As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2005


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC  20549


FORM 20-F



 

o    REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

x    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended:  December 31, 2004

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o    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 1-15102


EMBRAER-EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

EMBRAER – Brazilian Aviation Company Inc.

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

Federative Republic of Brazil

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170
12227-901 São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:

 

Name of each exchange on which registered:


 


Preferred shares, without par value

 

New York Stock Exchange*

American Depositary Shares (as evidenced by American Depositary Receipts), each representing four preferred shares

 

New York Stock Exchange



*

Not for trading purposes, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None.


Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None.


          Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

242,544,448 common shares, without par value
475,797,420 preferred shares, without par value

          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   x

No   o

          Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17   o   Item 18   x



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 


PART I

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

1

ITEM 2.

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

1

ITEM 3.

KEY INFORMATION

1

ITEM 4.

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

16

ITEM 5.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

36

ITEM 6.

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

56

ITEM 7.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

63

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

68

ITEM 9.

THE OFFER AND LISTING

73

ITEM 10.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

76

ITEM 11.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

91

ITEM 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

94

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

ITEM 13.

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

94

ITEM 14.

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

94

ITEM 15.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

94

ITEM 16A.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

95

ITEM 16B.

CODE OF ETHICS

95

ITEM 16C.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

95

ITEM 16D.

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

96

ITEM 16E.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

96

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

ITEM 17.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

97

ITEM 18.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

97

ITEM 19.

EXHIBITS

97

(i)



INTRODUCTION

          In this annual report, “Embraer,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries (unless the context otherwise requires).  All references herein to the “real,” “reais” or “R$” are to the Brazilian real, the official currency of Brazil.  All references to “US$,” “dollars” or “U.S. dollars” are to United States dollars.

Presentation of Financial and Other Data

Financial Data

          Our audited financial statements at December 31, 2003 and 2004 and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are included in this annual report and have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

          Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP.  Because we export more than 90% of our production and operate in an industry that uses the U.S. dollar as its currency of reference, our management believes that the U.S. dollar is our functional currency and the most appropriate currency in which to present our financial statements.  Accordingly, we decided to present our primary U.S. GAAP financial statements in U.S. dollars.  As a result, amounts for all periods presented have been remeasured into U.S. dollars in accordance with the methodology set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, or SFAS 52.

          Prior to 2001, we presented our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Brazil, or Brazilian GAAP, stated in Brazilian reais and adjusted for the effects of inflation.  Previously, amounts of net income and shareholders’ equity under Brazilian GAAP were reconciled to those that would have been reported under U.S. GAAP.  Our financial statements and financial data presented herein and prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP do not reflect the effects of inflation.

          Pursuant to SFAS 52 as it applies to us, non-monetary assets and liabilities, including inventories, property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation and shareholders’ equity, are remeasured at historical rates of exchange, while monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are remeasured at period-end rates.  Export sales invoiced in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are remeasured at the respective exchange rate on the date of sale.  Cost of sales and services, depreciation and other expenses relating to assets remeasured at historical exchange rates are calculated based on the U.S. dollar values of such assets, and other non-U.S. dollar statement of income accounts are remeasured at the rate prevailing on the date of the charge or credit to income.

          In our 2002, 2003 and 2004 financial statements, gains or losses resulting from the remeasurement of the financial statements and from foreign currency transactions have been reported in the consolidated statement of income as single line items.            

          For certain purposes, such as providing reports to our Brazilian shareholders, filing financial statements with the Comissão de Valores Mobiliários, or CVM, the Brazilian securities commission, and determining dividend payments and other distributions and tax liabilities in Brazil, we have prepared and will continue to be required to prepare financial statements in accordance with Law No. 6,404 of December 15, 1976, as amended, or the Brazilian Corporate Law.  Our financial statements prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law are not adjusted to account for the effects of inflation.

          As a result of the remeasurement of amounts to the functional currency and other adjustments related to the differences in accounting principles between U.S. GAAP and Brazilian GAAP, the amounts of net income and shareholders’ equity as reported in our consolidated financial statements presented herein differ from those included in our statutory accounting records.

(ii)



Other Data

          Some of the financial data contained in this annual report reflects the effect of rounding.  Aircraft ranges are indicated in nautical miles.  One nautical mile is equal to approximately 1.15 ordinary or “statute” miles, or approximately 1.85 kilometers.  Aircraft speeds are indicated in nautical miles per hour, or knots, or in Mach, which is a measure of the speed of sound.  The term “regional jets” refers to narrow body jet aircraft with 30-60 passenger seats.  The term “mid-capacity jets” refers to jet aircraft with 70-120 passenger seats.  All of our regional and mid-capacity jet aircraft are sold in the commercial airline segment.  As used in this annual report, the term “commercial aircraft,” as it applies to Embraer, refers to our regional jets and mid-capacity jets.  The terms “very light jet” and “light jet” refer to business jets that carry from 6 to 8 passengers and up to 9 passengers, respectively, that are designed for short take-off distances.

          We calculate the value of our backlog by considering all firm orders that have not yet been delivered.  A firm order is a firm commitment from a customer, represented by a signed contract, customarily accompanied by a down payment, where we have reserved a place on one of our production lines.  Every time we refer to our backlog in this annual report, we only make reference to firm orders and not to options.  When we refer in this annual report to the number or value of regional aircraft, we exclude one EMB 145 and two EMB 135s delivered to the Belgian government in 2001, one EMB 145 delivered to the Belgian government in 2002, one EMB 135 aircraft delivered to the Greek government in 2000, and two EMB 145s delivered to Satena Airline, a state-owned Colombian airline, in 2003 and 2004.  These aircraft have been included in our defense data.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

          This annual report includes forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, principally in Items 3 through 5 and Item 11 of this annual report.  We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things:

 

general economic, political and business conditions, both in Brazil and in our markets;

 

 

 

 

changes in competitive conditions and in the general level of demand for our products;

 

 

 

 

management’s expectations and estimates concerning our future financial performance, financing plans and programs, and the effects of competition;

 

 

 

 

continued successful development and marketing of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, our line of business jets, including the new business jets for the light and very light categories, and our defense aircraft;

 

 

 

 

our level of debt;

 

 

 

 

anticipated trends in our industry and our short- and long-term outlook for the 30-120 seat commercial aircraft market;

 

 

 

 

our expenditure plans;

 

 

 

 

inflation and fluctuations in exchange rates;

 

 

 

 

our ability to develop and deliver our products on a timely basis;

 

 

 

 

availability of sales financing for our existing and potential customers;

 

 

 

 

existing and future governmental regulation; and

(iii)



 

other risk factors as set forth under “Item 3D. Risk Factors.”

          The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or other factors.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this annual report might not occur.  Our actual results and performance could differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements.

(iv)



PART I

ITEM 1.     IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

                         Not applicable.

ITEM 2.     OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

                         Not applicable.

ITEM 3.     KEY INFORMATION

3A.     Selected Financial Data

          The following table presents our selected financial and other data at and for each of the periods indicated.  The selected financial data at December 31, 2003 and 2004 and for the three years ended December 31, 2004 are derived from our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, an independent registered public accounting firm, included elsewhere in this annual report.  The selected financial data presented for all other periods have been derived from our U.S. GAAP financial statements audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

1



 

 

At and for the year ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share/ADS data)

 

Income Statement Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

US$

2,762,162

 

US$

2,926,995

 

US$

2,525,800

 

US$

2,143,460

 

US$

3,440,533

 

Cost of sales and services

 

 

(1,879,318

)

 

(1,769,234

)

 

(1,531,720

)

 

(1,335,032

)

 

(2,267,330

)

Gross profit

 

 

882,844

 

 

1,157,761

 

 

994,080

 

 

808,428

 

 

1,173,203

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling expenses

 

US$

(193,420

)

US$

 (212,057

)

US$

 (211,015

)

US$

 (206,246

)

US$

 (342,883

)

Research and development

 

 

(69,593

)

 

(99,566

)

 

(158,499

)

 

(173,216

)

 

(44,506

)

General and administrative expenses

 

 

(96,645

)

 

(120,787

)

 

(109,673

)

 

(114,743

)

 

(139,357

)

Employee profit sharing

 

 

(41,770

)

 

(43,746

)

 

(25,222

)

 

(20,399

)

 

(61,199

)

Other operating expense, net

 

 

(19,275

)

 

(30,227

)

 

(20,109

)

 

(29,009

)

 

(41,272

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total operating expenses

 

US$

(420,703

)

US$

(506,383

)

US$

(524,518

)

US$

(543,613

)

US$

 (629,217

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Income from operations

 

US$

462,141

 

US$

651,378

 

US$

469,562

 

US$

264,815

 

US$

543,986

 

Non-operating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expenses), net

 

US$

 (6,874

)

US$

47,502

 

US$

80,456

 

US$

 (140,755

)

US$

 (38,000

)

Exchange loss, net

 

 

(24,637

)

 

(148,637

)

 

(135,647

)

 

(16,500

)

 

(12,218

)

Other non-operating income (expenses), net

 

 

5,955

 

 

(8,426

)

 

(1,394

)

 

711

 

 

(117

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total non-operating income (expense)

 

US$

 (25,556

)

US$

 (109,561

)

US$

 (56,585

)

US$

 (156,544

)

US$

 (50,335

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Income before income taxes

 

US$

436,585

 

US$

541,817

 

US$

412,977

 

US$

108,271

 

US$

493,651

 

Income tax benefit (expenses)

 

US$

 (117,379

)

US$

 (218,394

)

US$

 (188,502

)

US$

27,990

 

US$

 (112,139

)

Income before minority interest

 

US$

319,206

 

US$

323,423

 

US$

224,475

 

US$

136,261

 

US$

381,512

 

Minority interest

 

 

1,522

 

 

(423

)

 

(1,883

)

 

(217

)

 

(1,306

)

Income before cumulative effect of  accounting change

 

US$

320,728

 

US$

323,000

 

US$

222,592

 

US$

136,044

 

US$

380,206

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

5,440

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

US$

320,728

 

US$

328,440

 

US$

222,592

 

US$

136,044

 

US$

380,206

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common share – basic (1) (3) (6)

 

US$

0.55

 

US$

0.48

 

US$

0.30

 

US$

0.18

 

US$

0.50

 

Preferred share – basic (1) (3) (6)

 

 

0.61

 

 

0.53

 

 

0.33

 

 

0.20

 

 

0.55

 

ADS – basic (1) (3) (6)

 

 

2.43

 

 

2.11

 

 

1.32

 

 

0.79

 

 

2.18

 

Common share – diluted (2) (3) (6)

 

 

0.48

 

 

0.46

 

 

0.30

 

 

0.18

 

 

0.49

 

Preferred share – diluted (2) (3) (6)

 

 

0.53

 

 

0.50

 

 

0.33

 

 

0.20

 

 

0.54

 

ADS – diluted (2) (3) (6)

 

 

2.10

 

 

2.01

 

 

1.31

 

 

0.78

 

 

2.17

 

Dividends per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common share (3) (4) (5)

 

US$

0.220623

 

US$

0.235248

 

US$

0.173256

 

US$

0.088174

 

US$

0.166520

 

Preferred share (3) (4) (5)

 

 

0.242686

 

 

0.258763

 

 

0.190578

 

 

0.096991

 

 

0.183169

 

ADS (3) (4) (5)

 

 

0.970744

 

 

1.035052

 

 

0.762312

 

 

0.387964

 

 

0.732676

 

Weighted averaged number of shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common share – basic (3)

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

Preferred share – basic (3)

 

 

308,401

 

 

402,035

 

 

454,414

 

 

471,228

 

 

474,994

 

Common share – diluted (3)

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

Preferred share – diluted (3)

 

 

392,954

 

 

433,386

 

 

459,415

 

 

474,840

 

 

479,217

 

Balance Sheet Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

US$

1,189,231

 

US$

749,302

 

US$

656,822

 

US$

1,265,820

 

US$

1,207,288

 

Temporary cash investments

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,320

 

 

153,488

 

Other current assets

 

 

920,278

 

 

1,816,046

 

 

1,856,301

 

 

2,076,726

 

 

2,514,733

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

254,965

 

 

366,481

 

 

436,715

 

 

402,663

 

 

381,265

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

528,942

 

 

628,958

 

 

1,335,626

 

 

2,331,006

 

 

1,825,625

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total assets

 

US$

2,893,416

 

US$

3,560,787

 

US$

4,285,464

 

US$

6,080,535

 

US$

6,082,399

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Short-term loans and financing

 

 

365,043

 

 

526,550

 

 

244,526

 

 

517,014

 

 

513,281

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

967,283

 

 

1,161,313

 

 

1,397,407

 

 

1,929,181

 

 

1,802,820

 

Long-term loans and financing

 

 

90,969

 

 

245,186

 

 

308,110

 

 

526,728

 

 

825,448

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

677,013

 

 

599,212

 

 

1,237,015

 

 

1,925,776

 

 

1,565,539

 

Minority interest

 

 

7,748

 

 

8,170

 

 

8,226

 

 

12,611

 

 

21,443

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

785,360

 

 

1,020,356

 

 

1,090,180

 

 

1,169,225

 

 

1,353,868

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

US$

2,893,416

 

US$

3,560,787

 

US$

4,285,464

 

US$

6,080,535

 

US$

6,082,399

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

2



 

 

At and for the year ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share /ADS data)

 

Other Financial Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

US$

1,103,674

 

US$

(207,388

)

US$

575,653

 

US$

239,634

 

US$

3,301

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(90,996

)

 

(162,760

)

 

(104,216

)

 

(72,667

)

 

(217,781

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(85,250

)

 

134,379

 

 

(352,435

)

 

403,791

 

 

105,220

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

30,596

 

 

46,417

 

 

55,602

 

 

58,877

 

 

59,685

 


 


 

(1)

Based on weighted average number of shares outstanding.  See Note 25 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

(2)

Based on weighted average number of shares outstanding and the effects of potentially dilutive securities.  See Note 25 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

(3)

Restated to give effect to the issuance on March 1, 2002, in the form of a preferred share dividend, of 0.142106 new preferred share for each existing preferred or common share.

 

(4)

Includes interest on shareholders’ equity.

 

(5)

Translated from nominal reais into U.S. dollars at the commercial selling rates in effect on the dates that distributions were approved during the period.  The dividends to the ADSs were adjusted from the total amount paid to the preferred shares multiplied by four.

 

(6)

In 2001, we adopted SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended.  As a result, we recognized a gain of US$5.4 million, net of related taxes, as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting.  The following summarizes the earnings per share impact related to the adoption of SFAS No. 133.


 

 

 

2001

 

 

 



 

Effect of tax adjustments

 

 

—  

 

Effect of cumulative effect of change in accounting

 

 

5,440

 

 

 



 

Total

 

 

5,440

 

 

 



 

Basic earnings per common share

 

 

0.01

 

Basic earnings per preferred share

 

 

0.01

 

Basic earnings per ADS

 

 

0.04

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

 

0.01

 

Diluted earnings per preferred share

 

 

0.01

 

Diluted earnings per ADS

 

 

0.04

 

3



 

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft delivered during period (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the Commercial Airline Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMB 120 Brasília

 

 

—  

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

ERJ 145

 

 

112

 

 

104

 

 

82

 

 

57

 

 

87

(5)

ERJ 135

 

 

45

 

 

27

 

 

3

 

 

14

 

 

1

(1)

ERJ 140

 

 

—  

 

 

22

 

 

36

 

 

16

 

 

—  

 

EMBRAER 170

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

46

 

To the Defense Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMB 120 Brasília

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Legacy

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

EMB 135

 

 

1

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

EMB 145

 

 

—  

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

EMB 145 AEW&C/RS/MP

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5

 

 

3

 

 

6

 

EMB 312 Tucano / AL-X

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

7

 

AM-X

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

To the Business Jet Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legacy

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

8

 

 

11 (2

)

 

13

 

EMB 135

 

 

2

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

To the General Aviation Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Light Propeller Aircraft

 

 

17

 

 

11

 

 

25

 

 

46

 

 

70

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total delivered

 

 

178

 

 

174

 

 

161

 

 

150

 

 

231

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Aircraft in backlog at the end of period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Commercial Airline Market (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMB 120 Brasília

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

ERJ 145

 

 

261

 

 

159

 

 

109

 

 

144

 

 

66

 

ERJ 135

 

 

85

 

 

53

 

 

31

 

 

17

 

 

17

 

ERJ 140

 

 

133

 

 

152

 

 

116

 

 

20

 

 

20

 

EMBRAER 170

 

 

90

 

 

82

 

 

88

 

 

120

 

 

112

 

EMBRAER 175

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

15

 

EMBRAER 190

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

110

 

 

155

 

EMBRAER 195

 

 

30

 

 

30

 

 

30

 

 

15

 

 

15

 

In the Defense Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMB 145 AEW&C/RS/MP

 

 

12

 

 

15

 

 

10

 

 

7

 

 

1

 

EMB 312 Tucano/EMB 314

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super Tucano

 

 

 

 

86

 

 

86

 

 

76

 

 

69

 

EMB 145

 

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

EMB 135

 

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Legacy

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5

 

 

5

 

In the Business Jet Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legacy/EMB 135

 

 

29

 

 

66

 

 

58

 

 

27

 

 

4

 

In the General Aviation Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Light Propeller Aircraft

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

11

 

 

25

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total backlog (in aircraft)

 

 

646

 

 

645

 

 

528

 

 

553

 

 

504

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total backlog (in millions)

 

US$

11,421

 

US$

10,693

 

US$

9,034

 

US$

10,591

 

US$

10,097

 



(1)

Deliveries identified by parentheses were aircraft delivered under operating leases.

(2)

Since December 31, 2004, we have received 5 additional firm orders for our ERJ 145 regional jet family and 72 additional firm orders for our EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.

4



Exchange Rates

          Prior to March 4, 2005, there were two principal legal foreign exchange markets in Brazil:

 

the commercial rate exchange market, and

 

 

 

 

the floating rate exchange market.

          Most trade and financial foreign exchange transactions were carried out on the commercial rate exchange market.  These included the  purchase or sale of shares or payment of dividends or interest with respect to shares.  Foreign currencies could only be purchased in the commercial exchange market through a Brazilian bank authorized to buy and sell currency in these markets.  In both markets, rates were freely negotiated.

          Resolution No. 3,265 by the National Monetary Council, dated March 4, 2005, consolidated the foreign exchange markets into one single foreign exchange market, effective as of March 14, 2005.  All foreign exchange transactions are now carried out through institutions authorized to operate in the consolidated market and are subject to registration with the Central Bank’s electronic registration system.  Foreign exchange rates continue to be freely negotiated, but may be influenced by Central Bank intervention.

          Since 1999, the Central Bank has allowed the real/U.S. dollar exchange rate to float freely, and during that period, the real/U.S. dollar exchange rate has fluctuated considerably.  In the past, the Central Bank has intervened occasionally to control unstable movements in foreign exchange rates.  We cannot predict whether the Central Bank or the Brazilian government will continue to let the real float freely or will intervene in the exchange rate market through a currency band system or otherwise.  The real may depreciate or appreciate against the U.S. dollar substantially in the future.  For more information on these risks, see “Item 3D. Risk Factors —Risks Relating to Brazil.”

          The following table sets forth the commercial selling rate, expressed in reais per U.S. dollar, for the periods indicated.

 

 

Exchange Rate of Reais to US$1.00

 

 

 


 

 

 

Low

 

High

 

Average (1)

 

Period-end

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000

 

 

1.7234

 

 

1.9847

 

 

1.8295

 

 

1.9554

 

2001

 

 

1.9357

 

 

2.8500

 

 

2.3532

 

 

2.3204

 

2002

 

 

2.2709

 

 

3.9552

 

 

2.9309

 

 

3.5333

 

2003

 

 

2.8219

 

 

3.6623

 

 

3.0715

 

 

2.8892

 

2004

 

 

2.6544

 

 

3.2051

 

 

2.9265

 

 

2.6544

 


 

 

Exchange Rate of Reais to US$1.00

 

 

 


 

 

 

Low

 

High

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Month ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

2.6544

 

 

2.7867

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 31, 2005

 

 

2.6248

 

 

2.7222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 28, 2005

 

 

2.5621

 

 

2.6320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2005

 

 

2.6011

 

 

2.7621

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2005

 

 

2.5195

 

 

2.6598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 31, 2005

 

 

2.3784

 

 

2.5146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2005 (through June 27)

 

 

2.3703

 

 

2.4891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

Source:  Central Bank.

 

(1)  Represents the daily average exchange rate during each of the relevant periods.

5



          We will pay any cash dividends and make any other cash distributions with respect to the preferred shares in Brazilian currency.  Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations may affect the U.S. dollar amounts received by the holders of ADSs on conversion by the depositary of such distributions into U.S. dollars for payment to holders of ADSs.  Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the real and the U.S. dollar may also affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the real price of the preferred shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.

3B.     Capitalization and Indebtedness

           Not applicable.

3C.     Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

           Not applicable.

3D.     Risk Factors

Risks Relating to Embraer

          A downturn in the commercial airline market may reduce our sales and revenue, and consequently our profitability, in any given year.

          We expect that a substantial portion of our sales in the near future will be derived from sales of commercial aircraft, particularly the ERJ 145 regional jet family and the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.  Historically, the market for commercial aircraft has been cyclical due to a variety of factors that are both external and internal to the air travel industry, including general economic conditions. 

          The commercial aviation industry has been negatively impacted by a number of factors since 2001.  First, the U.S. and world economies experienced an economic downturn that began in 2001 and was characterized by rapid declines in securities markets, a decline in productivity and an increase in unemployment.  Second, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 caused an immediate decline in airline travel and a high level of financial uncertainty among the worldwide airline industry.  In addition, airline travel decreased significantly in 2003 as a result of both the commencement of military action by the United States and other countries in Iraq and the concerns over outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Asia and Canada.  In response to these events, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2001, many airlines, including our largest customers, reduced their flight schedules for the long-term and announced significant lay-offs, and a number of airlines filed for bankruptcy protection.  As a result, over the past three years, we have agreed to modify certain delivery schedules to adjust to the changes in our customers’ businesses and reduced scheduled commercial airline, business jet and government transportation aircraft deliveries.  Most recently, in 2004, we reduced scheduled deliveries from 160 to 145 aircraft following the US Airways Chapter 11 filing in September 2004.  We have also re-evaluated our risk exposure related to aircraft valuations and customer credit risk, which resulted in charges to income.  Although the U.S. and world economies have shown some signs of recovery starting in 2004, many airlines continue to face increased competition, escalating insurance costs, increased security costs, credit downgrades, liquidity concerns and bankruptcy, and sharply higher fuel costs.  A further downturn in general economic conditions could result in further reduction in the passenger aircraft market and decreased orders for our commercial aircraft. 

          We cannot, at this time, predict the magnitude or duration of the impact that the above events will have on the airline industry as a whole and on our business in particular.  If one of our customers experiences a business downturn, cannot obtain financing or otherwise seeks to limit its capital expenditures, that customer could defer or cancel its purchase of our commercial aircraft or change its operating requirements.  Because our commercial aircraft represent the majority of our net sales, sales of our other products would not be able to offset a reduction in sales of our commercial aircraft.  Future delays or decreases in the number of commercial aircraft delivered in any year would likely reduce our sales and revenue, and consequently our profitability, for that year.

6



          We depend on a small number of key customers and key suppliers, the loss of any of which could harm our business.

          Civil aircraft.  As of March 31, 2005, 30% of our firm orders in backlog for the ERJ 145 regional jet family were attributable to ExpressJet.  In addition, at the same date, 73% of our firm orders in backlog for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family were attributable to JetBlue Airways, Air Canada, and US Airways, which filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2004.  In May 2005, US Airways announced a proposed merger with America West Airlines.  We do not yet know the impact that such merger, if consummated, would have on our current backlog or future sales. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2004, 63% of our firm orders in backlog for the Legacy were from Swift Aviation Services.  We cancelled these orders in the fourth quarter of 2004 pursuant to the terms of such contract.  We believe that we will continue to depend on a limited number of large customers, the loss of any one of which could reduce our sales and reduce our market share.  Fewer sales could reduce our profitability.

          Increasingly, the commercial airline industry is experiencing consolidation and alliances through mergers and acquisitions and code-sharing arrangements.  Although it is expected that such consolidations and alliances may result in the creation of more stable and competitive airlines, they may also have the effect of reducing the number of our customers and, possibly, the number of purchases of our aircraft through cost reduction programs or otherwise. 

          Defense aircraft.  The Brazilian Air Force is our largest customer of defense aircraft products.  Sales to the Brazilian government accounted for 67.3% of our defense sales for the year ended December 31, 2004.  A decrease in defense spending by the Brazilian government due to defense spending cuts, general budgetary constraints or other factors that are out of our control could decrease our defense sales and defense research and development funding.  We cannot assure you that the Brazilian government will continue to purchase aircraft or services from us in the future at the same rate or at all.

          Key suppliers.  Our risk-sharing partners develop and manufacture significant portions of our aircraft, including the engines, hydraulic components, avionics, wings, interior and parts of the fuselage and tail.  Once risk-sharing partners have been selected and program development and aircraft production have begun, it is difficult to substitute these partners.  In some cases, the aircraft are designed specifically to accommodate a particular component, such as the engines, which cannot be substituted by another manufacturer without significant delays and expense.  This dependence makes us susceptible to the risks of performance, product quality and financial condition of these risk-sharing partners.

          We cannot assure you that we will not experience significant delays in obtaining key equipment in our manufacturing process in the future.  Although we work closely with and monitor the production process of our risk-sharing partners and suppliers, the failure of our risk-sharing partners and other major suppliers to meet our performance specifications, quality standards or delivery schedules could affect our ability to deliver new aircraft to customers in a timely manner.

          Our aircraft sales are subject to cancellation provisions and trade-in options and financial and residual value guarantees that may reduce our cash flow or require us to make significant cash disbursements in the future.

          A portion of our aircraft firm orders is subject to significant contingencies, both before and after delivery.  Prior to delivery, some of our purchase contracts may be terminated, or all or a portion of a particular firm order may be canceled, for different reasons, including:

 

extended delays in delivering aircraft or failure to obtain certification of the aircraft or otherwise meet performance milestones and other requirements;

 

 

 

 

failure of a customer to receive financing, when required, with respect to any aircraft at the scheduled delivery date, in which case the customer can cancel the order for the particular aircraft to be delivered or terminate the contract with respect to all undelivered aircraft; or

 

 

 

 

production rate shortfalls.

7



          Our customers may also reschedule deliveries, particularly during an economic downturn.  A substantial number of cancellations or extensions of delivery schedules could reduce our sales and revenue for a given year, which in turn would reduce our cash flow.

          In connection with the signing of a purchase contract for new aircraft, we may provide trade-in options to our customers.  These options provide a customer with the right to trade in existing aircraft upon the purchase of a new aircraft.  At December 31, 2004, six commercial aircraft were subject to trade-in options, and additional aircraft may become subject to trade-in upon delivery.  The trade-in price is determined in the manner discussed above for commercial jets.  We may be required to accept trade-ins at prices that are above the then-market price of the aircraft, which would result in financial loss for us when we remarket the aircraft.  In 2004, we were not required to accept any aircraft for trade in.

          We have guaranteed the financial performance of a portion of the financing for, and the residual value of, some of our aircraft that have already been delivered.  Financial guarantees are provided to financing parties to support a portion of the payment obligations of purchasers of our aircraft under their financing arrangements to mitigate default-related losses.  These guarantees are collateralized by the financed aircraft.

          Our residual value guarantees typically ensure that, in the 15th year after delivery, the relevant aircraft will have a residual market value of 18% to 25% of the original sale price.  In the event of a decrease in the market value of the underlying aircraft and an exercise by the purchaser of the residual value guarantee, we will bear the difference between the guaranteed residual value and the market value of the aircraft at the time of exercise.

          Assuming all customers supported by off-balance sheet financial guarantees defaulted on their aircraft financing arrangements, and also assuming we were required to pay the full aggregate amount of outstanding residual value guarantees and we were not able to remarket any of the aircraft to offset our obligations, our maximum exposure under these guarantees (less provisions and liabilities) would have been US$2.0 billion as of December 31, 2004.  For further discussion of these off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 34 to our consolidated financial statements.  We have deposited US$231.1 million in escrow accounts to secure a portion of our financial guarantees.  Based on current estimates, we believe that the proceeds from the sale or lease of the covered aircraft (based on resale value as of December 31, 2004) and from other offsetting collections, such as cash deposits, would exceed our exposure by US$8.1 million.  Although we believe that the estimated value of the covered aircraft, on an aggregate basis, is currently sufficient to cover our exposure, we may be obligated to make substantial payments that are not recoverable through proceeds from aircraft sales or leases, particularly if the future value of the relevant aircraft is significantly lower than the guaranteed amount or financing defaults occur with respect to a significant portion of our aircraft.  The value of the underlying aircraft is more likely to decrease and third parties are more likely to default during economic downturns.

          We recorded a charge against income in an amount of US$16.0 million in 2004, based on our risk assessment, on an individual aircraft basis, for the issued guarantees.  We continually re-evaluate our risk for the financial guarantees and trade-in obligations based on a number of factors, including the estimated future market value of our aircraft based on third party appraisals, including information developed from similar aircraft remarketing in the secondary market, and the credit rating for the customers.  Any future decrease in the market value of the aircraft covered by trade-in rights or financial guarantees would decrease our ability to recoup the amounts payable to satisfy our obligations and cause us to incur additional charges to income.  If we are required to pay amounts related to such guarantees, we may not have sufficient cash or other financial resources available to do so and may need to seek financing to fund these payments.  We cannot assure you that then-prevailing market conditions would allow us to resell or lease the underlying aircraft at its anticipated fair value or in a timely manner.  Consequently, honoring our trade-in or financial guarantee obligations could require us to make significant cash disbursements in a given year, which, in turn, would reduce our cash flow in that year.

8



          Any decrease in Brazilian government-sponsored customer financing, or increase in government-sponsored financing that benefits our competitors, may decrease the cost-competitiveness of our aircraft.

          Historically, when purchasing our aircraft, our customers have benefited from export financing incentives provided by Brazilian government-sponsored export programs.  The most important of these government programs is a system of interest rate adjustments called the Programa de Financiamento às Exportações, or Export Financing Program, known as the ProEx program.

          In the past, the Canadian government has initiated proceedings at the World Trade Organization, or WTO, accusing the Brazilian government of granting prohibited export subsidies relating to sales of aircraft to foreign purchasers under the ProEx program.  The Brazilian government has countered, accusing the Canadian government of granting prohibited export subsidies to the Canadian aircraft industry. The Brazilian government ultimately amended the ProEx program so that any ProEx payments would not decrease the effective interest rate below the interest rate permitted by the WTO, but only after the WTO granted Canada the authority to impose up to US$1.4 billion in trade sanctions over five to six years against Brazil.  Canada has not yet imposed sanctions.  We cannot predict what form, if any, these sanctions will take and whether such sanctions will adversely affect our business.  In addition, as a result of a Brazilian government proceeding against Canada, the dispute settlement body of the WTO authorized Brazil to apply retaliatory measures against Canada in the amount of US$248.0 million. 

          Although the ProEx program is currently in compliance with WTO rules, other export financing programs available to our customers may be subject to challenge in the future.  If the ProEx program or another similar program is not available in the future, or if its terms are substantially reduced, our customers’ financing costs could be higher and our cost-competitiveness in the regional jet market could decrease.

          The Brazilian and Canadian governments have entered into negotiations regarding government support for aircraft exports.  We cannot assure you that any agreement will be reached.  Any future subsidies supporting Bombardier or any of our other major competitors may cause the cost-competitiveness of our aircraft to suffer and our sales to decline.

          Brazilian government budgetary constraints could reduce amounts available to our customers under government-sponsored financing programs.

          In addition to the ProEx program, we rely on the BNDES-exim program, also a government-sponsored financing program, to assist customers with financing.  This program provides our customers with direct financing for Brazilian exports of goods and services.  From 1996 through 2004, approximately 44% of the total value of our export sales was subject to financing by the BNDES-exim program.  As government-sponsored programs, the ProEx program and the BNDES-exim program rely on funds allocated from the Brazilian national budget.  Therefore, the funds available to our customers under these programs will be affected by currency fluctuations and other political and economic developments in Brazil and the international capital markets.  See “—Risks Relating to Brazil.”  For example, a recent decrease in the amounts available under the ProEx program caused us to make other financing arrangements for affected customers.  In addition, from time to time, government-sponsored financing programs such as BNDES-exim can be subject to challenge.  We cannot assure you that the Brazilian government will continue to sponsor and/or fund these programs or that funds under these or other similar programs will be available to our customers.  The loss or significant reduction of funds available under one or either of these programs, without an adequate substitute, could lead to fewer sales and has caused and may continue to cause us to compensate our customers for their additional financing costs, resulting in lower profitability for Embraer.

          We may face a number of challenges resulting from the development of new products and the possible pursuit of strategic growth opportunities.

          As we continue to develop new products, we may need to reallocate existing resources and coordinate with new suppliers and risk-sharing partners. From time to time, there is significant competition within the aviation industry for skilled personnel in general and engineers in particular.  To the extent such competition reoccurs, we may be unable to recruit the necessary number of highly skilled engineers and other personnel we require.  Failure to coordinate our resources in a timely manner or to attract and retain skilled personnel could impede our development efforts and cause delays in production and deliveries of our aircraft, which would delay recognition of revenue.

9



          We may pursue strategic growth opportunities, including joint ventures, acquisitions or other transactions, to expand our business or enhance our products and technology.  We may face a number of challenges, including difficulties in identifying appropriate candidates, assimilating their operations and personnel and maintaining internal standards and controls, as well as the diversion of our management’s focus from our ongoing business.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet these challenges or that our business will not face disruptions.

          We may have to refund cash contributions after the development of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family if certification for each of these aircraft is not obtained.

          Our risk-sharing partners have contributed in cash to us a total of US$245.1 million for the development of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family as of December 31, 2004.  Cash contributions become non-refundable upon the achievement of certain developmental milestones.  As of December 31, 2004, US$120.3 million of these cash contributions had become non-refundable. If we cancel the development and production of any of the remaining aircraft in the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family because we are unable to obtain certification or for other non-market related reasons, we may be obligated to refund US$124.8 million of the total cash contributions.  Upon the expected conclusion of the certification of the EMBRAER 190 in the third quarter of 2005, an additional US$37.5 million of these cash contributions will become became non-refundable.  If we require additional financing and we are unable to obtain it, we will not be able to continue to develop and market the remaining aircraft in our EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.

          We face significant international competition, which may adversely affect our market share.

          The worldwide commercial aircraft manufacturing industry is highly competitive.  We are one of the leading manufacturers of commercial aircraft in the world, along with The Boeing Company, Airbus Industrie and Bombardier Inc., all of which are large international companies.  Certain of these competitors have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do.  Although we have achieved a significant share of the market for our commercial aircraft products, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain this market share.  Our ability to maintain market share and remain competitive in the commercial aircraft market over the long term requires continued technological and performance enhancements to our products.  Our primary competitor in the regional and mid-capacity jet markets is Bombardier Inc., a Canadian company, which has significant technological capabilities, financial and marketing resources and benefits from government-sponsored export subsidies.  In addition, other international aircraft manufacturers, including The Boeing Company and Airbus Industrie, produce or are developing aircraft at the high end of the 70-120 seat segment, in which our EMBRAER 170/190 jet family will compete, thereby increasing the competitive pressures in that segment.  These companies also have significant technological capabilities and greater financial and marketing resources.

          Some of our competitors may also reach the market before we do, allowing them to establish a customer base and making our efforts to gain greater market share more difficult.  For example, in 2001, Bombardier commenced delivery of its 70-seat regional jet prior to the initial deliveries of the EMBRAER 170.  As a relatively new entrant to the business jet market, we also face significant competition from companies with longer operating histories and established reputations in this industry.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully in our markets in the future.

          We may have to make significant payments as a result of unfavorable outcomes of pending challenges to various taxes and payroll charges.

          We have challenged the constitutionality of the nature of and modifications in rates and the increase in the calculation base of certain Brazilian taxes and payroll charges.  Interest on the total amount of these unpaid taxes and payroll charges accrues monthly based on the Selic rate, the key lending rate of the Central Bank, and we make an accrual as part of the interest income (expenses), net item of our statements of income.  As of December 31, 2004, we had obtained preliminary injunctions for not paying or recovering past payments in the total amount, including interest, of US$432.5 million, which is included as a liability on our balance sheet.  We are awaiting a final decision in these proceedings.  We cannot assure you that we will prevail in these proceedings or that we will not have to pay significant amounts, including interest, to the Brazilian government in the future as payment for these liabilities.  For an additional discussion of these liabilities, see Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements.

10



Risks Relating to the Commercial Aircraft Industry

          Scope clause restrictions in airline pilot contracts may limit demand for regional and mid-capacity jets in the U.S. market.

          A key limiting factor in demand for regional and mid-capacity jets is the existence of scope clauses contained in airline pilot contracts.  These scope clauses are union-negotiated restrictions on the number and/or size of regional and mid-capacity jets that a particular carrier may operate.  Current scope clause restrictions, which are more prevalent in the United States, include restrictions on the number of seats, weight of aircraft and number of 50-70 seat commercial aircraft in an airline’s fleet.  As a result, our opportunities for near-term growth in the U.S. regional jet market in the 40-59 and 60-80 seat segments may be limited.  The continuation or further tightening of scope clauses could also lead some of our customers who have purchased options to acquire our regional and mid-capacity jets not to exercise those options.  We cannot assure you that current restrictions will be lessened, or will not be expanded, including by amending these scope clauses to cover larger-sized commercial aircraft.  Furthermore, although scope clauses are less prevalent outside the United States, we cannot assure you that scope clauses will not become more prevalent or restrictive, or that some other form of restriction will not take effect, in Europe or in other markets.

          We are subject to stringent certification requirements and regulation, which may prevent or delay our obtaining certification in a timely manner.

          Our products are subject to regulation in Brazil and in each jurisdiction where our customers are located.  The aviation authorities in Brazil and in other countries in which our customers are located, including the Brazilian aviation authority, the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority, or FAA, the Joint Aviation Authority of Europe, or JAA, and the European Aviation Safety Agency, or EASA, must certify our aircraft before we can deliver them.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain certification of our aircraft on a timely basis or at all.  If we fail to obtain a required certification from an aviation authority for any of our aircraft, that aviation authority would prohibit the use of that aircraft within its jurisdiction until certification has been obtained.  In addition, complying with the requirements of the certification authorities can be both expensive and time-consuming.

          Changes in government regulations and certification procedures could also delay our start of production as well as entry into the market.  We cannot predict how future laws or changes in the interpretation, administration or enforcement of laws will affect us.  We may be required to spend significantly more money to comply with these laws or to respond to these changes.

          Any catastrophic events involving our aircraft could adversely affect our reputation and future sales of our aircraft, as well as the market price of the preferred shares and the ADSs.

          We believe that our reputation and the safety record of our aircraft are important selling points for our aircraft.  We design our aircraft with backup systems for major functions and appropriate safety margins for structural components.  However, the safe operation of our aircraft depends to a significant degree on a number of factors largely outside our control, including our customers’ proper maintenance and repair of our aircraft and pilot skill.  Due to our relative position in the aircraft market and because we have focused on products in the regional and mid-capacity jet segments, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events involving one of our aircraft could adversely affect our entire commercial jet family as well as our reputation and future sales and also the market price of the preferred shares and the ADSs.

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Risks Relating to Brazil

          Brazilian political and economic conditions have a direct impact on our business and the trading price of our preferred shares and the ADSs.

          The Brazilian government frequently intervenes in the Brazilian economy and occasionally makes drastic  changes in policy and regulations.  The Brazilian government’s actions to control inflation and affect other policies and regulations have often involved, among other measures, increases in interest rates, changes in tax policies, price controls, currency devaluations, capital controls and limits on imports.  Our business, financial condition, results of operations and the trading price of the preferred shares and the ADSs may be adversely affected by changes in policy or regulations at the federal, state or municipal level involving or affecting factors such as:

 

interest rates;

 

 

 

 

exchange controls;

 

 

 

 

currency fluctuations;

 

 

 

 

inflation;

 

 

 

 

liquidity of domestic capital and lending markets;

 

 

 

 

tax policies; and

 

 

 

 

other political, diplomatic, social and economic developments in or affecting Brazil.

          Uncertainty over whether the Brazilian government will implement changes in policy or regulation affecting these or other factors in the future may contribute to economic uncertainty in Brazil and to heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities markets and securities issued abroad that are supported by Brazilian issuers.

          These and other future developments in the Brazilian economy and governmental policies may adversely affect us and our business and results of operations and may adversely affect the trading price of our preferred shares and ADSs.

          Inflation and government efforts to combat inflation may contribute significantly to economic uncertainty in Brazil and to heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities markets and, consequently, may adversely affect the market value of the preferred shares and the ADSs.

          Brazil has in the past experienced extremely high rates of inflation in the past.  More recently, Brazil’s annual rate of inflation was 10.4% in 2001, 25.3% in 2002, 8.7% in 2003 and 12.4% in 2004 (as measured by Índice Geral de Preços – Mercado or the IGP-M).  Inflation, and certain government actions taken to combat inflation, have in the past had significant negative effects on the Brazilian economy.  Actions taken to combat inflation, coupled with public speculation about possible future governmental actions, have contributed to economic uncertainty in Brazil and heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities markets.

          Future Brazilian government actions, including interest rate decreases, intervention in the foreign exchange market and actions to adjust or fix the value of the real may trigger increases in inflation.  If Brazil experiences high inflation again in the future, our operating expenses and borrowing costs may increase, our operating and net margins may decrease and, if investor confidence decreases, the price of the preferred shares and ADSs may fall.

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          Exchange rate instability may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and the market price of the preferred shares and the ADSs.

          Although most of our net sales and debt are U.S. dollar-denominated, the relationship of the real to the value of the U.S. dollar, and the rate of depreciation of the real relative to the prevailing rate of inflation, may adversely affect us.

          As a result of inflationary pressures, among other factors, the Brazilian currency has devalued periodically during the last four decades.  Throughout this period, the Brazilian government has implemented various economic plans and utilized a number of exchange rate policies, including sudden devaluations, periodic mini-devaluations during which the frequency of adjustments has ranged from daily to monthly, floating exchange rate systems, exchange controls and dual exchange rate markets.  Although over long periods depreciation of the Brazilian currency generally has correlated with the rate of inflation in Brazil, devaluation over shorter periods has resulted in significant fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Brazilian currency and the U.S. dollar and other currencies.

          The real depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 9.3% in 2000 and 18.7% in 2001.  In 2002, the real depreciated 52.3% against the U.S. dollar, due in part to political uncertainty surrounding the Brazilian political elections and the global economic slowdown.  Although the real appreciated 18.2%, 8.1% and 10.5% against the U.S. dollar in 2003, 2004 and the first five months of 2005, respectively, no assurance can be given that the real will not depreciate or be devalued against the U.S. dollar again.

          Historically, depreciations in the real relative to the U.S. dollar have also created additional inflationary pressures in Brazil by generally increasing the price of imported products and requiring recessionary government policies to curb aggregate demand.  On the other hand, appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar may lead to a deterioration of the current account and the balance of payments, as well as dampen export-driven growth.  Depreciations generally curtail access to foreign financial markets and may prompt government intervention, including recessionary governmental policies.  Depreciations of the real relative to the U.S. dollar would also reduce the U.S. dollar value of distributions and dividends on the ADSs and may also reduce the market value of the preferred shares and the ADSs.

          Developments and perceptions of risk in other countries, especially emerging market countries, may adversely affect the trading price of Brazilian securities, including the preferred shares and the ADSs.

          The market value of securities of Brazilian issuers is affected to varying degrees by economic and market conditions in other countries, including other Latin American and emerging market countries.  Although economic conditions in such countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Brazil, the reaction of investors to developments in these other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Brazilian issuers.  Crises in other emerging market countries may diminish investor interest in securities of Brazilian issuers, including ours.  This could adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs and our preferred shares, and could also make it more difficult for us to access the capital markets and finance our operations in the future on acceptable terms or at all. 

Risks Relating to the Preferred Shares and the ADSs

          Exchange controls and restrictions on remittances abroad may adversely affect the holders of our ADSs.

          The Brazilian government may impose temporary restrictions on the conversion of Brazilian currency into foreign currencies and on the remittance to foreign investors of proceeds from their investments in Brazil.  The Brazilian government imposed remittance restrictions for a number of months in 1989 and early 1990.  These restrictions would hinder or prevent the conversion of dividends, distributions or the proceeds from any sale of preferred shares, as the case may be, from reais into U.S. dollars and the remittance of the U.S. dollars abroad.  We cannot assure you that the Brazilian government will not take similar measures in the future.  Holders of our ADSs could be adversely affected by delays in, or refusals to grant, any required governmental approval for conversion of real payments and remittances abroad in respect of the preferred shares underlying the ADSs.  In such a case, the depositary for the ADSs will hold the reais it cannot convert for the account of the ADR holders who have not been paid.  The depositary will not invest the reais and will not be liable for interest on those amounts.

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          If holders of ADSs exchange the ADSs for preferred shares, they risk losing the ability to remit foreign currency abroad and Brazilian tax advantages.

          The Brazilian custodian for the preferred shares has obtained an electronic certificate of registration from the Central Bank permitting it to remit foreign currency abroad for payments of dividends and other distributions relating to the preferred shares or upon the disposition of the preferred shares.  If holders of ADSs decide to exchange their ADSs for the underlying preferred shares, they will be entitled to continue to rely on the custodian’s electronic certificate of registration for five business days from the date of exchange.  Thereafter, such holders of ADSs may not be able to obtain and remit foreign currency abroad upon the disposition of, or distributions relating to, the preferred shares unless they obtain their own electronic certificate of registration or register their investment in the preferred shares pursuant to Resolution No. 2,689, which entitles certain foreign investors to buy and sell securities on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.  Holders who do not qualify under Resolution No. 2,689 will generally be subject to less favorable tax treatment on gains with respect to the preferred shares.  If holders of ADSs attempt to obtain their own electronic certificate of registration, they may incur expenses or suffer delays in the application process, which could delay their ability to receive dividends or distributions relating to the preferred shares or the return of their capital in a timely manner.  In addition, we cannot assure you that the custodian’s electronic certificate of registration or any certificate of foreign capital registration obtained by a holder of ADSs will not be affected by future legislative or other regulatory changes, or that additional restrictions applicable to such holder, to the disposition of the underlying preferred shares or to the repatriation of the proceeds from such disposition will not be imposed in the future.

          The relative volatility and illiquidity of the Brazilian securities markets may substantially limit the ability of holders of our preferred shares or ADSs to sell the preferred shares underlying the ADSs at the price and time they desire.

          Investing in securities, such as the preferred shares or the ADSs, of issuers from emerging market countries, including Brazil, involves a higher degree of risk than investing in securities of issuers from more developed countries.

          The Brazilian securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid, more concentrated and more volatile than major securities markets in the United States and other jurisdictions, and are not as highly regulated or supervised as some of these other markets.  The relatively small market capitalization and illiquidity of the Brazilian equity markets may substantially limit the ability of holders of our preferred shares or ADSs to sell the preferred shares underlying the ADSs at the price and time desired. 

          There is also significantly greater concentration in the Brazilian securities markets than in major securities markets in the United States.  See “Item 9C. Markets—Trading on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.”

          Because we are subject to different corporate rules and regulations as a Brazilian company, holders of our ADSs have fewer and less well-defined shareholders’ rights.

          Our corporate affairs are governed by our bylaws and Brazilian Corporate Law, which differ from the legal principles that would apply if we were incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States, such as Delaware or New York, or in other jurisdictions outside Brazil.  As a result, the holders of the ADSs or the holders of our preferred shares may have fewer and less well-defined rights under Brazilian Corporate Law with which to protect their interests against actions by our Board of Directors and our principal shareholders than under the laws of those jurisdictions outside Brazil.

          Although Brazilian Corporate Law imposes restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, the Brazilian securities markets are not as highly regulated and supervised as the U.S. securities markets or markets in other jurisdictions.  In addition, rules and policies against self-dealing and regarding the preservation of minority shareholder interests may be less well-defined and enforced in Brazil than in the United States, putting holders of the preferred shares and ADSs at a potential disadvantage. Corporate disclosures may be less complete or informative than what may be expected of a U.S. public company.  Specifically, among other differences when compared to, for example, Delaware general corporation law, Brazilian Corporate Law and practice has less detailed and well-established rules and judicial precedents relating to the review of management decisions against duty of care and duty of loyalty standards in the context of corporate restructurings, transactions with related parties and sale-of-business transactions.  In addition, Brazilian Corporate Law provides that shareholders must hold 5% of the outstanding share capital of a corporation to have standing to bring shareholders’ derivative suits, and shareholders ordinarily do not have standing to bring a class action.

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          Also, in accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law, holders of our preferred shares, and therefore our ADSs, are not entitled to vote at meetings of our shareholders except in limited circumstances.  See “Item 10B. Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation—Description of Capital Stock—Voting Rights of the Preferred Shares.”

          The Brazilian government has veto power over, among other things, change of control, change of corporate purpose and creation and alteration of defense programs, and our controlling shareholders act in concert to control Embraer; their interests could conflict with the interests of the holders of ADSs.

          The Brazilian government holds one special class of our common stock, called a “golden share,” which carries veto power over, among other things, change of control, change of corporate purpose and creation and alteration of defense programs (whether or not the Brazilian government participates in such programs).  In addition, under the terms of a shareholders’ agreement, our controlling shareholders—Cia. Bozano, Caixa de Previdência dos Funcionários do Banco do Brasil—PREVI, also known as PREVI, and Fundação SISTEL de Seguridade Social, also known as SISTEL—act in concert to vote 60% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, allowing them to elect a majority of the members of our Board of Directors and to determine the outcome of any actions requiring shareholder approval, including corporate reorganizations and the timing and payment of future dividends.  The Brazilian government may have an interest in vetoing transactions that may be in the interests of the holders of the ADSs.  Our controlling shareholders may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, dispositions, financings or similar transactions that could conflict with the interests of the holders of the ADSs.

          The sale of a substantial number of preferred shares, or the belief that this may occur, could decrease the trading price of the preferred shares and the ADSs; holders of our preferred shares and/or ADSs may not be able to sell their securities at or above the price they paid for them.

          Sales of a substantial number of preferred shares, or the belief that this may occur, could decrease the trading price of our preferred shares and our ADSs.  As of December 31, 2004, we had 475,797,420 preferred shares outstanding.  Of this amount, holders of exchangeable notes that were issued in June 2001 by Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social—BNDES, the Brazilian National and Social Development Bank, also known as BNDES, have the right to acquire, at any time prior to the maturity of the notes, an aggregate of 2,756,270 ADSs, representing 11,025,080 preferred shares currently owned by BNDES Participações S.A.—BNDESPAR, also known as BNDESPAR, a wholly owned subsidiary of BNDES, subject to adjustment.  As a consequence of the issuance of preferred shares or sales by existing shareholders, the market price of the preferred shares and, by extension, the ADSs may decrease significantly.  As a result, the holders of our ADSs and/or preferred shares may not be able to sell their securities at or above the price they paid for them.

          Our share price may be affected by potential dilution of our preferred shares and the ADSs.

          The issuance of preferred shares pursuant to our stock option plan could substantially dilute the preferred shares.  Under the terms of our stock plan, we were authorized to grant options to purchase up to 25,000,000 preferred shares over the five-year period from the date of the first grant of options pursuant to the plan.  As of the end of this five-year period in May 2003, we had granted options for an aggregate of 20,237,894 preferred shares, including 662,894 options granted in connection with our preferred stock dividend in 2002.  No additional options may be granted pursuant to the plan.  The options granted to each employee generally vest as follows:  30% after three years from the date granted, an additional 30% after four years and the remaining 40% after five years.  Employees may exercise their options for up to seven years from the date they are granted.  As of December 31, 2004, options representing 12,548,826 preferred shares have been exercised and options representing 4,785,678 preferred shares are exercisable in 2005.

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          Holders of our ADSs might be unable to exercise preemptive rights with respect to the preferred shares.

          Holders of our ADSs may not be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the preferred shares underlying their ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.  We are not obligated to file a registration statement with respect to the shares or other securities relating to these preemptive rights and we cannot assure holders of our ADSs that we will file any such registration statement.  Unless we file a registration statement or an exemption from registration applies, holders of our ADSs may receive only the net proceeds from the sale of their preemptive rights by the depositary or, if the preemptive rights cannot be sold, the rights will be allowed to lapse.

ITEM 4.     INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

4A.     History and Development of the Company

General

          Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. is a joint stock company duly incorporated under the laws of Brazil with an indefinite term of duration.  Originally formed in 1969 by the Brazilian government, we were privatized in 1994.  In connection with our privatization, we were transformed into a publicly held corporation and we operate under the Brazilian Corporate Law.  Our principal executive offices are located at Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170, 12227-901 São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil.  Our telephone number is 55-12-3927-1216.  Our agent for service of process in the United States is our subsidiary, Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc., with offices at 276 S.W. 34th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33315.

          We have grown from a government-controlled company established to develop and produce aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force into a public company that produces aircraft for commercial, business jet and defense purposes.  Through our evolution, we have obtained, developed and enhanced our engineering and technological capabilities through our own development of products for the Brazilian Air Force and through joint product development with foreign companies on specific projects.  We have applied these capabilities that we gained from our defense business to develop our commercial aircraft business.

          Our first regional aircraft was the Bandeirante, a 19-passenger twin-engine non-pressurized turboprop aircraft initially designed to service the transport needs of the Brazilian Air Force.  This aircraft was certified in 1973.  The Bandeirante was followed by the development of the EMB 120 Brasília, which was certified in 1985 and is a high performance, pressurized turboprop commercial aircraft seating up to 30 passengers that was designed to serve the longer routes and higher passenger traffic of the growing regional aircraft market.  Drawing upon the design of the EMB 120 Brasília and the jet technology acquired in our development of the AM-X, a jet strike bomber for the Brazilian Air Force, we developed the ERJ 145 regional jet family, our first jet product for commercial use.  This family is comprised of three aircraft, which seat up to 37, 44 and 50 passengers.  The first member of the ERJ 145 family, the ERJ 145, was certified in 1996.  We have expanded our jet product line with the development of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, which has the capacity to seat between 70 and 118 passengers and was designed to serve the aircraft market’s trend towards larger, higher volume and longer range jets.  The first member of this family, the EMBRAER 170, was certified in February 2004 and its derivative, the EMBRAER 175, was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in December 2004 and by EASA in January 2005.  We are also marketing and selling the Legacy, a line of business jets in the super-midsize category based on our ERJ 135 platform, and recently launched new products in the very light and light jet categories.  For the defense market, we also offer a line of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft based on the ERJ 145 regional jet.

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Strategic Alliance and Growth Opportunities

Strategic Alliance with European Aerospace and Defense Group

          On November 5, 1999, a group consisting of Aerospatiale Matra, currently known as European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company N.V., or EADS, Dassault Aviation, Thomson-CSF, currently referred to by its trade name Thales, and Société Nationale d’Étude et de Construction de Moteurs d’Aviation, or SNECMA, which we refer to collectively as the European Aerospace and Defense Group, purchased as a group 20% of the outstanding common stock of Embraer from our existing common shareholders, a majority of which was from our controlling shareholders.  We believe that this alliance will continue to assist us in the development of defense business solutions.  For example, we have integrated Thales mission systems and electronic equipment in some of our EMB 145 AEW&C aircraft.  In addition, in March 2005, we and EADS formed a consortium to acquire a 65% interest in OGMA- Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal S.A., or OGMA.

Joint Ventures and Acquisitions

          In 2000, we entered into a joint venture with Liebherr International AG to develop and manufacture landing gear and high precision hydraulic equipment and provide related services for Embraer and other clients around the world.  In connection with this joint venture, we formed a new subsidiary, ELEB - Embraer Liebherr Equipamentos do Brasil S.A. 

          In March 2002, we acquired the operating assets of Celsius Aerotech Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee from Reliance Aerotech Inc. in order to provide full service maintenance and repair services for our commercial and business aircraft in the United States.

          In December 2002, we entered into a joint venture with Harbin Aircraft Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. and Hafai Aviation Industry Co., Ltd., subsidiaries of China Aviation Industry Corp. II, or AVIC II, to provide for the assembly, sale and after-sale support of the ERJ 145 regional jet family in China.  We own 51% of the equity of the joint venture company, Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Company Ltd.

          In December 2004, a consortium formed by Embraer and EADS was selected to acquire OGMA.  The consortium acquired 65% of OGMA’s shares in March 2005 through a newly created holding company, AIRHOLDING, SGPS, S.A., with Embraer holding 99% of the equity in the holding company and EADS holding the remaining 1%.  In the future, EADS has the option to increase its interest in this company up to 30%.  OGMA is a major representative of the aviation industry in Europe, offering services that cover the maintenance and repair of civil and military aircraft, engines and parts, assembly of structural components and engineering support.

Research and Development Costs and Capital Expenditures

          Research and development costs, including the development of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, were US$158.5 million in 2002, US$173.2 million in 2003 and US$44.5 million in 2004, net of cash contributions provided by risk-sharing partners.  Research and development costs as a percentage of net sales were 6.3% in 2002, 8.1% in 2003 and 1.3% in 2004.  The increase in research and development costs as a percentage of our net sales in 2003 reflects principally the costs related to the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.  The decrease in the percentage in 2004 reflects principally the contributions from our risk-sharing partners in the amount of US$108.6 million.  In 2005, we expect our research and development costs to total approximately US$120.0 million, not including contributions from our risk-sharing partners.  We do not record an expense for research and development of defense programs as they are funded by the Brazilian government and other government customers.  Most of our research and development expenses are associated with a particular program, whether commercial or business jets.

          In May 2005, we announced our plans to expand our business jet product portfolio with jets for the very light and light categories.  Total research and development and capital expenditures relating to the new jets is expected to be approximately US$235.0 million.  We expect this program will be funded by risk-sharing partners, financial institutions and our own cash generation.  As the very light jet is expected to enter service in mid-2008 and the light jet is expected to enter service in mid-2009, we do not expect a significant portion of these funds to be expended in 2005.

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          Our investments in property, plant and equipment totaled US$111.0 million in 2002, US$64.7 million in 2003, and US$50.1 million in 2004.  These investments are related mainly to construction of facilities, improvements to our plant and production facilities and modifications for the production of new aircraft models.  In 2005 and 2006, we expect investments in property, plant and equipment to total approximately US$78.0 million and US$59.0 million, respectively, which will primarily be related to construction of facilities, improvements to our plant and production facilities for the production of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, as well as our defense aircraft and business jets.

4B.     Business Overview

          We are one of the leading manufacturers of commercial aircraft in the world, based on 2004 net sales of commercial aircraft, with a global customer base.  Our focus is achieving customer satisfaction with a range of products addressing the Airline, Defense and Business aircraft markets.  Our commercial airline business accounted for 75.0% of our net sales in 2004.  We are the leading supplier of defense aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force based on number of aircraft sold, and we have also sold aircraft to military forces in Europe and Latin America.  Our defense business accounted for 10.6% of our net sales in 2004.  We have developed a line of business jets based on one of our regional jet platforms and recently launched new business jets in the very light and light categories.  Our business jet business accounted for 7.1% of our net sales in 2004.  Providing high quality customer support is a key element of our customer focus and is critical to our ability to maintain long-term relationships with our customers.  Other related businesses, which includes customer services, accounted for 7.3% our net sales in 2004.  For the year ended December 31, 2004, we generated net sales of US$3,440.5 million, of which more than 90% was U.S. dollar-denominated.  On March 31, 2005, we had a total firm backlog in orders of US$9.9 billion, including 383 commercial jets.

Our Strengths

          We believe that our primary strengths are:

          Leading Commercial Aircraft Manufacturer with a Global Customer Base.  We are a leading manufacturer of 30-to 120-seat jets with a strong global customer base.  We have sold our regional and mid-capacity jets to 41 customers in 22 countries.  Our customers include some of the largest, major, regional and low-cost airlines in the world.

          Aircraft Design; Cost and Operating Efficiency.  We conceive, develop and manufacture aircraft to provide our customers with reduced operating, maintenance and training costs due to the similarity and efficiency in design and the commonality of parts among jets within a family.  These similarities enable us to significantly reduce our design, development and production costs and pass these savings along to our customers in our sales price.  These similarities also reduce the development time of our aircraft.

          Strategic Risk-Sharing Partners.  With respect to our commercial and business jet aircraft, we developed strategic relationships with key risk-sharing partners.  These risk-sharing partners develop and manufacture significant portions of the systems and components of our aircraft and contribute their own funds to research and develop these systems and components, thereby reducing our development costs.  These risk-sharing partners also fund a portion of our development costs through direct contributions of cash or materials.  We believe that these strategic relationships enable us to lower our development costs and risks, improve our operating efficiency, enhance the quality of our products and reduce the number of our suppliers.

          Benefits of Funded Development of Defense Products.  Research and development costs related to defense aircraft historically have been funded in large part by Brazilian government contracts and have had an important role in our engineering and industrial development.  For instance, the AM-X program developed for the Brazilian Air Force established the basic knowledge for the ERJ 145 jet family developed a decade later.  In addition, we sell proven defense products developed for the Brazilian Air Force to other military forces.

          Flexibility of Production to Meet Market Demands.  We believe the flexibility of our production processes and our operating structure, including our risk-sharing partnerships that are designed to minimize costs, allow us to increase or decrease our production in response to market demand without significantly impacting our margins.

          Experienced and Highly Skilled Workforce.  Our employees are experienced and highly skilled.  Approximately 25% of our workforce is comprised of engineers.  Due to the high level of knowledge and skill possessed by our employees, we are able to efficiently pursue new programs and provide our customers with differentiated technical expertise and guidance.

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Business Strategies

          Looking for business growth and to increase our profitability, our strategy is to continue to offer our customers cost-effective, high quality, reliable aircraft and services.  The key elements of our strategy are the following:

          Continuing to Market our Commercial Aircraft.  We are fully committed to continuing to market our ERJ 145 regional jet family and aggressively marketing our mid-capacity platform, the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.  The ERJ 145 regional jet family is the backbone of our operations, with almost 900 units in operation and a history of good service.  We believe that airlines can continue to benefit from this regional jet family, which we believe has assisted our customers over the last nine years in pursuing their goal of achieving profitable operations.  We believe a significant market opportunity exists for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family with regional airlines that are expanding their fleet, increasing their penetration into higher density markets and adding longer routes, and also with major and low-cost airlines that are right-sizing their fleet in order to adjust capacity to meet demand in less dense routes.  Additionally, we believe that our commercial aircraft will provide us with significant opportunities to increase our competitiveness by offering our customers a full range of jets in the 30- to 120-passenger seat category. 

          Strengthening our Position in the Business Jet Market.  We have developed the Legacy, a line of business jets based on the ERJ 135 regional jet.  Since the launch of the Legacy in 2000 and its entry into service in 2002, we have endeavored to understand and respond to market and customer needs, continually improving the product and customer support.  The knowledge accrued resulted in significant enhancements while creating the right conditions for us to identify new opportunities in the business aviation market.  In May 2005, we expanded our product portfolio to complement the Legacy offering with jets for the very light and light categories.  These business jets can provide companies, including fractional ownership companies, individuals and the emerging business of air taxi companies a cost-effective and personalized alternative to commercial airline travel.

          Increasing Penetration into the Defense Market.  We plan to develop and market additional defense products and thereby increase sales in this segment of our business.  We intend to increase our participation in the international defense market by actively marketing our existing products initially developed for the Brazilian Air Force, including our EMB 145 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft and the Super Tucano (ALX).

          Continuing Focus on Customer Satisfaction and Support.  We believe that our focus on customer satisfaction is fundamental to our entrepreneurial success and our business strategy.  Providing high quality customer support is a key element of our customer focus and is critical to our ability to maintain long-term relationships with our customers.  As the number of our aircraft in operation continues to grow, we have increased our commitment to providing our customers with an appropriate level of after-sale support, including technical assistance, pilot and maintenance training and spare parts, as demonstrated by the acquisition in 2002 of a Nashville, Tennessee maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, and the acquisition of OGMA, an MRO facility in Portugal, the contract for which was signed and announced in December 2004 and became effective in March 2005.  We intend to continue to focus on providing our customers with high quality customer support.

          Reviewing Strategic Growth Opportunities and Enhancing Existing Relationships.  We intend to review strategic growth opportunities, which may include joint ventures and acquisitions, and other strategic transactions and enhance our existing relationship and strategic alliance with the European Aerospace and Defense Group.  For example, we recently increased our customer service capabilities with the acquisition of OGMA through a consortium led by us with EADS’ participation.

Commercial Airline Business

          We design, develop and manufacture a variety of commercial aircraft.  Our commercial airline business is our primary business, accounting for 75.0% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004.

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Products

          We developed the ERJ 145, a 50-passenger twin turbofan-powered regional jet, introduced in 1996, to address the growing demand among regional airlines for medium-range jet-powered aircraft.  After less than two years of development, the ERJ 135, a 37-passenger regional jet based on the ERJ 145, was introduced in July 1999.  In addition, we developed the 44-seat ERJ 140 as part of the ERJ 145 regional jet family, which we began delivering in the second half of 2001.  We believe that the ERJ 145 regional jet family provides the comfort, range and speed of a jet at costs comparable to turboprop aircraft.  We are continuing to develop our 70-108 seat platform, the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, to serve the trend in the commercial airline market toward larger, faster and longer range jets and to further diversify our strength in the jet market.  We continue to analyze new aircraft demand in the jet market to determine potentially successful modifications to aircraft we already produce.

          ERJ 145 Regional Jet Family

          The ERJ 145 is a twin turbofan-powered regional jet accommodating up to 50 passengers.  This jet was developed in response to the increasing demand from the regional airline industry for an aircraft that offered more speed, comfort and capacity than a turboprop.  The ERJ 145 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in November 1996, the FAA in December 1996, the European aviation authority in May 1997, the Australian aviation authority in June 1998 and the Chinese aviation authority in December 2000.  We began delivering the ERJ 145 in December 1996.

          The development of the ERJ 145 aircraft was partially based on the EMB 120 Brasília and has approximately 30% commonality in terms of parts and components with that aircraft, including the nose section and cabin.  The ERJ 145 has a maximum cruising speed of Mach .78, or 450 knots, and a maximum fully loaded range of 1,060 nautical miles in its standard version.  The ERJ 145 is equipped with engines built by Rolls-Royce Allison.  These engines are designed to operate 10,000 flight hours between major overhauls and operate at a low fuel cost.  In addition, the ERJ 145 is equipped with sophisticated flight instruments, such as engine-indication instruments, crew-alert systems and digital flight control systems, produced by Honeywell.

          The ERJ 145 is also available in a long-range, or LR, version, and, in response to customer requests, we have developed an extra-long-range, or XR, version of the aircraft.  The ERJ 145 LR features a larger fuel tank, more powerful engines and greater range than the standard version.  The ERJ 145 LR, which was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority, the FAA and the European aviation authority in 1998, and by the Chinese aviation authority in November 2000, uses engines that deliver 15% more thrust, allowing the fully loaded aircraft to operate on routes of up to 1,550 nautical miles.  The ERJ 145 XR features a new and updated turbofan engine, increased capacity fuel tanks and winglets.  The ERJ 145 XR, which was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in August 2002 and by the FAA in October 2002, offers reduced fuel consumption, a maximum fully loaded range of 2,000 nautical miles and enhanced operational capabilities for hot weather and at high altitudes.  Deliveries of the ERJ 145 LR began in February 1998, and deliveries of the ERJ 145 XR began in October 2002.

          The ERJ 135 is a 37-seat regional jet based on the same design as the ERJ 145 and is manufactured on the same production line.  The ERJ 135 has approximately 96% commonality in terms of parts and components with the ERJ 145, resulting in reduced spare parts requirements and permitting the utilization of the same ground support equipment for customers that use both aircraft.  The ERJ 135 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in June 1999, by the FAA in July 1999 and by the European aviation authority in October 1999.  Deliveries of the ERJ 135 began in July 1999.

               The ERJ 135 has a maximum operating speed of Mach .78, or 450 knots, and a maximum fully loaded range of 1,330 nautical miles in its standard version.  The ERJ 135 uses the same engines, sophisticated flight instruments, digital flight control systems and body design as the ERJ 145.  The ERJ 135’s fuselage is 11.6 feet shorter than the ERJ 145’s.  The ERJ 135 is also available in a long-range, or LR, version, which features a larger fuel tank, more powerful engines and significantly greater maximum fully loaded range (l,700 nautical miles) than the standard version.  The LR version received certification simultaneously with the standard version and began deliveries in August 1999.

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          We developed the ERJ 140 in response to customer requests.  The ERJ 140 is a 44-seat regional jet based on the same design as the ERJ 135 and is manufactured on the same production line as the ERJ 145 and ERJ 135.  The ERJ 140 has approximately 96% commonality with the ERJ 145 and ERJ 135, providing our customers with significant maintenance and operational benefits.  The ERJ 140 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in June 2001 and by the FAA in July 2001.  The ERJ 140 has a maximum fully loaded range of 1,230 nautical miles in its standard version.  The ERJ 140 is available in a long-range, or LR, version, which features a larger fuel tank, more powerful engines and significantly greater maximum fully loaded range (1,630 nautical miles) than the standard version.  We began delivering the ERJ 140 in July 2001.

          The ERJ 145 regional jet family allows for standardized pilot certification and maintenance procedures.

          EMBRAER 170/190 Jet Family

          The EMBRAER 170/190 jet family provides our customers with a choice of four aircraft in the mid-capacity passenger range.  The EMBRAER 170 is a 70-78 seat jet and the EMBRAER 175 is a 78-86 seat jet, while the EMBRAER 190 series will include the 98-106 seat EMBRAER 190 and the 108-118 seat EMBRAER 195.

          The EMBRAER 170 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority, the FAA, the JAA, EASA and the authority of Poland in February 2004, and deliveries of the EMBRAER 170 began in March 2004.  The EMBRAER 175 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in December 2004 and by EASA in January 2005.  The EMBRAER 190 made its maiden flight in March 2004, and the EMBRAER 195 made its maiden flight in December 2004.  We are currently conducting the flight test campaigns for both aircraft.  We expect to receive certification for the EMBRAER 190 in the third quarter of 2005 and for the EMBRAER 195 by mid-2006.

          We designed the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family to maximize the benefits of commonality, with aircraft in the family sharing approximately 89% of the same components.  The high level of commonality in this new jet family lowered our development costs and shortened our development period.  We anticipate that this commonality will lead to significant savings to our customers in the form of easier training, less expensive parts and maintenance and lower operational costs.  Due to differences in size and weight, the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family will not share the same wing design.  This new mid-capacity jet family has engines fixed under its main wings—a design intended to enhance power, improve fuel economy and minimize turnaround times.  All of the aircraft models of this family are powered by engines manufactured by General Electric and contain state-of-the-art avionics manufactured by Honeywell.

          The EMBRAER 170/190 jet family’s principal features are:

 

Performance.  All four jets in the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family have a maximum cruising speed of Mach .82.  The EMBRAER 170 and the EMBRAER 175 have maximum fully loaded ranges of 1,700 and 1,600 nautical miles, respectively, and each is available in long-range, or LR, versions, with maximum fully loaded ranges of 2,000 and 1,800 nautical miles, respectively.  The EMBRAER 190 and EMBRAER 195 have maximum fully loaded ranges of 1,700 and 1,500 nautical miles, respectively, and will be available in LR versions with maximum fully loaded ranges of 2,300 and 2,100 nautical miles, respectively.

 

 

 

 

Ground servicing.  The under-wing engine design and the existence of four doors, two in the front and two in the back, provide for enhanced accessibility and efficiency of ground services.

 

 

 

 

Cabin and cargo space.  We have enhanced passenger safety and comfort in the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.  The aircraft’s “double-bubble” design enables a four-abreast cabin, a wide aisle, greater interior space and headroom and a larger baggage compartment than the existing mid-capacity jets of our competitors, including those mid-capacity jets that are in the development stage.

21



          EMB 120 Brasília

          The EMB 120 Brasília is a pressurized twin wing-mounted turboprop aircraft that accommodates up to 30 passengers.  The EMB 120 Brasília was developed in response to the regional aircraft industry’s demand for a high-speed and fuel-efficient 30-seat regional aircraft.  The EMB 120 Brasília was certified by the FAA in May 1985 and by the Brazilian aviation authority in July 1985.  Since its introduction in 1985 and through December 31, 2004, we have delivered 352 EMB 120 Brasílias for the regional market and five EMB 120 Brasílias for the defense market.  We currently manufacture the EMB 120 Brasília only upon customer request.

Customers

          While we have focused our efforts on the U.S. and European markets to date, we also have customers in the Middle East and Asia, including China.  We have achieved a diverse, global customer base for our aircraft, principally in the commercial airline market.  Our major customers of commercial aircraft include some of the largest regional and low-cost airlines in the world.  As of March 31, 2005, our largest customers are JetBlue Airways, US Airways, ExpressJet and Republic Airlines.  For a discussion of these significant customer relationships, see “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Embraer—We depend on a small number of key customers and key suppliers, the loss of any of which could harm our business.” 

          We generally sell our commercial aircraft pursuant to contracts with our customers on a fixed-price basis, adjusted by an escalation formula that reflects, in part, inflation in the United States.  These contracts generally include an option for our customers to purchase additional aircraft for a fixed option price, subject to adjustment based on the same escalation formula.  In addition, our contracts provide for after-sales spare parts and services, as well as warranties of our aircraft and spare parts.  Other provisions for specific aircraft performance and design requirements are negotiated with our customers.  Finally, some of our contracts contain cancellation provisions and trade-in options and financial and residual value guarantees.  See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Embraer—Our aircraft sales are subject to cancellation provisions and trade-in options and financial and residual value guarantees that may reduce our cash flow or require us to make significant cash disbursements in the future” for a more detailed discussion of these provisions.

Sales and Marketing

          Our current marketing strategy is based upon our assessment of the worldwide commercial airline market and our assessment of the current and future needs of our customers.  We actively market our aircraft to airlines and regional affiliates of major airlines through our regional offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.  Our success depends to a significant extent on our ability to discern our customers’ needs, including needs for customer service and product support, and to fill those needs in a timely and efficient manner while maintaining the high quality of our products.  Our market and airline analysts focus on the long-term trends of the market, competitive analysis, product enhancement planning and airline analysis.  In terms of direct marketing to our customers, we rely heavily on addressing the media, as well as participating in air shows and other cost-effective events that enhance customer awareness and brand recognition.  We have regional sales offices in Le Bourget, France, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Beijing, China and Singapore.  We sell our ERJ 145 regional jet family in the Chinese market exclusively through our joint venture in China, which has secured 11 orders from Chinese airlines since the beginning of 2004.

Production, New Orders and Options

          Prior to starting production or development of a new project, we secure letters of intent representing future orders for a significant number of aircraft.  We typically begin taking orders and building backlog two years before we begin producing a new aircraft model, aiming to receive a significant number of orders before we deliver the initial aircraft.  Once an order is taken, we reserve a place for that order on the production line, ensuring that we will maintain production sufficient to meet demand.  Once a place is reserved on the production line, we are able to give customers delivery dates for their orders.

          We include an order in backlog once we have received a firm commitment, represented by a signed contract.  Our backlog excludes options and letters of intent for which definitive contracts have not been executed.

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For the sales of our commercial aircraft, we customarily receive a deposit upon signing of the purchase agreement and progress payments in the amount of 5% of the sales price of the aircraft 18 months before scheduled delivery, another 5% twelve months before scheduled delivery and another 5% six months before scheduled delivery.  For the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, we receive an additional 5% progress payment 24 months before scheduled delivery.  We typically receive the remaining amount of the sales price upon delivery of the aircraft.  The deposits and the progress payments are generally non-refundable if orders are cancelled.

          Our options generally provide our customers the right to purchase an aircraft in the future at a fixed price and on a specified delivery date, subject to escalation provisions, under a purchase contract.  Once a customer decides to exercise an option, we account for it as a firm order.  On occasion, we have extended the exercise date for our options and renegotiated the delivery schedule of firm orders.  On occasion, we have also allowed customers to convert their firm orders or options for one aircraft into firm orders or options for another aircraft within the same commercial jet family.

Competition

          We generally face competition from major manufacturers in the international aircraft market.  Each category of our products faces competition of a different nature and generally from different companies.  Some of our competitors have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do.  In the 30- to 60-seat category, the main competitor of the ERJ 135 and the EMB 120 Brasília aircraft is the De Havilland DHC-8-200, a turboprop aircraft.  The main competitors of the ERJ 145 regional jet family are:

 

the CRJ-100/200/440, manufactured by Bombardier;

 

 

 

 

the 328Jet, previously developed and manufactured by Fairchild Dornier and now manufactured to order by Avcraft Aviation LLC;

 

 

 

 

the ATR-42, manufactured by ATR G.I.E., a joint project of Italy’s Alenia Aerospaziale and EADS; and

 

 

 

 

the DHC-8-300, manufactured by De Havilland.

          Only Bombardier’s CRJ-100/200/440 aircraft are jets.  Fairchild Dornier filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2002, and the 328Jet is currently marketed and manufactured to order by Avcraft Aviation LLC.  Given the success of our regional jet family and the significant barriers to entry into the market, due principally to the high development costs of a new model and the extensive and time-consuming development cycle of a new jet, we believe that we are well-positioned to increase our market share for the ERJ 145 regional jet family.

          We face our strongest competition in the 61- to 90- and 91- to 120-seat categories.  Currently, there are three aircraft in the first segment:  De Havilland’s DHC-8-400, a 72-seat turboprop, ATR’s ATR72, a 72-seat turboprop, and Bombardier’s CRJ-700, a 70-seat regional jet, which was first delivered in January 2001.  Bombardier has also launched the larger CRJ-900 aircraft, which seats 85 passengers and began deliveries in January 2003.  In the 91- to 120-seat category, Airbus developed a 100-plus-seat jet, the A318, which was certified by the JAA in May 2003.  Boeing has announced that it will close the production line of its 100-seat 717 twinjet in 2006, but it will still compete in this segment with the 737-600.  Embraer is the only manufacturer that offers a complete line of products in both segments.

          The key competitive factors in the markets in which we participate include design and technological strength, aircraft operational costs, price of aircraft, including financing costs, customer service and manufacturing efficiency.  We believe that we will be able to compete favorably on the basis of our aircraft performance, low operating costs, product development experience, global customer base, market acceptance, cabin design and aircraft price.

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Defense Business

          We design, develop, integrate and manufacture a wide range of defense products, principally transport, training, light attack and surveillance aircraft.  We are the leading supplier of defense aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force based on the total number of aircraft in its current fleet.  We also have sold defense aircraft to military forces of 16 other countries in Europe and Latin America, including the United Kingdom, France, Greece and Mexico.  At December 31, 2004, we had sold 529 defense aircraft to the Brazilian government and 532 defense aircraft to other military forces.  Our defense business accounted for 10.6% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Products

          Tucano Family; AL-X

          The Tucano is a single engine turboprop aircraft used for pilot training and armed reconnaissance missions.  Although no longer manufactured, over 650 EMB 312 Tucanos are in operation in 15 air forces worldwide, including those of Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Argentina, Egypt, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.

          We have also developed the Super Tucano, which has a light attack version, known as the AL-X (Aeronave Leve de Ataque, or Light Attack Aircraft).  The Super Tucano and the AL-X offer an engine with twice the power of the Tucano’s standard engine, fighter standard avionics, ejection seats, an on-board oxygen-generating system and enhanced range and external loads capability.  The AL-X was developed under a contract with the Brazilian Air Force, with FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos) providing US$21.7 million in research and development debt financing, of which US$1.4 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2004.  The AL-X has sophisticated navigation and attack systems, night operations capability and the ability to operate under severe weather conditions.  We have received firm orders for 76 AL-X aircraft and an additional 23 options from the Brazilian Air Force.  The first delivery of the AL-X was made to the Brazilian Air Force in December 2003 and an additional seven aircraft were delivered in 2004.  These aircraft are expected to be used for advanced pilot training and for defense operations in the Amazon region of Brazil in connection with the Brazilian government’s SIVAM (Sistema de Vigilância da Amazônia, or System for the Surveillance of the Amazon) program.

          EMB 145 AEW&C; EMB 145 RS; EMB 145 MP

          We have configured a special version of the ERJ 145 with an advanced early warning and control system to create the EMB 145 AEW&C, with ground remote sensing capability to create the EMB 145 RS, and with marine remote sensing capability to create the EMB 145 MP.  The EMB 145 AEW&C’s advanced phased-array radar and mission system, developed by Ericsson, is capable of conducting surveillance and providing air traffic control in support of aviation authorities.  The EMB 145 RS is designed to carry out ground surveillance and environmental protection activities using advanced synthetic aperture radar, capable of providing day/night and all weather images of the ground over large areas, with multi-spectral sensors developed by subcontractors in the United States.  The EMB 145 MP is designed to carry out maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare missions, using maritime and ground surveillance radar, electro-optical sensors, and communications and other surveillance equipment developed by Ericsson and Thales.  We, Ericsson and Thalesare jointly marketing these aircraft worldwide.  In February 2001, the Mexican government ordered one EMB 145 AEW&C aircraft and two EMB 145 MP aircraft, which were delivered in 2004.  At December 31, 2003, the Brazilian government had ordered a total of eight EMB 145 AEW&C/RS aircraft to conduct surveillance and monitor ground activities in the Amazon region, all of which were delivered as of such date.  The Greek government, through the Hellenic Air Force, ordered four EMB 145 AEW&C aircraft in October 1999 for use in the Greek government’s aerospace early warning and control system, two of which were delivered in 2004 and two of which were delivered in 2005.

          AM-X; AMX-T

          The AM-X is a subsonic ground attack and close air support aircraft developed under an international cooperation agreement with Alenia Un Azienda Finmecanica S.p.A. and Aermacchi Aeronautica Macchi S.p.A. and sponsored by the Brazilian and Italian governments.  Under the agreement, each of the parties is responsible for key systems of the aircraft.  The AM-X is assembled in both Brazil and Italy.  Embraer and the Italian partners supply each other with different key components and systems of the aircraft. In addition, Embraer and the Italian partners are each free to market the aircraft independently, and each receives 100% of the proceeds of its sales.  Approximately 170 AM-X aircraft are currently in operation in the air forces of Brazil and Italy, 55 of which were sold by us.

24



          We have also developed, with the participation of Alenia and Aermacchi, the AMX-T, an enhanced version of the AM-X, currently being offered internationally.  The AMX-T program operates under the same principles as the AM-X program, with the exception that Alenia’s role is greater than Aermacchi’s, which participates only as a subcontractor.  In September 1999, we won the bid for a US$70.0 million contract for the sale of AMX-Ts to the Venezuelan government.

          Authority Transport Aircraft

          We are marketing our Legacy line of business jets, modified to meet added security needs, to the Brazilian and other governments.  We entered into a contract with the Belgian Air Force for two EMB 135s and two EMB 145s modified to transport government officials, of which two EMB 135s and one EMB 145 were delivered in 2001 and one EMB 145 was delivered in 2002.  In 1999, we entered into a contract with the Greek government through the Hellenic Air Force for one EMB 135 aircraft for special transportation and support needs, which was delivered in 2000, and one Legacy, which was delivered in 2002.  In addition, in 2003, Satena Airline, the state-owned Colombian airline, ordered two EMB 145s, which were delivered in December 2003 and January 2004.  We also have a contract with the Indian government for the sale of five Legacy aircraft in a special configuration.

Other Projects and Activities

          In December 2000, we were selected by the Brazilian government to perform a structural and electronics upgrade of the Brazilian Air Force’s F-5 fighter jets.  As the prime contractor, we are integrating multi-mode radar, advanced navigation and attack systems and enhanced self-protection systems into the existing aircraft under a program known as “F-5BR.”  The first upgraded aircraft was presented to the Brazilian Air Force in 2003.

           In March 2002, we formed a consortium with Dassault, Thales and SNECMA and submitted a bid on the development and manufacture of new fighter jets for the Brazilian Air Force.  In December 2004, the validity of the submitted proposals expired, and the Brazilian government has not renewed the bidding process for this program.

          In August 2004, we were selected as part of a team led by Lockheed Martin to supply the U.S. Army with a next-generation battlefield surveillance system known as Aerial Common Sensor (ACS).  Under the original selection, we were selected to supply the platform, which was expected to be based on the ERJ/EMB 145 regional jet and be produced at Embraer’s proposed facility in Jacksonville, Florida.  The final contracting process is still under discussion.

Competition

          Our defense products face competition from various manufacturers, many of which have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do.  The Super Tucano and the AL-X compete with the Pilatus PC-9M and PC-21 and the Raytheon T-6A and T-6B.  The EMB 145 AEW&C competes against the Northrop-Grumman E-2C II Hawkeye 2000.  In addition, Boeing is developing the B737 AEW&C aircraft, with advanced warning and remote sensor capabilities, for the Australian and Turkish Air Forces.  The AM-X/AMX-T competes with the British Aerospace Hawk-100, the Aermacchi MB-339FD and the Aero Vodochody L-159.

Business Jet Business

          We have developed a line of business jets, the Legacy, based on our ERJ 135 regional jet.  We are marketing the line of business jets to companies, including fractional ownership companies, and high net-worth individuals.  Our business jet segment accounted for 7.1% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004, resulting from the delivery of 13 Legacy jets.

25



          The Legacy was designed to provide customers with a cost-effective alternative to commercial airline travel.  We offer the Legacy in two versions:  executive and corporate shuttle.  The executive version features a highly customized interior based on the customer’s specific requirements.  The corporate shuttle version is partially customized and is generally intended to have business class-type seating and in-flight office design features.  Both versions have a maximum cruising speed of Mach .8, or 470 knots.

          We developed the Legacy by building upon our regional jet design and manufacturing experience.  For example, with the exception of the interior of the aircraft, the fuel tank, controller and indication system and the winglets, the Legacy has the same components as the ERJ 135 and is capable of being manufactured on the same production line.  Furthermore, the corporate shuttle version of the Legacy does not require separate FAA, European aviation authority or Brazilian aviation authority approval.  The executive version of the Legacy was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in December 2001, by the JAA in July 2002 and by the FAA in August 2002.

          In May 2005, we announced our plans to expand our business jet product portfolio with jets for the very light and light categories.  Our entry into the very light and light categories was approved by our Board of Directors in April.  Total research and development and capital expenditures relating to the new jets is expected to be approximately US$235.0 million.  We expect this program will be funded by risk-sharing partners, financial institutions and our own cash generation.  Embraer’s very light jet will carry from six to eight people and be powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW617F engine and is expected to enter service in mid-2008.  The light jet will carry up to nine people and have a larger fuselage and wingspan and longer range than the very light jet.  It will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW535E engine and is expected to enter service in mid-2009.  Pratt & Whitney Canada is one of our risk-sharing partners for this program.  We expect to select other risk-sharing partners by the end of 2005.

          We face significant competition from companies with longer operating histories and established reputations in the business jet industry.  Many of these manufacturers have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do.  Competitors with the Legacy include aircraft produced by Dassault Aviation, Bombardier Inc. and General Dynamics and Raytheon.  Competitors in the light and very light jet categories include Cessna Aircraft Co., Raytheon and Eclipse.

          We take orders and build backlog for the Legacy in the same manner as our commercial aircraft.  We include an order in backlog once we have received a firm commitment, represented by a signed contract.  We customarily receive a deposit at the time of order, three 5% progress payments and full payment of the balance due upon delivery, in the same manner as for our commercial aircraft.  We generally receive US$100,000 for each option to purchase a business jet.  The terms of these options are substantially the same as the terms of our commercial aircraft options.

Other Related Businesses

          We also provide after-sales customer support services and manufacture and market spare parts for the aircraft we produce.  Activities in this segment include the sale of spare parts, maintenance and repair, training and other product support services, as well as revenues related to aircraft leased to customers primarily through our leasing subsidiary.  In addition, we provide structural parts and mechanical and hydraulic systems to Sikorsky Corporation for its production of helicopters.  We also manufacture, on a limited basis and upon customer request, general aviation propeller aircraft, such as executive aircraft and crop dusters, also known as light aircraft.  Our other related businesses accounted for 7.3% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004.

26



After-Sales Customer Support; Spare Parts Business

          We also provide after-sales customer support services and manufacture and market spare parts for the fleets of our commercial, business and defense customers.  Our after-sales customer support and spare parts business falls into several categories:

 

field support;

 

 

 

 

material support, which includes spare parts sales and distribution;

 

 

 

 

product warranty and repair administration;

 

 

 

 

technical support, which includes engineering support, maintenance engineering and technical publications; and

 

 

 

 

training.

          This business is expected to continue to grow as the number of our aircraft in service increases.  Our customers require aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers to maintain adequate spare parts and ground support equipment inventories for a period of 10 years after the production of the last aircraft of the same type, or until fewer than five aircraft are operated in scheduled commercial air transport service.  We recently established a pooling program that allows customers to exchange used parts for new or refurbished parts.

Subcontracting

          We provide subcontracting services to Sikorsky Corporation in connection with the development and manufacture of the landing gear, fuel system and fuel tanks for the S-92 Helibus helicopter.  We also act as a risk-sharing partner to Sikorsky.  The contracts expire in 2015.

General Aviation Aircraft

          We build general aviation propeller aircraft.  These aircraft include a six-passenger aircraft that is produced only on demand for use by corporations and by air-taxi companies.  At December 31, 2004, we had delivered a total of 2,326 of these aircraft.  The last delivery of this type of aircraft was in 2000.  We also developed a crop duster aircraft pursuant to specifications of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture.  These aircraft are produced only on demand.  Through December 31, 2004, we had delivered a total of 978 of these aircraft, including 70 in 2004.  We had 25 crop duster aircraft in backlog at December 31, 2004.

Aircraft Operating Lease Activities

          We established a subsidiary in 2002, ECC Leasing Co. Ltd., or ECC, responsible for managing and remarketing certain aircraft, such as pre-series aircraft that are not otherwise sold after the completion of the certification process for such aircraft type, aircraft that we may accept as a result of the exercise by customers of trade-in options, and aircraft that we may reacquire in connection with our financial guarantees.  As of December 31, 2004, ECC and two other subsidiaries had a total portfolio of 24 aircraft, 14 of which were under operating leases.

Markets

          The following table sets forth our net sales by line of business and geographic region of the end users of our aircraft for the periods indicated.

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Commercial Airline:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas (excluding Brazil)

 

US$

1,772.2

 

US$

1,457.8

 

US$

2,189.4

 

Europe

 

 

290.5

 

 

68.6

 

 

296.9

 

Brazil

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Other

 

 

47.6

 

 

—  

 

 

93,2

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

US$

2,110.3

 

US$

1,526.4

 

US$

2,579.5

 

 

 



 



 



 

Business Jet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas (excluding Brazil)

 

 

86.6

 

 

139.2

 

 

204.9

 

Europe

 

 

58.3

 

 

36.2

 

 

—  

 

Other

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

40.8

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

US$

144.9

 

US$

175.4

 

US$

245.7

 

 

 



 



 



 

Defense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas (excluding Brazil)

 

 

13.3

 

 

106.6

 

 

92.1

 

Europe

 

 

73.5

 

 

52.6

 

 

20.9

 

Brazil

 

 

40.5

 

 

102.5

 

 

246.1

 

Other

 

 

—  

 

 

0.7

 

 

6.6

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

US$

127.3

 

US$

262.4

 

US$

365.7

 

 

 



 



 



 

Other Related Businesses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas (excluding Brazil)

 

 

78.2

 

 

94.7

 

 

130.1

 

Europe

 

 

43.2

 

 

65.3

 

 

54.4

 

Brazil

 

 

20.1

 

 

18.5

 

 

51.3

 

Other

 

 

1.8

 

 

0.8

 

 

13.8

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

US$

143.3

 

US$

179.3

 

US$

249.6

 

 

 



 



 



 

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Joint Ventures

          We entered into a joint venture with Liebherr International AG to develop and manufacture landing gear and high precision hydraulic equipment and provide related services for Embraer and other clients around the world.  In connection with this joint venture, we formed a new subsidiary, ELEB, to which we transferred all of our landing gear manufacturing activities, the employees and some liabilities related to those activities.  On May 22, 2000, Liebherr International AG, acting in coordination with its subsidiary, Liebherr Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, and through its Brazilian affiliate, purchased 40% of the capital stock of ELEB.  Liebherr-Aerospace SAS is our risk-sharing partner responsible for designing, developing and manufacturing the landing gear assemblies for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.

          In addition, we entered into a joint venture in December 2002 with Harbin Aircraft Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. and Hafai Aviation Industry Co., Ltd., subsidiaries of China Aviation Industry Corp. II, or AVIC II, to provide for the manufacture, sale and after-sale support of the ERJ 145 regional jet family.  We own 51% of the equity of the joint venture company, Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Company Ltd.  We have licensed to the joint venture the exclusive rights to produce, sell and provide support for the ERJ 145 regional jet family in the Chinese markets, and we contributed US$12.4 million in cash, tooling and inventory to the joint venture.  Our joint venture partners have contributed the land use rights in Harbin, China and contributed US$10.8 million in cash and facilities to the joint venture.  The roll-out for the first ERJ 145 manufactured by the joint venture occurred in December 2003, and the joint venture entered into its first sales contract for six aircraft to China Southern Airlines in February 2004.  In March 2005, we entered into a second sales contract for five aircraft with China Eastern Airlines.

Suppliers and Components; Risk-Sharing Arrangements

          We do not manufacture all of the parts and components used in the production of our aircraft.  More than 80% of the production costs of our ERJ 145 regional jet family, EMBRAER 170/190 family and Legacy business aircraft, depending on aircraft model, consist of materials and equipment purchased from our risk-sharing partners and other major suppliers.  Risk-sharing arrangements with suppliers of key components enable us to focus on our core business:  design and production of commercial aircraft.  Risk-sharing arrangements are those in which suppliers are responsible for the design, development and manufacture of major components or systems of our aircraft, such as wings, tail or fuselage.  Our risk-sharing partners, therefore, must invest their own money in research and development and share the risk and success of our products with us.

          In our commercial and business aircraft business, we rely on risk-sharing partners to supply vital components of our aircraft, such as the engines, hydraulic components, avionics, wings, sections of the fuselage and portions of the tail.  Once we select our risk-sharing partners and program development and aircraft production begins, it is difficult to substitute these partners.  In some cases, our aircraft are designed specifically to accommodate a particular component, such as the engines, which cannot be substituted by another manufacturer without significant delay and expense.  This dependence makes us susceptible to the performance, quality and financial condition of these risk-sharing partners.

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ERJ 145 Regional Jet Family

          Risk-sharing partners.  We entered into risk-sharing arrangements with the following four suppliers in connection with the development and production of the ERJ 145 regional jet family:

 

Grupo Auxiliar Metalúrgico S.A., or Gamesa, a Spanish company owned by Iberdrola S.A., a European power utility, and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya, a large Spanish financial institution, supplies the wings, engine nacelles and main landing-gear doors;

 

 

 

 

Sonaca S.A.—Société Nationale de Constructions Aerospatiales, a Belgian company, supplies portions of the central and rear fuselages, the service, main and baggage doors and engine pylons;

 

 

 

 

ENAER—Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica, a Chilean company, supplies the vertical fin, horizontal stabilizers and elevators; and

 

 

 

 

C&D Aerospace, Inc., a U.S. company, supplies the cabin and cargo compartment interiors.

          Our risk-sharing partners generally receive payment for supplied components within three to five months after delivery of the components to us.  The partnering relationship with these suppliers results in lower production costs and higher product quality for the ERJ 145 regional jet family.  In addition, our line of business jets benefits from the risk-sharing arrangements with Gamesa, Sonaca and ENAER.  The interior of the executive version of the Legacy is provided by The Nordam Group, Inc. and Duncan Aviation, Inc.

          Other major suppliers.  We have also entered into other agreements with numerous European, American, Canadian and Brazilian suppliers to provide key components for a number of our products, including the ERJ 145 regional jet family.  These supply arrangements cover systems and components such as engines, avionics, landing gear and flight control systems.  Our major suppliers include, among other companies, Rolls-Royce Allison, Parker Hannifin Corp., BF Goodrich Co., United Technologies Corp. - Hamilton Sundstrand Division, Honeywell, Rosemount Aerospace and Alcoa Inc.

          We select suppliers on the basis of, among other factors, technical performance and quality of their products, production capacity, prior relationship and financial condition.  We have had continuing relationships with most of our major suppliers since production of the Bandeirante aircraft began in 1975.  We have entered into purchase agreements with our major suppliers, which cover our requirements for five to ten years of production.  We are not obligated to purchase a minimum amount of materials annually under any of these supply contracts.  Our ongoing supplier relationships depend on cooperation, performance and the maintenance of competitive pricing.

EMBRAER 170/190 Jet Family

          We are continuing to develop the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family together with risk-sharing partners that supply key systems for the aircraft.  Our supplier arrangements for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family differ from the ERJ 145 regional jet family in that we use fewer suppliers.  In the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, each risk-sharing partner is responsible for the development and production of aircraft systems, such as the landing gear, the hydraulic system and the flight control system, rather than individual components, and fewer components are supplied by companies that are not risk-sharing partners.  The assumption of responsibility for systems by our risk-sharing partners lowers our capital expenditures, which thereby decreases our development risks and increases our operating efficiency by reducing the number of suppliers per product and cutting production costs.  It also shortens development and production time.  The primary risk-sharing partners for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family are the following:

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General Electric supplies CF34-8E/l0E turbofan engines and designs, develops and manufactures the engine nacelles;

 

 

 

 

Honeywell supplies the avionics systems;

 

 

 

 

Liebherr is responsible for designing, developing and manufacturing the landing gear assemblies;

 

 

 

 

Kawasaki, a Japanese company, develops and manufactures the aircraft wing stub, engine pylon, fixed landing and trailing edge assemblies, flaps, spoilers and the wing’s flight control surfaces;

 

 

 

 

Hamilton Sundstrand, a U.S. company and a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., develops and produces the aircraft’s tail core, auxiliary power unit, electrical systems and the air management system;

 

 

 

 

Sonaca is responsible for the aircraft’s wing slats;

 

 

 

 

Gamesa is responsible for the rear fuselage and the vertical and horizontal tail surfaces;

 

 

 

 

Latecoere, a French company, manufactures two of the three fuselage sections;

 

 

 

 

C&D Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures the aircraft interior; and

 

 

 

 

Grimes Aerospace Company, a U.S. company and a wholly owned subsidiary of AlliedSignal Inc., develops and manufactures the exterior and cockpit lighting.

          Our risk-sharing partners have contributed in cash to us a total of US$245.1 million for the development of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family as of December 31, 2004.  Cash contributions become non-refundable upon the achievement of certain developmental milestones.  As of December 31, 2004, US$120.3 million of these cash contributions had become non-refundable.  If we cancel the development and production of any of the remaining aircraft in the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family because we are unable to obtain certification or for other non-market related reasons, we may be obligated to refund US$124.8 million of the total cash contributions.  Upon the expected conclusion of the certification of the EMBRAER 190 in the third quarter of 2005, an additional US$37.5 million of these cash contributions will become non-refundable.  We generally do not need to refund these contributions as a result of insufficient market demand.  We believe that these financial commitments are a strong endorsement of our aircraft design and our ability to execute our business plan.

          Furthermore, some of the risk-sharing partners for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family have assumed a broader role in other aspects of the program by providing sales financing and residual guarantees, rather than simply supplying us with aircraft components.

Business Jets

          The risk-sharing partners for our Legacy business jet are the same as those for our ERJ 145 jet family.  There will be risk-sharing partners for the light and very light business jets: Pratt & Whitney Canada, the supplier of the engines, and others, who will be selected by the end of 2005.

Customer Service and Product Support

          Customer satisfaction and service is critical to our success.  Through our customer focus, we aim to enhance customer loyalty and, ultimately, increase sales.  We will continue to focus on the development of closer, long-term relationships with our customers by meeting their aircraft requirements, providing after-sale support and spare parts and meeting maintenance requirements.  We identify at the time of purchase the appropriate level of after-sale regional or on-site customer support and coordinate regional inventory levels to address expected spare parts and maintenance requirements.  To maintain and increase our responsiveness, we have established five support centers worldwide.  We provide technical assistance, support and distribution to our Brazilian and other Latin American customers through our facility in São José dos Campos.  In March 2002, we established a distribution center in Beijing, China, together with China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Corporation (CASC).  We also intend to provide support services through our joint venture in China for aircraft sold by the joint venture.  In addition, we operate a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Nashville, Tennessee, and a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Alverca, Portugal.  We provide full service maintenance and repair services for our commercial and business aircraft at these service centers, enhancing our level of service to our customers in the United States and Europe.

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          We have dedicated teams in the United States, Europe and Brazil to focus exclusively on enhancing customer support.  In addition, for each of our key customers, we have assigned senior relationship managers that are responsible for enhancing our relationships with these customers.  We also provide direct field support with on-site technical representatives at several of our major customers’ facilities.  These on-site representatives are assigned to major customers prior to the first delivery of their aircraft and provide advice on maintenance and operation.  They also monitor our customers’ spare parts needs and maintain customers’ inventories.

          We operate support centers that are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week, in our São José dos Campos facility, as well as in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Le Bourget, France.  We train pilots, co-pilots, flight attendants and mechanics at these locations.  We operate advanced flight simulators for our ERJ 145 regional jet family and for the Legacy at our Florida facility under an agreement with FlightSafety International, Inc., a business specializing in flight simulation.  We have entered into an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Training Limited, or GECAT, a joint venture between General Electric Company and Thales, whereby GECAT provides training for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family on a non-exclusive basis.  We also provide field service and on-the-job training for airline personnel.  For example, we routinely dispatch one of our pilots to fly with an operator’s crew during the introduction of an aircraft into a customer’s regular routes.  We also provide technical publications with up-to-date technical information on our aircraft.

Aircraft Financing Arrangements

          We generally do not provide long-term financing directly to our customers.  We assist our customers in obtaining financing arrangements through different sources such as leasing arrangements and the BNDES-exim program.  In addition, we help our customers qualify for the ProEx program.  On a case-by-case basis, we have provided interim financing, at market rates, to customers who have completed or are negotiating other financing arrangements and have not received funding in time for delivery.  We have also provided guarantees for a portion of the financing of aircraft for certain of our customers.  See Notes 8, 9 and 34 to our consolidated financial statements.

          The BNDES-exim program, a Brazilian government-sponsored program, provides our customers with direct financing for Brazilian exports of goods and services.  From 1996 through 2004, approximately 44% of the total value of our export sales was financed by the BNDES-exim program.

          In addition to the BNDES-exim program, we also assist customers in their aircraft financing through other arrangements, including leasing arrangements, principally through leasing companies, U.S. leveraged leases, U.K. tax leases and French tax leases.  These arrangements accounted for approximately 47% of the total value of our export sales from 1996 through 2004.  Leasing arrangements through leasing companies generally involve the purchase by a leasing company of our aircraft under a customer’s purchase contract and the lease of that aircraft to that customer.  In leveraged leasing transactions, an investor will borrow a portion of the aircraft purchase price from a third party lender, which can also be BNDES-exim, purchase our aircraft and lease it to our customer.  See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements.

          Our customers also benefit from the ProEx program, a Brazilian government-sponsored program of interest rate adjustments.  Under the ProEx program, which is intended to offset Brazil’s country risk, foreign customers that buy selected products made in Brazil, such as our aircraft, receive the benefits of interest rate discounts.  A substantial percentage of our customers benefit from the ProEx program.  See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Embraer—Any decrease in Brazilian government-sponsored customer financing, or increase in government-sponsored financing that benefits our competitors, may decrease the cost-competitiveness of our aircraft.”

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Intellectual Property

          Our intellectual property, which includes designs, trade secrets, know-how and trademarks, is important to our business.  We hold trademarks over our name and symbol, and the names of our aircraft, some of which are registered and some of which are in the process of registration in a number of countries, including Brazil, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, European Union and Japan.  At December 31, 2004, we had 47 trademarks.  Our registered trademarks are generally renewed at the end of their validity period, which usually runs from 10 years from the date of application for registration.  We do not believe that the loss of any of our trademarks would have a material impact on our business or results of operations.

Government Regulation and Aircraft Certification

          We are subject to regulation by regulatory aviation agencies, both in Brazil and abroad.  These agencies principally regulate the certification of aircraft and aircraft manufacturers.  Besides certification in Brazil, we must obtain certification in each jurisdiction in which our aircraft operate commercially.  The competent authority for the certification of our aircraft in Brazil is the Departamento de Aviação Civil, or DAC (Civil Aviation Department), through the Centro Técnico Aeroespacial, or CTA (Aerospace Technical Center) under the Ministry of Defense.  The Brazilian Congress is considering a proposed law to create a regulatory agency, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil, or ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency), which, if approved, will become the principal Brazilian authority for the regulation, supervision and certification of aircraft, aircraft parts, manufacturers and operations.  The aviation authorities in other countries include the FAA in the United States, the recently created EASA for European Union, or EU, countries and the JAA for the other European countries.  Some countries simply validate and complement the Brazilian aviation authority’s original certification, in accordance with their own rules.  The Brazilian aviation authority has a bilateral certification agreement with the FAA under which the FAA certification requirements are covered by the Brazilian certification process.  This cooperation among regulatory authorities leads to faster certification. 

          The ERJ 145 was certified to operate in the United States and Brazil in the last quarter of 1996, in Europe in the second quarter of 1997, in Australia in June 1998 and, for the LR version, in China in November 2000.  The ERJ 145 XR version was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in August 2002 and by the FAA in October 2002.  The ERJ 135 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in June 1999, by the FAA in July 1999 and by the European aviation authority in October 1999.  The ERJ 140 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in June 2001 and by the FAA in July 2001.  The executive version of the Legacy was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in December 2001, by the JAA in July 2002 and by the FAA in August 2002.  The EMBRAER 170 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority, the FAA, EASA, the JAA and the authority of Poland in February 2004.  The EMBRAER 175 was certified by the Brazilian aviation authority in December 2004 and by EASA in January 2005.

          Once an aircraft is certified by the CTA and FAA, some authorities, such as those in Australia and Mexico, ratify the certification.  Other countries, such as Canada, require compliance with their own specific national requirements before certification.  In Europe, since September 2003, EASA has become the regulatory authority for EU countries, including Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and The Netherlands.  Most of the remaining non-EU countries, such as Switzerland, still operate under the rules of the JAA.  The JAA is not a certification authority, but rather is an advisory organization that makes recommendations to the non-EU national authorities.  A recommendation by the JAA is a requirement for certification of an aircraft by most of these authorities.  Before the creation of EASA, 27 national authorities were JAA members.  As EASA is a new organization, it is currently using the JAA technical structure and following the JAA’s recommendations for issuance of EASA type certificates for aircraft.    

          Aircraft certification is an ongoing process.  Any change in the design of any of our aircraft must be approved by the Brazilian authority.  Significant changes may require a separate certification by other authorities.  Changes in the aircraft certification requirements do not require recertification of an aircraft already certified, but significant safety improvements may be imposed by the authorities through operational rules or airworthiness directives.

32



4C.

Organizational Structure

          Our operations are conducted by Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. as the controlling and principal operating company.  We have a number of direct and indirect subsidiaries, none of which are considered significant.  A complete list of our subsidiaries has been filed as Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report.

4D.

Property, Plants and Equipment

          We own our headquarters and plant, located in São José dos Campos.  Significant portions of our facilities in São José dos Campos are subject to mortgages held by BNDES.  We lease, own or have the right to use the following properties: 

Location

 

Purpose

 

Approximate
square
footage

 

Owned/
Leased

 

Lease
Expiration


 


 


 


 


São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil

 

Headquarters, principal manufacturing facility and support center

 

5,902,102

 

Owned

 

—  

São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil  (Eugênio de Mello)

 

Manufacturing facility

 

3,658,884

 

Owned

 

—  

Botucatu, SP, Brazil

 

Manufacturing facility

 

222,000

 

Owned

 

—  

Harbin, China

 

Manufacturing facility

 

258,067

 

Owned

(1)

—  

Gavião Peixoto, SP, Brazil

 

Testing and manufacturing facilities

 

191,648,512

 

(2)

 

—  

São Paulo, SP, Brazil

 

Administrative offices

 

5,245

 

Leased

 

2007

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A.

 

Support center

 

91,500

 

Leased

 

2020

West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A. (3)

 

Engineering offices

 

16,800

 

Leased

 

2005

Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

 

Aircraft maintenance and support center

 

316,128

 

Leased

 

2018,
2028

Alverca, Portugal (4)

 

Aircraft maintenance and support center

 

417,000

 

Leased

 

2035

Le Bourget, France

 

Support center

 

33,500

 

Leased

 

2008

Beijing, China

 

Representative offices

 

1,709

 

Leased

 

2004

Singapore

 

Representative offices

 

2,239

 

Leased

 

2004


 


 

(1)

Land owned pursuant to a land use rights certificate.

 

(2)

We currently have a temporary authorization from the State of São Paulo to use the land and expect to receive a concession for the land as soon as legal formalities are satisfied.  The facilities are owned by Embraer.

 

(3)

This facility was closed in May 2005.

 

(4)

We acquired this facility as of March 2005.

Production

          The actual manufacture of an aircraft consists of three principal stages:  fabrication of primary parts, assembly of major components and final assembly.  Primary parts include metal sheets and plates (produced from die-cast molds, stretch forming or various chemical treatments), parts produced using computerized and non-computerized machines, and pre-fabricated parts.  The primary parts are then joined, or mated, with one another to produce the aircraft’s major components, which are in turn joined to create the aircraft’s basic structure.  In the final assembly stage, the aircraft’s various operating systems (such as wiring and electronics) are installed into the structure and tested.

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          Production facilities for our commercial, business and defense aircraft are located in São José dos Campos in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.  We reduced the aircraft production time of our regional jet aircraft from eight months in 1996 to 3.1 months in 2004.  From December 31, 1999 to December 31, 2000, we increased our production from 12 to 16 ERJ 145 family aircraft per month.  At March 31, 2001, our production rate was 16 aircraft per month.  In response to decreased market demand after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the related global economic slowdown, we decreased our production to 11 aircraft per month and, in 2003, decreased it further to nine aircraft per month.  Production time for our EMBRAER 170 aircraft has been reduced from approximately seven months at the beginning of its production in March 2004 to approximately 4.1 months at the end of 2004.  We have the flexibility to increase production in the future in response to increased demand.  To accommodate our production of the ERJ 145 regional jet family and our EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, as well as any production of our business jets, we have expanded our production facilities and acquired new facilities and will continue to coordinate with our risk-sharing partners to accommodate any future production needs.

          We built a new facility in Gavião Peixoto, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, to enhance our flight testing capabilities and provide a final assembly line for our defense and business aircraft.  As of December 31, 2004, we had invested US$51.5 million in the construction of this new facility.  This facility has been operational since November 2002 and consists of a runway and other features to handle our development of supersonic aircraft technology.  We are also conducting our flight tests for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family and have a fully operational business jet interior factory at Gavião Peixoto.

          In September 2000, we purchased a new facility in São José dos Campos in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, where we currently manufacture small parts and components for our aircraft.  Our China joint venture has constructed a production facility for the ERJ 145 jet family in Harbin, China. 

Environmental Matters

          Most environmental regulation in Brazil is established at the state rather than at the federal or municipal level, with environmental authorities in most states granting operating permits to individual facilities rather than through general regulations.  We have all material permits required to operate our business.  The terms of these operating permits are reviewed every year and we are in compliance with our permits.  In addition, we adhere internally to international ISO 14000 environmental standards.  In 2002, 2003 and 2004, we invested US$1.0 million, US$1.7 million and US$2.6 million, respectively, in environmental matters and we expect to spend approximately US$3.3 million on environmental matters in 2005 for expenditures relating to the portion of construction of new facilities and modification of existing facilities relating to environmental compliance and improvements.

OGMA

          During the process of due diligence prior to the acquisition of OGMA, we identified some industrial processes that did not meet environmental and occupational safety standards.  As part of the negotiations, it was agreed with EMPORDEF, the seller, that (i) Embraer would spend 1.9 million euros - the amount estimated by the parties to be the amount necessary to bring the industrial processes into environmental and occupational safety compliance over a three-year period, (ii) the seller would indemnify OGMA for any losses due to environmental claims over the same three-year period, (iii) Embraer’s liability for pre-acquisition environmental claims would be limited to 4.1 million euros, and (iv) any liability for other pre-acquisition environmental and occupational safety claims in excess of 4.1 million euros would be paid by the seller. 

Insurance

          We insure all of our plants and equipment for loss and replacement.  We also carry insurance to cover all potential damages to our own fleet of aircraft, including those occurring during commercial and demonstration flights.  In addition, we maintain a comprehensive aviation products liability policy, which covers damages arising out of the manufacture, distribution, sale and servicing of our aircraft and parts.  We have been increasing our coverage for aviation products liability as our fleet has grown.  We also carry natural disaster and business interruption insurance covering property damage and the related loss of gross income, as defined in the policy, and additional expenses, such as those incurred by us to offset the loss of production and delivery of aircraft due to partial or total interruption of our business because of material losses caused by an accident.  We consider the amounts of our insurance coverage to be typical for a company of our size and adequate to meet all foreseeable risks associated with our operations.

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          We also maintain officers’ and directors’ liability insurance in the total amount of US$50.0 million.  This insurance covers our officers and directors for liabilities resulting from wrongful acts, including any act or omission committed or attempted by any officer or director acting in his or her capacity as officer or director or any matter claimed against an officer or director solely by reason of his or her serving in such capacity.

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ITEM 5.     OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

          This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in this annual report.  This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, those set forth in “Item 3D. Risk Factors” and the matters set forth in this annual report generally.

          Except as otherwise indicated, all financial information in this annual report has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and presented in U.S. dollars.  For certain purposes, such as providing reports to our shareholders located in Brazil, filing financial statements with the Comissão de Valores Mobiliários, or CVM, the Brazilian securities commission, and determining dividend payments and other distributions and tax liabilities in Brazil, we have prepared and will continue to be required to prepare financial statements in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law.

5A.

Operating Results

Current Conditions and Future Trends in the Airline Industry and Business Jet Market

Commercial Aircraft

          The commercial aviation industry has been negatively impacted by a number of factors since 2001.  First, the U.S. and world economies experienced an economic downturn that began in 2001 and was characterized by rapid declines in securities markets, a decline in productivity and an increase in unemployment.  Second, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 caused an immediate decline in airline travel and a high level of financial uncertainty among the worldwide airline industry.  In addition, airline travel decreased significantly in 2003 as a result of both the commencement of military action by the United States and other countries in Iraq and the concerns over outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Asia and Canada.  In response to these events, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2001, many airlines, including our largest customers, reduced their flight schedules for the long-term and announced significant lay-offs, and a number of airlines filed for bankruptcy protection.  As a result, over the past three years we have agreed to modify certain delivery schedules to adjust to the changes in our customers’ businesses and reduced scheduled commercial airline, business jet and government transportation aircraft deliveries.  Most recently, in 2004, we reduced scheduled deliveries from 160 to 145 aircraft following the US Airways Chapter 11 filing in September 2004.  We have also re-evaluated our risk exposure related to aircraft valuations and customer credit risk, which resulted in charges to income.  Although the U.S. and world economies have shown some signs of recovery starting in 2004, many airlines continue to face increased competition, escalating insurance costs, increased security costs, credit downgrades, liquidity concerns and bankruptcy, and sharply higher fuel costs.  A further downturn in general economic conditions could result in further reduction in the passenger aircraft market and decreased orders for our commercial aircraft.  See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Embraer—A downturn in the commercial airline market may reduce our sales and revenue, and consequently our profitability, in any given year.”

          We believe that the recent volatility in demand for air travel has demonstrated that airlines need to match aircraft capacity to market demand more accurately.  Similarly, we believe there is the need for aircraft that can be deployed strategically across a full range of seat capacities.  As airlines act to right-size their fleets to serve these needs, equipment distribution in fleets around the world will change.  We expect this equipment distribution to take advantage of new and existing products in the 30-120 seat category.  We believe that the 30-60, 61-90 and 91-120 seat segments will play important but different roles.  We currently believe:

36



 

airlines will continue to deploy 30-60 seat aircraft to expand hub areas, increase frequencies, explore new market opportunities, stimulate demand, develop secondary hubs, replace turboprops and fly non-stop, point-to-point routes;

 

 

 

 

the 61-90 seat segment will allow airlines to add capacity in markets where the natural growth of regional jet routes requires larger jets.  Aircraft in this seat segment will also help airlines to right-size their mainline fleets by diminishing the need for larger jets operating with excess capacity; and

 

 

 

 

the 91-120 seat segment will benefit those markets currently being served by old, over-sized or inefficient jet fleets and will relieve higher-capacity aircraft to serve large-market, high-volume city pairs over longer routes.

          We also believe that aircraft retirement will impact future fleet composition.  We estimate that during the next 20 years, nearly 2,000 aircraft in the 30-120 seat segment are scheduled to be retired.  Among existing aircraft in the 61-90 seat segment, we estimate that 87% will be out of service by 2024.  Similarly, we estimate that 82% of the aircraft in the 91-120 seat segment will be retired during the same period.

          We expect that in the near future, 61-90 and 91-120 seat segments will account for most of the projected deliveries, with North America maintaining the greatest share of total deliveries, followed by Europe. 

          We expect low-fare airlines, which traditionally have focused on short- and medium-haul routes and which have been relatively successful during the recent industry downturn, to continue to expand their market penetration in the low-density and low-capacity markets independently of alliances.  We believe that the mid-capacity jets will be an important tool for these low-fare airlines in their expansion efforts. 

Business Jets

          We believe the business jet market has been positively impacted by the worldwide economic recovery experienced in 2004.  According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), deliveries in the business jet market increased by 14.1%, from 518 units in 2003 to 591 units in 2004.  In addition, according to GAMA, over the past five years, 936 jets in the smallest aircraft categories (entry and light) were delivered, representing 29% of the total deliveries in the business jet market.  The increasing demand for smaller planes that can be acquired at lower costs while still providing high levels of comfort and performance lead to creation of the very light jet segment.  We believe that demand for business jets will continue to increase as economic conditions continue to improve.

Brazilian Economic Environment

          The recent events negatively affecting the commercial aviation industry and the ensuing negative effects on the U.S. economy have also adversely affected the global and Brazilian economies and securities markets, and have resulted in:

 

increased volatility in the market price of securities;

 

 

 

 

significant decline in corporate  earnings estimates;

 

 

 

 

substantial losses in important industries, including the air transport and insurance industries; and

 

 

 

 

significant erosion of consumer confidence.

          As discussed below, the uncertainty surrounding the U.S., Brazilian and global economies could in turn lead to the Brazilian government changing existing laws or regulations or imposing new ones, and/or the Central Bank changing base interest rates, which could adversely affect our operations.

          The Brazilian government frequently intervenes in the Brazilian economy and occasionally makes drastic  changes in policy and regulations.  The Brazilian government’s actions to control inflation and affect other policies and regulations have often involved, among other measures, increases in interest rates, changes in tax policies, price controls, currency devaluations, capital controls and limits on imports.  For example, the Brazilian government has the authority, when a serious imbalance in Brazil’s balance of payments occurs, to impose restrictions on the remittance to foreign investors of the proceeds of their investments in Brazil and on the conversion of Brazilian currency into foreign currencies. Changes in monetary, taxation, credit, tariff and other policies could adversely affect our business, as could inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations, social instability and other political, economic or diplomatic developments, as well as the Brazilian government’s response to such developments.  See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Brazil.”

37



          Rapid changes in Brazilian political and economic conditions that have occurred and may occur in the future will require continued emphasis on assessing the risks associated with our activities and adjusting our business and operating strategy accordingly.  Future developments in Brazilian government policies, including changes in the current policy and incentives adopted for financing the export of Brazilian goods, or in the Brazilian economy, over which we have no control, may materially adversely affect our business.  See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Brazil.”

          Brazilian economic conditions may also be negatively affected by economic and political conditions elsewhere, particularly in other Latin American and emerging market countries.  Although economic conditions in such countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Brazil, the reaction of investors to developments in these other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Brazilian issuers.  Crises in other emerging market countries have at times significantly affected the availability of credit in the Brazilian economy and resulted in considerable outflows of funds and declines in the amount of foreign currency invested in Brazil.

          Since presidential elections were held in Brazil in 2002, the Brazilian economy has moved towards increased stability.  The country went through a period of market turmoil in the second half of 2002 as investors feared that the Labor Party would change the economic policies of the previous administration. The real fluctuated significantly as a result, depreciating by 52.3% during the year and closing at R$3.5333 to US$1.00 on December 31, 2002.  Inflation for the year, as measured by the IGP-M, was 25.3% and real GDP grew by 1.9%.

          The Labor Party’s administration has continued the macroeconomic policies of the previous administration, focusing on fiscal responsibility.  In 2003, investor confidence rebounded as a result and the real appreciated by 18.2% against the U.S. dollar to R$2.8892 per US$1.00 at December 31, 2003.  Inflation in 2003, as measured by the IGP-M, decreased to 8.7%.  However, Brazil’s real GDP increased 0.5%, despite the high interest rates that prevailed at the beginning of 2003 to combat inflationary pressures, which also acted to constrain economic growth.

          During 2004, Brazil’s GDP increased 5.2% to US$559.6 billion and the country achieved a trade surplus of US$33.7 billion, its highest trade surplus ever.  Inflation in 2004, as measured by the IGP-M, was 12.4%.  Interest rates continued to be high, with the CDI averaging 17.8% in 2004.

Effects of Inflation and Currency Exchange Fluctuations

          Until July 1994, Brazil had for many years experienced high, and generally unpredictable, rates of inflation and steady devaluation of its currency relative to the U.S. dollar.  The following table sets forth, for the periods shown, Brazilian inflation as measured by the General Market Price Index and published annually by Fundação Getúlio Vargas and the devaluation of the real against the U.S. dollar as measured by comparing the daily exchange rates published by the Central Bank on the last day of each year:

 

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Inflation (General Market Price Index)

 

 

9.9

%

 

10.4

%

 

25.3

%

 

8.7

%

 

12.4

%

Devaluation (appreciation) (R$ vs. US$)

 

 

9.3

%

 

18.7

%

 

52.3

%

 

(18.2

)%

 

(8.1

)%

          Inflation and exchange rate variations have had, and may continue to have, substantial effects on our financial condition and results of operations.  Inflation and exchange rate variations affect our monetary assets and liabilities denominated in reais.  The value of such assets and liabilities as expressed in U.S. dollars declines when the real devalues against the U.S. dollar and increases when the real appreciates.  In periods of devaluation of the real, we report (a) a remeasurement loss on real-denominated monetary assets and (b) a remeasurement gain on real-denominated monetary liabilities.

38



Critical Accounting Estimates

          In connection with the preparation of the financial statements included in this annual report, we have relied on variables and assumptions derived from historical experience and various other factors that we deemed reasonable and relevant.  Although we review these estimates and assumptions in the ordinary course of business, the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operation often requires our management to make judgments regarding the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Actual results may differ from those estimated under different variables, assumptions or conditions.  Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of these financial statements.  In order to provide an understanding about how management forms its judgments about future events, including the variables and assumptions underlying the estimates, and the sensitivity of those judgments to different variables and conditions, we have included below a brief discussion of our more significant accounting policies.

Sales and Other Operating Revenues

          We generally recognize sales of our commercial and business aircraft as deliveries are made.  In our defense aircraft segment, we perform work under long-term development contracts for the Brazilian government and other governments, and we recognize revenue in accordance with the percentage of completion method.  Revenue recognized under this method is based on actual costs incurred and an estimate of the total remaining costs to be incurred prior to completion of the contract.  Certain contracts contain provisions for the redetermination of price based upon future economic conditions.  Anticipated losses, if any, under these contracts are accrued when known and are recorded based on management’s estimate of such losses. 

Product Warranties

          Generally, aircraft sales are accompanied by a standard warranty for systems, accessories, equipment, parts and software manufactured by us and/or by our risk-sharing partners.  We recognize warranty expense, as a component of selling expenses, at the time of sale based on the estimated amounts of warranty costs expected to be incurred, which are typically expressed as a percentage of the sales price of the aircraft.  These estimates are based on a number of factors, including our historical warranty claim and cost experience, the type and duration of the warranty coverage, volume and mix of aircraft sold and in service and warranty coverage available from the related suppliers.  The warranty period ranges from two years for spare parts to five years for components that are a part of the aircraft when sold. 

Guarantees and Trade-In Rights  

          We have provided sales incentives in the form of financial and residual value guarantees and trade-in rights related to our aircraft.  We review the value of these commitments relative to the aircraft’s anticipated future fair value and, in the case of financial guarantees, the creditworthiness of the obligor.  Provisions and losses are recorded when and if payments become probable and are reasonably estimable.  We estimate future fair value using third party appraisals of aircraft valuations, including information developed from the sale or lease of similar aircraft in the secondary market.  We evaluate the creditworthiness of obligors for which we have provided credit guarantees by analyzing a number of factors, including third party credit ratings and estimated obligors’ borrowing costs.

          In accordance with FASB of Interpretation No. 45, or FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of the Indebtedness of Others,” we record third-party guarantees on our balance sheet at their fair value.  FIN 45 has the general effect of delaying the recognition of the portion of our revenue sales that are accompanied by certain third-party guarantees.  These estimates of fair value are based on certain assumptions, including the probability of default by the ultimate obligor and the market value of the mortgaged assets.  As a result, actual losses under financial guarantees may differ from the amounts recognized on our balance sheet, and, consequently, could negatively affect future operating results.  During 2003 and 2004, the fair value of guarantees recorded was US$12.2 million and US$11.9 million, respectively.

39



Overview

Basis of Presentation

          The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  See “Introduction—Presentation of Financial and Other Data—Financial Data” for a discussion of factors affecting our financial data.

Operating Data

          The following chart sets forth statistical data concerning our deliveries and backlog for our aircraft at the end of the respective periods.  Deliveries consist of aircraft that have been delivered to customers and for which the corresponding revenue has been recognized.  Our backlog consists of all firm orders that have not yet been delivered.  A firm order is a contractual commitment from a customer, customarily accompanied by a down payment, for which we have reserved a place on one of our production lines.  See “Item 5D. Trend Information” for certain information on our firm orders and options.

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

Commercial Airline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deliveries (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ERJ 145

 

 

82

 

 

57

 

 

87

(5)

ERJ 135

 

 

3

 

 

14

 

 

1

(1)

ERJ 140

 

 

36

 

 

16

 

 

—  

 

EMBRAER 170

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

46

 

Defense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deliveries

 

 

7

 

 

4

 

 

1

 

Business Jet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deliveries (1)

 

 

8

 

 

13

(2)

 

13

 

Other Operating Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total backlog (in millions)(2)

 

US$

9,034

 

US$

10,591

 

US$

10,097

 



(1)

Deliveries identified by parentheses were aircraft delivered under operating leases.

(2)

Since December 31, 2004, we have received 5 additional firm orders for our ERJ 145 regional jet family and 72 additional firm orders for our EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.

Net Sales

          We generate revenue primarily from sales of commercial aircraft.  We also generate revenue from the sale of defense aircraft, and from the sale of our Legacy business jets.  Net sales of commercial and business aircraft are denominated in U.S. dollars.  Of defense net sales, approximately 84% are denominated in U.S. dollars and 16% are denominated in Brazilian Reais, but indexed to the U.S. dollar through price adjustment indexes.  Finally, we generate revenue from our other related businesses, which include after-sales support (including the sale of spare parts, maintenance and repair, training and other product support services), operating leases and single-source supply of structural parts and mechanical and hydraulic systems to other aircraft manufacturers.

          We generally recognize revenue for the sale of our commercial and business aircraft when the aircraft is delivered to the customer.  We customarily receive a deposit upon signing of the purchase agreement for the sale of our commercial and business aircraft and progress payments in the amount of 5% of the sales price of the aircraft 18 months, 12 months and six months before scheduled delivery.  For the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, we receive an additional 5% progress payment 24 months before scheduled delivery.  We typically receive the remaining amount of the sales price upon delivery.  Payments in advance of delivery are recorded under advances from customers as a liability on our balance sheet and, when we deliver the aircraft, these payments are recorded as net sales.

          As a result of a decrease in the amounts available under the ProEx program in 1999, we assisted some of our affected customers in restructuring their financing arrangements.  In cases in which we were not able to restructure these arrangements, we provided special price adjustments to these customers to maintain the effective interest rates in their original financing arrangements.

40



          Our sales contracts with our customers typically include adjustments to the purchase price of the aircraft based on an escalation formula which reflects, in part, inflation in the United States.  The deposits, progress payments and option payments are generally non-refundable.  Once a customer decides to exercise an option, we account for it as a firm order and we begin to receive progress payments and recognize revenue upon delivery as discussed above.

          We recognize revenue from the sale of our defense aircraft, including the funding of the research and development for specific programs, in accordance with the percentage of completion method.  Certain contracts contain provisions for the redetermination of price based upon future economic conditions.  Our defense customers continue to provide customer advances, which are converted into revenue as we achieve pre-determined stages of completion of the project, such as conception, development and design, and engineering, systems integration and customization.  These installments are generally non-refundable.

Cost of Sales and Services

          Our cost of sales and services consists primarily of:

 

Material—These costs are primarily U.S. dollar-denominated.  Substantially all of our materials costs are covered by contracts with our suppliers.  Prices under these contracts are generally adjusted based on an escalation formula which reflects, in part, inflation in the United States.

 

 

 

 

Labor—These costs are primarily real-denominated.

 

 

 

 

Depreciation—We depreciate our property, plant and equipment over their useful lives, ranging from five to 48 years, on a straight-line basis.  On average, our property, plant and equipment is depreciated over 13 years.

Recent Developments

          On May 16, 2005, we announced our unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2005.  We delivered 30 aircraft, compared to 23 aircraft delivered in the first quarter of 2004. 

          Our net sales for the quarter were US$763.3 million, an increase of 21.9% compared to the same period in 2004.  Commercial airline net sales increased 30.5%, from US$443.2 million in the first quarter of 2004 to US$578.2 million in the first quarter of 2005, due to an increase in commercial aircraft deliveries.  Net sales to the business jet market in the first quarter of 2005 were US$33.1 million.  In the first quarter of 2004, we did not recognize any sales in our business jet segment.  Net sales to the defense market decreased 40% from US$130.7 million in the first quarter 2004 to US$78.8 million in the first quarter of 2005.  Other related businesses segment, which includes customer service, net sales increased 40.0% from US$52.3 million in the first quarter of 2004 to US$73.2 million in the first quarter of 2005.

          Costs of sales and services for the quarter totaled US$495.3 million, compared to US$424.2 million in the first quarter of 2004, resulting in a gross margin of 35.1%, compared to 32.3% in the first quarter of 2004.  Gross margin increased as a result of the improvements in the learning curve associated with the commencement of the production of the EMBRAER 170.

          Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2005 were US$143.5 million, compared to US$49.0 million in the first quarter of 2004.  This increase was mainly due to the recognition as operating income in the first quarter of 2004 of US$88.7 million in payments previously received from our risk-sharing partners as a result of the fulfillment of certain contractual milestones in the development of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, compared to US$5.6 million in such payments in the first quarter of 2005.

          As a result, our net income for the first quarter of 2005 was US$96.5 million, compared to US$103.3 million in the first quarter of 2004.  Net income as a percentage of net sales was 12.6%, compared to 16.5% in the first quarter of 2004.

41



Results of Operations

          The following table presents income statement data by business segment.

Summary Financial Data by Business

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

 


 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

US$

2,110.3

 

US$

1,526.4

 

US$

2,579.4

 

Defense

 

 

127.3

 

 

262.4

 

 

365.8

 

Business Jet

 

 

144.9

 

 

175.4

 

 

245.7

 

Other related businesses

 

 

143.3

 

 

179.3

 

 

249.6

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

2,525.8

 

 

2,143.5

 

 

3,440.5

 

Cost of sales and services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

(1,243.9

)

 

(924.9

)

 

(1,613.0

)

Defense

 

 

(79.5

)

 

(205.8

)

 

(291.4

)

Business Jet

 

 

(104.6

)

 

(124.4

)

 

(181.5

)

Other related businesses

 

 

(103.7

)

 

(79.9

)

 

(181.4

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

(1,531.7

)

 

(1,335.0

)

 

(2,267.3

)

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

866.4

 

 

601.5

 

 

966.4

 

Defense

 

 

47.8

 

 

56.6

 

 

74.4

 

Business Jet

 

 

40.3

 

 

51.0

 

 

64.2

 

Other related businesses

 

 

39.6

 

 

99.4

 

 

68.2

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

994.1

 

 

808.5

 

 

1,173.2

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

(335.6

)

 

(345.7

)

 

(348.1

)

Defense

 

 

(15.7

)

 

(15.7

)

 

(59.8

)

Business Jet

 

 

(28.4

)

 

(38.6

)

 

(28.6

)

Other related businesses

 

 

(31.2

)

 

(34.1

)

 

(36.4

)

Unallocated corporate expenses

 

 

(113.6

)

 

(109.6

)

 

(156.3

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

(524.5

)

 

(543.7

)

 

(629.2

)

 

 



 



 



 

Income from operations

 

US$

469.6

 

US$

264.8

 

US$

544.0

 

 

 



 



 



 

42



          The following table sets forth income statement information, and such information as a percentage of our net sales, for the periods indicated.

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(in millions of dollars, except percentages)

 

Net sales

 

US$

2,525.8

 

 

100.0

%

US$

2,143.4

 

 

100.0

%

US$

3,440.5

 

 

100.0

%

Cost of sales and services

 

 

(1,531.7

)

 

60.6

 

 

(1,335.0

)

 

62.3

 

 

(2,267.3

)

 

65.9

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Gross profit

 

 

994.1

 

 

39.4

 

 

808.4

 

 

37.7

 

 

1,173.2

 

 

34.1

 

Operating expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling expenses

 

 

(211.0

)

 

8.4

 

 

(206.2

)

 

9.6

 

 

(342.9

)

 

10.0

 

Research and development

 

 

(158.5

)

 

6.3

 

 

(173.2

)

 

8.1

 

 

(44.5

)

 

1.3

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

(109.7

)

 

4.3

 

 

(114.7

)

 

5.3

 

 

(139.4

)

 

4.1

 

Employee profit sharing

 

 

(25.2

)

 

1.0

 

 

(20.4

)

 

1.0

 

 

(61.2

)

 

1.8

 

Other operating expenses, net

 

 

(20.1

)

 

0.8

 

 

(29.1

)

 

1.4

 

 

(41.3

)

 

1.2

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Income from operations

 

 

469.6

 

 

18.6

 

 

264.8

 

 

12.3

 

 

544.0

 

 

15.8

 

Non-operating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expenses), net

 

 

80.5

 

 

3.2

 

 

(140.8

)

 

6.6

 

 

(38.0

)

 

1.1

 

Exchange loss, net

 

 

(135.6

)

 

5.4

 

 

(16.5

)

 

0.8

 

 

(12.2

)

 

0.4

 

Other non-operating income (expenses), net

 

 

(1.5

)

 

—  

 

 

0.7

 

 

—  

 

 

(0.1

)

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Income before income taxes

 

 

413.0

 

 

16.4

 

 

108.2

 

 

5.0

 

 

493.7

 

 

14.3

 

Income tax benefit (expenses)

 

 

(188.5

)

 

7.5

 

 

28.0

 

 

1.3

 

 

(112.1

)

 

3.3

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Income before minority interest

 

 

224.5

 

 

8.9

 

 

136.2

 

 

6.3

 

 

381.5

 

 

11.1

 

Minority interest

 

 

(1.9

)

 

0.1

 

 

(0.2

)

 

—  

 

 

(1.3

)

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

222.6

 

 

8.8

 

 

136.0

 

 

6.3

 

 

380.2

 

 

11.1

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

US$

222.6

 

 

8.8

%

US$

136.0

 

 

6.3

%

US$

380.2

 

 

11.1

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

2004 Compared with 2003

          Net sales.  Net sales increased 60.5% from US$2,143.4 million in 2003 to US$3,440.5 million in 2004.  Net sales in the commercial airline segment increased 69.0% from US$1,526.4 million in 2003 to US$2,579.4 million in 2004.  Business jet net sales increased 40.1% from US$175.4 million in 2003 to US$245.7 million in 2004.  Defense net sales increased 39.4% from US$262.4 million in 2003 to US$365.8 million in 2004.  Net sales from other related businesses increased 39.2% from US$179.3 million in 2003 to US$249.6 million in 2004.

          The increase in commercial airline sales is primarily due to a larger volume of aircraft deliveries to the commercial airline market in 2004 and a product mix with a higher value as a consequence of the commencement of the EMBRAER 170 deliveries.  The increase in business jet net sales resulted from a product mix with a higher value as a consequence of the larger volume of deliveries of the executive version of the Legacy in 2004.  The increase in defense net sales is primarily due to the commencement of the serial production of the ALX and the advancements made in the F-5 program for the Brazilian Air Force in 2004.  The increase in net sales from other related businesses is mainly due to an increase in sales of spare parts, as a result of an increase in the number of aircraft in service.

43



          Cost of sales and services.  Cost of sales and services increased 69.8% from US$1,335.0 million in 2003 to US$2,267.3 million in 2004, primarily due to the increase in number of aircraft delivered to the commercial airline market during 2004.  Cost of sales and services as a percentage of net sales increased to 65.9% in 2004, compared to 62.3% in 2003.

          Gross profit.  Our gross profit increased 45.1% from US$808.4 million in 2003 to US$1,173.2 million in 2004, primarily as a result of the increase in deliveries in the commercial airline market.  Our gross margin decreased from 37.7% in 2003 to 34.1% in 2004 primarily due to the production learning curve associated with the initial deliveries of the EMBRAER 170 and to benefits provided to the launch customers of this aircraft.

          Operating expenses.  Operating expenses increased by 15.7% from US$543.6 million in 2003 to US$629.3 million in 2004, as compared to an increase in net sales of 60.5% in the same period. 

          Research and development expenses in 2004 were US$44.5 million, compared to US$173.2 million in 2003.  This decrease in research and development expenses was attributable to US$108.6 million in payments previously received from the Company’s risk sharing partners related to certification of the EMBRAER 170 and EMBRAER 175 and the fulfillment of certain contractual milestones, which occurred in 2004. 

          Selling expenses increased 66.2% from US$206.2 million in 2003 to US$342.9 million in 2004.  Selling expenses are directly related to aircraft deliveries. 

           General and administrative expenses increased 21.5% from US$114.7 million in 2003 to US$139.4 million in 2004, due to the effects on the real-denominated administrative expenses resulting from the appreciation of the real during 2004 (approximately 80% of our administrative expenses are denominated in reais) and due to employee salary adjustments of approximately 9% in 2004. 

          Other operating expense, net increased 42.0% from US$29.1 million in 2003 to US$41.3 million in 2004, of which US$21.6 million was related to a tax fine provision related to taxes and payroll charges under legal dispute.

          As a result of the foregoing factors, operating expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased from 25.4% in 2003 to 18.3% in 2004.

          Interest income (expenses), net.  Interest income (expenses), net, decreased from an expense of US$140.8 million in 2003 to an expense of US$38.0 million in 2004, primarily related to losses of US$99.5 million on derivative financial transactions in 2003 compared to gains on derivative financial transactions of US$36.8 million in 2004, partially offset by a US$12.0 million expense related to allowance for debentures investments and mark-to-market investments.  See Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements.

          Exchange loss, net.  Exchange loss, net, decreased from US$16.5 million in 2003 to US$12.2 million in 2004.  These amounts reflect the remeasurement of non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars. 

          Income tax benefit (expenses).  Income tax increased from a benefit of US$28.0 million in 2003 to a provision of US$112.1 million in 2004 as a result of recognition of interest on shareholders’ equity of US$204.0 million distributed in 2004 compared to US$67.5 million distributed in 2003, which distributions are deductible for tax purposes.

          Net income.  As a result of the foregoing factors, our net income increased 179.6% from US$136.0 million in 2003 to US$380.2 million in 2004.  Net income increased as a percentage of net sales.  In 2004, net income was 11.1% of net sales as compared to 6.3% in 2003.

2003 Compared with 2002

          Net sales.  Net sales decreased 15.1% from US$2,525.8 million in 2002 to US$2,143.4 million in 2003.  Net sales in the commercial airline segment decreased 27.7% from US$2,110.3 million in 2002 to US$1,526.4 million in 2003.  Defense net sales increased 106.1% from US$127.3 million in 2002 to US$262.4 million in 2003.  Business jet net sales increased 21.0% from US$144.9 million in 2002 to US$175.4 million in 2003.  Net sales from other related businesses increased 25.1% from US$143.3 million in 2002 to US$179.3 million in 2003.

44



          The decrease in commercial airline sales is primarily due to fewer aircraft deliveries to the commercial airline market in 2003 as a consequence of the continuing worldwide airline crisis.  The increase in business jet net sales resulted from increased deliveries of the Legacy in 2003.  The increase in net sales from other related businesses is mainly due to an increase in sales of spare parts, as a result of an increase in aircraft in service, partially offset by our customers’ continued cost cutting measures, as well as an increase in sales revenues related to operating leases.  The increase in defense net sales is primarily due to the recognition of sales under the Mexican and Greek government programs for the EMB 145 and AEW&C, and under the Brazilian government’s programs for the EMB 145 AEW&C, ALX and F-5.

          Cost of sales and services.  Cost of sales and services decreased 12.8% from US$1,531.7 million in 2002 to US$1,335.0 million in 2003, due to the reduction in number of aircraft delivered to the commercial airline market during 2003, partially offset by an increase in costs in the defense and business jet segments.  Cost of sales and services as a percentage of net sales increased slightly to 62.3% in 2003, compared to 60.6% in 2002.

          Gross profit.  Our gross profit decreased 18.7% from US$994.1 million in 2002 to US$808.4 million in 2003, primarily as a result of the reduction in deliveries in the commercial airline market.  As a result of the decline in cost of sales and services, our gross margin decreased from 39.4% in 2002 to 37.7% in 2003.

          Operating expenses.  Operating expenses increased by 3.6% from US$524.5 million in 2002 to US$543.6 million in 2003.  This increase was attributable primarily to an increase of 9.2% in research and development from US$158.5 million in 2002 to US$173.2 million in 2003, principally related to higher development costs for the EMBRAER 170/190, which is approaching the later stages of development, and to improvements to our business jets.  Research and development is presented net of contributions from suppliers, which are earned based on meeting specified milestones. 

          In 2003, selling expenses were relatively stable as compared to 2002.  As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses increased from 8.4% in 2002 to 9.6% in 2003 despite lower deliveries, due to an increase in the non-cash charge related to financial guarantees of US$26.2 million and an increase of US$12.6 million related to salaries and benefits attributable to the new commercial aircraft sales force structure created to support the EMBRAER 170/190, offset by a decrease of US$23.9 million in our provision for product warranties, as well as a US$31.2 million decrease in customer training and technical assistance expenses.  The increase of US$26.2 million in our non-cash charge was caused by the effect of the economic downturn in the airline industry on our risk analysis of financial guarantees.

          General and administrative expenses increased 4.6% from US$109.7 million in 2002 to US$114.7 million in 2003, due to the effects on the real-denominated portion of this item resulting from the 18.2% appreciation of the real during 2003, offset by a 19.1% decrease in profit sharing related to the reduction in net income and dividends.  Other operating expense, net, increased US$9.0 million, due to an expense of US$10.1 million primarily related to an expense associated with a repossession of certain aircraft intended for Indigo, which had its contract cancelled in August 2003. 

          Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 20.8% in 2002 to 25.4% in 2003, primarily as a result of the decrease in net sales combined with the increases in research and development expenses as well as the non-cash charge for guarantees and the expenses associated with the repossession.

          Interest income (expenses), net.  Interest income (expenses), net, decreased from US$80.5 million in 2002 to an expense of US$140.8 million in 2003, despite higher average cash balances available in 2003, primarily related to losses of US$99.5 million on derivative financial transactions and a US$25.9 million expense related to net monetary and exchange variations due to the effects of the appreciation of the real on net liabilities in foreign currency, primarily taxes and payroll charges in dispute.  See Notes 17, 18 and 21 to our consolidated financial statements.

45



          Exchange loss, net.  Exchange loss, net, decreased from US$135.6 million in 2002 to US$16.5 million in 2003.  These amounts reflect the remeasurement of non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars and the decrease in net assets denominated in reais, partially offset by a higher rate of appreciation of the reais in 2003. 

          Income tax benefit (expenses).  Income tax decreased from a provision of US$188.5 million in 2002 to a benefit of US$28.0 million in 2003 as a result of a US$22.9 million benefit from payments of interest attributed to shareholders’ equity and a US$49.7 million benefit related to foreign exchange gain/loss on translation to U.S. dollars, which, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, is our functional currency.  Our statutory tax rate in 2002 and 2003 was 34%.

          Net income.  As a result of the foregoing factors, our net income decreased 38.9% from US$222.6 million in 2002 to US$136.0 million in 2003.  Net income decreased as a percentage of net sales.  In 2003, net income was 6.3% of net sales as compared to 8.8% in 2002.

5B.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

          Our liquidity needs arise principally from research and development, capital expenditures, principal and interest payments on our debt, working capital requirements and distributions to shareholders.  We generally rely on funds provided by operations, borrowings under our credit arrangements, cash contributions from risk-sharing partners, advance payments from customers and, to a lesser extent, capital increases to meet these needs.  We believe that these sources of funds will be sufficient to fund our future liquidity needs, continue to develop the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, develop our new business jets for the light and very light segments, make other planned capital expenditures and pay dividends.  However, our customers may reschedule deliveries, fail to exercise options or cancel firm orders as a result of the economic downturn and the financial volatility in the airline industry.  In addition, our risk-sharing partners’ cash contributions are refundable under certain limited circumstances and we may need to find replacement sources of capital.

Working Capital and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

          We had a working capital surplus of US$900.7 million at December 31, 2003 and US$1,559.4 million at December 31, 2004.  Working capital increased mainly due to an increase in inventories as a result of increased inventories for the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family and due to an increase in accounts receivable related to aircraft delivered for which sales financing arrangements are under a structuring process. 

          We generated net cash provided by operating activities of US$3.3 million in 2004, as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of US$239.6 million, and US$575.7 million, respectively, in 2003 and 2002.  Net cash provided by operating activities decreased in 2004 primarily as a result of an increase in our accounts receivable and customer and commercial financing and an increase in our inventories, partially offset by an increase in our trade accounts payable.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

           Our net cash used in investing activities was US$217.8 million in 2004 compared to US$72.7 million in 2003 and US$104.2 million in 2002.  The increase in 2004 was mainly due to US$158.7 million related to temporary cash investments.  As part of our analysis of variable interest entities under FIN 46-R, we concluded that the private investment funds used by us to invest in underlying investments included US$106.7 million in debt securities, which we would have accounted for as cash equivalents prior to FIN 46-R, that should be included in temporary cash investments. In 2003, this amount of debt securities totaled US$92.9 million.  See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements.                   

Capital Expenditures

          We recorded additions to property, plant and equipment of US$50.1 million in 2004, US$64.8 million in 2003 and US$111.0 million in 2002.  These expenditures related to construction of facilities, improvements to our plant and production facilities and modifications for the production of new aircraft models.

46



          We currently expect investments in property, plant and equipment to total approximately US$78.0 million in 2005 and an additional US$59.0 million in 2006, primarily related to the production of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, as well as our defense aircraft and business jets.

Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities and Total Debt

          Our net cash provided by (used in) financing activities decreased from net cash provided by financing activities of US$403.8 million in 2003 to net cash provided by financing activities of US$105.2 million in 2004.  The decrease was primarily due to an increase in repayments of loans and an increase in payments of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity, partially offset by an increase in proceeds from borrowings.  Our net cash provided by (used in) financing activities increased from net cash used in financing activities of US$352.4 million in 2002 to net cash provided by financing activities of US$403.8 million in 2003, mainly due to a decrease in repayments of loans and a decrease in payments of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity.

          At December 31, 2004, we had total debt of US$1,338.7 million under our financing arrangements described below, 61.7% of which consisted of long-term debt and 38.3% of which consisted of short-term debt.  In comparison, we had total debt of US$1,043.7 million at December 31, 2003 and US$552.6 million at December 31, 2002, consisting of 50.5% and 55.8% of long-term debt, respectively.  Our total debt increased from 2003 to 2004 largely due to new borrowings.

          Total debt consists of amounts recorded as loans and financing on our balance sheet and excludes non-recourse and recourse debt associated with customer financing arrangements transacted through special purposes entities, or SPEs.  In structured financings, an SPE purchases an aircraft from us, pays us the full purchase price on delivery or at the conclusion of the sales financing structure, and leases the related aircraft to the ultimate customer.  A third-party financial institution facilitates the financing of an aircraft purchase through an SPE, and a portion of the credit risk remains with that third party.  We may provide financial guarantees and/or residual value guarantees in favor of the financial institution, as well as act as the equity participant in such financial structuring process.  According to FIN 46-R (“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities an interpretation of A RB 51”), an enterprise shall consolidate a variable interest entity if that enterprise has a variable interest that will absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses if they occur, receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns if they occur, or both.  Therefore, we have been consolidating certain SPEs owned by third parties where we are the primary beneficiary.  See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements.

          The effect of consolidating these SPEs resulted in non-recourse and recourse debt at December 31, 2004, reflected as a separate line item on our balance sheet, of US$1,005.7 million, collateralized accounts receivable of US$840.0 million and US$105.5 million accounted for as customer and commercial financing.  US$779.3 million of this debt is non-recourse and we have no actual obligation for such debt as debtor or guarantor, other than potentially under existing financial guarantees for the financed aircraft.  The remaining US$226.4 million of debt is recourse to us as a result of pending equity contributions and is secured by a pledge of a deposit with a financial institution.  The non-recourse and recourse debt is collateralized by the collateralized accounts receivable and by the financed aircraft and, as a result, we do not anticipate a net cash outflow related to our non-recourse debt in the future.  These financing transactions do not materially affect our income statement and cash flow data since the terms of the leases and the loans are substantially the same.  See Notes 8, 9 and 30 to our consolidated financial statements.

Credit Facilities and Lines of Credit

Long-term facilities

          We maintain credit facilities with BNDES in a total amount of US$16.4 million outstanding at December 31, 2004, US$ 10.7 million of which is currently in short-term, and of which US$9.0 million is related to the development of the ERJ 145, and with FINEP in a total amount of US$8.7 million outstanding at December 31, 2004, of which US$1.5 million is related to the development costs of the AL-X.  The total amounts borrowed under the BNDES and FINEP credit facilities are due October 2008 and November 2009, respectively.  Amounts borrowed from BNDES are secured by first, second and third mortgages on our properties in Brazil.  The interest rates on these facilities range from TJLP plus 3.0% to TJLP plus 5.5% per annum.  For BNDES borrowings, we also paid fees at the rate of 0.35% of the sales price of 420 ERJ 145s sold between January 1, 1997 and August 1, 2002. 

47



          We have a credit facility with the Tokyo Branch of The Chase Manhattan Bank under which we borrowed the Japanese yen equivalent of US$150.0 million, principally to fund our purchase of aircraft component parts, of which US$72.5 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2004.  This loan matures in December 2006 and bears an interest rate equal to the twelve-month Japanese interbank deposit rate, or JIBOR, plus 1.1% per annum. 

          In September 2002, we secured a US$100.0 million credit facility with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and borrowed the full amount available thereunder, of which US$101.2 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2004.  This loan matures in September 2009 and bears interest at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.15%.  The facility is guaranteed by Unibanco – União de Bancos Brasileiros S.A. and provides that, if we fail to maintain a minimum of 100 firm orders during the duration of the facility, Mitsui & Co. Ltd. has the right to declare all amounts outstanding under this facility due and payable. 

          We also have a US$100.0 million credit facility with Santander Central Hispano Benelux S.A., fully disbursed to fund our purchases of wings and other equipment from Gamesa.  As of December 31, 2004, US$78.5 million was outstanding under this facility, which bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.49% per annum with a final maturity in February 2009. 

          In July 2003, we signed a credit agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and other lenders providing for a term loan of US$200.0 million, at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.97% per annum with a final maturity in June 2010, to purchase materials for the manufacture of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.  We borrowed the full amount under this facility in July 2003, of which US$200.9 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2004.

          In April 2004, we entered into a credit agreement with Banco do Brasil S.A. for an import financing facility for US$50.0 million, at a fixed rate of 5.63% per annum with final maturity in April 2007.  We have borrowed the full amount of the facility, of which US$51.6 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2004.

          In May 2004, we entered into a credit agreement with ABN Amro Bank for US$71.0 million, at a fixed rate of 7.19% per annum with final maturity in May 2009.  We have borrowed the full amount of the facility, of which US$74.3 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2004. 

          We have various other loans and credit agreements with aggregate outstanding borrowings of US$336.0 million at December 31, 2004, of which US$114.4 million was allocated to our subsidiaries.

          Each of our long-term financing arrangements includes customary covenants and restrictions, including those that require us to maintain defined debt liquidity and interest expense coverage ratios, with which we were in compliance at December 31, 2004 and none of which are expected to have a material effect on our business.  See Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements for further information on these financing arrangements.

          In June 2005, we entered into an IFC – International Finance Corporation A/B Loan Secured Facility for a total amount of US$180.0 million, which includes the A loan for up to US$35.0 million, the B1 loan for up to US$60.0 million and a B2 loan for up to US$85.0 million.  The terms of the loans are 12, 10 and eight years, respectively, and the loans bear interest at a average rate of six-month LIBOR plus 2.9% per annum.  The facility will be secured by a combination of mortgages on Embraer’s main industrial facility in Brazil, three EMBRAER 170/190 pre-series aircraft and a bank account pledge agreement an amount equivalent to 12 months interest coverage.  In addition to the customary covenants and restrictions, including but not limited to those that require us to maintain defined debt liquidity and interest expense coverage ratios, the facility will have covenants related to compliance with IFC general environmental, health and safety guidelines.  Embraer has also agreed to a mandatory pre-payment provision which limits our net revenues generated by selling and supporting offensive attack aircraft to 12.5% of our total net revenues.

48



Short-term facilities

          We obtain short-term financing primarily from Brazilian banks in the form of advances against exchange contracts that we enter into with those banks relating to payments we are entitled to receive within a period of not more than 360 days prior to delivery of aircraft.  At December 31, 2004, we had US$48.0 million outstanding under these arrangements.  In October 2004, we negotiated with BNDES a short-term pre-export credit financing for an amount up to US$400.0 million, of which US$310.7 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2004.  This amount was fully repaid in January 2005.

          We have various other short-term loans with aggregate outstanding borrowings of US$39.8 million at December 31, 2004, of which US$26.6 million was allocated to our subsidiaries to finance working capital requirements.  See Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements for further information on our short-term financing arrangements.

Capital Contributions and Issuances of Capital Stock

          During 2004, we received capital contributions in the aggregate amount of US$3.2 million, representing the issuance of preferred shares upon the exercise of options.  During 2004, we issued 2,296,285 preferred shares at a weighted average exercise price of R$4.15 per share.  In addition, through June 22, 2005, 1,948,235 preferred shares were issued upon the exercise of options at an average exercise price of R$7.07 per share.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

          At its March 31, 2004 meeting, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached final consensus on EITF Issue No. 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share.”  Typically, a participating security is entitled to share in a company’s earnings, often via a formula tied to dividends on the company’s common stock.  The issue clarifies what is meant by the term participating security, as used in Statement 128.  When an instrument is deemed to be a participating security, it has the potential to significantly reduce basic earnings per common share because the two-class method must be used to compute the instrument’s effect on earnings per share.  The consensus also covers other instruments whose terms include a participation feature.  The consensus also addresses the allocation of losses.  If undistributed earnings must be allocated to participating securities under the two-class method, losses should also be allocated.  However, EITF 03-6 limits this allocation only to situations when the security has (1) the right to participate in the earnings of the company, and (2) an objectively determinable contractual obligation to share in net losses of the company.  The consensus reached in EITF 03-6 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after March 31, 2004 (effectively the second fiscal quarter for calendar year-end companies).  EPS in prior periods must be retroactively adjusted in order to comply with the consensus decisions reached in EITF 03-6.  We do not expect that this consensus will have any impact on our calculation of basic and diluted EPS.

          In September 2004, the FASB issued FSP EITF Issue 03-1-1, which delayed the effective date of paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments.”  Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-1 give guidance on how to evaluate and recognize an impairment loss that is other-than-temporary.  Application of these paragraphs has been deferred pending issuance of proposed FSP Issue 03-1a.  We are analyzing whether the adoption of this new EITF will have any significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

          In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs - an amendment of ARB No. 43.” This Standard requires abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) to be recognized as current period charges.  Additionally, it requires that allocation of fixed production overhead costs be allocated to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production facility.  The provisions of this Standard apply prospectively and are effective for us for inventory costs incurred after January 1, 2006.  While we believe this Standard will not have a material effect on our financial statements, the impact of adopting these new rules is dependent on events that could occur in future periods, and as such, an estimate of the impact cannot be determined until the event occurs in future periods.

49



          In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets,” an amendment of APB No. 29.  This Statement amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of non-monetary assets that do not have commercial substance.  The Statement specifies that a non-monetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange.  This Statement is effective for non-monetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005.  Earlier application is permitted for non-monetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after the date this Statement was issued.  Retroactive application is not permitted.  We will apply this Statement in the event exchanges of non-monetary assets occur after December 31, 2005.

          In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payments” or SFAS 123R.  This statement eliminated the option to apply the intrinsic value measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” to stock compensation awards issued to employees.  Rather, SFAS 123R requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.  That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award – the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).  SFAS 123R applies to all awards granted after the required effective date and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date.  SFAS 123R will be effective for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.  We have not yet quantified the effect of the future adoption of SFAS 123R on a going forward basis.

          In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47.  This interpretation clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No.143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”, refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity.  The Interpretation was issued in order to minimize the diverse accounting practices that have developed with respect to the timing of liability recognition for legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset when the timing and (or) method of settlement of the obligation are conditional on a future event.  This Interpretation clarifies that an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when it is incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated.  The Interpretation is effective no later than the end of the fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005 (December 31, 2005 for calendar-year enterprises).  We previously evaluated the application of FASB Statement No. 143 to our operations and concluded that no material effects would be expected.  We will consider this Interpretation in 2005 in the event a conditional asset retirement obligation arises.

          In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement No. 154.  This statement replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and FASB Statement No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle.  The Statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. Contrary to Opinion 20 that previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle, this Statement requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change.  When it is impracticable to determine the period-specific effects of an accounting change on one or more individual prior periods presented, this Statement requires that the new accounting principle be applied to the balances of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the earliest period for which retrospective application is practicable and that a corresponding adjustment be made to the opening balance of retained earnings for that period rather than being reported in an income statement.  When it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect of applying a change in accounting principle to all prior periods, this Statement requires that the new accounting principle be applied as if it were adopted prospectively from the earliest date practicable.  This Statement carries forward without change the guidance contained in Opinion 20 for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate.  This Statement also carries forward the guidance in Opinion 20 requiring justification of a change in accounting principle on the basis of preferability.  This Statement shall be effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.  Early adoption is permitted for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after the date this Statement is issued.  We will apply this statement in the event that exchanges of non-monetary assets occur in fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2005.

50



5C.

Research and Development

          We incur research and development costs related to our aircraft and aircraft components.  We also incur research and development costs that are not associated with the development of any particular aircraft.  Such costs include the implementation of quality assurance initiatives, production line productivity improvements and studies to determine the latest developments in technology and quality standards.  The research and development costs incurred by Embraer are divided into two categories, research and development expense and additions to fixed assets.  The research and development expense is the cost actually associated with the design and development of the aircraft less amounts earned from cash contribution from risk-sharing partners based on meeting performance milestones.  Under U.S. GAAP, these costs are expensed in the year in which they are incurred.  Additions to fixed assets relate solely to specialized equipment built by us and required for the project.  These costs are treated as additions to property, plant and equipment.

          We invest significantly in the development of new projects.  Total research and development expenses for 2002, 2003 and 2004, including expenses related to the development of the EMBRAER 170/190 jet family, were US$158.5 million, US$173.2 million and US$44.5 million, respectively, net of cash contributions provided by risk-sharing partners.  Research and development costs as a percentage of net sales were 6.3% in 2002, 8.1% in 2003 and 1.3% in 2004.  The decrease in the percentage in 2004 reflects principally the contributions from our risk-sharing partners in the amount of US$108.6 million.  In 2005, we expect our research and development costs to total approximately US$120.0 million.  We do not record an expense for research and development of defense programs as they are funded by the Brazilian government and other government customers.  Most of our research and development expenses are associated with a particular program, whether commercial, business jet or defense.

          We receive additional funds from risk-sharing partners to fund our cash costs for our commercial research and development.  In addition, the Brazilian and other governments fund substantially all of our defense research and development costs under long-term development contracts.

5D.

Trend Information

          The following table summarizes our commercial airline sales order book at March 31, 2005.  Our total firm order backlog at that date, including business jets and defense aircraft, was US$9.9 billion (US$10.1 billion at December 31, 2004).

Commercial Airline Market

 

Firm
Orders

 

Options

 

Deliveries

 

Firm Order
Backlog

 


 


 


 


 


 

EMB 120 Brasília

 

 

352

 

 

—  

 

 

352

 

 

—  

 

ERJ 135

 

 

123

 

 

2

 

 

108

 

 

15

 

ERJ 140

 

 

94

 

 

20

 

 

74

 

 

20

 

ERJ 145

 

 

681

 

 

211

 

 

634

 

 

47

 

EMBRAER 170

 

 

172

 

 

137

 

 

56

 

 

116

 

EMBRAER 175

 

 

15

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

15

 

EMBRAER 190

 

 

155

 

 

230

 

 

—  

 

 

155

 

EMBRAER 195

 

 

15

 

 

20

 

 

—  

 

 

15

 

51



The following tables set forth our commercial airline order book at March 31, 2005 by aircraft type, customer and country.

          ERJ 135:

Customer

 

Firm Orders

 

Delivered

 

Firm Order
Backlog

 


 


 


 


 

American Eagle (USA)

 

 

40

 

 

40

 

 

—  

 

British Midland (UK)

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

—  

 

City Airline AB (Sweden)

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

ExpressJet (USA)

 

 

30

 

 

30

 

 

—  

 

Flandair (France)

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

—  

 

Jet Magic (Ireland)

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

Luxair (Luxembourg)

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

Pan Européenne (France)

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

Proteus (France)

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

—  

 

Regional Airlines (France)

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

—  

 

Republic Airways (USA)

 

 

15

 

 

15

 

 

—  

 

South Africa Airlink (South Africa)

 

 

20

 

 

5

 

 

15

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL

 

 

123

 

 

108

 

 

15

 

          ERJ 140:

Customer

 

Firm Orders

 

Delivered

 

Firm Order
Backlog

 


 


 


 


 

American Eagle (USA)

 

 

59

 

 

59

 

 

—  

 

Midwest (USA)

 

 

20

 

 

—  

 

 

20

 

Republic Airways (USA)

 

 

15

 

 

15

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL

 

 

94

 

 

74

 

 

20

 

          ERJ 145:

Customer

 

Firm Orders

 

Delivered

 

Firm Order
Backlog

 


 


 


 


 

Aerolitoral (Mexico)

 

 

5

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

Air Caraibes (Guadalupe)

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

Alitalia (Italy)

 

 

14

 

 

14

 

 

—  

 

American Eagle (USA)

 

 

118

 

 

107

 

 

11

 

Axon (Greece)

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

—  

 

British Midland (UK)

 

 

9

 

 

9

 

 

—  

 

British Regional Airlines (UK)

 

 

23

 

 

23

 

 

—  

 

Brymon (UK)

 

 

7

 

 

7

 

 

—  

 

China Southern (China)

 

 

6

 

 

6

 

 

—  

 

China Eastern Jiangsu (China)

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

 

5

 

Cirrus (Germany)

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

ExpressJet (USA)

 

 

245

 

 

221

 

 

24

 

ERA (Spain)

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

Flandre Air (France)

 

 

7

 

 

5

 

 

2

 

GECAS (PB Air - Thailand)

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

KLM EXEL (Holand)

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

Lot Polish (Poland)

 

 

14

 

 

14

 

 

—  

 

Luxair (Luxembourg)

 

 

9

 

 

9

 

 

—  

 

Mesa (USA)

 

 

36

 

 

36

 

 

—  

 

Portugalia (Portugal)

 

 

8

 

 

8

 

 

—  

 

Proteus (France)

 

 

11

 

 

8

 

 

3

 

Regional (France)

 

 

17

 

 

15

 

 

2

 

Republic Airways (USA)

 

 

60

 

 

60

 

 

—  

 

Rheintalflug (Austria)

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

—  

 

Rio Sul (Brazil)

 

 

16

 

 

16

 

 

—  

 

Sichuan (China)

 

 

5

 

 

5

 

 

—  

 

Skyways (Sweden)

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

 

—  

 

Swiss (Switzerland)

 

 

25

 

 

25

 

 

—  

 

Transtates (USA)

 

 

22

 

 

22

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL

 

 

681

 

 

634

 

 

47

 

52



          EMBRAER 170:

Customer

 

Firm Orders

 

Delivered

 

Firm Order
Backlog

 


 


 


 


 

Alitalia (Italy)

 

 

6

 

 

6

 

 

—  

 

Cirrus (Germany)

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

Finnair (Finland)

 

 

12

 

 

—  

 

 

12

 

Gecas (USA)

 

 

8

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

Lot Polish (Poland)

 

 

6

 

 

4

 

 

2

 

Republic Airline (USA)

 

 

39

 

 

16

 

 

23

 

Swiss (Switzerland)

 

 

15

 

 

—  

 

 

15

 

US Airways (USA)

 

 

85

 

 

25

 

 

60

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL

 

 

172

 

 

56

 

 

116

 

          EMBRAER 175:

Customer

 

Firm Orders

 

Delivered

 

Firm Order
Backlog

 


 


 


 


 

Air Canada (Canada)

 

 

15

 

 

—  

 

 

15

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL

 

 

15

 

 

—  

 

 

15

 

          EMBRAER 190:

Customer

 

Firm Orders

 

Delivered

 

Firm  Order
Backlog

 


 


 


 


 

Air Canada (Canada)

 

 

45

 

 

—  

 

 

45

 

Copa (Panama)

 

 

10

 

 

—  

 

 

10

 

Jet Blue (USA)

 

 

100

 

 

—  

 

 

100

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL

 

 

155

 

 

—  

 

 

155

 

53



          EMBRAER 195:

Customer

 

Firm Orders

 

Delivered

 

Firm Order
Backlog

 


 


 


 


 

Swiss (Switzerland)

 

 

15

 

 

—  

 

 

15

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL

 

 

15

 

 

—  

 

 

15

 

          For additional information regarding trends in our business, see “Item 4B. Business Overview-Business Strategies” and “Item 5A. Operating Results-Current Conditions and Future Trends in the Airline Industry and Business Jet Market.”  For risks affecting our business, see “Item 3D. Risk Factors.”

5E.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

          We participate in a number of off-balance sheet arrangements, principally relating to trade-in obligations and financial and residual value guarantees.  We also have a number of swap transactions that are described in “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

          In addition to the off-balance sheet arrangements discussed below, we were also contingently liable for repurchasing a number of aircraft sold under sales contracts that provided the customer with the right to sell the aircraft back to us in the future, according to defined price rules.  These repurchase commitments were cancelled in 2004 pursuant to formal amendments entered into with the holders of such options.

Trade-in Obligations

          In connection with the signing of a purchase contract for new aircraft, we may provide trade-in options to our customers.  These options provide a customer with the right to trade in existing aircraft upon the purchase of a new aircraft.  At December 31, 2004, six commercial aircraft were subject to trade-in options, and additional aircraft may become subject to trade-in options upon delivery.  The trade-in price is determined in the manner discussed above for commercial jets.  We may be required to accept trade-ins at prices that are above the then-market price of the aircraft, which would result in financial loss for us when we resell the aircraft.  Based on our current estimates and third party appraisals, we believe that any aircraft accepted for trade-in could be sold without any material gain or loss.  In 2004, we were not required to accept any aircraft for trade-in. 

Financial and Residual Value Guarantees 

          We have guaranteed the financial performance of a portion of the financing for, and the residual value of, some of our aircraft that have already been delivered.  Financial guarantees are provided to financing parties to support a portion of the payment obligations of purchasers of our aircraft under their financing arrangements to mitigate default-related losses.  These guarantees are collateralized by the financed aircraft.

          Assuming all customers supported by financial guarantees defaulted on their aircraft financing arrangements, and also assuming we were required to pay the full aggregate amount of outstanding residual value guarantees and we were not able to remarket any of the aircraft to offset our obligations, our maximum exposure under these guarantees (less provisions and liabilities) would have been US$2.0 billion as of December 31, 2004.  For further discussion of these off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 34 of our consolidated financial statements. 

          We have US$231.1 million deposited in escrow accounts as collateral for financing and residual value guarantees of certain aircraft sold.  If the guarantor of the debt (an unrelated third party) is required to pay the creditors of such financing arrangement or the residual value guarantee, the guarantor has the right to withdraw from the escrow account.  Based on current estimates, we believe that the proceeds from the sale or lease of the covered aircraft (based on resale value as of December 31, 2004) and from other offsetting collections, such as cash deposits, would exceed our exposure by US$8.1 million.  The deposited amounts will be released when the financing contracts mature (from 2013 to 2021) if no default by the buyers of the aircraft occurs or the aircraft market price is above the residual value guarantee.

54



          The interest earned on the escrow funds is added to the balance in escrow and is recorded as interest income by the Company.  In order to earn a better interest rate on such guarantee deposits, in 2004, we structured a fourteen-year US$42.2 million note with the depositary bank, which generated interest in the amount of US$7.3 million in 2004 that was added to the principal amount and recognized in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.  This yield enhancement was obtained through a credit default swap (CDS) transaction which provides to the note holder the right of early redemption of the note in case of a credit event by the Company.  Upon such a credit event, the note may be redeemed by the holder at the greater of the note’s market value or its original face amount, which would result in a loss of all interest accrued on such note to date.  Credit events include obligation and payment defaults under the terms of the guarantees above specified thresholds, events related to the restructuring of the obligations above a specified threshold, bankruptcy and a repudiation of and/or moratorium on the obligations above a specified threshold.  See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.

          Our residual value guarantees typically ensure that in the 15th year after delivery, the relevant aircraft will have a residual market value of 18% to 25% of the original sale price.  In the event of a decrease in the market value of the underlying aircraft and an exercise by the purchaser of the residual value guarantee, we will bear the difference between the guaranteed residual value and the market value of the aircraft at the time of exercise.  Our exposure is mitigated by the fact that the guaranteed party, in order to benefit from the guarantee, must make the aircraft meet specific return conditions.

          For a discussion of the risks related to our trade-in obligations and our financial and residual value guarantee obligations, see “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risk Relating to Embraer—Our aircraft sales are subject to cancellation provisions and trade-in options and financial and residual value guarantees that may reduce our cash flow or require us to make significant cash disbursements in the future.”

          We continually re-evaluate our risk under our guarantees and trade-in obligations based on a number of factors, including the estimated future market value of our aircraft based on third party appraisals, including information developed from the sale or lease of similar aircraft in the secondary market, and the credit rating of customers.  See Note 34 to our consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of these off-balance sheet arrangements.

5F.

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations


          The following table and discussion provide additional disclosure regarding our material contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2004.

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than 1 year

 

1 - 3 years

 

3 - 5 years

 

More than 5 years

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Loans

 

US$

1,338.7

 

US$

513.3

 

US$

498.7

 

US$

299.6

 

US$

27.1

 

Capital lease obligations

 

 

4.5

 

 

2.8

 

 

1.7

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Operating leases

 

 

8.8

 

 

2.4

 

 

2.4

 

 

0.4

 

 

3.6

 

Purchase obligations

 

 

565.5

 

 

562.1

 

 

3.4

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

1,575.4

 

 

84.4

 

 

791.7

 

 

224.7

 

 

474.6

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

US$

3,492.9

 

US$

1,165.0

 

US$

1,297.9

 

US$

524.7

 

US$

505.3

 

          The above table does not reflect contractual commitments related to trade-in options and financial and residual value guarantees discussed in “Item 5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” above.  See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risk Relating to Embraer—Our aircraft sales are subject to cancellation provisions and trade-in options and financial and residual value guarantees that may reduce our cash flow or require us to make significant cash disbursements in the future.”

          Purchase obligations consist of trade accounts payable and insurance payables.

55



          Other long-term liabilities include recourse and non-recourse debt in the total amount of US$654.3 million that relates to obligations of our consolidated SPEs.  The above table does not reflect any information about our derivative instruments, which are discussed more fully in “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

ITEM 6.     DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

6A.

Directors and Senior Management


          We are managed by our Conselho de Administração, or Board of Directors, composed of at least nine and at most eighteen members, and our Diretoria, or committee of officers, composed of at least four members (each an executive officer).  We have a permanent Conselho Fiscal, or audit board, which is composed of five members.

Board of Directors

          Our Board of Directors ordinarily meets four times a year and extraordinarily when called by the chairman or by the majority of members of the board.  It has responsibility, among other things, for establishing our general business policies and for electing our executive officers and supervising their management.

          Our bylaws provide that the Chief Executive Officer of Embraer is automatically a member of the Board of Directors.  As a result, Maurício Novis Botelho, currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Embraer, is a member of the Board of Directors.  Our controlling shareholders, Cia. Bozano, PREVI and SISTEL, have entered into a shareholders’ agreement which provides that when they appoint members of our Board of Directors at shareholders’ meetings, they will each appoint two representatives (and alternates), and together they will vote to elect two representatives (and alternates) of the European Aerospace and Defense Group and one representative (and alternate) of the Brazilian government.  This representative of the Brazilian government is in addition to the representative that the Brazilian government is entitled to appoint directly as the holder of a common share of a special class, the “golden share.”  See “Item 7A. Major Shareholders-Voting Rights-Shareholders’ Agreement” for more information on the shareholders’ agreement.  In addition, our bylaws provide that our employees are entitled to two representatives (and alternates) on our Board of Directors, who are elected at the annual shareholders’ meeting.

          All members of the Board of Directors serve three-year terms.  The term of the mandate of the current members of the board expires in April 2007.  Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and brief biographical descriptions of the members of the Board of Directors at April 18, 2005.

Name

 

Age

 

Position

 

Year First
Elected


 


 


 


Luiz Carlos Siqueira Aguiar

 

42

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

2004

Vitor Sarquis Hallack

 

52

 

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

1995

Henrique Pizzolato

 

52

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2003

Carlyle Wilson

 

76

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2000

Carlos Alberto Cardoso Moreira

 

45

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2004

Wilson Carlos Duarte Delfino

 

58

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2004

Maurício Novis Botelho

 

62

 

President and Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors

 

2000

Neimar Dieguez Barreiro

 

60

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2004

Rubens Antonio Barbosa

 

66

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2004

François Regis Yves Marie Gayet

 

60

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2005

Christian Paul Maurice Gras

 

47

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2004

Paulo Cesar de Souza Lucas

 

45

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

1999

Claudemir Marques de Almeida

 

52

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

2004

56



          Luiz Carlos Siqueira Aguiar.  Mr. Aguiar has been an executive officer of PREVI since February 2003.  From August 2000 to February 2003, he was an officer of Banco do Brasil.  He also served as Deputy Manager of Banco do Brasil in New York from February 1997 to August 2000.  He was previously a member of the board of directors of Seguradora Brasileira de Crédito a Exportação, a Brazilian trade finance insurance company, from May 2001 to February 2003.  Since April 2003 and July 2003, respectively, he has served as Deputy Chairman of the board of directors of Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz – CPFL, a utility company, and as a member of the Financing Committee of Companhia Vale do Rio Doce – CVRD, a mining company.  Mr. Aguiar was elected as a board member and chairman of the board in April 2004, as a representative of PREVI, and his business address is Praia do Botafogo, 501, 4th floor, 22250-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. 

          Vitor Sarquis Hallack.  Mr. Hallack has been with the Bozano Group since 1993.  He is an executive officer of Cia. Bozano and a board member and an executive officer of Bozano Holdings Ltd.  From April 1998 to May 2000, he was an executive officer of Banco Bozano Simonsen S.A.  Prior to joining Cia. Bozano, Mr. Hallack was the officer in charge of new business development and the chief financial officer of Companhia Vale do Rio Doce – CVRD, a mining company, from December 1990 to March 1993.  Mr. Hallack is a representative of Cia. Bozano, and his business address is Rua Visconde de Ouro Preto, 5, 10th floor, 22250-180 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

          Henrique Pizzolato.  Mr. Pizzolato has been the Marketing and Communications Officer for Banco do Brasil since February 2003.  From June 1998 to May 2002, he was the Director of Social Security at PREVI.  He was also a member of the Board of Banco do Brasil from 1993 to 1996.  In addition, Mr. Pizzolato was a member of the board of directors of Telecentrosul and Brasil Telecom, telecommunications companies, from 1999 to 2000.  He is a representative of PREVI, and his business address is SBS Quadro 1, Bloco C, Lote 32, Edifício Sede 3, 19th floor, 70073-901 Brasilia, DF, Brazil.

          Carlyle Wilson.  Mr. Wilson has been with the Bozano group since 1972.  Mr. Wilson is an executive officer of Cia. Bozano and a board member of Bozano Holdings Ltd.  Since 1992, Mr. Wilson has been a board member of Berneck Aglomerados, a wood fiber-board manufacturing company.  In addition, since 1980, Mr. Wilson has been a board member of Bozano, Simonsen Centros Comerciais S.A., a shopping center administration company, and since 1986 he has been a board member of GD Empreendimentos Imobiliários S.A., a real estate company.  From January 1995 to January 2000, Mr. Wilson was an alternate board member of Embraer.  Mr. Wilson is a representative of Cia. Bozano, and his business address is Rua Visconde de Ouro Preto, 5, 10th floor, 22250-180 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

          Wilson Carlos Duarte Delfino.  Mr. Delfino has been the acting President and Chief Executive Officer of SISTEL since January 2004, and has also served as Executive Officer of Planning, Controlling, and Administrative Offices of SISTEL since March 2000.  Previously, Mr. Delfino served as Assistant to the Executive Officer responsible for the Coordination of the Committee of Investments of SISTEL from September 1993 to September 1994 and as Manager of the Investment Analysis Department of SISTEL from October 1994 to March 2000.  He has also been a member of the board of directors of Paranapanema, a mining company, since April 1998.  Mr. Delfino is a representative of SISTEL, and his business address is SEP Sul, Quadra 702/902 – Conj. B, Bloco A, Ed. Gal. Alencastro, 2nd floor, 70390-025 Brasília, DF, Brazil.

          Carlos Alberto Cardoso Moreira.  Mr. Moreira has been an Executive Officer of Investments and Financing at SISTEL since June 2000.  He served as Officer of Institutional Clients for Banco BMC S/A in São Paulo from June 1992 to November 1999 and as Resident Vice President of Citibank N.A. in São Paulo from May 1988 to May 1992.  In addition, Mr. Moreira is a member of the board of directors of the World Trade Center/SP Enterprise, a real estate company, and a member of the board of directors of Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz – CPFL, a utility company.  Mr. Moreira is a representative of SISTEL, and his business address is the same as Mr. Delfino’s above.

          Maurício Novis Botelho.  Mr. Botelho has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Embraer since September 1995, as well as an executive officer and/or chairman of the board of several of Embraer’s subsidiaries.  Mr. Botelho served as chief executive officer of OTL – Odebrecht Automação & Telecomunicações Ltda., also known as OTL and later named Stelar Telecom, a telecommunications company, from 1988 to 1995.  He also served as chief executive officer of CMW Equipamentos S.A., or CMW, an industrial automation company, from 1985 to 1995.  He was also the chief executive officer of STL – Engenharia de Sistemas Ltda., also known as STL, a project engineering company, from 1985 to 1995, a partner in Soluções Integradas PROLAN Ltda., also known as PROLAN, a corporate network company, from 1994 to 1995, and executive vice-president of TENENGE – Técnica Nacional de Engenharia Ltda., or TENENGE, a construction company, during 1992.  During 1995, Mr. Botelho was an executive officer of Cia. Bozano.  Mr. Botelho is a board member pursuant our bylaws, which provides that our Chief Executive Officer is automatically a member of the Board of Directors, and his business address is the address of our principal executive offices.

57



          Neimar Deiguez Barreiro.  Mr. Barreiro has been a Brigadier Major in the Brazilian Air Force since July 2001 and the Secretary of Economy and Financing of the Brazilian Air Force since August 2001.  He is also the representative of the Air Force in the Interministerial Follow-up Group of the Strengthening Program of Control of the Brazilian Air Space.  He has served in the Brazilian Air Force since 1963.  He is the representative of the Brazilian government, through the government’s ownership of the common share of a special class, the “golden share,” and his business address is Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco M, 3rd floor, room 05, 70045-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil.

          Rubens Antonio Barbosa.  Mr. Barbosa served as the Brazilian Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2004.  From 1994 to 1999, he served as the Brazilian Ambassador to the Court of St. James.  Mr. Barbosa also served as the President of the Association of Coffee Producing Countries – APPC from 1994 to 1999 in London, and has held several positions in the Brazilian government’s Foreign Affairs Division, including, most recently, General Subsecretary for Regional Integration, External Commerce and Economic Affairs for the Ministry of External Relations from December 1991 to December 1993 and Brazilian Coordinator for Mercosul-Southern Cone Common Market from August 1991 to December 1993.  Mr. Barbosa is the representative of the Brazilian government and was elected by our shareholders.  His business address is Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2055, 9th floor, conjunto 92, 01452-001 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

          François Gayet. Mr. Gayet has been Senior Vice President Marketing and Sales of Thales™ since 2004.  He joined Thales™ in 1975, and during his career has held several managing and executive positions including Senior Vice President of the Naval Systems Business Group, Senior Vice President France Defense, Chairman and CEO of Thales, Inc, and Chairman of Thales North America (TNA).  Mr. Gayet is a representative of the European Aerospace and Defense Group and his business address is 45 Rue de Villiers, 92526 Neuly-sur-Seine Cedex, France.

          Christian Paul Maurice Gras.  Mr. Gras has been Senior Vice President for Latin America for the European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company since 2003.  Previously, he served as Executive Vice President Customer Support of Eurocopter SAS from September 2000 to December 2002, as Chief Executive Officer of the American Eurocopter Corporation from 1997 to 2000 and as Chief Executive Officer of the Eurocopter subsidiary in Mexico and President of Marketing and Customer Support from 1994 to 1996, all of which are helicopter manufacturing corporations.  Mr. Gras has also served as a board member for France Trade Advisor (CCE), a trade organization, since 1996.  He is a representative of the European Aerospace and Defense Group, and his business address is Av. Cidade Jardim, 400, 16th floor, Ed. Dacon, 01454-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

          Paulo Cesar de Souza Lucas.  Mr. Lucas has participated in our strategic planning division since 1998 and was the coordinator of Embraer’s implementation of the modernization and cost-reduction strategy from 1990 to 1996.  Mr. Lucas has been working at Embraer for more than 16 years and is a representative of our shareholder employees.  Mr. Lucas’ business address is the address of our principal executive offices.

          Claudemir Marques de Almeida.  Mr. Almeida has been an employee of Embraer since 1987, and currently holds the position of Aeronautic Supervisor I.  He previously served as a member the Board of Directors from January 1995 to April 2001.  Mr. Almeida is the representative our non-shareholder employees, and his business address is the address of our principal executive offices. 

Executive Officers

          Our executive officers are responsible for our day-to-day management.  The executive officers have individual responsibilities established by our bylaws and by the Board of Directors.  The business address of each of our executive officers is the address of our principal executive offices.

58



          The executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors for a three-year term, and any executive officer may be removed by the Board of Directors before the expiration of his term.  Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and brief biographical descriptions of our executive officers at April 18, 2005: 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

 

Year First
Elected


 


 


 


Maurício Novis Botelho

 

62

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

1995

Antonio Luiz Pizarro Manso

 

60

 

Executive Vice-President Corporate and Chief Financial Officer

 

1995

Satoshi Yokota

 

64

 

Executive Vice-President—Development and Industry

 

1997

Frederico Pinheiro Fleury Curado

 

43

 

Executive Vice-President—Civil Aircraft

 

1997

Romualdo Monteiro de Barros

 

56

 

Executive Vice-President—Defense Market

 

1997

Horácio Aragonés Forjaz

 

53

 

Executive Vice-President—Corporate Communications

 

1998

Artur Aparecido V. Coutinho

 

56

 

Executive Vice-President—Procurement and Industrial Operations

 

2005

          Maurício Novis Botelho.  For a biographical description of Mr. Botelho, please see “—Board of Directors.”

          Antonio Luiz Pizarro Manso.  Mr. Manso has been Executive Vice-President Corporate since 2001, and Chief Financial Officer of Embraer since 1995.  Mr. Manso is also a director and/or president of several of Embraer’s subsidiaries.  Mr. Manso was the administrative and financial officer of STL from 1986 to 1995 and of CMW from 1986 to 1995 and served as a member of the board of directors of CMW during 1995.  He was also the chief financial officer of OTL from 1989 to 1995, the financial officer of TENENGE during 1992 and the chief financial officer of PROLAN from 1994 to 1995.

          Satoshi Yokota.  Prior to becoming Executive Vice-President—Development and Industry of Embraer in 1997, Mr. Yokota held several other positions at Embraer, including Programs and Commercial Contracts Officer during 1995 and 1996 and Programs Officer from 1992 to 1995.  Mr. Yokota is also the chairman of the board of directors of ELEB, one of Embraer’s subsidiaries.

          Frederico Pinheiro Fleury Curado.  Prior to becoming Executive Vice-President—Civil Aircraft of Embraer in 1998, Mr. Curado was our Executive Vice-President—Planning and Organizational Development from 1997 to August 1998.  Prior to that, he held several different positions at Embraer in the areas of manufacturing, procurement, information technology, contracts and sales.  Mr. Curado is also a director and/or secretary of several of Embraer’s subsidiaries.

          Romualdo Monteiro de Barros.  Prior to becoming Executive Vice-President—Defense Market of Embraer in 1997, Mr. Barros was the officer responsible for business development at OTL, later named Stelar Telecom, a telecommunications company, from 1994 to 1997.

          Horácio Aragonés Forjaz.  Prior to becoming Executive Vice-President—Corporate Communications of Embraer in 2001, Mr. Forjaz was Executive Vice-President—Planning and Organizational Development of Embraer from 1998 to 2001, and prior to 1998, he was our engineering officer.  From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Forjaz was the operational director of Compsis—Computadores e Sistemas Ltda., a systems engineering and software company, and from 1975 to 1995, he held several different positions at Embraer in the areas of engineering and systems design.

          Artur Aparecido V. Coutinho.  Prior to becoming Executive Vice-President—Procurement and Industrial Operations in 2005, Mr. Coutinho was Embraer’s Vice-President responsible for marketing, sales and customer support activities in North America from January 2003 to March 2005.  From February 2000 to December 2002, he was Vice-President—Customer Service.  Prior to that, Mr. Coutinho held several different positions at Embraer in the areas of marketing, training and quality control.

59



6B.

Compensation

          For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the aggregate compensation (including benefits in kind granted) that we paid to members of the Board of Directors, the Conselho Fiscal and the executive officers for services in all capacities was approximately US$7.0 million.  In addition, in 2004, we set aside approximately US$0.1 million for the payment of pension benefits to our executive officers.  The members of our Board of Directors and Conselho Fiscal do not receive any such benefits.  The board members, Conselho Fiscal members and executive officers did not receive any compensation (including benefits in kind) from any of our subsidiaries.  At December 31, 2004, none of the board members, Conselho Fiscal members or executive officers had any financial or other interests in any transaction involving Embraer which was not in the ordinary course of our business.

          In addition, at June 22, 2005, the board members and executive officers owned an aggregate of 18 common shares and 3,836,737 preferred shares.

Stock Option Plan

          At a special shareholders’ meeting held on April 17, 1998, we approved a stock option plan for management and employees, including those of our subsidiaries, subject to restrictions based on continuous employment with us for at least two years.  The five-year term for the granting of options under the plan expired on May 31, 2003.

          Under the terms of the plan, we were authorized to grant options to purchase up to 25,000,000 preferred shares over the five-year period from the date of the first grant.  As of the end of this five-year period, we had granted options for an aggregate of 20,237,894 preferred shares, including 662,894 options granted in connection with our preferred stock dividend in 2002, at a weighted average exercise price of R$6.17 per share.  The options granted to each employee vest as follows:  30% after three years from the date granted, an additional 30% after four years and the remaining 40% after five years.  Employees may exercise their options for up to seven years from the date they are granted.  At December 31, 2004, 12,548,826 of the total options granted had been exercised, and an additional 1,948,235 options had been exercised as of June 22, 2005.  Of the total number of options granted, options to purchase an aggregate of 7,799,470 preferred shares have been granted to our executive officers at a weighted average exercise price of R$4.95 per share, of which 6,170,000 were exercised during the period from June 1, 2001 through June 22, 2005.

Profit Sharing Plan

          We implemented a profit sharing plan in 1998 that ties employee profit sharing to dividend payments.  Every time we pay dividends to our shareholders, we also pay a profit sharing participation of 25% of the amount of the dividend payment to employees who have achieved goals established at the beginning of the year. 

          Under the plan, we may pay additional amounts of up to an additional 5% of such dividend payment to employees who have performed exceptionally, on a discretionary basis.  We believe that this policy encourages individual employees to meet our production goals.  In April 2005, our Board of Directors approved certain changes to our profit sharing plan related to the additional 5% distribution to exceptionally performing employees. These changes were based on recommendations made by an Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors, which was formed in April 2004 for the purpose of reviewing the company’s policies with regard to compensation and profit sharing. 

          The new policy provides that the additional distribution of up 5% to exceptionally performing employees will be limited to an amount equal to 50% of our net income for the fiscal year, adjusted for certain cash flow events, to be distributed in cash after our annual General Shareholders’ meeting at which our annual financial statements are approved.  For certain high level employees, two-thirds of the distribution will be distributed in cash on the same date and the remaining one-third will allocated as “virtual preferred shares” and payments related thereto will be made over a three-year period, using a weighted average price formula.  As a result, the value of these payments will be tied to the future market performance of our preferred shares.

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          For the 2002, 2003 and 2004 fiscal years, we distributed to employees US$25.2 million, US$20.4 million and US$61.2 million, respectively.

6C.

Board Practices

          All members of our Board of Directors serve three-year terms and the terms of all current members expire in April 2007.  See “Item 6A. Directors and Senior Management—Board of Directors” for the year each of the members of our Board of Directors was first elected.

          The executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors for a three-year term, and any executive officer may be removed by the Board of Directors before the expiration of his term.  See “Item 6.A. Directors and Senior Management—Executive Officers” for the year each of our executive officers was first elected.

          None of our directors or executive officers is party to an employment contract providing for benefits upon termination of employment.

Conselho Fiscal

          Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, the Conselho Fiscal is a corporate body independent of management and a company’s external auditors.  A Conselho Fiscal has not typically been equivalent to or comparable with a U.S. audit committee; its primary responsibility has been to monitor management’s activities, review the financial statements, and report its findings to the shareholders.  However, pursuant to an exemption under the new SEC rules regarding the audit committees of listed companies, a foreign private issuer is not required to have a separate audit committee composed of independent directors if it has a board of auditors established and selected pursuant to home country legal or listing provisions expressly requiring or permitting such a board and such board meets certain requirements.  Pursuant to this exemption, our Conselho Fiscal can exercise the required duties and responsibilities of a U.S. audit committee to the extent permissible under Brazilian Corporate Law.  To comply with the new SEC rules, the board of auditors must meet the following standards:  it must be separate from the full board, its members must not be elected by management, no executive officer may be a member, and Brazilian law must set forth standards for the independence of the members.  In addition, in order to qualify for the exemption, the board of auditors must, to the extent permitted by Brazilian law:

 

be responsible for the appointment, retention, compensation and oversight of the external auditors (including the resolution of disagreements between management and the external auditors regarding financial reporting);

 

 

 

 

be responsible for establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

 

 

 

have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties; and

 

 

 

 

receive appropriate funding from the company for payment of compensation to the external auditors, for any advisors and ordinary administrative expenses.

          As a foreign private issuer, we decided to modify our Conselho Fiscal to comply with the exemption requirements.  Our Board of Directors approved the delegation to the Conselho Fiscal of certain additional responsibilities and the Conselho Fiscal and the Board of Directors adopted an additional charter that delegates to the Conselho Fiscal the duties and responsibilities of a U.S audit committee to the extent permitted under Brazilian Corporate Law.  We expect to be in compliance with the exemption requirements on or before July 31, 2005.  Because Brazilian Corporate Law does not permit the Board of Directors to delegate responsibility for the appointment, retention and compensation of the external auditors and does not provide the board or the Conselho Fiscal with the authority to resolve disagreements between management and the external auditors regarding financial reporting, the Conselho Fiscal cannot fulfill these functions. Therefore, in addition to its oversight responsibilities, the Conselho Fiscal may only make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the appointment, retention and compensation of the external auditors, and with regard to resolution of disagreements between management and the external auditors, the Conselho Fiscal may only make recommendations to management and the board.

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          Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, the Conselho Fiscal may not contain members who are members of the Board of Directors or the executive committee, or who are employees of Embraer or employees of a controlled company or of a company of this group, or a spouse or relative of any member of our management.  In addition, the Brazilian Corporate Law requires that Conselho Fiscal members receive a remuneration at least 10% of the average amount paid to each executive officer.  The Brazilian Corporate Law requires a Conselho Fiscal to be composed of a minimum of three and a maximum of five members and their respective alternates.

          Our Conselho Fiscal is composed of five members who are elected at the annual shareholders’ meeting, with terms lasting until the next annual shareholders’ meeting after their election.  Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, holders of preferred shares have the right to elect separately one member of the Conselho Fiscal.  Also, under the Brazilian Corporate Law, minority groups of shareholders that hold at least 10% of the voting shares also have the right to elect separately one member of the Conselho Fiscal.  In any event, however, the common shareholders have the right to elect the majority of the members of the Conselho Fiscal.  Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of the members of our Conselho Fiscal and their respective alternates, as of April 18, 2005, the date of the last annual shareholders’ meeting.

Name

 

Age

 

Position

 

Year First
Elected


 


 


 


Jorge Khalil Miski

 

45

 

Effective member

 

2004

Maria da Salete Medeiros

 

56

 

Alternate

 

2005

Geraldo Humberto de Araujo (1)

 

53

 

Effective member

 

2004

Tarcísio Luiz Silva Fontenele(1)

 

42

 

Alternate

 

2001

José Mauro Laxe Vilela(2)

 

57

 

Effective member

 

2003

Alberto Carlos Monteiro dos Anjos(2)

 

42

 

Alternate

 

2003

Taiki Hirashima

 

64

 

Effective member

 

2004

Guillermo Oscar Braunbeck

 

32

 

Alternate

 

2005

Celene Carvalho de Jesus(3)

 

49

 

Effective member

 

2003

Herbert Veneziano Oliveira (3)

 

54

 

Alternate

 

2005



(1)

Employed by SISTEL.

(2)

Employed by Cia. Bozano.

(3)

Employed by PREVI.

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Advisory Committee

          In April 2004, our Board of Directors established an Advisory Committee with a term of 18 months with the task of reviewing the company’s policies regarding the compensation and profit sharing for our executive officers and making recommendations for the revision of such policies.  The three-member Committee was composed of two members of our Board of Directors and one alternate member of our Board of Directors.  The members of the Advisory Committee and their alternates were as follows:  Vitor Sarquis Hallack (alternate: Carlyle Wilson), Wilson Carlos Duarte Delfino (alternate: Carlos Alberto Cardoso Moreira) and Maysa Oliveira da Volta (alternate: Luiz Carlos Siqueira Aguiar).  The term of the Committee was shortened to twelve months and terminated by the Board of Directors on April 20, 2005, as the Committee accomplished the purpose for which it had been created.  On the same date, the Board of Directors established a Special Committee, composed of the same members as the Advisory Committee, with the purpose of performing such functions as described in our by-laws.

6D.

Employees

          The table below sets forth the number of our employees by category as of the dates indicated.

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

Production Process

 

 

5,844

 

 

6,109

 

 

7,857

 

Research and Development

 

 

2,726

 

 

3,054

 

 

3,386

 

Administrative – Production Support

 

 

955

 

 

996

 

 

879

 

Administrative – Corporate

 

 

2,702

 

 

2,782

 

 

2,536

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

12,227

 

 

12,941

 

 

14,658

 

 

 



 



 



 

          Approximately 94.3% of our workforce is employed in Brazil.  Most of our technical staff is trained at leading Brazilian engineering schools, including the Instituto Tecnológico Aeronáutico, known as the ITA, located in São José dos Campos.  A small percentage of our employees belong to one of two different labor unions, the Sindicato dos Metalúrgicos (Union of Metallurgical Workers) or the Sindicato dos Engenheiros do Estado de São Paulo (Union of Engineers of the State of São Paulo).  Overall, union membership as a percentage of total workforce has declined significantly in past years.  At December 31, 2004, approximately 83.6% of our employees were non-union.  We believe that relations with our employees are good.

          We actively support the training and professional development of our employees.  We have established a program at our facility in São José dos Campos to provide newly graduated engineers with specialized training in aerospace engineering.

6E.

Share Ownership

          At June 22, 2005, the board members and executive officers owned an aggregate of 18 common shares and 3,836,737 preferred shares.  None of the officers or directors individually own more than 1% of the outstanding common shares or preferred shares.  As of June 22, 2005, our executive officers also owned options to purchase an aggregate of 1,629,470 preferred shares at per-share purchase prices ranging from R$8.11 to R$23.00.  As of the same date, none of our directors owned any options to purchase shares of common or preferred stock.

          See “Item 6B. Compensation—Stock Option Plan” for a description of our stock option plan applicable to our management and employees, including those of our subsidiaries.

ITEM 7.      MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

7A.

Major Shareholders

          We have total authorized capital of 1,500,000,000 shares, with a total aggregate of 720,290,103 shares issued and outstanding at June 22, 2005.  Of this total, 242,544,448 are common shares (including one special “golden share” held by the Brazilian government) and 477,745,655 are non-voting preferred shares.  The following table sets forth share ownership information for each of our shareholders that beneficially owns 5% or more of any class of our equity securities and for our executive officers and board members at June 22, 2005, including 4,220,311 preferred shares underlying the options exercisable within 60 days of the date of this annual report.

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Common Shares

 

Preferred Shares

 

Total Shares

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Shares

 

(%)

 

Shares

 

(%)

 

Shares

 

(%)

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

PREVI(1)

 

 

56,873,379

 

 

23.5

 

 

59,037,178

 

 

12.2

 

 

115,910,557

 

 

16.0

 

SISTEL(2)

 

 

48,508,890

 

 

20.0

 

 

182,316

 

 

**

 

 

48,691,206

 

 

6.7

 

Cia. Bozano(3)

 

 

48,509,220

 

 

20.0

 

 

18,786,588

 

 

3.9

 

 

67,295,808

 

 

9.3

 

Bozano Holdings Ltd.(3)

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

8,896,920

 

 

1.8

 

 

8,896,920

 

 

1.2

 

BNDESPAR(4)

 

 

3,488,893

 

 

1.4

 

 

45,831,196

 

 

9.5

 

 

49,320,089

 

 

6.8

 

Dassault Aviation(5)

 

 

13,744,186

 

 

5.6

 

 

1,953,132

 

 

**

 

 

15,697,318

 

 

2.1

 

Thales(5)

 

 

13,744,186

 

 

5.6

 

 

1,953,132

 

 

**

 

 

15,697,318

 

 

2.1

 

EADS(5)

 

 

13,744,186

 

 

5.6

 

 

1,953,132

 

 

**

 

 

15,697,318

 

 

2.1

 

SNECMA(5)

 

 

7,276,332

 

 

3.0

 

 

1,034,010

 

 

**

 

 

8,310,342

 

 

1.1

 

União Federal/Brazilian Government(6)

 

 

1,850,495

 

 

**

 

 

499,416

 

 

**

 

 

2,349,911

 

 

**

 

Officers and directors as a group(7)

 

 

18

 

 

**

 

 

5,083,471

 

 

**

 

 

5,083,489

 

 

**

 

Other(8)

 

 

34,804,663

 

 

14.4

 

 

336,755,475

 

 

69.9

 

 

371,560,138

 

 

51.3

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

242,544,448

 

 

 

 

 

481,965,966

 

 

 

 

 

724,510,414

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Percentage of total shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

33.5

 

 

 

 

 

66.5

 

 

 

 

 

100.0

 



**

Less than 1%.

(1)

Banco do Brasil Employee Pension Fund, also known as PREVI, was founded in 1904 as a pension fund for the employees of Banco do Brasil S.A, which is controlled by the Brazilian government.

(2)

SISTEL Social Security Foundation, also known as SISTEL, was founded in 1977 as part of the Telebrás system, which, prior to its recent privatization, consisted of the Brazilian government-owned telecommunications companies.

(3)

Cia. Bozano and Bozano Holdings Ltd. are owned and controlled by Julio Bozano.  All preferred shares owned by Cia. Bozano and Bozano Holdings Ltd. have been pledged in favor of Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. in connection with its acquisition from Cia. Bozano of substantially all of the capital stock of Banco Meridional S.A.

(4)

BNDESPAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social—BNDES, the government-owned national development bank of Brazil.

(5)

Member of the European Aerospace and Defense Group.

(6)

The Brazilian government also holds the “golden share.”

(7)

The number of preferred shares includes 1,246,734 preferred shares underlying options which are exercisable within 60 days of the date of this annual report.

(8)

The number of preferred shares includes 2,973,577 preferred shares underlying options which are exercisable within 60 days of the date of this annual report.

          Other than as discussed in “Item 4. Information on the Company-History and Development of the Company,” there have been no significant changes in percentage ownership by any major shareholder in the past three years. 

          On June 22, 2005, we had 21,941 holders, either directly or through ADSs, of preferred shares, and 3,147 holders of record of common shares.  On June 22, 2005, an aggregate of 279,943,364 preferred shares were held, either directly or through ADSs, by 177 record holders, including DTC, in the United States.

Voting Rights

Voting Rights of the Common Shares

          Each common share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at our annual and special shareholders’ meetings.

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Shareholders’ Agreement

          Each of Cia. Bozano, PREVI and SISTEL, our controlling shareholders, has agreed to comply with the terms of a shareholders’ agreement entered into on July 24, 1997, as amended, which governs matters relating to their equity ownership of Embraer for a ten-year term and can be successively renewed for five-year terms.  According to the shareholders’ agreement, when appointing the members of our Board of Directors at shareholders’ meetings, our controlling shareholders have agreed to appoint two representatives (and alternates) of each one of the controlling shareholders and to vote together to elect two representatives (and alternates) of the European Aerospace and Defense Group and one representative (and alternate) of the Brazilian government.

          Our controlling shareholders have also agreed in the shareholders’ agreement that the Chairman of our Board of Directors will be chosen by agreement among them every 18 months and that the Chairman shall be one of their representatives.  In the event that our controlling shareholders cannot agree on who will be the Chairman of the board, the order in which their representatives will take turns as Chairman shall be decided by lottery.

          In accordance with the shareholders’ agreement, our controlling shareholders may not sell, assign, contribute as capital, pledge or in any other way transfer, dispose of or create a lien on the common shares tied to control of Embraer held by them, except as provided for in the shareholders’ agreement or if the transaction is previously authorized in writing by the other parties.  According to the shareholders’ agreement, if any controlling shareholder wishes to sell, assign, transfer or in any way dispose of part or all of its common shares tied to control of Embraer, whether or not together with other shares of Embraer of any kind or class, the other controlling shareholders shall have a right of first refusal to acquire the shares being offered.

          The shareholders’ agreement provides that our controlling shareholders shall meet or shall manifest their position by fax or any other electronic means in connection with any shareholders’ meeting or meeting of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, when any of the following matters involving us or any of our subsidiaries shall be decided:

 

amendment to the bylaws, except when required by law;

 

 

 

 

increase of capital by subscription, creation of a new class of shares, change in the characteristics of the existing shares or reduction of capital;

 

 

 

 

issuance of debentures convertible into shares, subscription warrants and options for the purchase of shares;

 

 

 

 

merger or spin-off;

 

 

 

 

liquidation, dissolution and voluntary acts of financial reorganization;

 

 

 

 

acquisition or sale of participation in other companies, except special purpose companies that are necessary or desirable in our business of selling aircraft;

 

 

 

 

establishment of a dividend policy which differs from that provided for in the bylaws as the minimum dividend;

 

 

 

 

approval of new investments and/or financing and/or sale of investments in an amount higher than that agreed upon by the parties from time to time;

 

 

 

 

approval and change of long-term business plans;

 

 

 

 

determination of the remuneration of, and participation in our profits by, our managers;

 

 

 

 

selection, hiring and firing of our executive officers;

 

 

 

 

choosing our external auditors;

65



 

granting liens on, or guarantees in favor of, real or personal property or obligations of management except for those necessary or desirable in our business of manufacturing and selling aircraft;

 

 

 

 

sale of a substantial part of our permanent assets; and

 

 

 

 

use of profits.

          The shareholders’ agreement also states that our controlling shareholders will vote in favor of maintaining and increasing our strategic relationship with the Brazilian Armed Forces, particularly with the Brazilian Air Force, in order to assure that we continue to prioritize our relationship with Brazil, without prejudice to our other corporate interests.

Golden Share

          The golden share is held by the Federative Republic of Brazil.  The golden share is entitled to the same voting rights as the holders of common shares.  In addition, the golden share entitles the holder thereof to veto rights over the following corporate actions:

 

change of our name and corporate purpose;

 

 

 

 

amendment to and/or extension of our logo;

 

 

 

 

creation and/or alteration of military programs (whether or not involving Brazil);

 

 

 

 

third party training in technology for military programs;

 

 

 

 

discontinuance of the supply of military airplane maintenance and replacement parts;

 

 

 

 

transfer of share control; and

 

 

 

 

any change to the list of corporate actions over which the golden share carries veto power, to the structure and composition of the Board of Directors, and to the rights conferred to the golden share.

Voting Rights of the Preferred Shares

          Preferred shares do not entitle the holder to vote except as set forth below.  However, holders of preferred shares are entitled to attend meetings of shareholders and to participate in the discussion of matters submitted for consideration.

          The Brazilian Corporate Law requires that non-voting preferred shares which are entitled to receive fixed or minimum dividends shall acquire voting rights in the event a company fails to pay, from one to three consecutive fiscal years as established in the bylaws, the fixed or minimum dividend to which such shares are entitled.  Because our preferred shares are not entitled to fixed or minimum dividends, they cannot acquire voting rights under this rule.  However, our preferred shares are entitled to their share of any mandatory dividend distributions that we make.  See “Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy—Amounts Available for Distribution.”

          Any change in the preference or rights of preferred shares, or the creation of a class of shares having priority or preference over preferred shares, requires approval by at least half of all outstanding voting shares and either (1) prior approval of holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares at a special meeting of holders of preferred shares or (2) subsequent ratification by holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares.  In such special meetings, each preferred share will entitle the holder thereof to one vote.

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          Pursuant to the recent amendments to the Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders that together hold preferred shares representing at least 10% of our total share capital are entitled to appoint a member of our Board of Directors.  To date, none of our directors has been appointed by our preferred shareholders.

7B.

Related Party Transactions

          We have engaged in a number of transactions with our subsidiaries and the Brazilian government, as described below.  According to the shareholders’ agreement, our controlling shareholders will not permit us to engage in transactions or arrangements with any of our affiliates on a basis or terms less favorable to us than would be obtainable at that time from an unaffiliated third party in an arm’s-length transaction or other arrangement.

Brazilian Government

          The Brazilian government, principally through the Brazilian Air Force, has participated in the development of Embraer since its inception.  For the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Brazilian government accounted for approximately 2.1%, 4.4% and 7.1% of our net sales, respectively.  We expect to continue to be the primary source of new aircraft and spare parts and services for the Brazilian government.  For a description of our transactions with the Brazilian government, see “Item 4B. Business Overview—Defense Business.”

          The Brazilian government plays a key role as:

 

a source for research and development debt financing through technology development institutions such as FINEP and BNDES; and

 

 

 

 

an export support agency through BNDES.

          See “Item 4B. Business Overview—Aircraft Financing Arrangements,” “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Embraer—Any decrease in Brazilian government-sponsored customer financing, or increase in government-sponsored financing that benefits our competitors, may decrease the cost-competitiveness of our aircraft” and “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Embraer—Brazilian government budgetary constraints could reduce amounts available to our customers under government-sponsored financing programs.”

          We maintain credit facilities with BNDES and FINEP, primarily to fund development costs of the ERJ 145 and AL-X, pursuant to which US$16.4 million and US$8.7 million, respectively, was outstanding at December 31, 2004.  Amounts borrowed from BNDES are secured by first, second and third mortgages on Embraer’s properties in Brazil.  The interest rates under our FINEP credit facility range from TJLP plus 4.0% to TJLP plus 6.0% per annum.  The interest rates under our BNDES credit facility range from TJLP plus 2.4% to TJLP plus 5.5%, plus fees at the rate of 0.35% of the sales price of 420 ERJ 145s sold between January 1, 1997 and August 1, 2002.  In addition to the long-term facility we have with BNDES, in October 2004 we negotiated with BNDES a short-term pre-export credit financing for an amount up to US$400 million, of which US$310.7 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2004.  This amount was fully repaid in January 2005.

          The Brazilian government has been an important source of export financing for our customers through the BNDES-exim program, administered by BNDES.

          In connection with a private offering of exchangeable notes by BNDES completed on June 19, 2001, we became party to a registration rights agreement pursuant to which we agreed, among other things, to register resales of the ADSs and underlying preferred shares relating to the exchangeable notes.  We agreed to indemnify the initial purchasers of these notes and holders selling under our resale registration statement against certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that they may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

          In February and March 1999, we sold a total of 83,330 debentures with a principal amount of R$1,800 per debenture with a term of seven years, mostly to BNDESPAR, a wholly owned subsidiary of BNDES.  We coupled each debenture with 100 detachable subscription warrants issued in five series.  Each warrant entitled its holder to subscribe for ten preferred shares or, under some limited circumstances, ten common shares of Embraer. In February 2000, holders exercised 833,500 of these subscription warrants, resulting in our issuing 8,335,000 preferred shares at an issue price of R$2.1998 per share.  After that date, BNDESPAR became the only holder of subscription warrants.  In July 2000, BNDESPAR exercised 105,700 of the subscription warrants, resulting in our issuing 1,057,000 preferred shares at an issue price of R$2.4769 per share.  On May 3, 2001, BNDESPAR exercised its remaining 7,393,800 warrants in exchange for 73,938,000 preferred shares at an issue price of R$2.4769 per share.

67



          Banco do Brasil S.A., which is owned by the Brazilian government, administers the ProEx program, which enables some of our customers to receive the benefit of interest discounts.  We have also entered into numerous financing transactions with Banco do Brasil S.A. and its affiliates.  At December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, we maintained cash investments of US$84.1 million, US$534.0 million and US$688.0 million, respectively, with Banco do Brasil S.A. and several of its affiliates.  We also had outstanding borrowings from Banco do Brasil S.A. and several of its affiliates, which at December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 equaled US$212.7 million, US$375.2 million and US$382.1 million, respectively.  In addition, BB Banco de Investimento, S.A., an affiliate of Banco do Brasil S.A., was an underwriter in a secondary offering in Brazil, completed on June 19, 2001, in which some of our shareholders sold an aggregate of 6,900,000 of our preferred shares.

European Aerospace and Defense Group

          We have also entered into commercial transactions with the European Aerospace and Defense Group for the purchase of certain equipment and services in the ordinary course of our business in the total amount of US$11.8 million in 2002, US$14.5 million in 2003 and US$3.7 million in 2004.

          See Note 30 to our consolidated financial statements for more information regarding related party transactions.

7C.

Interests of Experts and Counsel

          Not applicable.

ITEM 8.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

8A.

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

          See “Item 3A. Selected Financial Data” and “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

Legal Proceedings

          We have some individual labor lawsuits, several of which have already been settled, but we are awaiting the decision of the Brazilian labor courts on others.  We do not believe that any liabilities related to these individual lawsuits would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

          We have challenged the constitutionality of the nature of and modifications in rates and the increase in the calculation base of certain Brazilian taxes and payroll charges in order to obtain writs of mandamus or injunctions to avoid payments or recover past payments.  Interest on the total amount of unpaid taxes and payroll charges accrues monthly based on the Selic rate, the key lending rate of the Central Bank, and we make an accrual as part of the interest income (expenses), net item of our statements of income.  As of December 31, 2004, we had obtained preliminary injunctions for not paying or recovering past payments in the total amount, including interest, of US$432.5 million, which is included as a liability on our balance sheet.  See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Embraer—We may have to make significant payments as a result of unfavorable outcomes of pending challenges to certain taxes and payroll charges” and Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of these challenges.

          In addition, we are involved in other legal proceedings, including tax disputes, all of which are in the ordinary course of business.  Our management does not believe that any of these other proceedings, if adversely determined, would materially or adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.  See Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of the legal proceedings we face.

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Dividends and Dividend Policy

Amounts Available for Distribution

          At each annual shareholders’ meeting, the Board of Directors is required to recommend how net profits for the preceding fiscal year are to be allocated.  For purposes of the Brazilian Corporate Law, net profits are defined as net income after income taxes and social contribution taxes for such fiscal year, net of any accumulated losses from prior fiscal years and any amounts allocated to employees’ and management’s participation in our profits.  In accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws, the amounts available for dividend distribution are the amounts equal to our net profits less any amounts allocated from such net profits to:

 

the legal reserve;

 

 

 

 

a contingency reserve for anticipated losses; and

 

 

 

 

an unrealized revenue reserve.

          We are required to maintain a legal reserve, to which we must allocate 5% of net profits for each fiscal year until the amount for such reserve equals 20% of our paid-in capital.  However, we are not required to make any allocations to our legal reserve in respect of any fiscal year in which it, when added to our other established capital reserves, exceeds 30% of our capital.  Net losses, if any, may be charged against the legal reserve.  At December 31, 2004, the balance of our legal reserve was US$111.4 million, which was equal to 11.2% of our paid-in capital at December 31, 2004.

          The Brazilian Corporate Law also provides for two additional, discretionary allocations of net profits that are subject to approval by the shareholders at the annual meeting.  First, a percentage of net profits may be allocated to a contingency reserve for anticipated losses that are deemed probable in future years.  Any amount so allocated in a prior year must be either reversed in the fiscal year in which the loss was anticipated if such loss does not in fact occur, or written off in the event that the anticipated loss occurs.  Second, if the amount of unrealized revenue exceeds the sum of:

 

the legal reserve;

 

 

 

 

the investment and working capital reserve;

 

 

 

 

retained earnings; and

 

 

 

 

the contingency reserve for anticipated losses,

such excess may be allocated to an unrealized revenue reserve.  Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, unrealized revenue is defined as the sum of:

 

price-level restatement of balance sheet accounts;

 

 

 

 

the share of equity earnings of affiliated companies; and

 

 

 

 

profits from installment sales to be received after the end of the next succeeding fiscal year.

          According to our bylaws and subject to shareholder approval, our Board of Directors may allocate at least 5% of our net income to an investment and working capital reserve.  The purpose of the investment and working capital reserve is to make investments in fixed assets or increase our working capital.  This reserve may also be used to amortize our debts.  We may also grant a participation in our net income to our management and employees. However, the allocation to the investment and working capital reserve or the participation of our management and employees cannot reduce the mandatory distributable amount (discussed below).  The balance of the investment and working capital reserve plus the balance of other profit reserves (except the contingency reserve for anticipated losses and the unrealized revenue reserve) may not be higher than our capital.  Otherwise, the amount in excess of our capital must be used to increase our capital or be distributed as a cash dividend.  The balance of the investment and working capital reserve may be used:

69



 

in the deduction of accumulated losses, whenever necessary;

 

 

 

 

in the distribution of dividends, at any time;

 

 

 

 

in the redemption, withdrawal, purchase or open market repurchase of shares, as authorized by law; and

 

 

 

 

to increase our capital, including by means of an issuance of new shares.

          The amounts available for distribution may be further increased by a reversion of the contingency reserve for anticipated losses constituted in prior years but not realized, or further increased or reduced as a result of the allocations of revenues to or from the unrealized revenue reserve.  The amounts available for distribution are determined on the basis of financial statements prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law method.

Mandatory Distribution

          The Brazilian Corporate Law generally requires that the bylaws of each Brazilian corporation specify a minimum percentage of the amounts available for distribution by such corporation for each fiscal year that must be distributed to shareholders as dividends, also known as the mandatory distributable amount.  Under our bylaws, the mandatory distributable amount has been fixed at an amount equal to not less than 25% of the amounts available for distribution, to the extent amounts are available for distribution.  On May 5, 1997, Law No. 9,457 became effective, granting holders of preferred stock not carrying a right to fixed or minimum dividends, such as our preferred shares, a statutory right to receive dividends in an amount per share of at least 10% more than the amount per share paid to holders of common stock.

          The mandatory distribution is based on a percentage of adjusted net income, not lower than 25%, rather than a fixed monetary amount per share.  The Brazilian Corporate Law, however, permits a publicly held company, such as Embraer, to suspend the mandatory distribution of dividends if the Board of Directors and the audit committee report to the shareholders’ meeting that the distribution would be inadvisable in view of the company’s financial condition.  This suspension is subject to approval of holders of common shares.  In this case, the Board of Directors shall file a justification for such suspension with the CVM.  Profits not distributed by virtue of the suspension mentioned above shall be attributed to a special reserve and, if not absorbed by subsequent losses, shall be paid as dividends as soon as the financial condition of such company permits such payments.  As our preferred shares are not entitled to a fixed or minimum dividend, our ability to suspend the mandatory distribution of dividends applies to the holders of preferred shares and, consequently, to the holders of ADSs.

Payment of Dividends

          We are required by the Brazilian Corporate Law and by our bylaws to hold an annual shareholders’ meeting by the end of the fourth month after the end of each fiscal year at which, among other things, the shareholders have to decide on the payment of an annual dividend.  The payment of annual dividends is based on the financial statements prepared for the relevant fiscal year.  Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, dividends generally are required to be paid within 60 days following the date the dividend was declared, unless a shareholders’ resolution sets forth another date of payment, which, in either case, must occur prior to the end of the fiscal year in which the dividend was declared.  A shareholder has a three-year period from the dividend payment date to claim dividends (or interest payments) in respect of its shares, after which the amount of the unclaimed dividends reverts to us.

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          The Brazilian Corporate Law permits a company to pay interim dividends out of preexisting and accumulated profits for the preceding fiscal year or semester, based on financial statements approved by its shareholders.  According to our bylaws, the shareholders may declare, at any time, interim dividends based on the preexisting and accumulated profits, provided the mandatory dividend has already been distributed to the shareholders.  Our bylaws also permit us to prepare financial statements semiannually and for shorter periods.  Our Board of Directors may approve the distribution of dividends calculated with reference to those financial statements, even before they have been approved by the shareholders.  However, such dividends cannot exceed the amount of capital reserves.

          In general, shareholders who are not residents of Brazil must register with the Central Bank to have dividends, sales proceeds or other amounts with respect to their shares eligible to be remitted outside of Brazil.  The preferred shares underlying our ADSs will be held in Brazil by Banco Itaú S.A., also known as the custodian, as agent for the depositary, which will be the registered owner on the records of the registrar for our shares.  Our current registrar is Banco Itaú.  The depositary electronically registered the preferred shares underlying our ADSs with the Central Bank and, therefore, is able to have dividends, sales proceeds or other amounts with respect to these shares eligible to be remitted outside Brazil.

          Payments of cash dividends and distributions, if any, will be made in Brazilian currency to the custodian on behalf of the depositary, which will then convert such proceeds into U.S. dollars and will cause such U.S. dollars to be delivered to the depositary for distribution to holders of ADSs.  Under current Brazilian law, dividends paid to shareholders who are not Brazilian residents, including holders of ADSs, will not be subject to Brazilian withholding income tax, except for dividends declared based on profits generated prior to December 31, 1995.  See “Item 10E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Consequences.”

History of Dividend Payments and Dividend Policy and Additional Payments on Shareholders’ Equity

          We did not pay dividends from 1988 through 1997 because we did not have net profits for any year during that period.  On January 16, 1998, we reduced our capital in order to offset our accumulated deficit.  As a result, we were then able to distribute profits achieved in 1998.

          Law No. 9,249, dated December 26, 1995, as amended, provides for distribution of interest on net worth to shareholders as an alternative form of payment to shareholders.  Such interest is limited to the daily pro rata variation of the TJLP and cannot exceed the greater of:

 

50% of net income (after taking into account the provisions for the Contribuição Social Sobre o Lucro Líquido, or Social Contribution on Net Profits, or CSLL, but before taking into account such distribution and any deductions for income taxes) for the period in respect of which the payment is made; or

 

 

 

 

50% of the sum of retained earnings and profit reserves as of the beginning of the year in respect of which the payment is made.

          Distribution of interest on net worth may also be accounted for as a tax-deductible expense.  Any payment of interest on shareholders’ equity to holders of ADSs or preferred shares, whether or not they are Brazilian residents, is subject to Brazilian withholding income tax at the rate of 15% or 25% if the beneficiary is resident in a tax haven.  See “Item 10E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Consequences.”  The amount paid to shareholders as interest on net worth, net of any withholding tax, may be included as part of any mandatory distributable amount.  Under Brazilian law, we are obligated to distribute to shareholders an amount sufficient to ensure that the net amount received by them, after payment by us of applicable Brazilian withholding taxes in respect of the distribution of interest on net worth, is at least equal to the mandatory distributable amount.  When we distribute interest on net worth, and that distribution is not accounted for as part of the mandatory distribution, Brazilian withholding tax will apply.  All payments to date were accounted for as part of the mandatory distribution.

          The following table sets forth the historical payments of dividends and historical payments of interest on shareholders’ equity we have made to our shareholders.

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Date of approval

 

Period in which profits were generated

 

Total amount of Distribution


 


 


 

 

 

 

(R$ in millions)

 

(US$ in millions) (3)

September 18, 1998(1)

 

First two quarters of 1998

 

21.3

 

 

17.9

March 30, 1999(1)

 

Remaining two quarters of 1998

 

33.9

 

 

19.7

September 28, 1999(1)

 

First two quarters of 1999

 

36.8

 

 

19.1

January 31, 2000(1)

 

Remaining two quarters of 1999

 

86.7

 

 

48.1

March 24, 2000(2)

 

First quarter of 2000

 

19.6

 

 

11.2

June 16, 2000(2)

 

Second quarter of 2000

 

19.9

 

 

11.0

July 6, 2000(1)

 

First two quarters of 2000

 

79.6

 

 

44.8

September 22, 2000(2)

 

Third quarter of 2000

 

27.7

 

 

15.0

December 15, 2000(2)

 

Fourth quarter of 2000

 

33.5

 

 

17.1

March 16, 2001(1)

 

Remaining two quarters of 2000

 

107.5

 

 

49.7

March 16, 2001(2)

 

First quarter of 2001

 

33.8

 

 

15.7

June 13, 2001(2)

 

Second quarter of 2001

 

41.4

 

 

18.0

September 14, 2001(1)

 

First two quarters of 2001

 

123.1

 

 

46.1

September 14, 2001(2)

 

Third quarter of 2001

 

48.4

 

 

18.1

December 15, 2001(2)

 

Fourth quarter of 2001

 

57.1

 

 

24.6

March 19, 2002(1)

 

Remaining two quarters of 2001

 

100.0

 

 

43.0

March 19, 2002(2)

 

First quarter of 2002

 

58.9

 

 

25.4

June 14, 2002(2)

 

Second quarter of 2002

 

59.5

 

 

20.9

September 13, 2002(2)

 

Third quarter of 2002

 

66.3

 

 

17.0

December 13, 2002(2)

 

Fourth quarter of 2002

 

70.0

 

 

19.8

December 13, 2002(2)

 

1998 and 1999

 

72.5

 

 

20.5

June 16, 2003(2)

 

First two quarters of 2003

 

76.7

 

 

26.7

December 12, 2003(2)

 

Remaining two quarters of 2003

 

118.5

 

 

41.0

March 12, 2004(2)

 

First quarter of 2004

 

101.0

 

 

34.7

June 25, 2004 (2)

 

Second quarter of 2004

 

160.0

 

 

51.5

September 20, 2004 (2)

 

Third quarter of 2004

 

160.0

 

 

55.9

December 17, 2004 (2)

 

Fourth quarter of 2004

 

164.1

 

 

61.8

March 11, 2005 (2)

 

First quarter of 2005

 

106.5

 

 

39.9



(1)

Represents dividend payments.

(2)

Represents interest on shareholders’ equity.

(3)

Translated from nominal reais into U.S. dollars at the commercial selling rates in effect on the dates that the dividends were approved.

          Further, on June 3, 2005, our Board of Directors approved the payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the second quarter of 2005 in the total amount of R$110.8 million, which translated using the exchange rate on June 3, 2005 is equivalent to US$46.1 million.

          On March 1, 2002, we issued 88,430,168 preferred shares in the form of a stock dividend to each holder of common and preferred shares at that date, at the rate of 0.142106 new preferred shares for each existing share.

          We intend to declare and pay dividends and/or interest on shareholders’ equity, as required by the Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws.  Our Board of Directors may approve the distribution of dividends and/or interest on shareholders’ equity, calculated based on our semiannual or quarterly financial statements.  The declaration of annual dividends, including dividends in excess of the mandatory distribution, requires approval by the vote of the majority of the holders of our common stock.  The amount of any distributions will depend on many factors, such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors and shareholders.  Within the context of our tax planning, we may in the future continue to determine that it is to our benefit to distribute interest on shareholders’ equity.

8B.

Significant Changes

          No significant changes or events have occurred after the close of the balance sheet date at December 31, 2004, other than the events already described in this annual report.

          For a summary of our announced unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2005, see “Item 5A. Operating Results—Recent Developments.”

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ITEM 9.     THE OFFER AND LISTING

9A.

Offer and Listing Details

          Our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “ERJ.”  In addition, our preferred shares are traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange under the symbol “EMBR4.”  Each ADS represents four preferred shares.

          The reported high and low closing sale prices in U.S. dollars for the ADSs on the NYSE for the periods indicated are set forth in the following table:

 

 

Price in U.S. dollars
per ADS

 

 

 


 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 


 


 

2000:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year end (from July 20)

 

 

39.75

 

 

18.50

 

2001:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year end

 

 

45.50

 

 

11.45

 

2002:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year end

 

 

25.01

 

 

12.85

 

2003:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

 

16.27

 

 

9.15

 

Second quarter

 

 

20.26

 

 

12.38

 

Third quarter

 

 

22.48

 

 

17.18

 

Fourth quarter

 

 

35.45

 

 

21.42

 

Year end

 

 

35.45

 

 

9.15

 

2004:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

 

36.81

 

 

28.11

 

Second quarter

 

 

32.57

 

 

23.28

 

Third quarter

 

 

29.62

 

 

25.33

 

Fourth quarter

 

 

33.66

 

 

24.18

 

Year end

 

 

36.81

 

 

23.28

 

Month ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

33.66

 

 

27.65

 

January 31, 2005

 

 

33.31

 

 

29.79

 

February 29, 2005

 

 

35.00

 

 

30.83

 

March 31, 2005

 

 

34.40

 

 

29.70

 

April 30, 2005

 

 

31.85

 

 

28.71

 

May 31, 2005

 

 

30.55

 

 

29.05

 

June 30, 2005 (through June 27)

 

 

33.95

 

 

30.37

 

          The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low closing sale prices in nominal reais for preferred shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.  The common shares are also listed and traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.

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Nominal reais per
preferred share

 

 

 


 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 


 


 

2000:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year end

 

 

18.30

 

 

7.20

 

2001:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year end

 

 

25.45

 

 

7.65

 

2002:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year end

 

 

15.30

 

 

11.20

 

2003:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

 

14.05

 

 

8.10

 

Second quarter

 

 

14.33

 

 

9.84

 

Third quarter

 

 

16.47

 

 

12.90

 

Fourth quarter

 

 

25.70

 

 

15.39

 

Year end

 

 

25.70

 

 

8.10

 

2004:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

 

26.43

 

 

20.30

 

Second quarter

 

 

23.50

 

 

18.30

 

Third quarter

 

 

22.20

 

 

18.20

 

Fourth quarter

 

 

22.50

 

 

17.10

 

Year end

 

 

26.43

 

 

17.10

 

Month ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

22.50

 

 

18.80

 

January 31, 2005

 

 

22.20

 

 

19.80

 

February 28, 2005

 

 

22.64

 

 

20.09

 

March 31, 2005

 

 

23.30

 

 

20.00

 

April 30, 2005

 

 

20.75

 

 

18.00

 

May 31, 2005

 

 

18.70

 

 

17.90

 

June 30, 2005 (through June 27)

 

 

20.70

 

 

18.05

 

          On June 22, 2005, we had 21,941 holders, either directly or through ADSs, of preferred shares, and 3,147 holders of record of common shares.  On June 22, 2005, an aggregate of 279,943,364 preferred shares were held, either directly or through ADSs, by 177 record holders, including DTC, in the United States.

          On June 27, 2005, the closing sale price for our preferred shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange was R$19.15 which is equivalent to US$32.14 per ADS.  On the same date, the closing sale price for our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange was US$32.22.  The ADSs are issued under a deposit agreement and JPMorgan Chase Bank serves as depositary under that agreement.

9B.

Plan of Distribution

          Not applicable.

9C.

Markets

Trading on the São Paulo Stock Exchange 

          On January 27, 2000, protocols were signed in order to merge the nine Brazilian stock exchanges.  Pursuant to the protocols, publicly traded Brazilian companies’ securities are traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange, and Brazilian government debt securities are traded on, and privatization auctions are carried out at, the Rio de Janeiro Stock Exchange.  Trading on each exchange is limited to member brokerage firms and a limited number of authorized non-members.  The CVM and the São Paulo Stock Exchange have discretionary authority to suspend trading in shares of a particular issuer.  Trading in securities listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange may be effected off the exchange, although such trading is limited.

          The preferred shares are listed and traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.  Trades in our preferred shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange settle in three business days after the trade date.  Delivery of and payment for shares is made through the facilities of the CBLC—Companhia Brasileira de Liquidação e Custódia, the clearinghouse for the São Paulo Stock Exchange, which maintains accounts for member brokerage firms.  The seller is ordinarily required to deliver the shares to the exchange on the second business day following the trade date.

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          In order to better control volatility, the São Paulo Stock Exchange adopted a “circuit breaker” system pursuant to which trading sessions may be suspended for a period of 30 minutes or one hour whenever the indices of this stock exchange fall below the limit of 10% and 15%, respectively, in relation to the index registered in the previous trading session.

          The São Paulo Stock Exchange is less liquid than the NYSE and other major exchanges in the world.  The São Paulo Stock Exchange had an aggregate market capitalization of approximately US$341.4 billion at December 31, 2004.  In comparison, the NYSE had a market capitalization of approximately US$12.7 trillion at the same date.  Although any of the outstanding shares of a listed company may trade on the São Paulo Stock Exchange, in most cases less than one-half of the listed shares are actually available for trading by the public, the remainder being held by small groups of controlling persons, by governmental entities or by one principal shareholder.  At June 22, 2005, we accounted for approximately 1.9% of the market capitalization of all listed companies on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.

          There is also significantly greater concentration in the Brazilian securities markets than in the NYSE or other major exchanges.  During the one-year period ended December 31, 2004, the ten largest companies listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange represented approximately 48.1% of the total market capitalization of all listed companies and the 10 largest companies listed on the NYSE represented approximately 19.5% of the total market capitalization of all listed companies.

          Trading on the São Paulo Stock Exchange by non-residents of Brazil is subject to limitations under Brazilian foreign investment legislation.

Regulation of Brazilian Securities Markets

          The Brazilian securities markets are regulated by the CVM, which has regulatory authority over stock exchanges and the securities markets generally, and by the Central Bank, which has, among other powers, licensing authority over brokerage firms and regulates foreign investment and foreign exchange transactions.

          Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, a corporation is either public (companhia aberta), like us, or closely held (companhia fechada).  All public companies, including us, are registered with the CVM and are subject to reporting requirements.  Our shares are listed and traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange and may be traded privately subject to limitations.

          We have the option to ask that trading in our securities on the São Paulo Stock Exchange be suspended in anticipation of a material announcement.  Trading may also be suspended on the initiative of the São Paulo Stock Exchange or the CVM, among other reasons, based on or due to a belief that a company has provided inadequate information regarding a material event or has provided inadequate responses to the inquiries by the CVM or the São Paulo Stock Exchange.

          The Brazilian securities law, the Brazilian Corporate Law and the regulations issued by the CVM, the National Monetary Council and the Central Bank provide for, among other things, disclosure requirements, restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, and protection of minority shareholders.  However, the Brazilian securities markets are not as highly regulated and supervised as the U.S. securities.

          Trading on the São Paulo Stock Exchange by non-residents of Brazil is subject to limitations under Brazilian foreign investment and tax legislation.  The Brazilian custodian for our preferred shares and the depositary for our ADSs have obtained an electronic certificate of registration from the Central Bank to remit U.S. dollars abroad for payments of dividends, any other cash distributions, or upon the disposition of the shares and sales proceeds thereto.  In the event that a holder of ADSs exchanges ADSs for preferred shares, the holder will be entitled to continue to rely on the depositary’s electronic certificate of registration for five business days after the exchange.  Thereafter, the holder may not be able to obtain and remit U.S. dollars abroad upon the disposition of the preferred shares, or distributions relating to the preferred shares, unless the holder obtains a new electronic certificate of registration or registers its investment in the preferred shares under Resolution No. 2,689.

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9D.

Selling Shareholders

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

9E.

Dilution

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

9F.

Expenses of the Issue

 

 

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 10.     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

10A.

Share Capital

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

10B.

Memorandum and Articles of Association

          Set forth below is certain information concerning our capital stock, and a brief summary of certain significant provisions of our bylaws and the Brazilian Corporate Law.  This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to our bylaws and to Brazilian law.

Corporate Purposes

          We are a joint stock company with a principal place of business and jurisdiction in the city of São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil, governed mainly by our bylaws and the Brazilian Corporate Law.  Our corporate purpose, as stated in our bylaws, is to (1) design, manufacture and market aircraft and aerospace materials and their respective accessories, components and equipment in accordance with the highest technology and quality standards, (2) promote and carry out technical activities related to the production and maintenance of aerospace materials, (3) contribute towards the education of technical personnel required for the aerospace industry and (4) conduct technological, industrial and commercial activities and services related to the aerospace industry.

Description of Capital Stock

General

          At December 31, 2004, our capital stock consisted of a total of 718,341,868 outstanding shares, without par value, of which 242,544,448 were common shares, including one special class of common share known as the “golden share,” held by the Brazilian government, and 475,797,420 were preferred shares.  Our bylaws authorize the Board of Directors to increase the capital stock up to 500,000,000 common shares and up to 1,000,000,000 preferred shares without seeking specific shareholder approval.  All our outstanding shares are fully paid.  Our shareholders must approve at a shareholders’ meeting any capital increase that exceeds the above-referenced authorized amounts.  Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, however, the number of non-voting preferred shares may not exceed two-thirds of the total number of shares.  According to the edital (invitation to bid) issued by the Brazilian government in connection with our privatization in 1994, non-Brazilians may not hold in excess of 40% of our common shares.  There is no similar restriction on ownership of our preferred shares.

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Common Shares

          Each common share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at our annual and special shareholders’ meetings.  The Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws require that all our shareholders’ meetings be called by publication of a notice in the Diário Oficial do Estado de São Paulo, the official government publication of the State of São Paulo, and in a newspaper of general circulation in the city in which our principal place of business is located, currently São José dos Campos, at least fifteen days prior to the meeting.  The quorum to hold shareholders’ meetings on first call is generally 25% of the shares entitled to vote, and on second call the meetings can be held with the presence of any number of the shares entitled to vote.

          According to the Brazilian Corporate Law, the common shares are entitled to dividends in proportion to their share of the amount available for distribution, subject to any preference of the preferred shares.  See “Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy” for a more complete description of payment of dividends on our shares.  In addition, upon any liquidation of the company, the common shares are entitled to return of capital in proportion to their share of our net worth, also subject to the preference of the preferred shares.

Preferences of Preferred Shares

          According to our bylaws, the preferred shares are non-voting except under limited circumstances and, upon any liquidation of the Company, are entitled to priority over the common shares in the return of capital in proportion to their share of our net worth.  In addition, according to our bylaws, the preferred shares are not entitled to fixed or minimum dividend payments.  However, under the Brazilian Corporate Law, preferred shares not entitled to fixed or minimum dividend payments are entitled to receive dividends in an amount per share that is 10% greater than the dividends payable on our common shares.  See “Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy” for a more complete description of mandatory annual distributions on our preferred stock.

Golden Share

          The golden share is held by the Federative Republic of Brazil.  For a discussion of the rights to which the golden share is entitled, see “Item 7A. Major Shareholders—Voting Rights—Golden Share.”

Voting Rights of the Preferred Shares

          Preferred shares do not entitle the holder to vote except as set forth below.  However, holders of preferred shares are entitled to attend meetings of shareholders and to participate in the discussion of matters submitted for consideration.

          The Brazilian Corporate Law requires that non-voting preferred shares which are entitled to receive fixed or minimum dividends shall acquire voting rights in the event a company fails to pay, from one to three consecutive fiscal years as established in the bylaws, the fixed or minimum dividend to which such shares are entitled.  Because our preferred shares are not entitled to fixed or minimum dividends, they cannot acquire voting rights under this rule.  However, our preferred shares are entitled to their share of any mandatory dividends distributions that we make.  See “Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy—Amounts Available for Distribution.”

          Any change in the preference or rights of preferred shares, or the creation of a class of shares having priority or preference over preferred shares, requires approval by at least half of all outstanding voting shares and either (1) prior approval of holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares at a special meeting of holders of preferred shares or (2) subsequent ratification by holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares.  The meeting may be called by publication of a notice in the Diário Oficial do Estado de São Paulo and in a newspaper of general circulation in the city in which our principal place of business is located, currently São José dos Campos, at least fifteen days prior to the meeting.  In such special meetings, each preferred share will entitle the holder thereof to one vote.

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Conversion Rights

          Our common shares do not have the right to convert into preferred shares.

Form and Transfer

          As our shares are in registered book-entry form, the transfer of shares is governed by the rules of Article 35 of the Brazilian Corporate Law.  This Article provides that a transfer of shares is effected by an entry made by Banco Itaú S.A., also known as the registrar, in its books, by debiting the share account of the transferor and crediting the share account of the transferee.  Banco Itaú also performs all the services of safe-keeping and transfer of shares and related services for us.

          Transfers of shares by a foreign investor are made in the same way and executed by that investor’s local agent on the investor’s behalf except that if the original investment was registered with the Central Bank pursuant to Resolution No. 2,689, the foreign investor must also seek amendment, if necessary, through its local agent, of the electronic registration to reflect the new ownership.

          The São Paulo Stock Exchange operates as a central clearing system.  A holder of our shares may choose, in its discretion, to participate in this system and all shares elected to be put into this system will be deposited in the custody of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (through a Brazilian institution duly authorized to operate by the Central Bank and having a clearing account with the São Paulo Stock Exchange).  The fact that those shares are held in the custody of the São Paulo Stock Exchange will be reflected in our register of shareholders.  Each participating shareholder will, in turn, be registered in our register of beneficial shareholders maintained by the São Paulo Stock Exchange and will be treated in the same way as registered shareholders.

Board of Directors

          Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, the members of a company’s board of directors must be shareholders of the company.  There is no requirement as to the number of shares an individual must own in order to act as a member of the Board of Directors.

          According to the Brazilian Corporate Law, our officers and directors are prohibited from voting on, or acting in, matters in which their interests conflict with ours.

          Our bylaws provide that the shareholders are responsible for determining the global remuneration of the members of our management bodies.  Our Board of Directors is responsible for dividing such remuneration among the members of management.  There are no specific provisions regarding the directors’ power to vote on their compensation in the absence of an independent quorum. 

          With respect to the borrowing powers of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors has the power to authorize the borrowing of funds, either in the form of bonds, notes, commercial papers or other instruments of regular use in the market.  Other financing arrangements, including bank loans, may be entered into by us upon the joint signatures of (i) two executive officers, (ii) one officer and one attorney-in-fact, or (iii) two attorneys-in-fact.

          There is no requirement under the Brazilian Corporate Law or our bylaws that directors retire upon reaching a certain age.  In addition, our bylaws do not provide for the re-election of directors at staggered intervals.

          For a discussion of our Board of Directors, see “Item 6A. Directors and Senior Management—Board of Directors” and “Item 6C. Board Practices.”

Limitations on Share Ownership

          According to the edital (invitation to bid) issued by the Brazilian government in connection with our privatization in 1994, non-Brazilians may not hold in excess of 40% of our common shares.  There is no similar restriction on ownership of our preferred shares.  However, foreign investments must be registered with the Central Bank and/or CVM, as the case may be.  See “Item 10D. Exchange Controls.”  In addition, there are no legal limitations on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to exercise their voting rights as shareholders.

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          There are no provisions in our bylaws with respect to the disclosure of share ownership.  Notwithstanding, the Brazilian Corporate Law states that a corporation shall provide information regarding its share registry book to any person, provided that such information is necessary to protect any rights or clarify situations involving interests of (i) the requesting person, (ii) a shareholder or (iii) the securities market.

Changes to the Brazilian Corporate Law

          The Brazilian Congress enacted Law No. 10,303 on October 31, 2001, which modified several provisions of the Brazilian Corporate Law and became effective with respect to us in March 2002.  According to this law, preferred shareholders who own at least 10% of the total share capital of a company and common shareholders who own at least 15% of the total common shares of a company are each are entitled to elect, in a separate election, a representative to the Board of Directors.  If preferred shareholders and common shareholders cannot separately achieve the 10% and 15% levels, respectively, preferred shareholders and common shareholders who together own at least 10% of the total share capital of a company will be entitled to elect, in a separate election, a representative to the Board of Directors.  Law 10,303 also modified the minimum rights attributed to preferred shares, appraisal rights, share redemption procedures and requirements for the disclosure of trades by insiders.

Significant Differences between our Corporate Governance Practices and NYSE Corporate Governance Standards

          We are subject to the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.  As a foreign private issuer, the standards applicable to us are considerably different than the standards applied to U.S. listed companies.  Under the NYSE rules, we are required only to:  (i) have an audit committee or audit board, pursuant to an applicable exemption available to foreign private issuers, that meets certain requirements, as discussed below, (ii) provide prompt certification by our chief executive officer of any material non-compliance with any corporate governance rules, and (iii) provide a brief description of the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the NYSE corporate governance practice required to be followed by U.S. listed companies.  The discussion of the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those required of U.S. listed companies follows below.

Majority of Independent Directors

          The NYSE rules require that a majority of the board must consist of independent directors.  Independence is defined by various criteria, including the absence of a material relationship between the director and the listed company.  Brazilian law does not have a similar requirement.  Under Brazilian law, neither our Board of Directors nor our management is required to test the independence of directors before their election to the board.  However, both the Brazilian Corporate Law and the CVM have established rules that require directors to meet certain qualification requirements and that address the compensation and duties and responsibilities of, as well as the restrictions applicable to, a company’s executive officers and directors.  While our directors meet the qualification requirements of the Brazilian Corporate Law and the CVM, we do not believe that our directors would be considered independent under the NYSE test for director independence.

          The Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws require that our directors be elected by our shareholders at a general shareholders’ meeting.  Six of our directors are elected by, and represent, our controlling shareholders, two are nominated by, and represent, our minority shareholders, one is nominated and elected by the Brazilian government, as holder of the “golden share,” one is nominated by the Brazilian government and elected by our shareholders as another Brazilian government representative, one is our chief executive officer, acting ex officio pursuant to our bylaws, and the two remaining directors, nominated by the employees, are elected by our shareholders as employee representatives on our board.

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Executive Sessions

          NYSE rules require that the non-management directors must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management.  The Brazilian Corporate Law does not have a similar provision.  According to the Brazilian Corporate Law, up to one-third of the members of the board of directors can be elected from management.  Maurício Novis Botelho, our president and chief executive officer, is a member of our Board of Directors.  The remaining non-management directors are not expressly empowered to serve as a check on management and there is no requirement that those directors meet regularly without management.  As a result, the non-management directors on our board do not typically meet in executive session.

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

          NYSE rules require that listed companies have a Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee composed entirely of independent directors and governed by a written charter addressing the committee’s required purpose and detailing its required responsibilities, which include, among other things, identifying and selecting qualified board member nominees and developing a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the company.  We are not required under applicable Brazilian law to have a Nominating Committee/Corporate Governance Committee, and accordingly, to date, have not established such a committee.  Pursuant to our bylaws, our nominees for director are selected by the controlling shareholders, minority shareholders, the Brazilian government and our employees, as described above in “—Majority of Independent Directors.”  The directors are then elected by our shareholders at a general shareholders’ meeting.  Our corporate governance practices are adopted by the entire board.

Compensation Committee

          NYSE rules require that listed companies have a Compensation Committee composed entirely of independent directors and governed by a written charter addressing the committee’s required purpose and detailing its required responsibilities, which include, among other things, reviewing corporate goals relevant to CEO compensation, evaluating CEO performance and approving CEO compensation levels and recommending to the board non-CEO compensation, incentive-compensation and equity-based plans.  We are not required under applicable Brazilian law to have a Compensation Committee.  Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, the total amount available for compensation of our directors and executive officers and for profit-sharing payments to our executive officers is established by our shareholders at the annual general meeting.  The Board of Directors is then responsible for determining the individual compensation and profit sharing of each executive officer, as well as the compensation of our board and committee members.  In making such determinations, the board reviews the performance of the executive officers, including the performance of our CEO.  Maurício Novis Botelho, our chief executive officer and member of our Board of Directors, typically excuses himself from discussions regarding his performance and compensation.

          In April 2004, our Board of Directors established an Advisory Committee with a term of 18 months with the task of reviewing the company’s policies regarding the compensation and profit sharing for our executive officers and making recommendations for the revision of such policies.  The Committee completed its review by April 2005.  As it was a temporary committee, it did not operate pursuant to a written charter.  For a further discussion of our Advisory Committee, see “Item 6C. Board Practices—Advisory Committee.”

Audit Committee

          NYSE rules require that listed companies have an audit committee that (i) is composed of a minimum of three independent directors who are all financially literate, (ii) meets the SEC rules regarding audit committees for listed companies, (iii) has at least one member who has accounting or financial management expertise and (iv) is governed by a written charter addressing the committee’s required purpose and detailing its required responsibilities.  However, as a foreign private issuer, we need only to comply with the requirement that the audit committee, or audit board in our case, meet the SEC rules regarding audit committees for listed companies.  The Brazilian Corporate Law requires companies to have a non-permanent Conselho Fiscal composed of three to five members who are elected at the general shareholders’ meeting.  The Conselho Fiscal operates independently from management and from a company’s external auditors.  Its main function is to monitor the activities of management, examine the financial statements of each fiscal year and provide a formal report to our shareholders.

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          We have a permanent Conselho Fiscal that consists of five members and five alternates and which has ordinary meetings at least every two months.  The members of our Conselho Fiscal are all financially literate and one member has accounting expertise that qualifies him as an audit committee financial expert.  In order to comply with the exemption requirements that allow our Conselho Fiscal to act as an audit committee pursuant to SEC rules, our Board of Directors approved the delegation to the Conselho Fiscal of certain additional responsibilities and the Conselho Fiscal and the Board of Directors adopted an additional charter that delegates to the Conselho Fiscal the duties and responsibilities of a U.S audit committee to the extent permitted under Brazilian Corporate Law.  For a further discussion of our Conselho Fiscal, see “Item 6C. Board Practices—Conselho Fiscal.” 

Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plans

          NYSE rules require that shareholders be given the opportunity to vote on all equity compensation plans and material revisions thereto, with limited exceptions.  Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders must approve all stock option plans.  In addition, any issuance of new shares that exceeds our authorized share capital is subject to shareholder approval.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

          NYSE rules require that listed companies adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines.  We have not adopted any formal corporate governance guidelines beyond those required by applicable Brazilian law.  We have adopted and observe a disclosure policy, our Policy on Publicizing Acts or Relevant Facts, which requires the public disclosure of all relevant information pursuant to guidelines set forth by the CVM, as well as an insider trading policy, our Policy on Securities Transactions, which, among other things, establishes black-out periods and requires insiders to inform management of all transactions involving our securities.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

          NYSE rules require that listed companies adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers.  Applicable Brazilian law does not have a similar requirement.  However, in April 2004, we adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct applicable to our officers, directors and employees worldwide, including at the subsidiary level.  We believe this code substantially addresses the matters required to be addressed pursuant to the NYSE rules.  A copy of our Code of Ethics and Conduct has been filed as Exhibit 11.1 to this annual report.  For a further discussion of our Code of Ethics and Conduct, see “Item 16B. Code of Ethics.”

Internal Audit Function

          NYSE rules require that listed companies maintain an internal audit function to provide management and the audit committee with ongoing assessments of the company’s risk management processes and system of internal control.  Our internal audit function is the responsibility of our risk and internal controls office, under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, assuring the necessary independence and competence to assess the design of our internal control over financial reporting, as well as to test its effectiveness as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

10C.

Material Contracts

Joint Venture with Liebherr International AG

          We entered into a joint venture with Liebherr International AG to develop and manufacture landing gear and high precision hydraulic equipment and provide related services for Embraer and other clients around the world.  In connection with this joint venture, we formed a new subsidiary, ELEB, to which we transferred all of our landing gear manufacturing activities, the employees and some liabilities related to those activities on December 1, 1999.  On May 22, 2000, Liebherr International AG, acting in coordination with its subsidiary, Liebherr Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, and through its Brazilian affiliate, purchased 40% of the capital stock of ELEB.  Liebherr-Aerospace SAS is our risk-sharing partner responsible for designing, developing and manufacturing the landing gear assemblies for the new EMBRAER 170/190 jet family.

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10D.

Exchange Controls

          There are no restrictions on ownership of our preferred shares by individuals or legal entities domiciled outside Brazil.  However, the right to convert dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of preferred shares into foreign currency and to remit such amounts outside Brazil is subject to restrictions under foreign investment legislation which generally requires, among other things, the registration of the relevant investment with the Central Bank.

          Pursuant to Brazilian law, investors may invest in the preferred shares under Resolution No. 2,689, of January 26, 2000, of the National Monetary Council.  The rules of Resolution No. 2,689 allow foreign investors to invest in almost all financial assets and to engage in almost all transactions available in the Brazilian financial and capital markets, provided that some requirements are fulfilled.  In accordance with Resolution No. 2,689, the definition of foreign investor includes individuals, legal entities, mutual funds and other collective investment entities domiciled or headquartered abroad.

          Pursuant to the rules, foreign investors must:  (1) appoint at least one representative in Brazil with powers to perform actions relating to the foreign investment; (2) complete the appropriate foreign investor registration form; (3) register as a foreign investor with the CVM; and (4) register the foreign investment with the Central Bank.

          Securities and other financial assets held by foreign investors pursuant to Resolution No. 2,689 must be registered or maintained in deposit accounts or under the custody of an entity duly licensed by the Central Bank or the CVM.  In addition, securities trading is restricted to transactions carried out in the stock exchanges or organized over-the-counter markets licensed by the CVM.

          Under Resolution No. 2,689, foreign investors registered with the CVM may buy and sell shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange without obtaining a separate certificate of registration for each transaction.  Investors under these regulations are also generally entitled to favorable tax treatment.

          Annex V to Resolution No. 1,289, as amended, of the National Monetary Council, also known as the Annex V Regulations, provides for the issuance of depositary receipts in foreign markets in respect of shares of Brazilian issuers.

          In connection with both equity offerings of our preferred shares, an electronic registration was issued in the name of the depositary with respect to the ADSs and is maintained by the custodian on behalf of the depositary.  This electronic registration was carried out through the Central Bank Information System-SISBACEN.  Pursuant to the registration, the custodian and the depositary are able to convert dividends and other distributions with respect to the preferred shares represented by ADSs into foreign currency and remit the proceeds outside Brazil.  In the event that a holder of ADSs exchanges such ADSs for preferred shares, the holder will be entitled to continue to rely on the depositary’s registration for five business days after the exchange.  Thereafter, a holder must seek to obtain its own electronic registration.  Unless the preferred shares are held pursuant to Resolution No. 2,689 by a duly registered investor or a holder of preferred shares who applies for and obtains a new certificate of registration, that holder may not be able to convert into foreign currency and remit outside Brazil the proceeds from the disposition of, or distributions with respect to, the preferred shares.  In addition, if the foreign investor resides in a “tax haven” jurisdiction or is not an investor registered under Resolution No. 2,689, the investor will be subject to less favorable Brazilian tax treatment than a holder of ADSs.

          See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Preferred Shares and the ADSs-If holders of ADSs exchange the ADSs for preferred shares, they risk losing the ability to remit foreign currency abroad and Brazilian tax advantages” and “Item 10E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Consequences.”

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Preemptive Rights

          Each of our shareholders has a general preemptive right to subscribe for shares, or securities convertible into shares, in the event of any capital increase, in proportion to its shareholding, except in the event of the grant and exercise of any option to acquire shares of our capital stock.  A period of at least 30 days following the publication of notice of the issuance of shares or securities convertible into shares is allowed for exercise of the right, and the right is negotiable.  According to the Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, eliminate the preemptive rights of the shareholders in the event that we issue shares, debentures convertible into shares, or subscription warrants that will be offered either through a stock exchange or in a public offering, or through an exchange of shares in a public offering, the purpose of which is to acquire control of another company, as established by law.

          In the event of a capital increase by means of the issuance of new shares, holders of ADSs, or of preferred shares, would, except under the circumstances described above, have preemptive rights to subscribe to any class of our newly issued shares.  However, a holder may not be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the preferred shares underlying the ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those shares to which the rights relate or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.  See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Preferred Shares and the ADSs—Holders of our ADSs might be unable to exercise preemptive rights with respect to the preferred shares.”

Redemption and Right of Withdrawal

          According to our bylaws, our common shares and preferred shares are not redeemable.

          The Brazilian Corporate Law provides that, under limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to withdraw his equity interest from the company and to receive payment for the portion of shareholder’s equity attributable to his equity interest.  This right of withdrawal may be exercised by dissenting or non-voting shareholders of Embraer (including any holder of preferred shares) in the event that at least half of all voting shares outstanding authorize us to:

 

create preferred shares or to increase disproportionately an existing class of preferred shares relative to the other class of shares, unless such action is provided for or authorized by the bylaws;

 

 

 

 

modify a preference, privilege or condition of redemption or amortization conferred on one or more classes of preferred shares, or to create a new class with greater privileges than the existing classes of preferred shares;

 

 

 

 

reduce the mandatory distribution of dividends;

 

 

 

 

change our corporate purpose;

 

 

 

 

merge into or consolidate with another company, subject to the conditions set forth in the Brazilian Corporate Law;

 

 

 

 

transfer all of our shares to another company or receive shares of another company in order to make the company whose shares were transferred a wholly owned subsidiary of such other company, known as incorporação de ações;

 

 

 

 

acquire control of another company at a price which exceeds the limits set forth in the Brazilian Corporate Law;

 

 

 

 

participate in a centralized group of companies as defined under the Brazilian Corporate Law and subject to the conditions set forth therein; or

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conduct a spin-off that results in (a) a change of our corporate purposes, except if the assets and liabilities of the spun-off company are contributed to a company that is engaged in substantially the same activities, (b) a reduction in the mandatory dividend or (c) any participation in a centralized group of companies, as defined under the Brazilian Corporate Law.

          In addition, in the event that the entity resulting from a merger, or incorporação de ações, as described above, or a consolidation or a spin-off of a listed company fails to become a listed company within 120 days of the shareholders’ meeting at which such decision was taken, the dissenting or non-voting shareholders may also exercise their right of withdrawal.

          In the cases mentioned in the first and second bullet points above, only holders of shares adversely affected by the changes described therein may withdraw their shares.  The right of withdrawal lapses 30 days after publication of the minutes of the relevant shareholders’ meeting.  In the first two cases mentioned above, however, the resolution is subject to the prior approval or subsequent ratification by holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, which must be obtained at a special meeting held within one year.  In such cases, the 30-day term is counted from the date the minutes of the special meeting are published.  We would be entitled to reconsider any action giving rise to withdrawal rights within ten days following the expiration of such rights if the withdrawal of shares of dissenting shareholders would jeopardize our financial stability. 

          The Brazilian Corporate Law contains provisions that restrict withdrawal rights and allow companies to redeem their shares at their economic value, subject to certain requirements.  As our bylaws currently do not provide that our shares would be redeemable at their economic value, our shares would be redeemable at their book value, determined on the basis of the last balance sheet approved by the shareholders.  If the shareholders’ meeting giving rise to withdrawal rights occurs more than 60 days after the date of the last approved balance sheet, a shareholder may demand that its shares be valued on the basis of a new balance sheet that is as of a date within 60 days of such shareholders’ meeting.

          According to the Brazilian Corporate Law, in events of consolidation, merger, incorporação de ações, participation in a group of companies, and acquisition of control of another company, the right to withdraw does not apply if the shares in question meet certain tests relating to market liquidity and float.  Shareholders would not be entitled to withdraw their shares if the shares are a component of a general stock index in Brazil or abroad and shares held by persons unaffiliated with the controlling shareholder represent more than half of the outstanding shares of the relevant type or class.

10E.

Taxation

          This summary contains a description of certain Brazilian and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of preferred shares or ADSs by a holder, also called a U.S. holder, that is the beneficial owner of preferred shares or ADSs and that is an individual citizen or resident alien of the United States or a U.S. domestic corporation or that otherwise will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of preferred shares or ADSs, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase preferred shares or ADSs.  In particular, this summary deals only with U.S. holders that will hold preferred shares or ADSs as capital assets and does not address the tax treatment of U.S. holders that own or are treated as owning 10% or more of our voting shares or that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, individual retirement and other tax deferred accounts, tax-exempt organizations, persons that will hold preferred shares or ADSs as a position in a “straddle,” a “hedging transaction” or a “conversion transaction” for tax purposes, and persons that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar.  Further, if a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of preferred shares or ADSs, the treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership.  A holder of preferred shares or ADSs that is a partnership and partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors.  This summary is based upon the tax laws of Brazil and the United States as in effect on the date of this annual report, which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and to differing interpretations.

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          Although there presently is no income tax treaty between Brazil and the United States, the tax authorities of the two countries have had discussions that may culminate in such a treaty.  No assurance can be given, however, as to if or when a treaty will enter into force or how it will affect the U.S. holders of preferred shares or ADSs.

Brazilian Tax Consequences

          General.  The following discussion summarizes the material Brazilian tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of preferred shares or ADSs, as the case may be, by a holder that is not domiciled in Brazil, also called a non-Brazilian holder, for purposes of Brazilian taxation.

          Taxation of Dividends.  Dividends, including stock dividends and other dividends paid in property, paid by us to the depositary in respect of the ADSs, or to a non-Brazilian holder in respect of the preferred shares, are currently not subject to income withholding tax, provided that they are paid out of profits generated as of January 1, 1996 (or out of reserves derived therefrom).  We do not have retained earnings generated prior to January 1, 1996 (or reserves out of such earnings).

          Taxation of Gains.  According to Law No. 10,833, enacted on December 29, 2003, the disposition of assets located in Brazil by a non-Brazilian holder, whether to another non-Brazilian holder or to a Brazilian holder, may be subject to taxation in Brazil.

          Although we believe that the ADSs do not fall within the definition of assets located in Brazil for the purposes of Law No. 10,833/03, considering the general and unclear scope of this new law and the lack of any judicial court rulings in respect thereof, we are unable to predict whether such understanding will ultimately prevail in the courts of Brazil.

          The deposit of preferred shares in exchange for ADSs may be subject to Brazilian capital gains tax at the rate of 15% or 25%, in case of a non-Brazilian holder located in a tax haven jurisdiction (as defined below), if the acquisition cost of the preferred shares is lower than (1) the average price per preferred share on a Brazilian stock exchange on which the greatest number of such shares were sold on the day of deposit or (2) if no preferred shares were sold on that day, the average price on the Brazilian stock exchange on which the greatest number of preferred shares were sold in the fifteen trading sessions immediately preceding such deposit.  In such a case, the difference between the average price of the preferred shares, calculated as above and the corresponding acquisition cost, will be considered a capital gain.  Such taxation is not applicable in case of investors registered under Resolution No. 2,689 which are not located in a tax haven jurisdiction (as defined below).  The withdrawal of ADSs in exchange for preferred shares is not subject to Brazilian tax.  However, if this non-Brazilian holder does not register under Resolution No. 2,689, it will be subject to the less favorable tax treatment described below.

          Non-Brazilian holders are generally subject to income tax imposed at a rate of 15% on gains realized on sales or exchanges of the preferred shares, if the transaction is carried out outside of any Brazilian stock, future or commodities exchange.  Gains realized by a non-Brazilian holder upon redemption of preferred shares will be treated as a gain from the disposition of such shares to a Brazilian resident occurring outside of any Brazilian stock, future and commodities exchange and, accordingly, will be subject to tax at a rate of 15%.  In both cases, if the non-Brazilian holder is resident or domiciled in a tax haven jurisdiction (as defined below), the income tax rate will be 25%.

          Non-Brazilian holders are subject to income tax imposed at a rate of 15% on gains realized on sales or exchanges of preferred shares that occur on the Brazilian exchanges and to a withholding tax of 0.005% on the value of the transaction (to be offset against tax due on eventual capital gains) unless such a sale is made by a non-Brazilian holder which is not resident in a tax haven jurisdiction (as defined below) and (1) such sale is made within five business days of the withdrawal of such preferred shares in exchange for ADSs and the proceeds thereof are remitted abroad within such five-day period or (2) such sale is made under Resolution No. 2,689 by registered non-Brazilian holders who obtain registration with the CVM.  In these two cases, the gains realized are exempt from income tax.  The “gain realized” is the difference between the amount in reais realized on the sale or exchange and the acquisition cost measured in reais, without any correction for inflation, of the shares sold.  There is no assurance that the current preferential treatment for holders of the ADSs and some non-Brazilian holders of the preferred shares under Resolution No. 2,689 will continue or will not change in the future.

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          Any exercise of preemptive rights relating to the preferred shares will not be subject to Brazilian taxation.  Any gain on the sale or assignment of preemptive rights relating to our preferred shares by the depositary on behalf of holders of our ADSs will be subject to Brazilian income taxation according to the same rules applicable to the sale or disposition of preferred shares.

          Taxation on Interest on Shareholders’ Equity.  Any payment of interest on shareholders’ equity (see “Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy—History of Dividend Payments and Dividend Policy and Additional Payments on Shareholders’ Equity”) to holders of ADSs or preferred shares, whether or not they are Brazilian residents, is subject to Brazilian withholding tax at the rate of 15% at the time Embraer records such liability, whether or not the effective payment has been made at that time.  In the case of non-Brazilian residents that are resident in a tax haven jurisdiction (as defined below), the applicable rate for income tax is 25%.  Current Brazilian Corporate Law establishes that a notional interest charge attributed to shareholders’ equity can either be accounted for as part of the mandatory dividend or not.  In the event that the payment of such interest is accounted for as part of the mandatory dividend, we would be required to pay an additional amount to ensure that the net amount received by the shareholders, after the income tax, is at least equal to the minimum mandatory dividend.  The distribution of interest attributed to shareholders’ equity would be proposed by our Board of Directors and subject to subsequent declaration by the shareholders at a general meeting.

          Taxation of Foreign Exchange Transactions (“IOF/Câmbio”)Pursuant to Decree No. 4,494 of December 3, 2002, the conversion into Brazilian currency of proceeds received by a Brazilian entity from a foreign investment in the Brazilian securities market (including those in connection with an investment in preferred shares or the ADSs and those under Resolution No. 2,689) and the conversion into foreign currency of proceeds received by a non-Brazilian holder is subject to a tax on exchange transactions known as IOF/Câmbio, the rate of which is currently 0% for most cases.  However, according to Law No. 8,894/94, the Minister of Finance has the power to increase the IOF/Câmbio rate at any time to a maximum of 25%, but only in relation to future exchange transactions.

          Taxation on Bonds and Securities Transactions (“IOF/Títulos”)Law No. 8,894/94 created the Tax on Bonds and Securities Transactions, or IOF/Títulos, which may be imposed on any transactions involving bonds and securities, even if these transactions are performed on the Brazilian stock, futures or commodities exchange.  The applicable rate of this tax is currently 0% for most transactions, although the executive branch may increase such rate up to 1.5% per day, but only with respect to future transactions.

          Other Brazilian Taxes.  There are no Brazilian inheritance, gift or succession taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of preferred shares or ADSs by a non-Brazilian holder, except for gift and inheritance taxes which are levied by some states of Brazil on gifts made or inheritances bestowed by individuals or entities not resident or domiciled in Brazil within such state to individuals or entities resident or domiciled within such state in Brazil.  There are no Brazilian stamp, issue, registration, or similar taxes or duties payable by holders of preferred shares or ADSs.

          Transactions on Bank Accounts (“CPMF”)As a general rule, the Contribuição Provisória sobre Movimentação Financeira, the tax on transactions on bank accounts, or CPMF, is imposed on any debit to bank accounts.  Therefore, transactions by the depositary or by holders of preferred shares that involve the transfer of Brazilian currency through Brazilian financial institutions could be subject to the CPMF tax.  Currently, the funds transferred to Brazil to acquire shares on the Brazilian stock exchange are exempted from the CPMF.  When a non-Brazilian holder transfers the proceeds from the sale or assignment of preferred shares by an exchange transaction, the CPMF tax is levied on the amount to be remitted abroad in reais.  If we have to perform any exchange transaction in connection with ADSs or preferred shares, we will also be subject to the CPMF tax.  The CPMF tax is generally imposed on bank account debits, at the current rate of 0.38%.  The CPMF tax will be in effect until December 31, 2007.  In the event we perform any exchange transaction in connection with ADSs or preferred shares, we will be responsible for collecting the CPMF tax.

          Beneficiaries Resident or Domiciled in Tax Havens or Low Tax Jurisdictions.  Law No. 9,779, dated as of January 1, 1999, states that, with the exception of limited prescribed circumstances, income derived from operations by a beneficiary resident or domiciled in a country considered a tax haven is subject to withholding income tax at the rate of 25%.  Tax havens are considered to be countries which do not impose any income tax or which impose such tax at a maximum rate of less than 20%, or where the internal legislation imposes restrictions on the disclosure of the shareholders’ composition or the ownership of the investment. Accordingly, if the distribution of interest attributed to shareholders’ equity is made to a beneficiary resident or domiciled in a tax haven jurisdiction, the applicable income tax rate will be 25% instead of 15%.  Capital gains are subject to this 25% tax, except if the transaction is conducted on the Brazilian stock exchange, in which case they will be subject to income tax imposed at a rate of 15% and to a withholding tax of 0.005% on the value of the transaction (to be offset against tax due on eventual capital gains).  See “—Taxation of Gains.”

86



U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

          In general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. holders that are beneficial owners of ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owners of the preferred shares represented by those ADSs.

          Taxation of Dividends.  Distributions with respect to the preferred shares or the ADSs (other than distributions in redemption of the preferred shares subject to Section 302(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (also called the Code) or in a liquidation of Embraer) (including distributions of notional interest charges attributed to shareholders’ equity, as described above in “—Brazilian Tax Consequences—Taxation on Interest on Shareholders’ Equity”) will, to the extent made from current or accumulated earnings and profits of Embraer as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Whether such current or accumulated earnings and profits will be sufficient for all such distributions on the preferred shares or ADSs to qualify as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes depends on the future profitability of Embraer and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.  To the extent that such a distribution exceeds the amount of Embraer’s earnings and profits, it will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the preferred shares or ADSs, and thereafter as capital gain (provided that the preferred shares or ADSs are held as capital assets).  As used below, the term “dividend” means a distribution that constitutes a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Cash dividends (including amounts withheld in respect of Brazilian taxes) paid with respect to:

 

the preferred shares generally will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. holder as ordinary income on the day on which the dividends are received by the U.S. holder; or

 

 

 

 

the preferred shares represented by ADSs generally will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. holder as ordinary income on the day on which the dividends are received by the depositary;

and, in either case, these dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations, but may be taxed at a preferential rate, as discussed in the next paragraph.

          Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the amount of dividends received by certain U.S. holders (including individuals) prior to January 1, 2009 with respect to the ADSs will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15% if the dividends represent “qualified dividend income.”  Dividends paid on the ADSs will be treated as qualified dividend income if (i) the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and (ii) we were not in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”).  Under current guidance recently issued by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), the ADSs should qualify as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States so long as they are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, but no assurances can be given that the ADSs will be or remain readily tradable under future guidance.  Based on our audited financial statements as well as relevant market and shareholder data, we believe that we were not a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes with respect to our 2004 taxable year.  In addition, based on our audited financial statements and current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for our 2005 taxable year.  However, because these determinations are based on the nature of our income and assets from time to time, as well as involving the application of complex tax rules, and since our view is not binding on the courts or the IRS, no assurances can be provided that we will not be considered a PFIC for the current, or any past or future tax year.  The potential application of the PFIC rules to our operations is further discussed below.

87



          Based on existing IRS guidance, it is not entirely clear whether dividends received with respect to the preferred shares will be treated as qualified dividends, because the preferred shares are not themselves listed on a United States exchange.  In addition, the United States Treasury Department has announced its intention to promulgate additional procedures pursuant to which holders of ADSs or preferred stock and intermediaries through whom such securities are held will be permitted to rely on certifications from issuers to establish that dividends are treated as qualified dividends.  Because such procedures have not yet been issued, we are not certain that we will be able to comply with them.  You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the availability of the preferential dividend tax rate in the light of your own particular circumstances.

          Dividends paid in reais will be includible in the income of a U.S. holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day they are received by the U.S. holder, in the case of preferred shares, or the depositary, in the case of preferred shares represented by ADSs, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted to U.S. dollars.

          If dividends paid in reais are converted into U.S. dollars on the day they are received by the U.S. holder or the depositary, as the case may be, U.S. holders should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income.  Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend payment is included in the gross income of a U.S. holder through the date such payment is converted into dollars (or otherwise disposed of) will be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss.  However, U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the treatment of any foreign currency gain or loss if any reais received by the U.S. holder or the depositary are not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt.

          Dividends received by most U.S. holders will constitute foreign source “passive income” or, in the case of some U.S. holders such as banks, “financial services income” for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.  U.S holders should note, however, that recently enacted legislation eliminates the “financial services income” category with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.  Under this legislation, the foreign tax credit limitation categories will be limited to “passive category income” and “general category income.”  Subject to limitations under U.S. federal income tax law concerning credits or deductions for foreign taxes, the Brazilian withholding tax will be treated as a foreign income tax eligible for credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or at a U.S. holder’s election, may be deducted in computing taxable income).  The rules with respect to foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.  The IRS has expressed concern that intermediaries in connection with depository arrangements may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by U.S. persons who are holders of depositary shares.  Accordingly, investors should be aware that the discussion above regarding the availability of foreign tax credits for Brazilian withholding tax on dividends paid with respect to preferred shares represented by ADSs could be affected by future action taken by the IRS.

          Section 305 of the Code provides special rules for the tax treatment of preferred stock.  According to the U.S. Treasury Regulations under that section, the term “preferred stock” generally refers to stock which enjoys limited rights and privileges (generally associated with specified dividend and liquidation priorities), but does not participate in corporate growth to any significant extent.  While the preferred shares have some preferences over our common shares, the preferred shares are not fixed as to dividend payments or liquidation value; thus, it is not entirely clear whether the preferred shares will be treated as “preferred stock” or “common stock” within the meaning of section 305 of the Code.  If the preferred shares are treated as “common stock” for purposes of section 305, distributions to U.S. holders of additional shares of such “common stock” or preemptive rights relating to such “common stock” with respect to their preferred shares or ADSs that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all our shareholders likely will not be treated as dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  On the other hand, if the preferred shares are treated as “preferred stock” within the meaning of section 305, then, in addition to being taxable on cash distributions as described above, a U.S. holder will be taxable on distributions of additional shares or preemptive rights (including amounts withheld in respect of any Brazilian taxes).  In that event, the amount of such distribution (and the basis of the new shares or preemptive rights so received) will equal the fair market value of the shares or preemptive rights on the date of distribution.

          Taxation of Capital Gains.  Deposits and withdrawals of preferred shares by U.S. holders in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

88



          Gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of preferred shares or ADSs will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between such U.S. tax holder’s adjusted basis in the preferred shares or the ADSs and the amount realized (including the gross amount of the proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition before the deduction of any Brazilian tax) on the taxable disposition.  Capital gains of individuals derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year may be eligible for various reduced rates of taxation.  For example, for capital assets held for over one year and sold or exchanged on or after May 2, 2003 but in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009, the maximum rate of tax generally will be 15% (rather than the higher rates of tax generally applicable to items of ordinary income).  The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.  Any gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder will generally be treated as a U.S. source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

          If a Brazilian withholding tax is imposed on the sale or disposition of preferred shares or ADSs (see “—Brazilian Tax Consequences”), the amount realized by a U.S. holder will include the gross amount of the proceeds of such sale or disposition before deduction of the Brazilian withholding tax.  The availability of U.S. foreign tax credits for these Brazilian taxes and any Brazilian taxes imposed on distributions that do not constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes is subject to various limitations and involves the application of rules that depend on a U.S. holder’s particular circumstances.  U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. foreign tax credit rules to their investment in, and disposition of, preferred shares or ADSs.

          Passive Foreign Investment Companies.  If, during any taxable year of a non-U.S. corporation, 75% or more of the corporation’s gross income consists of certain types of “passive” income, or the average value during a taxable year of the “passive assets” of the corporation (generally assets that generate passive income) is 50% or more of the average value of all the corporation’s assets, the corporation will be treated as a PFIC under U.S. federal income tax law.  If a corporation is treated as a PFIC, a U.S. holder may be subject to increased tax liability upon the sale of preferred shares or ADSs, or upon the receipt of certain dividends, unless such U.S. holder makes an election to be taxed currently on its pro rata portion of the corporation’s income, whether or not such income is distributed in the form of dividends, or otherwise makes a “mark-to-market” election with respect to the corporation’s stock as permitted by the Code.  In addition, as discussed above, a U.S. holder would not be entitled to (if otherwise eligible for) the preferential reduced rate of tax payable on certain dividend income.  As stated above, although no assurances can be given, based on our operations and business plans and the other items discussed above, we do not believe that we are currently a PFIC, and do not expect to become a PFIC for our 2005 taxable year.

          Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.  Information reporting requirements will apply to dividends in respect of the preferred shares or ADSs or the proceeds received on the sale, exchange, or redemption of the preferred shares or ADSs paid within the United States (and, in some cases, outside of the United States) to U.S. holders other than some exempt recipients (such as corporations), and a 28% backup withholding may apply to such amounts if the U.S. holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or to report interest and dividends required to be shown on its federal income tax returns.  The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

10F.

Dividends and Paying Agents

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

10G.

Statements by Experts

 

 

 

Not applicable.

89



10H.

Documents on Display

          We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act.  Accordingly, we are required to file reports and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.  You may inspect and obtain copies, at prescribed rates, of reports and other information filed by us with the SEC at its Public Reference Room maintained at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC in the United States at 1-800-SEC-0330.  You may also inspect and copy this material at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. 

          We file our annual report on Form 20-F, including our financial statements, and other reports, including our reports on Form 6-K, electronically with the SEC.  These filings are available at www.sec.gov.  We also file financial statements and other periodic reports electronically with the CVM at their website, www.cvm.gov.br.  Copies of our annual reports on Form 20-F and documents referred to in this annual report and our bylaws will be available for inspection upon request at our headquarters at Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170, 12227-901 São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil.

10I.

Subsidiary Information

 

 

 

Not required.

90



ITEM 11.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

          We are exposed to various market risks, primarily related to potential loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.  We have established policies and procedures to manage sensitivity to interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk.  These procedures include the monitoring of our levels of exposure to each market risk, including an analysis based on forecast of future cash flows, the funding of variable rate assets with variable rate liabilities, and limiting the amount of fixed rate assets which may be funded with floating rate liabilities.  We may also use derivative financial instruments to mitigate the effects of interest rate fluctuations and to reduce our exposure to exchange rate risk.  The following sections address the significant market risks associated with our financial activities.

Interest Rate Risk

          Our exposure to market risk for interest rate fluctuations principally relates to changes in the market interest rates of our U.S. dollar-denominated and real-denominated monetary liabilities, principally our short- and long-term debt obligations.  Increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates generally translate into increases and decreases in interest expense.  Additionally, the fair values of interest rate-sensitive instruments are also affected by general market conditions.

          Our short- and long-term debt obligations totaled US$1,338.7 million at December 31, 2004 and were denominated in U.S. dollars, Brazilian reais, Japanese yen and Euros.  Of the total amount of debt denominated in U.S. dollars, US$923.4 million, approximately US$499.2 million was fixed rate.  The remaining floating rate U.S. dollar-denominated debt was indexed to either six-month or 12-month LIBOR.  Of the US$336.7 million of our Brazilian reais-denominated debt, US$331.7 million bears interest at a variable rate based on the TJLP, the long-term interest rate in Brazil.  The TJLP ranged from 9.75% per annum to 10% per annum during 2004.  We also maintain a subsidiary line of credit in an amount of US$5.0 million which bears interest at a variable rate based on the CDI, the interbank deposit rate in Brazil.  All of our US$72.5 million of Japanese yen-denominated debt was the floating rate indexed to the Japanese interbank deposit rate, or JIBOR.  All of our Euro-denominated debt, totaling US$6.1 million, was fixed rate.

          The table below provides information about our short- and long-term debt obligations as of December 31, 2004 that are sensitive to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

 

 

Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate 2004

 

Total
Out standing
Amount

 

Outstanding Amount By Year of Maturity

 

Total Fair
Value

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Short Term Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. dollars (LIBOR indexed)

 

 

5.23

%

US$

46,019

 

US$

46,019

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

US$

46,815

 

U.S. dollars (fixed rate)

 

 

6.17

%

 

105,079

 

 

105,079

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

102,658

 

Reais (TJLP indexed)

 

 

12.22

%

 

319,791

 

 

319,791

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

315,915

 

Reais (CDI indexed)

 

 

20.64

%

 

20

 

 

20

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

21

 

Euro (fixed rate)

 

 

2.80

%

 

6,094

 

 

6,094

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

6,116

 

Japanese yen (JIBOR indexed)

 

 

1.14

%

 

36,278

 

 

36,278

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

34,851

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total short-term debt

 

 

 

 

US$

513,281

 

US$

513,281

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

US$

506,376

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Long Term Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. dollars (LIBOR indexed)

 

 

5.23

%

US$

378,192

 

 

—  

 

US$

62,040

 

US$

110,743

 

US$

90,300

 

US$

90,108

 

US$

25,000

 

US$

380,046

 

U.S. dollars (fixed rate)

 

 

6.17

%

 

394,089

 

 

—  

 

 

99,238

 

 

179,511

 

 

74,325

 

 

41,015

 

 

—  

 

 

361,432

 

Reais (TJLP indexed)

 

 

12.22

%

 

11,867

 

 

—  

 

 

2,791

 

 

3,062

 

 

2,494

 

 

1,415

 

 

2,105

 

 

10,764

 

Reais (CDI indexed)

 

 

20.64

%

 

5,066

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,066

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,324

 

Japanese yen (JIBOR indexed)

 

 

1.14

%

 

36,235

 

 

—  

 

 

36,235

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

34,809

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

825,448

 

 

—  

 

 

200,304

 

 

298,382

 

 

167,119

 

 

132,538

 

 

27,105

 

 

792,375

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total debt

 

 

 

 

US$

1,338,729

 

US$

513,281

 

US$

200,304

 

US$

298,382

 

US$

167,119

 

US$

132,538

 

US$

27,105

 

US$

1,298,751

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

91



          In order to manage interest rate risk on our monetary liabilities, we have entered into a number of swaps, which effectively convert part of our fixed and floating interest rate U.S. dollar-denominated debt into CDI-based reais-denominated obligations.  Specifically, as of December 31 2004, we had effectively converted US$10.7 million of our U.S. dollar floating interest rate debt and US$46.8 million of our U.S. dollar fixed interest rate debt into CDI-based reais, which, together with our US$5.0 million subsidiary line originally bearing interest at CDI-based reais, totals the equivalent of US$62.5 million of CDI-based reais denominated obligations.  The weighted average interest rate of these CDI-based obligations for 2004 was 12.59%.  Through these swaps, we have also effectively converted the yen equivalent of US$72.5 million of our yen-denominated floating interest rate debt to an equivalent amount of U.S. dollar obligations with a fixed interest rate of 4.31% per annum.  In addition, using swaps transactions we have effectively converted US$366.4 million of our U.S. LIBOR indexed debt to U.S. fixed rate debt.  The weighted average fixed interest rate of these obligations for 2004 was 7.78% per annum.  These swaps did not affect the maturity or amortization schedule of our existing debt.

          These swaps are not accounted for as hedging transactions under U.S. GAAP.  Nevertheless, they are recorded at fair value on our balance sheet, and we recognized an unrealized loss of US$13.1 million as of December 31, 2004 as part of interest income (expenses), net.  For further information about the terms of these swap transactions, including notional amount, maturity date and fair value gains and losses, see Note 31 to our consolidated financial statements.

          We do not currently have any derivative instruments that limit our exposure to changes in the TJLP because we believe that our total exposure, combined with the relatively low volatility of the TJLP, is unlikely to have a material effect on our company.

          The table below provides information about our short and long-term debt obligations as of December 31, 2004, after considering the effects of the above-mentioned derivative transactions.

 

 

Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate 2004

 

Total
Out standing
Amount

 

Outstanding Amount By Year of Maturity

 

Total Fair
Value

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

Thereafter

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Short Term Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. dollars (LIBOR indexed)

 

 

5.18

%

US$

4,192

 

US$

4,192

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

US$

4,427

 

U.S. dollars (fixed rate)

 

 

6.08

%

 

158,549

 

 

158,549

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

155,034

 

Reais (TJLP indexed)

 

 

12.22

%

 

319,791

 

 

319,791

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

315,915

 

Reais (CDI indexed)

 

 

12.59

%

 

24,655

 

 

24,655

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

24,884

 

Euro (fixed rate)

 

 

2.80

%

 

6,094

 

 

6,094

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

6,094

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total short-term debt

 

 

 

 

US$

513,281

 

US$

513,281

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

US$

506,376

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Long Term Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. dollars (LIBOR indexed)

 

 

5.18

%

US$

42,891

 

 

—  

 

US$

230

 

US$

22,310

 

US$

10,271

 

US$

10,080

 

 

—  

 

US$

38,180

 

U.S. dollars (fixed rate)

 

 

6.08

%

 

732,796

 

 

—  

 

 

183,806

 

 

254,468

 

 

148,479

 

 

121,043

 

 

25,000

 

 

706,393

 

Reais (TJLP indexed)

 

 

12.22

%

 

11,867

 

 

—  

 

 

2,791

 

 

3,062

 

 

2,494

 

 

1,415

 

 

2,105

 

 

10,764

 

Reais (CDI indexed)

 

 

12.59

%

 

37,894

 

 

—  

 

 

13,477

 

 

18,542

 

 

5,875

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

37,039

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

825,448

 

 

—  

 

 

200,304

 

 

298,382

 

 

167,119

 

 

132,538

 

 

27,105

 

 

792,375

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total debt

 

 

 

 

US$

1,338,729

 

US$

513,281

 

US$

200,304

 

US$

298,382

 

US$

167,119

 

US$

132,538

 

US$

27,105

 

US$

1,298,751

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

          In addition, as of December 31, 2004, US$ 47.1 million of our U.S. dollar-indexed liabilities were exposed to LIBOR fluctuations.

Foreign Currency Risk

          In managing our foreign currency risk, we focus on balancing our non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets against our non-U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities plus shareholders’ equity in relation to our forecasts of future cash flows.  Beyond the foreign currency exposure related to our debt obligations as summarized above, we also have other assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. These assets and liabilities are primarily cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and payable, deferred income taxes, dividends and certain other assets and liabilities and are primarily denominated in Brazilian reais.  The effects on such assets and liabilities of the appreciation or devaluation of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar result in foreign exchange gains (losses) recognized on our income statement as interest income (expenses), net.

92



          The table below provides information about our assets and liabilities exposed to foreign currency risk as of December 31, 2004 as well as the derivative transactions outstanding at the same date:

 

 

Total
outstanding
amount

 

Outstanding Amount by Year of Maturity

 

Total
FairValue

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

US$

477,190

 

US$

477,190

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

US$

477,190

 

In Euro

 

 

1,550

 

 

1,550

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,550

 

Investments and temporary cash investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

108,200

 

 

108,200

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

108,200

 

In Euro

 

 

15,417

 

 

—  

 

 

15,417

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

15,417

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

19,195

 

 

19,195

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

19,195

 

In Euro

 

 

31,094

 

 

31,094

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

31,094

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

185,055

 

 

72,460

 

 

112,595

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

185,055

 

In Euro

 

 

1,268

 

 

1,268

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,268

 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

124,881

 

 

102,783

 

 

22,098

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

124,881

 

In Euro

 

 

1,894

 

 

1,207

 

 

687

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,894

 

Total Assets in Reais

 

US$

914,521

 

US$

779,828

 

US$

134,693

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Total Assets in Euro

 

US$

51,223

 

US$

35,119

 

US$

16,104

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and financing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

US$

336,742

 

US$

319,810

 

US$

2,791

 

US$

8,128

 

US$

2,494

 

US$

1,414

 

US$

2,105

 

US$

332,024

 

In Euro

 

 

6,094

 

 

6,094

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

6,116

 

In Japanese Yen

 

 

72,513

 

 

36,278

 

 

36,235

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

69,660

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

21,944

 

 

21,944

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

21,944

 

In Euro

 

 

21,070

 

 

21,070

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

21,070

 

Advances from customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

14,034

 

 

14,034

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

14,034

 

Other payables & accrued liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

109,444

 

 

104,793

 

 

4,651

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

109,444

 

In Euro

 

 

9,097

 

 

9,097

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

9,097

 

Taxes and payroll charges payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

31,757

 

 

17,609

 

 

14,148

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

31,757

 

In Euro

 

 

3,288

 

 

3,288

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,288

 

Accrued taxes on income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

5,922

 

 

5,922

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,922

 

In Euro

 

 

5,332

 

 

5,332

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,332

 

Deferred income tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

141,919

 

 

15,112

 

 

126,807

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

141,919

 

Accrued dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

54,959

 

 

54,959

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

54,959

 

Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

 

475,685

 

 

89,589

 

 

386,096

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

475,685

 

Total Liabilities in Reais

 

US$

1,192,406

 

US$

643,772

 

US$

534,493

 

US$

8,128

 

US$

2,494

 

US$

1,414

 

US$

2,105

 

 

—  

 

Total Liabilities in Euro

 

US$

44,881

 

US$

44,881

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Total Liabilities in Japanese Yen

 

US$

72,513

 

US$

36,278

 

US$

36,235

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Total exposure in Reais

 

US$

(277,885

)

US$

136,057

 

US$

(399,800

)

US$

(8,128

)

US$

(2,494

)

US$

(1,414

)

US$

(2,105

)

 

—  

 

Total exposure in Euro

 

US$

6,342

 

US$

(9,762

)

US$

16,104

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Total exposure in Japanese Yen

 

US$

(72,513

)

US$

(36,278

)

US$

(36,235

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

93



 

 

Total
outstanding
amount

 

Outstanding Amount by Year of Maturity

 

Total
FairValue

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross-currency interest rate swap contracts (US$ Floating v.US$ Fixed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notional amount

 

US$

363,705

 

US$

28,405

 

US$

61,810

 

US$

88,434

 

US$

80,028

 

US$

80,028

 

US$

25,000

 

US$

(4,120

)

Average interest paid in US$

 

 

7.78

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average interest received in US$

 

 

Libor+3.06

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross-currency interest rate swap contracts (US$ v. R$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notional amount

 

US$

52,486

 

US$

23,329

 

US$

12,723

 

US$

11,646

 

US$

4,788

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

US$

(14,585

)

Average interest paid in R$

 

66.21% of CDI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average interest received in US%

 

 

5.55

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross-currency interest rate swap contracts (Yen v. US$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notional amount

 

US$

67,082

 

US$

33,541

 

US$

33,541

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

US$

5,615

 

Average interest paid in US$

 

 

4.31

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average interest received in JPY

 

 

Jibor+1.05

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net exposure of assets/liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Reais

 

US$

(330,371

)

US$

112,727

 

US$

(412,523

)

US$

(19,774

)

US$

(7,282

)

US$

(1,414

)

US$

(2,105

)

 

—  

 

In Euro

 

US$

6,342

 

US$

(9,762

)

US$

16,104

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

In Japanese Yen

 

US$

5,430

 

US$

2,737

 

US$

2,694

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

ITEM 12.       DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

          Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 13.       DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

          No matters to report.

ITEM 14.       MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE
                       OF PROCEEDS

          No matters to report.

ITEM 15.       CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

          Our president and chief executive officer, Maurício Novis Botelho, and our executive vice-president corporate and chief financial officer, Antonio Luiz Pizarro Manso, after evaluating, together with management, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of December 31, 2004, the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within our company and our consolidated subsidiaries.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

          There were no changes in our company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our company’s internal control over financial reporting.

94



ITEM 16A.          AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

          Our Board of Directors has determined that Taiki Hirashima, a member of our Conselho Fiscal, is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by current SEC rules.  For a discussion of the role of our Conselho Fiscal, see “Item 6C. Board Practices—Conselho Fiscal.”

ITEM 16B.          CODE OF ETHICS

          Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct applicable to our directors, officers and employees worldwide, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and controller.  A copy of our Code of Ethics and Conduct has been filed as Exhibit 11.1 to this annual report.

ITEM 16C.          PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

          The following table sets forth by category of service the total fees for services performed by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004: 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Audit Fees

 

US$

1,022

 

US$

1,238

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

 

375

 

 

—  

 

Tax Fees

 

 

556

 

 

693

 

All Other Fees

 

 

—  

 

 

147

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

US$

1,953

 

US$

2,078

 

Audit Fees

          Audit fees in 2004 and 2003 consisted of the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements under Brazilian GAAP, which are published in Brazil, and our annual financial statements under U.S. GAAP and for the review of our financial information included in our annual report on Form 20-F, reviews of quarterly financial statements, which are submitted on Form 6-K, and statutory audits of our subsidiaries.

Audit-Related Fees

          Audit-related fees in 2003 consisted of the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in connection with the review of our internal control system and assistance in complying with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  

Tax Fees

          Tax fees in 2004 and 2003 consisted of the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in connection with services for tax compliance and tax advice, mainly comprised of the review of income tax returns in the several jurisdictions in which we operate and assistance with other tax filings in foreign jurisdictions, as well as assistance to our tax committee to ensure compliance with Brazilian tax requirements.

All Other Fees

          Other fees paid to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in 2004 consisted of the aggregate fees billed primarily in connection with human resources related consulting services.  We did not pay any other fees to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in 2003 other than those described above. 

95



Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

          Our Board of Directors approves all audit, audit-related services, tax services and other services provided by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.  Any services provided by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu that are not specifically included within the scope of the audit must be pre-approved by our Board of Directors in advance of any engagement.  Pursuant to Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, audit committees are permitted to approve certain fees for audit-related services, tax services and other services pursuant to a de minimis exception prior to the completion of an audit engagement.  In 2003 and 2004, none of the fees paid to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu were approved pursuant to the de minimis exception.

ITEM 16D.          EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

          Under the listed company audit committee rules of the NYSE and the SEC, effective July 31, 2005, we must comply with Exchange Act Rule 10A-3, which requires that we either establish an audit committee composed of members of the Board of Directors that meets specified requirements or designate and empower our Conselho Fiscal to perform the role of the audit committee in reliance on the exemption set forth in Exchange Act Rule 10A-3(c)(3).  We expect to be in compliance with the exemption requirements on or before July 31, 2005.  In our assessment, our Conselho Fiscal will be able to act independently in performing the responsibilities of an audit committee under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and to satisfy the other requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10A-3.  For a further discussion of our Conselho Fiscal and the audit committee exemption, see “Item 6C. Board Practices—Conselho Fiscal.”

ITEM 16E.          PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

          In 2004, neither we nor any affiliated purchaser purchased or repurchased any of our equity securities.

96



PART III

ITEM 17.          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

          We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this item.

ITEM 18.          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

          Our consolidated financial statements, together with the Independent Auditors’ Report thereon, are filed as part of this annual report and are located following the signature page hereof.

ITEM 19.          EXHIBITS 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description


 


1.1

 

Bylaws of Embraer (English translation).

 

 

 

2.1

 

Shareholders’ Agreement dated July 24, 1997, as amended, together with an English translation, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 9.1 to Embraer’s Registration Statement No. 333-12220.

 

 

 

2.2

 

Form of Deposit Agreement among Embraer, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as depositary, and the Holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder, including the Form of American Depositary Receipts, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Embraer’s Registration Statement No. 333-12220.

 

 

 

2.3

 

The registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Commission, upon request, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the kind described in Item 2(b)(i) of the Instructions as to Exhibits in Form 20-F.

 

 

 

4.1*

 

Shareholders’ Agreement executed by Embraer and Liebherr International AG on May 22, 2000, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Embraer’s Registration Statement No. 333-12220.

 

 

 

4.2

 

Lease Agreement, as amended, between the Paris Airport and Embraer, dated as of January 1, 1999, together with an English translation, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to Embraer’s Registration Statement No. 333-12220.

 

 

 

4.3

 

Lease Agreement, as amended, between Howard County and Embraer Aircraft Corporation, dated as of April 21, 1998, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to Embraer’s Registration Statement No. 333-12220.

 

 

 

8.1

 

List of Embraer’s subsidiaries.

 

 

 

11.1

 

Code of Ethics and Conduct, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 11.1 to Embraer’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

12.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

12.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

13.1

 

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

13.2

 

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.



*

Embraer has been granted confidential treatment for portions of this Exhibit.  Accordingly, portions thereof have been omitted and were filed separately with the Commission.

97



SIGNATURES

          The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

EMBRAER – EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

 

 

 

 

Date:  June 30, 2005

By:

/s/ MAURICIO NOVIS BOTELHO

 

 


 

Name:

Maurício Novis Botelho

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  June 30, 2005

By:

/s/ ANTONIO LUIZ PIZARRO MANSO

 

 


 

Name:

Antonio Luiz Pizarro Manso

 

Title:

Executive Vice-President Corporate
and Chief Financial Officer

98



INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Page

 


Index to Financial Statements

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2003 and 2004

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004

F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004

F-8

F-1



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Management of
EMBRAER - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A.
São Paulo – SP

 1. We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of EMBRAER - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. (a Brazilian Corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity  and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

2. We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

3. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of EMBRAER - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes
São Paulo, Brazil

May 25, 2005

F-2



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003
(In thousands of U.S. dollars – US$)

ASSETS

 

Notes

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 



 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

5

 

 

1,265,820

 

 

1,207,288

 

Temporary cash investments

 

 

6

 

 

4,320

 

 

153,488

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

 

7

 

 

356,401

 

 

566,127

 

Collateralized accounts receivable

 

 

9

 

 

102,110

 

 

70,599

 

Inventories

 

 

10

 

 

1,158,060

 

 

1,408,608

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

27

 

 

115,395

 

 

104,417

 

Other assets

 

 

11

 

 

344,760

 

 

364,982

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total current assets

 

 

 

 

 

3,346,866

 

 

3,875,509

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

LONG TERM ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

 

7

 

 

—  

 

 

119,678

 

Customer and commercial financing

 

 

8

 

 

155,003

 

 

319,587

 

Collateralized accounts receivable

 

 

9

 

 

1,648,849

 

 

769,441

 

Inventories

 

 

10

 

 

14,770

 

 

19,674

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

13

 

 

402,663

 

 

381,265

 

Investments

 

 

12

 

 

36,814

 

 

48,267

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

27

 

 

207,659

 

 

262,403

 

Other assets

 

 

11

 

 

267,911

 

 

286,575

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total long-term assets

 

 

 

 

 

2,733,669

 

 

2,206,890

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

6,080,535

 

 

6,082,399

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

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

F-3



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003
(In thousands of U.S. dollars – US$)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Notes

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 



 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and financing

 

 

19

 

 

517,014

 

 

513,281

 

Non-recourse and recourse debt

 

 

9

 

 

360,645

 

 

351,405

 

Capital lease obligation

 

 

20

 

 

5,283

 

 

2,437

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

 

 

 

404,065

 

 

556,492

 

Advances from customers

 

 

16

 

 

448,648

 

 

375,548

 

Other payables and accrued liabilities

 

 

15

 

 

336,185

 

 

310,269

 

Taxes and payroll charges payable

 

 

17

 

 

21,632

 

 

34,355

 

Contingencies

 

 

18

 

 

301,906

 

 

89,589

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

27

 

 

12,532

 

 

14,997

 

Accrued taxes on income

 

 

 

 

 

1,724

 

 

12,769

 

Accrued dividends

 

 

 

 

 

36,561

 

 

54,959

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

2,446,195

 

 

2,316,101

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and financing

 

 

19

 

 

526,728

 

 

825,448

 

Non-recourse and recourse debt

 

 

9

 

 

1,390,314

 

 

654,291

 

Capital lease obligations

 

 

20

 

 

2,772

 

 

1,464

 

Advances from customers

 

 

16

 

 

110,539

 

 

103,615

 

Contribution from suppliers

 

 

14

 

 

234,958

 

 

140,037

 

Taxes and payroll charges payable

 

 

17

 

 

14,321

 

 

14,148

 

Other payables and accrued liabilities

 

 

15

 

 

34,406

 

 

108,071

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

27

 

 

112,005

 

 

157,817

 

Contingencies

 

 

18

 

 

26,461

 

 

386,096

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

2,452,504

 

 

2,390,987

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

MINORITY INTEREST

 

 

 

 

 

12,611

 

 

21,443

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statutory capital-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred (without par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 475,797,420 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2004; 2003 – 473,501,135 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

688,039

 

 

756,138

 

Common (without par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 242,544,447 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2004)

 

 

 

 

 

207,014

 

 

240,201

 

Special common share (R$1 par value, 1 share authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2004)

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Additional paid-up capital

 

 

 

 

 

8,353

 

 

8,353

 

Legal reserve

 

 

 

 

 

87,368

 

 

111,443

 

Retained earnings

 

 

 

 

 

180,741

 

 

234,849

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,290

)

 

2,884

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

1,169,225

 

 

1,353,868

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

6,080,535

 

 

6,082,399

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

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

F-4



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of U.S. dollars – US$, except earnings per share )

 

 

Notes

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

GROSS SALES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign market

 

 

 

 

 

2,493,313

 

 

2,052,828

 

 

3,170,832

 

Domestic market

 

 

 

 

 

58,342

 

 

105,825

 

 

282,287

 

Sales deductions

 

 

 

 

 

(25,855

)

 

(15,193

)

 

(12,586

)

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

NET SALES

 

 

 

 

 

2,525,800

 

 

2,143,460

 

 

3,440,533

 

Cost of sales and services

 

 

 

 

 

(1,531,720

)

 

(1,335,032

)

 

(2,267,330

)

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

 

 

 

994,080

 

 

808,428

 

 

1,173,203

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(211,015

)

 

(206,246

)

 

(342,883

)

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

(158,499

)

 

(173,216

)

 

(44,506

)

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(109,673

)

 

(114,743

)

 

(139,357

)

Employee profit sharing

 

 

 

 

 

(25,222

)

 

(20,399

)

 

(61,199

)

Other operating expenses, net

 

 

28

 

 

(20,109

)

 

(29,009

)

 

(41,272

)

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

469,562

 

 

264,815

 

 

543,986

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Interest income (expenses), net

 

 

21

 

 

80,456

 

 

(140,755

)

 

(38,000

)

Exchange loss, net

 

 

29

 

 

(135,647

)

 

(16,500

)

 

(12,218

)

Other non-operating income (expenses), net

 

 

 

 

 

(1,394

)

 

711

 

 

(117

)

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

 

 

 

412,977

 

 

108,271

 

 

493,651

 

Income tax benefit (expenses)

 

 

27

 

 

(188,502

)

 

27,990

 

 

(112,139

)

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST

 

 

 

 

 

224,475

 

 

136,261

 

 

381,512

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

(1,883

)

 

(217

)

 

(1,306

)

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

NET INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

222,592

 

 

136,044

 

 

380,206

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

(7,263

)

 

6,546

 

 

5,174

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

215,329

 

 

142,590

 

 

385,380

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

 

0.2998

 

 

0.1788

 

 

0.4970

 

Preferred

 

 

 

 

 

0.3298

 

 

0.1967

 

 

0.5467

 

Diluted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

 

0.2976

 

 

0.1779

 

 

0.4940

 

Preferred

 

 

 

 

 

0.3274

 

 

0.1957

 

 

0.5434

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

Preferred

 

 

 

 

 

454,414

 

 

471,228

 

 

474,994

 

Diluted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

 

242,544

 

Preferred

 

 

 

 

 

459,415

 

 

474,840

 

 

479,217

 

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

F-5



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of U.S. dollars – US$)

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

222,592

 

 

136,044

 

 

380,206

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

55,602

 

 

58,877

 

 

59,685

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

1,436

 

 

4,531

 

 

908

 

Provision for inventory obsolescence

 

 

22,061

 

 

(18,042

)

 

32,085

 

Loss on property, plant and equipment disposals

 

 

1,119

 

 

1,113

 

 

178

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

21,054

 

 

(35,676

)

 

4,511

 

Accrued interest in excess of interest paid (paid in excess of accrued)

 

 

(9,684

)

 

15,504

 

 

(30,276

)

Equity in unconsolidated subsidiary

 

 

(388

)

 

(51

)

 

—  

 

Minority interest

 

 

1,883

 

 

217

 

 

1,306

 

Exchange loss, net

 

 

135,647

 

 

16,500

 

 

12,218

 

Other

 

 

(7,245

)

 

10,624

 

 

(3,508

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable and customer & commercial financing, net

 

 

(193,837

)

 

300,836

 

 

(266,652

)

Inventories

 

 

138,890

 

 

(234,434

)

 

(348,770

)

Other assets

 

 

(153,573

)

 

(246,336

)

 

(16,355

)

Trade accounts payable

 

 

57,522

 

 

35,737

 

 

136,554

 

Other payables and accrued liabilities

 

 

111,192

 

 

54,221

 

 

45,791

 

Accrued taxes on income

 

 

5,047

 

 

(47,857

)

 

10,497

 

Contribution from suppliers

 

 

91,830

 

 

(487

)

 

(94,921

)

Advances from customers

 

 

13,024

 

 

54,304

 

 

(80,024

)

Taxes and payroll charges payable

 

 

62,306

 

 

117,703

 

 

12,549

 

Contingencies

 

 

(825

)

 

16,306

 

 

147,319

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

575,653

 

 

239,634

 

 

3,301

 

 

 



 



 



 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments held for trading

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(158,677

)

Sales of property, plant and equipment

 

 

790

 

 

2,395

 

 

163

 

Business acquisitions

 

 

(13,178

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Escrow deposits for pending business acquisition

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(15,417

)

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(111,030

)

 

(64,765

)

 

(50,075

)

Additions to investments, net

 

 

19,202

 

 

(10,297

)

 

6,225

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(104,216

)

 

(72,667

)

 

(217,781

)

 

 



 



 



 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of loans

 

 

(1,071,452

)

 

(427,246

)

 

(1,295,315

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

862,036

 

 

902,955

 

 

1,587,504

 

Dividends and/or interest on capital paid

 

 

(134,421

)

 

(67,483

)

 

(185,537

)

Proceeds from issuance of shares

 

 

1,194

 

 

3,960

 

 

3,250

 

Payments of capital lease obligations

 

 

(9,792

)

 

(8,395

)

 

(4,682

)

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(352,435

)

 

403,791

 

 

105,220

 

 

 



 



 



 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(211,482

)

 

38,240

 

 

50,728

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(92,480

)

 

608,998

 

 

(58,532

)

 

 



 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year

 

 

749,302

 

 

656,822

 

 

1,265,820

 

 

 



 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year

 

 

656,822

 

 

1,265,820

 

 

1,207,288

 

 

 



 



 



 

SUPPLEMENTAL  DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

79,860

 

 

52,821

 

 

11,032

 

Interest

 

 

32,396

 

 

29,920

 

 

53,488

 

Non-cash financing and investing transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets acquired as capital lease

 

 

6,010

 

 

3,606

 

 

427

 

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

F-6



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of U.S. dollars – US$)

 

 

Capital

 

Additional
paid-up capital
Stock option

 

Legal
reserve

 

Retained
earnings
(restricted)

 

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(loss) income

Total

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Common

 

Preferred

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 



 

BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001

 

 

242,544,448

 

 

50,263

 

 

468,168,594

 

 

380,317

 

 

8,353

 

 

59,162

 

 

523,834

 

 

(1,573

)

 

1,020,356

 

Capital increase

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,261,313

 

 

1,194

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,194

 

Capitalization of reserves

 

 

—  

 

 

156,751

 

 

—  

 

 

302,567

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(459,318

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Net income

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

222,592

 

 

—  

 

 

222,592

 

Legal reserve

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

17,010

 

 

(17,010

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Dividends / Interest on equity

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(146,713)

 

 

—  

 

 

(146,713

)

Expired dividends

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

14

 

 

—  

 

 

14

 

Currency translation adjustment

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(7,263

)

 

(7,263

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002

 

 

242,544,448

 

 

207,014

 

 

470,429,907

 

 

684,078

 

 

8,353

 

 

76,172

 

 

123,399

 

 

(8,836

)

 

1,090,180

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Capital increase

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,071,228

 

 

3,961

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,961

 

Net income

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

136,044

 

 

—  

 

 

136,044

 

Legal reserve

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

11,196

 

 

(11,196

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Dividends / Interest on equity

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(67,517

)

 

—  

 

 

(67,517

)

Expired dividends

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

11

 

 

—  

 

 

11

 

Currency translation adjustment

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

6,546

 

 

6,546

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003

 

 

242,544,448

 

 

207,014

 

 

473,501,135

 

 

688,039

 

 

8,353

 

 

87,368

 

 

180,741

 

 

(2,290

)

 

1,169,225

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Capital increase

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,296,285

 

 

3,250

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,250

 

Capitalization of reserves

 

 

—  

 

 

33,187

 

 

—  

 

 

64,849

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(98,036

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Net income

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

380,206

 

 

—  

 

 

380,206

 

Legal reserve

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

24,075

 

 

(24,075

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Dividends / Interest on equity

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(203,998

)

 

—  

 

 

(203,998

)

Expired dividends

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

11

 

 

—  

 

 

11

 

Currency translation adjustment

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,174

 

 

5,174

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004

 

 

242,544,448

 

 

240,201

 

 

475,797,420

 

 

756,138

 

 

8,353

 

 

111,443

 

 

234,849

 

 

2,884

 

 

1,353,868

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

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

F-7



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

1.

THE COMPANY AND ITS OPERATIONS

 

 

 

Embraer - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. (the “Company”) is a publicly-held company incorporated under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Originally formed in 1969 by the Brazilian government, the Company was privatized in 1994.

 

 

 

The Company has grown from a government-controlled company established to develop and produce aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force into a public company that produces aircraft for commercial, business jet and defense purposes. Through its evolution, the Company has obtained, developed and enhanced its engineering and technological capabilities through its own development of products for the Brazilian Air Force and through joint product development with foreign companies on specific projects. The Company has applied these capabilities that it gained from its defense business to develop its commercial aircraft business.

 

 

 

The Company has wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries and/or commercial representative offices located in Brazil, the United States, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore and Australia, mainly engaged in sales marketing and post sales/maintenance services.

 

 

 

In December 2004, a consortium formed by the Company and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (“EADS”) was declared the winner in the privatization of Ogma – Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal S.A. (“OGMA”). For this purpose, Embraer and EADS formed a holding company, AIRHOLDING, SGPS, S.A., controlled by Embraer, owning 99%, and EADS owning 1%. In the future, EADS has the option to increase its interest in this company up to 30%. Conclusion of this acquisition was subject to final approval from the relevant European antitrust authorities, which occurred in March 2005. Therefore, the entity was not consolidated with the Company as of December 31, 2004. The stake to be acquired through AIRHOLDING SGPS, S.A., represents 65% of OGMA´s total capital and the total consideration amounted to € 11.4 million, equivalent to $15,417, which was deposited in an escrow account (Note 12) as of December 31, 2004. In addition, the € 11.4 million may be adjusted in a form of cash compensation, and is subject to certain of  OGMA´s debt and working capital levels limited up to 12% of the amount deposited in the escrow account.

 

 

 

In March 2002, the Company concluded the acquisition of a business located in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A., which is mainly engaged in providing aircraft maintenance services. This transaction was accounted for as a business acquisition; total consideration paid amounted to $13,178, which was fully allocated into the assets and liabilities acquired, without recognition of goodwill.

 

 

2.

PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

(i)

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), which differ in certain respects from accounting principles applied by the Company in its financial statements prepared in accordance with Brazilian accounting practices (“BR GAAP”).

F-8



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

(ii)

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of (i) the Company and all majority-owned subsidiaries in which the Company directly or indirectly has either a majority of the equity of the subsidiary or otherwise has management control and (ii) the special purpose entities – SPEs for which the Company was considered to be the primary beneficiary according to FIN 46-R – “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”. All intercompany accounts and transactions arising from consolidated entities have been eliminated.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

A substantial portion of the Company’s sales is destined for export and a substantial level of financing is denominated in U.S. dollars (US$). The Company presents its financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 52 - “Foreign Currency Translation”. The Company’s Board of Directors  and management have historically considered the U.S. dollar as its functional currency as the U.S. dollar has been, and remains in their opinion, the currency in which the Company principally operates. Accordingly, the Company’s management has concluded that the functional currency is currently the U.S. dollar.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

For US GAAP purposes, the Company has elected the U.S. dollar as its reporting currency, as it believes such presentation is more meaningful to readers.

 

 

 

 

(v)

For subsidiaries for which the particular functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, asset and liability accounts are translated into the Company’s reporting currency using exchange rates in effect at the date of the balance sheet and income and expense items are translated using weighted average exchange rates. Resulting translation adjustments are reported in a separate component of shareholders’ equity, as a cumulative translation adjustment - CTA.

 

 

 

 

(vi)

The Company has reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to this year’s presentation.

 

 

 

3.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

 

 

a)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand in banks and highly liquid investments, such as certificates of deposit, time deposits, treasury notes and other money market investments.

 

 

 

 

b)

Temporary cash investments

 

 

 

 

 

As part of its analysis of variable interest entities under FIN 46-R, the Company concluded that the private investment funds used by the Company to invest in underlying investments include certain debt securities that should be included in temporary cash investments. All other underlying investments are classified as cash equivalents.

F-9



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

c)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

 

 

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded based on an analysis of accounts receivable in an amount considered sufficient to cover probable losses on uncollectible accounts receivable.

 

 

 

 

d)

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of average production or acquisition cost or market value. Inventories of work in process and finished goods are reduced, when applicable, to net realizable value after deduction for costs, taxes and selling expenses. An allowance is established for potential losses when items are determined to be obsolete or are held in quantities that are in excess of projected usage based on management’s estimate of net realizable values.

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange Pool inventories are segregated and placed into the Exchange Pool for exclusive use by customers who participate in the program. Costs to refurbish parts are expensed as incurred. The Exchange Pool inventory is depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 7 to 10 years and an estimated residual value of 20% to 50%, which the Company believes approximates the usage and change in value of the Exchange Pool each year. The Exchange Pool inventory is classified as long-term in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

 

 

e)

Customer and commercial financing

 

 

 

 

 

Customer and commercial financing consists of notes receivable originated from financed aircraft sales, and used aircraft assets either under operating leases or available for lease and/or sale.

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable are stated at cost plus accrued interest and reduced by valuation allowances, when necessary, which are determined by the Company considering the customer credit rating and related collateral attached to the respective notes receivable, if any.

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft under operating leases are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, which is calculated from the beginning of the lease term using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life and considering a residual value at the end of the lease term. Income from operating leases is recognized ratably over the lease term and recorded as net sales in other related businesses.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company reviews aircraft under operating leases for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. An asset under operating lease is considered impaired when the expected undiscounted cash flow over the remaining useful life is less than the book value. Various assumptions are used when determining the expected undiscounted cash flow. These assumptions include lease rates, lease terms, periods in which the asset may be held in preparation for a follow-on lease, maintenance costs, remarketing costs and the expected life of the asset. The determination of expected lease rates is generally based on outside publications and observing similar aircraft in the secondary market. The Company uses historical information and current economic trends to determine the remaining assumptions. When impairment is indicated for an asset, the amount of impairment loss is the excess of carrying value over fair value.

F-10



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

 

Used aircraft available for lease are stated at their acquisition cost. The Company performs a comparison between the individual aircraft cost and its estimated market value, based on appraisal estimates for each aircraft, recording any deficiencies as other operating expenses.

 

 

 

 

f)

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost including applicable construction-period interest. Materials allocated to specific projects are added to construction in progress and, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 34, “Capitalization of Interest Costs”, interest incurred on borrowings is capitalized to the extent that borrowings do not exceed construction in progress. The credit is a reduction of interest expense. Interest costs capitalized in 2002, 2003 and 2004 were immaterial.

 

 

 

 

 

Assets acquired through capital lease arrangements are capitalized and depreciated over the expected useful lives of the assets, in accordance with SFAS No. 13 – “Accounting for Leases”.

 

 

 

 

 

The costs incurred for the development of computer software for internal use are capitalized in accordance with Statement of Position (SOP) No. 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”.

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as described in Note 13. Improvements to existing property that significantly extend the useful life or the utility of the asset are capitalized, while maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred.

 

 

 

 

 

As of January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. Long-lived assets deemed held for sale are stated at the lower of cost or fair value. Long-lived assets held for use are subject to an impairment assessment if the carrying value is no longer recoverable based upon the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. The amount of the impairment is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. No impairment on fixed assets was recorded in 2002, 2003 or 2004.

 

 

 

 

g)

Marketing and advertising expenses

 

 

 

 

 

The Company expenses the costs of marketing and advertising as incurred and such expenses amounted to $9,540, $6,577 and $7,350 for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. These amounts are reported in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as selling expenses.

F-11



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

h)

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its long-term investments for which it owns more than 20% but less than 50% of the investee’s voting stock and has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. The equity method requires periodic adjustments to the investment account to recognize the Company’s proportionate share in the investee’s results, reduced by receipt of investee dividends.

 

 

 

 

 

Certain investments are accounted for under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”. Investments in marketable securities classified as held-to-maturity are those securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity and are reported at amortized cost. Other Investments are mainly trading debt securities that are marked to market with the effects of change in fair value recorded on the income statements. Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected on the income statements. The Company’s held-to-maturity securities represent investments in Brazilian government securities (“NTNs”) and the Company has not experienced, nor does it expect to have, any other-than-temporary impairment on such securities.

 

 

 

 

i)

Product warranties

 

 

 

 

 

Warranty expense related to aircraft and parts is recognized as a selling expense at the time of sale based on estimated amounts of warranty costs anticipated to be incurred, typically expressed as a percentage of revenue. These estimates are based on factors that include, among other things, historical warranty claims and cost experience, warranty coverage available from suppliers, type and duration of warranty coverage, and the volume and mix of aircraft sold and in service. The warranty period typically ranges from two years for spare parts up to five years for aircraft components.

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for warranties is included in “other payable and accrued liabilities” (Note 15).

 

 

 

 

j)

Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Losses for contingencies related to labor, tax, civil and commercial litigation are recorded when they are determined to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. These estimates are based on legal advice and management’s estimate as to the likely outcome of the outstanding matters and the estimated amount of loss at the balance sheet date.

F-12



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45 (FIN 45), “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of the Indebtedness of Others”, which clarifies the requirements of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”, relating to a guarantor’s accounting for and disclosures of certain guarantees issued. FIN 45 requires enhanced disclosures for certain guarantees. It also requires certain guarantees that are issued or modified after December 31, 2002, including third-party guarantees, to be initially recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. For guarantees issued on or before December 31, 2002, liabilities are recorded when and if payments become probable and estimable. FIN 45 has the general effect of delaying recognition for a portion of the revenue for product sales that are accompanied by certain third-party guarantees. The financial statement recognition provisions became effective prospectively beginning January 1, 2003. During 2003 and 2004, the fair value of guarantees recorded by the Company was $12,238 and $11,865, respectively.

 

 

 

 

k)

Post-retirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

The Company participates in a defined contribution pension plan that provides pension benefits for its employees. Expense is recognized as the amount of the required contribution for the period and is recorded on the accrual basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Certain wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States of America sponsor defined benefit pension and medical care plans. The Company accounts for those benefits according to SFAS No. 87 - “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” and SFAS No. 106 – “Employers’ Accounting for Post-retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions”, respectively. The net periodic cost of the Company’s defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans is determined using the projected unit credit method and several actuarial assumptions, the most significant of which are the discount rate, the long-term rate of asset return, and medical trend (rate of growth for medical costs).

 

 

 

 

l)

Employee profit sharing plan

 

 

 

 

 

The Company maintains a profit sharing plan linked to dividend payments to shareholders and to action plans and specific goals, established and agreed upon yearly, that provides employees of the Company and its subsidiaries the right to share in the Company’s profits. The amounts recorded for profit sharing expense are accrued in accordance with the variable compensation policy approved by the Board of Directors in April 1996.

 

 

 

 

m)

Revenue recognition

 

 

 

 

 

The Company recognizes revenues from the regional and business jet segments when the aircraft is delivered to customers.

 

 

 

 

 

In the defense segment, operations consist principally of performing work under long-term development contracts for the Brazilian and foreign governments; the Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the percentage of completion (“POC”) method. Certain contracts contain provisions for the re-determination of price based upon future economic conditions. Anticipated losses on contracted sales in the defense aircraft segment are recognized when they become known and are recorded based on management’s estimate of such losses.

F-13



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

 

The Company maintains a pool of spare parts for exclusive use by customers (the “Exchange Pool”). Customers may withdraw for use an equivalent functioning part, as defined, from the Exchange Pool in exchange for an unserviceable part, as needed. Revenues under the Exchange Pool program are recognized monthly over the contract term and consist partly of a fixed fee and partly of a variable fee, directly related to actual flight hours of the covered aircraft. During 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Company recognized $9,604, $10,990 and $13,626, respectively, in revenue related to the Exchange Pool, which is included in net sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (other related businesses segment).

 

 

 

 

n)

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred and are recorded net of amounts contributed by risk-sharing suppliers. Amounts received from risk-sharing suppliers as contributions for research and development activities are classified as contribution from suppliers and recognized as revenue only when the Company has met its obligations under the provisions of the related supply agreements. Net research and development expense was $158,499, $173,216 and $44,506 for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. In 2004, Embraer recognized an operating income of $108,640 in payments previously received from the Company´s risk-sharing partners related to the certification of the EMBRAER 170 and EMBRAER 175 and the fulfillment of certain contractual milestones.

 

 

 

 

o)

Stock compensation

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. The Company has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB No. 25), and related interpretations. Accordingly, the Company records an expense in an amount equal to the excess of the quoted market price over the option exercise price on the grant date.

 

 

 

 

p)

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes in Brazil are comprised of federal income tax and social contribution tax, as recorded in the Company’s statutory accounting records. There is no state or local income tax in Brazil. The income tax statutory rates applicable for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are presented as follows:


Federal income tax rate

 

 

25

%

Social contribution tax rate

 

 

9

%

 

 




Combined tax rate

 

 

34

%

 

 




F-14



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

 

For the purposes of these financial statements, the Company has applied SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, for all years presented. The effects of adjustments made to reflect the US GAAP requirements, as well as the differences between the tax basis and the amounts included in the BR GAAP have been recognized as temporary differences for the purpose of recording deferred income taxes, except that, in accordance with paragraph 9(f) of SFAS No. 109, deferred taxes have not been recorded for differences relating to certain assets and liabilities that are remeasured from Brazilian reais to US$ at historical exchange rates and that result from changes in exchange rates or indexing to inflation in local currency for tax purposes.

 

 

 

 

q)

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments pursuant to SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended. This standard requires that all derivative instruments be recognized in the financial statements and measured at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding them. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized periodically in either income or shareholders’ equity (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income), depending on their use and designation. The Company’s derivative financial instruments have not qualified for hedge accounting designation for purposes of SFAS No. 133. Changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recorded in income and are classified as a component of interest income (expenses), net in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (Note 21).

 

 

 

 

r)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”, establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. It requires that all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. Comprehensive income of the Company consists of net income and the effects of foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

 

 

 

s)

Compensated absences

 

 

 

 

 

The liability for future compensation for employee vacations earned is fully accrued as benefits are earned.

 

 

 

 

t)

Use of estimates

 

 

 

 

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and adopt assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

F-15



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

4.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - NOT YET ADOPTED

 

 

 

At its March 31, 2004 meeting, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached final consensus on EITF Issue No. 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share”. Typically, a participating security is entitled to share in a company’s earnings, often via a formula tied to dividends on the company’s common stock. The issue clarifies what is meant by the term participating security, as used in Statement 128. When an instrument is deemed to be a participating security, it has the potential to significantly reduce basic earnings per common share because the two-class method must be used to compute the instrument’s effect on earnings per share. The consensus also covers other instruments whose terms include a participation feature. The consensus also addresses the allocation of losses. If undistributed earnings must be allocated to participating securities under the two-class method, losses should also be allocated. However, EITF 03-6 limits this allocation only to situations when the security has (1) the right to participate in the earnings of the company, and (2) an objectively determinable contractual obligation to share in net losses of the company. The consensus reached in EITF 03-6 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after March 31, 2004 (effectively the second fiscal quarter for calendar year-end companies). EPS in prior periods must be retroactively adjusted in order to comply with the consensus decisions reached in EITF 03-6. The Company does not expect that this consensus will have any impact on its calculation of basic and diluted EPS.

 

 

 

In September 2004, the FASB issued FSP EITF Issue 03-1-1, which delayed the effective date of paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments”. Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-1 give guidance on how to evaluate and recognize an impairment loss that is other-than-temporary. Application of these paragraphs has been deferred pending issuance of proposed FSP Issue 03-1a. Management is analyzing whether the adoption of this new EITF will have any significant impact on the Company´s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs - an amendment of ARB No. 43.” This Standard requires abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) to be recognized as current period charges. Additionally, it requires that allocation of fixed production overhead costs be allocated to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production facility. The provisions of this Standard apply prospectively and are effective for us for inventory costs incurred after January 1, 2006. While the Company believe this Standard will not have a material effect on its financial statements, the impact of adopting these new rules is dependent on events that could occur in future periods, and as such, an estimate of the impact cannot be determined until the event occurs in future periods.

F-16



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of  Non-monetary Assets”, an amendment of APB No. 29. This Statement amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of non-monetary assets that do not have commercial substance. The Statement specifies that a non-monetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This statement is effective for non-monetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Earlier application is permitted for non-monetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after the date this Statement was issued. Retroactive application is not permitted. Management will apply this Statement in the event exchanges of non-monetary assets occur after December 31, 2005.


 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No.123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payments”, or SFAS 123R. This statement eliminated the option to apply the intrinsic value measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, to stock compensation awards issued to employees. Instead, SFAS 123R requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award – the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). SFAS 123R applies to all awards granted after the required effective date and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date. SFAS 123R will be effective for the Company´s fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. The Company has not yet quantified the effect of the future adoption of SFAS 123R on a going forward basis.

 

 

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47. This interpretation clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No.143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”, refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The Interpretation was issued in order to minimize the diverse accounting practices that have developed with respect to the timing of liability recognition for legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset when the timing and (or) method of settlement of the obligation are conditional on a future event.  This Interpretation clarifies that an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when it is incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated. The Interpretation is effective no later than the end of the fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005 (December 31, 2005 for calendar-year enterprises). Management has previously evaluated the application of FASB Statement No. 143 to its operations and concluded that no material effects would be expected. Management will consider this Interpretation in 2005 in the event a conditional asset retirement obligation arises.

 

 

 

In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement No. 154.  This statement replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and FASB Statement No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle.  The Statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. Contrary to Opinion 20 that previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle, this Statement requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change.

F-17



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

When it is impracticable to determine the period-specific effects of an accounting change on one or more individual prior periods presented, this Statement requires that the new accounting principle be applied to the balances of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the earliest period for which retrospective application is practicable and that a corresponding adjustment be made to the opening balance of retained earnings for that period rather than being reported in an income statement.  When it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect of applying a change in accounting principle to all prior periods, this Statement requires that the new accounting principle be applied as if it were adopted prospectively from the earliest date practicable. This Statement carries forward without change the guidance contained in Opinion 20 for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate.  This Statement also carries forward the guidance in Opinion 20 requiring justification of a change in accounting principle on the basis of preferability. This Statement shall be effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Early adoption is permitted for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after the date this Statement is issued.  Management will apply this statement in the event that exchanges of non-monetary assets occur in fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2005.

F-18



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

5.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS


 

 

 

2003

 

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Cash and bank accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Brazilian reais – R$

 

 

4,096

 

 

3,392

 

In U.S. dollar - US$

 

 

67,016

 

 

66,459

 

In other currencies

 

 

3,062

 

 

9,715

 

Cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominated in US$ (i)

 

 

302,115

 

 

653,282

 

Denominated in R$ (ii)

 

 

889,341

 

 

473,798

 

Denominated in other currencies

 

 

190

 

 

642

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

1,265,820

 

 

1,207,288

 

 

 



 



 


 

(i)

Represents time deposits and overnight funds deposited overseas by consolidated subsidiaries; the average annualized interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2004 was 1.85% (2003 - 1.09%).

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Mainly represented by money market funds at several financial institutions, primarily comprised of debt instruments classified as trading under SFAS 115. These funds are exclusively for the benefit of the Company and managed by third parties who charge a monthly commission fee. The funds are comprised of investments that have daily liquidity, and are marked-to-market on a daily basis with changes in fair value reflected in results of operations. The target returns are specified with each financial institution based on a percentage of the CDI (The Brazil Interbank Deposit Rate). In 2004, the weighted average annualized interest income rate was 14.41% (2003 - 24.29%) compared to 16.17% of the CDI in the same period (2003 - 23.25%).

 

 

 

6.

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Temporary cash investments (i)

 

 

—  

 

 

153,488

 

Debentures

 

 

4,320

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

4,320

 

 

153,488

 

 

 



 



 

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company held investments in private investment funds primarily comprised of debentures issued by private companies and notes issued by the Brazilian federal government. The securities included in the portfolio of the private investment funds have daily liquidity and are marked to market on a daily basis. The Company considers these investments as securities held for trading, with changes in the fair value reflected in results of operations.

These private investment funds do not have significant financial obligations. Any financial obligations are limited to service fees to the asset management company employed to execute investment transactions, audit fees and other similar expenses. There are no consolidated assets of the Company that are collateral for these obligations and the creditors of the funds do not have recourse against the general credit of the Company.

F-19



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

(i)

$45,702 refers to Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETCs”) collateralized by security in the related asset. Such certificates earn 9.75% per annum and mature in 2019. The Company has the intention to sell the EETCs in the near term and, therefore, they are marked-to-market and classified as temporary cash investments available for trading. $106,750 refers to investments in private investments funds including certain debt securities.

 

 

 

7.

TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Commercial

 

 

282,260

 

 

528,691

 

Defense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Brazilian Air Force

 

 

25,287

 

 

43,216

 

- Other

 

 

27,535

 

 

26,792

 

Other related businesses

 

 

45,578

 

 

110,603

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

380,660

 

 

709,302

 

Less allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

 

 

24,259

 

 

23,497

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

356,401

 

 

685,805

 

 

 



 



 

Less - current portion

 

 

356,401

 

 

566,127

 

Long-term portion

 

 

—  

 

 

119,678

 


 

Unbilled accounts receivable totaled $20,740 (2003 - $39,618) referring to revenues from long-term defense contracts recognized under the percentage of completion method.

 


The allowance for doubtful accounts is summarized as follows:


 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Beginning balance

 

 

23,700

 

 

24,490

 

 

24,259

 

Write-offs

 

 

(646

)

 

(4,762

)

 

(6,033

)

Additions

 

 

1,436

 

 

4,531

 

 

5,271

 

 

 



 



 



 

Ending balance

 

 

24,490

 

 

24,259

 

 

23,497

 

 

 



 



 



 

F-20



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

Major customers

 

 

 

In 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Company had sales to customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s sales for the respective year. Shown below is the percentage of total net sales and accounts receivable for each customer.


 

 

Net Sales (%)

 

Accounts receivable (%)

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Commercial Airline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continental/ExpressJet

 

 

37.3

 

 

32.9

 

 

12.4

 

 

—  

 

 

7.6

 

American Eagle

 

 

17.5

 

 

17.2

 

 

19.8

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Republic/Chautauqua

 

 

6.8

 

 

12.6

 

 

14.3

 

 

52.4

 

 

40.7

 

Trans States

 

 

—  

 

 

2.4

 

 

3.7

 

 

0.7

 

 

9.7

 

US Airways

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

13.6

 

 

—  

 

 

18.3

 


 

US Airways filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2004 and deliveries to that airline have been suspended since then. Prior to September, Embraer had delivered 22 EMBRAER 170 aircraft to US Airways, 15 of which had been financed by GECAS – GE Capital, and the remaining seven aircraft have been temporarily financed by the Company, with interest rates ranging from 5.11% to 7.87% per annum and final maturities in 2019. This interim sales financing has been accounted for as trade accounts receivable, $6,140 as current and the remaining $119,678 in long-term.

F-21



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

8.

CUSTOMER AND COMMERCIAL FINANCING

 

 

 

Customer and commercial financing at December 31 consisted of the following:


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Notes receivable (i)

 

 

12,315

 

 

15,068

 

Operating lease equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $11,601 and $18,967 as of December 31, (ii)

 

 

143,710

 

 

316,649

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

156,025

 

 

331,717

 

Current portion (classified as other assets)

 

 

1,022

 

 

12,130

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

155,003

 

 

319,587

 

 

 



 



 


 

(i) Notes receivable represent sales financing for two EMB 120, indexed to 6-month LIBOR plus 3.5% per annum, with maturities through 2013. The maturity schedule is as follows:


Year

 

 

2004

 


 



 

2005

 

 

2,854

 

2006

 

 

1,601

 

2007

 

 

1,601

 

2008

 

 

1,601

 

2009

 

 

1,601

 

Thereafter

 

 

5,810

 

 

 



 

Total

 

 

15,068

 

 

 



 


 

(ii) Operating lease equipment includes used turboprop and jet aircraft which are either under operating lease agreements or available for re-lease. Upon the termination of a lease transaction structured through an SPE during 2004, a Latin American operator returned 15 ERJ 145s, which resulted in a classification of $105,542 from collateralized accounts receivable to customer and commercial financing. Rental income for leased aircraft amounted to $3,774, $5,569 and $16,006 for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

 

 

Minimum future rentals on noncancelable operating leases for each of the five succeeding years are as follows:


Year

 

 

2004

 


 



 

2005

 

 

25,287

 

2006

 

 

20,920

 

2007

 

 

14,972

 

2008

 

 

14,513

 

2009

 

 

5,938

 

F-22



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

9.

COLLATERALIZED ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND NON-RECOURSE AND RECOURSE DEBT

 

 

 

Some of the Company’s sales transactions are structured financing through which a SPE purchases the aircraft, pays the Company the purchase price on delivery or at the conclusion of the sales financing structure, and leases the related aircraft to the ultimate customer. A third-party financial institution facilitates the financing of the aircraft purchase through a SPE, and a portion of the credit risk remains with the third party. The Company may provide financial guarantees and/or residual value guarantees in favor of the financial institution, as well as act as the equity participant in such financial structuring process.

 

 

 

Prior to 2004, the Company had been consolidating certain SPEs owned by third parties that lacked the minimum amount of equity capital investment (“capital at risk”) as defined in EITF Topic D-14 and EITF 90-15.  Under FIN 46-R (“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities an interpretation of ARB 51”), an enterprise shall consolidate a variable interest entity if that enterprise has a variable interest that will absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses if they occur, receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns if they occur, or both. Therefore, the Company has continued consolidating certain SPEs owned by third parties where the Company is the primary beneficiary.

 

 

 

Generally, the underlying lease transactions qualify as sales-type leases and, as a result, the consolidation of these SPEs results in an amount of investments in minimum lease payments receivable and residual value, gross of unearned income, of $2,284,008 and $1,348,581, and a net amount of $1,750,959 and $840,040 as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively, which are being presented as collateralized accounts receivable.

 

 

 

Such consolidation has also resulted in an amount of non-recourse debt of $1,492,424 and $779,304 and an amount of recourse debt of $258,535 and $226,392, as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

 

 

The Company sold collateralized accounts receivable and its respective non-recourse debt to third parties. Also, upon the termination of a lease transaction structured through an SPE during 2004, a Latin American operator returned 15 ERJ 145s, which resulted in a reclassification of $105,542 from collateralized accounts receivable to customer and commercial financing.

 

 

 

The components of investment in sales-type leases at December 31 were as follows:


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Minimum lease payments receivable

 

 

1,810,168

 

 

892,824

 

Estimated residual value of leased assets

 

 

473,840

 

 

455,757

 

Unearned income

 

 

(533,049

)

 

(508,541

)

 

 



 



 

Investments in sales-type lease

 

 

1,750,959

 

 

840,040

 

Less - current portion

 

 

102,110

 

 

70,599

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

1,648,849

 

 

769,441

 

 

 



 



 

F-23



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

Maturities of minimum lease payments receivable are summarized as follows:


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

Year

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 

2004

 

 

102,209

 

 

—  

 

2005

 

 

189,133

 

 

65,114

 

2006

 

 

184,130

 

 

65,439

 

2007

 

 

164,311

 

 

72,651

 

2008

 

 

193,679

 

 

69,016

 

2009

 

 

151,270

 

 

58,457

 

After 2010

 

 

825,436

 

 

562,147

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

1,810,168

 

 

892,824

 

 

 



 



 


10.

INVENTORIES


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Finished goods

 

 

52,754

 

 

91,180

 

Work-in-process (i)

 

 

495,267

 

 

628,036

 

Raw materials

 

 

513,746

 

 

648,578

 

Inventory in transit

 

 

60,867

 

 

110,198

 

Advances to suppliers

 

 

105,608

 

 

28,837

 

Exchange pool

 

 

25,818

 

 

33,922

 

Other

 

 

7,122

 

 

—  

 

Allowances for obsolescence and depreciation of exchange pool inventories

 

 

(88,352

)

 

(112,469

)

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

1,172,830

 

 

1,428,282

 

Less- Current portion

 

 

1,158,060

 

 

1,408,608

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

14,770

 

 

19,674

 

 

 



 



 


 

(i)

Including $199,655 related to 14 pre-series aircraft ($111,215 in 2003 - 10 aircraft) of the EMBRAER 170/190 family and one Legacy, which were in construction or in use under the certification campaign.

 

 

 

 

The allowance for obsolescence is summarized as follows:

F-24



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Allowance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

 

101,004

 

 

107,269

 

 

88,352

 

Additions, net of reversals

 

 

22,061

 

 

2,856

 

 

32,085

 

Write-off

 

 

(15,796

)

 

(21,773

)

 

(7,968

)

 

 



 



 



 

Ending balance

 

 

107,269

 

 

88,352

 

 

112,469

 

 

 



 



 



 


11.

OTHER ASSETS


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Guarantee deposits (i)

 

 

473,962

 

 

479,839

 

Restricted cash from consolidated sales type leases

 

 

—  

 

 

10,238

 

Credits with suppliers (ii)

 

 

11,156

 

 

11,491

 

Prepaid expenses (iii)

 

 

11,337

 

 

12,909

 

Recoverable taxes

 

 

16,987

 

 

35,223

 

Advances to employees

 

 

6,460

 

 

6,428

 

Export credit insurance

 

 

22,578

 

 

—  

 

Compulsory loans, guarantee and other deposits

 

 

4,261

 

 

10,796

 

Current portion of customer and commercial financing

 

 

1,022

 

 

12,130

 

Commission advances

 

 

4,520

 

 

2,853

 

Escrow deposits

 

 

13,079

 

 

17,166

 

Insurance premium paid

 

 

21,781

 

 

18,204

 

Unrealized gains on derivatives (Note 33)

 

 

2,629

 

 

6,272

 

Other

 

 

22,899

 

 

28,008

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

612,671

 

 

651,557

 

Less- Current portion

 

 

344,760

 

 

364,982

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

267,911

 

 

286,575

 

 

 



 



 


 

(i)

Guarantee deposits are mainly represented by:

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

$231,051 refers to amounts deposited in escrow accounts as collateral for financing and residual value guarantees of certain aircraft sold (see note 34) (2003 - $192,765). If the guarantor of the debt (an unrelated third party) is required to pay the creditors of such financing arrangement or the residual value guarantee, the guarantor has the right to withdraw from the escrow account. The deposited amounts will be released when the financing contracts mature (from 2013 to 2021) if no default by the buyers of the aircraft occurs or the aircraft market price is above the residual value guarantee. The interest earned on the escrow funds is added to the balance in escrow and is recorded as interest income by the Company. In order to earn a better interest rate on such guarantee deposits, in 2004, the Company structured a $42,200 note with the depositary bank which generated interest in the amount of $731 in 2004, which was added to the principal amount and recognized in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

F-25



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

 

 

This yield enhancement was obtained through a credit default swap (CDS) transaction which provides to the note holder the right of early redemption of the note in case of a credit event by the Company. Upon such credit event, the note may be redeemed by the holder at the greater of the note’s market value or its original face amount, which would result in a loss of all interest accrued on such note to date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

$226,174 (2003 -$258,451) relates to amounts deposited with a third party financial institution as a pledge under a specific sales financing structure.

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Credits with suppliers represent price discounts, rebates and free aircraft parts to be received from suppliers in connection with purchases made.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Prepaid expenses represent credits for parts and the training of pilots, mechanics and flight attendants granted to customers in connection with the sale of aircraft. Such credits are stated in the sales contract in terms of number of aircraft sold and are included in the overall sales price of the aircraft. The actual delivery of such parts and services may be different from that of the aircraft. The amounts reflect the cost of such concessions provided in advance of the aircraft delivery. These amounts will be recognized as selling expense over the related period of the sales contract as aircraft deliveries are made with the corresponding revenue.

 

 

 

12.

INVESTMENTS


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Debentures

 

 

6,363

 

 

11,990

 

(-) Allowance for losses on debentures (i)

 

 

—  

 

 

(11,990

)

Held-to-maturity securities - NTNs (ii)

 

 

25,655

 

 

28,054

 

OGMA (iii)

 

 

—  

 

 

15,417

 

Investment accounted for under the equity method Expressprop LLC (iv)

 

 

4,796

 

 

4,796

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

36,814

 

 

48,267

 

 

 



 



 


 

(i)

Refers to allowance that was made for losses on debentures and the amount was charged to financial expenses.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Refers to receivables, represented by National Treasury Notes, acquired by the Company from customers, related to the equalization of interest rates to be paid by the Export Financing Program - PROEX between the 11th and 15th year after the sale of the related aircraft, recorded at its present value. The interest earned is added to the balance and recorded as interest income, as the Company has the intent to hold these securities until maturity.

F-26



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

(iii)

Investment in OGMA was made in December 2004 but the Company did not obtain effective control until March 2005, when legal authorities approved the acquisition (See Note 1). The invested amount, as well as OGMA’s shares subject to the acquisition, were deposited in an escrow account with a third party. The transaction will be accounted for as a business combination according to SFAS 141 in 2005.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Embraer owns 25% of the Expressprop LLC capital stock. This affiliate provides support for the sale of used EMB 120 Brasília aircraft. The Company’s investment is accounted for under the equity method. The net income of this affiliate was $1,552, $204 and $0 for 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively.

 

 

 

13.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET


 

 

Estimated
useful life
(years)

 

 

2003

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Cost

 

Accumulated
depreciation

 

Net

Cost

 

Accumulated
depreciation

 

Net

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Land

 

 

 

 

2,499

 

 

—  

 

 

2,499

 

 

2,504

 

 

—  

 

 

2,504

 

Buildings and land improvements

 

 

10 to 48

 

 

173,428

 

 

50,535

 

 

122,893

 

 

183,303

 

 

56,526

 

 

126,777

 

Installations

 

 

10 to 31

 

 

80,235

 

 

52,412

 

 

27,823

 

 

84,905

 

 

58,403

 

 

26,502

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

5 to 17

 

 

166,827

 

 

112,128

 

 

54,699

 

 

182,109

 

 

124,012

 

 

58,097

 

Tooling

 

 

10

 

 

112,905

 

 

32,214

 

 

80,691

 

 

121,542

 

 

38,770

 

 

82,772

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

5 to 10

 

 

17,967

 

 

10,605

 

 

7,362

 

 

20,108

 

 

12,285

 

 

7,823

 

Vehicles

 

 

5 to 14

 

 

4,645

 

 

3,291

 

 

1,354

 

 

5,050

 

 

3,656

 

 

1,394

 

Aircraft (*)

 

 

5 to 20

 

 

39,597

 

 

11,806

 

 

27,791

 

 

28,951

 

 

17,297

 

 

11,654

 

Computers and peripherals

 

 

5

 

 

83,987

 

 

57,885

 

 

26,102

 

 

87,382

 

 

69,829

 

 

17,553

 

Software

 

 

5

 

 

62,579

 

 

28,610

 

 

33,969

 

 

60,898

 

 

36,222

 

 

24,676

 

Others

 

 

5

 

 

6,545

 

 

1,259

 

 

5,286

 

 

11,473

 

 

1,999

 

 

9,474

 

Construction in progress

 

 

 

 

12,194

 

 

—  

 

 

12,194

 

 

12,039

 

 

—  

 

 

12,039

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

763,408

 

 

360,745

 

 

402,663

 

 

800,264

 

 

418,999

 

 

381,265

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

           (*) These aircraft are used for external demonstration and for internal use purposes.

14.

CONTRIBUTION FROM SUPPLIERS

 


The Company has agreements with certain key suppliers for the participation in research and development activities. Certain supply agreements require that such suppliers provide cash contributions to the Company as compensation for their participation as suppliers in such programs. As part of the related supply agreements, these contributions are subject to the Company meeting certain performance milestones, including successful certification of the aircraft, first delivery and minimum number of aircraft deliveries. The Company records such contributions as a liability when received and as income when contractual milestones are achieved.

F-27



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

15.

OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Due to Brazilian Air Force (i)

 

 

2,028

 

 

2,109

 

Product warranties (ii)

 

 

79,724

 

 

76,088

 

Product improvement liabilities (ii)

 

 

42,971

 

 

38,392

 

Commercial incentives (iii)

 

 

4,064

 

 

12,815

 

Customer credits (iii)

 

 

13,095

 

 

6,596

 

Technical assistance and training (iii)

 

 

16,169

 

 

27,044

 

Accrued payroll and related charges

 

 

39,009

 

 

55,903

 

Accrued employee profit sharing

 

 

12,458

 

 

32,248

 

Post-retirement benefits (Note 22)

 

 

2,507

 

 

2,608

 

Unrealized losses on derivatives

 

 

52,488

 

 

19,362

 

Reserve for losses under contractual obligations

 

 

1,514

 

 

103

 

Insurance

 

 

5,283

 

 

5,591

 

Provision related to financial guarantees (Note 34)

 

 

67,466

 

 

24,103

 

Deferred income (iv)

 

 

—  

 

 

61,867

 

Accounts payable (v)

 

 

17,710

 

 

15,343

 

Trade accounts payable (long-term)

 

 

—  

 

 

3,450

 

Other

 

 

14,105

 

 

34,718

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

370,591

 

 

418,340

 

Less-Current portion

 

 

336,185

 

 

310,269

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

34,406

 

 

108,071

 

 

 



 



 


 

(i)

Amounts payable to the Brazilian Air Force represent materials related to the delivery of AM-X aircraft.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Represent accruals for product liability programs including warranty and contractual obligations to implement improvements in aircraft sold to meet contractual performance indices.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Amounts represent accruals for customer sales concessions and allowances including spare parts, commercial rebates and services related to technical assistance and training of mechanics and crews.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Refers to certain aircraft sales that, due to contractual contingent obligations, are accounted for as operating leases.

 

 

 

 

(v)

Mainly represents expenses incurred in December for which the payments will be paid in the following period.

F-28



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

16.

ADVANCES FROM CUSTOMERS


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Denominated in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US$

 

 

543,402

 

 

465,129

 

Brazilian reais

 

 

15,785

 

 

14,034

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

559,187

 

 

479,163

 

Less-Current portion

 

 

448,648

 

 

375,548

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

110,539

 

 

103,615

 

 

 



 



 


 

The foreign currency advances denominated in Brazilian reais are presented in US$ in the above table at the exchange rates prevailing at the respective balance sheet dates. The allocation between current and long-term portions is based on the contractual terms for delivery of the related aircraft.

 

 

17.

TAXES AND PAYROLL CHARGES PAYABLE


 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Refinanced INSS (social security contribution on payroll)

 

 

16,288

 

 

16,099

 

Current taxes (other than on income)

 

 

14,802

 

 

27,918

 

Other

 

 

4,863

 

 

4,486

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

35,953

 

 

48,503

 

Less-Current portion

 

 

21,632

 

 

34,355

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

14,321

 

 

14,148

 

 

 



 



 


18. CONTINGENCIES
   

 

Based on a case by case analysis of each issue and consultation with its outside legal counsel, the Company has recognized provisions for probable losses for its legal proceedings involving tax, labor and civil matters, as shown below:

F-29



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Labor contingencies (i)

 

 

13,209

 

 

15,738

 

Tax contingencies (ii)

 

 

313,783

 

 

458,047

 

Civil

 

 

1,375

 

 

1,900

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

328,367

 

 

475,685

 

Less-Current portion

 

 

301,906

 

 

89,589

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

26,461

 

 

386,096

 

 

 



 



 


 

(i)

The labor lawsuits relate to claims brought by unions on behalf of employees or by individuals, in which former employees are individually claiming overtime, productivity premiums, reinstatement, allowances, and retroactive salary increases and adjustments.

 

 

 

 

 

A lawsuit claiming a retroactive salary increase was brought by the labor union in June 1991 in the name of all employees of the Company until November 1990. The objective of the claim is to make the salary increase granted by the Company in January and February 1991 retroactive to November and December 1990, through an agreement with the employees’ union. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 97% of current and former employees have agreed to settlements. Another claim relates to monetary restatements of “Plano Collor” and “Plano Verão”(Brazilian economic plans) of the FGTS (severance pay fund) penalty paid by the Company for employees dismissed between December 1988 and April 1990.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

The Company is challenging in court the merit and constitutionality of several taxes and has obtained writs of mandamus or injunctions to avoid payments of such taxes. While awaiting a final decision on each of those cases, the Company is recognizing as expense the total amount of the obligation and accruing interest calculated at the SELIC (Central Bank overnight rate) on those liabilities, as it would be required to do if the Company is unsuccessful in these lawsuits. Considering the actual stage of the lawsuits, the Company and its tax consultants and legal counsel reassessed the timeframe of each lawsuit, classifying part of such liabilities in long-term. SELIC represented a nominal variation of 16.25% in 2004 (2003 - 23.22%). The principal taxes under discussion in court are as follows:


 

The Company is contesting in court certain changes in the rates and rules for the calculation of the PIS (tax on revenue) and COFINS (tax on revenue), determined by Law 9718/98 from January 1, 1999. The Company obtained a preliminary injunction suspending the payment of the related taxes and has accrued since then the total amount of $129,622 (2003 - $114,916).

 

 

 

 

The Company is required to pay the government a tax called SAT (Workers Compensation Insurance) at a rate of 3% of wages. In December 1998, the Company obtained a preliminary injunction to reduce the tax rate from 3% to 1%, and the difference has been accrued in the amount of $26,670 (2003 - $17,628).

F-30



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

In April 1999, the Company obtained a writ of mandamus to offset tax payments (INSS - social security contribution), which were made in August, September and October 1989, against future payments due to a rate increase from 10% to 20%, which was considered unconstitutional. The amount of $59,014 (2003 - $40,386) was accrued as of December 31, 2004.

 

 

 

 

Income and social contribution taxes - The Company is claiming the  right to offset income and social contribution taxes against IPI (federal VAT) credits on the acquisition of non-taxable or zero-rate raw materials. The amount of such taxes accrued as of December 31, 2004 is $114,404 (2003 - $64,838).

 

 

 

 

The Company is challenging the payment of social contribution tax on export sales and in 2003 obtained a favorable court decision. While awaiting a final and definitive decision from higher Brazilian courts, the Company is accruing the total contingency, amounting to $102,800 as of December 31, 2004 (2003 - $55,388).

F-31



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

19.     LOANS AND FINANCING
          Summary

Description

 

Final
Maturity

 

Currency

 

Annual interest rate -%

 

2003

 

2004

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Foreign Currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials acquisition

 

 

2009

 

 

U.S. dollar

 

 

4.12 to 7.50;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIBOR plus 2.00 to 5.50

 

 

273,571

 

 

372,418

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

Japanese yen

 

 

JIBOR plus 1.05

 

 

134,114

 

 

72,513

 

Export financing

 

 

2005

 

 

U.S. dollar

 

 

LIBOR plus 1.50

 

 

10,209

 

 

—  

 

Advances on foreign exchange contracts

 

 

2005

 

 

U.S. dollar

 

 

2.50 to 4.95

 

 

180,264

 

 

48,035

 

Project development

 

 

2008

 

 

U.S. dollar

 

 

LIBOR + 3.00; BNDES basket of currencies plus 3.00

 

 

8,158

 

 

4,165

 

Working capital

 

 

2005

 

 

Euro

 

 

2.00 to 6.00

 

 

8,571

 

 

6,094

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

U.S. dollar

 

 

3.12 to 11.93;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIBOR plus 2.15 to 2.97

 

 

365,794

 

 

496,277

 

Property and equipment additions

 

 

2005

 

 

U.S. dollar

 

 

10.15

 

 

40,086

 

 

2,485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,020,767

 

 

1,001,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Local Currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project development

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

TJLP plus 1.00 to 6.00

 

 

21,199

 

 

19,545

 

Export financing

 

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

TJLP plus 2.4

 

 

—  

 

 

310,702

 

Working capital

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

115% of the CDI

 

 

—  

 

 

5,085

 

Property and equipment additions

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

TJLP plus 3.00 to 3.90

 

 

1,776

 

 

1,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,975

 

 

336,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,043,742

 

 

1,338,729

 

Less-Current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

517,014

 

 

513,281

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

526,728

 

 

825,448

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 


 

LIBOR means London Interbank Offered Rate

 

 

 

The annualized TJLP (Government nominal long-term interest rate), fixed quarterly, was 9.75% at December 31, 2004 (2003 - 11%)

 

 

 

JIBOR means Japanese Interbank Offered Rate


 

The foreign currency exchange rates (expressed in units per US$1.00) related to the above debt instruments were as follows:  


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Brazilian reais

 

 

2.8892

 

 

2.6544

 

Euro

 

 

1.2635

 

 

1.3612

 

Japanese yen

 

 

107.1740

 

 

102.5510

 

F-32



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

Maturities of long-term debt, including accrued interest, are as follows:


Year

 

2004

 


 

 


 

2006

 

 

200,304

 

2007

 

 

298,382

 

2008

 

 

167,119

 

2009

 

 

132,538

 

2010 and thereafter

 

 

27,105

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

825,448

 

 

 



 


 

The table below provides the weighted average interest rates on loans by currency as of December 31, 2004:


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

U.S. dollars

 

 

5.19

%

 

5.75

%

Brazilian reais

 

 

14.66

%

 

12.35

%

Japanese yen

 

 

1.26

%

 

1.14

%

Euro

 

 

3.48

%

 

2.80

%


 

Of the total $1,338,729 indebtedness of the Company as of December 31 2004, $200,152 is collateralized. Of this collateralized amount, $68,738 is related to mortgages on real estate, $27,743 is related to mortgages on machinery, equipment and inventories, $101,187 is guaranteed with bank guarantees and $2,484 is secured by pledge of bank investments.

 

 

 

Restrictive covenants

 

 

 

Loan agreements with certain financial institutions, representing $639,832 at December 31, 2004 (2003 - $440,459), $563,790 of which was classified as long-term (2003 - $371,734), contain certain restrictive covenants, in connection with usual market practices, which require that the ratio between net debt and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization - measured using BR GAAP figures) ratio cannot be higher than 3:1, and the debt service coverage based on the ratio between EBITDA and net financial expenses ratio must be higher than 3:1.

 

 

 

In addition, there are other general restrictions related to financial leverage levels, subsidiaries’ level of indebtedness, new pledges of assets, significant changes in ownership control of the Company, sale of assets, dividend payments in case of financing defaults and transactions with affiliates. Under a specific financing contract, there is also a requirement that the Company must have at least 100 firm orders of new aircraft in its backlog.

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with all the restrictive covenants.

F-33



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


20.

OPERATING AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

 


The Company and its subsidiaries lease certain land, equipment, computers and peripherals under non-cancelable agreements classified as operating leases. Rental expense for leased properties under operating leases was $2,118, $2,558 and $2,698 for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

 

 

Future minimum operating lease payments under non-cancelable lease agreements are as follows:


    Year

 

2004

 


 


 

2005

 

 

2,377

 

2006

 

 

1,225

 

2007

 

 

731

 

2008

 

 

445

 

2009

 

 

448

 

Thereafter

 

 

3,594

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

8,820

 

 

 



 


 

The installations of Embraer Aircraft Customer Services Inc. (“EACS”) are located on land leased under a lease extending through the year 2020. The lease includes a clause which requires EACS to make investments totaling $10 million. This requirement has been fully satisfied and the investment, recorded as property plant and equipment, has been depreciated over the lease term.

 

 

 

Obligations under capital leases mainly relate to the lease of software and equipment with terms ranging from 2005 to 2009 and implicit interest rates which range from 6.9% to 10.1% per annum. The related software and equipment is being depreciated over 5 years. Future minimum lease payments under this lease agreement, including implicit interest, are as follows:


        Year

 

2004

 


 

 


 

2005

 

 

2,815

 

2006

 

 

1,383

 

2007

 

 

188

 

2008

 

 

108

 

2009

 

 

81

 

 

 



 

Total

 

 

4,575

 

Less-Implicit interest

 

 

674

 

 

 



 

Capital lease obligations

 

 

3,901

 

Less-Current portion

 

 

2,437

 

 

 



 

Long-term portion

 

 

1,464

 

 

 



 

F-34



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

21.

INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSES), NET

 


Interest income and expenses are comprised of:


 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Interest expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and commissions on loans

 

 

(27,597

)

 

(44,659

)

 

(56,234

)

Interest on taxes and payroll charges under litigation (Notes 17 and 18)

 

 

(22,719

)

 

(57,215

)

 

(32,420

)

CPMF (tax on bank account transactions)

 

 

(12,063

)

 

(12,227

)

 

(13,919

)

Interest on refinanced taxes

 

 

(903

)

 

(450

)

 

(425

)

Amortization of deferred credit insurance

 

 

(2,291

)

 

(4,655

)

 

(25,584

)

Provision for losses on marketable securities

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(18,251

)

Structured financing costs

 

 

(5,401

)

 

(4,767

)

 

(3,385

)

Tax on interest on foreign loan

 

 

(967

)

 

(1,961

)

 

(2,794

)

Other

 

 

(10,026

)

 

(3,761

)

 

(12,158

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

(81,967

)

 

(129,695

)

 

(165,170

)

 

 



 



 



 

Interest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

 

82,097

 

 

94,562

 

 

104,002

 

Gain on early extinguishment of loans

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

8,128

 

Interest on NTN, trade accounts receivable, collateralized accounts receivable and guarantee deposits (Notes 9, 11 and 12)

 

 

15,637

 

 

11,652

 

 

44,333

 

Discount on advance payments

 

 

732

 

 

3,841

 

 

1,581

 

Other

 

 

5,128

 

 

4,271

 

 

3,055

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

103,594

 

 

114,326

 

 

161,099

 

 

 



 



 



 

Monetary and exchange variations, net of gain (loss) on derivatives

 

 

58,829

 

 

(125,386

)

 

(33,929

)

 

 



 



 



 

Interest income (expenses), net

 

 

80,456

 

 

(140,755

)

 

(38,000

)

 

 



 



 



 


22. POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
   

 

Defined Contribution Pension Plan

 

 

 

The Company and certain subsidiaries sponsor a defined contribution pension plan for their employees. The plan is a private, defined contribution plan where participation is optional. The plan is administered by a Brazilian pension fund controlled by Banco do Brasil, which is a Company related party. The Company’s and its subsidiaries’ contributions to the plan in 2002, 2003 and 2004 were $5,169, $5,737 and $7,500, respectively.

F-35



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

Defined Benefit Plans

 

 

 

Embraer Aircraft Holding Inc. - EAH, and some of its subsidiaries, sponsor a defined benefit plan for their employees, which includes a pension plan and a post-retirement health care plan.  The pension plan (“Plan”) was amended and restated, effective January 1, 2002, for changes effected by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (“EGTRRA”). The amended and restated plan provides that an employee is not eligible to participate in the Plan if the employee was not first employed by the Company prior to October 1, 2001. In addition, the name of the Plan was changed to the Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc. Defined Benefit Pension Plan (formerly named the Embraer Aircraft Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan). All employees currently enrolled in these plans will be eligible to receive benefits as defined in the respective plans. Retirement benefits are based on compensation levels and the number of years of covered service. The Company makes contributions to the plans as required to meet Internal Revenue Service funding standards.

 

 

 

On September 12, 2003 the pension plan was amended to freeze all accrued benefits and cease all accruals effective December 31, 2003 (the “Curtailment”), as a result there exists a curtailment ratio of 100%. The Curtailment reduced the projected benefit obligation by $7,728 down to the accumulated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2003. This reduction was applied to eliminate the unrecognized transition obligation, the unrecognized service cost and the unrecognized new actuarial loss. The remaining balance was applied to reduce the net periodic benefit cost, which resulted in a positive accrued benefit cost of $608 for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company approved the termination of the Embraer Aircraft Holding Defined Benefit Plan. Upon termination, the Plan’s participants will become 100% vested in their accounts and the Plan’s net assets will be distributed to the Plan participants. A termination date will be determined upon regulatory approval.

 

 

 

The expected costs of providing post-retirement medical benefits to an employee and the employee’s beneficiaries and covered dependents are accrued during the years that employees render the necessary service.

 

 

F-36



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

The change in benefit obligation for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 is as follows:


 

 

Pension benefits

 

Other post-retirement
benefits

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Benefit obligation - beginning of year

 

 

16,236

 

 

7,965

 

 

4,750

 

 

4,913

 

Service cost

 

 

2,020

 

 

—  

 

 

575

 

 

691

 

Interest cost

 

 

955

 

 

479

 

 

336

 

 

362

 

Plan amendments

 

 

6

 

 

—  

 

 

(691

)

 

—  

 

Effect of curtailment

 

 

(7,728

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Actuarial (gain) loss

 

 

(1,233

)

 

115

 

 

67

 

 

1,295

 

Participant contributions

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

12

 

 

8

 

Benefits paid to participants

 

 

(2,291

)

 

(843

)

 

(136

)

 

(149

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Benefit obligations - end of year

 

 

7,965

 

 

7,716

 

 

4,913

 

 

7,120

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


 

The change in plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 is as follows:


 

 

Pension benefits

 

Other post-retirement
benefits

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Fair value of plan assets - beginning of year

 

 

8,245

 

 

8,573

 

 

1,798

 

 

1,928

 

Employer contributions

 

 

1,219

 

 

654

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

1,400

 

 

833

 

 

254

 

 

181

 

Participant contributions

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

12

 

 

8

 

Benefits paid to participants

 

 

(2,291)

 

 

(843)

 

 

(136)

 

 

(149)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Fair value of plan assets - end of year

 

 

8,573

 

 

9,217

 

 

1,928

 

 

1,968

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


 

The components of accrued benefit cost as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows:


 

 

Pension benefits

 

Other post-retirement
benefits

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Funded status

 

 

608

 

 

1,501

 

 

(2,985

)

 

(5,152

)

Unamortized prior service cost

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(669

)

 

(623

)

Unrecognized net (gain) loss

 

 

—  

 

 

(62

)

 

539

 

 

1,728

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost

 

 

608

 

 

1,439

 

 

(3,115

)

 

(4,047

)

 

 



 



 



 



 


 

The prepaid (accrued) benefit cost as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 is included in the caption “other payables and accrued liabilities” in the accompanying balance sheets.

 

 

F-37



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

The weighted average assumptions at December 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows:


 

 

Pension benefits (%)

 

Other post-retirement
benefits (%)

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Average discount rate

 

 

6.25

 

 

6.00

 

 

6.50

 

 

6.00

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

7.75

 

 

7.75

 

 

7.75

 

 

7.75

 

Rate of compensation increase

 

 

5.50

 

 

N/A

 

 

5.50

 

 

N/A

 


 

In the determination of the expected return on plan assets, the long-term rate of return on plan assets was assumed to be 7.75%. The Company developed this assumption by calculating an asset-weighted average capital market assumption for each asset class represented in the investment policy and adjusting for investment-related expenses.

 

 

 

The actual allocations for the plan assets by asset category as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


 

 

Pension benefits

 

Other post-retirement
benefits

 

 

 


 


 

Asset category

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Mutual funds invested primarily in Equity

 

 

46

%

 

50

%

 

44

%

 

50

%

Mutual funds invested primarily in Debt

 

 

54

%

 

50

%

 

56

%

 

50

%

Total

 

 

100

%

 

100

%

 

100

%

 

100

%


 

As of January 1, 2004 the Company’s investment policy was to invest no more than 50% of the total in diversified mutual funds which are invested primarily in equities and no less than 55% in diversified mutual funds which are invested primarily in fixed-income securities. This investment policy is now being revisited considering the December 31, 2003 pension plan freeze and the effect of emerging liabilities on the benefits.

 

 

 

The Company does not expect any employer contribution to be made during 2005 either to the pension or the medical post-retirement health care plans. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid to participants:


 

 

Pension
benefits

 

Other post-
retirement
benefits

 

 

 



 



 

           2005

 

 

165

 

 

150

 

           2006

 

 

279

 

 

184

 

           2007

 

 

285

 

 

199

 

           2008

 

 

215

 

 

225

 

           2009

 

 

886

 

 

249

 

2010 - 2014

 

 

3,598

 

 

2,185

 

F-38



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

The components of net periodic benefit cost as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are as follows:


 

 

Pension benefits

 

Other post-retirement
benefits

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Service cost

 

 

1,501

 

 

2,020

 

 

—  

 

 

359

 

 

575

 

 

691

 

Interest cost

 

 

819

 

 

955

 

 

479

 

 

260

 

 

336

 

 

362

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(491

)

 

(671

)

 

(655

)

 

(151

)

 

(134

)

 

(144

)

Amortization of transition obligation

 

 

37

 

 

38

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

45

 

 

44

 

 

—  

 

 

(7

)

 

(46

)

 

(46

)

Amortization of loss

 

 

57

 

 

309

 

 

—  

 

 

25

 

 

41

 

 

69

 

Effect of curtailment

 

 

—  

 

 

(2,856

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Net periodic benefit cost(benefit)

 

 

1,968

 

 

(161

)

 

(176

)

 

486

 

 

772

 

 

932

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 


 

The net benefit cost (benefit) is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

 

 

For measurement purposes, an annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health and dental care benefits of 14%, 10% and 10% was assumed for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The rate is expected to decrease gradually to 5% up to 2009.

 

 

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the post-retirement health care plan. A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:


 

 

One percentage point

 

 

 


 

 

 

Increase

 

Decrease

 

 

 



 



 

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

 

 

272

 

 

(214

)

Effect on the post-retirement benefit obligation

 

 

1,107

 

 

(779

)


23. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   

 

The Company’s preferred shares do not have voting rights but have priority in capital redemption and, in accordance with prevailing corporate law, are entitled to dividends in an amount 10% greater than those payable to the common shares. In connection with the 4th Series Debenture, as stipulated in the debenture indenture, $28,090 of the statutory preferred share capital is legally designated as a capital reserve due to the conversion of such Debentures.

F-39



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

Special common share - golden share

 

 

 

One special common share (golden share) is held by the Brazilian government. As holder of the golden share, the Brazilian government is entitled to the same voting rights as the other holders of common shares. In addition, the golden share carries veto power over the following actions:


 

Change of the Company name and corporate purpose.

 

 

 

 

Amendment to and/or extension of the Company logo.

 

 

 

 

Creation or alteration of military programs, whether or not involving the Federative Republic of Brazil.

 

 

 

 

Third-party training in technology for military programs.

 

 

 

 

Discontinuance of supply of military airplane maintenance and replacement parts.

 

 

 

 

Transfer of share control.

 

 

 

 

Any change to the list of corporate actions over which the golden share carries veto power, to the structure and composition of the Board of Directors, and to the rights attributed to the golden share.


 

Legal reserve

 

 

 

Brazilian corporations are required to allocate 5% of annual net income to a legal reserve until that reserve equals 20% of capital, or that reserve plus other capital reserve equals 30% of capital; thereafter, allocations to this reserve are not mandatory. This reserve can only be used to increase share capital or to offset accumulated losses.

 

 

 

Retained earnings (restricted)

 

 

 

Retained earnings are statutorily restricted by a reserve for discretionary appropriations (“Reserve for Investments and Working Capital”), which was ratified by the Company’s shareholders for plant expansion and other capital projects. The amount restricted is based on an approved capital budget presented by management. After completion of such projects, the Company may elect to retain the amounts in this reserve until the shareholders vote to transfer all or a portion of the reserve to capital or to retained earnings, from which a cash dividend may then be paid.

 

 

 

At their annual meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved the appropriation of 100% of net income for the year, after allocation to the legal reserve and for dividend distribution, as a reserve for investments and working capital, mainly designated for:


 

Research and development - Development of the EMBRAER 170/190 family, new versions and modifications for the ERJ 145 family and Legacy business jet.

 

 

 

 

New technologies, processes and management models in order to improve the Company’s results, competencies and productivity, and investments in subsidiaries.

F-40



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


24.

DIVIDENDS

 


Brazilian law permits the payment of cash dividends only from retained earnings and certain reserves entered in the Company’s statutory accounting records. As of December 31, 2004, the earnings and reserves available for distribution as dividends, upon approval by the Company’s shareholders, were $234,849 ($180,741 – 2003). The dividends are calculated using the Brazilian GAAP figures and are paid in Brazilian reais.

 

 

 

In conformity with the Company’s bylaws, shareholders are entitled to minimum dividends equivalent to 25% of annual net income computed in accordance with the BR GAAP. The Company’s preferred shares do not have voting rights but have priority in capital redemption and, in accordance with prevailing corporate law, are entitled to dividends in an amount 10% greater than those payable to the common shares.

 

 

 

The Company has elected to pay interest on shareholders’ equity, calculated on a quarterly basis in accordance with Article 9 of Law No. 9249/95 based on the TJLP (Brazilian long-term interest rate), for deductibility purposes in computing income and social contribution taxes, and charged directly to shareholders’ equity for reporting purposes, in compliance with CVM Instruction No. 207/96. The amount paid to shareholders as interest on shareholders´ equity, net of any withholding tax, may be included as part of any mandatory distributable dividend amount.

F-41



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

Dividends paid are as follows:


 

 

Amounts
(in thousands)

 

Dividends per share

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Common

 

Preferred

 

 

 


 


 



 

Approval date

 

US$ (*)

 

R$

 

US$

 

R$

 

US$

 

R$

 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

2002:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 19, 2002 - dividends

 

 

43,100

 

 

100,010

 

 

0.0571

 

 

0.1326

 

 

0.0628

 

 

0.1459

 

March 19, 2002 - interest on capital

 

 

25,353

 

 

58,910

 

 

0.0335

 

 

0.0778

 

 

0.0368

 

 

0.0855

 

June 14, 2002 - interest on capital

 

 

20,929

 

 

59,530

 

 

0.0276

 

 

0.0786

 

 

0.0304

 

 

0.0864

 

September 13, 2002 - interest on capital

 

 

17,022

 

 

66,300

 

 

0.0224

 

 

0.0874

 

 

0.0247

 

 

0.0961

 

December 13, 2002 - interest on capital

 

 

19,804

 

 

69,974

 

 

0.0261

 

 

0.0921

 

 

0.0287

 

 

0.1013

 

December 13, 2002 - interest on capital

 

 

20,505

 

 

72,450

 

 

0.0270

 

 

0.0954

 

 

0.0297

 

 

0.1049

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total dividends in 2002

 

 

146,713

 

 

427,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 16, 2003 - interest on capital

 

 

26,503

 

 

76,700

 

 

0.0349

 

 

0.1009

 

 

0.0386

 

 

0.1103

 

December 12, 2003 - interest on capital

 

 

41,014

 

 

118,500

 

 

0.0537

 

 

0.1552

 

 

0.0591

 

 

0.1707

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total dividends in 2003

 

 

67,517

 

 

195,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 12, 2004 - interest on capital

 

 

34,723

 

 

100,998

 

 

0.0455

 

 

0.1322

 

 

0.0500

 

 

0.1454

 

June 25, 2004 - interest on capital

 

 

51,489

 

 

160,002

 

 

0.0673

 

 

0.2092

 

 

0.0741

 

 

0.2301

 

September 20, 2004 - interest on capital

 

 

55,959

 

 

160,058

 

 

0.0731

 

 

0.2091

 

 

0.0805

 

 

0.2300

 

December 17, 2004 - interest on capital

 

 

61,827

 

 

164,115

 

 

0.0807

 

 

0.2143

 

 

0.0888

 

 

0.2357

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total dividends in 2004

 

 

203,998

 

 

585,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

(*)

Dividends are calculated and paid in Brazilian reais. Amounts in US$were converted using the exchange rate in effect at each approval date.


25.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

 


Because the preferred and common shareholders have different dividend, voting and liquidation rights, basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for preferred and common shares according to the dividends to be paid as required by the Company’s bylaws and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Effective January 1, 1997, preferred shareholders are entitled to receive per share dividends of at least 10% greater than the per share dividends paid to common shareholders. Undistributed earnings, therefore, have been allocated to common and preferred shareholders on a 100 to 110 basis, respectively, based upon the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period to total shares (allocation percentage). Because the allocation percentage for each class differs for basic and diluted earnings per share, allocated undistributed earnings differ for each calculation.

F-42



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income available to common shareholders is computed by deducting distributed and undistributed net income available to preferred shareholders from net income. Net income available to preferred shareholders is the sum of the preferred stock dividends and the preferred shareholders’ portion of undistributed net income. Undistributed net income is computed by deducting total dividends (the sum of preferred and common stock dividends, including the premiums accrued related to redeemable preferred stock) from net income.

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share except that the outstanding shares are increased to include the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if the potential dilutive shares attributable to stock options had been issued during the respective periods, utilizing the treasury stock method.

F-43



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

 

In thousands, except per share data and percentages

 

 

 


 

 

 

At December 31, 2002

 

At December 31, 2003

 

At December 31, 2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Common

 

Preferred

 

Total

 

Common

 

Preferred

 

Total

 

Common

 

Preferred

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Basic numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual dividends declared/paid

 

 

47,932

 

 

98,781

 

 

146,713

 

 

21,522

 

 

45,995

 

 

67,517

 

 

64,675

 

 

139,323

 

 

203,998

 

Basic allocated undistributed earnings (a)

 

 

24,790

 

 

51,089

 

 

75,879

 

 

21,844

 

 

46,683

 

 

68,527

 

 

55,864

 

 

120,344

 

 

176,208

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Allocated net income available for common and preferred shareholders

 

 

72,722

 

 

149,870

 

 

222,592

 

 

43,366

 

 

92,678

 

 

136,044

 

 

120,539

 

 

259,667

 

 

380,206

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Basic denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares

 

 

242,544

 

 

454,414

 

 

 

 

 

242,544

 

 

471,228

 

 

 

 

 

242,544

 

 

474,994

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

0.2998

 

 

0.3298

 

 

 

 

 

0.1788

 

 

0.1967

 

 

 

 

 

0.4970

 

 

0.5467

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Diluted numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual dividends declared/paid

 

 

47,932

 

 

98,781

 

 

146,713

 

 

21,522

 

 

45,995

 

 

67,517

 

 

64,284

 

 

139,714

 

 

203,998

 

Diluted allocated undistributed earnings (a)

 

 

24,607

 

 

51,272

 

 

75,879

 

 

21,730

 

 

46,797

 

 

68,527

 

 

55,527

 

 

120,681

 

 

176,208

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

72,539

 

 

150,053

 

 

222,592

 

 

43,252

 

 

92,792

 

 

136,044

 

 

119,811

 

 

260,395

 

 

380,206

 

Allocated net income available for common and preferred shareholders

 

 

72,186

 

 

150,406

 

 

222,592

 

 

43,252

 

 

92,792

 

 

136,044

 

 

119,811

 

 

260,395

 

 

380,206

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Allocated diluted net income available for common and preferred shareholders

 

 

72,186

 

 

150,406

 

 

222,592

 

 

43,252

 

 

92,792

 

 

136,044

 

 

119,811

 

 

260,395

 

 

380,206

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Diluted denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

242,544

 

 

454,414

 

 

 

 

 

242,544

 

 

471,228

 

 

 

 

 

242,544

 

 

474,994

 

 

 

 

Dilutive effects of stock options (b)

 

 

—  

 

 

5,001

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

3,612

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

4,223

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares (c)

 

 

242,544

 

 

459,415

 

 

 

 

 

242,544

 

 

474,840

 

 

 

 

 

242,544

 

 

479,217

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

0.2976

 

 

0.3274

 

 

 

 

 

0.1779

 

 

0.1957

 

 

 

 

 

0.4940

 

 

0.5434

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 


(a)

The Company calculates earnings per share on common and preferred shares under the two-class method. Effective January 1, 1997, preferred shareholders are entitled to receive per share dividends at least 10% greater than the per share dividends paid to common shareholders. Undistributed earnings, therefore, from January 1, 1997 forward have been allocated to common and preferred shareholders on a 100 to 110 basis, respectively, based upon the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period to total shares (allocation percentage). Because the allocation percentage for each class differs for basic and diluted earnings per share purposes, allocated undistributed earnings differ for such calculations.

 

 

(b)

For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, the convertible debt (including subscription warrants) and outstanding stock options are assumed to be converted into common and preferred shares using the treasury stock method.

 

 

(c)

The effect of the preferred stock dividend is reflected retroactively for all of the periods presented for purpose of computing basic and diluted Earnings per Share “EPS”.

F-44



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


26.

STOCK COMPENSATION

 


On April 17, 1998, the Company’s shareholders approved a stock option plan for management and employees, including those of the Company’s subsidiaries, subject to restrictions based on continuous employment with the Company for at least two years. The Administration Committee, which was appointed by the Board of Directors on the same date, is responsible for managing the plan.

 

 

 

Under the terms of the plan, options for 25,000,000 preferred shares were authorized to be granted up to May 2003. Options were granted with an exercise price equal to the weighted average price of the Company’s preferred shares traded on the BOVESPA (São Paulo Stock Exchange) in the 60 trading days prior to the grant date, increased or decreased by 30%, as defined by the Administration Committee. Such percentage is deemed to offset unusual fluctuations in the market price during this 60-day period. These options generally vest 30% after three years, 30% after four years, and 40% after five years, if the employee is still employed by the Company on each date. The options expire seven years from the date of grant. The right to grant options under the plan terminated five years after the date of the first grant.

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Administration Committee had made seven grants, equivalent to 400 lots of 50,000 shares each, totaling 19,525,000 preferred shares, net of 475,000 shares which were forfeited, as the grantees are no longer employees of the Company.

 

 

 

During 2002, 2003 and 2004, 2,261,313, 3,056,228 and 2,296,285 options were exercised, in the total amount of $1,194, $3,961 and $3,250, respectively.

 

 

 

In connection with the 14.2106% stock dividend approved at the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting on March 1, 2002, the Administration Committee granted additional 25,576 options to purchase preferred shares to holders of vested options as of the record date. In addition, all non-vested option holders were offered an additional grant of 14.2106% of the options held. The total number of additional options granted was 637,318, with an exercise price of R$14.99 (which was higher than the market price of the preferred stock on the date of grant).

 

 

 

Information regarding options granted to management and employees is shown in the following table (options in thousands):

F-45



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Thousands
of options

 

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(R$)

 

Thousands
of options

 

Weighted
average
exercise
price (R$)

 

Thousands
of options

 

Weighted
average
exercise
price  (R$)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

 

14,815

 

 

7.63

 

 

13,132

 

 

8.98

 

 

9,985

 

 

10.55

 

Granted

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Adhesion of the bonus (March 1st)

 

 

663

 

 

14.99

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Exercised

 

 

(2,261

)

 

1.76

 

 

(3,056

)

 

3.77

 

 

(2,296

)

 

4.15

 

Canceled or expired

 

 

(85

)

 

8.73

 

 

(91

)

 

13.51

 

 

(50

)

 

23.00

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

 

13,132

 

 

8.98

 

 

9,985

 

 

10.55

 

 

7,639

 

 

12.37

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Exercisable at end of year

 

 

812

 

 

3.56

 

 

2,032

 

 

6.78

 

 

3,946

 

 

10.22

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 


 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted in 2001, the last year in which options were granted, was $5.83. The estimated fair values of the options were computed using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the U.S. dollar to Brazilian real exchange rates in effect on the date of grant and using the following weighted average assumptions: 5 years of expected option life; 60% of expected volatility; 3% of dividend yield and 13.4% of risk-free interest rate.

 

 

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2004 (options in thousands):


Exercise
price (R$)

 

Number of
outstanding
stock
options

 

Options
exercisable

 

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life (years)

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

0.75

 

 

120

 

 

120

 

 

0.3

 

1.65

 

 

302

 

 

302

 

 

1.3

 

5.22

 

 

755

 

 

755

 

 

1.9

 

8.11

 

 

2,945

 

 

1,365

 

 

2.4

 

13.70

 

 

1,085

 

 

585

 

 

2.9

 

14.99

 

 

582

 

 

264

 

 

2.9

 

23.00

 

 

1,850

 

 

555

 

 

3.4

 


 

The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options by anticipated vesting date and at December 31, 2004 (options in thousands):

F-46



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


Grant dates

 

 

Vesting date

 

 

Expiration date

 

 

Weighted
average
exercise
price (R$)

 

 

Number of
outstanding
stock options
(thousands)

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

May 1998 and 1999

 

 

May 2002

 

 

May 2005 and 2006

 

 

1.65

 

 

15

 

November 1998 and 1999

 

 

November 2002

 

 

November 2005 and 2006

 

 

6.02

 

 

131

 

May 1998, 1999 and 2000

 

 

May 2003

 

 

May 2005, 2006 and 2007

 

 

6.62

 

 

825

 

November 1998, 1999 and 2000

 

 

November 2003

 

 

November 2005, 2006 and 2007

 

 

11.41

 

 

361

 

May 1999, 2000 and 2001

 

 

May 2004

 

 

May 2006, 2007 and 2008

 

 

12.96

 

 

1,634

 

November 1999 and 2000

 

 

November 2004

 

 

November 2006 and 2007

 

 

8.94

 

 

981

 

May 2000 and 2001

 

 

May 2005

 

 

May 2007 and 2008

 

 

12.17

 

 

2,282

 

November 2000

 

 

November 2005

 

 

November 2007

 

 

13.85

 

 

565

 

May 2001

 

 

May 2006

 

 

May 2008

 

 

22.0

 

 

845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 


 

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plan. Since there were no options granted in 2002, 2003 and 2004, there would be no impact if the Company had applied the provisions of SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-based Compensation”.


27.

INCOME TAXES

 


The following is an analysis of the income tax expense:


 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Current

 

 

(167,448

)

 

(7,686

)

 

(107,628

)

Deferred-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary differences-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

(5,535

)

 

28,653

 

 

1,505

 

Tax loss carryforwards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utilized to offset taxable income for the year

 

 

(10,651

)

 

9,261

 

 

(5,650

)

Change in valuation allowance

 

 

(4,868

)

 

(2,238

)

 

(366

)

 

 



 



 



 

Total deferred

 

 

(21,054

)

 

35,676

 

 

(4,511

)

 

 



 



 



 

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

 

(188,502

)

 

27,990

 

 

(112,139

)

 

 



 



 



 

F-47



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

The following is a reconciliation of the reported income tax expense (benefit) and the amount calculated by applying the combined statutory tax rate:


 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Income before taxes as reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements

 

 

412,977

 

 

108,271

 

 

493,651

 

Combined statutory income tax rate

 

 

34

%

 

34

%

 

34

%

 

 



 



 



 

Tax expense at statutory income tax rate

 

 

140,412

 

 

36,812

 

 

167,841

 

Permanent differences:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nondeductible expenses

 

 

2,299

 

 

4,130

 

 

1,548

 

Translation effects

 

 

83,110

 

 

(49,730

)

 

10,238

 

Dividends paid as interest on capital

 

 

(35,453

)

 

(22,956

)

 

(69,359

)

Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

 

 

4,868

 

 

2,238

 

 

366

 

Reversal of tax incentives

 

 

(12,822

)

 

(180

)

 

(1,029

)

Income tax rate differences

 

 

3,085

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Other

 

 

3,003

 

 

1,696

 

 

2,534

 

 

 



 



 



 

Income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the income statement

 

 

188,502

 

 

(27,990

)

 

112,139

 

 

 



 



 



 

F-48



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of tax loss carryforwards and effects resulted from temporary differences as follows:


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Deferred tax assets on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax loss carryforwards (i)

 

 

20,821

 

 

15,167

 

Temporary differences:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrual for product warranties and improvements

 

 

42,100

 

 

38,619

 

Accrued taxes other than taxes on income

 

 

50,223

 

 

70,802

 

Deferred charges, except research and development

 

 

109,923

 

 

123,865

 

Other accrued expenses not deductible for tax purposes

 

 

53,770

 

 

73,439

 

Difference in bases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

28,193

 

 

8,646

 

Inventory allowances

 

 

15,895

 

 

21,803

 

Post-retirement benefits accrual

 

 

846

 

 

883

 

Other

 

 

13,443

 

 

26,122

 

Valuation allowance (ii)

 

 

(12,160

)

 

(12,526

)

 

 



 



 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

323,054

 

 

366,820

 

 

 



 



 

Deferred tax liabilities on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary differences:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference in bases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(23,032

)

 

(20,319

)

Research and development

 

 

(95,658

)

 

(131,534

)

Other

 

 

(5,847

)

 

(20,961

)

 

 



 



 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(124,537

)

 

(172,814

)

 

 



 



 

Net deferred tax asset

 

 

198,517

 

 

194,006

 

 

 



 



 


 

(i)

Tax loss carryforwards are derived from:


 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Brazilian entities

 

 

8,661

 

 

2,641

 

Foreign subsidiaries

 

 

12,160

 

 

12,526

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

 

20,821

 

 

15,167

 

 

 



 



 


 

 

Tax losses originated from the Brazilian entities do not have expiration dates but utilization is limited to 30% of the taxable income for each period.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Valuation allowance relates to tax loss carryforwards of foreign subsidiaries, which cannot be offset against taxable income in Brazil.

 

 

 

 

 

Management believes that the recorded valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Based on internal studies and projections, management believes that the present net amounts should be realized within five years.

F-49



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


28.

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES, NET


 

 

Other operating expenses, net are composed of the following income (expense) items:


 

 

For the year ended
December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Production process improvements

 

 

—  

 

 

(13,647

)

 

—  

 

Product modifications

 

 

(961

)

 

(99

)

 

(50

)

Preoperationg cost of Gavião Peixoto

 

 

(3,856

)

 

(858

)

 

(31

)

Education, training and professional development (i)

 

 

(12,963

)

 

(13,316

)

 

(3,536

)

Provision for contingencies

 

 

(6,185

)

 

(4,368

)

 

(22,342

)

Market value adjustments on used aircraft

 

 

(464

)

 

(10,434

)

 

(529

)

Contractual fines

 

 

4,117

 

 

17,237

 

 

1,258

 

Expense reimbursement

 

 

4,692

 

 

2,249

 

 

2,422

 

Other operating expenses from consolidated sales-type leases, net (ii)

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(20,766

)

Net gain on sale of equity interest in sales-type lease investments

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,645

 

Insurance recoveries

 

 

88

 

 

666

 

 

2,210

 

Other

 

 

(4,577

)

 

(6,439

)

 

(3,553

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

(20,109

)

 

(29,009

)

 

(41,272

)

 

 



 



 



 


 

(i)

Refers to training and professional development of the Company’s employees.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Of this amount, $24,848 represents a loss from recognized valuation allowance on sales-type lease investments and $4,082 represents a gain related to other revenues earned by sales-type lease transactions.


29.

EXCHANGE GAIN (LOSS), NET


 

Exchange gains and losses result from the remeasurement of the balance sheet accounts from the local currency to the functional currency as follows:


 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(211,482

)

 

38,240

 

 

50,728

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

 

(3,574

)

 

3,394

 

 

136

 

Other assets

 

 

(17,698

)

 

3,550

 

 

(354

)

 

 



 



 



 

Exchange gain (loss) on assets

 

 

(232,754

)

 

45,184

 

 

50,510

 

 

 



 



 



 


Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

62,492

 

 

(45,208

)

 

(51,304

)

Income taxes

 

 

4,208

 

 

(363

)

 

(548

)

Dividends

 

 

(256

)

 

(161

)

 

52

 

Provisions

 

 

17,777

 

 

(11,026

)

 

(6,798

)

Other liabilities

 

 

12,886

 

 

(4,926

)

 

(4,130

)

 

 



 



 



 

Exchange gain (loss) on liabilities

 

 

97,107

 

 

(61,684

)

 

(62,728

)

 

 



 



 



 

Exchange loss, net

 

 

(135,647

)

 

(16,500

)

 

(12,218

)

 

 



 



 



 

F-50



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


30.

RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS


 

Brazilian Government

 

 

 

PREVI, one of the Company’s controlling shareholders, is controlled by Banco do Brasil, which is controlled by the Brazilian government. As a result, the Company considers Banco do Brasil to be a related party, as well as the Brazilian Air Force and BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development), which are also controlled by the Brazilian government.

 

 

 

The Brazilian government, principally through the Brazilian Air Force, has participated in the development of Embraer since its inception.  For the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Brazilian Air Force accounted for approximately 2.1%, 4.4% and 7.1% of the Company’s net sales, respectively. The Company expects to continue to be the primary source of new aircraft and spare parts and services for the Brazilian government.

 

 

 

BNDES and Banco do Brasil have several transactions with the Company, mainly represented by support in debt financing and other ordinary bank transactions, such as being the depositary for part of the Company’s cash equivalents and a provider of certain credit line facilities.

F-51



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)


 

Transactions with such related parties are summarized as follows:


 

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

 


 

 

 

Brazilian
Air Force

 

Banco do
Brasil S.A.

 

BNDES

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

—  

 

 

687,979

 

 

55,297

 

 

743,276

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

 

43,216

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

43,216

 

Other assets

 

 

—  

 

 

226,174

 

 

2,700

 

 

228,874

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and financing

 

 

 

 

 

155,730

 

 

327,080

 

 

482,810

 

Recourse and non-recourse debt (i)

 

 

—  

 

 

226,392

 

 

779,304

 

 

1,005,696

 

Advances from customers

 

 

37,404

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

37,404

 

Other payables and accrued liabilities

 

 

2,109

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,109

 

Results of operations (for the year ended December 31, 2004)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

246,104

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

246,104

 

Interest income

 

 

—  

 

 

23,186

 

 

—  

 

 

23,186

 

Interest expenses

 

 

—  

 

 

10,264

 

 

6,213

 

 

16,477

 


 

(i) Company sold certain collateralized accounts receivable and its respective non-recourse debt to third parties.


 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 


 

 

 

Brazilian
Air Force

 

Banco do
Brasil S.A.

 

BNDES

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

—  

 

 

534,061

 

 

—  

 

 

534,061

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

 

25,287

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

25,287

 

Other assets

 

 

—  

 

 

258,451

 

 

—  

 

 

258,451

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and financing

 

 

—  

 

 

116,671

 

 

66,714

 

 

183,385

 

Recourse and non-recourse debt

 

 

—  

 

 

258,535

 

 

1,492,424

 

 

1,750,959

 

Advances from customers

 

 

95,588

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

95,588

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

2,028

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,028

 

Results of operations (for the year ended December 31, 2003)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

106,967

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

106,967

 

Interest income

 

 

—  

 

 

27,786

 

 

—  

 

 

27,786

 

Interest expenses

 

 

—  

 

 

6,921

 

 

4,018

 

 

10,939

 

F-52



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 


 

 

 

Brazilian
Air Force

 

Banco do
Brasil S.A.

 

BNDES

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

—  

 

 

84,079

 

 

—  

 

 

84,079

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

 

12,704

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

12,704

 

Other assets

 

 

—  

 

 

138,346

 

 

—  

 

 

138,346

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and financing

 

 

—  

 

 

74,291

 

 

36,205

 

 

110,496

 

Recourse and non-recourse debt

 

 

—  

 

 

138,401

 

 

803,517

 

 

941,918

 

Advances from customers

 

 

99,290

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

99,290

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

2,239

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,239

 

Results of operations (for the year ended December 31, 2002)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

53,167

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

53,167

 

Interest income

 

 

—  

 

 

14,307

 

 

—  

 

 

14,307

 

Interest expenses

 

 

—  

 

 

2,927

 

 

3,853

 

 

6,780

 


 

European Aerospace and Defense Group

 

 

 

We also entered into commercial transactions with other shareholders, Thales TM, Dassault Aviation, EADS and SNECMA, which together form the European Aerospace and Defense Group (“EADG”). EADG holds approximately 20% of our outstanding voting shares and the right to appoint two members to our Board of Directors. Such transactions represented the purchase of certain equipment and services in the ordinary course of our business and amounted to $11,796, $14,474 and $3,672 for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

 

31.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

 

 

 

Overview

 

 

 

The Company is primarily engaged in the assembly and sale of aircraft to various markets throughout the world. More than 90% of the Company’s sales are exported and are U.S. dollar-denominated, which is the Company’s functional currency. Nevertheless, a significant portion of the Company’s labor costs and other local overheads are Brazilian real-denominated. Therefore, the Company maintains certain monetary assets and liabilities, mainly represented by recoverable and payable taxes, cash equivalents and loans in Brazilian reais, targeting to balance its non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets against its non- U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities plus shareholders’ equity in relation to its forecasts of future cash flows.

F-53



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

The Company’s primary market risks include fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company has established policies and procedures to manage sensitivity to interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk. These procedures include monitoring the Company’s level of exposure to each market risk, including the analysis of the amounts based on a forecast of future cash flows, the funding of variable rate assets with variable rate liabilities, and limiting the amount of fixed rate assets which may be funded with floating rate liabilities. These procedures may also include the use of derivative financial instruments to mitigate the effects of interest rate fluctuations and to reduce the exposure to exchange rate risk. By using derivative instruments the Company exposes itself to credit risk, as further discussed in Note 32.

 

 

 

Interest rate risk management

 

 

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the Company will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. This interest rate exposure principally relates to changes in the market interest rates affecting the Company’s loans.

 

 

 

The Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated debt bears interest at fixed or variable interest rates based on 6-month or 12-month LIBOR. The Company’s foreign currency debt is primarily denominated in Brazilian reais and Japanese yen. The Brazilian real-denominated debt bears interest at a variable rate based on TJLP, the long-term interest rate in Brazil, and the Japanese yen-denominated debt bears interest at fixed rates or variable rates based on JIBOR.

 

 

 

The Company’s interest rate risk management strategy may use derivative instruments to reduce earnings fluctuations attributable to interest rate volatility.

 

 

 

Exchange rate risk management

 

 

 

Exchange rate risk is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may cause the Company to incur losses, leading to a reduction in assets or an increase in liabilities. The Company’s primary exposures to foreign currency exchange fluctuations are the Brazilian real/U.S. dollar and Japanese yen/U.S. dollar exchange rates. As previously discussed in the overview section of this Note, the Company aims to hedge its exposure in foreign currencies through (i) balancing its non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets against its non-U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities and (ii) using derivative instruments. The Company typically uses derivatives such as foreign currency forward and swap contracts to implement this strategy.


F-54



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

Derivative instruments outstanding as of December 31 are as follows:


2004

 


 

Purpose

 

Type

 

Notional
 amount

 

Maturity
date

 

Agreed
average
rate

 

Gain/
(loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair
value

 


 



 



 



 



 



 

Import financing

 

 

Swap (interest + US$ into R$ + CDI +Fixed interest rate)

 

 

52,486

 

 

2005 to 2008

 

 

66.21% of  CDI

 

 

(14,585)

 

Working capital / Import financing

 

 

Swap (variable interest into fixed interest – US$)

 

 

363,706

 

 

2007 to 2010

 

 

7.78%

 

 

(4,120)

 

Import financing

 

 

Swap (JIBOR + JPY into US$ + fixed interest rate)

 

 

67,083

 

 

2006

 

 

4.31%

 

 

5,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,090

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 


2003

 


 

Purpose

 

Type

 

Notional
 amount

 

Maturity
date

 

Agreed
average
rate

 

Gain/
(loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair
value

 


 



 



 



 



 



 

Import financing

 

 

Swap (interest + JPY into R$ + % CDI)

 

 

26,118

 

 

2004

 

 

86.17% of CDI

 

 

(7,240

)

Import financing

 

 

Swap (interest + US$ into R$ + % CDI)

 

 

190,163

 

 

2004 to 2006

 

 

75.07% of CDI

 

 

(44,888

)

Import financing

 

 

Swap (JIBOR + JPY into US$ + fixed interest rate)

 

 

110,666

 

 

2004 to 2008

 

 

4.44% per year

 

 

2,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(49,859

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 


32.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

 

 

 

Credit risk is the risk that the Company may incur losses if counterparties to the Company’s contracts do not pay amounts owed to the Company. The Company’s primary credit risk derives from the sales of aircraft, spare parts and related services to its customers, including the financial obligations related to these sales discussed in Notes 9 and 34.

F-55



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

Financial instruments which may potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk include (i) cash and cash equivalents, (ii) trade and other accounts receivable, (iii) advances to suppliers and (iv) financial derivative contracts. The Company limits its credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents by placing its investments with investment grade rated institutions in short-term securities and mutual funds. With respect to trade accounts receivable, the Company limits its credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations. All such customers are meeting current commitments, are operating within established credit limits and are considered by management to represent an acceptable credit risk level. The Company believes that no additional credit risk beyond amounts provided for collection losses is inherent in the Company’s trade accounts receivable. Advances to suppliers are made only to select long-standing suppliers. The financial condition of such suppliers is analyzed on an ongoing basis to limit credit risk. The Company addresses credit risk related to derivative instruments by restricting the counterparties of such derivative to major financial institutions.

 

 

 

The Company may also have credit risk related to the sale of aircraft while its customers are finalizing the financing structures for their purchases from the Company. To minimize these risks, customer credit analyses are continuously monitored and the Company works closely with the financial institutions to help facilitate customer financing.

 

 

33.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

 

 

The following estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data and to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair values.

 

 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Potential income tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement have not been taken into consideration.

 

 

 

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, trading debt securities, accounts and notes receivable and current liabilities approximates their fair values. The fair value of held-to-maturity securities is estimated using the discounted cash flows method. The fair value of long-term debt is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for debt with similar characteristics and remaining maturities.

F-56



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

The estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows:


 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Carrying
amounts

 

Fair
Value

 

Carrying
amounts

 

Fair
value

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1,265,820

 

 

1,265,820

 

 

1,207,288

 

 

1,207,288

 

Temporary cash investments

 

 

4,320

 

 

4,320

 

 

153,488

 

 

153,488

 

Trading debt securities, net

 

 

10,683

 

 

10,683

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

 

356,401

 

 

356,401

 

 

685,805

 

 

685,805

 

Guarantee deposits (Note 11)

 

 

473,714

 

 

473,714

 

 

490,077

 

 

490,077

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

 

25,655

 

 

26,549

 

 

28,054

 

 

26,481

 

Derivatives

 

 

2,629

 

 

2,629

 

 

6,272

 

 

6,272

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and financing

 

 

1,043,742

 

 

1,035,054

 

 

1,338,729

 

 

1,298,751

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

404,065

 

 

404,065

 

 

559,942

 

 

559,942

 

Derivatives

 

 

52,488

 

 

52,488

 

 

19,362

 

 

19,362

 


34.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

 

 

In the normal course of business, the Company participates in certain off-balance sheet arrangements, including guarantees, repurchase obligations, trade-in and product warranty commitments, as discussed below:

 

 

 

Guarantees

 

 

 

Financial guarantees are triggered if customers do not perform their obligation to serve the debt during the term of the financing under the relevant financing arrangements. Financial guarantees provide credit support to the guaranteed party to mitigate default-related losses. The underlying assets collateralize these guarantees. The value of the underlying assets may be adversely affected by an economic or industry downturn. Upon an event of default, the Company usually is the agent for the guaranteed party for the refurbishment and remarketing of the underlying asset. The Company may be entitled to a fee for such remarketing services. Typically a claim under the guarantee shall be made only upon surrender of the underlying asset for remarketing.

 

 

 

Residual Value Guarantees provide a third party with a specific guaranteed asset value at the end of the financing agreement. In the event of a decrease in market value of the underlying asset, the Company shall bear the difference between the specific guaranteed amount and the actual fair market value. The Company’s exposure is mitigated by the fact that, in order to benefit from the guarantee, the guaranteed party has to make the underlying assets meet tight specific return conditions.

F-57



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

The following table provides quantitative data regarding the Company’s guarantees to third parties. The maximum potential payments represent the worst-case scenario, and do not necessarily reflect the results expected by the Company. Estimated proceeds from performance guarantees and underlying assets represent the anticipated values of assets the Company could liquidate or receive from other parties to offset its payments under guarantees.


Description

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 

Maximum financial guarantees

 

 

1,229,811

 

 

1,710,251

 

Maximum residual value guarantees

 

 

627,015

 

 

835,760

 

Mutually exclusive exposure (*)

 

 

(392,123)

 

 

(418,094)

 

Provisions and liabilities recorded

 

 

(67,466)

 

 

(97,718)

 

 

 



 



 

Off-balance sheet exposure

 

 

1,397,237

 

 

2,030,199

 

Estimated proceeds from performance guarantees and underlying assets

 

 

1,650,321

 

 

2,038,344

 


 

(*)

In the event both guarantees were issued for the same underlying asset, the residual value guarantees can only be exercised if the financial guarantees have expired without having been triggered, and therefore, their distinct effects have not been combined to calculate the maximum exposure.

 

 

 

 

As discussed in Note 10, as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company maintained escrow deposits in the total amount of $192,765 and $231,051, respectively, in favor of third parties for whom it has provided financial and residual value guarantees in connection with certain aircraft sales financing structures.

 

 

 

Aircraft Repurchase Options

 

 

 

The Company was contingently liable for repurchasing a number of aircraft sold under sales contracts that provided the customer with the right to sell the aircraft back to the Company in the future, according to defined price rules. These repurchase commitments were canceled in 2004 pursuant to formal amendments entered into with the holders of such options.

 

 

 

Aircraft Trade-In Options

 

 

 

In connection with the signing of a purchase contract for new aircraft, the Company may provide trade-in options to its customers.  These options provide a customer with the right to trade-in existing aircraft upon the purchase of a new aircraft.  As of December 31, 2004, six commercial aircraft were subject to trade-in options, and additional aircraft may become subject to trade-in options upon delivery. The trade-in price is based on third-party appraisals related to the forecasted fair value to each specific aircraft.

F-58



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

Product Warranties

 

 

 

The Company provides product warranties in conjunction with certain product sales.

 

 

 

Generally, aircraft sales are accompanied by a standard warranty for systems, accessories, equipment, parts, and software manufactured by the Company. Warranty expense related to aircraft and parts is recognized at the time of sale based on estimated amounts of warranty costs anticipated to be incurred, typically expressed as a percentage of revenue. These estimates are based on factors that include, among other things, historical warranty claim and cost experience, warranty coverage available from suppliers, type and duration of warranty coverage, and the volume and mix of aircraft sold and in service. The warranty period typically ranges from two to five years.

 

 

 

 

 

The following table summarizes changes in product and performance provisions during 2004, which are included in other payables and accrued liabilities:


(US$ million)

 

December
31, 2003

 

Additions

 

Reductions for
payments
made/reversals

 

At
December
31, 2004

 


 



 



 



 



 

Product warranties

 

 

79,724

 

 

40,742

 

 

(44,378

)

 

76,088

 

Product improvement liabilities

 

 

42,971

 

 

8,707

 

 

(13,286

)

 

38,392

 


35.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

 

 

The Company is organized based on the products and services it offers. Under this organizational structure, the Company operates in the following four principal segments: commercial airline, defense, business jet and other related businesses.

F-59



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

Commercial airline segment

 

 

 

The Commercial airline segment’s operations principally involve the development, production and marketing of commercial jet aircraft and provision of related support services, principally to the regional airline industry worldwide. The Company’s products in the commercial airline segment are organized around product families, including the ERJ 135/140/145 family, the EMBRAER 170/190 family and the EMB 120 Brasília.

 

 

 

The ERJ 145 family is composed of the ERJ 135, ERJ 140 and ERJ 145 aircraft, certified to operate with 37, 44 and 50 seats, respectively. These aircraft share approximately 96% of common parts and components. The Company relies on a limited number of customers for a substantial portion of its total net sales. The Company’s largest customers for these aircraft are ExpressJet, Republic/Chautauqua and American Eagle.

 

 

 

The Company is continuing to develop a new family of commercial jets composed of the EMBRAER 170 for 78 passengers, EMBRAER 175 for 86 passengers, EMBRAER 190 for 106 passengers and EMBRAER 195 for 118 passengers. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had 297 firm orders for this aircraft family. The first model to reach full development is the EMBRAER 170, the final certification of which occurred in February 2004. The second model to reach full development is the EMBRAER 175, which was certified in December 2004 by the Brazilian aviation authority and in January 2005 by the European Aviation Safety Agency – EASA.

 

 

 

The EMB 120 Brasília is a 30-seat turboprop aircraft that has been operating since 1985. As of December 31, 2004, 352 of these aircraft had been delivered.

 

 

 

The commercial airline segment is subject to both operational and external business environment risks. Operational risks that can seriously disrupt the Company’s ability to make timely delivery of its commercial jet aircraft and meet its contractual commitments include execution of internal performance plans, regulatory certifications of the Company’s commercial aircraft by the U.S. Government and foreign governments, collective bargaining labor disputes and performance issues with key suppliers and subcontractors.

 

 

 

The Company’s principal operations are in Brazil, with some key suppliers and subcontractors located in the United States, Europe and South America. External business environment risks include adverse governmental export and import policies, factors that result in significant and prolonged disruption to air travel worldwide, and other factors that affect the economic viability of the commercial airline industry. Examples of factors relating to external business environment risks include the volatility of aircraft fuel prices, global trade policies, worldwide political stability and economic growth, acts of aggression that impact the perceived safety of commercial flight and a competitive industry environment.


F-60



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

Defense segment

 

 

 

Operations in the defense segment principally involve research, development, production, modification and support of military defense aircraft, products and related systems. Although some military defense aircraft products are contracted in the commercial environment, the Company’s primary customer is the Brazilian Air Force. In the defense segment, the Company has the following products:


 

The EMB 312, in two platforms, the basic Tucano and the Super-Tucano - EMB 314. Also, the Super Tucano is being used as a platform of the AL-X, aircraft developed for the Brazilian Air Force.

 

 

 

 

The AM-X, an advanced ground attack jet, developed and manufactured through an industrial cooperation agreement between Brazil and Italy.

 

 

 

 

A modified platform of the ERJ 145 has been developed (EMB 145 AEW&C - Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, EMB 145 RS - Remote Sensing aircraft and EMB 145 MP - Marine Remote Sensing aircraft) for use by the Brazilian, Mexican and Greek governments.

 

 

 

 

The Brazilian Air Force is the major customer of the Company’s defense aircraft products. A decrease in defense spending by the Brazilian government due to defense spending cuts and general budgetary constraints or other factors could materially adversely affect the Company’s defense sales and defense research and development.

 

 

 

Business Jet segment

 

 

 

The Company developed a line of business jets, based on the ERJ 135 regional jet. The Legacy, as the business jet is named, is being marketed by the Company to businesses, including fractional ownership companies, in two versions - the executive version and corporate shuttle version.

 

 

 

Other related businesses

 

 

 

The other related businesses segment relates mainly to (i) after-sales customer support services, including maintenance and training, (ii) aircraft operating leases and (iii) the manufacture and marketing of spare parts for the Company’s aircraft.  In addition, the Company sells structural parts and mechanical and hydraulic systems to certain specified customers. The Company also manufactures, on a limited basis and upon customer request, general aviation propeller aircraft and crop dusters.

 

 

 

Segment financial information

 

 

 

The information in the following tables is derived directly from the Company’s internal financial reports used for corporate management purposes. The expenses, assets and liabilities attributable to corporate activities are not fully allocated to the operating segments.

 

 

 

Other unallocated costs include corporate costs not allocated to the operating segments and include costs attributable to stock-based compensation. Unallocated capital expenditures and depreciation relate primarily to shared services assets.

F-61



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

The following table provides geographic information regarding net sales. The geographic allocation is based on the location of the operator of the aircraft.


Net sales by geographic area

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 



 

The Americas without Brazil-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

1,772,226

 

 

1,457,814

 

 

2,189,405

 

Defense

 

 

13,257

 

 

106,643

 

 

92,135

 

Business Jet

 

 

86,579

 

 

139,203

 

 

204,914

 

Other related businesses

 

 

78,186

 

 

94,715

 

 

130,054

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

1,950,248

 

 

1,798,375

 

 

2,616,508

 

Brazil-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Defense

 

 

40,534

 

 

102,494

 

 

246,104

 

Other related businesses

 

 

20,063

 

 

18,475

 

 

51,332

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

60,597

 

 

120,969

 

 

297,436

 

Europe-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

290,548

 

 

68,597

 

 

296,885

 

Defense

 

 

73,478

 

 

52,560

 

 

20,906

 

Business Jet

 

 

58,307

 

 

36,152

 

 

—  

 

Other related businesses

 

 

43,189

 

 

65,260

 

 

54,372

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

465,522

 

 

222,569

 

 

372,163

 

Others-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

47,592

 

 

—  

 

 

93,159

 

Defense

 

 

—  

 

 

718

 

 

6,622

 

Business Jet

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

40,800

 

Other related businesses

 

 

1,841

 

 

829

 

 

13,845

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

49,433

 

 

1,547

 

 

154,427

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

2,525,800

 

 

2,143,460

 

 

3,440,533

 

 

 



 



 



 

F-62



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

The following table presents income statement information by operating segment:


Operating income

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 



 

Net sales-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

2,110,266

 

 

1,526,373

 

 

2,579,449

 

Defense

 

 

127,269

 

 

262,411

 

 

365,767

 

Business Jet

 

 

144,886

 

 

175,355

 

 

245,714

 

Other related businesses

 

 

143,379

 

 

179,321

 

 

249,603

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

2,525,800

 

 

2,143,460

 

 

3,440,533

 

Cost of sales and services-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

(1,243,925

)

 

(924,938

)

 

(1,613,028

)

Defense

 

 

(79,504

)

 

(205,793

)

 

(291,400

)

Business Jet

 

 

(104,561

)

 

(124,377

)

 

(181,457

)

Other related businesses

 

 

(103,730

)

 

(79,924

)

 

(181,445

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

(1,531,720

)

 

(1,335,032

)

 

(2,267,330

)

Gross profit-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

866,341

 

 

601,435

 

 

966,421

 

Defense

 

 

47,765

 

 

56,618

 

 

74,367

 

Business Jet

 

 

40,325

 

 

50,978

 

 

64,257

 

Other related businesses

 

 

39,649

 

 

99,397

 

 

68,158

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

994,080

 

 

808,428

 

 

1,173,203

 

Operating expenses-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Airline

 

 

(335,584

)

 

(345,704

)

 

(348,115

)

Defense

 

 

(15,747

)

 

(15,719

)

 

(59,782

)

Business Jet

 

 

(28,375

)

 

(38,568

)

 

(28,556

)

Other related businesses

 

 

(31,164

)

 

(34,116

)

 

(36,455

)

Unallocated corporate expenses

 

 

(113,648

)

 

(109,506

)

 

(156,309

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

(524,518

)

 

(543,613

)

 

(629,217

)

 

 



 



 



 

Income from operations

 

 

469,562

 

 

264,815

 

 

543,986

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

The following tables present other information about the Company’s operating segments:


Property, plant and equipment, net

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 

Commercial Airline

 

 

34,748

 

 

59,471

 

Defense

 

 

41,200

 

 

65,220

 

Other related businesses

 

 

8,799

 

 

11,956

 

Unallocated

 

 

317,916

 

 

244,618

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

 

402,663

 

 

381,265

 

 

 



 



 

F-63



EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003 AND 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 

Commercial Airline

 

 

282,260

 

 

528,691

 

Defense

 

 

52,822

 

 

70,008

 

Other related businesses

 

 

21,319

 

 

87,106

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

 

356,401

 

 

685,805

 

 

 



 



 


Advances from customers

 

2003

 

2004

 


 



 



 

Commercial Airline

 

 

316,357

 

 

346,737

 

Defense

 

 

188,304

 

 

87,731

 

Business Jet

 

 

16,350

 

 

17,180

 

Other related businesses

 

 

38,176

 

 

27,515

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

 

559,187

 

 

479,163

 

 

 



 



 

* * *

F-64