UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED April 3, 2010

 

OR

 

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM to

 

Commission File Number:

0599

 

THE EASTERN COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Connecticut

06-0330020

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

112 Bridge Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut

06770

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(203) 729-2255

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes o No o

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company 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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

Outstanding as of April 3, 2010

Common Stock, No par value

6,065,637

 

 

- 1 -

 


PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

ASSETS

 

April 3, 2010

 

January 2, 2010

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

10,808,188

 

$

16,746,673

 

Accounts receivable, less allowances: $395,000 - 2010; $392,000 - 2009

 

 

16,678,897

 

 

15,326,416

 

Inventories

 

 

25,148,283

 

 

24,520,289

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

2,718,451

 

 

2,037,745

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,129,898

 

 

1,129,898

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

56,483,717

 

 

59,761,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

51,361,235

 

 

50,339,002

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(28,150,081

)

 

(27,365,369

)

 

 

 

23,211,154

 

 

22,973,633

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

13,917,321

 

 

13,869,005

 

Trademarks

 

 

150,751

 

 

151,341

 

Patents, technology, and other intangibles net of accumulated amortization

 

 

2,690,270

 

 

2,796,698

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,193,855

 

 

1,283,323

 

Prepaid pension cost

 

 

31,212

 

 

36,838

 

 

 

 

17,983,409

 

 

18,137,205

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

97,678,280

 

$

100,871,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 2 -

 


 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

April 3, 2010

 

January 2, 2010

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

7,099,127

 

$

5,335,317

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

1,486,982

 

 

1,811,236

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

1,767,039

 

 

1,191,360

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

714,286

 

 

7,142,858

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

11,067,434

 

 

15,480,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

1,042,650

 

 

1,077,247

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

4,107,142

 

 

4,285,713

 

Accrued postretirement benefits

 

 

1,355,443

 

 

1,341,498

 

Accrued pension cost

 

 

12,529,632

 

 

12,089,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, no par value: Authorized and unissued 2,000,000 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, no par value: Authorized: 50,000,000 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued: 8,709,852 shares in 2010 and 8,709,384 shares in 2009

 

 

26,242,626

 

 

26,236,477

 

Treasury Stock: 2,644,215 shares in 2010 and 2009

 

 

(18,375,416

)

 

(18,375,416

)

Retained earnings

 

 

68,021,997

 

 

67,558,201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

2,040,905

 

 

1,696,013

 

Unrecognized net pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of tax

 

 

(10,354,133

)

 

(10,517,971

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(8,313,228

)

 

(8,821,958

)

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

67,575,979

 

 

66,597,304

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

97,678,280

 

$

100,871,859

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

- 3 -

 


THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

April 3, 2010

 

 

April 4, 2009

 

 

Net sales

 

$

30,954,555

 

$

28,432,473

 

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

(24,895,580

)

 

(25,012,388

)

 

Gross margin

 

 

6,058,975

 

 

3,420,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

 

(4,432,801

)

 

(4,388,863

)

 

Operating profit/(loss)

 

 

1,626,174

 

 

(968,778

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(70,072

)

 

(227,314

)

 

Other income

 

 

94

 

 

25,609

 

 

Income/(loss) before income taxes

 

 

1,556,196

 

 

(1,170,483

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense/(benefit)

 

 

546,536

 

 

(87,953

)

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

1,009,660

 

$

(1,082,530

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

.17

 

$

(.18

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

.16

 

$

(.18

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends per share:

 

$

.09

 

$

.09

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

April 3, 2010

 

 

April 4, 2009

 

Net income/(loss)

$

1,009,660

 

$

(1,082,530

)

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in foreign currency translation

 

344,892

 

 

(170,363

)

Change in pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of taxes of:

2010 – $89,468

2009 – $117,221

 

163,838

 

 

214,663

 

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, net of tax (expense):

2009 – ($34,384)

 

-

 

 

62,964

 

 

 

508,730

 

 

107,264

 

Comprehensive income/(loss)

$

1,518,390

 

$

(975,266

)

 

See accompanying notes.

 

- 4 -

 


THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

April 3, 2010

 

April 4, 2009

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

1,009,660

 

$

(1,082,530

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

998,094

 

 

1,027,788

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

 

13,744

 

 

31,355

 

Issuance of Common Stock for directors’ fees

 

 

6,149

 

 

12,303

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,244,156

)

 

1,590,526

 

Inventories

 

 

(468,796

)

 

3,953,029

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

(625,716

)

 

117,239

 

Prepaid pension cost

 

 

707,863

 

 

254,224

 

Other assets

 

 

(102,055

)

 

(35,368

)

Accounts payable

 

 

1,711,473

 

 

(1,719,327

)

Accrued compensation

 

 

(331,791

)

 

(600,196

)

Other accrued expenses

 

 

508,138

 

 

(486,978

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

2,182,607

 

 

3,062,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(969,357

)

 

(682,687

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(969,357

)

 

(682,687

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

 

(11,607,143

)

 

(782,854

)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

-

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(545,865

)

 

(536,912

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(7,153,008

)

 

(1,319,766

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

1,273

 

 

(45,356

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(5,938,485

)

 

1,014,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

16,746,673

 

 

8,967,625

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

10,808,188

 

$

9,981,881

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 

 

- 5 -

 


THE EASTERN COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

April 3, 2010

 

Note A – Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements. Refer to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010 for additional information.

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for interim periods have been reflected therein. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 2, 2010 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet at that date.

 

Note B – Earnings/(Loss) Per Share

 

The denominators used in the earnings/(loss) per share computations follow:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

April 3, 2010

 

April 4, 2009

Basic:

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

6,065,256

 

5,965,751

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

6,065,256

 

5,965,751

Dilutive stock options

125,071

 

-

Denominator for diluted earnings/(loss) per share

6,190,327

 

5,965,751

 

In the above table, the Company has excluded the effect of 55,500 stock options in the first quarter of 2010 and all outstanding stock options in the first quarter of 2009, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

 

Note C – Inventories

 

The components of inventories follow:

 

 

April 3, 2010

 

January 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

Raw material and component parts

$ 8,047,451

 

$ 7,837,854

Work in process

4,476,394

 

4,367,851

Finished goods

12,624,438

 

12,314,584

 

$ 25,148,283

 

$ 24,520,289

 

 

- 6 -

 


Note D – Segment Information

 

Segment financial information follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

April 3, 2010

 

 

 

April 4, 2009

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales to unaffiliated customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Hardware

 

 

$

14,218,063

 

 

 

$

12,354,322

 

Security Products

 

 

 

10,199,692

 

 

 

 

9,801,204

 

Metal Products

 

 

 

6,536,800

 

 

 

 

6,276,947

 

 

 

 

$

30,954,555

 

 

 

$

28,432,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Hardware

 

 

$

1,099,408

 

 

 

$

695,852

 

Security Products

 

 

 

441,449

 

 

 

 

(552,978

)

Metal Products

 

 

 

85,317

 

 

 

 

(1,111,652

)

Operating Profit/(Loss)

 

 

 

1,626,174

 

 

 

 

(968,778

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

(70,072

)

 

 

 

(227,314

)

Other income

 

 

 

94

 

 

 

 

25,609

 

Income/(loss) before income taxes

 

 

$

1,556,196

 

 

 

$

(1,170,483

)

 

 

Note E – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on consolidation of variable interest entities. The new guidance is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring additional disclosures about a company’s involvement in variable interest entities. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 3, 2010, and it had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, as well as requiring presentation on a gross basis of information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance also clarifies existing disclosures regarding level of disaggregation, inputs and valuation techniques. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. Disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. As this guidance requires only additional disclosure, there should be no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company upon adoption.

 

Note F – Debt

 

On January 29, 2010, the Company signed a new secured Loan Agreement (the “New Loan Agreement”) with People’s United Bank (“People’s”) which included a $5,000,000 term portion and a $10,000,000 revolving credit portion. The term portion of the loan requires quarterly payments of $178,571 for a period of seven (7) years, maturing on January 31, 2017. The revolving credit portion has a quarterly commitment fee of one quarter of one percent (0.25%). The proceeds of the term portion along with some of the Company’s available cash were used to retire the remaining portion of the debt with Bank of America, N.A., which on January 29, 2010 totaled $10,714,286. There was no balance outstanding on the revolving credit portion at any time during the first quarter of 2010.

 

Interest on the term portion of the New Loan Agreement is fixed at 4.98%. The interest rate on the revolving credit portion of the New Loan Agreement varies based on the LIBOR rate or the People’s Prime rate plus a margin spread of 2.25%, with a floor rate of 4.0%.

 

 

- 7 -

 


 

Note G – Goodwill

 

The following is a roll-forward of goodwill from year-end 2009 to the end of the first quarter 2010:

 

 

 

Industrial
Hardware
Segment

 

Security
Products
Segment

 

Metal
Products
Segment

 



Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

2,035,189

 

$

11,833,816

 

$

 

$

13,869,005

 

Foreign exchange

 

 

48,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,316

 

Ending balance

 

$

2,083,505

 

$

11,833,816

 

$

 

$

13,917,321

 

 

 

Note H – Intangibles  

 

Patents are recorded at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the lives of the patents. Technology and licenses are recorded at cost and are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 5 to 17 years. Non-compete agreements and customer relationships are being amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 5 years. Trademarks are not amortized as their lives are deemed to be indefinite.

 

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

Industrial

Hardware

Segment

Security

Products

Segment

Metal

Products

Segment

Total

Weighted-Average

Amortization Period (Years)

2010 Gross Amount:

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and developed

technology

 

$ 2,716,992

 

$ 1,003,748

 

$ 45,679

 

$ 3,766,419

15.9

Customer relationships

45,825

1,921,811

-

1,967,636

5.0

Non-compete agreements

30,000

90,735

-

120,735

5.0

Other

-

128,941

-

128,941

1.0

Total Gross Intangibles

$ 2,792,817

$ 3,145,235

$ 45,679

$ 5,983,731

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Accumulated

Amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and developed

technology

 

$ 1,310,566

 

$ 360,769

 

$ 42,690

 

$ 1,714,025

 

Customer relationships

20,621

1,342,319

-

1,362,940

 

Non-compete agreements

13,500

77,996

-

91,496

 

Other

-

125,000

-

125,000

 

Accumulated Amortization

$ 1,344,687

$ 1,906,084

$ 42,690

$ 3,293,461

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net April 3, 2010 per Balance Sheet

 

$ 1,448,130

 

$ 1,239,151

 

$ 2,989

 

$ 2,690,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 8 -

 


 

 

Industrial

Hardware

Segment

Security

Products

Segment

Metal

Products

Segment

Total

Weighted-Average

Amortization Period (Years)

2009 Gross Amount:

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and developed

technology

 

$ 2,662,125

 

$ 995,778

 

$ 45,679

 

$ 3,703,582

 

16.0

Customer relationships

45,825

1,921,811

-

1,967,636

5.0

Non-compete agreements

30,000

90,735

-

120,735

5.0

Other

-

128,941

-

128,941

1.0

Total Gross Intangibles

$ 2,737,950

$ 3,137,265

$ 45,679

$ 5,920,894

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009 Accumulated

Amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and developed

technology

 

$ 1,262,599

 

$ 342,109

 

$ 41,996

 

$ 1,646,704

 

Customer relationships

18,330

1,246,219

-

1,264,549

 

Non-compete agreements

12,000

75,943

-

87,943

 

Other

-

125,000

-

125,000

 

Accumulated Amortization

$ 1,292,929

$ 1,789,271

$ 41,996

$ 3,124,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net January 2, 2010 per Balance Sheet

 

$ 1,445,021

 

$ 1,347,994

 

$ 3,683

 

$ 2,796,698

 

 

 

Note I – Retirement Benefit Plans

 

The Company has non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. employees. Plan benefits are generally based upon age at retirement, years of service and, for its salaried plan, the level of compensation. The Company also sponsors unfunded nonqualified supplemental retirement plans that provide certain current and former officers with benefits in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law.

 

The Company also provides health care and life insurance for retired salaried employees in the United States who meet specific eligibility requirements.

 

Significant disclosures relating to these benefit plans for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and 2009 follow:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

April 3,

2010

 

April 4,

2009

 

April 3,

2010

 

April 4,

2009

 

Service cost

 

$

559,719

 

$

536,845

 

$

35,250

 

$

33,358

 

Interest cost

 

 

727,241

 

 

694,011

 

 

34,850

 

 

32,500

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(836,276

)

 

(669,345

)

 

(23,675

)

 

(22,443

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

51,142

 

 

51,030

 

 

(5,975

)

 

(5,859

)

Amortization of the net loss

 

 

210,789

 

 

293,826

 

 

(2,650

)

 

(7,113

)

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

712,615

 

$

906,367

 

$

37,800

 

$

30,443

 

 

 

The Company’s funding policy with respect to its qualified plans is to contribute at least the minimum amount required by applicable laws and regulations. In 2010, the Company is required to contribute $260,000 into its pension plans and $141,000 into its postretirement plan. As of April 3, 2010, the Company has made contributions totaling $46,000 to its postretirement plan and will make the remaining contributions as required during the remainder of the year.

 

 

 

- 9 -

 


The Company has a contributory savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering substantially all U.S. non-union employees. The plan allows participants to make voluntary contributions of up to 100% of their annual compensation on a pretax basis, subject to IRS limitations. The plan provides for contributions by the Company at its discretion. The Company made contributions of $41,958 and $47,403 in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Note J – Stock Based Compensation and Stock Options  

 

The Company has stock option plans for officers, other key employees, and non-employee directors. As of April 3, 2010 two plans have shares reserved for future issuance, the 1995 and 2000 plans. Incentive stock options granted under the 1995 and 2000 plans must have exercise prices that are not less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the dates the options are granted. Restricted stock awards may also be granted to participants under the 2000 plan with restrictions determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the 1995 and 2000 plans, nonqualified stock options granted to participants will have exercise prices determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. No options or restricted stock were granted in the first quarter of 2010 or 2009.

 

As of April 3, 2010, there were 367,500 shares available for future grant under the above noted 2000 plan and there were no shares available for grant under the 1995 plan. As of April 3, 2010, there were 589,250 shares of common stock reserved under all option plans for future issuance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

April 3, 2010

 

Year Ended

January 2, 2010

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted - Average Exercise Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted - Average Exercise Price

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

221,750

 

$

10.581

 

438,000

 

$

10.432

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

 

 

 

(62,829

)

 

10.170

Exercised

 

 

 

 

(153,421

)

 

10.325

Outstanding at end of period

 

221,750

 

 

10.581

 

221,750

 

 

10.581

 

 

 

Options Outstanding and Exercisable

 

 

 

Range of Exercise Prices

 

 

 

Outstanding as of April 3, 2010

Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life

 

 

Weighted- Average Exercise Price

$9.46 – $10.20

 

166,250

0.8

$ 9.579

$13.58

 

55,500

4.7

13.580

 

 

221,750

1.8

10.581

 

At April 3, 2010, outstanding and exercisable options had an intrinsic value of $638,500, excluding 55,500 options outstanding with an exercise price greater than the market price at April 3, 2010. No stock options were exercised in the first three months of 2010 or 2009.

 

Note K – Income Taxes

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2006 and non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities prior to 2003.

 

 

- 10 -

 


The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could increase or decrease within the next twelve months for a number of reasons, including the closure of federal, state and foreign tax years by expiration of the statute of limitations and the recognition and measurement considerations under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740. There have been no significant changes to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended April 3, 2010. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will not increase significantly and will decrease by approximately $244,000 over the next twelve months related primarily to the earnings of its Hong Kong subsidiary and research and development tax credits.

 

Note L - Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

 

Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies

 

The Company is exposed primarily to credit, interest rate and currency exchange rate risks which arise in the normal course of business.

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is the potential financial loss resulting from the failure of a customer or counterparty to settle its financial and contractual obligations to the Company, as and when they become due. The primary credit risk for the Company is its receivable accounts with customers. The Company has established credit limits for customers and monitors their balances to mitigate the risk of loss. At April 3, 2010 and January 2, 2010, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk. No one customer represented more than 10% of the Company’s net trade receivables at April 3, 2010 and January 2, 2010. The maximum exposure to credit risk is primarily represented by the carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

On January 2, 2010, the Company’ exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates related primarily to the Company’s debt which bore interest at variable rates, which approximated market interest rates. With the complete refinancing of debt completed on January 29, 2010, the Company has eliminated this exposure as the interest rate on the new debt is fixed at 4.98%.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Assets and liabilities that require fair value measurement are recorded at fair value using market and income valuation approaches and considering the Company’s and counterparty’s credit risk. The Company uses the market approach and the income approach to value assets and liabilities as appropriate. There are no assets or liabilities requiring fair value measurements on April 3, 2010 or January 2, 2010.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The following discussion is intended to highlight significant changes in the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2010. The interim financial statements and this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010.

 

 

- 11 -

 


Certain statements set forth in this discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They use such words as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan” and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including changing customer preferences, lack of success of new products, loss of customers, competition, increased raw material prices, problems associated with foreign sourcing of parts and products, changes within our industry segments and in the overall economy, litigation and legislation. In addition, terrorist threats and the possible responses by the U.S. government, the effects on consumer demand, the financial markets, the travel industry, the trucking industry and other conditions increase the uncertainty inherent in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made, and investors should rely on them only as expressions of opinion about what may happen in the future and only at the time they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Although the Company believes it has an appropriate business strategy and the resources necessary for its operations, future revenue and margin trends cannot be reliably predicted and the Company may alter its business strategies to address changing conditions.

 

In addition, the Company makes estimates and assumptions that may materially affect reported amounts and disclosures. These relate to valuation allowances for accounts receivable and for excess and obsolete inventories, accruals for pensions and other postretirement benefits (including forecasted future cost increases and returns on plan assets), provisions for depreciation (estimating useful lives), uncertain tax positions, and, on occasion, accruals for contingent losses.

 

Overview

 

Sales in the first quarter of 2010 increased 9% compared to the prior year, as a result of improving economic conditions. The Industrial Hardware segment sales increased approximately 15% and both the Security Products and Metal Products segments each experienced 4% increases in sales in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009. The increase in the Industrial Hardware segment was primarily due to sales generated by the introduction of new products for many of the markets we serve. The increase in the Security Products segment was primarily the result of increased sales volume of existing lock products to a variety of markets. The increase in the Metals Products segment was primarily a result of increased volume of our existing mine roof products to both the U.S. and Canadian mining markets.

 

For the three months ended April 3, 2010, gross margin as a percentage of sales was 20% compared to 12% in the comparable period of 2009. This increase was primarily the result of higher sales volume causing higher utilization of the Company’s production capacity in the 2010 period and improved production processes in the Metal Products segment resulting in a reduction in down-time and scrap.

 

Raw material prices have increased slightly from the prior year period. The Company is recovering these increases from our customers, wherever possible. The Company expects raw material prices to increase as worldwide economic conditions continue to improve, which may negatively impact future operating margins. Currently, there is no indication that the Company will be unable to obtain supplies of all the materials that it requires.

 

Cash flow from operations in the first quarter of 2010 has decreased compared to the same period in 2009. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company paid off its $11.4 million debt with Bank of America, N.A. and established a new banking relationship with People’s United Bank consisting of a $5 million term portion and a $10 million revolving credit portion. The Company has not used any of the new revolving credit to date. Cash flow from operations, along with the result of controlling discretionary expenditures, should be sufficient to enable the Company to meet all its existing obligations and continue its quarterly dividend payments.

 

 

 

 

 

- 12 -

 


A more detailed analysis of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition follows:

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, selected line items from the condensed consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales, by segment:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended April 3, 2010

 

 

Industrial

Security

Metal

 

 

Hardware

Products

Products

Total

Net sales

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Cost of products sold

77.6%

78.0%

90.6%

80.4%

Gross margin

22.4%

22.0%

9.4%

19.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expense

14.7%

17.7%

8.1%

14.3%

Operating profit

7.7%

4.3%

1.3%

5.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended April 4, 2009

 

 

Industrial

Security

Metal

 

 

Hardware

Products

Products

Total

Net sales

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Cost of products sold

78.9%

85.0%

110.5%

88.0%

Gross margin

21.1%

15.0%

-10.5%

12.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expense

15.5%

20.6%

7.2%

15.4%

Operating profit/(loss)

5.6%

-5.6%

-17.7%

-3.4%

 

 

The following table shows the amount of change for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 in sales, cost of products sold, gross margin, selling and administrative expenses and operating results, by segment (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Industrial

Security

Metal

 

 

Hardware

Products

Products

Total

Net sales

$ 1,864

$ 398

$ 260

$ 2,522

 

 

 

 

 

Volume

-1.2%

3.8%

0.1%

0.8%

Prices

-1.1%

0.0%

4.0%

0.4%

New products

17.4%

0.3%

0.0%

7.7%

 

15.1%

4.1%

4.1%

8.9%

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

$ 1,279

$ (379)

$(1,017)

$ (117)

 

13.1%

-4.6%

-14.7%

-0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

$ 585

$ 777

$ 1,277

$ 2,639

 

22.4%

52.8%

193.3%

77.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

$ 181

$ (217)

$ 80

$ 44

 

9.5%

-10.7%

17.6%

1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

$ 404

$ 994

$ 1,197

$ 2,595

 

58.0%

179.8%

107.7%

267.9%

 

 

- 13 -

 


Industrial Hardware Segment

 

Net sales in the Industrial Hardware segment were up 15% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year quarter. While sales of existing products were down 1% compared to the prior year period, the increase in sales in the first quarter of 2010 was the result of sales generated from the introduction of new products for the various markets we serve. All of the new products were developed internally and included a 3-point top base plate, a control rod SA, a crawler door, and a slam bolt assembly for the military market, a t-handle center case for the truck accessory market, an aluminum roller assembly for the distribution market, as well as several new lightweight honeycomb structures for the high tech and transportation industries including truck bodies for the Mexican market. The Industrial Hardware segment continues to develop new latching systems for the military and has been successful in continuing to generate orders for military projects. Sales to the Class 8 truck market showed some improvement during the first quarter of 2010 and are predicted to continue improving as the year progresses.

 

Cost of products sold for the Industrial Hardware segment increased 13% from the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010. The increase is primarily due to increased costs for payroll and payroll related charges and outside parts and processing.

 

Gross margin as a percent of net sales increased slightly from 21% to 22% in the first quarter of 2010, a direct result of the higher sales volume.

 

Selling and administrative expenses increased 10% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year period primarily due to increases in payroll and payroll related charges and advertising expenses.

 

Security Products Segment

 

Net sales in the Security Products segment increased 4% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009. The increase in sales in the first quarter of 2010 in the Security Products segment is primarily the result of increased sales of lock products to the computer, travel, vehicle and enclosure markets. The current economic conditions continue to negatively impact sales to the gaming, appliance and commercial laundry markets. Sales of new products included new lock products for the tradeshow and enclosure markets. Several new products for the commercial laundry market are scheduled to be introduced beginning in the second quarter of 2010.

 

Cost of products sold for the Security Products segment was down 5% in 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009. The decrease in cost of products sold was due to decreased costs for research and development, engineering and payroll and payroll related charges. These decreases were partially offset by increased costs for raw materials and purchased parts.

 

Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased from 15% to 22% due to the mix of products sold in 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 as well as reductions in cost of products sold discussed in the above paragraph.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased 11% from 2009 levels primarily due to one-time severance charges incurred in the 2009 period resulting from downsizing the administrative staff at that time, and lower amortization charges for intangibles and payroll and payroll related charges in the 2010 period.

 

Metal Products Segment

 

Net sales in the Metal Products segment increased 4% in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the prior year period. Sales of mining products were up 13% in 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 and sales of contract castings decreased 24% from the prior year levels. The increase in sales of mining products was driven by increased demand in both the U.S. and Canadian mining markets compared to the prior year first quarter. The decrease in sales of contract casting was primarily the result of a decision to eliminate any low margin contract casting products.

 

 

- 14 -

 


Cost of products sold decreased 15% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease is attributed to improvements in production processes resulting in both reduced down-time and production scrap. While cost increases were experienced in raw materials, payroll and payroll related charges, supplies and tools and equipment maintenance, these cost increases were more than offset by the improved production efficiency resulting in an increase in inventory.

 

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales improved from -10.5% in the first quarter of 2009 to 9.4% for the 2010 quarter. The increase is due to the mix of products produced, elimination of products with unacceptable profit margins and improvement in manufacturing processes in the 2010 period.

 

Selling and administrative expenses were up 18% in 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was related to an increase in payroll and payroll related charges in 2010.

 

Other Items

 

Interest expense decreased 69% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year period primarily due to the decreased level of debt and a lower fixed interest rate.

 

Other income for both periods presented was not material to the financial statements.

 

Income taxes reflected the change in the operating results. The effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2010 was 35% compared to -7% in the first quarter of 2009. The lower effective rate in the first quarter of 2009 resulted from a tax benefit related to the loss from operations which was reduced by a discrete tax item related to the repatriation of foreign earnings without an offsetting foreign tax credit. See also Note K – Income Taxes, included at Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

 

On January 29, 2010, the Company signed a new secured Loan Agreement (the “New Loan Agreement”) with People’s United Bank (“People’s”) which included a $5,000,000 term portion and a $10,000,000 revolving credit portion. The proceeds of the term portion along with some of the Company’s available cash were used to retire the remaining portion of the debt with Bank of America, N.A., which on January 29, 2010 totaled $10,714,286.

 

The Company generated $2.2 million from operations during the first three months of 2010 compared to $3.1 million during the same period in 2009. The decrease in cash flows was primarily the result of the associated timing differences for collections of accounts receivable and payments of liabilities and changes in inventories. Cash flow from operations coupled with cash on hand at the beginning of the year were sufficient to fund capital expenditures, debt service, and dividend payments. The Company did not utilize its revolving line of credit during the first three months of 2010 or 2009.

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment were $969,000 for the first three months of 2010 compared to $683,000 for the same period in 2009. Total capital expenditures for 2010 are expected to be in the range of $4 million to $5 million. As of April 3, 2010, there are approximately $1.0 million of outstanding commitments for these capital expenditures.

 

Total inventories as of April 3, 2010 were $25.1 million, compared to $24.5 million at year-end 2009. The inventory turnover ratio of 4.0 turns at the end of the first quarter was comparable to both the year-end 2009 ratio of 3.8 turns and the 3.7 turns in the first quarter of 2009. Accounts receivable increased to $16.7 million from $15.3 million at year end 2009 and $15.4 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The increases are related to higher revenues in the first quarter of the current year. The average days sales in accounts receivable for the first quarter of 2010 at 49 days was comparable to both the 50 days at the end of fiscal 2009 and the 49 days at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Cash flow from operating activities and funds available under the revolving credit portion of the Company’s loan agreement are expected to be sufficient to cover future foreseeable working capital requirements. See also Note F - Debt, included at Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

- 15 -

 


 

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

There have been no material changes in market risk from what was reported in the 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of 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 that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

The Company believes that a controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and the CEO and CFO have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the “reasonable assurance” level.

 

Changes in Internal Controls:

 

During the period covered by this report, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls.

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

During 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified the Company as a potentially responsible party in connection with a site in Cleveland, Ohio based on the ownership of the site by a division of the Company in the 1960’s. According to the Agency, the current occupant of the site filed bankruptcy, leaving behind plating operations which required remedial action. The Company declined to participate in the remedial action, and intends to defend against any efforts of the Agency to impose any liability against the Company for environmental conditions on this site which may have occurred in the years since its ownership.

 

There are no other legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business, to which either the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their property is the subject.

 

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes in risk factors from what was reported in the 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 2 – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

There have been no sales of unregistered securities by the Company or purchases of registered equity securities by the Company during the period covered by this report.

 

 

- 16 -

 


 

ITEM 3 – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None

 

ITEM 4 – (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

 

ITEM 5 – OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS

 

31) Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32) Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 USC 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

99(1)) The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

99(2)) Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2010 setting forth the press release reporting the Company’s earnings for the quarter ended April 3, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

99(3)) Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2010 setting forth the results of the vote at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company which was held on April 28, 2010.

 

 

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 undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

THE EASTERN COMPANY

 

(Registrant)

 

DATE: April 29, 2010

/s/Leonard F. Leganza

 

Leonard F. Leganza

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

DATE: April 29, 2010

/s/John L. Sullivan III

 

John L. Sullivan III

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

- 17 -