United States
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2010
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 1-9102
AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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77-0100596
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(State of Incorporation)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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245 South Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101-3638
(Address and Zip Code of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (626) 683-4000
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
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Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common Stock $2.50 par value
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New York Stock Exchange
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SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
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 ¨
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 (§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 x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer x
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Accelerated filer ¨
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Non-accelerated filer ¨
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company ¨
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $591 million on May 28, 2010, based upon the last reported sales price of such stock on the New York Stock Exchange on that date.
On January 20, 2011 there were 9,251,105 shares of Common Stock, $2.50 par value, outstanding. No other class of Common Stock exists.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
1. PORTIONS OF AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION'S PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS (PART III)
2
AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
2010 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Table of Contents
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4
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4
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8
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10
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10
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12
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13
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13
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30
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31
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69
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69
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69
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70
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70
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71
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71
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* (Contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement which is incorporated herein by reference.)
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PART I
AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as "Ameron," the "Company," the "Registrant" or the "Corporation" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The business of the Company is divided into business segments, as described in Item 1(c)(1), herein. Substantially all activities relate to the manufacture of highly-engineered products for sale to the industrial, chemical, energy and construction markets. All references to "the year" or "the fiscal year" pertain to the 12 months ended November 30, 2010. All references to the "Proxy Statement" pertain to the Company's Proxy Statement to be filed on or about March 1, 2011 in connection with the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 1 - BUSINESS
(a) GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS.
Although the Company's antecedents date back to 1907, the Company evolved directly from the merger of two separate firms in 1929, resulting in the incorporation of American Concrete Pipe Company on April 22, 1929. Various name changes occurred between that time and 1942, at which time the Company's name became American Pipe and Construction Co. By the late 1960's the Company was almost exclusively engaged in manufacturing and had expanded its product lines to include not only concrete and steel pipe but also high-performance protective coatings, ready-mix concrete, aggregates and fiberglass pipe and fittings. In 1970, the Company's name was changed to Ameron, Inc. In the meantime, other manufactured product lines were added, including concrete and steel poles for street and area lighting and steel poles for traffic signals. In 1996, the Company's name was changed to Ameron International Corporation. In 2006, the Company sold its Performance Coatings & Finishes business (“Coatings Business”). Also in 2006, the Company began manufacturing large, steel towers that are used with wind turbines for generating electricity. In 2010, the Company sold its partial ownership in TAMCO, a mini-mill manufacturer of construction rebar.
(b) FINANCIAL INFORMATION AS TO INDUSTRY SEGMENTS.
Financial information on segments and affiliates may be found in Notes (1), (6) and (18) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein.
(c) NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.
(1) For operational and geographical convenience, the Company is organized into divisions. These divisions are combined into groups serving various industry segments, as follows:
a) The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group develops, manufactures and markets filament-wound and molded fiberglass pipe and fittings. These products are used by a wide range of process industries, including industrial, petroleum, chemical processing and petrochemical industries, for service station piping systems, aboard marine vessels and offshore oil platforms, and are marketed as an alternative to metallic piping systems which ultimately fail under corrosive operating conditions. These products are marketed directly, as well as through manufacturers' representatives, distributors and licensees. Competition is based upon quality, price and service. Manufacture of these products is carried out in the Company's plant in Burkburnett, Texas, by its wholly-owned domestic subsidiary, Centron International Inc. ("Centron"), at its plant in Mineral Wells, Texas, by wholly-owned subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Brazil, Singapore and Malaysia, and by an affiliate in Saudi Arabia.
b) The Water Transmission Group supplies products and services used in the construction of water pipelines, lining and wind towers. Five pipe manufacturing plants are located in Arizona and California. Also included within this group is American Pipe & Construction International, a wholly-owned subsidiary, with two plants in Colombia, and Tubos Y Activos, a wholly-owned subsidiary, with a plant in Mexico. These plants manufacture concrete cylinder pipe, prestressed concrete cylinder pipe, steel pipe and reinforced concrete pipe for water transmission, storm and industrial waste water and sewage collection. Products are marketed directly using the Company's own personnel, typically through competitive bidding. Customers include local, state and federal agencies, developers and general contractors. Normally, no one customer or group of customers for the Company’s water pipe products will account for sales equal to or greater than 10 percent of the Company's consolidated revenue. However, occasionally, when more than one unusually large project is in progress, combined sales to U.S., state or local government agencies and/or general contractors for those agencies can reach those proportions. Besides competing with several other welded-steel pipe and concrete pipe manufacturers located in the market area, alternative products such as ductile iron, plastic, and clay pipe compete with the Company's concrete and steel pipe products; but ordinarily these other materials do not offer the full diameter range produced by the Company. Principal methods of competition are price, delivery schedule and service. The Company's technology is used in the Middle East through affiliated companies. This segment also includes the manufacturing and marketing, on a worldwide basis directly and through manufacturers' representatives, of polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene sheet lining for the protection of concrete pipe and cast-in-place concrete structures from the corrosive effects of sewer gases, acids and industrial chemicals. Competition is based upon quality, price and service. Manufacture of this product is carried out in the Company's plant in Brea, California. Additionally, the Company manufactures large-diameter towers for the U.S. wind-energy market at one of its California plants. Wind towers are sold to wind turbine manufacturers based on price, quality and availability. In 2009, Siemens Power Generation, Inc. purchased $66.4 million of wind towers from the Company, which was approximately 12% of the Company’s total consolidated sales and almost all of the Company’s wind tower sales.
c) The Infrastructure Products Group supplies ready-mix concrete, crushed and sized basaltic aggregates, dune sand, concrete pipe and box culverts, primarily to the construction industry in Hawaii, and manufactures and markets concrete and steel poles for highway, street and outdoor area lighting and for traffic signals nationwide. Ample raw materials are typically available locally in Hawaii. As to rock products, the Company has exclusive rights to quarries containing many years' reserves. There is only one major source of supply for cement in Hawaii. Within the market area there are competitors for each of the segment's products. No single competitor offers the full range of products sold by the Company in Hawaii. An appreciable portion of the segment's business in Hawaii is obtained through competitive bidding. Sales of poles are nationwide, but with a stronger concentration in the western and southeastern U.S. Marketing of poles is handled by the Company's own sales force and by outside sales agents. Competition for poles is mainly based on price and quality, but with some consideration for service and delivery. Poles are manufactured in two plants in California, as well as in plants in Washington, Oklahoma and Alabama.
d) As of November 30, 2010, the Company has two significant partially-owned affiliated companies ("affiliates"): Ameron Saudi Arabia, Ltd. ("ASAL") and Bondstrand, Ltd. ("BL"). ASAL, owned 30% by the Company, manufactures and sells concrete pressure pipe to customers in Saudi Arabia. BL, owned 40% by the Company, manufactures and sells glass reinforced epoxy pipe and fittings in Saudi Arabia. ASAL is included in the Water Transmission Group, and BL is included in the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group. Additionally, the Company also owned 50% of TAMCO, a steel mini-mill operating in California, which was sold on October 21, 2010. TAMCO is not included in the three operating groups.
e) Except as individually outlined in the above descriptions of industry segments, the following comments or situations currently apply to all segments and applied during the three years ended November 30, 2010:
(i) Raw material supplies are periodically constrained due to industry capacities. However, because of the number of manufacturing locations and the variety of raw materials essential to the business, no critical situations exist with respect to supply of materials. The Company has multiple sources for raw materials. The effects of increases in costs of energy are being mitigated to the extent practical through conservation and through addition or substitution of equipment to manage the use and reduce consumption of energy.
(ii) The Company owns certain patents and trademarks, both U.S. and foreign, related to its products. The Company licenses its patents, trademarks, know-how and technical assistance to several of its subsidiary and affiliated companies and to third-party licensees, both in the U.S. and abroad. These patents, trademarks, and licenses do not constitute a material portion of the Company's total business. No franchises or concessions exist.
(iii) Many of the Company's products are used in connection with capital goods, water and sewage transmission and construction of capital facilities. Weather conditions can cause favorable or adverse effects on general sales volume and earnings. Normally, sales volume and earnings will be lowest in the first fiscal quarter. Seasonal effects typically accelerate or slow the business volume and normally do not bring about severe changes in full-year activity.
(iv) With respect to working capital items, the Company does not encounter any requirements which are not common to other companies engaged in similar industries. No unusual amounts of inventory are required to meet seasonal delivery requirements. In 2010, all of the Company's industry segments turned inventory between four and six times annually. At November 30, 2010, average days' sales in accounts receivable ranged between 35 and 157 for all segments. Excluding $25.1 million of unbilled receivables of the Water Transmission Group, the November 30, 2010 average days’ sales ranged between 35 and 91 for all segments. Due to the percentage-of-completion method of accounting used by the Water Transmission Group, which is outlined in Item 7, herein, accounts receivable, which include unbilled receivables, of the Water Transmission Group may be outstanding longer than if the percentage-of-completion method is not used.
(v) Order backlogs at November 30, 2010 and 2009 by industry segment are shown below. Approximately 98% of the November 30, 2010 backlog is expected to be converted to sales during 2011. The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group’s backlog increased $7.9 million primarily due to expanding demand for onshore oilfield and ship construction piping. The Water Transmission Group’s backlog decreased $17.3 million due to large-diameter wind tower production in 2010 and the corresponding lack of new wind tower orders. The wind tower backlog at November 30, 2010 was $3.4 million, a decrease of $25.5 million from November 30, 2009. The decrease in the wind tower backlog reflects the weak demand and challenging market conditions in the wind energy industry. Excluding wind towers, Water Transmission Group’s backlog increased $8.2 million due to the timing of projects for water and sewer pipe infrastructure replacement. The backlog decreased at Infrastructure Products Group due to a continuing decline in commercial and residential construction markets in Hawaii and throughout the U.S.
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(In thousands)
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2010
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2009
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Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group
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$ | 72,280 | $ | 64,405 | ||||
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Water Transmission Group
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71,022 | 88,296 | ||||||
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Infrastructure Products Group
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20,253 | 23,046 | ||||||
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Total
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$ | 163,555 | $ | 175,747 | ||||
(vi) Except for the sales of the Company’s investment in TAMCO and the Coatings Business, the introduction of the wind tower product line and the expansion of the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group in Brazil, there were no significant changes in the industries and localities in which the Company operated in recent years. The Company is not aware of any other changes in the competitive situation which would be material to an understanding of the Company’s businesses.
(vii) Sales contracts in all of the Company's business segments normally consist of purchase orders, which in some cases are issued pursuant to master purchase agreements. Contracts seldom involve commitments of more than one year by the Company. In those instances when the Company commits to sell products under longer-term contracts, the Company will typically contractually arrange to fix a portion of its associated costs. Payment is normally due from 30 to 60 days after shipment, with progress payments prior to shipment in some circumstances. The Company does not typically extend long-term credit to purchasers of its products. For 2010, excluding the effect of unbilled receivables related to the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, trade receivables turned approximately an average of five times.
(viii) A number of the Company's operations operate outside the U.S. and are affected by changes in foreign exchange rates. Sales, profits, assets and liabilities could be materially impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates. From time to time, the Company borrows in various currencies to reduce the level of net assets subject to changes in foreign exchange rates or purchases foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge firm commitments, such as receivables and payables, denominated in foreign currencies. The Company does not typically hedge forecasted sales or items subject to translation adjustments, such as intercompany transactions of a long-term investment nature.
(2) a) Costs during each of the last three years for research and development were $2.8 million in 2010, $6.0 million in 2009, and $4.3 million in 2008. Such costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, relate primarily to the development, design and testing of products, and are expensed as incurred.
b) The Company's business is not dependent on any single customer or few customers, the loss of any one or more of whom would have a material adverse effect on its business, except as described above.
c) For many years the Company consistently installed or improved devices to control or eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the environment. Accordingly, in 2010, compliance with federal, state, and locally-enacted provisions relating to protection of the environment did not have, and is not expected to have, a material effect upon the Company's capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position.
d) At year-end the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries employed approximately 2,300 persons. Of those, approximately 900 were covered by labor union contracts. One bargaining agreement is currently being renegotiated and is expected to be completed during 2011. No other bargaining agreements are subject to renegotiation in 2011.
(d) FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS.
Aggregate sales from foreign operations as a percent of total sales were 35.0%, 31.4% and 31.3%, respectively, for the years ended November 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Financial information about foreign and domestic operations may be found in Note (18) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein.
(e) AVAILABLE INFORMATION
(1) The Company's Internet address is www.ameron.com
(2) The Company makes available free of charge through its Internet website, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
All statements and assumptions contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the documents attached or incorporated by reference that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements represent current expectations and beliefs of the Company, and no assurance can be given that the results described in such statements will be achieved.
Forward-looking information contained in these statements include, among other things, statements with respect to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, business strategies, operating efficiencies or synergies, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management, and other matters. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in such statements. These factors include without limitation those listed below under Item 1A, Risk Factors.
Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K speak only as of the date of this Annual Report, and forward-looking statements in documents attached or incorporated by reference speak only as to the date of those documents. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement or to report any events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS
The following information should be read in conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), under Item 7, herein, and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes, under Item 8, herein.
The Company's businesses routinely encounter and address risks, some of which could cause the Company's future results to be materially different than presently anticipated. Discussion about the important operational risks that the Company's businesses encounter can also be found in the MD&A section and in the business descriptions in Item 1, herein.
a) The general economic conditions and the availability of third-party financing could affect demand for the Company’s products. The Company’s products are sold into the capital goods industry. The markets served by the Company and its affiliates could be severely impacted by a general economic slowdown. The availability of financing for customers or for projects could impact the overall level of demand for the Company’s products and the timing of new orders. Additionally, existing orders in backlog are subject to cancellation or delays if customers are unable to obtain anticipated financing or if economic conditions worsen.
b) The primary markets for the Company's products are cyclical and dependent on factors that may not necessarily correspond to general economic cycles. The Company's Water Transmission Group sells piping products for public works projects, which are typically dependent on taxes and fees for funding. The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group's performance is closely linked to the level of oil and energy prices and the corresponding impact on oil production, processing and transport. The Infrastructure Products Group is dependent on the level of construction, especially the level of construction in Hawaii and construction of new homes for the sale of concrete poles throughout the U.S. Therefore, the Company's activities can be materially impacted by changes in interest rates, construction cycles, changes in oil prices and constraints on governmental budgets and spending.
c) The availability and price of key raw materials can fluctuate dramatically, and an increase could affect sales and profitability. The Company consumes significant amounts of steel, cement, epoxy resin and fiberglass. The availability of these raw materials is subject to periodic shortages, and future allocations may not be sufficient to prevent disruption to sales of the Company and its subsidiaries. Additionally, significant increases in the cost of these raw materials could lead to significantly lower operating margins if the Company is unable to recover these cost increases through price increases to its customers. The Company purchases cement in Hawaii from a single source under a long-term purchase agreement. Obtaining cement from an alternative source could be disruptive and/or costly.
d) Labor disruptions or labor shortages could materially impact the Company’s operations, its ability to fill orders and its profitability. The Company's businesses are involved with heavy-duty manufacturing and materials handling. Labor is a key component of such operations, and disruptions, such as disputes and strikes, could have a material impact on the Company and its subsidiaries. Additionally, shortages of skilled labor could periodically impact the Company's costs and profitability.
e) Claims associated with the Company's product performance can be large and could materially impact the Company's results and cash flow. The Company sells products that may be essential to the use of large, multi-million-dollar, infrastructure projects, such as water and sewer systems, offshore platforms, marine vessels, petrochemical plants, roads, and large construction projects. Additionally, the Company sells products used in critical applications, such as to protect against corrosion or to convey hazardous materials. Use of the Company's products in such applications could expose the Company to large potential product liability risks which are inherent in the design, manufacture and sale of such products. Successful claims against the Company could materially and adversely affect its reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
f) A significant part of the Company's assets and profits are located or generated outside the U.S., with an associated foreign exchange and country risk. The Company and its subsidiaries operate in several countries outside the U.S. A significant change in the value of foreign currencies, political stability, trade restrictions, the impact of foreign government regulations, or economic cycles in foreign countries could materially impact the Company.
g) The returns from the Company's investment in wind tower manufacturing are dependent on a limited number of customers and future demand which could be impacted by changes in project financing, government policy, energy prices or tax incentives. The Company completed a major expansion program to enhance its capabilities to produce wind towers used for wind-generated electricity in 2009. The current demand for wind-generated power is driven by regulation, energy prices and tax incentives. The demand for wind towers could subside if the tax incentives are not renewed, if project financing availability does not improve and/or if prices for competing fuels fall so that wind energy is less competitive. Additionally, the Company’s entry into this market may not meet forecasted expectations due to entry costs and competitive pressures.
h) The Company's quarterly results are subject to significant fluctuation, which could affect the Company's stock price. The Company's sales and net income can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter due to production and delivery schedules of major orders and the seasonal variation in demand for certain of the Company's products, particularly in the Water Transmission Group. Operating results in any quarterly period are not necessarily indicative of results for any future quarterly period, and comparisons between periods may not be meaningful. The Company sells products which are installed outdoors; and, therefore, demand for the Company's products can be affected by weather conditions.
i) Limits on the Company's ability to significantly influence or control partially-owned affiliates could restrict the future operation of such affiliates and the amount of cash available to the Company from such affiliates. Without significant influence or control, the Company cannot solely dictate the dividend or operating policies of affiliates without the cooperation of the respective affiliate partners.
j) The Company’s relatively low trading volume could limit a shareholder's ability to trade the Company's shares. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange; however, the average trading volume can be relatively low. As a result, shareholders could have difficulty in selling or buying a large number of the Company's shares in the manner or at a price that might otherwise be possible if the shares were more actively traded.
k) Tax law changes relative to foreign-based income could significantly impact the Company’s profitability. The Company maintains substantial accumulated earnings outside the U.S. A change in tax laws that requires U.S. income tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings could result in a significant reduction in the Company’s net income and cash flow.
l) Significant changes in investment performance or assumptions could have a material effect on the valuation of obligations, the funded status, cost and required contributions associated with pension plans. The Company’s pension cost and funding requirements are materially affected by the discount rate used to value pension obligations, the level of plan assets available to fund those obligations and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The Company’s pension plans are supported by pension fund investments which can be volatile and subject to financial market risk. Significant changes in investment performance or changes in the portfolio mix of invested assets could result in corresponding increases and decreases in the valuation of plan assets or changes of the expected future rate of return on plan assets. A change in the discount rate can result in a significant increase or decrease in the valuation of pension obligations, affecting the current funded status of the pension plans. Changes in the expected return on plan assets, changes in the discount rate or changes in the current funded status could result in significant changes in the future net periodic pension cost and cash flow to fund pension obligations.
m) The Company is dependent on information systems and information technology, and a major interruption could adversely impact operations and the Company’s results. The Company uses critical information systems to operate, monitor and manage business on a day-to-day basis. Any disruption to these information systems could adversely impact operations and result in increased costs, the inability to maintain financial controls or issue financial reports. Information systems could be interrupted, delayed, or damaged by any number of factors, including natural disasters, telecommunications failures, acts of war or terrorism, computer viruses, physical or electronic security breaches. These or other events could cause loss of critical data, or prevent the Company from meeting its operating and financial commitments.
n) The Company could be aversely affected by its personnel not adhering to policies and procedures. The Company operates a diverse set of businesses in various parts of the world. Policies and procedures are established and maintained to promote an effective internal control environment. While management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls, there can be no assurances that non-compliant acts by the Company’s personnel or others will not adversely impact the Company’s operating results or financial condition.
o) Failure to comply with federal, state, local or foreign governmental requirements, could affect the Company’s reputation, results and cash flows. The Company and those representing the Company, such as employees or agents, are subject to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations that affect the Company’s businesses. The Company and its representatives are subject to a variety of environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, laws relating to trade sanctions and export controls, and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-corruption laws, which generally prohibit companies and their representatives and intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Failure to comply with such laws or regulations, whether actual or alleged, could expose the Company to fines, penalties or potential litigation liabilities, including costs, settlements and judgments, any of which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the Company is required to obtain and maintain federal, state, and local government permits and approvals to operate its businesses. Any of these permits or approvals may be subject to denial, revocation or modification under various circumstances. Failure to obtain or comply with, or the loss or modification of, the conditions of permits or approvals may subject the Company to penalties or other liabilities or to cease operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and result of operations.
ITEM 1B - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
(a) The location and general character of principal plants and other materially important physical properties used in the Company's operations are tabulated below. Property is owned in fee simple except where otherwise indicated by footnote. In addition to the property shown, the Company owns vacant land adjacent to or in the proximity of some of its operating locations and holds this property available for use when it may be needed to accommodate expanded or new operations. The Company also has a property formerly used in the Coatings Business that is being held for sale. Listed properties do not include any temporary project sites which are generally leased for the duration of the respective projects or leased or owned warehouses that could be easily replaced. With the exception of the Kailua, Oahu property, shown under the Infrastructure Products Group industry segment, there are no material leases with respect to which expiration or inability to renew would have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations. The lease term on the Kailua property extends to 2052. Kailua is the principal source of quarried rock and aggregates for the Company's operations on Oahu, Hawaii, and rock reserves are believed to be adequate for its requirements during the term of the lease.
(b) The Company believes that its existing facilities are adequate for current and presently foreseeable operations. Because of the cyclical nature of certain of the Company's operations and the substantial amounts involved in some individual orders, the level of utilization of particular facilities may vary significantly from time to time in the normal course of operations.
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Division - Location
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Description
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FIBERGLASS-COMPOSITE PIPE GROUP
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Fiberglass Pipe Division - USA
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Houston, TX
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*Office
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Burkburnett, TX
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Office, Plant
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Centron International, Inc.
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Mineral Wells, TX
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Office, Plant
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Ameron B.V.
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Geldermalsen, the Netherlands
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Office, Plant
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Ameron (Pte) Ltd.
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Singapore
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*Office, Plant
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Ameron Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
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Malaysia
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*Office, Plant
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Ameron Polyplaster
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Betim, Brazil
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Office, Plant
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Ameron Brazil
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Betim, Brazil
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Office, Plant
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WATER TRANSMISSION GROUP
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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*Office
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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Office, Plant
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Fontana, CA
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Office, Plant
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Lakeside, CA
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Office, Plant
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Phoenix, AZ
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Office, Plant
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Tracy, CA
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Office, Plant
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Protective Linings Division
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Brea, CA
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Office, Plant
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Tubos Y Activos
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Mexicali, Mexico
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*Office, Plant
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American Pipe & Construction International
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Bogota, Colombia
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Office, Plant
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Cali, Colombia
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Office, Plant
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INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS GROUP
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Hawaii Division
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Honolulu, Oahu, HI
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*Office, Plant
|
|
|
Kailua, Oahu, HI
|
*Plant, Quarry
|
|
|
Barbers Point, Oahu, HI
|
Office, Plant
|
|
|
Puunene, Maui, HI
|
*Office, Plant, Quarry
|
|
|
Pole Products Division
|
||
|
Ventura, CA
|
*Office
|
|
|
Fillmore, CA
|
Office, Plant
|
|
|
Oakland, CA
|
*Plant
|
|
|
Everett, WA
|
*Office, Plant
|
|
|
Tulsa, OK
|
*Office, Plant
|
|
|
Anniston, AL
|
*Office, Plant
|
|
|
CORPORATE
|
||
|
Corporate Headquarters
|
||
|
Pasadena, CA
|
*Office
|
|
|
Hull, UK
|
**Office, Plant
|
|
|
Corporate Research & Engineering
|
||
|
Long Beach, CA
|
*Office
|
|
|
South Gate, CA
|
Office, Laboratory
|
* Leased
** Held for Sale
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In 2004, Sable Offshore Energy Inc. ("Sable"), as agent for certain owners of the Sable Offshore Energy Project, brought an action against various coatings suppliers and application contractors, including the Company and its subsidiary, Ameron B.V., in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, Canada. Sable seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from performance problems with several coating systems used on the Sable Offshore Energy Project, including coatings products furnished by the Company and Ameron B.V. All of the co-defendants, other than the Company, Ameron B.V. and an unaffiliated licensee of the Company, have since settled. Sable's originating notice and statement of claim alleged a claim for damages in an unspecified amount. Sable later alleged that its claim for damages against all defendants was approximately 440 million Canadian dollars. More recently, however, Sable sent the Company a revised claim which included an alternative method for calculating damages. Although Sable did not specify an aggregate claim amount under its alternative method, that method if adopted would appear to substantially reduce the amount of damages. The Company contests any claim amount and is vigorously defending itself on the merits in this action. This matter is in discovery, and no trial date has yet been established. Based upon the information available at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case.
In 2004, BP America Production Company (“BP America”) brought an action against the Company in the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jefferson, Louisiana in connection with fiberglass pipe sold by the Company for installation in four offshore platforms constructed for BP America. The plaintiff seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from claimed defects in such pipe. BP America’s petition as filed alleged a claim against the Company for rescission, products liability, negligence, breach of contract and warranty and for damages in an amount of not less than $20 million; but BP America has since reduced its claim to $12.9 million. The Company contests this amount. This matter is in discovery, and no trial date has yet been established. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this action. Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case.
In 2006, the Cawelo, California Water District (“Cawelo”) brought an action against the Company in the Superior Court, Kern County, California in connection with concrete pipe sold by the Company in 1995 for a wastewater recovery pipeline. Cawelo seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from the failure of such pipe in 2004. Cawelo’s petition as filed alleged a claim against the Company for products liability, negligence, breach of express warranty and breach of written contract and for damages in an amount of not less than $8 million, an amount which the Company contested. On December 3, 2010, the Company settled this case subject to court approval for a net payment of $.1 million by the Company. On December 27, 2010, the Court issued an order finding the settlement by the Company to be in good faith and dismissing a cross-complaint against the Company by a surety of a non-settling defendant. The order remains subject to possible appeal. The terms of the settlement will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
In August 2010, Petroleum Polymer Company LLC ("PPC") brought an action against Ameron (Pte) Ltd. ("Ameron Pte"), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, in the Primary Court of Oman. The complaint alleged that Ameron Pte breached the terms of a purchase agreement for its supply of fiberglass pipe to PPC for use in an oil extraction project in Oman. PPC's primary allegation is that a component supplied by Ameron Pte failed during testing, resulting in a failure of the pipe system. PPC asserted damages totaling approximately $20 million, including alleged claims for the cost of replacing damaged pipe, recovery of penalties incurred due to the resulting delay in the project, and lost future opportunities. Ameron Pte contests any claim amount and intends to vigorously defend itself in this action. Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is able to neither estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case nor the timing of substantive judicial proceedings.
The Company is a defendant in a number of asbestos-related personal injury lawsuits. These cases generally seek unspecified damages for asbestos-related diseases based on alleged exposure to products previously manufactured by the Company and others. As of November 30, 2010, the Company was a defendant in 14 asbestos-related cases, compared to 20 cases as of November 30, 2009. During the year ended November 30, 2010, there were ten new asbestos-related cases, 11 dismissed cases, five settled cases and no judgments. The Company incurred net expenses of $.1 million, $.3 million and $.2 million, and recovered less than $.1 million, $.1 million and $.2 million, during the years ended November 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to these cases.
In December 2008, the Company received from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) a Requirement to Furnish Information regarding transactions involving Iran. With the assistance of outside counsel, the Company conducted an internal inquiry and continues to cooperate fully with OFAC on this matter. Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to predict the outcome of this matter. If the Company violated governmental regulations, material fines and penalties could be imposed.
The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the environment and is currently participating in administrative proceedings at several sites under these laws. While the Company finds it difficult to estimate with any certainty the total cost of remediation at the several sites, on the basis of currently available information and reserves provided, the Company believes that the outcome of such environmental regulatory proceedings will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.
In addition, certain other claims, suits and complaints that arise in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against the Company. Management believes that these matters are either adequately reserved, covered by insurance, or would not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, cash flows or results of operations if disposed of unfavorably.
PART II
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The Common Stock, $2.50 par value, of the Company, its only outstanding class of common equity, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the only exchange on which it is presently listed. On January 10, 2011, there were 866 stockholders of record of such stock, based on the information provided by the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare. Information regarding incentive stock compensation plans may be found in Note (13) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein.
Dividends have been paid each quarter during 2010 and 2009. Information as to the amount of dividends paid during the reporting period and the high and low prices of the Company's Common Stock during such period are set out in Supplementary Data - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) following the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein. Normal dividends of $.30 per share per quarter are expected to be paid in the future.
Terms of lending agreements which place restrictions on cash dividends are discussed in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under Item 7, and Note (11) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein.
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following line graph compares the yearly changes in the cumulative total return of the Company’s Common Stock against the cumulative total return of the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) Market Value Index and the Peer Group Composite Index described below for the period of the Company’s five fiscal years commencing December 1, 2005 and ended November 30, 2010. The comparison assumes $100 invested in stock on December 1, 2005. Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends. The Company’s stock price performance over the years indicated below does not necessarily track the operating performance of the Company nor is it necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
The 2010 Peer Group Composite Index is comprised of the following companies: Ameron, Dresser-Rand Group, Inc., Gibraltar Industries, Inc., Insituform Technologies, Inc., Lufkin Industries Inc., Martin Marietta Material, Inc., National Oilwell Varco, Inc., Northwest Pipe Co., Texas Industries Inc., Trinity Industries, Inc., Valmont Industries, Inc. and Vulcan Materials Co. The Company modified the 2009 Peer Group Composite Index to include Insituform Technologies, Inc., replacing Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. in the 2010 Peer Group Composite Index, to reflect the sale of TAMCO in 2010.
|
11/30/05
|
11/30/06
|
11/30/07
|
11/30/08
|
11/30/09
|
11/30/10
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Ameron
|
$ | 100.00 | $ | 169.51 | $ | 240.92 | $ | 124.66 | $ | 134.53 | $ | 177.58 | ||||||||||||
|
NYSE Market Value Index
|
100.00 | 119.92 | 134.59 | 78.50 | 102.30 | 109.65 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Peer Group Composite Index (2010)
|
100.00 | 124.94 | 174.57 | 92.49 | 115.60 | 143.07 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Peer Group Composite Index (2009)
|
100.00 | 124.64 | 176.81 | 92.43 | 116.42 | 144.67 | ||||||||||||||||||
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
|
(c)
|
(d)
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Number of Shares
|
Maximum Number
|
|||||||||||||||
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(or Units) Purchased
|
(or Approximate Dollar Value in millions)
|
|||||||||||||
|
Total Number of
|
Average Price
|
As Part of Publicly
|
of Shares (or Units) that May
|
|||||||||||||
|
Shares (or Units)
|
Paid per
|
Announced Plans or
|
Yet Be Purchased Under
|
|||||||||||||
|
Period
|
Purchased
|
Share (or Unit)
|
Programs
|
Plans or Programs (1,2)
|
||||||||||||
|
8/30/10 thru 9/26/10
|
- | - | - | $ | - | |||||||||||
|
9/27/10 thru 10/31/10
|
- | - | - | 50.0 | ||||||||||||
|
11/1/10 thru 11/30/10
|
- | - | - | 50.0 | ||||||||||||
(1) On October 22, 2010, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the purchase of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s Common Stock beginning in 2011.
(2) Does not include shares that may be repurchased by the Company to pay taxes applicable to the vesting of restricted stock.
ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
Year ended November 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||||
|
PER COMMON SHARE DATA (1)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Basic earnings per share allocated to Common Stock:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Income from continuing operations
|
$ | 5.11 | $ | 3.52 | $ | 6.37 | $ | 6.70 | $ | 5.66 | ||||||||||
|
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
(.11 | ) | .09 | - | .68 | .25 | ||||||||||||||
|
Net income
|
5.00 | 3.61 | 6.37 | 7.38 | 5.91 | |||||||||||||||
|
Diluted earnings per share allocated to Common Stock:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Income from continuing operations
|
5.11 | 3.52 | 6.35 | 6.69 | 5.60 | |||||||||||||||
|
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
(.11 | ) | .09 | - | .67 | .24 | ||||||||||||||
|
Net income
|
5.00 | 3.61 | 6.35 | 7.36 | 5.84 | |||||||||||||||
|
Weighted-average shares (basic)
|
9,205,439 | 9,166,558 | 9,124,557 | 9,029,487 | 8,731,839 | |||||||||||||||
|
Weighted-average shares (diluted)
|
9,220,211 | 9,184,771 | 9,169,056 | 9,090,846 | 8,871,695 | |||||||||||||||
|
Dividends (2)
|
4.20 | 1.20 | 1.15 | .90 | .80 | |||||||||||||||
|
Stock price - high
|
75.84 | 89.00 | 130.51 | 109.60 | 80.01 | |||||||||||||||
|
Stock price - low
|
54.73 | 41.86 | 33.30 | 64.35 | 44.66 | |||||||||||||||
|
Price/earnings ratio (range)
|
15-11 | 25-12 | 20-5 | 15-9 | 14-8 | |||||||||||||||
|
OPERATING RESULTS
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sales
|
$ | 503,259 | $ | 546,944 | $ | 667,543 | $ | 631,010 | $ | 549,180 | ||||||||||
|
Gross profit
|
127,924 | 145,452 | 153,621 | 146,029 | 132,389 | |||||||||||||||
|
Interest income/(expense), net
|
(22 | ) | 588 | 1,533 | 1,927 | (1,682 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Provision for income taxes
|
(29,709 | ) | (15,517 | ) | (16,955 | ) | (10,359 | ) | (10,905 | ) | ||||||||||
|
Equity in (loss)/earnings of affiliate, net of taxes
|
(1,206 | ) | (5,512 | ) | 10,337 | 15,383 | 13,550 | |||||||||||||
|
Income from continuing operations
|
47,268 | 32,483 | 58,592 | 61,140 | 50,060 | |||||||||||||||
|
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
(1,014 | ) | 817 | - | 6,099 | 2,140 | ||||||||||||||
|
Net income
|
46,254 | 33,300 | 58,592 | 67,239 | 52,200 | |||||||||||||||
|
Net income/sales
|
9.2 | % | 6.1 | % | 8.8 | % | 10.7 | % | 9.5 | % | ||||||||||
|
Return on average equity
|
9.3 | % | 6.9 | % | 12.7 | % | 16.6 | % | 15.8 | % | ||||||||||
|
FINANCIAL CONDITION AT YEAR-END (3)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Working capital
|
$ | 322,456 | $ | 287,467 | $ | 297,445 | $ | 314,339 | $ | 280,467 | ||||||||||
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
244,198 | 238,508 | 206,162 | 173,731 | 134,470 | |||||||||||||||
|
Investments
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Equity method affiliate
|
- | 30,626 | 14,428 | 14,677 | 14,501 | |||||||||||||||
|
Cost method affiliates
|
3,784 | 3,784 | 3,784 | 3,784 | 3,784 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total assets
|
781,569 | 762,549 | 726,322 | 705,812 | 616,351 | |||||||||||||||
|
Long-term debt, less current portion
|
23,424 | 30,933 | 35,989 | 57,593 | 72,525 | |||||||||||||||
|
CASH FLOW (3)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
|
$ | 30,965 | $ | 46,874 | $ | 60,697 | $ | 47,697 | $ | 35,519 | ||||||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
26,539 | 22,108 | 20,409 | 17,034 | 17,440 | |||||||||||||||
(1) Amounts adjusted based on adoption of two-class computation method (see Note (1) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein).
(2) Includes special dividend of $3.00 per share, paid on November 30, 2010.
(3) Amounts include both continuing and discontinued operations.
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Ameron International Corporation ("Ameron", the "Company", the “Registrant” or the “Corporation”) is a multinational manufacturer of highly-engineered products and materials for the chemical, industrial, energy, transportation and infrastructure markets. Ameron is a leading producer of water transmission lines; fiberglass-composite pipe for transporting oil, chemicals and corrosive fluids and specialized materials; and products used in infrastructure projects. The Company operates businesses in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The Company has three reportable segments. The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group manufactures and markets filament-wound and molded composite fiberglass pipe, tubing, fittings and well screens. The Water Transmission Group manufactures and supplies concrete and steel pressure pipe, concrete non-pressure pipe, protective linings for pipe and fabricated steel products, such as large-diameter wind towers. The Infrastructure Products Group consists of two operating segments, which are aggregated: the Hawaii Division which manufactures and sells ready-mix concrete, sand and aggregates, concrete pipe and culverts and the Pole Products Division which manufactures and sells concrete and steel lighting and traffic poles. The markets served by the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group are worldwide in scope. The Water Transmission Group serves primarily the western U.S. for pipe and sells wind towers primarily west of the Mississippi River. The Infrastructure Products Group's quarry and ready-mix business operates exclusively in Hawaii, and poles are sold throughout the U.S. Ameron also participates in various affiliate companies, directly in Saudi Arabia, and indirectly in Egypt.
During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company sold its 50% ownership in TAMCO, a steel mini-mill operating in California. The Company reports its investment in TAMCO using the equity method of accounting.
During the third quarter of 2006, the Company sold its Performance Coatings & Finishes business ("Coatings Business"). The results from this segment are reported as discontinued operations for all the reporting periods. Accordingly, the following discussions generally reflect summary results from continuing operations unless otherwise noted. However, the net income and net income per share discussions include the impact of discontinued operations.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Liquidity and Capital Resources and Results of Operations are based upon the Company's consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires Management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies is provided in Note (1) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein. In addition, Management believes the following accounting policies affect the more significant estimates used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ameron and all wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The functional currencies for the Company's foreign operations are the applicable local currencies. The translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted-average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). The Company advances funds to certain foreign subsidiaries that are not expected to be repaid in the foreseeable future. Translation adjustments arising from these advances are also included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). The timing of repayments of intercompany advances could materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. Additionally, earnings of foreign subsidiaries are often permanently reinvested outside the U.S. Unforeseen repatriation of such earnings could result in significant unrecognized U.S. tax liability. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in other income, net.
Revenue for the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe and Infrastructure Products segments is recognized when risk of ownership and title pass, primarily at the time goods are shipped, provided that an agreement exists between the customer and the Company, the price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized for the Water Transmission Group primarily under the percentage-of-completion method, typically based on completed units of production, since products are manufactured under enforceable and binding construction contracts, typically are designed for specific applications, are not interchangeable between projects, and are not manufactured for stock. Revenue for the period is determined by multiplying total estimated contract revenue by the percentage of completion of the contract and then subtracting the amount of previously recognized revenue. Cost of earned revenue is computed by multiplying estimated contract completion cost by the percentage of completion of the contract and then subtracting the amount of previously recognized cost. In some cases, if products are manufactured for stock or are not related to specific construction contracts, revenue is recognized under the same criteria used by the other two segments. Revenue under the percentage of completion method is subject to a greater level of estimation, which affects the timing of revenue recognition, costs and profits. Estimates are reviewed on a consistent basis and are adjusted periodically to reflect current expectations. Costs attributable to unpriced change orders are treated as costs of contract performance in the period, and contract revenue is recognized if recovery is probable. Disputed or unapproved change orders are treated as claims. Recognition of amounts of additional contract revenue relating to claims occurs when amounts have been received or awarded with recognition based on the percentage-of-completion methodology.
The Company expenses environmental clean-up costs related to existing conditions resulting from past or current operations on a site-by-site basis. Liabilities and costs associated with these matters, as well as other pending litigation and asserted claims arising in the ordinary course of business, require estimates of future costs and judgments based on the knowledge and experience of Management and its legal counsel. When the Company's exposures can be reasonably estimated and are probable, liabilities and expenses are recorded. The ultimate resolution of any such exposure to the Company may differ from expectations due to subsequent developments.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined principally on the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Certain steel inventories used by the Water Transmission Group are valued using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. Significant changes in steel levels or steel prices could materially impact the Company's financial statements. Reserves are established for excess, obsolete and rework inventories based on estimates of salability and forecasted future demand. Management records an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on historical experience and expected trends. A significant reduction in demand or a significant worsening of customer credit quality could materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates over which the Company has significant influence are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, whereby the investment is carried at the cost of acquisition, including subsequent capital contributions and loans from the Company, plus the Company's equity in undistributed earnings or losses since acquisition. Investments in affiliates which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence over the investees' operating and financing activities are accounted for under the cost method of accounting. The Company's former investment in TAMCO, a steel mini-mill in California, is accounted for under the equity method. Investments in Ameron Saudi Arabia, Ltd. and Bondstrand, Ltd. are accounted for under the cost method due to Management's current assessment of the Company's influence over these affiliates. The Company’s investment in TAMCO was sold in October 2010.
Property, plant and equipment is stated on the basis of cost and depreciated principally using a straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets, generally three to 40 years. The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. If the estimated future, undiscounted cash flows from the use of an asset are less than its carrying value, a write-down is recorded to reduce the related asset to estimated fair value. Actual cash flows may differ significantly from estimated cash flows. Additionally, current estimates of future cash flows may differ from subsequent estimates of future cash flows. Changes in estimated or actual cash flows could materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements.
The Company is self insured for a portion of the losses and liabilities primarily associated with workers' compensation claims and general, product and vehicle liability. Losses are accrued based upon the Company's estimates of the aggregate liability for claims incurred using historical experience and certain actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry. The estimate of self-insurance liability includes an estimate of incurred but not reported claims, based on data compiled from historical experience. Actual experience could differ significantly from these estimates and could materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company typically purchases varying levels of third-party insurance to cover losses subject to retention levels (deductibles or primary self insurance) and aggregate limits. Currently, the Company's retention levels are $1.0 million per workers' compensation claim, $.1 million per general, property or product liability claim, and $.25 million per vehicle liability claim.
When accounting for pension and other postretirement benefits, assumptions are made regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets that are controlled and invested by third-party custodians. Delayed recognition of differences between actual results and expected or estimated results is a guiding principle of these standards. Such delayed recognition provides a gradual recognition of benefit obligations and investment performance over the working lives of the employees who benefit under the plans, based on various assumptions. Assumed discount rates are used to calculate the present values of benefit payments which are projected to be made in the future, including projections of increases in employees' annual compensation and health care costs. Management also projects the future returns on invested assets based principally on prior performance. These projected returns reduce the net benefit costs the Company records in the current period. Actual results could vary significantly from projected results, and such deviations could materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. Management consults with the Company’s actuaries when determining these assumptions. Program changes, including termination, freezing of benefits or acceleration of benefits, could result in an immediate recognition of unrecognized benefit obligations; and such recognition could materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements.
For pension and other postretirement benefits accounting, the discount rate is based on market interest rates. At November 30, 2010, the Company decreased the annual discount rate from 5.70% to 5.30% as a result of the then-current market interest rates on long-term, fixed-income debt securities of highly-rated corporations. In estimating the expected return on assets, the Company considers past performance and future expectations for various types of investments, as well as the expected long-term allocation of assets. At November 30, 2010, the Company maintained the long-term annual rate of return on assets assumption of 8.50% reflecting current expectations for future returns in the investment markets. In projecting the rate of increase in compensation levels, the Company considers movements in inflation rates as reflected by market interest rates. At November 30, 2010, the Company decreased the assumed annual rate of compensation from 4.25% to 3.50%. In selecting the rate of increase in health care costs, the Company considers past performance and forecasts of future health care cost trends. At November 30, 2010, the Company raised the annual rate of increase in health care costs to 10.00%, from 9.00% in 2009, decreasing ratably until reaching 5.00% in 2015 and beyond.
Different assumptions would impact the Company’s projected benefit obligations and annual net periodic benefit costs related to pensions and the accrued other benefit obligations and benefit costs related to postretirement benefits. The following reflects the impact associated with a change in certain assumptions:
|
1% Increase
|
1% Decrease
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Increase/
|
Increase/
|
Increase/
|
Increase/
|
|||||||||||||
|
(Decrease)
|
(Decrease)
|
(Decrease)
|
(Decrease)
|
|||||||||||||
|
in Benefit
|
in Benefit
|
in Benefit
|
in Benefit
|
|||||||||||||
|
(In thousands)
|
Obligations
|
Costs
|
Obligations
|
Costs
|
||||||||||||
|
Discount rate:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Pensions
|
$ | (29,440 | ) | $ | (3,387 | ) | $ | 35,977 | $ | 3,506 | ||||||
|
Other postretirement benefits
|
(382 | ) | (13 | ) | 440 | 11 | ||||||||||
|
Expected rate of return on assets
|
N/A | (1,725 | ) | N/A | 1,725 | |||||||||||
|
Rate of increase in compensation levels
|
3,071 | 692 | (2,746 | ) | (620 | ) | ||||||||||
|
Rate of increase in health care costs
|
150 | 17 | (133 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||||||
Additional information regarding pensions and other postretirement benefits is disclosed in Note (16) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that the Company believes market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to valuation techniques. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. The Company primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and endeavors to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company classifies fair value balances based on the observability of those inputs. The ultimate exit price could be significantly different than currently estimated by the Company.
Management incentive compensation is accrued based on current estimates of the Company's ability to achieve short-term and long-term performance targets. The Company’s actual performance and incentive compensation payouts could be significantly different than currently estimated by the Company.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Such deferred income tax asset and liability computations are based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to periods in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. Quarterly income taxes are estimated based on the mix of income by jurisdiction forecasted for the full fiscal year. The Company believes that it has adequately provided for tax-related matters. Actual income, the mix of income by jurisdiction and income taxes could be significantly different than currently estimated.
The amount of income taxes the Company pays is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. The Company’s estimate of the potential outcome of any uncertain tax issue is subject to Management’s assessment of relevant risks, facts, and circumstances existing at that time, with a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. A liability is recorded for the difference between the measured benefit recognized and the tax position taken or expected to be taken on the tax return. To the extent that the Company’s assessment of such tax positions changes, the change in estimate is recorded in the period in which the determination is made. The Company reports tax-related interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following discussion of liquidity and capital resources combines the impact of both continuing and discontinued operations unless otherwise noted.
As of November 30, 2010, the Company's working capital, including cash and cash equivalents and current portion of long-term debt, totaled $322.5 million, an increase of $35.0 million from working capital of $287.5 million as of November 30, 2009. The increase in working capital resulted primarily from higher cash and cash equivalents and inventory and lower accrued liabilities, partially offset by lower receivables and higher trade payables and income taxes payable. Inventories and payables rose due to the anticipated level of sales in 2011, while receivables fell due to the lower level of sales activity during 2010. Income taxes payable increased due to higher pretax income. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $236.7 million as of November 30, 2010, compared to $181.1 million as of November 30, 2009.
Net cash of $52.2 million was generated from operating activities in 2010, compared to $125.9 million generated in 2009. In 2010, cash from operating activities included net income of $46.3 million, less non-cash adjustments (depreciation, amortization, deferred income taxes, loss from affiliate, gain from sale of assets, stock compensation expense and the non-cash write-down of assets) of $18.7 million, plus changes in operating assets and liabilities of $24.6 million. In 2009, cash from operating activities included net income of $33.3 million, plus similar non-cash adjustments of $45.3 million, plus changes in operating assets and liabilities of $47.2 million. In 2008, cash from operating activities included net income of $58.6 million, plus similar non-cash adjustments (other than write-down of assets) of $22.5 million, plus changes in operating assets and liabilities of $7.4 million. Compared to 2009, non-cash adjustments in 2010 were lower due primarily to the sale of the Company’s ownership of TAMCO; and the net operating assets were lower primarily due to a leveling of business activity. The $73.7 million decline in net cash from operations from 2009 to 2010 was due to a sharp decline in business activity from 2008 to 2009, which did not repeat in 2010. In addition, cash from operations increased $37.4 million in 2009, compared to 2008, due to this economic slowdown.
Net cash provided by investing activities totaled $49.5 million in 2010, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $69.9 million in 2009 and $59.1 million in 2008. In 2010, net cash provided by investing activities consisted of gross proceeds from the sale of the Company’s investment in TAMCO of $78.1 million, other asset sales of $.9 million and a $1.5 million net repayment of loans by TAMCO; offset by capital expenditures of $31.0 million. In addition to normal replacement and upgrades of machinery and equipment, the Company expanded fiberglass pipe plants in Texas and Brazil in 2010 and 2009. Normal replacement expenditures are typically equal to depreciation. In 2009, net cash used in investing activities consisted of capital expenditures of $46.9 million, and $25.0 million of capital and loans to TAMCO. Net cash used in investing activities in 2009 was offset by proceeds of $2.0 million from the sale of assets. In 2008, net cash used in investing activities included capital expenditures of $60.7 million, which included the normal replacement and upgrades of machinery, the expansion of a wind tower manufacturing facility and expenditures for construction of new fiberglass pipe plants in Brazil. Net cash used in investing activities in 2008 was offset by proceeds of $1.6 million from the sale of assets. During the year ending November 30, 2011, the Company anticipates spending between $40.0 and $50.0 million on capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are expected to be funded by existing cash balances, cash generated from operations or additional borrowings.
During 2010, the Company received $1.5 million in loan repayments from TAMCO as part of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility provided by TAMCO’s shareholders. During 2009, the Company contributed capital of $10.0 million to TAMCO. As of November 30, 2009, TAMCO had borrowed $30.0 million under the facility, of which $15.0 million was provided by the Company. On October 21, 2010, the Company sold its ownership in TAMCO which included the extinguishment of the senior secured credit facility.
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $47.4 million during 2010, compared to $28.8 million in 2009. Net cash used in 2010 consisted of net payment of debt of $8.0 million, payment of Common Stock dividends of $38.7 million and treasury stock purchases of $1.1 million (related to the payment of taxes associated with the vesting of restricted shares), offset by $.4 million provided by the issuance of Common Stock. The 2010 Common Stock dividends included a special dividend of $3.00 per share, totaling $27.6 million, which was paid on November 30, 2010. Net cash used in 2009 consisted of net payment of debt of $16.5 million, payment of Common Stock dividends of $11.1 million, payments for debt issuance costs of $1.1 million and similar treasury stock purchases of $1.0 million. Also in 2009, the Company recognized tax benefits related to stock-based compensation of $.8 million. Net cash used in 2008 consisted of net payments of debt of $21.1 million, payment of Common Stock dividends of $10.5 million and similar treasury stock purchases of $2.6 million. Also in 2008, the Company received $.4 million from the issuance of Common Stock related to exercised stock options and recognized tax benefits related to stock-based compensation of $1.3 million.
The Company maintains a $100.0 million revolving credit facility with six banks (the “Revolver”). Under the Revolver, the Company may, at its option, borrow up to the available amount at floating interest rates (at a rate of LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.75% to 3.75%, based on the Company’s financial condition and performance) or utilize for letters of credit, at any time until August 2012, when all borrowings under the Revolver must be repaid and letters of credit cancelled. At November 30, 2010, $82.8 million was available under the Revolver.
The Company’s lending agreements contain various restrictive covenants, including the requirement to maintain specified amounts of net worth and restrictions on cash dividends, borrowings, liens, investments, capital expenditures, guarantees, and financial covenants. The Company is required to maintain consolidated net worth of $375.5 million plus 50% of net income and 75% of proceeds from any equity issued after November 30, 2008. The Company's consolidated net worth exceeded the covenant amount by $142.4 million as of November 30, 2010. The Company is required to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") of no more than 2.50 times. At November 30, 2010, the Company maintained a consolidated leverage ratio of .58 times EBITDA. Lending agreements require the Company to maintain qualified consolidated tangible assets at least equal to the outstanding secured funded indebtedness. At November 30, 2010, qualifying tangible assets equaled 5.52 times funded indebtedness. Under the most restrictive fixed charge coverage ratio, the sum of EBITDA and rental expense less cash taxes must be at least 1.50 times the sum of interest expense, rental expense, dividends and scheduled funded debt payments. At November 30, 2010, the Company maintained such a fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.04 times. Under the most restrictive provisions of the Company's lending agreements, $8.6 million of retained earnings were not restricted at November 30, 2010, as to the declaration of cash dividends or the repurchase of Company stock. In addition, the Company has received consents from its lenders to purchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s Common Stock. At November 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of its various lending agreements.
Cash and cash equivalents at November 30, 2010 totaled $236.7 million, an increase of $55.6 million from November 30, 2009. At November 30, 2010, the Company had total debt outstanding of $31.1 million, compared to $38.3 million at November 30, 2009, and $111.3 million in unused committed and uncommitted credit lines available from foreign and domestic banks. The Company's highest borrowing and the average borrowing levels during 2010 were $39.5 million and $37.9 million, respectively.
Cash balances are held throughout the world, including $65.3 million held outside of the U.S. at November 30, 2010. Most of the amounts held outside of the U.S. could be repatriated to the U.S. but, under current law, would be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, less applicable foreign tax credits. The Company currently plans to indefinitely maintain significant cash balances outside the U.S.
The Company also owns life insurance policies on current and former executives. The fair value of these policies is equal to the cash surrender value as determined by the insurance companies, which totaled $27.5 million, as of November 30, 2010.
The Company contributed $12.0 million to the U.S. defined-benefit pension plan and $2.2 million to the non-U.S. defined-benefit pension plans in 2010. The Company expects to contribute approximately $11.4 million to its U.S. defined-benefit pension plan and $1.4 million to the non-U.S. defined-benefit pension plans in 2011.
Management believes that cash flow from operations and current cash balances, together with currently available lines of credit, will be sufficient to meet operating requirements in 2011. Cash available from operations could be affected by a general economic downturn or a decline or adverse changes in the Company's business, such as a loss of customers, competitive pricing pressures or significant raw material price increases.
The Company's contractual obligations and commercial commitments at November 30, 2010 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
|
Payments Due by Period
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||||||||||||||||||||
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Less than
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After 5
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|||||||||||||||||||
|
Contractual Obligations
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Total
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1 year
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1-3 years
|
3-5 years
|
years
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|||||||||||||||
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Long-term debt
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$ | 31,148 | $ | 7,724 | $ | 7,724 | $ | - | $ | 15,700 | ||||||||||
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Interest payments on debt (a)
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1,565 | 727 | 472 | 144 | 222 | |||||||||||||||
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Operating leases
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33,464 | 4,888 | 4,244 | 2,549 | 21,783 | |||||||||||||||
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Pension funding
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12,800 | 12,800 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
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Uncertain tax positions
|
917 | 917 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
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Total contractual obligations (b)
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$ | 79,894 | $ | 27,056 | $ | 12,440 | $ | 2,693 | $ | 37,705 | ||||||||||
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Commitments Expiring Per Period
|
||||||||||||||||||||
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Less than
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After
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Contractual Commitments
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Total
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1 year
|
1-3 years
|
3-5 years
|
5 years
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Standby letters of credit (c)
|
$ | 1,145 | $ | 1,145 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||
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Total commercial commitments
|
$ | 1,145 | $ | 1,145 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||
(a) Future interest payments related to debt obligations, excluding the Revolver.
(b) The Company has no capitalized lease obligations, unconditional purchase obligations or standby repurchases obligations.
(c) Not included are standby letters of credit totaling $16,067 supporting industrial development bonds with principal of $15,700. The principal amount of the industrial development bonds is included in long-term debt. The standby letters of credit are issued under the Revolver.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: 2010 COMPARED WITH 2009
General
Net income totaled $46.3 million, or $5.00 per diluted share, on sales of $503.3 million in the year ended November 30, 2010, compared to $33.3 million, or $3.61 per diluted share, on sales of $546.9 million in 2009. A sales increase by the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group partially offset larger declines by the Water Transmission and Infrastructure Products Groups. The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group benefited from increased demand in energy markets, but income decreased due to lower margins. Water Transmission Group’s sales and income declined primarily due to lower wind tower sales. Infrastructure Products Group’s profits were lower as sales continued to be impacted by weak construction spending. Net income increased in 2010 due primarily to the gain on the sale of the Company’s investment in TAMCO, the Company’s 50%-owned steel mini-mill, and lower equity in TAMCO’s losses.
Sales
Sales decreased $43.7 million, or 8.0%, in 2010, compared to 2009. Sales declined due to depressed conditions in wind energy markets and softness in water pipe markets which impacted the Water Transmission Group and continued weakness in most construction markets in Hawaii and in pole demand which impacted the Infrastructure Products Group, partially offset by increased demand in the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group.
Fiberglass-Composite Pipe's sales increased $18.6 million, or 8.3%, in 2010, compared to 2009. Sales of operations in the U.S. increased $19.4 million primarily due to demand in key onshore oilfield and mining markets. Sales of Asian operations decreased $8.8 million, in spite of the weaker U.S. dollar, due to the decline in marine and offshore markets. European-originated sales decreased $5.6 million primarily due to softer market conditions in industrial and oilfield markets. Sales of Brazilian operations increased $13.6 million due to the startup of a new onshore oilfield pipe plant, growth in the municipal water market and the rising value of the Brazilian currency. Orders for marine and offshore projects continue to soften; however, looking forward, the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group continues to see strong demand due primarily to energy-related projects.
Water Transmission Group's sales decreased $39.4 million, or 22.2%, in 2010, compared to 2009. The decrease was largely due to lower wind tower sales and partly due to weaker cyclical demand for water pipe in the western U.S. As of November 30, 2010, the wind tower backlog totaled $3.4 million, from $28.9 million at the end of 2009, due to production throughout 2010 and the lack of new orders. Until the wind energy markets improve and more financing becomes available to the wind energy industry, the Group's wind tower activity is expected to remain depressed. Near term, the water pipe business is also expected to continue to experience soft market demand. The timing of bid activity has been negatively affected by the economy, municipal budgets and availability of financing. The Company continues to monitor a number of major wind tower and pipe projects; however, it remains uncertain when owners, water agencies and municipalities will proceed with these projects.
Infrastructure Products' sales decreased $23.0 million, or 15.9%, in 2010, compared to 2009. Both the Hawaii Division and the Pole Products Division had lower sales in 2010. The Hawaii Division continued to experience lower demand for aggregates and ready-mix concrete on both Oahu and Maui as construction spending remained weak due to the recessionary economy. Construction related to military and governmental spending provided a stable base of business, while all other sectors declined. The decline in U.S. housing markets and reduced demand for concrete lighting poles for new construction and steel traffic poles impacted the Pole Products Division. The Infrastructure Products Group is expected to continue to be affected by the slowdown in construction spending in Hawaii and the low level of residential construction spending throughout the U.S. Demand for Pole Products Division’s decorative concrete poles for residential lighting applications appears to have stabilized. However, major recoveries of the residential construction markets and the Infrastructure Products Group are not expected in the near term.
Gross Profit
Gross profit in 2010 was $127.9 million, or 25.4% of sales, compared to $145.5 million, or 26.6% of sales, in 2009. Gross profit decreased $17.5 million, primarily due to lower sales, lower margins and higher last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) reserves related to steel used by the Water Transmission Group.
Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group's gross profit decreased $2.9 million in 2010, compared to 2009. Profit margins decreased to 37.1% in 2010, compared to 41.4% in 2009. Margins were lower due to higher raw material costs and changes in product mix, with completion of higher-margin projects from Asia and an increase in lower-margin sales from Brazil. Higher sales increased gross profit by $7.7 million, offset by unfavorable product mix and operating efficiencies of $10.6 million.
Water Transmission Group's gross profit decreased $4.5 million in 2010, compared to 2009, due to lower sales. Profit margins increased to 12.1% in 2010, compared to 11.9% in 2009. Overall, gross profit margins remained stable as lower raw material costs were offset by unfavorable plant efficiencies. The decline in the Group’s gross profits was primarily related to wind towers. As a result of the depressed market for wind towers, Management performed an impairment analysis at the end of the third quarter of 2010 of certain wind tower assets. Based on internal and third-party forecasts, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the wind tower facility exceed the carrying value of the related long-lived assets. However, if market conditions do not improve as expected, this could indicate a potential impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets used for the production of wind towers. No events or circumstances occurred since August 29, 2010, that indicates that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be recoverable.
Gross profit in the Infrastructure Products Group decreased $4.5 million in 2010, compared to 2009. Profit margins remained steady at 19.2%. The decline in gross profit was related to lower sales.
Consolidated gross profit was $6.1 million lower in 2010 than in 2009 due to unfavorable reserves in 2010 associated with LIFO accounting of certain steel inventories used by the Water Transmission Group due primarily to an increase in steel prices. LIFO reserves are not allocated to the operating segments.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses totaled $101.8 million, or 20.2% of sales, in 2010, compared to $100.0 million, or 18.3% of sales, in 2009. The $1.8 million increase was due to higher pension expense of $4.7 million, higher expenses of international operations related to changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.8 million, higher depreciation expense of $1.0 million, higher severance of $.8 million, and higher compensation expense of $.5 million, offset by lower insurance costs of $4.5 million, lower legal and professional fees of $1.2 million and lower other expenses of $1.3 million.
Gain from Sale of Investment in Affiliate
The sale of the Company’s 50% ownership of TAMCO was completed on October 21, 2010. The Company sold its TAMCO investment and extinguished all outstanding debt owed by TAMCO to the Company under a shareholder loan. The Company received $78.1 million of gross proceeds after estimated working capital adjustments of $.7 million and before closing costs of approximately $2.1 million, recognizing a pretax gain of $48.4 million.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net, totaled $3.6 million in 2010, compared to $7.4 million in 2009. The decrease in other income was due primarily to lower dividends from affiliates of $2.9 million and lower scrap inventory sales of $1.2 million, partially offset by foreign currency transactions of $.6 million.
Interest Income, Net
Net interest income totaled $22,000 in 2010, compared to $.6 million in 2009. The decline was primarily due to an increase of $.4 million in interest expense and higher bank fees. Interest income decreased by $.2 million in 2010 due to lower investment yields on short-term investments.
Provision for Income Taxes
Income taxes increased to $29.7 million in 2010, from $15.5 million in 2009. The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations increased to 38.0% in 2010, from 29.0% in 2009. The effective rate in 2010 was reduced by a $.6 million decrease in the valuation allowance for deferred assets related to delayed bonuses and restricted stock. The decrease represented a correction of an amount recorded in 2009. The effective tax rate in 2009 was reduced by tax benefits of $1.2 million associated with the adjustment to a deferred tax liability related to earnings and profits from the Company’s former New Zealand subsidiary. The $1.2 million adjustment represented a correction of an amount recorded in prior period financial statements. Management believes these corrections to be immaterial to prior interim and annual financial statements. For both 2009 and 2010, the Company provided a full valuation allowance for the net operating loss carry-overs of its foreign subsidiaries except its subsidiary in the Netherlands. In 2009, the Company released $1.3 million of valuation allowance for deferred tax assets related to the Netherlands subsidiary as a result of higher profitability in 2008 and projected future profitability. In 2010, the fourth-quarter tax rate was significantly higher than the statutory rate due, in part, to an increase in the valuation allowance related to the Netherlands subsidiary of $3.1 million as a result of a revision to profitability projections. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company implemented a plan to repatriate $44.2 million of the undistributed earnings of its subsidiary in Singapore at a relatively low tax rate due to the realization of previously unrecognized foreign tax credits. The net tax expense in 2010 related to this repatriation was $1.7 million.
Equity in Loss of Affiliate, Net of Taxes
Equity in loss of affiliate, which consists of the Company’s share of the net loss of TAMCO, decreased to a loss of $1.2 million in 2010, compared to a loss of $5.5 million in 2009. Equity income is shown net of income taxes at an effective rate of 7.8% in 2010 and 2009, respectively, reflecting the dividend exclusion provided to the Company under tax laws. TAMCO’s losses were due to the collapse of infrastructure spending for steel rebar in California, Arizona and Nevada which began in late 2008. During 2010, the Company recognized losses for TAMCO until the sale of its 50% ownership on October 21, 2010.
(Loss)/Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes
In 2006, the Company completed the sale of the Coatings Business to PPG Industries, Inc. ("PPG"). As part of the sale, PPG agreed to pay to the Company future dividends from Oasis-Ameron, Ltd. (“OAL”), a former affiliate of the Company held by the Coatings Business, up to the amount of OAL’s unremitted earnings at the time of the sale of the Coatings Business to PPG. In 2009, the Company recorded $1.2 million, net of tax, from PPG in exchange for any claims on OAL’s dividends. Also in 2009, the Company wrote down by $.4 million, net of tax, real property located in Hull, England formerly used by the Coatings Business and currently held for sale. In 2010, the Company further wrote down the property by an additional $1.0 million, net of tax. The real property write-downs were due to declining real estate values.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: 2009 COMPARED WITH 2008
General
Net income totaled $33.3 million, or $3.61 per diluted share, on sales of $546.9 million in the year ended November 30, 2009, compared to $58.6 million, or $6.35 per diluted share, on sales of $667.5 million in 2008. The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group had lower sales and profits due primarily to continued soft market conditions and foreign exchange. Water Transmission Group’s sales declined due to weak demand, but profitability improved due principally to better project cost control and plant efficiencies. The Infrastructure Products Group had lower sales and income due to the decline in both the Pole Products Division and the Hawaii Division associated with continued weak construction spending throughout the U.S. Equity in earnings of TAMCO decreased by $15.8 million in 2009, compared to 2008, due to the decline in the steel rebar market in California, Arizona and Nevada.
Sales
Sales decreased $120.6 million, or 18.1%, in 2009, compared to 2008. Sales decreased due to generally weaker economic conditions affecting all of the Company’s businesses.
Fiberglass-Composite Pipe's sales decreased $48.7 million, or 17.8%, in 2009, compared to 2008. Sales from operations in the U.S. decreased $21.7 million in 2009 primarily due to weaker oilfield piping demand and weak industrial markets. Sales from Asian subsidiaries decreased $13.7 million in 2009, driven by weaker conditions in Middle Eastern industrial markets and the impact of foreign exchange. Sales from European operations decreased $8.7 million in 2009 primarily due to softer market conditions in Europe, North Africa and Russia and weaker foreign currencies in 2009 than in 2008. Sales from Brazilian operations decreased $4.6 million in 2009, due to the impact of foreign exchange, project delays in municipal water markets, and a halt in activity in the pulp and paper market. Worldwide demand declined in key onshore oilfield, chemical and industrial market segments. However, marine and offshore markets remained strong, sustained by new vessel construction at Asian shipyards.
Water Transmission Group's sales decreased $38.0 million, or 17.7%, in 2009, compared to 2008. The sales decrease was primarily due to weaker demand for water pipe in the western United States and completion of large orders in Colombia during 2008. Wind tower sales remained steady in 2009, compared to prior year.
Infrastructure Products' sales decreased $34.8 million, or 19.4%, in 2009, compared to 2008. The Company’s Hawaii Division had lower sales as residential and commercial construction markets in Hawaii contracted. Demand for aggregates and ready-mix concrete on both Oahu and Maui declined as construction spending continued to soften due to the recessionary economy. Military and governmental spending held steady in Hawaii. The Pole Products Division continued to be impacted by the decline in U.S. housing markets and reduced demand for concrete lighting poles and steel traffic poles.
Gross Profit
Gross profit in 2009 was $145.5 million, or 26.6% of sales, compared to $153.6 million, or 23.0% of sales, in 2008. Gross profit decreased $8.2 million in 2009, compared to 2008, due to lower sales offset by better cost control, improved plant efficiencies, lower LIFO reserves, favorable product mix and lower raw material costs.
Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group's gross profit decreased $14.8 million in 2009, compared to 2008. Profit margins improved to 41.4% in 2009, compared to 39.5% in 2008. Margins were higher in 2009 due to favorable product mix, plant efficiencies and lower raw material costs. Decreased sales, from lower volume and prices, reduced gross profit by $19.2 million, offset by favorable product mix and operating efficiencies of $4.4 million in 2009.
Water Transmission Group's gross profit increased $17.3 million in 2009, compared to 2008. Profit margins increased to 11.9% in 2009, compared to 1.8% in 2008. Improved profit margins resulted from plant efficiencies with the completion of newly-constructed wind tower facility, cost controls and completion of low-margin pipe projects in 2008.
Gross profit in the Infrastructure Products Group decreased $11.5 million in 2009, compared to 2008. Profit margins declined to 19.2% in 2009, compared to 21.9% in 2008. Margins were lower in 2009 due to pricing pressures related to challenging market conditions. Lower sales negatively impacted gross profit by $7.6 million in 2009, while lower margins primarily related to unfavorable plant utilization decreased gross profit by an additional $3.9 million in 2009.
Consolidated gross profit was $2.1 million higher in 2009 than in 2008 due to decreased reserves in 2009 associated with LIFO accounting of certain steel inventories used by the Water Transmission Group due to lower LIFO inventory quantities and a decrease in steel prices.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A totaled $100.0 million, or 18.3% of sales, in 2009, compared to $98.2 million, or 14.7% of sales, in 2008. The $1.8 million increase in SG&A was due to higher pension expense of $8.0 million, higher legal expenses of $1.9 million, due primarily to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) inquiry, offset by lower stock compensation costs of approximately $2.2 million, favorable foreign exchange impact of $1.8 million, lower insurance premiums of $1.6 million and lower other expenses of $2.5 million.
Other Income, Net
Other income totaled $7.4 million in 2009, compared to $8.2 million in 2008. The decrease in other income in 2009 was due primarily to higher dividends from affiliates of $.8 million, higher gains on asset sales of $.5 million, and lower foreign currency losses of $.2 million, more than offset by $.5 million lower royalties and $1.8 million lower scrap inventory sales.
Interest
Net interest totaled $.6 million in 2009, compared to $1.5 million in 2008. Interest income was $1.1 million in 2009, a decrease of $2.7 million compared to 2008, due to lower interest rates on short-term investments. Interest expense declined from $.5 million in 2009 to $2.3 million in 2008, due to lower debt levels.
Provision for Income Taxes
Income taxes decreased to $15.5 million in 2009, from $17.0 million in 2008. The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations increased to 29.0% in 2009, from 26.0% in 2008. The effective tax rate in 2009 was reduced by tax benefits of $1.2 million associated with the adjustment to a deferred tax liability related to earnings and profits from the Company’s former New Zealand subsidiary. The effective tax rate in 2008 was reduced by tax benefits of $2.9 million associated with tax years no longer subject to audit and settlement of the 2005-2006 Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examinations. For both 2008 and 2009, the Company provided a full valuation allowance for the net operating loss carry-overs of its foreign subsidiaries except its subsidiary in the Netherlands. The Company released $1.3 million in 2009 and $1.1 million in 2008 of valuation allowance for deferred tax assets related to the Netherlands subsidiary due to profitability in 2008 and projected future profitability.
Equity in Earnings of Affiliate, Net of Taxes
Equity in earnings of affiliate, which consists of the Company’s share of the net income or loss of TAMCO, decreased to a loss of $5.5 million in 2009, compared to income of $10.3 million in 2008. Equity income is shown net of income taxes at an effective rate of 7.8% and 9.6% in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decline in TAMCO’s earnings was due to the collapse of infrastructure spending for steel rebar in California, Arizona and Nevada. TAMCO halted production in the first quarter of 2009 and had limited production during the remainder of 2009.
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes
Income from discontinued operations totaled $.8 million in 2009, net of taxes.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCING
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet financing, other than listed in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section herein. All of the Company's subsidiaries are included in the financial statements, and the Company does not have relationships with any special purpose entities.
CONTINGENCIES
In 2004, Sable Offshore Energy Inc. ("Sable"), as agent for certain owners of the Sable Offshore Energy Project, brought an action against various coatings suppliers and application contractors, including the Company and its subsidiary, Ameron B.V., in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, Canada. Sable seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from performance problems with several coating systems used on the Sable Offshore Energy Project, including coatings products furnished by the Company and Ameron B.V. All of the co-defendants, other than the Company, Ameron B.V. and an unaffiliated licensee of the Company, have since settled. Sable's originating notice and statement of claim alleged a claim for damages in an unspecified amount. Sable later alleged that its claim for damages against all defendants was approximately 440.0 million Canadian dollars. More recently, however, Sable sent the Company a revised claim which included an alternative method for calculating damages. Although Sable did not specify an aggregate claim amount under its alternative method, that method if adopted would appear to substantially reduce the amount of damages. The Company contests any claim amount and is vigorously defending itself on the merits in this action. This matter is in discovery, and no trial date has yet been established. Based upon the information available at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case.
In 2004, BP America Production Company (“BP America”) brought an action against the Company in the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jefferson, Louisiana in connection with fiberglass pipe sold by the Company for installation in four offshore platforms constructed for BP America. The plaintiff seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from claimed defects in such pipe. BP America’s petition as filed alleged a claim against the Company for rescission, products liability, negligence, breach of contract and warranty and for damages in an amount of not less than $20.0 million; but BP America has since reduced its claim to $12.9 million. The Company contests this amount. This matter is in discovery, and no trial date has yet been established. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this action. Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case.
In 2006, the Cawelo, California Water District (“Cawelo”) brought an action against the Company in the Superior Court, Kern County, California in connection with concrete pipe sold by the Company in 1995 for a wastewater recovery pipeline. Cawelo seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from the failure of such pipe in 2004. Cawelo’s petition as filed alleged a claim against the Company for products liability, negligence, breach of express warranty and breach of written contract and for damages in an amount of not less than $8 million, an amount which the Company contested. On December 3, 2010, the Company settled this case subject to court approval for a net payment of $.1 million by the Company. On December 27, 2010, the Court issued an order finding the settlement by the Company to be in good faith and dismissing a cross-complaint against the Company by a surety of a non-settling defendant. The order remains subject to possible appeal. The terms of the settlement will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
In August 2010, Petroleum Polymer Company LLC ("PPC") brought an action against Ameron (Pte) Ltd. ("Ameron Pte"), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, in the Primary Court of Oman. The complaint alleged that Ameron Pte breached the terms of a purchase agreement for its supply of fiberglass pipe to PPC for use in an oil extraction project in Oman. PPC's primary allegation is that a component supplied by Ameron Pte failed during testing, resulting in a failure of the pipe system. PPC asserted damages totaling approximately $20.0 million, including alleged claims for the cost of replacing damaged pipe, recovery of penalties incurred due to the resulting delay in the project, and lost future opportunities. Ameron Pte contests any claim amount and intends to vigorously defend itself in this action. Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is able to neither estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case nor the timing of substantive judicial proceedings.
The Company is a defendant in a number of asbestos-related personal injury lawsuits. These cases generally seek unspecified damages for asbestos-related diseases based on alleged exposure to products previously manufactured by the Company and others. As of November 30, 2010, the Company was a defendant in 14 asbestos-related cases, compared to 20 cases as of November 30, 2009. During the year ended November 30, 2010, there were ten new asbestos-related cases, 11 dismissed cases, five settled cases and no judgments. The Company incurred net expenses of $.1 million, $.3 million and $.2 million, and recovered less than $.1 million, $.1 million and $.2 million, during the years ended November 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to these cases.
In December 2008, the Company received from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) a Requirement to Furnish Information regarding transactions involving Iran. With the assistance of outside counsel, the Company conducted an internal inquiry and continues to cooperate fully with OFAC on this matter. Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to predict the outcome of this matter. If the Company violated governmental regulations, material fines and penalties could be imposed.
The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the environment and is currently participating in administrative proceedings at several sites under these laws. While the Company finds it difficult to estimate with any certainty the total cost of remediation at the several sites, on the basis of currently available information and reserves provided, the Company believes that the outcome of such environmental regulatory proceedings will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.
In addition, certain other claims, suits and complaints that arise in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against the Company. Management believes that these matters are either adequately reserved, covered by insurance, or would not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, cash flows or results of operations if disposed of unfavorably.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance requiring unvested instruments granted in share-based payment transactions that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents to be accounted for as participating securities subject to the two-class method of computing earnings per share. All earnings per share data for periods prior to adoption are required to be adjusted retrospectively. The Company adopted the guidance as of December 1, 2009, and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note (1) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Item 8, herein, for a reconciliation of net income allocated to Common Stock using the two-class method.
In December 2008, the FASB issued revised guidance for employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The FASB requires an employer to disclose investment policies and strategies, categories, fair value measurements, and significant concentration of risk among its postretirement benefit plan assets. The Company adopted the revised guidance as of November 30, 2010. Adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance to revise the approach to determine when a variable interest entity (“VIE”) should be consolidated. The new consolidation model for VIE’s considers whether the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and shares in the significant risks and rewards of the entity. The guidance on VIE’s requires companies to continually reassess VIE’s to determine if consolidation is appropriate and provide additional disclosures. The Company adopted the guidance as of December 1, 2009, and adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB required new disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim and annual reporting periods. These new disclosures were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of Level 3 financial instruments, which are effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. Adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Currency Risk
The Company operates internationally, giving rise to exposure to market risks from changes in foreign exchange rates. From time to time, the Company borrows in various currencies to reduce the level of net assets subject to changes in foreign exchange rates or purchases foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge firm commitments, such as receivables and payables, denominated in foreign currencies. The Company does not use the contracts for speculative or trading purposes. At November 30, 2010, the Company had four foreign currency forward contracts expiring at various dates through February 14, 2011 with a fair value loss of less than $.1 million. Such instruments are carried at fair value, with related adjustments recorded in other income.
Debt Risk
The Company can have variable-rate, short-term and long-term debt as well as fixed-rate, long-term debt. The fair value of the Company's fixed-rate debt is subject to changes in interest rates. The estimated fair value of the Company's variable-rate debt approximates the carrying value of such debt since the variable interest rates are market-based and the Company believes such debt could be refinanced on materially similar terms. The Company is subject to the availability of credit to support new requirements and to refinance long-term and short-term debt.
At November 30, 2010, the estimated fair value of notes payable by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary in Singapore totaling approximately $15.4 million, with a fixed rate of 4.25% per annum, was $16.4 million. These notes must be repaid in installments of approximately $7.7 million per year. The Company had $7.2 million of variable-rate industrial development bonds payable at an interest rate of .49% per annum at November 30, 2010, payable in 2016. The Company also had $8.5 million of variable-rate industrial development bonds payable at an interest rate of .49% per annum at November 30, 2010, payable in 2021. The industrial revenue bonds are supported by standby letters of credit issued under the Revolver, which has a scheduled maturity of August 2012.
|
Total Outstanding
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
As of November 30, 2010
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Expected Maturity Date
|
Recorded
|
Fair
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
Thereafter
|
Value
|
Value
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Long-term debt:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Fixed-rate secured notes, payable in Singapore dollars
|
$ | 7,724 | $ | 7,724 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 15,448 | $ | 16,445 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Average interest rate
|
4.25 | % | 4.25 | % | - | - | - | - | 4.25 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Variable-rate industrial development bonds, payable in U.S. dollars
|
- | - | - | - | - | 7,200 | 7,200 | 7,200 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Average interest rate
|
- | - | - | - | - | .49 | % | .49 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Variable-rate industrial development bonds, payable in U.S. dollars
|
- | - | - | - | - | 8,500 | 8,500 | 8,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Average interest rate
|
- | - | - | - | - | .49 | % | .49 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
|
Year ended November 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||
|
Sales
|
$ | 503,259 | $ | 546,944 | $ | 667,543 | ||||||
|
Cost of sales
|
(375,335 | ) | (401,492 | ) | (513,922 | ) | ||||||
|
Gross profit
|
127,924 | 145,452 | 153,621 | |||||||||
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
(101,751 | ) | (99,976 | ) | (98,166 | ) | ||||||
|
Other income, net
|
3,631 | 7,448 | 8,222 | |||||||||
|
Gain from sale of investment in affiliate
|
48,401 | - | - | |||||||||
|
Interest income, net
|
(22 | ) | 588 | 1,533 | ||||||||
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in (loss)/earnings of affiliate
|
78,183 | 53,512 | 65,210 | |||||||||
|
Provision for income taxes
|
(29,709 | ) | (15,517 | ) | (16,955 | ) | ||||||
|
Income from continuing operations before equity in (loss)/earnings of affiliate
|
48,474 | 37,995 | 48,255 | |||||||||
|
Equity in (loss)/earnings of affiliate, net of taxes
|
(1,206 | ) | (5,512 | ) | 10,337 | |||||||
|
Income from continuing operations
|
47,268 | 32,483 | 58,592 | |||||||||
|
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
(1,014 | ) | 817 | - | ||||||||
|
Net income
|
$ | 46,254 | $ | 33,300 | $ | 58,592 | ||||||
|
Basic earnings per share allocated to Common Stock (see Note 1):
|
||||||||||||
|
Income from continuing operations
|
$ | 5.11 | $ | 3.52 | $ | 6.37 | ||||||
|
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
(.11 | ) | .09 | - | ||||||||
|
Net income
|
$ | 5.00 | $ | 3.61 | $ | 6.37 | ||||||
|
Diluted earnings per share allocated to Common Stock (see Note 1):
|
||||||||||||
|
Income from continuing operations
|
$ | 5.11 | $ | 3.52 | $ | 6.35 | ||||||
|
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
(.11 | ) | .09 | - | ||||||||
|
Net income
|
$ | 5.00 | $ | 3.61 | $ | 6.35 | ||||||
|
Weighted-average shares (basic)
|
9,205,439 | 9,166,558 | 9,124,557 | |||||||||
|
Weighted-average shares (diluted)
|
9,220,211 | 9,184,771 | 9,169,056 | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - ASSETS
|
As of November 30,
|
||||||||
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
2010
|
2009
|
||||||
|
ASSETS
|
||||||||
|
Current assets
|
||||||||
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$ | 236,737 | $ | 181,114 | ||||
|
Receivables, less allowances of $3,848 in 2010 and $5,351 in 2009
|
129,855 | 151,210 | ||||||
|
Inventories
|
69,381 | 62,700 | ||||||
|
Deferred income taxes
|
22,441 | 19,795 | ||||||
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
10,862 | 11,585 | ||||||
|
Total current assets
|
469,276 | 426,404 | ||||||
|
Investments
|
||||||||
|
Equity method affiliate
|
- | 30,626 | ||||||
|
Cost method affiliates
|
3,784 | 3,784 | ||||||
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
||||||||
|
Land
|
46,132 | 46,029 | ||||||
|
Buildings
|
103,438 | 100,583 | ||||||
|
Machinery and equipment
|
371,153 | 345,604 | ||||||
|
Construction in progress
|
31,048 | 32,306 | ||||||
|
Total property, plant and equipment at cost
|
551,771 | 524,522 | ||||||
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
(307,573 | ) | (286,014 | ) | ||||
|
Total property, plant and equipment, net
|
244,198 | 238,508 | ||||||
|
Deferred income taxes
|
11,289 | 14,321 | ||||||
|
Goodwill and intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,293 in 2010 and $1,257 in 2009
|
2,061 | 2,088 | ||||||
|
Other assets
|
50,961 | 46,818 | ||||||
|
Total assets
|
$ | 781,569 | $ | 762,549 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
As of November 30,
|
||||||||
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
2010
|
2009
|
||||||
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
|
Current liabilities
|
||||||||
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
$ | 7,724 | $ | 7,366 | ||||
|
Trade payables
|
49,881 | 44,052 | ||||||
|
Accrued liabilities
|
64,533 | 77,515 | ||||||
|
Income taxes payable
|
24,682 | 10,004 | ||||||
|
Total current liabilities
|
146,820 | 138,937 | ||||||
|
Long-term debt, less current portion
|
23,424 | 30,933 | ||||||
|
Deferred income taxes
|
2,691 | 1,710 | ||||||
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
100,667 | 99,379 | ||||||
|
Total liabilities
|
273,602 | 270,959 | ||||||
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
||||||||
|
Stockholders' equity
|
||||||||
|
Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share, authorized 24,000,000 shares, outstanding 9,249,105 shares in 2010 and 9,209,836 shares in 2009, net of treasury shares
|
30,047 | 29,920 | ||||||
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
60,986 | 59,531 | ||||||
|
Retained earnings
|
507,625 | 500,224 | ||||||
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
(33,663 | ) | (42,036 | ) | ||||
|
Treasury Stock (2,769,637 shares in 2010 and 2,758,356 shares in 2009)
|
(57,028 | ) | (56,049 | ) | ||||
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
507,967 | 491,590 | ||||||
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
$ | 781,569 | $ | 762,549 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
Common Stock
|
Accumulated
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Additional
|
Other
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Shares
|
Paid-in
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
Treasury
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
Outstanding
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
Earnings
|
Loss
|
Stock
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance, November 30, 2007
|
9,138,563 | $ | 29,623 | $ | 46,675 | $ | 430,925 | $ | (9,870 | ) | $ | (51,980 | ) | $ | 445,373 | |||||||||||||
|
Net Income - 2008
|
- | - | - | 58,592 | - | - | 58,592 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Exercise of stock options
|
28,750 | 72 | 348 | - | - | - | 420 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
- | - | - | - | (11,860 | ) | - | (11,860 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Defined benefit pension plans, net of tax
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Net prior service cost
|
- | - | - | - | (200 | ) | - | (200 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Net actuarial loss
|
- | - | - | - | (8,666 | ) | - | (8,666 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Forfeiture of restricted stock
|
- | - | 91 | - | - | (91 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Comprehensive loss from affiliate
|
- | - | - | - | (879 | ) | - | (879 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Cash dividends on Common Stock
|
- | - | - | (10,549 | ) | - | - | (10,549 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock options compensation expense
|
- | - | 76 | - | - | - | 76 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Issuance of restricted stock
|
44,200 | 110 | (110 | ) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation
|
- | - | 1,330 | - | - | - | 1,330 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Restricted stock compensation expense
|
- | - | 6,037 | - | - | - | 6,037 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Treasury stock purchase
|
(22,821 | ) | - | - | - | - | (2,554 | ) | (2,554 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance, November 30, 2008
|
9,188,692 | 29,805 | 54,447 | 478,968 | (31,475 | ) | (54,625 | ) | 477,120 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Net Income – 2009
|
- | - | - | 33,300 | - | - | 33,300 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
- | - | - | - | 18,557 | - | 18,557 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Defined benefit pension plans, net of tax
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Net prior service cost
|
- | - | - | - | 113 | - | 113 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Effect on retained earnings due to change in measurement date
|
- | - | - | (993 | ) | - | - | (993 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Net actuarial loss
|
- | - | - | - | (26,785 | ) | - | (26,785 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Forfeiture of restricted stock
|
(5,655 | ) | - | 432 | - | - | (432 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Comprehensive loss from affiliate
|
- | - | - | - | (2,446 | ) | - | (2,446 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Cash dividends on Common Stock
|
- | - | - | (11,051 | ) | - | - | (11,051 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock options compensation expense
|
- | - | 38 | - | - | - | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Issuance of restricted stock
|
46,200 | 115 | (115 | ) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation
|
- | - | 831 | - | - | - | 831 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Restricted stock compensation expense
|
- | - | 3,898 | - | - | - | 3,898 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Treasury stock purchase
|
(19,401 | ) | - | - | - | - | (992 | ) | (992 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance, November 30, 2009
|
9,209,836 | 29,920 | 59,531 | 500,224 | (42,036 | ) | (56,049 | ) | 491,590 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Net Income - 2010
|
- | - | - | 46,254 | - | - | 46,254 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Exercise of stock options
|
13,250 | 21 | 249 | - | - | 102 | 372 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
- | - | - | - | 3,551 | - | 3,551 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Defined benefit pension plans, net of tax
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Net prior service cost
|
- | - | - | - | 453 | - | 453 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Net actuarial loss
|
- | - | - | - | (102 | ) | - | (102 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Forfeiture of restricted stock
|
(6,000 | ) | (15 | ) | 15 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Reclassification adjustment upon sale of investment, net of tax
|
- | - | - | - | 4,471 | - | 4,471 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cash dividends on Common Stock
|
- | - | - | (38,853 | ) | - | - | (38,853 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock options compensation expense
|
- | - | 25 | - | - | - | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Issuance of restricted stock
|
48,300 | 121 | (121 | ) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tax deficiency related to stock-based compensation
|
- | - | (693 | ) | - | - | - | (693 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Restricted stock compensation expense
|
- | - | 1,980 | - | - | - | 1,980 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Treasury stock purchase
|
(16,281 | ) | - | - | - | - | (1,081 | ) | (1,081 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance, November 30, 2010
|
9,249,105 | $ | 30,047 | $ | 60,986 | $ | 507,625 | $ | (33,663 | ) | $ | (57,028 | ) | $ | 507,967 | |||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
Year ended November 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
(In thousands)
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||
|
Net income
|
$ | 46,254 | $ | 33,300 | $ | 58,592 | ||||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
3,551 | 18,557 | (11,860 | ) | ||||||||
|
Defined benefit pension plans, net of tax
|
||||||||||||
|
Net prior service cost
|
453 | 113 | (200 | ) | ||||||||
|
Net actuarial loss
|
(102 | ) | (26,785 | ) | (8,666 | ) | ||||||
|
Comprehensive gain/(loss) from affiliate, net of tax
|
- | (2,446 | ) | (879 | ) | |||||||
|
Reclassification adjustment upon sale of investment, net of tax
|
4,471 | - | - | |||||||||
|
Comprehensive income
|
$ | 54,627 | $ | 22,739 | $ | 36,987 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
Year ended November 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
(In thousands)
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||
|
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
||||||||||||
|
Net income
|
$ | 46,254 | $ | 33,300 | $ | 58,592 | ||||||
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
|
Depreciation
|
26,506 | 22,072 | 20,320 | |||||||||
|
Amortization
|
33 | 36 | 89 | |||||||||
|
(Benefit)/provision for deferred income taxes
|
(717 | ) | 13,334 | |||||||||