Industry Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Industry Segments

Industry Segments

Using the criteria of ASC 280 Segment Reporting, the Company has four operating segments: Material Handling, Lawn and Garden, Distribution and Engineered Products. Each of these operating segments is also a reportable segment under the ASC 280 criteria.

None of the reportable segments include operating segments that have been aggregated. Some of these segments contain individual business components that have been aggregated on the basis of common management, customers, products, production processes and other economic characteristics. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers at cost plus a specified mark-up.

The Material Handling Segment includes a broad selection of plastic reusable containers, pallets, small parts bins, bulk shipping containers, and storage and organization products. This segment conducts its primary operations in the United States, but also operates in Canada and Brazil. Markets served encompass various niches of industrial manufacturing, food processing, retail/wholesale products distribution, agriculture, automotive, healthcare, appliance, bakery, electronics, textiles, consumer, and others. Products are sold both directly to end-users and through distributors.

The Lawn and Garden Segment serves the North American horticultural market with plastic products such as seedling trays, nursery pots, hanging baskets, and custom printed containers, as well as decorative resin planters. Markets/customers include professional growers, greenhouses, nurseries, retail garden centers, mass merchandisers, and consumers.

The Distribution Segment is engaged in the distribution of equipment, tools, and supplies used for tire servicing and automotive undervehicle repair. The product line includes categories such as tire valves and accessories, tire changing and balancing equipment, lifts and alignment equipment, service equipment and tools, and tire repair/retread supplies. The Distribution Segment operates domestically through sales offices, and four regional distribution centers in the United States and in foreign countries through export sales. In addition, the Distribution Segment operates directly in certain foreign markets, principally Canada and Central America, through foreign branch operations. Markets served include retail and truck tire dealers, commercial auto and truck fleets, auto dealers, general service and repair centers, tire retreaders, and government agencies.

The Engineered Products Segment engineers and manufactures plastic and rubber original equipment and replacement parts, rubber tire repair and retread products, and a diverse array of custom plastic and rubber products. Representative products include: plastic HVAC ducts, water/waste storage tanks, and interior/exterior vehicle trim components; rubber air intake hoses, vibration isolators, emissions tubing assemblies, and trailer bushings; and custom products such as plastic tool boxes and calendered rubber sheet stock. This segment serves a diverse group of niche markets including automotive, recreational vehicle, recreational marine, construction and agriculture equipment, healthcare, and transportation.

Total sales from foreign business units and export to countries outside the U.S. were approximately $142.3 million, $127.6 million, and $107.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Sales made to customers in Canada accounted for approximately 8% of total net sales in 2013 and 9% in both 2012 and 2011. There are no other individual foreign countries for which sales are material. Long-lived assets in foreign countries, consisting of property, plant and equipment, were approximately $19.7 million at December 31, 2013 and $32.4 million at December 31, 2012. The decrease in long-lived assets in foreign countries is the result of assets transferred to our U.S. Lawn & Garden segment and the impact of foreign currency translation.

	2013			2012			2011
Net Sales
Material Handling	$	322,854		$	285,994		$	261,812
Lawn and Garden	204,890			205,814			217,140
Distribution	177,412			176,645			183,726
Engineered Products	137,745			141,658			116,243
Intra-segment elimination	(17,691		)	(18,923		)	(23,267		)
	$	825,210		$	791,188		$	755,654
Income Before Income Taxes
Material Handling	$	41,076		$	47,483		$	34,123
Lawn and Garden	(1,540		)	2,905			4,226
Distribution	14,448			14,838			15,736
Engineered Products	15,296			14,481			10,810
Corporate	(25,347		)	(27,851		)	(26,486		)
Interest expense - net	(4,542		)	(4,515		)	(4,722		)
	$	39,391		$	47,341		$	33,687
Identifiable Assets
Material Handling	$	224,207		$	238,500		$	164,738
Lawn and Garden	126,382			128,267			138,894
Distribution	49,488			44,913			48,100
Engineered Products	43,642			40,377			40,840
Corporate	25,738			32,799			36,185
	$	469,457		$	484,856		$	428,757
Capital Additions, Net
Material Handling	$	17,847		$	17,029		$	12,165
Lawn and Garden	7,808			5,240			6,411
Distribution	845			796			1,101
Engineered Products	2,709			3,342			1,831
Corporate	792			570			422
	$	30,001		$	26,977		$	21,930
Depreciation and Amortization
Material Handling	$	20,840		$	17,308		$	16,009
Lawn and Garden	11,862			11,370			13,911
Distribution	537			379			342
Engineered Products	3,466			3,185			3,230
Corporate	940			765			722
	$	37,645		$	33,007		$	34,214