecured notes was $45.0 million. Additions to property, buildings and equipment were
$376.8 million and $217.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in additions to property,
buildings and equipment were driven by the Ahold, Atlanta, New Zealand, Savannah, Calgary, and Russellville expansion and development
projects. Additionally, we invested $26.2 million in the Brazil JV during the first quarter of 2020. These outflows were offset by
$80.2 million in proceeds from the sale of land and property, buildings, and equipment related to the sale of land in Sydney, the Quarry
segment and the sale of the Boston facility.
Net cash used in investing activities was $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 and primarily consisted of $1.3 billion
paid for the acquisitions of Cloverleaf and Lanier, $85.2 million paid for the acquisitions of real estate, which related to the asset acquisitions
of Portfresh and MHW, and $217.2 million used in additions to property, buildings and equipment. These cash outflows were partially offset
by the proceeds from the sale of our investment in the China JV for $14.3 million and $2.0 million return of investment in a joint venture
during 2019.
Financing Activities
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $2.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.4 billion for the year
ended December 31, 2019. Cash provided by financing activities for the current period primarily consisted of $1.6 billion net proceeds from
equity offerings during 2020, the $922.4 million received in connection with the issuance of the Series D and Series E senior unsecured notes
which was partially offset by the related debt issuance costs of $10.1 million, the $177.1 million received in connection with the refinancing
of our Senior Unsecured Term Loan and $636.8 million in proceeds from our revolving line of credit. These cash inflows were partially offset
by $627.1 million of repayment on our revolving line of credit using the proceeds from the issuance of the Series D and Series E senior
unsecured notes, $167.1 million of distributions paid, $156.8 million of repayments on term loan and mortgage notes and $23.7 million of
payments related to lease obligations.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.40 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 and primarily consisted of $1.21 billion
net proceeds from the April 2019 follow-on offering, $350.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of our Series C senior unsecured notes in
May 2019, $100.0 million in proceeds received from revolving line of credit and $10.2 million in proceeds from stock options exercised.
These cash inflows were partially offset by $135.4 million of distributions paid, $100.0 million of repayment to revolving line of credit, $16.5
million of repayments on lease obligations, $10.4 million of repayment of mortgage notes and notes payable, $7.1 million paid for tax
withholdings remitted to authorities related to stock options exercised and $2.1 million paid related to debt issuance costs.
Withdrawal Liability from Multi-employer Plans
As of December 31, 2020, we participated in seven multiemployer pension plans administered by labor unions representing approximately
13% of our associates. 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 Operations 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, 2020 (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 $726.9 million as of December 31, 2020, of which we
estimate that certain of our customers are contractually obligated to make indemnification payments to us for approximately $699.7 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 therefore.
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 associates participating in the plan is reduced to a certain degree over certain periods of time.
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.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
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.
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. Such events or changes in
circumstances may include a significant deterioration in overall economic conditions, changes in the business climate of our industry, a
decline in our market capitalization, operating performance indicators and competition. As of October 1, 2020, our reporting units included
the following: North American warehouse, U.S. transportation, North America third-party managed, international warehouse, international
third-party managed, and international transportation. Our reporting units may change with the integration of Agro’s operations in Europe,
North America, South America, and Australia. However, since the Agro acquisition closed on December 30, 2020, it was not included in the
2020 annual goodwill impairment evaluation.
We may use both qualitative and quantitative approaches when testing goodwill for impairment. For selected reporting units where
we use the qualitative approach, we perform a qualitative evaluation of events and circumstances impacting the reporting unit to determine
the likelihood of goodwill impairment. Based on that qualitative evaluation, if we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a
reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, no further evaluation is necessary. Otherwise, we perform a quantitative impairment test. We may
also perform a quantitative evaluation periodically, even if there is no change of events or circumstances.
To perform the quantitative impairment test, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the
fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting
unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, a goodwill impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the
total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We generally estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using a combination of a
discounted cash flow analysis and market-based valuation methodologies such as comparable public company trading values and values
observed in recent business acquisitions. The estimation of the net present value of future cash flows is based upon varying economic
assumptions, including significant assumptions such as revenue growth rates, operating costs and margins, capital expenditures, tax rates,
long-term growth rates and discount
rates. 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. The discount rates utilized in the discounted
cash flow analysis are based on the respective reporting units weighted average cost of capital, which takes into account the relative weights
of each component of capital structure (equity and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital, adjusted as appropriate to consider
the risk inherent in future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. The carrying value of each reporting unit includes the assets and
liabilities employed in its operations, goodwill and allocations of amounts held at the business segment and corporate levels. 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.
Historically, our reporting units have generated sufficient returns to recover the value of goodwill. The results of our 2020
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.
We have completed various acquisitions over the past year, which have increased our consolidated goodwill balance. On January 2,
2020, the Company completed the acquisitions of Nova Cold and Newport. The resulting intangible assets included goodwill of $71.7 million
for the warehouse segment. On August 31, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of AM-C. The resulting intangible assets included
goodwill of $10.4 million for the warehouse segment. The goodwill from Nova Cold, Newport, and AM-C was included in the annual
goodwill impairment test as these acquisitions closed prior to October 1, 2020.
On November 2, 2020 the Company completed the acquisition of Hall’s. The resulting intangible assets associated with the Hall’s
acquisition included goodwill of $42.7 million that has been allocated to the warehouse and transportation segments. On December 30, 2020
the Company completed the acquisition of Agro Merchants. The resulting intangible assets associated with the acquisition included goodwill
of $346.7 million that has been allocated to the warehouse and transportation segments. The goodwill from Hall’s and Agro was excluded
from the annual goodwill impairment test, as the test was completed as of October 1, 2020. However, we have not identified any indicators of
impairment subsequent to the closing of the aforementioned acquisitions that would necessitate the need for us to perform a quantitative
impairment test subsequent to the annual quantitative test performed as of October 1, 2020.
Business Combinations
From time to time, we may enter into business combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations”, we generally
recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their fair values as of the date of acquisition. We measure goodwill as
the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities
assumed. Goodwill is assigned to each reporting unit based upon the expected proportionate gross margin. The acquisition method of
accounting requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as
of the date of acquisition, including the fair values of identifiable intangible assets, land and buildings and improvements. Significant
estimates and assumptions include subjective and/or complex judgments regarding items such as revenue growth rates, operating costs and
margins, capital expenditures, tax rates, long-term growth rates, discount rates, customer attrition rates, economic lives and other factors,
including estimating future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets. The significant assumptions impacting the fair
value of the acquired real property include estimates of indirect costs and entrepreneurial profit on the transaction, which were added to the
replacement cost of the acquired assets in order to estimate their fair value in the market.
The acquisition method of accounting also requires us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect
new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the
measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair
values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could have a material impact on our financial condition and
results of operations. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the
assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record future impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the
economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense.
On November 2, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Halls for total consideration of $489.2 million. On December 30, 2020, we
completed the acquisition of Agro Merchants for total consideration of $1.59 billion. The acquisition accounting for both of these business
combinations is based upon a preliminary valuation. Our estimates and assumptions are subject to change during the measurement period, not
to exceed one year from the acquisition date. The primary areas of the purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to the
following: finalizing the review and valuation of land, land improvements, building and machinery and equipment (including the models, key
assumptions, estimates and inputs) and assignment of remaining useful lives associated with the depreciable assets), (ii) finalizing the review
and valuation of customer related intangible assets (including key assumptions, inputs and estimates), (iii) finalizing our review of certain
current and non-current assets acquired and liabilities assumed, (iv) finalizing the valuation of certain in-place contracts or contractual
relationships (including but not limited to leases), including determining the appropriate amortization period, (v) finalizing the evaluation and
valuation of certain legal matters and/or other loss contingencies, including those that we may not yet be aware of but meet the requirement to
qualify as a pre-acquisition contingency, and (vi) finalizing our estimate of the impact of purchase accounting on deferred income tax
liabilities.
To the extent possible, estimates have been considered and recorded, as appropriate, for the items above based on the information
available as of December 31, 2020. We will continue to evaluate these items until they are satisfactorily resolved and adjust our acquisition
accounting accordingly, within the allowable measurement period (not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition), as defined by ASC
805.
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.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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, 2020, we had $325 million of outstanding USD-denominated variable-rate debt and $250 million of outstanding CAD-
denominated variable-rate debt. This consisted of our Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility bearing interest at one-month LIBOR for the
USD tranche and one-month CDOR for the CAD tranche, plus a margin up to 0.95%. Through November 2020, $100 million of the USD-
denominated debt was hedged by an interest rate swap that effectively locked the floating LIBOR rate at 2.48%. Additionally, through
November 2020, $225 million of the USD-denominated debt was hedged by an interest rate swap that effectively locked the floating LIBOR
rate at 1.30%. These interest rate swaps were terminated during November 2020.
At December 31, 2020, one-month LIBOR was approximately 0.15% and one-month CDOR was approximately 0.46%, 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 $1.4 million. A 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in a decrease in interest of approximately $1.4
million.
Foreign Currency Risk
Our international revenues and expenses are generated in the currencies of the countries in which we operate, including Australia, New
Zealand, Argentina, Canada, several European countries and Chile. 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. 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. The impact of currency fluctuations on our earnings is partially
mitigated by the fact that most operating and other expenses are also incurred and paid in the local currency. The impact of devaluation or
depreciating currency on an entity depends on the residual effect on the local economy and the ability of an entity to raise prices and/or
reduce expenses. Due to our constantly changing currency exposure and the potential substantial volatility of currency exchange rates, we
cannot predict the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on our business. 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 amount of total equity. A 10% depreciation in the year-end
functional currencies of our international operations, relative to the U.S. dollar, would have resulted in a reduction in our total equity of
approximately $20.1 million as of December 31, 2020.
Our operations in Argentina are reported using highly inflationary accounting. The Argentina subsidiary’s functional currency is the
Australian dollar, which is the reporting and functional currency of their immediate parent company. The entity’s statements of operations
and balance sheets have been measured in Australian dollars using both current and historical exchange rates prior to translation into U.S.
dollars in consolidation. As of December 31, 2020, the net monetary assets of the Argentina subsidiary were immaterial and, therefore, a 10%
unfavorable change in the exchange rate would not be material. Additionally, the operating income of the Argentina subsidiary was less than
3.5% of our consolidated operating income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, revenues from our international operations were $258.1 million and $256.4 million,
respectively, which represented 13.0% and 14.4% of our consolidated revenues, respectively.
Net assets in international operations were approximately $1.2 billion and $70.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The amount of net assets attributable to the Agro acquisition, which has net assets in both domestic and international operations, totaled
$1.6 billion as of December 31, 2020.
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.
We attempt to mitigate a portion of the risk of currency fluctuation by financing certain of 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. The Company has entered into cross-currency swaps on its foreign denominated intercompany loans 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.
On December 30, 2020, we closed on the Agro acquisition, which conducts a significant amount of its operations in Europe. In
tandem with this acquisition, we closed on the Series D and E Senior Unsecured Notes in aggregate of €750 million. The debt was designated
as a net investment hedge for the Agro operations, as the principal is greater than the equity residing in the European entities. Quarterly,
effectiveness will be measured according to the amount of principal compared to the equity of the European entities. A portion of the Series
D and E Senior Unsecured Notes may be undesignated if the equity is insufficient to hedge the principal from the Series D and E Senior
Unsecured Notes issuance. The remeasurement on the Series D and E Senior Unsecured Notes will be recorded to Accumulated other
comprehensive loss.
Additionally, we entered into a foreign currency forward to exchange the €750 million proceeds for $877.4 million USD. On the date
of issuance, the €750 million issuance was equivalent to $922.4 million USD, based on the spot rate. The difference between the proceeds
from the foreign currency forward and the market equivalent on the date of debt issuance of $45 million was recorded to Foreign currency
exchange (loss) gain, net, a component of other (expense) income of our Consolidated Statements of Operations included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
As a result of the Agro acquisition, multiple intercompany loans were generated, denominated in various foreign currencies. These
intercompany loans have been designated as long-term, permanent investments, whereby the periodic remeasurement will be recorded
through Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
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.
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual
report. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and reflect
management’s judgments and estimates concerning events and transactions that are accounted for or disclosed.
Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is
defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal
control and effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement
preparation. Additionally, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this
assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in
Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 framework). The scope of our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
with respect to 2020 included all of our operations other than those we acquired in 2020 as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements. In accordance with the SEC’s published guidance, because we acquired these operations during the year, we excluded these
operations from our efforts to comply with Section 404 with respect to 2020. These acquired businesses constituted 40% of total assets as of
December 31, 2020 and 3% of revenue for the year then ended. Of these acquisitions, the acquisition of Agro Merchants represented 28% of
total assets and less than 1% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020. The SEC’s published guidance specifies that the period in
which management may omit an assessment of an acquired business’s internal control over financial reporting from its assessment of the
Company’s internal control may not extend beyond one year from the date of acquisition. Based on our assessment, which as discussed
herein excluded the operations of the businesses acquired, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2020.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in this Annual Report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a - 15(f) of the Exchange Act) identified in
connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act during the year ended December 31, 2020 that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Americold Realty Trust and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on
criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Americold Realty Trust and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in
all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and
conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of businesses acquired during
the year ended December 31, 2020, which are included in Note 2 and 3 of the 2020 consolidated financial statements of the Company and
constituted approximately 40% of total assets as of December 31, 2020 and approximately 3% of revenue for the year then ended. Of these
acquisitions, the acquisition of Agro Merchants Group represented approximately 28% of total assets as of December 31, 2020 and less than
1% of revenue for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an
evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of the businesses acquired during the year ended December 31, 2020.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations,
comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and
the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a) and our report dated March 1, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion
thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our
audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists,
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of
records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
March 1, 2021
ITEM 9B. Other Information
None.
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 2021 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Americold Realty Trust and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by Item 11 will be included in the definitive proxy statement relating to the 2021 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Americold Realty Trust and is incorporated herein by reference.
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 2021 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Americold Realty Trust and is incorporated herein by reference.
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 2021 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Americold Realty Trust and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by Item 14 will be included in the definitive proxy statement relating to the 2021 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Americold Realty Trust and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements and Schedules
Americold Realty Trust 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
Consolidated Statements of Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
b. Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
EXHIBIT INDEX
Page
F-1
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-10
F-11
F-104
2.1 Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed on April 16, 2019 (File No. 001-34723))
2.2 Transaction Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on October 13, 2020 (File No. 001-34723))
3.1 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))
3.2 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 May 23, 2019 (File No. 001-34723))
3.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Americold Realty Trust’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2019 (File No. 001-34723))
3.4 Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2019 (File No. 001-34723))
3.5 Articles of Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Americold Realty Trust, dated as of March 9, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 10, 2020 (File No. 001-34723))
4.1 Description of shares of Beneficial Interest (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on
March 2, 2020 (File No. 001-34723))
4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2020 by and among Americold Realty Trust and the Holders named therein.
10.1 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))
10.2 Consent and First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2019, by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and the
guarantors, lenders and letter of credit issues named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Current Form on
Form 8-K filed on January 9, 2020 (File No. 001-34723))
10.3 Credit Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2020, by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership, certain of their subsidiaries, Several Lenders and
Letter of Credit Issuers named therein 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 March 30, 2020 (File No. 001-34723))
115
10.4 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))
10.5 Note and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2019, by and among the Operating Partnership, the Company and the purchasers named therein
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 8, 2019 (File No. 001-34723))
10.6 Amendment No. 1 to the Note and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2019, dated as of December 30, 2020, 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 January 6, 2021 (File No. 001-34723))
10.7 Amendment No. 2 to the Note and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2018, dated as of December 30, 2020, by and among the Operating
Partnership, the Company and the purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2021 (File No. 001-34723))
10.8 Note and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2020, by and among the Operating Partnership, the Company and the Purchasers (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2021 (File No. 001-34723))
10.9# 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))
10.10# 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))
10.11# 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))
10.12# 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))
10.13# 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)
10.14# Employment Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and James Snyder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.10 to Americold Realty Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed on February 27, 2019 (File No. 001-
34723))
10.15# Employment Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and James Harron (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.11 to Americold Realty Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed on February 27, 2019 (File No.
001-34723))
10.16# Employment Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and David Stuver (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 to Americold Realty Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed on February 27, 2019 (File No.
001-34723))
10.17# Employment Agreement, dated January 7, 2020, by and between Americold Realty Trust and Robert Chambers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2020 (File No. 001-34723))
10.18 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))
10.19 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))
10.20 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))
10.21 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))
10.22 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))
10.23 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))
10.24 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))
10.25 Form of Annual Trustee OP Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 10.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, filed on August 9, 2019 (File No. 001-34723))
116
10.26 Form of Retention OP Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 10.2 to Americold Realty Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, filed on August 9, 2019 (File No. 001-34723))
10.27 Form of Performance OP Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 10.3 to Americold Realty Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, filed on August 9, 2019 (File No. 001-34723))
10.28 Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Americold Realty Trust’s Annual Report on Form
10-K filed on March 2, 2020 (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
32.1 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
32.2 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
95.1 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.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
# 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.
117
ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not Applicable.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of 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, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2020, 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, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated
March 1, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
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 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. 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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that
were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to
the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit
matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating
the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they
relate.
F-1
Accounting for the Acquisition of Nova Cold
Description of the Matter
How We Addressed the Matter in
Our Audit
As more fully described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company acquired Nova
Cold Logistics (“Nova Cold”) in January 2020 for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $260.6
million. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and, as such, the Company measured
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition-date fair values, including fair values of the
acquired land, buildings and improvements, and the customer relationships intangible asset of $34.8
million, $106.1 million, and $53.9 million, respectively.
Auditing management's accounting for the acquisition of Nova Cold involved especially subjective
judgments and complex analyses related to the fair value estimates of the acquired land, buildings and
improvements, and customer relationships intangible asset due to the significant estimation required in
determining fair value. The estimate of fair value of the acquired land and buildings and improvements is
sensitive to changes in assumptions of comparable transactions in the market. The estimate of fair value of
the acquired customer relationships intangible asset is sensitive to changes in assumptions impacting the
net present value of future cash flows expected from the future performance of the acquired business. The
significant assumptions impacting the fair value of the acquired land and buildings and improvements
included estimates of indirect costs and entrepreneurial profit, which were added to the replacement cost of
the acquired assets in order to estimate their fair value in the market, and the significant assumptions used
to estimate the fair value of the acquired customer relationships intangible asset include revenue growth
rates, customer attrition rates, operating costs and margins, capital expenditures, tax rates, long-term
growth rates, and discount rates, which are affected by expectations about future market and economic
conditions.
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness over the
Company's controls related to the accounting for the Nova Cold acquisition process. For example, we
tested controls over the recognition and measurement of the acquired land and buildings and
improvements, and customer relationships intangible asset, including the Company’s controls over the
valuation approach and method selected, and the significant assumptions used in the fair value
measurement described above.
To test the fair value of the acquired land and buildings and improvements, our audit procedures, which
involved the assistance of our valuation specialists, included evaluating the Company's valuation methods
and related significant assumptions used as well as testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying
data supporting the significant assumptions and estimates. For example, we compared the significant
assumptions used to estimate the concluded fair value of the acquired land and buildings and improvements
to recent, historical transactions within the industry.
To test the fair value of the acquired customer relationships intangible asset, our audit procedures included
evaluating the Company's valuation method and significant assumptions used and testing the completeness
and accuracy of the underlying data supporting the significant assumptions and estimates. We compared
the significant assumptions used by management to current economic trends, where applicable, the
historical results of the acquired business, and other relevant factors. We involved our valuation specialists
to assist with our evaluation of the valuation method and certain significant assumptions, including the
discount rate used in determining the fair value of
F-2
the customer relationships intangible asset.
Test of Goodwill for Impairment
Description of the Matter
How We Addressed the Matter in
Our Audit
As more fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, 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 to which
goodwill has been allocated below its carrying amount. The carrying value of the Company’s goodwill
balance totaled $794.3 million as of December 31, 2020
Auditing management’s goodwill impairment test involved especially subjective judgments due to the
significant estimation required in determining the fair value of the reporting units to which goodwill has
been allocated. In particular, the estimates of fair value are sensitive to changes in assumptions impacting
the net present value of future cash flows attributable to the reporting units, including revenue growth rates,
operating costs and margins, capital expenditures, tax rates, long-erm growth rates, and discount rates,
which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions.
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over
the Company’s goodwill impairment review process. For example, we tested controls over the estimation
of the fair values of the reporting units to which goodwill has been allocated, including the Company’s
controls over the valuation models, the mathematical accuracy of the valuation models and development of
underlying assumptions used to determine the fair values of the reporting units. We also tested controls
over management’s review of the reconciliation of the aggregate estimated fair value of the reporting units
to the market capitalization of the Company.
To test the estimated fair values of the Company’s reporting units, our audit procedures included, among
others, assessing the valuation methodology and the underlying data used by the Company in its analysis,
including testing the significant assumptions discussed above. We compared the significant assumptions
used by management to current economic trends, historical results, and other relevant factors. We assessed
the historical accuracy of management’s assumptions of future expected net cash flows and performed
sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the fair values of the reporting
units that would result from changes in the assumptions. We involved valuation specialists to assist in our
evaluation of the valuation methodology and the significant assumptions, including the discount rate used
in determining the fair values of the reporting units. We also tested the reconciliation of the aggregate
estimated fair value of the reporting units to the market capitalization of the Company.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.
Atlanta, Georgia
March 1, 2021
F-3
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
December 31,
2020
2019
Assets
Property, buildings and equipment:
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Assets under construction
Accumulated depreciation
Property, buildings and equipment – net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Accumulated depreciation – operating leases
Operating leases – net
Financing leases:
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Accumulated depreciation – financing leases
Financing leases – net
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Accounts receivable – net of allowance of $12,286 and $6,927 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Identifiable intangible assets – net
Goodwill
Investments in partially owned entities
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and equity
Liabilities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loan – net of deferred financing costs of $15,952 and $12,996 in the aggregate, at
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Sale-leaseback financing obligations
Financing lease obligations
Operating lease obligations
Unearned revenue
Pension and postretirement benefits
Deferred tax liability – net
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (see Commitments and Contingencies footnote 19 )
Equity
Shareholders’ equity:
Common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value – 325,000,000 and 250,000,000 authorized shares; 251,702,603 and
191,799,909 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit and distributions in excess of net earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
$
Total shareholders’ equity
Noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
$
662,885 $
4,004,824
1,177,572
303,531
6,148,812
(1,382,298)
4,766,514
291,797
(24,483)
267,314
60,513
109,416
169,929
(40,937)
128,992
621,051
324,221
797,423
794,335
44,907
86,394
7,831,151 $
526,226
2,696,732
817,617
108,639
4,149,214
(1,216,553)
2,932,661
77,723
(18,110)
59,613
11,227
76,811
88,038
(29,697)
58,341
240,613
214,842
284,758
318,483
—
61,372
4,170,683
— $
552,547
—
350,963
2,648,266
185,060
125,926
269,147
19,209
9,145
220,502
8,528
4,038,330
2,517
4,687,823
(895,521)
(4,379)
3,790,440
2,381
3,792,821
1,695,447
115,759
58,170
62,342
16,423
12,706
17,119
8,736
2,337,665
1,918
2,582,087
(736,861)
(14,126)
1,833,018
—
1,833,018
$
7,831,151 $
4,170,683
F-4
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Rent, storage and warehouse services
Third-party managed services
Transportation services
Other
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 and amortization
Selling, general and administrative
Acquisition, litigation and other
Impairment of long-lived assets
(Gain) loss from sale of real estate
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense
Interest income
Bridge loan commitment fees
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net
Other expense, net
Loss from partially owned entities
Gain from sale of partially owned entities
Income before income tax benefit
Income tax benefit:
Current
Deferred
Total income tax benefit
Net income
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income 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
Net income available to common shareholders of beneficial interest
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted
Net income per common share of beneficial interest - basic
Net income per common share of beneficial interest - diluted
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2020
2018
$
1,549,314 $
291,751
142,203
4,459
1,987,727
1,377,217 $
252,939
144,844
8,705
1,783,705
1,028,981
279,523
123,396
4,329
215,891
144,738
36,306
8,236
(22,124)
1,819,276
929,626
241,178
126,777
7,867
163,348
129,310
40,614
13,485
34
1,652,239
1,176,912
259,034
158,790
8,899
1,603,635
802,378
244,274
143,055
8,279
117,653
110,825
3,935
747
(7,471)
1,423,675
168,451
131,466
179,960
(91,481)
1,162
(2,438)
(9,975)
(45,278)
(2,563)
(250)
—
17,628
(6,805)
13,732
6,927
(94,408)
6,286
(2,665)
—
10
(1,870)
(111)
4,297
43,005
(5,544)
10,701
5,157
$
$
$
$
$
24,555 $
15
24,540 $
—
—
24,540 $
48,162 $
—
48,162 $
—
—
48,162 $
203,255
206,940
179,598
183,950
0.11 $
0.11 $
0.26 $
0.26 $
(93,312)
3,996
—
(47,559)
2,882
(532)
(1,069)
—
44,366
467
3,152
3,619
47,985
—
47,985
(1)
(1,817)
46,167
141,415
144,338
0.31
0.31
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands)
Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss) - net of tax:
Adjustment to accrued pension liability
Change in unrealized net gain (loss) on foreign currency
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedge
Other comprehensive income (loss) - net of tax
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Total comprehensive income attributable to Americold Realty Trust
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2020
$
24,555 $
48,162 $
47,985
1,433
9,944
(1,630)
9,747
4
34,306 $
3,269
(3,388)
(1,492)
(1,611)
—
46,551 $
(901)
(11,640)
256
(12,285)
—
35,700
$
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(In thousands, except shares)
Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest
Series A
Common Shares of
Beneficial Interest
Number of
Shares
69,370,609 $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,847,274
6,426,818
37,350,000
33,240,258
—
Accumulated
Deficit and
Distributions
in Excess of
Net Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Par Value
Paid-in
Capital
694 $ 394,082 $
—
—
—
—
(581,470) $
47,985
—
Total Equity
(230) $ (186,924)
47,985
(9,492)
—
(9,492)
—
—
—
—
—
18
64
374
332
—
(133)
—
—
8,556
2,042
2,649
(64)
576,964
372,459
(422)
(1)
(1,817)
(104,976)
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,934
(638,345) $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(2,793)
(12,515) $
(134)
(1,817)
(104,976)
8,556
2,042
2,667
—
577,338
372,791
(1,281)
706,755
148,234,959 $
1,482 $1,356,133 $
Balance - December 31, 2017
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 of beneficial interest
Share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense (modification of
Restricted Stock Units)
Common share issuance related to share-based payment
plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes
Warrants exercise
Issuance of common shares
Conversion of mezzanine Series B Preferred shares
Other
Balance - December 31, 2018
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Number of
Shares
Par Value
—
—
—
125 $
—
—
(125)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
F-7
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity (Continued)
(In thousands, except shares)
Common Shares of
Beneficial Interest
Number of Shares
Par Value
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Deficit and
Distributions in
Excess of Net
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Balance - December 31, 2018
148,234,959 $
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Distributions on common shares of beneficial interest
Share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense (modification of Restricted
Stock Units)
Common share issuance related to share-based payment plans,
net of shares withheld for employee taxes
Issuance of common shares
Other
Balance - December 31, 2019
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
—
—
—
—
—
1,482 $
—
—
—
—
1,356,133 $
—
—
—
12,822
(638,345) $
48,162
—
(146,590)
—
(12,515) $
—
(1,611)
—
—
—
3,044
3,461
1,206,627
—
—
—
—
(88)
—
—
—
—
2,582,087 $
(736,861) $
(14,126) $
Total Equity
706,755
48,162
(1,611)
(146,590)
12,822
3,044
3,476
1,207,048
(88)
1,833,018
1,502,450
42,062,500
—
191,799,909 $
15
421
—
1,918 $
F-8
Balance - December 31, 2019
191,799,909 $
Net income
Other comprehensive income
Distributions on common shares of beneficial interest
Share-based compensation expense
Common share issuance related to share-based payment
plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes
Issuance of common shares
Issuance of common shares as consideration in the
Agro acquisition
Cumulative effect of accounting change (refer to Note
2)
Balance - December 31, 2020
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity (Continued)
(In thousands, except shares)
Common Shares of
Beneficial Interest
Number of Shares
Par Value
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Deficit and
Distributions in
Excess of Net
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(14,126) $
Noncontrolling
interests in
Operating
Partnership
—
—
—
—
574,599
45,161,428
14,166,667
1,918 $
—
—
—
—
2,582,087 $
—
—
—
15,259
6
451
142
286
1,578,208
511,983
(736,861) $
24,540
—
(182,700)
—
—
—
—
—
9,747
—
—
—
—
—
Total Equity
1,833,018
24,555
9,751
(182,941)
17,862
— $
15
4
(241)
2,603
—
—
—
292
1,578,659
512,125
—
251,702,603 $
—
2,517 $
—
4,687,823 $
(500)
(895,521) $
—
(4,379) $
—
2,381 $
(500)
3,792,821
F-9
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Amortization of deferred financing costs and pension withdrawal liability
Amortization of above/below market leases
Loss on debt extinguishment and modification
Loss (gain) from foreign exchange
Loss from investments in partially owned entities
Gain from sale of partially owned entities
Share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense (modification of restricted stock units)
Deferred tax benefit
(Gain) loss from sale of real estate
Loss (gain) on other asset disposals
Impairment of long-lived assets
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:
Return of investment in joint venture
Proceeds from sale of investments in partially owned entities
Proceeds from sale of property, buildings and equipment
Business combinations, net of cash acquired
Acquisitions of property, buildings and equipment, net of cash acquired
Additions to property, buildings and equipment
Cash paid for investment in joint venture
Proceeds from the settlement of net investment hedges, net
Proceeds from the settlement of foreign currency forward contract
Payment in settlement of foreign currency forward contract
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 and noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
Proceeds from revolving line of credit
Repayment of revolving line of credit
Proceeds from stock options exercised
Remittance of withholding taxes related to employee share-based transactions
Payment of underwriters’ costs
Reimbursement of underwriters’ costs
Repayment of sale-leaseback financing obligations
Repayment of financing lease obligations
Payment of debt issuance costs
Repayment of term loans, mortgage notes, notes payable and construction loans
Proceeds from senior unsecured notes
Proceeds from term loans
Proceeds from construction loans
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net increase 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
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2020
$
24,555 $
48,162 $
47,985
215,891
5,147
152
1,995
45,278
250
—
17,897
—
(13,732)
(22,124)
2,494
8,236
5,356
(12,897)
19,471
(4,289)
293,680
—
154
80,193
(1,858,937)
(25,538)
(376,817)
(26,229)
3,034
877,365
(922,350)
(2,249,125)
—
—
(167,086)
636,753
(627,075)
6,748
(6,953)
—
—
(3,774)
(19,970)
(10,076)
(156,750)
922,350
177,075
—
1,578,659
2,329,901
374,456
5,982
163,348
6,028
151
—
(10)
111
(4,297)
12,822
3,044
(10,701)
34
870
13,485
1,218
(3,681)
841
4,764
236,189
2,000
14,250
1,151
(1,319,905)
(85,216)
(217,214)
—
—
—
—
(1,604,934)
—
—
(135,443)
100,000
(100,000)
10,204
(7,063)
—
—
(3,161)
(13,339)
(2,062)
(10,392)
350,000
—
—
1,206,627
1,395,371
26,626
(110)
117,653
6,177
151
28,446
(2,882)
1,069
—
8,639
2,042
(3,152)
(7,471)
(152)
747
2,324
(1,940)
(5,219)
(6,246)
188,171
—
—
19,513
—
—
(145,216)
—
—
—
—
(125,703)
(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
1,097
586,275
84,942
147,410
(3,276)
240,613
621,051 $
214,097
240,613 $
69,963
214,097
$
F-10
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(In thousands)
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Common shares issued as consideration for Agro acquisition
Deferred cash consideration for foreign investment in real property tax
Addition of property, buildings and equipment on accrual
Addition of fixed assets under financing lease obligations
Addition of fixed assets under operating lease obligations
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information:
Interest paid – net of amounts capitalized
Income taxes paid – net of refunds
Allocation of purchase price of property, buildings and equipment to:
Land
Building and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Identifiable intangible assets
Other assets and liabilities, net
Cash paid for acquisition of property, buildings and equipment
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Assets under construction
Operating and finance lease right-of-use assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Goodwill
Acquired identifiable intangible assets:
Customer relationships
Trade names and trademarks
Investments in partially owned entities
Other assets
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Notes payable
Sale-leaseback financing obligations
Operating and financing lease obligations
Unearned revenue
Deferred tax liability
Total consideration, including common shares issued and deferred consideration
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-11
2020
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
512,125
49,710
51,115
38,858
44,919
82,775
1,485
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
—
—
51,335
30,416
12,492
68,016
2,207
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
—
—
18,799
13,290
—
85,595
5,509
As of December 31, As of December 31,
2020
2019
$
$
3,233
15,940
6,022
140
303
25,638
$
$
23,439
41,913
19,027
854
1,577
86,810
As of December 31, As of December 31,
2020
2019
$
$
167,989
1,176,924
322,652
308
268,633
57,456
—
96,992
470,987
528,517
—
21,638
20,405
(97,964)
—
(73,075)
(268,500)
(1,068)
(213,666)
2,478,228
$
$
65,074
706,795
162,389
16,974
1,336
4,977
526
22,959
132,527
266,633
1,623
—
7,127
(45,000)
(3,878)
—
(1,336)
(3,536)
(9,782)
1,325,408
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Description of the Business
The Company
Americold Realty Trust, together with its subsidiaries (ART, the Company, or we) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) organized under
Maryland law. The Company is the world’s largest publicly traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation and development of
temperature-controlled warehouses. The Company is organized as a self-administered and self-managed REIT with proven operating,
acquisition and development experience. As of December 31, 2020, we operated a global network of 238 temperature-controlled warehouses
encompassing over 1.4 billion cubic feet, with 194 warehouses in North America, 26 in Europe, 15 warehouses in Asia-Pacific, and 3
warehouses in South America.
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, 2020. Americold Realty Operations,
Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the REIT, is a limited partner of the Operating Partnership, owning less than
1% of the common general partnership interests as of December 31, 2020. Additionally, the aggregate partnership interests of all other
limited partners was less than 0.1% as of December 31, 2020. 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. The limited
partners of the Operating Partnership do not have rights to replace Americold Realty Trust as the general partner nor do they have
participating rights, although they do have certain protective rights. The terms “Americold,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to
Americold Realty Trust and all of its consolidated subsidiaries, including 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 limited partners of the Operating Partnership do not have rights to
replace Americold Realty Trust as the general partner nor do they have participating rights, although they do have certain protective rights.
The Company grants Operating Partnership Profit Units (OP Units) to certain members of the Board of Trustees and certain members of
management of the Company, which are described further in Note 15. These units represent noncontrolling interests in the Operating
Partnership that are not owned by Americold Realty Trust.
On March 9, 2020, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland to increase the number of authorized common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par
value per share, from 250,000,000 to 325,000,000. The Articles of Amendment were effective upon filing. The Company also has 25,000,000
authorized preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share; however, none are issued or outstanding as of December 31,
2020.
F-12
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Operating Partnership includes numerous disregarded entities (“DRE”). Additionally, the Operating Partnership conducts various
business activities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America through several wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries
(TRSs).
Recent Capital Markets Activity
At the Market (ATM) Equity Program
On August 26, 2019, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which we may sell, from time to time, up to an
aggregate sales price of $500.0 million of our common shares through an ATM Equity Program (“the 2019 ATM Equity Program”). Sales of
our common shares made pursuant to the 2019 ATM Equity Program may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed
to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE, or sales made to
or through a market maker other than on an exchange, or as otherwise agreed between the applicable Agent and us. Sales may also be made
on a forward basis pursuant to separate forward sale agreements. There were no common shares sold under the 2019 ATM Equity Program.
On April 16, 2020, the 2019 ATM Equity Program was terminated and replaced with the 2020 ATM Equity Program. Under the 2020 ATM
Equity Program, we may sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate sales price of $500.0 million of the Company’s common shares. We
intend to use the net proceeds from sales of our common shares pursuant to the 2020 ATM Equity Program for general corporate purposes,
which may include funding acquisitions and development projects.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, there were 7,440,532 common shares sold under the 2020 ATM Equity Program, resulting in
gross proceeds of $272.6 million. The proceeds were offset by equity issuance costs of $3.0 million. Included in the shares sold under the
2020 ATM Equity Program were forward sale agreements in connection with the 2020 ATM Equity Program to sell 4,346,101 common
shares for gross proceeds of $162.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company settled 5,011,428 common shares for
gross proceeds of $183.0 million under its ATM equity program. Pursuant to the respective forward sale agreements, the remaining 2,428,604
of shares must be settled by September 1, 2021 for gross proceeds of $89.6 million.
After considering the common shares issued during 2020 and the shares subject to the forward sale agreements, the Company had
approximately $227.4 million of availability remaining for distribution under the 2020 ATM Equity Program as of December 31, 2020.
Universal Shelf Registration Statement
In connection with filing the ATM Equity Offering Sales Agreement on April 16, 2020, the Company and the Operating Partnership filed
with the SEC an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Nos. 333-237704 and 333-237704-01) (the “Registration
Statement”), registering an indeterminate amount of (i) the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, (ii)
the Company’s preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, (iii) depositary shares representing entitlement to all rights
and preferences of fractions of the Company’s preferred shares of a specified series and represented by depositary receipts, (iv) warrants to
purchase the Company’s common shares or preferred shares or depositary shares and (v) debt securities of the Operating Partnership, which
will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.
F-13
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
October 2020 Follow-On Public Offering
On October 13, 2020, the Company completed an underwritten registered public offering pursuant to forward sale agreements in which the
forward purchasers borrowed and sold to the underwriters in the public offering 31,900,000 common shares, as well as an option for the
underwriters to purchase 4,785,000 additional common shares. The initial forward sale price was $36.67 per share, which is the public
offering price per share, less the underwriting discount per share. On November 9, 2020, the underwriters exercised in full its option to
purchase the additional 4,785,000 common shares. The initial forward for 31,900,000 common shares was settled on December 29, 2020, and
the proceeds were used to fund the cash portion of the Agro Merchants Group (“Agro”) acquisition, which closed on December 30, 2020. The
4,785,000 forward shares remain outstanding as of December 31, 2020.
Agro Acquisition Shares
In the Agro transaction, the Company acquired 46 temperature-controlled facilities operated in the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and
South America, and a minority equity interest in a Brazilian joint venture. In addition to the cash portion of the purchase price of the Agro
acquisition discussed above, at closing on December 30, 2020, the Company also issued 14,166,667 common shares (the “Acquisition
Shares”) to Oaktree Capital Management L.P. (“Oaktree”) and Agro management.
Recent Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures
On December 30, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of privately-held Agro from an investor group led by funds managed by
Oaktree for consideration of $1.59 billion, including cash received of $47.5 million. This was comprised of cash consideration totaling
$1.08 billion, of which $49.7 million was deferred, and the issuance of 14,166,667 common shares of beneficial interest to Oaktree and Agro
management, with a fair value of $512.1 million based upon the closing share price on December 29, 2020 of $36.15. Financing lease and
sale-leaseback obligations associated with the acquisition totaled $119.9 million and when added to the total consideration transferred brings
the total transaction cost to approximately $1.7 billion.
On November 2, 2020, the Company acquired Hall’s Warehouse Corporation (Hall’s) for $489.2 million. The acquisition was funded using
proceeds from our 2020 ATM equity forward sale agreements combined with funds drawn on our 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit
Facility.
On August 31, 2020, the Company acquired AM-C Warehouses (AM-C) for approximately $82.7 million. The acquisition was funded using
cash on hand.
On August 31, 2020, the Company acquired Caspers Cold Storage (Caspers) for $25.6 million. The consideration paid by the company was
funded using cash on hand.
On March 6, 2020, the Company acquired a 14.99% ownership interest in Superfrio Armazéns Gerais S.A. (SuperFrio) for Brazil Reals of
R$117.8 million, or approximately USD $25.7 million, inclusive of certain legal fees. The investment was funded using cash on hand.
On January 2, 2020, the Company completed the purchase of all outstanding membership interests of Newport Cold for cash consideration of
$57.7 million. The acquisition was funded using cash on hand.
On January 2, 2020, the Company completed the purchase of all outstanding shares of Nova Cold for C$338.7 million ($260.6 million USD).
The acquisition was funded utilizing proceeds from the settlement of our
F-14
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
April 2019 forward sale agreement combined with cash drawn on our 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and cash on hand.
On November 19, 2019, the Company acquired MHW Group Inc. (MHW). The Company paid aggregate cash consideration of
approximately $51.6 million. The acquisition was funded using cash on hand.
On May 1, 2019, the Company acquired Lanier Cold Storage (Lanier). The Company paid aggregate cash consideration of approximately
$82.5 million. The acquisition was funded using cash on hand.
On May 1, 2019, the Company entered into an equity purchase agreement to acquire Cloverleaf. The Company refers to the completion of the
acquisition of Cloverleaf pursuant to the executed purchase agreement as “the Cloverleaf Acquisition”. The Company paid aggregate cash
consideration of approximately $1.24 billion. The acquisition was funded using net proceeds from the Company’s equity offering that closed
on April 22, 2019, along with funds drawn under the Company’s senior unsecured revolving credit facility.
On February 1, 2019, the Company acquired PortFresh Holdings, LLC (PortFresh). The Company paid aggregate cash consideration of
$35.9 million. The acquisition was funded using cash on hand.
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). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries
where the Company exerts control. 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. Intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of (1) assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements,
and (2) revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Significant Risks and Uncertainties
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused, and is likely to continue to cause severe economic, market and other disruptions worldwide, which
could lead to material impairments of our assets, increases in our allowance for credit losses and changes in judgments in determining the fair
value of our assets. Conditions in the bank lending, capital and other financial markets may deteriorate, and our access to capital and other
sources of funding may become constrained or more costly, which could materially and adversely affect the availability and terms of future
borrowings, renewals, re-financings and other capital raises.
F-15
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business in all geographies,
including how it will impact its customers and business partners. While the Company did not incur significant disruptions during the year
ended December 31, 2020 from the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues to incur elevated labor related costs and incremental health and safety
supplies costs but otherwise is unable to further predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its financial condition, results
of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties.
The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be
predicted with any degree of confidence, including the scope, severity, duration and geographies of the outbreak, the actions taken to contain
the COVID-19 pandemic or mitigate its impact as requested or mandated by governmental authorities or otherwise voluntarily taken by
individuals or businesses, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the illness and containment measures, among others. As a result, we
cannot at this time predict the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.
Property, Buildings and Equipment
Property, buildings 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 43 years for buildings and building improvements and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $198.8 million, $153.9 million and
$116.0 million, respectively. 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 “Other
expense, net” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains or losses from the sale of real estate assets are reported in
the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of operating expenses.
Costs incurred to develop software for internal use and purchased software are capitalized and included in “Machinery and equipment” on the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized software is amortized over the estimated life of the software which ranges from 3 to
10 years. Amortization of previously capitalized amounts was $7.3 million, $6.4 million and $5.2 million for 2020, 2019 and 2018,
respectively, and is included in “Depreciation and amortization” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
F-16
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Activity in real estate facilities during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 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, buildings and equipment and finance leases, net
2020
2019
(In thousands)
$
$
$
3,729,589 $
287,220
1,662,650
58,807
(62,225)
(2,153)
7,956
24,916
5,706,760
(936,422)
(146,237)
8,731
(6,994)
(1,080,922)
4,625,838 $
296,212
4,922,050 $
2,575,367
177,268
975,045
21,316
(7,409)
(12,555)
—
557
3,729,589
(827,892)
(114,512)
6,679
(697)
(936,422)
2,793,167
197,835
2,991,002
The total real estate facilities amounts in the table above include $165.2 million and $76.8 million of assets under sale-leaseback agreements
accounted for as a financing lease as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company does not hold title in these assets under
sale-leaseback agreements.
F-17
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company recognized an impairment charge of $3.7 million of Other segment assets related to the sale of the quarry completed on July 1,
2020, which resulted in a write-off of primarily “Land” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company
recognized an impairment charge of $2.1 million of Managed segment assets related to the exit of two Canadian facilities; the write-off was
primarily related to “Machinery and equipment” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the
Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.2 million of Warehouse segment assets for costs incurred on a potential development
project which the Company determined it would not move forward with; the write-off primarily related to “Assets under construction” on the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company recognized impairment of
$0.5 million of Warehouse segment assets related to refrigeration that were subsequently deemed unusable following the sale and exit of the
Boston warehouse, which primarily impacted “Machinery and equipment” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finally, the
Company recognized an impairment charge of $0.5 million of Warehouse segment assets primarily related to a development project with
which the Company decided not to move forward, which was recorded under “Land” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The
Boston facility was sold for a gain of $20.1 million, which was recorded to “Gain on sale of real estate” in the accompanying Consolidated
Statement of Operations, and primarily related to “Buildings and improvements” with lesser amounts related to “Machinery and equipment”
and “Land” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In January 2020, the Company acquired four facilities, one of which was leased, in connection with the Nova Cold Acquisition, with total
property, buildings and equipment of $171.9 million. Additionally in January 2020, the Company acquired one facility in connection with the
Newport Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of $30.2 million. In August 2020, the Company acquired two facilities in
connection with the AM-C Warehouse Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of $53.2 million. Additionally in August
2020, the Company acquired a single facility in connection with the Caspers Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of
$25.2 million. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company purchased two international facilities that were previously operated under a
lease agreement for $8.1 million. During November 2020, the Company acquired eight facilities in connection with the Hall’s Acquisition,
three of which were leased, with total property, buildings and equipment of $332.7 million. On December 30, 2020, the Company completed
the Agro Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of $1.08 billion.
In addition to selling and purchasing facilities, the Company also continued investing in development projects. During the first quarter of
2020, the Company commenced operations in a public facility in Columbus, OH which was acquired as part of the Cloverleaf acquisition,
which cost approximately $7.0 million to construct. In addition, the Company commenced operations in a distribution facility in Savannah,
GA, which was built on land that was acquired as part of the PortFresh acquisition, and cost approximately $69.5 million to construct.
During the second quarter of 2020, the Company announced its agreement with Ahold Delhaize to build two fully automated build-to-suit
warehouses in Lancaster, PA and Plainville, CT. Through December 31, 2020, the Company had invested $73.3 million and $74.8 million in
these projects, respectively. During 2020, the Company commenced construction on its Auckland, New Zealand expansion. Through
December 31, 2020, approximately $22.0 million was invested in this project. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company
announced two additional expansion projects in Russellville, Arkansas and Calgary, Canada. Through December 31, 2020, the Company has
invested approximately $11.7 million in the Russellville expansion and $1.5 million in the Calgary expansion.
F-18
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
During 2019, the Company began the “Atlanta Major Market Strategy” which includes the partial redevelopment of an existing warehouse
facility. The costs incurred for this ongoing project totaled $92.8 million as of December 31, 2020. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the
Company completed expansion projects at two legacy Cloverleaf facilities, Chesapeake, Virginia which totaled $26.2 million and North Little
Rock, Arkansas which totaled $19.2 million.
Lease Accounting
Arrangements wherein we are the lessee:
At the inception of a contract, we determine if the contract is or contains a lease. Leases are classified as either financing or operating based
upon criteria within ASC 842, Leases, and a right-of-use (ROU) asset and liability are established for leases with an initial term greater than
12 months. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, and not expected to renew beyond 12 months, are not recorded on the balance
sheet.
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease
payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of the lease
payments over the lease term, as adjusted for prepayments, incentives and initial direct costs. ROU assets are subsequently measured at the
value of the remeasured lease liability, adjusted for the remaining balance of the following, as applicable: lease incentives, cumulative
prepaid or accrued rent and unamortized initial direct costs. When available, we use the rate implicit in the lease to discount lease payments
to present value; however, most of our leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. Therefore, we must estimate our incremental
borrowing rate to discount the lease payments based on information available at lease commencement. We generally use our incremental
borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments at
commencement date. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise
that option. The depreciable lives of assets are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option
reasonably certain of exercise. Depreciation expense on assets acquired under financing leases is included in “Depreciation and amortization”
on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Depreciation expense on assets acquired under operating leases is included
within cost of operations for the respective segment the asset pertains to, or within “Selling, general and administrative” for corporate assets
on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. As with other long-lived assets, ROU assets are reviewed for impairment when
events or change in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Operating leases are included in “Operating lease right-of-use assets”, “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” and “Operating lease
obligations” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Financing lease assets are included in “Financing leases-net”, “Accounts payable and
accrued expenses” and “Financing lease obligations” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
F-19
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Arrangements wherein we are the lessor:
Each new lease contract is evaluated for classification as a sales-type lease, direct financing or operating lease. A lease is a sales-type lease if
any one of five criteria are met, as outlined in ASC 842 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 we have 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. We do not currently have any sales-type or direct financing leases.
For operating leases wherein we are the lessor, we assess the probability of payments at commencement of the lease contract and
subsequently recognize lease income, including variable payments based on an index or rate, over the lease term on a straight-line basis. We
continue to measure and disclose the underlying assets subject to operating leases based on our policies for application of ASC 360, Property,
Plant and Equipment.
For all asset classes we have elected to not separate the lease and non-lease components which generally relate to taxes and common area
maintenance. Additionally, we elected a practical expedient to present all funds collected from lessees for sales and other similar taxes net of
the related sales tax expense. Our lease contracts are structured in a manner to reduce risks associated with the residual value of leased assets.
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, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded charges of $8.2 million, $13.5 million and $0.7 million,
respectively, as “Impairment of long-lived assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Reference the paragraph
above within the properties discussion for further details on impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2020.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded impairment charges of $13.5 million, of which $12.6 million was related
to Warehouse segment assets, and $0.9 million was related to Transportation segment assets. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the
Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million of Warehouse segment assets related to an idle domestic warehouse facility in
anticipation of a future sale of the asset, which was subsequently completed during the fourth quarter of 2018.
F-20
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Capitalization of Costs
Project costs that are clearly associated with the development of properties are capitalized as incurred. Project costs include all costs directly
associated with the development of a property, including construction costs, interest, and costs of personnel working on the project. Costs that
do not clearly relate to the projects under development are not capitalized and are charged to expense as incurred.
Capitalization of costs begins when the activities necessary to get the development project ready for its intended use commence, which
include costs incurred before the beginning of construction. Capitalization of costs ceases when the development project is substantially
complete and ready for its intended use. Determining when a development project commences and when it is substantially complete and
ready for its intended use involves a degree of judgment. We generally consider a development project to be substantially complete and ready
for its intended use upon receipt of a certificate of occupancy. If and when development of a property is suspended pursuant to a formal
change in the planned use of the property, we will evaluate whether the accumulated costs exceed the estimated value of the project and write
off the amount of any such excess accumulated costs. For a development project that is suspended for reasons other than a formal change in
the planned use of such property, the accumulated project costs are written off. Capitalized costs are allocated to the specific components of a
project that are benefited.
During each of the years ended 2020, 2019 and 2018, we capitalized interest of approximately $4.0 million, $3.3 million, and $3.2 million,
respectively. During the years ended 2020, 2019 and 2018, we capitalized amounts relating to compensation and travel expense of associates
direct and incremental to development of properties of approximately $0.9 million, $0.5 million, and $0.6 million, respectively.
Business Combinations
For business combinations, the excess of purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as
goodwill. In an asset acquisition where we have determined that the cost incurred differs from the fair value of the net assets acquired, we
assess whether we have appropriately determined the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired and we also confirm that all identifiable
assets have been appropriately identified and recognized. After completing this assessment, we allocate the difference on a relative fair value
basis to all assets acquired except for financial assets (as defined in ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing), deferred taxes, and assets defined as
“current” (as defined in ASC 210, Balance Sheet).
Whether the acquired business is being accounted for as a business combination or an asset acquisition, the determination of fair values of
identifiable assets and liabilities requires estimates and the use of valuation techniques. Significant judgment is involved specifically in
determining the estimated fair value of the acquired land and buildings and improvements and intangible assets. For intangible assets, we
typically use the excess earnings method. Significant estimates used in valuing intangible assets acquired in a business combination include,
but are not limited to, revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, operating costs and margins, capital expenditures, tax rates, long-term
growth rates and discount rates. For land and buildings and improvements, we used a combination of methods including the cost approach to
value buildings and improvements and the sales comparison approach to value the underlying land. Significant estimates used in valuing land
and buildings and improvements acquired in a business combination include, but are not limited to estimates of indirect costs and
entrepreneurial profit, which were added to the replacement cost of the acquired assets in order to estimate their fair value in the market.
F-21
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Asset Acquisitions
The Company acquired Caspers Warehouse in an asset acquisition on August 31, 2020 for $25.6 million. The cost incurred in connection
with this asset acquisition was allocated primarily to property, buildings and equipment.
The Company acquired MHW in an asset acquisition on November 19, 2019 for $51.6 million. The cost incurred in connection with this asset
acquisition was allocated primarily to property, buildings and equipment. Additionally, the purchase agreement included a call option to
purchase land from the holder of the ground lease for $4.1 million, which was exercised in January 2020.
The Company acquired PortFresh in an asset acquisition on February 1, 2019 for $35.9 million. The cost incurred in connection with this
asset acquisition was allocated primarily to property, buildings and equipment.
Bridge Loan Commitment Fees
During the fourth quarter of 2020, we incurred costs of $2.4 million related to unused bridge loan commitment fees in connection with the
potential funding need to complete the Agro Acquisition which ultimately was not utilized. During the second quarter of 2019, we incurred
costs of $2.7 million related to unused bridge loan commitment fees in connection with the potential funding need to complete the Cloverleaf
Acquisition which ultimately was not utilized. These costs are classified as a component of interest expense within the caption titled “Bridge
loan commitment fees” and are presented within “Other expense” on the accompanying Consolidated Statement 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, 2020 and 2019, the Company held $88.6 million and $34.1 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, and payment of costs to administer and service the New Market Tax Credit (“NMTC”) entity. Refer to Note 17
for further details of the New Market Tax Credit.
Restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
F-22
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
2013 mortgage notes’ escrow accounts
2013 mortgage notes’ cash managed accounts
Cash on deposit for workers’ compensation program in Australia
New market tax credit reserve accounts
Cash on deposit for workers’ compensation program in United States
Agro Europe
Total restricted cash
Accounts Receivable
2020
2019
(In thousands)
1,157 $
2,393
3,034
584
1,390
2,956
11,514 $
877
2,343
2,525
565
—
—
6,310
$
$
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.
The following table provides a summary of activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended December 31, 2018
Year ended December 31, 2019
Year ended December 31, 2020
$
$
$
5,309
5,706
6,927
(In thousands)
1,969
3,608
7,161
(1,572) $
(2,387) $
(1,802) $
5,706
6,927
12,286
Balance at
beginning of year
Charged to
expense/against revenue
Amounts written off,
net of recoveries
Balance at end of
year
The Company records interest on delinquent billings within “Interest income” in the accompanying 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, 2020 and 2019, 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, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
F-23
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Finite-Lived Assets
Customer relationship assets are the Company’s largest finite-lived assets and are amortized over 18 to 25 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, 2020, 2019
and 2018 was $15.3 million, $7.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The weighted-average remaining life of the customer relationship
assets is 24.3 years as of December 31, 2020. 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, 2020,
2019 and 2018.
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, 2020, 2019 or 2018.
Deferred Financing Costs
Direct financing costs are deferred and amortized over the terms of the related agreements as a component of “Interest expense” in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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 debt are offset against the related principal balance, as applicable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
F-24
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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. The estimates of future cash flows are subject,
but not limited to the following significant assumptions: revenue growth rates, operating costs and margins, capital expenditures, tax rates,
long-term growth rates and discount rates, which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions. 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
charge would be recorded for the difference in the fair value and carrying value. If the reporting unit carrying value exceeds the reporting unit
fair value an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between fair value and carrying value, limited to the amount of goodwill in the
reporting unit. There were no goodwill impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
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). The Company made an accounting policy election to exclude from
the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a
specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the entity from a customer (e.g., sales, use, value added, some excise taxes).
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,
management fees, 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.
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
F-25
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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. We do not view the operation of the quarry as an integral part of our business, and as a result this
business segment was subsequently sold on July 1, 2020.
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.
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, 2020, 2019 and 2018. For all periods presented, 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, 2020, 2019 and
2018, except as needed for the Company’s U.S. Taxable REIT Subsidiaries (TRSs), and for the Company’s foreign entities. 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, 2020. 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.
F-26
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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 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 unremitted earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested, except for Canada and Hong Kong. The
Company changed its assertion for its Canadian subsidiaries in 2018 to begin repatriating its unremitted earnings to the U.S. starting in 2018.
The Company was no longer permanently reinvested as of 2019 with regards to its investment in Hong Kong. The Company has elected to be
indefinitely reinvested with regard to basis only in the investment of the foreign subsidiaries in the Agro acquisition. If our plans change in
the future or if we elect to repatriate the unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, we would be subject to additional income taxes
which could result in a higher effective tax rate. The Company has provided
F-27
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
for Canadian withholding taxes on unremitted earnings for which no indefinite assertion has been made. With respect to the foreign
subsidiaries owned directly or indirectly by the REIT or Operating Partnership, any unremitted earnings would not be subject to additional
U.S. income tax because the REIT would distribute 100% of such earnings or would receive a participation exemption.
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits
The Company has defined benefit pension plans that cover certain union and nonunion associates. The Company also participates in multi-
employer union defined benefit pension plans under collective bargaining agreements for certain union associates. The Company also has a
post-retirement benefit plan to provide life insurance coverage to eligible retired associates. The Company also offers defined contribution
plans to all of its eligible associates. 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.
Foreign Currency Gains and Losses
The local currency is the functional currency for the Company’s operations in Australia, Canada, Chile, Europe and New Zealand. 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 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 “Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net” in the accompanying Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
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, 2020 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
(loss) gain, net” in the accompanying 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
F-28
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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
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 adopted this standard effective January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis, and it did not have a material
impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Credit Losses
Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on
Financial Instruments (also referred to as current expected credit losses, or “CECL”), using the modified retrospective transition
method. This ASU amends the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the incurred loss methodology for
financial instruments, including trade receivables, and off-balance sheet credit exposures. The amendment requires entities to consider a
broader range of information to estimated expected credit losses, which may result in earlier recognition of losses. Upon adoption of the new
standard, the Company recorded a non-cash cumulative effect adjustment to the opening accumulated deficit and distributions in excess of net
earnings of $0.5 million as of January 1, 2020.
As of December 31, 2020, we had $975.5 million of assets in the scope of the credit loss standard. These assets consist primarily of cash
equivalents measured at amortized cost and trade and other receivables. Counterparties associated with these assets are generally highly rated.
The substantial majority of the allowance recorded on the aforementioned in-scope assets relates to our trade receivables and totaled
$12.3 million as of December 31, 2020.
Financial Instruments
In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments. This ASU improves and clarifies various
financial instruments topics, including the current expected credit losses standard issued in 2016. The ASU includes seven different issues
that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP, intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply
by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amendments have different effective dates. The Company adopted this
standard effective January 1, 2020, and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
F-29
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Future Adoption of Accounting Standards
Defined Benefit Plans
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20):
Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This update amends ASC 715 to remove
disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures, and adds disclosure requirements
identified as relevant to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU’s changes related to disclosures are part of the
FASB’s disclosure framework project. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning
after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all entities and the amendments in this update are required to be applied on a
retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2018-14 will have a material impact on its
consolidated financial statements.
Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740) . This ASU is intended to
simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic
740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim
periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, however, early adoption is permitted for all entities. The Company
continues to assess the impact of adopting this standard and does not believe the adoption of ASU 2019-12 will have a material effect on its
consolidated financial statements.
Reference Rate Reform
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). This ASU contains practical expedients for reference
rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is optional and may be
elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company has elected to apply the hedge
accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the
index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these
expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the
guidance and may apply other elections as applicable as additional changes in the market occur.
Investments - equity securities; Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures; Derivatives and Hedging
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint
Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in this ASU clarify the interaction between the accounting
for investments in equity securities, equity method investments and certain derivatives instruments. The ASU is expected to reduce diversity
in practice and increase comparability of the accounting for these interactions. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2020. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
F-30
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Other Presentation Matters
Reclassifications
Certain immaterial, prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation on the Consolidated Statements
of Equity.
The Consolidated Statements of Equity reflects the reclassification required in the prior period to condense the amount previously classified
within ‘Other’ to be classified within ‘Other comprehensive loss’, both of which are a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss).
F-31
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
3. Business Combinations
Acquisitions Completed During 2020
Acquisition of Nova Cold
The Company completed the acquisition of privately-held Nova Cold on January 2, 2020 for total cash consideration of approximately
C$338.7 million, including cash received of C$1.3 million, or $260.6 million USD including cash received of $1.0 million based upon the
exchange rate between the CAD and USD on the closing date of the transaction. The acquisition accounting related to the consideration
transferred primarily included $34.8 million of land, $106.1 million of buildings and improvements, $30.6 million of machinery and
equipment, $64.6 million of goodwill, $53.9 million of a customer relationship intangible asset and $33.0 million of deferred tax liabilities,
all of which are allocated to the Warehouse segment. The customer relationship asset has been assigned a useful life of 25 years and will be
amortized on a straight-line basis. The goodwill recorded is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of the acquisition including the
expanded presence in the Canada market and leveraging integration experience to drive synergies. The Nova Cold acquisition was completed
through the acquisition of stock in Canada; as a result, no tax basis in goodwill exists for Canadian tax purposes. Deferred taxes may not be
recorded for deductible goodwill unless the tax basis exceeds the book basis; therefore, the Company recorded no deferred taxes for tax
deductible goodwill for Canadian tax purposes. Deductible goodwill exists for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will be available to
reduce taxable income at the REIT, including any Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) inclusion associated with the foreign TRS
acquired. The acquisition accounting was finalized within one year from the date of acquisition and is reflected within the Consolidated
Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. We have included the financial results of the acquired operations in our
Warehouse segment since the date of the acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a measurement
period adjustment of $9.0 million as a reduction to its opening deferred tax liability of $42.0 million originally recorded related to basis
differences in fixed assets and net operating loss carryforwards. The adjustments recorded during the measurement period did not have a
significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Acquisition of Newport
The Company completed the acquisition of privately-held Newport on January 2, 2020 for total cash consideration of $57.7 million, including
cash received of $1.0 million. The acquisition accounting related to the consideration transferred primarily included $30.2 million of
property, buildings and equipment, $18.7 million of a customer relationship asset and $7.1 million of goodwill, each of which are allocated to
the Warehouse segment. The customer relationship intangible asset has been assigned a useful life of 25 years and will be amortized on a
straight-line basis. The goodwill recorded is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of the acquisition including the expanded presence
in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market and leveraging integration experience to drive synergies. The Newport acquisition was completed through
the acquisition of all of the membership interests of certain limited liability companies; the acquisition of all the membership interests
allowed a portion of the goodwill recorded to be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Deferred taxes may not be recorded for
deductible goodwill unless the tax basis exceeds the book basis; therefore, the Company recorded no deferred taxes for tax deductible
goodwill as a result. Deductible goodwill will be available to reduce taxable income at both the REIT and its domestic TRS. The acquisition
accounting was finalized within one year from the date of acquisition. We have included the financial results of the acquired operations in our
Warehouse segment since the date of the acquisition. The adjustments recorded during the measurement period did not have a significant
impact
F-32
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
on our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Acquisition of AM-C Warehouses
The Company completed the acquisition of privately-held AM-C Warehouses on August 31, 2020 for total cash consideration of
$82.7 million. The preliminary acquisition accounting related to the consideration transferred primarily included $53.2 million of property,
buildings and equipment, $19.7 million of a customer relationship asset and $10.4 million of goodwill, each of which are allocated to the
Warehouse segment. The customer relationship intangible asset has been preliminarily assigned a useful life of 25 years and will be
amortized on a straight-line basis. The goodwill recorded is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of the acquisition including the
expanded presence in the Dallas - Fort Worth market. The AM-C acquisition was completed through the acquisition of substantially all of the
assets from the seller and the acquisition allowed goodwill recorded to be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Deferred taxes may not
be recorded for deductible goodwill unless the tax basis exceeds the book basis; therefore, the Company recorded no deferred taxes for tax
deductible goodwill as a result. Deductible goodwill will be available to reduce taxable income at both the REIT and its domestic TRS. As
the valuation of certain assets and liabilities for purposes of purchase price allocations are preliminary in nature, they are subject to
adjustment as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances regarding these assets and liabilities that existed at the
acquisition date. Any adjustments to our estimates of acquisition accounting will be made in the periods in which the adjustments are
determined and the cumulative effect of such adjustments will be calculated as if the adjustments had been completed as of the acquisition
date. The preliminary acquisition accounting will be finalized within one year from the date of acquisition. We have included the financial
results of the acquired operations in our Warehouse segment since the date of the acquisition. The adjustments recorded during the
measurement period did not have a significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Acquisition of Hall’s Warehouses
The Company completed the acquisition of Hall’s Warehouses on November 2, 2020 for total cash consideration of $489.2 million, including
cash received of $7.9 million. A summary of the preliminary fair values of the assets
F-33
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
acquired and liabilities assumed is as follows (in thousands):
Assets
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Goodwill
Acquired identifiable intangibles:
Customer relationships
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Operating lease obligations
Deferred tax liability
Total liabilities
Total consideration for the Hall’s acquisition
Preliminary Amounts
Recognized as of the
Acquisition Date
$
$
29,352
239,708
63,596
26,400
7,894
11,894
42,737
102,732
303
524,616
4,006
26,400
5,012
35,418
489,198
The preliminary acquisition accounting is based upon the Company’s estimates of fair value. The estimated fair values of the assets acquired
and liabilities assumed and the related preliminary acquisition accounting are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as
other information compiled by management, including the books and records of Hall’s. Our estimates and assumptions are subject to change
during the measurement period, not to exceed one year from the acquisition date. The primary areas of the preliminary acquisition accounting
that are not yet finalized relate to the following: (i) finalizing the review and valuation of land, land improvements, building and machinery
and equipment (including the models, key assumptions, estimates and inputs used) and assignment of remaining useful lives associated with
the depreciable assets, (ii) finalizing the review and valuation of customer related intangible assets (including key assumptions, inputs and
estimates), (iii) finalizing the valuation of certain in-place contracts or contractual relationships (including but not limited to leases), including
determining the appropriate amortization period, (iv) finalizing our review of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed, (v) finalizing the
evaluation and valuation of certain legal matters and/or other loss contingencies, including those that we may not yet be aware of but meet the
requirement to quality as a pre-acquisition contingency, and (vi) finalizing our estimate of the impact of acquisition accounting on deferred
income taxes or liabilities. As the initial acquisition accounting is based on our preliminary assessments, actual values may differ (possibly
materially) when final information becomes available that differs from our current estimates. Additionally, the total consideration transferred
is subject to certain post-close adjustments. We believe that the information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the
preliminary fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We will continue to evaluate these items until they are satisfactorily
resolved and adjust our acquisition accounting accordingly, within the allowable measurement period (not to
F-34
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
exceed one year from the date of acquisition), as defined by ASC 805.
The customer relationship intangible asset has been preliminarily assigned a preliminary useful life of 25 years and will be amortized on a
straight-line basis. The goodwill recorded is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of the acquisition including the expanded presence
in the New Jersey market. We have included the financial results of the acquired operations in our Warehouse and Transportation segments
since the date of the acquisition. This transaction will allow us to grow our market share with key customers while diversifying our overall
customer base. All of the acquired facilities are located within 15 miles of each other and 30 miles of Newark Port. The Hall’s acquisition
was completed through the acquisition of the outstanding stock of certain Hall’s entities and the direct purchase of real estate assets from the
sellers. The acquisition allowed a portion of the goodwill recorded to be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Deductible goodwill will
be available to reduce taxable income at both the REIT and potentially the domestic TRS.
Acquisition of Agro
The Company completed the acquisition of Agro on December 30, 2020 for total consideration of $1.59 billion, including cash received of
$47.5 million. This was comprised of cash consideration totaling $1.08 billion, of which $49.7 million was deferred, and the issuance of
14,166,667 common shares of beneficial interest to Oaktree, with a fair value of $512.1 million based upon the closing share price on
December 29, 2020 of $36.15. Financing lease and sale-leaseback obligations associated with the acquisition totaled $119.9 million, as
indicated in the table below, and when added to the total consideration transferred brings the total transaction cost to approximately
$1.7 billion. A summary of the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities
F-35
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
assumed is as follows (in thousands):
Assets
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Financing lease asset
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Goodwill
Acquired identifiable intangibles:
Customer relationships
Investment in partially owned entities
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Operating lease obligations
Financing lease obligations
Sale-leaseback obligations
Deferred tax liability
Total liabilities
Total consideration for the Agro acquisition
Preliminary Amounts
Recognized as of the
Acquisition Date
95,286
778,170
206,453
191,229
46,845
47,534
78,423
346,673
333,501
21,638
20,038
2,165,790
90,860
191,229
46,845
73,075
175,719
577,728
1,588,062
$
$
The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the related preliminary acquisition accounting are based on management’s
estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including information from prior valuations of similar
entities and the books and records of Agro. Our estimates and assumptions are subject to change during the measurement period, not to
exceed one year from the acquisition date. The primary areas of the acquisition accounting that are not yet finalized relate to the following: (i)
finalizing the review and valuation of land, land improvements, building and machinery and equipment (including the models, key
assumptions, estimates and inputs used) and assignment of remaining useful lives associated with the depreciable assets, (ii) finalizing the
review and valuation of customer related intangible assets (including key assumptions, inputs and estimates), (iii) finalizing our review of
certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed, (iv) finalizing the valuation of certain in-place contracts or contractual relationships (including
but not limited to leases), including determining the appropriate amortization period, (v) finalizing the evaluation and valuation of certain
legal matters and/or other loss contingencies, including those that we may not yet be aware of but meet the requirement to quality as a pre-
acquisition contingency, and (vi) finalizing our estimate of the impact of acquisition accounting on deferred income taxes or liabilities. To the
extent possible, estimates or amounts recorded in Agro’s books have been considered and recorded, as appropriate, for the items above based
on the information available as of December 31, 2020. As the initial acquisition accounting is based on our preliminary assessments, actual
values may differ (possibly materially) when final information becomes available. We believe that the information gathered to date provides a
reasonable basis for estimating the preliminary fair values of
F-36
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We will continue to evaluate these items until they are satisfactorily resolved and adjust our
acquisition accounting accordingly, within the allowable measurement period (not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition), as defined
by ASC 805.
As shown above, the Company recorded approximately $346.7 million of goodwill related to the Agro Acquisition. There are several
strategic benefits of the acquisition. It allows the Company to establish a strategic footprint in Europe, which enhances its ability to serve
their multinational customers on a global scale. It also adds depth to the existing networks in North America, Australia and South America.
Additionally, the portfolio comes with significant growth opportunities through potential future acquisitions, given Europe's fragmented
temperature controlled storage industry. These factors contributed to the goodwill that was recorded upon consummation of the transaction.
The Agro Acquisition was completed through the acquisition of stock of various Agro entities in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions; as a
result, no tax basis exists in each of these jurisdictions for tax purposes, except for minimal tax basis that existed prior to the acquisition.
Goodwill for the Agro Acquisition has not yet been assigned to reporting units as of December 31, 2020 given the short period of time
between the acquisition date, December 30, 2020, and year-end; however, we expect that the goodwill will be assigned to the Warehouse and
Transportation segments during the measurement period. The Company’s deemed asset elections for the foreign operations under IRC section
338 will reduce the US income taxability of future foreign profits under the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) regime.
Also shown above, in connection with the Agro Acquisition the Company recorded an intangible asset of approximately $333.5 million for
customer relationships which has been assigned a preliminary useful life of 25 years and will be amortized on a straight-line basis. Based on
the discussion under goodwill above, the Agro Acquisition resulted in federal income tax deductibility for a minimal portion of the intangible
assets. The deductible intangible assets will be available to reduce taxable income for the REIT and reduce any GILTI inclusion in the US
associated with foreign entities acquired.
Acquisitions Completed During 2019
Acquisition of Cloverleaf
The Company completed the acquisition of privately-held Cloverleaf on May 1, 2019. A summary of the final fair values of the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed for total cash consideration of $1.24 billion, as well as adjustments made during the measurement period, is
as follows (in thousands):
F-37
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Amounts Recognized as of
the
Acquisition Date
Measurement Period
Adjustments
(1)
Final Amounts Recognized
as of the Acquisition Date
(as Adjusted)
(2)
Assets
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Assets under construction
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Goodwill
Acquired identifiable intangibles:
Customer relationships
Trade names and trademarks
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Notes payable
Operating lease obligations
Unearned revenue
Pension and postretirement benefits
Deferred tax liability
Total liabilities
Total consideration for Cloverleaf acquisition
$
$
59,363 $
687,821
144,825
20,968
1,254
4,332
—
21,358
107,643
241,738
1,623
18,720
1,309,645
30,905
17,179
1,254
3,536
2,020
9,063
63,957
1,245,688 $
1,131 $
(19,670)
822
(3,994)
—
—
526
220
18,453
8,608
—
(11,668)
(5,572)
12,598
(13,301)
—
—
(2,020)
(39)
(2,762)
(2,810) $
60,494
668,151
145,647
16,974
1,254
4,332
526
21,578
126,096
250,346
1,623
7,052
1,304,073
43,503
3,878
1,254
3,536
—
9,024
61,195
1,242,878
(1)
The adjustments recorded during the measurement period did not have a significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended
December 31, 2020. The measurement period ended one year after the Cloverleaf Acquisition, on April 30, 2020.
(2)
The measurement period adjustments were primarily due to refinements to third party appraisals and refinements in carrying amounts of certain assets and
liabilities, as well as adjustments to certain tax accounts based on, among other things, adjustments to deferred tax liabilities. The net impact of the measurement
period adjustments results in a net increase to goodwill.
All adjustments recorded during the measurement period were not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The final purchase price
allocation is presented within the table above.
As shown above, the Company recorded approximately $126.1 million of goodwill related to the Cloverleaf Acquisition. The strategic
benefits of the acquisition include the Company’s ability to add complementary customers into its network, provide an opportunity for growth
in the Central and Southeast markets, deepen existing customer relationships, provide three expansion opportunities that were developed in
2020, and leverage integration experience to drive synergies. These factors contributed to the goodwill that was recorded upon
F-38
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
consummation of the transaction. The Cloverleaf acquisition was completed through the acquisition of both stock and partnership units; the
acquisition of partnership units allowed a portion of the goodwill recorded as a result of the Cloverleaf Acquisition to be deductible for
federal income tax purposes. The goodwill related to the Cloverleaf Acquisition has been substantially assigned to the Warehouse segment,
with a de minimis amount assigned to the Transportation segment. Deferred taxes may not be recorded for deductible goodwill unless the tax
basis in goodwill exceeds the book basis, and the Company has not recorded any deferred taxes as a result. Deductible goodwill will be
available to reduce taxable income for both the REIT and its domestic TRS.
Also shown above, in connection with the Cloverleaf Acquisition the Company recorded an intangible asset of approximately $250.3 million
for customer relationships which has been assigned a useful life of 25 years, and approximately $1.6 million for trade names and trademarks
which has been assigned a useful life of 1.5 years. These intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective
useful lives. Based on the discussion under goodwill above, the Cloverleaf Acquisition resulted in federal income tax deductibility for a
portion of the intangible assets. The deductible intangible assets will be available to reduce taxable income for both the REIT and its domestic
TRS.
Acquisition of Lanier
The Company completed the acquisition of privately-held Lanier on May 1, 2019 for total cash consideration of $82.5 million, inclusive of
cash received of $0.6 million. The allocation of consideration primarily included $60.0 million of property, buildings and equipment, $6.4
million of goodwill, and $16.3 million of customer relationship intangible assets. The customer relationship asset has been assigned a useful
life of twenty-five years and will be amortized on a straight-line basis. The goodwill recorded is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits
of the acquisition including the increased presence in the north Georgia poultry market and leveraging integration experience to drive
synergies. The Lanier acquisition was completed through the acquisition of both stock and partnership units; the acquisition of partnership
units allowed a portion of the goodwill recorded to be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Deferred taxes may not be recorded for
deductible goodwill unless the tax basis exceeds the book basis, and the Company has not recorded any deferred taxes as a result. Deductible
goodwill will be available to reduce taxable income at both the REIT and its domestic TRS. All adjustments recorded subsequent to the
acquisition date were not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The final purchase price allocation was completed within one
year from the date of acquisition and is reflected within our Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2020. We have included
the financial results of the acquired operations in our Warehouse segment since the date of the acquisition.
Pro Forma Consolidated Results (Unaudited)
The following table presents the unaudited pro forma financial results as if the 2020 acquisition of Agro and Cloverleaf had occurred on
January 1, 2019. The pro forma adjustments primarily relate to acquisition expenses, depreciation expense on acquired assets, amortization of
acquired intangibles, and estimated interest expense related to financing transactions, the proceeds of which were used to fund the
acquisitions of Cloverleaf and Agro.
On March 1, 2019, Cloverleaf acquired Zero Mountain, Inc. and Subsidiaries (Zero Mountain). As a result, we have included the results of
operations of Zero Mountain in the below pro forma financial information. The pro forma adjustments made include the acquisition expenses
incurred in connection with Cloverleaf’s acquisition of Zero Mountain.
The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements exclude the results of the AM-C, Halls and Lanier acquisitions,
which were deemed immaterial individually and in the aggregate based on quantitative
F-39
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
and qualitative considerations. Additionally, the Company has not presented pro forma combined results of operations for the acquisitions of
Nova Cold and Newport, because the results of operations as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations would not
have been materially different. These statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to represent what the actual
Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Company would have been had the Agro and Cloverleaf acquisitions occurred on the dates
assumed, nor are they necessarily indicative of what the results of operations would be for any future periods.
Total revenue
Net income
Net income per share, diluted
(2)
Pro forma (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
$
$
$
2,517,351 $
8,831 $
0.04 $
2,380,458
79,671
0.33
(1)
Pro forma net income available to common shareholders was adjusted to exclude $22.7 million of acquisition related costs incurred by the Company in
connection with the Agro Acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2020, and to include these charges in pro forma net income for the year ended
December 31, 2019. Pro forma net income available to common shareholders was adjusted to exclude $36.8 million of acquisition related costs incurred by Agro in
connection with the Agro Acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2020. Pro forma net income available to common shareholders was adjusted to exclude
$26.6 million of acquisition related costs incurred by the Company in connection with the Cloverleaf Acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2019.
(2)
Adjusted to give effect to the issuance of 46.1 million common shares in connection with the Agro Acquisition and 42.1 million common shares in connection
with the Cloverleaf Acquisition.
Since the date of acquisition, total revenues of approximately $152.8 million and net income of approximately $9.0 million associated with
properties and operations acquired in the Cloverleaf Acquisition are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended
December 31, 2019. The revenues and net income associated with properties and operations acquired in the Agro Acquisition included in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was immaterial as the acquisition closed on December 30,
2020.
F-40
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
4. Investments in Partially Owned Entities
As of December 31, 2020, our investment in partially owned entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting presented in our
Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of the following (in thousands):
Joint Venture
Superfrio
Comfrio
Location
Brazil
Brazil
% Ownership
14.99%
22.12%
December 31, 2020
$23,269
$21,638
Superfrio Joint Venture
During the first quarter of 2020, the Company purchased a 14.99% equity interest in a joint venture with Superfrio Armazéns Gerais S.A.
(“SuperFrio” or “Brazil JV”) for Brazil reals of R$117.8 million. Including certain transaction costs, the Company recorded an initial
investment of USD $25.7 million in the joint venture. SuperFrio is a Brazilian-based company that provides temperature-controlled storage
and logistics services including storage, warehouse services, and transportation. The debt of the unconsolidated joint venture is non-recourse
to the Company, except for customary exceptions pertaining to such matters as intentional misuse of funds, environmental conditions and
material misrepresentations.
Comfrio Joint Venture
As a result of the Agro acquisition which closed on December 30, 2020, the Company acquired Agro’s 22.12% share of ownership in
Agrofundo Brazil II Fundode Investimento em Participações (“FIP”) or the “Comfrio” joint venture. The FIP owns all the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock of Agro Improvement Participações S.A. (“Agro Improvement”), a sociedade anônima, duly organized
and existing under the laws of Brazil. The Company has a call right that enables it to purchase all the issued and outstanding shares of Agro
Improvement starting on January 1, 2019 through January 7, 2023. The FIP has a put right that requires the Company when exercised to
purchase from it all the issued and outstanding shares of Agro Improvement starting on July 1, 2019 through January 7, 2023. The fair value
of the call and put rights will be recorded through acquisition accounting finalization during the measurement period, and was not included in
the preliminary acquisition accounting as of December 31, 2020.
The debt of the unconsolidated joint venture is non-recourse to the Company, except for customary exceptions pertaining to such matters as
intentional misuse of funds, environmental conditions and material misrepresentations.
China Joint Venture
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, or China JV). 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.
During the third quarter of 2019, the Company completed the sale of its equity interest in its China JV to an affiliate of its joint venture
partner for total cash consideration of $15.0 million. The resulting gain on the sale of
F-41
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
the China JV totaled $4.3 million and is included in “Gain from sale of partially owned entities” on the accompanying Consolidated
Statements of Operations. The gain recorded includes $2.6 million related to cumulative foreign currency translation historically recorded
through Other Comprehensive Income which stemmed from the remeasurement of the foreign denominated equity-method investment in the
China JV. The following tables summarize the financial information of the Company’s China JV for the periods presented, prior to
disposition.
The condensed summary financial information for the Company’s China JV is as follows for the portion of the year which the Company held
ownership interest in the China JV during 2019 and the full year ended December 31, 2018:
Condensed results of operations
CMAL
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) income
Company’s (loss) income from partially owned entities
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
CMAL
2019
CMAH
(In thousands)
10,907 $
1,920 $
1,018 $
318 $
2018
CMAH
(In thousands)
13,621 $
2,432 $
1,651 $
350 $
28,334 $
(348) $
(507) $
(429) $
37,458 $
(1,748) $
(1,960) $
(1,419) $
Total
Total
39,241
1,572
511
(111)
51,079
684
(309)
(1,069)
In addition to the China JV, the Company had an investment in a joint venture accounted for under the equity-method, for which a complete
return of capital totaling $2.0 million was received during the first quarter of 2019, eliminating the Company’s involvement in the joint
venture.
F-42
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and
2018 are as follows:
December 31, 2017
Impact of foreign currency translation
December 31, 2018
Goodwill acquired
Impact of foreign currency translation
December 31, 2019
Goodwill acquired
Purchase price allocation adjustments
Impact of foreign currency translation
December 31, 2020
Warehouse
Third-party
managed
Transportation
(In thousands)
Unallocated
Acquisitions
Total
$
$
172,554 $
(1,658)
170,896
130,919
9
301,824
116,275
1,115
2,513
421,727 $
3,064 $
(174)
2,890
—
(8)
2,882
—
—
379
3,261 $
12,551
(242)
12,309
1,452
16
13,777
8,546
—
351
22,674 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
346,673
—
—
346,673 $
188,169
(2,074)
186,095
132,371
17
318,483
471,494
1,115
3,243
794,335
The goodwill acquired in 2019 primarily related to the Cloverleaf and Lanier acquisitions in the Warehouse segment. The goodwill acquired
in 2020 related to the AM-C, Newport and Nova Cold acquisitions and was allocated to the Warehouse segment. The goodwill resulting from
the Hall’s acquisition in 2020 was allocated between the Warehouse and Transportation segments. The goodwill acquired in 2020 related to
the Agro acquisition is reflected in the table above within the column titled ‘Unallocated Acquisitions’ and has not yet been assigned to
reporting units as of December 31, 2020 given the short period of time between the acquisition date, December 30, 2020 and year-end. We
expect that the goodwill will be assigned to the Warehouse and Transportation segments during the measurement period. The 2020
acquisitions did not include any operations categorized as Third-party managed or Other. Refer to Note 3 for additional information.
F-43
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
Customer
relationships
Above-
market leases
$
Gross
Additions
Foreign currency translation
Accumulated amortization
Net definite lived intangible assets
Indefinite lived intangible asset (Trade name)
$
300,421 $
528,518
1,260
(53,321)
776,878 $
143 $
—
—
(81)
62 $
Identifiable intangible assets – net, December 31, 2020
In-place
lease
Below-
market
leases
(In thousands, except years)
3,778 $
—
—
(2,152)
1,626 $
9,126 $
—
—
(5,945)
3,181 $
Assembled
Workforce
Trade names
and trademarks
Total
908 $
139
—
(447)
600 $
1,623 $
—
—
(1,623)
—
$
315,999
528,657
1,260
(63,569)
782,347
15,076
797,423
Weighted-average remaining useful
life at December 31, 2020
24.3
2.8
2.8
32.2
1.9
N/A
24.3
Gross
Additions
Accumulated amortization
Net definite lived intangible assets
Indefinite lived intangible asset (Trade name)
$
$
33,788 $
266,633
(38,036)
262,385 $
143 $
—
(60)
83 $
3,778 $
—
(1,578)
2,200 $
9,126 $
—
(5,794)
3,332 $
— $
908
(128)
780 $
— $
1,623
(721)
902
$
46,835
269,164
(46,317)
269,682
15,076
284,758
Identifiable intangible assets – net, December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining useful
life at December 31, 2019
24.2
3.8
3.8
32.6
2.7
0.8
23.9
Additions in 2019 relate to the Cloverleaf, Lanier, MHW and PortFresh acquisitions. Additions in 2020 relate to the Agro, AM-C, Caspers,
Hall’s, Newport and Nova Cold acquisitions. Refer to Notes 2 and 3 for further details of each acquisition.
F-44
Americold Realty Trust 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)
Estimated Amortization of
Assembled Workforce Assets
$
$
32,999 $
32,910
32,726
32,159
32,070
615,640
778,504 $
22 $
22
18
—
—
—
62 $
151 $
151
106
102
102
2,569
3,181 $
349
221
30
—
—
—
600
Years Ending December 31:
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total
6. Other Assets
Other assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
Prepaid accounts
Inventory and supplies
Various insurance and workers’ compensation receivables
Marketable securities - (deferred compensation plan)
Deferred financing costs
Utility, workers’ compensation escrow and lease deposits
Other receivables
Income taxes receivable
Deferred tax assets
Fair value of derivatives
Deferred registration statement costs
F-45
2020
2019
(In thousands)
24,324 $
21,514
14,421
6,579
5,811
4,630
7,292
997
826
—
—
86,394 $
11,345
9,371
12,143
4,895
2,767
4,222
7,528
885
418
6,886
912
61,372
$
$
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
7. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 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
New market tax credit deferred contribution liability
Income taxes payable
Dividends payable
Accrued interest
Fair value of derivative financial instruments
Other accrued expenses
Deferred consideration - Agro
8. Acquisition, Litigation and Other Charges
2020
2019
(In thousands)
179,028 $
34,775
26,706
26,320
17,466
14,938
22,372
9,373
4,721
6,424
56,189
28,422
9,611
66,492
49,710
552,547 $
109,222
30,642
17,104
20,729
16,403
13,020
20,370
7,854
4,882
997
39,753
24,872
6,097
39,018
—
350,963
$
$
The components of the charges included in “Acquisition, litigation and other” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows (in
thousands):
Acquisition, litigation and other
Acquisition related costs
Litigation
Severance, equity award modifications and acceleration
Non-offering related equity issuance expenses
Terminated site operations costs
Non-recurring public company implementation costs
Cyber incident related costs
Other
Total acquisition, litigation and other
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2020
2018
26,466 $
310
1,089
—
124
—
7,908
409
36,306 $
24,284 $
4,553
9,789
1,356
632
—
—
—
40,614 $
671
—
2,053
1,813
(1,804)
1,202
—
—
3,935
$
$
Acquisition related costs include costs associated with business transactions, whether consummated or not, such as advisory, legal,
accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees. We also include integration costs pre- and post-acquisition that reflect work
being performed to facilitate merger and acquisition integration, such as work associated with information systems and other projects
including spending to support future
F-46
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
acquisitions, and primarily consist of professional services. We consider acquisition related costs to be corporate costs regardless of the
segment or segments involved in the transaction. Refer to Note 3 for further information regarding acquisitions completed in the current year.
Litigation costs consist of expenses incurred in order to defend the Company from litigation charges outside of the normal course of business
as well as related settlements not in the normal course of business. Litigation costs incurred in connection with matters arising from the
ordinary course of business are expensed as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expense” on the Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
Severance costs represent certain contractual and negotiated severance and separation costs from exited former executives, reduction in
headcount due to synergies achieved through acquisitions or operational efficiencies and reduction in workforce costs associated with exiting
or selling non-strategic warehouses or businesses. Equity acceleration and modification costs represent the unrecognized expense for stock
awards that vest and convert to common shares in advance of the original negotiated vesting date and any other equity award changes
resulting in accounting for the award as a modification. Refer to Note 15 for further details of all equity modifications and equity
acceleration.
Non-offering related equity issuance expense consists of non-registration statement related legal fees associated with the selling shareholders’
secondary public offering completed during the first quarter of 2019, which consisted solely of shares sold by YF ART Holdings and
Goldman Sachs and affiliates. The Company received no proceeds from the secondary offering.
Terminated site operations costs relates to 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. Additionally, terminated site operations costs include those incurred to
wind down operations at recently sold facilities. 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 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Non-recurring public company implementation costs for the year ended December 31, 2018 represent costs associated with the
implementation of financial reporting systems and processes needed to convert the organization to a public company.
Cyber incident related costs include third-party fees incurred in connection with the cyber incident that occurred in November 2020, as well
as any incremental costs, internal and external, incurred to restore operations at our facilities and damage claims.
Other costs relate to additional superannuation pension costs related to prior years upon review by the Australian Tax Office.
F-47
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
9. Debt
The Company’s outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows (in thousands):
Indebtedness
2013 Mortgage Loans
Senior note
Mezzanine A
Mezzanine B
Total 2013 Mortgage Loans
Senior Unsecured Notes
Series A notes
Series B notes
Series C notes
Series D notes
Series E notes
Total Senior Unsecured Notes
(8)
(7)
2020 Senior Unsecured Term loan Tranche A-1
2020 Senior Unsecured Term loan Tranche A-2
Total 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A
Facility
(4)
(1)
(2)(6)
Stated
Maturity Date
Contractual
Interest Rate
Effective Interest Rate as
of December 31, 2020
Carrying
Amount
Estimated Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Estimated Fair
Value
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
5/2023
5/2023
5/2023
1/2026
1/2029
1/2030
1/2031
1/2033
3/2025
3/2025
3.81%
7.38%
11.50%
4.68%
4.86%
4.10%
1.62%
1.65%
L+0.95%
C+0.95%
4.14%
7.55%
11.75%
4.77%
4.92%
4.15%
1.66%
1.69%
1.45%
1.55%
$
174,693 $
70,000
32,000
276,693
180,807 $
71,925
33,040
285,772
181,443 $
70,000
32,000
283,443
184,618
70,525
32,320
287,463
200,000
400,000
350,000
488,640
427,560
1,866,200
231,000
475,000
400,750
488,640
427,560
2,022,950
325,000
196,325
323,375
195,343
521,325
518,718
200,000
400,000
350,000
—
—
950,000
—
—
—
217,750
439,000
366,625
—
—
1,023,375
—
—
—
2018 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility
(1)
1/2023
L+1.00%
3.14%
—
—
475,000
472,625
Total principal amount of indebtedness
Less deferred financing costs
Total indebtedness, net of unamortized deferred financing costs
(3)
2,664,218
(15,952)
2,827,440
n/a
1,708,443
(12,996)
$ 2,648,266 $
2,827,440 $ 1,695,447 $
1,783,463
n/a
1,783,463
2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
(5)
(3)
2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
(3)
(1)
3/2024
1/2021
L+0.85%
L+0.90%
0.23%
0.36%
$
— $
N/A
—
N/A $
N/A
— $
N/A
—
(1) L = one-month LIBOR
(2) C = one-month CDOR
(3) During the first quarter of 2020, the Company refinanced its Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. As such, the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility was in effect
as of December 31, 2020 and the 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility was in effect as of December 31, 2019. The above disclosure reflects N/A for the
reporting date that the respective instrument was not in effect.
(4) During the first quarter of 2020, the Company refinanced its Senior Unsecured Term Loan A. As such, the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility was in effect as
of December 31, 2020 and the 2018 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility was in effect as of December 31, 2019.
(5) The Company has the option to extend the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility up to two times for a six-month period each.
(6) The 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan Tranche A-2 is denominated in Canadian dollars and aggregates to CAD 250.0 million. The carrying value in the table above is
the US dollar equivalent as of December 31, 2020.
F-48
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
(7) The Senior Unsecured Notes Series D is denominated in Euros and aggregates to €400.0 million. The carrying value in the table above is the US dollar equivalent as of
December 31, 2020.
(8) The Senior Unsecured Notes Series E is denominated in Euros and aggregates to €350.0 million. The carrying value in the table above is the US dollar equivalent as of
December 31, 2020.
2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility
On March 26, 2020, we entered into a five-year Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility and a four-year $800 million Senior Unsecured
Revolving Credit Facility, which we refer to as the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. The proceeds were used to refinance the existing
$800 million 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility maturing January 23, 2021 and USD denominated $475 million 2018 Senior
Unsecured Term Loan maturing January 23, 2023. The total borrowing capacity of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility was
approximately $1.4 billion USD prior to the partial debt repayment which occurred in December 2020 and that is discussed further below.
Additionally on March 26, 2020, the Company reduced the margin on the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility and 2020 Senior
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility by five basis points.
The 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility was broken into two tranches. Tranche A-1 was comprised of a $425.0 million USD term
loan and Tranche A-2 was comprised of a CAD $250.0 million term loan, both were five-year loans maturing in 2025. Tranche A-2 provides
a natural hedge to the Company’s investment in Canada. We refer to Tranches A-1 and A-2 in aggregate as the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term
Loan Facility. In connection with entering into the agreement, we incurred approximately $3.2 million of debt issuance costs related to the
term loan, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method. As of December 31, 2020, $5.6 million of unamortized
debt issuance costs related to the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility are included in “Mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and
term loans” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The maturity of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility is March 26, 2024; however, the Company has the option to extend the
maturity up to two times, each for a six-month period. The Company must meet certain criteria in order to extend the maturity. All
representations and warranties must be in effect, it must obtain updated resolutions from loan parties, and an additional 6.25 basis points
extension fee must be paid. In connection with entering into the agreement, we incurred approximately $5.2 million of debt issuance costs for
the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, which we amortize as interest expense under the straight-line method. Unamortized
deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2019 of $2.8 million will continue to be amortized over the life of the 2020 Senior Unsecured
Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2020, $5.8 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the revolving credit facility
are included in “Other assets” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On December 30, 2020, we repaid $100.0 million of the 425000000 USD Tranche A-1 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A. This was
funded using the Series D and E debt private placement issuance, more details on this debt issuance can be found under the “Series A, B, C,
D, and E Senior Unsecured Notes” section below. In connection with this repayment, approximately $1.5 million of unamortized deferred
financing costs associated with the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility were written off. In addition, the interest rate swaps associated with
the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A were terminated, resulting in an extinguishment fee of $16.4 million. After accounting for the
refinance, the total borrowing capacity of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility is approximately $1.3 billion USD as of December 31,
2020.
Our 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility contains representations, covenants and other terms customary for a publicly traded REIT. In
addition, it contains certain financial covenants, as defined in the credit agreement, including:
F-49
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
•
•
•
•
•
a maximum leverage ratio of less than or equal to 60% of our total asset value. Following a material acquisition, leverage ratio shall
not exceed 65%;
a maximum unencumbered leverage ratio of less than or equal to 60% to unencumbered asset value. Following a material acquisition,
unencumbered leverage ratio shall not exceed 65%;
a maximum secured leverage ratio of less than or equal to 40% to total asset value. Following a material acquisition, secured leverage
ratio shall not exceed 45%;
a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.50x; and
a minimum unsecured interest coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.75x.
Material Acquisition in our 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility is defined as one in which assets acquired exceeds an amount equal to 5%
of total asset value as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter publicly available. Obligations under our 2020 Senior
Unsecured Credit Facility are general unsecured obligations of our Operating Partnership and are guaranteed by the Company and certain
subsidiaries of the Company. As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
There were $21.7 million letters of credit issued on the Company’s 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31,
2020.
2018 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility
On December 4, 2018, we entered into the 2018 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility to, among other things, (i) increase the revolver borrowing
capacity from $450.0 million to $800.0 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 five 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
incurred approximately $8.9 million of debt issuance costs, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method. As of
December 31, 2019, the unamortized balance of Term Loan A debt issuance costs was $6.1 million and was included in “Mortgage notes,
senior unsecured notes and term loans” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On September 24, 2019, we reduced our interest rate margins from 1.45% to 1.00% and decreased the fee on unused borrowing capacity by
five basis points for usage greater than 50% of the total commitment and 15 basis points for usage less than 50% of commitment. The fee for
unused borrowing capacity was 20 basis points regardless of the percentage of total commitment used. During the third quarter of 2019, the
Company received a favorable credit rating. This rating, when combined with existing ratings, allowed the Company to transition to a
favorable ratings-based pricing grid during the third quarter of 2019.
There were $23.0 million letters of credit issued on the Company’s 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31,
2019. During the first quarter of 2020, the 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility was refinanced and is no longer outstanding as
of December 31, 2020.
Series A, B, C, D, and E Senior Unsecured Notes
On April 26, 2019, we completed a debt private placement transaction consisting of $350.0 million senior unsecured notes with a coupon of
4.10% due January 8, 2030 (“Series C”). The transaction closed on May 7, 2019. Interest is payable on January 8 and July 8 of each year until
maturity, with the first payment occurring January 8, 2020. The initial January 8, 2020 payment included interest accrued since May 7, 2019.
The notes are general unsecured obligations of the Operating Partnership and are guaranteed by the Company and certain
F-50
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
subsidiaries of the Company. The Company applied the proceeds of the private placement transaction to repay the indebtedness outstanding
under our senior unsecured revolving credit facility incurred in connection with the funding of the Cloverleaf and Lanier acquisitions.
On November 6, 2018, we completed a debt private placement transaction consisting of (i) $200.0 million senior unsecured notes with a
coupon of 4.68% due January 8, 2026 (“Series A”) and (ii) $400.0 million senior unsecured notes with a coupon of 4.86% due January 8,
2029 (“Series B”). The transaction closed on December 4, 2018. Interest is payable on January 8 and July 8 of each year until maturity, with
the first payment occurring July 8, 2019. The notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership and are guaranteed
by the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company. The Company used a portion of the proceeds of the private placement transaction
to repay the outstanding balances of the $600.0 million Americold 2010 LLC Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series
2010, ART (2010 Mortgage Loans). The Company also used the remaining proceeds to extinguish the Australian term loan and the New
Zealand term loan (ANZ Loans).
On December 30, 2020 we completed a debt private placement transaction consisting of (i) €400.00 million senior unsecured notes with a
coupon of 1.62% due January 7, 2031 (“Series D”) and (ii) €350.00 million senior unsecured notes with a coupon of 1.65% due January 7,
2033 (“Series E”). Interest is payable on January 7 and July 7 of each year until maturity, with the first payment occurring July 7, 2021. The
notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership and are guaranteed by the Company and certain subsidiaries of
the Company. In connection with entering into the agreement, we incurred approximately $4.5 million of debt issuance costs related to the
issuance, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method. The proceeds of the Series D and Series E issuance were
used to provide long-term financing for the Halls acquisition, general corporate purposes and to repay a portion of the 2020 Senior Unsecured
Term Loan Tranche A-1.
The Series A, B, C, D, and E senior notes (collectively referred to as the “Senior Unsecured 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 days 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 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 maximum total secured indebtedness ratio of less than 0.40 to 1.00;
a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00; and
a minimum unsecured debt service ratio of greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
F-51
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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 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, 2020, the amount of restricted
cash associated with the 2013 Mortgage Loans was $3.6 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 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, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
Debt Covenants
Our Senior Unsecured Credit Facilities, the Senior Unsecured Notes and 2013 Mortgage Loans all require financial statement reporting,
periodic reporting of compliance with financial covenants, other established thresholds and performance measurements, and compliance with
affirmative and negative covenants that govern our allowable business practices. The affirmative and negative covenants include, among
others, continuation of insurance, maintenance of collateral (in the case of the 2013 Mortgage Loans), the maintenance of REIT status, and
restrictions on our ability to enter into certain types of transactions or take on certain exposures. As of December 31, 2020, we were in
compliance with all debt covenants.
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
In connection with the early repayment of a portion of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility during the fourth quarter of 2020, the
Company recorded $1.5 million to “Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments” in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, representing the write-off of the proportionate unamortized deferred financing costs
from the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. In addition, the Company terminated the two interest rate swaps related to the 2020 Senior
Unsecured Credit Facility for a fee of $16.4 million. Approximately $8.7 million of this fee will remain in “Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income” and will be amortized to expense through 2024, while $7.7 million was expensed as interest and included within
“Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications, and termination of derivative instruments” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Operations during the year ended December 31, 2020.
In connection with the refinancing of the 2018 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility during the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded
$0.8 million to “Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative
F-52
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
instruments” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, representing the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs
from the 2018 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. These write-offs were a result of two lenders in the 2018 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A
Facility that did not participate in the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility, accordingly those lenders’ portion of unamortized
deferred financing costs were written off. Similarly, two lenders in the 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility did not participate in
the 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, and those lender’s portions of unamortized deferred financing costs were written off.
During 2018, the Company completed multiple refinancing and extinguishment of debt transactions resulting in an aggregate amount of $47.6
million each of which was 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 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. 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.
Aggregate future repayments of indebtedness
The aggregate maturities of indebtedness as of December 31, 2020, including amortization of principal amounts due under the mortgage
notes for each of the next five years and thereafter, are as follows:
Years Ending December 31:
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Aggregate principal amount of debt
Less unamortized deferred financing costs
Total debt net of deferred financing costs
Special Purpose Entity (SPE) Separateness
(In thousands)
7,034
7,312
262,347
—
521,325
1,866,200
2,664,218
(15,952)
2,648,266
$
$
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.
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2013 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2013 LLC
2013 Mortgage Notes
Legal Entity/SPE
Related Obligation
F-53
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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
Designated Nonderivative Financial Instruments
As of December 31, 2020, the Company has designated €750 million debt and accrued interest as a hedge of our net investment in the
international subsidiaries resulting from the Agro Acquisition. The remeasurement of these instruments is recorded in “Change in unrealized
net gain (loss) on foreign currency” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company is subject to volatility in interest rates due to variable-rate debt. To manage this risk, the Company entered into multiple
interest rate swap agreements. The January 2019 agreement hedged $100 million of variable interest-rate debt, and the August 2019
agreement hedged $225 million of variable interest-rate debt. Each agreement converted the Company’s variable-rate debt to a fixed-rate
basis for five years, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense. These agreements involved the receipt of
variable-rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate interest payments over the life of the respective agreement without an exchange of the
underlying notional amount. The Company’s objective for utilizing these derivative instruments was to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in
cash flows due to changes in interest rates. Both of these interest rate swaps were terminated during the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company
accelerated the reclassification in other comprehensive income to earnings as a result of the hedged forecasted transactions becoming not
probable to occur resulting in a charge to “Loss on debt extinguishment, modification, and termination of derivative instruments” of $7.7
million on the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, during the next
twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $2.7 million will be reclassified as an increase to “Loss on debt extinguishment,
modification, and termination of derivative instruments”. The Company classifies cash inflow and outflows from derivatives that hedge
interest rate risk within operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The Company is subject to volatility in foreign exchange rates due to foreign-currency denominated intercompany loans. The Company
implemented cross-currency swaps to manage the foreign currency exchange rate risk on these intercompany loans. These agreements
effectively mitigate the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to foreign exchange rate risk. These agreements involve the
receipt of fixed USD amounts in exchange for payment of fixed AUD and NZD amounts over the life of the respective intercompany loan.
The entirety of the Company’s outstanding intercompany loans receivable balances, $153.5 million AUD and $37.5 million NZD, were
hedged under the cross-currency swap agreements at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and subsequently reclassified in the period(s) during which the hedged transaction affects
earnings within the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged transaction. During the next twelve months, the
Company estimates that an additional $0.5 million will be reclassified as an increase to gain/loss on foreign exchange.
F-54
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company is subject to volatility in foreign currencies against its functional currency, the US dollar. Periodically, the Company uses
foreign currency derivatives including currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates. While these
derivatives are hedging the fluctuations in foreign currencies, they do not meet the requirements to be accounted for as hedging instruments.
As a result, the changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings.
During 2019, in conjunction with the funding of the Nova Cold Acquisition, the Company entered into a foreign exchange forward with a
notional to purchase CAD 217.0 million and sell USD with a maturity date of January 2, 2020. The Company simultaneously entered into a
second contract with a notional to sell CAD 217.0 million and purchase USD with a maturity of January 31, 2020. These forwards were not
designated as hedges in a qualifying hedging relationships. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the net unrealized loss on the change
in fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts included within “Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net” on the accompanying
Consolidated Statement of Operations was less than $0.1 million.
During the first quarter of 2020, the Company’s previous two outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts matured. The first contract
with a notional to purchase CAD $217.0 million and sell USD, matured on January 2, 2020 and settled for a gain of $2.1 million. The second
contract with a notional to sell CAD $217.0 million and purchase USD maturing on January 31, 2020 was subsequently designated as a net
investment hedge on January 2, 2020. The net realized loss on these foreign exchange forward contracts included within “Foreign currency
exchange gain (loss), net” on the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was
$0.1 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company entered into an undesignated foreign currency forward contract to lock in the expected
proceeds from the issuance of the Series D & E Senior Unsecured Notes, which would convert the Euro denominated debt issuance to USD.
The notional amount was €750 million which settled on December 30, 2020. The realized loss on the foreign currency forward contract was
$45 million and was reflected in “Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company did not have any foreign currency forwards that were not designated in hedging relationships
outstanding.
The Company is also exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on property investments it holds in foreign countries. The Company
uses forward currency forwards to hedge its exposure to changes in exchange rates on certain of its foreign investments as well. For
derivatives designated as net investment hedges, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment. Amounts are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive
income into earnings when the hedged net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated.
On January 2, 2020, the Company designated the above noted forward currency contract with a notional to sell CAD $217.0 million and
purchase USD maturing on January 31, 2020 as a net investment hedge. This contract was then settled for a gain of $0.2 million and a new
contract was entered into with same notional to sell CAD $217.0 million and purchase USD which matured on February 28, 2020. The
second contract was settled for a gain of $2.8 million upon the maturity date of February 28, 2020.
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any foreign currency forwards that were designated as net
investment hedges outstanding.
F-55
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company determines the fair value of its derivative instruments using a present value calculation with significant observable inputs
classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Derivative asset balances are recorded on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets
within “Other assets” and derivative liability balances are recorded on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets within “Accounts
payable and accrued expenses”. The following table presents the fair value of the derivative financial instruments within “Other assets” and
“Accounts payable and accrued expenses” as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
Designated derivatives
Foreign exchange contracts
Interest rate contracts
Undesignated derivatives
Foreign exchange forwards
Total fair value of derivatives
Derivative Assets
As of December 31,
Derivative Liabilities
As of December 31,
2020
2019
2020
2019
$
$
— $
—
—
— $
1,376
2,933
2,546
6,855
$
$
9,611
—
—
9,611
$
$
—
3,505
2,589
6,094
The following tables present the effect of the Company’s designated derivative financial instruments on the accompanying Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, including the impacts to Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (AOCI) (in thousands):
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other
Comprehensive Income on Derivative
As of December 31,
2019
2020
2018
Interest rate contracts
$
(11,465) $
(571) $
(1,422)
Interest rate contracts
(7,688)
—
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign exchange forwards
Total designated cash flow hedges $
(11,015)
—
5,250
(24,918) $
(879)
—
—
(1,450) $
—
2,283
—
—
861
Location of Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified from AOCI into
Income
Interest expense
Loss on debt extinguishment,
modifications and termination
of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange
(loss) gain, net
Interest expense
(1)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
into Income
As of December 31,
2019
2020
2018
$
(3,368) $
248 $
(1,191)
(7,688)
—
(12,158)
(74)
—
(23,288) $
$
(264)
58
—
42 $
—
3,449
—
—
2,258
(1) The Company accelerated the reclassification in other comprehensive income to earnings as a result of the hedged forecasted transactions becoming not
probable to occur resulting in a charge to “Loss on debt extinguishment, modification, and termination of derivative instruments” on the accompanying
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Total interest expense recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was $91.5 million, $94.4 million and $93.3 million during the
years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Total “Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net”, recorded in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations was a
F-56
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
loss of $45.3 million, nominal, and a gain of $2.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
The table below presents a gross presentation, the effects of offsetting, and a net presentation of the Company’s derivatives as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The net amounts of derivative assets or liabilities can be reconciled to the tabular disclosure of
fair value. The tabular disclosure of fair value provides the location that derivative assets and liabilities are presented on the accompanying
Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
Offsetting of Derivative Assets
December 31, 2020
Derivatives
Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
—
$
$
Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Net Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Financial
Instruments
Cash Collateral
Received
Net Amount
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Financial
Instruments
Cash Collateral
Received
Net Amount
Derivatives
$
9,611
$
—
$
9,611
$
—
$
—
$
9,611
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet
F-57
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Offsetting of Derivative Assets
December 31, 2019
Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Assets
Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Net Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Financial
Instruments
Cash Collateral
Received
Net Amount
Derivatives
$
6,855
$
—
$
6,855
$
(3,966)
$
—
$
2,889
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities
Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Consolidated
Balance Sheet
Financial
Instruments
Cash Collateral
Received
Net Amount
Derivatives
$
(6,094)
$
—
$
(6,094)
$
3,966
$
—
$
(2,128)
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment
for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $10.1 million. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has not posted any collateral
related to these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at December 31, 2020, it could have been required to settle
its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $10.3 million.
The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where the Company could be declared in
default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on
the indebtedness.
Refer to Note 20 for additional details regarding the impact of the Company’s derivatives on AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2020,
2019 and 2018, respectively.
F-58
Americold Realty Trust 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, 2020 and 2019
are as follows:
Maturity
Interest Rate as of December 31, 2020
2020
2019
1 warehouse – 2010
11 warehouses – 2007
3 facilities - 2007 (Agro)
1 facility - 2013 (Agro)
Total sale-leaseback financing obligations
7/2030
9/2027
7/2031
12/2033
10.34%
7.00%-19.59%
10%
10%
(In thousands)
18,669 $
93,316
67,229
5,846
185,060 $
18,994
96,765
—
—
115,759
$
$
In connection with the Agro acquisition, the Company assumed four sale-leaseback facilities. Agro completed a sale-leaseback transaction for
three of its warehouse facilities in 2007 that was accounted for as financing. The initial term of the agreement is 20 years and rent payments
increase every five years. The rent payments increase by the lesser of 125% of the cumulative increase in the Consumer Price Index over the
related five-year period or 9%. The agreement’s termination date is July 31, 2031 and has an implicit interest rate of 10%. The long-lived
assets are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over their remaining economic useful life.
Agro also completed a sale-leaseback transaction for one of its warehouse facilities that was accounted for as financing. The initial term of
the agreement is 20 years and includes six 5-year renewal periods. The rent payments increase every five years by the lesser of the cumulative
increase in the Consumer Price Index over the related five-year period or 12%. The agreement’s termination date is December 31, 2033 and
has an implicit interest rate of 10%. The long-lived assets are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over their remaining economic useful
life.
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 2020 and 2019, 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 connection with an acquisition completed in 2010, the Company assumed sale leaseback agreements for 11 warehouses, and received gross
proceeds of $170.7 million. The acquired company originally completed the sale-leaseback agreements in September 2007. The agreements
for the leases of these properties had 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
F-59
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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.
As of December 31, 2020, 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:
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total minimum payments
Interest portion
Present value of net minimum payments
12. Lease Accounting
Arrangements wherein we are the lessee:
(In thousands)
26,184
27,065
27,460
27,787
28,075
182,553
319,124
(134,064)
185,060
$
$
We have operating and finance leases for land, warehouses, offices, vehicles, and equipment with remaining lease terms ranging from 1 to 32
years. Many of our leases include one or more options to extend the lease term from 1 to 10 years that may be exercised at our sole discretion.
Additionally, many of our leases for vehicles and equipment include options to purchase the underlying asset at or before expiration of the
lease agreement. Rental payments are generally fixed over the term of the lease agreement with the exception of certain equipment leases for
which the rental payment may vary based on usage of the asset. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees
or material restrictive covenants.
As of December 31, 2020, the rights and obligations with respect to leases which have been signed but have not yet commenced are not
material to our financial position or results of operations.
F-60
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
Components of lease expense:
Operating lease cost (a)
Financing lease cost:
Depreciation
Interest on lease liabilities
Sublease income (b)
Net lease expense
Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
$
$
23,931 $
16,504
2,969
(551)
42,853 $
29,205
11,252
2,941
(499)
42,899
(a)
(b)
Includes short-term lease and variable lease costs, which are immaterial.
Sublease income relates to two warehouses in the U.S. and New Zealand.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, rent expense of $36.7 million, was recorded pursuant to ASC 840, Leases.
Other information related to leases is as follows:
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases
Operating cash flows from finance leases
Financing cash flows from finance leases
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations
Operating leases
Finance leases
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
$
$
$
$
$
Operating leases
Finance leases
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases
Finance leases
Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
(20,070)
(2,969)
(19,970)
44,919
38,858
$
$
$
$
$
10.5
4.8
2.9 %
3.6 %
(24,992)
(2,941)
(13,339)
12,492
30,416
6.1
4.4
4.1 %
5.5 %
F-61
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of December 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
Years ending December 31,
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total future minimum lease payments
Less: Interest
Total future minimum lease payments less interest
Reported as of December 31, 2020
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Operating lease obligations
Finance lease obligations
Total lease obligations
Arrangements wherein we are the lessor:
Operating Lease
Payments
Finance Lease
Payments
Total Lease
Payments
41,821 $
36,000
32,809
28,185
23,923
154,991
317,729
(48,582)
269,147 $
174 $
268,973
—
269,147 $
41,671 $
32,118
25,943
16,752
6,108
10,723
133,315
(7,389)
125,926 $
120 $
—
125,806
125,926 $
83,492
68,118
58,752
44,937
30,031
165,714
451,044
(55,971)
395,073
294
268,973
125,806
395,073
$
$
$
$
We receive lease income as the lessor for certain buildings and warehouses or space within a warehouse. The remaining term on existing
leases ranges from 1 to 12 years. Lease income is generally fixed over the duration of the contract and each lease contract contains clauses
permitting extension or termination. Lease incentives and options for purchase of the leased asset by the lessee are generally not included.
The Company is party to operating leases only and currently does not have sales-type or direct financing leases. Lease income is included
within “Rent, storage and warehouse services” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations as denoted in Note 24 “Revenues
from Contracts with Customers”.
Property, buildings and equipment underlying operating leases is included in “Land” and “Buildings and improvements” on the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gross value and net value of these assets was $854.2 million and $615.7 million, for Land
and Buildings and improvements, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. These amounts for 2020 exclude values attributable to Land and
Buildings and improvements acquired from Agro as the relevant acquisition accounting is preliminary and will be finalized during the
measurement period. The gross value and net value of these assets was $786.4 million and $600.1 million, for Land and Buildings and
improvements, respectively, as of December 31, 2019. Depreciation expense for such assets was $29.5 million and $23.1 million for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Future minimum lease payments due from our customers on leases as of December 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
F-62
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Year ending December 31,
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total
13. Fair Value Measurements
Operating Leases
26,903
21,884
18,914
14,201
10,169
21,491
113,562
$
$
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, and term loans are reported at their aggregate principal amount less unamortized
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, and term 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 derivative instruments. The fair value of
interest rate swap and cross currency swap agreements, which are designated as cash flow hedges, and foreign currency forward contracts
designated as net investment hedges, is based on inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable (Level 2). The fair value of
foreign currency forward contracts is based on adjusting the spot rate utilized at the balance sheet date for translation purposes by an estimate
of the forward points observed in active markets (Level 2). Additionally, the fair value of derivatives includes a credit valuation adjustment to
appropriately incorporate nonperformance risk for the Company and the respective counterparty. Although the credit valuation adjustments
associated with derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by us and
our counterparties, the significance of the impact on the overall valuation of our derivative positions is insignificant. 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 18 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, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
F-63
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis include long-lived assets when events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company estimates the fair values using unobservable inputs
classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value are as follows:
Measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Interest rate swap asset
Interest rate swap liability
Cross-currency swap asset
Cross-currency swap liability
Foreign exchange forward contract asset
Foreign exchange forward contract liability
Assets held by various pension plans:
$
Fair Value
Hierarchy
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 1
Level 2
Fair Value
December 31,
2020
2019
(In thousands)
— $
—
—
9,611
—
—
41,009
37,652
2,936
3,507
1,404
—
2,546
2,589
35,317
33,991
Disclosed at fair value:
Mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loans
(1)
Level 3
$
2,827,440 $
1,783,463
(1)
The carrying value of mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loans is disclosed in Note 9.
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. 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
2020, 2019 and 2018:
F-64
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Month Declared/Paid
Dividend Per
Share
2020 (Common Shares)
Distributions Declared
Common Shares
Distributions Paid
Common Shares
December (2019)/January
$
0.2000 $
—
$
38,796
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
December
(a)
December (2019)/January
March/April
March
(b)
March/April
May/July
May
(c)
May/July
September/October
October
(d)
September/October
December
0.2100
0.2100
0.2100
—
—
42,568
—
—
43,271
—
—
43,282
—
(169)
4
42,568
(233)
10
43,271
(232)
10
43,282
(231)
$
0.210
$
—
53,820
182,941 $
10
—
167,086
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).
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).
(a) Declared in December 2019 and included in the $38.8 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(b) Declared in March and included in the $42.6 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(c) Declared in May and included in the $43.3 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(d) Declared in September and included in the $43.3 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
F-65
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Month Declared/Paid
Dividend Per
Share
2019 (Common Shares)
Distributions
Declared
Distributions Paid
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
December (2018)/January
$
0.1875 $
— $
28,218
December
(a)
—
(127)
December (2018)/January
March/April
0.2000
—
30,235
7
30,235
March
(b)
March/April
June/July
June
(c)
June/July
September/October
October
(d)
—
(142)
0.2000
—
38,764
15
38,764
—
(172)
0.2000
—
38,795
13
38,795
—
(170)
September/October
December/January (2020)
$
0.2000
$
—
38,796
146,590 $
7
—
135,443
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).
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).
(a) Declared in December 2018 and included in the $28.2 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(b) Declared in March and included in the $30.2 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(c) Declared in June and included in the $38.8 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(d) Declared in September and included in the $38.8 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
F-66
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Month Declared/Paid
Dividend Per
Share
2018
Distributions Declared
Series B
Preferred
Shares
Common
Shares
Distributions Paid
Common
Shares
Series B
Preferred
Shares
$
0.0186 $
0.1396
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
1,291 $
619 $
20,145
—
1,291 $
20,145
619
(a)
January
March/April
March
(c)
March/April
June/July
June
(d)
—
—
27,250
—
—
28,072
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(79)
20
27,250
(118)
28
28,072
(114)
28
—
76,523
$
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).
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).
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,198
1,198
$
1,817
$
1,817
0.1875
June/July
September/October
0.1875
October
(e)
September/October
December/January (2019)
$
0.1875
—
28,218
104,976
$
(a)
Series B Preferred Shares - Fixed Dividend
January
Total distributions paid to holders of Series B Preferred
Shares
(b)
(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.
F-67
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The dividends declared and paid to holders of Series A Preferred Shares were $0.001 for the year ended December 31, 2018. In 2018, in
connection with the IPO, all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares were redeemed and there were no dividends for the year ended December
31, 2019.
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:
Common Shares
Ordinary income
Capital gains
Return of capital
Preferred Shares
Ordinary income
Capital gains
Return of capital
2020
2019
2018
35 %
0 %
65 %
100 %
83 %
0 %
17 %
100 %
66 %
0 %
34 %
100 %
2020
2019
2018
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
100 %
0 %
0 %
100 %
15. 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 cliff vesting market performance-based awards are
recognized on a straight-line basis over the associates’ 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 share-based compensation charges were $17.9 million, $15.9 million and $10.7 million during the years ended December 31,
2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Routine share-based compensation expense is included as a component of “Selling, general and
administrative” expense on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Approximately $3.1 million of share-based
compensation expense was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2019 due to accelerated vesting of awards outstanding to former
executives and an equity award modification upon trustee resignation, and were included as a component of “Acquisition, litigation and
other” expense on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Approximately $2.0 million of share-based compensation
expense was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018 as a result of modification to certain restricted stock units, and is included as
a component of “Acquisition, litigation and other” expense on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. The award
modifications and awards with accelerated vesting are discussed further under the section “Modification of Restricted Stock Units and
Accelerated Vesting of Awards”. As of December 31, 2020, there was $23.0 million of unrecognized share ‑based compensation expense
related to stock options and restricted stock units, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.
F-68
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Americold Realty Trust 2010 Equity Incentive Plans
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 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. No additional awards
may be granted under the 2010 Plan.
Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan
On January 4, 2018, the Company’s Board of Trustees adopted the Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (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. 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 for market performance-based awards are forfeitable in the event of
termination for cause or when voluntary departure occurs during the vesting period. Otherwise, dividend equivalents are accrued at the time
of declaration and paid upon the vesting of the awards. Time-based awards have the right to receive nonforfeitable dividend equivalent
distributions on unvested units throughout the vesting period. As of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, the Company accrued
$2.5 million, $1.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of dividend equivalents on unvested units payable to associates and non-employee
trustees.
All awards granted under the 2017 Plan dated on March 8, 2020 and thereafter include a retirement provision. The retirement provision
allows that if a participant has either attained the age of 65, or has attained the age of 55 and has ten full years of service with the Company,
and there are no facts, circumstances or events exist which would give the Company a basis to effect a termination of service for cause, then
the award recipient is entitled to continued vesting of any outstanding equity-based awards which include the retirement provision. Should the
participant choose to retire from the Company, the awards with the retirement provision would continue to vest. Accordingly, grants of time-
based awards to an employee who has met the retirement criteria on or before the date of grant will be expensed at the date of grant. In
addition, grants of time-based awards to associates who will meet the retirement criteria during the awards normal vesting period will be
expensed between the date of grant and the date upon which the award recipient meets the retirement criteria. Time-based awards granted to
recipients who meet the retirement criteria, and decide to retire, will continue vesting on the original vesting schedule as determined at grant
date. A pro-rated portion of market-performance based awards granted to recipients who meet the retirement criteria will remain outstanding
and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the performance period based on the number of days during the
performance period that the recipient was employed.
Modification of Restricted Stock Units and Accelerated Vesting of Awards
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 or converted
to shares 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 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.
F-69
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
During the first quarter of 2019, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved the modification of an award issued in 2018 to a
member of the Board of Trustees upon his resignation. This modification immediately accelerated the next vesting tranche of 100,000
restricted stock units which otherwise would not have vested until 2020 assuming the trustee continued service, under the original award
agreement. As a result of this modification, the Company recognized approximately $2.9 million of share-based compensation expense
during the first quarter of 2019.
Additionally, during the first quarter of 2019, the Company recognized accelerated share-based compensation expense of $0.2 million upon
the termination of former executives, in accordance with the terms of their original award agreements.
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 shares on the grant
date. Performance-based and market performance-based restricted stock unit awards cliff vest upon the achievement of the performance
target, as well as completion of performance period.
The following table summarizes restricted stock unit grants by grantee type during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Year Ended
December 31
2020
2020
2019
2019
2018
2018
Grantee Type
Trustees
Associates
Trustees
Associates
Trustees
Associates
Number of
Restricted Stock
Units Granted
8,517
295,274
18,267
504,984
373,438
1,263,751
Vesting
Period
1 year
1-3 years
1 year
1-3 years
1-3 years
1-4 years
$
$
$
$
$
$
Grant Date
Fair Value
(in thousands)
300
9,137
575
16,843
5,975
22,196
Of the restricted stock units granted for the year ended December 31, 2020, (i) 8,517 were time-based restricted stock units with a one-year
vesting period issued to non-employee trustees as part of their annual compensation (ii) 186,464 were time-based graded vesting restricted
stock units with various vesting periods ranging from one to three years issued to certain associates and (iii) 108,810 were market
performance-based cliff vesting restricted stock units with a three-year vesting period issued to certain associates.
Of the restricted stock units granted for the year ended December 31, 2019, (i) 12,285 were time-based restricted stock units with a one-year
vesting period issued to non-employee trustees in recognition of their efforts and oversight in the first year as a public company, (ii) 5,982
were time-based restricted stock units with a one-year vesting period issued to non-employee trustees as part of their annual compensation
(iii) 261,816 were time-based graded vesting restricted stock units with various vesting periods ranging from one to three years issued to
certain associates and (iv) 243,168 were market performance-based cliff vesting restricted stock units with a three-year vesting period issued
to certain associates.
F-70
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Of the restricted stock units granted for the year ended December 31, 2018, (i) 331,250 were time-based graded vesting 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 graded vesting
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 graded vesting restricted stock units with various vesting periods ranging from one to four years years issued to certain associates
and (iv) 604,000 were market performance-based cliff vesting restricted stock units with a three-year vesting period issued to certain
associates.
The following table provides a summary of restricted stock awards activity under the 2010 and 2017 Plans as of December 31, 2020:
Restricted Stock
Non-vested as of December 31, 2019
(2)
Granted
(1)
Vested
Forfeited
Non-vested as of December 31, 2020
Shares vested, but not released
Total outstanding restricted stock units
(1)
Year Ended December 31, 2020
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)
714,063 $
194,981
(334,131)
(11,689)
563,224 $
615,643
1,178,867 $
25.0
21.0
23.0
44.0
57,142 $
—
(14,286)
0
42,856 $
28,572
71,428 $
2.0
1.6
1.1
2.7
779,188 $
108,810
—
(14,417)
873,581 $
—
873,581 $
27.3
42.6
—
42.6
(1) For certain vested restricted stock units, common share issuance is contingent upon the first to occur of: (1) termination of service; (2) change in control;
(3) death; or (4) disability, as defined in the 2010 Plan. Of these vested restricted stock units, 568,753 belong to a member of the Board of Trustees who
has resigned and common shares shall not be issued until the first to occur: (1) change in control; or (2) April 13, 2022. 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 weighted average grant
date fair value of these units is $9.38 per unit. During 2020 an additional 14,286 of these restricted stock units vested. Of the total restricted stock units
vested, but not yet released, 615,643 time-based restricted stock units and 14,286 performance-based restricted stock units vested prior to January 1, 2020.
(2) The number of market performance-based restricted stock units are reflected within this table based upon the number of shares issuable upon achievement
of the performance metric at target.
The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during years 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $31.06, $33.29 and $17.21
per unit, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2020 the weighted average grant date fair value of vested and converted restricted
stock units was $21.72 and forfeited restricted stock units was $26.13. The weighted average grant date fair value of non-vested restricted
stock units was $24.27 and $22.50 per unit as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees approved the annual grant of market
performance-based restricted stock units under the 2017 Plan to associates of the Company. The awards utilize relative total shareholder
return (TSR) over a three-year measurement period as the
F-71
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
market performance metric. Awards will vest based on the Company’s TSR relative to the RMZ over a three-year market performance
period, or the Market Performance Period, commencing in January 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2021, as applicable (or, if earlier,
ending on the date on which a change in control of the Company occurs), subject to continued services. Vesting with respect to the market
condition is measured based on the difference between the Company’s TSR percentage and the TSR percentage of the RMZ, or the RMZ
Relative Market Performance. In the event that the RMZ Relative Market Performance during the Market Performance Period is achieved at
the “threshold,” “target” or “high” level as set forth below, the awards will become vested as to the market condition with respect to the
percentage of RSUs, as applicable, set forth below:
Performance Level Thresholds
High Level
Target Level
Threshold Level
Below Threshold Level
RMS Relative
Market Performance
th
above 75 percentile
55 percentile
30 percentile
th
below 30 percentile
th
th
Market Performance
Vesting Percentage
200%
100%
50%
0%
If the RMZ Relative Market Performance falls between the levels specified above, the percentage of the award that will vest with respect to
the market condition will be determined using straight-line linear interpolation between such levels.
Market performance-based restricted units granted during 2018 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
Maximum
Target
Minimum
TSR
12%
10%
8%
Market Performance Percentage
150% of Target Award
100% of Target Award
50% 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
F-72
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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. The fair value of the RSUs is the average discounted payout across all
simulation paths. Assumptions used in the valuations are summarized as follows:
Award Date
2018
2019
2020
Expected Stock Price Volatility
25% - 30%
22%
23%
Risk-Free Interest Rate
2.34% - 2.85%
2.40% - 2.43%
0.52%
(1)
Dividend Yield
N/A
N/A
N/A
(1) Dividends are assumed to be reinvested and therefore not applicable.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
The grant of the 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 were as follows:
Award Date
4/10/2017
Expected Stock Price Volatility
30%
Risk-Free Interest Rate
1.63%
Dividend Yield
2%
OP Units Activity
During 2019, upon recommendation by the Compensation Committee, the Board of Trustees approved the grant of OP units in connection
with the annual grant to the Board of Trustees. The trustees have the option to elect their annual grant in the form of either time-vested
restricted stock units or time-vested OP units. Additionally, the Board of Trustees approved the future award of grants for certain members of
management to receive their awards in the form of either OP units or restricted stock units (applicable to time-vested and market-performance
based awards). The terms of the OP units mirror the terms of the restricted stock units granted in the respective period.
The following table summarizes OP unit grants under the 2017 Plan during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (none were issued
during the year ended December 31, 2018):
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2020
2019
Grantee Type
Trustees
Associates
Trustees
Number of
OP Units Granted
16,325
255,720
20,190
Vesting
Period
1 year
1-3 years
1 year
$
$
$
Grant Date
Fair Value
(in thousands)
575
7,719
675
F-73
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table provides a summary of the OP unit awards activity under the 2017 Plan as of December 31, 2020:
Non-vested as of December 31, 2019
OP Units
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Non-vested as of December 31, 2020
Shares vested, but not released
Total outstanding OP units
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Number of Time-
Based OP Units
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
0.7
20,190 $
93,180
(20,190)
—
93,180 $
17,199
110,379 $
3.5
0.6
4.1
Number of Market
Performance-Based
OP Units
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
—
— $
178,865
—
—
178,865 $
—
178,865 $
6.7
—
6.7
The OP units granted for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 had an aggregate grant date fair value of $8.3 million and $0.7
million, respectively.
Stock Options Activity
The following table provides a summary of option activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited or expired
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
Exercisable as of December 31, 2020
Number of Options
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Weighted-Average
Remaining Contractual
Terms (Years)
794,498 $
—
(321,000)
(8,000)
465,498 $
232,500 $
9.81
—
9.81
9.81
9.81
9.81
5.8
4.7
3.9
The total fair value at grant date of stock option awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was
approximately $0.7 million, $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the year ended
December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $8.2 million, $27.8 million and $38.8 million, respectively.
16. 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
also meet certain 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. On August 1, 2019, the
Company issued OP Units of the Operating Partnership to unrelated third parties. As a result, the Operating
F-74
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Partnership is now a regarded partnership under federal tax law, and the Operating Partnership’s accompanying consolidated financial
statements include the related provision balances for federal income taxes. 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.
The Company recorded an opening deferred tax liability of $213.8 million as part of its acquisition accounting on the 2020 acquisitions
discussed in Note 3. This deferred tax liability primarily arose from book to tax basis differences in land, buildings and equipment and
intangible assets acquired offset by certain liabilities assumed in the acquisition. Acquisition accounting related to the deferred income tax
assets and liabilities acquired in the acquisitions is preliminary for Hall’s and Agro and are subject to change as additional information is
obtained.
The Company continues to assert that the undistributed earnings of its Argentine subsidiary are permanently reinvested. Undistributed
earnings of the Argentine subsidiary amounted to approximately $13.7 million at December 31, 2020. 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. During 2019 the Company
recognized a deferred tax liability for the outside basis difference of $0.4 million in its Canadian subsidiaries that remains unchanged in 2020.
The Company intends to liquidate its Hong Kong subsidiaries in 2021 and is no longer asserting permanent reinvestment although that did
not result in the recognition of deferred taxes. No additional income taxes have been provided for any additional outside basis differences in
selected foreign entities that are indefinitely reinvested. No income tax has been accrued for the investment in foreign Agro subsidiaries
acquired in 2020 because the Company has elected to be indefinitely reinvested with regard to outside basis only in the investment of the
foreign subsidiaries.
The 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. The Company continues to account for the GILTI inclusion as a period cost and thus has not recorded any
deferred tax liability associated with GILTI. There was no taxable deemed dividend recorded for the Company for the 2020 and 2019 tax
year. The taxable deemed dividend recorded for the Company for the 2018 tax 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 before income taxes in the U.S. and foreign operations:
U.S.
Foreign
Pre-tax income
2020
2019
(In thousands)
2018
$
$
5,673 $
11,955
17,628 $
33,417 $
9,588
43,005 $
37,060
7,306
44,366
F-75
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The benefit (expense) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
Current
U.S. federal
State
Foreign
Total current portion
Deferred
U.S. federal
State
Foreign
Total deferred portion
Total income tax benefit
2020
2019
(In thousands)
2018
$
$
1,085 $
(447)
(7,443)
(6,805)
8,588
2,929
2,215
13,732
6,927 $
(20) $
(670)
(4,854)
(5,544)
7,701
2,217
783
10,701
5,157 $
4,424
(353)
(3,604)
467
2,094
494
564
3,152
3,619
Income tax benefit attributable to income before income taxes differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal
income tax rate of 21% to income 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
Change in valuation allowance
Non-deductible expenses
Change in uncertain tax positions
Income withholding tax
Effect of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Other
Total
2020
2019
(In thousands)
2018
$
$
(3,702) $
2,681
(446)
(4)
(1,175)
9,506
387
(1,191)
—
871
6,927 $
(9,031) $
9,526
(542)
2
(971)
2,761
3,462
(367)
(212)
—
529
5,157 $
(9,317)
9,015
(187)
360
(1,228)
(2,227)
4,021
347
(301)
3,797
(661)
3,619
F-76
Americold Realty Trust 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, 2020 and 2019 are
as follows:
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credits carryforwards
Accrued expenses
Share-based compensation
Lease obligations
Other assets
Total gross deferred tax assets
Less: valuation allowance
Total net deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets and goodwill
Property, buildings and equipment
Lease right-of-use assets
Other liabilities
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liability
2020
2019
(In thousands)
$
$
21,347 $
28,707
6,042
10,382
1,361
67,839
(9,158)
58,681
(80,015)
(187,114)
(10,301)
(927)
(278,357)
(219,676) $
11,806
26,911
4,618
9,674
4,420
57,429
(16,043)
41,386
(8,739)
(38,358)
(9,674)
(1,316)
(58,087)
(16,701)
As of December 31, 2020, the U.S. TRS has gross U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $44.7 million, of which
$15.3 million was generated prior to 2018 and will expire between 2032 and 2036. The remaining $29.4 million in losses have no expiration,
but can only be used to offset up to 80% of future taxable income annually. These losses are subject to an annual limitation under IRC section
382 as a result of our IPO and a subsequent ownership change that occurred in March of 2019; however, the limitation should not impair the
Company’s ability to utilize the losses. The Company has $87.1 million in REIT U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards which were
obtained through acquisitions. These losses are also subject to an annual limitation under IRC section 382; no deferred tax value has been
recorded as they can only be used to reduce required distributions to shareholders, of which none has been used for this purpose.
The Company has gross state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $40.3 million from its TRSs, of which $32.6 million will
expire at various times between 2021 and 2040. The remaining $7.7 million was generated after 2017 and have no expiration. The Company
received $2.2 million of its remaining outstanding alternative minimum tax credit refund in 2020. Additionally, the Company has a federal
research and experimentation credit of approximately $1.2 million that will expire between 2036 and 2040.
Annually we consider whether it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. In making this assessment, we consider
recent operating results, the expected scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable benefits and tax planning
strategies. As of December 31, 2020, we recorded a valuation allowance of $9.2 million for the portion of the deferred tax asset that we do
not expect to be realized. The valuation allowance on our net deferred taxes decreased by $6.8 million from $16.0 million in 2019 to
$9.2 million in 2020. The changes in valuation allowance are primarily due to certain deferred tax liabilities totaling $11.5 million from
acquisitions during the year would be available to offset deferred tax assets for one of our U.S. TRSs that were historically subject to a
valuation allowance. The $11.5 million reduction in valuation
F-77
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
allowance was offset by a $4.7 million increase of valuation allowance of which $2.0 million impacted income tax expense.
The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and
2018:
Balance at December 31, 2018*
Increase related to current-year tax positions
Decreases due to lapse in statute of limitations
Balance at December 31, 2019*
Decreases due to settlement with tax authority
Balance at December 31, 2020*
*Balance would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.
Tax
Interest
Penalties
Total
(In thousands)
$
$
431 $
367
(431)
367
(211)
156 $
— $
—
—
—
— $
— $
—
—
—
— $
431
367
(431)
367
(211)
156
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, 2020. Due to a settlement with a taxing authority during 2020, the Company reduced its unrecognized tax benefits related
to a foreign exposure to $0.2 million at the end of 2020.
In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. While the Company
believes that it is adequately reserved for possible audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined with
certainty and could result in final settlements that differ from current estimates. The Company accrues interest and penalties related to
unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company is generally no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local, or foreign examinations by tax authorities
for years before 2017. However, for U.S. income tax purposes, the 2012 and 2013 tax years were open, to the extent that net operating losses
were generated in those years and continue to be subject to adjustments from taxing authorities in the tax year they are utilized.
17. Variable Interest Entities
New Market Tax Credit
On May 1, 2019, the Company assumed a financing arrangement arising from the New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC” or “NMTC
Transactions”) program. These financing arrangements were originated by Cloverleaf in 2015 to monetize state and federal tax credits related
to the construction of a cold storage warehouse in Monmouth, Illinois. The NMTC program was provided for in the Community Renewal Tax
Relief Act of 2000 (“the Act”) and is intended to induce capital investment in qualified lower income communities.
The structure of the financing arrangement is such that Cloverleaf lent money to investment funds into which tax credit investors also made
capital contributions. The tax credit investors receive the benefit of the resulting tax credits in exchange for their capital contributions to the
investment funds. Tax credits were generated through contribution of the investment fund’s proceeds into special purpose entities having
authority from the U.S. Department of Treasury to receive tax credits in exchange for qualifying investments. These entities, known as a
F-78
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Community Development Entities (“CDE”), made qualifying investments in the Monmouth, Illinois cold storage facility in the form of loans
payable by Cloverleaf.
The loan agreements for monies lent to the investments funds and amounts payable to the CDEs extend through 2045 but contain provisions
permitting dissolution in 2022. This coincides with the conclusion of the seven-year compliance period during which the tax credits may be
recognized and the NMTCs are subject to 100% recapture. Based on the nature of the arrangements, we expect them to dissolve in 2022.
The Company has determined that the financing arrangement with the investment funds and CDEs contains a variable interest entity (“VIE”).
The ongoing activities of the investment funds - collecting and remitting interest and fees and NMTC compliance - were all considered in the
initial design and are not expected to significantly affect economic performance throughout the life of the investment funds. Management
considered the contractual arrangements that obligate the Company to deliver tax benefits and provide various other guarantees to the
structure; the tax credit investor’s lack of a material interest in the underling economics of the project; and the fact that the Company is
obligated to absorb losses of the investment funds. The Company concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE and consolidated the
investments funds and CDEs, as VIEs, in accordance with the accounting standards for consolidation.
Through NMTC Transactions, the Company effectively received net loan proceeds equal to the tax credit investor’s contributions to the
investment funds. At inception of the arrangement in 2015, the benefit of contributions by tax credit investor’s totaled approximately $5.6
million. The Company is recognizing the benefit of the contributions ratably over the life of the project which these proceeds were used to
fund.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the balance of the deferred contribution liability was $4.7 million and $4.9 million, respectively, which is
included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The VIE does not materially impact the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The Company is required to be in compliance with various regulations and contractual provisions that apply to the NMTC arrangement. Non-
compliance with applicable requirements could result in projected tax benefits not being realized and, therefore, could require the Company
to indemnify the tax credit investors for any loss or recapture of NMTCs related to the financing until such time as the obligation to deliver
tax benefits is relieved. The Company is in compliance with all applicable requirements and does not anticipate any credit recaptures will
result in connection with this arrangement.
18. Employee Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Pension and Post-Retirement Plans
The Company has defined benefit pension plans that cover certain union and nonunion associates 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
associates (collectively, with the defined benefit plans, the U.S. Plans). The Company froze benefit accruals for the U.S. Plans for nonunion
associates effective April 1, 2005, and these associates no longer earn additional pension benefits. The Company also has a defined benefit
plan that covers certain associates 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-79
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Actuarial information regarding these plans is as follows:
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation – January 1, 2020
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial loss
Benefits paid
Plan participants’ contributions
Foreign currency translation loss
Effect of settlement
Benefit obligation – end of year
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets – January 1, 2020
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Effect of settlement
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,
2020:
Pension and post-retirement liability
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
Net loss
Prior service cost
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other
comprehensive (income) loss:
Net (gain) loss
Amortization of net gain
Amortization of prior service cost
Amount recognized due to special event
Retirement
Income Plan
National
Service-Related
Pension Plan
2020
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In thousands)
Superannuation
Total
$
(45,215) $
(35,036) $
(611) $
(1,152) $
(82,014)
—
(1,261)
(3,657)
1,358
—
—
1,266
—
(1,117)
(3,147)
1,073
—
—
—
—
(14)
(27)
5
—
—
—
(66)
(28)
(72)
23
(19)
(109)
—
(66)
(2,420)
(6,903)
2,459
(19)
(109)
1,266
(47,509)
(38,227)
(647)
(1,423)
(87,806)
40,111
27,841
5,903
1,640
(1,358)
(1,266)
—
—
4,034
1,259
(1,073)
—
—
—
45,030
32,061
—
—
5
(5)
—
—
—
—
1,356
69,308
44
45
(23)
—
19
129
9,981
2,949
(2,459)
(1,266)
19
129
1,570
78,661
(2,479) $
(6,166) $
(647) $
147 $
(9,145)
(2,479) $
(6,166) $
(647) $
147 $
(9,145)
5,021
4,473
5,021 $
4,473 $
— $
— $
6
6 $
— $
86
9,586
86 $
53 $
9,586
53
(244) $
(1,017)
—
(134)
578 $
(607)
—
—
(94) $
102 $
342
—
—
—
—
(31)
—
(1,624)
(31)
(134)
$
$
$
$
$
Foreign currency translation loss
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss
Information for plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan
assets:
Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
—
(1,395) $
—
(29) $
47,509 $
47,508 $
45,030 $
38,227 $
38,227 $
32,061 $
$
$
$
$
—
(94) $
647 $
647 $
— $
14
85 $
14
(1,433)
1,423 $
1,297 $
1,570 $
87,806
87,679
78,661
F-80
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation – January 1, 2019
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial loss
Benefits paid
Plan participants’ contributions
Foreign currency translation gain
Effect of settlement
Benefit obligation – end of year
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets – January 1, 2019
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Effect of settlement
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,
2019:
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 (gain) loss
Amortization of net (loss) gain
Amortization of prior service cost
Amount recognized due to special event
Foreign currency translation gain
Retirement
Income Plan
National
Service-Related
Pension Plan
2019
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In thousands)
Superannuation
Total
$
(43,364) $
(30,627) $
(678) $
(1,385) $
(76,054)
—
(1,590)
(3,251)
2,990
—
—
—
—
(1,245)
(4,167)
1,003
—
—
—
(45,215)
(35,036)
34,958
23,277
6,804
1,339
4,556
1,011
(2,990)
(1,003)
—
—
—
—
—
—
40,111
27,841
—
(23)
(62)
—
—
—
152
(611)
—
—
152
—
(152)
—
—
—
(78)
(49)
(77)
447
(12)
2
—
(78)
(2,907)
(7,557)
4,440
(12)
2
152
(1,152)
(82,014)
1,502
59,737
237
58
11,597
2,560
(447)
(4,440)
—
12
(6)
(152)
12
(6)
1,356
69,308
$
$
$
$
$
(5,104) $
(7,195) $
(611) $
204 $
(12,706)
(5,104) $
(7,195) $
(611) $
204 $
(12,706)
6,417
4,501
(21)
62
10,959
6,417 $
4,501 $
— $
— $
(21) $
— $
(15) $
10,882
77 $
77
(1,793) $
788 $
(94) $
(78) $
(1,177)
(1,509)
(564)
—
—
—
—
—
—
4
—
5
—
—
(28)
5
(5)
(2,069)
(28)
10
(5)
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
$
$
$
$
(3,302) $
224 $
(85) $
(106) $
(3,269)
45,215 $
45,215 $
40,111 $
35,036 $
35,036 $
27,841 $
611 $
611 $
— $
1,152 $
1,038 $
1,356 $
82,014
81,900
69,308
The components of net period benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
F-81
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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
Amortization of prior service cost
Effect of settlement
Net pension benefit cost
$
$
$
$
Retirement
Income Plan
National
Service-
Related
Pension Plan
December 31, 2020
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In thousands)
— $
1,261
(2,002)
1,017
—
134
410 $
— $
1,117
(1,465)
607
—
—
259 $
— $
14
—
—
—
—
14 $
Superannuation
Total
59 $
25
(66)
—
27
—
45 $
59
2,417
(3,533)
1,624
27
134
728
Retirement
Income Plan
National
Service-Related
Pension Plan
December 31, 2019
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In thousands)
Superannuation
Total
— $
1,590
(1,760)
1,509
—
—
1,339 $
— $
1,245
(1,176)
564
—
—
633 $
— $
23
—
(4)
—
(5)
14 $
Retirement
Income Plan
National
Service-
Related
Pension Plan
December 31, 2018
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In thousands)
$
$
31 $
1,418
(2,047)
1,244
—
—
646 $
78 $
1,199
(1,369)
715
—
—
623 $
— $
20
—
—
—
—
20 $
78 $
49
(74)
—
28
(5)
76 $
78
2,907
(3,010)
2,069
28
(10)
2,062
Superannuation
Total
137 $
104 $
(172) $
— $
30 $
68 $
167 $
246
2,741
(3,588)
1,959
30
68
1,456
F-82
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The service cost component of defined benefit pension cost and postretirement benefit cost are presented in “Selling, general and
administrative” and all other components of net period benefit cost are presented in “Other (expense) income, net” on the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
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 5.8 years for the Retirement Income Plan, 6.9
years for the National Service-Related Pension Plan, 4.7 years for Other Post-Retirement Benefits, and 5.1 years for Superannuation as of
December 31, 2020.
The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net period benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2020,
2019 and 2018 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, 2020
Retirement Income
Plan
National Service-
Related Pension
Plan
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
Superan-
nuation
2.10%
N/A
3.00%
6.50%
N/A
2.49%
N/A
3.25%
6.50%
N/A
1.41%
N/A
2.55%
N/A
N/A
1.50%
3.25%
2.30%
5.00%
3.25%
December 31, 2019
Retirement Income
Plan
National Service-
Related Pension
Plan
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
Superan-
nuation
3.00%
N/A
3.95%
6.50%
3.50%
3.25%
N/A
4.15%
6.50%
N/A
2.55%
N/A
3.70%
N/A
N/A
2.30%
3.25%
3.70%
5.00%
3.25%
F-83
Americold Realty Trust 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, 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%
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 2021 is $1.5 million. There is no estimated prior service cost associated with this plan to be amortized from
accumulated other comprehensive income during 2021.
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 2021. The estimated prior service cost associated with this plan to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive
income during 2021 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, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
U.S. equities
Non-U.S. equities
Fixed-income securities
Real estate
Cash and other
U.S. Plans
Actual
Offshore Plan
Actual
2019
Target Allocation
2020
2019
Target Allocation
35%
25%
35%
5%
—%
25%–55%
15%–45%
15%–40%
0–5%
—%
18%
39%
9%
10%
24%
20%
42%
8%
8%
22%
19%
39%
15%
8%
19%
2020
37%
27%
32%
4%
—%
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
F-84
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
investment strategies. For 2021, the Company expects to receive a long-term rate of return of 6.0% 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, 2020, by category, are as follow:
Assets
U.S. equities:
(1)
Large cap
Medium cap
(1)
Small cap
(1)
Non-U.S. equities:
(2)
Large cap
Emerging markets
Fixed-income securities:
(3)
(4)
(5)
Money markets
U.S. bonds
Non-U.S. bonds
Real estate
Common/collective trusts
(5)
(6)
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, 2020
(In thousands)
$
— $
—
1,365
16,183
4,759
—
11,067
7,635
—
—
20,960 $
4,024
1,936
—
—
2,163
3,581
—
3,417
1,571
37,652 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
20,960
4,024
3,301
16,183
4,759
2,163
14,648
7,635
3,417
1,571
78,661
Total assets
$
41,009 $
F-85
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets as of December 31, 2019, by category, are as follows:
Assets
U.S. equities:
(1)
Large cap
Medium cap
(1)
Small cap
(1)
Non-U.S. equities:
(2)
Large cap
Emerging markets
Fixed-income securities:
(3)
(4)
(5)
Money markets
U.S. bonds
Non-U.S. bonds
Real estate
Common/collective trusts
(6)
(5)
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, 2019
(In thousands)
$
— $
—
1,360
12,919
4,060
—
10,172
6,806
—
—
17,698 $
3,404
1,360
—
—
3,381
3,397
—
3,395
1,356
33,991 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
17,698
3,404
2,720
12,919
4,060
3,381
13,569
6,806
3,395
1,356
69,308
Total assets
$
35,317 $
(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, 2020 and 2019, the Company does not have any investments classified as Level 3.
F-86
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Cash Flow
The Company expects to contribute to all plans an aggregate of $2.5 million in 2021.
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, 2020:
Years Ending December 31:
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Multi-Employer Plans
(In thousands)
6,357
5,688
5,286
5,286
5,028
23,244
50,889
$
$
The Company contributes to a number of multi-employer benefit plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover union-
represented associates. These plans generally provide for retirement, death, and/or termination benefits for eligible associates 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 associates 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, 2020, 2019 and
2018, 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 2018 and 2019 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 either pending or has been implemented. As of December 31, 2020,
F-87
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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
2020, 2019 and 2018.
The Company contributes to multi-employer plans that cover approximately 46% of union associates. The amounts charged to expense within
the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $18.1 million, $18.0 million and
$17.4 million, respectively. Projected minimum contributions required for the upcoming fiscal year are approximately $18.3 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 significantly 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 (undiscounted), estimated at $13.7 million, will be repaid in equal monthly installments of approximately $0.04 million over 30
years, interest free. The Company recognized an expense and related liability equal to the present value of the withdrawal liability upon
exiting the Fund, and amortizes the difference between such present value and the estimated unfunded liability through interest expense over
the repayment period.
F-88
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Pension Fund
EIN/Pension
Plan Number
Pension Protection
Act Zone Status
2020
2019
FIP/RP Status Pending/
Implemented
2020
Americold Contributions
2019
(In thousands)
2018
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)
Alternative New England Teamsters &
Trucking Industry Pension Plan
I.U.O.E Stationary Engineers Local 39 Pension
Fund
(1)
United Food & Commercial Workers
International Union-Industry Pension Fund
(4)
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension
Fund
(1)
Minneapolis Food Distributing Industry
Pension Plan
(1)
36-6052390
Green
Green
No
$
11 $
6 $
6
36-6044243
Red
04-6372430
Red
04-6372430
Red
Red
Red
Red
94-6118939
Green
Green
51-6055922
Green
Green
91-6145047
Green
Green
Yes/
Implemented
Yes/
Implemented
No
No
No
No
9,132
9,238
8,424
456
404
119
126
456
449
194
105
456
493
160
90
7,727
7,398
7,632
41-6047047
Green
Green
Yes/
Implemented
146
116
180
Total Contributions
$
18,121 $
17,962 $
17,441
Surcharge
Imposed
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
The status information is for the plans’ year end at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The status information is for the plans’ year end at January 31, 2020 and 2019.
The status information is for the plans’ year end at September 30, 2020 and 2019. The Company withdrew from the multi-employer plan on October, 31, 2017.
The status information is for the plans’ year end at June 30, 2020 and 2019.
Government-Sponsored Plans
The Company contributes to certain government-sponsored plans in Australia and Argentina. The amounts charged to expense within the
Consolidated Statements of Operations and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $6.1 million, $5.8 million and $5.7
million, respectively.
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company has defined contribution employee benefit plans, which cover all eligible associates. 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 within the Consolidated
Statements of Operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $5.7 million, $4.2 million and $3.9 million,
respectively.
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, 2020, 2019 and
2018.
F-89
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
19. Commitments and Contingencies
Letters of Credit
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were $21.7 million and $23.0 million, respectively, of outstanding letters of credit issued on the
Company’s Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility.
Bonds
The Company had outstanding surety bonds of $10.1 million and $4.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These bonds
were issued primarily in connection with insurance requirements, special real estate assessments and construction obligations. The increase
relates to subdivision bonds required for the construction of a new site in Pennsylvania.
Construction Commitments
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had the following construction commitments related to its expansion of existing warehouse facilities:
Facility
Atlanta, GA
Plainville, CT
Lancaster, PA
Russellville, AR
Auckland, New Zealand
Calgary, Canada
Total construction commitments
Collective Bargaining Agreements
Committed
construction cost (in
thousands)
$
$
66,554
86,681
80,500
71,375
24,827
9,728
339,665
Expected construction
completion period
Q2 2021
Q3 2022
Q3 2022
Q4 2022
Q2 2021
Q4 2021
As of December 31, 2020, worldwide we employed approximately 16,300people. Currently, 47% of the Company’s labor force is covered by
collective bargaining agreements, and 84 of our 238 warehouses have unionized associates that are governed by 73 different collective
bargaining agreements. During 2020, we have successfully negotiated and renewed 19 agreements.
During 2021, the Company will be renegotiating 11 collective bargaining agreements, which make up approximately 3.3% of our employee
population, covering all or parts of 13 operating warehouses worldwide. The Company does not anticipate any workplace disruptions during
this renegotiation process.
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
F-90
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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.
As a part of the 1994 settlement 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” in which
Americold Corporation agreed to execute any additional documents necessary to fulfill the intent of the settlement agreement. The plaintiffs
then sued Americold Corporation’s insurer to recover on the consent judgment. The case was ultimately dismissed in 2012, and the Kansas
Supreme Court ruled that the 1994 consent judgment had expired and was not revivable 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. The court
granted the Company’s motion and dismissed the case.. Only one plaintiff appealed the dismissal to the U.S. Court of Appeals. 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 appealed this decision to the United States Supreme Court and on March 7, 2016, the United States Supreme Court ruled that
there was no federal diversity jurisdiction. Following the decision, the United States District Court for the District of Kansas entered an Order
vacating the summary judgment and remanding the case to Kansas state court.
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 requiring Americold to sign a new document reinstating the consent judgment assigned in the
1994 Settlement Agreement. Plaintiffs filed a later motion to add back the damages claim, which was granted in February 2018.
Since December 31, 2018, the court granted the Company’s motions to dismiss Kraft and Safeway from the case given they did not appeal
the District Court’s Order dismissing their claims and are bound by the judgment entered against them. The Kraft and Safeway plaintiffs have
appealed their dismissals. The trial court has stayed the proceedings pending the appeal. In addition, the Company has sued the Chubb Group
seeking the court’s declaration that Chubb owes coverage of the amounts sought by Plaintiffs and for bad faith damages for denying
coverage. Given the status of the proceedings to date, the Company believes it has strong defenses to the claims.
F-91
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
At this time, a liability amount cannot be reasonably estimated. The Company believes the ultimate outcome of this matter 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”) moved by Order to Show Cause in the Supreme Court of the State of New
York, New York County, asserting breach of contract and other claims against the Company and seeking to preliminarily enjoin the Company
from acting to acquire certain properties leased by PFS. In its complaint and request for preliminary injunctive relief, PFS alleged that the
Company breached a confidentiality agreement entered into in connection with the Company’s participation in a bidding process for the sale
of PFS by contacting PFS’s landlords and by using confidential PFS information in bidding for the properties leased by PFS (the “PFS
Action”)/
PFS’s request for a preliminary injunction was denied after oral argument on February 26, 2019. On March 1, 2019, PFS filed an application
for interim injunctive relief from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Judicial Department.
On April 2, 2019, while its application to the First Department was pending, PFS voluntarily dismissed its state court action, and First
Department application, and re-filed substantially the same claims against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
New York. In addition to an order enjoining Americold from making offers to purchase the properties leased by PFS, PFS sought
compensatory, consequential and/or punitive damages. The Company filed a motion to require PFS to reimburse the Company for its legal
fees it incurred for the state court action before PFS is allowed to proceed in the federal court action. On February 18, 2020, the Court granted
Americold’s request for an award of legal fees from PFS but declined to stay the case pending payment of that award. As to the amount of the
award, the Company and PFS have entered into a stipulation that PFS will pay Americold $550,000 to reimburse the Company for its legal
fees upon conclusion of the case. PFS has since amended its complaint, and Americold has filed a motion to dismiss that amended complaint.
On June 25, 2020, Fenway Polar Representative (“Fenway”), an entity alleging to represent the interests of the former shareholders of PFS,
filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County making similar factual allegations as those made in the PFS
Action and seeking damages in excess of $400 hundred million due to the Company’s alleged fraudulent and tortious interference in the sale
of PFS (the “Fenway Action”).
The Company denies the allegations and believes PFS’s claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against the
allegations. Given the status of the proceedings to date, a liability cannot be reasonably estimated. The Company believes the ultimate
outcome of this matter 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.
F-92
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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, 2020 and 2019. 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,
2020, and any liabilities associated with these considerations are considered remote and not estimable. 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.
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 associates 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
associates 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, 2020 and 2019. Future changes in applicable
environmental laws or regulations, or in the interpretation of such laws and regulations, could negatively impact us.
20. Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The Company reports activity in AOCI for foreign currency translation adjustments, including the translation adjustment for investments in
partially owned entities, unrealized gains and losses on designated derivatives, and minimum pension liability adjustments (net of tax). The
activity in AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
F-93
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Pension and other postretirement benefits:
Balance at beginning of period, net of tax
(Loss) gain arising during the period
Less: Tax expense
Net (loss) gain arising during the period
Amortization of net loss and prior service cost
(1)
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
Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation
Derecognition of cumulative foreign currency translation gain upon sale of partially owned entities
(2)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation
Balance at end of period, net of tax
Designated derivatives:
Balance at beginning of period, net of tax
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedge derivatives
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge derivative
Less: Tax expense
Net (loss) gain designated 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 loss (gain), net)
Balance at end of period, net of tax
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
2020
2019
2018
(In thousands)
$
(4,758) $
(8,027) $
(7,126)
(317)
25
(342)
1,775
1,775
1,433
1,180
(2,926)
3
1,177
2,092
2,092
3,269
27
(2,953)
2,052
2,052
(901)
(3,325)
(4,758)
(8,027)
(6,710)
(3,322)
8,318
9,944
(783)
(11,640)
—
(2,605)
—
9,944
3,234
(3,388)
(11,640)
(6,710)
(3,322)
(2,658)
(30,168)
5,250
—
(1,166)
(1,450)
—
—
(24,918)
(1,450)
(1,422)
862
—
173
689
3,442
(306)
1,191
7,688
12,158
(4,288)
—
264
(2,658)
1,825
(3,449)
(1,166)
$
(4,379) $
(14,126) $
(12,515)
(1) Amounts reclassified from AOCI for pension liabilities are recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Amount reclassified from AOCI for the derecognition of cumulative foreign currency translation gain related to the sale of partially owned entities is recognized in Gain
from sale of partially owned entities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
F-94
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
21. Geographic Concentrations
The following table provides geographic information for the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and
2018, and total assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
2020
Total Revenues
2019
2018
(In thousands)
Total Assets
2020
2019
$
$
1,729,657 $
1,527,270 $
—
248,494
9,576
—
246,788
9,647
1,987,727 $
1,783,705 $
1,332,146 $
—
259,737
11,752
1,603,635 $
6,067,809 $
1,329,755
375,082
58,505
7,831,151 $
3,821,555
—
341,334
7,794
4,170,683
The following table provides long-lived assets by geography for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
22. Segment Information
Long-Lived Assets
2020
2019
(In thousands)
$
$
4,133,145 $
785,813
246,162
50,975
5,216,095 $
2,815,567
—
245,453
4,301
3,065,321
Our principal operations are organized into four reportable segments: Warehouse, Third-party managed, Transportation and Other.
• 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
F-95
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
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 owned a limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri. Revenues were generated from
the sale of limestone mined at our quarry. Cost of operations for our quarry consisted primarily of labor, equipment, fuel and explosives.
We do not view the operation of the quarry as an integral part of our business, and as a result this business segment was subsequently sold
on July 1, 2020.
Our reportable segments are strategic business units separated by 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, acquisition, litigation and other expense, impairment of long-lived assets, gain or loss on sale of real estate and all
components of non-operating other income and expense. 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-96
Americold Realty Trust 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 for the years
ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
2020
Years Ended December 31,
2019
(In thousands)
2018
$
1,549,314 $
291,751
142,203
4,459
1,987,727
1,377,217 $
252,939
144,844
8,705
1,783,705
1,176,912
259,034
158,790
8,899
1,603,635
520,333
12,228
18,807
130
551,498
(215,891)
(144,738)
(36,306)
(8,236)
22,124
(91,481)
1,162
(2,438)
447,591
11,761
18,067
838
478,257
(163,348)
(129,310)
(40,614)
(13,485)
(34)
(94,408)
6,286
(2,665)
(9,975)
(45,278)
(2,563)
(250)
—
17,628 $
—
10
(1,870)
(111)
4,297
43,005 $
$
374,534
14,760
15,735
620
405,649
(117,653)
(110,825)
(3,935)
(747)
7,471
(93,312)
3,996
—
(47,559)
2,882
(532)
(1,069)
—
44,366
Segment revenues:
Warehouse
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total revenues
Segment contribution:
Warehouse
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total segment contribution
Reconciling items:
Depreciation and amortization
Selling, general and administrative
Acquisition, litigation and other
Impairment of long-lived assets
Gain (loss) from sale of real estate
Interest expense
Interest income
Bridge loan commitment fees
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative
instruments
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net
Other expense, net
Loss from partially owned entities
Gain from sale of partially owned entities
Income before income tax benefit
F-97
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table details our 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
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total segments assets
Reconciling items:
Corporate assets
Unallocated acquisitions
Investments in partially owned entities
(1)
Total reconciling items
Total assets
Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
(In thousands)
4,815,587 $
52,818
151,872
35
5,020,312
3,684,391
47,867
50,666
13,467
3,796,391
621,836
2,144,096
44,907
2,810,839
7,831,151 $
374,292
—
—
374,292
4,170,683
$
$
The following table details our additions to long-lived assets by segment.
Property, buildings and equipment
Financing leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Total
Property, buildings and equipment
Financing leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Total
$
$
$
$
Warehouse
Managed
December 31, 2020
Transportation
(In thousands)
Unallocated
acquisitions
(1)
Total
916,334 $
37,469
39,656
993,459 $
— $
1,389
—
1,389 $
66,536 $
—
5,280
71,816 $
1,079,910 $
46,845
191,229
1,317,984 $
2,062,780
85,703
236,165
2,384,648
Warehouse
Managed
1,277,162 $
30,653
12,467
1,320,282 $
December 31, 2019
Quarry
(In thousands)
32 $
—
12
44 $
405 $
161
13
579 $
Transportation
Total
9,892 $
—
—
9,892 $
1,287,491
30,814
12,492
1,330,797
(1)
The assets acquired in 2020 related to the Agro acquisition are reflected in the tables above within the row titled ‘Unallocated Acquisitions’
as the acquired assets have not yet been assigned to the respective segments as of December 31, 2020 given the short period of time between
the acquisition date, December 30, 2020, and year-end. We expect the assets will be assigned to the Warehouse and Transportation segments
during the measurement period.
F-98
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
23. Earnings per Common Share
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 and OP units granted to certain associates and non-employee trustees who have the right to participate in
the distribution of common dividends while the restricted stock units and OP units are unvested.
The shares issuable upon settlement of forward sale agreements 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
agreements 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 agreements, the delivery of common shares would
result in an increase in the number of shares outstanding and dilution to earnings per share.
A reconciliation of the basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2020,
2019 and 2018 is as follows:
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
Dilutive effect of share-based awards
Equity forward contracts
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted
2020
Year ended December 31,
2019
(In thousands)
2018
203,255
1,532
2,153
206,940
179,598
1,660
2,692
183,950
141,415
2,662
261
144,338
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:
Employee stock options
Restricted stock units
OP units
Equity forward contracts
24. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Disaggregated Revenue
2020
Year ended December 31,
2019
(In thousands)
2018
—
170
—
2,231
2,401
—
250
—
—
250
—
—
—
—
—
The following tables represent a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and
2018 by segment and geographic region:
F-99
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Warehouse rent and storage
Warehouse services
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total revenues
(2)
(1)
Lease revenue
Total revenues from contracts with all customers
Warehouse rent and storage
Warehouse services
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total revenues
(2)
(1)
Lease revenue
Total revenues from contracts with all customers
Warehouse rent and storage
Warehouse services
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total revenues
(2)
(1)
Lease revenue
Total revenues from contracts with all customers
North America
Asia-Pacific
South America
Total
December 31, 2020
581,421 $
727,994
273,465
116,570
4,448
1,703,898
25,759
1,729,657 $
(In thousands)
53,860 $
152,561
18,286
23,787
—
248,494
—
248,494 $
5,120 $
2,610
—
1,846
—
9,576
—
9,576 $
640,401
883,165
291,751
142,203
4,448
1,961,968
25,759
1,987,727
North America
Asia-Pacific
South America
Total
December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
502,674 $
653,890
238,034
101,976
8,683
1,505,257
22,013
1,527,270 $
53,114 $
137,746
14,886
41,042
—
246,788
—
246,788 $
4,749 $
3,072
—
1,826
—
9,647
—
9,647 $
560,537
794,708
252,920
144,844
8,683
1,761,692
22,013
1,783,705
North America
Asia-Pacific
South America
Total
December 31, 2018
433,131 $
522,748
246,092
99,736
8,877
1,310,584
21,562
1,332,146 $
(In thousands)
54,591 $
136,299
12,742
56,105
—
259,737
—
259,737 $
5,694 $
3,109
—
2,949
—
11,752
—
11,752 $
493,416
662,156
258,834
158,790
8,877
1,582,073
21,562
1,603,635
$
$
$
$
$
$
(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 842 and 840, Leases, for the applicable period.
F-100
Americold Realty Trust 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, 2020, the Company had $614.5 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 32% of these remaining performance obligations as revenue in 2021, and the remaining
68% to be recognized over a weighted average period of 12.1 years through 2038.
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in accounts receivable (contract assets), and unearned revenue
(contract liabilities) on the accompanying 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
accompanying 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, 2020, were not materially impacted by any other factors.
Opening and closing receivables balances related to contracts with customers accounted for under ASC 606 were $321.5 million and $213.2
million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. All other trade receivable balances relate to contracts accounted for under ASC 842 or
840, for the applicable period.
Opening and closing balances in unearned revenue related to contracts with customers were $19.2 million and $16.4 million at December 31,
2020 and 2019, 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, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and represents revenue from the satisfaction of monthly storage and
handling services with average inventory turns of approximately 30 days.
25. Balance Sheet of the Operating Partnership
F-101
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table reflects the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
December 31,
2020
2019
Assets
Property, buildings and equipment:
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Assets under construction
Accumulated depreciation
Property, buildings and equipment – net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Accumulated depreciation – operating leases
Operating leases – net
Financing leases:
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Accumulated depreciation – financing leases
Financing leases – net
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Accounts receivable – net of allowance of $12,286 and $6,927 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Identifiable intangible assets – net
Goodwill
Investments in partially owned entities
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and equity
Liabilities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loan – net of deferred financing costs of $15,952 and $12,996 in the aggregate, at
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Sale-leaseback financing obligations
Financing lease obligations
Operating lease obligations
Unearned revenue
$
$
F-102
$
662,885 $
4,004,824
1,177,572
303,531
6,148,812
(1,382,298)
4,766,514
291,797
(24,483)
267,314
60,513
109,416
169,929
(40,937)
128,992
621,051
324,221
797,423
794,335
44,907
86,394
7,831,151 $
526,226
2,696,732
817,617
108,639
4,149,214
(1,216,553)
2,932,661
77,723
(18,110)
59,613
11,227
76,811
88,038
(29,697)
58,341
240,613
214,842
284,758
318,483
—
61,372
4,170,683
— $
552,547
—
350,963
2,648,266
185,060
125,926
269,147
19,209
1,695,447
115,759
58,170
62,342
16,423
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Pension and postretirement benefits
Deferred tax liability – net
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability
Total liabilities
Partner’s capital:
General partner – 249,185,577 and 189,881,910 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Limited partner – 2,517,026 and 1,917,999 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total partners’ capital
Total liabilities and partners’ capital
26. Subsequent Events (Unaudited)
9,145
220,502
8,528
4,038,330
3,753,240
43,960
(4,379)
3,792,821
12,706
17,119
8,736
2,337,665
1,828,673
18,471
(14,126)
1,833,018
7,831,151
4,170,683
On January 29, 2021, the Company expanded its 2020 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility by $200 million. In addition, the
Company repaid $200 million of principal on Tranche A-1 of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Term Loan. The maturity, margin, and other terms
of the 2020 Senior Unsecured Credit Facility remain unchanged.
F-103
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried
as of
December 31, 2020
Property
US
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition Land
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
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
1,264 $ 1,381 $
8,032
1,545
1,666
10,977
6,791
932
9,510
916
13,519 $ 14,900 $
54,828
5,957
18,475
15,283
61,619
6,889
27,985
16,199
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)
Benson, NC
Birmingham, AL
Brea, CA
Brooklyn Park, MN
Burley, ID
Burlington, WA
Carson, CA
Cartersville, GA
Carthage Warehouse
Dist, MO
Chambersburg, PA
(1)
(4)
1
1
1
1
1
—
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
(6,224)
(26,018)
(2,759)
(9,180)
(5,008)
(2,397)
(4,796)
1993
1976
1973
1965
1989
1963
2001
1996
2004
1990
—
—
4,297
1,851
3,369
12,731
(1,460)
1,549
639
2,417
5,567
13,714
6,206
16,131
—
1,623
17,652
3,154
2,468
19,961
22,429
(7,397)
—
—
36,966
10,043
8,129
38,880
47,009
(7,989)
—
2,270
24,659
(1,373)
2,090
23,466
25,556
(11,023)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
941
—
—
—
13,724
—
—
—
2,678
852
—
2,000
1
3,660
1,002
4,645
1,600
—
694
9,100
1,500
— 61,445
1,368
—
365
1,943
8,916
2,451
11,989
2,117
35,825
957
5,891
8,951
16,136
6,108
13,731
8,505
33,880
15,868
18,318
1,160
174
732
3,857
1,974
37
2,175
1,002
1,741
3,841
2,531
1,146
908
—
2,843
895
10
2,413
—
3,660
1,269
4,724
1,600
146
711
9,133
1,571
18,683
2,938
9,047
3,173
15,433
4,092
35,862
2,865
6,814
10,692
19,831
8,622
14,844
9,342
18,683
5,781
9,942
3,183
17,846
4,092
39,522
4,134
11,538
12,292
19,977
9,333
23,977
10,913
7,871 62,613
1,368
(4)
40,583 103,196
17,232
15,864
(5,702)
(1,778)
(3,174)
(2,546)
(6,798)
(4,014)
(2,146)
(1,055)
(2,995)
(4,788)
(14,514)
(4,392)
(5,346)
(3,967)
(22,329)
(777)
1999/2014
1971
1999
1962
1991
1991
1997
1963
1975
1986
1959
1965
2002
1996
1972
1994
F-104
2008
2008
2008
2009
2009
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2009
2009
2019
2008
2009
2009
2008
2008
2009
2009
2008
2019
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried
as of
December 31, 2020
Land
580
2,740
670
Buildings and
Improvements
8,343
13,452
44,905
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition Land
594
26
2,805
19,734
670
140
—
2,881
806
768
2,440
497
1,468
539
1,455
14,945
21,569
1,429
38,939
8,728
14,385
12,228
1,923
5,645
1,359
1,146
5,953
1,231
13,668
587
230
2,307
1,131
860
2,838
558
2,929
587
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
8,355
33,121
45,045
3,148
21,164
22,603
2,483
44,494
9,898
26,592
12,767
Total
(4)
8,949
35,926
45,715
3,378
23,471
23,734
3,343
47,332
10,456
29,521
13,354
—
1,724
592
—
2,316
2,316
11,149
400
6,050
722
1,884
1,880
1,650
1,022
308
10,894
2,080
49,441
13,764
3,621
20,849
13,738
7,162
2,231
1,288 11,162
401
2,139
6,050
98
753
656
2,020
3,850
1,880
118
1,650
41
1,226
1,300
342
2,302
12,169
4,218
49,539
14,389
7,335
20,967
13,779
8,258
4,499
23,331
4,619
55,589
15,142
9,355
22,847
15,429
9,484
4,841
Encumbrances
(3)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
15,495
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,245
51,998
22
2,245
52,020
54,265
—
1,700
5,055
1,829
1,700
6,884
8,584
—
26,341
1,985
629
13,447
3,109
4,528
6,083
2,124
691
17,836
9,130
19,960
9,821
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
(559)
(1,465)
(2,444)
(2,729)
(9,248)
(2,734)
(1,241)
(2,056)
(4,518)
(8,325)
(7,319)
(2,162)
(5,350)
(1,524)
(2,712)
(5,140)
(2,853)
(1,286)
(783)
(3,685)
(1,547)
(2,968)
(2,139)
(7,344)
(4,804)
—
5,610
24,686
4,557
5,873
28,980
34,853
(11,471)
—
22,827
—
1,857
100
1,000
8,536
9,820
3,263
773
(607)
164
1,978
388
1,000
9,188
8,925
3,427
11,166
9,313
4,427
(4,071)
(3,325)
(1,455)
Buildings
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
Date of
Construction
1965
1991
1999
Date of
Acquisition
2019
2019
2019
1962
1973
2017
1971
1996
1969
1994
2010
1974
1989
1969
1964
1993
1959
1993
1968
1979
1958
1987
1995
1977
1968
2005
1998
1991
1995
2009
2008
2017
2008
2019
2008
2009
2010
2008
2009
2009
2019
2008
2016
2019
2019
2008
2008
2019
2009
2009
2008
2008
2008
2013
2008
F-105
(1)
(1)
(1)
Property
Cherokee, IA
(1)
Chesapeake, VA
Chillicothe, MO
City of Industry,
CA
Clearfield, UT
Clearfield 2, UT
Columbia, SC
Columbus, OH
Connell, WA
Dallas, TX
Delhi, LA
Denver-50th Street,
CO
Dominguez Hills,
CA
Douglas, GA
Eagan, MN
(1)
East Dubuque, IL
East Point, GA
Fairfield, OH
(1)
Fairmont, MN
Fort Dodge, IA
Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith -
Highway 45, AR
Fort Worth-Blue
Mound, TX
Fort Worth-
Samuels, TX
Fremont, NE
Ft. Worth, TX
(Meacham)
Ft. Worth, TX
(Railhead)
Gadsden, AL
Gaffney, SC
(1)
(1)
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Buildings
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
1
1
1
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried
as of
December 31, 2020
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition Land
434
1,271
Buildings and
Improvements
5,704
3,258
4,721
19,693
36,020
952
1,893
(7,196)
3,387
770
446
3,197
2,513
Land
400
716
446
3,271
1,579
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
6,941
4,156
6,614
12,571
38,473
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
(2,780)
(354)
(2,542)
(8,666)
(13,555)
Total
(4)
7,375
4,926
7,060
15,768
40,986
Encumbrances
(3)
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,683
3,675
4,786
1,827
8,317
10,144
(2,402)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
32,069
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
10,293
—
—
1,146
4,224
430
—
200
5,002
9,043
1,322
1,454
1,897
1,553
6,159
4,000
2,203
2,945
1,000
1,206
2,610
3,864
1,420
741
175
—
2,833
29,473
6,542
2,028
1,108
28,286
14,415
7,107
10,084
18,991
19,805
24,802
47,790
15,670
19,263
12,596
14,112
31,984
35,382
8,590
10,304
15,322
1,988
10,823
3,065
(2,269)
3,225
403
9,788
1,247
435
1,323
21,352
1,944
—
122
1,031
3,378
195
12,195
188
386
1,639
563
700
521
1,272
5,036
479
125
203
5,800
9,056
1,388
1,531
4,088
1,887
6,159
4,013
2,371
3,440
1,100
1,796
2,748
3,925
1,430
840
423
—
F-106
13,530
31,726
4,224
5,128
1,508
37,276
15,649
7,476
11,330
38,152
21,415
24,802
47,899
16,533
22,146
12,691
25,717
32,034
35,707
10,219
10,768
15,774
2,509
14,802
36,762
4,703
5,253
1,711
43,076
24,705
8,864
12,861
42,240
23,302
30,961
51,912
18,904
25,586
13,791
27,513
34,782
39,632
11,649
11,608
16,197
2,509
(3,877)
(10,399)
(2,130)
(2,952)
(1,246)
(14,878)
(5,707)
(3,252)
(4,054)
(14,406)
(9,319)
(2,017)
(2,715)
(5,801)
(8,350)
(872)
(8,217)
(2,090)
(2,392)
(4,179)
(4,506)
(6,165)
(2,477)
Date of
Construction
1989
Date of
Acquisition
2009
1995
1980
1972
1991
1967
1955
2006
1995
1935
1962
1983
1988
1975
1990
1975
1975
1955
1970
1993
1990
1991
1993
1992
1996
1946
1985
2000
1984
2019
2008
2008
2009
2008
2008
2009
2008
2009
2009
2009
2009
2008
2009
2008
2009
2019
2019
2009
2009
2019
2008
2019
2019
2009
2008
2008
2008
(2)
Property
Gainesville, GA
Gainesville -
Candler, 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
Hatfield, PA
Henderson, NV
Hermiston, OR
Houston, TX
Indianapolis, IN
Jefferson, WI
Johnson, AR
Lakeville, MN
Lancaster, PA
LaPorte, TX
Le Mars, IA
Leesport, PA
Lowell, AR
(1)
Lula, GA
(2)
Lynden, WA
Marshall, MO
Massillon 17th, OH
Massillon Erie, OH
(1)
(1)
(1)
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried
as of
December 31, 2020
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition Land
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
Date of Construction
Date of
Acquisition
(1)
Memphis
Chelsea , TN
Middleboro, MA
Milwaukie, OR
Mobile, AL
Modesto, CA
Monmouth, IL
Montgomery,
AL
Moses Lake,
WA
Murfreesboro,
TN
Nampa, ID
Napoleon, OH
New Ulm, MN
North Little
Rock, AR
(1)
Oklahoma City,
OK
Ontario, CA
Ontario, OR
Pasco, WA
Pendergrass, GA
Perryville, MD
(4)
(1)
Phoenix2, AZ
Piedmont, SC
Plover, WI
Portland, ME
Rochelle, IL
(Americold
Drive)
Rochelle, IL
(Caron)
Russellville, AR
- Elmira
Russellville, AR
- Route 324
Russellville, AR
- Valley
Salem, OR
(1)
—
1
2
1
6
1
1
1
1
4
1
7
1
1
3
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
—
—
—
—
—
—
80
404
2,473
10
2,428
2,660
2
15,031
8,112
3,203
19,594
48,348
(81)
161
1,797
1,129
5,822
23
—
441
2,523
24
3,025
2,683
1
1
15,155 15,596
9,859 12,382
4,318
4,342
24,819 27,844
48,348 51,031
(1)
(900)
(6,112)
(1,638)
(11,326)
(2,276)
6,530
850
7,746
(395)
1,157
7,044
8,201
(2,858)
29,634
575
11,046
2,771
1,140
13,252 14,392
(5,735)
—
—
—
—
1,094
1,588
2,340
725
10,936
11,864
57,677
10,405
3,753
2,253
111
1,457
1,332
1,719
2,340
822
14,451 15,783
13,986 15,705
57,788 60,128
11,765 12,587
(7,116)
(8,053)
(3,214)
(4,430)
—
1,680
12,841
14,898
2,226
27,193 29,419
(1,371)
1972
2018
1958
1976
1945
2014
1989
1967
1982
1946
1974
1984
1996
—
742
— 14,673
—
—
557
—
500
—
—
—
—
33,480
—
1,626
3,182
500
1,390
305
2,411
3,632
13,791
15,809
12,810
19,083
11,312
9,883
18,298
2,402
1,859
742
27,388 14,747
1,264
598
580
9,476
441
2,820
5,104
34
1,524
5,857
1,213
5,820
3,182
506
2,016
316
4,270
5,012
30,946 45,693
22,003 23,267
16,209 16,807
15,550 16,130
19,993 25,813
11,346 14,528
11,401 11,907
23,529 25,545
3,920
3,604
(784)
(2,626)
(5,149)
(10,723)
(1,181)
1968
(1,845)
(13,372) 1987(1)/1984(2)/1983(3)
(14,152)
(5,803)
(6,826)
1962
1984
1993
—
1,860
18,178
48,173
4,326
63,885 68,211
(11,323)
—
2,071
36,658
963
2,257
37,435 39,692
(15,531)
—
1,261
9,910
3,275
1,376
13,070 14,446
(6,795)
—
2,467
29,179
(53)
2,499
29,094 31,593
(1,828)
—
38,433
708
3,055
15,832
21,096
4,049
3,721
759
3,261
19,830 20,589
24,611 27,872
(6,504)
(12,201)
F-107
2007
2014
1981
1981
1952
1995
2004
1986
1993
1995
1963
2008
2018
2008
2009
2009
2019
2013
2008
2008
2008
2019
2009
2019
2008
2008
2008
2008
2009
2019
2014
2009
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2019
2008
2008
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried as
of
December 31, 2020
Buildings
5
1
Encumbrances
(3)
—
—
Land
7,244
—
Buildings and
Improvements
7,181
22,481
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition Land
8,130
374
10,637
8,799
2,014
—
1,894
—
—
3,110
— 20,715
3,002
—
638
—
258
—
22,902
11,101
34,104
10,456
37,571
7,895
11,936
—
3,254
81
2,014
2,138
3,110
1,252 21,833
3,002
638
2,350
—
1,681
3,126
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
16,932
30,906
22,902
14,111
34,185
10,590
37,571
9,576
12,970
Total
(4)
25,062
31,280
24,916
16,249
37,295
32,423
40,573
10,214
15,320
—
5,950
28,391
623
5,909
29,055
34,964
—
—
7,664
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
17,127
—
3,542
18,593
—
—
—
—
—
3,070
856
844
2,082
1,800
1,551
530
2,177
—
1,333
1,078
1,477
842
886
944
3,091
8,100
2,810
215
56,336
4,780
10,754
7,566
12,129
15,038
8,738
20,056
21,216
11,836
9,586
14,159
11,169
10,715
4,056
7,004
13,490
22,811
4,693
56,498
8,733
12,468
9,521
12,828
16,768
8,752
25,646
23,707
13,296
10,614
15,327
12,745
11,116
4,619
8,509
16,880
23,891
5,372
59,599
9,777
13,340
11,719
14,628
18,368
9,300
28,066
23,734
14,676
11,839
17,030
13,666
12,039
5,586
11,625
24,992
26,711
5,518
193
4,141
1,742
2,071
699
1,779
32
5,833
2,518
1,507
1,175
1,394
1,655
438
586
1,530
3,402
1,090
610
3,101
1,044
872
2,198
1,800
1,600
548
2,420
27
1,380
1,225
1,703
921
923
967
3,116
8,112
2,820
159
F-108
Property
(1)
(1)
(3)
(1)
Salinas, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio -
HEB, TX
San Antonio, TX
Sanford, NC
Savannah, GA
Savannah 2, GA
Sebree, KY
Sikeston, MO
Sioux City - 2640,
IA
Sioux City - 2900,
IA
Sioux Falls, SD
Springdale, AR
St. Louis, MO
St. Paul, MN
Strasburg, VA
Sumter, SC
(1)
Syracuse, NY
Tacoma, WA
Tampa Plant City,
FL
Tarboro, NC
Taunton, MA
Texarkana, AR
Tomah, WI
Turlock, CA (#1)
Turlock, CA (#2)
Vernon 2, CA
Victorville, CA
Walla Walla, WA
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
(7,071)
(16,037)
Date of
Construction
1958
1998
Date of
Acquisition
2009
2010
(4,578)
(8,385)
(1,988)
(938)
(969)
(3,004)
(4,952)
(2,281)
(3,475)
(4,578)
(5,416)
(3,404)
(5,577)
(6,037)
(767)
(10,349)
(8,266)
(4,782)
(4,061)
(5,381)
(4,508)
(4,853)
(2,119)
(3,744)
(8,188)
(8,985)
(3,269)
1982
1913
1996
2015
2020
1998
1998
1990
1995
1972
1982
1956
1970
1999
1979
1960
2010
1987
1988
1999
1992
1989
1995
1985
1965
2004
1960
2017
2009
2019
2019
2020
2008
2009
2019
2019
2008
2008
2009
2009
2008
2019
2008
2010
2009
2008
2009
2008
2008
2008
2008
2009
2008
2008
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried as
of
December 31, 2020
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition Land
753
806
21
533
2,784
3,340
1,432
2,063
1,627
3,864
4,099
2,407
Buildings and
Improvements
2,645
8,138
12,300
4,717
9,860
36,621
7,351
10,360
19,877
15,940
22
33,222
239,697
12
53,367
36,392
14,904
1,044
1,416
745
934
1,727
3,638
292
3,233
—
—
—
5,670
—
3 29,352
(1)
—
3,278 28,544
5,434
1,545
2,128
629
—
39
Land
690
—
1,460
1,297
1,552
3,838
1,300
800
3,383
3,233
—
5,670
29,351
—
27,522
5,240
2,052
—
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
3,388
8,650
14,316
6,645
13,649
38,767
7,980
11,953
19,914
15,940
22
33,222
239,699
11
55,623
37,743
15,457
1,083
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
(1,326)
(8,045)
(6,383)
(2,977)
(4,967)
(15,525)
(3,482)
(4,347)
(1,015)
(195)
(3)
(399)
(1,325)
(11)
(2,135)
(1,231)
(484)
(498)
Total
(4)
4,141
8,671
17,100
8,077
15,276
42,866
9,396
12,887
23,552
19,173
22
38,892
269,051
11
84,167
43,177
17,585
1,083
Date of
Construction
1982
1984
1985
1972
1952
1994
Date of
Acquisition
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
1987
1996
1964
2017
1981
2018
Various
1999
2004
2009
2013
1971
2009
2009
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
2009
2020
2020
2020
2020
Encumbrances
(3)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
13,489
29,428
5,600 12,896
35,621
48,517
(11,962)
1989/1994
2009
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
13,689
10,891
—
7,194
6,047
2,357
5,227
—
28,252
18,975
1,187
10,990
5,531
5,966
3,399
324
—
10,515 13,087
351 10,413
324
39,369
19,804
324
52,456
30,217
(306)
(13,385)
(7,224)
Managed
1997/1998
1972/2003
Managed
2009
2009
21,564
622
8,181
6,878
14,570
11,928
22,751
18,806
7,387 12,815
2,617
1,595
5,803
1,568
6,150
7,301
4,391
18,965
9,918
10,194
(5,098)
(5,011)
(2,098)
(2,493)
(1,851)
1985
1978
1988
1988
1992
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
Property
Wallula, WA
Watsonville, CA
West Memphis, AR
Wichita, KS
Woodburn, OR
York, PA
York-Willow
Springs, PA
Zumbrota, MN
Newport, MN
Tampa Maple, FL
Grand Prairie, TX
Mansfield, TX
Hall’s (9)
Canada
Cold Logic/Taber
Brampton
Calgary
Halifax Dartmouth
Halifax Thornhill
Australia
Arndell Park
BRIS
CORPORATE-
Acacia Ridge
Laverton
Murarrie
Prospect/ASC
Corporate
Spearwood
New Zealand
Dalgety
Diversey
Halwyn Dr
Buildings
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
8
—
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
F-109
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried as
of
December 31, 2020
Land
1,332
Buildings and
Improvements
3,810
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
660
Land
1,479
343
185
247
358
3,010
1,060
—
—
—
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
4,323
701
3,195
1,307
Total
(4)
5,802
701
3,195
1,307
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
(1,433)
Date of
Construction
2000
Date of
Acquisition
2009
(646)
(543)
(856)
2004
1984
1984
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
4,984
(2,008)
—
2,976
2,976
(2,168)
1996/1999
2,586
(2,252)
732
308
1,040
(86)
2000
—
95,286
276,693 606,387
825,015
3,597,455
—
95,286
524,380 662,885
825,015
920,301
4,065,337 4,728,222
—
(857,812)
Various
2020
F-110
Encumbrances
(3)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
706
Property
Mako Mako
Manutapu/Barber
Akld
Paisley
Smarts Rd
Argentina
Mercado Central -
Buenos Aires, ARG
Pilar - Buenos
Aires, ARG
Agro (U.S.,
Europe, Asia-
Pacific, South
America) (8)
Agro
Total
Buildings
1
1
2
1
1
1
23
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried
as of
December 31, 2020
Property
Acquisition Land
Land, buildings, and improvements in the assets under construction balance as of December
31, 2020.
Buildings
Land
Encumbrances
(3)
Buildings and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
Date of
Construction
Date of
Acquisition
US
Allentown, PA
Anaheim, CA
Atlanta -
Lakewood, GA
Atlanta - Skygate,
GA
Atlanta -
Southgate, GA
Atlanta -
Tradewater, GA
Atlanta - Westgate,
GA
Augusta, GA
Cartersville, GA
Carthage
Warehouse Dist,
MO
Chesapeake, VA
Columbia, SC
Columbus, OH
Dallas, TX
Denver-50th Street,
CO
Dominguez Hills,
CA
Eagan, MN
Fairfield, OH
Fremont, NE
Ft. Worth, TX
(Meacham)
Ft. Worth, TX
(Railhead)
Gainesville
Candler, GA
Gainesville, GA
Gateway, GA
Gloucester -
Rogers, MA
Gloucester - Rowe,
MA
Gouldsboro, PA
Green Bay, WI
Hatfield, PA
Henderson, NV
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
73
1,222
73
1,222
257
840
391
257
840
391
2,730
2,730
1,952
12
38
1,952
12
38
75
20
70
949
40
1
40
24
45
47
83
75
20
70
949
40
1
40
24
45
47
83
686
686
54
50
70,606
54
50
70,606
42
47
15
62
362
308
42
47
15
62
362
308
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
F-111
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
Date of
Construction
Date of
Acquisition
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried
as of
December 31, 2020
Land
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Buildings and
Improvements
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition Land
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
565
178
595
665
164
11
13
994
461
72,009
121
4
17
2,542
179
67
72,939
200
31
Total
(4)
565
178
595
665
164
11
13
994
461
72,009
121
4
17
2,542
179
67
72,939
200
31
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
F-112
5,493
5,493
11,756
11,756
432
2,225
605
24
233
377
3
39
279
30
520
1,445
432
2,225
605
24
233
377
3
39
279
30
520
1,445
Property
Indianapolis, IN
Johnson, AR
Lancaster, PA
LaPorte, TX
Leesport, PA
Marshall, MO
Milwaukie, OR
Modesto, CA
Monmouth, IL
Mountville, PA
Murfreesboro, TN
Napoleon, OH
New Ulm, MN
Ontario, CA
Perryville, MD
Phoenix2, AZ
Plainville, CT
Plover, WI
Portland, ME
Rochelle, IL
(Americold Drive)
Russellville, AR -
Elmira
Russellville, AR -
Valley
Salinas, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Sanford, NC
Savannah, GA
Savannah 2, GA
Sikeston, MO
Springdale, AR
Strasburg, VA
Syracuse, NY
Tarboro, NC
Turlock, CA (#2)
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial Costs
Gross amount at which carried as of
December 31, 2020
Wallula, WA
Watsonville, CA
York, PA
Canada
Brampton
Calgary
Australia
Arndell Park
Laverton
Murarrie
Prospect
Spearwood
New Zealand
Dalgety
Diversey
Halwyn Dr
Mako Mako
Manutapu
Paisley
Smarts Rd
Total in assets
under
construction
Total assets
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
—
—
—
Buildings and
Improvements
—
—
—
Buildings and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
Land
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
(1) (6) (5)
Date of
Construction
Date of
Acquisition
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
17
1,422
112
353
1,573
898
1,884
618
452
333
22,678
782
34
54
4
223
112
17
1,422
112
353
1,573
898
1,884
618
452
333
22,678
782
34
54
4
223
112
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
287,906
287,906
—
$
276,693 $606,387 $
3,597,455 $
524,380 $662,885 $
4,353,243 $5,016,126 $
(857,812)
F-113
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Schedule III – Footnotes
(1) Reconciliation of total accumulated depreciation to consolidated balance sheet caption as of December 31, 2020:
Total per Schedule III
Accumulated depreciation on investments in non-real estate assets
Total accumulated depreciation per consolidated balance sheet (property, buildings and equipment and financing leases)
(2) Reconciliation of total Buildings and improvements to consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020:
Building and improvements per consolidated balance sheet
Building and improvements financing leases per consolidated balance sheet
Assets under construction per consolidated balance sheet
Less: personal property assets under construction
Total per Schedule III
$
$
$
$
(857,812)
(565,423)
(1,423,235)
4,004,824
60,513
303,531
(15,625)
4,353,243
(3) Reconciliation of total mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loan to consolidated balance sheet caption as of December 31,
2020:
Total per Schedule III
Unsecured
Deferred financing costs, net of amortization
Total mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loan per consolidated balance sheet*
*Total mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes, and term loan does not include $4.7M of secured notes related to the Monmouth, IL facility.
Refer to footnote 17 for additional details.
276,693
2,387,525
(15,952)
2,648,266
$
$
(4) The aggregate cost for Federal tax purposes at December 31, 2020 of our real estate assets was approximately $3.4 billion.
(5) The life on which depreciation is computed ranges from 5 to 43 years.
(6) The following table summarizes the Company’s real estate activity and accumulated depreciation for the years ended December 31:
F-114
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
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
2020
2019
2018
$
3,729,589 $
287,220
1,662,650
58,807
(62,225)
(2,153)
7,956
24,916
5,706,760
2,575,367 $
177,268
975,045
21,316
(7,409)
(12,555)
—
557
3,729,589
(936,422)
(146,237)
8,731
(6,994)
(1,080,922)
(827,892)
(114,512)
6,679
(697)
(936,422)
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)
Total Real Estate Facilities, Net at December 31
$
4,625,838 $
2,793,167 $
1,747,475
The total real estate facilities amounts in the table above include $165.2 million, $76.8 million, and $80.3 million of assets under sale-
leaseback agreements accounted for as a financing as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company does not hold title
in these assets under sale-leaseback agreements. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has no facilities classified as held for sale.
F-115
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
In 2020, the Company recognized real estate impairment charges of $2.2 million, which included, $1.2 million for costs incurred on a
potential development project which the Company determined it would not move forward with, the write-off primarily related to “Assets
Under Construction” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets; $0.5 million related to refrigeration assets that were subsequently
deemed unusable following the sale and exit of the Boston warehouse, which primarily impacted “Machinery & Equipment” on the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Boston facility was sold for a gain of $20.1 million, which was recorded to “gain on sale of
real estate” in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations, and primarily related to buildings with lesser amounts related to
machinery, handling, & equipment and land; and $0.5 million related to the sale of vacant land in Waco, TX. During the first quarter of 2019,
the company wrote down 75% of a facility to be partially demolished and reconstructed resulting in an impairment of $9.6 million. During
the second quarter of 2019, the Company sold an idle facility, which was written down earlier in 2019 resulting in an impairment charge of
$2.9 million. 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.
In January 2020, the Company acquired four facilities in connection with the Nova Cold Acquisition, with total property, buildings and
equipment of $171.9 million. Additionally in January 2020, the Company acquired one facility in connection with the Newport Acquisition,
with total property, buildings and equipment of $30.2 million. In August 2020, the Company acquired 2 facilities in connection with the AM-
C Warehouse Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of $53.2 million. Additionally in August 2020, the Company
acquired a single facility in connection with the Caspers Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of $25.2 million. During
the third quarter of 2020, the Company purchased two international facilities that were previously operated under a lease agreement for
$8.1 million. During November 2020, the Company acquired eight facilities in connection with the Hall’s Acquisition, with total property,
buildings and equipment of $332.7 million. On December 30, 2020, the Company completed the Agro Acquisition, with total property,
buildings and equipment of $1.08 billion. In February 2019, the Company acquired one facility and adjacent land in connection with the
PortFresh Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of $35.0 million. In May 2019, the Company acquired 21 facilities in
connection with the Cloverleaf Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of $891.3 million. Additionally, in May 2019, the
Company acquired two facilities in connection with the Lanier Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment of 60.0 million. In
November 2019, the Company acquired two facilities in connection with the MHW Acquisition, with total property, buildings and equipment
of $50.1 million. 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.
F-116
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
(7) Reconciliation of the Company’s real estate activity and accumulated depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2020 to Schedule
III:
Total real estate facilities gross amount per Schedule III
Plus: Refrigeration equipment
Less: Quarry CIP
Real estate facilities, at cost - ending balance
5,016,126
690,625
9
5,706,760
$
$
Accumulated depreciation per Schedule III
Plus: Refrigeration equipment
Accumulated depreciation - ending balance
$
$
(857,812)
(223,110)
(1,080,922)
(8) The Agro acquisition closed on December 30, 2020. As a result, the acquisition accounting was preliminary as of December 31, 2020, and
was not allocated to individual warehouses. The Company will make allocations to individual sites during the measurement period in 2021
and update accordingly in our Annual Form on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Refer to Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details.
(9) The Hall’s acquisition closed on November 2, 2020. As a result, the acquisition accounting was preliminary as of December 31, 2020, and
was not allocated to individual warehouses. The Company will make allocations to individual sites during the measurement period in 2021
and update accordingly in our Annual Form on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Refer to Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details.
F-117
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: March 1, 2021
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 J. Smernoff
Marc J. Smernoff
/s/ Thomas C. Novosel
Thomas C. Novosel
/s/ Mark R. Patterson
Mark R. Patterson
/s/ James R. Heistand
James R. Heistand
/s/ George J. Alburger, Jr.
George J. Alburger, Jr.
/s/ Kelly H. Barrett
Kelly H. Barrett
/s/ Antonio F. Fernandez
Antonio F. Fernandez
/s/ Michelle M. MacKay
Michelle M. MacKay
/s/ David J. Neithercut
David J. Neithercut
/s/ Andrew P. Power
Andrew P. Power
Title
Chief Executive Officer, President and Trustee
Date
March 1, 2021
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
March 1, 2021
Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021
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. 333-22981) of Americold Realty Trust,
(2) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-237704) of Americold Realty Trust,
(3) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-237704-01) of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.,
(4) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-222637) pertaining to the Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Americold Realty Trust 2010
Equity Incentive Plan, and Americold Realty Trust 2008 Equity Incentive Plan of Americold Realty Trust, and
(5) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-251200) pertaining to the Americold Realty Trust 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;
of our reports dated March 1, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Americold Realty Trust and the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting of Americold Realty Trust included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Americold Realty Trust for the year ended December 31,
2020.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
March 1, 2021
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: March 1, 2021
/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: March 1, 2021
/s/ Marc J. Smernoff
Marc J. 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 period ended December 31, 2020 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: March 1, 2021
/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 period ended December 31, 2020 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: March 1, 2021
/s/ Marc J. Smernoff
Marc J. 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 or formerly operated mines regulated under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(the “Mine Act”).
Mine Safety Information
During the time we owned it, the operation of our limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri was 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 last quarter that the limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri was owned
by us (June 30, 2020).
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
—
—
—
—
—
$369.00
—
No
No
1
1
2
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 the last day the limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri was owned by us (June
30, 2020). 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 June 30, 2020.
Mine or Operating Name
(MSHA Identification Number)
Carthage Crushed Limestone
(23-00028)
Contests of
citations and
orders
(a)
Contests of
proposed
penalties
(b)
Complaints for
compensation
(c)
Complaints of
discharge,
discrimination or
interference
(d)
Applications for
temporary relief
(e)
Appeals of
judges'
decisions or
orders
(f)
—
1
—
—
—
—
(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.
(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.
Exhibit 4.2
Registration Rights Agreement
Dated as of December 30, 2020
By and Among
Americold Realty trust,
as Issuer,
and
the Holders named herein
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article I DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions.
Article II REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 2.1 Shelf Registration.
Section 2.2 Piggy-Back Transaction.
Section 2.3 Reduction of Offering.
Section 2.4 Black-Out Periods.
Section 2.5 Registration Procedures; Filings; Information.
Section 2.6 Registration Expenses.
Section 2.7 Indemnification by the Company.
Section 2.8 Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities.
Section 2.9 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.
Section 2.10 Contribution.
Section 2.11 Participation in Underwritten Offerings.
Section 2.12 Rule 144.
Section 2.13 Termination.
Article III MISCELLANEOUS
Section 3.1 NYSE Listing.
Section 3.2 Amendments and Waivers.
Section 3.3 Notices.
Section 3.4 Successors and Assigns.
Section 3.5 Effective Time.
Section 3.6 Entire Agreement.
Section 3.7 Governing Law.
Section 3.8 Jurisdiction; Court Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial.
Section 3.9 Interpretation; Construction.
Section 3.10 Counterparts.
Section 3.11 Severability.
Section 3.12 Remedies; Specific Performance.
Section 3.13 Further Assurances.
Section 3.14 Termination as to a Holder.
2
3
3
5
5
6
6
7
8
10
10
10
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of December 30, 2020, is entered into by and among Americold Realty Trust, a Maryland
real estate investment trust (the “Company”), and each Holder from time to time a party hereto.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on October 12, 2020, the Company, Agro Merchants Intermediate Holdings, L.P. (“Seller Holdings”) and certain other parties entered into
the Transaction Agreement (as defined below), pursuant to which the Company or one of its subsidiaries acquired 100% of the Equity Interests (as defined therein)
of certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of Seller Holdings (the “Transaction”);
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Transaction Agreement, the Company has agreed to issue to Seller Holdings, 14,166,667
Common Shares (as defined below);
WHEREAS, the Transaction Agreement provides that the Company and Seller Holdings shall enter into a registration rights agreement as provided
therein at the Closing; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement for the Company to grant to the Holders the
registration rights set forth in Article II and to provide for the other matters set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein contained, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1.1 Definitions.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
In addition to the definitions set forth above, the following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.
For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, the correlative meanings, “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means, with
respect to a Person, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership
of equity interests, including but not limited to voting securities, by contract or agency or otherwise; provided, that Holders shall not be considered Affiliates of the
Company or its Subsidiaries solely as a result of Holders’ beneficial ownership of Registrable Securities.
“Agreement” means this Registration Rights Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Block Trade” means any bought deal or block sale by the applicable Selling Holder to a financial institution.
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized by law to
close.
“Closing” is defined in the Transaction Agreement.
3
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Shares” means the common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
“End of Suspension Notice” is defined in Section 2.4(b).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“FINRA” means Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
“Holder” means any holder of Registrable Securities.
“Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 2.9.
“Indemnifying Party” is in Section 2.9.
“Initial Prospectus Supplement” is defined in Section 2.1(b).
“Lock-up Agreement” means the Lock-up Agreement to be entered into between the Seller Holdings and the Company pursuant to the Transaction
Agreement.
“NYSE” is defined in Section 3.1.
“Oaktree Investment Fund” means any investment fund, investment vehicle, holding company or other account that is, directly or indirectly, managed or
advised by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. or any of its Affiliates or for which Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. or any of its Affiliates serves as the general
partner, managing member or discretionary manager.
“Overnight Underwritten Offering” means an underwritten offering that is launched after the close of trading on one trading day and priced before the
open of trading on the next succeeding trading day.
“Permitted Transferee” means any Person to whom a Holder sells, assigns, distributes or transfers all or a portion of its Registrable Securities; provided
that (a) such Person executes and delivers to the Company a joinder to this Agreement under which it becomes a “Holder” under this Agreement and agrees to be
bound by the provisions of this Agreement applicable to Holders and (b) in the event that such sale, assignment, distribution or transfer is to a Person that is not an
Oaktree Investment Fund, the Company consents to the assignment of the rights and obligations of a “Holder” hereunder to such Person.
“Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, or any other entity or organization, including a
government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Piggy-Back Notice” is defined in Section 2.2.
“Piggy-Back Transaction” is defined in Section 2.2.
“Registrable Securities” means the Common Shares issued to Seller Holdings pursuant to the Transaction Agreement and distributed or otherwise
transferred, directly or indirectly, to any Oaktree Investment Fund, and any additional securities that may be issued or distributed or be issuable in respect of such
Common Shares by way of conversion, dividend, stock-split, distribution or exchange, merger, consolidation, exchange, recapitalization or reclassification or
similar transactions until (a) a registration statement covering such shares has been declared effective by the Commission and such shares have been disposed of
pursuant to such effective registration
4
statement; (b) such shares have been sold under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 are met; or (c) such shares are otherwise
transferred to any Person other than a Permitted Transferee.
“Registration Expenses” is defined in Section 2.6.
“Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, actuaries,
consultants or financial advisors or other Persons associated with, or acting on behalf of, such Person.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto that may be
promulgated by the Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Seller Holdings” is defined in the Transaction Agreement.
“Selling Holder” means a Holder who is selling or may sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to
the terms hereof.
“Shelf Registration Statement” is defined in Section 2.1(a).
“Suspension Event” is defined in Section 2.4(a).
“Suspension Notice” is defined in Section 2.4(b).
“Transaction Agreement” means the Transaction Agreement, dated October 12, 2020, by and among the Company, Americold Realty Operating
Partnership, L.P., Seller Holdings, Agro Merchants Global, LP, (“Seller Parent”) the Subsidiaries of the Company set forth on Annex I thereto and the Subsidiaries
of Seller Parent set forth on Annexes II and III thereto.
“Underwriter” means, with respect to any underwritten offering under this Agreement, an underwriter for such offering.
“Underwritten Shelf Offering” is defined in Section 2.1(c).
SECTION 2.1 Shelf Registration.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
a.
Preparation and Filing of Shelf Registration Statement. Prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Agreement (or, to the extent the Lock-up
Agreement is terminated or the transfer restriction set forth therein otherwise lapse prior to May 17, 2021, then as soon as reasonably practical after such date), the
Company shall prepare and file an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 of the Company that provides for the resale of all of the Registrable
Securities on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) or add the Registrable Securities to an
existing Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective
and in compliance with the Securities Act and useable for sale of such Registrable Securities for a period ending when all Registrable Securities covered by such
Shelf Registration Statement are no longer Registrable Securities.
5
b.
Selling Holders. For any Shelf Registration Statement in Section 2.1(a), the Company shall file a prospectus supplement (the “Initial Prospectus
Supplement”) naming each Holder as a Selling Holder under such Shelf Registration Statement in such a manner as to permit each Holder to deliver a prospectus
to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law. In the event that another Shelf Registration Statement is filed after the date of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 2.1(a), within three (3) Business Days after the time such Shelf Registration Statement becomes or is declared effective, each
Holder shall be named as a Selling Holder in the Shelf Registration Statement, or in a prospectus supplement thereto, in such a manner as to permit such Seller to
deliver a prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law. If required by applicable law, subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, after the filing of the Initial Prospectus Supplement or the effectiveness of a new Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall file a supplement to such
prospectus or amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement to name such Holder as a Selling Holder therein and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
cause any post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement filed for such purpose to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as
reasonably practicable after the filing thereof.
c.
Underwritten Shelf Offering. Subject to Section 2.4, the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities may, by written notice to the
Company, elect to sell some or all of the Registrable Securities registered pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in the form of an underwritten offering under
the Shelf Registration Statement (an “Underwritten Shelf Offering”); provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect more than two (2) underwritten
offerings under this Section 2.1(c). For the avoidance of doubt, the Holders may make an unlimited number of sales under any Shelf Registration Statement that are
not underwritten offerings. Any request for an Underwritten Shelf Offering will specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and will
also specify the intended method of disposition thereof (which may include a Block Trade or an Overnight Underwritten Offering). The Company shall select the
Underwriter or Underwriters in connection with any such Underwritten Shelf Offering; provided that such Underwriter or Underwriters must be reasonably
satisfactory to the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such Underwritten Shelf Offering.
d.
Filing of Additional Registration Statements. The Company shall prepare and file such additional registration statements or prospectus
supplements thereto as may be necessary under the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act and use commercially reasonable efforts to
cause such registration statements to be declared effective by the Commission so that the registration statement remains continuously effective with respect to
resales of Registrable Securities as of and for the period required under the last sentence of Section 2.1(a) and the Holders may sell Registrable Securities as
Selling Holders thereunder, such subsequent registration statements to constitute a Shelf Registration Statement hereunder. Each Shelf Registration Statement shall
be an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3; provided, however, that (i) if the Company ceases to be eligible to use an automatic shelf registration
statement on Form S-3, the Shelf Registration Statement shall be a non-automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and (ii) if the Company ceases to be
eligible to use Form S-3, the Shelf Registration Statement shall be a registration statement on Form S-11.
SECTION 2.2 Piggy-Back Transaction.
If the Company proposes to file (a) a prospectus supplement under the Securities Act pursuant to a registration statement in connection with an
underwritten offering (other than an “at-the-market” offering) with respect to any offering of Common Shares solely for its own account, then the Company shall
give written notice thereof to the Holders (a “Piggy-Back Notice”) as soon as practicable (but in no event less than five (5) calendar days before the anticipated
filing date or commencement date, as applicable) (a “Piggy-Back Transaction”). The Piggy-Back Notice shall state the intended method of disposition of the
securities in the Piggy-Back Transaction, and such notice shall offer the Holders the opportunity to sell in such Piggy-Back Transaction such number of shares of
Registrable Securities as each such Holder may request. Any Holder may elect to include its Registrable Securities in such Piggy-Back Transaction by delivering
written notice of such election (including the number of shares of Registrable Securities it desires to include) within three (3) calendar days of receipt of the Piggy-
Back Notice. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts, subject to Section 2.3, to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such Piggy-
Back Transaction to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be
6
included therein to be included on the same terms and conditions as apply to the Company and any other securityholders. No Holder shall be permitted to withdraw
all or part of its Registrable Securities from a Piggy-Back Transaction after electing to include them in such transaction without the prior written consent of the
Company. The Company shall not be obligated to include Registrable Securities in more than one (1) Piggy-Back Transaction.
SECTION 2.3 Reduction of Offering.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein, if the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of an offering described in Section 2.1(c) or Section 2.2 advise
the Company and the Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such offering in writing that the size of the applicable underwritten offering is such that the
success of the offering would be adversely affected by inclusion of the number of securities requested to be included, then the amount of securities to be offered
shall be reduced to a number that, in the opinion of such managing Underwriter or Underwriters can be sold without having such an adverse effect, and such
number of securities shall be allocated as follows:
a.
in the event of an Underwritten Shelf Offering, the securities to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Offering shall be allocated (i) first, to the
Holders that have requested to participate in such Underwritten Shelf Offering on a pro rata basis based on the relative number of Registrable Securities then held
by them and (ii) second, to the Company; and
b.
in the event of a Piggy-Back Transaction, the securities to be included in such Piggy-Back Transaction shall be allocated, (i) first, to the
Company and (ii) second, and only if all the securities referred to in clause (i) have been included, to the Holders that have requested to participate in such Piggy-
Back Transaction any other securities eligible for inclusion in such Piggy-Back Transaction (it being understood there are no such eligible securities as of the date
of this Agreement) on a pro rata basis based on the relative number of securities then held by each of them. For clarity, the securities to be included in any offering
in which the Company has exercised its rights pursuant to Section 2.4(a)(i)(A) shall be determined pursuant to this Section 2.3(b).
SECTION 2.4 Black-Out Periods.
a.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.1, the Company shall be permitted (x) to postpone the filing of any Shelf Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2.1 , (y) to suspend the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement or (z) to require the Holders not to sell Registrable Securities
under any Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, for such times as the Company reasonably may determine is necessary and advisable, if any of the following
events shall occur (each such circumstance a “Suspension Event”): (i) the board of trustees of the Company determines in good faith that (A) the Company intends
to undertake an underwritten public offering in connection with a material transaction (provided, however, that to the extent the Company undertakes an
underwritten public offering in connection with such transaction, Holders shall be entitled to the rights set forth in Section 2.2); (B) disclosure of a material
transaction that would otherwise be required to be disclosed due to such registration would have an adverse effect on the Company or the Company’s ability to
consummate such a material transaction, (C) such registration or continued registration would require premature disclosure of material information that the
Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (D) such registration or continued registration would render the Company unable to
comply with the requirements of the Securities Act or Exchange Act; or (ii) solely in the case of foregoing clause (y) or clause (z), the board of trustees of the
Company determines in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel for the Company that the Company is required by law, rule or regulation to
supplement or amend a Shelf Registration Statement in order to ensure that it (or the prospectus contained therein) does not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. Upon the occurrence of any Suspension Event, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the Suspension
Event and to file the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, to cause the applicable Shelf Registration Statement to become effective and/or to permit resumed
use of the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, as soon as reasonably possible. If the Company exercises a suspension under this Section 2.4(a), then during
the period of such suspension, the Company shall not engage in any transaction involving the offer, issuance, sale or purchase of Company equity securities
(whether for
7
the benefit of the Company or a third Person), except (A) transactions involving the issuance or purchase of Company equity securities as contemplated by
employee benefit plans or employee or director arrangements and (B) in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of this Section 2.4(a).
b.
The Company will provide written notice (a “Suspension Notice”) to the Holders of the occurrence of any Suspension Event within three (3)
calendar days after its occurrence; provided, however, that the Company shall not be permitted to exercise a suspension pursuant to Section 2.4(a) more than twice
during any twelve (12)-month period or less than thirty (30) days following the conclusion of any prior Suspension Event; provided that in no event shall the
number of days covered by one or more Suspension Events exceed ninety (90) days during the twelve (12)-month period immediately following the expiration of
the Lockup Agreement or one hundred twenty (120) days in any three hundred and sixty-five (365)-day period thereafter. Upon receipt of a Suspension Notice,
each Holder agrees that it will (i) immediately discontinue offers and sales of Registrable Securities under the applicable Shelf Registration Statement and (ii)
maintain the confidentiality of any information included in the Suspension Notice unless otherwise required by law or subpoena. The Holders may recommence
effecting offers and sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the applicable Shelf Registration Statement following further written notice to such effect (an
“End of Suspension Notice”) from the Company, which End of Suspension Notice shall be given by the Company to the Holders promptly (and no later than three
(3) calendar days) following the conclusion of any Suspension Event and its effect. The filing of any prospectus by the Company relating to an underwritten
offering of Common Shares shall be deemed an End of Suspension Notice.
c.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Company shall give a Suspension Notice with respect to any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 2.4(a), the Company agrees that it shall extend the period of time during which such Shelf Registration shall be maintained effective
by the number of days during the period from the date of receipt by the Holders of the Suspension Notice to and including the date of receipt by the Holders of the
End of Suspension Notice and promptly provide copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to resume offers and sales, with respect to each
Suspension Event; provided, that such period of time shall not be extended beyond the date that the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration
Statement are no longer Registrable Securities.
SECTION 2.5 Registration Procedures; Filings; Information.
Subject to Section 2.4, in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement under Section 2.1 or Piggy-Back Transaction under Section 2.2, the Company
will use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration and the sale of the applicable Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of
disposition thereof as quickly as possible, and in connection with any such request:
a.
The Company will as expeditiously as possible, pursuant to the timing requirements set forth herein, prepare and file with the Commission the
applicable registration statement on the applicable form required under this Agreement (or, if this Agreement does not require a form, any appropriate form
permitting for the sale of the Registrable Securities according to the intended method of disposition) and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such
registration statement to become and remain effective in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, for the period described in the last sentence of Section 2.1(a).
b.
The Company will, as promptly as practicable, prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, post-effective amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to cause or maintain the effectiveness of such
registration statement for so long as such registration statement is required to be kept effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect
to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement during the period in which such registration statement is required to be kept
effective, and, upon the written request of a Holder, the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable amend or supplement the prospectus relating to a Shelf
Registration Statement to facilitate a “take down” as may be reasonably requested by such Holder.
c.
The Company will, within a reasonable period of time prior (but no later than three (3) Business Days in the case of a registration statement and
one (1) Business Day for other filings prior) to filing a registration
8
statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities being registered and each underwriter, if any, of
the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter furnish to such Holder
and underwriter, if any, such number of conformed copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such
registration statement and such other documents proposed to be filed including documents that are to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement,
amendment or supplement, as such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such
Holder. To the extent practicable, the Company shall consider in good faith such reasonable changes in any such documents prior to the filing thereof as the
counsel to the Holders may request and the Company shall make available such of its representatives as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders or any
underwriter available for discussion of such documents.
d.
The Company will promptly take all reasonable actions required to prevent, or obtain the withdrawal of, any stop order or other order suspending
the use of any preliminary or final registration statement.
e.
The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky
laws of such jurisdictions in the United States (where an exemption does not apply) as any Selling Holder or managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any,
reasonably (in light of such Selling Holder’s intended method of disposition) requests; provided that the Company will not be required to qualify generally to do
business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this clause (c).
f.
The Company will promptly (i) incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Underwriter or the
applicable Selling Holders reasonably request be included therein relating to the plan of distribution with respect to such Registrable Securities, and make all
required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment and (ii) in the case of such a post-effective amendment, use commercially reasonably
best efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably possible (if such post-effective amendment
is not automatically effective upon filing with the Commission); provided, that the Company shall have no obligation to modify any information if the Company
reasonably expects that so doing would cause (A) such registration statement, prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to contain an untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (B) such filings to
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
g.
The Company will enter into customary underwriting agreements in customary and market form and use commercially reasonable efforts to take
such other actions as the applicable Selling Holders or Underwriters, if any, reasonably request and that are required for the disposition of such Registrable
Securities.
h.
The Company shall cooperate in good faith, subject to normal and customary confidentiality agreements and obligations, with any attorney,
accountant or other professional retained by any Underwriter or Selling Holder in connection with the exercise of registration rights by a Holder pursuant to this
Agreement, if applicable.
i.
The Company may require each applicable Selling Holder to promptly furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding such
Selling Holder, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time
reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required in connection with such registration.
j.
Each Selling Holder agrees that it will promptly notify the Company at any time when a prospectus relating to the registration of such
Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of an event as a result of which information previously furnished by
such Selling Holder to the Company in writing for inclusion in such prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
9
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made.
k.
In the case of an underwritten offering, the Company will cooperate with the customary marketing efforts of the Underwriters, including, without
limitation, providing information and materials and making appropriate senior executive officers of the Company available to participate in meetings, customary
“road show” presentations and/or investor conference calls to market the Registrable Securities that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriters in any such
underwritten offering and otherwise to reasonably facilitate, cooperate with, and participate in each proposed offering contemplated herein and customary selling
efforts related thereto.
l.
In the case of an Overnight Underwritten Offering, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration and the
sale of the applicable Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof as quickly as practicable; provided that the applicable
Selling Holders provide the Company with at least two (2) calendar days’ notice of such offering.
m.
The Company shall make available for inspection by any Selling Holder of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any
disposition of such Registrable Securities and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any such Selling Holder or underwriter (the “Inspectors”),
all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”) as shall be reasonably necessary to
enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, trustees and employees to supply all information reasonably requested
by any Inspector in connection with such registration statement, subject to entry by each such Inspector of a customary confidentiality agreement in a form
reasonably acceptable to the Company.
SECTION 2.6 Registration Expenses.
In connection with any registration statement required to be filed hereunder, the Company shall pay the following registration expenses incurred in
connection with the registration hereunder (the “Registration Expenses”), regardless of whether such registration statement is declared effective by the
Commission: (i) all registration and filing fees, and any other fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with the Commission or FINRA, (ii)
fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky
qualifications of the Registrable Securities), (iii) all printing, duplicating, word processing, messenger, telephone, facsimile and delivery expenses (including
expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses), (iv)
all of the Company’s internal expenses, (v) fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on NYSE or other applicable
national securities exchange, and (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified
public accountants retained by the Company (including in connection with any comfort letters). The Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting
fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities or any transfer taxes relating to the registration or sale of the Registrable Securities,
nor will the Company have any obligation to pay any attorneys’ or other advisors’ fees of the Selling Holders.
SECTION 2.7 Indemnification by the Company.
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by law, each Selling Holder, each stockholder, member, limited partner
or general partner thereof, each stockholder, member, limited partner or general partner of each such stockholder, member, limited or general partner, each of their
respective Affiliates, officers, directors, stockholders, employees, advisors, and agents and each Person, if any, who controls such Persons within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their respective Representatives from and against any and all losses, penalties,
judgments, suits, costs, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation and legal expenses) (each, a “Loss”, and collectively,
“Losses”) finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in any registration statement or prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus, or out
of
10
any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or
alleged untrue statement or omission with respect to information relating to such Selling Holder that was included in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holder’s behalf for inclusion therein or that are due to such Selling
Holder’s failure to deliver a copy of such registration statement or prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
any preliminary prospectus after the Company has made available or furnished such Selling Holder with copies of the same prior to any written confirmation of the
sale of Registrable Securities. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the Company may otherwise have. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder or any Indemnified Party.
SECTION 2.8 Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities.
Each Selling Holder agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers, directors, trustees and agents and each
Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their
respective Representatives to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Selling Holder pursuant to Section 2.7, but only with respect
to (a) written information relating to such Selling Holder included in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by such Selling Holder
or on such Selling Holder’s behalf for use in any registration statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities of such Selling Holder, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus and (b) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or material omission
contained in any registration statement or prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities (i) that such Selling Holder knew to be untrue or knew to be an
omission or that such Selling Holder reasonably should have known to be untrue or reasonably should have known to be an omission and (ii) which the Company
did not know to be untrue or did not know to be an omission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the liability of a Selling Holder under this Section 2.8
or Section 2.10 or otherwise hereunder exceed the net proceeds actually received by such Selling Holder from the sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder. This
indemnity shall be in addition to any liability each Selling Holder may otherwise have.
SECTION 2.9 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.
In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought
pursuant to Section 2.7 or Section 2.8, such Person (an “Indemnified Party”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (an
“Indemnifying Party”) in writing and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all fees and expenses; provided that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice will not relieve
such Indemnifying Party of its obligations under Section 2.7 or Section 2.8, as applicable, except to the extent such Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by
such failure. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
expense of such Indemnified Party unless (a) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (b)
the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and representation of
both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the Indemnifying Party
shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one
separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as
they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by (i) in the case of Persons
indemnified pursuant to Section 2.7, the Selling Holders and (ii) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section 2.8, the Company. The Indemnifying Party
shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No Indemnifying
Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any
settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of with any Indemnified Party is
11
or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such proceeding without any admission of liability by such Indemnified Party.
SECTION 2.10 Contribution.
a.
If the indemnification provided for in Section 2.7 or Section 2.8 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified
Party or insufficient in respect of any Losses referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute
to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses as between the Company on the one hand and each Selling Holder on the other,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and of each Selling Holder in connection with such statements or omissions which
resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of each Selling Holder on the
other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.
b.
The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the Losses referred to in Section 2.10(a) shall be deemed to include, subject to
the limitations set forth above, any out-of-pocket legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.10, no Selling Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of
the amount by which the total price at which the securities of such Selling Holder were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
Selling Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of
such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Selling Holder’s obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 2.10 are several in such proportion that the proceeds of
the offering received by such Selling Holder bears to the total proceeds of the offering received by all the Selling Holders, and not joint.
SECTION 2.11 Participation in Underwritten Offerings.
No Person may participate in any underwritten offering hereunder unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in
any underwriting agreement (which shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Person in form and substance) and (b) completes and executes all customary
questionnaires and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such customary underwriting agreement.
SECTION 2.12 Rule 144.
The Company covenants (i) that it will timely file any reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act to the extent
required from time to time to enable Holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions
provided by Rule 144 and (ii) that it will cooperate with the Holders to cause the transfer agent to remove any restrictive legend on certificates evidencing
Registrable Securities in connection with any proposed sale pursuant to Rule 144, subject to the expiration of the Lock-Up Agreement with respect to the
applicable Registrable Securities). This Section 2.12 shall survive the termination of the Agreement so long as any Holder continues to hold Registrable Securities.
SECTION 2.13 Termination.
This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect when there shall be no Registrable Securities outstanding; provided, that Sections 2.7,
2.8, 2.9, 2.10 and Article III (other than Section 3.1) shall survive any such termination
12
SECTION 3.1 NYSE Listing.
ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
For so long as any Common Stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or any other stock exchange, the Company shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Registrable Securities to be listed on the NYSE or such other exchange by the date that the Lock-up Agreement
expires.
SECTION 3.2 Amendments and Waivers.
Any provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or waived with the written approval of each of the Company and the Holders
of a majority of the Registrable Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 3.2 shall be binding upon each Holder and the
Company. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement
will impair any such right, power or remedy of such party, nor will it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of
any similar breach or default thereafter occurring, nor will any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore
or thereafter occurring, nor will any provision of this Agreement be implied from any course of dealing between the parties hereto. Any waiver, permit, consent or
approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach of default under this Agreement or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or
conditions of this Agreement must be made in writing and will be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
SECTION 3.3 Notices.
All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered, (b) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the number set out below or
transmitted by electronic mail if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice in accordance with immediately following clause (c) or (c) the
day on which the same has been delivered to the intended recipient if sent prepaid by (i) with respect to a delivery in the United States, a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service (with tracking capability) and (ii) with respect to a delivery outside of the United States, an internationally recognized overnight delivery
service (with tracking capability), in each case to the respective parties at the address set forth below, or at such other address as such party may specify by written
notice to the other party hereto. Failure to comply with the provisions in this Section 3.3 will not affect the rights or obligations of any party except to the extent
that nay such failure materially and adversely prejudices another party.
If to the Company: Americold Realty Trust
10 Glenlake Parkway
South Tower, Suite 800
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Attn: General Counsel
Fax: (678) 387-4774
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Attn: C. Spencer Johnson, III
If to the Holders: To the addresses set forth in Schedule A.
13
SECTION 3.4 Successors and Assigns.
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Holders under this Agreement shall not be assignable by any Holder to any
Person that is not a Holder. The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company to any other Person.
SECTION 3.5 Effective Time.
This Agreement shall become effective upon the date of the Closing.
SECTION 3.6 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement, the Transaction Agreement and the other agreements referenced herein and therein constitute the entire agreement among the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersede any prior agreement or understanding among them, whether oral or written.
SECTION 3.7 Governing Law.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE. Any and all claims, controversies, and causes of
action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, or statute, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, including
its statutes of limitations, without giving effect to any conflict-of-laws or other rule that would result in the application of the laws of a different jurisdiction. Each
of the parties hereto (i) shall submit itself to the exclusive jurisdiction of any federal court located in the State of New York or any New York state court having
subject matter jurisdiction in the event any dispute or claim that arises out of this Agreement, (ii) agrees that venue will be proper as to Proceedings brought in any
such court with respect to such a dispute, (iii) will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction or venue by motion or other request for leave from any
such court and (iv) agrees to accept service of process at its address for notices pursuant to this Agreement in any such action or Proceeding brought in any such
court. With respect to any such action, service of process upon any party hereto in the manner provided in Section 3.3 for the giving of notices shall be deemed, in
every respect, effective service of process upon such party. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives any immunity to jurisdiction to which it may be entitled
or become entitled (including sovereign immunity, immunity to pre-award attachment, post-award attachment or otherwise) in any Proceedings against it arising
out of or based on this Agreement or the Transaction.
SECTION 3.8 Jurisdiction; Court Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS
LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO CERTIFIES AND
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF SUCH ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER,
(B) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS
WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (D) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 3.8.
14
SECTION 3.9 Interpretation; Construction.
The Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or
interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. References to Articles, Sections of Schedules in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, are references to
Articles, Sections and Schedules of or to this Agreement. The parties to this Agreement have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.
In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises with respect to any term or provision of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be construed as
if drafted jointly by the parties to this Agreement, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party to this Agreement by virtue
of the authorship of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, county, local or foreign statute or law shall be deemed
also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. For all purposes of and under this Agreement, (i) the word
“including” shall be deemed to be immediately followed by the words “without limitation;” (ii) words (including defined terms) in the singular shall be deemed to
include the plural and vice versa; (iii) words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other gender as the context requires; (iv) the terms “hereof,” “herein,”
“hereto,” “herewith” and any other words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the
Schedules to this Agreement) and not to any particular term or provision of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified; (v) the use of the word “or” shall not be
exclusive; (vi) all monetary figures shall be in United States dollars unless otherwise specified; (vii) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the
degree to which a subject or other theory extends and such phrase shall not mean “if” and (viii) any action required by this Agreement to be taken on a day that is
not a Business Day, shall be deemed to be required to be taken on the first Business Day thereafter.
SECTION 3.10 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or pdf signatures and in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory parties had
signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.
SECTION 3.11 Severability.
Should any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent: (a) such
provision shall be ineffective to the extent, and only to the extent, of such unenforceability or prohibition and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by
law, (b) such unenforceability or prohibition in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision as applied (i) to other Persons or
circumstances or (ii) in any other jurisdiction, and (c) such unenforceability or prohibition shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 3.12 Remedies; Specific Performance.
All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to the parties hereunder, shall be cumulative and not alternative. The parties
agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or
were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties agree that, in addition to any other remedies, each party shall be entitled to enforce the terms of this Agreement
by a decree of specific performance without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy. Each party hereby waives any requirement for
the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy. Each party further agrees that the only permitted objection that it may raise in response to any
action for equitable relief is that it contests the existence of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.
SECTION 3.13 Further Assurances.
Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other
agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as any other party
15
hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.14 Termination as to a Holder.
Any Person who ceases to hold any Registrable Securities shall cease to be a Holder and shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement
(except with respect to any indemnification or contribution rights or obligations under this Agreement) until such time as such Person once again holds Registrable
Securities.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank; Signature page follows)
16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AMERICOLD REALTY TRUST
By:
Name:
Title:
[Signatures continue on following page]
|
AGRO MERCHANTS INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LP
By:
Name:
Title:
|
Notice shall be provided to each Holder of Registrable Securities using the address below.
Schedule A
c/o Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
th
333 South Grand Avenue, 28 Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
Email: zserebrenik@oaktreecapital.com
Attention: Zach Serebrenik
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
10250 Constellation Blvd Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California 90067
Email: steven.stokdyk@lw.com; sean.denvir@lw.com
Attention: Steven Stokdyk; Sean Denvir
|
List of Subsidiaries
EXHIBIT 21.1
Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Canada
Delaware
Brazil
Delaware
Brazil
Spain
Spain
Spain
Netherlands
Netherlands
Ireland
Delaware
Chile
Ireland
Ireland
Ireland
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Poland
N. Ireland
Ireland
Ireland
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Portugal
Portugal
Ireland
N. Ireland
N. Ireland
Subsidiary
3333493 Nova Scotia Company
Agro Charleston, LLC
Agrofundo Brasil II Fundo de Investimento em Paricipacoes
Agro Houston, LLC
Agro Improvement Participacoes S.A.
Agro Merchants Algeciras, S.L.U.
Agro Merchants Barcelona Santa Perpatua, S.A.
Agro Merchants Barcelona-Palau, S.A.U.
Agro Merchants Barnesveld Packaging B.V.
Agro Merchants Barnesveld Warehousing B.V.
Agro Merchants Castleblayney Limited (Ireland)
Agro Merchants Carson, LLC
Agro Merchants Chile Holdings SpA
Agro Merchants Dublin Holdings Limited
Agro Merchants Dublin RE Limited
Agro Merchants Dublin Transport Limited
Agro Merchants European Holdings II S.a.r.l
Agro Merchants European Holdings S.a.r.l
Agro Merchants European Intermediate Holdings S.a.r.
Agro Merchants Gdansk sp. Z o o.
Agro Merchants Holdings UK Limited
Agro Merchants IR RE Holdco Limited
Agro Merchants Ireland Limited
Agro Merchants Ireland Properties Limited (Ireland)
Agro Merchants LATAM Holdings S.a.r.l
Agro Merchants Lisboa Transport Unipessol, Lda
Agro Merchants Lisboa Warehousing S.A.
Agro Merchants Lough Eglish Limited (Ireland)
Agro Merchants Lurgan Transport Ltd.
Agro Merchants Lurgan Warehousing Ltd.
Agro Merchants Maasvlakte B.V.
Agro Merchants Netherlands B.V.
Agro Merchants North America Intermediate Holdings, LLC
Agro Merchants North America Holdings, LLC
Agro Merchants Oakland, LLC
Agro Merchants Poland Holdings sp. Z o o.
Agro Merchants Porto Warehousing S.A.
Agro Merchants Portugal, SGPS, S.A.
Agro Merchants Rotterdam Packaging B.V.
Agro Merchants Rotterdam Warehousing B.V.
Agro Merchants Sines, Unipessol LDA
Agro Merchants UK LLP
Agro Merchants Urk B.V.
Agro Merchants Valencia S.L.U.
Agro Merchants Westland Holding B.V.
Agro Merchants Westland Packaging B.V.
Agro Merchants Westland Warehousing B.V.
Agro Merchants Whichurch, Ltd
Agro Merchants Wien GmbH
Agro Merchants Wien Holdings GmbH
AM NL RE Holdco 1 B.V.
AM NL RE Holdco 2 B.V.
AM UK RE Holdco Ltd.
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 Brazil Participcoes S.A
Americold Brisbane Realty Trust
Americold Chambersburg Holdings, LLC
Americold Clearfield Opco, LLC
Americold Clearfield Propco, LLC
Americold Food Logistics PTY Ltd.
Americold Investments PTY Ltd.
Netherlands
Netherlands
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Brazil
Poland
Portugal
Portugal
Netherlands
Netherlands
Portugal
UK
Netherlands
Spain
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
UK
Austria
Austira
Netherlands
Netherlands
N. Ireland
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Brazil
Australia
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
Australia
Americold Logistics Argentina S.A.
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 NB PTY LTD
Americold Nebraska Leasing LLC
Americold Netherlands B.V.
Americold Netherlands Finco B.V.
Americold Netherlands Holdco B.V.
Americold NZ Limited
Americold Nova Cold Holdings, L.P.
Americold Nova Cold Holdings II, LLC
Americold Propco Phoenix Van Buren LLC
Americold Property PTY Ltd.
Americold Real Estate, L.P.
Americold Realty Australia Management PTY LTD
Americold Realty Hong Kong Limited
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Americold Realty LLC.
Americold Realty Operations, Inc.
Americold Realty State Management PTY LTD
Americold San Antonio Propco LLC
Americold Storage NB PTY Ltd.
Americold Sydney Realty Trust
Americold TRS Parent, LLC
Americold Transportation, LLC
Americold Transportation Services, LLC
AMLOG Canada Inc.
Americold Hawkeye Blocker GP LLC
Americold Hawkeye Parent LLC
Argentina
Hong Kong
Australia
New Zealand
Delaware
Australia
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
Nebraska
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
New Zealand
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
Delaware
Australia
Hong Kong
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
Delaware
Australia
Australia
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Canada
Delaware
Delaware
ART AL Holding LLC
ART First Mezzanine Borrower Opco 2002-2 L.P.
ART First Mezzanine Borrower Propco GP 2006-2, LLC
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 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 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 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, L.P.
ART Second Mezzanine Borrower Opco 2013 LLC
ART Second Mezzanine Borrower Propco 2013 LLC
ART Third Mezzanine Borrower Opco 2013 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
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
Australia Holdco Pty Ltd
Ballykeel Freight Limited
Barneveld RE B.V.
Beheer Maatscappi Assembage B.V.
Beheer Maatscappi Harthoorn B.V.
Blockchain Transport, LLC
Bestway Agro Logistics Ltda
Coldstore Netherlands B.V.
Comfrio Soluceos Logisticas S.A.
JF Comercio e Distribuicao de Alimentos Ltda
JFLOG dos Pinhais Empreendiemntos E Participacoes Ltda
JF LOG Participacoes, S.A.
Castleblayney RE Limited
Cloverleaf Cold Storage, LLC
Cloverleaf Cold Storage Co LLC
CCS Realty, LLC
CCS Property Owner, LLC
Icecap Australia MIT Holding, LLC
Cold Logic ULC
Doboy Cold Stores Pty Ltd
Europe Total Logistics B.V.
Friopuerto Leixoes S.L.
Frigorifico Andino S.A.
Frigoriferi Industriali Gestione Integrata Srl
Garden State Freezers, LLC
G.F. Cold Storage, LLC
Grower Services Acquisition, LLC
Delaware
Minnesota
Delaware
Minnesota
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
N. Ireland
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Arkansas
Brazil
Netherlands
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Ireland
Delaware
Ohio
Iowa
Delaware
Australia
Canada
Australia
Netherlands
Portugal
Chile
Italy
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Hall’s Fast Motor Freight, Inc.
Hall’s Logistics, Inc.
Harthoorne Beheer B.V.
Icecap Properties AU LLC
Icecap Properties NZ Holdings LLC
Icecap Properties NZ Limited LLC
Icicle Australia Property Pty Limited
Icicle NZ Property Limited
Inland Quarries, L.L.C.
KCL Equipment Owner, LLC
Lanier Cold Storage LLC
Lanier Freezer, LLC
LBC Consultores LDA
Lough Eglish RE Limited
Lurgan RE 1 Ltd.
Lurgan RE II Ltd.
Lucca Freezer & Cold Storage, LLC
Lucca Newco, LLC
Lucca Trucking, LLC
Maasvlalte RE B.V.
MHG Gateway Properties, LLC
MHW Group at Perryville, LLC
Monmouth Property Development, LLC
Mullica Hill Cold Storage, LLC
Mullica Hill Group, LLC
NCS Trucking, LLC
New Hall’s Warehouse LLC
Newport St. Paul Cold Storage, LLC
Nordic Atlanta Cold Storage, LLC
Nordic Atlanta Warehouse Services, LLC
Nordic Cold Holdings, LLC
Nordic Cold Storage Holdings II, LLC
Nordic Cold Storage Holdings, LLC
Nordic Logistic Services, LLC
Nordic Logistics & Warehousing, LLC
Nordic Nashville, LLC
Nordic Raleigh Cold Storage, LLC
New Jersey
New Jersey
Netherlands
Delaware
Delaware
New Zealand
Australia
New Zealand
Delaware
Delaware
Georgia
Georgia
Portugal
Ireland
N. Ireland
N. Ireland
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Netherlands
Delaware
Maryland
Illinois
Delaware
Delaware
Minnesota
New Jersey
Minnesota
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Nordic Rockmart II Cold Storage, LLC
Nordic Savannah, LLC
Nordic Savannah II, LLC
Nordic Savannah III, LLC
Nordic Warehouse Services, LLC
Nordic Wilmington Cold Storage, LLC
Nordic WS II, LLC
Novacom Limited
PCL Repacking, LLC
Newlook Products, LLC
Nova Cold Logistics, ULC
Oak Tree Truck Rental Corp
Portfresh Development, LLC
Portfresh Holdings, LLC
Project London Buyer 1, LLC
Project London Buyer 2, LLC
Project Shiver 1, LLC
Project Shiver 2, LLC
Project Shiver 3, LLC
Savannah Cold Storage LLC
Sawyers Distribution (Moy) Limited
Sawyers Transport Ireland Limited
Second Street, LLC
Stock Tech S.A. Armazens Gerias
Superfrio Armazens Gerias S.A.
URK RE B.V.
URS Realty, L.L.C.
URS Real Estate L.P.
VCD Pledge Holdings, LLC
Versacold Atlas Logistics Services USA LLC
Versacold Logistics, LLC
Versacold Midwest LLC
Versacold Northeast Logistics, LLC
Versacold Northeast, Inc.
Versacold Texas, L.P.
Versacold USA, L.L.C.
Westland RE B.V.
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Ireland
Delaware
Georgia
Nova Scotia
New Jersey
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
N. Ireland
Ireland
Iowa
Brazil
Brazil
Netherlands
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Texas
Delaware
Netherlands
Whitchurch RE Ltd.
Woolsey Freight Limited
Zarantepec, S.L.U.
Zero Mountain LLC
Zero Mountain Aviation, LLC
Zero Mountain Logistics LLC
ZMI Leasing LLC
ZM NLR Property Owner, LLC
ZM Property Owner, LLC
ZM Waco Property Owner LLC
UK
N. Ireland
Spain
Arkansas
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware