Back to GetFilings.com



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)                    
  [X]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002.
or
  [ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _____ to _____.
                         
Commission File No. 1-8183
                         
SUPREME INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                         
  Delaware         75-1670945
  (State of Incorporation)         (IRS Employer Identification No.)
                         
  P.O. Box 237, 2581 E. Kercher Road, Goshen, Indiana   46528    
  (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)    
                         
    (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) - (574) 642-3070    
                         
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                         
  Class A Common Stock ($.10 Par Value)   American Stock Exchange
  (Title of each class)   (Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered)
                         
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
                         
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 the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
                         
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in the definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the From 10-K or any amendment hereto. X
                         
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes __ No X
                         
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at June 29, 2002: $42,551,026
                         
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
                         
Class   Outstanding at March 13, 2003  
Class A Common Stock ($.10 Par Value)   8,897,986 shares  
Class B Common Stock ($.10 Par Value)   1,917,394 shares  
                         
        Documents Incorporated by Reference        
                         
                Parts of Form 10-K Into Which the
Document         Document is Incorporated  
Portions of the Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 8, 2003      

Part III

     
                         
The Index to Exhibits is on page 47 in the sequential numbering system. Total pages 67
                         
Page 1 of 67

PART 1
                         
                         
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.                
                         
History                      
                       
Supreme Industries, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, (the "Company" or "Supreme") is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of specialized vehicles, including truck bodies and shuttle buses. The Company was incorporated in 1979 and originally had one operating subsidiary, TGC Industries, Inc., which was spun-off to stockholders of the Company effective July 31, 1986.
                         
Supreme Corporation, the Company's wholly-owned operating subsidiary, was formed in January 1984 to acquire a company engaged in the business of manufacturing, selling and repairing specialized truck bodies, shuttle buses and related equipment.
                         
                         
Financial Information About Operating Segments
                         
The Company has two operating segments, specialized vehicles and vertically integrated fiberglass products. The vertically integrated fiberglass products segment does not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate disclosure.
                         
                         
General Description of the Company's Business
                         
The specialized vehicle industry consists of companies that manufacture and/or distribute specialized truck bodies and shuttle buses. Depending on the product, it is either built directly on a truck chassis or built separately and installed at a later date. The truck chassis, which consists of an engine, frame with wheels, and in some cases a cab, is manufactured by third parties who are major automotive or truck companies. Such companies typically do not build specialized truck bodies. See "Competition."
                         
Supreme's products are medium-priced with prices generally ranging from $2,500 to $175,000. Supreme's truck bodies and custom trailers are offered in aluminum or fiberglass reinforced plywood panel ("FRP") construction and are available in lengths of 9 to 45 feet and heights up to 13 feet, 6 inches. Examples of optional equipment offered by Supreme include lift gates, cargo-handling equipment, customized doors, special bumpers, ladder racks, and refrigeration equipment, which are configured with the truck bodies to meet the end-user's needs.
                         
Supreme also makes its own fiberglass wind deflectors under the name of Fuel Shark, which reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency. Supreme is not in the business of manufacturing recreational vehicles or long-distance truck-trailers. The following is a brief summary of Supreme's products:
                         
  Van bodies. Supreme's van bodies are typically fabricated up to 28 feet in length with pre-painted aluminum or FRP panels, aerodynamic front and side corners, hardwood floors and various door configurations to accommodate end-user loading and unloading requirements. This product is used for diversified dry freight transportation.  
                         
                         
                         
                         
Page 2 of 67
  Refrigerated Chiller® insulated van bodies. Chiller® vans are insulated FRP bodies which can accommodate controlled temperature and refrigeration needs of end-users. All fiberglass exterior laminated walls are corrosion resistant and utilize foam insulation which permits varying levels of temperature to as low as minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit.  
                         
  Kold King® aluminum insulated van bodies. Supreme's advances in insulated foam technology have created this aluminum insulated body with greater strength, less weight and better thermal efficiency.  
                         
  Iner-City® cutaway van bodies. Aluminum or FRP cutaway van bodies are manufactured on cutaway chassis which are available with access to the cargo area from the cab. The Iner-City® cutaway van body is similar to the regular van body except for floor construction and shorter length (10 to 15 feet) as compared with van bodies which are constructed to lengths of up to 28 feet.  
                         
  Iner-City® walk-in van bodies. Supreme manufactures its walk-in vans on a rail truck chassis having no cab. Supreme fabricates the driver's compartment and body using FRP panels and aluminum. Some uses for this product include the distribution of food products and small packages.  
                         
  Spartan mini-bodies. Spartan mini-bodies are produced in three different configurations and designed to be mounted on small trucks for diversified commercial use.  
                         
  Armored Trucks. Supreme's armored trucks are built to customer specifications in either aluminum, galvaneal or stainless steel.  
                         
  StarTrans® shuttle buses. The StarTrans® shuttle buses have seating capacities for 12 to 29 people and are offered with a variety of seating arrangements and with options such as wheelchair lifts, custom interiors, and special exterior paint schemes. The shuttle bus line features an improved aerodynamic exterior design and is intended for use by hotels, nursing homes, car leasing companies, and airport-related users.  
                         
  StarTrans® mid-size buses. Supreme's StarTrans® mid-size buses (President and Ambassador) are offered in lengths of up to 31 feet with capacities of up to 35 passengers. This product serves the public transit and tour markets and provides the Company's dealer network with a more comprehensive product line.  
                         
  StarTrans® trolleys. Supreme's StarTrans® trolley line is similar in size to the mid-size bus line but resembles a San Francisco trolley car. It is marketed to resort areas, theme parks and cities desiring unique transportation vehicles.  
                         
  Customized trailers. Supreme manufactures a variety of customized trailers for special needs, including mobile laboratories, antique and race car haulers, and trailers for the broadcasting industry.  
                         
  Stake bodies. Stake bodies are flatbeds with various configurations of removable sides. The stake body is utilized for a broad range of agricultural and construction industries transportation needs.  
                         
                         
                         
                         
Page 3 of 67
  Chiller®, Kold King®, Nordica®, Iner-City®, Spartan, StarTrans®, and Fuel Shark are trademarks used by Supreme in its marketing of truck bodies and buses. Chiller®, Kold King®, Nordica®, Iner-City®, and StarTrans® are trademarks registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  
                         
Some examples of specialized vehicles that are not manufactured by Supreme are dump bodies, utility bodies and garbage packers. Neither Supreme nor any of its competitors manufacture every type of specialized vehicle. Supreme intends to continue to expand its products line, but there is no assurance that it will do so.
                         
                         
Manufacturing
                         
Supreme's manufacturing facilities are located in Goshen, Indiana; Griffin, Georgia; Cleburne, Texas; Moreno Valley, California and Jonestown, Pennsylvania. Supreme's management estimates that the capacity utilization of its plants and equipment ranges from 60% to 90% of capacity when annualized on a one-shift basis. At various times during the year, several of the Company's plants operate at 100% capacity to meet fleet requirements.
                         
Supreme builds specialized truck bodies and installs other equipment on truck chassis, most of which are provided by bailment pool arrangements or are owned by dealers or end-users. These truck bodies are built on an assembly line from engineered structural components, such as floors, roofs, and wall panels. These components are manufactured from Supreme's proprietary designs and are installed on the truck chassis. Supreme then installs optional equipment and applies any special finishes that the customer has specified. At each step of the manufacturing and installation process, Supreme conducts quality control procedures to ensure that the products meet its customers' specifications. Supreme's products are generally produced to firm orders and are designed and engineered by Supreme. Order levels will vary depending upon price, competition, prevailing economic conditions and other factors.
                         
Supreme is more vertically integrated than many of its competitors. The Company manufactures its own fiberglass reinforced plywood, fiberglass parts, and has extensive roll forming and metal bending capabilities. A portion of the excess capacity of these fabrication capabilities is used to supply products to the recreational vehicle and marine industries. These supply facilities are located in Goshen and Ligonier, Indiana.
                         
Supreme provides limited warranties against construction defects in its products. These warranties generally provide for the replacement or repair of defective parts or workmanship for five years following the date of retail sale.
                         
Supreme generally does not purchase vehicle chassis for its inventory. Supreme accepts shipment of vehicle chassis owned by dealers or end-users, for the purpose of installing and/or manufacturing its specialized truck bodies and buses on such chassis. In the event of a labor disruption or other uncontrollable event adversely affecting the limited number of companies which manufacture and/or deliver such chassis, Supreme's level of manufacturing could be substantially reduced. The Company has established relationships with all major chassis manufacturers, and in the event of a disruption in supply from one manufacturer the Company would attempt to divert its demand to the other manufacturers. Approximately 30% of the chassis involved in Supreme's manufacturing have been secured through bailment or consignment agreements with three major chassis manufacturers that provide for truck chassis pools at each of Supreme's manufacturing facilities.
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
Page 4 of 67
Raw Materials
                         
Supreme does not have any long-term raw material contracts and is dependent upon suppliers of lumber, fiberglass, aluminum and steel for its manufacturing. However, there are several readily available sources for these raw materials. Supreme's operations could be affected by labor disruptions at its raw material suppliers or freight carriers. The single greatest threat to Supreme would be the disruption of chassis availability since virtually all of Supreme's products are built on chassis. The Company believes that it enjoys good relationships with all chassis manufacturers that supply the chassis upon which the Company's products are built. In the event of a problem with one chassis supplier, the Company would attempt to divert its products to other chassis suppliers.
                         
                         
Marketing
                         
Supreme normally sells the vehicle and/or equipment that has been installed on the chassis to either truck equipment distributors, truck dealers or directly to end-users. Truck bodies purchased by a truck dealer from Supreme are sold by the dealer to its own customers. Since Supreme or its distributors (but not the truck dealers) generally service all Supreme products sold by the truck dealers, each truck dealer is normally located within relatively close geographic proximity to Supreme or the distributor supplying such dealer.
                         
Supreme's distributor/dealer network consists of approximately 40 bus distributors, 85 truck equipment distributors and 500 truck dealers. Management believes that this large distributor/dealer network, coupled with Supreme's geographically-dispersed plant and distribution sites, gives Supreme a distinct marketing advantage over its competitors. Supreme generally delivers its products within 4 to 8 weeks after the receipt of orders.
                         
Supreme markets products direct to end users in geographic areas where the Company does not have a strong distributor. The Company currently has distribution facilities in the areas of St. Louis, MO: Louisville, KY; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Orlando, FL; Houston and San Antonio, TX; Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA and Woonsocket, RI.
                         
Approximately 85 employees are engaged in direct sales. Supreme engages in direct advertising in trade publications, trade shows and cooperative advertising campaigns with distributors.
                         
                         
Competition
                         
Specialized vehicles are produced by many companies, most of which compete on a regional basis. Management believes that Supreme enjoys a competitive advantage based upon its established distributor/dealer network and five manufacturing facilities and ten distribution centers. Chassis manufacturers have not generally shown an interest in manufacturing specialized vehicles, including truck bodies and shuttle buses, because such manufacturers' highly-automated assembly line operations do not lend themselves to the efficient production of a wide variety of highly specialized vehicles with various options and equipment.
                         
                         
 
                         
                         
                         
                         
 
Page 5 of 67
Trademarks
                         
The Company owns and maintains trademarks that are used in marketing specialized products manufactured by Supreme. Management believes that these trademarks have significant customer goodwill.
                         
                         
Working Capital
                         
The Company utilizes its revolving line of credit to finance its accounts receivable and inventories. The Company's Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a minimum working capital of not less than $10 million. The Company had working capital of $28.9 million at December 28, 2002.
                         
                         
Major Customers
                         
No single customer, or group of customers, accounted for 10% or more of the Company's revenues for the fiscal years ended 2002, 2001 and 2000. The Company's export sales are not significant.
                         
                         
Environment Regulation
                         
The Company's manufacturing operations are subject to federal, state, and local statutes and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, work site safety standards, and product size and weight limitations. Such regulations increase the Company's cost of doing business. Because other companies are subject to similar regulations, such regulations are not believed to have an adverse effect on the Company's competitive position.
                         
                         
Employees
                         
As of December 28, 2002, the Company employed approximately 1,800 employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining unit. The Company considers its relations with its employees to be satisfactory.
                         
                         
Back Log
                         
The Company's backlog of firm orders was $47.4 million at December 28, 2002 compared to $43.5 million at December 31, 2001.
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
Page 6 of 67
Executive Officers of the Registrant
                         
The name, age, business background, positions held with the Registrant and tenure of each of the Registrant's executive officers are set forth below. No family relationship exists among any of the executive officers.
                         

Name, Age, and Business Experience

  Served as Executive Officer Since  

Position(s) With

Company

Herbert M. Gardner, 63

Managing Director of Barrett-Gardner Associates, Inc., an investment banking firm since November 2002 and previously Senior Vice President of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, investment bankers; Chairman of the Board of the Company since 1979 and President of the Company since June 1992. Director of Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust Company, a New Jersey state independent, commercial bank and trust company; Also a Director of: Nu Horizons Electronics Corp., an electronic component distributor; iDine Rewards Network Inc., formerly Transmedia Network, Inc., a company that develops and markets transaction-based dining and other consumer savings programs; TGC Industries, Inc., a company engaged in the geophysical services industry; Hirsch International Corp., importer of computerized embroidery machines, and supplies; Co-Active Marketing Group, Inc., a mar keting and sales promotion company.

  1979   Chairman of the Board, President
       
                         
Omer G. Kropf, 61

Executive Vice President of the Company since August 1984; President and Chief Executive Officer of Supreme Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, from January 1984 to November 2000 and co-holder of Office of the President of Supreme Corporation since November 2000.

  1984   Executive Vice President
       
                         
William J. Barrett, 63

Managing Director of Barrett-Gardner Associates, Inc., an investment banking firm since November 2002 and previously Senior Vice President of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, investment bankers; Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the Company and a Director since 1979. Chairman of the Board of Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust Company, a New Jersey state independent, commercial bank and trust company; and a Director of TGC Industries, Inc., a company engaged in the geophysical services industry.

  1979   Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
       
                         
Robert W. Wilson, 58

Treasurer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since December 1992; Vice President of Finance since 1988 and co-holder of Office of the President of Supreme Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, since November 2000.

  1992   Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Assistant Secretary
       
                         
Page 7 of 67
                         
                         
                         
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.                  
                         
Set forth below is a brief summary of the properties which are owned or leased by the Registrant as of December 28, 2002.
                         
        Square

Footage

  Owned or Leased  

Operating Segment

  Manufacturing of Products                  
  Goshen, Indiana 206,056   Leased   Specialized Vehicles
  Goshen, Indiana 209,834   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Jonestown, Pennsylvania 246,848   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Moreno Valley, California 96,928   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Cleburne, Texas 115,060   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Griffin, Georgia 102,795   Leased   Specialized Vehicles
  Griffin, Georgia 26,150   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
        1,003,671              
                         
  Manufacturing of Component Parts                
  Goshen, Indiana 57,570   Owned   Fiberglass Products
  Ligonier, Indiana 93,212   Leased   Fiberglass Products
  Ligonier, Indiana 31,134   Owned   Fiberglass Products
        181,916              
                         
  Distribution                  
  St. Louis, Missouri 15,000   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Houston, Texas 12,841   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Denver, Colorado 12,500   Leased   Specialized Vehicles
  Woonsocket, Rhode Island 10,720   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Streetsboro, Ohio 11,900   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Springfield, Ohio 11,200   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  San Antonio, Texas 7,000   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Vallejo, California 8,400   Leased   Specialized Vehicles
  Louisville, Kentucky 6,664   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
  Apopka, Florida 6,600   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
        102,825              
                         
  Facility Held for Sale                  
  Wilson, North Carolina 113,694   Owned   Specialized Vehicles
                         
  Corporate Office Building                  
  Goshen, Indiana 26,000   Owned   Not Applicable
                         
  Total square footage 1,428,106              
                         
                         
                         
Page 8 of 67
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.              
                         
The Company is subject to various investigations, claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavorably to the Company. The Company has established accruals for matters that are probable and reasonably estimable. Management believes that any liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters in excess of accruals and or amounts provided by insurance coverage will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.
                         
                         
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.  
                         
No matters were submitted by the Company to a vote of the Company's security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 28, 2002.
                         
                         
                         
PART II
                         
     
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
    STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.            
                         
The Company's Class A Common Stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange (ticker symbol STS). The number of record holders of the Class A Common Stock as of March 13, 2003 was approximately 305. Due to the number of shares held in nominee or street name, it is likely that there are more than 305 beneficial owners of the Company's Class A Common Stock.
                         
The Company's Class A Common Stock closed at a price of $4.25 per share on the American Stock Exchange on March 13, 2003 on which date there were 8,897,986 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding. High and low closing prices of the Class A Common Stock for the two-year period ended December 28, 2002 were:

      2002   2001      
      High   Low   High   Low      
    1st Quarter $6.50   $4.05   $4.25   $2.88      
    2nd Quarter 7.50   5.55   4.66   2.76      
    3rd Quarter 6.05   4.25   4.60   2.80      
    4th Quarter 5.00   4.00   4.22   2.90      
                         
All of the 1,917,394 outstanding shares of the Company's Class B Common Stock were held by a total of 14 persons as of March 13, 2003. There is no established trading market for the Class B Common Stock. Class B Common Stock is freely convertible on a one-for-one basis into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock and ownership of the Class B shares is deemed to be beneficial ownership of the Class A shares under Rule 13d-3(d) (1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
                         
No cash dividends were paid in 2002 or 2001.
                         
                         
                         
Page 9 of 67

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.      
                             
             
          For Fiscal Years Ended  
Consolidated Income Statement Data:                  
(in millions, except per share amounts)                  
                             
          2002   2001   2000   1999   1998  
  Net revenue   $210.1   $226.7   $263.5   $258.7   $236.3  
                             
  Net income   3.6   4.9   8.0   8.3   9.0(a)  
                             
  Net income per share: (b)                      
    Basic earnings per share   .33   .45   .72   .68   .68  
                             
    Diluted earnings per share   .33   .45   .71   .68   .67  
                             
                             
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:                  
(in millions)                      
                             
  Working capital   $28.9   $29.4   $35.2   $42.7   $39.4  
                             
  Total assets   87.3   91.6   103.0   110.6   94.2  
                             
  Long-term debt (excluding                      
    current maturities)   7.4   13.1   25.9   35.3   18.3  
                             
  Stockholders' equity   59.0   55.1   50.8   44.8   53.5  
                             
                             
(a) Net income for 1998 was reduced by a $1.3 million extraordinary loss.
 
(b) All per share amounts have been restated for all common stock dividends paid.
                             
 
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
Page 10 of 67
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL  
      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.  
                             
Comparison of 2002 with 2001                  
                             
Revenues for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002 declined $16.6 million to $210.1 million from $226.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. The Company's truck revenues declined 2.3% in fiscal year 2002 as compared to fiscal year 2001 and the closing of the Company's North Carolina plant was the primary reason for this decline in truck division revenues. The Company's bus division revenues declined nearly 21% (excluding chassis sales) in fiscal year 2002 as compared to fiscal year 2001. Management attributes this decline to an industry-wide weakness resulting from the events of September 11, 2001. Additionally, competitive pressure increased as other bus manufacturers increased capacity during 2002.
                             
Gross profit as a percentage of revenues declined to 13.7% in fiscal 2002 compared to 14.0% in fiscal 2001. Contributing to this decline was the intense, competitive pricing pressure in both the Company's truck body and shuttle bus product lines during 2002. Both direct labor and manufacturing overhead as a percentage of revenues increased slightly in 2002 as compared to 2001. While the Company has reduced overall staffing levels commensurate with the revenue decline, direct labor as a percentage of revenues still rose slightly as the Company competes in very competitive labor markets. The increase in manufacturing overhead as a percentage of revenues in 2002 as compared to 2001 is partially attributed to the fixed nature of certain expenses that do not decline when revenues decline. The Company also experienced increases in the cost of its commercial lines of insurance as well as its group health insurance and was not able to pass these increases through to its customers. The insurance increases will be a continuing issue as they were not in effect for all of 2002 and will be for 2003. Additionally, the insurance markets are still difficult and further increases are probable. Partially offsetting the increase in direct labor and manufacturing overhead as a percentage of revenues was an improvement in material cost as a percentage of revenues in 2002 as compared to 2001. The improvement in material cost is attributed to changes in product mix from year to year and engineering efforts that have resulted in improved products that require less material.
                             
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $22.0 million or 10.5% of revenues in 2002 compared to $21.5 million or 9.5% of revenues in 2001. Compensation costs are by far the largest component of selling, general and administrative expenses. With the exception of engineering, the increase in overall compensation cost was approximately 2.6%. The Company has made a concerted effort to improve its engineering and bill of material departments resulting in significant increased compensation in these areas. The single largest factor causing an increase in selling, general and administrative expense was an approximate half million dollar decline in cooperative marketing rebates, which are received from the original equipment manufacturers, that are used to offset marketing and promotional expenses.
                             
Interest expense for fiscal year 2002 decreased $1.2 million to $1.0 million compared to $2.2 million for fiscal year 2001. The decrease in interest expense resulted from a 30.8% reduction in long-term debt, lower interest rates and improved management of bailment pool chassis.
                             
The Company's effective income tax rate decreased to 38.5% in 2002 from 39.0% in 2001. The decline is primarily the result of fluctuations in state taxable income and varying tax rates in the states in which the Company transacts business.
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
Page 11 of 67
Comparison of 2001 with 2000
                             
The Company experienced a revenue decline of $36.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2000. The Company's truck product lines declined $50.2 million to $164.6 million from $214.8 million for year ended December 31, 2000 while the Company's bus products increased to $55.7 million from $40.9 million for year ended December 31, 2000. Delivery and other income declined $1.4 million from $7.8 million to $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001.
                             
The decline in truck revenues was consistent throughout the country as each of the Company's manufacturing facilities experienced a decline in revenue during 2001 ranging from approximately 18% to as high as 29%. Revenues from the Company's relatively small refrigerated product line produced in Wilson, North Carolina declined 42%.
                             
The increase in bus revenues of approximately 36% is related to additional capacity added in February 2001 to the Company's midsize and trolley production line. The additional capacity allowed the Company to maintain reasonable lead times giving it a competitive advantage over other competitors who could not deliver as timely. A portion of the Company's municipal bus business is awarded on a multi year contract basis further mitigating the economic ups and downs experienced on the truck side.
                             
The Company's gross profit percentage declined .8% to 14.0% in 2001 compared to 14.8% in 2000. A slight increase in overhead expenses as a percentage of revenue was offset by a slight decrease in direct labor as a percentage of revenue. Material cost as a percentage of revenue was the significant factor in the decline in gross profit during 2001.
                             
The Company has experienced decreases in the prices paid for its major raw material items: steel, aluminum, lumber and fiberglass related products. The reason for the increase in material cost as a percentage of revenue is a much more competitive marketplace due to excess capacity in conjunction with variations in product mix.
                             
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $21.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $22.9 million for the prior year. The Company's target was to reduce these expenses by $1.0 million in 2001; the actual reduction was $1.4 million. Contributing to the reductions were decreases in consulting fees and incentive compensation as well as improvements in OEM marketing programs.
                             
Interest expense declined $.9 million to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 from $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2000. A decline of $1.0 million of interest expense on bank and other long term debt was offset by a $.1 million increase in chassis interest.
                             
The Company's effective income tax rate was $39.0% for both 2001 and 2000.
                             
                             
Liquidity and Capital Resources
                             
Net income of $3.6 million in 2002 and availability under the revolving credit agreement continue to be the Company's major sources of funds for operations and capital expenditures. For fiscal year 2002, the major sources of operating cash flows were net income, depreciation and amortization of $4.0 million, a $2.9 million reduction of inventories and a $1.2 million reduction in accounts receivable. Cash was used in operating activities to reduce other current liabilities by $1.6 million and trade accounts payable by $1.1 million during 2002.
                             
                             
                             
Page 12 of 67
Capital expenditures increased $.9 million to $2.8 million in fiscal year 2002 compared to $1.9 million in fiscal year 2001. While annual capital expenditures are anticipated to remain under $4.0 million for 2003, the Company will give consideration to acquisition opportunities as they arise. The Company also deposited $1.0 million with its insurance carrier in lieu of providing a letter of credit to secure the Company's workers compensation coverage. This deposit saves the letter of credit fee and earns interest at the rate of 4.25% per year.
                             
The Company continued to reduce debt by $5.4 million during 2002. The Company had $8.9 million available under its $12.0 million revolving line of credit at December 28, 2002.
                             
The Company believes that cash flows from operations and funds available under the Company's revolving line of credit will be sufficient to meet its cash requirements during 2003.
                             
                             
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
                             
Management's discussion and analysis of its financial position and results of operations are based upon the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company's significant accounting policies are discussed in Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In management's opinion, the Company's critical accounting policies include allowance for doubtful accounts, excess and obsolete inventories and accrued insurance.
                             
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required which would affect our future operating results.
                             
Excess and Obsolete Inventories - The Company must make estimates regarding the future use of products and provides a provision for obsolete or slow-moving inventories. If actual product life-cycles, product demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required which would affect future operating results.
                             
Accrued Insurance - The Company has a self-insured retention against product liability claims with insurance coverage over and above the retention. The Company is also self-insured for a portion of its employee medical benefits and workers' compensation. Product liability claims are routinely reviewed by the Company's insurance carrier and management routinely reviews other self-insurance risks for purposes of establishing ultimate loss estimates. In addition, management must determine estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported. Such estimates and any subsequent changes in estimates may result in adjustments to our operating results in the future.
                             
                             
Pending Accounting Policies
                             
See New Accounting Pronouncements in Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
Page 13 of 67
Forward-Looking Statements
                             
This report contains forward-looking statements, other than historical facts, which reflect the view of the Company's management with respect to future events. When used in this report, words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its plans or operations, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company's management. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, and it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such expectations include, without limitation, limitations on the availability of chas sis on which the Company's product is dependent, availability of raw materials and severe interest rate increases. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect the current view of the Company's management with respect to future events and are subject to those factors and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the operations, results of operations, cash flows and financial position of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons actual results could differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
Page 14 of 67
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
      RISK.                  
                             
In the normal course of business, operations of the Company are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates. These fluctuations can vary the cost of investing, financing and operating. The Company's primary risk exposure results from changes in short-term interest rates. In an effort to manage risk exposures, the Company strives to achieve an acceptable balance between fixed and floating rate debt positions. The Company's revolving line of credit is floating rate debt and bears interest at the bank's prime rate or LIBOR plus certain basis points depending on the pricing option selected and the Company's leverage ratio. At December 28, 2002, the Company was a party to two (2) interest rate swap agreements dated September 30, 1998 and May 11, 1999. The September 30, 1998 interest rate swap agreement relates to a five-year term loan (original principal balance of $7 million), and the May 11, 1999 interest rate swap agreement relates to a five-year term loan (o riginal principal balance of $17.1 million). The term loan dated September 30, 1998 was paid in full August 2002; however, the swap agreement continues through maturity on September 30, 2003. The May 11, 1999 term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus certain basis points determined by the Company's leverage ratio. The effective interest rate at December 28, 2002 for this term loan was 2.32%, on an outstanding principal balance of $5,527,998. The interest rate swap agreements are contracts to exchange floating rate for fixed rate interest payment over the lives of the interest rate swap agreement, which coincide with the terms of the related term loans and are used to measure interest to be paid or received and do not represent the amount of exposure of credit loss. The differential paid or received under the interest rate swap agreements is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. The following is a summary of interest rate swap agreements outstanding at December 28, 2002.
                             
    Notional Amount   Fixed Rate   Maturity  
    $1,050,000   5.8%   September 30, 2003  
    5,528,000   5.8%   May 11, 2004  
                             
Based on the Company's overall interest rate exposure at December 28, 2002, including floating rate debt and the related interest rate swap agreements, a hypothetical 10 percent change in interest rates applied to the fair value of the financial instruments as of December 28, 2002, would have no material impact on earnings, cash flows or fair values of interest rate risk sensitive instruments over a one-year period.
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
Page 15 of 67
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
                             
Index to Financial Statements             Page
 
1. Financial Statements:                  
                             
    Report of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP, Independent Auditors   17
                             
    Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Accountants   18
                             
    Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 28, 2002 and      
      December 31, 2001                   19
                             
    Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 28,      
      2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000       20
                             
    Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended      
      December 28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000   21
                             
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December    
      28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000       22
                             
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   23 - 36
                             
                             
                             
2. Financial Statement Schedule:              
                             
    Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended      
      December 28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000   37
                             
                             
    All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable.        
                             
                             
                             
3. Supplementary Data          
                             
    Quarterly Results               38
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
Page 16 of 67
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
                             
                             
                             
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Supreme Industries, Inc.:
                             
We have audited the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule of Supreme Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 listed in the accompanying index. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
                             
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. 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 Supreme Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 28, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the years ended December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the 2002 and 2001 consolidated financial statements.
                             
 
                             
                             
                             
              /s/Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP  
                             
                             
                             
                       
South Bend, Indiana                      
January 31, 2003                      
                             
                             
                             
                             
Page 17 of 67
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                             
                             
                             
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Supreme Industries, Inc.:                      
                             
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of income, of stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2000, present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Supreme Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2000 listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related 2000 consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these st atements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates make by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
                             
                             
                             
              /s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
South Bend, Indiana                      
February 2, 2001                      
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
Page 18 of 67

Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
                                                                 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001
             
  ASSETS 2002   2001
  Current assets:          
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 112,898   $ 192,662
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts          
      of $362,000 in 2002 and $350,000 in 2001   19,304,880     20,526,224
    Inventories   23,799,288     26,741,761
    Deferred income taxes   1,337,278     1,353,315
    Other current assets   3,260,965     1,946,978
                          Total current assets   47,815,309     50,760,940
                                                                 
  Property, plant and equipment, net     35,602,888     38,936,403
                                                                 
  Intangible assets, net   133,150     203,562
                                                                 
  Goodwill   735,014     735,014
                                                                 
  Assets held for sale           2,119,626     -
                                                                 
  Other assets 942,107     973,139
                          Total assets $ 87,348,094   $ 91,609,058
                                                                 
  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
  Current liabilities:        
    Current maturities of long-term debt $ 4,660,114   $ 4,303,239
    Trade accounts payable 6,800,165     7,906,418
    Accrued wages and benefits 2,791,821     3,150,183
    Accrued income taxes 109,889     660,607
    Other accrued liabilities     4,552,682     5,329,158
                          Total current liabilities   18,914,671     21,349,605
                                                                 
  Long-term debt   7,366,858     13,075,971
                                                                 
  Deferred income taxes     1,844,894     1,710,718
                                                                 
  Other long-term liabilities       209,348     396,834
                          Total liabilities       28,335,771     36,533,128
                                                                 
  Commitments and contingencies (Note H)          
                                                                 
  Stockholders' equity:          
    Preferred Stock, $1 par value; authorized 1,000,000          
      shares, none issued   -     -
    Class A Common Stock, $.10 par value; authorized            
      20,000,000 shares, issued 11,284,827 shares in 2002 and            
      11,220,565 shares in 2001     1,128,483     1,122,057
    Class B Common Stock, convertible into Class A            
      Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, $.10 par value;            
      authorized 5,000,000 shares, issued 1,917,394 shares     191,739     191,739
    Additional paid-in capital     55,861,169     55,615,704
    Retained earnings     22,112,707     18,532,324
    Treasury stock, Class A Common Stock, at cost, 2,341,475            
      shares in 2002 and 2,339,575 shares in 2001     (20,151,979)     (20,143,825)
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (129,796)     (242,069)
                          Total stockholders' equity     59,012,323     55,075,930
                          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 87,348,094   $ 91,609,058
 
The accompanying notes are a part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
Page 19 of 67

Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
                                                 
Consolidated Statements of Income
for the years ended December 28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000
                                                 
                                    2002     2001     2000
  Revenue:                
    Net sales   $ 209,567,012   $ 226,263,541   $ 263,082,913
    Other income     565,135     390,239     374,777
                                    210,132,147     226,653,780     263,457,690
                                                 
  Costs and expenses:                  
    Cost of sales     181,350,538     194,979,382     224,355,674
    Selling, general and administrative     21,964,703     21,451,857     22,891,454
    Interest     995,523     2,168,359     3,119,588
                                    204,310,764     218,599,598     250,366,716
          Income before income taxes   5,821,383     8,054,182     13,090,974
                                                 
  Income taxes   2,241,000     3,142,000     5,106,000
          Net income $ 3,580,383   $ 4,912,182   $ 7,984,974
                                                 
  Earnings per share:                  
    Basic         $.33     $.45     $.72
    Diluted       .33     .45     .71
                                                 
  Shares used in the computation of                  
    earnings per share:                    
      Basic           10,822,177     10,809,135     11,132,967
      Diluted           10,995,981     10,878,980     11,265,935
                                                 
                                                 
The accompanying notes are a part of the consolidated financial statements.
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
Page 20 of 67

Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
                                                                         
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
for the years ended December 28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000
                                                                  Accumulated      
                                                                  Accumulated      
                                                                  Other      
                                                                  Compre-     Total
                                                Additional                 hensive     Stock-
                      Class A Common Stock

  Class B Common Stock

    Paid-In     Retained     Treasury     Income     holders'
                        Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Stock     (Loss)     Equity
Balance, January 1, 2000   10,779,766   $ 1,077,977     1,826,092   $ 182,609   $ 52,975,153   $ 8,328,929   $ (17,715,485)   $ -   $ 44,849,183
                                                                         
  Net income

  -     -     -     -     -     7,984,974     -     -     7,984,974
  5% Common Stock                                                    
    dividend   440,799     44,080     91,302     9,130     2,640,551     (2,693,761)     -     -     -
  Acquisition of 441,203                                                    
    shares of treasury stock   -     -     -     -     -     -     (2,021,346)     -     (2,021,346)
                                                       
Balance, December 31, 2000   11,220,565     1,122,057     1,917,394     191,739     55,615,704     13,620,142     (19,736,831)     -     50,812,811
                                                                         
  Net income

  -     -     -     -     -     4,912,182     -     -     4,912,182
  Unrealized loss on hedge                                                    
    activity, net of tax

  -     -     -     -     -     -     -     (242,069)     (242,069)
    Total comprehensive

                                                   

    income                                                   4,670,113
  Acquisition of 132,575

                                                   
    shares of treasury stock

  -     -     -     -     -     -     (406,994)     -     (406,994)
                                                       
Balance, December 31, 2001   11,220,565     1,122,057     1,917,394     191,739     55,615,704     18,532,324     (20,143,825)     (242,069)     55,075,930
 

                                                   
  Net income   -     -     -     -     -     3,580,383     -     -     3,580,383
  Unrealized gain on hedge

                                                   
    activity, net of tax -     -     -     -     -     -     -     112,273 -242,069   112,273
    Total comprehensive

                                                   
      income                                                   3,692,656
  Exercise of stock options   64,262     6,426     -     -     245,465     -     -     -     251,891
  Acquisition of 1,900

                                                   
    shares of treasury stock   -     -     -     -     -     -     (8,154)     -     (8,154)
     

                                                       
Balance, December 28, 2002   11,284,827   $ 1,128,483     1,917,394   $ 191,739   $ 55,861,169   $ 22,112,707   $ (20,151,979)   $ (129,796)   $ 59,012,323
                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
The accompanying notes are a part of the consolidated financial statements.

                                                                         
                                                                         
Page 21 of 67

Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
                                                 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the years ended December 28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000
                                                 
                                    2002     2001     2000
  Cash flows from operating activities:                  
    Net income   $ 3,580,383   $ 4,912,182   $ 7,984,974
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash                  
      provided by operating activities:                  
        Depreciation and amortization     3,958,478     4,329,171     4,122,320
        Amortization of intangibles and goodwill     70,412     156,880     203,310
        Provision (credit) for losses on doubtful                  
          receivables     (33,050)     11,459     (134,991)
        Deferred income taxes     75,000     (157,000)     (191,000)
        Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and                  
          equipment     23,971     (10,667)     103,272
        Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                  
          Accounts receivable

    1,166,394     4,347,634     4,187,059
          Inventories

    2,942,473     5,073,709     6,736,869
          Other current assets

    (313,987)     (684,654)     559,057
          Trade accounts payable

    (1,106,253)     (205,370)     (3,890,139)
          Other current liabilities

    (1,634,805)     (1,882,769)     (455,796)
                                 
            Net cash provided by operating activities

    8,729,016     15,890,575     19,224,935
                                                 
  Cash flows from investing activities:                  
    Proceeds from sale of property, plant and                  
      equipment     46,174     27,496     28,650
    Additions to property, plant and                  
      equipment     (2,814,734)     (1,888,271)     (8,184,282)
    Deposit     (1,000,000)     -     -
    Decrease (increase) in other assets     119,032     48,375     (52,268)
                                                 
            Net cash (used in) investing activities     (3,649,528)     (1,812,400)     (8,207,900)
                                                 
  Cash flows from financing activities:                  
    Proceeds from revolving line of credit and other                  
      long-term debt     16,886,439     55,341,024     106,025,242
    Repayments of revolving line of credit and other                  
      long-term debt     (22,238,677)     (69,003,547)     (115,107,862)
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options     201,140     -     -
    Acquisition of treasury stock     (8,154)     (406,994)     (2,021,346)
                                                 
            Net cash (used in) financing activities

    (5,159,252)     (14,069,517)     (11,103,966)
                                                 
  Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (79,764)     8,658     (86,931)
                                                 
  Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year     192,662     184,004     270,935
                                                 
  Cash and cash equivalents, end of year   $ 112,898   $ 192,662   $ 184,004
                                                 
  Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                  
    Cash paid during the year for:                  
      Interest   $ 1,034,000   $ 2,183,080   $ 3,044,783
      Income taxes     2,716,718     3,765,050     5,036,591
                                                 
  Noncash investing and financing activities:                  
    Common Stock dividends     -     -     2,693,761
                                                 
                                                 
The accompanying notes are a part of the consolidated financial statements.

                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
Page 22 of 67

Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                     
A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES.  
                     
  Supreme Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively the "Company") manufacture specialized truck bodies that are mounted on new truck chassis produced by others. The Company's truck body products include cut-away and dry freight van bodies, refrigerated units, stake bodies and other specialized trucks. The Company also manufactures shuttle buses and trailers. At December 28, 2002, the Company had 17 manufacturing, distribution and supply facilities. The Company's customers are located principally in the United States.  
                     
  The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements:  
                     
    Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Supreme Industries, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  
                     
    Fiscal Year End - Effective January 1, 2002, the Company changed its fiscal year from a calendar year ending December 31 to a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending the last Saturday in December. The fiscal year ended December 28, 2002 contained 52 weeks.  
                     
    Revenue Recognition - The production of specialized truck bodies and shuttle buses starts when an order is received from the customer. Revenue is recognized when the unit is shipped to the customer in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statement."  
                     
    Concentration of Credit Risk - Concentration of credit risk is limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion among many different industries and geographic regions. The Company performs an ongoing credit evaluation of its customers' financial condition, and credit is extended to customers on an unsecured basis.  
                     
    Financial Instruments and Fair Values - The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on certain of its floating rate debt. The swap agreements are contracts to exchange the debt obligation's LIBOR floating rate (exclusive of the applicable spread) for fixed rate interest payments over the life of the debt obligations without exchange of the underlying notional amounts. The notional amounts of the interest rate swap agreements are used to measure interest to be paid or received and do not represent the amount of exposure of credit loss. The differential paid or received under interest rate swap agreements is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense.  
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 23 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries            
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued            
                     
A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued.  
                     
    The following is a summary of interest rate swap agreements outstanding at December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001:

Notional Amount

2002 2001 Fixed Rate Maturity

$1,050,000 $2,450,000 5.8% September 30, 2003

5,528,000 8,964,600 5.8% May 11, 2004

 
                     
    The actual market or credit exposure of these types of financial instruments is significantly less than the notional amounts. The primary risk associated with the swaps is the inability of counterparties to meet the terms of the contracts. The Company does not expect the counterparties to fail to meet their respective obligations.  
                     
    The Company accounts for the fair value of its interest rate swap agreements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 requires the Company to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. It further provides criteria for derivative instruments to be designated as fair value, cash flow or foreign currency hedges, and establishes accounting standards for reporting changes in the fair value in the balance sheet and recognizing the offsetting gains or losses as adjustments to be reported in net income or other comprehensive income, as appropriate. The Company has designated its hedge arrangements to be highly effective cash flow hedges to fix future interest payments. The Company expects to hold theses interest rate swaps through their maturity and the fair value of the swap s will reverse out of accumulated other comprehensive loss with the passage of time. Based on the Company's derivative positions at December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the Company recorded a liability of $209,348 and $396,834, respectively, for the fair value of its derivative portfolio and charged (net of income tax benefit) other comprehensive loss for the changes in fair value during the years. At December 31, 2000, the estimated fair value of the interest rate swap agreements, based on then current market rates, was not significant.  
                     
    The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and trade accounts payable approximated fair value as of December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 because of the relatively short maturities of these financial instruments. The carrying amount of long-term debt, including current maturities, approximated fair value as of December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001, based upon terms and conditions available to the Company at those dates in comparison to the terms and conditions of its outstanding long-term debt.  
                     
    Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. During 2002, the Company made an interest bearing cash deposit of $1,000,000 to secure the payment of amounts due under certain insurance policies. This amount is included in other current assets in the 2002 consolidated balance sheet.  
                     
       
Page 24 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries            
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued            
             
A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued.  
             
    Accounts Receivable - The Company accounts for trade receivables based on the amounts billed to customers. Past due receivables are determined based on contractual terms. The Company does not accrue interest on any of its trade receivables.  
                     
    Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined by management based on the Company's historical losses, specific customer circumstances and general economic conditions. Periodically, management reviews accounts receivable and records an allowance for specific customers based on current circumstances and charges off the receivable against the allowance when all attempts to collect the receivable have failed.  
                     
    Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the first-in, first-out method.  
                     
    Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is provided based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements, for financial reporting purposes, is determined by the straight-line method over the lesser of the useful life of the asset or term of the lease. Upon sale or other disposition of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Betterments and major renewals are capitalized and recorded in the appropriate asset accounts.  
                     
    Assets Held for Sale - During 2002, the Company ceased business operations at its North Carolina manufacturing facility. The real property has been reclassified to assets held for sale and is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, which is less than estimated fair value.  
                     
    Intangible Assets - Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of favorable lease agreements with a cost of $1,048,167 less accumulated amortization ($915,017 in 2002 and $844,605 in 2001). The favorable leases are being amortized using the straight-line method over the twenty-five year term of the lease which includes renewal terms. Amortization expense for the years ended December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 was $70,412 and $53,112, respectively. Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $51,542 for 2003, $51,542 for 2004 and $30,066 for 2005.  
                     
       
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 25 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries            
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued            
                     
A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued.  
                   
    Goodwill - The carrying value of goodwill at December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 aggregates $735,014. The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," effective January 1, 2002. SFAS No. 142 primarily addresses the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition. The most significant changes made by SFAS No. 142 are: (1) goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are no longer amortized, (2) goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level, (3) other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite life are tested for impairment at least annually, and (4) the amortization period of intangible assets with finite lives will no longer be limited to 40 years. The effect of adopting SFAS No. 142 was to increase net income for the year ended December 28, 2002 by $103,768 or $.01 per basic and diluted share. Adjusted net income for the years ended December 31, 2 001 and 2000, as if the provisions of SFAS No. 142 had been applied retroactively to the beginning of these periods, would have been $5,015,950 or $.46 per basic and diluted share and $8,088,742 or $.73 per basic, $.72 per diluted share, respectively.  
                     
    Evaluation of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 144, "Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." In accordance with SFAS No. 144, the Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever significant events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may be impaired. The Company evaluates potential impairment of long-lived assets by comparing the carrying value of the assets to the expected net future cash inflows resulting from use of the assets. Management believes that no material impairment of long-lived assets exists at December 28, 2002.  
                     
    Stock-Based Compensation - The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," as amended by SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure," and, accordingly, accounts for its stock option plans using the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."  
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 26 of 67

Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
                       
A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued.  
                       
  The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if compensation expense was measured using the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."  
                       
            2002   2001   2000  
    Net income, as reported $3,580,383   $4,912,182   $7,984,974  
    Add: Stock-based compensation            
      expense included in reported            
      net income, net of tax 67,286   38,620   -  
    Deduct: Stock-based compensation            
      expense determined under fair            
      value based method, net of tax 313,721   261,336   157,810  
                       
    Pro forma net income $3,333,948   $4,689,466   $7,827,164  
                       
    Basic earnings per share, as reported $.33   $.45   $.72  
    Pro forma basic earnings per share .31   .43   .70  
                       
    Diluted earnings per share, as reported .33   .45   .71  
    Pro forma diluted earnings per share .30   .43   .69  
                       
  The pro forma amounts shown above and the weighted-average grant-date fair values of options granted were estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:  
                       
            2002   2001   2000  
    Risk free interest rate 3.8%   4.6%   5.8%  
    Expected life 5 years   5 years   5 years  
    Expected volatility 38.5%   38.3%   36.3%  
    Expected dividends -   -   -  
                       
  Warranty - The Company provides limited product warranties for a period of up to five years after sale. Estimated warranty costs are provided at the time of sale and are based upon historical experience. Warranty activity for the years ended December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 is as follows:  

          2002   2001  
        Accrued warranty at beginning of year $ 1,025,000   $ 1,018,000  
        Warranty expense   1,071,080     1,481,096  
        Warranty claims paid   (1,096,080)     (1,474,096)  
        Accrued warranty at end of year $ 1,000,000   $ 1,025,000  
                     
  Income Taxes - Deferred income taxes are determined using the liability method.  
                     
                     
Page 27 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
     
A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued.  
     
  Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements - 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 that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  
                     
  Earnings Per Share - Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the dilutive effect of stock options.  
                     
  Segment Information - The Company's principal business is manufacturing specialized vehicles. Management has not separately organized the business beyond specialized vehicles and vertically integrated fiberglass manufacturing processes. The vertically integrated fiberglass manufacturing subsidiary constitutes a segment by definition of SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information"; however, this segment does not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate disclosure as set forth in this statement. The vertically integrated fiberglass manufacturing subsidiary's revenues are less than 10 percent of consolidated revenues, the absolute amount of it's reported income is less than 10 percent of the absolute amount of consolidated net income, and finally, it's assets are less than 10 percent of consolidated assets.  
                     
  New Accounting Pronouncements - In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." SFAS No. 143 addresses accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. Management anticipates the adoption of this statement will not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.  
                     
  In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." This statement requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. SFAS No. 146 nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)," and will be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company will implement SFAS No. 146 on January 1, 2003. The impact of such adoption is not anticipated to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.  
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 28 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
     
A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Concluded.  
                     
  In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure," an amendment of SFAS No. 123. This statement provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. This statement also amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 and Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, "Interim Financial Reporting," 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 has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148 effective December 28, 2002. The Company has not yet determined whether it will voluntarily change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.  
                     
  Reclassifications - Certain amounts in the prior years' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2002 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on total assets, stockholders' equity or net income as previously reported.  
                     
                     

  B. INVENTORIES.            
                           
    Inventories consist of the following:          
                           
                  2002   2001    
      Raw materials     $12,681,723   $15,974,583    
      Work-in-progress   4,609,291   3,501,635    
      Finished goods   6,508,274   7,265,543    
                           
          Total     $23,799,288   $26,741,761    
                           
 
 
  C. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT.    
                           
    Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:        
                           
                  2002   2001    
      Land and improvements   $ 7,124,226   $ 6,923,432    
      Buildings and improvements   18,955,026   20,531,981    
      Leasehold improvements   7,197,299   7,237,466    
      Machinery and equipment   32,966,670   33,821,870    
                  66,243,221   68,514,749    
        Less, Accumulated depreciation and          
          amortization   30,640,333   29,578,346    
                           
            Property, plant and equipment,          
              net $35,602,888   $38,936,403    
                           
                           
                           
Page 29 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
                           
  D. LONG-TERM DEBT.  
                           
    Long-term debt consists of the following:        
                           
                  2002   2001    
      Revolving line of credit $ 1,890,209   $ 883,009    
                           
      Term Note C, payable in quarterly installments          
        of $609,143 plus interest at LIBOR plus          
        certain basis points determined by the          
        Company's leverage ratio (effective rates of          
        2.32% and 3.13% at December 28, 2002 and          
        December 31, 2001, respectively), with final          
        maturity in May 2004 5,527,998   8,964,570    
                           
      Term Note B, payable in monthly installments of          
        $116,667 plus interest at LIBOR plus certain          
        basis points determined by the Company's          
        leverage ratio (effective rate of 2.81% at          
        December 31, 2001), paid in full August 2002 -   2,449,987    
                           
      Obligations under industrial development          
        revenue bonds, variable rates, with maturities          
        in August 2010 and April 2015, collateralized          
        by real estate 4,608,765   5,081,644    
                     
          Total 12,026,972   17,379,210    
                           
            Less, Current maturities 4,660,114   4,303,239    
                           
          Long-term debt $ 7,366,858   $13,075,971    
                           
    The revolving line of credit, term notes and a letter of credit facility are part of a master credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement"). All borrowings under the Credit Agreement are unsecured. The Credit Agreement, as amended through May 1, 2002, provides for a revolving line of credit facility as defined, up to $12 million at December 28, 2002 ($20 million at December 31, 2001). Interest on outstanding borrowings under the revolving line of credit is based on the bank's prime rate or certain basis points above LIBOR depending on the pricing option selected and the Company's leverage ratio, as defined. Outstanding borrowings under the revolving line of credit at December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 represent checks outstanding in excess of bank balances. The revolving line of credit also requires a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 1/8% to 3/16% per annum depending on the Company's leverage ratio and based upon the annualized average unused portion. Any amounts outstanding under the revolving line of credit will be due at maturity, April 30, 2003.  
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
Page 30 of 67

Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries    
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
                         
D. LONG-TERM DEBT, Concluded.        
                         
  In addition to the required quarterly installments, Term Note C requires an annual principal payment to be paid within 105 days after year end, equal to 20% of the preceding year's net income which exceeds $5.0 million, with such additional annual payment not to exceed $1.0 million in any year. Although no additional principal payment was required in 2002 based upon net income for the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company made an additional principal payment of $1,000,000 during 2002. No additional principal payment is required to be made in 2003 based upon net income for the year ended December 28, 2002.  
                         
  Outstanding letters of credit, which reduce availability under the credit facility, aggregated $1.2 million and $1.8 million at December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively. Under separate agreements, at December 28, 2002 the Company has outstanding $4.6 million ($4.9 million at December 31, 2001) in irrevocable letters of credit in favor of bond trustees as a credit enhancement for bondholders of two industrial development revenue bonds.  
                         
  The Credit Agreement contains, among other matters, certain restrictive covenants including maintenance of a minimum consolidated tangible net worth of $28 million plus 50% of cumulative net income of the Company, as defined, commencing with the year ended December 31, 1999 ($40.4 million at December 28, 2002), minimum consolidated working capital of $10 million and required financial ratios.  
                         
  The Company's cash management system and revolving line of credit are designed to maintain zero cash balances and, accordingly, checks outstanding in excess of bank balances are classified as additional borrowings under the revolving line of credit.  
                         
  Maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five years are as follows: 2003 - $4,660,114; 2004 - $3,558,093; 2005 - $433,333; 2006 - $366,667 and 2007 - $508,333.  
                         
                         
E. RETIREMENT PLAN.            
                         
  The Company maintains a defined contribution plan which covers substantially all employees of the Company who have reached the age of twenty-one years and have completed one year of credited service. The plan provides that eligible employees can contribute from one to fifteen percent of their annual compensation and the Company will match thirty percent of employees' contributions up to seven percent of the employees' compensation. The Board of Directors may increase or decrease the Company's contribution on a year-to-year basis. Expense related to this plan was $492,498, $436,045 and $482,706 for the fiscal years ended 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.  
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
Page 31 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
                         
F. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY.        
                         
  Preferred Stock            
                         
  The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock ($1 par value), of which none has been issued. The Board of Directors is vested with the authority to determine and state the designations and relative preferences, limitations, voting rights, if any, and other rights of the preferred shares.  
                         
  Common Stock Dividends            
                         
  The Board of Directors declared a 5% common stock dividend on April 27, 2000. The 5% stock dividend was paid on May 22, 2000 to stockholders of record as of May 15, 2000.  
                         
  Convertible Class B Common Stock  
                         
  Class B Common Stock is convertible into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to elect one-third of the Board of Directors, rounded to the lowest whole number. Holders of Class B Common Stock elect the remainder of the directors.  
                         
  Stock Options        
                         
  During 1992, the Company adopted the 1992 Stock Option Plan under which 401,117 (adjusted for all subsequent stock dividends) shares of Class A Common Stock were reserved for grant. On October 29, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved, and the Company's stockholders subsequently ratified, the 1998 Stock Option Plan under which 790,079 (adjusted for all subsequent stock dividends) shares of Class A Common Stock were reserved for grant. On January 31, 2001, the Company's Board of Directors approved, and the Company's stockholders subsequently ratified, the 2001 Stock Option Plan under which 750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock were reserved for grant. Under the terms of the stock option plans, both incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options can be granted by a specially designated Stock Option Committee. For persons age sixty-five and younger as of the date of grant, no options may be exercised during the first year after the date of gra nt and are exercisable cumulatively in three installments of 33 1/3% each year thereafter. For persons over age sixty-five as of the date of grant, one half of the options may be exercised during the first year and thereafter all options may be exercised. Options granted under the stock option plans expire five years after the date of grant.  
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
Page 32 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
                         
F. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, Concluded.    
                         
  The following table summarizes stock option activity:  
                Number

of Shares

  Weighted - Average

Exercise Price

 
    Outstanding, January 1, 2000 311,578   $6.75  
                         
      Granted 722,606   4.15  
      Expired or canceled (12,425)   6.28  
                         
    Outstanding, December 31, 2000 1,021,759   4.92  
                         
      Granted 85,000   3.13  
      Expired or canceled (54,823)   5.07  
                         
    Outstanding, December 31, 2001 1,051,936   4.77  
                         
      Granted 360,000   5.61  
      Exercised (64,262)   3.13  
      Expired or canceled (133,138)   5.13  
                         
    Outstanding, December 28, 2002 1,214,536   5.05  
                         
  As of December 28, 2002, 499,153 shares were reserved for the granting of future stock options compared to 726,015 shares at December 31, 2001.  
                         
  Options outstanding at December 28, 2002 have a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 2.82 years. Information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 28, 2002 is as follows:  
                         

      Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable  
     

Number

Outstanding At

December 28,

2002

  Weighted -

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life

 

Weighted - Average Exercise

Price

     
            Number

Exercisable At December 28, 2002

  Weighted -

Average

Exercise

Price

 
               
  Exercise Price            
  $7.15   213,943   .84 years   $7.15   213,943   $7.15  
  5.60   325,000   4.34 years   5.60   7,500   5.60  
  5.36   293,856   2.33 years   5.36   199,403   5.36  
  4.15   10,000   4.80 years   4.15   -   -  
  3.44   30,000   2.85 years   3.44   20,000   3.44  
  3.13   256,737   2.85 years   3.13   154,734   3.13  
  3.13   85,000   3.35 years   3.13   28,332   3.13  
      1,214,536           623,912   5.26  
                         
  At December 31, 2001 and 2000, there were exercisable options outstanding to purchase 492,198 and 217,703 shares at weighted-average exercise prices of $5.66 and $6.63, respectively.  
                         
  The weighted-average grant-date fair values of options granted during the years ended December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 were $2.20 and $1.35, respectively.  
                         
                         
Page 33 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
                         

G. INCOME TAXES.            
                       
  Income taxes consist of the following:          
                       
            2002   2001   2000  
    Federal:            
      Current $1,932,000   $2,882,000   $4,411,000  
      Deferred 59,000   (129,000)   (156,000)  
            1,991,000   2,753,000   4,255,000  
                       
    State:            
      Current 234,000   417,000   886,000  
      Deferred 16,000   (28,000)   (35,000)  
            250,000   389,000   851,000  
        Total $2,241,000   $3,142,000   $5,106,000  
                       
  The Deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liabilities were as follows:  
                       
                2002   2001  
    Deferred tax assets:            
      Receivables     $ 143,410   $ 138,656  
      Inventories     357,256   229,130  
      Accrued liabilities     959,664   1,189,172  
      Unrealized hedge loss     79,552   154,765  
        Total deferred tax assets     1,539,882   1,711,723  
                       
    Deferred tax liabilities:          
      Depreciation     $2,010,009   $1,998,377  
      Other     37,489   70,749  
        Total deferred tax liabilities     2,047,498   2,069,126  
                       
    Net deferred income taxes     $ 507,616   $ 357,403  
                       
  A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate (34% in 2002 and 2001 and 35% in 2000) to income before income taxes is as follows:  
                       
            2002   2001   2000  
    Income taxes at statutory rate $1,979,300   $2,738,400   $4,581,800  
    State income taxes, net of federal            
      benefit 165,000   256,700   553,200  
    Amortization of goodwill -   36,900   36,900  
    Other, net 96,700   110,000   (65,900)  
        Total $2,241,000   $3,142,000   $5,106,000  
                       
                       
                       
                       
Page 34 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
                       
H. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES.          
                       
  Lease Commitments and Related Party Transactions      
                       
  The Company leases certain office and manufacturing facilities under operating lease agreements which expire at various dates from April 2003 through May 2007. Certain of the lease agreements are with related parties for which related party rent expense was $746,115, $742,187 and $665,562 for the fiscal years ended 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.  
                       
  Rent expense under all operating leases aggregated $924,551, $922,986 and $1,018,856 for the fiscal years ended 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.  
                       
  At December 28, 2002, future minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating leases aggregated $2,130,913 and are payable as follows: 2003 - $785,661; 2004 - $744,565; 2005 - $488,133; 2006 - $93,804 and 2007 - $18,750.  
                       
  In addition to the above related party lease transactions, the Company purchases delivery services and rented the use of an aircraft from companies owned by officers/directors of the Company. During the fiscal years ended 2002, 2001 and 2000, the Company had related party transactions with officers/directors aggregating $2,714,000, $2,756,000 and $3,821,000, respectively. In December 2002, the Company purchased the aircraft, which was previously rented for use, from a company owned by an officer/director of the Company. The purchase price of the aircraft was $440,000.  
                       
  Consigned Inventories          
                       
  The Company obtains vehicle chassis for its specialized vehicle products directly from the chassis manufacturer under converter pool agreements. Chassis are obtained from the manufacturers based on orders from customers, and to a lesser extent, for unallocated orders. Although each manufacturer's agreement has different terms and conditions, the agreements generally provide that the manufacturer will provide a supply of chassis to be maintained from time to time at the Company's various facilities under the conditions that the Company will store such chassis and will not move, sell or otherwise dispose of such chassis, except under the terms of the agreement. The manufacturer does not transfer the certificate of origin to the Company and, accordingly, the Company accounts for the chassis as consigned inventory belonging to the manufacturer. Under these agreements if the chassis is not delivered to a customer within a specified time frame, the Company is requir ed to pay a finance charge on the chassis. At December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001, chassis inventory, accounted for as consigned inventory to the Company by the manufacturers, aggregated $28.7 million and $44.8 million, respectively. Typically, chassis are converted and delivered to customers within 90 days of the receipt of the chassis by the Company.  
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
Page 35 of 67
Supreme Industries, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Concluded
                       
H. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES, Concluded.  
                       
  Self-Insurance            
                       
  The Company is self-insured for a portion of product liability ($100,000 per occurrence with no annual aggregate), certain employee health benefits ($175,000 annually per employee with an annual aggregate of approximately $5,000,000) and workers' compensation in certain states ($250,000 per occurrence with an annual aggregate of approximately $4,500,000). The Company accrues for the estimated losses occurring from both asserted and unasserted claims. The estimate of the liability for unasserted claims arising from incurred but not reported claims is based on an analysis of historical claims data.  
                       
  Stock Repurchase Programs      
                       
  On December 28, 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions through the close of business on June 30, 2000. The Company purchased 245,635 shares under this repurchase program.  
                       
  On July 14, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions through the close of business on December 31, 2000. The program was subsequently terminated with the last purchase under the program on December 14, 2000. The Company purchased 195,568 shares under this repurchase program.  
                       
  On December 20, 2000, the Board of Directors announced a "Dutch Auction" offer to its stockholders to acquire up to 1,500,000 shares of its Class A and Class B Common Stock at a price not greater than $3 nor less than $2.25 per share through the close of business on January 23, 2001. The Company purchased 123,475 shares under this repurchase program.  
                       
  On February 2, 2001, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions commencing on February 7, 2001 and ending with the close of business on December 31, 2002. On October 24, 2002, this repurchase plan was extended to end with the close of business on December 31, 2003. As of December 28, 2002, the Company had purchased 11,000 shares under this repurchase program.  
                       
  Other          
                       
  The Company is subject to various investigations, claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavorably to the Company. The Company has established accruals for matters that are probable and reasonably estimable. Management believes that any liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters in excess of accruals and or amounts provided by insurance coverage will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operation of the Company.  
Page 36 of 67

SUPREME INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                       
                       

Column A

Description

 

Column B

Balance

Beginning

of Period

  Column C

Additions

Charged to

Costs and

Expenses

 

Column D

Deductions

 

Column E

Balance End

of Period

 
Year ended December 28, 2002:                  
  Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts:                  
    Allowance for doubtful receivables   $496,000   $(33,000)   $43,000 (1)   $420,000 (2)  
                       
                       
Year ended December 31, 2001:                  
  Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts:                  
    Allowance for doubtful receivables   $644,000   $11,000   $159,000 (1)   $496,000 (2)  
                       
                       
Year ended December 31, 2000:                  
  Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts:                  
    Allowance for doubtful receivables   $844,000   $(135,000)   $65,000 (1)   $644,000 (2)  
                       
(1) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
                       
(2) Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: deducted from accounts receivable - $362,000 at December 28, 2002, $350,000 at December 31, 2001 and $409,000 at December 31, 2000; deducted from other receivables included in other assets - $58,000 at December 28, 2002, $146,000 at December 31, 2001 and $235,000 at December 31, 2000.
                       
Page 37 of 67

SUPREME INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
                     
                     
                     
                     
Quarterly Results              
               
        First   Second   Third   Fourth
  2002 Quarter              
  Net revenue $49,843,683   $59,537,510   $50,977,060   $49,773,894
  Gross profit 6,873,709   9,993,819   6,279,522   5,634,559
  Net income 801,806   2,163,500   424,677   190,400
  Per share:              
    Basic .07   .20   .04   .02
    Diluted .07   .19   .04   .02
                     
                     
  2001 Quarter              
  Net revenue $57,267,419   $60,890,049   $53,862,738   $54,633,574
  Gross profit 8,096,689   9,394,477   6,946,539   7,236,693
  Net income 1,174,211   1,600,691   866,141   1,271,139
  Per share:              
    Basic .11   .15   .08   .12
    Diluted .11   .15   .08   .12
                     
The sum of quarterly earnings per share for the four quarters may not equal annual earnings per share due to rounding and changes in the diluted potential common shares.
                     
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                   
                     
Page 38 of 67
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
                     
  The required Form 8-K, Item 4, "Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountants", dated October 9, 2001, was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 2001, and is incorporated herein by reference.
                     
                     
                     
PART III
                     
                     
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
                     
  (a) Directors - Certain information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K is hereby incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the Company's year end for the year covered by this report, under caption "Election of Directors" of the proxy statement.
                     
  (b) Executive Officers - See "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-K.
                     
                     
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.    
                     
  The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is hereby incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the Company's year end for the year covered by this report, under the caption "Executive Compensation" of the proxy statement.
                     
                     
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
                     
  The information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K is hereby incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the Company's year end for the year covered by this report, under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" of the proxy statement.
                     
                     
   
                     
   
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 39 of 67
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
                     
  The information required by Item 13 of Form 10-K is hereby incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the Company's year end for the year covered by this report, under the caption "Transactions with Management" of the proxy statement.
                     
                     
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    
                     
  a. Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.    
                     
    The Company's chief executive officer and its chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(c) and 15-d-14(c)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date") have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report was being prepared.
                     
  b. Changes in internal controls.
                     
    There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the Company's disclosure controls and procedures subsequent to the Evaluation Date, nor any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in such disclosure controls and procedures requiring corrective actions. As a result, no corrective actions were taken.
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 40 of 67
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
                     
  a. The following financial statements and financial statement schedule are included in Item 8 herein:
      1. Financial Statements    
                     
        Report of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP, Independent Auditors
                     
        Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Accountants
                     
        Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001
         
        Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000
                     
        Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000
                     
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 28, 2002, December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000
                     
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                     
                     
      2. Financial Statement Schedule
                     
        Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                     
                     
      3. Exhibits
                     
        See Index to Exhibits
                     
                     
                     
  b. Reports on Form 8-K: None        
                     
     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 41 of 67
SIGNATURES
                     
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, therunto duly authorized.
                     
                     
              SUPREME INDUSTRIES, INC.
                     
                     
Date: March 20, 2003       By: /s/Herbert M. Gardner
                Herbert M. Gardner, Chairman

of the Board

                     
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
                     
/s/Herbert M. Gardner   Chairman of the Board and March 20, 2003
Herbert M. Gardner     President (Principal Executive Officer)    
                   
/s/Omer G. Kropf   Executive Vice President and March 20, 2003
Omer G. Kropf     Director        
                     
/s/William J. Barrett   Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and March 20, 2003
William J. Barrett     Director        
                     
/s/Robert W. Wilson   Executive Vice President, Treasurer, March 20, 2003
Robert W. Wilson     Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
                     
/s/Robert J. Campbell   Director March 20, 2003
Robert J. Campbell              
                     
/s/Thomas Cantwell   Director March 20, 2003
Thomas Cantwell              
                     
/s/Rice M. Tilley, Jr.   Director March 20, 2003
Rice M. Tilley, Jr.              
                     
/s/H. Douglas Schrock   Director March 20, 2003
H. Douglas Schrock              
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 42 of 67
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                     
                     
                     
I, Herbert M. Gardner, certify that:
                     
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Supreme Industries, Inc.;
                     
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
                     
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
                     
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
                     
  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
                     
  b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
                     
  c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
                     
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
                     
  a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
                     
  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 43 of 67
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
                     
                     
                     
Date: March 20, 2003            
                     
                     
                     
        /s/ Herbert M. Gardner    
        Chief Executive Officer    
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 44 of 67
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                     
                     
                     
I, Robert W. Wilson, certify that:        
                     
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Supreme Industries, Inc.;
                     
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
                     
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
                     
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
                     
  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
                     
  b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
                     
  c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
                     
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
                     
  a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
 
  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 45 of 67
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
                     
                     
                     
Date: March 20, 2003
                     
                     
                     
        /s/ Robert W. Wilson    
        Chief Financial Officer    
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 46 of 67
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                     
Exhibit Description
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission on September 18, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 10, 1993 filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
3.3 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on May 29, 1996 filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's annual report on From 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
3.4 Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission on September 18, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
4.1 Credit Agreement dated as of April 25, 1994, between the Company, Supreme Corporation, and NBD Bank and signed in connection with certain long-term indebtedness, filed as Exhibit 4.25 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
4.2 First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated February 20, 1996, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
4.3 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated October 25, 1996 filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
4.4 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated June 23, 1998 filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
4.5 Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated September 30, 1998 signed in connection with certain long term indebtedness, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
4.6 Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated May 12, 1999 signed in connection with certain long term indebtedness, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
                     
                     
Page 47 of 67
4.7 Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated May 31, 2000 signed in connection with certain long term indebtedness, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
4.8 Seventh Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated April 30, 2001 signed in connection with certain long term indebtedness.
                     
10.1 The Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.2 Form of Stock Option grant agreement used to evidence options granted under the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.3 The Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.4 Amendment No. 1 to the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.5 Amendment No. 2 to the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's annual report on From 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.6 The Company's 2001 Stock Option Plan.
                     
10.7 Amendment No. 1 to the Company's 2001 Stock Option Plan.
                     
10.8 Inventory Loan and Security Agreement dated October 12, 1988, among General Motors Acceptance Corporation and the Company, its subsidiaries, and certain subsidiaries of Supreme Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.9 Form of Demand Promissory Note dated September 28, 1988, from the Company, and relating to the Agreement described 10.3 above, filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's annual report on From 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.10 Intercreditor Agreement dated as of December 31, 1991, among General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Congress Financial Corporation, and relating to the Agreement described in 10.3 above filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 48 of 67
10.11 Pool Company Wholesale Finance Plan Application for Wholesale Financing and Security Agreements, dated December 5, 1990, among Ford Motor Credit Company and each of Supreme Corporation, Supreme Truck Bodies of California, Inc., Supreme Corporation of Texas, and Supreme Mid-Atlantic Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's annual report on form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.12 Lease dated July 25, 1988, between Supreme Corporation and G-2, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, relating to Supreme Corporations Goshen, Indiana facilities, filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.13 Lease dated July 25, 1988, between Supreme Corporation and G-2, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, relating to Supreme Corporation's Griffin, Georgia facilities, filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.14 Lease dated August 27, 1990, between Supreme Truck Bodies of California, Inc. and Edgar Maas, individually and as Trustee of the Marsha Maas Testamentary Trust, relating to Supreme Corporation's Riverside, California facility, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                     
10.15 License Agreement dated to be effective November 5, 1992, between Supreme Corporation as license and ACCGRUPPENAB, a Swedish Corporation, as licensor, with respect to certain know-how and patent rights, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.16 Consulting Agreement dated to be effective January 1, 1993, between the Company and William J. Barrett, filed as exhibit 10.21 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.17 Consulting Agreement dated to be effective January 1, 1993, between the company and Herbert M. Gardner, filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.18 Consulting Agreement dated to be effective April 15, 1993, between the Company and Rice M. Tilley, Jr., filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.19 Consulting Agreement dated to be effective April 15, 1993, between the Company and H. Douglas Schrock, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 49 of 67
10.20 Employment Contract dated to be effective January 1, 1998, between Supreme Corporation and Robert W. Wilson, filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 1, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.21 Amendment Number One to employment contract effective January 1, 1998, between Supreme Corporation and Robert W. Wilson, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.22 Employment Contract dated to be effective May 1, 1998, between Supreme Corporation and Omer G. Kropf, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
10.23 Employment Contract dated to be effective May 1, 2002, between Supreme Corporation and Omer G. Kropf.
                     
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
                     
23.1 Consent of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP.
                     
23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
                     
99.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
                     
99.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 50 of 67
                     
                     
                     
Exhibit 10.23
                     
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
SUPREME CORPORATION
(Omer G. Kropf)
                     
                     
This Contract is entered into between Supreme Corporation, a Texas corporation (hereafter called "Company"), and Omer G. Kropf (hereafter called "Employee").
                     
Company is engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling specialized truck bodies and buses. Company desires to obtain the services of Employee as one of its key executives, and Employee is willing and able to perform in that capacity.
                     
Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties to this Contract agree as follows:
                     
    1. Employment. Company hereby employs Employee, and Employee hereby accepts such employment from Company, pursuant to those provisions herein contained.
                     
    2. Term of Employment. Subject to the provisions for termination hereafter provided, the term of this Contract shall be for a total of three (3) years beginning on May 1, 2002, and ending on April 30, 2005.
                     
    3. Duties of Employee. Employee is employed as a member of Office of the President of Company. It is understood and agreed that Employee is subject to the direction and control of Company's Board of Directors, as required by the Texas Business Corporation Act, and as a result Employee shall, if required by Company's Board of Directors during the term of this Contract, serve in any other executive capacity considering his experience and performance record to date with Company. Employee shall devote substantially all of his time, attention, best efforts, and energy to the business of Company, and may not, during the term of this Contract, be engaged in any other material business activities which interfere with his ability to carry out his obligations hereunder. However, such restriction shall not be construed as preventing Employee from making investments in (non-competitive) business enterprises so long as Employee will not be required to r ender personal services to any such business enterprises during Employee's normal business hours with Company.
                     
    4. Compensation. To the extent Employee continues to comply with all of the provisions of this Contract (including the covenants referenced in paragraph 8 below and contained in Exhibits "A" and "B" attached hereto):
             
      a. Base Salary. Company shall pay to Employee a minimum base salary of $240,000 per year payable $20,000 per month (from which federal withholding and social security taxes will be deducted) in the same manner as monthly salary payments are paid to other key executives of Company; and
                     
                     
Page 51 of 67
      b. Pre-Tax Bonus. It is anticipated that at the end of each calendar year, Employee, in his capacity as a member of Office of the President of Company, will request approval of the Board of Directors for distribution from the Company's Bonus Payment Plan, the amount of which will be dependent upon the operating results of the Company for that year. It is also anticipated that Employee is authorized to include himself as a recipient of a portion of such bonus pool. In such event (and assuming approval by the Board of Directors of the portion of the bonus which Employee recommends be distributed to himself), Employee shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the base salary referred to above, a pre-tax bonus in the amount so approved by the Board of Directors.
                     
      c. Increases. The Board of Directors of Company may, at any time, elect to increase Employee's base salary and/or pre-tax bonus above the amounts referred to in subparagraphs "a" and "b" above.
           
    5. Fringe Benefits. During the period that Employee continues to comply with all of the provisions of this Contract, Employee shall receive the following fringe benefits:
           
      a. Business Expenses. Employee may incur reasonable expenses, as determined by the Chairman of the Board of Company, in connection with the promotion of Company's business including expenses for entertainment, travel, and similar items. Company agrees to reimburse Employee for all such reasonable expenses upon the presentation by Employee, from time to time as required by Company, of an itemized account of such expenditures; provided, however, Employee shall not expend any sums in excess of those amounts permitted by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, without prior written approval from the Chairman of the Board of Company;
                     
      b. Medical Benefits. Employee may receive the same rights as have been given to Company's employees of like stature and caliber as to group hospitalization, accident, and major medical benefits for himself and the members of his family, except that Employee shall be under the same obligation to pay his pro-rata portion of such benefits as all other of Company's employees in the event he desires to receive such benefits;
                     
      c. Paid Vacation. Each calendar year (or proportion thereof), Employee may take a vacation of four (4) weeks during which time his compensation shall be paid in full;
                     
      d. Dental Expenses. Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for all family dental expenses up to a maximum of $5,000 per year;
                     
      e. Automobile. Company shall provide an automobile for Employee's use in connection with the services to be rendered by Employee to Company. Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for maintenance and repair expenses of the automobile upon submission of vouchers or itemized lists of such expenses
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 52 of 67
      prepared in compliance with Company's policy. For so long as Company owns (or leases) the automobile, Company shall insure the automobile with the same automobile insurance company coverage that is provided for executive officers of Company. Company agrees that Employee shall be designated as an additional insured on any Company provided policy providing liability insurance coverage. In the event the automobile is damaged or destroyed by reason of accident, theft, vandalism, or otherwise, Employee will not have any liability to Company for any such loss or damage (including out-of-pocket deductibles);
                     
      f. Life Insurance. During the term of this Contract, Company shall pay for and keep in full force and effect accident and life insurance policies on the life of, and with the proceeds payable to, Employee (or his estate), it being understood that the proceeds payable under such life insurance policies (whether provided by Company and/or any one or more of its subsidiaries) shall at all times be a minimum of $1,500,000; and
                     
      g. Other Benefits. No provision of this Contract shall preclude Employee from participating in any fringe benefit plan now in effect or hereafter adopted by Company, but Company shall be under no obligation to provide for his participation in, or to institute, any such plan or to make any contribution under any such plan, unless such opportunities are provided to all Company employees as a group, or to all of Company's senior officers as a group.
                     
    6. Key-Man Insurance. Company may, at any time during the term of this Contract, apply for and procure as owner, and for its sole benefit, life insurance on Employee's life in such amounts and in such forms as Company may select. Employee hereby acknowledges the fact that he will have no interest whatsoever in any such insurance policy. However, Employee agrees that he shall, at Company's request, submit to such medical examinations, supply such information, and execute such documents as may be requested by the insuring companies.
                     
7. Termination of Employment.
                     
a. By Company.
                     
        1) Date of Termination. Company may at any time terminate this Contract, in which event Employee shall leave the premises on such date (the "Date of Termination") as is specified by Company in the notice of termination (which date can be as early as the date of such notice).
                     
        2) For Cause. If such termination is "for cause," Company will have no obligation to pay to Employee any compensation or fringe benefits following the Date of Termination. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the phrase "for cause" will be deemed to mean:
                     
          a) absence from Company's offices, physical or mental illness, or any other reason, for any successive period of forty-five (45) days, or for a total period of ninety (90) days in any one of Company's fiscal years (except that any vacation periods, travel on Company business, or leaves of absence specifically granted by Company's Board of Directors shall not be considered as periods of absence from employment);
                     
Page 53 of 67
          b) Employee's commission of an act of gross negligence in the performance of his duties or obligations hereunder;
                     
          c) Employee's commission of any act of fraud, malfeasance, disloyalty, or breach of trust against the Company, or Employee fails to observe any covenant referenced in paragraph 8 below or contained in Exhibits "A" or "B" hereto;
                     
          d) Employee's refusal, or substantial inability, to perform the duties assigned in good faith to him pursuant to paragraph 3 hereof;
                     
          e) Employee dies or gives affirmative indication, in the opinion of a majority of Company's Board of Directors, that he no longer intends to abide by the terms of this Contract; or
                     
          f) Employee is guilty of acts of moral turpitude or dishonesty in Company's affairs, gross insubordination or the equivalent, or Employee violates, or fails to comply with, any of the provisions of this Contract.
                     
        3) Not For Cause. If such termination is based on any reason other than "for cause," Company shall be obligated to pay to Employee his base salary during the remainder of the term of this Contract (on a monthly basis at the same rate as payable immediately before the Date of Termination). In addition, within ninety (90) days after the end of the calendar year during which occurred the event triggering such Date of Termination, Company shall pay to Employee his Proportionate Share of the pre-tax bonus referred to in paragraph 4.b. above. For this purpose, Employee's "Proportionate Share" will be a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such calendar year ending with such Date of Termination and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such calendar year.
                     
          a) Included within the definition of a termination of Employee other than "for cause" will be a "Change in Control of Company." For purposes of this Contract, the term "Change in Control of Company" will mean a change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 5(f) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); provided that, without limitation, such a change in control will be deemed to have occurred if (Y) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than Company or any "person" who on the date hereof is a director or officer of Company, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of Company's then outstanding securities, or (Z) during any period of two consecutive calendar years during the term of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of Company
                     
                     
                     
Page 54 of 67
          cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election of each director who was not a director at the beginning of such period has been approved in advance by directors representing at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.
                     
          b) Company shall transfer the title (free and clear of any liens or other encumbrances) to any automobile then owned (or leased) for use by, or otherwise provided to, Employee upon the payment of One Dollar ($1.00) to Company by Employee.
                     
          c) Employee shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this subparagraph 3) by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for in this subparagraph 3) be reduced by any compensation earned by Employee as the result of self-employment or employment by another employer.
                     
      b. By Employee. If such termination is caused by Employee for any reason, Company will have no obligation to pay to Employee any compensation or fringe benefits following the Date of Termination.
                     
    8. Disclosure of Confidential Information; Covenant Not To Compete. Company possesses secret and confidential equipment, techniques, processes, procedures, technical data and information, and customer lists used or intended for utilization in its operations of which Employee has obtained or may obtain knowledge, and Company would suffer serious harm if this confidential information were disclosed or if Employee used this information to compete against Company. Further, Employee in the performance of services hereunder may develop or conceive new and additional inventions and improvements with respect to such matters. Accordingly, Employee hereby agrees that simultaneously with the execution of this Contract he shall execute and deliver to Company and thereafter abide by the terms of a "Confidentiality Agreement and Covenant Not to Compete" and "Disclosure and Invention Agreement," copies of each of which ar e attached hereto respectively as Exhibits "A" and "B" and incorporated herein by reference.
                     
    9. Remedies. Employee agrees that in the event of his breach of his covenants and agreements contained or referenced in this Contract, Company shall be entitled to obtain injunctive or similar relief from a court of competent jurisdiction. The covenants contained in Exhibits "A" and "B" hereof shall be construed as agreements independent of any other agreements between Company and Employee, and the existence of any claim or cause of action of Employee against Company, whether predicated on this Contract or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by Company of those conveyances. Company shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and related legal costs in the event of a breach, or attempted breach, of such covenants by the Employee. The remedies of Company and Employee under this Contract are cumulative and will not exclude any other remedies to which any party may be entitled hereunder, i ncluding a right of offset, whether at law or inequity.
                     
    10. Notices. All notices allowed or required to be given hereunder must be in writing and dispatched by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address of the party entitled to such notice shown at the end of this Contract. Either party hereto may change the address to which any such notice is to be addressed by giving notice in writing to the other
Page 55 of 67
    party of such change. Any time limitation provided for in this Contract shall commence with the date that the party actually receives such written notice, and the date or postmark of any return receipt indicating the date of delivery of such notice to the addressee shall be conclusive evidence of such receipt. In addition to the parties hereto, copies of all notices should be sent to:
                     
Mr. Herbert M. Gardner

Janney Montgomery Scott, Inc.

26 Broadway, Eighth Floor

New York, NY 10004

                     
        Law, Snakard & Gambill
        1600 West Seventh Street

Suite 500

        Fort Worth, TX 76102
        Attn: Rice M. Tilley, Jr., Esq.
                     
    11. Assignment. Neither Employee nor anyone claiming under him may commute, encumber, or dispose of the right to receive benefits hereunder. Such right to receive benefits hereunder is expressly declared to be non-assignable and non-transferable by Employee, and in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer, Company shall have no further liability hereunder; provided, however, the foregoing shall not apply to assignments by operation of law, such as to a guardian or to an executor of Employee's estate.
                     
    12. Waiver. The waiver by Company of Employee's breach of any provision hereof shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by Employee.
                     
    13. Binding Effect. This Contract shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their heirs, successors, executors, administrators, personal representatives, and except as provided in paragraph 11, assigns.

                     
    14. Survival of Provisions. All provisions of this Contract, including all representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained or referenced herein, will survive the execution and delivery hereof and any investigation of the parties with respect thereto. The provisions of paragraphs 8 and 9, and Exhibits "A" and "B," will survive the termination or amendment of this Contract.
                     
    15. Validity. If any provision of this Contract is held by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Contract will remain in full force and effect. In lieu of such illegal or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Contract a provision as similar in terms to such illegal or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal and enforceable.
                     
    16. Amendments. This Contract may be amended at any time and from time to time in whole or in part by an instrument in writing setting forth the particulars of such amendment and duly executed by Company and the Employee.
                     
    17. Duplicate Originals. This Contract has been executed in duplicate originals, each of which for all purposes is to be deemed an original, and all of which constitute, collectively, one agreement; but in making proof of this Contract, it will not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such duplicate.
                     
Page 56 of 67
    18. Captions. The captions or section headings of this Contract are provided for convenience and shall not limit or affect the interpretation of this Contract.
                     
    19. Governing Law. This Agreement has been made in, and its validity, interpretation, construction, and performance shall be governed by and be in accordance with, the laws of the State of Indiana, without reference to its laws governing conflicts of law. Each party hereby irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceedings with respect to this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of Indiana, or in any United States District Court of Indiana, and, by its execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party hereby irrevocably submits to each such jurisdiction and hereby irrevocably waives any and all objections which it may have as to venue in any of the above courts. Each party further consents and agrees that any process or notice of motion or other application to either of said Courts or any judge thereof, or any notice in connection with any proceedings hereunder, may be served inside or outside the State of Indiana by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and be effective as of the receipt thereof, or in such other manner as may be permissible under the rules of said Courts.
                     
    20. Complete Understanding. This Contract constitutes the complete understanding between the parties hereto, except as otherwise expressly provided or referenced herein, with respect to the employment of Employee. This Contract supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
                     
Signed to be effective May 1, 2002.
                     
                     
                     
COMPANY: EMPLOYEE:
 
SUPREME CORPORATION
 
 
By: /s/Herbert M. Gardner /s/Omer G. Kropf
Herbert M. Gardner Omer G. Kropf

Chairman of the Board 1077 East North Shore Drive

26 Broadway, 8th Floor Syracuse, IN 46567

New York, NY 10004

 
 
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 57 of 67
                     
Exhibit "A"

to

Employment Contract

                     
                     
Confidentiality Agreement and

Covenant Not To Compete

                     
                     
Omer G. Kropf (hereafter called "Employee") has entered into an Employment Contract with Supreme Corporation, a Texas corporation (hereafter called "Company"), which is in the business of manufacturing and selling specialized truck bodies.
                     
By signing this Agreement, Employee acknowledges his understanding of the following:
                     
    A. All companies have information, generally not known outside the company, called "confidential information." All companies must conduct their businesses through their employees, and consequently many employees must have access to confidential information. At times the employee himself may generate confidential information as a part of his job;
                     
    B. The phrase "confidential information" as used in this Agreement includes information known as, referred to, or considered to be, trade secrets, and comprises, without limitation, any technical, economic, financial marketing, computer program, computer software, computer data (regardless of the medium on which they are stored), computer source and object programs or codes, job operating control language procedures, data entry utility programs, sorts, and miscellaneous utilities, disk record layouts, flow charts, data entry input forms, operations and installation instructions, report samples, data files, printouts, or other information about the Company or its business which is not common knowledge among competitors or other companies who might like to possess such confidential information or might find it useful. Some examples of confidential information include customer lists, price lists, items in research or development, methods of m anufacture, scientific studies or analyses, details of training methods, new products or new uses for old products, refining technology, merchandising and selling techniques, contracts, and licenses, purchasing, accounting, long-range planning, financial plans and results, computer programs and operating manuals, computer source codes, and any other information affecting or relating to the business of the Company, its manner of operation, its plans or processes. This list is merely illustrative and the confidential information covered by this Agreement is not limited to such illustrations; and
                     
    C. Company's confidential information, including information referred to as, known as, or considered to be, trade secrets, represents the most important, valuable, and unique aspect of Company's business, and it would be seriously damaged if Employee breached the position of confidential trust in which Company has placed him by disclosing such confidential information to others or by departing and taking with him the aforesaid unique information compiled over a period of time for the purpose of himself competing against Company or disclosing such information to Company's competitors, now existing or hereafter formed.
                     
                     
Page 58 of 67
Accordingly, in consideration of ONE DOLLAR paid to Employee by Company, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and Company's agreement to employ him, Employee agrees as follows (which will constitute an agreement ancillary to Employee's Employment Contract with Company):
                     
    1. Confidential information, including information referred to as, known as, or considered to be, trade secrets, is proprietary to Company. Employee agrees to hold such information in strictest confidence, and not to make use thereof except in performance of duties under the Employment Contract. Whether during or after his employment with Company, Employee may not disclose to others (excepting Company officers or employees having a need to know who have also signed a written agreement expressly binding themselves not to use or disclose it) any confidential information originated, known to, or acquired by Employee while employed by Company. Employee further agrees during such period not to remove from the premises any of Company's records or other written or tangible materials, including without limitation computer programs and floppy disks (whether prepared by Employee or others) containing any confidential information, except as required for Employee to properly perform his duties as an employee of the Company. Exceptions to these restrictions may be made only by means of Company's permission given in writing signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Company's parent, ESI Industries, Inc., pursuant to an affirmative approval by a majority of ESI's Board of Directors granting permission to disclose.
                     
    2. During a period of two (2) years following the cessation of Employee's employment with Company, Employee covenants that Employee, either individually or in any capacity, including without limitation, as an agent, consultant, officer, shareholder, or employee of any business enterprises or person with which he may become associated or in which Employee may have a direct or indirect interest, shall not, directly or indirectly for himself or on behalf of any other person or business entity, engage in any business venture or other undertaking which is directly or indirectly competitive with the business or operations of Company (and/or any of its subsidiaries) as generally conducted at, or prior to, the cessation of Employee's employment with Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Employee shall not (i) so compete with the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) be employed by, (iii) be an affiliate (as defined by Securities and Exchange Commis sion Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933), (iv) perform any services for, or (v) have an equity or ownership interest in, any person, firm, partnership, joint venture, or corporation that so competes, directly or indirectly, with the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Further, Employee will not solicit for employment or advise or recommend to any other person that such person employ, or solicit for employment, any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who was an employee at, or prior to, the cessation of Employee's employment with Company. The foregoing covenant not to compete shall be limited to a territory consisting of those states in which the Company had manufacturing facilities as of the time of cessation of Employee's employment with Company. If for any reason any court of competent jurisdiction finds these covenants to be unreasonable in duration or geographic scope, the prohibitions herein contained shall be restricted to such time and geographic areas as such court determines to be reasonable and enforceable. However, the restrictions stated above will not apply if Company liquidates or if Employee becomes employed by a company (or its affiliate) which acquires (in a voluntary transaction) the stock or business assets of Company.
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 59 of 67
    3. Employee understands and agrees that his violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement will constitute irreparable injury to Company immediately authorizing it to enjoin Employee or the business enterprise with which he may have become associated from further violations, in addition to all other rights and remedies which Company may have under law and equity, including recovery of damages from Employee and a right of offset.
                     
    4. Each party shall be entitled to receive from the other party reimbursement of attorney's fees and related legal costs to the extent incurred in connection with the successful enforcement or defense, as the case may be, of the terms and conditions hereof.
                     
    5. The waiver by Company of Employee's breach of any provision hereof shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by Employee. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their heirs, successors, executors, administrators, personal representatives, and assigns. Employee may not assign to any person his covenants, obligations and duties hereunder. All provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination or amendment of Employee's Employment Contract.
                     
    6. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. In lieu of such illegal or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal and enforceable.
                     
    7. This Agreement has been made in, and its validity, interpretation, construction, and performance shall be governed by and be in accordance with, the laws of the State of Indiana, without reference to its laws governing conflicts of law. Each party hereby irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceedings with respect to this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of Indiana, or in any United States District Court of Indiana, and, by its execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party hereby irrevocably submits to each such jurisdiction and hereby irrevocably waives any and all objections which it may have as to venue in any of the above courts. Each party further consents and agrees that any process or notice of motion or other application to either of said Courts or any judge thereof, or any notice in connection with any proceedings hereunder, may be served inside or outside the State of Indiana by registered or certified mail, r eturn receipt requested, postage prepaid, and be effective as of the receipt thereof, or in such other manner as may be permissible under the rules of said Courts.
                     
Signed to be effective May 1, 2002.
/s/Omer G. Kropf Omer G. Kropf

1077 East North Shore Drive

Syracuse, IN 46567

ACCEPTED:

SUPREME CORPORATION

By: ____ /s/Herbert M. Gardner________

Herbert M. Gardner,

Chairman of the Board

26 Broadway, 8th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Page 60 of 67
Exhibit "B"

to

Employment Contract

                     
Disclosure and Invention Agreement
                     
                     
Omer G. Kropf (hereafter called "Employee") has entered into an Employment Contract with Supreme Corporation, a Texas corporation (hereafter called "Company"), which is in the business of manufacturing and selling specialized truck bodies.
                     
In consideration of TEN DOLLARS ($10.00) paid to Employee by Company, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and Company's agreement to employ him pursuant to an Employment Contract (to which this Exhibit "B" is attached) between Company and Employee the provisions of which are herein fully incorporated by reference for all purposes, Employee agrees as follows:
                     
    1. Employee shall communicate to Company promptly and fully all ideas and the expressions thereof, conceptions, improvements, discoveries, methods, techniques, processes, adaptations, creations, and inventions (whether patentable or copyrightable or not) conceived or made by Employee (whether solely by Employee or jointly with others) ("Ideas") from the time of entering Company's employment until one year after Employee's employment is terminated for any reason, or Employee resigns or retires for any reason, (a) which involve or pertain to, directly or indirectly, the business, assets, activities, computers or computer programs, or investigations of Company as existed at or prior to the cessation of Employee's employment by Company, or (b) which result from or are suggested by any work which Employee or other employees or independent contractors perform for or on behalf of Company, in whole or in part, as existed at or prior to the cessation of Employee's employment by Company.
                     
    2. Employee shall assist Company during and subsequent to Employee's employment in every proper way (solely at Company's expense) to obtain patents and/or copyrights for its own benefit in any or all countries of the world, and to sign all proper papers, patent applications, assignments, and other documents necessary for this purpose, it being understood that such Ideas will remain the sole and exclusive property of Company, and shall not be disclosed to any person, nor used by Employee, except as expressly permitted herein.
                     
    3. Written records of Employee's Ideas in the form of notebook records, sketches, drawings or reports, will remain the property of and be available to Company at all times.
                     
    4. Employee represents that Employee has no agreements with or obligations to others in conflict with the foregoing.
                     
    5. Employee understands that this Agreement may not be modified or released except in writing signed by all members of the Company's Board of Directors.
                     
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 61 of 67
    6. Employee understands and agrees that his violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement will constitute irreparable injury to Company immediately authorizing it to enjoin Employee or the business enterprise with which he may have become associated from further violations, in addition to all other rights and remedies which Company may have at law and equity, including recovery of damages from Employee and a right of offset. Each party shall be entitled to recover from the other party reimbursement of attorney's fees and related legal costs to the extent incurred in connection with the successful enforcement or defense, as the case may be, of the terms of conditions hereof.
                     
    7. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, executors, administrators, personal representatives, and assigns. Employee may not assign his covenants, duties, or obligations hereunder to any other person. The waiver by Company of Employee's breach of any provision hereof shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by Employee.
                     
    8. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. In lieu of such illegal or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal and enforceable.
                     
    9. This Agreement has been made in, and its validity, interpretation, construction, and performance shall be governed by and be in accordance with, the laws of the State of Indiana, without reference to its laws governing conflicts of law. Each party hereby irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceedings with respect to this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of Indiana, or in any United States District Court of Indiana, and, by its execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party hereby irrevocably waives any and all objections which it may have as to venue in any of the above courts. Each party further consents and agrees that any process or notice of motion or other application to either of said Courts or any judge thereof or any notice in connection with any proceedings hereunder, may be served inside or outside the State of Indiana by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and be effective as of the receipt thereof, or in such other manner as may be permissible under the rules of said Courts.
                     
Signed to be effective May 1, 2002.
/s/Omer G. Kropf

Omer G. Kropf

1077 East North Shore Drive

Syracuse, IN 46567

                     
ACCEPTED:

SUPREME CORPORATION

                     
By: ____/s/Herbert M. Gardner_________
    Herbert M. Gardner,
    Chairman of the Board

26 Broadway, 8th Floor

New York, NY 10004

                     
Page 62 of 67
                     
                     
                     
Exhibit 21.1                  
                     
                     
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (a)
                     
Supreme Corporation, a Texas corporation
                     
Supreme Indiana Operations, L.P., an Indiana limited partnership
                     
Supreme Indiana Management, L.L.C., an Indiana limited liability company
                     
Supreme Corporation of Texas, a Texas corporation
 
Supreme SCT Operations, L.P., a Texas limited partnership
 
Supreme SCT L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
 
Supreme SCT Operating L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
 
Supreme Truck Bodies of California, Inc., a California corporation
                     
Supreme STB Corporation, a California corporation
                     
Supreme SMA Operations, L.P., a Pennsylvania corporation
                     
Supreme SMA Corporation, a Delaware corporation
                     
Supreme SMA Operating Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation
                     
Supreme Mid-Atlantic Corporation, a Texas corporation
                     
Supreme/Murphy Truck Bodies, Inc., a North Carolina corporation
                     
SC Tower Structural Laminating, Inc., a Texas corporation
                     
PA Land Holding Corp., a Texas corporation
                     
                     
                     
(a) All subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Registrant.
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 63 of 67
                     
                     
                     
                     
Exhibit 23.1
                     
                     
                     
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                     
                     
                     
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements of Supreme Industries, Inc. (formerly ESI Industries, Inc.) on Form S-3 (File No. 33-64047) and on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-89867 and 33-59343) and in the related Prospectus of our report dated January 31, 2003 on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Supreme Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 28, 2002, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
                     
                     
                     
                     
            /s/Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
                     
                     
                     
                     
South Bend, Indiana        
March 20, 2003            
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 64 of 67
                     
                     
                     
                     
Exhibit 23.2
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                     
                     
                     
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements of Supreme Industries, Inc. (formerly ESI Industries, Inc.) on Form S-3 (File No. 33-64047) and on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-89867 and 33-59343) and in the related Prospectus of our report dated February 2, 2001, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Supreme Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2000, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
                     
                     
                     
                     
            /s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
                     
                     
                     
                     
Chicago, Illinois            
March 19, 2003            
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 65 of 67
                     
                     
                     
                     
Exhibit 99.1
                     
                     
Certification of
Chief Executive Officer
of Supreme Industries, Inc. Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
                     
This certification is furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350) and accompanies the annual report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003 of Supreme Industries, Inc. (the "Company"). I, Herbert M. Gardner, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify that, to the best of my knowledge:
                     
(1) The Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
                     
(2) The information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
                     
                     
                     
Dated: March 20, 2003            
                     
                     
            /s/ Herbert M. Gardner  
            Chief Executive Officer    
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 66 of 67
                     
                     
                     
                     
Exhibit 99.2              
                     
                     
Certification of
Chief Financial Officer
of Supreme Industries, Inc. Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
                     
This certification is furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350) and accompanies the annual report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003 of Supreme Industries, Inc. (the "Company"). I, Robert W. Wilson, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify that, to the best of my knowledge:
                     
(1) The Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
                     
(2) The information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
                     
                     
                     
Dated: March 20, 2003            
                     
                     
            /s/ Robert W. Wilson    
            Chief Financial Officer    
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
Page 67 of 67