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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

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

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JUNE 27, 2004

Commission File Number 1-5761

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

LaBARGE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

DELAWARE

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

73-0574586

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

   

9900A CLAYTON ROAD, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63124

(Address of principal executive offices)

(ZIP Code)

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

(314) 997-0800

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

Common Stock, $.01 par value

American Stock Exchange

Title of Class

   

Name of each exchange on which registered

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

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

Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

Title of Class

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 requirement for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [_]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 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]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [_] No [ X].

As of June 27, 2004, 15,773,253 shares of common stock of the registrant were outstanding; the aggregate market value of the shares of common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates was approximately $74.6 million, based upon the closing price of the common stock on the American Stock Exchange on June 25, 2004.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain portions of the Company
's definitive proxy materials to be filed within 120 days after the Company's fiscal year are incorporated in Part III herein.

LaBarge, Inc.
 

Form 10-K
For The Year Ended June 27, 2004

 


Part I

 

 

Item 1.

Business Summary

Item 2.

Properties

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

Part II

 

 

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

Item 7.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7a.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Item 8.

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Auditing and Financial Disclosures

Item 9a.

Controls and Procedures

   

Part III

 

 

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

   

Part IV

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

   

Signatures

 

 

PART I

Forward-looking Statements
       This report contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events or our future financial performance. We have attempted to identify these statements by terminology including "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "seek," "goal," "may," "will," "should," "can," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements include statements about our market opportunity, our growth strategy, competition, expected activities, and the adequacy of our available cash resources. These statements may be found in the sections of this report entitled "Management
's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business." Readers are cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to the risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

       Actual results may differ from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including the following:

-

 

The Company's dependence on a few large customers;

-

 

The Company's dependence on government contracts, which are subject to cancellation;

-

 

The Company's ability to control costs, especially on fixed-price contracts;

-

 

The size and time of new contract awards to replace completed or expired contracts;

-

 

Cutbacks in defense spending by the U.S. Government;

-

 

Dependence of the Company on U.S. economic conditions and economic conditions in the markets the Company serves;

-

 

The Company's ability to integrate recently acquired businesses;

-

 

Availability and increases in the cost of raw materials, labor and other resources;

-

 

Increased competition in the Company's markets;

-

 

The Company's ability to manage operating expenses;

-

 

The outcome of litigation to which the Company is or may become a party; and

-

 

The availability, amount, type and cost of financing for the Company, any change to that financing, and an increase in the level of interest rates.

       Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company disclaims an obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS


General Development of Business and Information about Business Activity
LaBarge, Inc. ("LaBarge" or the "Company") is a Delaware corporation.

LaBarge manufactures and designs high-performance electronics and interconnect systems for customers in diverse technology-driven markets. The Company's core competencies are to provide complete electronic systems solutions, including the design, engineering and manufacturing of interconnect systems, circuit card assemblies and high-level assemblies for its customers' specialized applications.

The Company markets its services to customers desiring an engineering and manufacturing partner capable of developing and providing high-reliability electronic equipment, including products capable of performing in harsh environmental conditions, such as high and low temperature, severe shock and vibration. The Company serves customers in a variety of markets including defense, government systems, aerospace, natural resources, industrial and other commercial markets. The Company's engineering and manufacturing facilities are located in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania. The Company employs approximately 980 people including 15 sales personnel, 29 engineers and 50 technicians who provide direct customer support as needed, and 34 executive and corporate administrative support people.

On February 17, 2004, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Pinnacle Electronics LLC ("Pinnacle" or "the Pittsburgh operation"). The acquired assets supplement the Company's electronics manufacturing services ("EMS") business with a leased manufacturing location in metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, substantially enhancing the Company's commercial/industrial sales mix. Pinnacle's commercial/industrial market expertise, supported by a strong management team, supplements the Company's historic strength in the government/defense marketplace.

Pinnacle understands the unique characteristics of the commercial/industrial EMS market and has developed competencies and inventory management practices to maximize productivity and profitability. The Pittsburgh operation designs, engineers and manufactures printed circuit card assemblies, cables and harnesses, full "box-build" assemblies and electronic/electro-mechanical systems for customers in a variety of commercial/industrial markets. The Company believes there will be continued growth in these markets as the trend to outsource non-core-competency manufacturing continues.

The purchase price for the acquired assets was $43.1 million, which includes a post closing working capital adjustment of approximately $2.1 million, funded by senior bank debt and cash on hand. In addition, the Company assumed working capital liabilities of approximately $3.7 million, primarily trade accounts payable, and incurred transaction costs of approximately $0.3 million.

On August 7, 2003, the Company sold the remainder of its ScadaNET Network™ business for $225,000 cash. The Company recorded a $20,000 pretax gain on the transaction. This sale completed the Company's exit from the ScadaNET Network™ businesses.

Fiscal 2004 Company net sales were $131.5 million, compared with $102.9 million for fiscal 2003, and $117.2 million in fiscal 2002. The backlog for the Company at June 27, 2004 was $156.9 million, compared with $123.6 million at June 30, 2003, an increase of 27%. The Pinnacle acquisition increased backlog by $18.5 million, or 15%. The 12% growth in other backlog is the result of a sales and marketing effort that focuses on matching the Company's core competencies to the outsourcing needs of targeted large customers in a variety of industries. Approximately $41.0 million of the backlog at fiscal 2004 year end is scheduled to ship beyond the next 12 months pursuant to the shipment schedules contained in those contracts. This compares with $41.9 million at fiscal 2003 year end.

Sales and Marketing
During fiscal 2004, 48% of the Company's revenues were generated from defense customers, 14% from natural resource customers, 13% from industrial customers and 10% from customers in the government systems market. The Company produces electronic equipment for use in a variety of high-technology applications, including military communication and radar systems, military and commercial aircraft, satellites, space launch vehicles, down-hole instrumentation for oil and gas wells, and postal automation equipment. However, the Company's broad-based core competencies in electronics design and manufacturing allow it to pursue diverse opportunities with customers in many different markets. The diversification of the Company's customer base helps protect it from volatility in any one market sector.

With few exceptions, the Company's sales are made pursuant to fixed-price contracts. Larger, long-term government contracts generally have provisions for milestone or progress payments.

The Company seeks to develop strong, long-term relationships with its customers, which will provide the basis for future sales. These close relationships allow the Company to better understand each customer's business needs and identify ways to provide greater value to the customer.

Competition
There is intense competition for all of the Company's targeted customers. While the Company is not aware of another entity that competes in all of its capabilities, there are numerous companies, many larger, which compete in one or more of these capabilities. The Company's customers frequently have the ability to produce internally the products contracted to the Company, but because of cost, capacity, engineering capability or other reasons, outsource production of such products to the Company. The principal bases of competition are service, price, engineering expertise, technical and manufacturing capability, quality, reliability, and overall project management capability.

Concentration of Business
Three customers, each with multiple operating units, together accounted for in excess of 35% of the Company's consolidated sales in fiscal 2004: Northrop Grumman accounted for 17% of total sales; Schlumberger accounted for 10% of total sales; and Lockheed Martin accounted for 9% of total sales. No other customer accounted for more than 9% of total sales. Sales to the largest 10 customers represented approximately 73% of the Company's total sales in fiscal year 2004 and 82% in fiscal year 2003.

Manufacturing Operations
The Company has organized its engineering and production to provide flexible independent plant locations with specific design and manufacturing capabilities. This approach allows local management at each facility to concentrate the necessary attention on specific customer needs and, at the same time, control all key aspects of the engineering and manufacturing processes.

Strategy
The Company's business strategy is to serve as an outsourcing partner to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that do business in diverse markets by providing a package of broad-based manufacturing capabilities and value-added services. This strategy is designed around the Company's core competencies in manufacturing complex electronic assemblies, subsystems and interconnect systems for specialized applications where reliability is critical. The Company's business historically was concentrated in the defense and other government related markets. In recent years, that focus has broadened to include industrial and commercial customers. This greater diversity in markets served helps protect the Company from down turns in any one market.


Capital Structure
The Company entered into a senior secured loan agreement with a group of banks on February 17, 2004. The following is a summary of the agreement:

 *

 

A revolving credit facility up to $20.0 million, available for direct borrowings or letters of credit. The facility is based on a borrowing base formula equal to the sum of 85% of eligible receivables and 35% of eligible inventories. As of June 27, 2004, outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility were $7.1 million. Letters of credit outstanding were $1.9 million and $11.0 million was available. This credit facility matures on February 17, 2009.

    

   

 

 

 

 *

 

A $25.0 million term loan amortizing at a quarterly rate of $1.0 million, beginning May 2004, increasing to $1.25 million in May 2006 and increasing to $1.5 million in May 2007. Final maturity is February 2009. As of June 27, 2004, the outstanding balance was $24.0 million.

 

    

 

     

 

 *

 

On April 15, 2004, the Company entered into an Interest Rate Cap Agreement with a bank. This Agreement caps LIBOR at 4% for a period of three years on a notional amount beginning at $24.0 million and amortizing on a schedule that matches amortization of the $25.0 million term loan dated February 17, 2004.

 

   

 

     

 

 *

 

Interest on both loans is at a percentage of prime or a stated rate over LIBOR based on certain ratios. For the quarter ended June 27, 2004, the average rate was approximately 3.8%. For the year ended June 27, 2004, the average rate was approximately 3.4%.

 

    

 

     

 

 *

 

Both loans are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company other than real estate.

 

 

     

 *

 

Covenants and performance criteria consist of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") in relation to debt, EBITDA in relation to fixed charges, and minimum net worth. The Company is in compliance with its borrowing agreement covenants as of June 27, 2004.

 

    

 

     

 

Other Long-term Debt:
Mortgage Loan:
The Company has a $6.4 million term loan secured by the Company's headquarters building in St. Louis, Missouri. The loan repayment schedule is based on a 25-year amortization with a final balloon payment due in October 2009. The balance at June 27, 2004 was $6.0 million. Interest is at a percentage of prime or a stated rate over LIBOR based on certain ratios. For the quarter ended June 27, 2004, the average rate was approximately 2.1%


Industrial Revenue Bonds:
In July 1998, the Company acquired tax-exempt Industrial Revenue Bond financing in the amount of $1.3 million. The debt is payable over 10 years with an interest rate of 5.28%. This funding was used to expand the Berryville, Arkansas, facility. The outstanding balance at June 27, 2004 was $661,000.

The aggregate maturities of long-term obligations are as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

Fiscal Year

2005

............................................................... 

$

4,415

2006

............................................................... 

    

4,664

2007

............................................................... 

     

5,668

2008

............................................................... 

     

6,424

2009

............................................................... 

     

4,798

Thereafter

............................................................... 

     

4,716

    Total

............................................................... 

 $

30,685

Environmental Compliance
Compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws is not expected to materially affect the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company.


Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales
No information has been included hereunder because the Company's foreign sales in each of fiscal 2004, fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002 were less than 10% of the total Company revenue.

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES


The Company's principal facilities, which are deemed adequate and suitable for the Company's business, are as follows:


Location

    


Principal Use

 

Land
(acres)

 

Buildings
(sq. ft.)

 

Calendar Year of Termination of Lease

 

Berryville, AR

 

Manufacturing & Offices

   

17.5

   

52,000

   

Owned

 

     

Houston, TX

 

Manufacturing & Offices

 

2

 

33,000

 

2013

 
               

   

 

Huntsville, AR

 

Manufacturing & Offices

 

6

 

69,000

 

2019

 
               

    

 

Joplin, MO

 

Manufacturing & Offices

 

5

 

60,000

 

Owned

 
               

     

 

Joplin, MO

 

Manufacturing

 

4

 

33,000

 

2005

 
               

    

 

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Manufacturing & Offices

 

5

 

135,504

 

2005

 

            

   

                           

  

        

  

       

  

       

   

St. Louis, MO

 

Offices

 

8

 

65,176

 

Owned

 
               

    

 

Tulsa, OK

 

Manufacturing & Offices

 

3

 

55,000

  

2006

 
               

    

 

Tulsa, OK

 

Manufacturing

 

1

 

6,425

 

2006

 

                    

  

                              

 

      

  

             

  

                       

 

Tulsa, OK

 

Offices

 

.5

 

3,235

 

2005

 

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In March 2002, the Company entered into a contract with DNA Computing Solutions, Inc. ("DNA") to design and manufacture ruggedized circuit card assemblies. In October 2003, the Company filed a lawsuit against DNA for breach of contract seeking payment of unpaid invoices and lost profits. As of June 27, 2004, the amounts associated with this contract included in inventory total approximately $335,000. In addition, included in liabilities is a cash advance from DNA of approximately $295,000. It is the Company's position that it is entitled to keep the cash advance that would cover a portion of the inventory book value. In addition, the remaining inventory is marketable and the Company believes that it can recover the book value of the remaining inventory.

On November 10, 2003, the Company received notice that DNA had filed a counter claim, alleging that the Company had breached the contract and that DNA had suffered significant consequential damages in the form of lost business and lost profits of not less than $11.0 million.

After consultation with legal counsel, it is management's belief that the Company will recover its contract costs and DNA's counter claim will not prevail.

In March 2004, the Company received notice from the Library of Congress ("LOC") that seeks financial restitution in the amount of $1.8 million stemming from the Company's production of audiocassette machines during the period 1992 through 1996. The LOC claims the machines are defective. The Company advised the LOC that the machines were tested and certified by an independent laboratory, were manufactured to the requirements of the contract and the alleged failure could not be recreated under any usual and typical operating conditions. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position.

After consultation with legal counsel, it is management's belief that the LOC claim against the Company will not prevail.

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTER TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


There were no items submitted to a vote of the security holders in the quarter ended June 27, 2004.

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Reference is made to the information contained in the section entitled "Stock Price and Cash Dividends" on page 40 filed herewith.

The following table contains certain information as of June 27, 2004 with respect to options granted and outstanding under the Company's three stock option plans, shares available for purchase as of that date under the Company's employee stock purchase plan, weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights, and number of securities remaining available for future issuance under these plans.






Plan category

 



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

 




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

 


Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities
reflected in column 1)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 




1,645,374

 




$3.06

 




317,614

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


(Dollars In Thousands - Except Per Share Amounts)

                                   

Year Ended

                                   

June 27,
2004

  

June 29,
2003

 

June 30,
2002

 

July 1,
2001

 

July 2,
2000

 

Net sales

 

$

131,510

 

 

$

102,901

 

 

$

117,190

 

 

$

116,655

 

 

$

78,271

 

Pretax earnings (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

  

continuing operations

   

11,503

     

5,076

     

6,687

     

7,880

     

(32

)

Net earnings (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

  

continuing operations

   

6,971

     

3,319

     

4,361

     

5,000

     

(27

)

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operations, net of taxes

 

 

(114

)

 

 

(859

)

 

 

(431

 

 

(1,172

)

 

 

(1,231

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on disposal,

                                       

 

 

net of taxes

 

 

12

 

 

 

(212

)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

2,833

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

$

6,869

 

 

$

2,248

 

 

$

3,930

 

 

$

3,828

 

 

$

1,575

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings from

                                       

  

continuing operations

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.29

 

 

$

0.34

 

 

$

---

 

Net loss from

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

discontinued operations

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.08

)

   

0.11

 

Basic net earnings

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.11

 

                                

                                 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings from

                                       
 

continuing operations

 

$

0.45 

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.28

 

 

$

0.34

 

 

$

---

 

Net earnings (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

discontinued operations

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.08

)

   

0.11

 

Diluted net earnings

 

$

0.44

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.11

 

Total assets

 

$

117,980

 

 

$

67,162

 

 

$

68,206

 

 

$

67,538

 

 

$

68,733

 

Long-term debt

 

 

26,270

 

 

 

6,669

 

 

 

7,047

 

 

 

13,121

 

 

 

15,025

 


ITEM 7.

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


Reference is made to the information contained in the section entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on pages 42 through 48 herewith.

ITEM7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Foreign Currency Risk
No information has been included hereunder because the Company's foreign sales in each of fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002 were less than 10% of total Company revenue. All foreign contracts are paid in U.S. dollars and the Company is not significantly exposed to foreign currency translation. However, if the significance of foreign sales grows, management will continue to monitor whether it would be appropriate to use foreign currency risk management instruments to mitigate any exposures.

Interest Rate Risk
As of June 27, 2004, the Company had $37.7 million in total debt. Industrial revenue bonds totaling $661,000 have a fixed rate and are not subject to interest rate risk. The interest rate on the remaining $37.1 million is subject to fluctuation. The additional interest cost to the Company if interest rates increased 1% would be approximately $371,000 for one year. On April 15, 2004, the Company entered into an Interest Rate Cap Agreement with a bank. This agreement caps LIBOR at 4% for a period of three years on a notional amount beginning at $24.0 million and amortizing on a schedule that matches amortization of the $25.0 million term loan dated February 17, 2004. At June 27, 2004, the unamortized balance of the fee paid under the Interest Rate Cap Agreement was $175,000.

 

ITEM 8.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Reference is made to the "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules" contained on page 17 filed herewith.

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON AUDITING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's Chief Executive Officer and President, and the Company's Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, have evaluated the design and effectiveness the Company's internal controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures systems are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the Company can meet its disclosure obligations. The Company's disclosure controls system is based upon a chain of financial and general business reporting lines that converge in the headquarters of the Company in St. Louis, Missouri. The reporting process is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files with or submits to the Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms.

There were no significant changes in internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect these controls.

PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

This information will be included in the Company's definitive proxy materials to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year covered by this report and is incorporated by reference.

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


This information will be included in the Company's definitive proxy materials to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year covered by this report and is incorporated by reference.

ITEM 12.

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


This information will be included in the Company's definitive proxy materials to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year covered by this report and is incorporated by reference.

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS


This information will be included in the Company's definitive proxy materials to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year covered by this report and is incorporated by reference.

 

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES


This information will be included in the Company's definitive proxy materials to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year covered by this report and is incorporated by reference.

 

PART IV

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND
REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

    

 

  

See "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules" contained

     

on page 17.

b.

 

Reports on Form 8-K.

 

    

 

   

The following Current Reports on Form 8-K/A and Form 8-K were filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission during the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2004:

   

 

1.

 Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits - April 27, 2004

  

 

2.

 Financial information for LaBarge, Inc. for the quarter ended March 28, 2003 and forward- looking statements relating to fiscal 2004 as presented in a press release of
 April 29, 2004.

    

 

  

     

c.

 

Exhibits.

          

 

 

 

See "Exhibits" below.

d.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules.

 

   

 

    

See "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules"

EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number


Description

2.1

Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement dated as of February 17, 2004 by and between LaBarge Electronics, Inc. and Pinnacle Electronics, Inc. previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated October 26, 1995, previously filed as Exhibit 3.1(i) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1(a)

Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated November 7, 1997, previously filed as Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 28, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.2

By-Laws, as amended, previously filed as Exhibit 3.2(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference.

3.3

Certificate of Designations for Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, previously filed as Exhibit 3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A on September 11, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.

4.1(a)

Form of Rights Agreement dated as of November 8, 2001, between the Company and UMB Bank, as Rights Agent, which includes as Exhibit B the form of Rights Certificate, previously filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A on September 11, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.

4.1(b)

First Amendment to the Rights Agreement appointing Registrar and Transfer Company as successor Rights Agent with respect to Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, previously filed with Securities & Exchange Commission on Current Report Form 8-K, dated January 4, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.

10

First Amendment and Restatement to the LaBarge Employees Savings Plan executed on May 3, 1990 and First Amendment to the First Amendment and Restatement of the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan executed on June 5, 1990, previously filed as Exhibits (i) and (ii), respectively, to the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan's Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 1990 and incorporated herein by reference.

10(a)

Term Loan Promissory Note dated February 17, 2004 in the principal amount of $6,080,000 executed by LaBarge Properties, Inc. and payable to U.S. Bank National Association previously filed with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

10(b)

Loan Agreement dated February 17, 2004 by and among the Company, LaBarge Electronics, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association as agent previously filed with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

10(c)*

First Amendment to the Loan Agreement dated April 16, 2004, between U.S. Bank National Association, National City Bank of Pennsylvania and the Company filed herewith.

10.1(a)

Second Amendment to the First Amendment and Restatement of the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan executed on November 30, 1993. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission July 23, 1996 with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-08675 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1(b)

Third Amendment to the First Amendment and Restatement of the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan executed on March 24, 1994. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 1996 with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-08675 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1(c)

Fourth Amendment to the First Amendment and Restatement of the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan executed on January 3, 1995. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 1996 with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-08675 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1(d)

Fifth Amendment to the First Amendment and Restatement of the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan executed on October 26, 1995. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 1996 with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-08675 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1(e)

Sixth Amendment to the First Amendment and Restatement of the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan executed on January 9, 1998. Previously filed as Exhibit II, respectively, to the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan's Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1(f)

Seventh Amendment to the First Amendment and Restatement of the LaBarge, Inc. Employees Savings Plan executed on August 11, 1999. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Company Annual Report on Form 10-K on September 27, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference.
        

10.3

LaBarge, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 1996 with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-08675and incorporated herein by reference.

10.3(a)

First Amendment to the LaBarge, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 1996 with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-08675 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.4

Management Retirement Savings Plan of LaBarge, Inc. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 1996 with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-08675 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.7

LaBarge, Inc. 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K on September 19, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.10

LaBarge, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Company's definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on September 21, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.10(a)

First Amendment to the LaBarge, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 12, 1999 and incorporated here in by reference.

10.16

LaBarge, Inc. 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan. Previously filed with the Company's definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on October 8, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.17

Executive Severance Agreement dated November 8, 1999, between Donald H. Nonnenkamp and LaBarge, Inc., previously filed with Securities and Exchange Commission with the Company's Current Report on Form 10-K on September 22, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.20

Asset Purchase Agreement dated November 1, 2002, between G.E. Transportation Systems Global Signaling, LLC and the Company, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Current Report Form 8-K dated November 12, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.21

Manufacturing Agreement dated November 1, 2002, between G.E. Transportation Systems Global Signaling, LLC and the Company, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Current Report Form 8-K dated November 12, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.

Subsidiaries of the Company.

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

24

Power of Attorney (see signature page).

   

31.1*

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a - 14(a).

   

31.2*

Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a - 14(a).

   

32.1*

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a - 14(b).

32.2*

Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a - 14(b).


* Document filed herewith.

 

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

                   

                          

                      

     

 

Date:

     September 2, 2004

   

LaBarge, Inc.

                          

 
   

By:

/s/DONALD H. NONNENKAMP

     

Donald H. Nonnenkamp
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Craig E. LaBarge and Donald H. Nonnenkamp and each of them, and substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Report, any and all amendments to this Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, herby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereto.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

SIGNATURE

 

TITLE

 

DATE

             

  

             

  

                       

                       

 

             

  

                       

/s/Craig E. LaBarge

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

August 25, 2004

Craig E. LaBarge

 

                       

   

                       

 

                       

 

                       

                       

 

                       

 

                       

/s/Donald H. Nonnenkamp

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

August 25, 2004

Donald H. Nonnenkamp

 

and Secretary

   

                       

 

                       

 

                       

                       

 

                       

 

                       

/s/Robert H. Chapman

 

Director

 

August 25, 2004

Robert H. Chapman

  

           

  

      

                       

 

                       

 

                       

         

 

                       

 

                       

/s/Robert G. Clark

 

Director

 

August 25, 2004

Robert G. Clark

 

                       

   
   

                       

 

                       

                       

 

                       

 

                       

/s/John G. Helmkamp

 

Director

 

August 25, 2004

John G. Helmkamp, Jr.

 

                       

 

                       

 

 

                       

  

                       

                       

 

                       

 

                       

/s/Lawrence J. LeGrand

  

Director

 

August 25, 2004

Lawrence J. LeGrand

 

                       

   
   

                       

 

                       

                       

 

                       

 

                       

/s/James P. Shanahan

  

Director

 

August 25, 2004

James P. Shanahan, Jr.

 

                       

 

                       

 

  

                       

 

                       

                       

 

                       

 

                       

/s/Jack E. Thomas

 

Director

 

August 25, 2004

Jack E. Thomas, Jr.

 

                       

   


 

 

 

LABARGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

               
               

Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules

   

    Page

  

  

  

  

       

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

      18

 

Consolidated Statements of Income,

       
 

Years Ended June 27, 2004,
June 29, 2003 and June 30, 2002

         
       

      19

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets,

       
 

As of June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003

     

      20

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,

       
 

Years Ended June 27, 2004, June 29, 2003 and June 30, 2002

  

  

  


      21

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity,

     
 

Years Ended June 27, 2004, June 29, 2003
and June 30, 2002

       

 

   

      22

 

  

 

 

 

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

   23 - 41

 

 

 

  

 

 

          

All other schedules have been omitted as they are not applicable, not significant, or the required information is given in the consolidated financial statements or note thereto.

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     

      

       

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

of LaBarge, Inc.:

                 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of LaBarge, Inc. as of June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholder's equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 27, 2004. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements.

             

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

               

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of LaBarge, Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 27, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

         

        

 

/s/KPMG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri

August 5, 2004

 

 

LaBarge, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts In Thousands -- Except Per-Share Amounts)

Year Ended

                                            

 

June 27,
2004

 

June 29,
2003

 

June 30,
2002

                                    

 

  

            

    

    

            

    

    

          

    

Net sales

 

$

131,510

 

$

102,901

 

$

117,190

 
                   

Cost and expenses:

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 
 

 Cost of sales

 

101,138

 

 

82,053

 

 

95,239

 

 

 Selling and administrative expense

 

18,828

 

 

15,662

 

 

14,742

 
 

 Interest expense

 

718

 

 

820

 

 

1,144

 
 

 Other income, net

 

(677

)

 

(710

)

 

(622

)

Earnings from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 before income taxes

11,503

 

5,076

 

6,687

 

Income tax expense

   

4,532

   

1,757

   

2,326

 

Net earnings from continuing operations

 

 

6,971

 

 

3,319

 

 

4,361

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

               

  Loss from discontinued operations, (less

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    applicable income tax benefit of ($70, $519 and $263,
    respectively)

 


(114


)


(859


)


(431


)

Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations of $20,  $2,222 less applicable income tax expense of $8, and  $2,434, respectively

 



12

 



(212



)



- ---

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

6,869

 

$

2,248

 

$

3,930

 

                                     

                

 

 

 

 

          

Basic net earnings per common share:

 

               

Net earnings from continuing operations

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.29

 

Net loss from discontinued operations

   

(0.01

)

 

(0.07

)

 

(0.03

)

Basic net earnings

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.26

 

Average common shares outstanding

   

14,981

   

14,977

   

14,975

 

Diluted net earnings per share:

 

               

Net earnings from continuing operations

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.28

 

Net loss from discontinued operations

   

(0.01

)

 

(0.07

)

 

(0.02

)

Diluted net earnings

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.26

 

Average diluted common shares outstanding

   

15,552

   

15,101

   

15,404

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

LaBarge, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts In Thousands -- Except Share Amounts)

                                                                      

 

June 27,
2004

 

June 29,
2003

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

793

 

$

4,030

 

 

Accounts and other receivables, net

 

 

22,335

 

 

 15,653

 

 

Inventories

 

 

40,202

 

 

 25,743

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

854

 

 

 956

 

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

 

818

 

 

 637

 

 

Current assets of discontinued operations

   

---

   

215

 

Total current assets

 

 

65,002

 

 

47,234

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

18,910

 

 

 14,255

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

 

---

 

 

 299

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

3,881

 

 

 270

 

Goodwill, net

   

24,471

   

206

 

Other assets, net

 

 

5,694

 

 

 4,727

 

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

   

---

   

171

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

117,958

 

$

 67,162

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

 

$

7,050

 

$

 ---

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

4,415

 

 

 395

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

12,305

 

 

7,808

 

 

Accrued employee compensation

 

 

8,466

 

 

 5,930

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

2,567

 

 

3,419

 

 

Cash advances

   

8,864

   

4,208

 
 

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

   

---

   

66

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

43,667

 

 21,826

 

 

 

 

Long-term advances from customers for purchase of materials

 

 

5,370

 

 

 2,788

 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

   

67

   

---

 

Long-term debt

 

 

26,270

 

 

 6,669

 

                               

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

               

 

 

  

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 40,000,000 shares; 15,773,253 issued at June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003, respectively, including shares in treasury

 

 

158

 

 

 158

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

13,462

 

 

 13,486

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

31,853

 

 

 24,984

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

157

 

 

 ---

 
 

Less cost of common stock in treasury shares of 808,754 at June 27, 2004
 and 844,903 at June 29, 2003

 


(3,046


)

 
(2,749


)

                               

 

 

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

42,584

 

 

 35,879

 

                

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

117,958

 

$

 67,162

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

LaBarge, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts In Thousands)

                                                            

Year Ended

                                                                                         

 

June 27,
2004

 

June 29,
2003

 

June 30,
2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

6,869

 

$

2,248

 

$

3,930

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by operating  activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations

   

(20

)

 

(2,222

)

 

---

 

 

Taxes payable on gain from discontinued operations

                   

 

 (included in other accrued liabilities)

   

8

   

2,434

   

---

 

 

Net loss from discontinued operations

   

114

   

859

   

431

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

2,938

 

 

2,294

 

 

2,103

 

 

Gain on sale of investment

   

(224

)

 

---

   

---

 

 

Deferred Taxes

 

 

96

 

 

628

 

 

1,430

 

 

Other

 

 

(6

 

48

 

 

25

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

857

 

 

916

 

 

(351

 

 

Inventories

 

 

(7,551

 

 (3,488

 

657

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

192

 

 

 (419

 

170

 

   

Trade accounts payable

   

1,340

   

1,298

   

(3,093

)

 

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

1,183

 

 

740

 

 

1,550

 

   

Advance payments

   

7,238

   

2,253

   

188

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by continuing operations

 

 

13,034

 

 

7,589

 

 

7,040

 

Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations

   

2

   

(361

)

 

(414

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

   

13,036

   

7,228

   

6,626

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of Pinnacle

   

(43,348

)

 

---

   

---

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(2,743

)

 

(2,579

)

 

(2,833

)

 

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

   

7

   

14

   

---

 

 

Disposition of (additions to) other assets

 

 

(145

)

 

183

 

 

(130

)

 

Purchase of securities available-for-sale

   

(1,425

)

 

---

   

---

 
 

Proceeds of from sale of securities available-for-sale

   

830

   

---

   

---

 

 

Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations

 

 

225

 

 

 5,300

 

 

---

 

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

 

(46,599

 

 2,918

 

 

(2,963

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of long-term senior debt

 

 

25,000

 

 

 20

 

 

6,400

 

 

Repayments of long-term senior debt

 

 

(1,403

)

 

 (281

)

 

(8,351

)

 

Issuance of stock to employees

 

 

737

 

 

293

 

 

303

 

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(1,058

)

 

 (477

)

 

(231

)

 

Net change in short-term borrowings

 

 

7,050

 

 

 (2,583

 

83

 

 

Repayments of subordinated debt

   

---

   

(5,621

)

 

---

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

 

30,326

 

 

 (8,649

)

 

(1,796

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(3,237

)

 

1,497

 

 

1,867

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

4,030

 

 

 2,533

 

 

666

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

793

 

$

4,030

 

$

2,533

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

LaBarge, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Amounts In Thousands -- Except Share Amounts)

                             

 


Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Treasury Stock

 

 

 



Additional Paid-in Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Retained Earnings

 

Accumulated Other

 

 

 

 


Shares

 


Par Value

 

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)


Shares


Cost

 

Balance at July 1, 2001

15,773,253

 

$

158

 

$

13,569

 

$

18,806

 

$

(97

)

(812,176

)

$

(2,720

)

 

Net earnings

 

---

   

---

   

---

   

3,930

   

---

 

---

 

---

 
                                       

Change in fair value of interest rate hedge

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

(34

)

---

 

---

 

 

Issued for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

---

   

---

   

(47

)

 

---

   

---

 

87,163

 

290

 

 

Purchase of common stock to treasury

 

---

   

---

   

---

   

---

   

---

 

(74,130

)

(231

)

 

Exercise of stock options

 

---

   

---

   

(7

)

 

---

   

---

 

20,000

   

67

 

Balance at June 30, 2002

15,773,253

 

$

158

 

$

13,515

 

$

22,736

 

$

(131

)

(779,143

)

$

(2,594

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

2,248

 

 

---

 

---

 

---

 

 

Change in fair value of interest rate hedge

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

131

 

---

 

---

 

 

Issued for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

---

   

---

   

(21

)

 

---

   

---

 

87,640

 

289

 

 

Purchase of common stock to treasury

 

---

   

---

   

---

   

---

   

---

 

(163,400

)

(477

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options

---

---

(8

)

---

---

10,000

33

Balance at June 29, 2003

15,773,253

 

$

158

 

$

13,486

 

$

24,984

 

$

---

 

(844,903

)

$

(2,749

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

6,869

 

 

---

 

---

 

---

 

                                       

Change in fair value of securities
available for sale

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

 

157

 

---

 

---

 

 

Issued for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

---

   

---

   

67

 

 

---

   

---

 

57,337

 

194

 

           

 

   

 

    

   

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of common stock to treasury

 

---

   

---

   

---

   

---

   

---

 

(189,743

)

(1,058

)

 

Exercise of stock options

 

---

   

---

   

(91

)

 

---

   

---

 

168,555

   

567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 27, 2004

15,773,253

 

$

158

 

$

13,462

 

$

31,853

 

$

157

 

(808,754

)

$

(3,046

)


For the fiscal years ended June 27, 2004, June 29, 2003, and June 30, 2002, total comprehensive income was $7.0 million, $2.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively.


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

LaBarge, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

The Company designs, engineers and produces sophisticated electronic systems and devices and complex interconnect systems on a contract basis for its customers in diverse markets.

Our contract manufacturing capabilities are marketed to companies desiring an engineering and manufacturing partner capable of developing and providing high-reliability electronic equipment, including products capable of performing in harsh environmental conditions, such as high and low temperature, severe shock and vibration. The Company serves customers in the defense, aerospace, natural resources, industrial, and other commercial markets. The group's engineering and manufacturing facilities are located in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania.

On February 17, 2004, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Pinnacle Electronics LLC, a complimentary electronics manufacturing services business, for approximately $43.1 million.

On August 7, 2003, LaBarge, Inc. sold the non-railroad industry portion of its ScadaNET Network™ remote equipment monitoring businesses for $225,000. See Note 2, "Acquisitions, Discontinued Operations and Investments."

Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LaBarge, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Investments in less than 20%-owned companies are accounted for at cost.

Accounting Period
The Company uses a fiscal year ending the Sunday closest to June 30. Fiscal year 2004 consisted of 52 weeks, as did fiscal years 2003 and 2002.

Reclassifications of Prior Year Amounts
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition and Cost of Sales
Revenue is generally recognized on the percentage-of-completion method based upon the units delivered. The percentage-of-completion method gives effect to the most recent contract value and estimates of cost at completion. When appropriate, contract prices are adjusted for increased scope and other changes ordered or caused by the customer. When percentage-of-completion is not appropriate, the Company recognizes revenue when title transfers which is usually upon shipment.

Management's estimates of material, labor and overhead costs on long-term contracts are critical to the Company. Since some contracts extend over a long period of time, revisions in cost and contract price during the progress of work have the effect of adjusting current period earnings applicable to performance in prior periods. When the current contract cost estimate indicates a loss, provision is made for the total anticipated loss.

Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that management estimates are un-collectable. This estimated allowance is based primarily on management's evaluation of the financial condition of the Company's customers.

The Company does not believe that concentration of accounts receivable is a significant credit risk due to the financial strength of the account debtors and collection experience.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. If actual demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

The Company procures materials and manufactures products to customer requirements.

Raw materials are stated at the lower of cost or market as determined by the weighted average cost method.

Work in process consists of actual production costs, including factory overhead and tooling costs, reduced by costs attributable to units for which sales have been recognized. Such costs under contracts are determined by the average cost method based on the estimated average cost of all units expected to be produced under the contract. Amounts relating to long-term contracts are classified as current assets although a portion of these amounts is not expected to be realized within one year.

Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The Company has considered future taxable income analyses and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. Should the Company determine that it would not be able to recognize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the carrying value of the deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period in which such determination is made.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company has adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" and has reassessed the useful lives and residual values of all recorded intangible assets. Goodwill and other long-lived assets with indefinite useful lives are reviewed by management for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present, the determination of the amount of impairment is based on the Company's judgment as to the future operating cash flows to be generated from these assets throughout their estimated useful lives.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company considered the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, securities and other including, accounts receivable and accounts payable to approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.

The Company has considered amounts outstanding under the term loan, and the Industrial Revenue Bonds, and the Interest Rate Cap Agreement and determined that carrying amounts recorded on the financial statement are consistent with the estimated fair value as of June 27, 2004.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost and includes additions and improvement which extend the remaining useful life of the assets. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method.

Cash Equivalents
The Company considers cash equivalents to be temporary investments which are readily convertible to cash, such as certificates of deposit, commercial paper and treasury bills with original maturities of less than three months.

Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a contributory savings plan covering certain employees. The Company expenses all plan costs as incurred.

The Company offers a non-qualified deferred compensation program to certain key employees whereby they may defer a portion of their annual compensation for payment upon retirement plus a guaranteed return. The program is unfunded; however, the Company purchases Company-owned life insurance contracts through which the Company will recover a portion of its cost upon the death of the employee.

The Company also offers an employee stock purchase plan that allows any eligible employee to purchase common stock at the end of each quarter at 15% below the market price as of the first or last day of the quarter, whichever is lower.

Stock-Based Compensation
In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 148 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123," to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company previously adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. " Under APB No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, " no compensation expense is recognized for the Company
's stock option plans. The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and net earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation.

(dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)

                                          

Fiscal Year Ended

                                     

 

June 27,

 

 

June 29

   

June 30,

 
 

 

2004

   

2003

 

 

2002

 

Net earnings, as reported

 

$

6,869

 

 

$

2,248

 

 

$

3,930

 

Pro forma net earnings

   

6,574

 

   

2,134

     

3,751

 

Net earnings per share:

 

     

     

 

   

    

         

Basic -- as reported

 

 $

0.46

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.26

 

Basic -- pro forma

   

0.44

     

0.14

     

0.25

 

Diluted -- as reported

 

$

0.44

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.26

 

Diluted -- pro forma

   

0.42

     

0.14

     

0.24

 

The fair market value of stock options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for fiscal year 2004: risk-free interest rate of 3.3%; expected dividend yield of 0%; expected life of six years and, expected volatility of 49%.

The risk-free interest rate was 3.3% and 1.7% for fiscal years 2003 and 2002, respectively. The expected volatility was 48% and 77% for fiscal years 2003 and 2002, respectively, and the expected life of stock options for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002 was six years.

Options to purchase 59,275 shares (at a per-share price of $5.97 to $7.24) and 270,000 shares (at a per-share price of $3.03 to $7.24) were outstanding during the twelve months ended June 27, 2004, and June 29, 2003, respectively. These options amounts were not included in the respective computations of diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. These options expire in various periods through 2011.

 

2.

ACQUISITIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND INVESTMENTS


Acquisitions

On February 17, 2004, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Pinnacle Electronics LLC. The acquired assets supplement the Company's electronics manufacturing services ("EMS") business with a leased location in metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, adding substantial commercial/industrial sales to the Company's customer mix. Pinnacle's commercial/industrial market expertise, supported by a strong management team, supplements the Company's historic position in the government/defense marketplace.

Pinnacle understands the unique characteristics of the commercial/industrial EMS market and has developed competencies and inventory management practices to maximize productivity and profitability.

The Pittsburgh operation designs, engineers and manufactures printed circuit card assemblies, cables and harnesses, full "box-build" assemblies and electronic/electro-mechanical systems for customer applications in a variety of commercial/industrial markets. The Company believes there will be continued growth in these markets as the trend to outsource non-core-competency manufacturing continues.

The purchase price for the acquired assets was $43.1 million, which includes a post closing working capital adjustment of approximately $2.1 million, funded by senior bank debt and cash on hand. In addition, the Company assumed working capital liabilities of approximately $3.7 million, primarily trade accounts payable, and incurred transaction costs of approximately $0.3 million.

Under the purchase method of accounting, the initial purchase price is allocated to Pinnacle's net tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of the acquisition. The purchase price allocation as of February 17, 2004, is as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

   

                              

    

         At February 17, 2004

 

 

Current assets

$

14,611

               

 

Property and equipment

    

4,351

 

 

Intangible assets

 

3,800

 
 

Goodwill

 

24,268

 

 

    Total assets acquired

 

47,030

 

  

      

     

      

 
 

Current liabilities

 

3,678

 
 

Long-term liabilities

 

4

 

 

    Total liabilities assumed

 

3,682

 

 

           

 

                   

  

 

Net assets acquired

$

43,348

 

 

   

             

   

The Company believes that substantially all of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes. Intangible assets consist of $3.4 million of a "Customer List" asset which will be amortized over six years and $0.4 million of "Employee Non-Compete Contracts" assets which will be amortized over three and one half years.

The following table represents LaBarge's pro forma consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition of Pinnacle had occurred at the beginning of each period presented. Such results have been prepared by adjusting the historical LaBarge results to include Pinnacle results of operations and incremental interest and other expenses related to acquisition debt. The pro forma results do not include any cost savings that may result from the combination of LaBarge and Pinnacle operations. The pro forma results may not necessarily reflect the consolidated operations that would have existed had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of such periods nor are they necessarily indicative of future results.

(dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

             

             

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

     

       

June 27,

 

 

 

June 29,

    

 

           

2004

 

 

 

2003

 

 

Net sales

$

156,339

 

 

$

138,958

  

 

Net earnings

8,054

     

5,211

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$

0.54

 

 

$

0.35

  

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

0.52

     

0.35

 


Discontinued Operations
On August 7, 2003, the Company sold the remainder of its ScadaNET Network™ business for $225,000 cash. The Company recorded a $20,000 pretax gain on the transaction. This sale completes the Company's exit from the ScadaNET Network™ business. On November 1, 2002, LaBarge, Inc. sold the railroad industry portion of its ScadaNET Network™ remote equipment monitoring business to GE Transportation Systems Global Signaling, LLC ("GETS Global Signaling"), Grain Valley, Missouri. The ScadaNET Network remote equipment monitoring business had been operated as the Network Technologies Group.

The GETS Global Signaling sale was valued at approximately $6.8 million, including $5.3 million in cash and GETS Global Signaling's assumption of approximately $1.5 million in certain liabilities. The $5.3 million of cash includes $795,000 held in an escrow account against any claims GETS Global Signaling has for breaches of representations and warranties. One-third of the escrow was released on November 1, 2003. The Company expects the escrowed balance to be released in equal installments over the next two years on the anniversary date of the sale. The Company recognized a pretax gain of $2.2 million and a book tax expense of $(2.4 million), netting to a loss of $212,000.

(dollars in thousands)

                                                                 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

June 27,

  

June 29,

 

 

June 30,

 

     

2004

 

2003

   

2002

 

Railroad ScadaNET Network business

$

---

$

777

$

2,545

Other ScadaNET Network business

38

431

400

Net sales on discontinued operations

$

38

$

1,208

$

2,945

Railroad ScadaNET Network business

$

---

$

(4

)

$

125

Other ScadaNET Network business

(114

)

(855

)

(556

)

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

$

(114

)

$

(859

)

$

(431

)

 

3.

GROSS AND NET SALES


Gross and net sales consist of the following:

(dollars in thousands)

                                            

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

June 27,

 

June 29,

 

 

June 30,

 
     

2004

 

2003

   

2002

 

Gross sales

 

$

133,084

 

$

104,443

 

$

120,923

 

Less sales discounts

   

1,574

 

  

1,542

 

  

3,733

 

                                     

 

 

   

   

  

  

   

    

   

Net sales

 

$

131,510

 

$

102,901

 

$

117,190

 

The Company accepts sales discounts from a number of customers in the normal course of business.

Geographic Information
The Company has no sales offices or facilities outside of the United States. Sales for exports did not exceed 10% of total sales in any fiscal year.

Customers accounting for more than 10% of net sales for the years ended June 27, 2004, June 29, 2003 and June 30, 2002 were as follows:

Customer

 

  

2004

  

2003

 

 

2002

 

   1

 

   

17%

      

 

15%

 

 

19%

 

   2

 

  

10

   

14 

 

 

17 

 

   3

 

 

9

   

12 

   

14 

 


4.

ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Accounts and other receivables consist of the following:
(dollars in thousands)

                                              

  

June 27,

   

June 29,

 
   

2004

 

2003

 

Billed shipments, net of progress payments

$

22,376

 

$

15,324

 

Less allowance for doubtful accounts

  

369

   

100

 

Trade receivables, net

 

22,007

   

15,224

 

Other current receivables

 

328

   

429

 

                     

$

22,335

 

$

15,653

 


Progress payments are from customers in accordance with contractual terms for contract costs incurred to date. Such payments are credited to the customer at the time of shipment.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
This account represents amounts that may be uncollectible in future periods.

                   

 

  

Balance

 

 

Additions

 

 

               

 

 

Balance

  

     

Beginning

   

Charged to

         

End of

 

Year

   

of Period

   

Expense

   

Deductions

   

Period

 

2002

 

$

289

 

$

(83

)

$

92

 

$

114

 

2003

114

26

40

100

2004

100

296

27

369

 

5.

INVENTORIES


Inventories consist of the following:
(dollars in thousands)

                                  

  

June 27,

    

June 29,

 

   

2004

 

2003

 

Raw materials

$

28,453

         

$

15,618

        

Work in progress

 

11,749

   

10,275

 

   

40,202

   

25,893

 

Less progress payments

 

---

   

150

 

 

$

40,202

          

$

25,743

        

In accordance with contractual agreements, the U.S. Government has a security interest in inventories identified with contracts for which progress payments have been received.

For the fiscal years ended June 27, 2004, June 29, 2003 and June 30, 2002, expense for obsolete or slow moving inventory charged to income before income taxes was $776,000, $581,000 and $185,000, respectively.

 

6.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT


Property, plant and equipment is summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)

                                        

 

  

                          

  

      

  

 

Estimated

 

 

 

 

June27,

 

June 29,

   

useful life

 
     

2004

 

2003

   

in years

 

Land

 

$

2,458

        

$

2,458

     

 

-

 

Building and improvements

   

8,899

   

8,669

 

 

5-33

 

Leasehold improvements

   

3,155

 

 

2,923

   

2-10

 

Machinery and equipment

   

18,565

   

13,384

   

2-12

 

Furniture and fixtures

   

2,577

   

1,994

   

5-20

 

Computer equipment

   

3,002

   

2,528

   

3

 

Construction in progress

   

388

   

52

   

-

 

                       

   

39,044

   

32,008

       

Less accumulated depreciation

   

20,134

   

17,753

       

   

$

18,910

 

$

14,255

       

Depreciation expense was $2.4 million, $2.1 million and $1.9 million for the fiscal years ended June 27, 2004, June 29, 2003 and June 30, 2002, respectively.

7.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET


Intangible assets, net, are summarized as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

                              

  

June 27,

      

June 29,

  

   

2004

 

2003

 

Software

$

2,207

 

$

1,900

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

1,877

   

1,634

 

   

Net software

   

330

   

266

 

Customer list

  

     

3,400

   

---

 

Less accumulated amortization

   

207

   

---

 

   

Net customer list

 

3,193

   

---

 

Other, net

 

358

   

4

 

                

   

  

    

Total intangible assets, net

$

3,881

 

$

270

 

Intangibles are amortized over a three- to six-year period. Amortization expense was $508,000, $297,000 and $192,000 for the fiscal years ended June 27, 2004, June 29, 2003 and June 30, 2002, respectively.

The Company anticipates that amortization expense will approximate $995,000 for the fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007, $938,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $881,000 in fiscal year 2009.

 

8.

  

GOODWILL

Goodwill is summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)

                              

  

June 27,

      

June 29,

  

   

2004

 

2003

 

Goodwill

$

24,671

 

$

406

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

200

 

  

200

 

   

Net goodwill

$

24,471

 

$

206

 


The net present value of the cash flow of the operation to which the goodwill relates is sufficient to substantiate that there is no impairment to the value of goodwill. There was no impairment of goodwill at June 27, 2004.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the period ended June 27, 2004 are as follows:
(dollars in thousands)

 

Balance at June 29, 2003

$

206

      

  

Pinnacle acquisition

 

24,268

 
 

Other

  

(3

)

 

Balance at June 27, 2004

$

24,471

  

 

 

                    

 

  

  

  

  

 

9.

OTHER ASSETS

Other assets is summarized as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

                                                                              

  

June 27,

    

June 29,

  

   

2004

 

2003

 

Cash value of life insurance

$

3,576

 

$

3,551

 

Deposits, licenses and other, net

   

235

 

  

510

 

Securities held for sale

 

1,166

   

100

 

Restricted cash

 

265

   

530

 

Deferred financing costs, net

 

240

   

---

 

Other

 

212

   

36

 

                                           

$

5,694

 

$

4,727

 

Restricted cash refers to cash in an escrow account which is related to the sale of the railroad industry portion of the Company's ScadaNET Network™ remote equipment monitoring businesses to GE Transportation Systems Global Signaling, LLC. See Note 2, "Discontinued Operations."


In December 1999, the Company received 640,008 shares and options to acquire 5.2 million shares of Norwood Abbey Ltd. in partial settlement of a note receivable. At that time, Norwood Abbey Ltd. was a newly formed Australian company. These shares and options were valued at $100,000. Norwood Abbey was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in August 2000. Options to acquire 2.4 million shares expired, unexercised, due to the market price. During the quarter ended December 28, 2003, the Company exercised options for 2.0 million shares at a per-share price of 1.00 Australian dollars, or $0.70, totaling $1.4 million. During the year ended June 27, 2004, 850,000 shares were sold, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $225,000. The remaining 1.8 million shares are held as available-for-sale securities, and reported at fair value of $1.2 million, with the unrealized gain of $157,000 net of tax, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity.

The Company entered into a senior loan agreement on February 17, 2004. See Note 10. The Company incurred $264,000 of financing costs that have been deferred and will be amortized over a period beginning May 2004 and ending February 2009. At June 27, 2004, the unamortized amount was $240,000.

10.

SHORT- AND LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Short-term borrowings, long-term debt and the current maturities of long-term debt consist of the following:

(dollars in thousands)

                                                     

   

June 27,

 

June 29,

 
   

2004

 

2003

 

Short-term borrowings:

 

   

 

   

  

Revolving credit agreement:

           
 

Balance at year-end

$

7,050

 

$

---

 

   

Interest rate at year-end

 

4.2

%

 

---

%

 

Average amount of short-term borrowings

           

 

outstanding during period

$

2,150

 

$

256

 

 

Average interest rate for fiscal year

 

3.73

%

 

3.38

%

 

Maximum short-term borrowings at any month-end

$

7,050

 

$

2,389

 

Senior long-term debt:

           

   

Senior lender:

           
 

Term loan

$

24,000

 

$

---

 
 

Mortgage loan

 

5,995

      

 

6,251

 
 

Other

 

690

   

813

 

Total senior long-term debt

 

30,685

   

7,064

 

Less current maturities

 

4,415

   

395

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities

$

26,270

 

$

6,669

 


The average interest rate was computed by dividing the sum of daily interest costs by the sum of the daily borrowings for the respective periods.

Total cash payments for the interest in fiscal years 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $0.6 million, $0.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Senior Lender:

The Company entered into a senior secured loan agreement with a group of banks on February 17, 2004. The following is a summary of the agreement:

 *

 

A revolving credit facility up to $20.0 million, available for direct borrowings or letters of credit. The facility is based on a borrowing base formula equal to the sum of 85% of eligible receivables and 35% of eligible inventories. As of June 27, 2004, outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility were $7.1 million. Letters of credit outstanding were $1.9 million and $11.0 million was available. This credit facility matures on February 17, 2009.

 
       

 *

 

A $25.0 million term loan amortized beginning May 2004, at a quarterly rate of $1.0 million, increasing to $1.25 million in May 2006 and increasing to $1.5 million in May 2007. Final maturity is February 2009. As of June 27, 2004, the amount outstanding was $24.0 million.

 

    

 

     

 

 *

 

On April 15, 2004, the Company entered into an Interest Rate Cap Agreement with a bank. This Agreement caps LIBOR at 4% for a period of three years on a notional amount beginning at $24.0 million and amortizing on a schedule that matches amortization of the $25.0 million term loan dated February 17, 2004

 
   

                          

 

 *

 

Interest on both loans is at a percentage of prime or a stated rate over LIBOR based on certain ratios. For the quarter ended June 27, 2004, the average rate was approximately 3.8%. For the year ended June 27, 2004, the average rate was approximately 3.4%.

 
       

 *

 

Both loans are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company other than real estate.

 

 

 

                 

 

 *

 

Covenants and performance criteria consist of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") in relation to debt, EBITDA in relation to fixed charges, and minimum net worth. The Company is in compliance with its borrowing agreement covenants as of June 27, 2004.

 

    

 

 

        

Other Long-term Debt:
Mortgage Loan:
The Company has a $6.4 million term loan secured by the Company's headquarters building in St. Louis, Missouri. The loan repayment schedule is based on a 25-year amortization with a final balloon payment due in October 2009. The balance at June 27, 2004 was $6.0 million. Interest is at a percentage of prime or a stated rate over LIBOR based on certain ratios. For the quarter ended June 27, 2004, the average rate was approximately 2.1%


Industrial Revenue Bonds:
In July 1998, the Company acquired tax-exempt Industrial Revenue Bond financing in the amount of $1.3 million. The debt is payable over 10 years with an interest rate of 5.28%. This funding was used to expand the Berryville, Arkansas, facility. The outstanding balance at June 27, 2004 was $661,000.

The aggregate maturities of long-term obligations are as follows:
(dollars in thousands)

Fiscal Year

2005

............................................................... 

$

4,415

2006

............................................................... 

    

4,664

2007

............................................................... 

     

5,668

2008

............................................................... 

     

6,424

2009

............................................................... 

     

4,798

Thereafter

............................................................... 

     

4,716

    Total

............................................................... 

 $

30,685

Subordinated Convertible Notes:
In March 1999, the Company, through its subsidiary LaBarge-OCS, Inc., issued Subordinated Convertible Notes ("Notes") due June 2003 in the aggregate principal amount of $5.6 million for the acquisition of OCS. The Notes bore interest at 7.5% per annum payable quarterly. The Notes were convertible by the holders into LaBarge, Inc. common stock at $8.00 per share at any time up to their maturity date. In January 2003, $1.3 million of the Notes were repaid. In June 2003, the remaining $4.3 million of Notes were repaid.

11.

OPERATING LEASES

The Company operates certain of its manufacturing facilities in leased premises and with leased equipment under noncancellable operating lease agreements having an initial term of more than one year and expiring at various dates through 2019. The real property leases require the Company to pay maintenance, insurance and real estate taxes.

 

Rental expense under operating leases is as follows:
(dollars in thousands)

                                          

Fiscal Year Ended

                                        

 

 

June 27,

 

June 29,

   

June 30,

 
   

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

2002

 

Initial term of more than one year

 

$

1,754

 

$

1,791

 

$

1,851

  

Short-term rentals

   

288

 

 

345

 

 

250

 

       

 

$

2,042

 

$

2,136

 

$

2,101

 

At June 27, 2004, the future minimum lease payments under operating leases with initial noncancellable terms in excess of one year are as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

Fiscal Year

2005

.........................................................................

$

1,882

2006

.........................................................................

  

1,310

2007

.........................................................................

 

842

2008

.........................................................................

 

456

2009

.........................................................................

 

421


12.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS


The Company has a qualified contributory savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for employees meeting certain service requirements. The plan allows eligible employees to contribute up to 60% of their compensation, with the Company matching 50% of the first $25 per month and 25% of the excess on the first 8% of this contribution. During 2004, 2003 and 2002, Company matching contributions were $365,000, $358,000 and $385,000, respectively.

At the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Company may also make contributions dependent on profits each year for the benefit of all eligible employees under the plan. There were no such contributions for 2004, 2003 and 2002.

The Company has a deferred compensation plan for selected employees who, due to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, cannot take full advantage of the contributory savings plan. This plan, which is not required to be funded, allows eligible employees to defer portions of their current compensation and the Company guarantees an interest rate of between prime and prime plus 2%. To support the deferred compensation plan, the Company has elected to purchase Company-owned life insurance. The increase in the cash value of the life insurance policies exceeded the premiums paid by $78,000, $115,000 and $92,000 in fiscal years 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The cash surrender value of the Company-owned life insurance related to deferred compensation is included in other assets along with other policies owned by the Company, and was $1.3 million, at June 27, 2004, compared with $1.2 million at June 29, 2003. The liability for the deferred compensation and interest thereon is in acc rued employee compensation and was $2.6 million at June 27, 2004 versus $2.4 million at June 29, 2003.

The Company has an employee stock purchase plan that allows any eligible employee to purchase common stock at the end of each quarter at 15% below the market price as of the first or last day of the quarter, whichever is lower. In fiscal 2004, 57,337 shares were purchased in the amount of $261,000, of which the Company recognized expense of approximately $75,000. In fiscal 2003, 87,640 shares were purchased in the amount of $268,500, for which the Company recognized expense of approximately $36,000.

 

 

13.

OTHER INCOME, NET


The components of other income, net, are as follows:
(dollars in thousands)

                               

Fiscal Year Ended

     

June 27,

  

June 29,

 

  

June 30,

 

     

 

 

2004

 

2003

   

2002

 

Interest income

 

$

37

 

$

71

 

$

48

 

Property rental income

   

1,025

 

  

937

   

1,008

 

Property rental expense

   

(566

)

 

(592

)

 

(404

)

Other, net

 

  

181

   

294

 

  

(30

)

    

 

$

677

 

$

710

 

$

622

 

In fiscal 1998, the Company purchased its headquarters building in St. Louis, Missouri, and leases a significant portion of the facilities to third parties. Rental income represents rent receipts from these third parties.


In fiscal 2004 Other, net includes income of $225,000 relating to the sale of a portion of the Company's investment in Norwood Abbey. See Note 9. In fiscal 2003, Other, net includes income of $436,000, representing a return of premiums under a split-dollar insurance benefit program. In fiscal 2002, Other, net includes income recognized in connection with the sale of certain technology totaling $70,000.

14.

INCOME TAXES


Total income tax expense (benefit) was allocated as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

                                             

 

June 27,

  

 

June 29,

 

 

June 30,

 
 

 

2004

   

2003

 

 

2002

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Federal

 

$

3,619

 

 

$

1,391

 

 

$

519

 

 

State and Local

 

 

817

 

 

 

265

 

 

 

231

 

 

Total

 

$

4,436

 

 

$

1,656

 

 

$

750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Federal

 

$

79

 

 

$

92

 

 

$

1,377

 

 

State and Local

 

 

18

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

199

 

 

Total

 

$

96

 

 

$

101

 

 

$

1,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Federal

 

$

(66

 

$

(434

 

$

(219

 

State and Local

 

 

(4

 

 

(85

 

 

(44

 

Total

 

$

(70

 

$

(519

 

$

(263

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 34% as a result of the following:

(dollars in thousands)

                                                     

 

June 27,

   

June 29,

 

 

June 30,

 
   

2004

 

 

2003

   

2002

 

Computed "expected" tax expense

 

$

3,908

 

 

$

1,726

 

 

$

2,274

 

Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:

                       

 

Federal tax credit

 

 

(72

)

 

 

(76

)

 

 

(254

 

State and local tax

 

 

551

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

283

 

 

Other

   

145

     

(56

)

   

23

 

 

Total

 

$

4,532

 

 

$

1,757

 

 

$

2,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below:

(dollars in thousands)

                                                                  

    

June 27,

   

June 29,

 
   

2004

 

2003

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

   

 

 

  

Inventories due to additional costs inventoried

         

 

 

for tax purposes pursuant to the Tax Reform Act

 

      

   

     

 

of 1986 and inventory reserves

$

444

 

$

379

 

Deferred compensation

 

1,043

   

902

 

Other

 

324

   

228

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

$

1,811

 

$

1,509

 

    

   

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

   

  

  

     

Goodwill and intangibles, due to Pinnacle acquisition

$

(89

)

$

---

 

Property, plant and equipment, principally due to

           

 

differences in depreciation methods

 

(971

)

 

(573

)

       

    

 

   

  

 

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

$

(1,060

)

$

(573

)

  

    

   

  

  

  

 

Net deferred tax assets

$

751

 

$

936

 

A valuation allowance is provided, if necessary, to reduce the deferred tax assets to a level, which, more likely than not, will be realized. The net deferred tax assets reflect management's belief that it is more likely than not that the results of future operation will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets.

Total cash payments for federal and state income taxes were $3.4 million for fiscal 2004, $1.8 million for fiscal 2003, and $1.8 million for fiscal 2002.

 

15.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE


Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed as follows:

(amounts in thousands, except earnings per-share amounts)

                         

 

 

June 27,

   

June 29,

 

   

June 30,

 

   

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

2002

 

  

Net earnings from continuing operations

 

$

6,971

 

$

3,319

 

$

4,361

 

  

Net loss from discontinued operations

 

 

(114

)

 

(859

)

 

(431

)

  

Gain (loss) on disposal, net of tax

 

 

12

   

(212

)

 

---

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

6,869

 

$

2,248

 

$

3,930

 

     

 

Basic net earnings per share:

 

  

          

             

   

Net earnings from continuing operations

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.29

 

  

Net loss from discontinued operations

(0.01

)

(0.06

)

 

(0.03

)

 

Gain (loss) on disposal, net of tax

   

---

   

(0.01

)

 

---

 

 

Basic net earnings

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.26

 

     

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

   

 

  

      

 

  

    

 

 

Net earnings from continuing operations

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.28

 

  

Net loss from discontinued operations

 

 

(0.01

)

  

(0.06

)

 

(0.02

)

  

Gain (loss) on disposal, net of tax

 

 

---

   

(0.01

)

 

---

 

      

  

   

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.26

 

Basic earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options by using the treasury stock method.

(in thousands)

                                                     

 

June 27,

   

June 29,

 

 

June 30,

 

   

2004

 

 

2003

   

2002

 

Average common shares outstanding -- basic

 

 

14,981

 

 

 

14,977

 

 

 

14,975

 

Dilutive options

   

571

     

124

   

 

429

 

Adjusted average common shares

 

                   

 

 outstanding -- diluted

   

15,552

     

15,101

 

 

 

15,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.

STOCK OPTION PLANS


The Company has three stock option plans for key management personnel. Under the 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the Company was authorized to grant options for up to 300,000 shares of common stock. The 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan authorized 400,000 shares to be granted. The 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan authorized 1,520,000 shares to be granted.

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Number of
Shares
Exercisable

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted
Average
Fair Value
Granted
Option

Outstanding at July 1, 2001

 

1,233,588

 

$

2.96

   

308,651

$

4.20

       

     

   

 

                 

Canceled

 

(16,775

)

 

7.24

   

---

 

---

       

Granted

 

336,050

   

3.07

   

---

 

---

 

$

1.89

 

Exercised

 

(20,000

)

 

3.30

   

---

 

---

       

Outstanding at June 30, 2002

 

1,532,863

 

$

2.94

   

565,010

$

3.41

       
           

 

 

   

 

  

  

  

  

Canceled

 

(35,513

)

 

4.48

   

---

 

---

       

Granted

 

75,513

   

3.61

   

---

 

---

 

$

1.51

  

Exercised

 

(10,000

)

 

2.50

   

---

 

---

       

Outstanding at June 29, 2003

1,562,863

 

$

2.94

   

791,840

$

3.05

     
 

 

 

 

   

  

  

             

Canceled

 

(72,477

)

 

3.11

   

---

 

---

 

   

 

  

Granted

 

322,000

   

3.56

   

---

 

---

 

$

1.80

 

Exercised

 

(167,012

)

 

2.80

   

---

 

---

       

Outstanding at June 27, 2004

1,645,374

 

$

3.06

   

913,196

$

3.00

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding:

                                               

 

Outstanding Options

 

Exercisable Options

Range of Exercise Prices

 

Number Outstanding at
June 27, 2004

 

Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual Life
(In Years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Number Exercisable at June 27, 2004

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$2.50 - $3.76

 

1,521,586

 

5.76

 

$

2.83

 

804,921

 

$

2.60

 

$3.77 - $5.96

 

64,513

 

2.12

 

 

5.29

 

49,000

 

 

5.10

 

$5.97 - $7.24

 

59,275

 

2.15

 

 

6.69

 

59,275

 

 

6.69

 

$2.50 - $7.24

 

1,645,374

 

 

 

 

 

 

913,196

 

 

3.00

 


All stock options are granted at prices not less than fair market value of the common stock at the grant date. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provision of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for the stock option plans.

17.

LITIGATION AND CONTINGENICIES


In March 2002, the Company entered into a contract with DNA Computing Solutions, Inc. ("DNA") to design and manufacture ruggedized circuit card assemblies. In October 2003, the Company filed a lawsuit against DNA for breach of contract seeking payment of unpaid invoices and lost profits. As of June 27, 2004, the amounts associated with this contract included in inventory total approximately $335,000. In addition, included in liabilities is a cash advance from DNA of approximately $295,000. It is the Company's position that it is entitled to keep the cash advance that would cover a portion of the inventory book value. In addition, the remaining inventory is marketable and the Company feels that it can recover the book value of the remaining inventory.

On November 10, 2003, the Company received notice that DNA had filed a counter claim, alleging that the Company had breached the contract and that DNA had suffered significant consequential damages in the form of lost business and lost profits of not less than $11.0 million.

After consultation with legal counsel, it is management's belief that the Company will recover its contract costs and DNA's counter claim will not prevail.

In March 2004, the Company received notice from the Library of Congress ("LOC") that seeks financial restitution in the amount of $1.8 million stemming from the Company's production of audiocassette machines during the period 1992 through 1996. The LOC claims the machines are defective. The Company advised the LOC that the machines were tested and certified by an independent laboratory, were manufactured to the requirements of the contract and the alleged failure could not be recreated under any usual and typical operating conditions. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position.

After consultation with legal counsel, it is management's belief that the LOC claim against the Company will not prevail.

 

 

 

18.

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)


Summarized quarterly financial data is set forth below:

(dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)

                                              

 

September 28,

 

December 28,

 

March 28,

 

June 27,

FY2004

 

2003

 

2003

 

2004

 

2004

Net sales

 

$

29,743

 

 

$

29,070

 

 

$

31,787

 

 

$

40,910

 

Cost of sales

 

 

22,899

 

 

 

22,568

 

 

 

24,437

 

 

 

31,234

 

Selling and administrative expense

 

 

4,698

 

 

 

4,352

 

 

 

4,442

 

 

 

5,336

 

Interest expense

 

 

50

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

192

 

 

 

427

 

Other (income) expense, net

   

(116

)

   

(176

)

   

(228

)

   

(158

)

Net earnings before income taxes

 

 

2,212

 

 

 

2,276

 

 

 

2,944

 

 

 

4,071

 

Income tax expense

   

841

     

872

     

1,249

     

1,570

 

Net earnings from continuing operations

   

1,371

     

1,404

     


1,695

     


2,501

 

Discontinued operations:

                               

  Loss from discontinued operations

   

(114

)

   

---

     

---

     

---

 

  Disposal of discontinued operations

   

12

     

---

     

---

     

---

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

1,269

   

$

1,404

   

$

1,695

   

$

2,501

 

Basic net earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Net earnings from continuing    operations

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.11

 

 

$

0.17

 

  Net earnings from discontinued  operations

   


(0.01

)

   


- ---

     


- ---

     


- ---

 

   

Basic net earnings

 

$

0.08

   

$

0.09

   

$

0.11

   

$

0.17

  

Average common shares outstanding

 

 

14,949

 

 

 

15,026

 

 

 

14,985

 

 

 

14,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

   

 

 

 

   

 

  Net earnings from continuing    operations

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.11

 

 

$

0.16

 

  Net earnings from discontinued  operations

   


(0.01

)

   


- ---

     


- ---

     

---

 

   

Diluted net earnings

 

$

0.08

   

$

0.09

   

$

0.11

   

$

0.16

 

Average diluted common shares outstanding

   


15,328

     


15,581

     


15,556

     


15,660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pinnacle was acquired in the quarter ended March 28, 2004. See Note 2.

 

 

 

 

 

18.

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

(continued)

                                              

 

September 29,

 

December 29,

 

March 30,

 

June 29,

FY2003

 

2002

 

2002

 

2003

 

2003

Net sales

 

$

23,070

 

 

$

 24,302

 

 

$

 25,794

 

 

$

 29,735

 

Cost of sales

 

 

18,511

 

 

 

 19,633

 

 

 

 20,447

 

 

 

 23,462

 

Selling and administrative expense

 

 

3,965

 

 

 

 3,916

 

 

 

 3,660

 

 

 

 4,121

 

Interest expense

 

 

 223

 

 

 

 202

 

 

 

 197

 

 

 

 198

 

Other (income) expense, net

   

(48

)

   

(580

)

   

(37

)

   

(45

)

Net earnings before income taxes

 

 

419

 

 

 

 1,131

 

 

 

 1,527

 

 

 

 1,999

 

Income tax expense

   

162

     

355

     

535

     

705

 

Net earnings from continuing
operations

   


257

     


776

     


992

     


1,294

 

Discontinued operations:

                               

  Loss from discontinued operations

   

(174

)

   

(181

)

   

(276

)

   

(228

)

  Loss on disposal of

                               
 

discontinued operations

   

---

     

(212

)

   

---

     

---

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

83

   

$

383

   

$

716

   

$

1,066

 

Basic net earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Net earnings from continuing
   operations

 

$

0.02

 

 

$

 0.05

 

 

$

 0.07

 

 

$

 0.09

 

  Net loss from discontinued
 operations

   


(0.01

)

   


(0.02

)

   


(0.02

)

   


(0.02

)

 

Basic net earnings

 

$

0.01

   

$

0.03

   

$

0.05

   

$

0.07

 

Average common shares outstanding

 

 

15,015

 

 

 

15,017

 

 

 

14,950

 

 

 

14,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

                               

  Net earnings from continuing    operations

 

$

 0.02

 

 

$

 0.05

 

 

$

 0.07

 

 

$

 0.09

 

  Net loss from discontinued operations

   


(0.01

)

   


(0.02

)

   


(0.02

)

   

(0.02

)

   

Diluted net earnings

 

$

0.01

   

$

0.03

   

$

0.05

 

 

$

0.07

 

Average diluted common shares outstanding

   


15,272

 

 

 


15,199

 

 

 


15,053

 

 

 


15,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

LaBarge, Inc.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars In Thousands -- Except Per-Share Amounts)

                                   

Year Ended

                                   

June 27,
2004

  

June 29,
2003

 

June 30,
2002

 

July 1,
2001

 

July 2,
2000

 

Net sales

 

$

131,510

 

 

$

102,901

 

 

$

117,190

 

 

$

116,655

 

 

$

78,271

 

Pretax earnings (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

  

continuing operations

   

11,503

     

5,076

     

6,687

     

7,880

     

(32

)

Net earnings (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

  

continuing operations

   

6,971

     

3,319

     

4,361

     

5,000

     

(27

)

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operations, net of taxes

 

 

(114

)

 

 

(859

)

 

 

(431

 

 

(1,172

)

 

 

(1,231

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on disposal,

                                       

 

 

net of taxes

 

 

12

 

 

 

(212

)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

2,833

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

$

6,869

 

 

$

2,248

 

 

$

3,930

 

 

$

3,828

 

 

$

1,575

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings from

                                       

  

continuing operations

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.29

 

 

$

0.34

 

 

$

---

 

Net loss from

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

discontinued operations

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.08

)

   

0.11

 

Basic net earnings

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.11

 

                                

                                 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings from

                                       

 

continuing operations

 

$

0.45 

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.28

 

 

$

0.34

 

 

$

---

 

Net earnings (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

discontinued operations

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.08

)

   

0.11

 

Diluted net earnings

 

$

0.44

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.11

 

Total assets

 

$

117,980

 

 

$

67,162

 

 

$

68,206

 

 

$

67,538

 

 

$

68,733

 

Long-term debt

 

 

26,270

 

 

 

6,669

 

 

 

7,047

 

 

 

13,121

 

 

 

15,025

 


Certain events occurring during the above reporting periods involving acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and deferred tax valuation adjustments affect the comparability of financial data presented on a year-to-year basis. No cash dividends have been paid during the aforementioned periods.

The disposal of the Company's interest in LaBarge Clayco Wireless in fiscal year 2000 was reported as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the operating results of LaBarge Clayco Wireless in fiscal year 2000 are reported as discontinued operations. The Company's interest in the Network Technologies Group was reported as a discontinued operation (see Note 2). Accordingly, the operating results of Network Technologies Group for fiscal years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are reported as discontinued operations.

The Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Pinnacle Electronics, LLC in fiscal year 2004. See Note 2 to the financial statements.

 

The results of discontinued operations, net of taxes is divided between LaBarge Clayco Wireless and Network Technologies Group as follows:

                                            

 

Year Ended

                                            

June 27,
2004

June 29,
2003

June 30,
2002

July 1,
2001

July 2,
2000

LaBarge Clayco Wireless

 

$

---

 

 

$

---

 

 

$

---

 

 

$

---

 

 

$

293

 

Network Technologies Group

   

(114

)

   

(859

)

   

(431

)

   

(1,172

)

   

(1,524

)

                                    

 

$

(114

)

 

$

(859

)

 

$

(431

)

 

$

(1,172

)

 

$

(1,231

)

                                         

Stock Price and Cash Dividends: LaBarge, Inc.'s Common Stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange, under the trading symbol of LB. As of August 30, 2004, there were approximately 2,680 holders of record of LaBarge, Inc.'s Common Stock. The following table indicates the quarterly high and low closing prices for the stock for the fiscal years 2004 and 2003, as reported by the American Stock Exchange.

2003-2004

High

Low

July - September

$5.20

    

$3.48

 

October - December

6.39

 

4.79

 

January - March

7.23

 

5.05

    

April - June

9.23

 

6.85

 

                                                           

             

             

2002-2003

High

Low

July - September

$4.00

$2.80

    

October - December

3.32

 

2.60

 

January - March

3.04

 

2.54

 

April - June

3.60

 

2.69

 

The Company has paid no cash dividends on its common stock.

LaBarge, Inc.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Forward-looking Statements
       This report contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events or our future financial performance. We have attempted to identify these statements by terminology including "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "seek," "goal," "may," "will," "should," "can," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements include statements about our market opportunity, our growth strategy, competition, expected activities, and the adequacy of our available cash resources. These statements may be found in the sections of this report entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business." Readers are cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause o ur or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to the risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

       Actual results may differ from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including the following:

-

 

The Company's dependence on a few large customers;

-

 

The Company's dependence on government contracts, which are subject to cancellation;

-

 

The Company's ability to control costs, especially on fixed-price contracts;

-

 

The size and time of new contract awards to replace completed or expired contracts;

-

 

Cutbacks in defense spending by the U.S. Government;

-

 

Dependence of the Company on U.S. economic conditions and economic conditions in the markets the Company serves;

-

 

The Company's ability to integrate recently acquired businesses;

-

 

Availability and increases in the cost of raw materials, labor and other resources;

-

 

Increased competition in the Company's markets;

-

 

The Company's ability to manage operating expenses;

-

 

The outcome of litigation to which the Company is or may become a party; and

-

 

The availability, amount, type and cost of financing for the Company, any change to that financing, and an increase in the level of interest rates.

       Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company disclaims an obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

Overview

LaBarge, Inc. ("LaBarge or the "Company") is a Delaware corporation.

The Company's electronics manufacturing services ("EMS") business has been its principal business since 1985. The Company designs, engineers and produces sophisticated electronic systems and devices, and complex interconnect systems on a contract basis for its customers. The Company markets its services to companies in technology-driven industries desiring an engineering and manufacturing partner capable of developing and providing high-reliability electronic equipment, including products capable of performing in harsh environmental conditions, such as high and low temperature, and severe shock and vibration. Customers are served in a variety of markets with significant revenues from customers in the defense, government systems, aerospace, natural resources, industrial, and other commercial markets. Engineering and manufacturing facilities are located in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania. During fiscal years 2003 and 2004, the Company exited its ScadaNET Network™ businesses.< /P>

On February 17, 2004, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Pinnacle Electronics LLC. The acquired assets supplement the Company's electronics manufacturing services business with a leased location in metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, adding substantial commercial/industrial sales to the Company's customer mix. Pinnacle's commercial/industrial market expertise, supported by a strong management team, supplements the Company's historic position in the government/defense marketplace.

Pinnacle understands the unique characteristics of the commercial/industrial EMS market and has developed competencies and inventory management practices to maximize productivity and profitability.

The Pittsburgh operation designs, engineers and manufactures printed circuit card assemblies, cables and harnesses, full "box-build" assemblies and electronic/electro-mechanical systems for customers in a variety of commercial/industrial markets. The Company believes there will be continued growth in these markets as the trend to outsource non-core-competency manufacturing continues.

The purchase price for the acquired assets was $43.1 million, which includes a post closing working capital adjustment of approximately $2.1 million, funded by senior bank debt and cash on hand. In addition, the Company assumed working capital liabilities of approximately $3.7 million, primarily trade accounts payable, and incurred estimated transaction costs of $0.3 million. The purchase price allocation includes $3.4 million of amortizable intangibles.


Results of Operations - Fiscal 2004 - 2003 - 2002

Net Sales
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

                     

Change

 

2004 vs. 2003

2004

2003

 

2002

Net sales

27.8

%

 

$

131,510

 

 

$

102,901

 

 

$

117,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The primary contributor to the increase in sales in fiscal 2004 was (i) the Pinnacle acquisition which contributed $17.6 million to sales, and (ii) shipments to defense customers reporting sales of $62.6 million versus $50.1 million in 2003, and $45.5 million in 2002. During the current year, LaBarge provided cables and electronic assemblies for a variety of defense applications including aircraft, radar systems and shipboard programs. In addition, shipments of capital equipment to natural resources customers including downhole tools and industrial mining equipment represented $18.6 million of sales versus $16.9 million in 2003 and $24.5 million in 2002.

Sales to the Company's 10 largest customers represented 73% of total revenue in fiscal 2004 versus 82% in fiscal 2003 and 75% in fiscal 2002. The Company's top three customers for fiscal 2004 and the portion of total sales they represented were as follows: Northrop Grumman Corporation, 17%; Schlumberger, 10%; and Lockheed Martin Corporation, 9%.


Sales declined from 2002 to 2003 primarily as a result of: (i) the completion in March 2002 of a large contract for postal sorting equipment that contributed $21.4 million in sales in fiscal 2002; and (ii) a $7.6 million reduction in natural resources industry sales attributable to weak economic conditions. These declines were partially offset by an increase of $8.4 million in airport security equipment sales and a $4.1 million increase in defense sales.

The backlog for the Company at June 27, 2004 was $156.9 million, compared with $123.6 million at June 30, 2003, an increase of 27%. The Pinnacle acquisition increased backlog by $18.5 million, or 15%. The balance of the growth in backlog is the result of a sales and marketing effort that focuses on matching the Company's core competencies and the application of those competencies to the outsourcing needs of targeted large customers in a variety of industries. Approximately $41.0 million of the backlog at fiscal 2004 year end is scheduled to ship beyond the next 12 months pursuant to the shipment schedules contained in those contracts. This compares with $41.9 million at fiscal 2003 year end.

Recent strengthening in the defense, natural resource and industrial markets plus the Company's record backlog at June 27, 2004, contribute to the Company's expectation for higher sales in fiscal 2005.

Gross Profit
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

                          

Change

 

        

 

      

 

    

2004 vs. 2003

2004

 

2003

2002

Gross profit

$9,524

 

 

$

30,372

 

 

$

20,848

 

 

$

21,951

 

Gross margin

2.8

%

   

23.1

%

   

20.3

%

   

18.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

The improvement in gross profit percentage over the last two fiscal years is primarily the result of leveraging our overhead cost structure as sales have grown. Approximately one third of consolidated sales is booked and shipped within the same fiscal year. The balance of the year's sales is shipped from the prior year's ending backlog. The Company bids each new contract at a unique margin determined by expected costs and competitive factors. As a result, the Company expects that margins will fluctuate. The Company's total gross margin generally runs in a range of approximately 19-24%. It is our expectation that range will continue in the near future. The newly acquired Pittsburgh operation added $3.8 million of gross profit to fiscal 2004, at gross margins equivalent to those reported for the Company as a whole. The Company defines gross profit as net sales less cost of sales.

Fiscal 2003 gross margin percentage improved over 2002, primarily as a result of favorable contract mix and the absence of the $925,000 charge resulting from a change in an estimate on certain long-running customer contracts in fiscal 2002.

Selling and Administrative Expense
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

Change

2004 vs. 2003

2004

2003

2002

Selling and administrative expenses


$3,166

 

 

$

18,828

 

 

$

15,662

 

 

$

14,742

 

Percent of sales

(0.9

)%

   

14.3

%

   

15.2

%

   

12.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expense increased over prior periods primarily as a result of $1.5 million in higher accrued compensation costs due to significantly improved performance in fiscal 2004, and the addition of the Pittsburgh operation, which accounted for $1.0 million. As a percent of sales, selling and administrative expenses declined on higher sales volume in fiscal 2004.

The increase in selling and administrative expenses in fiscal 2003 over fiscal 2002 was the result of higher commission expenses of approximately $360,000, relating to specific contracts subject to commissions. Also higher medical and general insurance costs totaling approximately $330,000 contributed to the increase in these expenses in fiscal 2003 over fiscal 2002.

Interest Expense
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

                        

Change

             

               

         

2004 vs. 2003

2004

2003

2002

Interest expense

$(102

)

 

$

718

 

 

$

820

 

 

$

1,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Interest expense decreased in fiscal 2004 from prior years due to lower average debt levels. Fiscal 2004 interest expense was significantly impacted by the repayment of $5.6 million of 7.5% subordinated notes during fiscal 2003 and the borrowing of approximately $30.0 million to fund the acquisition of Pinnacle Electronics in February 2004.

Interest expense declined in fiscal 2003 as compared with fiscal 2002 due to lower average debt levels and lower interest rates.

Pretax Earnings from Continuing Operations
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

                              

Change

            

 

             

             

2004 vs. 2003

2004

2003

2002

Pretax earnings

$6,427

 

 

$

11,503

 

 

$

5,076

 

 

$

6,687

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Comparing fiscal 2004 with fiscal 2003, the more than doubling of pretax earnings from continuing operations is attributable to: 1) a $9.5 million increase in gross profit on a 27.8% increase in net sales, and 2) a $100,000 decline in interest expense, offset by 3) a $3.1 million increase in selling and administrative expenses.

Comparing fiscal 2003 with fiscal 2002, the $1.6 million decline in pre-tax earnings from continuing operations is attributable to: 1) a $1.1 million decline in gross profit on lower sales volume; 2) a $900,000 increase in selling and administrative expense; 3) a $324,000 decline in interest expense; and 4) $436,000 of other income representing the return of premiums under a split-dollar insurance benefit program.

Tax Expense from Continuing Operations
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

Change

          

            

              

2004 vs. 2003

2004

2003

2002

Tax expense from continuing operations

$2,775

 

 

$

4,532

 

 

$

1,757

 

 

$

2,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2004 was 39%, compared with 35% in fiscal years 2003 and 2002. The newly acquired Pittsburgh operation raised effective tax rates due to the 10% maximum statutory rates in Pennsylvania. In addition, lower rates in fiscal 2003 were the result of receipt of $436,000 of non-taxable return of premium under a split-dollar insurance benefit program.

Fiscal 2003 tax expense was also impacted by lower pretax earnings, when compared to fiscal 2002.

Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
(dollars in thousands)

                                                     

 

  

Fiscal Year Ended

 

   

   

2004

 

2003

 

 

2002

 

Loss from discontinued operations,

   

                 

 

 

             

 

 

 

        

 (less applicable income tax benefit of $70,
 $519 and $263, respectively)

 


$


(114


)


$


(859


)


$


(431


)

Income on disposal of discontinued

             

 

   

 operations of $20 and $2,222 (less applicable

                   

 income tax expense of $8 and $2,434)

 

$

12

 

$

(212

)

$

---

 

Discontinued operations arose from the sale of the non-railroad ScadaNET Network™ remote equipment monitoring business in August 2003 and the sale of the railroad industry portion of the ScadaNET Network businesses in November 2002. See Note 2, "Discontinued Operations. "

 

Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share
(dollars in thousands, except per-share data)

                                             

 

  

Fiscal Year Ended

 

     

2004

 

2003

   

2002

 

Net earnings

 

$

6,869

 

$

2,248

 

$

3,930

 

                 

Basic net earnings per share:

                   
 

Net earnings from continuing operations

   

0.47

   

0.22

   

0.29

 
 

Loss from discontinued operations

   

(0.01

)

 

(0.07

)

 

(0.03

)

  

Basic net earnings

$

0.46

$

0.15

$

0.26

Diluted earnings per share:

 

Net earnings from continuing operations

   

0.45

   

0.22

   

0.28

 
 

Loss from discontinued operations

   

(0.01

)

 

(0.07

)

 

(0.02

)

 

Diluted net earnings

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.26

 


The newly acquired Pittsburgh operation contributed approximately $0.06 per diluted share in fiscal 2004.


Financial Condition and Liquidity

The following shows LaBarge's equity and total debt positions:

Stockholders' Equity and Debt
(dollars in thousands)

                                                            

Fiscal Year Ended

              

    

2004

   

2003

   

Stockholders' equity

$

42,584

 

$

35,879

   

Debt

 

37,735

 

 

7,064

 

The Company's continuing operations provided $13.0 million of cash in fiscal 2004 compared with $7.6 million in fiscal 2003. Advance payments from customers contributed $7.2 million and $2.3 million to cash flow from continuing operations in fiscal 2004 and 2003, respectively. Days sales outstanding increased in fiscal 2004 to 53 days from 49 days in 2003. Inventory turned 3.4 times in both fiscal 2004 and 2003. The Company expects modest improvements in both these measures to increase cash flow from operations in the coming fiscal year.

Investing activities, primarily the acquisition of Pinnacle and capital expenditures, used $46.6 million. These actions were funded by increasing bank debt outstanding and reducing cash balances. Currently, our total debt-to-equity ratio is .89 to 1 versus .20 to 1 at the end of fiscal 2003.

Overall, management believes our availability of funds going forward from cash generated from operations and available bank credit facilities should be sufficient to support the planned operations and capital expenditures of the Company's business for the next two fiscal years.

The following shows LaBarge's contractual obligations as of June 27, 2004:

(dollars in thousands)

                                       

 

Payments due by Period

Contractual Obligations

  

Total

 

 

Less than
1 year

 

1 - 3 years

 

 


3 - 5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

Long-term debt

 

$

30,685

 

 

$

4,415

 

 

$

10,332

 

 

$

11,222

 

 

$

4,716

 

Operating lease obligations

   

8,554

  

 

1,882

     

2,152

     

878

 

 

 

3,642

 

  Total

 

$

39,239

 

  

$

6,297

   

$

12,484

   

$

12,100

   

$

8,358

 

                  

                           

         

         

Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgment of certain amounts included in the financial statements. The Company believes there is a likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions related to the accounting policies described below. Application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company's senior management discusses the accounting policies described below with the audit committee of the Company's Board of Directors on a periodic basis.

The following discussion of critical accounting policies is intended to bring to the attention of readers those accounting policies that we believe are critical to our consolidated financial statements and other financial disclosures. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our significant accounting policies that are more fully described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Revenue Recognition and Cost of Sales
Revenue is generally recognized on the percentage-of-completion method based upon the units delivered. The percentage-of-completion method gives effect to the most recent contract value and estimates of cost at completion. The percentage-of-completion method gives effect to the most recent contract value and estimates of cost at completion. When appropriate, contract prices are adjusted for increased scope and other changes ordered or caused by the customer. When percentage-of-completion is not appropriate, the Company recognizes revenue when title transfers which is usually upon shipment.

Management's estimates of material, labor and overhead costs on long-term contracts are critical to the Company. Since some contracts extend over a long period of time, revisions in cost and contract price during the progress of work have the effect of adjusting current period earnings applicable to performance in prior periods. When the current contract cost estimate indicates a loss, provision is made for the total anticipated loss.

Inventories
Inventories, which consist of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead, are carried at the lower of cost or market value. Management regularly reviews inventory for obsolescence to determine whether a write-down is necessary. Various factors are considered in making this determination, including expected program life, recent sales history, predicted trends, and market conditions. If actual demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management additional inventory write-downs may be required. For the fiscal years ended June 27, 2004, June 29, 2003 and June 30, 2002, expense for obsolete or slow moving inventory charged to income before income taxes was $776,000, $581,000 and $185,000, respectively. Fiscal years 2004 and 2003 expense was impacted by lower of cost or market adjustments, due to design changes on two long-running programs of $180,000 and $123,000, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company has adopted SFAS No. 142 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." Under the provisions of this standard, intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives and goodwill are not subject to amortization. All other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. This testing requires comparison of carrying values to fair values, and when appropriate, the carrying value of impaired assets is reduced to fair value. During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company completed its annual impairment test and determined that no estimates of fair value are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such factors as sales levels and price changes, labor and material cost changes, interest rates and productivity could affect such valuations.