Form 10QSB for UNIVERSAL EXPRESS INC
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20-May-2004
Quarterly Report
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
Included in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning ofSection 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although the Company believes thatthe expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable; itcan give no assurance that such expectations reflected in such forward-lookingstatements will prove to be correct. The Company's actual results could differmaterially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a resultof certain factors, including sales levels, distribution and competition trendsand other market factors.
Universal Express, Inc. (USXP) has evolved into a conglomerate of supportivecompanies and divisions centered around its private postal system.
The Company's principal subsidiaries and divisions are:WorldPost Private Postal NetworkWorldPost International Courier ServiceVirtual Bellhop(TM)Luggage Express(TM)Universal Express Capital Corp.Universal Cash Express
MARKETPLACE
A challenging global economy has grown over the past decade. Internet, catalogand retail sales continue to mandate an inexpensive and responsive final mileDomestic and International delivery network. That innovative and outsourcedfinal mile network continues to be addressed by Universal Express, Inc.
Universal Express has continues major expansion in the last decade. Strongstrategic relationships are currently being established with companies andmanufacturers, thus strengthening the WorldPost private postal network.
Members of the WorldPost private postal network provide the public with acomplement to the U.S. Post Office for many retail and business postal services.In addition, these Postal Service Centers offer individuals and businesscustomers an additional variety of personal business services and merchandise.
Our private postal and business service centers form a highly fragmented cottageindustry. Universal Express believes that since this industry generates over $8billion in sales and presently consists of more than 20,000 independentoperators, there is a market opportunity for the development of an associationwith the goal of unifying and organizing the independent and franchised postalstores nationwide.
Our company believes that an affordable outsourced distribution system is neededto suit consumers' needs. Universal Express believes it has positioned itself tobe a contender in the global economy for the next decade with the development ofits complementary subsidiaries.
USXP is now positioned as a significant player in the international shipping andtransportation industries. By building its divisions through classic outsourcingtechniques, USXP's future revenue growth will not be offset by increasedoverhead.
In just the past few years, USXP has identified more than 8,000 private postalcenters in a network called WorldPost that produces growing revenue streams forboth its members and USXP. USXP offers its WorldPost Network members discountedservices from some of the country's largest vendors, as well as innovative newluggage services that resonate in the world's present security-conscious travelclimate.
USXP's business strategy is far more than the sum of today's parts. Thecompany's three highly synergistic divisions position the company to create anentirely new industry paradigm by offering the private postal industry andconsumers value-added services and products, logistical services, equipmentleasing and cost-effective delivery of goods and services worldwide.
WorldPost(TM) Network, the name for USXP's private postal network, taps thepurchasing power of over 20,000 privately-owned and operated postal stores tocreate the nation's first truly organized and funded private postal system.
USXP's Web-based CRM software system empowers swift delivery of businessproducts and services to the network: commercial mail receiving; office productsand supplies; packaging and shipping; copying, imaging, photo finishing anddigital services; home office boutique items; and even concierge services.
Universal Express Logistics, Inc. joins the company's visionary LuggageExpress(TM) service offered through the WorldPost Network and its Internet-basedVirtual Bellhop(R) luggage pickup and delivery service to free travelers fromthe stress of dealing with their luggage as they travel across the country andaround the world. USXP charges an average of $70 per piece to deliverdropped-off luggage to a traveler's final destination. The target customer isthe upscale traveler planning extended stays at destination resorts, but theservice is equally appealing to any traveler who prefers not to pay extraairline fees or struggle with heavy and awkward baggage at either end of theirtrip. When you consider that by 2005 domestic airline luggage is expected toexceed 3 billion pieces annually, USXP's revenue potential is substantial asacceptance of luggage transportation services reaches critical mass with furtherbranding and advertising.
Universal Express Capital Corp. is a full-service, asset-based transportationand leasing service that provides capital acquisition funding for the businesssector. USXP has established strategic alliances with a number of majormanufacturing firms in the limousine, livery, small fleet, vehicle rental,delivery truck and van, bus and aircraft industries. The company projectsminimum annual lease originations of $24 million. USXP recently entered into amanagement contract with Go Commercial Leasing Corp., which has awell-established customer base in the commercial transportation industry.
USXP Platinum(TM) Card is its answer to the millions of people who regularlysend money overseas to their families. The USXP prepaid, FDIC insured ATM cardprovides an instant, secure method of money transfer across internationalborders. USXP Platinum Card also targets the 30% of the U.S. population with nochecking accounts or credit and, with over 9,000 retail locationsadistribution plan that is creatively affordable.
WORLDPOST(TM) - THE PRIVATE POSTAL NETWORK
WorldPost, a private postal network, is an association formed to create a verymuch needed partnership between previously unconnected shipping and packagingstore owners. This concept has been accomplished many times before in Americanindustries, most notably by FTD's maturation of the independent florists acrossAmerica and Interflora's unification and development of florists in Europe.WorldPost provides independent store owners with a variety of cost effectiveservices and products to help increase their profitability, while they are stillable to maintain their local or franchised identities.
Individual Services and Products
o Flowers/Gift Baskets o Money Transfer Services o Corrugated & Packaging o Lamination and Photo ID's o Customized Rubber Stamps o Equipment Leasing o Moving Supplies o Car Rental o Customized Corrugated o Business and Office Supplies o Parcel Insurance o Credit Card Processing o Check Processing o Payroll and Tax Processingo Prepaid Debit Card Load Stations o Visa - MasterCard o Discounted Supplies o Joint Promotions o Mailing Lists o Shredder Cushioning Systems o Retail Productso Luggage Express o Employee Benefits o Bad Check Collection o Passport Expediting o Message on Hold o Video Tape to DVD Conversion o Fingerprinting o Income Tax Preparation o Recycling o Health Care Coverage o In Store Signmakingo Retail Products o Sign Making
WORLDPOST(TM) - INTERNATIONAL COURIER SERVICE
WorldPost, the International Courier Service, is an alliance of independentlyowned and operated express courier services operating in 268 cities in 120countries. WorldPost provides global delivery and services to internationalfirms. This network currently delivers over 650,000 packages per month and ispart of the world's largest independently owned courier network. It is the 5thlargest express courier network in the world behind the integrated United Statesexpress carriers such as FedEx, UPS and DHL.
Unlike the major integrators who operate their own aircraft and thus offer rigidpick up and delivery schedule, WorldPost members offer flexible, customizedInternational services to meet a client's specific distribution needs. Insteadof operating our own costly fleet, WorldPost offers express International aircourier service and expedited air cargo through regularly scheduled commercialairlines to transport time-sensitive documents, parcels, freight and mail.
According to industry estimates, private postal stores alone ship $600,000,000annually in International packages and without WorldPost are totally dependentupon their suppliers' shipping. The obvious synergy between WorldPost, theInternational Courier Service and WorldPost, the private postal network,enhances our unusual position in the shipping service industry.
Now WorldPost Network members can offer an in-house solution for internationaldeliveries at a higher profit margin for themselves and increase the value ofinternational delivery service to their customers rather than the more expensivetraditional carriers. The WorldPost Networks' use of the WorldPost envelope fortheir international shipping method instead of outsourced options strengthensthe local postal stores' position as an international delivery solution.
LUGGAGE EXPRESS(TM) AND VIRTUAL BELLHOP
Luggage Express and its premier service, the Virtual Bellhop, facilitate andmanage the movement of baggage door to door for leisure and business travelers.
With many years of logistical corporate and entrepreneurial experience inrelevant core businesses, Universal Express has created a powerful logisticalbusiness model driven by multi-channel distribution and multi-market demand. Wehave established relationships with travel service providers and distributionpartners.
There are significant market opportunities not limited to the abundance ofchecked bags presently being moved each year. Making travel easier and moreenjoyable through luggage free travel is the goal of our two companies.
Whether it be through partners like hotels, airlines, cruise lines, credit cardcompanies, airline or travel agencies, or simply our neighborhood postal store,we continue to introduce Americans to luggage-free travel.
With over 1.5 billion suitcases presently being checked by domestic passengers,our companies offer significant benefits to the airlines. Customer satisfaction,easier check-in, a secure alternative to curb-side check-in, less congestion inthe departure hall and minimizing departure delays, defines our service. The FAAexpects the number of airline passengers to double by 2005, making domesticluggage to exceed 3 billion suitcases. Luggage Express and Virtual Bellhop areindeed poised for luggage free travel.
UNIVERSAL EXPRESS CAPITAL CORP.
The Universal Express family of companies has broadened the nature of its corebusiness by entering the financial services industry via the subsidiary ofUniversal Express Capital Corp. A full service, asset based transportation andequipment lessor, Universal Express Capital Corp. provides capital acquisitionfunding, in the form of lease financing, to the national business community aswell as within the framework of Universal Express' other affiliates andsubsidiaries.
UNIVERSAL CASH EXPRESS
Universal Cash Express further exhibits its product diversification by providingthe USXP Platinum(TM) stored value card to consumers nationwide. With a growingpercentage of the population needing a simple and inexpensive alternative totraditional bank accounts combined with the continuing technologicaladvancements of a "cash-less" society, Universal Cash Express now providesconsumers with the banking services they want without the banking hassles.Universal Cash Express has launched its newest product line, Branded Gift CardPrograms, such as the FTD Gift Card and the Luggage Express Rewards Program.
Distributing this product through the WorldPost(TM) Network exposes the USXPPlatinum stored value card to the wide range of consumers patronizing the 20,000postal stores nationwide while enhancing store owners revenue via sales, fundloading, payroll and recurring usage fee structures associated with the card. Amyriad of credit, finance, and marketing applications will be offered to USXPPlatinum cardholders.
On March 16, 2004, the Company announced a floral gift card distributionagreement with InComm, Inc.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004
NINE MONTHS ENDED -------------------------------- 2004 2003 ---------- ----------RevenuesLogistics & International shipping - $ 204,739 $ 99,256Transportation / Equipment -Leasing $2,321,665 $1,944,125Subcontracting Services - -- --
Cost Of Goods Sold $2,266,404 $1,992,931Selling, General and Administration $6,384,345 $4,958,248Depreciation & Amortization $ 188,980 $ 19,960
During the nine months ended March 31, 2004 operating revenues increased$2,526,404 from $2,043,381, an increase of approximately 23.6%. This increase isdue mainly to increased sales in our logistics and leasing departments.
Cost of revenues were $2,266,404 and $1,992,931 respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES - FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004
The net proceeds from investments in the Company was approximately $5,107,600.Approximately $3,880,371 was used in its operating activities.
Until the WorldPost Network, Universal Express Capital, WorldPost InternationalDelivery and the Company's other businesses, are fully operational andintegrated the Company will continue to rely on equity and debt raised to fundits operations. Management is continuing efforts to raise cash by arranginglines of credit, and obtaining additional equity capital. The Company's futurebusiness operations will require additional capital.
Management is presently exploring methods to increase available credit lines aswell as methods to increase working capital through both traditional andnon-traditional debt services.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Richard Altomare, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief FinancialOfficer, performed an evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls andprocedures within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report. Based on hisevaluation, he concluded that the controls and procedures in place aresufficient to assure that material information concerning the Company whichcould affect the disclosures in the Company's quarterly and annual reports ismade known to him by the other officers and employees of the Company, and thatthe communications occur with promptness sufficient to assure the inclusion ofthe information in the then-current report.
There have been no significant changes in the Company's internalcontrols or in other factors that could significantly affect those controlssubsequent to the date on which Mr. Altomare performed his evaluation.
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