-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GBcFpKgIbQlb8jqyVpJHxqZ/xG37COx77Pi9quFWnhhV8CxdxXfCY/xX6RFTdWvn WGy6GfrxHzLioP/9cHIxag== 0001104659-07-022686.txt : 20070327 0001104659-07-022686.hdr.sgml : 20070327 20070327143314 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-07-022686 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20061231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070327 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070327 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001264010 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES [3990] IRS NUMBER: 611283304 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-110531 FILM NUMBER: 07720916 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2211 YORK ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 215 CITY: OAK BROOK STATE: IL ZIP: 60521 BUSINESS PHONE: 6305725715 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2001 SPRING ROAD, SUITE 425 CITY: OAK BROOK STATE: IL ZIP: 60523 10-K 1 a07-5474_110k.htm 10-K

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

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:  333-110531

NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

61-1283304

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

2001 Spring Road, Suite 425 Oak Brook, Illinois

 

60523

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(630) 572-5715

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

None.

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
o  No x

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes x  No  o

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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  o  Accelerated filer  o  Non-accelerated filer  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o  No x

None of the Registrant’s units are held by non-affiliates of the Registrant.

As of March 23, 2007, the Registrant had 100 units outstanding, all of which were owned by the Registrant’s parent, Safety Products Holdings, Inc.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

None

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

 

3

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

3

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

11

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

15

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

15

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

17

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

20

 

 

 

PART II

 

21

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

21

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

22

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

23

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

38

ITEM 8.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

40

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

82

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

82

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

83

 

 

 

PART III

 

84

 

 

 

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

84

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

86

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

100

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

102

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

104

 

 

 

PART IV

 

105

 

 

 

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

105

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

107

 

2




PART I

ITEM 1.          BUSINESS

Company Overview

Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. (the “Company”, “We” or “Norcross”) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded products in the fragmented personal protection equipment industry. We manufacture and market a full line of personal protection equipment for workers in the general safety and preparedness, fire service and electrical safety industries. Our broad product offering includes, among other things, respiratory protection, protective footwear, hand protection, eye, head and face protection, bunker gear and linemen equipment for utility workers.

We sell our products under trusted, long-standing and well-recognized brand names, including North, KCL, Fibre-Metal, NEOS, Morning Pride, Ranger, Servus, Pro-Warrington, American Firewear, Salisbury and Safety Line. We believe these brand names have a strong reputation for excellence in protecting workers from hazardous and life-threatening environments, which is a key purchasing consideration for personal protection equipment. We believe our brand names, reputation, history of developing innovative products and a comprehensive line of high-quality, differentiated products and high levels of customer service have enhanced our relationships with our distributors and end-users. These factors have enabled us to achieve strong market share positions in key product lines. In addition, the non-discretionary and consumable nature of our products provides us with stable and recurring revenues.

We are one of the largest participants in the personal protection equipment industry with approximately 3,000 employees in 32 primary facilities worldwide. We market and sell our products through three distinct sales forces dedicated to our three target markets. Our sales representatives work closely with third-party distributors, while simultaneously calling on end-users to generate “pull-through” demand for our products. We manufacture or assemble the majority of the products we sell. Approximately 81% of our net sales in 2006 were to customers in North America, with the remainder to customers primarily in Europe. We generated net sales of $438.5 million, $481.1 million and $558.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, the combined year ended December 31, 2005 and year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

We classify our diverse product offerings into three primary operating segments:

General Safety and Preparedness. We offer a diverse portfolio of leading products for a wide variety of industries, including the manufacturing, agriculture, construction, food processing, pharmaceutical and automotive industries and the military, under the North, Ranger, Servus, KCL, Fibre-Metal and NEOS brand names. Our product offering is one of the broadest in the personal protection equipment industry and includes respiratory protection, protective footwear, hand protection, eye, head and face protection, first aid, hearing protection and fall protection. We sell our general safety and preparedness products primarily through industrial distributors. Our general safety and preparedness segment generated net sales of $308.6 million, $332.5 million and $391.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, the combined year ended December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

Fire Service. We manufacture and market one of the broadest lines of personal protection equipment for the fire service market, offering firefighters head-to-toe protection. Our products include bunker gear, fireboots, helmets, gloves and other accessories. We market our products under our Total Fire Group umbrella, using the brand names of Morning Pride, Ranger, Servus,  Pro-Warrington and American Firewear.  We are widely known for developing innovative equipment; for example, our bunker gear alone, which has more than 100 patented features and our urban search and rescue products are certified by third-party testing labs as meeting all of the requirements of the National Fire Protection Agency (“NFPA”) and other regulatory bodies. We are the vendor of choice for many of the largest fire departments in North America. We sell our fire service products primarily through specialized fire service distributors. Our fire service segment generated net sales of $78.9 million, $87.9 million and $87.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, the combined year ended December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

Electrical Safety. We manufacture and market a broad line of personal protection equipment for the electrical safety market under the Salisbury, Safety Line and Servus brands. Our products include linemen equipment, gloves, sleeves and footwear. All our products either meet or exceed the applicable standards of the American National Standards Institute (“ANSI”)

3




and the American Society for Testing of Materials (“ASTM”). We sell our electrical safety products through specialized distributors, test labs, utilities and electrical contractors.  Our electrical safety segment generated net sales of  $51.0 million, $60.6 and $78.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, the combined year ended December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

For net income and income from operations for each of our segments for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006 and total assets for each of our segments as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, see Note 14 to our audited financial statements.

In May 2005, Safety Products Holdings, Inc. (“Safety Products”) was formed to effect the acquisition from NSP Holdings L.L.C. (“NSP Holdings”) of all the issued and outstanding equity interests of Norcross and NSP Holdings Capital Corp. (“NSP Capital”) in a transaction valued at approximately $481.0 million. To execute this transaction, Safety Products, NSP Holdings and Norcross entered into a purchase and sale agreement whereby Safety Products acquired all of the equity interests of Norcross and NSP Capital. As a result of the acquisition, Safety Products became the sole unit holder of Norcross. The acquisition was completed in July 2005 and was funded with proceeds to Safety Products from the issuance and sale of $25.0 million of senior pay in kind notes as well as an equity investment by affiliates of Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC, or Odyssey, and General Electric Pension Trust, or GEPT, and certain members of management of Norcross. Concurrently with the acquisition, Norcross also entered into a new senior credit facility consisting of an $88.0 million term loan and a $50.0 million revolving credit facility.

In November 2005, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The Fibre-Metal Products Company (“Fibre-Metal”). The purchase price of $68.7 million (including acquisition costs of $0.7 million) was financed through additional term borrowings under the senior credit facility and cash on the balance sheet.

In February 2006, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of American Firewear, Inc. (“American Firewear”).  The purchase price consisted of $4.5 million in cash (including acquisition costs of $0.2 million and net of cash acquired of $0.2 million) and a $1.0 million subordinated seller note.  In addition, the purchase price may be increased by $0.8 million over the next four years based on American Firewear achieving certain financial and operating objectives.  We financed the acquisition through cash on the balance sheet and the issuance of the $1.0 million subordinated seller note.

In June 2006, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The White Rubber Corporation (“White Rubber”). The purchase price of $22.2 million (including acquisition costs of $0.6 million and gross of outstanding checks of $0.8 million) was financed through additional term borrowings under the senior credit facility and cash on the balance sheet.

In September 2006, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The New England Overshoe Company, Inc. (“NEOS”).  The purchase price consisted of $3.6 million in cash (including acquisition costs of $0.1 million and net of cash acquired) and a $0.8 million subordinated seller note.  In addition, the purchase price may be increased over the next five years based on NEOS achieving certain net sales targets.  We financed the acquisition through cash on the balance sheet and the issuance of the $0.8 million subordinated seller note.

We refer herein to the acquisition of Norcross as the “Norcross Transaction”, the acquisition of Fibre-Metal as the “Fibre-Metal Transaction”,  the acquisition of American Firewear as the “American Firewear Transaction”, the acquisition of White Rubber as the “White Rubber Transaction” and the acquisition of NEOS as the “NEOS Transaction.”

Industry Overview

The worldwide personal protection equipment industry, which we estimate to be over $20 billion in size, is highly fragmented with few market participants offering a broad line of products. Demand for personal protection equipment is relatively stable, as purchases of these products are generally non-discretionary due to their use in protecting workers from bodily harm in hazardous and life-threatening work environments and as a result of government and industry regulations mandating their use. Furthermore, many of our products have limited life spans due to normal course wear and tear or because they are one-time use products by design, which results in consistent replacement and recurring revenues for industry participants. Additionally, we sell products, such as our respirator lines, which have both a durable component, in this case the facepiece, and a disposable component, in this case the cartridge. Ordinary-course usage of the disposable component of our equipment creates recurring revenues.

In recent years, several trends have reshaped the market for personal protection equipment, including the

4




following:

Heightened Compliance and Commitment to Worker Safety. Demand for personal protection equipment is driven largely by regulatory standards and recognition by companies of the economic and productivity benefits of a safer workplace. Regulatory bodies and standard-setting entities, such as Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (“NIOSH”), the NFPA, ANSI and ASTM, require and enforce businesses’ compliance with worker safety regulations and establish strict performance and product design requirements for personal protection equipment. Similarly, while the required standards for worker protection are generally lower outside of North America and parts of Western Europe, many countries have been increasing safety regulations in recent years, creating opportunities for manufacturers to increase sales internationally. In addition, the litigious environment in which companies operate compels many businesses to provide personal protection equipment for their employees and in some cases causes businesses to provide more personal protection equipment than is mandated.

Focus on Domestic Preparedness. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and other incidences of terrorism worldwide, governments have significantly increased their focus and their spending on preparedness for conventional and nuclear, biological and chemical attacks. The U.S. government, for example, created a separate cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security and allocated significant funding to further its mission. The 2007 budget for the Department of Homeland Security is approximately $42.8 billion, including approximately $8.6 billion of funds allocated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Emergency Preparedness.

Industrial Distributor Trends. The industrial distribution channel has experienced consolidation over the past several years as distributors have attempted to realize economies of scale. In addition, product procurement trends have shown that distributors are increasing their purchases from large, multi product vendors, thereby simplifying the management of their supply chain, reducing their procurement costs and improving their selling efficiency. Distributors, therefore, have an explicit preference for vendors with broad product offerings and comprehensive services, including consolidated shipping and invoicing, direct marketing to end-users and salesforce training.

Operating Structure

Our operations are organized into three primary operating segments:  general safety and preparedness, fire service and electrical safety. Each segment has a sales force, a marketing team, manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities and customer service functions.

The following table sets forth the percentage of our net sales generated by each of our operating segments for the year ended December 31, 2004, the combined year ended December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006. The data have been derived from our audited historical consolidated financial statements.

 

Year ended
December 31,

 

Combined
Year ended
December 31,

 

Year ended
December 31,

 

Segment

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

General Safety and Preparedness

 

70.4

%

69.1

%

70.1

%

Fire Service

 

18.0

%

18.3

%

15.8

%

Electrical Safety

 

11.6

%

12.6

%

14.1

%

 

Principal Products

We market one of the broadest offerings of personal protection equipment in the industry. The following is a brief description of each of our principal product categories, organized by each of our three primary operating segments:

General Safety and Preparedness. Our general safety and preparedness products include respiratory protection, protective footwear, hand protection, eye, head and face protection, first aid, fall protection and hearing protection.

Respiratory Protection. Our respiratory product offering is one of the broadest and deepest in the industry and includes disposable and reusable masks and face-pieces, filtration cartridges, powered air purifying respirators, self-contained breathing apparatuses and airline respirators. We produce respirators for use in a variety of applications, including protection against dust, fumes, micro-organisms, fibers, odors, mists and gases.  In addition,

5




we offer respirators for nuclear, biological and chemical protection. Our traditional strength is in air purifying systems, which utilize cartridges to filter ambient air as opposed to self-contained breathing apparatus which supply fresh air from a portable cylinder. Our 7700 Series half-mask face-piece is among the world’s best selling face-pieces due to its superior fit and comfort.

Protective Footwear. Protective footwear is required to protect workers’ feet from falling objects, objects piercing the sole, electrical hazards, hazardous materials, chemicals and extreme temperatures. We produce rubber, injection molded and other footwear to protect against such threats, using a variety of techniques for diverse applications, including meat and food processing, chemical processing, commercial fishing, agricultural work, construction and cold storage. With our origins as a footwear company, we have long held dominant positions within the footwear segments of the personal protection equipment industry through our Ranger and Servus brands. We believe we are the largest manufacturer of both neoprene safety and hand-laid rubber protective footwear for the industrial market in North America.

Hand Protection. Hand protection is required for workers exposed to hazardous substances, vulnerable to severe cuts, abrasions or chemical burns, and exposed to extreme temperatures. We manufacture and source gloves designed to protect workers against each of these threats and for a variety of specific applications, including use in material handling, automotive, construction, meat and food processing and controlled environments. Our products range from basic protection provided by imported cotton gloves to highly-engineered, patented gloves designed to withstand dangerous chemicals present in many workplaces. We market a full range of gloves with performance characteristics tailored to each user’s application or hazardous situation.

Eye, Head and Face Protection. We offer a wide variety of protective eyewear and face shields that through innovative design and state of the art materials provide what we believe to be a high degree of optical quality, comfort and fit. Many of our products are offered with coatings that provide anti-fog, anti-scratch, anti-UV or anti-static protection. Our hard hats and accessories provide comfortable and dependable head protection, featuring stylish, lightweight shell designs, suspension height adjustment and comfort padding. Our 2005 acquisition of Fibre-Metal significantly increased the breadth of products in our head and face protection product line and added a new line of welding helmets and accessories.

First Aid. We market a wide range of products, including unitized and bulk first aid supplies, nonprescription medicinals, dermatologicals, eye wash and body flush kits. Regulations require that first aid products be available to workers throughout the workplace, thereby creating stable demand for first aid kits.

Fall Protection. We manufacture and market harnesses, lanyards, confined space retrieval equipment, self-retracting lifeliners and engineered fall protection systems. This product category often requires customized solutions to meet end-user needs.

Hearing Protection. We provide a broad line of both disposable and reusable hearing protection products used in a variety of industries. All of our hearing protection products are designed to be as comfortable as possible while protecting against hazardous noise in the workplace. Many of these products are tested for us at an independent third-party National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program certified laboratory.

Fire Service. Our fire service products include bunker gear, fireboots, helmets, gloves and other accessories.

Bunker Gear. Bunker gear is protective clothing worn by firefighters that must meet the strict design specifications set by the NFPA, including resistance to heat and fire, chemicals, viruses and tears. All of our bunker gear meets or exceeds the NFPA’s or other regulatory body specifications. Bunker gear is made-to-order, with custom measurements for each firefighter. We sell bunker gear under the Morning Pride brand name, which has been in existence since 1921 and has high distributor and end-user loyalty. Morning Pride products are made with proprietary designs, are protected by more than 100 patents, and use state-of-the-art materials such as Kevlar™, W.L. Gore’s Crosstech™, PBI™, Nomex Omega™ and P-84™. Our sales force traditionally has been successful in influencing fire departments to specify critical safety features for which we have a patent. Our unique, patented and field-tested features, such as dead air panels, liner inspection ports and heat channel knee technologies, combined with our awareness of end-users’ needs for function and comfort, differentiate our bunker gear from that of our competitors. These proprietary designs and specialized materials have allowed us to improve the performance of bunker gear products and have increased the growth rate of our sales of these products.

Fireboots. Fireboots typically must meet the strict design specifications set by the NFPA, including specifications for heat and flame resistance, compression, sole puncture resistance, electrical hazards and water

6




protection. Leather fireboots are generally lighter in weight and provide firefighters with increased comfort and agility. Rubber fireboots are hand-made using state-of-the-art specialized materials such as Kevlar™, which is more durable than felt, the traditional fireboot material, while providing enhanced wear and flame resistance. Over the last five years, either Ranger, Servus or Pro-Warrington fireboots have been selected by the majority of the major metropolitan fire departments in the U.S.

Helmets, Gloves and Other Accessories. Helmets, gloves and other firefighting accessories typically must meet the strict design specifications set by the NFPA or other regulatory bodies, including those noted above for bunker gear as well as impact resistance, force transmission dissipation and burst strength. Helmets are made using state-of-the-art specialized materials such as the Fyrglass fiberglass helmet shell, which offers improved strength while being lightweight. Unique features, such as bloodborne pathogen interface capable technologies, differentiate our products from those of our competitors. Over the last decade, we have been selected as the vendor of choice to supply helmets, gloves and other accessories to numerous major metropolitan fire departments in the U.S. Our 2006 acquisition of American Firewear significantly expanded our glove and hood product line offering.

Electrical Safety. Our electrical safety products include linemen equipment, gloves, sleeves and footwear. We also provide electrical safety equipment for industrial applications.

Linemen Equipment. Linemen equipment encompasses an array of products that enable utility workers to work with “live” energized or de-energized electrical equipment and power lines. Products include insulating blankets, grounding equipment, linehose and covers, and guards that protect the worker, valuable equipment and reduce outages. Our products are required to meet ANSI and ASTM standards and OSHA regulations.

Gloves, Sleeves and Footwear. We manufacture insulating gloves, sleeves and dielectric footwear, which protect electrical workers against electrical hazards. These products also must meet ANSI and ASTM standards.

Arc Flash Protection. We offer a full line of protective gear and clothing to protect electrical workers against the hazards of arc flash. This product line meets ASTM standards and is designed to comply with NFPA Standard 70E, “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.”

Manufacturing Processes

The majority of our net sales are from products manufactured or assembled by us, with the remainder sourced from a variety of low-cost vendors. The majority of our manufacturing occurs in the U.S., though many labor intensive or hand-fabricated products are assembled in China, Mexico and the Caribbean.

We manufacture our general safety and preparedness products using a variety of techniques. Respirators and cartridges are injection molded from silicone or plastics. Our protective footwear products serving the general safety and preparedness market are manufactured using a variety of methods, including hand-laid rubber, dipped neoprene latex, slush and injection molding. We use automated glove knitters as well as hand-sewn and dipped processes in our work glove product offering. Head protection products are injection molded from high density polyethylene. A portion of eye and ear protection products are molded and assembled by us. First aid products are bought and packaged. Fall protection products are cut and sewn.

We manufacture bunker gear through a made-to-order process, as both pants and coats are constructed to meet an end-user’s individual specifications. Outer-shell and liner fabrics are cut, assembled with other components, including pockets, hardware, trim and lettering, and extensively inspected to ensure quality control. We have installed Gerber material cutters and a Gerber mover, which automates the handling of bunker gear materials. Every fire service product we sell meets or exceeds the standard of the NFPA or other regulatory bodies. Rubber fireboots are assembled by both hand-laid and automated dipping techniques.

We manufacture our electrical safety and hand protection products using a variety of techniques. We manufacture our chemical-resistant and electrical insulating gloves and sleeves using a multiple layering process of polymer dissolved in organic solvents. These processes are relatively automated and operate in closely controlled environments. Other chemical-resistant and coated fabric gloves are manufactured with water-based latex polymers. We manufacture utility linemen products, other than gloves, using injection, transfer or compression molding of natural and synthetic polymers. The manufacturing processes utilize extensive in-line and post-manufacturing quality assurance because these products are designed to protect workers from hazardous and life-threatening environments.

7




Customers

The majority of our sales are to industrial, fire service and utility distributors. The balance of our products are sold directly to end-users and the U.S. government. None of our customers accounts for more than 10% of our net sales.

Our general safety and preparedness products are utilized in a variety of industries, including the manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, construction, food processing, pharmaceutical, construction, petrochemical, nuclear, fishing, and biotechnology industries and the military. The primary end-users of our fire service products are professional fire departments and the primary end-users of our electrical safety products are utility companies.

Set forth below is a summary of our net sales by geographic region for the year ended December 31, 2004, the combined year-ended December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006:

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

Combined
Year Ended
December 31,

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

Region

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

67.0

%

65.1

%

64.3

%

Canada

 

13.6

 

15.1

 

16.2

 

Europe

 

15.6

 

15.9

 

15.8

 

Africa

 

3.8

 

3.9

 

3.7

 

Total

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

For net sales by geographic region for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006 and total long-lived assets by geographic region as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, see Note 16 to our audited financial statements.

In general, we do not experience a significant backlog of customer orders. We do, however, have a backlog of orders from certain customers, such as the U.S. government, who tend to order products less frequently and in greater quantities, and our fire service customers, who tend to custom order products which require greater lead time. The timing of these orders results in some backlog variability. As of December 31, 2006, there was approximately $34.6 million of such backlog that management believed to be firm, as compared to $35.8 million of backlog as of December 31, 2005. The majority of this backlog will ship by the end of the first quarter of 2007.

Competition

The personal protection equipment market is highly competitive, with participants ranging in size from small companies which focus on a single type of personal protection equipment to a few large multinational corporations which manufacture and supply many types of personal protection equipment. Our main competitors vary by region and product. We believe that participants in this industry compete primarily on the basis of product characteristics (such as functional performance, comfort and durability), price, brand name trust and recognition and service. Set forth below is a brief summary of our most significant competitors by operating segment.

General Safety and Preparedness. Bacou-Dalloz SA.; 3M; Mine Safety Appliances Company; Ansell Occupational Healthcare; LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.; Aearo Company; Pac-Kit Safety Equipment Co.; Jackson Products, Inc.; and Scott Technologies.

Fire Service. Bacou-Dalloz SA; Mine Safety Appliances Company; Globe Manufacturing Company; Lion Apparel, Inc.; LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.; and E.D. Bullard Co., Inc.

Electrical Safety. A.B. Chance Company; Hastings Fiber Glass Products, Inc.; MacLean Fogg Co.; Comasec; Cementex; and The Oberon Company.

We believe we compete favorably within each of our operating segments as a result of the breadth of our product offering, high product quality and strong brand name trust and recognition.

Sales and Marketing

We maintain a distinct sales force for each of our three operating segments. While the majority of our sales are through distributors, we have developed and employ a sales and marketing strategy designed to drive demand at both the distributor and the end-user levels. As part of this strategy, our sales forces call on the end-users of our products in their respective segments to generate demand using a “pull-through” effect whereby end-users of our products seek out our brands from distributors. Our dedicated sales forces achieve this pull-through effect by

8




educating both distributors and end-users on the specific performance characteristics of our products, which provides significant positive differentiation relative to competing products. Customer training and education are particularly important with respect to our fire service and electrical safety products, which tend to be more technical in their design and use. Our product research and development teams work closely with our dedicated sales forces. By working closely with the end-users of our products, our sales forces gain valuable insight into our customers’ preferences and needs and the ways in which we can further differentiate our products from those of our competitors.

Distribution Channels

Our products are sold through three distinct distribution channels:

General Safety and Preparedness. We distribute our general safety and preparedness products primarily through specialized personal protection equipment and industrial distributors, as well as maintenance, repair and operations equipment distributors for whom personal protection equipment products are a core line of business. Vendor relationships with distributors tend to be non-exclusive. Our customer base includes national, regional and local distributors. Some of our key distributors include W.W. Grainger, Airgas, Thermo Fisher Scientific International and Hagemeyer North America, Inc. In addition, selected footwear products are distributed through work-wear retailers. These retailers primarily serve farmers and agricultural workers. Our average relationship with our key general safety and preparedness customers is in excess of ten years.

Fire Service. The fire service segment’s primary channel of distribution is through specialized fire service distributors. As a result of the breadth of our product offering and our reputation for quality, we have long-standing relationships with the premier fire service distributors in the U.S., many of whom carry our products exclusively. Our average relationship with our largest ten fire service distributors is in excess of ten years.

Electrical Safety. The electrical safety segment primarily markets its products through specialized distributors, test labs, utilities and electrical contractors. Sales to utilities are typically made pursuant to one-year contracts, while sales to distributors are typically open-ended purchase contracts. As a result of the breadth of our product offering and our reputation for quality, the electrical safety segment has long-standing relationships with many large utilities and the premier utility distributors. Our average relationship with our largest ten electrical safety customers is in excess of ten years.

Intellectual Property

It is our policy to protect our intellectual property through a range of measures, including trademarks, patents and confidentiality agreements. We own and use trademarks and brand names to identify ourselves as a proprietary source of certain goods. The following brand names of certain of our products and product lines are registered in the U.S.:  North, Fibre-Metal, NEOS, Morning Pride, Ranger, Servus, Pro-Warrington, American Firewear, Safety Line and Salisbury. Certain of our fire service products are marketed under the registered trademark Total Fire Group.

Whenever possible, our intellectual property rights are protected through the filing of applications for and registrations of trademarks and patents. Our Morning Pride line of products, for example, is protected by more than 100 patents, including patents for such unique features as dead air panels, liner inspection ports and heat channel knee technologies. We also rely upon unpatented trade secrets for the protection of certain intellectual property rights, which trade secrets are also material to our business. We protect our trade secrets by requiring certain of our employees, consultants and other suppliers, customers, agents and advisors to execute confidentiality agreements upon the commencement of employment or other relationships with us. These agreements provide that all confidential information developed by, or made known to, the individual or entity during the course of the relationship with us is to be kept confidential and not to be disclosed to third parties except under certain limited circumstances.

Raw Materials and Suppliers

The primary raw materials we use in manufacturing our products include natural rubber, PVC, fabrics, nitrile, latex, moisture barriers and knitting yarns. We purchase these materials both domestically and internationally, and we believe our supply sources are both well established and reliable. We have close vendor relationship programs with the majority of our key raw material suppliers. Although we generally do not have long-term supply contracts, we have not experienced any significant problems in obtaining adequate raw materials.

9




Environmental Matters

As with all manufacturers, our facilities and operations are subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental requirements. We do not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition as a result of our efforts to comply with, or our liabilities under, these requirements. We will, from time to time, incur costs to attain or maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements under environmental law, but do not currently expect any such costs to be material.

We were required by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (“DHEC”) to conduct a RCRA Facility Investigation pursuant to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“RCRA”) at our glove manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina. Based upon soil and groundwater assessment work conducted in connection with such investigation, we have proposed to DHEC that conditions of soil and groundwater contamination at the Charleston site be addressed through a “monitored natural attenuation” approach. DHEC has required additional soil and groundwater investigation. Invensys plc, a successor to Siebe plc, the former owner of North Safety Products, Inc. (“North Safety Products”), has paid for the investigation and remediation at the site. We do not currently expect the liability associated with this matter to be material.

Our Clover, South Carolina facility has been the subject of the “corrective action” requirements of RCRA, including investigation and cleanup of areas of the Clover site where regulated wastes have historically been managed. Such investigation and cleanup has been conducted by (and at the sole expense of) Invensys plc, a successor to Siebe plc, the former owner of North Safety Products, pursuant to an Administrative Order from the United States Environmental Protective Agency (“EPA”) dated September 29, 1988. By letter dated September 16, 2005, the EPA confirmed that the investigation of all but one of the Areas of Concern had been satisfactorily completed. Invensys is conducting additional groundwater sampling in the area of the burn pit, which is located on property owned by Invensys, before a remediation alternative for the area is selected. EPA has required that North Safety Products obtain a deed restriction at the Clover facility, to restrict access to chromium-impacted soil beneath the concrete floor in the area of the chromic acid vat. With the obligations of the EPA Administrative Order nearly completed, the EPA letter notes that a State Consent Agreement will be required for the selection of the remediation alternative for the burn pit groundwater and for continued environmental monitoring of the facility. Completion of the investigation and any related cleanup is the contractual responsibility of Invensys and we do not currently expect to incur material liability in connection with this matter. In the unlikely event that Invensys does not continue to fulfill its contractual obligations, we could incur costs in connection with this matter. We do not currently expect such costs to be material.

We have been named as a potentially responsible party under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) with regard to waste disposal in the 1980s at the Seaboard Chemical Corporation site in Jamestown, North Carolina. Wastes sent by North Safety Products, now part of the Company, to the Seaboard Chemical Corporation site are believed to comprise less than 1% of the total volume of all wastes sent to the site. Invensys plc has paid for costs associated with this matter. Because liability under CERCLA is strict (i.e., without regard to the lawfulness of the disposal) and retroactive, and under some circumstances joint and several, we may incur liability with respect to other historical disposal locations in the future. We do not currently expect our share of the liability, if any, for the Seaboard site or for other such sites to be material.

We may be subject to wastewater categorical pre-treatment regulations for wastewater discharges at our Clover, South Carolina, North Charleston, South Carolina and Rock Island, Illinois facilities. Compliance with wastewater categorical pre-treatment regulations may require the installation of additional treatment equipment.

Compliance with “maximum achievable control technology” air regulations may require our facilities at Clover, South Carolina, North Charleston, South Carolina and Rock Island, Illinois to install additional air emissions control equipment.

10




Employees

As of December 31, 2006, we had 2,998 full-time employees throughout the world. The following sets forth the number of employees by operating segment:

Operating Segment

 

Number
of
Employees

 

General Safety and Preparedness

 

2,188

 

Fire Service

 

486

 

Electrical Safety

 

318

 

Corporate

 

6

 

Total

 

2,998

 

 

Approximately 612 of our 2,464 North American employees are represented by various unions, and the majority of our 534 non-North American employees are represented by unions. We believe we have maintained good relationships with our unionized employees and we have not experienced any material disruptions in operations on account of our employees in the past five years.

Available Information

Through our Internet website www.nspusa.com, we provide a link to the SEC Internet website that makes available, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC.

ITEM 1A.               RISK FACTORS

In addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K, the following are important factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.

If we are unable to retain senior executives and other qualified professionals our growth may be hindered.

Our success depends in part on our ability to attract, hire, train and retain qualified managerial, sales and marketing personnel. Competition for these types of personnel is intense. We may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining the personnel we require to conduct and expand our operations successfully. Our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if we are unable to attract, hire, train and retain qualified personnel. Our success also depends to a significant extent on the continued service of our management team. The loss of any member of the management team could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The markets in which we compete are highly competitive, and some of our competitors have greater financial and other resources than we do. The competitive pressures faced by us could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The personal protection equipment market is highly competitive, with participants ranging in size from small companies which focus on single types of safety products, to large multinational corporations which manufacture and supply many types of safety products. Our main competitors vary by region and product. We believe that participants in this industry compete primarily on the basis of product characteristics (such as functional performance, design and style), price, brand name recognition and service. Some of our competitors have greater financial and other resources than we do and our cash flows from operations could be adversely affected by competitors’ new product innovations and pricing changes made by us in response to competition from existing or new competitors. Individual competitors have advantages and strengths in different segments of the industry, in different products and in different areas, including manufacturing and distribution systems, geographic market presence, customer service and support, breadth of product, delivery time, costs of labor and price. We may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors and the competitive pressures faced by us could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Item 1. Business—Competition.”

11




Many of our products are subject to existing regulations and standards, changes in which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

Our net sales may be materially and adversely affected by changes in safety regulations and standards covering industrial workers, firefighters and utility workers in the U.S. and Canada, including safety regulations of OSHA and standards of the NFPA, ANSI and ASTM. Our net sales could also be adversely affected by a reduction in the level of enforcement of such regulations. Changes in regulations could reduce the demand for our products or require us to reengineer our products, thereby creating opportunities for our competitors.

A reduction in the spending patterns of government agencies could materially and adversely affect our net sales.

We sell a significant portion of our products in the U.S. and Canada to various governmental agencies. In addition, a portion of our products are sold to government agencies through fixed price contracts awarded by competitive bids submitted to state and local agencies. Many of these governmental agency contracts are awarded on an annual basis. Accordingly, notwithstanding our long-standing relationship with various governmental agencies, we may lose our contracts with such agencies to lower bidders in the competitive bid process. Moreover, the terms and conditions of such sales and the government contract process are subject to extensive regulation by various federal, state and local authorities in the U.S. and Canada.

In most markets in which we compete, there are frequent introductions of new products and product line extensions. If we fail to introduce successful new products, we may lose market position and our financial performance may be negatively impacted.

If we are unable to identify emerging consumer and technological trends, maintain and improve the competitiveness of our products and introduce these products on a global basis, we may lose market position, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Continued product development and marketing efforts have all the risks inherent in the development of new products and line extensions, including development delays, the failure of new products and line extensions to achieve anticipated levels of market acceptance and the cost of failed product introductions.

Our international operations are subject to various uncertainties and a significant reduction in international sales of our products could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties which could adversely effect our business. A significant reduction of our international business due to any of these risks would adversely affect our revenues. In 2006, approximately 35.7% of our net sales were outside the U.S. These risks include:

·                  unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

·                  currency exchange rate fluctuations;

·                  changes in trade policy or tariff regulations;

·                  customs matters;

·                  longer payment cycles;

·                  higher tax rates and potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on repatriating earnings and the threat of “double taxation”;

·                  additional tax withholding requirements;

·                  intellectual property protection difficulties;

·                  difficulty in collecting accounts receivable;

·                  complications in complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, many of which conflict with U.S. laws;

12




·                  costs and difficulties in integrating, staffing and managing international operations; and

·                  strains on financial and other systems to properly administer VAT and other taxes.

In addition, foreign operations involve uncertainties arising from local business practices, cultural considerations and international political and trade tensions. In addition, a portion of our manufacturing and outsourcing relationships involve China. If we are unable to successfully manage the risks associated with expanding our global business or to adequately manage operational fluctuations internationally, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We may incur restructuring or impairment charges that would reduce our earnings.

We have in the past and may in the future restructure some of our operations, including our recently acquired subsidiaries. In such circumstances, we may take actions that would result in a charge related to discontinued operations, thereby reducing our earnings. These restructurings have or may be undertaken to realign our subsidiaries, eliminate duplicative functions, rationalize our operating facilities and products, and reduce our staff. In conjunction with the Fibre-Metal Transaction, we recorded an accrual of $1.7 million, comprised of $1.4 million in severance costs and $0.3 million in facility closure and other exit costs. In conjunction with the White Transaction, we recorded an accrual of $1.0 million in severance costs. We carry a very significant amount of goodwill and intangible assets and Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires us to perform an annual assessment for possible impairment. As of December 31, 2006, we had goodwill and other intangible assets of approximately $439.4 million.

We may be unable to successfully execute or effectively integrate acquisitions, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

One of our key operating strategies is to selectively pursue acquisitions. Acquisitions involve a number of risks including:

·                  failure of the acquired businesses to achieve the results we expect;

·                  diversion of our management’s attention from operational matters;

·                  our inability to retain key personnel of the acquired businesses;

·                  risks associated with unanticipated events or liabilities;

·                  the potential disruption of our existing business; and

·                  customer dissatisfaction or performance problems at the acquired businesses.

If we are unable to integrate or successfully manage any business that we may acquire in the future, we may not realize anticipated cost savings, improved manufacturing efficiencies and revenue growth, which may result in reduced profitability or operating losses. In addition, we expect to face competition for acquisition candidates, which may limit the number of our acquisition opportunities and may lead to higher acquisition prices. Moreover, acquisitions of businesses may require additional debt financing, resulting in additional leverage. The covenants in our senior credit facility and the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes may further limit our ability to complete acquisitions. The realization of all or any of the risks described above could materially and adversely affect our reputation and our results of operations.

Our continued success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our sales could be materially and aversely affected.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to obtain and enforce patents, maintain trade secret protection and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third parties. We have been issued patents and have registered trademarks with respect to many of our products, but our competitors could independently develop similar or superior products or technologies, duplicate any of our designs, trademarks, processes or other intellectual property or design around any processes or designs on which we have or may obtain patents or trademark protection. In addition, it is possible that third parties may have or acquire licenses for other technology or designs that we may use or desire to use, so that we may need to acquire licenses to, or to contest the validity of, such patents or trademarks of third parties. Such licenses may not be made available to us on acceptable terms, if at all, and we

13




may not prevail in contesting the validity of third-party rights.

In addition to patent and trademark protection, we also protect trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information against unauthorized use by others or disclosure by persons who have access to them, such as our employees, through contractual arrangements. These agreements may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use, misappropriation or disclosure of such trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information. If we are unable to maintain the proprietary nature of our technologies, our sales could be materially adversely affected. See “Item 1. Business—Intellectual Property.

We do not have long-term contracts with many of our customers and they may terminate their relationship with us at any time, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

A significant portion of our contracts are not long-term contacts and are terminable at will by either party. If a significant number of our customers choose to terminate their contracts or to not renew their contracts with us upon expiration, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

We face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims arising from the claimed failure of our products to prevent the types of personal injury or death against which they are designed to protect. We have not experienced any material uninsured losses due to product liability claims, but it is possible that we could experience material losses in the future. For more information, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.”

We are subject to various environmental laws and any violation of these laws could adversely affect our results of operations.

We are subject to federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing discharges to air and water, handling and disposal practices for solid and hazardous wastes, hazardous substance contamination and the maintenance of a safe workplace. These laws impose penalties for noncompliance and liability for response costs and certain damages resulting from past and current spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous materials. We could incur substantial costs as a result of noncompliance with or liability pursuant to these environmental laws and to attain and maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements under environmental laws. Environmental laws continue to evolve and we may be subject to more stringent environmental laws in the future. If more stringent environmental laws are enacted, these future laws could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See “Item 1. Business—Environmental Matters.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness, which makes us more vulnerable to adverse economic and competitive conditions.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2006, we had outstanding long-term indebtedness of $320.3 million (excluding original issue premium) and member’s equity of $254.8 million. This amount of debt is substantial and could:

·      require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

·      limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

·      place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our less leveraged competitors; or

·      increase our vulnerability to both general and industry-specific adverse economic conditions;

·      and limit, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future.  This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

 

14




ITEM 1B.       UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

N/A

ITEM 2.          PROPERTIES

We conduct our operations through 32 primary facilities, nine of which are owned as of December 31, 2006. We believe we have sufficient capacity in the majority of our facilities to support the projected growth in our business for the next five years.

We manufacture respiratory, head and face and hearing products in Cranston, Rhode Island. In this facility, we have implemented lean manufacturing and Six Sigma process improvements and continue to invest in automated equipment. The Cranston facility also serves as a distribution center for the general safety and preparedness segment in the U.S.

We manufacture head and face protection in a leased facility in Concordville, Pennsylvania. We are in the process of transferring these operations to our other existing facilities.

We manufacture fireboots and other protective footwear in our Rock Island, Illinois and Nashua, New Hampshire facilities. Our 110,000 square foot distribution center for protective footwear products is located in Davenport, Iowa, approximately five miles from the Rock Island, Illinois manufacturing plants, facilitating timely delivery of customer orders.

We assemble our first aid and various other products at our Mexicali, Mexico facility, utilizing lower cost labor. Products manufactured in Mexicali are distributed through our Reno, Nevada warehouse and our Cranston, Rhode Island distribution facility.

We operate hand protection facilities for the general safety and preparedness market. Our Maiden, North Carolina facility manufactures knitted and coated hand protection products, while butyl and dry-box hand protection lines are manufactured at our Clover, South Carolina facility. In addition, our Clover, South Carolina facility has the ability to produce nuclear, biological and chemical resistant gloves, utilizing a highly technical manufacturing process.

In our Etobicoke, Canada facility, we manufacture our fall protection product line. In our Rawdon, Canada and Montreal, Canada facilities, we produce numerous general safety and preparedness products, including eye, ear and head protection. Canadian distribution is coordinated through our Montreal, Canada facility and an additional facility in Edmonton, Canada.

In our Middelburg facility, we manufacture fall, eye and head and face protection products.

In Eichenzell, Germany, we manufacture and distribute a variety of liquid-proof and cut-resistant gloves in a owned facility.

We manufacture bunker gear in a leased facility in Dayton, Ohio.  We have installed Gerber material cutters and a sophisticated Gerber mover, which automated the handling of bunker gear materials and improved the productivity of the division.  In addition, we manufacturer gloves and other accessories in our Ohatchee, Alabama facility.

Linemen gloves are manufactured at two plants in Charleston, South Carolina. Linemen sleeves are currently manufactured in our Addison, Illinois and Ravenna, Ohio facility. We are in the process of closing the Addison, Illinois and Ravenna, Ohio facilities and moving manufacturing to existing facilities. Other products serving the electrical safety market, including linemen equipment, are manufactured at our Chicago, Illinois and Spokane, Washington facilities. We are in the process of closing our Spokane, Washington facility and moving operations to existing facilities.

Due to the nature of product use, quality systems are of paramount importance. The vast majority of our U.S. plants are, or will become shortly, certified to the ISO 9000:2000 standard.

15




The following table sets forth a list of our primary facilities:

Facility

 

Products

 

Locations

 

Approx.
Sq. Ft.

 

Owned/
Leased

 

General Safety and
Preparedness:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Footwear (1)

 

Rock Island, IL

 

340,000

 

Leased

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse

 

Various

 

Cranston, RI

 

240,000

 

Leased

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse

 

Various

 

Montreal, Canada

 

128,000

 

Leased

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse

 

Hand Protection

 

Eichenzell, Germany

 

115,000

 

Owned

 

Warehouse

 

Footwear

 

Davenport, IA

 

110,000

 

Leased

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse (2)

 

Head and Face Protection

 

Concordville, PA

 

100,000

 

Leased

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse

 

Various

 

Middleburg, Holland

 

72,000

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Hand Protection

 

Clover, SC

 

63,000

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Various

 

Mexicali, Mexico

 

57,000

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Hand Protection

 

Maiden, NC

 

51,000

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Footwear

 

Rock Island, IL

 

45,000

 

Leased

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse

 

Various

 

New Germany, South Africa

 

43,000

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Footwear

 

Nashua, NH

 

38,000

 

Leased

 

Offices and warehouse

 

Various

 

Edmonton, Canada

 

37,000

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Hearing, Head Protection

 

Rawdon, Canada

 

30,000

 

Owned

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse

 

Respiratory

 

Venlo, Holland

 

30,000

 

Leased

 

Warehouse

 

Various

 

Houston, TX

 

28,000

 

Leased

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse

 

Fall Production

 

Etobicoke, Canada

 

28,000

 

Leased

 

Warehouse

 

Various

 

Reno, NV

 

24,000

 

Leased

 

Offices and warehouse

 

Various

 

Islando, South Africa

 

23,000

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Hand Protection

 

Ostrava, Czech Republic

 

20,000

 

Owned

 

Fire Service:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offices, manufacturing facility, laboratory and warehouse

 

Various

 

Dayton, OH

 

56,000

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Various

 

Ohatchee, AL

 

36,000

 

Leased

 

Electrical Safety:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offices, manufacturing facility & laboratory

 

Linemen Gloves

 

Charleston, SC

 

106,000

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Linemen Equipment

 

Chicago, IL

 

92,000

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing facility(2)

 

Linemen Sleeves

 

Ravenna, OH

 

47,000

 

Owned

 

Offices, manufacturing facility and warehouse

 

Linemen Equipment

 

Skokie, IL

 

44,000

 

Leased

 

Warehouse

 

Linemen Gloves

 

Charleston, SC

 

44,000

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing facility

 

Linemen Sleeves

 

Charleston, SC

 

43,000

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing facility(2)

 

Linemen Sleeves

 

Addison, IL

 

26,000

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing facility(2)

 

Linemen Equipment

 

Spokane, WA

 

16,000

 

Leased

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Suite

 

Not Applicable

 

Oak Brook, IL

 

6,100

 

Leased

 

 


(1)   Also produces fireboots for the fire service segment and dielectric footwear for the electrical safety segment.

16




(2)   In process of transferring operations to other existing facilities.

ITEM 3.          LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to various claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Most of these lawsuits and claims are product liability matters that arise out of the use of respiratory product lines manufactured by our North Safety Products subsidiary. As of December 31, 2006, our North Safety Products subsidiary, along with its predecessors and/or the former owners of such business were named as defendants in approximately 632 lawsuits involving respirators allegedly manufactured and sold by it or its predecessors. We are also monitoring an additional 12 lawsuits in which we feel that North Safety Products, its predecessors and /or the former owners of such businesses may be named as defendants. Collectively, these 644 lawsuits represent approximately 8,746 (excluding spousal claims) plaintiffs. Approximately 85% of these lawsuits involve plaintiffs alleging injury resulting from exposure to silica dust, with the remainder alleging injury from exposure to other particles, including asbestos. These lawsuits typically allege that the purported injuries resulted in part from respirators that were negligently designed and/or manufactured. The defendants in these lawsuits are often numerous, and include, in addition to respirator manufacturers, employers of the plaintiffs and manufacturers of sand (used in sand blasting) and asbestos. We acquired our North Safety Products subsidiary on October 2, 1998 from Siebe plc. In connection with the acquisition, Siebe, which was subsequently merged with BTR plc (now known as “Invensys plc”), contractually agreed to indemnify us for any losses, including costs of defending claims, resulting from respiratory products manufactured or sold prior to our acquisition of North Safety Products in October 1998.

In addition, our North Safety Products subsidiary is contractually entitled to indemnification from Norton Company, an affiliate of Saint-Gobain, which owned the North Safety Products business prior to Invensys. Pursuant to a December 14, 1982 asset purchase agreement, Siebe Norton, Inc., a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Norton Company, acquired the assets of Norton’s Safety Products Division and the stock of this company was in turn acquired by Siebe Gorman Holdings PLC. Under the terms of the agreement, Siebe Norton, Inc. did not assume any liability for claims relating to products shipped by Norton Company prior to the closing date. Moreover, Norton Company covenanted in the agreement to indemnify Siebe Norton, Inc. and its successors and assigns against any liability resulting from or arising out of any state of facts, omissions or events existing or occurring on or before the closing date, including, without limitation, any claims arising from products shipped by Norton Company or any of its affiliates prior to the closing date.  Siebe Norton, Inc., whose name was subsequently changed to Siebe North Inc., was subsequently acquired by us as part of the 1998 acquisition of the North Safety Products business from Invensys.

Despite these indemnification arrangements, we could potentially be liable for losses or claims relating to products manufactured prior to the October 1998 acquisition date if Invensys fails to meet its obligations to indemnify us and we could potentially be liable for losses and claims relating to products sold prior to January 10, 1983 if both Invensys and Norton fail to meet their obligations to indemnify us. We could also be liable if the alleged exposure involved the use of a product manufactured by us after our October 1998 acquisition of the North Safety Products business.

Effective July 1, 2006, we entered into a joint defense agreement through December 31, 2008 with the former owners of the North Safety Products business (the “Joint Defense Agreement” or “JDA”).  Under the terms of the Joint Defense Agreement, we agreed to pay a weighted average percentage of defense costs (including legal fees, expert witnesses and out of pocket expenses) associated with defending ourselves and the prior owners of the North Safety Products business subject to a cap of $525,000, $960,000 and $1.0 million for the period from July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006, the year ended December 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.  The cap excludes settlement costs and other costs incurred exclusively by us (including trial costs and special requests of counsel), which we will be required to pay under the JDA.  Separately, we agreed to pay Invensys $200,000 related to settled cases through June 30, 2006 in which Invensys claims that the period of alleged exposure included periods after October 1998.

Although the JDA expires on December 31, 2008, we expect to incur additional defense and settlement costs beyond this date. We will consider our alternatives for defending the claims as the JDA nears expiration and determine the appropriate course of action, which would include an extension of the JDA.

17




Based upon information provided to the Company by Invensys, the Company believes activity related to these lawsuits was as follows for the periods indicated:

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

Plaintiffs

 

Cases

 

Plaintiffs

 

Cases

 

Plaintiffs

 

Cases

 

Beginning lawsuits

 

24,002

 

680

 

25,944

 

858

 

18,459

 

1,148

 

New lawsuits

 

4,658

 

372

 

2,226

 

587

 

653

 

498

 

Settlements

 

(546

)

(46

)

24

 

(32

)

(5

)

(5

)

Dismissals and other

 

(2,170

)

(148

)

(9,735

)

(265

)

(10,361

)

(997

)

Ending lawsuits

 

25,944

 

858

 

18,459

 

1,148

 

8,746

 

644

 

 

Both the rate of new filings and the number of existing claimants have declined dramatically since 2003 as courts and legislatures have tightened the rules on when and where the silica claims can be pursued in an effort to reduce the large number of unmeritorious claims.  The new rules make bringing silica cases on a mass level much less attractive to the plaintiffs’ bar.  Plaintiffs’ attorneys in many jurisdictions can no longer (1) find a worker with some stated exposure to silica, (2) take a X-ray of his chest, (3) have it interpreted as demonstrating lung shadows by a radiologist, (4) then file a single lawsuit in a dangerous venue with hundreds of other plaintiffs against hundreds of defendants with the pleading containing little more than the parties’ names and some standard pleading language. More specifically, the legislatures of at least seven states — including former hotbeds of silica litigation such as Texas, Florida and Ohio — passed impairment-criteria legislation that redefined injury. These acts force plaintiffs to prove impairment as a result of their exposure to qualify for judicial treatment.  The same legislation requires that each silica claimant be tried individually, and not in the multiple plaintiff format in which the potential for large verdicts resulted from increased plaintiffs and where a few meritorious claims could increase the value of unmeritorious ones. Further tort reform in Texas created a state-wide multi-district litigation (“MDL”) wherein one judge presides over the pretrial of all Texas-silica cases. In Mississippi, the Supreme Court changed the venue rules making it much more difficult to file out-of-state plaintiffs there. The Mississippi court also changed the pleading requirements making the plaintiffs’ attorneys include plaintiff-specific allegations against each defendant sued, instead of the vague allegations against hundreds of defendants.

Plaintiffs have asserted specific dollar claims in approximately 28% of the approximately 632 cases pending as of December 31, 2006 in which North Safety Products, its predecessors and/or the former owners of such businesses have been named as defendants. A majority of jurisdictions prohibit specifying damages in tort cases such as these, and most of the remaining jurisdictions do not require such specification. In those cases in which plaintiffs choose to assert specific dollar amounts in their complaints, brought in states that permit such pleading, the amounts claimed are typically not meaningful as an indicator of a company’s potential liability. This is because (1) the amounts claimed typically bear no relation to the level of the plaintiff’s injury, (2) the complaints typically assert claims against numerous defendants, and (3) many cases are brought on behalf of plaintiffs who have not suffered any medical injury, and, ultimately, are resolved without any payment or payment of a small fraction of the damages initially claimed. Of the 632 complaints maintained in our records, 454 do not specify the amount of damages sought, 25 generally allege damages in excess of $50,000, one alleges compensatory damages in excess of $50,000 and an unspecified amount of punitive damages, 81 allege compensatory damages and punitive damages, each in excess of $25,000, two generally allege damages in excess of $100,000, four allege compensatory damages and punitive damages, each in excess of $50,000, 20 generally allege damages of $15.0 million, one generally alleges damages of $23.0 million, one alleges compensatory damages and punitive damages, each in excess of $10,000, four allege general damages of $18.0 million and punitive damages of $10.0 million, two allege general damages of $13.0 million and punitive damages $10.0 million, one alleges compensatory and punitive damages, each in excess of $15,000, one alleges punitive damages in excess of $25,000, one alleges punitive damages in excess of $50,000, nine generally allege damages in excess of $15,000, 12 generally allege damages in excess of $25,000, one alleges compensatory damages of $18.0 million and punitive damages of $10.0 million, one alleges punitive damages of $13.5 million and compensatory damages of $10.0 million, one alleges punitive damages of $13.0 million and compensatory damages of $10.0 million, seven allege compensatory damages of $13.0 million and punitive damages of $10.0 million, one alleges compensatory and punitive damages, each of $15,000, and two allege compensatory and punitive damages, each in excess of $15.0 million. We currently do not have access to the complaints with respect to the previously mentioned additional 12 monitored cases, and therefore do not know whether these cases allege specific damages, and if so, the amount of such damages, but are in the process of seeking to obtain such information. Due to the reasons noted above and to the indemnification arrangements

18




benefiting us, we do not believe that the damage amounts specified in these complaints are a meaningful factor in any assessment of our potential liability.

Bankruptcy filings of companies with asbestos and silica-related litigation could increase our cost over time. If we were found liable in these cases and either Invensys or Norton Company failed to meet its indemnification obligations to us or the suit involved products manufactured by us after our October 1998 acquisition of North Safety Products, it would have a material adverse effect on our business.

The Predecessor recorded a $1.25 million reserve for respiratory claims during the year ended December 31, 2004.  The Predecessor reevaluated this reserve in its first and second quarter 2005 financial statements and concluded the $1.25 million recorded reserve continued to be its best estimate of the probable loss for the respiratory contingency.

In the July 2005 acquisition purchase accounting (as first reported in the Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2005), we carried forward the $1.25 million liability for this pre-acquisition contingency.  Although management concluded that it was likely their estimate of this pre-acquisition contingent liability would be increased during the purchase accounting allocation period as the new ownership finalized their strategy for addressing the liability and gathered information (primarily related to case information and the working relationship among the prior owners of North), it was unlikely the amount would be lower than the amount recorded by the Predecessor.  Thus, the $1.25 million amount represented the low end of a probable loss range, subject to further adjustment during the allocation period.

In December 2005, we began negotiations with the former owners of the North business to enter into the JDA. We determined that the liability should be increased to $5.0 million as of December 31, 2005 as part of the purchase price allocation process.  The $5.0 million reserve as of December 31, 2005 represented management’s best estimate of the liability based on the current status of negotiations. As of December 31, 2005, the estimate was still preliminary as we were awaiting finalization of the JDA negotiation process.

As discussed above, we entered into the JDA effective July 1, 2006 and completed our evaluation of the reserve.  After all information was obtained, we adjusted the reserve to $7.0 million as part of the purchase price allocation process during the permitted “allocation period”.  As of December 31, 2006, the reserve balance is $6.8 million.

The final estimated amount recorded in purchase accounting related entirely to losses incurred before the July 2005 acquisition. Our final estimate of the probable loss for the respiratory contingency incorporated the new ownerships’ decision to enter into the JDA.  The decision represented a significantly different plan as new ownership agreed to assume losses related to claims with unknown years of exposure.  In addition, the decision to enter the JDA was being considered from the date of the acquisition and the ultimate decision was made during the allocation period.

We believe that this reserve represents a reasonable estimate of our probable and estimable liabilities for product claims alleging injury resulting from exposure to silica dust and other particles, including asbestos. We believe that a five-year projection of claims and related defense costs is the most reasonable approach. This reserve will be re-evaluated periodically and additional charges or credits will be recorded to operating expenses as additional information becomes available.

It is possible that we may incur liabilities in an amount in excess of amounts currently reserved. However, taking into account currently available information, historical experience, and our indemnification from Invensys, but recognizing the inherent uncertainties in the projection of any future events, we believe that these suits or claims should not result in final judgments or settlements in excess of our reserve.

In connection with an ongoing dispute, one of our competitors has filed a complaint against us alleging that we have made a series of misrepresentations concerning this competitor and its products. The complaint seeks a retraction of all statements alleged to have been made by us and unspecified damages, including legal fees. A bench trial on the issue of liability was held in February 2006 and the matter is now awaiting ruling by the court. We intend to vigorously defend against these claims.

19




We are not otherwise involved in any material lawsuits. We historically have not been required to pay any material liability claims. We maintain insurance against product liability claims (with the exception of asbestosis and silicosis cases, for which coverage is not commercially available), but it is possible that insurance coverage will not continue to be available on terms acceptable to us or that such coverage will not be adequate for liabilities actually incurred.

We are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. In our opinion, the outcome of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 4.          SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

20




PART II

ITEM 5.                          MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

There is no public trading market for our units. As of December 31, 2006, there was one holder of record of our units.

The Company makes cash payments to its parent and sole holder of units, Safety Products, on a periodic basis to fund certain operating expenses. These payments are subject to limitations set forth in the Company’s senior credit facility and the indenture governing the Company’s senior subordinated notes. In 2005, prior to the Norcross Transaction, the Company made payments to NSP Holdings of $0.6 million.  In 2005, after the Norcross Transaction, and in 2006, the Company made payments to Safety Products of $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

There were no repurchases made of the Company’s equity securities during the fourth quarter.

 

 

21




ITEM 6.          SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents selected historical consolidated statements of operations, balance sheet and other data for the periods presented and should only be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. In the following table, Norcross, following the Norcross Transaction, is referred to as the “Successor” and Norcross, prior to the Norcross Transaction, is referred to as the “Predecessor.”  The historical financial data for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006 have been derived from our historical audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The historical financial data for the two years ended December 31, 2003 have been derived from our historical consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this Form 10-K.

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 


Year Ended December 31,

 

January 1,
 2005
through
July 19,

 

July 20,
2005
 through
December 31,

 

Year
Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Statement of Operations
Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

322,173

 

$

370,802

 

$

438,499

 

$

271,694

 

$

209,396

 

$

558,065

 

Cost of goods sold

 

205,655

 

240,408

 

281,924

 

171,645

 

139,978

 

352,340

 

Gross profit

 

116,518

 

130,394

 

156,575

 

100,049

 

69,418

 

205,725

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

29,104

 

35,155

 

40,120

 

25,512

 

19,154

 

51,908

 

Distribution

 

15,177

 

18,550

 

22,452

 

14,634

 

11,385

 

32,688

 

General and administrative

 

30,504

 

33,254

 

41,203

 

38,250

 

19,833

 

47,432

 

Amortization of goodwill and
other intangibles

 

3,239

 

2,583

 

517

 

329

 

7,216

 

11,508

 

Zimbabwe subsidiary impairment charge

 

2,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strategic alternatives

 

 

 

616

 

 

 

 

Restructuring and merger-
related charges

 

9,269

 

 

 

 

 

1,539

 

Total operating expenses

 

90,078

 

89,542

 

104,908

 

78,725

 

57,588

 

145,075

 

Income from operations

 

26,440

 

40,852

 

51,667

 

21,324

 

11,830

 

60,650

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

23,292

 

33,372

 

22,437

 

13,126

 

9,499

 

27,225

 

Interest income

 

(122

)

(117

)

(213

)

(464

)

(156

)

(621

)

Other, net

 

(329

)

(1,002

)

1,159

 

745

 

(9

)

(1,026

)

Income before income taxes and minority interest

 

3,599

 

8,599

 

28,284

 

7,917

 

2,496

 

35,072

 

Income tax expense

 

7,795

 

1,685

 

2,972

 

3,519

 

1,462

 

13,188

 

Minority interest

 

 

(3

)

25

 

13

 

(2

)

23

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(4,196

)

$

6,917

 

$

25,287

 

$

4,385

 

$

1,036

 

$

21,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Financial Data and
Ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

18,617

 

$

12,749

 

$

12,371

 

$

6,506

 

$

12,361

 

$

25,835

 

Capital expenditures

 

7,197

 

7,432

 

6,423

 

4,250

 

5,037

 

11,573

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

24,012

 

22,681

 

30,258

 

20,231

 

26,423

 

36,004

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(19,165

)

(34,719

)

(6,837

)

(4,903

)

(278,762

)

(42,818

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(6,164

)

21,535

 

(8,168

)

(14,190

)

264,607

 

12,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data (at period
end):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,762

 

$

16,341

 

$

35,731

 

 

 

$

20,683

 

$

26,096

 

Working capital(1)

 

25,101

 

104,951

 

121,423

 

 

 

130,149

 

143,767

 

Total assets

 

314,071

 

378,689

 

388,483

 

 

 

682,062

 

733,952

 

Long-term obligations

 

217,337

 

257,192

 

253,566

 

 

 

312,399

 

326,496

 

Total member’s equity

 

29,521

 

48,694

 

59,402

 

 

 

223,363

 

254,792

 


(1)    Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities.

22




ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Some of the statements set forth below include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Overview

We are a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded products in the fragmented personal protection equipment industry. We manufacture and market a full line of personal protection equipment for workers in the general safety and preparedness, fire service and electrical safety industries. We sell our products under trusted, long-standing and well-recognized brand names, including North, KCL, Fibre-Metal, NEOS, Morning Pride, Ranger, Servus, Pro-Warrington, American Firewear, Salisbury and Safety Line. Our broad product offering includes, among other things, respiratory protection, protective footwear, hand protection, bunker gear and linemen equipment.

We classify our diverse product offerings into three operating segments:

General Safety and Preparedness. We offer a diverse portfolio of leading products for a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, construction, food processing and pharmaceutical industries and the military, under the North, KCL, Fibre-Metal, NEOS, Ranger and Servus brand names. Our product offering is one of the broadest in the personal protection equipment industry and includes respiratory protection, protective footwear, hand protection, eye, head and face protection, first aid, hearing protection and fall protection. We sell our general safety and preparedness products primarily through industrial distributors.

Fire Service. We manufacture and market one of the broadest lines of personal protection equipment for the fire service market, offering firefighters head-to-toe protection. Our products include bunker gear, fireboots, helmets, gloves and other accessories. We market our products under our Total Fire Group umbrella, using the brand names of Morning Pride, Ranger, Servus, Pro-Warrington and American Firewear. We are the vendor of choice for many of the largest fire departments in North America. We sell our fire service products primarily through specialized fire service distributors.

Electrical Safety. We manufacture and market a broad line of personal protection equipment for the utility market under the Salisbury, Safety Line and Servus brands. Our products, including linemen equipment, gloves, sleeves and footwear, are designed to protect workers from up to 36,000 volts of electricity. We distribute our electrical safety products through specialized distributors, test labs, utilities and electrical contractors.

Predecessor and Successor

In May 2005, Safety Products entered into a purchase and sale agreement with NSP Holdings and Norcross to purchase from NSP Holdings all of the outstanding equity interests of Norcross and NSP Capital for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $481.0 million, which included the assumption or repayment of indebtedness but excluded payment of fees and expenses. The acquisition closed on July 19, 2005 and was funded with proceeds to Safety Products from the issuance and sale of senior pay in kind notes as well as an equity investment from affiliates of Odyssey and General Electric Pension Trust (“GEPT”) and certain members of management of Norcross. Concurrently with the acquisition, Norcross entered into a new senior credit facility, consisting of a revolving credit facility that provides for up to $50.0 million of borrowings and an $88.0 million term loan. As a result of the acquisition, Safety Products became the sole unit holder of Norcross. Norcross, following the Norcross Transaction, is referred to as the “Successor.” Norcross, prior to the Norcross Transaction, is referred to as the “Predecessor.”

In accordance with GAAP, our historical financial results for the Predecessor and the Successor are presented separately. The separate presentation is required under GAAP in situations when there is a change in accounting basis, which occurred when purchase accounting was applied to the Norcross Transaction. Purchase accounting requires that the historical carrying value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed be adjusted to fair value, which may yield results that are not comparable on a period-to-period basis due to the different, and sometimes higher, cost basis associated with the allocation of the purchase price. There have been no material changes to the operations or customer relationships of our business as a result of the Norcross Transaction.

23




In evaluating our results of operations and financial performance, our management has used combined results for the year ended December 31, 2005 as a single measurement period. Due to the Norcross Transaction, we believe that comparisons between the year ended December 31, 2004 or 2006 and either the Predecessor’s results for the period from January 1, 2005 to July 19, 2005 or the Successor’s results for the period from July 20, 2005 to December 31, 2005 may impede the ability of users of our financial information to understand our operating and cash flow performance.

Consequently, in order to enhance an analysis of our operating results and cash flows, we have presented our operating results and cash flows on a combined basis for the year ended December 31, 2005. This combined presentation for the year ended December 31, 2005 simply represents the mathematical addition of the pre-acquisition results of operations of the Predecessor for the period from January 1, 2005 to July 19, 2005 and the results of operations of the Successor for the period from July 20, 2005 to December 31, 2005. We believe the combined presentation provides relevant information for investors. These combined results, however, are not intended to represent what our operating results would have been had the Norcross Transaction occurred at the beginning of the period. A reconciliation showing the mathematical combination of our operating results for such periods is included below under “—Results of Operations.”

Acquisition History

We made four acquisitions during the three year period ended December 31, 2006. As a result, comparability of periods has been affected by these acquisitions.

In November 2005, Norcross completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Fibre-Metal. The purchase price of $68.7 million (including $0.7 million of acquisition costs) was financed through $65.0 million of additional term borrowings under the senior credit facility and cash on the balance sheet.

In February 2006, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of American Firewear.  The purchase price consisted of $4.5 million in cash (including acquisition costs of $0.2 million and net of cash acquired of $0.2 million) and a $1.0 million subordinated seller note.  In addition, the purchase price may be increased by $0.8 million over the next four years based on American Firewear achieving certain financial and operating objectives.  We financed the acquisition through cash on the balance sheet and the issuance of the $1.0 million subordinated seller note.

In June 2006, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of White Rubber. The purchase price of $22.2 million (including $0.6 million of acquisition costs and gross of outstanding checks of $0.8 million) was financed through $15.0 million of additional term borrowings under the senior credit facility and cash on the balance sheet.

In September 2006, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of NEOS.  The purchase price consisted of $3.6 million in cash (including acquisition costs of $0.1 million and net of cash acquired) and a $0.8 million subordinated seller note.  In addition, the purchase price may be increased over the next five years based on NEOS achieving certain net sales targets.  We financed the acquisition through cash on the balance sheet and the issuance of the $0.8 million subordinated seller note.

Restructuring Plans

In conjunction with the Fibre-Metal Transaction, we initiated a restructuring plan to close the Fibre-Metal manufacturing facility located in Concordville, Pennsylvania and move production to our Cranston, Rhode Island and Mexicali, Mexico facilities. In addition, we closed certain Fibre-Metal distribution centers and integrated Fibre-Metal distribution into our existing distribution facilities. We initiated this plan in order to increase profitability through the utilization of excess capacity at our existing plants and the movement of manufacturing to locations with favorable labor costs. As of the date of the Fibre-Metal Transaction, we recorded an accrual for costs associated with the plan of $1.7 million, comprised of $1.4 million in severance costs and $0.3 million in facility closure and other exit costs.

In conjunction with the White Rubber Transaction, the Company initiated a restructuring plan to move certain production and distribution functions located in Ohio and Washington to its Charleston, South Carolina, Skokie, Illinois and Chicago, Illinois facilities.  The Company initiated this plan in order to increase profitability by utilizing excess capacity and consolidating distribution functions.  As of the date of the White Rubber Transaction, the Company recorded an accrual for severance costs associated with the plan of $1.0 million.

24




Critical Accounting Policies

Certain of our accounting policies as discussed below require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate estimates and assumptions for calculating amounts to record in our financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions, impacting our reported results of operations and financial position. However, we do not believe the differences between the actual amounts and our estimates will be material to our financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Certain accounting policies, however, are considered to be critical in that they are most important to the depiction of our financial condition and results of operations and their application requires management’s most subjective judgment in making estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We evaluate the collectibility of our trade receivables based on a combination of factors. We regularly analyze our significant customer accounts and, when we become aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific reserve for bad debts to reduce the related receivable to the amount we reasonably believe is collectible. We also record allowances for all other customers based on a variety of factors including the length of time the receivables are past due, the financial health of the customer, macroeconomic considerations and historical experience. Historically, our allowance for doubtful accounts has been adequate to cover our bad debts. If circumstances related to specific customers change, our estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted. However, due to our diverse customer base and lack of credit concentration, we do not believe our estimates would be materially impacted by changes in our assumptions.

Inventory. We perform a detailed assessment of inventory which includes a review of, among other factors, demand requirements, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing and quality issues. Based on this analysis, we record adjustments to inventory for excess, obsolescence or impairment when appropriate to reflect inventory at net realizable value. Historically, our inventory reserves have been adequate to reflect our inventory at net realizable values. Revisions to our inventory adjustments to record additional reserves may be required if actual demand, component costs or product life cycles differ from our estimates. However, due to our diverse product lines and end-user markets, we do not believe our estimates would be materially impacted by changes in our assumptions.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles.  Purchase accounting requires extensive use of accounting estimates and judgments to allocate the purchase price to the fair market value of the assets purchased and liabilities assumed. We have accounted for our acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting.

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we performed a goodwill impairment test during our fiscal year fourth quarter. In conducting our impairment analysis, we utilized the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) approach that estimates the projected future cash flows to be generated by the business (including an estimate of terminal cash flows), discounted to present value at our estimated cost of capital. An absolute 1% increase or decrease in cash flow projections would produce an average 0.9% increase or 0.9% decrease, respectively, in the overall value of our reporting segments. An absolute 1% increase or decrease in the terminal cash flow growth rate would produce an average 9.8% increase or 7.6% decrease, respectively, in the overall value of our reporting segments. An absolute 1% decrease or increase in the discount rate would produce an average 12.7% increase or 9.9% decrease, respectively, in the overall value of our reporting segments.

Based on the results of the first step of the annual goodwill impairment test, we determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts and, therefore, no goodwill impairment existed. As a result, the second step of the annual goodwill impairment test was not required to be completed. We cannot predict the occurrence of certain future events that might adversely affect the reported value of goodwill as of December 31, 2006. Such events include, but are not limited to, strategic decisions made in response to economic and competitive conditions, the impact of the economic environment on our customer base, or a material negative change in our relationships with significant customers. We will continue to perform a goodwill impairment test on an annual basis and on an interim basis, if certain conditions exist.

We also performed an impairment test related to our indefinite life brand names during the fourth quarter using a relief from royalty method. This method is a specific discounted cash flow approach to analyze cash flows attributable to the brand names based on projected revenues associated with each brand name and an estimated

25




royalty rate. This method is based on the assumption that, in lieu of ownership, a firm would be willing to pay a royalty in order to exploit the related benefits of the trade name and that the inherent economic value of each trade name is directly related to the cash flows (royalties saved) in the future. We did not combine our brand names into a single “unit of accounting” with the exception of our footwear brands in our general safety and preparedness segment. An absolute 1% increase or decease, in the revenue base would produce an 1.0% increase or 1.0% decrease, respectively, across the portfolio of brand names. An 1% increase or decease, in the royalty rates would produce an 1.0% increase or 1.0% decrease, respectively, across the portfolio of brand names. An absolute 1% decrease or increase in the discount rate would produce an average 12.1% increase or 9.7% decrease, respectively, across the portfolio of brand names.

Based on the results of our annual indefinite life brand name impairment test, we determined that the fair value of each of the brand names exceeded their carrying amounts and, therefore, no impairment existed. The Company cannot predict the occurrence of certain future events that might adversely affect the reported value of its indefinite life brand names as of December 31, 2006. Such events include, but are not limited to, strategic decisions made in response to economic and competitive conditions, the impact of the economic environment on our customer base, or a material negative change in our relationships with significant customers. We will continue to perform an indefinite life brand name impairment test on an annual basis and on an interim basis, if certain conditions exist.

Long-Lived Assets. We evaluate our long-lived assets on an ongoing basis. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the related asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the asset is determined to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. Our estimates of future cash flows could be impacted if we underperform relative to historical or projected future operating results. However, due to our diverse product lines and end-user markets, we do not believe our estimates would be materially impacted by changes in our assumptions.

Defined  Benefit Pension Plans. The costs and obligations of our defined benefit pension plans are dependent on actuarial assumptions.  Three critical assumptions used, which impact the net periodic pension expense and two of which impact the benefit obligation, are the discount rate, expected return on plan assets and rate of compensation increase.

In regards to selecting a discount rate assumption, we routinely select a discount rate based on a variety of factors including high quality market indices (such as Moody’s AA corporate bond rate index and the Citigroup corporate pension discount rate index) and fixed-income debt instruments based on the expected duration of the benefit payments for our pension plans.  For 2005, as a result of the Norcross Transaction, we reflected purchase accounting as of July 20, 2005.  The re-measurement of our obligations as of the purchase date necessitated the selection of a new discount rate.  Because of the prevailing change in corporate bond rates from December 31, 2004 through mid-July 2005, and following the process described above, we decided on a change in discount rate from 5.75% to 5.25%.  Similarly, for the 2005 and 2006 fiscal year-end disclosures, we decided on a change in discount rate from 5.25% (as of the Norcross Transaction date) to 5.50% and from 5.50% to 5.90%, respectively.

The long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is reviewed annually.  We use an investment model to determine an expected rate of return based on current investment allocation.  The investment model considers past performance and forward looking assumptions for each asset class based on current market indices, key economic indicators and assumed long-term rate of inflation.  The long-term rate of return assumption is adjusted, as needed, such that it falls between the 25th and 75th percentile expected return generated from the model.

The rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for expected increases to salaries.  These key assumptions are evaluated annually. We froze our U.S. defined benefit plans during the year ended December 31, 2006, and therefore assumptions related to rate of compensation increase no longer impact our obligation.

Changes in these assumptions can result in different expense and liability amounts. The effects of the indicated increase and decrease in selected assumptions for our pension plans as of December 31, 2006 assuming no changes in benefit levels and no amortization of gains or losses, is shown below (in thousands):

26




 

 

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

Increase

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

(Decrease)

 

in Pension

 

 

 

in PBO

 

Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Discount rate change:

 

 

 

 

 

Increase 100 basis points

 

$

(7,236

)

$

(554

)

Decrease 100 basis points

 

8,824

 

(187

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Expected rate of return change:

 

 

 

 

 

Increase 100 basis points

 

N/A

 

(501

)

Decrease 100 basis points

 

N/A

 

501

 

 

Respiratory Liability.  As of December 31, 2006, our North Safety Products subsidiary, along with its predecessors and/or the former owners of such business were named as defendants in approximately 632 lawsuits involving respirators allegedly manufactured and sold by it or its predecessors. We are also monitoring an additional 12 lawsuits in which we believe that North Safety Products, its predecessors and /or the former owners of such businesses may be named as defendants.

We have recorded a $6.8 million reserve associated with the lawsuit as of December 31, 2006.  This reserve will be re-evaluated periodically and additional charges or credits will be recorded to operating expenses as additional information becomes available.  The calculation of the reserve involved several key assumptions including the following:

·                  We have used a five-year projection of  claims to calculate the reserve.  We believe a five-year projection of claims and related defense and settlement costs was the most meaningful as we could not estimate future activity beyond a five year period due to the uncertainty of future events, including future legislation regarding tort reform.  Changes in the projection period could impact our estimate of the reserve.

·                  We have estimated future claim activity based on historical claim activity and expectations of future activity.  Our estimate did not assume enactment of proposed legislation regarding tort reform at the federal or state level.  Changes in legislation could impact our estimate of future claim activity.

·                  We have estimated our share of defense costs under the JDA based on the historical defense costs paid to our legal counsel and the historical portion of claims that allege use during the post-October 1998 exposure period.  These estimates could change as more information regarding case specifics becomes available.

·                  We have estimated our share of settlement costs based on historical settlement amounts and the historical portion of claims that allege use during the post-October 1998 exposure period.  These estimates could change as more information regarding case specifics becomes available.

·                  We have estimated our share of future defense costs beyond the expiration of the JDA consistent with the current JDA.  These estimates could change if the manner in which we handle the defense of cases beyond December 31, 2008 is not consistent with the current JDA.

Other Contingencies. In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in legal proceedings involving

27




contractual and employment relationships, product liability claims, trademark rights and a variety of other matters. We record contingent liabilities resulting from claims against us when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. We disclose contingent liabilities when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded liability. Estimating probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, in some cases including judgments about the potential actions of third-party claimants and courts. Therefore, actual losses in any future period are inherently uncertain. Currently, we do not believe that any of our pending legal proceedings or claims will have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. However, if actual or estimated probable future losses exceed our recorded liability for such claims, we would record additional charges as other operating expense during the period in which the actual loss or change in estimate occurred.

28




Results of Operations

The following tables set forth our results of operations in dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005, and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The data for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005 and the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005, and the year ended December 31, 2006 have been derived from our audited historical consolidated financial statements. Although the Predecessor and Successor results are not comparable by definition in certain respects due to the Norcross Transaction and the resulting revaluation, the 2005 information is presented on a combined basis for comparative purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Predecessor (January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005) and Successor (July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005) results of operations are combined.

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year ended
December 31,

 

January 1,
 2005
through
July 19,

 

July 20,
2005
through
December 31,

 

Combined
Year ended
December 31,

 

Year ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2005

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General safety and preparedness

 

$

308,576

 

$

186,434

 

$

146,103

 

$

332,537

 

$

391,321

 

Fire service

 

78,881

 

51,702

 

36,213

 

87,915

 

87,902

 

Electrical safety

 

51,042

 

33,558

 

27,080

 

60,638

 

78,842

 

Total net sales

 

438,499

 

271,694

 

209,396

 

481,090

 

558,065

 

Cost of goods sold

 

281,924

 

171,645

 

139,978

 

311,623

 

352,340

 

Gross profit

 

156,575

 

100,049

 

69,418

 

169,467

 

205,725

 

Operating expenses

 

104,908

 

78,725

 

57,588

 

136,313

 

145,075

 

Income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General safety and preparedness

 

31,112

 

19,937

 

7,667

 

27,604

 

46,099

 

Fire service

 

14,972

 

9,332

 

2,574

 

11,906

 

8,364

 

Electrical safety

 

11,148

 

8,442

 

4,352

 

12,794

 

14,853

 

Corporate

 

(5,565

)

(16,387

)

(2,763

)

(19,150

)

(8,666

)

Total income from operations

 

51,667

 

21,324

 

11,830

 

33,154

 

60,650

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

22,437

 

13,126

 

9,499

 

22,625

 

27,225

 

Interest income

 

(213

)

(464

)

(156

)

(620

)

(621

)

Other, net

 

1,159

 

745

 

(9

)

736

 

(1,026

)

Income before income taxes and minority interest

 

28,284

 

7,917

 

2,496

 

10,413

 

35,072

 

Income tax expense

 

2,972

 

3,519

 

1,462

 

4,981

 

13,188

 

Minority interest

 

25

 

13

 

(2

)

11

 

23

 

Net income

 

$

25,287

 

$

4,385

 

$

1,036

 

$

5,421

 

$

21,861

 

 

29




 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year ended
December 31,

 

January 1,
2005
through
July 19,

 

July 20,
2005
through
December 31,

 

Combined
Year ended
December 31,

 


Year ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2005

 

2005

 

2006

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General safety and preparedness

 

70.4

%

68.6

%

69.8

%

69.1

%

70.1

%

Fire service

 

18.0

%

19.0

%

17.3

%

18.3

%

15.8

%

Electrical safety

 

11.6

%

12.4

%

12.9

%

12.6

%

14.1

%

Total net sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of goods sold

 

64.3

%

63.2

%

66.8

%

64.8

%

63.1

%

Gross profit

 

35.7

%

36.8

%

33.2

%

35.2

%

36.9

%

Operating expenses

 

23.9

%

29.0

%

27.6

%

28.3

%

26.0

%

Income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General safety and preparedness

 

7.1

%

7.3

%

3.6

%

5.7

%

8.3

%

Fire service

 

3.4

%

3.4

%

1.2

%

2.5

%

1.5

%

Electrical safety

 

2.5

%

3.1

%

2.1

%

2.7

%

2.7

%

Corporate

 

(1.2

)%

(6.0

)%

(1.3

)%

(4.0

)%

(1.6

)%

Total income from operations

 

11.8

%

7.8

%

5.6

%

6.9

%

10.9

%

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

5.1

%

4.8

%

4.5

%

4.7

%

4.9

%

Interest income

 

(0.0

)%

(0.2

)%

(0.1

)%

(0.1

)%

(0.1

)%

Other, net

 

0.3

%

0.3

%

(0.0

)%

0.2

%

(0.2

)%

Income before income taxes and minority interest

 

6.4

%

2.9

%

1.2

%

2.1

%

6.3

%

Income tax expense

 

0.7

%

1.3

%

0.7

%

1.0

%

2.4

%

Minority interest

 

0.0

%

0.0

%

(0.0

)%

0.0

%

0.0

%

Net income

 

5.7

%

1.6

%

0.5

%

1.1

%

3.9

%

 

30




Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to Combined Year Ended December 31, 2005

Net sales. Net sales increased by $77.0 million, or 16.0%, from $481.1 million in 2005 to $558.1 million in 2006. In our general safety and preparedness segment, net sales increased by $58.8 million, or 17.7%, from $332.5 million in 2005 to $391.3 million in 2006. The increase reflects a combination of the following: incremental combined Fibre-Metal and NEOS net sales of $36.1 million, combined organic growth in our European and South African operations of $13.8 million, overall organic growth in our North American non-government business of $11.3 million, favorable exchange rates, which had an impact of $4.7 million and a decrease in government contract shipments of $7.1 million.  In our fire service segment, net sales were consistent at $87.9 million in 2005 and 2006 as incremental American Firewear net sales of $6.4 million were offset by postponed customer orders due in part to the combined impact of government grant holdups and the delayed issuance of the new NFPA standard.  In our electrical safety segment, net sales increased by $18.2 million, or 30.0%, from $60.6 million in 2005 to $78.8 million in 2006 primarily driven by strong market demand, new product penetration and incremental White Rubber net sales of $9.0 million.

Gross profit. Gross profit increased by $36.2 million, or 21.4%, from $169.5 million in 2005 to $205.7 million in 2006, primarily due to the $77.0 million, or 16.0%, increase in net sales. Excluding the impact of inventory purchase accounting adjustments of $5.6 million in 2005 and $1.1 million in 2006 and LIFO charges of $0.2 million in 2005 and $0.9 million in 2006, gross profit increased by $32.4 million, or 18.5%. After adjusting for the inventory purchase accounting adjustments and LIFO charges, our gross profit margin of 37.2% in 2006 was favorable to the 36.4% gross profit margin in 2005. In our general safety and preparedness segment (after adjusting for charges related to purchase accounting and LIFO of $4.5 million in 2005 and $1.7 million in 2006), gross profit increased by $28.2 million, or 23.0%, from $122.7 million in 2005 to $150.9 million in 2006. This increase was primarily due to the overall net sales increase of $58.8 million, or 17.7%, and improved margin realization in our North American operations (in part due to the favorable contribution of Fibre-Metal).  In our fire service segment (after adjusting for charges related to purchase accounting of $1.3 million in 2005), gross profit decreased $2.4 million, or 8.4%, from $28.7 million in 2005 to $26.3 million in 2006 due to lower margin realization (in part due to the inherent lower margin of American Firewear products and product line integration costs). In our electrical safety segment (after adjusting for charges related to purchase accounting of $0.3 million in 2006), gross profit increased by $6.6 million, or 27.9%, from $23.9 million in 2005 to $30.5 million in 2006, primarily due to the $18.2 million, or 30.0%, increase in net sales, which was partially offset by lower margin realization in part due to the White Rubber plant integration.

Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased by $8.8 million, or 6.4%, from $136.3 million in 2005 to $145.1 million in 2006. In our general safety and preparedness segment, operating expenses increased by $12.5 million, or 13.8%, from $90.6 million in 2005 to $103.1 million in 2006, primarily due to higher amortization expense of $1.9 million associated with the intangible assets recorded as part of purchase accounting, incremental combined Fibre-Metal and NEOS operating expenses of $7.3 million, higher foreign exchange rates, which had an impact of $1.3 million, $1.4 million of restructuring charges related to plant relocations and acquisition integration activities, increased variable distribution and selling expenses associated with the $58.8 million, or 17.7%, increase in net sales and higher payroll and administrative expenses. These increases were partially offset by a $6.8 million non-cash curtailment gain recorded as a result of freezing our U.S. defined benefit plans.  In our fire service segment, operating expenses increased $2.4 million, or 15.8%, from $15.5 million in 2005 to $17.9 million in 2006, primarily due to higher amortization expense of $1.6 million associated with intangible assets recorded as part of purchase accounting and incremental American Firewear operating expenses of $0.6 million. In our electrical safety segment, operating expenses increased by $4.4 million, or 38.7%, from $11.0 million in 2005 to $15.4 million in 2006, primarily due to higher amortization expense of $0.5 million associated with intangible assets recorded as part of purchase accounting, incremental White Rubber operating expenses of $1.8 million, $0.1 million of restructuring charges related to White Rubber acquisition integration activities and increased variable selling and distribution expenses related to the $18.2 million, or 30.0%, increase in net sales. Corporate expenses in 2005 consisted of $5.6 million of general and administrative expenses and $13.6 million of management incentive compensation expense related to the Norcross Transaction.  Corporate expenses in 2006 consisted of $7.1 million of general and administrative expenses and $1.6 million of management incentive compensation expense.  The increase in corporate general and administrative expenses of $1.5 million was primarily due to higher payroll, administrative expenses and professional fees.

Income from operations. Income from operations increased by $27.5 million, or 82.9%, from $33.2 million in 2005 to $60.7 million in 2006.  Key variances in 2006 relative to 2005 include: (1) lower inventory purchase accounting charges of $4.5 million, (2) higher LIFO charges of $0.7 million (3) incremental amortization expense of

31




$4.0 million related to purchase accounting, (4) lower management incentive compensation charges of $12.0 million, (5) a non-cash curtailment gain of $6.8 million recorded as a result of freezing our U.S. defined benefit plans and (6) restructuring charges related to plant consolidation and acquisition integration activities of $1.5 million.  Excluding these charges from both periods, income from operations increased by $10.4 million, or 17.5%. Excluding these same charges, as a percentage of net sales, income from operations increased from 12.5% in 2005 to 12.6% in 2006. In our general safety and preparedness segment (after adjusting for the net increase of the key variances discussed above of $6.3 million), income from operations increased by $12.3 million, or 34.4%, from $35.6 million in 2005 to $47.9 million in 2006, primarily due to higher net sales of $58.8 million, or 17.7%, and favorable margin realization. In our fire service segment (after adjusting for the net decrease of the key variances discussed above of $0.3 million), income from operations decreased by $3.3 million, or 20.9%, from $15.8 million in 2005 to $12.5 million in 2006 primarily due to lower margin realization. In our electrical safety segment (after adjusting for the net decrease of the key variances discussed above of $0.9 million), income from operations increased by $2.9 million, or 21.3%, from $14.3 million in 2005 to $17.2 million in 2006, primarily due to higher net sales of $18.2 million, or 30.0%, which was partially offset by lower margin realization. Corporate expenses in 2005 consisted of $5.6 million of general and administrative expenses and $13.6 million of management incentive compensation expense related to the Norcross Transaction.  Corporate expenses in 2006 consisted of $7.1 million of general and administrative expenses and $1.6 million of management incentive compensation expense.  The increase in corporate general and administrative expenses of $1.5 million was primarily due to higher payroll, administrative expenses and professional fees.

Included in income from operations in 2006 and 2005 were depreciation and amortization expenses of $25.8 million and $18.9 million, respectively. Of these amounts, $16.8 million, $4.6 million, and $4.4 million were attributable to the general safety and preparedness, fire service, and electrical safety segments, respectively, in 2006 and $12.8 million, $3.0 million, and $3.1 million were attributable to these segments in 2005.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased by $4.6 million, or 20.3%, from $22.6 million in 2005 to $27.2 million in 2006 primarily due to higher outstanding debt balances related to the Fibre-Metal and White Rubber Transactions and higher variable interest rates on our senior credit facility. Interest expense incurred by Norcross and the subsidiary guarantors totaled $27.2 million in 2006 and $22.5 million in 2005.

Other, net. Other, net decreased by $1.7 million from $0.7 million in 2005 to $(1.0) million in 2006, primarily due to unrealized foreign exchange rate gains.

Income tax expense. Income tax expense increased by $8.2 million, from $5.0 million in 2005 to $13.2 million in 2006, primarily as a result of higher domestic income tax expense.

Net income. Net income increased by $16.5 million from $5.4 million in 2005 to $21.9 million in 2006. This was the result of the reasons discussed above.

Combined Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2004

Net sales. Net sales increased by $42.6 million, or 9.7%, from $438.5 million in 2004 to $481.1 million in 2005. In our general safety and preparedness segment, net sales increased by $24.0 million, or 7.8%, from $308.5 million in 2004 to $332.5 million in 2005. This increase reflects a combination of the following:  overall organic growth in our Canadian, European and South African operations of $16.5 million; favorable exchange rates, which had an impact of $5.2 million; incremental Fibre-Metal net sales of $4.9 million and lower overall net sales in the United States of $2.6 million as strong overall market demand, in part due to the hurricane activity in the Gulf Coast region, was offset by a decrease in government contract shipments of $10.3 million. In our fire service segment, net sales increased by $9.0 million, or 11.5%, from $78.9 million in 2004 to $87.9 million in 2005 reflecting strong market demand. In our electrical safety segment, net sales increased by $9.6 million, or 18.8%, from $51.0 million in 2004 to $60.6 million in 2005, driven by the hurricane activity in the Gulf Coast region, strong overall market demand and new product penetration.

Gross profit. Gross profit increased by $12.9 million, or 8.2%, from $156.6 million in 2004 to $169.5 million in 2005. Excluding the impact of inventory purchase accounting adjustments in our general safety and preparedness and fire service segments of $4.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, gross profit increased by $18.5 million, or 11.8%. This increase was primarily attributable to the $42.6 million, or 9.7% increase in net sales. After adjusting for the inventory purchase accounting adjustments, our overall gross profit margin of 36.4% in 2005 was favorable to the 35.7% gross profit margin in 2004. In our general safety and preparedness segment (after

32




adjusting for expenses related to purchase accounting of $4.3 million), gross profit increased by $12.0 million, or 10.8%, from $110.5 million in 2004 to $122.5 million in 2005. This increase was primarily due to the overall net sales increase of $24.0 million, or 7.8%, favorable exchange rates which has an impact of $1.9 million, and improved margin realization. Included in the general safety and preparedness segment gross profit were a $1.2 million and $4.1 million increase to the reserve for excess and obsolete inventory and a $0.2 million increase and $0.2 million decrease to the LIFO provisions in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The $1.2 million inventory reserve recorded in 2005 related primarily to our hand protection product line. Our hand protection products were deemed to be excess inventory as we determined that we had either multiple years of inventory on hand or items that had not moved in over a year. The $4.1 million inventory reserve recorded in 2004 related primarily to our respiratory product line. The respiratory products were deemed to be either: 1) excess as we determined that we had either multiple years of inventory on hand or items that had not moved in over a year or 2) obsolete due to government safety standard changes. In our fire service segment (after adjusting for expenses related to purchase accounting of $1.3 million), gross profit increased by $2.5 million, or 9.9%, from $26.1 million in 2004 to $28.6 million in 2005, as the $9.0 million, or 11.5% increase in net sales was partially offset by lower margin realization. In our electrical safety segment, gross profit increased by $4.0 million, or 20.4%, from $19.9 million in 2004 to $23.9 million in 2005, primarily due to the $9.6 million, or 18.8% increase in net sales and improved manufacturing performance.

Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased by $31.4 million, or 29.9%, from $104.9 million in 2004 to $136.3 million in 2005. In our general safety and preparedness segment, operating expenses increased by $11.0 million, or 13.9%, from $79.6 million in 2004 to $90.6 million in 2005, primarily due to incremental amortization expense of $3.0 million associated with intangible assets recorded as part of purchase accounting; higher exchange rates, which had an impact of $1.3 million; incremental Fibre-Metal operating expense of $1.4 million; higher payroll and other administrative costs; and increased variable distribution and selling expenses associated with the $24.0 million, or 7.8% increase in net sales. In our fire service segment, operating expenses increased $4.4 million, or 39.0%, from $11.1 million in 2004 to $15.5 million in 2005, primarily due to higher amortization expense of $2.6 million associated with intangible assets recorded as part of purchase accounting and additional general and administrative expenses, including legal costs related to litigation with a competitor. In our electrical safety segment, operating expenses increased by $2.4 million, or 27.6%, from $8.7 million in 2004 to $11.1 million in 2005, primarily due to higher amortization expense of $1.4 million associated with intangible assets recorded as part of purchase accounting and higher selling and distribution expenses associated with the $9.6 million, or 18.8% increase in net sales. Corporate expenses in 2004 consisted of $5.0 million of general and administrative expenses and $0.6 million of expenses associated with exploring strategic alternatives. Corporate expenses in 2005 consisted of $5.6 million of general and administrative expenses and $13.6 million of management incentive compensation expense related to the Norcross Transaction. The increase in corporate general and administrative expenses of $0.6 million was primarily due to higher payroll and administrative expenses including costs associated with public reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley Act related compliance requirements.

Income from operations. Income from operations decreased by $18.5 million, or 35.8%, from $51.7 million in 2004 to $33.2 million in 2005. Included in income from operations in 2005 were: (1) inventory purchase accounting charges of $5.6 million; (2) incremental amortization expenses of $7.0 million related to purchase accounting; and (3) $13.6 million of management incentive compensation expense. Included in income from operations in 2004 were $0.6 million of expenses related to exploring strategic alternatives. Excluding these charges, income from operations increased by $7.1 million, or 13.5%. Excluding these same charges, as a percentage of net sales, income from operations increased from 11.9% in 2004 to 12.3% in 2005. In our general safety and preparedness segment (after adjusting for expenses related to purchase accounting of $7.3 million), income from operations increased by $3.9 million, or 12.4%, from $31.1 million in 2004 to $35.0 million in 2005, primarily due to higher net sales of $24.0 million, or 7.8%. In our fire service segment (after adjusting for expenses related to purchase accounting of $3.9 million), income from operations increased by $0.7 million, or 5.4%, from $15.0 million in 2004 to $15.7 million in 2005, as the $9.0 million, or 11.5%, increase in net sales was partially offset by lower margin realization and higher administrative expenses. In our electrical safety segment (after adjusting for expenses related to purchase accounting of $1.4 million), income from operations increased by $3.1 million, or 27.5%, from $11.1 million in 2004 to $14.2 million in 2005, primarily due to higher net sales of $9.6 million, or 18.8%, and improved manufacturing performance. Corporate expenses in 2004 consisted of $5.0 million of general and administrative expenses and $0.6 million of expenses associated with exploring strategic alternatives. Corporate expenses in 2005 consisted of $5.6 million of general and administrative expenses and $13.6 million of management incentive compensation expense related to the Norcross Transaction. The increase in corporate general and administrative expenses of $0.6 million was primarily due to higher payroll and administrative expenses including costs associated with public reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley Act related compliance requirements.

33




Included in income from operations in 2005 and 2004 were depreciation and amortization expenses of $18.9 million and $12.4 million, respectively. Of these amounts, $12.8 million, $3.0 million, and $3.1 million were attributable to the general safety and preparedness, fire service, and electrical safety segments, respectively, in 2005 and $9.9 million, $0.4 million, $1.5 million and $0.6 million were attributable to these segments and corporate in 2004.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased by $0.2 million, or 0.8%, from $22.4 million in 2004 to $22.6 in 2005 primarily due to higher outstanding debt balances related to the Fibre-Metal Transaction. Interest expense incurred by Norcross and the subsidiary guarantors totaled $22.2 million in 2004 and $22.5 million in 2005.

Other, net. Other, net decreased by $0.5 from $1.2 million in 2004 to $0.7 million in 2005.

Income tax expense. Income tax expense increased by $2.0 million, from $3.0 million in 2004 to $5.0 million in 2005, as a result of higher income tax expense levels at foreign operations.

Net income. Net income decreased by $19.9 million, from $25.3 million in 2004 to $5.4 million in 2005. This was the result of the reasons discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have historically used internal cash flow from operations, commercial borrowings on our lines of credit, seller notes, investments from our equityholders and capital markets transactions to fund our operations, acquisitions, capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

In 2006 and 2005, cash provided by operating activities was $36.0 million and $46.7 million, respectively. The $10.7 million decrease was primarily attributable to increased inventory and accounts receivable due in part to the $77.0 million, or 16.0%, increase in net sales and inventory build-up related to Fibre-Metal and White Rubber plant consolidations, which was partially offset by the $10.4 million increase in operating income (after adjusting for purchase accounting, LIFO, management incentive compensation, pension curtailment gain and restructuring charges).

In 2005 and 2004, cash provided by operating activities was $46.7 million and $30.3 million, respectively. The $16.4 million improvement was primarily attributable to the $7.1 million increase in operating income (after adjusting for expenses related to purchase accounting, management incentive compensation and strategic alternatives expense) and favorable working capital activity.

Historically, our principal uses of cash have been capital expenditures, acquisitions and working capital.  Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 include: (1) $22.2 million for the White Rubber Transaction; (2) $4.5 million for the American Firewear Transaction; (3) $3.6 million for the NEOS Transaction; and (4) $1.1 million for royalty payments to the sellers of Muck Boot and Arbin.

For the Predecessor period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, we made royalty payments to the sellers of Muck Boot and Arbin totaling $0.7 million.  Successor period investing activities for the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 include: (1) $204.5 million of cash purchase price related to the Norcross Transaction; (2) $68.7 million of cash purchase price related to the Fibre-Metal Transaction; and (3) $0.5 million for royalty payments to the sellers of Muck Boot and Arbin.

In 2004, we funded cash to NSP Holdings of $0.5 million which was recorded under investing activities.  In 2004, we made royalty payments to the sellers of Muck Boot and Arbin totaling $0.7 million and received proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment of $0.7 million.  Cash funded to NSP Holdings classified under investing activities was $0.5 million in 2004.  During 2004, we determined that the Due from NSP Holdings’ balance of $17.7 million would not likely be funded by NSP Holdings.  Therefore, we reclassified the Due from NSP Holdings’ balance to member’s equity.  Accordingly, payments to NSP Holdings after July 3, 2004 are classified under financing activities in the statements of cash flows.

Our capital expenditures were $11.6 million in 2006, $9.3 million in 2005 and  $6.4 million in 2004.

As of December 31, 2006, we had working capital of $143.8 million and cash of $26.1 million.  We maintain inventory levels sufficient to satisfy customer orders on demand, with generally a three month supply on

34




hand.  Bunker gear is an exception and is generally made to order.  Our accounts receivable terms are generally 30 days, net.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, net cash provided by financing activities was $12.1 million, consisting of the following: proceeds from additional term borrowings of $15.0 million under the New Credit Facility (as defined below) related to the White Rubber Transaction, $1.8 million of payments on long-term obligations, $1.0 million of dividends to Safety Products, $0.1 million of capital contributions and $0.2 million of payments for deferred financing costs.

For the Predecessor period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, net cash used in financing activities was $14.2 million, including an excess cash flow sweep payment under the terms of the former senior credit facility of $12.2 million and $0.6 million of cash funded to NSP Holdings.  For the successor period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005, net cash provided by financing activities was $264.6 million, including $153.0 million of borrowings under our New Credit Facility (as defined below) used to fund the Norcross and Fibre-Metal Transactions and $121.1 million of capital contributions from Safety Products recorded as part of push down purchase accounting related to the Norcross Transaction.  Additionally, we paid $8.0 million in deferred financing costs consisting of expenses associated with the New Credit Facility (including incremental borrowings for the Fibre-Metal Transaction) and the $152.5 million senior subordinated notes, which are further discussed below.

In 2004, net cash used in financing activities was $8.2 million, representing payments for deferred financing costs of $0.2 million, payments on long-term debt obligations of $3.7 million, tax distributions to members of NSP Holdings of $2.9 million, and cash fundings to NSP Holdings of $1.3 million.

On July 19, 2005, in conjunction with the Norcross Transaction, we entered into a new Senior Credit Facility (the “New Credit Facility”) which provides for aggregate borrowings of $138.0 million, consisting of (a) a term loan in the amount of $88.0 million, payable in twenty-eight consecutive quarterly installments which commenced on September 30, 2005 and (b) a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $50.0 million.  The New Credit Facility is comprised of a U.S. revolving facility and a Canadian subfacility.  The amount of the total U.S. revolving facility is an amount equal to $50.0 million less the amount at such time outstanding under the Canadian subfacility.  The amount of the total Canadian subfacility is an amount denominated in Canadian dollars having a U.S. dollar equivalent of $25.0 million less the amount at such time outstanding under the U.S. revolving facility.  At any time upon the request of us or the U.S. Subsidiary Borrowers (as defined in the New Credit Facility), one or more new term loan facilities may be added in any aggregate amount of up to $100.0 million (and not less than $10.0 million for any such additional term loan), subject to certain conditions, the proceeds of which shall be used to finance permitted acquisitions, pay fees and related expenses thereto and to refinance indebtedness of the entity or associated with the assets to be so acquired.  The New Credit Facility is subject to certain mandatory prepayments upon the occurrence of certain events, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the credit agreement.  The proceeds of the New Credit Facility were used primarily to refinance the then existing senior credit facility.

On November 1, 2005, we entered into the Incremental Facility Amendment to the New Credit Facility (the “Amendment”) in order to complete the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Fibre-Metal.  Under the terms of the Amendment, the Company, the U.S. borrowers and the lenders agreed to a total incremental term commitment of $65.0 million.  Additionally, the Amendment required, among other things, that the proceeds of the incremental term loans be used for permitted acquisitions and the consolidated senior leverage ratio, after giving effect to the use of the proceeds, not exceed 3.25 to 1.00.  Norcross financed the Fibre-Metal Transaction with these additional term borrowings and cash on the balance sheet.

On June 9, 2006, we entered into the Second Incremental Facility Amendment to the New Credit Facility (the “Second Amendment”) in order to complete the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of White Rubber.  Under the terms of the Second Amendment, the Company, the U.S. borrowers and the lenders agreed to a total incremental term commitment of $15.0 million.  Additionally, the Second Amendment required, among other things, that the proceeds of the incremental term loans be used for permitted acquisitions and the consolidated senior leverage ratio, after giving effect to the use of the proceeds, not exceed 3.25 to 1.00.  Norcross financed the White Transaction with these additional term borrowings and cash on the balance sheet.

As of December 31, 2006, borrowings under the New Credit Facility bore interest at a weighted average rate of 7.5%.  Prior to June 30, 2010, we may borrow, repay and re-borrow under the revolving facilities without payment of penalty or premium.  The term loan is payable in quarterly installments totaling $1.7 million per annum, with the remainder due in four quarterly installments ending June 30, 2012.  As of December 31, 2006, there was

35




approximately $165.7 million of outstanding indebtedness under the New Credit Facility and approximately $47.5 million of available borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

Borrowings under the U.S. revolving facility and term loan portion of the New Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to our choice of (a) an alternate base rate (which is equal to the higher of (i) the rate of interest announced by Credit Suisse as its prime rate in effect and (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%) or (b) the Eurodollar rate, plus an applicable margin.  Borrowings under the Canadian subfacility of the New Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian prime rate (which is the higher of (i) the rate of interest announced by Credit Suisse, Toronto Branch, as its reference rate then in effect for determining interest rates on Canadian dollar denominated commercial loans in Canada and (ii) the CDOR rate plus 0.50% per annum), plus an applicable margin, or with respect to banker’s acceptances or their equivalents, the discount rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin.

Initially, the applicable margin with respect to the revolving credit facility is (a) 1.25% in the case of alternate base rate loans and Canadian dollar prime loans and (b) 2.25% in the case of Eurodollar rate loans and bankers’ acceptance rate loans.  With respect to the term loan, the applicable margin will be (a) 1.00% in the case of alternate base rate loans and (b) 2.00% in the case of Eurodollar rate loans.  After our fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2005, the margins applicable to the revolving credit facility and the U.S. swing line loans adjust on a sliding scale based on the total leverage ratio of the Company and its subsidiaries.  In addition, we will be required to pay to the lenders under the revolving credit facility an initial commitment fee in respect of the unused commitments thereunder at a per annum rate of 0.50%.  After our fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2005, the commitment fee rate adjusts on a sliding scale based on the total leverage ratio of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Our domestic subsidiaries (including any future or indirect subsidiaries that may be created or acquired by us) and Safety Products guarantee the U.S. subsidiary borrowers’ and our obligations under the New Credit Facility.  The guarantees in respect of the New Credit Facility are secured by a perfected first priority security interest in all of our equity securities, the equity securities of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, substantially all of the guarantors’ tangible and intangible assets and 65% of the equity securities of, or equity interest in, certain of our foreign first-tier subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.  All of the Canadian Borrower’s obligations under the New Credit Facility are be secured by all of the assets of our present and future Canadian subsidiaries, and are guaranteed by all of our present and future Canadian subsidiaries.

The New Credit Facility contains certain customary covenants, including among other things:

·                  affirmative covenants requiring us to provide certain financial statements to the Administrative Agent for distribution to its lenders and to pay material obligations when due, maintain its legal existence, keep its material properties in good working order and condition, provide certain notices to the Administrative Agent for distribution to its lenders, comply in all material respects with environmental laws and maintain at all times ratings for the New Credit Facility;

·                  restrictive covenants including limitations on other indebtedness, liens, fundamental changes, asset sales, restricted payments, capital expenditures, investments, prepayments, transactions with affiliates, sales and leasebacks, negative pledges, lines of business; and

·                  financial covenants requiring us to maintain a maximum total leverage ratio of total debt over EBITDA (as defined therein) for the period, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of EBITDA (as defined therein) less capital expenditures over fixed charges for the period and a minimum interest coverage ratio of EBITDA (as defined therein) over interest expense for the period.

The New Credit Facility contains certain customary representations and warranties and events of default, including failure to pay interest, principal or fees, any material inaccuracy of any representation and warranty, failure to comply with covenants, material cross-defaults, bankruptcy and insolvency events, ERISA events, change of control, failure to maintain first priority perfected security interest, material judgments, invalidity of guarantee and loss of subordination.  Certain of the events of defaults are subject to exceptions, materiality qualifiers and baskets.

In connection with the closing of the Norcross Transaction, we entered into a supplemental indenture dated as of July 19, 2005 (the “Supplemental Indenture”) by and among us, Norcross Capital Corp. (“Capital”), the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”) under the indenture dated as of August 13, 2003 (the “Indenture”) providing for the issuance by us and Capital of $152.5 million aggregate principal amount of 9 7/8 % senior subordinated notes due 2011.  Pursuant to the terms of the

36




Supplemental Indenture, the definition of Permitted Holders was amended and the parties confirmed that the Requisite Consents (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture) had been delivered in order to waive our obligations under the Change in Control covenant of the Indenture in connection with the Norcross Transaction.

We believe that our internal cash flows and borrowings under the revolving portions of the New Credit Facility will provide us with sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet our current and future financial obligations for the foreseeable future, including funding our operations, debt service and capital expenditures.  Our future operating performance will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.  If our future cash flow from operations and other capital resources are insufficient to pay our obligations as they mature or to fund our liquidity needs, we may be forced to reduce or delay our business activities and capital expenditures, sell assets, obtain additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, on or before maturity.  We cannot assure you that we would be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms, if at all.  In addition, the terms of our existing and future indebtedness, including our senior subordinated notes and the New Credit Facility, may limit our ability to pursue any of these alternatives.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking information.  These statements reflect management’s expectations, estimates, and assumptions based on information available at the time of the statement.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future events, plans, goals, objectives, and expectations.  The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intent,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those set forth below, which may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by those statements.  Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by those statements include, but are not limited to: (i) our high degree of leverage and significant debt service obligations; (ii) the impact of current and future laws and governmental regulations affecting us or our product offerings; (iii) the impact of governmental spending; (iv) our ability to retain existing customers, maintain key supplier status with those customers with which we have achieved such status, and obtain new customers; (v) the highly competitive nature of the personal protection equipment industry; (vi) any future changes in management; (vii) acceptance by consumers of new products we develop or acquire; (viii) the importance and costs of product innovation; (ix) unforeseen problems associated with international sales, including gains and losses from foreign currency exchange and restrictions on the efficient repatriation of earnings; (x) the unpredictability of patent protection and other intellectual property issues; (xi) cancellation of current orders; (xii) the outcome of pending product liability claims and the availability of indemnification for those claims; (xiii) general risks associated with the personal protection equipment industry; and (xiv) the successful integration of acquired companies on economically acceptable terms.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, or changes to future results over time.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments, as of December 31, 2006 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Payment Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 Years

 

More than
5 years

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

$

320,143

 

$

4,631

 

$

4,652

 

$

234,146

 

$

76,714

 

Capital lease obligations

 

205

 

68

 

137

 

 

 

Interest payments (1)

 

129,547

 

27,448

 

54,190

 

45,032

 

2,877

 

Operating lease obligations

 

35,923

 

7,065

 

11,096

 

7,042

 

10,720

 

Purchase obligations (2)

 

47,036

 

47,036

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities (3)

 

4,076

 

4,076

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

536,930

 

$

90,324

 

$

70,075

 

$

286,220

 

$

90,311

 

 

37





(1)

Interest payments for variable rate obligations are calculated using the interest rate as of December 31, 2006.

 

 

(2)

Purchase obligations exclude our accounts payable of $21.9 million and include open purchase orders of $46.4 million and all other contractual obligations of $0.6 million pursuant to which we are obligated to purchase good or services.

 

 

(3)

Represents obligations under pension and other post-retirement plans.

 

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2006, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

Effect of Inflation

Inflation has generally not been a material factor affecting our business.  Our general operating expenses, such as wages and salaries, employee benefits and materials and facilities costs, are subject to normal inflationary pressures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, and we will adopt FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007, as required. We are in the process of determining the effects, if any, that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for us as of the beginning of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. We are in the process of determining the effects, if any, that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on our financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This statement is intended to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. It also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The statement does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value, and it does not establish requirements for recognizing dividend income, interest income or interest expense. It also does not eliminate disclosure requirements included in other accounting standards. We are required to adopt SFAS No. 159 as of the beginning of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.  We are in the process of determining the effects, if any, that adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have on our financial statements.

ITEM 7A.       QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as foreign currency exchange and interest rates.  Our policy is to not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  We may enter into financial instruments to manage and reduce the impact of changes in interest rates.

Interest rate swaps are entered into as a hedge of underlying debt instruments to change the characteristics of the interest rate from variable to fixed without actually changing the debt instrument.  Therefore, these interest rate swap agreements convert outstanding floating rate debt to fixed rate debt for a period of time.  For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes affect the fair market value, but do not impact earnings or cash flows.  Conversely for floating rate debt, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair market value but do impact future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant.

At December 31, 2006, we had total debt (excluding original issue premium) and obligations under capital leases of $320.3 million.  This debt is comprised of fixed rate debt of $154.6 million and floating rate debt of $165.7 million.  The pre-tax earnings and cash flow impact in 2006 resulting from a one percentage point increase in interest rates on our variable rate debt would be approximately $1.7 million, holding other variables constant.

A portion of our net sales was derived from manufacturing operations in Canada, Holland, Germany, Mexico, the Caribbean and South Africa.  The results of operations and financial position of our foreign operations

38




are principally measured in their respective currency and translated into U.S. dollars.  The effects of foreign currency fluctuations in these countries are somewhat mitigated by the fact that expenses are generally incurred in the same currency in which revenues are generated.  The reported income of these subsidiaries will be higher or lower depending on a weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currency.

A portion of our assets are based in our foreign operations and are translated into U.S. dollars at foreign currency exchange rates in effect as of the end of each period, with the effect of such translation reflected as a separate component of member’s equity.  Accordingly, our consolidated member’s equity will fluctuate depending upon the weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currency.

Our strategy for management of currency risk relies primarily upon conducting our operations in a country’s respective currency and may, from time to time, also involve hedging programs intended to reduce our exposure to currency fluctuations.  Management believes the effect of a one percentage point increase in the strength of the Canadian dollar and the Euro relative to the U.S. dollar from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006 would have resulted in a $140,000 and $113,000 increase in our income from operations, respectively.  During 2006, the Canadian dollar was consistent relative to the U.S. dollar and the Euro strengthened approximately 10.2% relative to the U.S. dollar.

39




ITEM 8.                             CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Norcross Safety Products L.L.C.

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006

Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

41

Consolidated Balance Sheets

42

Consolidated Statements of Operations

43

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity

44

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

45

Notes to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

46

 

40




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Member

Norcross Safety Products L.L.C.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., (Company), a Delaware limited liability company, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in member’s equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the period from July 20, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (Successor), and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in member’s equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2004 and for the period from January 1, 2005 to July 19, 2005 of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. (Predecessor).  Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a).  These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement.  We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s 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 includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and schedule referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the period from July 20, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (Successor), and the consolidated results of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. (Predecessor) operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2004 and for the period from January 1, 2005 to July 19, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an Amendment of FASB Statements Nos. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R), as of December 31, 2006.  The Company also adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-based Payment, as of January 1, 2006.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago, Illinois

 

 

March 14, 2007

 

 

 

41




NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS L.L.C.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

20,683

 

$

26,096

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance of $2,317 and $2,323 in 2005 and 2006, respectively

 

68,286

 

73,306

 

Inventories

 

93,462

 

108,270

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,230

 

2,143

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

3,135

 

3,555

 

Total current assets

 

188,796

 

213,370

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

67,315

 

69,627

 

Deferred financing costs, net

 

7,513

 

6,387

 

Goodwill

 

136,487

 

158,011

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

276,842

 

281,438

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

5,109

 

5,119

 

Total assets

 

$

682,062

 

$

733,952

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and member’s equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

21,229

 

$

21,891

 

Accrued expenses

 

34,683

 

41,882

 

Current maturities of long-term obligations

 

2,735

 

5,830

 

Total current liabilities

 

58,647

 

69,603

 

Pension, postretirement and deferred compensation

 

32,340

 

17,082

 

Long-term obligations

 

309,664

 

320,666

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

5,376

 

7,008

 

Deferred income taxes

 

52,496

 

64,602

 

Minority interest

 

176

 

199

 

 

 

400,052

 

409,557

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Member’s equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Contributed capital

 

221,068

 

222,828

 

Retained earnings

 

308

 

21,169

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

1,987

 

10,795

 

Total member’s equity

 

223,363

 

254,792

 

Total liabilities and member’s equity

 

$

682,062

 

$

733,952

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

42




NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS L.L.C.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year ended
December 31,
2004

 

January 1,
2005
through
July 19,
2005

 

July 20,
2005
through
December 31,
2005

 

Year ended
December 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

438,499

 

$

271,694

 

$

209,396

 

$

558,065

 

Cost of goods sold

 

281,924

 

171,645

 

139,978

 

352,340

 

Gross profit

 

156,575

 

100,049

 

69,418

 

205,725

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

40,120

 

25,512

 

19,154

 

51,908

 

Distribution

 

22,452

 

14,634

 

11,385

 

32,688

 

General and administrative (1)

 

41,203

 

38,250

 

19,833

 

47,432

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

517

 

329

 

7,216

 

11,508

 

Strategic alternatives

 

616

 

 

 

 

Restructuring and merger-related charges

 

 

 

 

1,539

 

Total operating expenses

 

104,908

 

78,725

 

57,588

 

145,075

 

Income from operations

 

51,667

 

21,324

 

11,830

 

60,650

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

22,437

 

13,126

 

9,499

 

27,225

 

Interest income

 

(213

)

(464

)

(156

)

(621

)

Other, net

 

1,159

 

745

 

(9

)

(1,026

)

Income before income taxes and minority interest

 

28,284

 

7,917

 

2,496

 

35,072

 

Income tax expense

 

2,972

 

3,519

 

1,462

 

13,188

 

Minority interest

 

25

 

13

 

(2

)

23

 

Net income

 

$

25,287

 

$

4,385

 

$

1,036

 

$

21,861

 

 


(1) General and administrative expenses exclude amortization of intangibles and include $13,554 and $1,610 of management incentive compensation for the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

43




NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS L.L.C.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBER’S EQUITY

(Amounts in Thousands, Except Units)

 

 

Units

 

Amount

 

Contributed
Capital

 

(Accumulated
Deficit)
Retained
Earnings

 

Due from
NSP
Holdings
L.L.C.

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income

 

Total

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2004

 

100

 

$

 

$

116,060

 

$

(64,791

)

$

 

$

(2,575

)

$

48,694

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,151

 

7,151

 

 

Minimum pension liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,047

)

(1,047

)

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

25,287

 

 

 

25,287

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,391

 

 

Dividend to NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

(2,943

)

 

 

(2,943

)

 

Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

(17,740

)

 

(17,740

)

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

100

 

 

116,060

 

(42,447

)

(17,740

)

3,529

 

59,402

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,651

)

(5,651

)

 

Minimum pension liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,684

)

(3,684

)

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

4,385

 

 

 

4,385

 

 

Comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,950

)

 

Dividends to NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(9

)

 

Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

(558

)

 

(558

)

 

Balance at July 19, 2005

 

100

 

$

 

$

116,060

 

$

(38,071

)

$

(18,298

)

$

(5,806

)

$

53,885

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital contribution

 

100

 

$

 

$

221,068

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

221,068

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,987

 

1,987

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

1,036

 

 

 

1,036

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,023

 

 

Dividends to Safety Products Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

 

(728

)

 

 

(728

)

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

100

 

 

221,068

 

308

 

 

1,987

 

223,363

 

 

Capital contribution

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

 

150

 

 

Management incentive compensation

 

 

 

1,610

 

 

 

 

1,610

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,344

 

5,344

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

21,861

 

 

 

21,861

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,205

 

 

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158, net of tax of $2,208

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,464

 

3,464

 

 

Dividends to Safety Products Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

(1,000

)

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

100

 

$

 

$

222,828

 

$

21,169

 

$

 

$

10,795

 

$

254,792

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

44




NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS L.L.C.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year ended
December 31,
2004

 

January 1,
2005
through
July 19,
2005

 

July 20,
2005
through
December
31, 2005

 

Year ended
December 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

25,287

 

$

4,385

 

$

1,036

 

$

21,861

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and form amortization

 

11,854

 

6,177

 

5,145

 

14,327

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

517

 

329

 

7,216

 

11,508

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

1,777

 

1,020

 

535

 

1,327

 

Amortization of original issue discount (premium)

 

92

 

58

 

(439

)

(1,038

)

Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

 

899

 

 

 

131

 

Deferred income taxes

 

583

 

(86

)

(957

)

7,834

 

Minority interest

 

25

 

13

 

(2

)

23

 

Noncash management incentive compensation

 

 

 

 

1,610

 

Noncash pension curtailment gain

 

 

 

 

(6,751

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(7,876

)

(2,607

)

1,259

 

(2,206

)

Inventories

 

(1,704

)

(1,515

)

7,208

 

(10,855

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

650

 

467

 

(162

)

(118

)

Other noncurrent assets

 

(627

)

(477

)

412

 

(559

)

Accounts payable

 

(286

)

(492

)

2,170

 

(1,317

)

Accrued expenses

 

290

 

14,177

 

4,429

 

4,589

 

Pension, postretirement, and deferred compensation

 

(2,442

)

(1,210

)

(1,431

)

(4,002

)

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

1,223

 

(30

)

3

 

(367

)

Other

 

(4

)

22

 

1

 

7

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

30,258

 

20,231

 

26,423

 

36,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(691

)

(653

)

(273,725

)

(31,358

)

Purchases of property plant and equipment

 

(6,423

)

(4,250

)

(5,037

)

(11,573

)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

736

 

 

 

113

 

Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

(459

)

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(6,837

)

(4,903

)

(278,762

)

(42,818

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for deferred financing costs

 

(204

)

 

(8,048

)

(201

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

 

153,000

 

15,000

 

Payments of debt

 

(3,719

)

(13,623

)

(731

)

(1,826

)

Capital contribution

 

 

 

121,114

 

150

 

Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

(1,302

)

(558

)

 

 

Dividends to NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

(2,943

)

(9

)

 

 

Dividends to Safety Products Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

(728

)

(1,000

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(8,168

)

(14,190

)

264,607

 

12,123

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

4,137

 

(2,725

)

1,271

 

104

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

19,390

 

(1,587

)

13,539

 

5,413

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

16,341

 

35,731

 

7,144

 

20,683

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

35,731

 

$

34,144

 

$

20,683

 

$

26,096

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

45




NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2005 THROUGH JULY 19,
2005, THE PERIOD FROM July 20, 2005 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2005 AND THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2006

(Amounts in Thousands, Except Units and Per Unit Data)

1.  Formation of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C.

Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. (the “Company”) operates as a limited liability company in accordance with the Limited Liability Company Act of the state of Delaware.  The Company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded products in the personal protection equipment industry.  The Company manufactures and markets a full line of personal protection equipment for workers in the general safety and preparedness, fire service and electrical safety industries.  The Company is wholly-owned by Safety Products Holdings, Inc. (“Safety Products”).

2.  Transactions

On July 19, 2005, the Company announced the closing of the transaction under which it was acquired by Safety Products, a new holding company formed by Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC for the purpose of completing the acquisition.  Pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement, Safety Products purchased all of the outstanding membership units of the Company and all of the outstanding common stock of NSP Holdings Capital Corp. (“NSP Capital”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSP Holdings L.L.C. (“NSP Holdings”), and pursuant to which Safety Products assumed all of the outstanding indebtedness of the Company and NSP Holdings, in exchange for a base purchase price to NSP Holdings of $472,000, plus the cash in the Company as of April 2, 2005 in the amount of approximately $16,900, less (1) the indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries as of April 2, 2005 and (2) certain transaction fees and expenses.  The cash purchase price was $204,488 including direct costs of acquisition of $2,346, and excluding assumed debt of $260,523.

On November 1, 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The Fibre-Metal Products Company (“Fibre-Metal”).  The purchase price was $68,723, including acquisition costs of $723.  The Company financed the acquisition through additional term borrowings under the New Credit Facility and cash on the balance sheet.  The results of operations of Fibre-Metal are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the date of acquisition.

On February 2, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of American Firewear, Inc. (“American Firewear”). The purchase price consisted of $4,453 in cash (including acquisition costs of $203 and net of cash acquired of $183) and a $1,000 subordinated seller note. In addition, the purchase price may be increased by $750 over the next four years based on American Firewear achieving certain financial and operating objectives. The Company financed the acquisition through cash on the balance sheet and the issuance of the $1,000 subordinated seller note. The Company believes the acquisition of American Firewear will strengthen its hand protection product line in the fire service segment.  The results of operations of American Firewear are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the date of acquisition.

On June 9, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The White Rubber Corporation (“White Rubber”). The purchase price was $22,182 (including acquisition costs of $636 and gross of outstanding checks of $773). The Company financed the acquisition through additional term borrowings under the senior credit facility and cash on the balance sheet.  The Company believes the acquisition of White Rubber will strengthen its product line offering in the electrical safety segment.  The results of operations of White Rubber are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the date of acquisition.

On September 19, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The New England Overshoe Company, Inc. (“NEOS”).  The purchase price consisted of $3,639 in cash (including acquisition costs of $139 and net of cash acquired of $6) and a $750 subordinated seller note.  In addition, the purchase price may be increased over the next five years based on NEOS achieving certain net sales targets.  The Company financed the acquisition through cash on the balance sheet and the issuance of a $750 subordinated seller note.  The Company believes the acquisition of NEOS will broaden its footwear product portfolio in the general safety and preparedness segment.  The results of NEOS are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the date of acquisition.

46




The acquisition of Norcross is referred to as the “Norcross Transaction”, the acquisition of Fibre-Metal is referred to as the “Fibre-Metal Transaction”, the acquisition of American Firewear is referred to as the “American Firewear Transaction”, the acquisition of White Rubber is referred to as the “White Rubber Transaction” and the acquisition of NEOS is referred to as the “NEOS Transaction.”  Collectively, the Norcross Transaction, the Fibre-Metal Transaction, the American Firewear Transaction, the White Rubber Transaction and the NEOS Transaction are referred to as the “Transactions”.

3.  Basis of Presentation

Predecessor – The consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor represent the consolidated results of operations of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. prior to the Norcross Transaction.

Successor – The consolidated financial statements of the Successor represent the consolidated results of operations of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. subsequent to the Norcross Transaction.

The consolidated financial statements of the Successor reflect the Transactions under the purchase method of accounting, in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, Business Combinations.

The Company has allocated the purchase price related to the Norcross Transaction on the basis of its estimate of the fair value of the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows:

 

As of
July 20, 2005

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

7,144

 

Accounts receivable

 

63,774

 

Inventories

 

93,503

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

2,806

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

63,560

 

Goodwill

 

108,456

 

Other intangible assets

 

242,459

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

5,828

 

Total assets acquired

 

$

587,530

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

17,379

 

Accrued expenses

 

28,991

 

Pension, post-retirement and deferred compensation

 

33,739

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

7,373

 

Deferred income taxes

 

34,887

 

Minority interest

 

148

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

122,517

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

465,013

 

 

The Company has allocated the purchase price related to the Fibre-Metal Transaction on the basis of its estimate of the fair value of the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows:

 

As of
November 1,
 2005

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 

Accounts receivable

 

5,770

 

Inventories

 

6,950

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

166

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

3,533

 

Goodwill

 

32,178

 

Other intangible assets

 

41,130

 

Total assets acquired

 

$

89,727

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,680

 

Accrued expenses

 

3,026

 

Pension, post-retirement and deferred compensation

 

32

 

Deferred income taxes

 

16,266

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

21,004

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

68,723

 

 

The Company has allocated the purchase price related to the White Rubber Transaction on the basis of its estimate of the fair value of the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows:

 

As of
June 10,
 2006

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,866

 

Inventories

 

2,682

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

285

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

2,974

 

Goodwill

 

10,677

 

Other intangible assets

 

9,530

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

127

 

Total assets acquired

 

$

28,141

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,909

 

Accrued expenses

 

1,691

 

Pension, post-retirement and deferred compensation

 

26

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,106

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

6,732

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

21,409

 

 

47




The Company engaged independent appraisers to assist in determining the fair values of property, plant and equipment, inventories, and other intangible assets, including customer relationships, brand names, developed technology, favorable leaseholds and backlog.  The Company has received values from the appraisers, which have been included in the above tables.

Approximately $108,456 of goodwill was recorded related to the Norcross Transaction (of which approximately $38,000 was tax deductible).  The primary reasons for the Norcross Transaction and the primary factors that contributed to a purchase price that resulted in recognition of goodwill include:

·                  The Company’s leading market position as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded products in the fragmented personal protection equipment industry offers a competitive advantage in competing for new customers.

·                  The Company, being one of only a small number of companies that can provide complete head-to-toe protection, provides a competitive advantage when selling to new and existing customers.

·                  The diverse customer base and industries served minimizes the potential impact of volatility from any one customer or industry.

Other considerations affecting the value of goodwill include:

·                  The ability of the assembled workforce to develop future innovative technologies and products.

·                  The application of purchase accounting, particularly for such items as pension and deferred tax liabilities for which significant liability balances were recorded with no corresponding significant short-term cash outflows.

Approximately $32,178 of goodwill was recorded related to the Fibre-Metal Transaction (none of which was tax deductible).  The primary reasons for the Fibre-Metal Transaction and the primary factors that contributed to a purchase price that resulted in recognition of goodwill include:

·                  Fibre-Metal’s leading market position as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded products in the fragmented personal protection equipment industry offers a competitive advantage in competing for new customers.

·                  Expected cost savings associated with integrating Fibre-Metal manufacturing and distribution facilities into the Company’s existing facilities.

Other considerations affecting the value of goodwill include:

·                  The ability of the assembled workforce to develop future innovative technologies and products.

·                  The application of purchase accounting, particularly for deferred tax liabilities for which significant liability balances were recorded with no corresponding significant short-term cash outflows.

Approximately $10,677 of goodwill was recorded related to the White Rubber Transaction (none of which was tax deductible). The primary factor that contributed to a purchase price that resulted in recognition of goodwill was the expected cost savings associated with integrating White Rubber manufacturing and distribution facilities into the Company’s existing facilities. The other consideration affecting the value of goodwill was the application to purchase accounting, particularly for deferred tax liabilities for which significant liability balances were recorded with no corresponding significant short-term cash outflows.

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma net sales, income from operations, and net income of the Company (based on the preliminary allocation of purchase price) assuming the Transactions had occurred on January 1, 2005:

 

 

Year ended
December 31,
2005

 

Year ended
December 31,
2006

 

Net sales

 

$

538,324

 

$

567,931

 

Income from operations

 

36,866

 

66,241

 

Net income

 

199

 

25,884

 

 

48




4.  Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. and its majority-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of trade receivables.  Credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the diversity of customers comprising the Company’s customer base.  The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and maintains sufficient allowances for potential credit losses.  The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable based on the length of time the receivable is past due and the anticipated future write-offs based on historical experience.  The Company’s policy is to not charge interest on trade receivables after the invoice becomes past due and to not require collateral.  A receivable is considered past due if payments have not been received within agreed-upon invoice terms.

Revenue Recognition

Sales and related cost of sales are recognized when risk of loss and product title passes to the customer.

Freight-Out Costs

The Company records freight-out costs in distribution expenses.  Such amounts were $10,224, $6,848, $5,380 and $15,751 for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005, and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  The Company’s North Safety Products, Inc. (“North”) legal entity accounts for its inventory under the last in, first out (“LIFO”) method. This was the method in place when North was acquired by the Company in October 1998 and was also the method adopted in connection with the Norcross Transaction. The Company has continued to use the LIFO method for this legal entity for tax purposes and accordingly, is required to use LIFO for financial reporting purposes. All of the other legal entities of the Company account for their inventory under the first in, first out (“FIFO”) method. Inventories valued at FIFO accounted for approximately 64% and 63% of the Company’s inventories at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost.  Equipment under capital leases is stated at the present value of minimum lease payments or fair value at the inception of the leases, whichever is lower.  Depreciation is determined by using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Equipment held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset, with the related amortization expense included in depreciation expense.

The useful lives of plant and equipment for the purpose of computing book depreciation are as follows:

Buildings and improvements

 

4 to 25 years

 

Machinery and equipment

 

4 to 15 years

 

Dies and tooling

 

1 to 15 years

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

1 to 10 years

 

Computers and office equipment

 

1 to 7 years

 

 

49




Intangible Assets

The amortizable lives of intangible assets for the purpose of computing amortization expense, which is recorded on a straight line basis, are as follows:

Brand names

 

Indefinite

 

Customer relationships

 

15 to 20 years

 

Technology

 

10 years

 

Favorable Leaseholds

 

1.5 years

 

 

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs represent capitalized fees and expenses associated with obtaining financing.  The costs are being amortized and recorded to interest expense using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, over the period of the related financing.  Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs at December 31, 2005 and 2006, was $535 and $1,863, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price paid for an acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired.  The Company performs an annual review in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, to determine if the carrying value of the recorded goodwill is impaired.  The impairment review process for goodwill compares the fair value of the reporting unit in which goodwill resides to its carrying value. Based on the results of the first step of the annual impairment test, the Company determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts and, therefore, no goodwill impairment existed.

The following table summarizes goodwill by segment:

 

 

General
Safety and
Preparedness

 

Fire
Service

 

Electrical
Safety

 

Total

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2005

 

$

123,275

 

$

9,387

 

$

 

$

132,662

 

Goodwill acquired and other adjustments to purchase price allocation

 

73

 

 

258

 

331

 

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

(773

)

 

 

(773

)

Balance as of July 19, 2005

 

$

122,575

 

$

9,387

 

$

258

 

$

132,220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of July 20, 2005

 

$

84,851

 

19,437

 

$

12,005

 

$

116,293

 

Goodwill acquired and other adjustments to purchase price allocation

 

19,388

 

172

 

 

19,560

 

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

634

 

 

 

634

 

Balance as of December 31, 2005

 

104,873

 

19,609

 

12,005

 

136,487

 

Goodwill acquired and other adjustments to purchase price allocation

 

7,086

 

2,089

 

10,676

 

19,851

 

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

1,673

 

 

 

1,673

 

Balance as of December 31, 2006

 

$

113,632

 

$

21,698

 

$

22,681

 

$

158,011

 

 

50




The Company’s other intangible assets with indefinite lives consist of $98,802 and $100,906 related to brand names as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.  The Company determined that these brand names had indefinite lives due to their strong reputation for excellence in protecting workers from hazardous and life-threatening environments, their history of developing innovative and differentiated products and their strong market share positions in key product lines.  In addition, these brand names have been in existence for multiple years and the Company has the ability and intent to continue supporting these brands.  The impairment review for indefinite lived intangibles compares the fair value of each intangible to its carrying value.  Based on the impairment test, the Company determined that no impairment of indefinite lived intangibles existed.

The Company’s other intangible assets with finite lives consist of brand names, customer relationships, technology and favorable leaseholds.  The following table summarizes other intangible assets with finite lives:

 

 

December 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Gross
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Carrying
Amount

 

Gross
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Carrying
Amount

 

Brand names

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

210

 

$

(123

)

$

87

 

Customer relationships

 

160,478

 

(3,072

)

157,406

 

174,296

 

(12,050

)

162,246

 

Technology

 

20,910

 

(729

)

20,181

 

20,910

 

(2,823

)

18,087

 

Favorable Leaseholds

 

510

 

(57

)

453

 

510

 

(398

)

112

 

Total

 

$

181,898

 

$

(3,858

)

$

178,040

 

$

195,926

 

$

(15,394

)

$

180,532

 

 

Future amortization expense for other finite lived intangible assets held as of December 31, 2006, is as follows:

2007

 

$

11,522

 

2008

 

11,324

 

2009

 

11,324

 

2010

 

11,324

 

2011

 

11,324

 

Thereafter

 

123,714

 

 

 

$

180,532

 

 

Income Taxes

The Company is a limited liability company.  The Predecessor income is allocated to, and included in the individual returns of the unitholders of NSP Holdings which is treated as a partnership under federal tax law.  The Successor income is included as part of the U.S. federal consolidated return of Safety Products.  Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are corporations which are subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes.  For the Predecessor period the tax liability for these entities is calculated on a stand alone basis.  For the Successor period, these entities are treated as filing as part of a consolidated group with the Company.  Additionally, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are subject to their respective foreign income tax reporting requirements.

Deferred income taxes are recognized for the difference in reporting of certain assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes.  These temporary differences are determined by applying enacted statutory rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities.  Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets which are not more likely than not to be realized.  Deferred income taxes are not provided on the unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries because it has been the practice, and it is the intention, of the Company to continue to reinvest these earnings in the businesses outside the United States.  The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.  Tax contingencies are reserved (including related interest) for tax positions taken for which the likelihood of being sustained is considered to be less than probable.  Tax contingency reserves are re-evaluated throughout the year taking into account new legislation, regulations, case law and tax audit results.

51




Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred.  Advertising expense was approximately $3,021, $2,422, $1,547 and $4,806 for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005, and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounts of foreign operations are measured using local currency as the functional currency.  For those operations, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the end of period exchange rates and income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the period.  Net adjustments resulting from such translation are accumulated as a separate component of other comprehensive income included in member’s equity.  The accumulated balance of the foreign currency translation adjustments included as a component of the accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $1,987 and $7,331 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates its long-lived assets on an ongoing basis.  Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the related asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If the asset is determined to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, the New Senior Credit Facility, notes payable, and the New Senior Subordinated Notes (see Note 7).  The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments were not materially different from their carrying values at December 31, 2005 and 2006.  The Company estimates the fair value of its obligations using the discounted cash flow method with interest rates currently available for similar obligations.

Insurance

Employee medical costs are insured under commercial excess policies.  The Company covers the cost of such coverages up to certain retention limits.  Insurance claim reserves for employee medical costs represent the estimated amounts necessary to settle outstanding claims, including claims that are incurred but not reported, based on the facts in each case and the Company’s experience with similar cases.  These estimates are continually reviewed and updated, and any resulting adjustments are reflected in current income from operations.

The liability related to medical self-insurance was $2,520 and $ 2,505 as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.  Medical self-insurance expense was approximately $6,270, $4,800, $3,109 and $7,621 for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

Use of Estimates in the Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Employee Benefit Plans

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to recognize in its statement of financial position an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status, measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the year in which the changes occur. Those changes are reported in comprehensive income

52




and as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. SFAS No. 158 does not change the amount of net periodic benefit cost included in net earnings. The requirement to recognize the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans is effective for the Company as of December 31, 2007, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the recognition and measurement provisions of SFAS No. 158 for the year ended December 31, 2006 and recognized $3,464 of accumulated comprehensive income, net of tax. This represented the net impact of a $5,672 decrease to pension, post-retirement and deferred compensation and a $2,208 decrease to deferred tax assets (see Note 9). The Company’s measurement date for its defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans was December 31, 2006.

Management Incentive Compensation

Prior to December 31, 2005, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation programs according to the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“ABP”) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB No. 25”), as permitted by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 (R), Share-Based Payments (“SFAS No. 123(R)”). As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, income before income taxes and net income for the year ended December 31, 2006, are $1,610 and $984 lower, respectively, than if the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB No. 25. The application of the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) would not have had an impact on the Company’s results in 2005 (see Note 21).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, and the Company will adopt FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007, as required. The Company is in the process of determining the effects, if any, that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for the Company as of the beginning of its fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The Company is in the process of determining the effects, if any, that adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on its financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This statement is intended to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. It also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The statement does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value, and it does not establish requirements for recognizing dividend income, interest income or interest expense. It also does not eliminate disclosure requirements included in other accounting standards. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 159 as of the beginning of its fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.  The Company is in the process of determining the effects, if any, that adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have on its financial statements.

53




5.  Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2006

 

Land

 

$

8,271

 

$

8,656

 

Buildings and improvements

 

15,989

 

18,264

 

Machinery and equipment

 

33,074

 

41,695

 

Dies and tooling

 

5,852

 

7,276

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

1,704

 

3,138

 

Computers and office equipment

 

4,479

 

6,878

 

Construction in progress

 

2,730

 

1,995

 

 

 

72,099

 

87,902

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

(4,784

)

(18,275

)

 

 

$

67,315

 

$

69,627

 

 

6.  Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2006

 

At FIFO cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

23,755

 

$

24,823

 

Work in process

 

12,745

 

13,756

 

Finished goods

 

57,126

 

70,799

 

 

 

93,626

 

109,378

 

Adjustment to LIFO cost

 

(164

)

(1,108

)

 

 

$

93,462

 

$

108,270

 

 

7. Debt

The Company’s debt consists of the following:

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2006

 

Revolving credit facilities

 

$

 

$

 

Term loan

 

152,390

 

165,720

 

Senior subordinated notes

 

152,500

 

152,500

 

European term loans

 

248

 

173

 

Subordinated seller notes

 

 

1,750

 

Capital lease obligations

 

75

 

205

 

Unamortized premium on senior subordinated notes

 

7,186

 

6,148

 

 

 

312,399

 

326,496

 

Less: Current maturities of long-term obligations

 

2,735

 

5,830

 

 

 

$

309,664

 

$

320,666

 

 

On July 19, 2005, in conjunction with the Norcross Transaction, the Company entered into a new Senior Credit Facility (the “New Credit Facility”) which provides for aggregate borrowings of $138,000, consisting of (a) a term loan in the amount of $88,000, payable in twenty-eight consecutive quarterly installments which commenced on September 30, 2005 and (b) a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $50,000.  The New Credit Facility is comprised of a U.S. revolving facility and a Canadian subfacility.  The amount of the total U.S. revolving facility is an amount equal to $50,000 less the amount at such time outstanding under the Canadian subfacility.  The amount of the total Canadian subfacility is an amount denominated in Canadian dollars having a U.S. dollar equivalent of $25,000 less the amount at such time outstanding under the U.S. revolving facility.  At any time upon the request of the Company or the U.S. Subsidiary Borrowers (as defined in the New Credit Facility), one or more new term loan facilities may be added in any aggregate amount of up to $100,000 (and not less than

54




$10,000 for any such additional term loan), subject to certain conditions, the proceeds of which shall be used to finance permitted acquisitions, pay fees and related expenses thereto and to refinance indebtedness of the entity or associated with the assets to be so acquired.  The New Credit Facility is subject to certain mandatory prepayments upon the occurrence of certain events, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the credit agreement.  The proceeds of the New Credit Facility were used primarily to refinance the Former Credit Facility.  As of December 31, 2006, the interest rate was 7.5% for the term loan.

Borrowings under the U.S. revolving facility and term loan bear interest at a rate per annum equal to our choice of (a) an alternate base rate (which is equal to the higher of (i) the rate of interest announced by Credit Suisse as its prime rate in effect and (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%) or (b) the Eurodollar rate, plus an applicable margin.  Borrowings under the Canadian subfacility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian prime rate (which is the higher of (i) the rate of interest announced by Credit Suisse, Toronto Branch, as its reference rate then in effect for determining interest rates on Canadian dollar denominated commercial loans in Canada and (ii) the CDOR rate plus 0.50% per annum), plus an applicable margin, or with respect to banker’s acceptances or their equivalents, the discount rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin.

Initially, the applicable margin with respect to the revolving credit facility was (a) 1.25% in the case of alternate base rate loans and Canadian dollar prime loans and (b) 2.25% in the case of Eurodollar rate loans and bankers’ acceptance rate loans.  With respect to the term loan, the applicable margin will be (a) 1.00% in the case of alternate base rate loans and (b) 2.00% in the case of Eurodollar rate loans.  After December 31, 2005, the margins applicable to the revolving credit facility and the U.S. swing line loans adjust on a sliding scale based on the total leverage ratio of the Company and its subsidiaries.  In addition, the Company will be required to pay to the lenders under the revolving credit facility an initial commitment fee in respect of the unused commitments thereunder at a per annum rate of 0.50%.  After December 31, 2005, the commitment fee rate adjusts on a sliding scale based on the total leverage ratio of the Company and its subsidiaries.

The U.S. revolver also provides for the issuance of letters of credit of up to $5,000 or in an amount which, when added to the aggregate outstanding amount under the U.S. and Canadian revolvers, will not exceed $50,000.  The Canadian revolver provides for the issuance of letters of credit of up to Canadian $1,000 or in an amount which, when added to the aggregate outstanding principal amount under the Canadian revolver, will not exceed the U.S. equivalent of $25,000.  At December 31, 2006, total letters of credit outstanding were $2,521 under the U.S. revolver and the Company had aggregate unused credit available of $47,479 under the U.S. and Canadian revolver.

On November 1, 2005, the Company entered into the Incremental Facility Amendment to the New Credit Facility (the “Amendment”).  Under the terms of the Amendment, the Company, the U.S. Borrowers and the Lenders agreed to a total incremental term commitment from the Increasing Lenders of $65,000.  Additionally, the Amendment required, among other things, that the proceeds of the incremental term loans be used for permitted acquisitions and the consolidated senior leverage ratio, after giving effect to the use of the proceeds, not exceed 3.25 to 1.00.

On June 9, 2006, the Company entered into the Second Incremental Facility Amendment to the New Credit Facility (the “Second Amendment”).  Under the terms of the Second Amendment, the Company, the U.S. Borrowers and the Lenders agreed to a total incremental term commitment from the Increasing Lenders of $15,000.  Additionally, the Second Amendment required, among other things, that the proceeds of the incremental term loans be used for permitted acquisitions and the consolidated senior leverage ratio, after giving effect to the use of the proceeds, not exceed 3.25 to 1.00.

On August 13, 2003, the Company and Norcross Capital Corp. (“Capital”) issued $152,500 of 9.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the “New Senior Subordinated Notes”). In connection with the Norcross Transaction, the Company entered into a supplemental indenture dated as of July 19, 2005 (the “Supplemental Indenture”) by and among the Company, Capital, the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”) under the indenture dated as of August 13, 2003 (the “Indenture”) providing for the issuance of the New Senior Subordinated Notes.  Pursuant to the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the definition of Permitted Holders was amended and the parties confirmed that the Requisite Consents (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture) had been delivered in order to waive the Company’s obligations under the Change in Control covenant of the Indenture in connection with the Norcross Transaction.

The New Credit Facility and New Senior Subordinated Notes contain certain covenants restricting the Company’s ability to: (i) incur additional indebtedness, (ii) dispose of property or issue capital stock, (iii) declare or pay dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock, (iv) make capital expenditures, (v) make loans or investments,

55




(vi) prepay, amend, or otherwise alter debt and other material agreements, (vii) transact with affiliates, and (viii) engage in sale and leaseback transactions.  The Company is also subject to certain financial covenants including the maintenance of minimum interest and fixed charge coverage ratios and a total leverage ratio.

The New Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s property and assets.  The New Senior Subordinated Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that are subordinate to borrowings under the New Credit Facility and European term loans.  The New Credit Facility and the New Senior Subordinated Notes are guaranteed by the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and by Safety Products.  In addition, borrowing under the Canadian revolver are guaranteed by the Canadian subsidiaries.

Revolving credit facilities in Europe permit borrowings of up to €2,717, of which €2,717 was available at December 31, 2006.

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2006 are as follows:

2007

 

$

5,830

 

2008

 

3,626

 

2009

 

3,738

 

2010

 

3,207

 

2011

 

233,381

 

Thereafter

 

76,714

 

 

 

$

326,496

 

 

Interest paid during the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006 was approximately $20,567, $12,047, $9,406 and $26,935, respectively.

8.  Income Taxes

For the Predecessor, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to foreign and U.S. federal, state and local income taxes.  The components of “Income before income taxes and minority interest,” for the C corporations subject to foreign and U.S. federal, state and local income taxes consist of U.S. income of $11,078 and $12,516 and foreign income of $6,107 and $5,244, for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, respectively.

For the Successor, Safety Products and its U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. corporate income tax return.  While the separate company results attributable solely to the parent company are not reported herein, the income and losses attributable to all other subsidiaries and the U.S. and foreign income taxes attributable to such income or losses are reported in full.  The components of “Income before income taxes and minority interest,” for the subsidiaries subject to foreign and U.S. federal, state and local income taxes consist of U.S. income of $2,520 and $22,865 and foreign (losses) income of $(24) and $12,207, for the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

The income tax expense on income before income taxes and minority interest consists of the following:

56




 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year Ended 
December 31,
2004

 

January 1,
2005
through
July 19,
2005

 

July 20,
2005
through
December 31,
2005

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2006

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

207

 

$

185

 

$

1,058

 

$

(678

)

State and local

 

171

 

65

 

216

 

2,487

 

Foreign

 

3,007

 

2,886

 

1,424

 

5,053

 

Total current provision

 

3,385

 

3,136

 

2,698

 

6,862

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

 

(6

)

7,574

 

State and local

 

 

 

(1

)

368

 

Foreign

 

(413

)

383

 

(1,229

)

(1,616

)

Total deferred (benefit) expense

 

(413

)

383

 

(1,236

)

6,326

 

Income tax expense

 

$

2,972

 

$

3,519

 

$

1,462

 

$

13,188

 

 

The income tax expense differs from the amount of income tax benefit expense computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes and minority interest.  A reconciliation of the difference is as follows:

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2004

 

January 1,
2005
through
July 19,
2005

 

July 20,
2005
through
December 31,
2005

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2006

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Income tax expense at statutory federal tax rate

 

$

9,899

 

$

2,771

 

$

874

 

$

12,275

 

Adjustment for limited liability company income included in the return of the unit holders of NSP Holdings

 

(3,894

)

3,290

 

 

 

C corporation income tax expense at statutory federal tax rate

 

6,005

 

6,061

 

874

 

12,275

 

(Decrease) increase resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State and local taxes, net of federal benefit

 

110

 

33

 

139

 

1,521

 

Foreign subsidiaries’ tax rate differences

 

(353

)

1,219

 

154

 

(168

)

Change in valuation allowance—U.S.

 

(3,711

)

(4,407

)

 

 

Change in valuation allowance—Foreign

 

415

 

 

(6

)

 

Change in deferred tax rate

 

 

 

 

(1,360

)

Nondeductible depreciation, amortization and other expenses

 

(149

)

46

 

68

 

 

Other

 

655

 

567

 

233

 

920

 

Income tax expense

 

$

2,972

 

$

3,519

 

$

1,462

 

$

13,188

 

 

The tax effect of temporary differences that gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:

57




 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

United States net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

4,321

 

$

89

 

Inventories—Principally obsolescence reserves

 

2,607

 

3,000

 

Intangibles—Principally covenant not to compete

 

3,866

 

1,086

 

Pensions and deferred compensation

 

12,439

 

5,232

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

244

 

279

 

Other—Principally accruals

 

4,548

 

5,746

 

Total deferred tax asset

 

28,025

 

15,432

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

13,682

 

11,712

 

LIFO reserve

 

2,426

 

2,824

 

Intangible assets

 

59,136

 

62,203

 

Other—Principally inventory step-up

 

2,047

 

1,152

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

77,291

 

77,891

 

Net deferred tax liability

 

$

(49,266

)

$

(62,459

)

 

The U.S. net operating losses expire beginning in 2018.  In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.  Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  For the years ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the Predecessor began to generate taxable income and utilized a portion of its net operating loss carryforward; which resulted in a decrease in the valuation allowance.  For the Successor, no valuation reserve is recorded due primarily to two factors:  1) the change in the Company’s tax structure which allows all U.S. subsidiaries to file a consolidated federal return and 2) the creation of significant deferred tax liabilities in purchase accounting which can be offset by the Company’s deferred tax assets, allowing full recognition of the assets.

Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $24,572 at December 31, 2006.  These earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been provided thereon.  Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation.

The income tax expense for the Predecessor differs from the amount of income tax expense computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes and minority interest primarily due to: 1) the tax structure of certain U.S. subsidiaries which requires income taxes to be distributed to and paid by the unitholders, 2) net operating loss carryforwards in the United States and 3) the settlement of income tax audits in Canada and the Netherlands.

The income tax expense for the Successor differs from the amount of income tax expense computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes and minority interest primarily due to state income taxes and changes in enacted future tax rates in certain foreign jurisdictions which impacted our deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Income taxes paid during the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006 were $1,148, $2,393, $3,879 and $5,467, respectively.

9.  Employee Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors a tax-qualified, defined-benefit pension plan covering the majority of all U.S.-based employees.  Effective December 31, 2006, the Company froze the plan and therefore, employees will no longer accrue benefits under the plan.  Through December 31, 2006, the pension plan’s benefits were based on years of service, employment with the Company, retirement date, and compensation or stated amounts for each year of

58




service.  The Company’s funding policy is to annually contribute amounts sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Additionally, the Company has a nonqualified defined-benefit pension plans covering employees who were highly compensated.   Effective December 31, 2006, the Company froze this plan and therefore, employees will no longer accrue benefits under the plans.

The majority of the Company’s U.S.-based employees are covered by postretirement health and life insurance benefit plans. Effective December 31, 2006, participation in the plan was limited to employees over the age of 55 with 10 years of service.  The expected cost of these benefits is recognized during the years that employees render services.  Retiree contributions are required depending on the year of retirement and the number of years of service at the time of retirement.

As a result of the amendments to the tax-qualified and nonqualified pension plans and postretirement health and life insurance benefit plans as discussed above, the Company recorded a non-cash curtailment gain of $6,751 in 2006, which is reflected in general and administrative expenses.

The following table sets forth the details of the funded status of the pension and post-retirement plans, the amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position, the components of net periodic benefit cost, and the weighted-average assumptions used in determining these amounts:

59




 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

January 1, 2005 
through
July 19, 2005

 

July 20, 2005
through
December 31, 2005

 

Year ended
December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of period

 

$

64,694

 

$

1,440

 

$

70,567

 

$

1,483

 

$

73,309

 

$

1,404

 

Fibre-Metal opening obligation

 

 

 

3,085

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

903

 

14

 

855

 

12

 

2,170

 

25

 

Interest cost

 

1,960

 

43

 

1,692

 

34

 

4,018

 

72

 

Benefits paid

 

(1,698

)

(250

)

(897

)

(162

)

(2,950

)

(192

)

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

4,708

 

237

 

(1,993

)

37

 

(2,413

)

(37

)

Curtailment gain

 

 

 

 

 

(6,626

)

(125

)

Benefit obligation at end of period

 

$

70,567

 

$

1,484

 

$

73,309

 

$

1,404

 

$

67,508

 

$

1,147

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

 

$

37,854

 

$

 

$

40,083

 

$

 

$

44,870

 

$

 

Fibre-Metal opening plan assets

 

 

 

3,053

 

 

 

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

1,052

 

 

863

 

 

5,709

 

 

Employer contribution

 

2,876

 

250

 

1,768

 

162

 

5,234

 

192

 

Benefits paid

 

(1,698

)

(250

)

(897

)

(162

)

(2,950

)

(192

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

 

$

40,084

 

$

 

$

44,870

 

$

 

$

52,863

 

$

 

Reconciliation of amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

$

(63,524

)

$

(1,484

)

$

(66,561

)

$

(1,404

)

$

(67,508

)

$

(1,147

)

Effect of salary projection

 

(7,043

)

 

(6,748

)

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

(70,567

)

(1,484

)

(73,309

)

(1,404

)

(67,508

)

(1,147

)

Market value of assets

 

40,084

 

 

44,870

 

 

52,863

 

 

Funded status

 

(30,483

)

(1,484

)

(28,439

)

(1,404

)

(14,645

)

(1,147

)

Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)

 

21,538

 

1,331

 

(1,223

)

37

 

(5,672

)

 

Unrecognized prior service cost

 

36

 

109

 

 

 

 

 

Amount recognized at end of period

 

$

(8,909

)

$

(44

)

$

(29,662

)

$

(1,367

)

$

(20,317

)

$

(1,147

)

Net amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued benefit liability

 

$

(23,440

)

$

(44

)

$

(29,662

)

$

(1,367

)

$

(20,317

)

$

(1,147

)

Intangible asset

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)

 

14,495

 

 

 

 

(5,672

)

 

Net amount recognized at end of period

 

$

(8,909

)

$

(44

)

$

(29,662

)

$

(1,367

)

$

(14,645

)

$

(1,147

)

 

60




 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

January 1, 2005 
through
July 19, 2005

 

July 20, 2005
through
December 31, 2005

 

Year ended
December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Change in accrued benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued benefit cost at beginning of year

 

$

10,171

 

$

180

 

$

30,483

 

$

1,483

 

$

29,662

 

$

1,367

 

Fibre-Metal opening accrued benefit cost

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

1,614

 

114

 

914

 

46

 

2,515

 

97

 

Contributions

 

(2,876

)

(250

)

(1,767

)

(162

)

(5,234

)

(192

)

Curtailment gain

 

 

 

 

 

(6,626

)

(125

)

Accrued benefit cost at December 31

 

$

8,909

 

$

44

 

$

29,662

 

$

1,367

 

$

20,317

 

$

1,147

 

 Weighted average assumptions used to determine year end benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

5.25

%

5.25

%

5.50

%

5.50

%

5.90

%

5.90

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

4.00

%

 

4.00

%

 

4.00

%

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year ended
December 31, 2004

 

January 1, 2005
through
July 19, 2005

 

July 20, 2005
through
December 31, 2005

 

Year ended
December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Components of net benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

1,566

 

$

26

 

$

903

 

$

14

 

$

855

 

$

12

 

$

2,170

 

$

25

 

Interest cost

 

3,511

 

82

 

1,961

 

43

 

1,692

 

34

 

4,018

 

72

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(2,683

)

 

(1,780

)

 

(1,633

)

 

(3,673

)

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

5

 

18

 

3

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

886

 

85

 

527

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic expense

 

3,285

 

211

 

1,614

 

114

 

914

 

46

 

2,515

 

97

 

Curtailment gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,626

)

(125

)

Net expense (income)

 

$

3,285

 

$

211

 

$

1,614

 

$

114

 

$

914

 

$

46

 

$

(4,111

)

$

(28

)

 Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

6.00

%

6.00

%

5.75

%

5.75

%

5.25

%

5.25

%

5.50

%

5.50

%

Expected return on plan assets

 

8.50

%

 

8.50

%

 

8.50

%

 

8.00

%

 

Rate of compensation increase

 

4.00

%

 

4.00

%

 

4.00

%

 

4.00

%

 

 

61




The long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is reviewed annually.  An investment model is used to determine an expected rate of return based on current investment allocation.  The investment model considers past performance and forward looking assumptions for each asset class based on current market indices, key economic indicators and assumed long-term rate of inflation.  The long-term rate of return assumption is adjusted, as needed, such that it falls between the 25th and 75th percentile expected return generated from the model.

The Company’s investment philosophy is to diversify the pension assets subject to a specified asset allocation policy.  The Company rebalances the asset classes to stay within an acceptable range around the targeted allocation.  The philosophy recognizes that the primary objective for the management of the assets is to maximize return commensurate with the level of risk undertaken.  With the understanding that investment returns are largely uncertain from year to year, the basic return objective is to be achieved over an averaging period no greater than three to five years in duration.  The assets are invested in both indexed funds and actively managed funds, depending on the asset class.

The Company’s plan asset allocation at December 31, 2005 and 2006, and target allocation for 2007, by asset category are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target

 

 

 

December 31,

 

Allocation

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Post-
Retirement
Benefits

 

Equity securities

 

60

%

%

60

%

%

60

%

%

Debt securities

 

40

%

%

40

%

%

40

%

%

 

Future expected benefit payments as of December 31, 2006, is as follows:

2007

 

$

3,265

 

2008

 

3,455

 

2009

 

3,646

 

2010

 

3,867

 

2011

 

4,172

 

Thereafter

 

24,624

 

 

 

$

43,029

 

 

The Company expects 2007 contributions for pension and post-retirement benefits to be approximately $4,076.  The Company does not expect any amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2006 to be recognized for the year ended December 31, 2007 due to the pension freeze discussed above.

The Company also sponsors defined-contribution plans covering substantially all of its U.S.-based employees.  The Company’s contribution to these plans ranges from 0% to 4% of a participant’s salary.  In addition, the Company may elect to make discretionary contributions to some of the plans.  The amount expensed for various match provisions of the plans was $907, $558, $406, and $1,104 for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005, and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

10.  Lease Commitments

The Company leases certain assets whose terms and conditions qualify the obligations for treatment as capital leases.

The Company also leases certain facilities under various noncancelable operating lease agreements.  Future minimum lease payments under capital and noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2006, are as follows:

62




 

 

 

Capital Leases

 

Operating
Leases

 

2007

 

$

83

 

$

7,065

 

2008

 

83

 

5,977

 

2009

 

69

 

5,119

 

2010

 

 

4,288

 

2011

 

 

2,754

 

Thereafter

 

 

10,720

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

235

 

$

35,923

 

Less: Amount representing interest

 

30

 

 

 

Present value of net minimum capital lease payments

 

205

 

 

 

Less: Current portion of obligations under capital leases

 

68

 

 

 

Obligations under capital leases, excluding current installments

 

$

137

 

 

 

 

Rent expense was $5,513, $3,488, $2,676 and $7,314 for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005, and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

11.  Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to various claims arising in the ordinary course of business.  Most of these lawsuits and claims are product liability matters that arise out of the use of respiratory product lines manufactured by the Company’s North Safety Products subsidiary.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company’s North Safety Products subsidiary, along with its predecessors and/or the former owners of such business were named as defendants in approximately 632 lawsuits involving respirators allegedly manufactured and sold by it or its predecessors. The Company is also monitoring an additional 12 lawsuits in which it feels that North Safety Products, its predecessors and/or the former owners of such businesses may be named as defendants. Collectively, these 644 lawsuits represent a total of approximately 8,746 plaintiffs. Approximately 85% of these lawsuits involve plaintiffs alleging injury resulting from exposure to silica dust, with the remainder alleging injury resulting from exposure to other dust particles, including asbestos. These lawsuits typically allege that the purposed injuries resulted in part from respirators that were negligently designed or manufactured. Invensys plc (“Invensys”), formerly Siebe plc, is contractually obligated to indemnify the Company for any losses, including costs of defending claims, resulting from respiratory products manufactured or sold prior to the acquisition of North Safety Products in October 1998.

In addition, the Company’s North Safety Products subsidiary is contractually entitled to indemnification from Norton Company, an affiliate of Saint-Gobain, which owned the North Safety Products business prior to Invensys. Pursuant to a December 14, 1982 asset purchase agreement, Siebe Norton, Inc., a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Norton Company, acquired the assets of Norton’s Safety Products Division and the stock of this company was in turn acquired by Siebe Gorman Holdings PLC. Under the terms of the agreement, Siebe Norton, Inc. did not assume any liability for claims relating to products shipped by Norton Company prior to the closing date. Moreover, Norton Company covenanted in the agreement to indemnify Siebe Norton, Inc. and its successors and assigns against any liability resulting from or arising out of any state of facts, omissions or events existing or occurring on or before the closing date, including, without limitation, any claims arising from products shipped by Norton Company or any of its affiliates prior to the closing date. Siebe Norton, Inc., whose name was subsequently changed to Siebe North Inc., was subsequently acquired by the Company as part of the 1998 acquisition of the North Safety Products business from Invensys.

Despite these indemnification arrangements, the Company could potentially be liable for losses or claims relating to products manufactured prior to the October 1998 acquisition date if Invensys fails to meet its obligations to indemnify the Company and the Company could potentially be liable for losses and claims relating to products sold prior to January 10, 1983 if both Invensys and Norton fail to meet their obligations to indemnify the Company. The Company could also be liable if the alleged exposure involved the use of a product manufactured by the Company after the October 1998 acquisition of the North Safety Products business.  The Company believes that Invensys has the ability to pay these claims based on its current financial position, as publicly disclosed by Invensys.

Effective July 1, 2006, the Company entered into a joint defense agreement through December 31, 2008 with the former owners of the North Safety Products business (the “Joint Defense Agreement” or “JDA”).  Under the terms of the Joint Defense Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a weighted average percentage of defense costs (including legal fees, expert witnesses and out of pocket expenses) associated with defending the Company

63




and the prior owners of the North Safety Products business subject to a cap of $525, $960 and $1,000 for the period from July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006, the year ended December 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.  The cap excludes settlement costs and other costs incurred exclusively by the Company (including trial costs and special requests of counsel), which it be required to pay under the JDA.  Separately, the Company agreed to pay Invensys $200 related to settled cases through June 30, 2006 in which Invensys claimed that the period of alleged exposure included periods after October 1998.

Although the JDA expires on December 31, 2008, the Company expects to incur additional defense and settlement costs beyond this date. The Company will consider its alternatives for defending the claims as the JDA nears expiration and determine the appropriate course of action, which would include an extension of the JDA.

Based upon information provided to the Company by Invensys, the Company believes activity related to these lawsuits was as follows for the periods indicated:

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

Plaintiffs

 

Cases

 

Plaintiffs

 

Cases

 

Plaintiffs

 

Cases

 

Beginning lawsuits

 

24,002

 

680

 

25,944

 

858

 

18,459

 

1,148

 

New lawsuits

 

4,658

 

372

 

2,226

 

587

 

653

 

498

 

Settlements

 

(546

)

(46

)

24

 

(32

)

(5

)

(5

)

Dismissals and other

 

(2,170

)

(148

)

(9,735

)

(265

)

(10,361

)

(997

)

Ending lawsuits

 

25,944

 

858

 

18,459

 

1,148

 

8,746

 

644

 

 

Both the rate of new filings and the number of existing claimants have declined dramatically since 2003 as courts and legislatures have tightened the rules on when and where the silica claims can be pursued in an effort to reduce the large number of unmeritorious claims.  The new rules make bringing silica cases on a mass level much less attractive to the plaintiffs’ bar.  Plaintiffs’ attorneys in many jurisdictions can no longer (1) find a worker with some stated exposure to silica, (2) take a X-ray of his chest, (3) have it interpreted as demonstrating lung shadows by a radiologist, (4) then file a single lawsuit in a dangerous venue with hundreds of other plaintiffs against hundreds of defendants with the pleading containing little more than the parties’ names and some standard pleading language. More specifically, the legislatures of at least seven states — including former hotbeds of silica litigation such as Texas, Florida and Ohio — passed impairment-criteria legislation that redefined injury. These acts force plaintiffs to prove impairment as a result of their exposure to qualify for judicial treatment.  The same legislation requires that each silica claimant be tried individually, and not in the multiple plaintiff format in which the potential for large verdicts resulted from increased plaintiffs and where a few meritorious claims could increase the value of unmeritorious ones. Further tort reform in Texas created a state-wide multi-district litigation (“MDL”) wherein one judge presides over the pretrial of all Texas-silica cases. In Mississippi, the Supreme Court changed the venue rules making it much more difficult to file out-of-state plaintiffs there. The Mississippi court also changed the pleading requirements making the plaintiffs’ attorneys include plaintiff-specific allegations against each defendant sued, instead of the vague allegations against hundreds of defendants.

Plaintiffs have asserted specific dollar claims in approximately 28% of the approximately 632 cases pending as of December 31, 2006 in which North Safety Products, its predecessors and/or the former owners of such businesses have been named as defendants. A majority of jurisdictions prohibit specifying damages in tort cases such as these, and most of the remaining jurisdictions do not require such specification. In those cases in which plaintiffs choose to assert specific dollar amounts in their complaints, brought in states that permit such pleading, the amounts claimed are typically not meaningful as an indicator of a company’s potential liability. This is because (1) the amounts claimed typically bear no relation to the level of the plaintiff’s injury, (2) the complaints typically assert claims against numerous defendants, and (3) many cases are brought on behalf of plaintiffs who have not suffered any medical injury, and ultimately are resolved without any payment or payment of a small fraction of the damages initially claimed. Of the 632 complaints maintained in the Company’s records, 454 do not specify the amount of damages sought, 25 generally allege damages in excess of $50, one alleges compensatory damages in excess of $50 and an unspecified amount of punitive damages, 81 allege compensatory damages and punitive damages, each in excess of $25, two generally allege damages in excess of $100, four allege compensatory damages and punitive damages, each in excess of $50, 20 generally allege damages in excess of $15,000, one generally alleges damages of $23,000, one alleges compensatory damages and punitive damages, each in excess of $10, four allege general damages of $18,000 and punitive damages of $10,000, two allege general damages of $13,000 and punitive damages of $10,000, one alleges compensatory and punitive damages, each in excess of $15, one alleges punitive damages in

64




excess of $25, one alleges punitive damages in excess of $50, nine generally allege damages in excess of $15, 12 generally allege damages in excess of $25, one alleges compensatory damages of $18,000 and punitive damages of $10,000, one alleges punitive damages of $13,500 and compensatory damages of $10,000, one alleges punitive damages of $13,000 and compensatory damages of $10,000, seven allege compensatory damages of $13,000 and punitive damages of $10,000, one alleges compensatory and punitive damages, each of $15 and two allege compensatory and punitive damages, each in excess of $15,000. The Company currently does not have access to the complaints with respect to the previously mentioned additional 12 monitored cases, and therefore it does not know whether these cases allege specific damages, or if so, the amount of such damages, but is in the process of seeking to obtain such information. Due to the reasons noted above and to the indemnification arrangements benefiting the Company, it does not believe that the damage amounts specified in these complaints are a meaningful factor in any assessment of the Company’s potential liability.

The Predecessor recorded a $1,250 reserve for respiratory claims during the year ended December 31, 2004.  The Predecessor reevaluated this reserve in its first and second quarter 2005 financial statements and concluded the $1,250 recorded reserve continued to be its best estimate of the probable loss for the respiratory contingency.

In the July 2005 acquisition purchase accounting (as first reported in the Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2005), the Company carried forward the $1,250 liability for this pre-acquisition contingency.  Although management concluded that it was likely their estimate of this pre-acquisition contingent liability would be increased during the purchase accounting allocation period as the new ownership finalized their strategy for addressing the liability and gathered information (primarily related to case information and the working relationship among the prior owners of North), it was unlikely the amount would be lower than the amount recorded by the Predecessor.  Thus, the $1,250 amount represented the low end of a probable loss range, subject to further adjustment during the allocation period.

In December 2005, the Company began negotiations with the former owners of the North business to enter into the JDA. The Company determined that the liability should be increased to $5,000 as of December 31, 2005 as part of the purchase price allocation process.  The $5,000 reserve as of December 31, 2005 represented management’s best estimate of the liability based on the current status of negotiations.  As of December 31, 2005, the estimate was still preliminary as the Company was awaiting finalization of the JDA negotiation process.

As discussed above, the Company entered into the JDA effective July 1, 2006 and completed its evaluation of the reserve.  After all information was obtained, the Company adjusted the reserve to $7,000 as part of the purchase price allocation process during the permitted allocation period.  As of December 31, 2006, the reserve balance is $6.8 million.

The final estimated amount recorded in purchase accounting related entirely to losses incurred before the July 2005 acquisition. The Company’s final estimate of the probable loss for the respiratory contingency incorporated the new ownerships’ decision to enter into the JDA.  The decision represented a significantly different plan as new ownership agreed to assume losses related to claims with unknown years of exposure.  In addition, the decision to enter the JDA was being considered from the date of the acquisition and the ultimate decision was made during the allocation period.

The Company believes that this reserve represents a reasonable estimate of its probable and estimable liabilities for product claims alleging injury resulting from exposure to silica dust and other particles, including asbestos. The Company believes that a five-year projection of claims and related defense costs is the most reasonable approach. This reserve will be re-evaluated periodically and additional charges or credits will be recorded to operating expenses as additional information becomes available.

It is possible that the Company may incur liabilities in an amount in excess of amounts currently reserved. However, taking into account currently available information, historical experience, and the Company’s indemnification from Invensys, but recognizing the inherent uncertainties in the projection of any future events, the Company believes that these suits or claims should not result in final judgments or settlements in excess of its reserve.

65




In connection with an ongoing dispute, one of the Company’s competitors has filed a complaint against it alleging that the Company has made a series of misrepresentations concerning this competitor and its products. The complaint seeks a retraction of all statements alleged to have been made by the Company and unspecified damages, including legal fees. A bench trial on the issue of liability was held in February 2006 and the matter is now awaiting ruling by the court. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims.

The Company is not otherwise involved in any material lawsuits. The Company historically has not been required to pay any material liability claims. The Company maintains insurance against product liability claims (with the exception of asbestosis and silicosis cases, for which coverage is not commercially available), but it is possible that its insurance coverage will not continue to be available on terms acceptable to the Company or that such coverage will not be adequate for liabilities actually incurred.

12.  Restructuring and Merger-Related Charges

In conjunction with the Fibre-Metal Transaction, the Company initiated a restructuring plan to close the Fibre-Metal manufacturing facility located in Concordville, Pennsylvania and move production to its Cranston, Rhode Island and Mexicali, Mexico facilities.  In addition, the Company plans to close certain Fibre-Metal distribution centers and integrate Fibre-Metal distribution into its existing distribution facilities.  The Company initiated this plan in order to increase profitability through utilizing excess capacity at its existing plants and moving manufacturing to locations with favorable labor costs.  The Company expects to complete the plan in the second quarter of 2007.  As of the date of the Fibre-Metal Transaction, the Company recorded an accrual for costs associated with the plan of $1,716, comprised of $1,383 in severance costs and $333 in facility closure and other exit costs.  The restructuring liability is classified within the accrued expenses caption on the consolidated balance sheet.

A rollforward of the restructuring liability is as follows:

 

Severance
and
severance
related
costs

 

Facility
closure and
other exit
costs

 

Total

 

Balance at November 2, 2005

 

$

1,383

 

$

333

 

$

1,716

 

Payments

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2005

 

1,383

 

333

 

1,716

 

Payments

 

(345

)

(163

)

(508

)

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

1

 

3

 

4

 

Balance as of December 31, 2006

 

$

1,039

 

$

173

 

$

1,212

 

 

In conjunction with the White Rubber Transaction, the Company initiated a restructuring plan to move certain production and distribution functions located in Ohio and Washington to its Charleston, South Carolina, Skokie, Illinois and Chicago, Illinois facilities.  The Company initiated this plan in order to increase profitability by utilizing excess capacity and consolidating distribution functions.  The Company expects to complete the plan in the second quarter of 2007.  As of the date of the White Rubber Transaction, the Company recorded an accrual for costs associated with the plan of $1,018, comprised of severance and severance related costs.   Since the White Rubber Transaction there have been $177 of payments recorded against the liability.  The restructuring liability is classified within the accrued expenses caption on the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company also recorded $1,539 of restructuring and merger-related charges related to plant relocations and acquisition integration activities during the year ended December 31, 2006.

13.  Related Party Transactions

The Predecessor funded certain debt obligations, equity redemptions, and operating expenses of NSP Holdings.  A receivable from NSP Holdings was recorded on the consolidated balance sheet under Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C. for payments made by the Company to NSP Holdings.  The receivable was considered due on demand.  Through July 3, 2004, the Company believed the amounts were recoverable as NSP Holdings had the financial ability, through an equity contribution from its members, to repay the receivable as demanded by the Company.  Subsequent to July 3, 2004, the Company determined that the Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C. balance of

66




$17,740 at December 31, 2004 would not likely be funded by NSP Holding and the Company reclassified the Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C. balance to member’s equity.  Accordingly, payments to NSP Holdings after July 3, 2004 are classified under financing activities in the statements of cash flows.  The Predecessor funded to NSP Holdings $1,761 and $558 for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, respectively.

The Predecessor also funded certain tax distributions of NSP Holdings, which were recorded as dividends through accumulated deficit.  For the year ended December 31, 2004 and the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the Predecessor funded $2,943 and $9 to NSP Holdings for tax distributions, respectively.

The Successor funded certain operating expenses and tax obligations of Safety Products, which were recorded as dividends through retained earnings.  For the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006, the Successor funded $728 and $1,000, respectively to Safety Products.

The Company leases a facility in Dayton, Ohio from American Firefighters Cooperative, Inc., a corporation controlled by William L. Grilliot, President—Fire Service.  The initial term of the lease ended on February 28, 2005, and was extended through April 30, 2009.  The base rent is $348 per year, payable in monthly installments.  In addition, the Company must also pay American Firefighters Cooperative, Inc. all general and special assessments of every kind, as additional rent during the term of the lease.  The rent paid was $366, $218, $155 and $382 for the year ended December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005, the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

The Company leases a facility in Ohatchee, Alabama from WKDG, Properties, LLC, a limited liability company controlled by Ernest Paffumi, our Vice President and General Manager-American Firewear and Robert Morgan, our Vice President of Production and Purchasing-American Firewear.  The lease began February 2, 2006 and has a six year term with the option to renew the lease for two periods of three years.  The base rent is $146 per year, payable in monthly installments.  In addition, the Company must also pay WKDG, Properties, LLC the actual amount of all real estate taxes and operating expenses of every kind, as additional rent during the term of the lease.  The rent paid for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $134.

14.  Segment Data

The Company has three reporting segments (each of which are operating segments):  general safety and preparedness, fire service, and electrical safety.  General safety and preparedness offers products to a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, construction, food processing and pharmaceutical industries and the military, under the North, Ranger, Servus, KCL, Fibre-Metal and NEOS  brand names.  The product offering includes respiratory protection, protective footwear, hand protection, eye, head and face protection, first aid, hearing protection and fall protection.  The Company sells its general safety and preparedness products primarily through industrial distributors.  Fire service offers personal protection equipment for the fire service market, providing firefighters head-to-toe protection.  The product offering includes bunker gear, fireboots, helmets, gloves and other accessories.  The Company markets its products under the Total Fire Group umbrella, using the brand names of Morning Pride, Ranger, Servus, American Firewear and Pro-Warrington.  The Company sells its fire service products primarily through specialized fire service distributors.  Electrical safety offers personal protection equipment for the utility market under the Salisbury, Servus and Safety Line brands.  The product offering includes linemen equipment, gloves, sleeves and footwear.  The Company distributes its electrical safety products through specialized distributors, test labs, utilities, and electrical contractors.

67




The following table presents information about the Company by segment:

 

 

General
Safety and
Preparedness

 

Fire
Service

 

Electrical
Safety

 

Corporate

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales—third parties

 

$

308,576

 

$

78,881

 

$

51,042

 

$

 

$

 

$

438,499

 

Net sales—intersegment

 

9,684

 

 

 

 

 

(9,684

)

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

31,112

 

14,972

 

11,148

 

(5,565

)

 

51,667

 

Strategic alternatives

 

 

 

 

616

 

 

616

 

Interest expense

 

22,385

 

52

 

 

 

 

22,437

 

Income tax expense

 

2,734

 

238

 

 

 

 

2,972

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,868

 

413

 

1,482

 

608

 

 

12,371

 

Purchase of plant, property and equipment

 

5,028

 

480

 

915

 

 

 

6,423

 

Period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales—third parties

 

186,434

 

51,702

 

33,558

 

 

 

271,694

 

Net sales—intersegment

 

5,548

 

 

 

 

(5,548

)

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

19,937

 

9,332

 

8,442

 

(16,387

)

 

21,324

 

Interest expense

 

13,112

 

14

 

 

 

 

13,126

 

Income tax expense

 

3,373

 

146

 

 

 

 

3,519

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

5,319

 

238

 

944

 

5

 

 

6,506

 

Purchase of plant, property and equipment

 

3,349

 

91

 

810

 

 

 

4,250

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales—third parties

 

146,103

 

36,213

 

27,080

 

 

 

209,396

 

Net sales—intersegment

 

3,750

 

 

 

 

(3,750

)

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

7,667

 

2,574

 

4,352

 

(2,763

)

 

11,830

 

Interest expense

 

9,496

 

3

 

 

 

 

9,499

 

Income tax expense

 

1,011

 

451

 

 

 

 

1,462

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,448

 

2,731

 

2,180

 

2

 

 

12,361

 

Purchase of plant, property and equipment

 

4,215

 

175

 

647

 

 

 

5,037

 

Total assets

 

683,664

 

138,581

 

97,122

 

 

(237,305

)

682,062

 

Year ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales—third parties

 

391,321

 

87,902

 

78,842

 

 

 

558,065

 

Net sales—intersegment

 

9,307

 

 

 

 

(9,307

)

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

46,099

 

8,364

 

14,853

 

(8,666

)

 

60,650

 

Interest expense

 

27,154

 

71

 

 

 

 

27,225

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

10,355

 

3,190

 

(357

)

 

 

13,188

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

16,796

 

4,571

 

4,455

 

13

 

 

25,835

 

Purchase of plant, property and equipment

 

9,294

 

285

 

1,994

 

 

 

11,573

 

Total assets

 

731,149

 

143,611

 

122,543

 

 

(263,351

)

733,952

 

 

68




15.  Product Line Data

The following table presents net sales of the Company by product line:

 

 

Predecessor

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

January 1,
2005
through
July 19,

 

July 20,
2005
through
December 31,

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Protective footwear

 

$

97,254

 

$

52,343

 

$

44,980

 

$

95,384

 

Hand protection

 

111,266

 

68,316

 

47,651

 

131,142

 

Eye, head and face

 

36,428

 

23,472

 

20,962

 

84,394

 

Respiratory

 

50,906

 

34,983

 

26,683

 

69,643

 

Protective garments

 

60,220

 

39,121

 

29,267

 

64,862

 

First aid

 

13,303

 

8,655

 

5,893

 

15,553

 

Hearing protection

 

7,800

 

4,704

 

3,214

 

8,172

 

Fall protection

 

12,860

 

9,531

 

7,134

 

19,677

 

Linemen equipment

 

28,248

 

17,613

 

14,418

 

42,999

 

Other

 

20,214

 

12,956

 

9,194

 

26,239

 

 

 

$

438,499

 

$

271,694

 

$

209,396

 

$

558,065

 

 

16.  Geographic Data

The following table presents information about the Company by geographic area:

 

United
States

 

Europe

 

Canada

 

Africa

 

Total
Foreign

 

Consolidated

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

293,622

 

$

68,357

 

$

59,498

 

$

17,022

 

$

144,877

 

$

438,499

 

Period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

173,711

 

46,204

 

40,917

 

10,862

 

97,983

 

271,694

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

139,405

 

30,380

 

31,654

 

7,957

 

69,991

 

209,396

 

Long-lived assets

 

289,931

 

32,183

 

26,141

 

1,011

 

59,335

 

349,266

 

Year ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

358,736

 

88,332

 

90,607

 

20,390

 

199,329

 

558,065

 

Long-lived assets

 

296,141

 

34,365

 

24,643

 

1,035

 

60,043

 

356,184

 

 

17.  Subsidiary Guarantors

All of the Company’s direct or indirect 100% owned active domestic subsidiaries, fully, unconditionally, jointly and severally guarantee the New Senior Subordinated Notes.  NSP Capital is a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Safety Products with no assets or operations.  NSP Capital is not a guarantor of the New Senior Subordinated Notes.  Separate financial statements of the guarantor subsidiaries are not separately presented because, in the opinion of management, such financial statements are not material to investors.  The non-guarantor subsidiaries include wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company organized under the laws of foreign jurisdictions and inactive subsidiaries, all of which are included in the consolidated financial statements.  The following is summarized combining financial information for Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. on a stand-alone basis (“NSP”), Norcross Capital Corp. (“NCC”) (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and co-issuer of the New Senior Subordinated Notes), the guarantor subsidiaries of the Company and the non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Company:

69




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

19,271

 

$

 

$

(1,283

)

$

8,108

 

$

 

$

26,096

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

10,278

 

 

34,377

 

28,651

 

 

73,306

 

Inventories

 

12,648

 

 

50,781

 

44,841

 

 

108,270

 

Deferred income taxes

 

588

 

 

1,241

 

314

 

 

2,143

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

808

 

 

1,627

 

1,120

 

 

3,555

 

Total current assets

 

43,593

 

 

86,743

 

83,034

 

 

213,370

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

8,079

 

 

39,367

 

22,181

 

 

69,627

 

Deferred financing costs, net

 

6,387

 

 

 

 

 

6,387

 

Goodwill, net

 

23,289

 

 

89,058

 

45,664

 

 

158,011

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

24,946

 

 

219,940

 

36,552

 

 

281,438

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

456,360

 

 

100,004

 

 

(556,364

)

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

 

3,520

 

1,599

 

 

5,119

 

Total assets

 

$

562,654

 

$

 

$

538,632

 

$

189,030

 

$

(556,364

)

$

733,952

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

3,266

 

$

 

$

9,901

 

$

8,724

 

$

 

$

21,891

 

Accrued expenses

 

9,083

 

 

21,210

 

11,589

 

 

41,882

 

Current maturities of long-term obligations

 

5,393

 

 

334

 

103

 

 

5,830

 

Total current liabilities

 

17,742

 

 

31,445

 

20,416

 

 

69,603

 

Pension, post-retirement and deferred compensation

 

(96

)

 

16,902

 

276

 

 

17,082

 

Long-term obligations

 

319,725

 

 

666

 

275

 

 

320,666

 

Intercompany balances

 

(30,300

)

 

(14,296

)

44,596

 

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

 

6,961

 

47

 

 

7,008

 

Deferred income taxes

 

791

 

 

47,508

 

16,303

 

 

64,602

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

199

 

 

199

 

 

 

290,120

 

 

57,741

 

61,696

 

 

409,557

 

Member’s equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributed capital

 

222,828

 

 

398,658

 

92,819

 

(491,477

)

222,828

 

Retained earnings

 

21,169

 

 

50,788

 

14,099

 

(64,887

)

21,169

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

10,795

 

 

 

 

 

10,795

 

Total member’s equity

 

254,792

 

 

449,446

 

106,918

 

(556,364

)

254,792

 

Total liabilities and member’s equity

 

$

562,654

 

$

 

$

538,632

 

$

189,030

 

$

(556,364

)

$

733,952

 

 

70




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

17,885

 

$

 

$

(265

)

$

3,063

 

$

 

$

20,683

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

10,812

 

 

31,134

 

26,340

 

 

68,286

 

Inventories

 

10,228

 

 

41,720

 

41,514

 

 

93,462

 

Deferred income taxes

 

434

 

 

2,791

 

5

 

 

3,230

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

809

 

 

1,432

 

894

 

 

3,135

 

Total current assets

 

40,168

 

 

76,812

 

71,816

 

 

188,796

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

6,606

 

 

38,776

 

21,933

 

 

67,315

 

Deferred financing costs, net

 

7,513

 

 

 

 

 

7,513

 

Goodwill, net

 

19,266

 

 

74,099

 

43,122

 

 

136,487

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

25,007

 

 

215,630

 

36,205

 

 

276,842

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

387,606

 

 

86,614

 

 

(474,220

)

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

 

3,555

 

1,554

 

 

5,109

 

Total assets

 

$

486,166

 

$

 

$

495,486

 

$

174,630

 

$

(474,220

)

$

682,062

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

3,492

 

$

 

$

9,266

 

$

8,471

 

$

 

$

21,229

 

Accrued expenses

 

13,568

 

 

14,180

 

6,935

 

 

34,683

 

Current maturities of long-term obligations

 

2,598

 

 

68

 

69

 

 

2,735

 

Total current liabilities

 

19,658

 

 

23,514

 

15,475

 

 

58,647

 

Pension, post-retirement and deferred compensation

 

70

 

 

32,000

 

270

 

 

32,340

 

Long-term obligations

 

309,478

 

 

 

186

 

 

309,664

 

Intercompany balances

 

(67,712

)

 

20,135

 

47,577

 

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

 

5,318

 

58

 

 

5,376

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,309

 

 

33,579

 

17,608

 

 

52,496

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

176

 

 

176

 

 

 

243,145

 

 

91,032

 

65,875

 

 

400,052

 

Member’s equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributed capital

 

221,068

 

 

373,312

 

92,117

 

(465,429

)

221,068

 

Retained earnings

 

308

 

 

7,628

 

1,163

 

(8,791

)

308

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

1,987

 

 

 

 

 

1,987

 

Total member’s equity

 

223,363

 

 

380,940

 

93,280

 

(474,220

)

223,363

 

Total liabilities and member’s equity

 

$

486,166

 

$

 

$

495,486

 

$

174,630

 

$

(474,220

)

$

682,062

 

 

71




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third party

 

$

71,046

 

$

 

$

287,450

 

$

199,569

 

$

 

$

558,065

 

Intercompany

 

7,624

 

 

10,688

 

15,529

 

(33,841

)

 

Net sales

 

78,670

 

 

298,138

 

215,098

 

(33,841

)

558,065

 

Cost of goods sold

 

54,722

 

 

194,005

 

137,454

 

(33,841

)

352,340

 

Gross profit

 

23,948

 

 

104,133

 

77,644

 

 

205,725

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

3,557

 

 

26,598

 

21,753

 

 

51,908

 

Distribution

 

4,428

 

 

14,833

 

13,427

 

 

32,688

 

General and administrative

 

11,742

 

 

20,652

 

15,038

 

 

47,432

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

1,080

 

 

8,575

 

1,853

 

 

11,508

 

Restructuring and merger-related charges

 

466

 

 

669

 

404

 

 

1,539

 

Total operating expenses

 

21,273

 

 

71,327

 

52,475

 

 

145,075

 

Income from operations

 

2,675

 

 

32,806

 

25,169

 

 

60,650

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

27,113

 

 

76

 

36

 

 

27,225

 

Interest income

 

(476

)

 

 

(145

)

 

(621

)

Intercompany charges

 

(39,522

)

 

(17,176

)

14,499

 

42,199

 

 

Other, net

 

6

 

 

(135

)

(897

)

 

(1,026

)

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

 

15,554

 

 

50,041

 

11,676

 

(42,199

)

35,072

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(6,307

)

 

16,385

 

3,110

 

 

13,188

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

23

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

21,861

 

$

 

$

33,656

 

$

8,543

 

$

(42,199

)

$

21,861

 

 

72




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third party

 

$

34,671

 

$

 

$

104,734

 

$

69,991

 

$

 

$

209,396

 

Intercompany

 

3,231

 

 

2,779

 

4,588

 

(10,598

)

 

Net sales

 

37,902

 

 

107,513

 

74,579

 

(10,598

)

209,396

 

Cost of goods sold

 

27,136

 

 

71,349

 

52,091

 

(10,598

)

139,978

 

Gross profit

 

10,766

 

 

36,164

 

22,488

 

 

69,418

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

1,469

 

 

9,684

 

8,001

 

 

19,154

 

Distribution

 

1,904

 

 

4,741

 

4,740

 

 

11,385

 

General and administrative

 

3,824

 

 

10,876

 

5,133

 

 

19,833

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

1,342

 

 

5,284

 

590

 

 

7,216

 

Total operating expenses

 

8,539

 

 

30,585

 

18,464

 

 

57,588

 

Income from operations

 

2,227

 

 

5,579

 

4,024

 

 

11,830

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

9,471

 

 

2

 

26

 

 

9,499

 

Interest income

 

(104

)

 

 

(52

)

 

(156

)

Intercompany charges

 

(8,111

)

 

(2,053

)

4,231

 

5,933

 

 

Other, net

 

(6

)

 

154

 

(157

)

 

(9

)

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

 

977

 

 

7,476

 

(24

)

(5,933

)

2,496

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(59

)

 

1,596

 

(75

)

 

1,462

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

1,036

 

$

 

$

5,880

 

$

53

 

$

(5,933

)

$

1,036

 

 

73




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third party

 

$

36,196

 

$

 

$

137,515

 

$

97,983

 

$

 

$

271,694

 

Intercompany

 

4,647

 

 

5,457

 

5,850

 

(15,954

)

 

Net sales

 

40,843

 

 

142,972

 

103,833

 

(15,954

)

271,694

 

Cost of goods sold

 

28,049

 

 

92,160

 

67,390

 

(15,954

)

171,645

 

Gross profit

 

12,794

 

 

50,812

 

36,443

 

 

100,049

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

1,908

 

 

12,475

 

11,129

 

 

25,512

 

Distribution

 

2,422

 

 

5,790

 

6,422

 

 

14,634

 

General and administrative

 

17,997

 

 

13,314

 

6,939

 

 

38,250

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

187

 

 

 

142

 

 

329

 

Total operating expenses

 

22,514

 

 

31,579

 

24,632

 

 

78,725

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

(9,720

)

 

19,233

 

11,811

 

 

21,324

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

13,028

 

 

15

 

83

 

 

13,126

 

Interest income

 

(422

)

 

 

(42

)

 

(464

)

Intercompany charges

 

(26,715

)

 

(4,070

)

5,702

 

25,083

 

 

Other, net

 

(10

)

 

(7

)

762

 

 

745

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

 

4,399

 

 

23,295

 

5,306

 

(25,083

)

7,917

 

Income tax expense

 

14

 

 

606

 

2,899

 

 

3,519

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

13

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

4,385

 

$

 

$

22,689

 

$

2,394

 

$

(25,083

)

$

4,385

 

 

74




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third party

 

$

73,831

 

$

 

$

219,791

 

$

144,877

 

$

 

$

438,499

 

Intercompany

 

8,257

 

 

6,235

 

9,238

 

(23,730

)

 

Net sales

 

82,088

 

 

226,026

 

154,115

 

(23,730

)

438,499

 

Cost of goods sold

 

55,852

 

 

146,770

 

103,032

 

(23,730

)

281,924

 

Gross profit

 

26,236

 

 

79,256

 

51,083

 

 

156,575

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

3,113

 

 

20,743

 

16,264

 

 

40,120

 

Distribution

 

3,709

 

 

9,056

 

9,687

 

 

22,452

 

General and administrative

 

7,657

 

 

21,507

 

12,039

 

 

41,203

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

279

 

 

 

238

 

 

517

 

Strategic alternatives

 

616

 

 

 

 

 

616

 

Total operating expenses

 

15,374

 

 

51,306

 

38,228

 

 

104,908

 

Income from operations

 

10,862

 

 

27,950

 

12,855

 

 

51,667

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

22,175

 

 

41

 

221

 

 

22,437

 

Interest income

 

(139

)

 

(4

)

(70

)

 

(213

)

Intercompany charges

 

(36,477

)

 

(914

)

6,480

 

30,911

 

 

Other, net

 

(1

)

 

1,105

 

55

 

 

1,159

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

 

25,304

 

 

27,722

 

6,169

 

(30,911

)

28,284

 

Income tax expense

 

17

 

 

980

 

1,975

 

 

2,972

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

25

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

25,287

 

$

 

$

26,742

 

$

4,169

 

$

(30,911

)

$

25,287

 

 

75




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(14,612

)

$

 

$

39,086

 

$

11,530

 

$

 

$

36,004

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(4,460

)

 

(26,635

)

(263

)

 

(31,358

)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(3,165

)

 

(5,361

)

(3,047

)

 

(11,573

)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

113

 

 

113

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(7,625

)

 

(31,996

)

(3,197

)

 

(42,818

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for deferred financing costs

 

(201

)

 

 

 

 

(201

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

Payments of debt

 

(1,670

)

 

(68

)

(88

)

 

(1,826

)

Intercompany

 

11,366

 

 

(8,387

)

(2,979

)

 

 

Capital contribution

 

150

 

 

(701

)

701

 

 

150

 

Dividends to Safety Products Holdings, Inc.

 

(1,000

)

 

 

 

 

(1,000

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

23,645

 

 

(9,156

)

(2,366

)

 

12,123

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(22

)

 

1,048

 

(922

)

 

104

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,386

 

 

(1,018

)

5,045

 

 

5,413

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

17,885

 

 

(265

)

3,063

 

 

20,683

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

19,271

 

$

 

$

(1,283

)

$

8,108

 

$

 

$

26,096

 

 

76




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(1,774

)

$

 

$

23,422

 

$

4,775

 

$

 

$

26,423

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(38,535

)

 

(167,478

)

(67,712

)

 

(273,725

)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(921

)

 

(2,201

)

(1,915

)

 

(5,037

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(39,456

)

 

(169,679

)

(69,627

)

 

(278,762

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for deferred financing costs

 

(8,048

)

 

 

 

 

(8,048

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

153,000

 

 

 

 

 

153,000

 

Payments of debt

 

(610

)

 

(57

)

(64

)

 

(731

)

Intercompany

 

(211,920

)

 

147,165

 

64,755

 

 

 

Capital contribution

 

121,114

 

 

 

 

 

121,114

 

Dividends to Safety Products Holdings, Inc.

 

(728

)

 

 

 

 

(728

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

52,808

 

 

147,108

 

64,691

 

 

264,607

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

1,316

 

(45

)

 

1,271

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

11,578

 

 

2,167

 

(206

)

 

13,539

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

6,307

 

 

(2,432

)

3,269

 

 

7,144

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

17,885

 

$

 

$

(265

)

$

3,063

 

$

 

$

20,683

 

 

77




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(881

)

$

 

$

19,282

 

$

1,830

 

$

 

$

20,231

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(304

)

 

(275

)

(74

)

 

(653

)

Purchase of property, plant, and equipment

 

(924

)

 

(2,298

)

(1,028

)

 

(4,250

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,228

)

 

(2,573

)

(1,102

)

 

(4,903

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of debt

 

(12,850

)

 

(512

)

(261

)

 

(13,623

)

Intercompany

 

15,974

 

 

(13,913

)

(2,061

)

 

 

Increase in Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

(558

)

 

 

 

 

(558

)

Dividends to NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

(9

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

2,557

 

 

(14,425

)

(2,322

)

 

(14,190

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

(1,940

)

(785

)

 

(2,725

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

448

 

 

344

 

(2,379

)

 

(1,587

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

32,859

 

 

(2,780

)

5,652

 

 

35,731

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

33,307

 

$

 

$

(2,436

)

$

3,273

 

$

 

$

34,144

 

 

78




 

 

 

NSP

 

NCC

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(1,974

)

$

 

$

26,308

 

$

5,924

 

$

 

$

30,258

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(657

)

 

 

(34

)

 

(691

)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(1,046

)

 

(3,625

)

(1,752

)

 

(6,423

)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

491

 

245

 

 

736

 

Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

(459

)

 

 

 

 

(459

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(2,162

)

 

(3,134

)

(1,541

)

 

(6,837

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for deferred financing costs

 

(204

)

 

 

 

 

(204

)

Payments of debt

 

(1,300

)

 

(701

)

(1,718

)

 

(3,719

)

Intercompany

 

26,881

 

 

(26,496

)

(385

)

 

 

Dividends to NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

(2,943

)

 

 

 

 

(2,943

)

Due from NSP Holdings L.L.C.

 

(1,302

)

 

 

 

 

(1,302

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

21,132

 

 

(27,197

)

(2,103

)

 

(8,168

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

3,238

 

899

 

 

4,137

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

16,996

 

 

(785

)

3,179

 

 

19,390

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

15,863

 

 

(1,995

)

2,473

 

 

16,341

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

32,859

 

$

 

$

(2,780

)

$

5,652

 

$

 

$

35,731

 

 

79




18.  Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

The following tables contain selected unaudited consolidated statements of operations information for each quarter of 2005 and 2006.  The Company believes that the following information reflects all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented.  The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Quarter
ended
December 31

 

Quarter
ended
September 30

 

Quarter
ended
July 1

 

Quarter
ended
April 1

 

Net sales

 

$

138,065

 

$

141,878

 

$

136,246

 

$

141,876

 

Gross profit

 

48,288

 

50,794

 

52,912

 

53,731

 

Net income

 

4,378

 

4,226

 

6,463

 

6,794

 

 

 

 

Successor

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Quarter
ended
December 31, 2005

 

July 20, 2005
through
October 1, 2005

 

July 3, 2005
through
July 19, 2005

 

Quarter
ended
July 2, 2005

 

Quarter
ended
April 2, 2005

 

Net sales

 

$

124,407

 

$

84,989

 

$

33,624

 

$

118,126

 

$

119,944

 

Gross profit

 

42,700

 

26,718

 

11,038

 

44,669

 

44,342

 

Net income (loss)

 

2,388

 

(1,352

)

(11,808

)

7,901

 

8,292

 

 

19. Strategic Alternatives

The Predecessor had previously announced that it was in the process of exploring strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the Company.  A decision was made by the Predecessor in 2004 to terminate this process and therefore it has expensed $616 in associated costs (primarily consisting of professional service fees) for the year ended December 31, 2004.  These costs are reflected in operating expenses as strategic alternatives.

20.   NSP Holdings’ Incentive Equity Plans

Unit Options

As of January 1, 2002, NSP Holdings had granted an aggregate of 21,124 options to purchase Class A units at $2.10 per unit, 31,239 options to purchase Class A units at $5.89 per unit, 313,640 options to purchase Class C units at $5.89 per unit, and 21,124 options to purchase preferred units at $3.90 per unit. Each issuance approximated fair market value at date of grant. The options were fully vested at the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. No options were issued, exercised, forfeited, or expired in 2002, 2003, and 2004. As part of the Norcross Transaction, all outstanding options were exercised with a realized value of $1,580.

Unit Appreciation Rights Plan

NSP Holdings had a unit appreciation rights plan (Rights Plan), whereby the Board of Managers or their designee may issue to key employees up to 476,700 of unit appreciation rights. As of the date of the Norcross Transaction, 441,264 appreciation rights were outstanding. Individuals vested in appreciated rights over four years (first year: 10%; second year: 20%; third year: 30%; and fourth year: 40%). Vesting accelerated upon certain events, including a participant’s death and the sale of the NSP Holdings or an initial public offering. All appreciation rights were issued at fair market value at the date of grant. The Company recorded no compensation expense related to the grant appreciation rights during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004.  As part of the Norcross Transaction, all outstanding units appreciation rights were exercised with a realized value of $2,720.  This amount was recognized as management incentive compensation by the Company in the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005.

21. Management Incentive Compensation

Safety Products’ Option Plan (as amended, the “Plan”) was adopted and approved by the Board of Directors in December 2005, and provides for the issuance of up to 1,436,631 shares of common stock of Safety

80




Products in connection with the granting of non-qualified or incentive stock options. The principal purposes of the Plan are: 1) to further the growth, development and financial success of Safety Products and its subsidiaries, by providing additional incentives to employees, consultants and independent directors (as defined) of Safety Products and its subsidiaries and 2) to enable Safety Products and its subsidiaries to obtain and retain the services of the type of professional, technical and managerial employees, consultants and independent directors considered essential to the long-range success of Safety Products.

In the first quarter of 2006, Safety Products granted a total of 1,213,559 non-qualified options in connection with the Plan (the “Initial Grant”). Outstanding non-qualified stock options under the Initial Grant have an expiration date ten years from the date of grant and have an exercise price of $10 per share. In the fourth quarter of 2006, Safety Products granted a total of 132,000 non-qualified options in connection with the Plan (the “Second Grant”).  Outstanding non-qualified stock options under the Second Grant have an expiration date ten years from the date of grant and have an exercise price of $19.67 per share. All non-qualified stock options were granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. The fair market value for the Initial Grant was consistent with the price paid by Odyssey as part of the Norcross Transaction.  The fair market value for the Second Grant was determined using a discounting cash flow analysis.  During the year ended December 31, 2006, no options expired or were forfeited or exercised.

The non-qualified stock options under the Initial Grant and Second Grant are scheduled to vest over an approximate eight year period. In addition, a portion of the non-qualified stock options are subject to accelerated vesting provisions when certain performance targets are met. Under the Initial Grant, the first and second performance targets were met, and therefore the first and second installment were vested as of December 31, 2006. If certain additional performance targets are met, the remaining three installments will vest on, or within 120 days following, December 31 of each calendar year 2007 through 2009. Under the Second Grant, the performance targets are over a three year period beginning in 2007, and if met, will vest on, or within 120 days following, December 31 of each calendar year 2007 through 2009.  The non-qualified stock options are subject to further acceleration clauses based on change in control provisions. As of December 31, 2006, 407,332 shares of non-qualified stock options were vested under Initial Grant and no shares of non-qualified stock options were vested under the Second Grant. As of  December 31, 2006, there was approximately $3,189 and $976 of unrecognized management incentive compensation related to nonvested non-qualified stock options under the Initial Grant and Second Grant, respectively.  The Company expects to recognize this management incentive compensation over a weighted average period of 4.0 years under the Initial Grant and 3.0 years under the Second Grant.

The Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of each option grant as of the date of grant. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the common stock of comparable public companies. The Company estimated the expected life of the options based on the likelihood of the achievement of performance targets, change in control provisions, and historic employee termination data. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant. The estimated weighted-average fair values of and related assumptions for options granted were as follows:

 

 

Initial
Grant

 

Second
Grant

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted:

 

 

 

 

 

At fair value

 

$

3.95

 

$

7.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend yield

 

0.0

%

0.0

%

Expected volatility

 

40.0

%

40.0

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

5.0

%

4.6

%

Expected life of option (years)

 

5.0

 

4.0

 

 

As a result of the Norcross Transaction, the Predecessor recognized $13,554 in management incentive compensation expense during the January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005 predecessor period.  The expenses were funded by the Predecessor from proceeds realized upon the consummation of the Norcross Transaction.

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SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING
ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES (IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

Description

 

Balance at
beginning
of period

 

Charged to
costs and 
expenses

 

Charged to
other 
accounts

 

Deductions–
write-offs

 

Balance at
end of
period

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for inventory obsolescence for the year ended December 31, 2004

 

$

5,287

 

$

4,263

 

$

249

 

$

(499

)

$

9,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for inventory obsolescence for the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005

 

9,300

 

229

 

(82

)

(368

)

9,079

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for inventory obsolescence for the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005

 

9,079

 

1,182

 

317

 

(1,318

)

9,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for inventory obsolescence for the year ended December 31, 2006

 

9,260

 

2,319

 

1,395

 

(2,394

)

10,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Balance at 
beginning
 of period

 

Charged to
 costs and
 expenses

 

Charged to
 other
 accounts

 

Deductions– write-offs

 

Balance at
 end of
 period

 

Predecessor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowances for uncollectible accounts for the year ended December 31, 2004

 

$

2,493

 

$

140

 

$

52

 

$

(622

)

$

2,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowances for uncollectible accounts for the period from January 1, 2005 through July 19, 2005

 

2,063

 

242

 

(115

)

(29

)

2,161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowances for uncollectible accounts for the period from July 20, 2005 through December 31, 2005

 

2,161

 

183

 

82

 

(109

)

2,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowances for uncollectible accounts for the year ended December 31, 2006

 

2,317

 

482

 

31

 

(507

)

2,323

 

 

ITEM 9.

 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

ITEM 9A.                    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, our management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting during our fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B.                    OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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PART III

ITEM 10.                      DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Our executive officers and the members of our board of managers are as follows:

Name

 

Age

 

Position(s) held

Robert A. Peterson

 

50

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, Manager

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

44

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Manager

William J. Hayes

 

47

 

President—General Safety and Preparedness

Charles S. Ellis

 

58

 

President—North Worldwide

Kenneth R. Martell

 

58

 

Vice President and General Manager—Electrical Safety

Brian Kwait

 

45

 

Manager

Craig P. Staub

 

35

 

Manager

Matthew A. Satnick

 

27

 

Manager

 

Set forth below is a brief description of the business experience of each of our executive officers and the members of the board of managers.

Robert A. Peterson.  Mr. Peterson has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since our formation in June 1995, and he also has served as a member of the board of managers since July 2005.  Previously, from 1984 to 1991, Mr. Peterson held various senior positions at Farley Industries, a diversified group of manufacturing companies with sales in excess of $2.5 billion and, from 1992 to 1993, was President of Wright Line, a technical furniture company.  From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Peterson was involved in strategic planning consulting for Farley Industries and Merchant Partners.  He is also a CPA and a former manager of Ernst & Young.  Mr. Peterson also is a director of Actuant Corporation.

David F. Myers, Jr.  Mr. Myers has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since our formation in June 1995, and he also has served as a member of the board of managers since July 2005.  Previously he was with Morris Anderson & Associates, a leading turnaround consulting firm, providing advisory services and serving as interim chief financial officer to companies with sales ranging from $50.0 million to $2.0 billion. Mr. Myers started his career at Ernst & Young in the corporate finance/restructuring consulting practice.  Mr. Myers is a CPA.

William J. Hayes.  Mr. Hayes has served as our President-General Safety and Preparedness since October 2006. Mr. Hayes was previously with Nitto Denko Corporation, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Nitto Americas (Nitto Denko’s $350 million portfolio of U.S.–based manufacturing companies) and also served as Corporate Vice President of Nitto Denko, a multi-billion dollar global business. Prior to joining Nitto Denko in 1994, Mr. Hayes served as General Manager of Brady Coated Products Co., a unit of Brady Corp. Prior to joining Brady in 1987, Mr. Hayes worked for Johnson & Johnson and Avery Dennison in a variety of positions.

Charles S. Ellis.  Mr. Ellis has served as our President-North Worldwide since December 2004 with responsibility for the U.S., Canadian and European divisions of North Safety Products (except for KCL, which reports directly to our President-General Safety and Preparedness).  From June 2001 until December 2004, Mr. Ellis served as our President—U.S. General Safety and Preparedness.  Mr. Ellis was previously at Thomas and Betts Corporation, where he served as president for the Lighting and Utility Division, a $320 million global business.  Prior to joining Thomas and Betts in 1996, Mr. Ellis was President and COO of Elastimold, a division of Eagle Corp.  He also worked for Westinghouse Electrical Corporation in a variety of positions over 17 years.

Kenneth R. Martell.  Mr. Martell has served as our Vice President and General Manager—Electrical Safety since August 1999.  Mr. Martell has more than 30 years of manufacturing expertise.  Prior to joining us, he was an executive vice president and general manager of the Plews/Eddelman division of Stant Corporation.  He has held executive positions at Epicor Industries, Parker Hannifin and American Can Corporation.

Brian Kwait.  Mr. Kwait has served as a member of the board of managers since July 2005.  He is a Managing Principal at Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC and was a principal in the private equity investing group of Odyssey Partners, L.P. from 1989 to 1997.  He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Pro Mach, Inc. and Wastequip, Inc. Prior to joining Odyssey Partners, Mr. Kwait was a corporate finance associate at Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc.  Prior to joining Bear Stearns, he was a senior accountant at Ernst & Whinney.  Mr. Kwait is a CPA.

84




Craig P. Staub.  Mr. Staub has served as a member of the board of managers since April 2006.  Mr. Staub joined Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC in 2003 and also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Pro Mach, Inc. Prior to joining Odyssey, Mr. Staub was a vice president at Westbury Equity Partners where he was responsible for executing and monitoring private equity investments. Previously, he was a vice president for The Shattan Group, a boutique investment bank and Marakon Associates, a strategic consulting firm.

Matthew A. Satnick.  Mr. Satnick has served as a member of the board of managers since March 2007.  Mr. Satnick has been an Associate at Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC since 2004.  Prior to joining Odyssey, Mr. Satnick was an Associate at Saunders Karp & Megrue, where he actively managed middle-market private equity investments. Prior to SKM, he was an Analyst at Lazard Fréres in the Restructuring Group, where he focused on advising financially distressed companies.

There are no family relationships between any of our executive officers or managers.

Board Composition

Odyssey Investment Partners Fund III, LP (“Odyssey Fund”) owns approximately 75% of the capital stock of Safety Products.  See “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”  The stockholders agreement among Safety Products, Odyssey Fund and Safety Products, LLC (“SPL”), which was entered into in July 2005, provides that the board of directors of Safety Products will consist of five members or such other number as may be agreed upon by Odyssey Fund and SPL.  Pursuant to the stockholders agreement, SPL is required to vote in favor of any designee or designees to the board of directors selected by Odyssey Fund.  The board of directors of Safety Products and our board of managers have the same members.  Three of our five managers, Messrs. Kwait, Satnick and Staub, are members of Odyssey, the general partner of Odyssey Fund.  For more information, see “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence—Stockholders Agreement.”

Committees of Our Board of Managers

Our board of managers has an audit committee.  The audit committee consists of Messrs. Kwait and Staub, neither of whom qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.  However, the board believes that each member of the audit committee has demonstrated that he is capable of analyzing and evaluating our financial statements and understanding internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.  As the board believes that the current members of the audit committee are qualified to carry out all of the duties and responsibilities of the audit committee, the board does not believe that it is necessary at this time to actively search for an outside person to serve on the board of managers who would qualify as an audit committee financial expert.  In the future, our board may establish other committees, as it deems appropriate, to assist it with its responsibilities.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions.  The text of this code may be found on our Internet website, www.nspusa.com.  We intend to post notice of any waiver from, or amendment to, any provision of our code of ethics on our web site.

85




ITEM 11.       EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview

Following the Norcross Transaction, our board of managers and the board of directors of Safety Products, our parent company, consists of three non-employee directors who are employed by affiliates of Odyssey, Robert A. Peterson, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and David F. Myers, Jr., our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  At present, Safety Products’ board of directors does not have a compensation committee but may determine to form one in the future, which would likely be comprised of certain of its non-employee directors and Mr. Peterson.

In connection with the Norcross Transaction, affiliates of Odyssey negotiated compensation arrangements with certain of our named executive officers, and the compensation paid to these executive officers, including the base salaries and performance targets on which incentive compensation is based, reflects the results of such negotiations.  Additionally, certain of our named executive officers negotiated the terms of the 2005 Option Plan of Safety Products Holdings, Inc. (the “Option Plan”).  The option grants and vesting schedule, as more specifically set forth in the discussion entitled “Option Grants” under the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table, are a result of such negotiations.  Following the Norcross Transaction, decisions with respect to Mr. Peterson’s and Mr. Myers’ compensation are made by Safety Products’ non-employee directors, and decisions regarding the compensation of our remaining executive officers are made by Safety Products’ non-employee directors, in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer.

Throughout this analysis, the individuals who served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during fiscal 2006, as well as other individuals included in the Summary Compensation Table, are referred to as the “named executive officers.”

Compensation Objectives and Program Structure.  Our compensation determinations are made by Safety Products’ board of directors. The board is responsible for determining the compensation elements and amounts paid to each of the named executive officers.  The primary objectives of our executive compensation program are to:

·                  Attract and retain the best possible executive talent;

·                  Achieve accountability for performance by linking annual cash and long-term incentive awards to achievement of measurable performance objectives; and

·                  Further the growth, development and financial success of the Company and its subsidiaries by aligning executives’ incentives with stockholder value creation.

Elements of Compensation.  We have sought to create value for our stockholders by using all elements of compensation to reinforce a results-oriented management culture, focusing on financial targets such as EBITDA (as further defined herein) and net working capital, performance as compared to our annual budget, the achievement of longer-term strategic goals and objectives, and individual performance.  Accordingly, our executive compensation combines foundational elements such as base salary and benefits, an annual bonus and equity incentives such as participation in our Option Plan.  Our executive compensation consists of the following components:

·                  Base salary

·                  Annual cash bonus; and

·                  Stock options.

Base Salary.  Base salary is established based on the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of the executive officers in their roles.  We seek to maintain base salaries that are competitive with the marketplace, to allow us to attract and retain executive talent.  Salaries for executive officers are reviewed on an annual basis, at the time of a promotion or other change in level of responsibilities, as well as when competitive circumstances may require review.  Increases in salary are based on evaluation of factors such as merit, the individual’s level of responsibility, performance level of compensation compared to comparable companies, and cost of living.

86




Annual Cash Bonus.  The objective of the annual cash bonus incentive is to reward executive officers for the performance of the Company and its subsidiaries as well as for individual performance.  The annual cash bonus is based on performance metrics, which vary among the named executive officers and are set based on the annual budget.  The bonus for Messrs. Peterson and Myers is based solely on a budget consolidated EBITDA.  The bonus for Mr. Ellis is based on the following budget performance targets with respect to certain divisions of North Safety Products, Inc. (“North Safety”): EBITDA and net working capital.  The bonus for Mr. Martell is based on the following budget performance targets with respect to our electrical safety segment: EBITDA, net sales, inventory turns and fill rate.  In 2006, the bonus for Messrs. Ellis and Martell also included a discretionary payment based on their contributions to acquisition integration and other activities.  The bonus for Mr. Laitsch is 5% of KCL’s net profit as defined in his employment agreement.  For a more detailed description of the annual cash bonus payments, please see the discussion entitled “Summary of Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

Option Plan.  With the exception of Mr. Laitsch, all of our named executive officers have received equity compensation awards in the form of non-qualified stock options.  We grant long term incentive awards in the form of stock options because it is a common method for privately-held companies to provide equity incentives to executive officers.  The options are designed to align the interests of our executive officers with our stockholders’ long-term interests by providing them with equity-based awards that vest over a period of time, with a portion subject to acceleration upon the satisfaction of performance conditions, and to reward executive officers for performance.  In connection with the Norcross Transaction, the board adopted the Option Plan.  Stock options granted by us have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.  Future grants of stock options will be at the discretion of our board of directors.  Because all of the options are non-qualified stock options, we will be entitled to a tax deduction in the year in which the non-qualified stock option is exercised in an amount equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares underlying the option on the date of exercise exceeds the option exercise price.

The Option Plan is currently administered by the board of directors of Safety Products unless that board delegates administration to its compensation committee.  The board has the authority to determine to whom options will be granted, and to establish the terms and conditions of those grants.  However, in no event may the exercise price of any option granted under the plan be less than the fair market value of the shares underlying that option on the date the option is granted and no option may have a term that exceeds 10 years.  Additionally, neither the board nor the compensation committee may exercise its discretion in a way that would prevent an incentive stock option from qualifying as such under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Option Plan and the underlying agreements provide, and will provide, that unless determined otherwise at the time the option is granted, following termination of employment, options that have not previously become exercisable will not become exercisable and that the exercise period of a vested (exercisable) option will generally be limited, provided that vested options will be cancelled immediately upon a termination for cause.

With the exception of options granted to Messrs. Peterson and Myers, options granted under the Option Plan may not be transferred other than by will or applicable inheritance laws.  Messrs. Peterson and Myers are permitted to transfer non-qualified options to children, grandchildren, spouse, siblings or parents (collectively, “Immediate Family Members”), or to bona fide trusts, partnerships or other entities controlled by and of which the only beneficiaries are Immediate Family Members.  Shares of common stock of Safety Products acquired upon exercise of options are subject to the terms of the Management Stockholders Agreement and, as a consequence, are generally not transferable other than in accordance with that agreement.

Upon a change in control all options that have previously become exercisable may be exercised in connection with that change in control.  In addition, upon a change in control, previously unexercisable options will, or in the board’s discretion may, become exercisable if a certain internal rate of return and a multiple of investment dollars is achieved by Odyssey.

Retirement Benefits.  Messrs. Ellis and Martell participate in the Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. Employees’ Pension Plan (the “NSP Pension Plan”), which is a tax-qualified defined benefit plan.  Messrs. Peterson, Myers and Ellis are participants in the North Safety Products, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan (“Restoration Plan”), which is a non-qualified unfunded defined benefit plan.  Eligibility for this plan includes North Safety Products employees whose benefits are limited by the Internal Revenue Code or those employees selected by Safety Products’ board of directors. The NSP Pension Plan and the Restoration Plan were frozen for future benefit accruals as of December 31, 2006. Prior to 2006, Messrs. Myers and Peterson were not participants in the Restoration Plan. In connection with entering into new employment agreements with Mr. Peterson and Mr. Myers as part of the Norcross Transaction, Safety Products agreed that it would extend to them the opportunity to participate in the Restoration Plan.  Benefits under these plans are described in the Pension Benefits Table.

Other Programs.  We also provide our named executive officers with life and medical insurance, 401(k) matching, a car allowance program and, in the case of Mr. Martell, contribution to W.H. Salisbury’s profit sharing plan.

Compensation Committee Report

As the board of directors of Safety Products does not presently have a separately designated Compensation Committee, our full board of managers and the full board of directors of Safety Products have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis as required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management, and based on such review and discussions, have recommended that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this annual report.

 

THE BOARD OF MANAGERS AND

 

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SAFETY PRODUCTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Robert A. Peterson

 

 

 

          David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

          Brian Kwait

 

 

 

          Craig P. Staub

 

 

 

          Matthew A. Satnick

 

87




Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the total compensation earned in 2006 by our named executive officers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Pension

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonqualified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

Deferred

 

All

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option

 

Incentive

 

Compensation

 

Other

 

 

 

Name and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Awards

 

Plan

 

Earnings

 

Compensation

 

Total

 

Principal

 

 

 

Salary

 

Bonus

 

Awards

 

($)

 

Compensation

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

Position

 

Year

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

(f)

 

($)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(3)

 

(g)

 

(8)

 

(9)

 

(10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert A. Peterson, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2006

 

570,000

 

 

 

748,769

 

499,662

(4)

621,216

 

16,548

 

2,456,195

 

David F. Myers, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

2006

 

395,000

 

 

 

485,113

 

346,257

(4)

307,620

 

16,548

 

1,550,538

 

Charles S. Ellis, President - North Worldwide

 

2006

 

299,457

(1)

40,800

 

 

93,596

 

190,402

(5)

74,052

 

14,448

 

712,755

 

Volker H. Laitsch, President-KCL (11)

 

2006

 

225,846

 

 

 

¾

 

339,961

(6)

¾

 

15,404

 

581,211

 

Kenneth R. Martell, Vice President and General Manager-Electrical Safety

 

2006

 

197,753

(2)

33,500

 

 

35,999

 

91,500

(7)

22,428

 

22,848

 

404,028

 


(1)  Mr. Ellis’ base salary was increased on March 1, 2006 from $287,834 to $302,225.  The salary set forth above represents the amount earned by Mr. Ellis in 2006.

(2)  Mr. Martell’s base salary was increased on March 1, 2006 from $190,077 to $199,577.  The salary set forth above represents the amount earned by Mr. Martell in 2006.

(3)  This column represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the 2006 fiscal year for the fair value of stock options granted to each of the named executives in 2006 as well as prior fiscal years, in accordance with SFAS 123R, except that, in accordance with the SEC’s rules the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.  For additional information, refer to Note 21 of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006.  See the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table for information on awards made in fiscal 2006.  These amounts reflect our accounting expense for these awards, and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executive officers.

(4)  Represents bonus payments paid based on the achievement of budget consolidated EBITDA in fiscal 2006.  See “Summary of Grants of Plan-Based Awards” for further information.

88




(5)  Represents bonus payments paid based on the achievement of budget targets with respect to EBITDA and net working capital of certain divisions of North Safety.  See “Summary of Grants of Plan-Based Awards” for further information.

(6)  Represents bonus payments paid equal to 5% of KCL’s net profit.

(7)  Represents bonus payments paid based on the achievement of budget targets with respect to: EBITDA, net sales, inventory turns, and fill rate of our electrical safety segment.  See “Summary of Grants of Plan-Based Awards” for further information.

(8)  Represents the change in actuarial present value of the named executive’s accumulated benefit under the Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. Employees’ Pension Plan and the North Safety Products, Inc. Retirement Benefit Restoration Plan.  The Company does not have any non-qualified defined contribution plans. As discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Retirement Benefits,” Messrs. Peterson and Myers were not participants in the Restoration Plan prior to 2006.  Amounts for Messrs. Peterson and Myers therefore reflect the full amount of the pension benefits to which they became entitled in connection with the negotiation of their employment agreements in connection with the Norcross Transaction.

(9)  The dollar value of the amounts shown in this column for 2006 includes the following:

Named Executive
Officer

 

Car Allowance
($)

 

Matching
Contributions Under
401(k) Plan
($)

 

Life Insurance
and AD&D
Premiums
($)

 

Contribution to
Profit Sharing
Plan
($)

 

Robert A. Peterson

 

8,400

 

7,500

 

648

 

¾

 

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

8,400

 

7,500

 

648

 

¾

 

Charles S. Ellis

 

7,200

 

6,600

 

648

 

¾

 

Volker H. Laitsch

 

15,404

*

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

Kenneth R. Martell

 

7,200

 

6,600

 

648

 

8,400

 


 

*Mr. Laitsch is provided use of an automobile that is owned by KCL. The car allowance set forth in the table above represents the aggregate incremental cost to KCL for such automobile, based on the depreciation expense for fiscal 2006.

 

(10)  The salary and bonus received and reported in the Summary Compensation Table for 2006 represents the following percentages of the total compensation received and reported for each named executive officer: Mr. Peterson - 44%, Mr. Myers - - 48%, Mr. Ellis - 74%, Mr. Laitsch - 97% and Mr. Martell - 80%.

(11)  We mutually agreed with Mr. Laitsch not to continue his employment with us effective March 13, 2007.  Amounts paid to Mr. Laitsch have been translated into U.S. Dollars at a rate of $1.255=€1.00, the average exchange rate during fiscal 2006.

Summary of Employment Agreements

Robert A. Peterson.  Norcross entered into an employment agreement, dated as of May 20, 2005, with Mr. Peterson, pursuant to which he serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer for a period of five years.  Under the terms of this agreement Mr. Peterson is entitled to receive a base salary, as adjusted for 2006, of $570,000, a $700 per month automobile allowance, reimbursement for reasonable expenses, participation in whatever benefit programs (including participation in the Restoration Plan) Norcross has in place for its employees who are not members of a collective bargaining unit (on a basis commensurate with his position), and four calendar weeks of vacation per year.  Pursuant to the terms of his agreement, for a period of eighteen months following the termination of Mr. Peterson’s employment, he shall be subject to a non-competition provision which states that Mr. Peterson cannot, without the prior written consent of Norcross, directly or indirectly participate in any line of business that is competitive with Norcross.  For purposes of the non-competition provision, “participate” means direct or indirect ownership or assistance to any enterprise, excluding ownership of less than 2% of a class of securities on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ.  The non-competition provision is limited in geographic scope to the United States and any other county in which Norcross does business.  Upon termination, Mr. Peterson is also subject to an eighteen-month non-solicitation provision, which is applicable to customers, suppliers, business relations and employees of Norcross.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Mr. Peterson’s employment with Norcross is terminated, he is permitted to solicit the employment of his personal assistant and Mr. Myers.  In connection with the Norcross Transaction, in addition to the capital stock purchased by Mr. Peterson, Safety Products agreed to issue to

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Mr. Peterson options to purchase shares of capital stock of Safety Products equal to 4.25% of its fully diluted equity, which grants were made on January 2, 2006.

David F. Myers, Jr.  Norcross entered an employment agreement, dated as of May 20, 2005, with Mr. Myers, pursuant to which he serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on substantially the same terms as those contained in Mr. Peterson’s employment agreement, except that (1) his base salary, as adjusted for 2006, is $395,000, (2) the non-solicitation provision contained in Mr. Myers’ agreement provides an exception allowing Mr. Myers to solicit the employment of his personal assistant and Mr. Peterson, and (3) in connection with the Norcross Transaction, in addition to the capital stock purchased by Mr. Myers, Safety Products agreed to issue to Mr. Myers options to purchase shares of capital stock of Safety Products equal to 2.75% of its fully diluted equity, which grants were made on January 2, 2006.

Charles S. Ellis.  Our subsidiary, North Safety, entered into an employment agreement, dated as of May 20, 2005, with Mr. Ellis, pursuant to which he serves as President-North Worldwide for an initial term of three years.  Under the terms of this agreement, Mr. Ellis is entitled to receive a base salary, as adjusted on April 1, 2006, of $302,225, a $600 per month automobile allowance, participate in all employee benefits plans for which senior executives of North Safety are eligible, and three calendar weeks of vacation per year.  Pursuant to the terms of his agreement, for a period of eighteen months following the termination of Mr. Ellis’ employment, he shall be subject to (1) a non-competition provision, which has no limit in geographic scope and (2) a non-solicitation provision, which is applicable to customers, suppliers and employees of North Safety.

Volker H. Laitsch.  Pursuant to a management service contract, effective as of July 1, 2005, between KCL and Volker H. Laitsch, Mr. Laitsch was appointed as sole managing director of KCL.  Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Laitsch receives a monthly salary of $18,825 (translated into U.S. Dollars at a rate of $1.255=€1.00, the average exchange rate during fiscal 2006) and is eligible to receive a yearly bonus in an amount equal to 5% of KCL’s net profit, before the deduction of the corporate income tax and possible supplementary taxes, and is provided use of an automobile owned by KCL.

Kenneth R. Martell.  Our electrical safety segment entered into an employment agreement in August 1999 with Mr. Martell pursuant to which he serves as Vice President and General Manager.  Under the terms of this agreement, Mr. Martell is entitled to receive a base salary, as adjusted on April 1, 2006, of $199,577.  Mr. Martell is also entitled to participate in all employee benefits plans for which senior executives are eligible, a $600 per month automobile allowance and three calendar weeks of vacation per year.

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table summarizes information regarding awards granted under the Company’s equity and non-equity incentive plans during 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Other Option

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numberof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Possible Payouts

 

Securities

 

Exercise or

 

Grant Date Fair

 

 

 

 

 

Under Non-Equity Incentive

 

Underlying

 

Base Price of

 

Value of Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Plan(1)

 

Options

 

Option Awards

 

and Option

 

 

 

Grant

 

Threshold

 

Target

 

Maximum

 

(#)

 

($/Sh)

 

Awards

 

Name

 

Date

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

(j)

 

(k)

 

(l)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

Robert A. Peterson

 

1/1/06

 

 

513,000

 

641,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/2/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

520,000

 

10.00

 

2,054,000

 

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

1/1/06

 

 

355,500

 

444,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/2/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

336,898

 

10.00

 

1,330,747

 

Charles S. Ellis

 

1/1/06

 

 

179,674

 

224,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/2/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65,000

 

10.00

 

256,750

 

Volker H. Laitsch (5)

 

5/29/06

 

31,375

 

240,960

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth R. Martell

 

1/1/06

 

 

79,101

 

98,877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/2/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

10.00

 

98,750

 


(1)  Such amounts represent the target and maximum amounts possible under the annual cash bonuses for 2006.  For a more detailed description of the bonus targets and maximums, please see the discussion entitled “Summary of Grants of Plan-Based Awards” below.

(2) All option grants are subject to time-based vesting as described below under “Options Grants.”  Vesting with respect to 66 2/3% of such options is subject to acceleration based upon satisfaction of annual and cumulative EBITDA-based performance conditions.

(3)  There is currently no public market for Safety Products’ equity securities.  The price of $10 per share was the share purchase price paid as part of the Norcross Transaction. The board of directors believed this was the most reasonable value to use as it reflected the price paid as part of an independent third party transaction for the business and, after considering various factors occurring between the July 19, 2005 transaction and the January 2006 issuance of the options, the board determined that $10 per share remained the appropriate fair value.

(4)  This column shows the full grant date fair value of stock options under SFAS 123R granted to the named executives in 2006. Generally, the full grant date fair value is the amount that the company would expense in its financial statements over the award’s vesting schedule.  For additional information on the valuation assumptions, refer to Note 21 of the audited

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financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006. These amounts reflect our accounting expense, and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executive officers.

(5)  Amounts paid to Mr. Laitsch have been translated into U.S. Dollars at a rate of $1.255=€1.00, the average exchange rate during fiscal 2006.

Summary of Grants of Plan-Based Awards

Bonus Payments for Messrs Peterson and Myers.  The target bonus for each of Mr. Peterson and Mr. Myers was based on the achievement of a budget consolidated EBITDA of $85,824,000.  The target bonus payable to each of Messrs. Peterson and Myers was equal to 90% of such executive’s base salary.  The maximum amount of bonus available to Messrs. Peterson and Myers was equal to 125% of such executive’s target bonus in the event 110%-120% of the target EBITDA was achieved, declining ratably to 100% of the target bonus if 100% of the target EBITDA was achieved, and declining to 0% of the target bonus if less than 90% of the target EBITDA was achieved.  For fiscal 2006, these targets were 98.7% achieved and Mr. Peterson and Mr. Myers received the bonuses set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.

Bonus Payments for Mr. Ellis.  The target bonus for Mr. Ellis was equal to 60% of his base salary and was based on the achievement of the following budget performance targets with respect to certain divisions of North Safety: target EBITDA of $31,368,000 and net working capital of 23.1% of net sales, with the EBITDA component comprising 60% of the target bonus and the net working capital component comprising 40% of the target bonus.  Mr. Ellis was eligible to receive up to an additional 15% of his base salary as a discretionary bonus.  The maximum amount of bonus available to Mr. Ellis was equal to 125% of his target bonus in the event 110%-120% of the performance targets were achieved, declining ratably to 100% of the target bonus if 100% of the performance targets were achieved, and declining to 0% of the target bonus if less than 90% of the performance targets were achieved.  For fiscal 2006, 104.9% of the target was achieved and Mr. Ellis received the bonus set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.

Bonus Payments for Mr. Laitsch.  For 2006, the cash bonus payable to Mr. Laitsch was established at 5% of the annual net profit of KCL, as calculated before the deduction of corporate income tax and possible supplementary taxes.  Mr. Laitsch is entitled to a minimum bonus of $31,375 (translated into U.S. Dollars at a rate of $1.255=€1.00, the average exchange rate in fiscal 2006), and there is no cap on the maximum amount of bonus that he may receive.

Bonus Payments for Mr. Martell.  The target bonus for Mr. Martell was equal to 40% of his base salary and was based on the achievement of the budget following performance targets with respect to our electrical safety segment: EBITDA of $18,398,000, net sales of $74,227,000 and the achievement of inventory turns and fill rate, with the EBITDA component comprising 70% of the target bonus, the sales component comprising 10% of the target bonus, the inventory turns component comprising 15% of the target bonus and the fill rate component comprising 5% of the target bonus.  The maximum amount of bonus available to Mr. Martell was equal to 125% of his target bonus in the event 110%-120% of the performance targets were achieved, declining ratably to 100% of the target bonus if 100% of the performance targets were achieved, and declining to 0% of the target bonus if less than 90% of the performance targets were achieved.  For fiscal 2006, 114.4 % of these targets were achieved and Mr. Martell received the bonus set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.

Option Grants.  Options are subject to time vesting and are conditioned upon continual employment in active service.  One-third of the options covered by the grant vest in five installments, with 4.1333% of the grant amount vesting on the grant date and an additional 7.29925% vesting in each of the four fiscal years from 2006 through 2009 (with each such annual installment vesting quarterly on the last day of each calendar quarter).  The remaining two-thirds of the options covered by the grant become exercisable on the day immediately preceding the eighth anniversary of the grant date; however the vesting on this portion of the option award is subject to acceleration if the EBITDA-based targets set forth in the grant agreement are met.  With respect to the two-thirds for which vesting is subject to acceleration, the grant agreements provide that an installment consisting of 7.2900% of the shares shall become exercisable on March 31, 2006 and an installment consisting of 14.8425% would become exercisable on or within 120 days following December 31 of each calendar year 2006 through 2009, if the EBITDA-based target for the year was met.  If the targets are not met for any calendar year 2006 through 2009, the portion of the option that was subject to acceleration will become exercisable on, or within 120 days following, the first December 31 on which the EBITDA-based target for such year is met and the cumulative EBITDA-based target is met.

For purposes of our option vesting schedule and the bonus payment calculations, EBITDA means the sum of (a) the sum of (i) Adjusted EBITDA (which represents EBITDA adjusted for management incentive compensation; (gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment; inventory purchase accounting adjustments; non-cash pension curtailment gain and seller transaction expenses), plus (ii) any LIFO reserve

92




adjustment (whether positive or negative), plus (iii) unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses, plus (iv) other non-recurring or extraordinary gains or losses, plus (b) any management or similar fees charged to the Company by any principal stockholder (but only to the extent that such fees are deducted from the earnings described in clause (a) above but excluding reimbursement of any reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses).  EBITDA may be adjusted to reflect the impact of acquisitions.

The specific EBITDA and Cumulative EBITDA targets are as follows:

EBITDA Targets

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

Total Annual EBITDA

 

$

83,624,000

 

$

92,623,000

 

$

97,912,000

 

$

101,951,000

 

Cumulative EBITDA Targets

 

150,724,000

 

243,346,000

 

341,258,000

 

443,209,000

 

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers:

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

Number

 

Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of

 

of

 

Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying

 

Underlying

 

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unexercised

 

Unexercised

 

Underlying

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options

 

Options

 

Unexercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(#)

 

(#)

 

Unearned

 

Option

 

Option

 

 

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Options

 

ExercisePrice

 

Expiration

 

Name

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(#)

 

($)

 

Date

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert A. Peterson

 

174,538

 

345,462

 

 

10.00

 

1/2/16

 

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

113,080

 

223,818

 

 

10.00

 

1/2/16

 

Charles S. Ellis

 

21,817

 

43,183

 

 

10.00

 

1/2/16

 

Volker H. Laitsch

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

¾

 

¾

 

Kenneth R. Martell

 

8,391

 

16,609

 

 

10.00

 

1/2/16

 


(1)  Exercisable options are comprised of (i) 4.13333% of the shares covered by the option grant, which vested as of January 2, 2006, plus (ii) 7.29925% of the shares covered by the option grant, which vested as of December 31, 2006, plus (iii) 7.29000% of the shares covered by the option grant, which were subject to accelerated vesting as of March 31, 2006 based on the achievement of the applicable EBITDA target as set by the board, plus (iv) 14.8425% of the shares covered by the option grant, which were subject to accelerated vesting as of December 31, 2006 based on the achievement the applicable EBITDA target as set by the board.

(2)  Unexercisable options will vest as follows: (i) an installment consisting of 7.29925% of the shares covered by the option grant shall become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the installment on the last day of each calendar quarter for each year ending December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009; (ii) 44.5275% of the shares subject to the option grant shall become fully exercisable on January 1, 2014, provided that the optionee remains continuously employed through such date, provided further that an installment consisting of 14.8425% of the shares covered by the option grant shall be subject to accelerated vesting on or within 120 days following December 31 of each calendar year 2007, 2008 and 2009, if the EBITDA as of such December 31 equals or exceeds the applicable EBITDA target for such year as set by the board.

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested

There were no options exercised in fiscal 2006.

PENSION BENEFITS TABLE

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Years of

 

Present Value of

 

Payments During Last

 

 

 

Plan Name

 

Credited Service

 

Accumulated Benefit

 

Fiscal Year

 

Name

 

(1)

 

(#)

 

($)

 

($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

Robert A. Peterson

 

North Safety Products
Benefit Restoration Plan

 

11.7

 

621,216

 

 

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

North Safety Products
Benefit Restoration Plan

 

11.5

 

307,620

 

 

Charles S. Ellis

 

Norcross Safety Products
L.L.C. Employees Pension Plan
North Safety Products
Benefit Restoration Plan

 

5.5

5.5

 

108,024

145,320

 

 

Volker H. Laitsch

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

Kenneth R. Martell

 

W.H. Salisbury & Co.
Employees Pension Plan

 

7.4

 

156,096

 

 

Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. Employees’ Pension Plan.  Messrs. Ellis and Martell participate in the Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. Employees’ Pension Plan (the “NSP Pension Plan”), which is a tax-qualified defined benefit plan. Mr. Ellis’ benefits are determined by the North Safety Benefit formula and Mr. Martell’s benefits are determined by the W.H. Salisbury Benefit formula as described below. Under the terms of the NSP Pension Plan, eligibility for Normal Retirement is age 65.  Eligibility for Early Retirement for employees of North Safety Products is age 55 with ten years of service.  Eligibility for Early Retirement for employees of W. H. Salisbury is age 62 with twenty years of service.  As of December 31, 2006 neither Messrs. Ellis nor Martell are eligible for Normal Retirement or Early Retirement benefits under the terms of the NSP Pension Plan.   No additional benefits will be earned after December 31, 2006.

North Safety Benefits under the NSP Pension Plan are calculated based on (1) the employee’s average monthly compensation for the five consecutive calendar years for which the participant’s aggregate compensation was greatest and (2) the employee’s years of credited service. Compensation includes total cash compensation required to be reported on Form W-2, plus any compensation deferred under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, plus any compensation reductions under a plan pursuant to Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, but excluding reimbursements, other expense allowances, fringe benefits, deferred compensation and welfare benefits.  Compensation is subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations.  The monthly benefits calculated for Mr. Ellis under the North Safety formula equals:

·                  1.0% of the participant’s average final monthly compensation, plus 0.5% of the participant’s average final monthly compensation in excess of covered compensation, multiplied by years and partial years of credited service limited to 35 years on the excess portion.

W.H. Salisbury Benefits under the NSP Pension Plan are calculated based on (1) the employee’s average monthly compensation for the three consecutive years out of the last 10 years which yields the highest average and (2) the employee’s

95




years of credited service. Compensation includes all amounts paid for services rendered in the course of employment excluding certain amounts which receive special tax benefits defined under the plan.  Compensation is subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations.  The monthly benefits calculated for Mr. Martell under the W.H. Salisbury formula equals:

·                  1.63% of the participant’s average final monthly compensation, plus 0.65% of the participant’s average final monthly compensation in excess of covered compensation, multiplied by years and partial years of credited service limited to 20 years; less

·                  profit sharing account balance which could be received as a straight life annuity provided to the participant under W.H. Salisbury & Co.’s defined contribution plan.

North Safety Products Benefit Restoration Plan.  Messrs. Ellis, Myers and Peterson participate in a non-qualified, unfunded defined benefit plan (the “Restoration Plan”). Eligibility for this plan includes North Safety Products employees whose benefits are limited by the Internal Revenue Code or those employees selected by Safety Products board of directors. The Restoration Plan provides a supplemental benefit equal to the maximum benefit amount that the participant would have received under the NSP Pension Plan if (1) there were no limitations on the maximum benefits payable under the NSP Pension Plan, and (2) if certain Internal Revenue Code limitations did not apply, and (3) if the prior plan formula under the NSP Pension Plan continued to be effective for all years of credited service.  Eligibility for payment of benefits under the Restoration Plan is the same as provided in the NSP Pension Plan.  No additional benefits will be earned after December 31, 2006.  The monthly benefits calculated under the Restoration Plan equal the greater of the formula below offset by the monthly benefits provided under the NSP Pension Plan.

·                  1.0% of the participant’s average final monthly compensation, plus 0.5% of the participant’s average final monthly compensation in excess of “covered compensation,” multiplied by years and partial years of credited service limited to 35 years on the excess portion; or

·                  1.67% of the participant’s average final monthly compensation multiplied by years and partial years of credited service, less 1.67% of the participants primary social security benefit multiplied by his years of service and full months of credited service, not to exceed 30 years.

The monthly benefits payable to Messrs. Peterson and Myers under the Restoration Plan will be equal to the above formula multiplied by 37%.

96




Termination and Change in Control Arrangements

Assuming each executive officer’s employment was terminated under each of the circumstances set forth below on December 31, 2006, the estimated values of payments and benefits to each named executive officer are set forth in the following table:

Name

 

Benefit

 

Termination with
Cause or without
Good Reason

 

Termination without
Cause or for Good
Reason

 

Change in Control
(1)

 

Termination in the
Event of Disability
or Death

 

Robert A. Peterson

 

Salary

 

$

¾

 

$

1,140,000

 

$

1,062,465

 

$

1,140,000

 

 

Bonus(2)

 

¾

 

499,662

 

499,662

 

499,662

 

 

Medical Benefits

 

¾

 

22,616

 

22,616

 

22,616

 

 

All Other Compensation (3)

 

¾

 

18,096

 

18,096

 

 

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

Salary

 

¾

 

790,000

 

736,270

 

790,000

 

 

 

Bonus(2)

 

¾

 

346,257

 

346,257

 

346,257

 

 

 

Medical Benefits

 

¾

 

22,616

 

22,616

 

22,616

 

 

 

All Other Compensation (3)

 

¾

 

18,096

 

18,096

 

 

Charles S. Ellis

 

Salary

 

¾

 

453,338

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

Bonus(2)

 

¾

 

231,202

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

Medical Benefits

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

All Other Compensation

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

Volker H. Laitsch (4)

 

Salary

 

¾

 

112,923

 

 

56,462

 

 

 

Bonus(2)

 

__

 

509,941

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

 

Medical Benefits

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

 

All Other Compensation

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

Kenneth R. Martell

 

Salary

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

Bonus

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

Medical Benefits

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

 

All Other Compensation

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 


(1)  At the discretion of the board of directors, unexercisable options may become exercised in connection with a change of control if a certain internal rate of return is achieved by Odyssey.  Odyssey’s target internal rate of return would not have been achieved if a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2006.

(2)  Includes bonus payments with respect to fiscal 2006 that are reflected in column (d) and column (g) of the Summary Compensation Table.

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(3)  The dollar value of the amounts shown in this column includes the following, which amounts represent the two-year total of such benefits based on the value for fiscal 2006:    

Named Executive Officer

 

Car Allowance
($)

 

Life Insurance and 
AD&D Premiums
($)

 

Robert A. Peterson

 

16,800

 

1,296

 

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

16,800

 

1,296

 

(4)  Amounts paid to Mr. Laitsch have been translated into U.S. Dollars at a rate of $1.255=€1.00, the average exchange rate during fiscal 2006.

Summary of Termination and Change in Control Arrangements

Messrs. Peterson and Myers.  In the event employment of Messrs. Peterson and Myers is terminated by Norcross for cause or by the executive without good reason, the executive will be entitled to his base salary and benefits for the period ending on the date of such termination and any unpaid bonus for any calendar year ending prior to the year in which such termination occurs.

In the event that employment is terminated (1) by Norcross without cause, (2) by the executive for good reason, (3) due to the executive’s death or disability, or (4) due to Norcross not offering, at least 90 days prior to the end of the term of employment, to continue the executive’s employment for a period of at least two years, the executive (or his estate) will be entitled to his base salary and benefits for the period ending on the date of termination, any unpaid bonus for any calendar year ending prior to the year in which such termination occurs, a pro rata bonus for the calendar year in which termination occurs and (except in the event of termination due to his death) his base salary and benefits for a period of 2 years if, within 30 days of termination, the executive signs and delivers to Norcross a general release from claims arising from facts and circumstances existing before the date of such release.  In the event such executive’s employment terminated because Norcross elected not to continue his employment after the expiration of the initial term, the severance payment as described above will be offset by any payments or benefits received by the executive in the second year following such termination as a result of his having obtained new employment.  Any amounts due to the executive shall be paid as if he had not been terminated, except that in the event the executive terminated his employment due to a change in control, such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum within 10 days of his resignation, in an amount discounted to present value at a rate of 7% per year.  In the event that employment is terminated (1) by Norcross with cause or (2) by the executive without good reason, the executive shall be entitled to (i) receive base salary and benefits for the period ending on the termination date; and (ii) receive any unpaid bonus for any calendar year ending prior to the year in which the termination date incurred.

For purposes of the executives’ employment agreements, the terms “cause” and “good reason” are defined as follows:

·                  “cause” means the executive’s: (1) embezzlement or misappropriation of funds; (2) conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude; (3) commission of a material act of dishonesty; (4) fraud or deceit; (5) breach of any material provision of the employment agreement or other agreement with Norcross, Safety Products or any subsidiary thereof; (6) habitual or willful neglect of duties; breach of fiduciary duty; or (7) material violation of any other duty to Norcross, Safety Products or any subsidiary thereof.

·                  “good reason” means: (1) material breach by Norcross of its obligations to the executive if not cured within twenty days after written notice by executive to Norcross; (2) Norcross requiring executive to move his principal place of employment by more than 25 miles if such move increases executive’s commute; (3) the failure of any successor to Norcross to assume executive’s employment agreement; (4) a change of control.

Mr. Ellis.  In the event employment is terminated by North Safety without cause or by Mr. Ellis with good reason, North Safety shall, for a period of eighteen months following such termination or resignation, pay Mr. Ellis his base salary as

98




of such termination date.  As a condition of such severance payment, Mr. Ellis shall continue to be bound by the covenants not to compete or solicit as specifically set forth in his employment agreement.  In the event employment of Mr. Ellis is terminated (1) by North Safety for cause, (2) by Mr. Ellis without good reason or (3) due to his death or disability, Mr. Ellis will be entitled to the sum of any unpaid base salary through the date of termination, plus accrued and unpaid vacation pay and any unreimbursed expenses incurred by Mr. Ellis on behalf of North Safety.

For purposes of Mr. Ellis’ employment agreement, the terms “cause” and “good reason” are defined as follows:

·                  “cause” has the same meaning as defined in the employment agreements for Messrs. Peterson and Myers, except that the definition for Mr. Ellis also includes: (1) failure to correct insubordination; (2) failure to comply with instructions; or (3) other acts or omissions that adversely affect operations.

·                  “good reason” means Mr. Ellis’ resignation as a result of: (1) a substantial diminution of responsibilities, duties or authorities; (2) a reduction of his perquisites, including office facilities and support staff; (iii) a relocation to an area more than fifty miles from the current location; or (4) a material breach of his employment agreement by North Safety, which is not cured within 30 days after written notice by Mr. Ellis to North Safety.

Mr. Laitsch.  In the event Mr. Laitsch should become permanently unable to work, his employment shall terminate at the end of the calendar half year in which the permanent inability to work has been established and he shall be entitled to a pro rata bonus based on the profit of the KCL in the prior fiscal year.  In the event employment of Mr. Laitsch is terminated due to his death, his wife and marital children that are less than 25 years old shall be entitled to receive his base salary for a period of four months and his pro rata bonus based on the profit of the KCL in the prior fiscal year.  In the event employment of Mr. Laitsch was terminated without cause as of December 31st of any year, he would be entitled to his base salary through the following June 30 (i.e. up to 6 months in the event the Company did not elect to renew his contact on December 31st) and 150% of his bonus for fiscal 2006.  In the event employment of Mr. Laitsch is terminated for cause or due to his resignation, his employment agreement will automatically terminate.

Option Plan.  As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, upon a change in control, previously unvested options would become exercisable if specified internal rate of return and a multiple of investment dollars had been achieved by Odyssey.  As of December 31, 2006, such target internal rates of return and multiple of investment dollars had not been achieved and options would not accelerate upon a change in control unless the board of directors elected to do so in its discretion.

99




Director Compensation

None of our employees are entitled to any compensation for serving on our board of managers.

ITEM 12.                 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Principal Equityholders

We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Safety Products.  The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the common stock of Safety Products as of February 28, 2007, by:

·                  Each person, or group of affiliated persons, who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5.0% of its common stock;

·                  Each of our directors and named executive officers; and

·                  All of our directors and executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rule of the SEC.  Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of February 28, 2007, are deemed outstanding for calculating the percentage of outstanding share of the person holding these options, but are not deemed outstanding for the percentage of any other person.  Percentage of beneficial ownership is based upon 11,030,884 shares of common stock outstanding as of February 28, 2007.  To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s name.  Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons in this table is as follows:  c/o Safety Products Holdings, Inc., 2001 Spring Road, Suite 425, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523.

100




 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Name

 

Number
Including
Underlying
Options

 

Number
Underlying
Options

 

Percent

 

Odyssey Investment Partners Fund III, LP
c/o Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC
   280 Park Avenue West Tower New York, NY 10017

 

8,260,000

(1)

0

 

74.9

%

Safety Products, LLC
c/o GE Asset Management
   Incorporated 3001 Summer Street Stamford, CT 06905

 

2,500,000

 

0

 

22.7

%

Robert A. Peterson

 

294,261

 

184,261

 

2.6

%

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

169,228

 

119,228

 

1.5

%

Charles S. Ellis

 

36,003

 

23,003

 

*

 

Volker H. Laitsch

 

0

 

0

 

*

 

Kenneth R. Martell

 

12,347

 

8,847

 

*

 

Brian Kwait

 

8,301,258

(2)(3)(4)(5)

0

 

75.3

%

Craig P. Staub

 

0

 

0

 

*

 

Matthew A. Satnick

 

0

 

0

 

*

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)

 

8,844,726

 

346,842

 

77.7

%


*                 Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.

(1)          Odyssey Capital Partners III, LLC, or Odyssey Capital, is the general partner of Odyssey Investment Partners Fund III, LP, or Odyssey Fund, and by virtue of such status may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares held by Odyssey Fund.  Mr. Kwait is a Managing Member of Odyssey Capital and does not have the power individually to direct or veto the voting or disposition of shares held by Odyssey Fund.  Odyssey Capital expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Odyssey Fund.

(2)          Includes 8,260,000 shares of common stock owned by Odyssey Fund.

(3)          Mr. Kwait may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares held by Odyssey Fund by virtue of his status as a Managing Member of Odyssey Capital.  Mr. Kwait expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares held by Odyssey Fund that exceed his pecuniary interest therein.  The members and managers of Odyssey Capital share investment and voting power with respect to securities owned by Odyssey Fund, but no individual controls such investment or voting power.

(4)          Includes 41,258 shares of common stock owned by Safety Products Coinvestment LLC, or Coinvestment LLC.  Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC, or Odyssey, is the managing member of Coinvestment LLC and by virtue of such status may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares held by Coinvestment LLC.  Mr. Kwait is a Managing Member of Odyssey and does not have the power individually to direct or veto the voting or disposition of shares held by Coinvestment LLC.  Odyssey expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Coinvestment LLC.

(5)          Mr. Kwait may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares held by Coinvestment LLC by virtue of his status as a Managing Member of Odyssey.  Mr. Kwait expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares held by Coinvestment LLC that exceed his pecuniary interest therein.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The Company does not maintain any equity compensation plans. The following table provides information as of December 31, 2006 about the common stock that may be issued under all of the existing equity compensation plans, including the 2005 Option Plan of Safety Products, the Company’s parent. The 2005 Option Plan has been approved by the stockholders of Safety Products.

 

 

Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Number of securities
Remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans
(excluding securities
reflected in
column (a))

 

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

1,345,559

 

$

10.95

 

91,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

Total

 

1,345,559

 

$

10.95

 

91,072

 

 

101




ITEM 13.       CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Stockholders Agreement

On July 19, 2005, Safety Products entered into a stockholders agreement with Odyssey Investment Partners Fund III, LP (“Odyssey Fund”) and Safety Products, LLC (“SPL”).  The stockholders agreement includes certain restrictions on the transfer of shares of common stock including the granting to Odyssey Fund of a right of first refusal with respect to sales of shares held by SPL at any time prior to the fifth anniversary of the execution date of the agreement.  Under certain circumstances, SPL has “tag-along” rights to sell its shares on a pro rata basis with Odyssey Fund in certain sales to third parties.  If Odyssey Fund approves a sale of shares of common stock, Odyssey Fund has the right to require SPL to sell their shares on the same terms.  In addition, subject to certain exceptions, including issuance pursuant to an initial public offering, the stockholders agreement grants holders of common stock party thereto preemptive rights with respect to issuances of common stock by Safety Products.

The stockholders agreement also includes certain registration rights which provide that, upon the written request of either Odyssey Fund or SPL, Safety Products has agreed to, on one or more occasions following an initial public offering, prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC concerning the distribution of all or part of the shares of common stock held by Odyssey Fund and SPL, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective.  Following an initial public offering by Safety Products, Odyssey Fund and SPL will also have the right, subject to certain exceptions and rights of priority, to have their shares included in certain registration statements filed by Safety Products.  Registration expenses of the selling stockholders (other than underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes applicable to the shares sold by such stockholders or the fees and expenses of any accountants or other representatives retained by a selling stockholder) will be paid by Safety Products.  Safety Products has also agreed to indemnify the stockholders against certain customary liabilities in connection with any registration.

Management Stockholders Agreement

On July 19, 2005, Safety Products also entered into a management stockholders agreement with Odyssey Fund and the management investors.  The management stockholders agreement generally restricts the transfer of shares of common stock without the consent of Odyssey Fund.  Exceptions to this restriction include transfers for estate planning purposes, in each case so long as any transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of the management stockholders agreement.

Safety Products and Odyssey Fund have a right of first refusal under the management stockholders agreement with respect to sales of shares of common stock held by management investors.  Under certain circumstances, the stockholders have “tag-along” rights to sell their shares on a pro rata basis with the selling stockholder in certain sales to third parties.  If Odyssey Fund approves a sale of shares of common stock, Odyssey Fund has the right to require the management stockholders to sell their shares on the same terms.  The agreement also contains a provision that gives Safety Products the right to repurchase a management investor’s shares upon termination of that management investor’s employment and gives the management stockholder the right to require Safety Products to repurchase such stockholder’s shares upon termination of that management investor’s employment.  In addition, subject to certain exceptions, including issuance pursuant to an initial public offering, the management stockholders agreement grants holders of common stock party thereto preemptive rights with respect to issuances of common stock by Safety Products to Odyssey Fund.

Family Relationships

William L. Grilliot, our President—Fire Service, is the husband of Mary I. Grilliot, the Vice President of our subsidiary, Morning Pride Manufacturing L.L.C.  Mr. and Mrs. Grilliot were each paid an aggregate salary and bonus of $233,086 for their services during the year ended December 31, 2006.

Real Property Leases

Morning Pride Manufacturing L.L.C. leases a facility in Dayton, Ohio from American Firefighters Cooperative, Inc., a corporation controlled by William L. Grilliot, our President—Fire Service.  The initial term of the lease ended on February 28, 2005 and was extended through April 30, 2009.  The base rent is $347,816 per year, payable in monthly installments.  In addition, we must also pay American Firefighters Cooperative, Inc. the actual amount of all real estate taxes, and all general and special assessments of every kind, as additional rent during the term of the lease.  The annual rent paid in each of 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $382,111, $373,181 and $366,320, respectively.  If the lease expires or is terminated at any time prior to July 1, 2010, we must reimburse American Firefighters Cooperative, Inc. an amount equal to the number of months remaining in the rental term multiplied by $1,206.

102




Related Party Policy

We do not have a formal related party approval policy for review and approval of transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. However, it is our policy to comply with the covenant related to transactions with affiliates that is contained in the indenture governing our notes.

Director Independence

None of the Company’s managers is “independent” within the meaning of the rules of the national securities exchange. The Company is privately owned and all of its managers are affiliates of Odyssey Fund, Safety Products’ principal stockholder or are members of the Company’s management.

 

103




ITEM 14.                                               PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table presents fees for services provided by Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) for fiscal year 2005 and 2006, including fees for NSP Holdings and Safety Products.  All Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and Other Fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with its established procedures.

(In thousands)

 

2005

 

2006

 

Audit Fees (a)

 

$

1,249,942

 

$

1,103,342

 

Audit-Related Fees (b)

 

73,742

 

125,000

 

Tax Fees (c)

 

939,210

 

1,133,350

 

All Other Fees

 

 

12,823

 

Total

 

$

2,262,894

 

$

2,374,515

 

 


(a)          Fees for professional services provided for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements as well as reviews of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, accounting consultations on matters addressed during the audit or interim reviews, SEC filings and offering memorandums including comfort letters and consents and assistance with SEC comment letters.

(b)         Fees for professional services which principally include services in connection with internal control matters and due diligence procedures related to acquisition targets.

(c)          Fees for professional services for tax related advice and compliance.

Pre-Approval Policy

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditor.  These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.  Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget.  The independent auditor and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditor in accordance with this pre-approval policy, and the fees for the services performed to date.  The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.  The aggregate amount of all such pre-approved services constitutes 100% of the total amount of fees paid by us to E&Y.

104




PART IV

ITEM 15.                      EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) Financial Statements

The financial statements filed as part of this Form 10-K are described in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 above.

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules (included in Item 8 above)

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

(a)(3) Exhibits

See attached Exhibit Index.

105




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Norcross Safety Products L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert A. Peterson

 

 

By:

Robert A. Peterson

Date: March 23, 2007

 

Its:

President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities indicated on March 23, 2007.

Signatures

 

Capacity

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert A. Peterson

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager

Robert A. Peterson

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David F. Myers, Jr.

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

Secretary and Manager

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Brian Kwait

 

Manager

Brian Kwait

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Craig P. Staub

 

Manager

Craig P. Staub

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Matthew A. Satnick

 

Manager

Matthew A. Satnick

 

 

 

106




EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Formation of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

3.2

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

3.3

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Safety Products Holdings, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Safety Products Holdings, Inc. for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005.

 

 

 

3.4

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Safety Products Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2003, by and between Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., Norcross Capital Corp., the Guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust Company as Trustee, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

4.2

 

Form of 97/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011, Series B (1), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

4.3

 

Form of Guarantee issued by the Guarantors of our 97/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

4.4

 

First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 19, 2005 among Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., Norcross Capital Corp. and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005.

 

 

 

10.1

 

Lease Agreement by and between Morning Pride Manufacturing L.L.C. and American Firefighter Cooperative, Inc. regarding property located in Dayton, Ohio, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Managing Director Employment Agreement, dated May 29, 2006 and effective July 1, 2005, by and between Kächele-Cama Latex GmbH and Volker H. Laitsch is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2006.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1999, by and between Kenneth R. Martell and W.H. Salisbury and Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

 

107




 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.4

 

Share Purchase Agreement, dated September 1, 1998, by and among Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., Siebe Plc, Siebe International Limited, Deutsche Siebe Gmbh, and Siebe Inc, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

10.5

 

Amendment and Assignment of the Siebe Share Purchase Agreement, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

10.6

 

Agreement, dated December 14, 1982, by and among Siebe Norton, Inc., Norton Company and Siebe Gorman Holdings PLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

10.7

 

Cooperation Agreement, made as of January 10, 1983, by and between Siebe Norton, Inc. and Norton Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on November 14, 2003.

 

 

 

10.8

 

CIVC Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 7, 2005, by and between NSP Holdings L.L.C., NSP Holdings Capital Corp., and CIVC Partners Fund, L.P., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

 

 

 

10.9

 

Credit Agreement dated as of July 19, 2005 among Safety Products Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., North Safety Products Inc., Morning Pride Manufacturing L.L.C., North Safety Products LTD., the Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties thereto, Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, GMAC Commercial Finance LLC, LaSalle Bank National Association and US Bank National Association, as Documentation Agents, and Credit Suisse, Toronto Branch, as Canadian Agent, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005.

 

 

 

10.10

 

Incremental Facility Amendment dated as of November 1, 2005 among Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., North Safety Products Inc., Morning Pride Manufacturing L.L.C., the Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties thereto, and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 1, 2005.

 

 

 

10.11

 

Incremental Facility Amendment dated as of June 9, 2006 among Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., North Safety Products Inc., Morning Pride Manufacturing L.L.C., the Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties thereto, and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent.

 

 

 

10.12

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of May 20, 2005 by and between Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. and Robert A. Peterson, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005.

 

 

 

10.13

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of May 20, 2005 by and between Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. and David F. Myers, Jr., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005.

 

 

 

10.14

 

Employment Agreement dated as of May 20, 2005 by and between Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. and William Grilliot, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005.

 

 

 

10.15

 

Employment Agreement dated as of May 20, 2005 by and between Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. and Charles S. Ellis, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005.

 

 

 

10.16

 

Purchase and Sale Agreement dated May 20, 2005 by and among NSP Holdings L.L.C., Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. and Safety Products Holdings, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005.

 

108




 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.17

 

Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of October 3, 2005 by and among Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., The Fibre-Metal Products Company, Residuary Trust under the Will of Charles E. Bowers, Jr., Trust under the Will of Charles E. Bowers, Jr. for the benefit of Judith L. Bowers, Charles E. Bowers, Jr. Irrevocable Trust dated December 17, 1990 and Charles J. Grandi, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 1, 2005.

 

 

 

10.18

 

2005 Option Plan of Safety Products Holdings, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Safety Products Holdings, Inc., filed on December 15, 2005.

 

 

 

10.19

 

Amendment No. 1 to the 2005 Option Plan of Safety Products Holdings, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006.

 

 

 

10.20

 

Form of Non-Qualified Option Agreement of Safety Products Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

10.21

 

Employment Letter Agreement by and between William Hayes and Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., dated September 8, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006.

 

 

 

10.22

 

Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 14, 2005 among The Fibre-Metal Products Company, Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., Norcross Capital Corp., the Guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Safety Products Holdings, Inc., filed on December 15, 2005.

 

 

 

10.23

 

Letter dated July 19, 2005 from Safety Products Holdings, Inc. to GS Mezzanine Partners III Onshore Fund, L.P. and GS Mezzanine Partners III Offshore fund, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Safety Products Holdings, Inc., filed on December 15, 2005.

 

 

 

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of Registrant.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

109



EX-3.4 2 a07-5474_1ex3d4.htm EX-3.4

Exhibit 3.4

 

  AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

SAFETY PRODUCTS HOLDINGS, INC.

ARTICLE I

STOCKHOLDERS

A.            Meetings.

1.             Place.  Meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place as may be designated by the board of directors.

2.             Annual Meeting.  An annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and for other business shall be held on such date and at such time as may be fixed by the board of directors.

3.             Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the president, or the board of directors, or the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting.

4.             Quorum.  The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote on a particular matter shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of considering such matter.

5.             Voting Rights.  Except as otherwise provided herein, in the certificate of incorporation or by law, every stockholder shall have the right at every meeting of stockholders to one vote for every share standing in the name of such stockholder on the books of the Company which is entitled to vote at such meeting.  Every stockholder may vote either in person or by proxy.




ARTICLE II

DIRECTORS

A.            Number and Term.  The board of directors shall have authority to (i) determine the number of directors to constitute the board and (ii) fix the terms of office of the directors.

B.            Meetings.

1.             Place.  Meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such place as may be designated by the board or in the notice of the meeting.

2.             Regular Meetings.  Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such times as the board may designate.  Notice of regular meetings need not be given.

3.             Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the board may be called by direction of the president or any two members of the board on three days’ notice to each director, either personally or by mail, telegram or facsimile transmission.

4.             Quorum.  A majority of all the directors in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting.

5.             Voting.  Except as otherwise provided herein, in the certificate of incorporation or by law, the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute the act of the board of directors.

6.             Committees.  The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more directors and such alternate members (also directors) as may be designated by the board.  Unless otherwise provided herein, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another director to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.  Except as otherwise provided herein, in the certificate of incorporation or by law, any such committee shall have and may exercise the powers of the full board of directors to the extent provided in the resolution of the board directing the committee.




 

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

A.            Election.  At its first meeting after each annual meeting of the stockholders, the board of directors shall elect a president, a secretary, and such other officers as it deems advisable.

B.            Authority, Duties and Compensation.  The officers shall have such authority, perform such duties and serve for such compensation as may be determined by resolution of the board of directors.  Except as otherwise provided by board resolution, (i) the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Company, shall have general supervision over the business and operations of the Company, may perform any act and execute any instrument for the conduct of such business and operations and shall preside at all meetings of the board and stockholders, (ii) the other officers shall have the duties customarily related to their respective offices, and (iii) any vice president, or vice presidents in the order determined by the board, shall in the absence of the president have the authority and perform the duties of the president.

ARTICLE IV

INDEMNIFICATION

A.            Right to Indemnification.  The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company or a constituent corporation absorbed in a consolidation or merger, or is or was serving at the request of the Company or a constituent corporation absorbed in a consolidation or merger, as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or is or was a director or officer of the Company serving at its request as an administrator, trustee or other fiduciary of one or more of the employee benefit plans of the Company or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), liability and loss actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such proceeding, whether or not the indemnified liability arises or arose from any threatened, pending or completed proceeding by or in the right of the Company, except to the extent that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law.

B.            Advance of Expenses.  Expenses incurred by a director or officer of the Company in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding subject to the provisions of any applicable statute.

C.            Procedure for Determining Permissibility.  To determine whether any indemnification or advance of expenses under this Article IV is permissible, the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not parties to such proceeding may, and on request of any person seeking indemnification or advance of expenses shall be required to, determine in




 each case whether the applicable standards in any applicable statute have been met, or such determination shall be made by independent legal counsel if such quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, provided that, if there has been a change in control of the Company between the time of the action or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification or advance of expenses and the time such claim is made, at the option of the person seeking indemnification or advance of expenses, the permissibility of indemnification or advance of expenses shall be determined by independent legal counselThe reasonable expenses of any director or officer in prosecuting a successful claim for indemnification, and the fees and expenses of any special legal counsel engaged to determine permissibility of indemnification or advance of expenses, shall be borne by the Company.

D.            Contractual Obligation.  The obligations of the Company to indemnify a director or officer under this Article IV, including the duty to advance expenses, shall be considered a contract between the Company and such director or officer, and no modification or repeal of any provision of this Article IV shall affect, to the detriment of the director or officer, such obligations of the Company in connection with a claim based on any act or failure to act occurring before such modification or repeal.

E.             Indemnification Not Exclusive; Inuring of Benefit.  The indemnification and advance of expenses provided by this Article IV shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right to which one indemnified may be entitled under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any such person.

F.             Insurance and Other Indemnification.  The board of directors shall have the power to (i) authorize the Company to purchase and maintain, at the Company’s expense, insurance on behalf of the Company and on behalf of others to the extent that power to do so has not been prohibited by statute, (ii) create any fund of any nature, whether or not under the control of a trustee, or otherwise secure any of its indemnification obligations, and (iii) give other indemnification to the extent permitted by statute.

ARTICLE V

TRANSFER OF SHARE CERTIFICATES

Transfers of share certificates and the shares represented thereby shall be made on the books of the Company only by the registered holder or by duly authorized attorney.  Transfers shall be made only on surrender of the share certificate or certificates.




 

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended or repealed at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors by vote of a majority of all directors in office or at any annual or special meeting of stockholders by vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote.  Notice of any such annual or special meeting of stockholders shall set forth the proposed change or a summary thereof.

 

 



EX-10.11 3 a07-5474_1ex10d11.htm EX-10.11

Exhibit 10.11

INCREMENTAL FACILITY AMENDMENT

To:                              Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement referred to below

Dated:             June 9, 2006

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 19, 2005 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among SAFETY PRODUCTS HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation, as a Guarantor, SPH ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (now known as NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Parent Borrower”)), NORTH SAFETY PRODUCTS INC., a Delaware corporation, and MORNING PRIDE MANUFACTURING L.L.C., a Delaware limited company (the “U.S. Subsidiary Borrowers”) (the U.S. Subsidiary Borrowers together with the Parent Borrower being collectively referred to as the “U.S. Borrowers”), NORTH SAFETY PRODUCTS LTD., a company organized and existing under the laws of Canada (“the Canadian Borrower”) (the Canadian Borrower, together with the U.S. Borrowers, being collectively referred to as the “Borrowers”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement which extend a Commitment to the U.S. Borrowers (the “U.S. Lenders”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement which extend a Commitment to the Canadian Borrower (the “Canadian Lenders” and, together with the U.S. Lenders, the “Lenders”), GMAC COMMERCIAL FINANCE LLC, LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as documentation agents (in such capacity, the “Documentation Agents”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as syndication agent (in such capacity, the “Syndication Agent”), CREDIT SUISSE, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and CREDIT SUISSE, TORONTO BRANCH, as Canadian agent (in such capacity, the “Canadian Agent”).  Terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.25 of the Credit Agreement, Borrower may from time to time request incremental Term Loans and related incremental Term Commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein;

WHEREAS, the Borrowers hereby submit this request to the Administrative Agent that the effective date of the increase of Term Loans to which this Incremental Facility Amendment (defined below) relates be the date hereof, and that the amount of such increase be $15,000,000.

WHEREAS, Credit Suisse and the other Lenders listed on the signature pages hereto (the “Increasing Lenders”) have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Credit Agreement, to make an incremental Term Loan (the “Incremental Term Loan”) and provide a related incremental Term Commitment (the “Incremental Term Commitment”) to Borrower in an amount of $15,000,000, the proceeds of which will be used to acquire all of the equity interests of The White Rubber Corporation (“White Rubber”) (the “Acquisition”) pursuant to a stock purchase agreement entered into between White Rubber, the stockholders




of White Rubber and the Parent Borrower dated June 9, 2006 and to pay the costs and expenses related thereto; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.25 of the Credit Agreement, amendments to the Credit Agreement that are required to give effect to increases in the Term Loans shall only require the consent of the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

NOW, THEREFORE:

SECTION 1.           Incremental Amendment.

(a)           This amendment (this “Incremental Facility Amendment”) is an amendment increasing the Term Loans referred to in Section 2.25 of the Credit Agreement, and Parent Borrower and the Increasing Lenders hereby agree and notify you that:

(i)   the total Incremental Term Commitment of the Increasing Lenders is
$15,000,000; and

(ii)  subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to Borrowing under Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement and to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in clauses (A) through (C) below, the funding of the Incremental Term Loan will occur in one drawing upon the Parent Borrower’s request in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 5.2 of the Credit Agreement (provided that the Closing Date shall be the date hereof).  In the event that all or any portion of the Incremental Term Loan is not borrowed on or before the date hereof, the unborrowed portion of the Incremental Term Commitment shall automatically terminate on such date unless the Increasing Lenders shall agree to an extension.

(A)    no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a result of the Incremental Term Loan;

(B)    the proceeds of the Incremental Term Loans will be used solely for Permitted Acquisitions and the costs and expenses related thereto;

(C)    on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the making of the Incremental Term Loan and the use of proceeds, the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio does not exceed 3.25 to 1.00;

(D)    on a pro forma basis (as set forth in the definition of the term “Permitted Acquisition” in the Credit Agreement), the Borrowers are in compliance with Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement; and

(E)    Parent Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and Increasing Lenders an officer’s certificate, dated the date of borrowing, certifying satisfaction of the requirements of Section 2.25(a) of the Credit Agreement, including as described in clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) above.

2




 

(b)           Each of the Increasing Lenders and the Parent Borrower hereby agree that the Incremental Term Loan made pursuant to this Incremental Facility Amendment will be a Term Loan and any Lender with an outstanding Incremental Term Loan will be a Term Lender, in each case for any and all purposes under the Credit Agreement and (A) shall rank pari passu in right of payment and right of security in respect of the Collateral with the existing Term Loans and (B) shall have the same terms as Term Loans existing immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Incremental Facility Amendment.

(c)           The table set forth in Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding (i) to each quarterly installment from and including the fourth quarterly installment to and including the twenty-forth quarterly installment, $37,500 and (ii) to each quarterly installment from and including the twenty-fifth quarterly installment to and including the twenty-eighth quarterly installment, $3,553,125.

(d)           The Parent Borrower covenants and agrees that the proceeds of the Incremental Term Loan shall be used by the Parent Borrower for the Acquisition and to pay the costs and expenses related thereto.

SECTION 2.           Representations, Warranties and Covenants.  The Parent Borrower represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent and to the Increasing Lenders that:

(a)           this Incremental Facility Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Parent Borrower, enforceable against the Parent Borrower in accordance with its terms;

(b)           after giving effect to this Incremental Facility Amendment, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be true and correct with the same effect as if made on and as of the date hereof (unless expressly stated to relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), as supplemented by the updated schedules attached hereto as Exhibit A  with regard to the corresponding schedules, representations and warranties in the Credit Agreement; and

(c)           as applicable, (i) each of the conditions to requesting Incremental Term Loans set forth in clause (a) of Section 2.25 of the Credit Agreement that does not require funding of the Incremental Term Loans is satisfied on the date of entering into this Incremental Facility Amendment and (ii) each and all of the conditions to requesting Incremental Term Loans set forth in clause (a) of Section 2.25 of the Credit Agreement will be satisfied on the date of borrowing of the Incremental Term Loan.

SECTION 3.           Conditions to Effectiveness.  This Incremental Amendment shall become effective when:

(a)           the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Incremental Facility Amendment that, when taken together, bear the signatures of the Parent Borrower and the Increasing Lenders;

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(b)           the representations and warranties set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct (as set forth on an officer’s certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Increasing Lenders); and

(c)           all fees and expenses required to be paid or reimbursed by the Parent Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, including all invoiced fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent and Increasing Lenders shall have been paid or reimbursed, on or prior to effectiveness applicable.

SECTION 4.           Roles.  Credit Suisse shall act in the capacity as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner and Bank of America, N.A. shall act in the capacity as Syndication Agent with respect to this Incremental Facility Amendment, but in such capacity shall not have any obligations, duties or responsibilities, nor shall incur any liabilities, under this Incremental Facility Amendment or any other Loan Document.

SECTION 5.           Applicable Law.  THIS INCREMENTAL FACILITY AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  SECTION 10.16 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT SHALL APPLY TO THIS INCREMENTAL FACILITY AMENDMENT.

SECTION 6.           Credit Agreement; Loan Document.  Except as expressly set forth herein, this Incremental Facility Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of any party under, the Credit Agreement, nor alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect.  For the avoidance of doubt, this Incremental Facility Amendment shall be deemed to be a “Loan Document” within the meaning of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 7.           Counterparts.  This Incremental Facility Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Incremental Facility Amendment by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Incremental Facility Amendment.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

4




 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Incremental Facility Amendment to be duly executed by their authorized officers as of the date set forth above.

 

U.S. BORROWERS

 

 

 

 

 

NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

Name: David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTH SAFETY PRODUCTS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

Name: David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORNING PRIDE MANUFACTURING L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

Name: David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

1




 

INCREASING LENDERS

 

 

 

 

CREDIT SUISSE, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, as Increasing Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ William O’Daly

 

 

Name: William O’Daly

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Rianka Mohan

 

 

Name: Rianka Mohan

 

 

Title: Associate

 

 

2




[OTHER INCREASING LENDERS]

By:                                                                                                              
Name:
Title:

[if a second signature is required by the institution named on this page:]

By:                                                                                                              
Name:
Title:

3




CONSENTED TO:

CREDIT SUISSE, acting through its Cayman

Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent

By:

/s/ William O’Daly

 

 

Name: William O’Daly

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

By:

/s/ Rianka Mohan

 

 

Name: Rianka Mohan

 

 

Title: Associate

 

 

4



EX-10.20 4 a07-5474_1ex10d20.htm EX-10.20

Exhibit 10.20

NON-QUALIFIED OPTION AGREEMENT
OF
SAFETY PRODUCTS HOLDINGS, INC.

THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of January 2, 2006 (the “Grant Date”) by and between Safety Products Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and , an employee of the Company (or one of its Subsidiaries), hereinafter referred to as the “Optionee.”

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to afford the Optionee the opportunity to purchase shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”); and

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the 2005 Option Plan of Safety Products Holdings, Inc., (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement (all capitalized terms used herein have the meanings set forth herein or in the Plan, as applicable); and

WHEREAS, the Committee appointed to administer the Plan pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Plan (the “Committee”) has determined that it would be to the advantage and best interest of the Company and its shareholders to grant the Non-Qualified Option provided for herein to the Optionee as an inducement to enter into or remain in the service of the Company (or one of its Subsidiaries) and as an incentive for increased efforts during such service, and has advised the Company thereof and instructed the undersigned officers to issue said Option;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS

Whenever the following terms are used in this Agreement, they shall have the meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not defined below shall have the meaning given such terms in the Plan.  The singular pronoun shall include the plural, where the context so indicates.

Section 1.1             “Cause” shall mean the Company or an Affiliate having “Cause” to terminate the Optionee’s employment, as defined in any employment agreement between the Optionee and the Company or an Affiliate; provided, that in the absence of an employment agreement containing such a definition, “Cause” to terminate the Optionee’s employment means: (i) embezzlement or misappropriation of funds; (ii) conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude; (iii) commission of a material act of dishonesty, fraud, or deceit; or (iv) breach of any material provisions of any agreement with the Company or any subsidiary to which he is a party; (v) habitual or willful neglect of his duties; (vi) breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or any subsidiary involving personal profit; or (vii) material violation of any other duty to the Company or any subsidiary, or its stockholders or members imposed by its directors or by law.




 

Section 1.2             “Change in Control” shall mean (i) a change in beneficial ownership or control of the Company effected through a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than (a) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (b) Odyssey, (c) any of their respective affiliates, or (d) an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition or (ii) a sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets.

Section 1.3             “Committee” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

Section 1.4             “Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

Section 1.5             “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

Section 1.6             “Disability” shall mean “Disability” as defined in any employment agreement between the Optionee and the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, that in the absence of an employment agreement containing such a definition, “Disability” shall mean the Optionee’s inability to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of the Optionee’s position for a total of three months during any six consecutive month period as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness as determined by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Optionee or the Optionee’s legal representative, such agreement as to acceptability not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Section 1.7             “EBITDA”  for a given period shall mean the sum of (a) the sum of (i) Adjusted EBITDA (as reported in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC for such period), plus (ii) any LIFO reserve adjustment (whether positive or negative), plus (iii) unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses, plus (iv) other non-recurring or extraordinary gains or losses, plus (b) any management or similar fees charged to the Company by any Principal Stockholder (but only to the extent that such fees are deducted from the earnings described in clause (a) above but excluding reimbursement of any reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses).

Section 1.8             “EBITDA Target” and “Cumulative EBITDA Target” for a given period shall be as set forth in Exhibit A of this Agreement, subject to the provisions of Section 4.6.

Section 1.9             “Grant Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

Section 1.10           “Investment” shall mean any investment of funds by any Principal Stockholder in debt and equity securities or instruments of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Section 1.11           “Investor Return” shall mean the compound annual pre-tax internal rate of return on a given Investment determined with respect to the period beginning on the initial date of such Investment and ending on the effective date of a Change in Control.

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Section 1.12           “Odyssey” shall mean Odyssey Investment Partners Fund III, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

Section 1.13           “Option” shall mean the Option to purchase Common Stock granted under this Agreement.

Section 1.14           “Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

Section 1.15           “Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

Section 1.16           “Principal Stockholders” shall mean (i) Odyssey, (ii) any general or limited partner or member of Odyssey (an “Odyssey Partner”), (iii) any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity that is an Affiliate of Odyssey or Odyssey Partner (including without limitation any applicable coinvest vehicle established following the date hereof) (collectively, the “Odyssey Affiliates”), (iv) any managing director, member, general partner, director, limited partner, officer or employee of (A) Odyssey, (B) any Odyssey Partner or (C) any Odyssey Affiliate, or the heirs, executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, legatees or beneficiaries of any of the foregoing Persons referred to in this clause (iv) (collectively, the “Odyssey Associates”), (v) any trust, the beneficiaries of which, or corporation, limited liability company or partnership, the stockholders, members or general or limited partners of which, include only Odyssey Stockholders, Odyssey Partners, Odyssey Affiliates, Odyssey Associates, their spouses or their lineal descendants; and (vi) a voting trustee for one or more Odyssey Stockholders, Odyssey Affiliates, Odyssey Partners or Odyssey Associates; provided that in no event shall the Company or any subsidiary be considered an Odyssey Partner, Odyssey Affiliate, or Odyssey Associate and provided, further, that an underwriter or other similar intermediary engaged by the Company in an offering of the Company’s debt or equity securities or other instruments shall not be deemed a Principal Stockholder with respect to such engagement.

Section 1.17           “Proceeds” shall mean the aggregate fair market value of the consideration received or determined by the Board in good faith to be reasonably likely to be receivable by the Principal Stockholders in connection with a Change in Control, after taking into account the Board’s reasonable good faith determination of all post closing adjustments, as of the effective date of such Change in Control (after giving effect to different dates of investment, if any); provided however, that if the Principal Stockholders retain any Investment or portion thereof following such Change in Control, the fair market value of such Investment (or portion) immediately following such Change in Control shall be deemed “consideration received” for purposes of calculating the Proceeds, and provided further that the fair market value of any non-cash consideration (including stock) shall be determined as of the date of such Change in Control.

Section 1.18           “Management Stockholders Agreement” shall mean the agreement by and among the Optionee, the Company, Odyssey Investment Partners Fund III, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and certain other stockholders which contains certain restrictions and

3




limitations applicable to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon Option exercise (and/or to other shares of Common Stock, if any, held by the Optionee during the term of such agreement).

Section 1.19           “Target Amount” shall mean, with respect to any Investment, a dollar amount representing:

(i)            If a Change in Control occurs within 3 years after the “Closing” (as such term is defined in the Management Stockholders Agreement):

(a)    2.5 times the amount of such Investment, and

(b)    A 30% Investor Return on such Investment. or

(ii)    If a Change in Control occurs more than 3 years after the Closing but prior to 4 years after the Closing:

(a)     2.75 times the amount of such Investment, and

(b)     A 25% Investor Return on such Investment. or

(iii)    If a Change in Control occurs 4 or more years after the Closing:

(a)      3 times the amount of such investment, and

(b)     A 22% Investor Return on such Investment.

For purposes of calculating the Target Amount:

(x)            The amount of an Investment shall be the amount paid by such Principal Stockholder to any Person (including, without limitation, the Company, any Subsidiary, or any underwriter) for the purchase of debt and equity securities or instruments; provided that if such Principal Stockholder shall have acquired such debt and equity securities or instruments directly from another Principal Stockholder or through an uninterrupted series of Principal Stockholders, the amount of such Investment shall be the amount initially paid to purchase such debt and equity securities or instruments from a Person other than a Principal Stockholder; and

(y)           The initial date of an Investment shall be the date such Principal Stockholder purchased such debt and equity securities or instruments from any Person (including, without limitation, the Company, any Subsidiary, or any underwriter); provided that if such Principal Stockholder acquired such debt and equity securities or instruments directly from another Principal Stockholder or through an uninterrupted series of Principal Stockholders, the initial date of such Investment shall be the date such debt and equity securities or instruments were initially acquired from a Person other than a Principal Stockholder.

4




 

ARTICLE II.
GRANT OF OPTION

Section 2.1             Grant of Option.  In consideration of the Optionee’s agreement to enter into or remain in the employ of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, and for other good and valuable consideration, as of the Grant Date, the Company irrevocably grants to the Optionee the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of  shares of Common Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.

Section 2.2             Option Subject to Plan.  The Option granted hereunder is subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, including without limitation, Article V and Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 thereof.

Section 2.3             Option Price.  The purchase price of the shares of Common Stock covered by the Option shall be $10.00 per share (without commission or other charge).

ARTICLE III.
EXERCISABILITY

Section 3.1             Commencement of Exercisability

(a)           Subject to accelerated vesting pursuant to subsection (e) and Section 3.3, 33.33% of the Option shall become exercisable in cumulative installments provided that the Optionee remains continuously employed in active service by the Company from the Grant Date through such date as follows:

(i)            The first installment shall consist of 4.13333% of the shares covered by the Option which shall become exercisable on the Grant Date;

(ii)           The second installment shall consist of 7.29925% of the shares covered by the Option which installment shall become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the installment on the last day of each calendar quarter in the year ending December 31, 2006;

(iii)          The third installment shall consist of 7.29925% of the shares covered by the Option which installment shall become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the installment on the last day of each calendar quarter in the year ending December 31, 2007;

(iv)          The fourth installment shall consist of 7.29925% of the shares covered by the Option which installment shall become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the installment on the last day of each calendar quarter in the year ending December 31, 2008; and.

(v)           The fifth installment shall consist of 7.29925% of the shares covered by the Option which installment shall become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the installment on the last day of each calendar quarter in the year ending December 31, 2009.

(b)           Subject to subsections (c) and (e) and Section 3.3, 66.66% of the shares subject to the Option shall become fully exercisable on the day immediately preceding the eighth

5




anniversary of the Grant Date provided that the Optionee remains continuously employed in active service by the Company from the Grant Date through such date.

(c)           Notwithstanding subsection (b) but subject to subsection (e) and Section 3.3:

(i)            An installment consisting of 7.2900% of the shares covered by the Option shall become exercisable on March 31, 2006 and an installment consisting of 14.8425% of the shares covered by the Option shall become exercisable on, or within 120 days following, December 31 of each calendar year 2006 through 2009, if the EBITDA as of such December 31 equals or exceeds the applicable EBITDA Target for such year.

(ii)           If the EBITDA as of the end of any calendar year 2005 through 2009 is less than the applicable EBITDA Target with respect to such year, that portion of the Option that was subject to accelerated exercisability pursuant to Section 3.1(c)(i) with respect to such year shall become exercisable on, or within 120 days following, the first December 31 thereafter as of which (A) the EBITDA as of such December 31 equals or exceeds the applicable EBITDA Target for such year and (B) the Cumulative EBITDA equals or exceeds the applicable Cumulative EBITDA Target through such December 31.

(d)           The Committee shall determine, in the good faith exercise of its discretion whether the respective EBITDA and Cumulative EBITDA Targets have been met, and shall determine the extent, if any, to which the Option has become exercisable, on any such date as the Committee in the good faith exercise of its sole discretion shall determine; provided, however, that with respect to each calendar year such date shall not be later than the 120th day following December 31 of such calendar year.

(e)           Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.1, but subject to Section 3.3 and to the Board’s authority to otherwise accelerate vesting in the exercise of its sole discretion, upon a Change in Control, which occurs within 4 years of the Closing, through which the Principal Stockholders receive Proceeds greater than or equal to the sum of the Target Amounts with respect to all Investments, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control.

(f)            No portion of the Option which is unexercisable at Termination of Employment shall thereafter become exercisable.

Section 3.2             Duration of Exercisability.  The installments provided for in Section 3.1 are cumulative.  Each such installment which becomes exercisable pursuant to Section 3.1 shall remain exercisable until it becomes unexercisable.

Section 3.3             Expiration of Option.  The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

(a)                                  The tenth anniversary of the Grant Date; or

6




(b)           Unless the Committee approves a later date, the sixtieth day following the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment for any reason other than (i) termination by the Company for Cause or due to Disability; or (ii) the Optionee’s death; or

(c)           Unless the Committee approves a later date, the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment by reason of termination by the Company for Cause; or

(d)           In the case of a Termination of Employment by the Company due to Disability or as a result of the Optionee’s death, the expiration of 12 months from the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment; or

(e)           The occurrence of a Change in Control, provided that any portion of the Option which is exercisable as of the occurrence of the Change in Control may be exercised concurrently therewith.  The Committee will provide the Optionee with notice of an anticipated Change in Control and  a period of at least seven (7) days preceding the Change in Control to effect such exercise.

Section 3.4             Partial Exercise.  Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable; provided, however, that each partial exercise shall be for not less than 100 shares and shall be for whole shares only.

Section 3.5             Exercise of Option.  The exercise of the Option shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, including, without limitation, the provisions of Article V of the Plan.

ARTICLE IV.
OTHER PROVISIONS

Section 4.1             Not a Contract of Employment.  Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Optionee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except as may otherwise be provided by any written agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Optionee.

Section 4.2             Shares Subject to Plan and Management Stockholders Agreement.  The Optionee acknowledges that any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option are subject to the terms of the Plan and the Management Stockholders Agreement including, without limitation, the restrictions set forth in Section 5.6 of the Plan and that by signing this Agreement the Optionee agrees to be bound by the Plan and the Management Stockholders Agreement.  The Optionee also acknowledges that in any instance requiring the interpretation or construction of the Management Stockholders Agreement, such interpretation or construction shall be performed by the Board in the good faith exercise of its discretion.

Section 4.3             Construction.  This Agreement shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of

7




conflicts of law thereof, or principles of conflicts of law of any other jurisdiction which could cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

Section 4.4             Conformity to Securities Laws.  The Optionee acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation Rule 16b-3.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

Section 4.5             Amendment, Suspension and Termination.  The Committee or the Board may wholly or partially amend or otherwise modify, suspend or terminate the Option or this Agreement without the consent of the Optionee to the extent it deems appropriate; provided however, that in the case of amendments, modifications suspensions or terminations adverse to the Optionee, the Committee or the Board must obtain the Optionee’s consent to any such action, provided however, that such consent shall not be required if, as determined by the Committee in the good faith exercise of its sole discretion, such action is required to either: (a) comply with applicable laws or (b) prevent the Optionee from being subject to any excise tax or penalty under Section 409A.

Section 4.6             Adjustments in EBITDA Targets.  The EBITDA Targets (including the Cumulative EBITDA Targets) specified in Exhibit A are based upon certain revenue and expense assumptions about the future business of the Company as of the date the Option is granted.  Accordingly, in the event that, after such date, the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that any acquisition or disposition of any business by the Company or any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or change in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles occurs such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to the Option, then the Committee shall, within 60 days after consummation of such event, in good faith and in such manner as it may determine to be equitable after consultation with the Company’s senior management, adjust the amounts set forth on Exhibit A to reflect the projected effect of such transaction(s) or event(s) on EBITDA, subject to Section 7.1 of the Plan.

Section 4.7             Restrictive Covenants.

(a)          The Optionee shall not, at any time during the Term or during the eighteen month period immediately following Termination of Employment (the “Restricted Period”) directly or indirectly engage in, have any equity interest in, or manage or operate any person, firm, corporation, partnership or business (whether as director, officer, employee, agent,

8




 

representative, partner, security holder, consultant or otherwise (each, a “Position”)) that engages in any business or activity (a “Competitive Activity”) which competes with any product line that, as of Termination of Employment, the Company or any entity owned by the Company anywhere in the world (i) manufactures or provides; or (ii) has taken affirmative steps to commence manufacturing or providing.  Notwithstanding the foregoing (x) the Optionee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business provided the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business, and (y) the Optionee shall, with the prior written consent of the Company, be permitted to hold a Position with a such a business so long as the Optionee and all persons who directly or indirectly report to the Optionee do not directly engage in any Competitive Activity.

(b)           During the Restricted Period, the Optionee will not, and will not permit any of his affiliates to, directly or indirectly, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee, customer, subscriber or supplier of the Company to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company, or establish any relationship with the Optionee or any of his affiliates for any business purpose deemed competitive with any product line or service that, as of Termination of Employment, the Company or any entity owned by the Company anywhere in North American (i) manufactures or provides; or (ii) has taken affirmative steps to commence manufacturing or providing.

(c)           Except as required in the faithful performance of the Optionee’s duties and responsibilities of employment or pursuant to Section 4.7(d) the Optionee shall, in perpetuity, maintain in confidence and shall not directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for his benefit or the benefit of any person, firm, corporation or other entity any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company’s operations, processes, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment, or deliver to any person, firm, corporation or other entity any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets.  The parties hereby stipulate and agree that as between them the foregoing matters are important, material and confidential proprietary information and trade secrets and affect the successful conduct of the businesses of the Company (and any successor or assignee of the Company).  Upon termination of the Optionee’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Optionee will promptly deliver to the Company all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents concerning the Company’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products or processes.

(d)           The Optionee may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process but shall give the Company the earliest possible notice thereof, shall, as much in advance of the return date as possible, make available to the Company and its counsel the documents and other information sought and shall assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process.

9




 

(e)           The Optionee agrees not to disparage the Company, any of its products or practices, or any of its directors, officers, agents, representatives, stockholders or affiliates, either orally or in writing, at any time.

(f)            In the event the terms of this Section 4.7 shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its extending for too great a period of time or over too great a geographical area or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, it will be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable, over the maximum geographical area as to which it may be enforceable, or to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it may be enforceable, all as determined by such court in such action.

(g)           As used in this Section 4.7, the term “Company” shall include the Company, its parent, related entities, and any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries.

(h)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any case in which the subject matter of any of subsections (a) through (c) and (e) above is covered in a written employment agreement between the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and the Optionee, the terms of that employment agreement will govern with respect to that subject matter.

[signature page follows]

10




 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

SAFETY PRODUCTS HOLDINGS, INC.

By:_________________________________

Its: _________________________________

 

      _________________________________

_________________________________

Residence Address:

                                                                        _________________________________

                                                                        _________________________________

 

              Optionee’s Social Security Number: _________________________

 

 

 

 



EX-21.1 5 a07-5474_1ex21d1.htm EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

The following is a list of subsidiaries of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. omitting certain subsidiaries, which, considered in the aggregate, would not constitute a significant subsidiary.

NAME OF SUBSIDIARY

 

STATE OF
INCORPORATION OR
ORGANIZATION

 

NAMES UNDER WHICH
THE SUBSIDIARY DOES
BUSINESS

 

 

 

 

 

Norcross Capital Corp.

 

Delaware, USA

 

Norcross Capital Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

Morning Pride Manufacturing L.L.C.

 

Delaware, USA

 

Morning Pride

 

 

 

 

 

North Safety Products (Proprietary) Limited

 

Africa

 

North Safety

 

 

 

 

 

North Safety Products, Inc.

 

Delaware, USA

 

North Safety

 

 

 

 

 

American Firewear, Inc.

 

Alabama, USA

 

American Firewear

 

 

 

 

 

North Safety Products, Ltd.

 

Canada

 

North Safety

 

 

 

 

 

North Safety Products B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

North Safety

 

 

 

 

 

North Safety Products Holding GmbH

 

Germany

 

North Safety

 

 

 

 

 

Kachele-Cama Latex GmbH

 

Germany

 

Kachele-Cama Latex

 



EX-31.1 6 a07-5474_1ex31d1.htm EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert A. Peterson, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. (the “registrant”);

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a)          Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(c)          Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)         Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.     The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

(a)          All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)         Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:

 

March 23, 2007

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Robert A. Peterson

 

 

 

Robert A. Peterson

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 



EX-31.2 7 a07-5474_1ex31d2.htm EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, David F. Myers, Jr. certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. (the “registrant”);

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a)          Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including their consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(c)          Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)         Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.     The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

(a)          All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)         Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:

 

March 23, 2007

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,

 

 

Secretary and Manager

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 



EX-32.1 8 a07-5474_1ex32d1.htm EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert A. Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)           The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)           The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Dated: March 23, 2007

 

By:

/s/ Robert A. Peterson

 

 

 

 

Robert A. Peterson

 

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Registrant and will be retained by the Registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.



EX-32.2 9 a07-5474_1ex32d2.htm EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Norcross Safety Products L.L.C. (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David F. Myers, Jr., Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)           The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)           The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Dated: March 23, 2007

 

By:

 

/s/ David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

 

David F. Myers, Jr.

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,

 

 

 

 

Secretary and Manager

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Registrant and will be retained by the Registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.



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