10-Q 1 a07-25660_110q.htm 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

 

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007.

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

 

Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Commission file number 001-11549

 

 

BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

63 0780521

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

 

 

4909 SE International Way, Portland, Oregon

97222-4679

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(503) 653-8881

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

 

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

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

                                          Yes o                                             No x

 

 

The number of shares outstanding of $0.01 par value common stock as of November 2, 2007 was 47,291,658 shares.

 

 



 

BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Index

 

 

Part I Financial Information

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income

Three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

 

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

Nine months ended September 30, 2007

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Part II Other Information

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Signatures

 

2


 

 


 

PART I       FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Blount International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

166,910

 

$

164,097

 

$

481,349

 

$

492,993

 

Cost of sales

 

115,683

 

114,910

 

331,603

 

339,982

 

Gross profit

 

51,227

 

49,187

 

149,746

 

153,011

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

28,632

 

25,728

 

86,929

 

83,253

 

Retirement plan redesign

 

 

3,747

 

 

3,747

 

Plant closure costs

 

 

1,055

 

 

1,055

 

Operating income

 

22,595

 

18,657

 

62,817

 

64,956

 

Interest income

 

375

 

80

 

872

 

244

 

Interest expense

 

(8,455

)

(8,941

)

(25,260

)

(27,229

)

Other income (expense), net

 

655

 

(302

)

715

 

797

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

15,170

 

9,494

 

39,144

 

38,768

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

5,727

 

(640

)

13,800

 

9,901

 

Income from continuing operations

 

9,443

 

10,134

 

25,344

 

28,867

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes

 

(6

)

12,799

 

(89

)

12,238

 

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

(6

)

7,809

 

(36

)

7,597

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

4,990

 

(53

)

4,641

 

Net income

 

$

9,443

 

$

15,124

 

$

25,291

 

$

33,508

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.61

 

Discontinued operations

 

0.00

 

0.11

 

0.00

 

0.10

 

Net income

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.60

 

Discontinued operations

 

0.00

 

0.11

 

0.00

 

0.10

 

Net income

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in per share calculations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

47,288

 

47,161

 

47,276

 

47,121

 

Diluted

 

48,113

 

47,841

 

48,068

 

47,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

3



 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Blount International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

33,623

 

$

27,636

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,877 and $2,545, respectively

 

93,887

 

82,748

 

Inventories, net

 

90,262

 

77,833

 

Deferred income taxes

 

14,925

 

20,122

 

Other current assets

 

11,938

 

8,342

 

Total current assets

 

244,635

 

216,681

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

99,835

 

99,665

 

Goodwill

 

71,892

 

71,892

 

Deferred financing costs

 

11,633

 

14,574

 

Deferred income taxes

 

18,688

 

17,318

 

Assets held for sale

 

1,500

 

2,700

 

Other assets

 

24,240

 

7,636

 

Total Assets

 

$

472,423

 

$

430,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

1,500

 

$

1,500

 

Accounts payable

 

38,657

 

34,982

 

Accrued expenses

 

64,266

 

62,140

 

Deferred income taxes

 

126

 

197

 

Total current liabilities

 

104,549

 

98,819

 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

 

353,500

 

349,375

 

Deferred income taxes

 

898

 

791

 

Employee benefit obligations

 

58,649

 

71,724

 

Other liabilities

 

32,915

 

15,048

 

Total liabilities

 

550,511

 

535,757

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock: par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 47,290,647 and 47,242,925 outstanding, respectively

 

473

 

472

 

Capital in excess of par value of stock

 

575,286

 

571,683

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(635,713

)

(661,004

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(18,134

)

(16,442

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

(78,088

)

(105,291

)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit

 

$

472,423

 

$

430,466

 

 

 

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

 

 

4



 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Blount International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

25,344

 

$

28,867

 

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

14,206

 

12,656

 

Amortization, stock compensation and other non-cash charges

 

6,234

 

8,866

 

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

 

(106

)

(532

)

Deferred income taxes

 

4,711

 

4,013

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment

 

(520

)

598

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

 

(11,428

)

(10,795

)

(Increase) decrease in inventories

 

(12,429

)

(5,338

)

(Increase) decrease in other assets

 

(2,909

)

(22

)

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

 

3,675

 

(5,549

)

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses

 

3,485

 

(8,148

)

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

 

(14,810

)

(8,797

)

Discontinued operations, net

 

(1,294

)

(3,668

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

14,159

 

12,151

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

1,750

 

104

 

Acquisition of business

 

 

(503

)

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(14,358

)

(15,563

)

Discontinued operations, net

 

 

32,644

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(12,608

)

16,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

5,250

 

53,000

 

Repayment of term loan principal

 

(1,125

)

(83,473

)

Debt agreement amendment costs

 

 

(700

)

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

 

106

 

532

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

205

 

665

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

4,436

 

(29,976

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

5,987

 

(1,143

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

27,636

 

12,937

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

33,623

 

$

11,794

 

 

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

 

 

5



 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Blount International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Shares
(in 000’s)

 

Common
Stock

 

Capital in
Excess
of Par

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2006

 

47,243

 

$

472

 

$

571,683

 

$

(661,004

)

$

(16,442

)

$

(105,291

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,291

 

 

 

25,291

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,142

 

1,142

 

Unrealized losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25

(25

Pension liability adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,809

(2,809

Comprehensive loss, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,692

Exercise of stock options

 

48

 

1

 

310

 

 

 

 

 

311

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

3,293

 

 

 

 

 

3,293

 

Balance September 30, 2007

 

47,291

 

$

473

 

$

575,286

 

$

(635,713

)

$

(18,134

)

$

(78,088

)

 

 

Other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $1.1 million.  Other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

 

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

 

 

6



 

BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1:  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Basis of Presentation.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Blount International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Blount” or the “Company”) and are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.  In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ deficit for the periods presented.

 

The accompanying financial data as of September 30, 2007 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 has been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The December 31, 2006 consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  The Company bases its estimates on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Management is continually evaluating and updating these estimates and it is reasonably possible that these estimates will change in the near term.

 

Reclassifications.  Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or net stockholders’ deficit.

 

 

NOTE 2:  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

Discontinued Lawnmower Segment.  On July 27, 2006, the Company sold certain of the assets and liabilities of Dixon Industries, Inc. (“Dixon”) to Husqvarna Professional Outdoor Products, Inc. (“Husqvarna”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Husqvarna AB (Sweden).  Dixon had previously been reported as the Company’s Lawnmower segment.  In the fourth quarter of 2006, the final selling price was settled at $33.1 million after adjustment as specified in the related asset purchase agreement. The Company used the proceeds from this sale to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Company’s revolving credit facility.  The sale included the disposition of Dixon’s recorded goodwill in the amount of $5.0 million.  Certain liabilities of Dixon, as well as the land, building, building improvements, certain machinery and equipment and various other assets related to its Coffeyville, Kansas facility, were retained by the Company by merger of Dixon with and into 4520 Corp. Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.   The net property, plant and equipment associated with the discontinued operations of Dixon were carried at their estimated fair value and included in assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006.  These assets were sold in September 2007 for net cash proceeds of $1.6 million.  The resulting gain of $0.4 million is included in other income and expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

See also Note 14:  Subsequent Events.

 

 

7



 

NOTE 3:  INVENTORIES, NET

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Raw materials and supplies

 

$

25,546

 

$

24,213

 

Work in progress

 

16,278

 

14,034

 

Finished goods

 

48,438

 

39,586

 

Total inventories, net

 

$

90,262

 

$

77,833

 

 

 

NOTE 4:  LONG TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Revolving credit facility

 

$

32,250

 

$

27,000

 

Term loans

 

147,750

 

148,875

 

8 7/8% senior subordinated notes

 

175,000

 

175,000

 

Total debt

 

355,000

 

350,875

 

Less current maturities

 

(1,500

)

(1,500

)

Long-term debt

 

$

353,500

 

$

349,375

 

The weighted average interest rate on outstanding debt as of September 30, 2007 was 8.08%.

 

The revolving credit facility provides for total available borrowings up to $150.0 million, reduced by outstanding letters of credit and further restricted by a specific leverage ratio and a first lien credit facilities leverage ratio. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had the ability to borrow an additional $102.9 million under the terms of the revolving credit agreement. The revolving credit facility bears interest at the LIBOR rate plus 1.75%, or at the prime rate, depending on the type of loan, and matures on August 9, 2009.  Interest is payable monthly in arrears on any prime rate borrowing and at the individual maturity dates for any LIBOR-based borrowing.  Any outstanding principal is due in its entirety on the maturity date.

 

The term loan facility bears interest at the LIBOR rate plus 1.75%, or at the prime rate, depending on the type of loan, and matures on August 9, 2010.  The term loan facility requires quarterly payments of $0.4 million, with a final payment of $143.3 million due on the maturity date.  Once repaid, principal under the term loan facility may not be re-borrowed by the Company.

 

The revolving credit facility and term loans may be prepaid at any time.  There can also be additional mandatory repayment requirements related to the sale of Company assets, the issuance of stock under certain circumstances or upon the Company’s annual generation of excess cash flow, as determined under the credit agreement.

 

The revolving credit facility and term loans are governed by the terms of amended and restated senior credit facilities.  Blount International, Inc. and all of its domestic subsidiaries other than Blount, Inc. guarantee Blount, Inc.’s obligations under the senior credit facilities.  The obligations under the senior credit facilities are collateralized by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of Blount, Inc. and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as a pledge of all of Blount, Inc.’s capital stock held by Blount International, Inc. and all of the stock of domestic subsidiaries held by Blount, Inc.  Blount, Inc. has also pledged 65% of the stock of each of its wholly-owned non-domestic subsidiaries as additional collateral. See also Note 14: Subsequent Events.

 

The senior credit facilities contain financial covenants relating to maximum capital expenditures, minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, maximum leverage ratio and maximum first lien credit facilities leverage ratio.  In addition,

 

 

8



 

there are covenants relating, among other categories, to investments, loans and advances, indebtedness and the sale of stock or assets.  The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of September 30, 2007.

 

The Company has one registered debt security, the 8 7/8% senior subordinated notes.  The interest rate on these notes is fixed until their maturity on August 1, 2012.  These notes are issued by Blount, Inc. and are fully and unconditionally, jointly and severally, guaranteed by the Company and all of its domestic subsidiaries (“guarantor subsidiaries”) other than Blount, Inc.

 

 

NOTE 5:  INCOME TAXES

 

The Company is using its various federal and state net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards to reduce the amount of cash tax payments required in 2007.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the federal net operating loss carryforward was fully used to offset U.S. taxable income.  Accordingly, as of September 30, 2007, the Company has no remaining U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward.  The tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was reduced by the year-to-date effect of implementing tax planning initiatives with higher anticipated deductions and exclusions.

 

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48”). There was no material adjustment to the net liability for uncertain tax positions as a result of the adoption of FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007.  However, uncertain tax positions that were previously netted on the balance sheet are reported separately at September 30, 2007.  At the adoption of FIN No. 48, the Company had $27.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits of which $12.4 million, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.  Also, as of the adoption date, the Company had accrued interest and penalties of $2.8 million related to uncertain tax positions.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.  The tax years 2001 to 2006 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions applicable to the Company.

 

 

NOTE 6:  PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS

 

The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of its employees in the U.S., Canada and Belgium.  The Company also sponsors various other post-employment medical and benefit plans covering many of its current and former employees.  Effective January 1, 2007, the Company implemented a redesign of its domestic retirement plans, including a freeze of its defined benefit pension plan and an associated nonqualified plan.  As of January 1, 2007, employees who had been participating in the plans ceased accruing benefits and new employees are not eligible to participate.  All retirement benefits accrued up to the time of the freeze were preserved.  Accordingly, the Company recorded a pension curtailment charge of $3.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006, which represented the immediate recognition of the unamortized prior service cost for U.S. employees.  The Company expects to contribute a total of approximately $20.0 million to its funded pension plans during 2007, of which approximately $19.0 million has been contributed through September 30, 2007.

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for these plans are as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Post-Employment Benefits

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Service cost

 

$

907

 

$

1,470

 

$

95

 

$

86

 

Interest cost

 

2,572

 

2,518

 

526

 

428

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(3,287

)

(2,900

)

0

 

(4

)

Immediate recognition and amortization of prior service cost

 

(2

)

3,636

 

2

 

3

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

 

371

 

396

 

243

 

143

 

Total net periodic benefit cost

 

$

561

 

$

5,120

 

$

866

 

$

656

 

 

 

9



 



 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Post-Employment Benefits

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Service cost

 

$

2,721

 

$

4,867

 

$

285

 

$

258

 

Interest cost

 

7,715

 

7,691

 

1,577

 

1,284

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(9,861

)

(8,692

)

0

 

(12

)

Immediate recognition and amortization of prior service cost

 

(6

)

3,813

 

6

 

7

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

 

1,113

 

2,076

 

729

 

430

 

Total net periodic benefit cost

 

$

1,682

 

$

9,755

 

$

2,597

 

$

1,967

 

 

The Company also sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering most employees in the U.S.  Under the plan, the Company currently matches employee contributions to 401(k) accounts up to 4.5% of base compensation.  In conjunction with the redesign of its domestic retirement plans, the defined contribution 401(k) plan was amended to permit an additional discretionary annual Company contribution of 3%, 4% or 5% of base compensation, depending upon the participant’s years of service.  The new contribution will be made whether or not the employee contributes to the plan.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (“SFAS No. 158”).  SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to recognize the over-funded or under-funded status of a defined benefit post-retirement plan (other than a multi-employer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 effective December 31, 2006, and recognized an increase in liabilities of $16.2 million and a charge to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes, of $12.3 million, based on preliminary actuarially estimated valuations of the Company’s various plans.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recognized an additional $4.5 million in liabilities and a charge to other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes, of $2.8 million, reflecting the updated estimates of the 2006 actuarially determined valuations of the various plans.

 

 

NOTE 7:  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

Guarantees and other commercial commitments are summarized in the following table:

 

 

September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

Warranty reserve

 

$2,774

 

Letters of credit outstanding

 

5,505

 

Guarantees of third party financing agreements for customer equipment purchases

 

2,087

 

 

Changes in the warranty reserve are as follows:

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

$3,269

 

Accrued warranty expense

 

1,163

 

Payments made (in cash or in-kind)

 

(1,658

)

Balance at September 30, 2007

 

$2,774

 

The warranty reserve is included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet.  In addition to these amounts, the Company also guarantees certain debt of its subsidiaries (see Note 4).

 

 

10



 

The Company is a defendant in a number of product liability lawsuits, some of which seek significant or unspecified damages, involving serious personal injuries for which there are retentions or deductible amounts under the Company’s insurance policies. In addition, the Company is a party to a number of other suits arising out of the normal course of its business, including suits concerning commercial contracts, employee matters and intellectual property rights.  In some instances, the Company is the plaintiff and is seeking recovery of damages. In others, the Company is a defendant against whom damages are being sought.  While there can be no assurance as to their ultimate outcome, management does not believe these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows.

 

The Company accrues, by a charge to income, an amount representing management’s best estimate of the undiscounted probable loss related to any matter deemed by management and its counsel as a probable loss contingency in light of all of the then known circumstances. The Company does not accrue a charge to income for a matter deemed by management and its counsel to be a reasonably possible loss contingency in light of all such current circumstances.

 

 

NOTE 8:  EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA

 

Shares used in the denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Shares for basic income per share computation — weighted average common shares outstanding

 

47,288

 

47,161

 

47,276

 

47,121

 

Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents

 

825

 

680

 

792

 

768

 

Shares for diluted income per share computation

 

48,113

 

47,841

 

48,068

 

47,889

 

Options and stock appreciation rights excluded from computation as anti-dilutive because they are out-of-the-money

 

1,727

 

1,945

 

1,727

 

1,831

 

 

 

NOTE 9:  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), ‘‘Share-Based Payment’’ (“SFAS No. 123(R)”).  SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based compensation to employees, directors and others who perform services for the Company, including grants of stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), to be valued at fair value on the date of grant and to be expensed over the applicable service period. Under SFAS No. 123(R), pro forma disclosure of the income statement effects of share-based compensation is no longer an alternative to expense recognition.  The Company followed the modified prospective application method permitted under SFAS No. 123(R) and, accordingly, the results for prior periods were not restated.

 

The fair value of options and SARs was estimated on the respective grant dates using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The estimated average life of SARs was derived from the “simplified” method described in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”).  The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with the remaining term equal to the average life.  The expected volatility factors used are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock.  The expected dividend yield is based on historical information and management estimate.

 

Under certain conditions, stock options, SARs, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock granted by the Company are eligible for continued vesting upon the retirement of the employee.  SFAS No. 123(R) clarifies that the fair value of such stock-based compensation should be expensed based on an accelerated service period, or immediately, rather than ratably over the vesting period stated in the grant, for employees who are retirement eligible prior to the completion of the vesting period.

 

 

11



 

The Company made the following awards during the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

In 000’s

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Stock appreciation rights granted

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

380

 

612

 

Aggregate fair value of SARs granted

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

$

1,617

 

$

3,518

 

Restricted stock and RSUs granted

 

n/a

 

35

 

181

 

35

 

Aggregate fair value of restricted stock and RSUs granted

 

n/a

 

$

318

 

$

2,138

 

$

318

 

 

The restricted stock and RSUs generally vest over a three year period.  The effect of applying accelerated amortization of expense recognized for those employees that were retirement eligible or become retirement eligible prior to the completion of the vesting period, compared to straight-line amortization over the vesting period, was a decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million and an increase of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The effect of applying accelerated amortization of expense recognized for those employees that were retirement eligible or become retirement eligible prior to the completion of the vesting period, compared to straight-line amortization over the vesting period, was an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $0.6 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of SARs:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Estimated average life

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

6 years

 

6 years

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

4.5

%

4.6

%

Expected volatility

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

29.1 - 29.5

%

26.7

%

Weighted average volatility

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

29.3

%

26.7

%

Dividend yield

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

0.0

%

0.0

%

Weighted average grant date fair value

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

$

4.50

 

$

6.09

 

 

As of September 30, 2007, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to previously granted awards was $2.4 million. The weighted-average period over which this expense is expected to be recognized is 1.1 years.  The Company’s policy upon the exercise of options, RSUs or SARs has been to issue new shares into the market place.

 

 

NOTE 10:  SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company identifies operating segments primarily based on management responsibility. The Company has two operating segments, each of which is a reportable segment: Outdoor Products and Industrial and Power Equipment.  See also Note 2 regarding the discontinuation of the former Lawnmower segment business. Outdoor Products manufactures and markets cutting chain, bars, sprockets and accessories for chainsaw use; concrete-cutting equipment; and lawnmower blades and accessories for yard care equipment. Industrial and Power Equipment manufactures and markets timber harvesting equipment, timber harvesting heads, industrial tractors and loaders, rotational bearings, worm gear reducers, hydraulic pump drives, swing drives and winches.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.

 

 

12



 

Certain financial information by segment is presented in the table below:

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Products

 

$

122,112

 

$

111,481

 

$

361,085

 

$

340,400

 

Industrial and Power Equipment

 

44,984

 

52,747

 

120,789

 

153,226

 

Inter-segment elimination

 

(186

)

(131

)

(525

)

(633

)

Total sales

 

$

166,910

 

$

164,097

 

$

481,349

 

$

492,993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Products

 

$

23,667

 

$

23,532

 

$

71,401

 

$

71,437

 

Industrial and Power Equipment

 

2,831

 

3,949

 

5,617

 

11,980

 

Inter-segment elimination

 

 

56

 

 

29

 

Contribution from segments

 

26,498

 

27,537

 

77,018

 

83,446

 

Corporate expenses

 

(3,903

)

(4,078

)

(14,201

)

(13,688

)

Retirement plan redesign

 

 

(3,747

)

 

(3,747

)

Plant closure costs

 

 

(1,055

)

 

(1,055

)

Operating income

 

$

22,595

 

$

18,657

 

$

62,817

 

$

64,956

 

 

 

NOTE 11:  SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Interest paid

 

$

27,145

 

$

29,255

 

Income taxes paid, net

 

10,544

 

6,871

 

 

 

NOTE 12:  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”).  SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS No. 157.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”).  SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The provisions of SFAS No. 159 are effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS No. 159.

 

 

NOTE 13:  CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

See Note 4 for a discussion of the Company’s guarantor subsidiaries.  The following consolidating financial information sets forth condensed consolidating statements of operations, balance sheets and statements of cash flows of Blount International, Inc., Blount, Inc., the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries.

 

 

13


 

 


 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations Information

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Blount
International,
Inc.

 

Blount,
Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

$

129,801

 

$

12,145

 

$

78,864

 

$

(53,900

)

$

166,910

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

90,237

 

9,921

 

70,218

 

(54,693

)

115,683

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

39,564

 

2,224

 

8,646

 

793

 

51,227

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

19,667

 

878

 

8,001

 

86

 

28,632

 

Operating income

 

 

 

19,897

 

1,346

 

645

 

707

 

22,595

 

Other income (expense), net

 

$

(5,782

)

(1,839

)

506

 

(310

)

 

 

(7,425

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(5,782

)

18,058

 

1,852

 

335

 

707

 

15,170

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

31

 

5,582

 

602

 

(488

)

 

 

5,727

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(5,813

)

12,476

 

1,250

 

823

 

707

 

9,443

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

 

15,256

 

2,780

 

(99

)

 

 

(17,937

)

 

 

Net income

 

$

9,443

 

$

15,256

 

$

1,151

 

$

823

 

$

(17,230

)

$

9,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Blount
International,
Inc.

 

Blount,
Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

$

374,639

 

$

35,766

 

$

234,242

 

$

(163,298

)

$

481,349

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

270,255

 

29,460

 

194,278

 

(162,390

)

331,603

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

104,384

 

6,306

 

39,964

 

(908

)

149,746

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

60,677

 

3,069

 

23,183

 

 

 

86,929

 

Operating income

 

 

 

43,707

 

3,237

 

16,781

 

(908

)

62,817

 

Other income (expense), net

 

$

(17,566

)

(5,500

)

782

 

(1,389

)

 

 

(23,673

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(17,566

)

38,207

 

4,019

 

15,392

 

(908

)

39,144

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(3,937

)

14,805

 

1,417

 

1,515

 

 

 

13,800

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(13,629

)

23,402

 

2,602

 

13,877

 

(908

)

25,344

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(53

)

 

 

 

 

(53

)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

38,920

 

15,518

 

141

 

 

 

(54,579

)

 

 

Net income

 

$

25,291

 

$

38,920

 

$

2,690

 

$

13,877

 

$

(55,487

)

$

25,291

 

 

 

14



 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations Information

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Blount
International,
Inc.

 

Blount,
Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

$

114,885

 

$

24,061

 

$

71,935

 

$

(46,784

)

$

164,097

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

78,681

 

15,255

 

53,132

 

(32,158

)

114,910

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

36,204

 

8,806

 

18,803

 

(14,626

)

49,187

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

 

21,362

 

2,038

 

7,130

 

 

 

30,530

 

Operating income

 

 

 

14,842

 

6,768

 

11,673

 

(14,626

)

18,657

 

Other income (expense), net

 

$

(5,896

)

$

(4,471

)

678

 

526

 

 

 

(9,163

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(5,896

)

10,371

 

7,446

 

12,199

 

(14,626

)

9,494

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(2,393

)

(4,715

)

5,255

 

1,213

 

 

 

(640

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(3,503

)

15,086

 

2,191

 

10,986

 

(14,626

)

10,134

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

4,990

 

 

 

 

 

4,990

 

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

18,627

 

3,541

 

88

 

 

 

(22,256

)

 

 

Net income

 

$

15,124

 

$

18,627

 

$

7,269

 

$

10,986

 

$

(36,882

)

$

15,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Blount
International,
Inc.

 

Blount,
Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

$

349,771

 

$

79,608

 

$

211,547

 

$

(147,933

)

$

492,993

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

254,792

 

58,898

 

160,963

 

(134,671

)

339,982

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

94,979

 

20,710

 

50,584

 

(13,262

)

153,011

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

 

60,169

 

6,079

 

21,807

 

 

 

88,055

 

Operating income

 

 

 

34,810

 

14,631

 

28,777

 

(13,262

)

64,956

 

Other income (expense), net

 

$

(16,923

)

(9,591

)

347

 

(21

)

 

 

(26,188

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(16,923

)

25,219

 

14,978

 

28,756

 

(13,262

)

38,768

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(6,363

)

4,398

 

5,632

 

6,234

 

 

 

9,901

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(10,560

)

20,821

 

9,346

 

22,522

 

(13,262

)

28,867

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

4,641

 

 

 

 

 

4,641

 

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

44,068

 

23,247

 

294

 

 

 

(67,609

)

 

 

Net income

 

$

33,508

 

$

44,068

 

$

14,281

 

$

22,522

 

$

(80,871

)

$

33,508

 

 

 

15



 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Blount
International,
Inc.

 

Blount,
Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

$

40

 

$

38,180

 

$

(4,597

$

33,623

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

 

$

52,481

 

5,756

 

35,650

 

 

 

93,887

 

Intercompany receivables

 

 

 

173,574

 

86,879

 

4,269

 

(264,722

 

 

Inventories

 

 

 

61,248

 

5,710

 

24,497

 

(1,193

90,262

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

14,713

 

 

 

212

 

 

 

14,925

 

Other current assets

 

 

 

6,083

 

54

 

5,801

 

 

 

11,938

 

Total current assets

 

 

 

308,099

 

98,439

 

108,609

 

(270,512

)

244,635

 

Investments in affiliated companies

 

$

187,849

 

247,030

 

673

 

248

 

(435,800

)

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

40,332

 

10,717

 

48,786

 

 

 

99,835

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,500

 

Goodwill and other assets

 

 

 

103,390

 

11,893

 

13,029

 

(1,859

)

126,453

 

Total Assets

 

$

187,849

 

$

700,351

 

$

121,722

 

$

170,672

 

$

(708,171

)

$

472,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

 

$

1,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,500

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

30,033

 

$

3,830

 

$

9,391

 

$

(4,597

38,657

 

Intercompany payables

 

$

264,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(264,722

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

 

42,566

 

3,624

 

18,202

 

 

 

64,392

 

Total current liabilities

 

264,722

 

74,099

 

7,454

 

27,593

 

(269,319

)

104,549

 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

 

 

 

353,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

353,500

 

Other liabilities

 

1,215

 

84,903

 

 

 

8,203

 

(1,859

)

92,462

 

Total liabilities

 

265,937

 

512,502

 

7,454

 

35,796

 

(271,178

)

550,511

 

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

(78,088

)

187,849

 

114,268

 

134,876

 

(436,993

)

(78,088

)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

$

187,849

 

$

700,351

 

$

121,722

 

$

170,672

 

$

(708,171

)

$

472,423

 

 

 

16



 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Blount International, Inc.

 

Blount,
Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

$

90

 

$

29,398

 

$

(1,852

)

$

27,636

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

 

$

51,660

 

5,817

 

25,271

 

 

 

82,748

 

Intercompany receivables

 

 

 

153,923

 

83,240

 

17,415

 

(254,578

)

 

 

Inventories

 

 

 

56,823

 

5,519

 

17,754

 

(2,263

)

77,833

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

20,035

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

20,122

 

Other current assets

 

 

 

2,926

 

297

 

5,119

 

 

 

8,342

 

Total current assets

 

 

 

285,367

 

94,963

 

95,044

 

(258,693

216,681

 

Investments in affiliated companies

 

$

150,652

 

229,533

 

532

 

248

 

(380,965

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

41,370

 

10,421

 

47,874

 

 

 

99,665

 

Goodwill and other assets

 

 

 

89,986

 

13,089

 

12,823

 

(1,778

114,120

 

Total Assets

 

$

150,652

 

$

646,256

 

$

119,005

 

$

155,989

 

$

(641,436

$

430,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

 

$

1,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,500

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

23,319

 

$

4,312

 

$

9,203

 

$

(1,852

)

34,982

 

Intercompany payables

 

$

254,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(254,578

)

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

 

41,815

 

4,820

 

15,702

 

 

 

62,337

 

Total current liabilities

 

254,578

 

66,634

 

9,132

 

24,905

 

(256,430

98,819

 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

 

 

 

349,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

349,375

 

Other liabilities

 

1,365

 

79,595

 

 

 

8,381

 

(1,778

87,563

 

Total liabilities

 

255,943

 

495,604

 

9,132

 

33,286

 

(258,208

535,757

 

Stockholders equity (deficit)

 

(105,291

150,652

 

109,873

 

122,703

 

(383,228

)

(105,291

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

$

150,652

 

$

646,256

 

$

119,005

 

$

155,989

 

$

(641,436

$

430,466

 

 

 

17



 

Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows Information

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Blount International, Inc.

 

Blount,
Inc.

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

3,920

 

$

(936

)

$

590

 

$

13,330

 

$

(2,745

)

$

14,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

(8,377

)

(1,397

)

(4,584

)

 

 

(14,358

)

Other

 

 

 

152

 

1,562

 

36

 

 

 

1,750

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(8,225

)

165

 

(4,548

)

 

(12,608

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 

 

5,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,250

 

Repayment of term loan principal

 

 

 

(1,125

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,125

)

Advances from (to) affiliates

 

(4,231

)

5,036

 

(805

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

311

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(3,920

)

9,161

 

(805

)

 

 

4,436

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

(50

)

8,782

 

(2,745

)

5,987

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

 

90

 

29,398

 

(1,852

)

27,636

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

 

$

 

$

40

 

$

38,180

 

$

(4,597

)

$

33,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

6,347

 

$

(2,917

)

$

(1,274

)

$

12,830

 

$

(2,835

)

$

12,151

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

(8,055

)

(1,509

)

(5,999

)

 

 

(15,563

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

32,644

 

 

 

 

 

32,644

 

Other

 

 

 

43

 

1

 

(443

)

 

 

(399

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

(8,012

)

31,136

 

(6,442

)

 

16,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 

 

53,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

53,000

 

Repayment of term loan principal

 

 

 

(78,820

)

 

 

(4,653

)

 

 

(83,473

)

Advances from (to) affiliates

 

(7,544

)

37,406

 

(29,862

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

1,197

 

(700

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

497

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(6,347

)

10,886

 

(29,862

)

(4,653

)

 

(29,976

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

(43

)

 

 

1,735

 

(2,835

)

(1,143

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

13,731

 

(837

)

12,937

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

15,466

 

$

(3,672

)

$

11,794

 

 

 

18


 

 


 

NOTE 14:  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Discontinued Forestry Division.  On November 5, 2007, the Company sold its Forestry Division to Caterpillar Forest Products Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. The Company received consideration of $77.3 million for the sale.  Proceeds received upon completion of the transaction are subject to certain post-closing adjustments and will be utilized to reduce debt and pay applicable taxes and transaction fees.

 

The Company’s Forestry Division manufactured and distributed purpose-built timber harvesting equipment, industrial tractors and loaders. The Forestry Division is included in the Industrial and Power Equipment Segment in the accompanying financial statements. The Forestry Division will be reported as discontinued operations in subsequent financial statements.  Selected financial data for the Forestry Division included in the consolidated statement of income is presented below:

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

37,851

 

$

45,278

 

$

99,761

 

$

131,193

 

Contribution to operating income

 

2,275

 

2,708

 

3,838

 

9,946

 

Plant closure costs

 

 

1,055

 

 

1,055

 

 

Total assets of the Forestry Division, included in the consolidated balance sheets, were $71.7 million at September 30, 2007 and $65.9 million at December 31, 2006.

 

The Company will recognize a gain on the sale from this transaction in the fourth quarter of this year. It is estimated that the gain on sale will be between $10 million and $12 million. Net cash proceeds after payment of taxes, fees and escrow requirements are estimated to be between $46 and $48 million.

 

2007 Amendment of Credit Agreements.  Effective November 5, 2007, the Company amended the terms of its senior credit facility agreements to provide the following:

 

                  Permit the sale of the Forestry Division;

                  Permit one-time exclusions related to the sale of the Forestry Division and related restructuring events with respect to certain covenant ratios;

                  Authorize permitted acquisitions up to $100 million per acquisition, not to exceed $200 million over the term of the Agreement; and

                  Reduce the maximum permitted Senior Leverage Ratio from 2.75 to 2.50 times trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA.

In conjunction with this amendment, the Company paid its Senior Credit Facility lenders a $0.6 million fee, which will be recorded as deferred financing costs in the fourth quarter of 2007 and amortized over the remaining term of the agreements.

 

 

19



 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

Results of Operations

Three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

166,910

 

$

164,097

 

$

481,349

 

$

492,993

 

Gross profit

 

51,227

 

49,187

 

149,746

 

153,011

 

Operating income

 

22,595

 

18,657

 

62,817

 

64,956

 

Income from continuing operations

 

9,443

 

10,134

 

25,344

 

28,867

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

4,990

 

(53

)

4,641

 

Net income

 

9,443

 

15,124

 

25,291

 

33,508

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations per diluted share

 

0.20

 

0.21

 

0.53

 

0.60

 

Income from discontinued operations per diluted share

 

0.00

 

0.11

 

0.00

 

0.10

 

Net income per diluted share

 

0.20

 

0.32

 

0.53

 

0.70

 

 

Sales in the three months ended September 30, 2007 increased $2.8 million, or 2%, from the same period in 2006. For the nine month period, sales decreased year-over-year by $11.6 million, or 2%.  During 2007, sales of the Company’s products to international markets have increased from the comparable periods in 2006.  Sales outside North America increased 20% in the three month period and 17% in the nine month period.  These stronger international sales were offset by declines in North American markets, primarily due to lower sales of timber harvesting equipment.  Demand for timber products and timber harvesting equipment continues to be weak in North America, due in part to the decline in housing starts.  Sales for the three month and nine month periods in North America declined by 14% and 17%, respectively, from the comparable periods in 2006.

Consolidated order backlog at September 30, 2007 was $91.2 million, compared to $73.3 million at December 31, 2006 and $93.5 million at September 30, 2006.

 

Gross profit increased by $2.0 million, or 4%, for the three month period, but decreased by $3.3 million, or 2%, for the nine month period.  As a percent of sales, gross margin increased to 30.7% for the three months compared to 30.0% for the same period in 2006.  Gross margin was 31.1% for the first nine months of 2007, compared to 31.0% for the first nine months of 2006.

 

The year-over-year change in consolidated gross profit is presented in the following table:

(Amounts in millions)

 

Three months
Ended September 30

 

Nine months
Ended September 30

 

2006 gross profit

 

$

49.2

 

$

153.0

 

Increase (decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

Sales volume

 

1.3

 

(2.5

)

Price, cost and mix

 

0.7

 

(1.8

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

1.0

 

2007 gross profit

 

$

51.2

 

$

149.7

 

The changes attributed to sales volume reflect increases in unit sales outside of North America, offset by decreases in the U.S. and Canadian markets.  The combined effect of product price, cost and mix was favorable for the three

 

 

20



 

month period, but was unfavorable for the nine month period, as cost increases outpaced productivity gains.  Changes in price and product mix have generally been favorable, but have been offset by higher costs.  Changes in steel prices were neutral for the three month period, but had an unfavorable effect estimated at $0.9 million for the nine month period compared to last year.  Higher costs in the current year also included increases for freight which were driven, in part, by higher energy costs.  In addition, the nine month period of 2007 includes $1.0 million of non-recurring expense related to consolidation within our logistics operations.

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense was $28.6 million and $86.9 million for the three and nine month periods of 2007, respectively.  As a percent of sales, in 2007 SG&A increased to 17.2% for the three month period and to 18.1% for the nine month period compared to 15.7% and 16.9% for the respective periods in 2006.  The year-over-year increases of $2.9 million, or 11%, for the three months, and $3.7 million, or 4%, for the nine month period include $0.7 million and $1.6 million of additional expense in our foreign offices (primarily in Europe) as a result of movement in currency exchange rates.  Other year-over-year increases for the three and nine month periods include higher wages of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and increases in performance-based compensation of $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively.  Stock-based compensation expense was $0.1 million lower for the three months, but was $0.4 million higher for the nine month period compared to the same periods last year.  Professional expenses have increased $0.7 million and $0.3 million during the three month and nine month periods, primarily due to higher legal expenses, partially offset by reductions in compliance-related audit fees.  Advertising expense has decreased year-over-year by $0.2 million for the three months and $0.5 million for the nine months.  For the nine month period, expense for R&D materials decreased $0.6 million.

 

Operating income increased $3.9 million for the three month period, with an operating margin of 13.5% compared to 11.4% in the three month period last year.  For the nine month period, operating income decreased by $2.1 million compared to the same period in 2006, with an operating margin of 13.1% compared to 13.2% last year.  Included in last year’s three and nine month periods were $4.8 million of nonrecurring expenses related to the redesign of U.S. retirement plans and plant closure costs.  Excluding these nonrecurring expenses in 2006, the comparable operating margin would have been 14.3% and 14.1% for the three and nine month periods, respectively.

 

Interest expense was $8.5 million and $25.3 million during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, compared to $8.9 million and $27.2 million during the same periods in 2006.  The decreases in interest expense were due primarily to lower average outstanding debt balances.  Interest income of $0.4 million and $0.9 million for the three and nine month periods, respectively, was approximately four times last year’s levels due to the increase in cash balances at our foreign subsidiaries.

 

Other income was $0.7 million for the three and nine months of 2007 and was primarily attributable to gains on the sale of assets, including $0.4 million for a former manufacturing facility in Coffeyville, Kansas.  This compares to other expense of $0.3 million and other income of $0.8 million during the same periods of 2006, respectively.  Included in the nine month period of 2006 were proceeds from two insurance settlements.

 

The provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $5.7 million, with an effective tax rate of 37.8% on pre-tax book income, and $13.8 million, with an effective rate of 35.3%, respectively, in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007.  For the three and nine month periods last year we recorded a tax benefit of $0.6 million and a tax provision of $9.9 million, respectively.  Last year’s three month period reflected the nine month effect of implementing tax planning initiatives with higher anticipated deductions and exclusions, and the effective tax rate for the nine month period was 25.5%.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the federal net operating loss carryforward was fully used to offset U.S. taxable income and hence U.S. income taxes for subsequent periods, including the three months ended September 30, 2007, will require settlement in cash.  We utilized available net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards to offset cash taxes payable in the U.S. during all other periods presented.

 

Discontinued operations consisted entirely of our former Lawnmower segment, which operated through July 26, 2006.  In the current year, the loss from discontinued operations was $0.1 million for the nine month period.  This loss primarily reflects costs of continuing to own the idle manufacturing facility for this segment while it was being marketed for sale.  This facility was sold in September 2007 for cash proceeds of $1.6 million.  Income of $5.0 million ($0.11 per diluted share) and $4.6 million ($0.10 per diluted share), respectively, was recognized for the

 

 

21



 

three and nine month periods in 2006.  The 2006 pre-tax income of $12.8 million and $12.2 million, respectively, included a $17.7 million pre-tax gain on the disposal of net assets, partially offset by severance and pension curtailment costs related to the impending plant closure associated with the sale of the business announced on June 30, 2006.

 

Segment Results.

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Products

 

$

122,112

 

$

111,481

 

$

361,085

 

$

340,400

 

Industrial and Power Equipment

 

44,984

 

52,747

 

120,789

 

153,226

 

Inter-Segment elimination

 

(186

)

(131

)

(525

)

(633

)

Total sales

 

$

166,910

 

$

164,097

 

$

481,349

 

$

492,993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Products

 

$

23,667

 

$

23,532

 

$

71,401

 

$

71,437

 

Industrial and Power Equipment

 

2,831

 

3,949

 

5,617

 

11,980

 

Inter-Segment elimination

 

 

56

 

 

29

 

Contribution from segments

 

26,498

 

27,537

 

77,018

 

83,446

 

Corporate expenses

 

(3,903

)

(4,078

)

(14,201

)

(13,688

)

Retirement plan redesign

 

 

(3,747

)

 

(3,747

)

Plant closure costs

 

 

(1,055

)

 

(1,055

)

Operating income

 

$

22,595

 

$

18,657

 

$

62,817

 

$

64,956

 

 

Outdoor Products Segment.  Sales for the Outdoor Products segment in the three months ended September 30, 2007 increased $10.6 million, or 10%, compared to the same period of 2006.  Sales for the segment in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased $20.7 million, or 6%, compared to the same period of 2006.

 

Strong international market conditions led to year-over-year increases in unit volume across most product categories.  This volume increase resulted in an increase in sales of $6.1 million for the three month period and $10.4 million for the nine month period compared to the same periods last year.  Compared to last year, improvements in average selling prices generated additional sales revenue of $2.5 million for the quarter and $4.7 million for the nine month period.  Additionally, the year-over-year effect from foreign currency translation on sales, due primarily to movement of exchange rates involving European currencies, was $2.0 million favorable for the three month period and $5.6 million favorable for the nine month period.  Geographically, sales grew outside the U.S. by 14% and 12% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2006.  Sales within the U.S. were flat for the three month period on a year-over-year basis, but were 5% lower for the nine month period due to lower volume in the first quarter.  Sales of outdoor care parts and accessories increased 28% in the third quarter compared to last year and were 8% higher on a year to date basis.  Sales of chainsaw components and accessories increased by 8% and 6% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2006.  Sales of concrete cutting products increased by 3% for the comparable three month period and were 5% higher than the nine month period last year.  Order backlog for the segment was $67.6 million at September 30, 2007 compared to $54.8 million at December 31, 2006 and $64.8 million at September 30, 2006.

 

Segment contribution to operating income increased $0.1 million for the three month period and was flat for the nine month period compared to the same periods last year.  For the three month period, the operating margin was 19.4% compared to 21.1% last year.  For the nine month period the operating margin was 19.8% of sales compared to 21.0% for the same period in 2006.  The increase in sales volume generated an additional $3.1 million of income for the three month period and an increase of $5.7 million for the nine month period compared to last year. For both periods, the favorable effect of higher sales volumes was largely offset by the unfavorable net effects from price and cost, product mix and foreign exchange rates.  The net effect of changes in selling price, cost and mix had an unfavorable effect of $0.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively, compared to the three and nine month periods in 2006, with increases in freight costs being a primary factor.  Segment contribution for the nine month period in 2007

 

 

22



 

also included a non-recurring expense related to consolidation of logistics operations in the U.S., which is expected to improve customer service and reduce future logistical expenses.  The net effect of foreign exchange was unfavorable $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for the three and nine month periods.  During both periods of 2007, the U.S. dollar was weaker compared to European currencies during the same periods of 2006, providing a positive effect on sales.  However, the favorable effect on sales was more than offset by the negative effect from the weaker U.S. dollar that resulted in increased product costs and operating expenses, after translation to U.S. Dollars, for our European sales offices and in our Brazilian and Canadian manufacturing plants.  SG&A expense increased $2.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively, largely due to increases in compensation costs and higher legal fees.

 

Industrial and Power Equipment Segment.  Sales for the Industrial and Power Equipment segment decreased $7.8 million, or 15%, and $32.4 million, or 21%, respectively, in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, compared to the same periods of 2006.

 

The year-over-year sales decline was caused primarily by lower unit sales volume of our timber harvesting equipment, with negative impacts of $8.0 million and $33.7 million for the three and nine month periods.  The volume decrease occurred across most product lines.  Geographically, sales in North America decreased 24% and 27% year-over-year for the three and nine month periods, respectively.  Weaker timber markets, caused in part by a decline in U.S. housing starts, were the primary reason for the market decline in these products, and shipments in the first quarter of 2007 were further impacted by an inventory reduction at the dealer level.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in sales volume outside North America and by improvements in price and mix.  Compared to last year, sales of timber harvesting equipment outside North America increased $4.0 million, or 122%, and $7.2 million, or 80%, for the three and nine month periods, and were strongest in Latin America.  Sales outside North America represented 19% of our total timber harvesting equipment sales in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 16% for the nine month period of 2007.  Sales of our rotational bearings and swing drive products were also lower compared to last year, with lower unit volumes of $0.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively, for the three and nine month periods of 2007 compared to 2006.  These decreases in sales volume of gear components were partially offset by improvements in price and product mix.  Order backlog for the segment was $23.6 million at September 30, 2007 compared to $18.5 million at December 31, 2006 and $28.7 million at September 30, 2006.

 

Three month segment contribution to operating income decreased $1.1 million, to 6.3% of sales, compared to 7.5% of sales last year.  For the nine month period, segment contribution to operating income decreased $6.4 million, to 4.7% of sales, compared to 7.8% last year.  For both the three and nine month periods, lower sales volume was partially offset by improvements in selling prices, product mix and the reduction of plant overhead, partially resulting from the closure of one of the segment’s manufacturing plants in 2006.  The effect of changes in steel prices was minimal year-over-year for the three month period, but had an estimated adverse effect of $0.6 million for the nine months.

 

Corporate Expense.  Corporate expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 was $3.9 million and $14.2 million, respectively, representing a decrease of $0.2 million for the three months and an increase of $0.5 million for the nine months compared to both periods last year.  Stock-based compensation expense was $0.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine month periods, $0.1 million lower and $0.4 million higher than the same periods last year.  Awards typically vest over three years and the expense is weighted more heavily in the period of grant because of the number of grantees who are retirement-eligible at the grant date.  Under SFAS No. 123(R), the fair value of stock awards must be expensed immediately at the grant date for retirement-eligible grantees.  The year-over-year decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was due to prior year grant activity receiving this accelerated expense treatment.  Generally, however, our stock-based compensation expense is expected to increase during the three year period ending December 31, 2008, largely as a result of adding expense for new grants to the ongoing period expense of awards made since the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) in 2006.  Stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal year 2007 is expected to be approximately $3.8 million compared to $3.3 million for the year 2006.  Salaries and performance-based compensation increased $0.2 million and $0.6 million year-over-year for the three and nine month periods, respectively, reflecting annual wage increases and additional staffing.  Benefit expenses decreased $0.2 million and $0.4 million during the three and nine month periods.   Expenses for professional services decreased $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine month periods due to a decrease in compliance-related audit services.

 

 

23


 

 


 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Total debt at September 30, 2007 was $355.0 million compared to $350.9 million at December 31, 2006.  As of September 30, 2007, outstanding debt consisted of a revolving credit facility balance of $32.3 million, a term loan of $147.8 million and senior subordinated notes of $175.0 million.  The net funds borrowed during the first nine months of 2007 were used to support capital spending and increases in working capital, and to make contributions to our domestic pension plan.

 

Interest expense was $25.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $2.0 million compared to the same period of 2006.  The decrease primarily reflects the favorable effect from a reduction in the average principal amount of debt outstanding.  Our interest expense may vary in the future because the revolving credit facility and term loan interest rates are variable. The interest rate is fixed at 8 7/8% on the senior subordinated notes.  Our weighted average interest rate on all debt was 8.08% as of September 30, 2007 compared to 7.99% as of December 31, 2006.  Cash paid for interest in the first nine months of 2007 was $27.1 million compared to $29.3 million in the same period of 2006.

 

2006 Amendment to Credit Facilities.  On March 23, 2006, we amended certain terms of our senior credit facilities.  This amendment included the following changes to the term notes and revolving credit facility:

                  Maximum availability under the revolving credit facility was increased from $100.0 million to $150.0 million;

                  Variable interest rates were reduced by 0.75% for the term loan and by 1.00% for the revolving credit facility, letter of credit fees were reduced by 0.75%, and unused line fees were reduced by 0.125%;

                  Certain financial covenants were modified, including increases to the amounts that may be expended for acquisitions, dividends and purchase of Company stock, as well as modifications to certain financial ratio requirements; and

                  The Company incurred fees and third party costs of $0.7 million related to the amendment.

 

Immediately following the amendment, we completed the following transactions:

                  $82.1 million was borrowed under the revolving credit facility.

                  The total principal balance of $4.6 million was paid off on the Canadian term loan, and that loan was cancelled.

                  $77.5 million in principal was paid against the term loan, leaving a balance of $150.0 million outstanding.

The revolving credit facility provides total available borrowings up to $150.0 million, reduced by outstanding letters of credit, and further restricted by a specific leverage ratio and first lien credit facilities leverage ratio.  As of September 30, 2007, we had the ability to borrow an additional $102.9 million under the terms of the revolving credit agreement.  The revolving credit facility bears interest at the LIBOR rate plus 1.75%, or at the prime rate, depending on the type of loan, and matures on August 9, 2009.  Interest is payable monthly in arrears on any prime rate borrowings and at the individual maturity dates for any LIBOR-based term borrowings.  Any outstanding principal is due in its entirety on the maturity date.

 

The term loan facility bears interest at the LIBOR rate plus 1.75%, or at the prime rate, depending on the type of loan, and matures on August 9, 2010.  The term loan facility requires quarterly payments of $0.4 million, with a final payment of $143.3 million due on the maturity date.  Once repaid, principal under the term loan facility may not be re-borrowed by the Company.

 

The senior credit facilities may be prepaid at any time.  There can also be additional mandatory repayment requirements related to the sale of our assets or the issuance of stock under certain circumstances, and upon the Company’s annual generation of excess cash flow as determined under the credit agreement.  These credit facilities contain financial covenant calculations relating to maximum capital expenditures, minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, maximum leverage ratio and maximum first lien credit facilities leverage ratio.  In addition, there are

 

 

24



 

covenants relating, among other categories, to investments, loans and advances, indebtedness and the sale of stock or assets.  The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of September 30, 2007.

 

The Company has one registered debt security, the 8 7/8% senior subordinated notes.  The interest rate on these notes is fixed until their maturity on August 1, 2012.  These notes are issued by Blount, Inc. and are fully and unconditionally, jointly and severally, guaranteed by the Company and all of its domestic subsidiaries (“guarantor subsidiaries”) other than Blount, Inc.

 

Our debt continues to be significant, and future debt service payments continue to represent substantial obligations.  This degree of leverage may adversely affect our operations and could have important adverse consequences.

 

We intend to fund working capital, capital expenditures and debt service requirements for the next twelve months with expected cash flows generated from operations.  We expect our remaining resources will be sufficient to cover any additional increases in working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months.  There can be no assurance, however, that these resources will be sufficient to meet our needs.  We may also consider other options available to us in connection with future liquidity needs.

 

Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2007 were $33.6 million compared to $27.6 million at December 31, 2006.  The $6.0 million increase in our cash balance during the first nine months of 2007 compares to a decrease of $1.1 million during the same period of 2006.

 

Cash flows from operating activities are summarized in the following table: 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

25,344

 

$

28,867

 

Non-cash items

 

24,525

 

25,601

 

Subtotal

 

49,869

 

54,468

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net

 

(34,416

)

(38,649

)

Discontinued operations, net

 

(1,294

)

(3,668

)

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

14,159

 

$

12,151

 

 

Non-cash items consist of expenses for depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortization and other non-cash charges, stock compensation expense, deferred income taxes and the tax benefit from exercise of stock options.

 

Cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 of $14.2 million included the following:

                  Income from continuing operations decreased $3.5 million from the prior year.

                  Non-cash items decreased $1.1 million, primarily due to last year’s unusual non-cash pension curtailment expense.  This year’s non-cash items also included:

                  Depreciation expense of $14.2 million, representing an increase of 12% compared to last year

                  Amortization of deferred financing costs of $2.9 million

                  Stock-based compensation expense of $3.3 million

                  Deferred income taxes of $4.7 million

                  Changes in assets and liabilities, net, included the following items:

                  An $11.4 million increase in receivables

                  A $12.4 million increase in inventories

                  A combined increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $7.2 million

 

 

25



 

                  A $14.8 million decrease in other liabilities, including contributions of $18.8 million to our funded pension plans

                  A $2.9 million increase in other assets

                  Discontinued operations used $1.3 million in cash.

Cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 of $12.2 million included the following:

                  Income from continuing operations of $28.9 million.

                  Non-cash items were $25.6 million and included the following:

                  Depreciation expense of $12.7 million

                  Amortization of deferred financing costs of $2.7 million

                  Stock-based compensation expense of $2.9 million

                  Pension curtailment charges of $3.2 million

                  Deferred income taxes of $4.0 million

                  Changes in assets and liabilities, net, included the following items:

                  A $10.8 million increase in receivables

                  A $5.3 million increase in inventories

                  A combined decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $13.7 million, reflecting a decrease in the purchase of raw materials and other inventory, and an increase in accrued interest expense primarily due to our debt securities

                  A decrease in other liabilities of $8.8 million, primarily due to contributions made to our funded pension plans

                  Discontinued operations used $3.7 million in net cash.

Cash taxes paid during the first nine months of 2007 were $10.5 million compared to $6.9 million for the same period in 2006.  As of June 2007, our U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards were fully utilized, resulting in a year-over-year increase of cash tax payments.

 

Cash flows from investing activities are summarized as follows:

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

$

1,750

 

$

104

 

Acquisition of business

 

 

(503

)

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(14,358

)

(15,563

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

32,644

 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

$

(12,608

)

$

16,682

 

Cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of 2007 was $12.6 million and included the following:

                  Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment includes $1.6 million from the sale of a former manufacturing facility in Coffeyville, Kansas.

                  Purchases of property, plant and equipment primarily represents expanded manufacturing capacity and productivity improvements, but also include routine replacement of equipment.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we spent $7.2 million related to capacity, including $2.7 million for our plant in China.  We also spent $2.7 million related to consolidation of North American logistics in our Outdoor Products segment.  During 2007, we expect to invest $20.0 million to $23.0 million in available cash for capital expenditures, primarily capacity expansion, ongoing productivity and cost improvements in our

 

 

26



 

manufacturing processes, routine replacement of machinery and equipment and replacement of tooling used in production processes.

The 2006 activity includes the following:

                  The purchase of Votec Engineering AB, a European manufacturer of harvester heads, for $0.5 million.

                  Purchases of property, plant and equipment of $15.6 million.  This included $9.2 million related to capacity, with $4.8 million invested at our manufacturing facility in China, primarily for the installation of equipment to ramp up production capacity.

                  Cash provided from discontinued operations was $32.6 million.  On July 27, 2006, we sold certain assets and liabilities of Dixon to Husqvarna.  Blount received preliminary proceeds of $33.9 million upon the closing of the transaction, which were used to reduce debt, fund the closure of Dixon’s Coffeyville, Kansas facility and pay transition costs and transaction fees.  The preliminary proceeds received were subject to certain post-closing adjustments under the terms of the related asset purchase agreement.

Cash flows from financing activities are summarized as follows:

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net increase (decrease) in debt

 

$

4,125

 

$

(30,473

)

Debt agreement amendment costs

 

 

(700

)

Proceeds and tax benefits from the exercise of stock options

 

311

 

1,197

 

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

$

4,436

 

$

(29,976

)

 

Cash provided by financing activities in the first nine months of 2007 was $4.4 million compared to $30.0 million of cash used in the comparable period of 2006.  The 2007 activity included the following:

                  Net borrowing of $5.3 million on our revolving credit facility to support operations

                  Required repayments of $1.1 million on our term loan

                  Exercise of stock options that generated $0.3 million

The 2006 activity included the following:

                  A net draw down of $53.0 million on our revolving credit facility.  Draw downs were necessary to fund the reduction of term loan debt as part of the amendment to our senior credit facilities that occurred in March 2006 and to support operations, and were partially offset by repayments using proceeds from the sale of our Lawnmower segment;

                  Payments of $83.5 million of principal on our term loan debt, which included $1.3 million of scheduled payments and $82.1 million related to the March 2006 amendment of our senior credit facilities;

                  Expenditures of $0.7 million incurred in connection with the March 2006 amendment to our senior credit facilities; and

                  Exercise of stock options that generated $1.2 million, consisting of $0.7 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options and a related $0.5 million of tax benefit from these exercises.

 

Subsequent Events

 

Discontinued Forestry Division.  On November 5, 2007, the Company sold its Forestry Division to Caterpillar Forest Products Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. The Company received consideration of $77.3 million for the sale.  Proceeds received upon completion of the transaction are subject to certain post-closing adjustments and will be utilized to reduce debt and pay applicable taxes and transaction fees.

 

Our Forestry Division manufactured and distributed purpose-built timber harvesting equipment, industrial tractors and loaders. The Forestry Division is included in the Industrial and Power Equipment Segment in the accompanying financial statements. The Forestry Division will be reported as discontinued operations in subsequent financial

 

 

27



 

statements.  Selected financial data for the Forestry Division included in the consolidated statement of income is presented below:

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

37,851

 

$

45,278

 

$

99,761

 

$

131,193

 

Contribution to operating income

 

2,275

 

2,708

 

3,838

 

9,946

 

Plant closure costs

 

 

1,055

 

 

1,055

 

 

Total assets of the Forestry Division, included in the consolidated balance sheets, were $71.7 million at September 30, 2007 and $65.9 million at December 31, 2006.

 

The Company will recognize a gain on the sale from this transaction in the fourth quarter of this year. It is estimated that the gain on sale will be between $10 million and $12 million. Net cash proceeds after payment of taxes, fees and escrow requirements are estimated to be between $46 and $48 million.

 

2007 Amendment of Credit Agreements.  Effective November 5, 2007, we amended the terms of our senior credit facility agreements to provide the following:

 

                  Permit the sale of the Forestry Division;

                  Permit one-time exclusions related to the sale of the Forestry Division and related restructuring events with respect to certain covenant ratios;

                  Authorize permitted acquisitions up to $100 million per acquisition, not to exceed $200 million over the term of the Agreement; and

                  Reduce the maximum permitted Senior Leverage Ratio from 2.75 to 2.50 times trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA.

In conjunction with this amendment, the Company paid its Senior Credit Facility lenders a $0.6 million fee, which will be recorded as deferred financing costs in the fourth quarter of 2007 and amortized over the remaining term of the agreements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, except as follows:

 

Effective January 1, 2007, we account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FIN No. 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  The application of income tax law is inherently complex.  Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and are often ambiguous.  As such, we are required to make many assumptions and judgments regarding our income tax exposures.  Interpretations of income tax laws and regulations and guidance surrounding them change over time.  Changes in our assumptions and judgments can materially affect amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements.  See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on our uncertain tax positions and the impact of adopting FIN No. 48.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157.  SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.  We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS No. 157.

 

 

28



 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159.  SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The provisions of SFAS No. 159 are effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.  We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS No. 159.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

“Forward looking statements,” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, used in this report, including without limitation our “outlook,” “guidance,” “expectations,”  “beliefs,” “plans,” “indications,” “estimates,” “anticipations,” and their variants, are based upon available information and upon assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable; however, these forward looking statements involve certain risks and should not be considered indicative of actual results that the Company may achieve in the future. Specifically, issues concerning foreign currency exchange rates, the cost to the Company of commodities in general, and of steel in particular, the anticipated level of applicable interest rates and the anticipated effects of discontinued operations involve certain estimates and assumptions. To the extent that these, or any other such assumptions, are not realized going forward, or other unforeseen factors arise, actual results for the periods subsequent to the date of this report may differ materially.

 

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, including raw materials such as steel. We manage our exposure to these market risks through our regular operating and financing activities, and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivatives. When utilized, derivatives are used as risk management tools and not for trading or speculative purposes. See also, the “Market Risk” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our most recent Form 10-K for further discussion of market risk.

 

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

29



 

PART II     OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits:

 

**31.1 Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by James S. Osterman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

 

**31.2 Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Calvin E. Jenness, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

**32.1 Certification pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by James S. Osterman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

 

**32.2 Certification pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Calvin E. Jenness, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 


**   Filed electronically herewith.  Copies of such exhibits may be obtained upon written request from:

 

 

 

Blount International, Inc.

 

 

P.O. Box 22127

 

 

Portland, Oregon 97269-2127

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the duly authorized undersigned.

 

BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

 

                Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Calvin E. Jenness

 

/s/ Mark V. Allred

Calvin E. Jenness

 

Mark V. Allred

Senior Vice President and

 

Vice President and Controller

Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

Dated: November 9, 2007

 

 

 

 

30