10-KPeriod: FY2001

CINTAS CORP Annual Report, Year Ended May 31, 2001

Filed August 29, 2001For Securities:CTAS

Summary

Cintas Corporation's 2001 10-K filing highlights a strong performance driven by its core rental services segment, which generated $1.61 billion in revenue. The company operates with a dual focus on uniform rentals and "other services," including direct uniform sales and the provision of ancillary products like first aid and safety supplies. Cintas emphasizes its competitive advantages in quality, service, design, and price, and notes that the loss of any single account would not significantly impact its financial performance due to a diverse customer base. The company's operational footprint includes 273 facilities across various functions such as processing plants, manufacturing, and distribution, supported by a fleet of over 6,000 vehicles. While Cintas faces some environmental remediation costs, primarily related to past acquisitions and specific sites, it has adequately provided for these liabilities. The filing also indicates stable dividend payments and a robust market value for its common stock.

Key Highlights

  • 1Strong revenue growth in the Rentals segment, reaching $1.61 billion for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001.
  • 2Dual operating segments: Rentals and Other Services, demonstrating a diversified business model.
  • 3A fragmented market for uniform rentals with competition from both large and small regional firms, where Cintas prioritizes quality, service, design, and price.
  • 4Extensive operational infrastructure with 273 facilities and a fleet of 6,373 vehicles to support its service delivery.
  • 5Adequate provision for environmental remediation costs, with an undiscounted liability of $4.6 million as of May 31, 2001.
  • 6Consistent dividend payments to shareholders, with a slight increase from $0.19 to $0.22 per share year-over-year.
  • 7The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates was substantial at over $8.1 billion as of August 20, 2001.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cintas operates through two primary segments: Rentals and Other Services. The Rentals segment, which designs and manufactures uniforms for rent, is the larger contributor to revenue ($1.61 billion in FY2001). The Other Services segment includes direct sales of uniforms and ancillary products like sanitation supplies, first aid, and safety products.

The uniform rental market is highly fragmented, with competition varying by location. Cintas competes with other large firms and numerous smaller, local, and regional players. Cintas believes its primary competitive advantages are, in order of importance: quality, service, design, and price.

The main risks highlighted are potential environmental remediation costs associated with past acquisitions and specific sites, for which the company has established provisions. While the company's diverse customer base mitigates the risk of losing individual accounts, the fragmented nature of the market implies ongoing competitive pressures.

Cintas manages inventory through a combination of in-house manufacturing, purchasing from suppliers, and utilizing sophisticated product development, forecasting, distribution, and sourcing strategies. The company maintains reserves for obsolete inventory, which has decreased significantly in recent years due to these improvements, especially following acquisitions.