UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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 February 26, 2012

 

OR

 

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

For the transition period from ________ to _______

 

Commission file number 1-4415

 

PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

New York	11-1734643
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation of Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
48 South Service Road, Melville, New York (Address of Principal Executive Offices)	11747 (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (631) 465-3600

 

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

 

Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share	New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights	New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer ¨ Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer ¨ Smaller Reporting Company ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked prices of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

 

Title of Class	Aggregate Market Value	As of Close of Business On
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share	$495,601,245	August 26, 2011

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Title of Class	Shares Outstanding	As of Close of Business On
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share	20,796,620	May 7, 2012

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held July 24, 2012
incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

 

 

	TABLE OF CONTENTS
		Page
PART I
Item 1.	Business	4
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	17
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	21
Item 2.	Properties	21
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	22
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	22
	Executive Officers of the Registrant	22
PART II
Item 5.	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	24
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	25
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	27
	Factors That May Affect Future Results	43
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	44
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	44
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	69
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	69
Item 9B.	Other Information	73
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	74
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	74
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	74
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	74
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	74
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	75
SIGNATURES		76
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts		77
EXHIBIT INDEX		78

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

 

General

  

Park Electrochemical Corp. (“Park”), through its subsidiaries (unless the context otherwise requires, Park and its subsidiaries are hereinafter called the “Company”), is a global advanced materials company which develops, manufactures, markets and sells high-technology digital and RF/microwave printed circuit materials products principally for the telecommunications and internet infrastructure and high-end computing markets and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies products for the aerospace markets. Park’s core capabilities are in the areas of polymer chemistry formulation and coating technology.

 

Park operates through fully integrated business units in Asia, Europe and North America. The Company's manufacturing facilities are located in Singapore, China, France, Connecticut, Kansas, Arizona and California. The Company also maintains research and development facilities in Arizona, Kansas and Singapore.

 

Sales of Park’s printed circuit materials products were 86% and 89% of the Company’s total net sales worldwide in the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years, respectively, and sales of Park’s advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies products were 14% and 11% of the Company’s total net sales worldwide in the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years, respectively.

 

Park was founded in 1954 by Jerry Shore, who was the Company’s Chairman of the Board until July 14, 2004 and who is one of the Company’s largest shareholders.

 

The sales and long-lived assets of the Company’s operations by geographic area for the last three fiscal years are set forth in Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Report. The Company’s foreign operations are conducted principally by the Company’s subsidiaries in Singapore, China and France. The Company’s foreign operations are subject to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Report.

 

The Company makes available free of charge on its Internet website, www.parkelectro.com, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. None of the information on the Company's website shall be deemed to be a part of this Report.

 

AEROGLIDE, COREFIX, EASYCURE E-710, EF, LD, MERCURYWAVE, NELCO, NELCOTE, PARKNELCO, RTFOIL and SI are registered trademarks of Park Electrochemical Corp., and ELECTROGLIDE, ELECTROVUE, EP, NELTEC, PEELCOTE, POWERBOND and TIN CITY AIRCRAFT WORKS are common law trademarks of Park Electrochemical Corp.

 

 

Printed Circuit Materials

 

Printed Circuit Materials Operations

 

The Company is a leading global designer and manufacturer of advanced printed circuit materials used to fabricate complex multilayer printed circuit boards and other electronic interconnection systems, such as multilayer back-planes, wireless packages, high-speed/low-loss multilayers and high density interconnects (“HDIs”). The Company’s multilayer printed circuit materials consist of copper-clad laminates and prepregs, which is an acronym for pre-impregnated material. The Company has long-term relationships with its major customers, which include leading independent printed circuit board fabricators, electronic manufacturing service companies, electronic contract manufacturers and major electronic original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). Multilayer printed circuit boards and interconnect systems are used in virtually all advanced electronic equipment to direct, sequence and control electronic signals between semiconductor devices (such as microprocessors and memory and logic devices), passive components (such as resistors and capacitors) and connection devices (such as infra-red couplings, fiber optics, compliant pin and surface mount connectors). Examples of end uses of the Company’s digital printed circuit materials include high speed routers and servers, storage area networks, supercomputers, satellite switching equipment, and wireless local area networks ("LANs"). The Company's radio frequency ("RF") printed circuit materials are used primarily for military avionics, antennas for cellular telephone base stations, automotive adaptive cruise control systems and avionic communications equipment. The Company has developed long-term relationships with major customers as a result of its leading edge products, extensive technical and engineering service support and responsive manufacturing capabilities.

 

Park believes it founded the modern day printed circuit industry in 1957 by inventing a composite material consisting of an epoxy resin substrate reinforced with fiberglass cloth which was laminated together with sheets of thin copper foil. This epoxy-glass copper-clad laminate system is still used to construct the large majority of today’s advanced printed circuit products. The Company also believes that in 1962 it invented the first multilayer printed circuit materials system used to construct multilayer printed circuit boards. The Company also pioneered vacuum lamination and many other manufacturing technologies used in the industry today. The Company believes it is one of the industry’s technological leaders.

 

The Company believes that it is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of advanced multilayer printed circuit materials. It also believes that it is one of only a few significant independent manufacturers of high performance multilayer printed circuit materials in the world. The Company was the first manufacturer in the printed circuit materials industry to establish manufacturing presences in the three major global markets of North America, Europe and Asia, with facilities established in Europe in 1969 and Asia in 1986.

 

Printed Circuit Materials – Industry Background

 

The printed circuit materials manufactured by the Company and its competitors are used primarily to construct and fabricate complex multilayer printed circuit boards and other advanced electronic interconnection systems. Multilayer printed circuit materials consist of prepregs and copper-clad laminates. Prepregs are chemically and electrically engineered thermosetting

 

or thermoplastic resin systems which are impregnated into and reinforced by a specially manufactured fiberglass cloth product or other woven or non-woven reinforcing fiber. This insulating dielectric substrate generally is 0.030 inch to 0.002 inch in thickness or less in some cases. While these resin systems historically have been based on epoxy resin chemistry, in recent years, increasingly demanding OEM requirements have driven the industry to utilize proprietary enhanced epoxies as well as other higher performance resins, such as phenolic, bismalimide triazine ("BT"), cyanate ester, polyimide, allylated polyphenylene ether (“APPE”) or polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE"). One or more plies of prepreg are laminated together to form an insulating dielectric substrate to support the copper circuitry patterns of a multilayer printed circuit board. Copper-clad laminates consist of one or more plies of prepreg laminated together with specialty thin copper foil laminated on the top and bottom. Copper foil is specially formed in thin sheets which may vary from 0.0056 inch to 0.0002 inch in thickness and normally have a thickness of 0.0014 inch or 0.0007 inch. The Company supplies both copper-clad laminates and prepregs to its customers, which use these products as a system to construct multilayer printed circuit boards.

 

The printed circuit board fabricator processes copper-clad laminates to form the inner layers of a multilayer printed circuit board. The fabricator photo images these laminates with a dry film or liquid photoresist. After development of the photoresist, the copper surfaces of the laminate are etched to form the circuit pattern. The fabricator then assembles these etched laminates by inserting one or more plies of dielectric prepreg between each of the inner layer etched laminates and also between an inner layer etched laminate and the outer layer copper plane, and then laminating the entire assembly in a press. Prepreg serves as the insulator and bond between the multiple layers of copper circuitry patterns found in the multilayer circuit board. When the multilayer configuration is laminated, these plies of prepreg form an insulating dielectric substrate supporting and separating the multiple inner and outer planes of copper circuitry. The fabricator drills vertical through-holes or vias in the multilayer assembly and then plates the through-holes or vias to form vertical conductors between the multiple layers of circuitry patterns. These through-holes or vias combine with the conductor paths on the horizontal circuitry planes to create a three-dimensional electronic interconnect system. In specialized applications, an additional set of microvia layers (2 or 4, typically) may be added through a secondary lamination process to provide increased density and functionality to the design. The outer two layers of copper foil are then imaged and etched to form the finished multilayer printed circuit board. The completed multilayer board is a three-dimensional interconnect system with electronic signals traveling in the horizontal planes of multiple layers of copper circuitry patterns, as well as the vertical plane through the plated holes or vias.

 

Semiconductor manufacturers have introduced successive generations of more powerful microprocessors and memory and logic devices. Electronic equipment manufacturers have designed these advanced semiconductors into more compact products. High performance computing devices in these smaller platforms require greater reliability, faster signal speeds, closer tolerances, higher component and circuit density and increased overall complexity. As a result, the interconnect industry has developed smaller, lighter, faster and more cost-effective interconnect systems, including advanced multilayer printed circuit boards.

 

Advanced interconnect systems require higher technology printed circuit materials to ensure the performance and reliability of the electronic system and to improve the manufacturability of the interconnect platform. Printed circuit board fabricators and electronic equipment manufacturers require

 

advanced printed circuit materials that have increasingly higher temperature tolerances and more advanced and stable electrical properties in order to support high-speed computing in a miniaturized and often portable environment. Temperature tolerance has been further emphasized by the advent of lead-free assemblies.

 

With the very high density circuit demands of miniaturized high performance interconnect systems, the uniformity, purity, consistency, performance predictability, dimensional stability and production tolerances of printed circuit materials have become successively more critical. High density printed circuit boards and interconnect systems often involve higher layer count multilayer circuit boards where the multiple planes of circuitry and dielectric insulating substrates are very thin (dielectric insulating substrate layers may be 0.002 inch or less) and the circuit line and space geometries in the circuitry plane are very narrow (0.002 inch or less). In addition, advanced surface mount interconnect systems are typically designed with very small pad sizes and very small plated through-holes or vias which electrically connect the multiple layers of circuitry planes, and these interconnect systems frequently make use of multiple lamination cycles and/or laser drilled vias. High density interconnect systems must utilize printed circuit materials whose dimensional characteristics and purity are consistently manufactured to very high tolerance levels in order for the printed circuit board fabricator to attain and sustain acceptable product yields.

 

Shorter product life cycles and competitive pressures have induced electronic equipment manufacturers to bring new products to market and increase production volume to commercial levels more quickly. These trends have highlighted the importance of front-end engineering of electronic products and have increased the level of collaboration among system designers, fabricators and printed circuit materials suppliers. As the complexity of electronic products increases, materials suppliers must provide greater technical support to interconnect systems fabricators on a timely basis regarding manufacturability and performance of new materials systems.

 

Printed Circuit Materials – Products and Services

 

The Company produces a broad line of advanced printed circuit materials used to fabricate complex multilayer printed circuit boards and other electronic interconnect systems, including backplanes, high speed/low loss multilayers and high density interconnects (“HDIs”). The Company’s diverse advanced printed circuit materials product line is designed to address a wide array of end-use applications and performance requirements.

 

The Company’s printed circuit materials products have been developed internally and through long-term development projects with its principal suppliers and, to a lesser extent, through licensing arrangements. The Company focuses its research and development efforts on developing industry leading product technology to meet the most demanding product requirements and has designed its product line with a focus on the higher performance, higher technology end of the materials spectrum.

 

The Company’s products utilize, among other things, high-speed, low-loss, engineered formulations, high-temperature modified epoxies, phenolics, bismalimide triazine (“BT”) epoxies, non-Methylene Dianiline (“MDA”) polyimides, enhanced polyimides, allylated polyphenylene ethers (“APPE”), SI® (Signal Integrity) products, cyanate esters and PTFE formulations for radio frequency ("RF")/microwave applications.

 

 

The Company’s high performance printed circuit materials consist of high-speed, low-loss CAF (Cathodic Anodic Filament) resistant materials for digital and RF/microwave applications requiring lead-free compatibility and high bandwidth signal integrity, BT materials, polyimides for applications that demand extremely high thermal performance, cyanate esters, quartz reinforced materials, and PTFE and modified epoxy materials for RF/microwave systems that operate at frequencies up to 77 GHz.

 

The Company has developed long-term relationships with select customers through broad-based technical support and service, as well as manufacturing proximity and responsiveness at multiple levels of the customer’s organization. The Company focuses on developing a thorough understanding of its customer’s business, product lines, processes and technological challenges. The Company seeks customers which are industry leaders committed to maintaining and improving their industry leadership positions and which are committed to long-term relationships with their suppliers. The Company also seeks business opportunities with the more advanced printed circuit fabricators and electronic equipment manufacturers which are interested in the full value of products and services provided by their suppliers. The Company believes its proactive and timely support in assisting its customers with the integration of advanced materials technology into new product designs further strengthens its relationships with its customers.

 

The Company’s emphasis on service and close relationships with its customers is reflected in its short lead times. The Company has developed its manufacturing processes and customer service organizations to provide its customers with printed circuit materials products on a just-in-time basis. The Company believes that its ability to meet its customers' customized manufacturing and quick-turn-around (“QTA”) requirements is one of its unique strengths.

 

Printed Circuit Materials – Customers and End Markets

 

The Company’s customers for its advanced printed circuit materials include the leading independent printed circuit board fabricators, electronic manufacturing service (“EMS”) companies, electronic contract manufacturers (“ECMs”) and major electronic original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") in the computer, networking, telecommunications, wireless communications, transportation, aerospace, military and instrumentation industries located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The Company seeks to align itself with the larger, more technologically-advanced and better capitalized independent printed circuit board fabricators and major electronic equipment manufacturers which are industry leaders committed to maintaining and improving their industry leadership positions and to building long-term relationships with their suppliers. The Company’s selling effort typically involves several stages and relies on the talents of Company personnel at different levels, from management to sales personnel and quality engineers. In recent years, the Company has augmented its traditional sales personnel with an OEM marketing team and process and product technology specialists.

 

During the Company’s 2012 fiscal year, approximately 15.7% of the Company's total worldwide sales were to TTM Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer of printed circuit boards, approximately 11.5% of the Company's total worldwide sales were to Sanmina-SCI Corporation, a leading electronics contract manufacturer and manufacturer of printed circuit boards, and approximately 10.0% of the Company’s total worldwide sales were to subsidiaries of Flextronics International Ltd. which are manufacturers of multilayer printed circuit boards. During the Company’s 2011 fiscal year,

  

approximately 16.4% of the Company’s total worldwide sales were to TTM Technologies, Inc., approximately 14.6% of the Company’s total worldwide sales were to Sanmina-SCI Corporation and approximately 10.2% of the Company’s total worldwide sales were to subsidiaries of Flextronics International Ltd. During the Company’s 2012 and 2011 fiscal years, sales to no other customer of the Company equaled or exceeded 10% of the Company’s total worldwide sales.

 

Although the Company’s printed circuit materials business is not dependent on any single customer, the loss of a major customer or of a group of customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

 

The Company’s printed circuit materials products are marketed primarily by sales personnel and, to a lesser extent, by independent distributors and manufacturers’ representatives in industrial centers in Europe and Asia.

 

Printed Circuit Materials – Manufacturing

 

The process for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit materials is capital intensive and requires sophisticated equipment as well as clean-room environments. The key steps in the Company’s manufacturing process include: the impregnation of specially designed fiberglass cloth with a specially designed resin system and the partial curing of that resin system; the assembling of laminates consisting of single or multiple plies of prepreg and copper foil in a clean-room environment; the vacuum lamination of the copper-clad assemblies under simultaneous exposure to heat, pressure and vacuum; and the finishing of the laminates to customer specifications.

 

Prepreg is manufactured in a treater. A treater is a roll-to-roll continuous machine which sequences specially designed fiberglass cloth or other reinforcement fabric into a resin tank and then sequences the resin-coated cloth through a series of ovens which partially cure the resin system into the cloth. This partially cured product or prepreg is then sheeted or paneled and packaged by the Company for sale to customers, or used by the Company to construct its copper-clad laminates.

 

The Company manufactures copper-clad laminates by first setting up in a clean room an assembly of one or more plies of prepreg stacked together with a sheet of specially manufactured copper foil on the top and bottom of the assembly. This assembly, together with a large quantity of other laminate assemblies, is then inserted into a large, multiple opening vacuum lamination press. The laminate assemblies are then laminated under simultaneous exposure to heat, pressure and vacuum. After the press cycle is complete, the laminates are removed from the press and sheeted, paneled and finished to customer specifications. The product is then inspected and packaged for shipment to the customer.

 

The Company manufactures multilayer printed circuit materials at four fully integrated facilities located in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. The Company opened its California facility in 1965, its Arizona facility in 1984, its Singapore facility in 1986 and its France facility in 1992. The Company services the North American market principally through its United States manufacturing facilities, the European market principally through its manufacturing facilities in the United States and in France, and the Asian market principally through its Singapore manufacturing facility. During its 2002 fiscal year, the Company established a business center in central China, which was replaced in the 2007 fiscal year by a

 

manufacturing facility in the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone approximately 50 miles west of Hong Kong in southern China. During the 2011 fiscal year, the Company modified certain of the equipment in its printed circuit materials manufacturing facility in Singapore so that it can treat PTFE based circuitry material in Asia. In addition, during the 2012 fiscal year, the Company completed an expansion of its printed circuit materials treating operation in Singapore with the installation of an additional advanced, high-speed treater. By maintaining technical and engineering staffs at each of its manufacturing facilities, the Company is able to deliver fully-integrated products and services on a timely basis.

 

Printed Circuit Materials – Materials and Sources of Supply

 

The principal materials used in the manufacture of the Company’s printed circuit materials products are specially manufactured copper foil, fiberglass and quartz cloth and synthetic reinforcements, and specially formulated resins and chemicals. The Company develops and maintains close working relationships with suppliers of these materials who have dedicated themselves to complying with the Company’s stringent specifications and technical requirements. While the Company’s philosophy is to work with a limited number of suppliers, the Company has identified alternate sources of supply for many, but not all, of these materials. However, there are a limited number of qualified suppliers of these materials, in some cases substitutes for these materials are not always readily available, and, in the past, the industry has experienced shortages in the market for certain of these materials. While the Company considers its relationships with its suppliers to be strong, a shortage of these materials or a disruption of the supply of materials caused by a natural disaster, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011, or otherwise, could materially increase the Company’s cost of operations and could materially adversely affect the business and results of operations of the Company. The Company experienced a supply chain issue as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011. Such issue was resolved during the 2012 fiscal year third quarter.

 

Significant increases in the cost of materials purchased by the Company could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations if the Company were unable to pass such increases through to its customers. During the second quarter of the 2010 fiscal year, the Company incurred significant increases in the cost of copper foil, one of the Company’s primary raw materials, and the Company passed a substantial portion of such increases through to its customers. During the 2011 fiscal year, the Company experienced significant volatility in the cost of copper foil and incurred a significant overall increase in the cost of such copper foil, and the Company passed a substantial portion of such increase through to its customers. During the 2012 fiscal year, the Company continued to experience volatility in the cost of copper foil.

 

Printed Circuit Materials – Competition

 

The multilayer printed circuit materials industry is characterized by intense competition and ongoing consolidation. The Company’s competitors are primarily divisions or subsidiaries of very large, diversified multinational manufacturers which are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than the Company and, to a lesser degree, smaller regional producers. Because the Company focuses on the higher technology segment of the printed circuit materials market, technological innovation, quality and service, as well as price, are significant competitive factors.

 

 

The Company believes that there are several significant multilayer printed circuit materials manufacturers in the world and many of these competitors have significant presences in the three major global markets of North America, Europe and Asia. The Company believes that it is currently one of the world’s largest advanced multilayer printed circuit materials manufacturers. The Company further believes it is one of only a few significant independent manufacturers of multilayer printed circuit materials in the world today.

 

The markets in which the Company’s printed circuit materials operations compete are characterized by rapid technological advances, and the Company’s position in these markets depends largely on its continued ability to develop technologically advanced and highly specialized products. Although the Company believes it is an industry technology leader and directs a significant amount of its time and resources toward maintaining its technological competitive advantage, there is no assurance that the Company will be technologically competitive in the future, or that the Company will continue to develop new products that are technologically competitive.

 

Advanced Composite Materials

 

Advanced Composite Materials Operations

 

The Company also develops and manufactures engineered, advanced composite materials for the aerospace, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, rocket motor, radio frequency (“RF”) and specialty industrial markets.

 

The Company’s advanced composite materials are developed and manufactured by the Company’s Park Aerospace Technologies Corp. (“PATC”) subsidiary located at the Newton, Kansas Airport, by the Company’s Nelco Products Pte. Ltd. subsidiary in Singapore, and by the Company’s Park Advanced Composite Materials, Inc. (“PACM”) subsidiary located in Waterbury, Connecticut, which was named Nelcote, Inc. from May 2006 to March 2008 and which was named FiberCote Industries, Inc. prior to May 2006.

 

In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company announced that its PACM facility in Waterbury, Connecticut would be closing its operations after the completion of the transfer of PACM’s aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities to PATC at the Newton, Kansas Airport. The Company expects such transfer to be completed in the second quarter of the 2013 fiscal year.

 

Such transfer of aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities from the Company’s PACM facility to its PATC facility, together with the transfer of aerospace composite parts and assemblies manufacturing activities from the Company’s Park Aerospace Structures Corp. facility in Lynnwood, Washington to its PATC facility, which was completed in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, will complete the Company’s plan to concentrate and consolidate all of its North American aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing, development and design activities at its PATC facility. After the closure of the PACM facility, the Company plans to supply and fully support all existing customers of PACM from the PATC business unit in Newton, Kansas.

 

Advanced Composite Materials – Industry Background

 

The advanced composite materials manufactured by the Company and its competitors are used primarily to fabricate light-weight, high-strength structures with specifically designed performance characteristics. Composite materials are typically highly specified combinations of resin formulations

 

and reinforcements. Reinforcements can be unidirectional fibers, woven fabrics, or non-woven goods such as mats or felts. Reinforcement materials are constructed of E-glass (fiberglass), carbon fiber, S2 glass, aramids, such as Kevlar® ("Kevlar" is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.) and Twaron® (“Twaron” is a registered trademark of Teijin Twaron B.V. LLC), quartz, polyester, and other synthetic materials. Resin formulations are typically highly proprietary, and include various chemical and physical mixtures. The Company produces resin formulations using various epoxies, polyesters, phenolics, cyanate esters, polyimides and other complex matrices. The reinforcement combined with the resin is referred to as a “prepreg”, which is an acronym for pre-impregnated material. Advanced composite materials can be broadly categorized as either a thermoset or a thermoplastic. While both material types require the addition of heat to form a consolidated laminate, thermoplastics can be reformed using additional heat. Once fully cured, thermoset materials can not be further reshaped. The Company believes that the demand for thermoset advanced materials is greater than that for thermoplastics due to the fact that fabrication processes for thermoplastics require much higher temperatures and pressures, and are, therefore, typically more capital intensive than the fabrication processes for thermoset materials.

 

The advanced composite materials industry suppliers have historically been large chemical corporations. During the past ten years, considerable consolidation has occurred in the industry, resulting in three relatively large composite materials suppliers and a number of smaller suppliers.

 

The Company works with original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), such as general aviation aircraft manufacturers, and certain tier I suppliers to qualify its advanced composite materials for use on current and upcoming programs. The Company’s customers typically design and specify a material specifically to meet the needs of the part’s end use and the customers’ processing methods. Such customers sometimes work with a supplier to develop the specific resin system and reinforcement combination to match the application. The Company’s customers’ processing may include hand lay-up, resin infusion or more advanced automated lay-up processes. Automated lay-up processes include automated tape lay-up (“ATL”), fiber placement and filament winding. These fabrication processes significantly alter the material form purchased. After the lay-up process is completed, the material is cured by the addition of heat and pressure. Cure processes typically include vacuum bag oven curing, high pressure autoclave, press forming and before press curing. After the part has been cured, final finishing and trimming, and assembly of the structure is performed by the fabricator.

 

Advanced Composite Materials – Products

 

The advanced composite materials products manufactured by the Company are primarily thermoset curing prepregs. By analyzing the needs of the markets in which it participates, and working with its customers, the Company has developed proprietary resin formulations to suit the needs of its markets. The complex process of developing resin formulations and selecting the proper reinforcement is accomplished through a collaborative effort of the Company’s research and development and technical sales and marketing resources working with the customers’ technical staff. The Company focuses on developing a thorough understanding of its customers’ businesses, product lines, processes and technical challenges. The Company believes that it develops innovative solutions which utilize technologically advanced materials and concepts for its customers.

 

 

The Company’s advanced composite materials products include prepregs manufactured from proprietary formulations using modified epoxies, phenolics, polyesters, cyanate esters and polyimides combined with woven, non-woven, and unidirectional reinforcements. Reinforcement materials used to produce the Company’s products include polyacrylonitrile (“PAN”) based carbons, E-glass, S2 glass, polyester, quartz, carbonized rayon, carbon fiber, aramids, such as Kevlar® (“Kevlar” is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.) and Twaron® (“Twaron” is a registered trademark of Teijin Twaron B.V. LLC), polyester and other synthetic materials. The Company also sells certain specialty fabrics, such as Raycarb C2, a carbonized rayon fabric produced by Herakles (formerly Snecma Propulsion Solide) and used mainly in the rocket motor industry.

 

Advanced Composite Materials – Customers and End Markets

 

The Company’s advanced composite materials customers include manufacturers in the aerospace, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, rocket motor, electronics, radio frequency (“RF”) and specialty industrial markets. The Company’s materials are marketed primarily by sales personnel and, to a lesser extent, by independent sales representatives.

 

While no single advanced composite materials customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total sales during either of the last two fiscal years, the loss of a major customer or of a group of some of the largest customers of the Company’s advanced composite materials product line could have a material adverse effect on such product line.

 

The Company’s aerospace customers include fabricators of aircraft composite parts and assemblies. The Company’s advanced composite materials are used to produce primary and secondary structures, aircraft interiors, and various other aircraft components. The majority of the Company’s customers for aerospace materials do not produce parts and assemblies for commercial aircraft, but for the general aviation and business aviation, kit aircraft and military markets. Many of the Company’s composite materials are used in the manufacture of aircraft certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”).

 

Customers for the Company’s rocket motor materials include United States defense prime contractors and subcontractors. These customers fabricate rocket motors for heavy lift space launchers, strategic defense weapons, tactical motors and various other applications. The Company’s materials are used to produce heat shields, exhaust gas management devices, and insulative and ablative nozzle components. Rocket motors are primarily used for commercial and military space launch, and for tactical and strategic weapons. The Company also has customers for these materials outside of the United States.

 

The Company also sells composite materials for use in RF electrical applications. Customers buying these materials typically fabricate antennas and radomes engineered to preserve electrical signal integrity. A radome is a protective cover over an electrical antenna or signal generator. The radome is designed to minimize signal loss and distortion.

 

Advanced Composite Materials – Manufacturing

 

The Company’s manufacturing facilities for advanced composite materials are currently located in Newton, Kansas, in Singapore and in Waterbury, Connecticut. See “Advanced Composite Materials - Operations” elsewhere in this Report. In the third quarter of the Company’s 2012 fiscal year, the Company

 

completed a major expansion of its aerospace composite materials development and manufacturing facility in Kansas in order to manufacture aerospace composite parts and assemblies as well as advanced composite materials, which are used in the manufacture of such parts and assemblies. The expansion includes approximately 37,000 square feet of manufacturing and storage space, and the Company spent approximately $5 million on the facility expansion and equipment. See “Advanced Composite Parts and Assemblies” elsewhere in this Report.

 

The process for manufacturing composite materials is capital intensive and requires sophisticated equipment, significant technical know-how and very tight process controls. The key steps used in the manufacturing process include chemical reactors, resin mixing, reinforcement impregnation, resin film casting and solvent drying processes.

 

Prepreg is manufactured by the Company using either solvent (solution) coating methods on a treater or by hot melt impregnation. A solution treater is a roll-to-roll continuous process machine which sequences reinforcement through tension controllers and combines solvated resin with the reinforcement. The reinforcement is dipped in resin, passed through a drying oven which removes the solvent and advances (or partially cures) the resin. The prepreg material is interleafed with a carrier and cut to the roll lengths desired by the customer. The Company also manufactures prepreg using hot melt impregnation methods which use no solvent. Hot melt prepreg manufacturing is achieved by mixing a resin formulation in a heated resin vessel, casting a thin film on a carrier paper, and laminating the reinforcement with the resin film.

 

The Company also completes additional processing services, such as toll coating, slitting, sheeting, biasing, sewing and cutting, if needed by the customer. Many of the products manufactured by the Company also undergo extensive testing of the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the product. These testing requirements are completed in the laboratories and facilities located at the Company’s manufacturing facilities. The Company’s laboratories have been approved by several aerospace OEMs and have achieved certification pursuant to the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (“NADCAP”). After all the processing has been completed, the product is inspected and packaged for shipment to the customer. The Company typically supplies final product to the customer in roll or sheet form.

 

Advanced Composite Materials – Materials and Sources of Supply

 

The Company designs and manufactures its advanced composite materials to its own specifications and to the specifications of its customers. Product development efforts are focused on developing prepreg materials that meet the specifications of the customers. The materials used in the manufacture of these engineered materials include graphite and carbon fibers and fabrics, aramids, such as Kevlar® (“Kevlar” is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.) and Twaron® (“Twaron” is a registered trademark of Teijin Twaron B.V. LLC), quartz, fiberglass, polyester, specialty chemicals, resins, films, plastics, adhesives and certain other synthetic materials. The Company purchases these materials from several suppliers. Substitutes for many of these materials are not readily available. The qualification and certification of advanced composite materials for certain FAA certified aircraft typically include specific requirements for raw material supply and may restrict the Company’s flexibility in qualifying alternative sources of supply for certain key raw materials. The Company continues to work to determine acceptable alternatives for several raw materials.

 

 

Advanced Composite Materials – Competition

 

The Company has many competitors in the advanced composite materials market, ranging in size from large international corporations to small regional producers. Several of the Company’s largest competitors are vertically integrated, producing raw materials, such as carbon fiber and cloth, as well as composite parts and assemblies. Some of the Company’s competitors may also serve as a supplier to the Company. The Company competes for business on the basis of responsiveness, product performance, product qualification, FAA data base design allowables, innovative new product development and price.

 

Advanced Composite Parts and Assemblies

 

The Company also develops and manufactures advanced composite parts and assemblies for the aerospace markets, and the tooling for such parts and assemblies, at its Park Aerospace Technologies Corp. (“PATC”) business unit located at the Newton, Kansas Airport. These composite parts and assemblies are manufactured with carbon, fiberglass and other reinforcements impregnated with formulated resins. Certain of these impregnated reinforcements, sometimes known as “prepregs”, are also manufactured by PATC.

 

In the 2009 fiscal year, PATC completed the construction of a new development and manufacturing facility in Newton, Kansas to produce advanced composite materials principally for the aerospace industry. The facility contained approximately 52,000 square feet of manufacturing, laboratory and office space and cost approximately $15 million to construct and fully equip. In the 2012 fiscal year third quarter, PATC completed a major expansion of its aerospace composite materials development and manufacturing facility in Kansas in order to manufacture aerospace composite parts and assemblies. The expansion consists of approximately 37,000 square feet of manufacturing and storage space and includes both oven and autoclave composite parts curing equipment and capability. The Company spent approximately $5 million on the facility expansion and equipment.

 

In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company announced that its Park Advanced Composite Materials, Inc. (“PACM”) business unit, located in Waterbury, Connecticut, would be closing its operations after the completion of the transfer of PACM’s aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities to PATC. The Company expects such transfer to be completed in the second quarter of the 2013 fiscal year.

 

Such transfer of aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities from PACM to PATC, together with the transfer of the aerospace composite parts and assemblies manufacturing activities of the Company’s Park Aerospace Structures Corp. (“PASC”) business unit in Lynnwood, Washington to PATC, which was completed in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, will complete the Company’s plan to concentrate and consolidate all of its North American aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing, development and design activities at PATC. After the closure of PACM, the Company plans to supply and fully support all existing customers of PACM from PATC.

 

The activities of PASC which were transferred to PATC included the assets and business of Nova Composites, Inc., which PASC acquired in April 2008.

 

The PATC facility expansion enables PATC to offer a full range of advanced composite materials manufacturing capability, as well as composite parts design, assembly and production capability, all in its Newton facility.

 

PATC offers composite aircraft and space vehicle parts design and assembly services, in addition to “build-to-print” services. The Company believes that the ability of its PATC facility to offer such a wide and comprehensive array of composite materials and parts manufacturing and development technology and capability to the aircraft and space vehicle industries provides attractive benefits and advantages to those industries.

 

Backlog

 

The Company records an item as backlog when it receives a purchase order specifying the number of units to be purchased, the purchase price, specifications and other customary terms and conditions. At April 29, 2012, the unfilled portion of all purchase orders received by the Company and believed by it to be firm was approximately $8,051,000, compared to $8,218,000 at May 1, 2011.

 

Various factors contribute to the size of the Company’s backlog. Accordingly, the foregoing information may not be indicative of the Company’s results of operations for any period subsequent to the fiscal year ended February 26, 2012.

 

Patents and Trademarks

 

The Company holds several patents and trademarks or licenses thereto. In the Company’s opinion, some of these patents and trademarks are important to its products. Generally, however, the Company does not believe that an inability to obtain new, or to defend existing, patents and trademarks would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Employees

 

At February 26, 2012, the Company had 613 employees. Of these employees, 455 were engaged in the Company’s printed circuit materials operations, 106 in its advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies operations and 52 consisted of executive personnel and general administrative staff.

 

Environmental Matters

 

The Company is subject to stringent environmental regulation of its use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials and the release of emissions into the environment. The Company believes that it currently is in substantial compliance with the applicable Federal, state and local and foreign environmental laws and regulations to which it is subject and that continuing compliance therewith will not have a material effect on its capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. The Company does not currently anticipate making material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities for its existing manufacturing operations during the remainder of its current fiscal year or its succeeding fiscal year. However, developments, such as the enactment or adoption of even more stringent environmental laws and regulations, could conceivably result in substantial additional costs to the Company.

 

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) or a comparable state agency under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (the “Superfund Act”) or similar state law as potentially responsible parties in connection with alleged releases of hazardous substances at four sites. In addition, a subsidiary of the Company has received a cost recovery

 

 

claim under a state law similar to the Superfund Act from another private party involving one other site.

 

Under the Superfund Act and similar state laws, all parties who may have contributed any waste to a hazardous waste disposal site or contaminated area identified by the EPA or comparable state agency may be jointly and severally liable for the cost of cleanup. Generally, these sites are locations at which numerous persons disposed of hazardous waste. In the case of the Company’s subsidiaries, generally the waste was removed from their manufacturing facilities and disposed at the waste sites by various companies which contracted with the subsidiaries to provide waste disposal services. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been accused of or charged with any wrongdoing or illegal acts in connection with any such sites. The Company believes it maintains an effective and comprehensive environmental compliance program. Management believes the ultimate disposition of known environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, capital resources, business, consolidated results of operations or financial position of the Company.

 

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Report and Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Report.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

The business of the Company faces numerous risks, including those set forth below or those described elsewhere in this Form 10-K Annual Report or in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risks described below are not the only risks that the Company faces, nor are they necessarily listed in order of significance. Other risks and uncertainties may also affect the Company’s business. Any of these risks may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

 

The industries in which the Company operates are undergoing technological changes, and the Company's business could suffer if the Company is unable to adjust to these changes.

 

The Company's operating results could be negatively affected by the Company's inability to maintain and increase its technological and manufacturing capability and expertise. Rapid technological advances in semiconductors and electronic equipment have placed rigorous demands on the printed circuit materials manufactured by the Company and used in printed circuit board production.

 

The industries in which the Company operates are very competitive.

 

Certain of the Company's principal competitors are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than the Company, and the Company's operating results will be affected by its ability to maintain its competitive positions in these industries. The printed circuit materials, advanced composite materials and composite parts and assemblies industries are intensely competitive and the Company competes worldwide in the markets for such materials.

 

The Company is vulnerable to an increase in the cost of gas or electricity.

 

Changes in the cost or availability of gas or electricity could materially increase the Company's cost of operations. The Company's production processes

 

 

require the use of substantial amounts of gas and electricity, the cost and available supply of which are beyond the control of the Company.

 

The Company’s cost of sales and results of operations were affected by increases in utility costs in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 1, 2009 and its fiscal year ended February 26, 2012. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Part II of this Report.

 

The Company is vulnerable to disruptions and shortages in the supply of, and increases in the prices of, certain raw materials.

 

There are a limited number of qualified suppliers of the principal materials used by the Company in its manufacture of printed circuit materials, advanced composite materials and composite parts and assemblies. The Company has qualified alternate sources of supply for many, but not all, of its raw materials, but certain raw materials are produced by only one supplier. In some cases, substitutes for certain raw materials are not always readily available, and in the past there have been shortages in the market for certain of these materials. Raw material substitutions for certain aircraft related products may require governmental (such as Federal Aviation Administration) approval. While the Company considers its relationships with its suppliers to be strong, a shortage of these materials or a disruption of the supply of these materials caused by a natural disaster, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011, or otherwise could materially increase the Company’s cost of operations and could materially adversely affect the business and results of operations of the Company. Likewise, significant increases in the cost of materials purchased by the Company could also materially increase the Company’s cost of operations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations if the Company were unable to pass such increases through to its customers. The Company experienced a supply chain issue as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011. Such issue was resolved during the 2012 fiscal year third quarter.

 

During the second quarter of the 2010 fiscal year, the Company incurred significant increases in the cost of copper foil, one of the Company’s primary raw materials, and the Company passed a substantial portion of such increases through to its customers. During the 2011 fiscal year, the Company experienced significant volatility in the cost of copper foil and incurred a significant overall increase in the cost of such copper foil, and the Company passed a substantial portion of such increase through to its customers. During the 2012 fiscal year, the Company continued to experience volatility in the cost of copper foil. See “Business—Printed Circuit Materials—Materials and Sources of Supply” in Item 1 of Part I of this Report and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Part II of this Report.

 

The Company's customer base is highly concentrated, and the loss of one or more customers could adversely affect the Company's business.

 

A loss of one or more key customers could adversely affect the Company's profitability. The Company's customer base is concentrated, in part, because the Company's business strategy has been to develop long-term relationships with a select group of customers. During the Company's fiscal year ended February 26, 2012, the Company's ten largest customers accounted for approximately 64% of net sales. The Company expects that sales to a

 

relatively small number of customers will continue to account for a significant portion of its net sales for the foreseeable future. See "Business—Printed Circuit Materials—Customers and End Markets” and “Business—Advanced Composite Materials—Customers and End Markets” in Item 1 of Part I of this Report.

 

The Company's business is dependent on the electronics and aerospace industries which are cyclical in nature.

 

The electronics and aerospace industries are cyclical and have experienced recurring cycles. The downturns, such as occurred in the electronics industry during the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year ended March 3, 2002 and in the general aviation industry in the fourth quarter of the Company’s 2009 fiscal year, can be unexpected and have often reduced demand for, and prices of, printed circuit materials and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies. This potential reduction in demand and prices could have a negative impact on the Company’s business.

 

In addition, the Company is subject to the effects of general regional and global economic and financial conditions, such as the worldwide economic and financial crises that commenced in the second half of the Company’s fiscal year ended March 1, 2009.

 

The Company relies on short-term orders from its customers.

 

A variety of conditions, both specific to the individual customer and generally affecting the customer’s industry, can cause a customer to reduce or delay orders previously anticipated by the Company, which could negatively impact the Company’s business. In the printed circuit materials market, the Company typically does not obtain long-term purchase orders or commitments. Instead, it relies primarily on continual communication with its customers to anticipate the future volume of purchase orders.

 

The Company’s customers may require the Company to undergo a lengthy and expensive qualification process with respect to its products, with no assurance of sales. Any delay or failure in such qualification process could negatively affect the Company’s business and operating results.

 

The Company’s customers frequently require that the Company’s products undergo an extensive qualification process, which may include testing for performance, structural integrity and reliability. This qualification process may be lengthy and does not assure any sales of the product to that customer. The Company devotes substantial resources, including design, engineering, sales, marketing and management efforts, and often substantial expense, to qualifying the Company’s products with customers in anticipation of sales. Any delay or failure in qualifying any of its products with a customer may preclude or delay sales of those products to the customer, which may impede the Company’s growth and cause its business to suffer.

 

In addition, the Company engages in product development efforts with OEMs. The Company will not recover the cost of this product development directly even if the Company actually produces and sells any resulting product. There can be no guarantee that such efforts will result in any sales.

 

Consolidation among the Company’s customers could negatively impact the Company’s business.

 

A number of the Company’s customers have combined in recent years and consolidation of other customers may occur. If an existing customer is not

 

the controlling entity following a combination, the Company may not be retained as a supplier. While there is potential for increasing the Company’s position with the combined customer, the Company’s revenues may decrease if the Company is not retained as a supplier.

 

The Company faces extensive capital expenditure costs.

 

The Company’s business is capital intensive and, in addition, the introduction of new technologies could substantially increase the Company’s capital expenditures. In order to remain competitive the Company must continue to make significant investments in capital equipment and expansion of operations, which could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

 

The Company’s international operations are subject to different and additional risks than the Company’s domestic operations.

 

The Company’s international operations are subject to various risks, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, foreign currency exchange rates, tariffs and other barriers, political and economic instability, potentially adverse tax consequences, and any impact on economic and financial conditions around the world resulting from geopolitical conflicts or acts of terrorism, all of which could negatively impact the Company’s business. A portion of the sales and costs of the Company’s international operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

The Company is subject to a variety of environmental regulations.

 

The Company’s production processes require the use, storage, treatment and disposal of certain materials which are considered hazardous under applicable environmental laws, and the Company is subject to a variety of regulatory requirements relating to the handling of such materials and the release of emissions and effluents into the environment, non-compliance with which could have a negative impact on the Company’s business or consolidated results of operations. Other possible developments, such as the enactment or adoption of additional environmental laws, could result in substantial costs to the Company.

 

If the Company’s efforts to protect its trade secrets are not sufficient, the Company may be adversely affected.

 

The Company’s business relies upon proprietary information, trade secrets and know-how in its product formulations and its manufacturing and research and development activities. The Company takes steps to protect its proprietary rights and information, including the use of confidentiality and other agreements with employees and consultants and in commercial relationships, including with distributors and customers. If these steps prove to be inadequate or are violated, the Company’s competitors might gain access to the Company’s trade secrets, and there may be no adequate remedy available to the Company

 

The Company depends upon the experience and expertise of its senior management team and key technical employees, and the loss of any key employee may impair the Company’s ability to operate effectively.

 

The Company’s success depends, to a certain extent, on the continued availability of its senior management team and key technical employees. Each of the Company’s executive officers, key technical personnel and other employees could terminate his or her employment at any time. The loss of any

 

 

member of the Company’s senior management team might significantly delay or prevent the achievement of the Company’s business objectives and could materially harm the Company’s business and customer relationships. In addition, because of the highly technical nature of the Company’s business, the loss of any significant number of the Company’s key technical personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

 

Set forth below are the locations of the significant properties owned and leased by the Company, the businesses which use the properties, and the size of each such property. All of such properties, except for the Melville, New York property, are used principally as manufacturing and warehouse facilities.

 

Location	Owned or Leased	Use	Size (Square Footage)
Melville, NY	Leased	Administrative Offices	8,000
Fullerton, CA	Leased	Printed Circuit Materials	95,000
Anaheim, CA	Leased	Printed Circuit Materials	26,000
Tempe, AZ	Leased	Printed Circuit Materials	81,000
Lannemezan, France	Owned	Printed Circuit Materials	29,000
Singapore	Leased	Printed Circuit Materials	88,000
Zhuhai, China	Leased	Printed Circuit Materials	40,000
Waterbury, CT	Leased	Advanced Composites	100,000
Newton, KS	Leased	Advanced Composites	89,000
Singapore	Leased	Advanced Composites	21,000

 

The Company believes its facilities and equipment to be in good condition and reasonably suited and adequate for its current needs. During the 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal years, certain of the Company’s advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing facilities were utilized at less than 50% of their designed capacity.

 

In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company announced that its PACM facility, located in Waterbury, Connecticut, would be closing its operations after the completion of the transfer of PACM’s aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities to PATC. The Company expects such transfer to be completed in the second quarter of the 2013 fiscal year.

  

In the third quarter of the Company’s 2012 fiscal year, the Company completed a major expansion of its aerospace composite materials development and manufacturing facility in Newton, Kansas in order to manufacture aerospace composite parts and assemblies. The expansion includes approximately 37,000 square feet of manufacturing and storage space, and the Company spent approximately $5 million on the facility expansion and equipment. See “Advanced Composite Parts and Assemblies” elsewhere in this Report.

 

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

None.

  

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

None

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant.

 

Name	Title	Age
Brian E. Shore	Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director	60
Stephen E. Gilhuley	Executive Vice President-Administration and Secretary	67
Christopher T. Mastrogiacomo	Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer	54
Stephen M. Banker	Vice President and General Counsel	60
P. Matthew Farabaugh	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	51

 

Mr. Shore has served as a Director of the Company since 1983 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since July 2004. He was elected a Vice President of the Company in January 1993, Executive Vice President in May 1994, President in March 1996, and Chief Executive Officer in November 1996. Mr. Shore also served as General Counsel of the Company from April 1988 until April 1994.

 

Mr. Gilhuley was elected Executive Vice President – Administration on April 5, 2012, and he has been Secretary of the Company since July 1996. Prior to April 5, 2012, he had been Executive Vice President of the Company since October 2006 and Senior Vice President from March 2001 to October 2006. He also was General Counsel of the Company from April 1994 to October 31, 2011, when he was succeeded by Mr. Banker.

 

Mr. Mastrogiacomo was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on June 1, 2011 after having served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing since December 8, 2010. Prior to joining the Company as Vice President of Strategic Marketing in September 2010, Mr. Mastrogiacomo held senior management positions with Sanmina-SCI Corporation, a leading electronics contract manufacturing services company, and its predecessor, Hadco Corporation, a major manufacturer of advanced electronic interconnect systems. Since 2008, Mr. Mastrogiacomo was Senior Vice President, Printed Wiring Board (USA) of Sanmina-SCI Corporation; from 2004 to 2008, he was Senior Vice President of Operations, the Americas Enclosures Systems of Sanmina-SCI; and from 2000 to 2004, he was Senior Vice President, Printed Wiring Board Operations of Sanmina-SCI. During the twelve years prior to 1997, he held several management positions with Hadco Corporation.

 

Mr. Banker was elected Vice President and General Counsel on October 31, 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Banker had been a lawyer in the Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP law firm in New York City since 1977 and a partner in the firm since 1985.

 

 

Mr. Farabaugh was elected Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on April 9, 2012. He had been Vice President and Controller of the Company since October 2007. Prior to joining Park, Mr. Farabaugh was Corporate Controller of American Technical Ceramics, a publicly traded international company and a manufacturer of electronic components, located in Huntington Station, New York, from 2004 to September 2007 and Assistant Controller from 2000 to 2004. Prior thereto, Mr. Farabaugh was Assistant Controller of Park Electrochemical Corp. from 1989 to 2000. Prior to joining Park in 1989, Mr. Farabaugh had been a senior accountant with KPMG.

 

There are no family relationships between the directors or executive officers of the Company.

 

Each executive officer of the Company serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

The Company’s Common Stock is listed and trades on the New York Stock Exchange (trading symbol PKE). (The Common Stock also trades on the Chicago Stock Exchange.) The following table sets forth, for each of the quarterly periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape and dividends declared on the Common Stock.

 

For the Fiscal Year		Stock Price								Dividends
Ended February 26, 2012		High				Low				Declared
First Quarter		$	33.05			$	27.82			$	.10
Second Quarter			30.16				21.58				.10
Third Quarter			30.47				19.44				.10
Fourth Quarter			32.19				25.13				.10

 

For the Fiscal Year		Stock Price								Dividends
Ended February 27, 2011		High				Low				Declared
First Quarter		$	31.84			$	22.96			$	.10
Second Quarter			28.51				22.57				.10
Third Quarter			29.90				23.62				.10
Fourth Quarter			33.65				26.79				1.10	(a)

 

(a)

During the 2011 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share in December 2010, and at the same time the Company announced that its Board of Directors had declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share, payable December 28, 2010 to stockholders of record on December 16, 2010.

 

As of May 7, 2012, there were approximately 720 holders of record of Common Stock.

 

The Company expects, for the immediate future, to continue to pay regular cash dividends.

 

The following table provides information with respect to shares of the Company’s Common Stock acquired by the Company during each month included in the Company’s 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter ended February 26, 2012.

  

  

Period				Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased				Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)				Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs				Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans or Programs
November 28 – December 26				0				-				0
December 27 – January 26				0				-				0
January 27 – February 26				0				-				0
Total				0				-				0				2,000,000	(a)

 

(a)

Aggregate number of shares available to be purchased by the Company pursuant to a share purchase authorization announced on October 20, 2004. Pursuant to such authorization, the Company is authorized to purchase its shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

The following selected consolidated financial data of Park and its subsidiaries is qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Consolidated Financial Statements, related Notes, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained elsewhere herein. Insofar as such consolidated financial information relates to the five fiscal years ended February 26, 2012 and is as of the end of such periods, it is derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements for the five fiscal years ended February 26, 2012 and as of such dates audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011 and for the three years ended February 26, 2012, together with the independent auditor’s report for the three years ended February 26, 2012, appear in Item 8 of Part II of this Report.

 

 

		Fiscal Year Ended
		(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011				February 28, 2010				March 1, 2009				March 2, 2008
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS INFORMATION:
Net sales		$	193,254			$	211,652			$	175,686			$	200,062			$	241,852
Cost of sales			138,512				141,751				124,084				156,638				179,398
Gross profit			54,742				69,901				51,602				43,424				62,454
Selling, general and administrative expenses			28,247				27,917				24,480				24,806				27,159
Asset impairment charge			-				-				-				3,967				-
Restructuring charges (Note 12)			1,250				1,312				-				2,290				1,362
Earnings from operations			25,245				40,672				27,122				12,361				33,933
Interest and other income, net			808				645				1,062				6,648				9,361
Gain on litigation settlement (Note 11)			1,598				-				-				-				-
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes			27,651				41,317				28,184				19,009				43,294
Income tax provision from continuing operations			4,209				8,696				2,825				495				8,615
Net earnings from continuing operations			23,442				32,621				25,359				18,514				34,679
Gain from discontinued operations			-				-				-				16,486				-
Net earnings		$	23,442			$	32,621			$	25,359			$	35,000			$	34,679
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings from continuing operations		$	1.13			$	1.58			$	1.24			$	0.90			$	1.71
Gain from discontinued operations			-				-				-				0.81				-
Basic earnings per share		$	1.13			$	1.58			$	1.24			$	1.71			$	1.71
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings from continuing operations		$	1.13			$	1.58			$	1.23			$	0.90			$	1.70
Gain from discontinued operations			-				-				-				0.81				-
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.13			$	1.58			$	1.23			$	1.71			$	1.70
Cash dividends per common share		$	.40			$	1.40			$	0.36			$	0.32			$	1.82
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic			20,746				20,628				20,522				20,441				20,305
Diluted			20,792				20,675				20,547				20,486				20,364
BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION:
Working capital		$	290,149			$	271,706			$	261,036			$	239,645			$	239,060
Total assets			365,988				353,808				343,104				327,579				327,407
Long-term debt			-				-				-				-				-
Stockholders' equity			343,211				325,308				316,098				295,709				269,172

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Report.

 

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

General:

 

Park Electrochemical Corp. (“Park” or the “Company”) is a global advanced materials company which develops, manufactures, markets and sells high-technology digital and RF/microwave printed circuit materials products principally for the telecommunications and internet infrastructure and high-end computing markets and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies products for the aerospace markets. Park’s core capabilities are in the areas of polymer chemistry formulation and coating technology. The Company’s manufacturing facilities are located in Singapore, China, France, Connecticut, Kansas, Arizona and California. The Company also maintains research and development facilities in Arizona, Kansas and Singapore.

 

The Company’s total net sales worldwide declined in the fiscal year ended February 26, 2012 compared to the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011 principally as a result of decreases in net sales of the Company’s printed circuit materials products in North America and Asia, following an increase in the Company’s total net sales in the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011 compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010 as a result of increases in sales of the Company’s printed circuit materials products in North America, Asia and Europe.

 

The decrease in net sales of the Company’s printed circuit materials products in the 2012 fiscal year compared to the prior fiscal year and the increase in net sales of the Company’s printed circuit materials products in the 2011 fiscal year compared to the prior fiscal year were both accompanied by increases in sales of the Company’s aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies products compared to the prior fiscal year. The Company’s total net sales of its aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies products increased to $26.5 million in the 2012 fiscal year from $23.3 million in the 2011 fiscal year and comprised 14% and 11%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales worldwide in the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years.

 

As a result of the decrease in the Company’s total net sales in the 2012 fiscal year compared to the 2011 fiscal year, the Company’s earnings from operations in the 2012 fiscal year were lower than in the 2011 fiscal year as the Company’s gross profit margin, measured as a percentage of sales, declined to 28.3% in the 2012 fiscal year compared to 33.0% in the 2011 fiscal year. The Company’s earnings from operations in the 2012 fiscal year were also adversely affected by the additional, and in some instances duplicative, costs associated with transferring aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing from the Company’s Park Advanced Composite Materials, Inc. (“PACM”) business unit in Waterbury, Connecticut and Park Aerospace Structures Corp. (“PASC”) business unit in Lynnwood, Washington to the Company’s Park Aerospace Technologies Corp. (“PATC”) business unit in Newton, Kansas, higher utility costs and the Company’s donation to The Japanese Red Cross Society after the March 2011 earthquake in Japan. Such negative factors were only partially offset by the benefits from the higher percentage of sales of higher margin, high performance printed circuit materials products in the 2012 fiscal year than in the 2011 fiscal year and by lower legal fees and expenses in the 2012 fiscal year than in the 2011 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s earnings from operations and net earnings in the 2012 fiscal year were also reduced by the pre-tax charge of $1.3 million recorded

 

by the Company in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter in connection with the closing of its PACM business unit located in Waterbury, Connecticut.

 

In the 2012 fiscal year second quarter, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.6 million resulting from the settlement of a lawsuit for an insurance claim for business interruption at the Company’s Neltec, Inc. business unit in Tempe, Arizona in the 2003 fiscal year caused by the explosion and resulting destruction of a treater at the Company’s business unit in Singapore and the settlement of a lawsuit pertaining to defective equipment purchased by the Company’s PATC business unit in Newton, Kansas.

 

The Company’s net earnings in the 2012 fiscal year were lower than in the 2011 fiscal year primarily as a result of the lower earnings from operations in the 2012 fiscal year than in the 2011 fiscal year, which were only partially offset by the litigation settlement gain, described above, realized by the Company in the 2012 fiscal year and the lower income tax provision in the 2012 fiscal year than in the 2011 fiscal year.

 

The increase in the Company’s total net sales in the 2011 fiscal year compared to the 2010 fiscal year resulted in higher earnings from operations in the 2011 fiscal year than in the 2010 fiscal year, as the Company’s gross profit margin, measured as a percentage of sales, improved to 33.0% in the 2011 fiscal year compared to 29.4% in the 2010 fiscal year. The Company’s operating and earnings performance during the 2011 fiscal year also benefited from the higher percentage of sales of higher margin, high performance printed circuit materials during the 2011 fiscal year. However, the Company’s operating and earnings performances were adversely affected by losses incurred at the Company’s PATC business unit in Newton, Kansas in the 2011 fiscal year as well as in the 2010 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s earnings from operations in the 2011 fiscal year were also reduced by the pre-tax charge of $1.3 million recorded by the Company in the three-month period ended November 28, 2010 related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the operations of Neltec Europe SAS, the Company’s digital electronic materials business unit located in Mirebeau, France.

 

The Company’s net earnings in the 2011 fiscal year were substantially higher than its net earnings in the 2010 fiscal year as a result of the Company’s strong operating performance in the 2011 fiscal year and despite the aforementioned $1.3 million charge and despite the higher income tax provision in the 2011 fiscal year than in the 2010 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s net earnings for the 2010 fiscal year were impacted by a tax benefit of $3.1 million for the reduction of certain deferred tax liabilities in Singapore related to a temporary tax incentive for offshore interest repatriation and by a charge of $1.2 million of additional tax reserves in the United States, both recorded in the fourth quarter of the 2010 fiscal year. Such earnings were also impacted by a $0.9 million tax benefit primarily for a retroactive extension of a development and expansion tax incentive in Singapore, recorded in the third quarter of the 2010 fiscal year.

 

The markets in North America, Asia and Europe for the Company’s printed circuit materials products strengthened in the 2010 fiscal year third and fourth quarters after prevailing weakness in the 2010 fiscal year first and second quarters, and such strength continued in the 2011 fiscal year but dissipated in the 2012 fiscal year.

 

 

The markets for the Company’s advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies products were weak during the 2010 fiscal year but showed some small signs of improvement during the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years.

 

The global markets for the Company’s printed circuit materials products continue to be very difficult to forecast, and it is not clear to the Company what the condition of the global markets for the Company’s printed circuit materials products will be in the 2013 fiscal year. Further, the Company is not able to predict the impact the current global economic and financial conditions will have on the markets for its aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies products in the 2013 fiscal year.

 

In the 2012 fiscal year third quarter, the Company completed a major expansion of its aerospace composite materials development and manufacturing facility in Kansas in order to manufacture aerospace composite parts and assemblies. The expansion includes approximately 37,000 square feet of manufacturing and storage space, and the Company spent approximately $5 million on the facility expansion and equipment.

 

While the Company continues to invest in its business, it also has made adjustments to certain of its operations, which resulted in workforce reductions and plant closures.

 

In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company announced that its PACM facility, located in Waterbury, Connecticut, would be closing its operations after the completion of the transfer of PACM’s aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities to the Company’s PATC facility located at the Newton, Kansas Airport. The Company expects such transfer to be completed in the second quarter of the 2013 fiscal year.

 

Such transfer of aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities from the Company’s PACM facility to its PATC facility, together with the transfer of aerospace composite parts and assemblies manufacturing activities from the Company’s PASC facility in Lynnwood, Washington to its PATC facility, which was completed in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, will complete the Company’s plan to concentrate and consolidate all of its North American aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing, development and design activities at its PATC facility. The completion of the consolidation of the Company’s aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing activities will eliminate the additional, and in some cases duplicative, costs which the Company has incurred in connection with the start-up of PATC and the transfer of such manufacturing activities from PACM and PASC to PATC.

 

In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company reported that, as the result of this closure, it expected to record total pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $3 million and that it expected to record approximately half of such charges in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter and to record the balance of such charges during the 2013 fiscal year; and the Company stated that after the closure is completed, the PACM business operations will have no further impact on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter in connection with such closure and now expects to record a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million during the 2013 fiscal year and no further charge in connection with such closure.

 

The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million in the 2011 fiscal year related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the operations of

 

Neltec Europe SAS, the Company’s printed circuit materials business unit located in Mirebeau, France. The Company previously recorded a pre-tax charge of $4.1 million in connection with such closure in the fiscal year ended March 1, 2009. The additional charge in the 2011 fiscal year was based on updated estimates of the total costs to complete the closure of the Neltec Europe SAS business unit as a result of additional information regarding such costs, including recent developments relating to certain employment litigation initiated in France after the closure and other expenses in excess of the original estimates. The closure of Neltec Europe SAS in January of 2009 was a major component of restructurings of the operations of the Company’s Neltec Europe SAS and Neltec SA business units in the 2009 fiscal year in response to the continuing serious erosion of the markets for printed circuit materials in Europe and the continuing migration of such markets to Asia.

 

Fiscal Year 2012 Compared with Fiscal Year 2011:

 

The Company’s total net sales worldwide decreased in the fiscal year ended February 26, 2012 compared to the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011 principally as a result of decreases in net sales of the Company’s printed circuit materials products in North America and Asia, which were only partially offset by a small increase in net sales of such products in Europe and by an increase in net sales of the Company’s aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies products.

 

The Company’s gross profit and its gross profit margin declined in the 2012 fiscal year compared to the 2011 fiscal year. The gross profit margin declined to 28.3% in the 2012 fiscal year compared to 33.0% in the 2011 fiscal year primarily as a result of the decline in sales, increased utility costs, additional, and in some instances duplicative, costs associated with the consolidation of all of the Company’s North American aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing, development and design activities at its PATC business unit in Newton, Kansas, and the partially fixed nature of the Company’s overhead costs. Such factors were only partially offset by the benefits from the higher percentage of sales of higher margin, high performance printed circuit materials products in the 2012 fiscal year than in the 2011 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s earnings from operations in the 2012 fiscal year were adversely affected by the aforementioned lower gross profit margins, by higher selling, general and administrative expenses in such year compared to the prior year and by the aforementioned $1.3 million charge in connection with the closure of PACM and were lower than the Company’s earnings from operations in such prior year. The Company’s earnings from operations in the prior year were adversely affected by the pre-tax charge of $1.3 million recorded by the Company in such year related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the operations of Neltec Europe SAS, the Company’s printed circuit materials business unit located in Mirebeau, France.

 

Although the Company’s net earnings in the 2012 fiscal year benefited from a significantly lower income tax provision than in the prior year and from the gain resulting from the settlement of two lawsuits, such net earnings were adversely affected by the lower earnings from operations and, consequently, were lower than the Company’s net earnings in the 2011 fiscal year. The Company’s higher net earnings in the 2011 fiscal year were the result of the higher earnings from operations despite the adverse effects of the charge related to the 2009 closure of Neltec Europe SAS and the higher income tax provision in the 2011 fiscal year than in the 2010 fiscal year.

 

 

The Company’s earnings from operations and net earnings in both the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years were reduced by losses incurred at the Company’s PATC business unit in Newton, Kansas.

 

Results of Operations

 

The Company’s total net sales worldwide for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2012 decreased 9% to $193.3 million from $211.7 million for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011. The decrease in net sales was the result of lower unit volumes of printed circuit materials products shipped by the Company’s operations in North America and Asia.

 

The decrease in total net sales in the 2012 fiscal year was the result of lower sales of printed circuit materials products sold by the Company’s operations in North America and Asia only partially offset by higher sales of such products sold by the Company’s operations in Europe and higher sales of aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies sold by the Company’s operations in North America, Asia and Europe. The Company’s total net sales of its aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies products increased to $26.5 million in the 2012 fiscal year from $23.3 million in the 2011 fiscal year and comprised 14% and 11%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales worldwide in the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years.

 

The Company's foreign sales were $107.3 million, or 55% of the Company's total net sales worldwide, during the 2012 fiscal year, compared to $112.8 million of sales, or 53% of total net sales worldwide, during the 2011 fiscal year and 50% and 48%, respectively, of total net sales worldwide during the 2010 and 2009 fiscal years. The Company's foreign sales during the 2012 fiscal year declined 5% from the 2011 fiscal year primarily as a result of decreases in sales in Asia.

 

For the fiscal year ended February 26, 2012, the Company’s sales in North America, Asia and Europe were 44%, 43% and 13%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales worldwide compared to 47%, 43% and 10%, respectively, for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011. The Company’s sales in North America decreased 13%, its sales in Asia decreased 9% and its sales in Europe increased 11% in the 2012 fiscal year compared to the 2011 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s gross profit in the 2012 fiscal year was lower than its gross profit in the prior fiscal year, and the overall gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the Company’s worldwide operations declined to 28.3% in the 2012 fiscal year compared to 33.0% in the 2011 fiscal year. The decrease in the gross profit margin was attributable to the lower total net sales in the 2012 fiscal year and the higher cost of sales relative to total sales in such year than in the prior year. Such factors were only partially offset by the higher percentage of sales of higher margin, high performance printed circuit materials products in the 2012 fiscal year than in the 2011 fiscal year.

 

During the fiscal year ended February 26, 2012, 79% of the Company’s total net sales worldwide of printed circuit materials consisted of high performance printed circuit materials, compared to 74% for the 2011 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s high performance printed circuit materials (non-FR4 printed circuit materials) include high-speed, low-loss materials for digital and RF/microwave applications requiring lead-free compatibility and high bandwidth signal integrity, bismalimide triazine (“BT”) materials, polyimides

for applications that demand extremely high thermal performance and reliability, cyanate esters, quartz reinforced materials, and polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) and modified epoxy materials for RF/microwave systems that operate at frequencies up to 77GHz.

 

The Company’s cost of sales decreased by 2% in the 2012 fiscal year from the 2011 fiscal year as a result of lower sales and lower production volumes in the 2012 fiscal year than in the 2011 fiscal year, but the Company’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 71.7% in the 2012 fiscal year from 67.0% in the 2011 fiscal year resulting in a gross profit margin decline from 33.0% to 28.3%. The Company’s cost of sales in the 2012 fiscal year was inflated by increased utility costs and additional, and in some instances duplicative, costs associated with the consolidation of all of the Company’s North American aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing, development and design activities at its PATC business unit.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million, or by 1%, during the 2012 fiscal year compared to the 2011 fiscal year, and these expenses, measured as percentages of sales, were 14.6% during the 2012 fiscal year compared to 13.2% during the 2011 fiscal year. Such expenses in the 2012 fiscal year were impacted by additional, and in some instances duplicative, expenses associated with the consolidation of all of the Company’s North American aerospace composite materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing, development and design activities at its PATC business unit and a donation to The Japanese Red Cross Society in the 2012 fiscal year. Selling, general and administrative expenses included $0.8 million for the 2012 fiscal year for stock option expenses compared to $1.0 million for the 2011 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s earnings from operations in both the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years were reduced by losses incurred at the Company’s PATC business unit.

 

In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million in connection with the closing of its PACM facility, located in Waterbury, Connecticut.

 

In the 2011 fiscal year third quarter, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the operations of Neltec Europe SAS, the Company’s printed circuit materials business unit located in Mirebeau, France.

 

For the reasons set forth above, the Company’s earnings from operations for the 2012 fiscal year were $25.2 million, including the $1.3 million charge related to the closing of PACM, compared to earnings from operations for the 2011 fiscal year of $40.7 million, including the $1.3 million charge related to the closure of Neltec Europe SAS in January of 2009.

 

Interest and other income, net, increased 25% to $0.8 million for the 2012 fiscal year from $0.6 million for the 2011 fiscal year. In addition, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.6 million in the 2012 fiscal year second quarter resulting from the aforementioned settlements of a lawsuit for a business interruption insurance claim and a lawsuit pertaining to defective equipment. During the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years, the Company earned interest income principally from its investments, which were primarily in short-term instruments and money market funds. The Company incurred no interest expense during the 2012 or 2011 fiscal years. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" elsewhere in this Item 7.

 

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 15.2% for the 2012 fiscal year compared to 21.0% for the 2011 fiscal year. The lower effective income tax rate for the 2012 fiscal year than for the 2011 fiscal year was primarily the result of lower portions of taxable income in jurisdictions with higher income tax rates. There was no tax benefit associated with the $1.3 million charge related to the 2009 closure of Neltec Europe SAS described above.

 

The Company’s net earnings for the 2012 fiscal year were $23.4 million, including the $1.3 million charge related to the closing of PACM and the $1.6 million pre-tax gain resulting from the settlements of the lawsuits described above, compared to net earnings for the 2011 fiscal year of $32.6 million, including the $1.3 million charge related to the closure of Neltec Europe SAS in January of 2009 described above. The net impact of the charge described above in the 2012 fiscal year was to reduce net earnings by $0.8 million in the 2012 fiscal year, and the impact, net of tax, of the pre-tax gain resulting from the settlements of the lawsuits described above was to increase net earnings by $1.1 million in the 2012 fiscal year. The net impact of the charge described above in the 2011 fiscal year was to reduce net earnings by $1.3 million for the 2011 fiscal year.

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the 2012 fiscal year were $1.13 per share, including the charge related to the closing of PACM described above and the pre-tax gain resulting from the settlements of the lawsuits described above, compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $1.58 for the 2011 fiscal year, including the charge related to the 2009 closure of Neltec Europe SAS described above. The net impact of the charge described above was to reduce basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.04 in the 2012 fiscal year, and the impact, net of tax, of the pre-tax gain resulting from the settlements of the lawsuits described above was to increase basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.05 in the 2012 fiscal year. The net impact of the charge described above was to reduce basic earnings per share by $0.07 and to reduce diluted earnings per share by $0.06 for the 2011 fiscal year.

 

Fiscal Year 2011 Compared with Fiscal Year 2010:

 

The Company’s total net sales worldwide increased in the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011 compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010 principally as a result of increases in net sales of the Company’s printed circuit materials products in North America, Asia and Europe. The Company’s net sales of its advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies products in the 2011 fiscal year were almost unchanged from the levels in the 2010 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s gross profit and its gross profit margin improved in the 2011 fiscal year compared to the 2010 fiscal year. The gross profit margin improved to 33.0% in the 2011 fiscal year compared to 29.4% in the 2010 fiscal year as a result of operating efficiencies resulting from the higher total net sales in the 2011 fiscal year and as a result of a higher percentage of sales of higher margin, high performance printed circuit materials products in the 2011 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s earnings from operations in the 2011 fiscal year were adversely affected by the pre-tax charge of $1.3 million recorded by the Company in the three-month period ended November 28, 2010 related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the operations of Neltec Europe SAS, the Company’s printed circuit materials business unit located in Mirebeau,

 

France, and the Company’s net earnings in the 2011 fiscal year were adversely affected by such charge and by the higher income tax provision in the 2011 fiscal year than in the 2010 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s net earnings for the 2010 fiscal year were impacted by a tax benefit of $3.1 million for the reduction of certain deferred tax liabilities in Singapore related to a temporary tax incentive for offshore interest repatriation and by a charge of $1.2 million for additional tax reserves in the United States, both recorded in the fourth quarter of the 2010 fiscal year. Such earnings were also impacted by a $0.9 million tax benefit primarily for a retroactive extension of a development and expansion tax incentive in Singapore, recorded in the third quarter of the 2010 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s earnings from operations and net earnings in both the 2011 and 2010 fiscal years were reduced by losses incurred at the Company’s PATC business unit.

 

Results of Operations

 

The Company’s total net sales worldwide for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011 increased 20% to $211.7 million from $175.7 million for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010. The increase in net sales was the result of higher unit volumes of printed circuit materials products shipped by the Company’s operations in North America, Asia and Europe. Total net sales of the Company’s advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies products increased to $23.3 million in the 2011 fiscal year from $23.2 million in the 2010 fiscal year and comprised 11% and 13%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales worldwide in the 2011 and 2010 fiscal years.

 

The Company’s foreign sales were $112.8 million, or 53% of the Company's total net sales worldwide, during the 2011 fiscal year, compared to $88.3 million of sales, or 50% of total net sales worldwide, during the 2010 fiscal year and 48% of total net sales worldwide during the 2009 fiscal year. The Company's foreign sales during the 2011 fiscal year increased 28% from the 2010 fiscal year primarily as a result of increases in sales in Europe and Asia.

 

For the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011, the Company’s sales in North America, Asia and Europe were 47%, 43% and 10%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales worldwide compared to 50%, 40% and 10%, respectively, for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010. The Company’s sales in North America increased 18%, its sales in Asia increased 41% and its sales in Europe increased 32% in the 2011 fiscal year compared to the 2010 fiscal year.

 

The gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the Company's worldwide operations improved to 33.0% during the 2011 fiscal year compared to 29.4% during the 2010 fiscal year. The improvement in the gross profit margin was attributable primarily to operating efficiencies resulting from the higher total net sales in the 2011 fiscal year as well as to the higher percentage of sales of higher margin, high performance printed circuit materials products in the 2011 fiscal year.

 

During the fiscal year ended February 27, 2011, 74% of the Company’s total net sales worldwide of printed circuit materials consisted of high performance printed circuit materials, compared to 68% for the 2010 fiscal year.

 

 

The Company’s cost of sales increased by 14% in the 2011 fiscal year from the 2010 fiscal year as a result of higher sales and higher production volumes in the 2011 fiscal year than in the 2010 fiscal year, but the Company’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 67.0% in the 2011 fiscal year from 70.6% in the 2010 fiscal year resulting in a gross profit margin increase from 29.4% to 33.0%, which was attributable to operating efficiencies resulting from the higher total net sales in the 2011 fiscal year as well as to the higher percentage of sales of higher margin, high performance printed circuit materials products in the 2011 fiscal year than in the 2010 fiscal year.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $3.4 million, or by 14%, during the 2011 fiscal year compared to the 2010 fiscal year, but these expenses, measured as a percentage of sales, were 13.2% during the 2011 fiscal year compared to 14.0% during the 2010 fiscal year. The increase in such expenses in the 2011 fiscal year was attributable primarily to increases in freight costs and commissions, which vary with shipments, and increases in legal fees and expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses included $1.0 million for the 2011 fiscal year for stock option expenses compared to $1.1 million for the 2010 fiscal year.

 

The Company’s earnings from operations in both the 2011 and 2010 fiscal years were reduced by losses incurred at the Company’s PATC business unit.

 

In the 2011 fiscal year third quarter, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the operations of Neltec Europe SAS, the Company’s printed circuit materials business unit located in Mirebeau, France.

 

For the reasons set forth above, the Company’s earnings from operations for the 2011 fiscal year were $40.7 million, including the $1.3 million charge related to the closure of Neltec Europe SAS in January of 2009, compared to earnings from operations for the 2010 fiscal year of $27.1 million.

 

Interest and other income, net, principally investment income, declined 39% to $0.6 million for the 2011 fiscal year from $1.1 million for the 2010 fiscal year. The decline in investment income was attributable primarily to lower prevailing interest rates, partially offset by higher levels of cash available for investment, during the 2011 fiscal year than during the 2010 fiscal year. The Company's investments were primarily in short-term instruments and money market funds. The Company incurred no interest expense during the 2011 or 2010 fiscal years. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" elsewhere in this Item 7.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 21.0% for the 2011 fiscal year compared to 10.0% for the 2010 fiscal year. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the 2010 fiscal year was impacted by a tax benefit of $3.1 million for the reduction of certain deferred tax liabilities in Singapore related to a temporary tax incentive for offshore interest repatriation and by a charge of $1.2 million for additional tax reserves in the United States, both recorded in the fourth quarter of the 2010 fiscal year. Such effective tax rate was also impacted by a $0.9 million tax benefit primarily for a retroactive extension of a development and expansion tax incentive in Singapore, recorded in the third quarter of the 2010 fiscal year. Such tax benefits and charge reduced the effective income tax rate by 10.0 percentage points in the 2010 fiscal year.

 

 

The Company’s net earnings for the 2011 fiscal year, including the $1.3 million charge described above, were $32.6 million compared to net earnings for the 2010 fiscal year, including the tax benefits and charge described above, of $25.4 million. The net impact of the charge described above was to reduce net earnings by $1.3 million for the 2011 fiscal year, and the net impact of the tax benefits and charge described above was to increase net earnings by $2.2 million for the 2010 fiscal year.

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share, including the charge described above, were $1.58 for the 2011 fiscal year compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $1.24 and $1.23, respectively, including the tax benefits and charge described above, for the 2010 fiscal year. The net impact of the charge described above was to reduce basic earnings per share by $0.07 and to reduce diluted earnings per share by $0.06 for the 2011 fiscal year, and the net impact of the tax benefits and charge described above was to increase basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.10 for the 2010 fiscal year.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

 

At February 26, 2012, the Company's cash and marketable securities were $268.8 million compared to $250.4 million at February 27, 2011, the end of the Company's 2011 fiscal year. Of that $268.8 million, approximately $198.0 million was owned by certain of the Company’s wholly owned foreign subsidiaries. It is the Company’s practice and intent to reinvest such cash owned by its foreign subsidiaries in the operations of its foreign subsidiaries or in other foreign activities.

 

The Company’s working capital (which includes cash and marketable securities) was $290.1 million at February 26, 2012 compared to $271.7 million at February 27, 2011. The increase in working capital at February 26, 2012 compared to February 27, 2011 was due principally to the increase in cash and marketable securities, an increase in inventories and decreases in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes payable partially offset by decreases in accounts receivable and other current assets.

 

The change in cash and marketable securities at February 26, 2012 compared to February 27, 2011 was the result of cash provided by operating activities and a number of additional factors, including the following. Inventories increased 23% at February 26, 2012 compared to February 27, 2011 primarily due to increases in the quantities of raw materials and finished goods inventories. Accounts payable decreased by 15% at February 26, 2012 compared to February 27, 2011 primarily as a result of lower sales and production volumes in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter compared to such volumes in the 2011 fiscal year fourth quarter. Accrued liabilities were 7% lower at February 26, 2012 than at February 27, 2011 due primarily to lower employee benefits. Income taxes payable declined 28% at February 26, 2012 compared to February 27, 2011 primarily due to lower taxable income and payments in the 2012 fiscal year, including payment of the Federal tax assessment relating to the Internal Revenue Services’ examination of the Company’s tax returns for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 fiscal years, in excess of the 2012 fiscal year income tax provision. Accounts receivable were 21% lower at February 26, 2012 than at February 27, 2011 as a result of lower sales volumes in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter than in the 2011 fiscal year fourth quarter. Other current assets were 9% lower at February 26, 2012 than at February 27, 2011 primarily as a result of reductions in value added taxes receivable and lower interest receivable. In addition, as described below, the Company paid $8.3 million in cash dividends during the 2012 fiscal year.

 

 

The Company’s current ratio (the ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 14.5 to 1 at February 26, 2012 compared with 11.8 to 1 at February 27, 2011.

 

During the 2012 fiscal year, net earnings from the Company’s operations, before depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, of $30.1 million, increased by a net reduction in working capital items, resulted in $31.4 million of cash provided by operating activities. During such year, the Company expended a net amount of $4.0 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment, primarily for the installation of an additional advanced, high-speed treater at the Company’s printed circuit materials manufacturing facility in Singapore and the purchase of equipment for the Company’s aerospace development and manufacturing facility in Newton, Kansas, and expended $1.1 million as additional payment for the acquisition of substantially all the assets and business of Nova Composites, Inc., compared to a net amount of $2.8 million during the 2011 fiscal year for the purchase of property, plant and equipment, primarily for the expansion of the Company’s facility in Newton, Kansas, and $1.1 million as an additional payment for the acquisition of substantially all the assets and business of Nova Composites, Inc. In addition, the Company paid $8.3 million in cash dividends on its common stock in the 2012 fiscal year, compared to $28.9 million in the 2011 fiscal year, including a special cash dividend of $20.7 million paid in the 2011 fiscal year fourth quarter. During the 2011 fiscal year, net earnings from the Company’s operations and a net increase in working capital items resulted in $42.7 million of cash provided by operating activities.

 

Net expenditures for property, plant and equipment were $4.0 million, $2.8 million and $3.4 million in the 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal years, respectively.

 

In the first quarter of the Company’s 2009 fiscal year, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Park Aerospace Structures Corp., acquired substantially all the assets and business of Nova Composites, Inc., a manufacturer of aircraft composite parts and assemblies and the tooling for such parts and assemblies, located in Lynnwood, Washington, for a cash purchase price of $4.5 million paid at the closing of the acquisition and up to an additional $5.5 million payable over five years depending on the achievement of specified earn-out objectives. The Company paid an additional $1.0 million for such acquisition in the 2010 fiscal year second quarter, an additional $1.1 million in the 2011 fiscal year first quarter and an additional $1.1 million in the 2012 fiscal year first quarter, leaving up to an additional $2.2 million payable over two years, as of February 26, 2012, depending on the achievement of the earn-out objectives.

 

During the 2010 fiscal year, the Company expended approximately $1.1 million for equipment for its aerospace composite materials development and manufacturing facility in Newton, Kansas and approximately $1.1 million for the construction of an expansion of such facility to produce aerospace composite parts and assemblies. During the 2011 fiscal year, the Company expended approximately $0.3 million for equipment for such facility, approximately $1.3 million for the construction of such expansion and approximately $0.6 million for equipment for such expanded facility. During the 2012 fiscal year, the Company expended approximately $1.5 million for equipment for such expanded facility.

 

At February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, the Company had no long-term debt.

 

 

The Company believes its financial resources will be sufficient, for the foreseeable future, to provide for continued investment in working capital and property, plant and equipment and for general corporate purposes. Such resources would also be available for purchases of the Company's common stock, appropriate acquisitions and other expansions of the Company's business.

 

The Company is not aware of any circumstances or events that are reasonably likely to occur that could materially affect its liquidity.

 

The Company’s contractual obligations and other commercial commitments to make future payments under contracts, such as lease agreements, consist only of the operating lease commitments, commitments to purchase equipment for the Company’s printed circuit materials manufacturing facility in Singapore and to purchase equipment for the expansion of the Company’s aerospace development and manufacturing facility described in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Report and the Company’s obligation to pay up to an additional $2.2 million over two years in connection with the acquisition of the assets and business of Nova Composites, Inc., described above. The Company has no long-term debt, capital lease obligations, unconditional purchase obligations or other long-term obligations, standby letters of credit, guarantees, standby repurchase obligations or other commercial commitments or contingent commitments, other than two standby letters of credit in the total amount of $1.3 million to secure the Company's obligations under its workers’ compensation insurance program.

 

As of February 26, 2012, the Company’s significant contractual obligations, including payments due by fiscal year, were as follows:

 

Contractual Obligations      (Amounts in thousands)		Total				2013				2014-2015				2016-2017				2018 and thereafter
Operating lease obligations		$	11,672			$	2,049			$	3,557			$	1,548			$	4,518
Equipment purchase obligations			157				157				-				-				-
Total		$	11,829			$	2,206			$	3,557			$	1,548			$	4,518

 

At February 26, 2012, the Company had gross tax-effected unrecognized tax benefits of $4.0 million. A reasonable estimate of timing of these liabilities is not possible.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements:

 

The Company's liquidity is not dependent on the use of, and the Company is not engaged in, any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, such as securitization of receivables or obtaining access to assets through special purpose entities.

 

Environmental Matters:

 

The Company is subject to various Federal, state and local government and foreign government requirements relating to the protection of the environment. The Company believes that, as a general matter, its policies, practices and procedures are properly designed to prevent unreasonable risk of environmental damage and that its handling, manufacture, use and disposal

 

of hazardous or toxic substances are in accord with environmental laws and regulations. However, mainly because of past operations and operations of predecessor companies, which were generally in compliance with applicable laws at the time of the operations in question, the Company, like other companies engaged in similar businesses, is a party to claims by government agencies and third parties and has incurred remedial response and voluntary cleanup costs associated with environmental matters. Additional claims and costs involving past environmental matters may continue to arise in the future. It is the Company's policy to record appropriate liabilities for such matters when remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

 

While annual environmental remedial response and voluntary cleanup expenditures have generally been constant from year to year, and may increase over time, the Company expects it will be able to fund such expenditures from cash flow from operations. The timing of expenditures depends on a number of factors, including regulatory approval of cleanup projects, remedial techniques to be utilized and agreements with other parties.

 

Management does not expect that environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, capital resources, business, consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position of the Company. See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Report for a discussion of the Company's contingencies, including those related to environmental matters.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates:

 

The following information is provided regarding critical accounting policies that are important to the Consolidated Financial Statements and that entail, to a significant extent, the use of estimates, assumptions and the application of management's judgment.

 

General

 

The Company's discussion and analysis of its financial condition 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. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent liabilities. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to sales allowances, allowances for doubtful accounts, inventories, valuation of long-lived assets, income taxes, restructurings, contingencies and litigation, and employee benefit programs. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenues when products are shipped and title has been transferred to a customer, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. All material sales transactions are for the shipment of manufactured prepreg and laminate products and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies.

 

Sales Allowances

 

The Company provides for the estimated costs of sales allowances at the time such costs can be reasonably estimated. The Company’s products are made to customer specifications and tested for adherence to such specifications before shipment to customers. Composite parts and assemblies may be subject to “airworthiness” acceptance by customers after receipt at the customers’ locations. There are no future performance requirements other than the products’ meeting the agreed specifications. The Company’s bases for providing sales allowances for returns are known situations in which products may have failed due to manufacturing defects in the products supplied by the Company. The Company is focused on manufacturing the highest quality printed circuit materials and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies possible and employs stringent manufacturing process controls and works with raw material suppliers who have dedicated themselves to complying with the Company’s specifications and technical requirements. The amounts of returns and allowances resulting from defective or damaged products have been approximately 1.0% of sales for each of the Company’s last three fiscal years.

 

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

 

Accounts receivable are due within established payment terms and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than established payment terms are considered past due. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketability based upon the age of the inventory and assumptions about future demand for the Company's products and market conditions.

 

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. In addition, the Company assesses the impairment of goodwill at least annually. Important factors that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant

 

 

negative industry or economic trends and significant changes in the use of the Company’s assets or strategy of the overall business.

 

Income Taxes

 

As part of the processes of preparing its consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate the income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating the actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value of the Company's net deferred tax assets assumes that the Company will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions, based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record additional valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense in the Company's consolidated statement of operations, or conversely to further reduce the existing valuation allowance resulting in less income tax expense. The Company evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets quarterly and assesses the need for additional valuation allowances quarterly.

 

Tax benefits are recognized for an uncertain tax position when, in the Company’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount that is judged to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances and when new information becomes available. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by the Company. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes its liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate. Interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as income tax expense.

 

Restructurings

 

In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company announced that its Park Advanced Composite Materials, Inc. facility, located in Waterbury, Connecticut, would be closing its operations after the completion of the transfer of its aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities to the Company’s Park Aerospace Technologies Corp. facility located at the Newton, Kansas Airport and that, as the result of the closure, it expected to record total pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $3 million and that it expected to record approximately half of such charges in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter and to record the balance of such charges during the 2013 fiscal year. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million in the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter in connection with such closure and now expects to record a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million during the 2013 fiscal year and no further charge in connection with such closure. The Company also recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million in the 2011 fiscal year third quarter related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the operations of Neltec Europe SAS, the Company’s printed circuit materials business unit located

 

in Mirebeau, France. The Company previously recorded a pre-tax charge of $4.1 million in connection with such closure in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ended March 1, 2009. The additional charge in the 2011 fiscal year third quarter was based on updated estimates of the total costs to complete the closure of the Neltec Europe SAS business unit as a result of additional information regarding such costs, including recent developments relating to certain employment litigation initiated in France after the closure and other expenses in excess of the original estimates. The closure of Neltec Europe SAS in January of 2009 was a major component of restructurings of the operations of the Company’s Neltec Europe SAS and Neltec SA business units in the fourth quarter of the 2009 fiscal year. Such restructurings and workforce reductions are described in Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Report and elsewhere in this Discussion.

 

Contingencies

 

The Company is subject to a small number of proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, employment, product and other matters. The Company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes in these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each individual issue. The required reserves may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in approach, such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters.

 

The $1.3 million charge in the 2011 fiscal year third quarter related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the Company’s Neltec Europe SAS printed circuit materials business unit located in Mirebeau, France included an amount relating to certain employment litigation initiated in France after the closure. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Report for additional information relating to the aforementioned charge.

 

The Company is obligated to pay up to an additional $2.2 million over two years depending on the achievement of specified earn-out objectives in connection with the acquisition by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Park Aerospace Structures Corp., of substantially all the assets and business of Nova Composites, Inc., a manufacturer of composite parts and assemblies and the tooling for such parts and assemblies, located in Lynnwood, Washington, in addition to a cash purchase price of $4.5 million at the closing of the acquisition on April 1, 2008 and payments of $1.0 million in the 2010 fiscal year second quarter, $1.1 million in the 2011 fiscal year first quarter and $1.1 million in the 2012 fiscal year first quarter.

 

Employee Benefit Programs

 

The Company's obligations for workers' compensation claims are effectively self-insured, although the Company maintains individual and aggregate stop-loss insurance coverage for such claims. The Company accrues its workers compensation liability based on estimates of the total exposure of known claims using historical experience and projected loss development factors less amounts previously paid out.

 

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have a non-contributory profit sharing retirement plan covering their regular full-time employees. In addition, the Company's subsidiaries have various bonus and incentive

 

compensation programs, some of which are determined at management's discretion.

 

The Company’s reserves associated with these self-insured liabilities and benefit programs are reviewed by management for adequacy at the end of each reporting period.

 

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS.

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their companies without fear of litigation so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statement. Certain portions of this Report which do not relate to historical financial information may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from Park's expectations or from results which might be projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted by the Company in forward-looking statements. The factors described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Report, as well as the following additional factors, could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from any such results which might be projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted by the Company in forward-looking statements.

 

§

The Company’s operating results are affected by a number of factors, including various factors beyond the Company's control. Such factors include economic conditions in the printed circuit materials, advanced composite materials and composite parts and assemblies industries, the timing of customer orders, product prices, process yields, the mix of products sold and maintenance-related shutdowns of facilities. Operating results also can be influenced by development and introduction of new products and the costs associated with the start-up of new facilities.

 

§

The Company, from time to time, is engaged in the expansion of certain of its manufacturing facilities. The anticipated costs of such expansions cannot be determined with precision and may vary materially from those budgeted. In addition, such expansions will increase the Company's fixed costs. The Company's future profitability depends upon its ability to utilize its manufacturing capacity in an effective manner.

 

§

The Company may acquire businesses, product lines or technologies that expand or complement those of the Company. The integration and management of an acquired company or business may strain the Company's management resources and technical, financial and operating systems. In addition, implementation of acquisitions can result in large one-time charges and costs. A given acquisition, if consummated, may materially affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

§

The Company’s success is dependent upon its relationships with key suppliers and customers and key management and technical personnel.

 

 

§

The Company’s future success depends in part upon its intellectual property which the Company seeks to protect through a combination of contract provisions, trade secret protections, copyrights and patents.

 

§

The market price of the Company’s securities can be subject to fluctuations in response to quarter to quarter variations in operating results, changes in analyst earnings estimates, market conditions in the printed circuit materials, advanced composite materials and composite parts and assemblies industries, as well as general economic conditions and other factors external to the Company.

 

§

The Company's operating results could be affected by changes in the Company's accounting policies and practices or changes in the Company's organization, compensation and benefit plans, or changes in the Company's material agreements or understandings with third parties.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

The Company is exposed to market risks for changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company's primary foreign currency exchange exposure relates to the translation of the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries using currencies other than the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. The Company does not believe that a 10% fluctuation in foreign exchange rates would have had a material impact on its consolidated results of operations or financial position. The exposure to market risks for changes in interest rates relates to the Company’s short-term investment portfolio. This investment portfolio is managed in accordance with guidelines issued by the Company. These guidelines are designed to establish a high quality fixed income portfolio of government and highly rated corporate debt securities with a maximum weighted maturity of less than one year. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments in its investment portfolio. Based on the average anticipated maturity of the investment portfolio at the end of the 2012 fiscal year, a 10% increase in short-term interest rates would not have had a material impact on the consolidated results of operations or financial position of the Company.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

The Company’s Financial Statements begin on the next page.

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Park Electrochemical Corp.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Park Electrochemical Corp. (a New York corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 26, 2012. Our audits of the basic consolidated financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2). 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Park Electrochemical Corp. and subsidiaries as of February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 26, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Park Electrochemical Corp. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of February 26, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated May 10, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

 

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

New York, New York

May 10, 2012

 

 

PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	129,503			$	112,195
Marketable securities (Note 2)			139,282				138,249
Accounts receivable, less allowance
for doubtful accounts of $598 and
$599, respectively			23,533				29,822
Inventories (Note 3)			15,823				12,888
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			3,449				3,805
Total current assets			311,590				296,959
Property, plant and equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation and
amortization (Note 4)			38,695				41,292
Goodwill and other intangible assets (Note 5)			7,661				6,568
Other assets (Note 7)			8,042				8,989
Total assets		$	365,988			$	353,808
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	8,427			$	9,944
Accrued liabilities (Note 6)			8,816				9,497
Income taxes payable			4,198				5,812
Total current liabilities			21,441				25,253
Deferred income taxes (Note 7)			1,062				1,460
Other liabilities (Notes 7)			274				1,787
Total liabilities			22,777				28,500
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 15)
Stockholders' equity (Note 9):
Preferred stock, $1 par value per
share—authorized, 500,000 shares;
issued, none			-				-
Common stock, $.10 par value per
share—authorized, 60,000,000
shares; issued, 20,795,591 and 20,722,179
shares, respectively			2,079				2,072
Additional paid-in capital			157,115				154,459
Retained earnings			181,941				166,795
Accumulated other comprehensive income			2,077				1,983
			343,212				325,309
Less treasury stock, at cost,
158 and 158 shares, respectively			(1	)			(1	)
Total stockholders' equity			343,211				325,308
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	365,988			$	353,808

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

		Fiscal Year Ended
		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011				February 28, 2010
Net sales		$	193,254			$	211,652			$	175,686
Cost of sales			138,512				141,751				124,084
Gross profit			54,742				69,901				51,602
Selling, general and administrative
expenses			28,247				27,917				24,480
Restructuring charges (Note 12)			1,250				1,312				-
Earnings from operations			25,245				40,672				27,122
Interest and other income, net			808				645				1,062
Gain on litigation settlement (Note 11)			1,598				-				-
Earnings before income taxes			27,651				41,317				28,184
Income tax provision (Note 7)			4,209				8,696				2,825
Net earnings		$	23,442			$	32,621			$	25,359
Earnings per share: (Note 10)
Basic earnings per share		$	1.13			$	1.58			$	1.24
Basic weighted average shares			20,746				20,628				20,522
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.13			$	1.58			$	1.23
Diluted weighted average shares			20,792				20,675				20,547

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

																		Accumulated
																		Other
										Additional								Comprehensive												Comprehensive
		Common Stock								Paid-in				Retained				Income				Treasury Stock								Income
		Shares				Amount				Capital				Earnings				(Loss)				Shares					Amount			(Loss)
Balance, March 1, 2009			20,470,661				2,047			$	146,934			$	145,107			$	1,622				145				(1	)
Net earnings															25,359															$	25,359
Exchange rate changes																			38												38
Unrealized loss on marketable
securities, net of tax																			(44	)											(44)
Stock option  exercise			70,175				7				1,171												1
Stock-based compensation											1,117
Tax benefit on exercise of options											130
Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)															(7,389	)
Comprehensive income																														$	25,353
Balance, February 28, 2010			20,540,836				2,054				149,352				163,077				1,616				146				(1	)
Net earnings															32,621																$32,621
Exchange rate changes																			377												377
Unrealized loss on marketable
securities, net of tax																			(10	)											(10)
Stock option  exercise			181,343				18				3,621												12
Stock-based compensation											959
Tax benefit on exercise of options											527
Cash dividends ($1.40 per share)															(28,903	)
Comprehensive income																														$	32,988
Balance, February 27, 2011			20,722,179				2,072				154,459				166,795				1,983				158				(1	)
Net earnings															23,442															$	23,442
Exchange rate changes																			70												70
Unrealized gain on marketable
securities, net of tax																			24												24
Stock option  exercise			73,412				7				1,803												-
Stock-based compensation											762
Tax benefit on exercise of options											91
Cash dividends ($0.40 per share)															(8,296	)
Comprehensive income																														$	23,536
Balance, February 26, 2012			20,795,591			$	2,079			$	157,115			$	181,941			$	2,077				158			$	(1	)

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

		Fiscal Year Ended
		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011				February 28, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings		$	23,442			$	32,621			$	25,359
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			5,891				6,746				7,057
Loss on sale of fixed assets			-				-				250
Stock-based compensation			762				959				1,117
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable			-				21				(57	)
Provision for deferred income taxes			22				567				(2,174	)
Amortization of bond premium			1,481				1,271				734
Impairment of fixed assets			928				-				-
Non-cash restructuring			322				1,312				-
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			6,260				1,859				(9,146	)
Inventories			(2,947	)			(907	)			(1,273	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			982				(2,572	)			4,283
Other assets and liabilities			(1,642	)			(1,620	)			77
Accounts payable			(1,485	)			(265	)			1,690
Accrued liabilities			(968	)			1,001				(4,493	)
Income taxes payable			(1,614	)			1,675				176
Net cash provided by operating activities			31,434				42,668				23,600
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment			(3,994	)			(3,699	)			(3,422	)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment			-				894				69
Purchases of marketable securities			(172,724	)			(259,300	)			(153,153	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities			170,249				223,442				233,158
Business acquisition			(1,100	)			(1,100	)			(1,025	)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities			(7,569	)			(39,763	)			75,627
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid			(8,296	)			(28,903	)			(7,389	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			1,810				3,639				1,178
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation			91				527				130
Net cash used in financing activities			(6,395	)			(24,737	)			(6,081	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents before effect of exchange rate changes			17,470				(21,832	)			93,146
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(162	)			(3	)			94
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			17,308				(21,835	)			93,240
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year			112,195				134,030				40,790
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year		$	129,503			$	112,195			$	134,030

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three years ended February 26, 2012

(Amounts in thousands, except share, per share and option amounts)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Park Electrochemical Corp. (“Park”), through its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), is a global advanced materials company which develops, manufactures, markets and sells high- technology digital and RF/microwave printed circuit materials products principally for the telecommunications and internet infrastructure and high-end computing markets and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies products for the aerospace markets.

 

	a.	Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Park and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

	b.	Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”)requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

	c.	Accounting Period – The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending the Sunday nearest to the last day of February. The 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal years ended on February 26, 2012, February 27, 2011 and February 28, 2010, respectively. Fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 each consisted of 52 weeks.
	d.	Fair Value Measurements – For financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

 

Fair value measurements are broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

 

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. The valuation under this approach does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

 

Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals or current market) and contractual prices for the underlying financial instrument, as well as other relevant economic measures.

 

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby

 

  

allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and current liabilities approximate their carrying value due to their short-term nature. Certain assets and liabilities of the Company are required to be recorded at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis. On a recurring basis, the Company records its marketable securities (see Note 2) at fair value using Level 1 inputs.

 

The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill and any assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination or any long-lived assets written down to fair value. To measure fair value of such assets, the Company uses Level 3 inputs consisting of techniques including an income approach and a market approach. The income approach is based on a discounted cash flow analysis and calculates the fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to a reporting unit and then discounting the after-tax cash flows to a present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Assumptions used in the discounted cash flow analysis require the exercise of significant judgment, including judgment about appropriate discount rates and terminal value, growth rates and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows.

 

	e.	Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers all money market securities and investments with contractual maturities at the date of purchase of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Investments in debt securities included in cash equivalents were $38,000 and $5,995 at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, respectively.

		Supplemental cash flow information:

		Fiscal Year
		2012				2011				2010
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes paid, net of refunds		$	6,856			$	6,520			$	3,946

 

	f.	Marketable Securities – All marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses, amortization of premiums and discounts, and interest and dividend income are included in interest and other income, net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
	g.	Inventories – Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketability based upon the age of the inventory and assumptions about future demand for the Company's products and market conditions.
	h.	Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes revenues when products are shipped and title has been transferred to a customer, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. All material sales transactions are for the shipment of manufactured prepreg and laminate products and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies.

 

	i.	Sales Allowances and Product Warranties - The Company provides for the estimated costs of sales allowances at the time such costs can be reasonably estimated. The Company’s products are made to customer specifications and tested for adherence to specifications before shipment to customers. Composite parts and assemblies may be subject to “airworthiness” acceptance by customers after receipt at the customers’ locations. There are no future performance requirements other than the products’ meeting the agreed specifications. The Company’s bases for providing sales allowances for returns are known situations in which products may have failed due to manufacturing defects in products supplied by the Company. The Company is focused on manufacturing the highest quality printed circuit materials and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies possible and employs stringent manufacturing process controls and works with raw material suppliers who have dedicated themselves to complying with the Company's specifications and technical requirements. The amounts of returns and allowances resulting from defective or damaged products have been less than 1.0% of sales for each of the Company's last three fiscal years.

 

	j.	Accounts Receivable – The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable are due from purchasers of the Company’s printed circuit materials. Credit is extended based on evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are due within established payment terms and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than established payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.

	k.	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
	l.	Valuation of Long-Lived Assets – The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Important factors that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant negative industry or economic trends and significant changes in the use of the Company's assets or strategy of the overall business.

 

m.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Goodwill is not amortized. Other intangible assets are amortized over the useful lives of the assets on a straight line basis. The Company tests for impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the impairment of

 

goodwill at least annually. The Company conducted its annual goodwill impairment test as of November 28, 2011, the first day of the fourth quarter, and concluded that there was no impairment.

 

	n.	Shipping Costs – The amounts paid by the Company to third-party shippers for transporting products to customers, which are not reimbursed by customers, are classified as selling expenses. The shipping costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $4,629, $4,758 and $3,973 for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
	o.	Property, Plant and Equipment – Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes additions, improvements and major renewals and expenses maintenance, repairs and minor renewals as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures are generally depreciated over 10 years. Building and leasehold improvements are generally depreciated over 25-30 years or the term of the lease, if shorter.
	p.	Income Taxes – Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in the reporting of certain items, primarily depreciation, for income tax purposes as compared with financial accounting purposes.

 

Tax benefits are recognized for an uncertain tax position when, in the Company’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount that is judged to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances and when new information becomes available. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by the Company. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes its liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate. Interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as income tax expense.

 

		United States (“U.S.”) Federal income taxes have not been provided on the undistributed earnings (approximately $206,000 as of February 26, 2012) of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, because it is the Company’s practice and intent to reinvest such earnings in the operations of such subsidiaries.

q.

Foreign Currency Translation – Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries using currencies other than the U.S. dollar as their functional currency are translated into U.S. dollars at fiscal year-end exchange rates, and income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates for the period. Gains and losses resulting from translation are recorded as currency translation adjustments in comprehensive income.

 

 

	r.	Stock-Based Compensation - The Company accounts for employee stock options, the only form of equity compensation issued by the Company, as compensation expense based on the fair value of the options on the date of grant and recognizes such expense on a straight-line basis over the four-year service period during which the options become exercisable. The Company determines the values of such options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model incorporates certain assumptions relating to risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of options, in order to arrive at a fair value estimate.
	s.	Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

2.

MArketable Securities

 

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities:

 

		Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Estimated Fair Value
February 26, 2012:
U.S. Treasury and other government securities		$	41			$	53			$	93,479
U.S. corporate debt securities			61				12				45,803
Total debt securities		$	102			$	65			$	139,282
February 27, 2011:
U.S. Treasury and other government securities		$	39			$	78			$	94,777
U.S. corporate debt securities			47				12				43,472
Total debt securities		$	86			$	90			$	138,249

 

The gross realized gains on the sales of securities were $43, $11 and $14 for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and the gross realized losses were $65, $47 and $90 for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The estimated fair values of such securities were determined based on observable inputs, which were quoted market prices for identical assets in active markets. The estimated fair values of such securities at February 26, 2012, by contractual maturity, are shown below:

 

Due in one year or less		$	68,340
Due after one year through five years			70,942
		$	139,282

 

3.

Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011
Raw materials		$	8,774			$	6,257
Work-in-process			2,632				2,927
Finished goods			4,097				3,404
Manufacturing supplies			320				300
		$	15,823			$	12,888

 

 

4.

Property, Plant and Equipment

		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011
Land, buildings and improvements		$	41,169			$	40,564
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures			135,130				132,536
			176,299				173,100
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			137,604				131,808
		$	38,695			$	41,292

 

Property, plant and equipment are initially valued at cost. Depreciation and amortization expenses relating to property, plant and equipment were $5,891, $6,746 and $7,057 for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

	During the 2011 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company sold the building at its Neltec Europe SAS business unit in Mirebeau, France for approximately $894,000. The amount receivable has been recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets and was subsequently received in the first quarter of the 2012 fiscal year. The building at the New England Laminates Co., Inc. business unit in Newburgh, New York is held for sale. In fiscal year 2004, the Company reduced the book value of the building to zero, and the Company intends to sell it during the 2013 fiscal year.
5.	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

In the first quarter of the Company’s 2009 fiscal year, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Park Aerospace Structures Corp., acquired substantially all the assets and business of Nova Composites, Inc., a manufacturer of aircraft composite parts and assemblies and the tooling for such parts and assemblies, located in Lynnwood, Washington, for a cash purchase price of $4,500 paid at the closing of the acquisition and up to an additional $5,500 payable over five years depending on the achievement of specified earn-out objectives. The Company paid an additional $1,100 in the first quarter of the 2012 fiscal year, $1,100 in the first quarter of the 2011 fiscal year and $1,025 in the second quarter of the 2010 fiscal year leaving an additional $2,200 payable over two years depending on the achievement of the earn-out objectives. Other intangible assets are being amortized over 15 years.

 

		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011
Goodwill		$	7,576			$	6,476
Other intangibles			85				92
		$	7,661			$	6,568

 

6.

Accrued Liabilities

		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011
Payroll and payroll related		$	2,698			$	2,606
Employee benefits			474				502
Workers’ compensation accrual			969				1,114
Professional fees			1,498				1,512
Restructuring accruals			1,685				2,542
Other			1,492				1,221
		$	8,816			$	9,497

 

7.

Income Taxes

 

The income tax provision includes the following:

 

		Fiscal Year
		2012				2011				2010
Current:
Federal		$	(696	)		$	2,880			$	2,587
State and local			(194	)			378				(35	)
Foreign			5,077				4,872				2,447
			4,187				8,130				4,999
Deferred:
Federal			(239	)			274				683
State and local			658				32				16
Foreign			(397	)			260				(2,873	)
			22				566				(2,174	)
		$	4,209			$	8,696			$	2,825

 

On June 30, 2011, Nelco Products Pte, Ltd’s qualification and favorable tax rates under the development and expansion tax incentive in Singapore expired, resulting in a $175 increase in tax expense.

 

The valuation allowance increased a total of $784 as a result of increases in foreign net operating loss carryforwards and domestic tax credits. There was no income statement impact from these changes.

 

The components of earnings before income taxes were as follows:

 

		Fiscal Year
		2012				2011				2010
United States		$	(1,447	)		$	8,668			$	2,914
Foreign			29,098				32,649				25,270
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes		$	27,651			$	41,317			$	28,184

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate as a result of the following:

 

		2012				2011				2010
Statutory U.S. Federal tax rate			34.0	%			34.0	%			34.0	%
State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit			(0.6	)			0.6				(0.1	)
Foreign tax rate differentials			(19.9	)			(16.4	)			(17.3	)
Valuation allowance on deferred tax Assets			3.1				2.6				3.6
Adjustment of tax accruals and reserves			(2.4	)			0.8				4.2
Foreign deferred liability reduction			-				-				(14.2	)
Foreign tax credits			(0.3	)			(0.5	)			(0.2	)
Permanent differences and other			1.3				(0.1	)			-
			15.2	%			21.0	%			10.0	%

 

The Company had total net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $32,166 and $30,334 in fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of February 26, 2012, $29,262 of net operating loss

 

 

 

carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period and $2,904 have a five year carryforward period.

 

The Company had New York State investment tax credit carryforwards of $1,728 and $1,131 in fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively. In the 2011 fiscal year, a $19 benefit was recognized for utilization of these credits. The New York State Investment tax credits expire in fiscal years 2013 through 2018. The Company has Kansas tax credits of $210 and $202 for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively, and for which no benefit was provided in the 2012 fiscal year. The Company does not believe that realization of the principal portion of the Kansas tax credit or the investment tax credit carryforward is more likely than not. The Kansas credits expire in fiscal years 2028 and 2029, respectively.

 

The deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $11,661 as of February 26, 2012 is related to foreign net operating losses and state tax credit carryforwards for which the Company does not expect to realize the tax benefit. During fiscal year 2012, the valuation allowance increased by $784 due to current year foreign losses and an adjustment to the prior year balance for which no tax benefit was recognized. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets as of February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011 were as follows:

 

		February 26,				February 27,
		2012				2011
Deferred tax assets:
Impairment of fixed assets		$	6,035			$	6,036
Net operating loss carryforwards			9,753				9,545
Tax credits carryforward			2,019				1,382
Other, net			2,220				2,699
			20,027				19,662
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets			(11,661	)			(10,877	)
Net deferred tax assets			8,366				8,785
Depreciation			(741	)			(1,279	)
Offshore Singapore earnings subject to local tax			(321	)			(181	)
Total deferred tax liabilities			(1,062	)			(1,460	)
Net deferred tax		$	7,304			$	7,325

 

The breakdown between current and long-term deferred tax assets follows:

 

		February 26,				February 27,
		2012				2011
Current		$	1,300			$	637
Non-current			7,066				8,148
Total deferred tax assets		$	8,366			$	8,785

 

On the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the current net deferred tax assets are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets. The non-current net deferred tax assets are included in other assets.

 

 

At February 26, 2012, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $1,066 included in current liabilities and $218 included in other liabilities. Included in unrecognized tax benefits is $2,715 related to a claim for refund filed to recoup the tax benefit for the Company’s remaining investment in New England Laminates (U.K.) Ltd. The entire amount reflected in the unrecognized tax benefits table at February 26, 2012, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

		Unrecognized Tax Benefits
		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011
Balance, beginning of year		$	2,044			$	1,715
Gross increases–tax positions in prior period			2,715				276
Gross decreases-tax positions in prior period			(268	)			(16	)
Gross increases-current period tax positions			264				180
Gross decreases-current period tax positions			-				-
Audit settlements			(756	)
Lapse of statute of limitations			-				(111	)
Balance, end of year		$	3,999			$	2,044

 

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons, including adding or reducing amounts for current year tax positions, expiration of statutes of limitation on open income tax years, changes in the Company’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of tax examinations, and legislative changes. Changes in prior period tax positions are as a result of a re-evaluation of the probability of realizing the benefit of a particular tax position based on new information.

 

A list of open tax years by major jurisdiction follows:

 

United States			2009-2012
Arizona			2008-2012
California			2008-2012
New York			2008-2012
France			2010-2012
Singapore			2005-2012

 

The Company had approximately $137 and $371 of accrued interest and penalties as of February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, respectively. The Company’s policy is to include applicable interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of current income tax expense.

 

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) conducted an examination of the Company’s tax returns for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 fiscal years. The examination was closed in June 2011, and the Company was assessed an additional $293 in tax and interest over the amounts reserved in prior years.

 

In September 2011, the IRS commenced an examination of the Company’s tax returns for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 fiscal years. The examination is expected to close in the 2013 fiscal year. The Company recorded

 

 

additional reserves and current payables of $330 in the 2012 fiscal year based on preliminary findings by the IRS.

 

During the 2012 fiscal year, the New York State Department of Taxation commenced an examination of the Company’s tax returns for the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 fiscal years. As of February 26, 2012, there have been no preliminary findings and no reserves have been recorded.

  

8.	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

As of February 26, 2012, the Company had a 1992 Stock Option Plan and a 2002 Stock Option Plan and no other stock-based compensation plan. Both Stock Option Plans have been approved by the Company’s stockholders and provide for the grant of stock options to directors and key employees of the Company. All options granted under such Plans have exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock of the Company at the time of grant, which, pursuant to the terms of the Plans, is the reported closing price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date preceding the date the option is granted. Options granted under the Plans become exercisable 25% one year from the date of grant, with an additional 25% exercisable each succeeding anniversary of the date of grant, and expire 10 years from the date of grant. The authority to grant additional options under the 1992 Stock Option Plan expired on March 24, 2002, and options to purchase a total of 1,800,000 shares of common stock were authorized for grant under the 2002 Stock Option Plan. At February 26, 2012, 1,679,583 shares of common stock of the Company were reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options under the 1992 Stock Option Plan and the 2002 Stock Option Plan and 763,632 shares were available for future grant under the 2002 Stock Option Plan. Options to purchase 198,750 and 23,000 shares of common stock were granted during the 2012 fiscal year and 2011 fiscal year, respectively.

 

The compensation expense for stock options includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized on a straight line basis over the requisite service period.

 

The future compensation expense to be recognized in earnings before income taxes for options outstanding at February 26, 2012 will be $1,854 and will be recognized over the next four fiscal years.

 

The Company records its stock-based compensation at fair value. The weighted average fair value for options was estimated at the dates of grants, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, to be $6.96 for fiscal year 2012, $10.19 for fiscal year 2011 and $8.05 for fiscal year 2010, with the following assumptions: risk free interest rates of 1.90% for fiscal year 2012, 2.63%-3.34% for fiscal year 2011 and 2.75%-3.42% for fiscal year 2010; expected volatility factors of 35.4%, 35.4%-35.7% and 32.1%-35.7% for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively; expected dividend yields of 1.50%-1.80% for fiscal year 2012, 1.29%-1.52% for fiscal year 2011 and 1.60%-1.98% for fiscal year 2010; and estimated option terms of 5.4-6.5 years for fiscal year 2012, 5.5-5.7 years for fiscal year 2011 and 5.1-5.7 years for fiscal year 2010.

 

The risk free interest rates are based on U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the estimated term of the options at the date of the grant. Volatility factors are based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected dividend yields are based on the regular quarterly cash dividend per share most recently declared by the Company and on the

 

 

exercise price of the options granted during the fiscal year 2012. The estimated terms of the options are based on evaluations of the historical and expected future employee exercise behavior.

  

Information with respect to options follows:

 

		Outstanding   Options				Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance, March 1, 2009			982,727			$	24.35
Granted			150,450				26.70
Exercised			(70,175	)			16.78
Terminated or expired			(44,907	)			26.32
Balance, February 28, 2010 Granted			1,018,095 23,000				$24.89 30.49
Exercised			(181,343	)			20.07
Terminated or expired			(57,663	)			26.12
Balance, February 27, 2011			802,089			$	26.05
Granted			198,750				22.53
Exercised			(73,412	)			24.65
Terminated or expired			(11,476	)			25.75
Balance, February 26, 2012			915,951			$	25.40
Exercisable February 26, 2012			609,310			$	26.17

 

At February 26, 2012, 915,951 stock options were outstanding having a weighted average remaining term of 5.92 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $4,338. At February 26, 2012, 609,310 stock options were exercisable having a weighted average remaining term of 4.42 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $2,414.

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested options at February 26, 2012, and changes during the fiscal year then ended, follows:

 

						Weighted Average
		Shares Subject				Grant Date Fair
		to Options				Value
Nonvested, beginning of year			212,919				6.31
Granted			198,750				6.96
Vested			(98,734	)			8.20
Terminated or expired			(6,294	)			8.14
Nonvested, end of year			306,641			$	7.09

  

The total values realized (the market value of the underlying shares on the date of exercise, less the exercise price, times the number of shares acquired) from the exercise of options during the 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal years were $402, $1,818 and $352, respectively. Stock options available for future grant under the 2002 Stock Option Plan at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011 were 763,632 and 951,106, respectively.

 

9.	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

a.

Stockholders’ Rights Plan – On July 20, 2005, the Board of Directors renewed the Company’s stockholders’ rights plan on substantially the same terms as its previous rights plan which expired in July 2005. In accordance with the Company’s

 

 

stockholders’ rights plan, a right (the “Right”) to purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one one-thousandth (1/1,000) of a share (a “Unit”) of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), at a purchase price of $150 (the “Purchase Price”) per Unit, subject to adjustment, is attached to each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock. The Rights expire on July 20, 2015. Subject to certain exceptions, the Rights will become exercisable 10 business days after a person acquires 20 percent or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock or commences a tender offer that would result in such person’s owning 20 percent or more of such stock. If any person acquires 20 percent or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock, the rights of holders, other than the acquiring person, become rights to buy shares of the Company’s common stock (or of the acquiring company if the Company is involved in a merger or other business combination and is not the surviving corporation) having a market value of twice the Purchase Price of each Right. The Company may redeem the Rights for $.01 per Right until 10 business days after the first date of public announcement by the Company that a person acquired 20 percent or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

 

b.

Reserved Common Shares – At February 26, 2012, 1,679,583 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options.

 

	c.	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income – Accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income were as follows:

		February 26, 2012				February 27, 2011
Currency translation adjustment		$	2,053			$	1,983
Unrealized gains  on investments, net of tax			24				-
Accumulated balance		$	2,077			$	1,983

 

10.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the sum of (a) the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and (b) the potential common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Stock options are the only common stock equivalents; and the number of dilutive options is computed using the treasury stock method.

 

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the last three fiscal years:

 

  

			2012				2011				2010
	Net earnings		$	23,442			$	32,621			$	25,359
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic EPS			20,745,559				20,627,730				20,521,697
	Net effect of dilutive options			46,466				47,427				25,400
	Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS			20,792,025				20,675,157				20,547,097
	Basic earnings per share		$	1.13			$	1.58			$	1.24
	Diluted earnings per share		$	1.13			$	1.58			$	1.23

  

Common stock equivalents, which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because either the effect would have been antidilutive or the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common stock, were 197,000, 20,000 and 336,450 for the fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

11.

LAWSUIT SETTLEMENTS

 

During the 2012 fiscal year, the Company recorded pre-tax other income of $1,598 resulting from the settlements of (a) a lawsuit for an insurance claim for business interruption at the Company’s Neltec, Inc. business unit in Tempe, Arizona in the 2003 fiscal year caused by the explosion and resulting destruction of a treater at the Company’s business unit in Singapore and (b) a lawsuit pertaining to defective equipment purchased by the Company’s Park Aerospace Technologies Corp. business unit in Newton, Kansas. The gain has been recorded in interest and other income in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

12.

restructuring charges

 

In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1,250 related to the closing of the Company’s Park Advanced Composite Materials, Inc. business unit located in Waterbury, Connecticut. The charge for closing the business unit included a non-cash asset impairment of $928. As a result of the closing, the Company expects to record total pre-tax restructuring charges of $2,600 and expects to record the remaining $1,350 during the 2013 fiscal year. The liability recorded at February 26, 2012 is $322 and the amount expected to be paid in 2013 fiscal year is $1,672.

 

In the 2009 fiscal year, the Company recorded one-time pre-tax charges of $5,687 related to the closure of the Company’s New England Laminates Co., Inc. printed circuits materials business unit located in Newburgh, New York and the closure of the Company’s Neltec Europe SAS printed circuits materials business unit located in Mirebeau, France and related to an asset impairment and workforce reduction at the Company’s Nelco Products Pte. Ltd. printed circuits materials and advanced composite materials business unit in Singapore. The charges for the closure of the business units included a non-cash asset impairment charge of $650 and were net of the recapture of non-cash cumulative currency translation adjustments of $3,957. In the 2009 fiscal year, the Company also recorded a pre-tax charge of $570 related to restructurings at certain of its North American and European business units. The Company paid $127, $230 and $2,609 of these charges during the 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal years, respectively.

 

 

The Company recorded an additional pre-tax charge of $169 during the 2010 fiscal year and an additional pre-tax charge of $1,312 during the 2011 fiscal year related to the closure, in fiscal year 2009, of the Neltec Europe business unit. The additional charge in the 2011 fiscal year was based on updated estimates of the total costs to complete the closure of the Neltec Europe business unit as a result of additional information regarding such costs, including recent developments relating to certain employment litigation initiated in France after the closure and other expenses in excess of the original estimates. The Company expects to pay the remaining $1,187 during the 2013 fiscal year.

 

During the 2004 fiscal year, the Company recorded charges related to the realignment of its North America volume printed circuit materials operations. The charges included lease and other obligations of $7,292. The future lease obligations are payable through September 2013. The remaining balances on the lease obligations relating to the realignment were $434 and $1,182 as of February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, respectively. Of these remaining balances, $0 and $366 were included in other liabilities for the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years, respectively. The Company applied $748 and $1,352 of payments against this liability during the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years, respectively.

 

13.

Employee Benefit Plans

 

a.

Profit Sharing Plan - The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have a non-contributory profit sharing retirement plan covering substantially all full-time employees in the United States. The plan may be modified or terminated at any time, but in no event may any portion of the contributions revert back to the Company. The Company's estimated contributions are accrued at the end of each fiscal year and paid to the plan in the subsequent fiscal year. The Company’s contributions to the plan were $541 and $367 for fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. The contribution for fiscal year 2012 has not been paid. Contributions are discretionary and may not exceed the amount allowable as a tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

b.

Savings Plan - The Company also sponsors a 401(k) savings plan, pursuant to which the contributions of employees of certain subsidiaries were partially matched by the Company in the amounts of $164, $187 and $176 in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

14.

Commitments

 

The Company conducts certain of its operations in leased facilities, which include several manufacturing plants, warehouses and offices. The leases on facilities are for terms of up to 10 years, the latest of which expires in 2016. Many of the leases contain renewal options for periods ranging from one to ten years and require the Company to pay real estate taxes and other operating costs. The latest land lease expiration is 2054.

 

 

These non-cancelable leases have the following payment schedule.

 

Fiscal Year			Amount
2013			$	2,049
2014				1,903
2015				1,654
2016				1,205
2017				343
Thereafter				4,518
			$	11,672

  

Rental expenses, inclusive of real estate taxes and other costs, were $3,734, $3,067 and $3,046 for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

In addition, the Company has commitments of $157 to purchase equipment for the expansion of its development and manufacturing facility in Newton, Kansas and for its manufacturing facility in Singapore.

 

15.

CONTINGENCIES

 

a.

Litigation - The Company is subject to a small number of proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, employment, product and other matters. The Company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes in these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each individual issue. The required reserves may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in approach, such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters.

 

The $1,312 charge in the 39 weeks ended November 28, 2010 related to the closure, in January of 2009, of the Company’s Neltec Europe SAS digital electronic materials business unit located in Mirebeau, France included an amount relating to certain employment litigation initiated in France after the closure. See Note 12.

 

b.

Environmental Contingencies - The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") or a comparable state agency under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (the "Superfund Act") or similar state law as potentially responsible parties in connection with alleged releases of hazardous substances at four sites. In addition, a subsidiary of the Company has received a cost recovery claim under a state law similar to the Superfund Act from another private party involving one other site.

Under the Superfund Act and similar state laws, all parties who may have contributed any waste to a hazardous waste disposal site or contaminated area identified by the EPA or comparable state agency may be jointly and severally liable for the cost of cleanup. Generally, these sites are locations at which numerous

 

persons disposed of hazardous waste. In the case of the Company's subsidiaries, generally the waste was removed from their manufacturing facilities and disposed at waste sites by various companies which contracted with the subsidiaries to provide waste disposal services. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have been accused of or charged with any wrongdoing or illegal acts in connection with any such sites. The Company believes it maintains an effective and comprehensive environ-mental compliance program.

 

The insurance carriers who provided general liability insurance coverage to the Company and its subsidiaries for the years during which the Company's subsidiaries' waste was disposed at these sites have in the past reimbursed the Company and its subsidiaries for 100% of their legal defense and remediation costs associated with three of these sites.

 

The total costs incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with these sites, including legal fees incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries and their assessed share of remediation costs and excluding amounts paid or reimbursed by insurance carriers, were approximately $127, $7 and $1 in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In 2010 fiscal year, the Company reversed an accrual of approximately $835 for environmental remedial response and clean-up costs, which were recorded as reductions to selling, general and administrative expenses for such year, as a result of the Company’s conclusion that the likelihood of any liability in connection with such accruals was remote. The recorded liabilities included in accrued liabilities for environmental matters were $0, $9 and $9 for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Such recorded liabilities do not include environmental liabilities and related legal expenses for which the Company and its subsidiaries have general liability insurance coverage for the years during which the Company's subsidiaries' waste was disposed at three sites for which certain subsidiaries of the Company have been named as potentially responsible parties. Pursuant to such general liability insurance coverage, two insurance carriers have been paying 100% of the legal defense and remediation costs associated with such three sites since 1985. In the 2012 fiscal year fourth quarter, one of such insurance carriers, which had been paying 45% of such legal defense and remediation costs, indicated that it no longer agreed to such percentage. As a result, the Company has commenced litigation against such insurance carrier and a third insurance carrier. Two of the three insurance carriers have filed answers to the lawsuit, and one has asserted counter claims against the Company.

 

Included in selling, general and administrative expenses are charges for actual expenditures and accruals, based on estimates, for certain environmental matters described above. The Company accrues estimated costs associated with known environmental matters, when such costs can be reasonably estimated and when the outcome appears probable. The Company believes that the ultimate disposition of known environmental matters, including the litigation described above, will not have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, capital resources, business or consolidated results of operations or financial position of the Company.

 

 

c.

Acquisition – As of February 26, 2012, the Company was obligated to pay up to an additional $2,200 over the next two years depending on the achievement of specified earn-out objectives in connection with the acquisition, on April 1, 2008, of substantially all the assets and business of Nova Composites, Inc., a manufacturer of composite parts and assemblies and the tooling for such parts and assemblies, located in Lynnwood, Washington.

 

16.

GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS

 

The Company is a global advanced materials company which develops, manufactures, markets and sells high technology digital and RF/microwave printed circuit materials principally for the telecommunications and internet infrastructure and high-end computing markets and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies for the aerospace markets. The Company’s printed circuit materials products and the Company’s advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies products are sold to customers in North America, Europe and Asia.

 

Sales are attributed to geographic region based upon the region in which the materials were delivered to the customer. Sales between geographic regions were not significant.

 

Financial information regarding the Company’s operations by geographic region follows:

 

		Fiscal Year
		2012				2011				2010
Sales:
North America		$	85,941			$	98,865			$	87,361
Europe			24,988				22,441				18,451
Asia			82,325				90,346				69,874
Total sales		$	193,254			$	211,652			$	175,686
Long-lived assets:
North America		$	35,419			$	38,072			$	40,020
Europe			395				444				1,264
Asia			18,584				18,333				19,142
Total long-lived assets		$	54,398			$	56,849			$	60,426

17.

Customer and Supplier Concentrations

 

a.

Customers - Sales to TTM Technologies Inc. were 15.7%, 16.4% and 11.3% of the Company's total worldwide sales for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Sales to Sanmina-SCI Corporation were 11.5%, 14.6% and 13.7% of the Company's total worldwide sales for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Sales to subsidiaries of Flextronics International, Ltd. were 10.0% and 10.2%, of the Company’s total worldwide sales for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

While no other customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's total worldwide sales in fiscal years 2012, 2011 or 2010, and the Company is not dependent on any single customer, the loss of a major printed circuit materials customer or of a

 

		group of customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business or consolidated results of operations or financial position.
	b.	Sources of Supply - The principal materials used in the manufacture of the Company's high-technology printed circuit materials and advanced composite materials, parts and assemblies are specially manufactured copper foil, fiberglass cloth and synthetic reinforcements, and specially formulated resins and chemicals. Although there are a limited number of qualified suppliers of these materials, the Company has nevertheless identified alternate sources of supply for many of such materials. While the Company has not experienced significant problems in the delivery of these materials and considers its relationships with its suppliers to be strong, a disruption of the supply of material from a principal supplier could adversely affect the Company's business. Furthermore, substitutes for these materials are not readily available, and an inability to obtain essential materials, if prolonged, could materially adversely affect the Company’s business. The Company experienced a supply chain issue in Japan as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011. Such issue was resolved during the 2012 fiscal year third quarter.

 

18.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUCEMENTS

 

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a standard that pertains to the presentation of comprehensive income (ASU No. 2011-05). The guidance in the new standard allows an entity to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate, but consecutive statements. The guidance eliminates the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. The standard also requires entities to disclose on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net earnings. Although the guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. The guidance will be effective for the Company beginning with the first annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and shall be applied retrospectively. The Company does not believe its adoption of the guidance will have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued a standard that pertains to the presentation of Intangibles- Goodwill and Other (ASU No. 2011-08). Under the guidance in the new standard, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether goodwill impairment exists. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. The guidance will be effective for the Company beginning with the first annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011; however, early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of the guidance will have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

 

PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

		Quarter
		First				Second				Third				Fourth
Fiscal 2012:
Net sales		$	51,817			$	50,449			$	47,312			$	43,676
Gross profit			15,969				14,536				12,996				11,241
Net earnings			7,242				7,670				5,379				3,151
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings per share		$	0.35			$	0.37			$	0.26			$	0.15
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings per share		$	0.35			$	0.37			$	0.26			$	0.15
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			20,723				20,741				20,754				20,764
Diluted			20,820				20,776				20,756				20,816
Fiscal 2011:
Net sales		$	59,026			$	54,505			$	46,920			$	51,201
Gross profit			20,163				18,317				14,492				16,929
Net earnings			9,869				9,447				5,020				8,285
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings per share		$	0.48			$	0.46			$	0.24			$	0.40
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings per share		$	0.48			$	0.46			$	0.24			$	0.40
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			20,561				20,632				20,636				20,682
Diluted			20,608				20,642				20,674				20,777

 

Earnings per share are computed separately for each quarter. Therefore, the sum of such quarterly per share amounts may differ from the total for each year.

 

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a)   Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of February 26, 2012, the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report. Based on such evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such fiscal year, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b)   Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

 

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 26, 2012. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control–Integrated Framework. Based on management’s assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 26, 2012.

 

The independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. That report appears in Item 9A(c) below.

 

(c)   Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Park Electrochemical Corp.

 

We have audited Park Electrochemical Corp. (a New York corporation) and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of February 26, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, Park Electrochemical Corp. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 26, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

 

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Park Electrochemical Corp. and subsidiaries as of February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 26, 2012 and our report dated May 10, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

New York, New York

May 10, 2012

 

 

(d)   Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

 

There has not been any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth fiscal quarter of the fiscal year to which this report relates that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.

 

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

 

The information called for by this item (except for information as to the Company's executive officers, which information appears elsewhere in this Report) is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

 

The information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

 

The information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

 

The information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

This information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
				Page
	(a)	Documents filed as a part of this Report
	(1)	Financial Statements:
		The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are included in Part II, Item 8:
		Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		45
		Balance Sheets		46
		Statements of Operations		47
		Statements of Stockholders' Equity		48
		Statements of Cash Flows		49
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (1-18)		50
	(2)	Financial Statement Schedules:
		The following additional information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant described in Item 15(a)(1) above:
		Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts		77
		All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required, or the information is included elsewhere in the financial statements or notes thereto.
	(3)	Exhibits:
		The information required by this Item relating to Exhibits to this Report is included in the Exhibit Index beginning on page 78 hereof.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 10, 2012		PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP.
	By:	/s/ Brian E. Shore
		Brian E. Shore, President and Chief Executive Officer

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.

 

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Brian E. Shore		Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer		May 10, 2012
Brian E. Shore		and Director (principal executive officer)
/s/ P. Matthew Farabaugh		Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer		May 10, 2012
P. Matthew Farabaugh		and principal accounting officer)
/s/ Dale Blanchfield		Director		May 10, 2012
Dale Blanchfield
/s/ Lloyd Frank		Director		May 10, 2012
Lloyd Frank
/s/ Emily J. Groehl		Director		May 10, 2012
Emily J. Groehl
/s/ Steven T. Warshaw		Director		May 10, 2012
Steven T. Warshaw

 

 

PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

Column A		Column B				Column C Additions								Column D				Column E
Description		Balance at Beginning of Period				Costs and Expenses				Other				Reductions				Balance at End of Period
DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSET VALUATION ALLOWANCE:
52 weeks ended February 26, 2012		$	10,877,000			$	784,000			$	-			$	-			$	11,661,000
52 weeks ended February 27, 2011		$	9,814,000			$	1,063,000			$	-			$	-			$	10,877,000
52 weeks ended February 28, 2010		$	8,787,000			$	1,027,000			$	-			$	-			$	9,814,000

 

 

Column A		Column B				Column C								Column D				Column E
														Other
Description		Balance at Beginning of Period				Charged to Cost and Expenses				Accounts Written Off				Translation Adjustment				Balance at End of Period
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:										(A)
52 weeks ended February 26, 2012		$	599,000			$	(1,000	)		$	-			$	-			$	598,000
52 weeks ended February 27, 2011		$	578,000			$	21,000			$	-			$	-			$	599,000
52 weeks ended February 28, 2010		$	687,000			$	(109,000	)		$	-			$	-			$	578,000
(A) Uncollectible amounts, net of recoveries.

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Numbers		Description		Page
3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated March 28, 1989, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York on April 10, 1989, as amended by Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, increasing the number of authorized shares of Common stock from 15,000,000 to 30,000,000 shares, dated July 12, 1995, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York on July 17, 1995, and by Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, amending certain provisions relating to the rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of a series of Preferred Stock, dated August 7, 1995, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York on August 16, 1995 (Reference is made to Exhibit 3.01 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
3.2		Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 30,000,000 to 60,000,000 shares, dated October 10, 2000, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York on October 11, 2000 (Reference is made to Exhibit 3.02 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 2, 2003, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
3.3		Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, canceling Series A Preferred Stock of the Company and authorizing a new Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company, dated July 21, 2005, filed with the Secretary of the State of New York on July 21, 2005 (Reference is made to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 21, 2005, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
3.4		By-Laws, as amended November 15, 2007 (Reference is made to Exhibit 3 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2007, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
4.1		Rights Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2005, between the Company and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent, relating to the Company’s Preferred Stock Purchase Rights. (Reference is made to Exhibit 1 to Form 8-A filed on July 21, 2005, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.1		Lease dated December 12, 1989 between Nelco Products, Inc. and James Emmi regarding real property located at 1100 East Kimberly Avenue, Anaheim, California and letter dated December 29, 1994 from Nelco Products, Inc. to James Emmi exercising its option to extend such Lease (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.01 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-

 

 

 

Exhibit Numbers		Description		Page
10.2		Lease dated December 12, 1989 between Nelco Products, Inc. and James Emmi regarding real property located at 1107 East Kimberly Avenue, Anaheim, California and letter dated December 29, 1994 from Nelco Products, Inc. to James Emmi exercising its option to extend such Lease (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.02 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.3		Lease Agreement dated August 16, 1983 and Exhibit C, First Addendum to Lease, between Nelco Products, Inc. and TCLW/Fullerton regarding real property located at 1411 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Fullerton, California (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.03 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.3(a)		Second Addendum to Lease dated January 26, 1987 to Lease Agreement dated August 16, 1983 (see Exhibit 10.3 hereto) between Nelco Products, Inc. and TCLW/Fullerton regarding real property located at 1421 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Fullerton, California (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.03(a) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.3(b)		Third Addendum to Lease dated January 7, 1991 and Fourth Addendum to Lease dated January 7, 1991 to Lease Agreement dated August 16, 1983 (see Exhibit 10.3 hereto) between Nelco Products, Inc. and TCLW/Fullerton regarding real property located at 1411, 1421 and 1431 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Fullerton, California. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.03(b) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 2, 1997, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.3(c)		Fifth Addendum to Lease dated July 5, 1995 to Lease dated August 16, 1983 (see Exhibit 10.03 hereto) between Nelco Products, Inc. and TCLW/Fullerton regarding real property located at 1411 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Fullerton, California (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.3(c) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.4		Lease Agreement dated May 26, 1982 between Nelco Products Pte. Ltd. (lease was originally entered into by Kiln Technique (Private) Limited, which subsequently assigned this lease to Nelco Products Pte. Ltd.) and the Jurong Town Corporation regarding real property located at 4 Gul Crescent, Jurong, Singapore (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.04 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-

 

Exhibit Numbers		Description		Page

10.4(a)		Deed of Assignment, dated April 17, 1986 between Nelco Products Pte. Ltd., Kiln Technique (Private) Limited and Paul Ma, Richard Law, and Michael Ng, all of Peat Marwick & Co., of the Lease Agreement dated May 26, 1982 (see Exhibit 10.4 hereto) between Kiln Technique (Private) Limited and the Jurong Town Corporation regarding real property located at 4 Gul Crescent, Jurong, Singapore (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.04(a) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.5		1992 Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended by First Amendment thereto. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.06(b) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 1998, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference. This exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.)		-
10.6		Lease dated April 15, 1988 between FiberCote Industries, Inc. (lease was initially entered into by USP Composites, Inc., which subsequently changed its name to FiberCote Industries, Inc.) and Geoffrey Etherington, II regarding real property located at 172 East Aurora Street, Waterbury, Connecticut (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.07 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.6(a)		Amendment to Lease dated December 21, 1992 to Lease dated April 15, 1988 (see Exhibit 10.6 hereto) between FiberCote Industries, Inc. and Geoffrey Etherington II regarding real property located at 172 East Aurora Street, Waterbury, Connecticut (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.07(a) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.6(b)		Letter dated June 30, 1997 from FiberCote Industries, Inc. to Geoffrey Etherington II extending the Lease dated April 15, 1988 (see Exhibit 10.6 hereto) between FiberCote Industries, Inc. and Geoffrey Etherington II regarding real property  located  at  172  East  Aurora  Street, Waterbury Connecticut. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.08(b) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 1998, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.7		Lease dated December 12, 1990 between Neltec, Inc. and NZ Properties, Inc. regarding real property located at 1420 W. 12th Place, Tempe, Arizona. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 2, 1997, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-

 

 

Exhibit Numbers		Description		Page

10.7(a)		Letter dated January 8, 1996 from Neltec, Inc. to NZ Properties, Inc. exercising its option to extend the Lease dated December 12, 1990 (see Exhibit 10.7 hereto) between Neltec, Inc. and NZ Properties, Inc. regarding real property located at 1420 W. 12th Place, Tempe, Arizona. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.13(a) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 2, 1997, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.7(b)		Letter dated January 25, 2001 from Neltec, Inc. to NZ Properties, Inc. exercising its option to extend the Lease dated December 12, 1990 (see Exhibit 10.7 hereto) between Neltec, Inc. and NZ Properties, Inc. regarding real estate property located at 1420 W. 12th Place, Tempe, Arizona (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.7(b) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form l0-K for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2006, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.7(c)		Letter dated February 14, 2006 from Neltec, Inc. to REB Ltd. Properties, Inc. exercising its option to extend the Lease dated December 12, 1990 (see Exhibit 10.7 hereto) between Neltec, Inc. and NZ Properties, Inc. regarding real property located at 1420 W. 12th Place, Tempe, Arizona (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.7(c) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2006, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
10.8		2002 Stock Option Plan of the Company (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.01 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 1, 2002, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference. This exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.)		-
10.9		Forms of Incentive Stock Option Contract for employees, Non-Qualified Stock Option Contract for employees and Non-Qualified Stock Option Contract for directors under the 2002 Stock Option Plan of the Company (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2005, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
14.1		Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers adopted on May 6, 2004 (Reference is made to Exhibit 14.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2004, Commission File No. 1-4415, which is incorporated herein by reference.)		-
21.1		Subsidiaries of the Company		83
23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Grant Thornton LLP)		84

 

 

Exhibit Numbers

Description

Page

31.1		Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)		85
31.2		Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)		87
32.1		Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002		89
32.2		Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002		90

 

101

The following materials from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 26, 2012, formatted in XBRL (extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended February 26, 2012, February 27, 2011 and February 28, 2010, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended February 26, 2012, February 27, 2011 and February 28, 2010, and (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended February 26, 2012, February 27, 2011 and February 28, 2010 *+

 

*     Filed electronically herewith.

 

+     Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.