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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the quarterly period ended
March 26, 2011
   
OR
   
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from
 
to
 
   
 
Commission file number
1-367
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
MASSACHUSETTS
 
04-1866480
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
121 CRESCENT STREET, ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS
 
01331-1915
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
978-249-3551
 
 
Former name, address and fiscal year, if changed since last report
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES x    NO o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, (Check One):
 
Large Accelerated Filer o    Accelerated Filer x    Non-Accelerated Filer o    Smaller Reporting Company o
  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o    NO x
 
Common Shares outstanding as of 
April 30, 2011
 
   
Class A Common Shares 
5,914,376
 
   
Class B Common Shares 
788,925
 
 
 
1

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

CONTENTS

   
Page No.
     
Part I.  Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements:  
     
Item 1. 
Financial Statements  
     
  Consolidated Balance Sheets-
March 26, 2011 (unaudited) and June 26, 2010
3
     
  Consolidated Statements of Operations-
thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010 (unaudited)
4
     
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows-
thirty-nine weeks ended March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010 (unaudited)
5
     
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity -
Thirty-nine weeks ended March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010 (unaudited)
6
     
  Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
7-10
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
11-13
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
13
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
14
     
Part II.  Other information:  
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
15
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
15
     
SIGNATURES
 
 
 
 
2

 
 
Part I. 
Financial Information
Item 1. 
Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of dollars except share data)
 
   
March 26
2011
(unaudited)
   
June 26
2010
(audited)
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash
  $ 21,834     $ 20,478  
Investments
    -       1,250  
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,092 and $607)
    40,078       33,707  
Inventory
    55,837       46,156  
Deferred income tax asset
    3,589       3,300  
Prepaid expenses, taxes and other current assets
    7,854       5,510  
Total current assets
    129,192       110,401  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $130,654 and $120,943)
    55,072       56,529  
Property held for sale
    788       2,699  
Intangible assets (less accumulated amortization of $5,910 and $4,973)
    367       1,303  
Other assets
    692       280  
Taxes receivable
    2,807       2,807  
Deferred income tax asset, net
    26,101       26,115  
Total assets
  $ 215,019     $ 200,134  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term debt and current maturities
  $ 6,277     $ 2,696  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    15,937       17,740  
Accrued salaries and wages
    5,381       5,037  
Total current liabilities
    27,595       25,473  
Long-term taxes payable
    9,290       9,132  
Deferred income tax liabilities
    2,341       2,436  
Long-term debt
    532       706  
Postretirement benefit liability
    32,971       30,005  
Total liabilities
    72,729       67,752  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Class A Common $1 par (20,000,000 shares authorized) 5,910,263 outstanding on 3/26/2011 and 5,858,700 outstanding on 6/26/2010
    5,910       5,859  
Class B Common $1 par (10,000,000 shares authorized) 788,825 outstanding on 3/26/2011 and 821,204 outstanding on 6/26/2010
    789       821  
Additional paid-in capital
    50,597       50,373  
Retained earnings reinvested and employed in the business
    125,086       122,724  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (40,092 )     (47,395 )
Total stockholders' equity
    142,290       132,382  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 215,019     $ 200,134  

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
3

 

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands of dollars except per share data)(unaudited)

   
13 Weeks Ended
   
39 Weeks Ended
 
   
3/26/2011
   
3/27/2010
   
3/26/2011
   
3/27/2010
 
                         
Net sales
  $ 58,763     $ 48,643     $ 173,592     $ 139,751  
Cost of goods sold
    39,821       33,110       117,300       98,285  
                                 
Gross margin
    18,942       15,533       56,292       41,466  
% of Net sales
    32.2 %     31.9 %     32.4 %     29.7 %
                                 
Selling and general expense
    18,049       14,600       51,801       43,312  
Gain on sale of building
    (1,350 )     -       (1,350 )     -  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    2,243       933       5,841       (1,846 )
                                 
Other income (expense)
    (44 )     108       493       (534 )
                                 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
    2,199       1,041       6,334       (2,380 )
                                 
Income tax expense
    494       862       2,500       884  
                                 
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 1,705     $ 179     $ 3,834     $ (3,264 )
                                 
                                 
                                 
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.25     $ 0.03     $ 0.57     $ (0.49 )
                                 
Average outstanding shares used in per share calculations (in thousands):
                               
Basic
    6,698       6,673       6,691       6,663  
Diluted
    6,724       6,687       6,712       6,663  
                                 
Dividends per share
  $ 0.08     $ 0.06     $ 0.22     $ 0.24  

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
4

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of dollars)(unaudited)

   
39 Weeks Ended
 
   
3/26/2011
   
3/27/2010
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 3,834     $ (3,264 )
Gain in sale of building
    (1,350 )     -  
Non-cash operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    7,010       6,795  
Amortization
    936       902  
Fixed asset impairment
    -       130  
Net long-term tax payable
    107       (453 )
Deferred taxes
    (12 )     (623 )
Unrealized transaction (gains)/losses
    (137 )     (222 )
Retirement benefits
    2,727       2,229  
Equity method loss on investment in private software development company
    541       -  
Working capital changes
               
Receivables
    (3,308 )     (4,441 )
Inventories
    (7,076 )     13,855  
Other current assets
    (2,298 )     510  
Other current liabilities
    (2,887 )     2,474  
Prepaid pension cost and other
    77       (116 )
Net (used in) by operating activities
    (1,836 )     17,776  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (4,051 )     (5,914 )
Decrease in investments
    1,250       618  
Investment in private software development company
    (950 )     -  
Proceeds from sale of building
    3,262       -  
Earn-out paid for Kinemetric Engineering
    -       (110 )
Net cash (used in) investing activities
    (489 )     (5,406 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
    4,887       13,982  
Short-term debt repayments
    (1,303 )     (19,233 )
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    -       129  
Long-term debt repayments
    (202 )     (523 )
Proceeds from common stock issued
    196       305  
Dividends paid
    (1,472 )     (1,599 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    2,106       (6,939 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    1,575       (450 )
                 
Net increase in cash
    1,356       4,981  
Cash, beginning of period
    20,478       10,248  
Cash, end of period
  $ 21,834     $ 15,229  

Supplemental cash flow information:
           
             
Interest paid
  $ 245     $ 1,537  
Taxes paid, net
  $ 3,357     $ 880  

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
5

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010
(in thousands of dollars except per share data)(unaudited)

   
Common Stock 
Out-standing
($1 Par)
    Additional
Paid-in
    Retained     Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
       
   
Class A
   
Class B
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Loss
   
Total
 
Balance June 27, 2009
  $ 5,770     $ 869     $ 49,984     $ 127,707     $ (41,452 )   $ 142,878  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Net loss
                            (3,264 )             (3,264 )
Unrealized net gain on investments
                                    5       5  
Translation loss, net
                                    2,615       2,615  
Total comprehensive loss
                                            (644 )
Dividends ($.24 per share)
                            (1,599 )             (1,599 )
Treasury shares:
                                               
Issued
    33               261                       294  
Issuance of stock under ESPP
            2       59                       61  
Conversion
    32       (32 )                             -  
                                                 
Balance March 27, 2010
  $ 5,835     $ 839     $ 50,304     $ 122,844     $ (38,832 )   $ 140,990  
                                                 
Balance June 26, 2010
  $ 5,859     $ 821     $ 50,373     $ 122,724     $ (47,395 )   $ 132,382  
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
                            3,834               3,834  
Minimum pension liability, net
                                    118       118  
Translation gain, net
                                    7,185       7,185  
Total comprehensive income
                                            11,137  
Dividends ($0.22 per share)
                            (1,472 )             (1,472 )
Treasury shares:
                                               
Issued
    17               156                       173  
Issuance of stock under ESPP
            2       68                       70  
Conversion
    34       (34 )                             -  
                                                 
Balance March 26, 2011
  $ 5,910     $ 789     $ 50,597     $ 125,086     $ (40,092 )   $ 142,290  
                                                 
Cumulative Balance:
                                               
Translation loss
                                  $ (4,386 )        
Amounts not recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost
                                    (35,706 )        
                                    $ (40,092 )        

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
6

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1:  Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited, consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 26, 2011 and June 26, 2010; the results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010, the cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010; and changes in stockholders' equity for the thirty-nine weeks ended March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010.

The Company follows the same accounting policies in the preparation of interim statements as described in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2010, and these financial statements should be read in conjunction with said Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  The second footnote to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2010 describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Note 2:  Investments

The Company has categorized its financial assets, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets recorded on the balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

 
o
Level 1 – Financial assets whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market which the company has the ability to access at the measurement date (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities and most U.S. Government and agency securities).

 As of March 26, 2011 and June 26, 2010, the Company’s Level 1 financial assets were as follows (in thousands):

   
Level 1
 
   
3/26/2011
   
6/26/2010
 
International Bonds Puerto Rican debt obligations
    -       1,250  
      -       1,250  
 
As of March 26, 2011 and June 26, 2010, the Company did not have any level 2 or 3 assets.
 
 
7

 

Note 3:  Inventory

          Inventory consists of the following:

     
March 26
2011
   
June 26
2010
 
Raw Material and Supplies
    $ 30,632     $ 27,251  
Goods in Process and Finished Parts
      23,862       19,136  
Finished Goods
      26,707       24,960  
        81,201       71,347  
 
LIFO Reserve 
    (25,364 )     (25,191 )
 
Net Inventory 
  $ 55,837     $ 46,156  
 
LIFO inventories were $14.4 million and $12.3 million at March 26, 2011 and June 26, 2010, respectively, such amounts being approximately $25.4 million and $25.2 million respectively, less than if determined on a FIFO basis.  The use of LIFO, as compared to FIFO, on a year-to-date third quarter basis resulted  in a $0.1 million increase in cost of sales in fiscal 2011 compared to a $6.9 million reduction in cost of sales in fiscal 2010.

Note 4:  Pension and Post Retirement Benefits

Net periodic benefit costs for the Company's defined benefit pension plans consist of the following (in thousands):
 
   
Thirteen Weeks
Ended March
   
Thirty-nine Weeks
Ended March
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Service cost
  $ 575     $ 484     $ 1,724     $ 1,457  
Interest cost
    1,618       1,567       4,847       4,720  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,867 )     (1,775 )     (5,594 )     (5,346 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    158       95       472       288  
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss
    680       701       2,040       2,104  
    $ 1,164     $ 1,072     $ 3,489     $ 3,223  

Net periodic benefit costs for the Company's postretirement medical plan consists of the following (in thousands):
 
   
Thirteen Weeks
Ended March
   
Thirty-nine Weeks
Ended March
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Service cost
  $ 92     $ 85     $ 276     $ 254  
Interest cost
    151       169       453       508  
Amortization of prior service benefit
    (226 )     (226 )     (679 )     (679 )
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss
    7       -       21       -  
    $ 24     $ 28     $ 71     $ 83  

 
8

 
 
Note 5:  Debt

Debt, including capitalized lease obligations, is comprised of the following (in thousands):
 
   
March 26, 2011
   
June 26, 2010
 
Short-term and current maturities
           
Loan and Security Agreement
  $ 6,000     $ 1,700  
Short-term foreign credit facility
    41       738  
Capitalized leases
    236       258  
    $ 6,277     $ 2,696  
Long-term debt
               
Capitalized leases
  $ 532     $ 706  
    $ 6,809     $ 3,402  

The material financial covenants of the Loan and Security Agreement are 1) achieve a minimum EBITDA of $3.5 million on a trailing twelve month basis, 2) achieve a minimum Tangible Net Worth of $130 million excluding any pension liability,  3) incur no more than $10.0 million for capital expenditures on a fiscal year basis, and 4)  maintain a Debt Service Coverage Ratio of a minimum of 1:25 to 1.  As of March 26, 2011, the Company was in compliance with each of these financial covenants.  The effective interest rate on the Loan and Security agreement through March 26, 2011 was 2.3%.

Note 6:  Income Tax

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax and various state, local and international income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. The Company’s domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of revenues and expenses in different jurisdictions and the timing of recognizing revenues and expenses. Additionally, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to the Company’s interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which it files.

The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through fiscal 2006. As of March 26, 2011, we do not have any income tax audits in progress in the various federal, local and international jurisdictions in which we operate. We do have one state audit in process.  In international jurisdictions including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, UK, Germany, New Zealand, and Mexico, which comprise a significant portion of the Company’s operations, the years that may be examined vary, with the earliest year being 2004.

The effective tax rate through the third quarter of fiscal 2011 was 39.5%.  Discrete items included in the effective tax rate were an Argentinean valuation allowance of $462,000 recorded in the second quarter and a United Kingdom tax rate differential of $112,000 recorded in the first quarter partially offset by a favorable adjustment related to state net operating loss of $261,000 recorded in the third quarter.

The Company has identified no new uncertain tax positions during the thirty-nine week period ended March 26, 2011 for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.

No valuation allowance has been recorded for the domestic federal net operating losses (NOL) as the Company continues to believe that based on forecasted future taxable income and certain tax planning strategies available, it is more likely than not that it will be able to utilize the federal NOL

Note 7: Fair Value

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate value.

 
o
Cash and short term instruments
 
The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those investments
 
 
9

 
 
 
o
Investments
 
The fair value of some investments are estimated on quoted market prices for those or similar investments.

 
o
Short and long-term debt
 
The fair value of the Company’s short and long term debt is estimated based on quoted market prices for corporate debt having similar characteristics or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.

The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is as follows in thousands (000):
 
   
March 26, 2011
   
June 26, 2010
 
   
Carrying Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying Amount
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Cash
  $ 21,834     $ 21,834     $ 20,478     $ 20,478  
Short-term debt
    6,277       6,277       2,696       2,696  
Investments
    -       -       1,250       1,250  
Long-term debt
    532       532       706       706  

Note 8:  Investments

The Company entered into an investment agreement with a private software development company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.  Under the agreement the Company is scheduled to invest $1.5 million over twelve to eighteen months and will receive 36% equity in the software development company.  The Company has invested $1.2 million through the third quarter of fiscal 2011 and has recorded a $0.5 million loss under the equity method of accounting,  which is included in other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  The $0.7 million net carrying value of the investment as of March 26, 2011 is included in other long term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Note 9:  Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events occurring subsequent to March 26, 2011 through the date of issuance of the financial statements and determined there were no material subsequent events to be disclosed.

 
10

 
 
Item 2.

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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010
 
Overview
Net sales increased $10.1 million or 21% from $48.7 million to $58.8 million.  A weaker U. S. dollar translated into a $1.5 million of the revenue increase.  Operating income improved $1.3 million due to the gain on the sale of a building.  A $3.4 million improvement in gross margin was offset by a $3.4 million increase in selling and general expenses. Net income for fiscal 2011was $1.7 million ,$0.25 per share, compared to $0.2 million ,$0.03 per share in fiscal 2010, primarily due to improved profits and a lower effective tax rate.

Net Sales
Net sales in North America increased $4.0 million or 15% from $26.3 million to $30.3 million as strong gains in the industrial sector, particularly in precision tools, saws and capital equipment, more than offset declines in the construction markets.  International net sales increased $6.1 million or 27% from $22.4 million to $28.5 million, with gains in Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Gross Margin
Gross margin improved $3.4 million from $15.5 (31.9% of revenue) million to $18.9 (32.2% of revenue) million, with North America and International posting gains of $0.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively.  North American gross margins as a percentage of revenue declined 3.2% from 31.6% to 28.4% due the comparative impact of LIFO inventory levels, which reduced cost of sales in fiscal 2010 while increasing cost of sales in fiscal 2011. International gross margins improved 4.5% from 32.1% to 36.6% as a result of improved pricing and efficiencies in Brazil.

Selling and General Expenses
Selling and general expenses increased $3.4 million or 23% from $14.6 million to $18.0 million with North America and International posting increases of $1.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively.  The North American increase reflects increased wages related to the restoration of a 10% reduction in management salaries; higher commissions based upon revenue improvement; higher employee benefits costs; and the amortization expense of the new ERP system. Higher selling expenses were the key factor in the International increase.

Earnings Before Taxes
Earnings before taxes increased $1.2 million from $1.0 million in fiscal 2010 to $2.2 million in fiscal 2011.  The improvement was primarily the result of the gain on the building sale as an improvement in gross margins was offset by an increase in selling and general expenses.

 
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NINE MONTHS ENDED March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010

Overview
Net sales increased $33.8 million or 24% from $139.8 million to $173.6 million. A weaker U. S. dollar translated into $3.8 million or 11% of the revenue gain.  Operating income increased $7.7 million as an increase in gross margins of $14.8 million offset an increase in selling and general expenses of $8.5 million, contributing $6.3 million.  The gain on the sale of the building represented an additional $1.4 million.  Net income for fiscal 2011 was $3.8 million ,$0.57 per share, compared to a $3.3 million net loss ,$(0.49) per share, in fiscal 2010 as a result of improved profits and a lower effective tax rate.

Net Sales
Net sales in North America increased $15.4 million or 22% as a continued recovery in the industrial sector mitigated a decline in the construction market.  Increased demand for precision tools, saws and metrology equipment from our Tru Stone and Kinemetric divisions led the North American performance. International net sales increased $18.4 million or 27% with Latin America and Europe posting gains of 30%and 22%, respectively.

Gross Margin
Gross margin increased $14.8 million or 36% with volume representing $10.0 million and improved margins accounting for $4.9 million.  North American margins improved 2.2% from 26.4% to 28.6% largely due to a favorable product mix led by a strong recovery by the Tru Stone division.  International margins improved 3.3% from 32.9% to 36.2% led by a 3.0% improvement in Latin America.

Selling and General Expenses
Selling and general expenses increased $8.5 million or 20% with North America and International each posting increases of $4.2 million.  The North American increase reflects higher wages related to the restoration of a 10% reduction in management salaries; higher commissions based upon revenue growth; increased employee benefits costs; and the amortization expense of the new ERP system.  Higher selling expenses were the prime factor resulting in the International expense increase.

Other Income/(Expense)
Other income/(expense) increased $1.0 million from a $0.5 million expense in fiscal 2010 to income of $0.5 million in fiscal 2011 due to higher interest income, including $0.5 million related to settlement of a non-income tax lawsuit with the Brazilian government recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  The fiscal 2011 interest income of $1.0 million more than offset a $0.5 million equity loss in a private software company.

Earnings Before Taxes
Earnings before taxes increased $8.7 million from a loss of $2.4 million in fiscal 2010 to a profit of $6.3 million in fiscal 2011.  The improvement was the result of a $7.7 million gain in operating income and a $1.0 million favorable swing in other income.
 
 
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flows (in thousands)
 
Thirty-nine Weeks
 
   
3/26/2011
   
3/27/2010
 
             
Cash (used in) operations
  $ (1,836 )   $ 17,776  
Cash (used in) investing activities
    (489 )     (5,406 )
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    2,106       (6,939 )
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash
    1,575       (450 )
                 
Net increase in cash
  $ 1,356     $ 4,981  

Cash increased $1.4 million as increased borrowings and favorable foreign exchange more than offset higher working capital requirements.  The $19.6 million swing in cash provided by operations from a $17.8 million gain in fiscal 2010 to $1.8 million deficit in fiscal 2011 was primarily due to the economic recovery resulting in a net increase in inventories of $20.9 million between fiscal years. Cash used in investing activities declined $4.9 million principally reflecting the expenditures for the new ERP system in fiscal 2010 and proceeds from the building sale in fiscal 2011.  The cash provided from financing activities increased $9.1 million reflecting a net $5.3 million in short-term debt repayments in fiscal 2010 versus a net increase in debt of $3.6 million in fiscal 2011.  The change in debt position between fiscal years is a function of the economic conditions from recession in fiscal 2010 to recovery in fiscal 2011.

Liquidity and credit arrangements

The Company believes it maintains sufficient liquidity and has the resources to fund its operations in the near term. If the Company is unable to maintain consistent profitability, additional steps will be taken in order to maintain liquidity, including plant consolidations, work force and dividend reductions. In addition to its cash, the Company maintains a $23 million Loan and Security agreement, of which, $6.0 million was outstanding as of March 26, 2011.  This Loan and Security agreement matures as of April 30, 2012.

INFLATION

The Company has experienced modest inflation relative to its material cost, much of which cannot be passed on to the customer through increased prices.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company does not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Item 3. 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk from what was reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2010.
 
 
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Item 4. 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of March 26, 2011, and they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. All information required to be filed in this report was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s remediation efforts related to the material weakness that existed as of June 26, 2010, and noted in Item 9A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 21, 2010, are not complete as of  March 26, 2011. The plan includes recruiting additional financial resources and correcting the reporting and control problems associated with the fourth quarter fiscal 2010 ERP implementation.  An update as to the status of managements’ efforts is listed below. 

 
o
The Company completed the development of an improved financial reporting framework which will facilitate a uniform approach to consolidated and subsidiary financial reporting and analysis.  This project was completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.
 
o
The Company has added experienced financial resources to its staff and will continue to evaluate further requirements. The plan to correct the major financial reporting and control problems began in October of 2010 and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter fiscal 2011.

 
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PART II. 
OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1A. 
Risk Factors

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements about the Company’s business, competition, sales, expenditures, foreign operations, plans for reorganization, interest rate sensitivity, debt service, liquidity and capital resources, and other operating and capital requirements. In addition, forward-looking statements may be included in future Company documents and in oral statements by Company representatives to securities analysts and investors.  The Company is subject to risks that could cause actual events to vary materially from such forward-looking statements.  You should carefully review and consider the information regarding certain factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2010. There have been no material changes from the factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2010.

In addition to the risk factors outlined in Form 10-K, management has developed a plan to remediate material weaknesses over financial reporting, which is described in Item 4 in this Form 10-Q. We may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 6. 
Exhibits

31a
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

31b
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

32
Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

     
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
(Registrant)
       
       
Date
May  4 , 2011
 
S/R. Douglas A. Starrett
     
Douglas A. Starrett - President and CEO
       
Date
May  4 , 2011
 
S/R. Francis J. O’Brien
     
Francis J. O’Brien - Treasurer and CFO

 
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