UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 25, 2004
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-367
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MASSACHUSETTS 04-1866480
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
121 CRESCENT STREET, ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS 01331-1915
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 978-249-3551
Former name, address and fiscal year, if changed since last report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filings requirements for the past 90 days.
YES X NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES X NO
Common Shares outstanding as of October 30, 2004:
Class A Common Shares 5,410,412
Class B Common Shares 1,219,888
Page 1 of 16
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
CONTENTS
Page No.
Part I. Financial Information:
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Operations -
thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2004
and September 27, 2003 (unaudited) 3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2004
and September 27, 2003 (unaudited) 4
Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 25,
2004 (unaudited) and June 26, 2004 5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders'
Equity - thirteen weeks ended September 25,
2004 and September 27, 2003 (unaudited) 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7-8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 8-14
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk 14
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 15
Part II. Other information:
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 15
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds 15
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 16
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 16
SIGNATURES 16
Page 2 of 16
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands except per share data)(unaudited)
13 Weeks Ended
9/25/04 9/27/03
Net sales 46,795 40,675
Cost of goods sold (33,437) (30,940)
Selling and general expense (11,849) (11,414)
Other income (expense) 505 (271)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 2,014 (1,950)
Income taxes (benefit) 350 (855)
Net earnings (loss) 1,664 (1,095)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share .25 (.16)
Average outstanding shares used in
per share calculations (in thousands)
Basic 6,648 6,661
Diluted 6,663 6,661
Dividends per share .10 .10
See notes to consolidated financial statements
Page 3 of 16
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)(unaudited)
13 Weeks Ended
9/25/04 9/27/03
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss) 1,664 (1,095)
Noncash expenses (income):
Depreciation and amortization 2,561 2,755
Deferred taxes 52 (19)
Retirement benefits (476) (117)
Working capital changes:
Receivables 933 249
Inventories (2,368) 714
Other assets and liabilities (289) 619
Prepaid pension cost and other 1,137 41
Net cash from operating activities 3,214 3,147
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to plant and equipment (1,680) (1,278)
Increase in investments (480) (2,280)
Net cash used in investing activities (2,160) (3,558)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term borrowing, net 433 523
Long-term debt repayments (85) (1,626)
Common stock issued 126 118
Dividends (665) (668)
Net cash used in financing activities (191) (1,653)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (9) (48)
Net decrease in cash 854 (2,112)
Cash, beginning of period 2,483 3,306
Cash, end of period 3,337 1,194
See notes to consolidated financial statements
Page 4 of 16
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands except share data)
Sept. 25 June 26
2004 2004
ASSETS (unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash 3,337 2,483
Investments 32,477 32,023
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $1,438 and $1,358) 32,793 33,434
Inventories:
Raw materials and supplies 10,571 8,510
Goods in process and finished parts 17,643 16,780
Finished goods 17,989 17,987
46,203 43,277
Prepaid expenses, taxes and other current assets 10,071 11,534
Total current assets 124,881 122,751
Property, plant and equipment, at cost (less
accumulated depreciation of $101,461
and $100,767) 61,571 62,859
Prepaid pension cost 32,760 32,370
Other assets 789 944
220,001 218,924
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable and current maturities 2,762 2,302
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 14,776 16,005
Accrued salaries and wages 4,083 4,375
Total current liabilities 21,621 22,682
Deferred income taxes 14,261 14,214
Long-term debt 2,615 2,536
Accumulated postretirement medical benefit obligation 17,125 17,209
Stockholders' equity:
Class A Common $1 par (20,000,000 shares authorized;
5,433,356 outstanding at 9/25/04, excluding
1,302,086 held in treasury; 5,396,679 outstanding
at 6/26/04, excluding 1,310,601 held in treasury) 5,433 5,397
Class B Common $1 par (10,000,000 shares authorized;
1,221,944 outstanding at 9/25/04, excluding
332,019 held in treasury; 1,250,106 outstanding
at 6/26/04, excluding 332,019 held in treasury) 1,222 1,250
Additional paid-in capital 50,052 49,934
Retained earnings reinvested and employed in
the business 130,281 129,282
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (22,609) (23,580)
Total stockholders' equity 164,379 162,283
220,001 218,924
See notes to consolidated financial statements
Page 5 of 16
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' equity
For the Thirteen Weeks Ended September 25, 2004 and September 27, 2003
(in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)
Common Addi- Accumulated
Stock Out- tional Other
standing Paid-in Retained Comprehensive
($1 Par) Capital Earnings Loss Total
Balance June 28, 2003 6,659 49,826 134,547 (26,081) 164,951
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss (1,095) (1,095)
Unrealized net loss
on investments (10) (10)
Translation loss, net (868) (868)
Total comprehensive loss (1,973)
Dividends ($.10 per share) (668) (668)
Treasury shares issued 8 110 118
Balance September 27, 2003 6,667 49,936 132,784 (26,959) 162,428
Balance June 26, 2004 6,647 49,934 129,282 (23,580) 162,283
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings 1,664 1,664
Unrealized net gain
on investments 89 89
Translation gain, net 882 882
Total comprehensive income 2,635
Dividends ($.10 per share) (665) (665)
Treasury shares issued 8 118 126
Balance September 25, 2004 6,655 50,052 130,281 (22,609) 164,379
See notes to consolidated financial statements
Page 6 of 16
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements contain
all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary
to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 25,
2004 and June 26, 2004; the results of operations and cash flows for the
thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2004 and September 27, 2003; and changes
in stockholders' equity for the thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2004 and
September 27, 2003.
The Company follows the same accounting policies in the preparation of
interim statements as described in the Company's annual report filed on Form
10-K for the year ended June 26, 2004, and these financial statements should
be read in conjunction with said annual report. Certain reclassifications
have been made to prior year data in order to conform with current year
presentation.
In the September 2003 quarter, shares used to compute diluted loss per share
were the same as shares used to compute basic loss per share since inclusion
of common stock equivalents (13,161 shares) is antidilutive in periods with
a loss.
Included in investments at September 25, 2004 is $2.3 million of AAA rated
Puerto Rico debt obligations that have maturities greater than one year but
carry the benefit of possibly reducing repatriation taxes. These investments
represent "core cash" and are part of the Company's overall cash management
and liquidity program and, under SFAS 115, are considered "available for
sale." The investments themselves are highly liquid, carry no early
redemption penalties, and are not designated for acquiring non-current
assets.
Other income (expense) is comprised of the following (in thousands):
Thirteen Weeks
Ended September
2004 2003
Interest income 235 155
Interest expense and commitment fees (195) (328)
Realized and unrealized exchange losses (147) (39)
Gain on sale of real estate 662
Other (50) (59)
505 (271)
Net periodic benefit costs (benefits) for the Company's defined benefit
pension plans consists of the following (in thousands):
Thirteen Weeks
Ended September
2004 2003
Service cost 804 811
Interest cost 1,648 1,526
Expected return on plan assets (2,578) (2,347)
Amort. of transition obligation (245) (243)
Amort. of prior service cost 107 105
Amort. of unrecognized loss 73
(264) (75)
Page 7 of 16
Net periodic benefit costs (benefits) for the Company's postretirement
medical plan consists of the following (in thousands):
Thirteen Weeks
Ended September
2004 2003
Service cost 129 164
Interest cost 238 259
Amort. of prior service cost (118) (88)
Amort. of unrecognized loss 16 31
265 366
Approximately two thirds of all inventories are valued on the LIFO method.
At September 25, 2004 and June 26, 2004, total inventories are approximately
$20 million less than if determined on a FIFO basis. The Company has not
realized any material LIFO layer liquidation profits in the periods
presented.
Long-term debt is comprised of the following (in thousands):
September June
2004 2004
Revolving credit agreement - -
Capitalized lease obligations payable in
Brazilian currency due 2005-2008, 15%-21% 4,147 3,971
Less current portion 1,532 1,435
2,615 2,536
Current notes payable, primarily in Brazilian currency, carry interest at up
to 15%.
Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
As more fully discussed below, the Company had net earnings of $1.7 million,
or $.25 per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 compared to a net
loss of $1.1 million, or $.16 per share, in the first quarter of fiscal
2004. Included in the this year's quarter is a $.7 million gain, both before
and after tax, or $.10 per share, on the sale of the Company's Skipton,
England manufacturing facility, the operations of which were consolidated
into the Company's Jedburgh, Scotland plant during fiscal 2004. Excluding
this one-time gain, the Company had pro forma net earnings of $1.0 million,
or $.15 per share, in the current quarter compared to a net loss of $1.1
million, or $.16 per share, in the September quarter of fiscal 2004, an
improvement of $2.1 million, or $.31 per share.
Sales
Sales for the fiscal 2005 September quarter are up $6.1 million or 15%
compared to the fiscal 2004 September quarter. Domestic sales are up 9% and
foreign sales are up 27% (23% in local currency). The increase reflects the
improvement in the U.S. industrial manufacturing sector, which started to
affect us in the second quarter of fiscal 2004, as well as good economic
conditions in Company's Brazilian market. The magnitude of the overall
increase should be viewed in the context of last year's September quarter,
which was the Company's lowest sales quarter in over 10 years because of the
weak U.S. industrial manufacturing sector.
Page 8 of 16
Earnings (loss) before taxes
The current quarter's pretax earnings of $2.0 million are an improvement of
$4.0 million over last year's pretax loss of $2.0 million. As discussed
above, $.7 million of the current quarter's earnings is the result of a one-
time gain on the sale of real estate. The sales increase itself caused
approximately $1.5 million of the increase in pretax earnings. The major
item causing the remaining $1.8 million increase in pretax earnings is
improved gross margins (29% in the fiscal 2005 September quarter and 24% in
the fiscal 2004 September quarter) at almost all locations coming about as a
result of higher production levels. Selling and general expense is up 4% in
dollars ($.4 million) as a result of the sales increase, but down from 28%
of sales to 25% of sales for the same reason. Last year's September quarter
included $.2 million in selling and general charges related to the
Government's investigation of the CMM division, which was settled in August
2004 (see below). Final charges related to the investigation and settlement
were all accrued into fiscal 2004 and there are no such charges recorded in
the current September quarter. Additionally, improved asset returns and
higher discount rates have reduced this year's retirement costs by
approximately $.3 million per quarter. About three quarters of this
reduction is recorded as a reduction of cost of sales and one quarter as a
reduction of selling and general expense.
Income tax benefit
The effective income tax rate is 17% in the fiscal 2005 September quarter
and 44% in the fiscal 2004 September quarter. Puerto Rico tax incentives,
and somewhat lower foreign income tax rates all contribute to an overall
effective tax rate that is normally slightly lower than the combined U.S.
state and federal rate of approximately 38%. However, in the periods
presented, results are close enough to breakeven in both years that
permanent book/tax differences and jurisdictional tax rate differentials
have an exaggerated effect when converted to percentages. Of particular note
in the current year is the fact that the $.7 million gain on the sale of
real estate mentioned above carried practically no tax because cost is
indexed for tax purposes in the U.K. This had the effect of lowering our
effective tax rate by 10 percentage points in the current quarter. Despite
recent losses, the Company continues to believe it will be able to utilize
its tax operating loss carryforwards generated in prior periods. This is
continually monitored and could change in the future.
Net earnings (loss) per share
As a result of the above factors, the Company had basic and diluted net
earnings per share of $0.25 in the fiscal 2005 September quarter ($.15 per
share before the gain on sale of real estate) compared to a basic and
diluted net loss of $.16 per share a year ago.
Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) division
As discussed in greater detail in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004, the Company reached a settlement in
August 2004 with the U.S. Department of Justice resulting in the termination
of the Government's two-year investigation of the Company's CMM division,
which is located in Mount Airy, North Carolina and accounts for less than 2%
of the Company's sales, and the dismissal with prejudice of the allegations
in the qui tam complaint investigated by the Government. Under the terms of
the settlement, the Company paid the Government $.5 million, and the Company
and its officers, directors, employees and shareholders were released from
any causes of action relating to the false claims allegations in the qui tam
complaint that were the subject of the investigation. The Company
cooperated with the Government throughout its investigation, and agreed to
Page 9 of 16
settle the matter solely to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience and
uncertainty of protracted litigation. In this regard, the Company denies
and contests the allegations in the qui tam complaint, denies any wrongdoing
in connection with those allegations, and notes that the Government itself,
notwithstanding two years of investigation, intervened in this action only
for the purposes of settlement and dismissing the qui tam action as
described above. The costs related to this investigation were all incurred
in fiscal 2003 and 2004, including $.2 million in the September quarter of
fiscal 2004. See the additional comments below under "Reorganization/
Restructuring Plans" regarding the CMM division.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash flows (in thousands) 13 Weeks Ended
9/25/04 9/27/03
Cash provided by operations 3,214 3,147
Cash used in investing activities (2,160) (3,558)
Cash used in financing activities (191) (1,653)
Cash provided by operations was approximately the same in the quarters
presented with the increase in earnings being offset by an increase in
inventories. "Retirement benefits" under noncash expenses in the detailed
cash flow statement shows the effect on operating cash flow of the Company's
pension and retiree medical plans. Primarily because the Company's domestic
defined benefit plan is overfunded, retirement benefits in total generated
approximately $.5 million of noncash income in the current year's quarter
and $.1 million in the prior year's quarter. Including this noncash income,
retirement expense in total was approximately $.1 million in the fiscal 2005
September quarter and $.4 million in the fiscal 2004 September quarter.
The Company's investing activities consist of expenditures for plant and
equipment and the investment of cash not immediately needed for operations.
An increase in capital expenditures of $.4 million in the fiscal 2005
September quarter was more than offset by $1.8 million less additions to
short-term investments.
Cash used in financing activities decreased $1.4 million from quarter to
quarter because of lower debt repayments.
Liquidity and credit arrangements
The Company believes it maintains sufficient liquidity and has the resources
to fund its operations in the near term. If the Company is unable to
maintain consistent profitability, additional steps may have to be taken in
order to maintain liquidity, including further plant consolidations and
workforce and dividend reductions (see "Reorganization/Restructuring Plans"
section below). The Company maintains a $15 million line of credit, but has
not made any borrowings under it in the periods presented. The Company had a
working capital ratio of 5.8 to one as of September 25, 2004 and 5.4 to one
as of June 26, 2004.
REORGANIZATION/RESTRUCTURING PLANS
As discussed in greater detail in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2004, manufacturing globalization has
Page 10 of 16
adversely affected the Company's customer base and competitive position,
particularly in North America, as more and more products are produced in low
wage countries. As a result, the Company has been rethinking almost all
aspects of its business and is formulating plans to lower wage costs,
consolidate operations, move the strategic focus from manufacturing location
to product group and distribution channel as well as achieving the goals of
enhanced marketing focus and global procurement. The outlook for the CMM
division is problematic. During fiscal 2003 and 2004, the Company took
charges of about $8 million relating to the division in connection with the
Government investigation, the replacement program for the Rapid Check CMM
machines, and inventory write-downs. Actions being considered for the
division range from staying in the business, to outsourcing, to exiting
altogether. During fiscal 2004, the Company consolidated its Skipton,
England optical comparator manufacturing into its manufacturing facility in
Jedburgh, Scotland. The Company has closed, and is trying to sell, its Alum
Bank, Pennsylvania level manufacturing plant and has relocated the
manufacturing to the Dominican Republic. Relocation of other manufacturing
capacity is also being considered. In addition, the Company has recently
consolidated its consumer hardware products activities under one business
unit head and created a new consumer hardware sales and marketing
organization. The Company's goal is to achieve labor savings and maintain
margins while satisfying the requirements of its customers with lower
prices. The Company has closed one warehouse and is evaluating consolidating
or eliminating others. No material unrecorded costs or asset write-downs are
currently known as a result of these potential initiatives. There can be no
assurances that the Company will implement all these actions and that, if
such actions are implemented, they will result in savings to the Company. It
is also possible that the Company may need to incur additional charges in
connection with these plans.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company does not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements as
defined under the Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and
estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes. The footnotes to the Company's annual
report on Form 10-K describe the significant accounting policies and methods
used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Judgments, assumptions, and estimates are used for, but not limited to, the
allowance for doubtful accounts receivable and returned goods; inventory
allowances; income tax reserves; employee turnover, discount, and return
rates used to calculate pension obligations; and normal expense accruals for
such things as workers compensation and employee medical expenses. Actual
results could differ from these estimates.
The allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns is based on our
assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts, the aging of
our accounts receivable and trends in product returns. While we believe that
our allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns is adequate, if there
is a deterioration of a major customer's credit worthiness, actual defaults
are higher than our previous experience, or actual future returns do not
Page 11 of 16
reflect historical trends, our estimates of the recoverability of the
amounts due us and our sales could be adversely affected.
Inventory purchases and commitments are based upon future demand forecasts.
If there is a sudden and significant decrease in demand for our products or
there is a higher risk of inventory obsolescence because of rapidly changing
technology and requirements, we may be required to increase our inventory
reserve and, as a result, our gross profit margin could be adversely
affected.
Accounting for income taxes requires estimates of our future tax
liabilities. Due to timing differences in the recognition of items included
in income for accounting and tax purposes, deferred tax assets or
liabilities are recorded to reflect the impact arising from these
differences on future tax payments. With respect to recorded tax assets, we
assess the likelihood that the asset will be realized. If realization is in
doubt because of uncertainty regarding future profitability or enacted tax
rates, we provide a valuation allowance related to the asset. Should any
significant changes in the tax law or our estimate of the necessary
valuation allowance occur, we would record the impact of the change, which
could have a material effect on our financial position or results of
operations.
Pension and postretirement medical costs and obligations are dependent on
assumptions used by our actuaries in calculating such amounts. These
assumptions include discount rates, healthcare cost trends, inflation,
salary growth, long-term return on plan assets, retirement rates, mortality
rates, and other factors. These assumptions are made based on a combination
of external market factors, actual historical experience, long-term trend
analysis, and an analysis of the assumptions being used by other companies
with similar plans. Actual results that differ from our assumptions are
accumulated and amortized over future periods. Significant differences in
actual experience or significant changes in assumptions would affect our
pension and other postretirement benefit costs and obligations.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the fiscal 2004 annual report to
stockholders, including the President's letter, and the fiscal 2004 Annual
Report on Form 10-K, contain forward-looking statements about the Company's
business, competition, sales, expenditures, foreign operations, plans for
reorganization, interest rate sensitivity, debt service, liquidity and
capital resources, and other operating and capital requirements. In
addition, forward-looking statements may be included in future Company
documents and in oral statements by Company representatives to security
analysts and investors. The Company is subject to risks that could cause
actual events to vary materially from such forward-looking statements,
including the following risk factors:
Risks Related to Reorganization: The Company continues to develop plans to
consolidate and reorganize some of its manufacturing and distribution
operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in these efforts or that any consolidation or reorganization will result in
cost savings to the Company. The implementation of these reorganization
measures may disrupt the Company's manufacturing and distribution
activities, could adversely affect operations, and could result in asset
impairment charges and other costs that will be recognized if and when
reorganization or restructuring plans are implemented or obligations are
Page 12 of 16
incurred. If the Company is unable to return to consistent profitability,
additional steps will have to be taken, including further plant
consolidations and workforce and dividend reductions.
Risks Related to Technology: Although the Company's strategy includes
investment in research and development of new and innovative products to
meet technology advances, there can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in competing against new technologies developed by competitors.
Risks Related to Foreign Operations: Approximately a third of the Company's
sales and a quarter of net assets relate to foreign operations. Foreign
operations are subject to special risks that can materially affect the
sales, profits, cash flows, and financial position of the Company, including
taxes and other restrictions on distributions and payments, currency
exchange rate fluctuations, political and economic instability, inflation,
minimum capital requirements, and exchange controls. In particular, the
Company's Brazilian operations, which constitute over half of the Company's
revenues from foreign operations, can be very volatile, changing from year
to year due to the political situation and economy. As a result, the future
performance of the Brazilian operations is inherently unpredictable.
Risks Related to Industrial Manufacturing Sector: The market for most of the
Company's products is subject to economic conditions affecting the
industrial manufacturing sector, including the level of capital spending by
industrial companies and the general movement of manufacturing to low cost
foreign countries where the Company does not have a substantial market
presence. Accordingly, economic weakness in the industrial manufacturing
sector may, and in some cases has, resulted in decreased demand for certain
of the Company's products, which adversely affects performance. Economic
weakness in the consumer market will also adversely impact the Company's
performance. In the event that demand for any of the Company's products
declines significantly, the Company could be required to recognize certain
costs as well as asset impairment charges on long-lived assets related to
those products.
Risks Related to Shift in Manufacturing: The Company's primary customers are
in the manufacturing business and, in particular, in the metal working
industry. Manufacturing is shifting to low wage countries where the Company
does not have a substantial market presence. As a result, unless the Company
can penetrate these markets, the Company's sales and performance may be
adversely affected.
Risks Related to Competition: The Company's business is subject to direct
and indirect competition from both domestic and foreign firms. In
particular, low-wage foreign sources have created severe competitive pricing
pressures. Under certain circumstances, including significant changes in
U.S. and foreign currency relationships, such pricing pressures tend to
reduce unit sales and/or adversely affect the Company's margins.
Risks Related to Customer Concentration: Sales to the Company's three
biggest customers accounted for approximately 25% of revenues in fiscal
2004. The Company is in the process of winding down its relationship with
W.W.Grainger, one of the three customers, during fiscal 2005. The effect
this will have on total Company sales and profits is unknown since much of
the Grainger business is currently expected to be picked up by other Company
distributors, although no such assurances can be made that this will in fact
happen. The loss or reduction in orders by any of the remaining customers,
including reductions due to market, economic or competitive conditions, or
the failure of the Company to replace the Grainger sales could adversely
Page 13 of 16
affect business and results of operations. Indeed, the Company's major
customers have, and may continue to, place pressure on the Company to reduce
its prices. This pricing pressure may affect the Company's margins and
revenues and could adversely affect business and results of operations.
Risks Related to Insurance Coverage: The Company carries liability, property
damage, workers' compensation, medical, and other insurance coverages that
management considers adequate for the protection of its assets and
operations. There can be no assurance, however, that the coverage limits of
such policies will be adequate to cover all claims and losses. Such
uncovered claims and losses could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. The Company self-insures for health benefits and retains risk in
the form of deductibles and sublimits. Depending on the risk, deductibles
can be as high $.5 million and, in certain circumstances, 5% of the loss.
Risk Related to Raw Material and Energy Costs: Steel is the principal raw
material used in the manufacture of the Company's products. The price of
steel has historically fluctuated on a cyclical basis and has often depended
on a variety of factors over which the Company has no control. The cost of
producing the Company's products is also sensitive to the price of energy.
The selling prices of the Company's products have not always increased in
response to raw material, energy or other cost increases, and the Company is
unable to determine to what extent, if any, it will be able to pass future
cost increases through to its customers. The Company's inability to pass
increased costs through to its customers could materially and adversely
affect its financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Related to Stock Market Performance: Although the Company's domestic
defined benefit pension plan is significantly overfunded, a significant
(over 30%) drop in the stock market, even if short in duration, could cause
the plan to become temporarily underfunded and require the temporary
reclassification of prepaid pension cost on the balance sheet from an asset
to a contra equity account, thus reducing stockholders' equity and book
value per share.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the potential change in a financial instrument's value caused
by fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, and equity and
commodity prices. The Company's operating activities expose it to risks that
are continually monitored, evaluated, and managed. Proper management of
these risks helps reduce the likelihood of earnings volatility. At September
2004 and 2003, the Company was not a party to any derivative arrangement and
the Company does not engage in trading, market-making or other speculative
activities in the derivatives markets. The Company does not enter into long-
term supply contracts with either fixed prices or quantities. The Company
does not engage in regular hedging activities to minimize the impact of
foreign currency fluctuations. Net foreign monetary assets are approximately
$4 million.
A 10% change in interest rates would not have a significant impact on the
aggregate net fair value of the Company's interest rate sensitive financial
instruments (primarily variable rate investments of $29.2 million and debt
of $4 million at September 25, 2004) or the cash flows or future earnings
associated with those financial instruments. A 10% change in interest rates
would impact the fair value of the Company's fixed rate investments of
approximately $2.2 million by $35,000.
Page 14 of 16
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation
of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, have evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as
of September 25, 2004, and they have concluded that these controls and
procedures are effective. There have been no significant changes in internal
control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over
financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 - Legal Proceedings
As discussed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended June 26, 2004, on August 31, 2004 the Company reached a settlement
with the U.S. Department of Justice resulting in the termination of the
Government's two-year investigation of the Company's CMM division located in
Mount Airy, North Carolina and the dismissal with prejudice of the
allegations in the qui tam complaint investigated by the Government. The qui
tam complaint, which prompted the Government's investigation, was filed
under seal in March 2002 and was brought by a former independent contractor
and former employee of the Company. The Company first became aware of the
Government's investigation in September 2002, when the Government searched
the Company's Mount Airy facility. Under the terms of the settlement, the
Company paid the Government $.5 million, and the Government and the qui tam
relators released the Company and its officers, directors, employees and
shareholders from the causes of action in the complaint that were the
subject of the Government's investigation. The Company cooperated with the
Government throughout its investigation, and has agreed to settle this
matter solely to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience and uncertainty of
protracted litigation. In this regard, the Company denies and contests the
allegations in the qui tam complaint, denies any wrongdoing in connection
with those allegations, and notes that the Government itself,
notwithstanding two years of investigation, intervened in this action only
for the purposes of settlement and dismissing the qui tam action as
described above. In addition, the United States Attorney for the District
of Massachusetts in early August 2004 informed the Company in writing that,
based on the facts known to the Office of the United States Attorney, the
United States Attorney's Office does not intend to seek criminal charges
against the Company or its CMM division in connection with allegations
arising out of, or relating to, the manufacture, sale or service of CMMs.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
A summary of the Company's repurchases of shares of its common stock for the
three months ended September 25, 2004 is as follows:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Shares Purchased Shares yet to be
Shares Average Under Announced Purchased Under
Period Purchased Price Programs Announced Programs
6/27/04-
7/31/04 none none
8/1/04-
8/28/04 none none
8/29/04-
9/25/04 none none
Page 15 of 16
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
(a) The annual meeting of shareholders was held on October 13, 2004.
(c) 1. The following directors were elected at the annual meeting:
Abstentions
Votes Votes and Broker
For Withheld Non-votes
Class A shares voting as separate class:
Richard B. Kennedy 4,454,221 489,664 N/A
Class A and B shares voting together:
Terry A. Piper 14,360,085 640,780 N/A
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits
31a Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule
13a-14(a), filed herewith.
31b Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule
13a-14(a), filed herewith.
32 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section
1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), filed
herewith.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The following reports on Form 8-K were filed with or furnished to
the SEC in the quarter covered by this report:
1. The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on September 1,
2004 announcing that it had reached a settlement with the
U.S. Department of Justice resulting in the termination of the
Government's investigation of the Company's Coordinate
Measuring Machine division.
2. The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on September 10,
2004 announcing that it had mailed to its shareholders the
Company's fiscal 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders, which
included the President's Letter.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
(Registrant)
Date November 4, 2004 S/R.U.WELLINGTON, JR.
R. U. Wellington, Jr. (Vice President,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer)
Date November 4, 2004 S/S.G.THOMSON
S. G. Thomson (Chief Accounting Officer)
Page 16 of 16