ALAMO GROUP INC - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)

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

Form 10-K

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALAMO GROUP INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                                                                 

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PART I

Item 1.  Business

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “the Company,”  “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Alamo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

General

 

The Company is a leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and service of high quality equipment for right-of-way maintenance and agriculture. The Company’s products include tractor-mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, street sweepers, excavators, vacuum trucks, snow removal equipment, pothole patchers, agricultural implements and related aftermarket parts and services. The Company emphasizes high quality, cost effective products for its customers and strives to develop and market innovative products while constantly monitoring and seeking to contain its manufacturing and overhead costs. The Company has a long-standing strategy of supplementing its internal growth through acquisitions of businesses or product lines that currently complement, command, or have the potential to achieve, a meaningful share of their niche markets. The Company has 2,460 employees and operates a total of seventeen plants in North America, Europe and Australia. The Company sells its products primarily through a network of independent dealers and distributors, governmental end-users, related independent contractors, as well as to the agricultural and commercial turf markets. The Company operates primarily in the United States, England, France, Canada and Australia.

 

 

      The predecessor corporation to Alamo Group Inc. was incorporated in the State of Texas in 1969, as a successor to a business that began selling mowing equipment in 1955, and Alamo Group Inc. was reincorporated in the State of Delaware in 1987.

 

Acquisition History

 

      Since its founding in 1969, the Company has focused on satisfying customer needs through geographic market expansion, product development and refinement, and selected acquisitions.  The Company’s first products were based on rotary cutting technology.  Through acquisitions, the Company added flail cutting technology in 1983 and sickle-bar cutting technology in 1984.  The Company added to its presence in the industrial and governmental vegetation markets with the acquisition of Tiger Corporation (“Tiger”) in late 1994.

      The Company entered the agricultural mowing markets in 1986 with the acquisition of Rhino Products Inc. (“Rhino”), a leading manufacturer in this field. With this acquisition, the Company embarked on a strategy to increase the Rhino dealer distribution network during a period of industry contraction.  The addition of M&W Gear Company (“M&W”) in early 1995 allowed the Company to enter into the manufacturing and distribution of tillage equipment, which complements the Rhino distribution network.  M&W has been integrated into the agricultural marketing group, utilizing the same sales force to cross sell Rhino and M&W products.

      In 1991, the Company began its international expansion with the acquisition of McConnel Ltd. (“McConnel”), a United Kingdom (“U.K.”) manufacturer of vegetation maintenance equipment, principally hydraulic boom-mounted hedge and grass cutters and related parts. Bomford-Turner Ltd. (“Bomford”), also a U.K. company, was acquired in 1993.  Bomford is a manufacturer of heavy-duty, tractor-mounted grass and hedge mowing equipment. McConnel and Bomford sell their products to dealers and distributors through their respective sales forces.

      In 1994, the Company acquired Signalisation Moderne Autoroutiere S.A. (“SMA”) located in Orleans, France. SMA manufacturers and sells principally a line of heavy-duty, tractor-mounted grass and hedge mowing equipment and associated replacement parts primarily to departments of the French government. This acquisition, along with the acquisitions of Forges Gorce, a flail blade manufacturer in France, in 1996 and Rousseau Holdings, S.A. (“Rousseau”), a leading French manufacturer of hedge and verge mowers, in 2004, when combined with McConnel and Bomford, has made the Company one of the largest manufacturers in the European market for the kind of equipment sold by the Company.

     

 

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      In late 1995, the Company expanded its business in the agricultural market with the acquisition of Herschel Corporation (“Herschel”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket farm equipment replacement and wear parts.

      In early 2000, the Company acquired Schwarze Industries, Inc. (“Schwarze”). Schwarze is a manufacturer of a broad range of street sweeping equipment which is sold to governmental agencies and contractors. The Company believes the Schwarze sweeper products fit the Company’s strategy of identifying product offerings with brand recognition in the industrial markets the Company serves.  In 2004, the Company purchased the pothole patcher from Wildcat Manufacturing, Inc. The product line was merged into the Schwarze operation and is complementary to its current product offerings.

      In 2000, the Company purchased the product line and associated assets of Twose of Tiverton Ltd. (“Twose”) in the U.K. and incorporated its production into the existing facilities at McConnel and Bomford while maintaining its own sales force and dealer distribution network. Twose was a small regional manufacturer of power arm flail mowers and parts, as well as harrows and rollers, which strengthened the Company’s market leadership position in the U.K.

      In late 2000, the Company acquired Schulte Industries, Ltd. and its related entities (“Schulte”). Schulte is a Canadian manufacturer of mechanical rotary mowers, snow blowers, and rock removal equipment. Schulte strengthened the Company’s Canadian presence in both marketing and manufacturing. It also expanded the Company’s range of large, heavy-duty rotary mowers.

      In 2001, the Company acquired all of the assets of SMC Corporation (“SMC”). SMC manufactures front-end loaders and backhoes principally for Original Equipment Manufacturer (“OEM”) customers and its own SMC brand. This acquisition expanded the product range of our agricultural division by branding a line of loaders for Rhino.

      In early 2002, the Company purchased inventory, fixed assets and certain other assets of Valu-Bilt Tractor Parts (“Valu-Bilt”), a subsidiary of Quality Stores, Inc., located in Des Moines, Iowa. Valu-Bilt is a distributor of new, used and rebuilt tractor parts and other agricultural spare and wear parts sold directly to customers through its catalog and the internet and on a wholesale basis to dealers. Subsequent to the purchase, the operations of Valu-Bilt in Des Moines, Iowa, were consolidated into the Company’s Herschel facility in Indianola, Iowa.

      In late 2002, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Faucheux Industries S.A. (“Faucheux”), a leading French manufacturer of front-end loaders and attachments. The Company acquired Faucheux out of administration, a form of bankruptcy in France. This acquisition broadened the range of our agricultural implements in the French market which we have expanded in the U.K. as well.

      On February 14, 2005, the Company, through its European subsidiary Alamo Group (EUR) Ltd., acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding stock of Spearhead Machinery Limited (“Spearhead”) and subsequently merged its manufacturing operations into Bomford’s facility. Spearhead manufacturers a range of tractor-mounted vegetation maintenance equipment, including reach mowers, flail mowers and rotary cutters. This acquisition extends our product lines and market coverage in Europe.

      On February 3, 2006, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of the Gradall excavator business (“Gradall”) of JLG Industries, Inc. including their manufacturing plant in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Gradall is a leading manufacturer of both wheeled and crawler telescopic excavators in North America. This acquisition enhances our Industrial Division products which are sold to governmental buyers and related contractors for maintenance along right-of-ways.

      On May 24, 2006, the Company purchased the vacuum truck and sweeper lines of Clean Earth Environmental Group, LLC and Clean Earth Kentucky, LLC (collectively referred to as “VacAll”). This includes the product lines, inventory and certain other assets that relate to this business. The production of the vacuum truck line was moved to the Gradall facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and the sweeper line was merged into the Schwarze product line in Huntsville, Alabama.

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      On July 14, 2006, the Company acquired 100% of the ownership interests in Nite-Hawk Sweepers LLC, (“Nite-Hawk”) a manufacturer of truck mounted sweeping equipment primarily for the contract sweeping market, which will expand its presence in that market and complement its Schwarze sweeper line.

      On March 6, 2007 the Company purchased Henke Manufacturing Corporation, (“Henke”) a manufacturer of specialty snow removal attachments. Henke’s products are mounted on both heavy industrial equipment and medium to heavy-duty trucks. The primary end-users are governmental agencies, related contractors and other industrial users.

      On May 30, 2008 the Company acquired Rivard Developpement S.A.S. (“Rivard”), a leading French manufacturer of vacuum trucks, high pressure cleaning systems and trenchers.  The acquisition broadens the Company’s product offering to its customers in Europe and other markets we serve.

Marketing and Marketing Strategy

 

      The Company believes that within the U.S. it is a leading supplier to governmental markets, a major supplier in the U.S. agricultural market, and one of the largest suppliers in the European market for its niche product offerings. The Company’s products are sold through the Company’s various marketing organizations, and extensive, world-wide dealer distribution networks under the Alamo Industrial^®, Tiger™, Gradall^®, VacAll™, Schwarze^®, Nite-Hawk™, Henke^®, Rhino^®, M&W^®, Fuerst^®, SMC™, Herschel™, Valu-Bilt^®, Schulte^®, McConnel^®, Bomford^®, Spearhead™, Twose™, SMA^®, Forges Gorce™, Faucheux™, Rousseau™, Rivard^®,  trademarks as well as other trademarks and trade names.

Products and Distribution Channels

North American Industrial

      Alamo Industrial equipment is principally sold to governmental end-users, related independent contractors and, to a lesser extent, utility and other right-of-way maintenance operators, and other applications. Governmental agencies and contractors that perform services for such agencies purchase primarily hydraulically-powered, tractor-mounted mowers, including boom-mounted mowers, other types of cutters and replacement parts for heavy-duty, intensive use applications, including maintenance around highway, airport, recreational and other public areas. A portion of Alamo Industrial’s sales includes tractors, which are not manufactured by Alamo Industrial.

      Tiger equipment includes heavy-duty, tractor and truck-mounted mowing and vegetation maintenance equipment and replacement parts. Tiger sells to state, county, local governmental entities and related contractors primarily through a network of independent dealers. Tiger’s dealer distribution network is independent of Alamo Industrial’s dealer distribution network. A portion of Tiger’s sales includes tractors, which are not manufactured by Tiger.

      Schwarze equipment includes air, mechanical broom, and regenerative air sweepers along with high-efficiency environmental sweepers, pothole patchers and replacement parts. Schwarze primarily sells its products to governmental agencies and independent contractors.  A portion of Schwarze’s sales include chassis which are not manufactured by Schwarze.  The Company believes that Schwarze complements Alamo Industrial because the dealer and/or end-user for both products in many cases are the same.

      Gradall produces a wide spectrum of models based on high-pressure hydraulics and telescoping booms which are sold through dealers primarily to governmental agencies, contractors and to a lesser extent the mining industry, steel mills and other specialty applications. Many of their products are designed for excavation, grading, shaping and similar tasks involved in land clearing, road building or maintenance. These are available mounted on various types of undercarriages: wheels for full-speed highway travel, wheels for on/off road use, and crawlers.

      VacAll produces catch basin cleaners and roadway debris vacuum systems. These units are powerful and versatile with uses including, but not limited to, removal of wet and dry leaves, spill elimination and cleaning of sludge beds. VacAll also offers a line of sewer cleaners. VacAll products are sold through dealers to industrial and commercial contractors as well as governmental agencies.  A portion of VacAll’s sales include chassis which are not manufactured at the Gradall facility.

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      Nite-Hawk has been producing parking lot sweepers with its unique and innovative hydraulic design. By eliminating the auxiliary engine, Nite-Hawk sweepers have proven to be fuel efficient, environmentally conscious, and cost effective to operate. Nite-Hawk mainly focuses on and sells direct to parking lot contractors.  A portion of Nite-Hawk’s sales are chassis which are not manufactured by Nite-Hawk.

      Henke designs and manufactures snow plows and heavy-duty snow removal equipment, hitches and attachments for trucks, loaders and graders. Henke’s primary end-users are governmental agencies, related contractors and other industrial users.

 

North American Agricultural

      Rhino and M&W equipment is generally sold to farmers and ranchers to clear brush, maintain pastures and unused farmland, shred crops and till fields and for haymaking. It is also sold to other customers, such as mowing contractors and construction contractors, for non-agricultural purposes. Rhino equipment consists principally of a comprehensive line of tractor-powered equipment including rotary cutters, finishing mowers, flail mowers, disc mowers, front-end loaders, backhoes, posthole diggers, scraper blades and replacement parts. This equipment is primarily sold through farm equipment dealers, as well as OEMs and other Alamo Group Company distributors. A portion of the Rhino product line is also sold through McConnel’s network of agricultural dealers in the U.K.

      SMC equipment includes a broad line of front-end loaders and backhoes that fit many tractors on the market today. The majority of the products are sold to OEMs and to a lesser extent as Rhino branded equipment.

      Herschel/Valu-Bilt aftermarket replacement parts are sold for many types of farm equipment and tractors and certain types of mowing and construction equipment. Herschel products include a wide range of cutting parts, plain and hard-faced replacement tillage tools, disc blades and fertilizer application components. Herschel replacement tools and parts are sold throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico to five major customer groups: farm equipment dealers; fleet stores; wholesale distributors; OEMs; and construction equipment dealers. Valu-Bilt complements the Herschel product lines while also expanding the Company’s offering of aftermarket agricultural parts and added catalog and internet sales direct to end-users.

      Schulte equipment includes heavy-duty mechanical rotary mowers, snow blowers, rock removal equipment and related replacement parts. Schulte serves both the agricultural and industrial markets primarily in Canada and the U.S. Schulte also sells some of the Company’s other product lines in their markets and some of its products through Twose in the U.K. and independent distributors throughout the world.

European

      McConnel equipment principally includes a broad line of hydraulic, boom-mounted hedge and grass cutters, as well as other tractor attachments and implements such as hydraulic backhoes, cultivators, subsoilers, buckets and other digger implements and related replacement parts. McConnel equipment is sold primarily in the U.K., Ireland and France and in other parts of Europe, Australia, and North America through independent dealers and distributors.

      Bomford equipment includes hydraulic, boom-mounted hedge and hedgerow cutters, industrial grass mowers, agricultural seedbed preparation cultivators and related replacement parts. Bomford equipment is sold to governmental agencies, contractors and agricultural end-users in the U.K., Ireland and France and, to a lesser extent, other countries in Europe, North America, Australia and the Far East. Bomford’s sales network is similar to that of McConnel in the U.K. Rhino sells some of Bomford’s product line in the U.S.

      SMA equipment includes hydraulic, boom-mounted hedge and hedgerow cutters and related replacement parts. SMA’s principal customers are French local authorities. SMA’s product offerings were expanded in 1994 to include certain quick-attach boom mowers manufactured by the Company in the U.K. to expand its presence in agricultural dealerships. Forges Gorce manufactures flail blades which are sold to some of the Company’s subsidiaries as well as to other customers.

      Twose equipment includes light-duty power arm mowers, agricultural implements and related replacement parts. Twose products are manufactured at the Company’s U.K. facilities as well as outside vendors. These products are sold through Twose’s own dealer distribution network in the U.K. and through Faucheux in France and other independent distributors in France.

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      The addition of Spearhead expanded the Company’s product lines, particularly rotary cutters, and market coverage in Europe and increased utilization of our U.K. manufacturing facilities.

      Faucheux equipment includes front-end loaders, backhoes, attachments and related parts. Historically, the majority of Faucheux sales have been in France, but the Company has expanded market coverage to other countries, particularly the U.K., using the Company’s existing dealer distribution network.

 

      Rousseau sells hydraulic and mechanical boom mowers, primarily in France through its own sales force and dealer distribution network to mainly agricultural and governmental markets. Their products have also been introduced into other markets outside of France.

 

      Rivard manufactures vacuum trucks, high pressure cleaning systems and trenchers.  Rivard’s equipment is primarily sold in France and certain other markets, mainly in Europe to governmental entities and related contractors.  They also compliment our product offerings in North America.

 

      In addition to the sales of Herschel replacement parts, the Company derives a significant portion of its revenues from sales of replacement parts for each of its wholegoods lines. Replacement parts represented approximately 27%, 24% and 23% of the Company’s total sales for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in 2008 was mainly from changes in exchange rates in our European operations and lower sales of parts produced by Gradall for JLG Industries, the previous owner of Gradall as part of the post acquisition transaction. Proprietary replacement parts generally are more profitable and less cyclical than wholegoods.

 

      While the Company believes that the end-users of its products evaluate their purchases on the basis of price, reputation and product quality, such purchases are also based on a dealer’s service, support of and loyalty to the dealer based on previous purchase experiences, as well as other factors such as product and replacement part availability.

Product Development

      The Company’s ability to provide innovative responses to customer needs, to develop and manufacture new products, and to enhance existing product lines is important to its success. The Company continually conducts research and development activities in an effort to improve existing products and develop new products. As of December 31, 2008, the Company employed 133 people in its various engineering departments, 61 of whom are degreed engineers and the balance of whom are support staff. Amounts expended on research and development activities were approximately $5,443,000 in 2008, $5,185,000 in 2007 and $4,799,000 in 2006. As a percentage of sales, research and development was approximately 1.0% in 2008, 1.0% in 2007 and 1.1% in 2006, and is expected to continue at similar levels in 2009.

Seasonality

      The Company’s sales, both product and spare parts, are generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year because a substantial number of the Company’s products are used for maintenance activities such as vegetation maintenance, highway right-of-ways, construction and street and parking lot sweeping. Usage of this equipment is lower in harsh weather. We believe the acquisitions made over the last three years have somewhat softened the seasonality factor we have experienced historically, which had a higher concentration of vegetation maintenance equipment representing a larger percentage of total sales. In order to enhance efficient utilization of manpower and facilities throughout the year, the Company estimates seasonal demand months in advance, and manufacturing capacity is scheduled in anticipation of such demand. The Company utilizes a rolling twelve-month sales forecast provided by the Company’s marketing departments and order backlog in order to develop a production plan for its manufacturing facilities. Additionally, many of the Company’s marketing departments attempt to equalize demand for its products throughout the calendar year by offering seasonal sales programs which may provide additional incentives, including discounts and extended payment terms, on equipment or parts that are ordered under these programs.

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Competition

      The Company’s products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world. The principal competitive factors are price, quality, availability, service and reputation. The Company competes with several large national and international companies that offer a broad range of equipment and replacement parts, as well as numerous small, privately-held manufacturers and suppliers of a limited number of products, mainly on a regional basis. Some of the Company’s competitors are significantly larger than the Company and have substantially greater financial and other resources at their disposal. The Company believes that it is able to compete successfully in its markets by effectively managing its manufacturing costs, offering high quality products, developing and designing innovative products and, to some extent, avoiding direct competition with significantly larger potential competitors. There can be no assurance that the Company’s competitors will not substantially increase the resources devoted to the development and marketing of products competitive with the Company’s products or that new competitors with greater resources will not enter the Company’s markets.

Unfilled Orders

      As of December 31, 2008, the Company had unfilled customer orders of $64,071,000 compared to $82,052,000 at December 31, 2007. The 22% decrease was primarily the result of soft market conditions due to the downturn in the global economy.  Management expects that substantially all of the Company’s backlog as of December 31, 2008 will be shipped during fiscal year 2009. The amount of unfilled orders at a particular time is affected by a number of factors, including manufacturing and shipping schedules which, in most instances, are dependent on the Company’s seasonal sales programs and the requirements of its customers. Certain of the Company’s orders are subject to cancellation at any time before shipment; therefore, a comparison of unfilled orders from period to period is not necessarily meaningful and may not be indicative of future actual shipments. No single customer is responsible for supplying more than 10% of the aggregate revenue of the Company.

Sources of Supply

      The Company, through its subsidiaries, purchases tractors, truck chassis and engines as well as steel, gearboxes, drivelines, hydraulic components and other industrial parts and supplies. A number of the Company’s products are mounted and shipped with a tractor or truck chassis. Tractors and truck chassis are generally available, but some delays in receiving tractors or truck chassis can occur throughout the year. In 2007, truck chassis and industrial engines used in the Company’s products and manufactured after January 1, 2007, were required to meet Tier III federal guidelines for emission controls, which increased the cost of our units and our working capital requirements. No single supplier is responsible for supplying more than 10% of the principal raw materials used by the Company. The Company sources its purchased goods from international and domestic suppliers.

      While the Company manufactures many of the parts for its products, a significant percentage of parts, including most drivelines, gear boxes, industrial engines, and hydraulic components, are purchased from outside suppliers which manufacture to the Company’s specifications.  During 2008 the Company was impacted by supplier issues relating to timely deliveries of hydraulic components and gearboxes. The Company continues to work with some of these vendors and has identified and is using other sources as well.

Patents and Trademarks

      The Company owns various U.S. and international patents. While the Company considers its patents to be advantageous to its business, it is not dependent on any single patent or group of patents. The Company amortizes approximately $99,000 annually in patents and trademarks relating to the industrial segment. The net book value of the patents and trademarks was $3,982,000 and $4,081,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

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      Products manufactured by the Company are advertised and sold under numerous trademarks. Alamo Industrial^®, Gradall^®, VacAll™, Henke^®, Rhino^®, M&W^®, SMC™, Fuerst^®, McConnel^®, Bomford^®, SMA^®, Schwarze^®, Nite-Hawk™, Tiger™, Schulte^®, Forges Gorce™, Twose™, Faucheux™, Herschel™, Valu-Bilt^®,  Rivard^®, Rousseau^™ and Spearhead^™ trademarks are the primary marks for the Company’s products. The Company also owns other trademarks which it uses to a lesser extent, such as Terrain King^®, Triumph^®, Mott^®, Turner^®, and Dandl^®. Management believes that the Company’s trademarks are well known in its markets and are valuable and that their value is increasing with the development of its business. The Company actively protects its trademarks against infringement and believes it has applied for or registered its trademarks in the appropriate jurisdictions.

Environmental and Other Governmental Regulations

      Like other manufacturers, the Company is subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign laws and requirements, including those concerning air emissions, discharges into waterways, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste materials, as well as the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at the Company’s facilities and offsite disposal locations, workplace safety and equal employment opportunities. These laws and regulations are constantly changing, and it is impossible to predict with accuracy the effect that changes to such laws and regulations may have on the Company in the future. Like other industrial concerns, the Company’s manufacturing operations entail the risk of noncompliance, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or other liabilities as a result thereof.

 

      The Company knows that its Indianola, Iowa property is contaminated with chromium which most likely resulted from chrome plating operations which were discontinued before the Company purchased the property. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have also been detected in water samples on the property, though the source is unknown at this time. The Company voluntarily worked with an environmental consultant and the state of Iowa with respect to these issues and believes it completed its remediation program in June 2006. The work was accomplished within the Company’s environmental liability reserve balance. We requested a “no further action” classification from the state.  We received a conditional “no further action” letter in January of 2009.  When we demonstrate stable or improving conditions below residential standards by future monitoring of existing wells, an unconditional no further action letter will be requested.

 

      At December 31, 2008, the Company had an environmental reserve in the amount of $1,607,000 related to the acquisition of Gradall’s facility in Ohio.  Three specific remediation projects that were identified prior to the acquisition are in process of remediation with a remaining reserve balance of $143,000.  The Company has a reserve of $276,000 concerning a potential asbestos issue that is expected to be abated over time.  The balance of the reserve, $1,188,000, is mainly for potential ground water contamination/remediation that was identified before the acquisition and believed to have been generated by a third party company located near the Gradall facility.  Certain other assets of the Company contain asbestos that may have to be remediated over time.  Management has made its best estimate of the cost to remediate these environmental issues.  However, such estimates are difficult to estimate including the timing of such costs.  The Company believes that any subsequent change in the liability associated with the asbestos removal will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

     

      The Company is subject to various other federal, state, and local laws affecting its business, as well as a variety of regulations relating to such matters as working conditions, equal employment opportunities, and product safety. A variety of state laws regulate the Company’s contractual relationships with its dealers, some of which impose restrictive standards on the relationship between the Company and its dealers, including events of default, grounds for termination, non-renewal of dealer contracts and equipment repurchase requirements. The Company believes it is currently in material compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations.

Employees

      As of December 31, 2008, the Company employed 2,460 full-time employees. In the U.S. the Company has collective bargaining agreements at the Gradall facility which cover 241 employees and will expire in March 2010 and at the SMC facility covering 65 employees which will expire in April 2009. The Company’s European operations, McConnel, Bomford, SMA, Forges Gorce, Faucheux, Rousseau and Rivard, also have various collective bargaining agreements covering 918 employees. The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.

Financial Information about Segments

      See Note 15 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

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International Operations and Geographic Information

      See Note 16 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Available Information

The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information that issuers (including the Company) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is http:// www.sec.gov.

The Company’s website is www.alamo-group.com. The Company makes available free of charge through its website, via a link to the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The Company also makes available through its website, via a link to the SEC’s website, statements of beneficial ownership of the Company’s equity securities filed by its directors, officers, 10% or greater shareholders and others required under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

The Company also makes available on its website its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the current fiscal year, its most recent proxy statement and its most recent annual report to stockholders, although in some cases these documents are not available on our site as soon as they are available on the SEC’s site. You will need to have on your computer the Adobe Acrobat Reader® software to view the documents, which are in PDF format. In addition, the Company posts on its website its Charters for its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, as well as its Corporate Governance Policies and its Code of Conduct and Ethics for its directors, officers and employees. You can obtain a written copy of these documents, excluding exhibits, at no cost, by sending your request to the Corporate Secretary, Alamo Group Inc., 1627 E. Walnut Street, Seguin, Texas 78155, which is the principal corporate office of the Company. The telephone number is (830) 379-1480 ext. 1670. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this report.

Forward-Looking Information

      Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Part II of this Annual Report contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, forward-looking statements may be made orally or in press releases, conferences, reports or otherwise, in the future by or on behalf of the Company.

     The documents incorporated herein and therein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking. When used by us or on our behalf, the words “will,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “may” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties include factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market, as well as matters specific to the Company and the markets we serve. Certain particular risks and uncertainties that continually face us include the following:

• budget constraints and revenue shortfalls which could affect the purchases of our type of equipment by governmental customers and related contractors;

• our ability to develop and manufacture new and existing products profitably;

• market acceptance of new and existing products;

• our ability to maintain good relations with our employees; and

• our ability to hire and retain quality employees.

 

  In addition, we are subject to risks and uncertainties facing the industry in general, including the following:

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• impact of tighter credit markets to the Company, its dealers and end users;

• changes in business and political conditions and the economy in general in both domestic and international markets;

• increase in unfunded pension plan liability due to financial market deterioration;

• price and availability of critical raw materials, particularly steel and steel products;

• changes in market conditions;

• increased competition;

• decreases in the prices of agricultural commodities, which could affect our customers’   income levels;

• adverse weather conditions such as droughts and floods which can affect the buying patterns of our customers and related contractors;

• increased costs of complying with new regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley which affect public companies;

• the potential effects on the buying habits of our customers due to animal diseases outbreaks such as mad cow and epidemics;

• impairment in the carrying value of goodwill

• changes in market demand;

• financial market changes including increases in interest rates and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;

• actions of competitors;

• the inability of our suppliers, customers, creditors, public utility providers and financial service organizations to deliver or provide their products or services to us;

• seasonal factors in our industry;

• unforeseen litigation;

• changes in domestic and foreign governmental policies and laws, including increased   levels of government regulation and changes in agricultural policies;

• government actions including budget levels, regulations and legislation, relating to the environment, commerce, infrastructure spending, health and safety; and

• amount of farm subsidies and farm payments.

 

   We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and to recognize that the statements are not predictions of actual future results. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described above and under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, as well as others not now anticipated. The foregoing statements are not exclusive and further information concerning us and our businesses, including factors that could potentially materially affect our financial results, may emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all risk factors or to assess the impact of such risk factors on the Company’s businesses.

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Executive Officers of the Company

      Certain information is set forth below concerning the executive officers of the Company, each of whom has been elected to serve until the 2009 annual meeting of directors or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

Name		Age		Position
Ronald A. Robinson		56		President and Chief Executive Officer
Dan E. Malone		48		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Robert H. George		62		Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
Richard J. Wehrle		52		Vice President and Controller
Donald C. Duncan		57		Vice President and General Counsel
Geoffrey Davies		61		Vice President, Alamo Group Inc. and Managing     Director, Alamo Group (EUR) Ltd.

 

        Ronald A. Robinson was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company on July 7, 1999. Mr. Robinson had previously been President of Svedala Industries, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Svedala Industries AB of Malmo, Sweden, a leading manufacturer of equipment and systems for the worldwide construction, mineral processing and materials handling industries. Mr. Robinson joined Svedala in 1992 when it acquired Denver Equipment Company of which he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

      Dan E. Malone was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer on January 15, 2007. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Malone held the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Secretary at Igloo Products Corporation, from 2002 to January 2007. Mr. Malone was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The York Group, Inc. from 2000 to 2002 and held various financial positions from 1987 to 2000 with Cooper Industries, Inc. and its various subsidiaries.

      Robert H. George joined the Company in May 1987 as Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer and has served the Company in various executive capacities since that time. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. George was Senior Vice President of Frost National Bank from 1978 to 1987.

      Richard J. Wehrle has been Vice President and Controller of the Company since May 2001. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Wehrle served in various accounting management capacities within the Company since 1988.

      Donald C. Duncan has been General Counsel of the Company since January 2002 and was elected Vice President in February 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Duncan was counsel for various publicly held companies in Houston, Texas and most recently was Associate General Counsel for EGL, Inc. from 2000 to 2001 and Senior Counsel for Weatherford International Inc. from 1997 to 1999.

      Geoffrey Davies has been Managing Director of Alamo Group (EUR) Ltd. since December 1993 and was elected Vice President of the Company in February 2003. From 1988 to 1993, Mr. Davies served McConnel Ltd., a U.K. company acquired by Alamo Group in 1991, in various capacities including serving as its Marketing Director from February 1992 until December 1993.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

      You should carefully consider each of the risks described below, together with all of the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making an investment decision with respect to the Company’s securities. If any of the following risks develop into actual events, the Company’s business, financial condition or results from operations could be materially and adversely affected and you could lose all or part of your investment.

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Risks related to our business

Deterioration of industry conditions could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our business depends to a large extent upon the prospects for the mowing, right-of-way maintenance and agricultural markets in general. Future prospects of the industry depend largely on factors outside of our control. Any of those factors could adversely impact demand for our products, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. These factors include the following:

• general economic conditions;

• the price and availability of raw materials, purchased components and energy;

• budget constraints and revenue shortfalls for our governmental customers;

• changes in domestic and foreign governmental policies and laws, including increased levels of governmental regulation;

• the levels of interest rates;

• the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currencies in countries where we sell our products and in which we don’t have a manufacturing presence;

• impact of tighter credit markets to the Company, its dealers and end users;

• impairment in the carrying value of goodwill

• increase in unfunded pension plan liability due to financial market deterioration; and

 

      In addition, our business is susceptible to a number of factors that specifically affect agricultural customer spending patterns, including the following:

 

• animal disease outbreaks, epidemics and crop pests;

• weather conditions, such as droughts and floods;

• changes in farm incomes;

• cattle and agricultural commodity prices;

• changes in governmental agricultural policies and subsidies, uncertainty surrounding the new U.S. Farm Bill passed in 2008, and changing governmental regulations concerning farm programs imposed by the European Union;

• the level of worldwide farm output and demand for farm products; and

• limits on agricultural imports.

 

A downturn in general economic conditions and outlook in the United States and around the world could adversely affect our net sales and earnings.

The strength and profitability of our business depends on the overall demand for our products and upon economic conditions and outlook, including but not limited to economic growth rates; consumer spending levels; financing availability, pricing and terms for our dealers and end-users; employment rates; interest rates; inflation; consumer confidence and general economic and political conditions and expectations in the United States and the foreign economies in which we conduct business.  Slow or negative growth rates, inflationary pressures, higher commodity costs and fuel prices, reduced credit availability or unfavorable credit terms for our dealers, and end-user customers, increased unemployment rates, and continued recessionary economic conditions and outlook could cause consumers to continue to reduce spending, which may cause them to delay or forego purchases of our products and could have an adverse effect on our net sales and earnings.

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We depend on governmental sales and a decrease in such sales could adversely affect us.

A substantial portion of our revenues is derived from sales to federal, state and local governmental entities. These sales depend primarily on the levels of budgeted and appropriated expenditures for highway, airport, roadside and parks maintenance by various governmental entities and are affected by changes in local and national economic conditions. In addition, from time to time governmental entities have used chemical control of vegetation, which if widely adopted would decrease governmental demand for our products, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our dependence on, and the price and availability of, raw materials (such as steel and fuel) as well as purchased components may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to fluctuations in market prices for raw materials such as steel and energy. In recent years, the prices of various raw materials have increased significantly, and we have been unable to avoid exposure to global price fluctuations and supply limitations, such as have occurred with the cost and availability of steel, fuel and related products. Additionally, although most of the raw materials and purchase components we use are commercially available from a number of sources, we could experience disruptions in the availability of such materials. If we are unable to purchase materials we require or are unable to pass on price increases to our customers or otherwise reduce our cost of goods sold, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. In addition, higher energy costs may negatively affect spending by farmers, including their purchases of our products.

Impairment in the carrying value of goodwill could negatively impact our consolidated results of operations and net worth

      Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is no longer amortized; however, it must be tested for impairment at least annually. In the fourth quarter of each year, or when events and circumstances warrant such a review, the Company reviews the goodwill of all of its reporting units for impairment. The fair value of the Company’s businesses used in the determination of goodwill impairment is computed using the expected present value of associated future cash flows. This review requires the Company to make significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying these factors.  The cash flows are estimated over a significant future period of time, which makes those estimates and assumptions subject to an even higher degree of uncertainty. The Company also utilizes market valuation models and other financial ratios, which require the Company to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to its assets and businesses. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying these factors.  However, different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. The Company recognized goodwill impairment of $5,010,000 in the Agricultural segment in 2008.  No goodwill impairment was recorded in 2007 or 2006.  As of December 31, 2008, we had $48,107,000 of goodwill, which represents 13% of total assets.

We operate in a highly competitive industry, and some of our competitors and potential competitors have greater resources than we do.

Our products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world. We compete with several large national and international companies that offer a broad range of equipment and replacement parts that compete with our products, as well as numerous small, privately-held manufacturers and suppliers of a limited number of products mainly on a regional basis. Some of our competitors are significantly larger than we are and have substantially greater financial and other resources at their disposal. We believe that we are able to compete successfully in our markets by, to some extent, avoiding direct competition with significantly larger potential competitors. There can be no assurance that our competitors will not substantially increase the resources devoted to the development and marketing of products competitive with our products or that new competitors with greater resources will not enter our markets. Any failure to effectively compete could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

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We operate and source internationally, which exposes us to the political, economic and other risks of doing business abroad.

We have operations in a number of countries outside of the United States. Our international operations are subject to the risks normally associated with conducting business in foreign countries, including the following:

• limitations on ownership and on repatriation of earnings;

• import and export restrictions, tariffs and quotas;

• additional expenses relating to the difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international operations;

• labor disputes and uncertain political and economic environments and the impact of foreign business cycles;

• changes in laws or policies;

• delays in obtaining or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits;

• potentially adverse consequences resulting from the applicability of foreign tax laws;

• cultural differences;

• increased expenses due to inflation;

• weak economic conditions in foreign markets where our subsidiaries distribute their products; and

• changes in currency exchange rates.

 

Our foreign operations may also be adversely affected by laws and policies of the United States and the other countries in which we operate affecting foreign trade, investment and taxation.

 

In addition, political developments and governmental regulations and policies in the countries in which we operate directly affect the demand for our products. For example, decreases or delays in farm subsidies to our agricultural customers, or the implementation of “green policies” aimed at limiting mowing activities, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our acquisition strategy may not be successful, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We intend to grow internally and through the acquisition of businesses and assets that will complement our current businesses. To date, a material portion of our growth has come through acquisitions. We cannot be certain that we will be able to identify attractive acquisition targets, obtain financing for acquisitions on satisfactory terms or successfully acquire identified targets. Competition for acquisition opportunities may also increase our costs of making acquisitions or prevent us from making certain acquisitions. These and other acquisition-related factors may adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may be unable to complete or integrate existing or future acquisitions effectively, and businesses we have acquired, or may acquire in the future, may not perform as expected.

      We may not be successful in integrating acquired businesses into our existing operations and achieving projected synergies. We could face many risks in integrating acquired businesses, including the following:

• we may incur substantial costs, delays or other operational or financial challenges in integrating acquired businesses, including integrating each company's accounting, information technology, human resource and other administrative systems to permit effective management;

• we may be unable to achieve expected cost reductions, to take advantage of cross-selling opportunities, or to eliminate redundant operations, facilities and systems;

• we may need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a public company;

• acquisitions may divert our management’s attention from the operation of our businesses;

• we may not be able to retain key personnel of acquired businesses;

• there may be cultural challenges associated with integrating management and employees from the acquired businesses into our organization; and

• we may encounter unanticipated events, circumstances or legal liabilities.

 

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Our integration of acquired businesses requires significant efforts from the management of each entity, including coordinating existing business plans and research and development efforts. Integrating operations may distract management’s attention from the day-to-day operation of the combined companies. Ultimately, our attempts to integrate the operations, technology and personnel of acquired businesses may not be successful. If we are unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses, our future results may be negatively impacted.

In addition, we may be adversely affected if businesses that we have acquired, or that we acquire in the future, do not perform as expected. An acquired business could perform below our expectations for a number of reasons, including legislative or regulatory changes that affect the areas in which the acquired business specializes, the loss of customers and dealers, general economic factors that directly affect the acquired business, and the cultural incompatibility of its management team. Any or all of these reasons could adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.

The agricultural industry and the mowing and growth maintenance industry are seasonal and are affected by the weather, and seasonal fluctuations may cause our results of operations and working capital to fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

In general, agricultural and governmental end-users typically purchase new equipment during the first and second calendar quarters. Other products such as street sweepers, excavators, snow blowers, front-end loaders and pothole patchers have different seasonal patterns, as do replacement parts in general. In attempting to achieve efficient utilization of manpower and facilities throughout the year, we estimate seasonal demand months in advance and manufacturing capacity is scheduled in anticipation of such demand. We utilize a rolling twelve-month sales forecast provided by our marketing divisions and order backlog in order to develop a production plan for our manufacturing facilities. Additionally, many of our marketing departments attempt to equalize demand for their products throughout the calendar year by offering seasonal sales programs which may provide additional incentives, including discounts and extended payment terms, on equipment that is ordered during off-season periods. Because we spread our production and wholesale shipments throughout the year to take into account the factors described above, sales of agricultural and mowing and growth equipment products in any given period may not reflect the timing of dealer orders and retail demand.

Weather conditions and general economic conditions may affect the timing of purchases and actual industry conditions might differ from our forecasts. Consequently, we cannot assure you that sudden or significant declines in industry demand would not adversely affect our working capital or results of operations.

If we do not retain key personnel and attract and retain other highly skilled employees, our business will suffer.

Our continued success will depend on, among other things, the efforts and skills of our executive officers, including our president and chief executive officer, and our ability to attract and retain additional highly qualified managerial, technical, manufacturing and sales and marketing personnel. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance for any of our employees, and all of our senior management are employed at will. We cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and hire suitable replacements for any of our key employees. We believe the loss of a key executive officer or other key employee could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject on an ongoing basis to the risk of product liability claims and other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.

Like other manufacturers, we are subject to various claims, including product liability claims, arising in the ordinary course of business, and we are a party to various legal proceedings that constitute routine litigation incidental to our business. We may be exposed to product liability claims in the event that the use of our products results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury, property damage, or both. We cannot assure you that we will not experience any material product liability losses in the future or that we will not incur significant costs to defend such claims. While we currently have product liability insurance, we cannot assure you that our product liability insurance coverage will be adequate for any liabilities that may ultimately be incurred or that it will continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. A successful claim brought against us in excess of available insurance coverage or a requirement to participate in a product recall may have a materially adverse effect on our business.

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We are subject to environmental, health and safety and employment laws and regulations and related compliance expenditures and liabilities.

Like other manufacturers, we are subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign laws and requirements, including those concerning air emissions, discharges into waterways, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste materials, as well as the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at our facilities and offsite disposal locations, workplace safety and equal employment opportunities. These laws and regulations are constantly changing, and it is impossible to predict with accuracy the effect that changes to such laws and regulations may have on us in the future. Like other industrial concerns, our manufacturing operations entail the risk of noncompliance, and there can be no assurance that we will not incur material costs or other liabilities as a result thereof.

      The Company knows that its Indianola, Iowa property is contaminated with chromium which most likely resulted from chrome plating operations which were discontinued before the Company purchased the property. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have also been detected in water samples on the property, though the source is unknown at this time. The Company voluntarily worked with an environmental consultant and the state of Iowa with respect to these issues and believes it completed its remediation program in June 2006. The work was accomplished within the Company’s environmental liability reserve balance. We requested a “no further action” classification from the state.  We received a conditional “no further action” letter in January of 2009.  When we demonstrate stable or improving conditions below residential standards by future monitoring of existing wells, an unconditional no further action letter will be requested.

 

      At December 31, 2008, the Company had an environmental reserve in the amount of $1,607,000 related to the acquisition of Gradall’s facility in Ohio.  Three specific remediation projects that were identified prior to the acquisition are in process of remediation with a remaining reserve balance of $143,000.  The Company has a reserve of $276,000 concerning a potential asbestos issue that is expected to be abated over time.  The balance of the reserve, $1,188,000, is mainly for potential ground water contamination/remediation that was identified before the acquisition and believed to have been generated by a third party company located near the Gradall facility.  Certain other assets of the Company contain asbestos that may have to be remediated over time.  Management has made its best estimate of the cost to remediate these environmental issues.  However, such estimates are difficult to estimate including the timing of such costs.  The Company believes that any subsequent change in the liability associated with the asbestos removal will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

     

     We have incurred and will continue to incur capital and other expenditures to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to our operations. In particular, if we fail to comply with any environmental regulations, then we could be subject to future liabilities, fines or penalties or the suspension of production at our manufacturing facilities. If unexpected obligations at these or other sites or more stringent environmental laws are imposed in the future, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

 

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may adversely affect our financial results.

 

Our earnings are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to foreign currencies, predominately in European countries, Canada and Australia, as a result of the sale of our products in international markets. While we do hedge against the earnings effects of such fluctuations to an extent (primarily in the U.K. market), we cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively manage these risks. Significant long-term fluctuations in relative currency values, such as a devaluation of the Euro against the U.S. dollar, could have an adverse effect on our future results of operations or financial condition.

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Risks related to investing in our common stock

 

Because the price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly and its trading volume has generally been low, it may be difficult for you to resell our common stock when desired or at attractive prices.

 

The trading price of our common stock has and may continue to fluctuate. The closing prices of our common stock on the NYSE during 2008 has ranged from $25.98 to $10.80 per share, and during 2007 ranged from $27.00 to $16.85 per share. Our stock price may fluctuate in response to the risk factors set forth herein and to a number of events and factors, such as quarterly variations in operating and financial results, litigation, changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts, the operating and stock performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, news reports relating to us or trends in our industry or general economic conditions.  Furthermore, the trading volume of our common stock has generally been low, which may increase the volatility of the market price for our stock. The stock price volatility and low trading volume may make it difficult for you to resell your shares of our common stock when desired or at attractive prices.

You may experience dilution of your ownership interests due to the future issuance of additional shares of our common stock.

We may issue shares of our previously authorized and unissued securities which will result in the dilution of the ownership interests of our present stockholders. We are currently authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of common stock. At December 31, 2008, 9,921,929 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding, and there were outstanding options to purchase an additional 479,980 shares of our common stock. We also have additional shares available for grant under our 2005 Incentive Stock Option Plan and our 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan. Additional stock option or other compensation plans or amendments to existing plans for employees and directors may be adopted. Issuance of these shares of common stock may dilute the ownership interests of our then existing stockholders. We may also issue additional shares of our common stock in connection with the hiring of personnel, future acquisitions, future private placements of our securities for capital raising purposes, or for other business purposes. This would further dilute the interests of our existing stockholders.

Future sales, or the possibility of future sales, of a substantial amount of our common stock may depress the price of the shares of our common stock.

 

Future sales, or the availability for sale in the public market, of substantial amounts of our common stock could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of equity securities. If we or our existing stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market or if there is a perception that these sales may occur, the market price of our common stock could decline.

 

There is no assurance that we will continue declaring dividends or have the available cash to make dividend payments.

 

Although we have paid a cash dividend of $0.06 per share in each quarter since the third quarter of 1999, there can be no assurance that we will continue to declare dividends or that funds will continue to be available for this purpose in the future. The declaration and payment of dividends are restricted by the terms of our amended and restated revolving credit agreement and are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, are not cumulative, and will depend upon our profitability, financial condition, capital needs, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

 

Provisions of our corporate documents may have anti-takeover effects that could prevent a change in control.

 

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Provisions of our charter, bylaws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. These provisions include supermajority voting requirements, prohibiting the stockholder from calling stockholders meetings, removal of directors for cause only and prohibiting shareholder actions by written consent. Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws state that any amendment to certain provisions, including those provisions regarding the removal of directors and limitations on action by written consent discussed above, be approved by the holders of at least two-thirds of our common stock. We are also afforded the protections of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which would prevent us from engaging in a business combination with a person who becomes a 15% or greater shareholder for a period of three years from the date such person acquired such status unless certain board or shareholder approvals were obtained. For more information, see “Description of Capital Stock.”

 

Certain stockholders own a significant amount of our common stock, and their interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders.

 

As of December 31, 2008, Capital Southwest Venture Corporation, a subsidiary of Capital Southwest Corporation, beneficially owned approximately 29% and four other investors beneficially own over 42%, of our outstanding common stock. As a result, either Capital Southwest or the other beneficially owned investors combined could be able to significantly influence the direction of the Company, the election of our Board of Directors and the outcome of any other matter requiring stockholder approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and together with other beneficially owned investors, to prevent or cause a change in control of the Company. In addition, the interests of Third Avenue Management and Capital Southwest may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 

      The Company has no unresolved staff comments to report pursuant to Item 1B.

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Item 2. Properties

      At December 31, 2008, the Company utilized eight principal manufacturing plants located in the United States, seven in Europe, one in Canada, and one in Australia. The facilities are listed below:

 

       Approximately 85% of the manufacturing, warehouse and office space is owned.  During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company sold the majority of land and buildings in its discontinued operations in Guymon, Oklahoma and completed the final sale of the property in the first quarter of 2007. Except as otherwise stated herein, the Company considers each of its facilities to be well maintained, in good operating condition and adequate for its present level of operations.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

      The Company is subject to various legal actions which have arisen in the ordinary course of its business. The most prevalent of such actions relate to product liability, which is generally covered by insurance after various self-insured retention amounts. While amounts claimed might be substantial and the ultimate liability with respect to such litigation cannot be determined at this time, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations; however, the ultimate resolution cannot be determined at this time.

 

      The Company knows that its Indianola, Iowa property is contaminated with chromium which most likely resulted from chrome plating operations which were discontinued before the Company purchased the property. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have also been detected in water samples on the property, though the source is unknown at this time. The Company voluntarily worked with an environmental consultant and the state of Iowa with respect to these issues and believes it completed its remediation program in June 2006. The work was accomplished within the Company’s environmental liability reserve balance. We requested a “no further action” classification from the state.  We received a conditional “no further action” letter in January of 2009.  When we demonstrate stable or improving conditions below residential standards by future monitoring of existing wells, an unconditional no further action letter will be requested.

 

      At December 31, 2008, the Company had an environmental reserve in the amount of $1,607,000 related to the acquisition of Gradall’s facility in Ohio.  Three specific remediation projects that were identified prior to the acquisition are in process of remediation with a remaining reserve balance of $143,000.  The Company has a reserve of $276,000 concerning a potential asbestos issue that is expected to be abated over time.  The balance of the reserve, $1,188,000, is mainly for potential ground water contamination/remediation that was identified before the acquisition and believed to have been generated by a third party company located near the Gradall facility.  Certain other assets of the Company contain asbestos that may have to be remediated over time.  Management has made its best estimate of the cost to remediate these environmental issues.  However, such estimates are difficult to estimate including the timing of such costs.  The Company believes that any subsequent change in the liability associated with the asbestos removal will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

      No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders of the Company during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer   Purchases of Equity Securities

      The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: ALG. On February 27, 2009, there were 9,951,254 shares of common stock outstanding, held by approximately 110 holders of record, but the total number of beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock exceeds this number. On February 27, 2009, the closing price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $11.59 per share.

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      The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, on a per share basis, the range of high and low sales prices for the Company’s common stock as quoted by the New York Stock Exchange. These price quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without adjustment for retail mark-ups, markdowns or commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

 

      On January 5, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $.06 per share which was paid on February 3, 2009, to holders of record as of January 19, 2009. The Company expects to continue its policy of paying regular cash dividends, although there is no assurance as to future dividends as they depend on future earnings, capital requirements and financial condition. In addition, the payment of dividends is subject to restrictions under the Company’s bank revolving credit agreement. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K for a further description of the bank revolving credit agreement.

 

      The Company was authorized by its Board of Directors in 1997 to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be funded through working capital and credit facility borrowings. There were no shares repurchased in 2007 or in 2008. The authorization to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares remains available, less 42,600 shares previously purchased.

      Information relating to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance is set forth in Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Stock Price Performance Graph

      The information contained in this Stock Performance Graph section shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act except to the extent that Alamo Group Inc. specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

      The following graph and table set forth the cumulative total return to the Company's stockholders of our Common Stock  during a five-year period ended December 31, 2008, as well as the performance of an overall stock market index (the S&P 500 Index) and the Company's selected peer group index (the Russell 2000 Index).

 

      The Company believes that there does not exist a representative industry peer group of companies with a similar business segment profile. The SEC has indicated that companies may use a base other than industry or line of business for determining its peer group index, such as an index of companies with similar market capitalization. Accordingly, the Company has selected the Russell 2000 Index, a widely used small market capitalization index, to use as a representative peer group.

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

      The following selected financial data is derived from the consolidated financial statements of Alamo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. The data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included herein.

 

⁽¹⁾   Includes the results of operations of companies acquired from the effective dates of acquisitions.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

            And Results of Operations

      The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

      The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain financial data:

 

Results of Operations

 

Fiscal 2008 compared to Fiscal 2007

The Company’s net sales in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (“2008”) were $557,135,000, an increase of $52,749,000 or 10.5% compared to $504,386,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007”). The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisitions of Rivard and Henke in the amount of $41,615,000, and continued demand for our products in most of the Company’s segments.  The Company’s sales during the last quarter of 2008 were negatively impacted by the decline in the worldwide economy.

 

North American Industrial sales (Net) were $254,787,000 in 2008 compared to 253,203,000 in 2007, a $1,584,000 or 0.6% increase. The increase came from the acquisition of Henke in the amount of $1,662,000. The Industrial segment did experience higher sales in the first half of 2008 from the excavator and vacuum truck business.  Sweeper market sales were soft throughout the year due to the weak retail market and related cut back in parking lot sweeper activity.  Also negatively impacting this segment were late deliveries of key components from suppliers.

North American Agricultural sales (Net) were $120,232,000 in 2008 compared to $117,652,000 in 2007, representing an increase of $2,580,000 or 2.2%. The increase was mainly due to steady market conditions, specifically mowing and front-end loader equipment.  During the third quarter of 2008, this division experienced delays in deliveries of key components from suppliers which prevented us from delivering to our customers in a timely fashion.  Drought conditions in the southern part of the U.S. also had a negative impact on sales during most of the year along with lower commodity prices in late 2008.

 

European sales (Net) increased $48,585,000 or 36.4% to $182,116,000 in 2008 compared to $133,531,000 in 2007. This increase was mainly from the acquisition of Rivard in the amount of $39,953,000, and to a lesser extent higher export sales outside our core markets, along with improved agricultural market conditions in the first half of 2008.  Sales in local currency grew 14% without the Rivard acquisition.  Negatively affected the European segment were changes in the international currency rates.

 

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Gross Margins for 2008 were $109,414,000 (19.6% of net sales) compared to $97,711,000 (19.4% of net sales) in 2007, an increase of $11,703,000. The increase was due to the acquisitions of Rivard and Henke along with steady market conditions for the first nine months of 2008.  Negatively affecting the Company’s gross margin were higher steel, steel products and energy prices.

 

      Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $83,059,000 (14.9% of net sales) in 2008 compared to $73,874,000 (14.6% of net sales) in 2007. The increase of $9,185,000 in SG&A in 2008 primarily came from the addition of Rivard and Henke, in the amount of $5,525,000 along with increased sales commissions from higher sales.

 

Goodwill impairment for 2008 was $5,010,000 compared to zero in 2007.  The Company wrote off the entire goodwill in its Agricultural Division after performing its required impairment test review.  The severe decline in market values of the Company, along with uncertainty in the economy going forward was the cause for the write-down.

 

      Interest expense for 2008 was $7,450,000 compared to $8,338,000 in 2007, an $888,000 or a 10.7% decrease. The decrease was due to lower interest rates in 2008.

      Other Income (expense), net was $1,513,000 of income during 2008 versus income of $813,000 in 2007. The income in 2008 was entirely from changes in exchange rates.  The income in 2007 was mainly from exchange rate gains of $703,000 and a gain of $150,000 relating to the sale of the Company’s investment in a small business investment company along with a loss on the sale of the Guymon property held for sale.

      Provision for Income Taxes was $6,227,000 (36.1% of income before income taxes) for 2008 compared to $5,670,000 (31.4% of income before income taxes) in 2007. The increase in the effective tax rate for 2008 was from increased state taxes in the United States and from the non deductable tax write off of goodwill.

      Net Income for 2008 was $10,999,000 compared to $12,365,000 in 2007 due to the factors described above.

 

Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006

The Company’s net sales in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007”) were $504,386,000, an increase of $47,892,000 or 10.5% compared to $456,494,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (“2006”). The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisitions of VacAll, Nite-Hawk, Henke and one month of Gradall in the amount of $18,589,000, and continued market improvement in the Industrial division particularly street sweepers. The Company also experienced improved markets in both the Agricultural and European divisions, along with benefits in currency exchange rates in our European division.

 

North American Industrial sales (Net) were $253,203,000 in 2007 compared to $232,462,000 in 2006, a $20,741,000 or 8.9% increase. The majority of the increase came from the acquisitions of VacAll, Nite-Hawk, Henke and one month of Gradall along with higher sales of sweeper products. Increased demand for the Company’s products in this division have continued to reflect steady growth from governmental customers. Negatively impacting the year were soft conditions in the North American wheeled excavator market along with late deliveries of key components.

North American Agricultural sales (Net) were $117,652,000 in 2007 compared to $106,076,000 in 2006, representing an increase of $11,576,000 or 10.9%. The increase was mainly due to improved market conditions, specifically mowing and front-end loader equipment, which had experienced softness during the first part of 2007 due in part to farm operating costs which negatively affected farmers’ spending. Drought conditions in the southeastern part of the U.S. had a negative impact on sales during most of 2007.

 

European sales (Net) increased $15,575,000 or 13.2% to $133,531,000 in 2007 compared to $117,956,000 in 2006. This increase was mainly from changes in the international currency rates. Sales grew 4% in local currency primarily due to export sales outside the Company’s principal markets in Western Europe. European sales to a lesser extent were affected negatively by changing governmental regulations concerning farm programs in the U.K. and European Union.

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Gross Margins for 2007 were $97,711,000 (19.4% of net sales) compared to $89,890,000 (19.7% of net sales) in 2006, an increase of $7,821,000. The increase was due to the acquisitions of VacAll, Nite-Hawk, Henke and one month of Gradall along with higher sales of sweeper products and improved efficiencies from the consolidation of the Company’s Holton facility into its Gibson City, Illinois facility in 2006. Negatively affecting the Company’s gross margin percent were continued higher energy prices along with inefficiencies in the manufacturing of the VacAll product line at the Gradall facility.

 

      Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $73,874,000 (14.6% of net sales) in 2007 compared to $66,858,000 (14.6% of net sales) in 2006. The increase of $7,016,000 in SG&A in 2007 primarily came from the addition of VacAll, Nite-Hawk, Henke, and one month of Gradall in the amount of $6,899,000.

 

      Interest expense for 2007 was $8,338,000 compared to $6,912,000 in 2006, a $1,426,000 or a 20.6% increase. The increase was due to higher interest rates in the first part of 2007 along with increased borrowings to support the acquisitions of VacAll, Nite-Hawk, and Henke and higher levels of working capital.

      Other Income (expense), net was $813,000 of income during 2007 versus income of $59,000 in 2006. The income in 2007 was mainly from exchange rate gains of $703,000 and a gain of $150,000 relating to the sale of the Company’s investment in a small business investment company along with a loss in the sale of the Guymon property held for sale. The income in 2006 was from the gain on the sale of the Holton facility in the amount of $517,000 offset by the loss on the sale of machinery and equipment at Holton totaling $336,000 along with $11,000 of exchange rate losses from foreign contracts covering accounts receivable in our European operations. Also included in 2006, is a write-down of the Guymon property held for sale of $111,000 that was sold in February of 2007

      Provision for Income Taxes was $5,670,000 (31.4% of income before income taxes) for 2007 compared to $5,487,000 (32.3% of income before income taxes) in 2006. The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2007 was from additional R&D tax credits received and a reduced corporate tax rate that affected our Canadian operations.

      Net Income for 2007 was $12,365,000 compared to $11,488,000 in 2006 due to the factors described above.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

      In addition to normal operating expenses, the Company has ongoing cash requirements which are necessary to conduct the Company’s business, including inventory purchases and capital expenditures. The Company’s inventory and accounts payable levels particularly in its North American Agricultural Division build in the first quarter and early spring and, to a lesser extent, in the fourth quarter in anticipation of the spring and fall selling seasons. Accounts receivable historically build in the first and fourth quarters of each year as a result of preseason sales. These sales help balance the Company’s production during the first and fourth quarters. Some of the Company’s most recent acquisitions which are not involved in vegetation maintenance have helped to soften this seasonality pattern.

 

        As of December 31, 2008, the Company had working capital of $180,341,000, which represents an increase of $10,950,000 from working capital of $169,391,000 as of December 31, 2007. The increase in working capital was primarily from higher accounts receivable due to the acquisition of Rivard and seasonality.

 

      Capital expenditures were $6,553,000 for 2008, compared to $10,765,000 for 2007. For 2009, capital expenditures are expected to be similar levels compared with 2008. The Company expects to fund capital expenditures from operating cash flows or through its revolving credit facility, described below.

 

      The Company was authorized by its Board of Directors in 1997 to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be funded through working capital and credit facility borrowings. There were no shares repurchased in 2007 or in 2008. The authorization to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares remains available less 42,600 shares previously purchased.

 

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      Net cash provided by operating activities was $8,724,000 for 2008, compared to $19,192,000 for 2007. The decrease of cash from operating activities resulted primarily from the acquisition of Rivard.

 

      Net cash provided by financing activities was $19,550,000 for 2008, compared to net cash used of $3,101,000 for 2007. The difference was mainly from increased borrowings under the Company’s revolving line of credit due to the Rivard acquisition.

 

      On August 25, 2004, the Company entered into a five-year $70 million Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with its lenders, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase Bank, and Guaranty Bank. This contractually committed, unsecured facility allows the Company to borrow and repay amounts drawn at floating or fixed interest rates based upon Prime or LIBOR rates. Proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes or, subject to certain limitations, acquisitions. The loan agreement contains among other things the following financial covenants:  Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratios, Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, Consolidated Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio and Minimum Asset Coverage Ratio, along with limitations on dividends, other indebtedness, liens, investments and capital expenditures.

 

      On February 3, 2006, the Company amended and restated the credit agreement to increase the Company’s existing credit facility from $70 million to $125 million. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company has the ability to request an increase in commitments by $25 million. In addition, the existing credit facility was modified in other respects, including reducing the asset coverage ratio and lowering the interest margins.

 

      On March 30, 2006 the Company entered into the Fourth Amendment of the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated March 30, 2006 (the “Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement”), between the Company and Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank and Guaranty Bank, as its lenders. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company added Gradall Industries, Inc., formerly Alamo Group (OH) Inc., and N.P. Real Estate Inc. as members of the Obligated Group. The Amendment also allows for capital expenditures not to exceed $14 million for the fiscal year ending 2006 and $10 million in the aggregate during each fiscal year thereafter.

      On May 7, 2007, the Company entered into the Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, Guaranty Bank and Rabobank, as its lenders. The Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a $125 million unsecured revolving line of credit for five years with the ability to expand the facility to $175 million, subject to bank approval. In addition to the extended term of the loan to 2012, other major changes were improvements in the leverage ratio, minimum asset coverage ratio and increase in annual allowable capital expenditures up to $17.5 million. The banks agreed to eliminate the fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum net worth requirement along with a reduction in the applicable interest rate margin. The applicable interest margin fluctuates quarterly either up or down based upon the Company’s leverage ratio.

 

      On October 14, 2008, the Company entered into the Sixth Amendment and Waiver under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement.  The purpose of the amendment and waiver was to clarify company names within the obligated group after merging or dissolving some subsidiaries, to define operating cash flow and defining quarterly operating cash flow for Rivard through March 31, 2009.  Beginning June 30, 2009, Rivard’s actual operating cash flow will be used in the calculation of consolidated operating flow.

 

      As of December 31, 2008, there was $95,000,000 borrowed under the revolving credit facility.  At December 31, 2008, $780,000 of the revolver capacity was committed to irrevocable standby letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business as required by vendors’ contracts resulting in approximately $29,000,000 in available borrowings.

 

      On May 13, 2008, Alamo Group Europe Limited expanded its overdraft facility with Lloyd’s TSB Bank plc from £ 1.0 million to £ 5.5 million.  The facility was renewed on November 10, 2008 and outstandings currently bear interest at Lloyd’s Base Rate plus 1.1% per annum.  The facility is unsecured but guaranteed by the U.K. subsidiaries of Alamo Group Europe Limited.  As of December 31, 2008, there were no outstanding balances in British pounds borrowed against the U.K. overdraft facility.

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      There are additional lines of credit, for the Company’s French operations in the amount of 9,300,000 Euros, which includes the Rivard credit facilities, for our Canadian operation in the amount of 3,500,000 Canadian dollars, and for our Australian operation in the amount of 800,000 Australian dollars.  As of December 31, 2008, 1,315,000 Euros were borrowed against the French line of credit, 1,519,000 Canadian dollars were outstanding on the Canadian line of credit and 400,000 Australian dollars were outstanding under its facility.  The Canadian and Australian revolving credit facilities are guaranteed by the Company. 

 

As of December 31, 2008, the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of its credit facilities.

 

      On July 27, 2006, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to register 2,300,000 shares of common stock for offer and sale by the Company from time to time in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act.  This filing had a two year life and was withdrawn on May 30, 2008, prior to its cancellation and can be reinstated if deemed appropriate by management.

 

      Management believes the bank credit facilities and the Company’s ability to internally generate funds from operations should be sufficient to meet the Company’s cash requirements for the foreseeable future.  However, the challenges affecting the banking industry and credit markets in general can potentially cause changes to credit availability which creates a level of uncertainty.

 

Inflation

 

      The Company believes that inflation generally has not had a material impact on its operations or liquidity. The Company is exposed to the risk that the price of steel and fuel may increase and the Company may not be able to increase the price of its products correspondingly. If this occurs, the Company’s results of operations would be adversely impacted.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

 

        Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations (Revised 2007)."  “Statement 141(R)”) 141R replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations," (“Statement 141”) and applies to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. Statement 141(R) requires an acquirer, upon initially obtaining control of another entity, to recognize the assets, liabilities and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized and measured at fair value on the date of acquisition rather than at a later date when the amount of that consideration may be determinable beyond a reasonable doubt. This fair value approach replaces the cost-allocation process required under Statement 141 whereby the cost of an acquisition was allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value. Statement 141R requires acquirers to expense acquisition-related costs as incurred rather than allocating such costs to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as was previously the case under Statement 141. Under Statement 141(R), the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities," would have to be met by the target in order to accrue for a restructuring plan in purchase accounting. Pre-acquisition contingencies are to be recognized at fair value, unless it is a non-contractual contingency that is not likely to materialize, in which case, nothing should be recognized in purchase accounting and, instead, that contingency would be subject to the probable and estimable recognition criteria of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies." Statement  141(R) is expected to have a significant impact on the Company's accounting for business combinations closing on or after January 1, 2009.

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      Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, "Non-controlling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB Statement No. 51." (“Statement 160”) amends Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements," to establish accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Statement 160 clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, which is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, Statement 160 requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the non-controlling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest. Statement 160 is effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2009 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.

 

      Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, "Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." (“Statement 161”) amends Statement of Financial Accounting No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," (“Statement 133”)to amend and expand the disclosure requirements of Statement 133 to provide greater transparency about (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedge items are accounted for under Statement 133 and its related interpretations, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. To meet those objectives, Statement 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. Statement 161 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any obligation under any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity unconsolidated with the Company is a party, that has or is reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

 

Contractual and Other Obligations

      The following table shows the Company’s approximate obligations and commitments to make future payments under contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008:

 

Definitions:

(A)  Long-term debt obligation means a payment obligation under long-term borrowings referenced in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 47 Disclosure of Long-Term Obligations (March 1981), as may be modified or supplemented.

(B)  Capital lease obligation means a payment obligation under a lease classified as a capital lease pursuant to FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13 Accounting for Leases (November 1976), as may be modified or supplemented.

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(C)  Interest obligation represents interest due on long-term debt and capital lease obligations. Interest on long-term debt assumes all floating rates of interest remain the same as those in effect at December 31, 2008 and include the effect of the Company’s interest rate derivative arrangements on future cash payments for the remaining period of those derivatives.

(D)  Operating lease obligation means a payment obligation under a lease classified as an operating lease and disclosed pursuant to FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13 Accounting for Leases (November 1976), as may be modified or supplemented.

(E)  Purchase obligation means an agreement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally binding on the registrant that specifies all significant terms, including:  fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transactions.

 

In addition, the Company sponsors various pension plans that may obligate it to make contributions from time to time. We expect to make a cash contribution to our pension plans in 2009.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management 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.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. For further information on the critical accounting policies, see Note 1 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where it is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, it records a specific reserve to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected. For all other customers, it recognizes reserves for bad debt based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of revenues for each business unit, adjusted for relative improvements or deteriorations in the aging and changes in current economic conditions.

 

      The Company evaluates all aged receivables that are over 60 days old and will reserve specifically on a 90-day basis. The Company has a secured interest on most of its wholegoods that each customer purchases. This allows the Company, in times of a difficult economy when the customer is unable to pay or has filed for bankruptcy (usually Chapter 11), to repossess the customer’s inventory. This also allows Alamo Group to maintain only a reserve over its cost, which usually represents the margin on the original sales price.

 

      The allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $2,430,000 at December 31, 2008, and $1,922,000 at December 31, 2007.  The increase was mainly from U.S. operations in the agricultural division and European operations in the U.K.

 

Sales Discounts

 

      At December 31, 2008, the Company had $6,849,000 in reserves for sales discounts compared to $6,338,000 at December 31, 2007 on product shipped to our customers under various promotional programs. The increase was due primarily to higher reserves required by the Company’s agricultural division, whose program’s sales offered future discounts. The Company reviews the reserve quarterly based on analysis made on each program outstanding at the time.

 

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The Company bases its reserves on historical data relating to discounts taken by the customer under each program. Historically between 85% and 95% of the Company’s customers who qualify for each program actually take the discount that is available.

 

Inventories – Obsolete and Slow Moving

 

      The Company had a reserve of $8,978,000 at December 31, 2008 and $8,526,000 at December 31, 2007 to cover obsolete and slow moving inventory. The increase was mainly from U.S. operations. The obsolete and slow moving inventory policy states that the reserve is to be calculated as follows: 1) no inventory usage over a three-year period is deemed obsolete and reserved at 100 percent; and 2) slow moving inventory with little usage requires a 100 percent reserve on items that have a quantity greater than a three-year supply. There are exceptions to the obsolete and slow moving classifications if approved by an officer of the Company, based on specific identification of an item or items that are deemed to be either included or excluded from this classification. In cases where there is no historical data, management makes judgment based on a specific review of the inventory in question to determine what reserves, if any, are appropriate. New products or parts are generally excluded from the reserve policy until a three year history has been established.

                                                                                                       

The reserve is reviewed and, if necessary, adjustments are made on a quarterly basis. The Company relies on historical information when available to support its reserve. The Company does not adjust the reserve balance until the inventory is sold.

 

Warranty

 

      The Company’s warranty policy is generally to provide its customers warranty for up to one year on all wholegood units and 90 days for parts.

 

      Warranty reserve, as a percent of sales, is generally calculated by looking at the current twelve months’ expenses and prorating that amount based on twelve months’ sales with a ninety-day to six-month lag period. The Company’s historical experience is that an end-user takes approximately 90 days to six months from the receipt of the unit to file a warranty claim. A warranty reserve is established for each different marketing group. Reserve balances are evaluated on a quarterly basis and adjustments made when required.

 

      The current liability warranty reserve balance was $5,409,000 at December 31, 2008 and $4,865,000 at December 31, 2007. A long-term warranty liability of $331,000 and $218,000 relating to Gradall excavators and Schwarze sweepers existed at December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively, with a life range of 1 to 5 years.

 

Goodwill

 

      Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is no longer amortized; however, it must be tested for impairment at least annually. In the fourth quarter of each year, or when events and circumstances warrant such a review, the Company tests the goodwill of all of its reporting units for impairment. The goodwill impairment test is determined using a two-step process.  The first step is to identify if a potential impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill (Step 1).  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to have a potential impairment and the second step is not necessary.  However, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step (Step 2) is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any. Step 2 compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill.  If the implied value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount of goodwill, then a charge is recorded to reduce goodwill to the implied goodwill. The implied goodwill is calculated based on a hypothetical purchase price allocation similar to the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.141, Business Combinations, in that it takes the implied fair value of the reporting unit and allocates such fair value to the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. 

     

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      The Company estimated the fair value of its reporting units using various valuation techniques, with one technique being a discounted cash flow analysis. This analysis requires the Company to make significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates. The cash flows are estimated over a significant future period of time, which makes those estimates and assumptions subject to an even higher degree of uncertainty. The Company also utilizes market valuation models and other financial ratios, which require the Company to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to its assets and businesses. The Company believes that the assumptions and estimates used to determine the estimated fair values of each of its reporting units are reasonable. However, different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. The Company recognized goodwill impairment of $5,010,000 in the Agricultural segment in 2008.  No goodwill impairment was recorded in 2007 or 2006.  As of December 31, 2008, we had $48,107,000 of goodwill, which represents 13% of total assets.

 

See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding goodwill.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

      The Company is exposed to various financial market risks. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The Company does not enter into derivative or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

International Sales

      A portion of the Company’s operations consists of manufacturing and sales activities in international jurisdictions. The Company primarily manufactures its products in the United States, the U.K., France, Canada and Australia. The Company sells its products primarily within the markets where the products are produced, but certain of the Company’s sales from its U.K. operations are denominated in other European currencies. As a result, the Company’s financials, specifically the value of its foreign assets, could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the other markets in which the subsidiaries of the Company distribute their products.

      To mitigate the short-term effect of changes in currency exchange rates on the Company’s functional currency-based sales, the Company’s U.K. subsidiaries regularly enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge approximately 90% of its future net foreign currency cash receipts over a period of six months. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $1,393,000 outstanding in forward exchange contracts related to accounts receivable.  A 15% fluctuation in exchange rates for these currencies would change the fair value by approximately $209,000. However, since these contracts hedge foreign currency denominated transactions, any change in the fair value of the contracts should be offset by changes in the underlying value of the transaction being hedged.

At January 1, 2008, the foreign currency hedge agreements were in a unfavorable position by approximately $80,000. In accordance with the provisions of FAS 133, the net-of-tax on January 1, 2008, was a loss of $50,000 in accumulated other comprehensive income with a deferred income tax of $30,000. At December 31, 2008, the fair value of the hedge agreements was in an unfavorable position; therefore, the derivative financial instruments were recorded as a loss of $77,000. Accumulated other comprehensive income was adjusted to an accumulated loss of $48,000 and the deferred income tax was adjusted to a $29,000 tax asset. As the hedge agreements are deemed to be effective cash flow hedges, there was no income statement impact related to hedge ineffectiveness. The Company has reclassified approximately $80,000 of existing losses in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, during the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

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Exposure to Exchange Rates

      The Company’s earnings are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to foreign currencies, predominately in European countries, Canada and Australia, as a result of the sale of its products in international markets. Foreign currency forward contracts in the U.K. are used to hedge against the earnings effects of such fluctuations. At December 31, 2008, the result of a uniform 10% strengthening in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the currencies in which the Company’s sales are denominated would result in a decrease in gross profit of $4,902,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008. Comparatively, at December 31, 2007, the result of a uniform 10% strengthening in the value of the dollar relative to the currencies in which the Company’s sales are denominated would have resulted in a decrease in gross profit of approximately $3,761,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007. This calculation assumes that each exchange rate would change in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar. In addition to the direct effects of changes in exchange rates, which are a changed dollar value of the resulting sales, changes in exchange rates may also affect the volume of sales or the foreign currency sales price as competitors’ products become more or less attractive. The Company’s sensitivity analysis of the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates does not factor in a potential change in sales levels or local currency prices. The translation adjustment during 2008 was a loss of $18,119,000. On December 31, 2008, the British pound closed at .6853 relative to the U.S. dollar, and the Euro closed at .7159 relative to the U.S. dollar. By comparison, on December 31, 2007, the British pound closed at .5033 relative to the U.S. dollar, and the Euro closed at .6850 relative to the U.S. dollar.  No assurance can be given as to future valuation of the British pound or Euro or how further movements in those or other currencies could affect future earnings or the financial position of the Company.

Interest Rate Risk

      The Company’s long-term debt bears interest at variable rates. Accordingly, the Company’s net income is affected by changes in interest rates. Assuming the current level of borrowings at variable rates and a two hundred basis point change in the 2008 average interest rate under these borrowings, the Company’s 2008 interest expense would have changed by approximately $1,900,000. In the event of an adverse change in interest rates, management could take actions to mitigate its exposure. Further, this analysis does not consider the effects of the change in the level of overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment.  However, the challenges affecting the banking industry and credit markets in general can potentially cause changes to credit availability which creates a level of uncertainty.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

      The financial statements and supplementary data described in Item 15 of this report and included on pages 42 through 70 of this report are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

      None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

      Disclosure Controls and Procedures. An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of Alamo’s management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) and Vice-President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13A-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933). Based upon the evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) and Vice-President, Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) concluded that the Company’s design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the end of the period covered by this report.

 

      Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in Alamo’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined by paragraph (d) of Rule 13-a-15) under the Securities Exchange Act, during the fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Alamo’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

      None.

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

      There is incorporated in this Item 10, by reference, that portion of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which appears therein under the captions “Item 1: Election of Directors,” “Information Concerning Directors,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”  See also the information under the caption “Executive Officers of the Company” in Part I of this Report.

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

      The Board of Directors has delegated certain responsibilities to three Committees of the Board. The Committees are the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The Board of Directors has also adopted Corporate Governance guidelines and a Code of Conduct and Ethics for all employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and those individuals performing similar functions.

      The Committee Charters, Code of Conduct and Ethics, and Corporate Governance Guidelines may be found on the Company’s website ( www.alamo-group.com) under the “Our Commitment” tab and are also available without charge in print by sending your request to the Corporate Secretary, Alamo Group Inc., 1627 E. Walnut Street, Seguin, Texas, 78155, which is the principal executive office of the Company. The telephone number is 830-379-1480. The Company will post any amendments to the Code of Conduct and Ethics, and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), on the Company’s website.

      Because Alamo Group’s common stock is listed on the NYSE, our Chief Executive Officer is required to make, and he has made, an annual certification to the NYSE stating that he was not aware of any violation by Alamo Group of the corporate governance listing standards of the exchange. Our Chief Executive Officer made his annual certification to that effect to the NYSE on May 19, 2008. In addition, Alamo Group has filed, as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the certifications of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Controller required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the quality of Alamo Group’s public disclosure.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

      There is incorporated in this Item 11, by reference, that portion of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which appears under the caption “Executive Compensation.”

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

      There is incorporated in this Item 12, by reference, that portion of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which appears under the caption “Beneficial Owners of Common Stock.”

 

 

 

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Information on Alamo Group Inc.’s Equity Compensation Plans

 

      The following table provides information on the shares that are available under the Company’s stock compensation plans and, in the case of plans where stock options may be granted, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of those stock options.

 

      The numbers in the table are as of December 31, 2008, the last day of Alamo Group Inc.’s 2008 fiscal year.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

      There were no such reportable relationships or related party transactions in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. During 1999, the Company approved a supplemental retirement benefit for Donald J. Douglass which is paid on a quarterly basis over a period of fourteen and one-half years that began in the year 2000. The remaining balances at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $363,000 and $414,000, respectively, and are included in the Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities sections of the Company’s balance sheets.

      Information regarding director independence is set forth under the caption “Proposal 1 – “Election of Directors” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and such information is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

      Information regarding principal accountant fees and services is set forth under the caption “Proposal 2 – Appointment of Auditors” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and such information is incorporated by reference herein.

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Financial Statements

		Page
	Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	39
	Ernst & Young LLP, Internal Control Report	40
	Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	41
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	42
	Consolidated Statements of Income	43
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	44
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	45
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	46

 

Financial Statement Schedules

      All other schedules for which a provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

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Exhibits

      Exhibits – The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to the filing indicated or are included following the index to Exhibits.

 

 INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

*Compensatory Plan

 

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    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.

 

                                                                                                ALAMO GROUP INC.

Date:  March 10, 2009

 

                                                                                                By:  /s/ RONALD A. ROBINSON

Ronald A. Robinson

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 10^th day of March, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

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Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

      The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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

 

      The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 using the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management's assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Rivard Developpement S.A.S. (“Rivard), which is included in the 2008 consolidated financial statements of Alamo Group Inc. and constituted $43.6 million and $22.9 million of total and net assets, respectively, and $40.0 million and $2.3 million for sales and net income, respectively, for the year then ended. Rivard was acquired by Alamo Group Inc. in 2008. Based on this assessment, the Company’s management concludes that, as of December 31, 2008, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting were effective based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework.

 

      Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

 

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Alamo Group Inc.

 

We have audited Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries’ 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 Report of Management 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.

 

As indicated in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Rivard Developpement, which was acquired in 2008 and included in the 2008 consolidated financial statements of Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries and constituted $43.6 million and $22.9 million, of total and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2008 and $40.0 million and $2.3 million of revenues and net income, respectively, for the year then ended.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Rivard Developpement.

 

In our opinion, Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Alamo Group Inc. as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 of Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries and our report dated March 6, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

Ernst & Young LLP

San Antonio, Texas

March 6, 2009

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Alamo Group Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements in 2007 the Company changed its method of accounting for income taxes.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 6, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Ernst & Young LLP

San Antonio, Texas

March 6, 2009

 

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

See accompanying notes.

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

See accompanying notes.

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alamo Group Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of the Business and Segments

      The Company manufactures, distributes and services high quality equipment for right-of-way maintenance and agriculture. The Company’s products include tractor-mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, excavators, street sweepers, agricultural implements and related aftermarket parts and services.

      The Company manages its business in three principal reporting segments: Agricultural, Industrial and European, which are discussed in Footnotes 15 and 16.

 

Basis of Consolidation

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alamo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Alamo Group”), all of which are wholly owned. Other investments are accounted for under the cost method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Judgments related to asset impairment and certain reserves are particularly subject to change.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency

      The Company translates the assets and liabilities of foreign-owned subsidiaries at rates in effect at the end of the year. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the reporting period. Translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income within the statement of stockholders’ equity.

      The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposure to material foreign currency transactions. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Changes in the market value of the foreign currency instruments are recognized in the financial statements upon settlement of the hedged transaction. At December 31, 2008, the Company had $1,393,000 in outstanding forward exchange contracts related to sales. The maximum exposure of the December 31, 2008 contracts that the Company expects to incur during the first quarter of 2009 is approximately a $48,000 loss, net of taxes. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in Other income (expense), net. For 2008, 2007 and 2006, such transactions netted a gain of $1,513,000, a gain of $703,000, and a loss of $55,000, respectively.

Cash Equivalents

      Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with a maturity date no longer than 90 days.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

      Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. The credit risk is limited because of the large numbers and types of customers and their geographic dispersion.

Inventories

      Inventories of U.S. operating subsidiaries are principally stated at the lower of cost (last-in, first-out method) (“LIFO”) or market, and the Company’s international subsidiaries’ inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) (“FIFO”) or market.

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Property, Plant and Equipment

      Property, plant, and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. Major renewals and betterments are charged to the property accounts while replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets, are expensed to the current period. Depreciation is provided at amounts calculated to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful economic lives using the straight-line method.

Goodwill

      Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is no longer amortized; however, it must be tested for impairment at least annually. In the fourth quarter of each year, or when events and circumstances warrant such a review, the Company tests the goodwill of all of its reporting units for impairment. The goodwill impairment test is determined using a two-step process.  The first step is to identify if a potential impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill (Step 1).  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to have a potential impairment and the second step is not necessary.  However, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step (Step 2) is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any. Step 2 compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill.  If the implied value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount of goodwill, then a charge is recorded to reduce goodwill to the implied goodwill. The implied goodwill is calculated based on a hypothetical purchase price allocation similar to the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.141, Business Combinations, in that it takes the implied fair value of the reporting unit and allocates such fair value to the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. 

     

      The Company estimated the fair value of its reporting units using various valuation techniques, with one technique being a discounted cash flow analysis. This analysis requires the Company to make significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates. The cash flows are estimated over a significant future period of time, which makes those estimates and assumptions subject to an even higher degree of uncertainty. The Company also utilizes market valuation models and other financial ratios, which require the Company to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to its assets and businesses. The Company believes that the assumptions and estimates used to determine the estimated fair values of each of its reporting units are reasonable. However, different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. The Company recognized goodwill impairment of $5,010,000 in the Agricultural reporting unit in 2008.  No goodwill impairment was recorded in 2007 or 2006.  As of December 31, 2008, we had $48,107,000 of goodwill, which represents 13% of total assets.

 

See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding goodwill.

 Intangible Assets                                                                                                                                

      The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of patents and trademarks. The gross carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets was $1,391,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2007. Accumulated amortization of definite-lived intangible assets was $1,009,000 and $910,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Amortization expense of definite-lived intangible assets was $99,000 in 2008, $104,000 in 2007, and $104,000 in 2006. Annual amortization expense is expected to be $79,000 in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and $45,000 in 2013.

 

      Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives not subject to amortization consist of the Gradall trademark valued at $3,600,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

      The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis at year-end, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset could be below its carrying amount. The impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, determined using discounted cash flows, with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value.

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Identifiable intangible assets are recorded at estimated cost. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

 

Pensions

In connection with the February 3, 2006 purchase of all the net assets of the Gradall excavator business, the Company assumed sponsorship of two Gradall non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, both of which were frozen with respect to both future benefit accruals and future new entrants.

 

The Gradall Company Hourly Employees’ Pension Plan covers approximately 310 former employees and 210 current employees who (i) were formerly employed by JLG Industries, Inc., (ii) were covered by a collective bargaining agreement and (iii) first participated in the plan before April 6, 1997. An amendment ceasing all future benefit accruals was effective April 6, 1997.

 

The Gradall Company Employee’s Retirement Plan covers approximately 220 former employees and 120 current employees who (i) were formerly employed by JLG Industries, Inc., (ii) were not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and (iii) first participated in the plan before December 31, 2004. An amendment ceasing future benefit accruals for certain participants was effective December 31, 2004. A second amendment discontinued all future benefit accruals for all participants effective April 24, 2006.

 

      In 2006, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standard No. 158, “Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R).”  FAS 158 required the Company to recognize the funded status of the defined benefit pension plans as a liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.

Related Party Transactions

      There were no reportable relationships or related party transactions for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. During 1999, the Company approved a supplemental retirement benefit for Donald J. Douglass which is paid on a quarterly basis over a period of fourteen and one-half years that began in the year 2000. The balance at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $363,000 and $414,000, respectively, and is included in the Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities sections of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Revenue Recognition

      The Company recognizes revenue when each of the following four criteria are met: 1) a contract or sales arrangement exists; 2) products have been shipped per agreed terms and title has been transferred or services have been rendered; 3) the prices of the products or services are fixed or determinable; and 4) collectibility is reasonably assured. Pre-season sales orders are solicited in the fall in advance of the dealer’s sales season in the spring and summer. Pre-season sales orders are shipped beginning in the fall and continuing through the spring and represent an opportunity for the Company’s factories to level their production/shipping volumes through the winter months. These pre-season shipments carry descending discounts in conjunction with delayed payment terms of up to six months from the dealer’s requested delivery date. Revenue from sales is recorded net of a provision for discounts that are anticipated to be earned and deducted at time of payment by the customer. These approximated discounts represent an average of historical amounts taken and are adjusted as program terms are changed. The reserves for discounts are reviewed and adjusted quarterly.

Accounting for Internal Use Software

      The Company capitalizes costs associated with the development and installation of internal use software in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position No. 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use (SOP 98-1). Accordingly, internal use software costs are expensed or capitalized depending on whether they are incurred in the preliminary project stage, application development stage or the post-implementation stage. Amounts capitalized are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software.

 

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      The book value of capitalized software net of depreciation is approximately $1,911,000 and $2,366,000 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Software depreciation expense was $992,000, $982,000 and $879,000 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Internal use software is amortized for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated life of two to seven years.

 

Shipping and Handling Costs

      The Company’s policy is to include shipping and handling costs in costs of goods sold.

 

Advertising

      We charge advertising costs to expense as incurred. Advertising and marketing expense related to operations for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $5,735,000, $4,871,000 and $4,138,000, respectively. Advertising and marketing expenses are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”).

Research and Development

      Product development and engineering costs charged to SG&A amounted to $5,443,000, $5,185,000, and $4,799,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Federal Income Taxes

      Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using presently enacted tax rates and laws.

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which clarifies the accounting treatment of uncertain tax positions in financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, ”Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 provides guidance on the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and required disclosures. It is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The new guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2007.

 

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48) at January 1, 2008, the Company recognized a liability of approximately $337,000 for “unrecognized tax positions.  During 2008, an “unrecognized tax position” was reduced by $90,000.  Additionally, the Company recorded an additional “unrecognized tax position” of $218,000.

 

At December 31, 2008, the Company has established a valuation allowance of $2.4 million against its deferred tax assets due to uncertainties regarding their realizability.  The net valuation allowance was $2.4 million and none for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The increase in deferred tax asset resulted from an increase in pension plan liability required by FAS 158.  The offset to the deferred tax asset valuation was to Accumulated other comprehensive income.  We believe that the remaining deferred income tax assets will be realized based upon historical pre-tax earnings, adjusted for reversals of existing taxable temporary timing differences.  Accordingly, we believe that no additional valuation allowances are necessary.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

      The Company has granted options to purchase its common stock to employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates under various stock option plans at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant.  These options are granted for a term not exceeding ten years and are forfeited in the event the employee or director terminates, other than by retirement, his or her employment or relationship with the Company or one of its affiliates.  These options generally vest over five years.  All option plans contain anti-dilutive provisions that permit an adjustment of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by each option for any change in capitalization.

 

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      The Company accounts for share based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“Statement 123(R)”).  The fair value of the options are estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and are amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period.  Prior to adoption of Statement 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for share based payments under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”), and related Interpretations, as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“Statement 123”).  The Company did not recognize employee compensation cost related to its stock option grants in its Consolidated Statement of Income prior to adoption of Statement 123(R), as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Under the modified-prospective-transition method, compensation cost recognized beginning in 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Statement 123(R). 

 

      The Company’s stock-based compensation expense was $563,000 and $650,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

      Prior to the adoption of Statement 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows.  Statement 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows.

 

      For purposes of this disclosure, the value of the options is estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and amortized to expense over the options’ vesting periods.  The Company calculated the fair value for these options using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weight average assumptions for 2008, 2007, and 2006:

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

        Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations (Revised 2007)."  “Statement 141(R)”) 141R replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations," (“Statement 141”) and applies to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. Statement 141(R) requires an acquirer, upon initially obtaining control of another entity, to recognize the assets, liabilities and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized and measured at fair value on the date of acquisition rather than at a later date when the amount of that consideration may be determinable beyond a reasonable doubt. This fair value approach replaces the cost-allocation process required under Statement 141 whereby the cost of an acquisition was allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value. Statement 141R requires acquirers to expense acquisition-related costs as incurred rather than allocating such costs to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as was previously the case under Statement 141. Under Statement 141(R), the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities," would have to be met by the target in order to accrue for a restructuring plan in purchase accounting. Pre-acquisition contingencies are to be recognized at fair value, unless it is a non-contractual contingency that is not likely to materialize, in which case, nothing should be recognized in purchase accounting and, instead, that contingency would be subject to the probable and estimable recognition criteria of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies." Statement  141(R) is expected to have a significant impact on the Company's accounting for business combinations closing on or after January 1, 2009.

 

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      Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, "Non-controlling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB Statement No. 51." (“Statement 160”) amends Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements," to establish accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Statement 160 clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, which is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, Statement 160 requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the non-controlling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest. Statement 160 is effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2009 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.

 

      Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, "Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." (“Statement 161”) amends Statement of Financial Accounting No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," (“Statement 133”)to amend and expand the disclosure requirements of Statement 133 to provide greater transparency about (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedge items are accounted for under Statement 133 and its related interpretations, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. To meet those objectives, Statement 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. Statement 161 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.

 

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

      The following table sets forth the reconciliation from basic to diluted average common shares and the calculations of net income per common share. Net income for basic and diluted calculations does not differ.

 

      Stock options totaling 188,523 shares in 2008, 56,988 shares in 2007 and 8,745 shares in 2006 were not included in the average diluted earnings per share calculation as the exercise price was above the market price at certain times during 2008, 2007 and 2006, which made them antidilutive.

 

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3. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Valuation and qualifying accounts included the following:

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where it is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, it records a specific reserve to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected. For all other customers, it recognizes reserves for bad debt based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of revenues for each business unit, adjusted for relative improvements or deteriorations in the aging and changes in current economic conditions.

 

      The Company evaluates all aged receivables that are over 60 days old and will reserve specifically on a 90-day basis. The Company has a secured interest on most of its wholegoods that each customer purchases. This allows the Company, in times of a difficult economy when the customer is unable to pay or has filed for bankruptcy (usually Chapter 11), to repossess the customer’s inventory. This also allows Alamo Group to maintain only a reserve over its cost, which usually represents the margin on the original sales price.

 

      The allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $2,430,000 at December 31, 2008, and $1,922,000 at December 31, 2007.  The increase was mainly from U.S. operations in the agricultural division and European operations in the U.K.

 

Sales Discounts

 

      At December 31, 2008, the Company had $6,849,000 in reserves for sales discounts compared to $6,338,000 at December 31, 2007 on product shipped to our customers under various promotional programs. The increase was due primarily to higher reserves required by the Company’s agricultural division, whose program’s sales offered future discounts. The Company reviews the reserve quarterly based on analysis made on each program outstanding at the time.

 

The Company bases its reserves on historical data relating to discounts taken by the customer under each program. Historically between 85% and 95% of the Company’s customers who qualify for each program actually take the discount that is available.

 

 

 

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Inventories – Obsolete and Slow Moving

 

      The Company had a reserve of $8,978,000 at December 31, 2008 and $8,526,000 at December 31, 2007 to cover obsolete and slow moving inventory. The increase was mainly from U.S. operations. The obsolete and slow moving inventory policy states that the reserve is to be calculated as follows: 1) no inventory usage over a three-year period is deemed obsolete and reserved at 100 percent; and 2) slow moving inventory with little usage requires a 100 percent reserve on items that have a quantity greater than a three-year supply. There are exceptions to the obsolete and slow moving classifications if approved by an officer of the Company, based on specific identification of an item or items that are deemed to be either included or excluded from this classification. In cases where there is no historical data, management makes judgment based on a specific review of the inventory in question to determine what reserves, if any, are appropriate. New products or parts are generally excluded from the reserve policy until a three year history has been established.

                                                                                                       

The reserve is reviewed and, if necessary, adjustments are made on a quarterly basis. The Company relies on historical information when available to support its reserve. The Company does not adjust the reserve balance until the inventory is sold.

 

4. INVENTORIES

      Inventories valued at LIFO represented 57% and 58% of total inventory for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The excess of current costs over LIFO-valued inventories was $12,791,000 and $9,062,000 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The impact of the application of the LIFO method on the Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was an increase to cost of sales of $3,729,000, $413,000 and $737,000, respectively. Inventories consisted of the following on a cost basis, net of reserves:

 

 

5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

      Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

     

      Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 include $18,037,000 and $11,227,000, respectively, for items listed above that are held under capital leases. Accumulated depreciation relating to the capital leases at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $6,335,000 and $2,187,000, respectively. Amortization related to the capital lease is included in depreciation expense.

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6. GOODWILL

      The Company performed its annual impairment test as of December 31, 2008. The estimated fair value of the Company’s Agricultural Division reporting unit was below its carrying value, which resulted in the Company recognizing a non cash impairment charge of $5,010,000 to reduce goodwill. The decline in U.S. market conditions had an adverse effect on the estimated cash flows and discount rates used in the discounted cash flow analysis.

 

      The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 are as follows:

 

      This review required the Company to make significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates.  The cash flows are estimated over a significant future period of time, which makes those estimates and assumptions subject to an even higher degree of uncertainty.  The Company also utilizes market valuation models and other financial ratios, which require the Company to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to its assets and businesses.  The Company believes that the assumptions and estimates used to determine the estimated fair values of each of its reporting units are reasonable.  However, different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. 

7. ACCRUED LIABILITIES

      Accrued liabilities consist of the following balances:

 

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8. LONG-TERM DEBT

      The components of long-term debt are as follows:

 

      On August 25, 2004, the Company entered into a five-year $70 million Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with its lenders, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase Bank, and Guaranty Bank. This contractually committed, unsecured facility allows the Company to borrow and repay amounts drawn at floating or fixed interest rates based upon Prime or LIBOR rates. Proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes or, subject to certain limitations, acquisitions. The loan agreement contains among other things the following financial covenants:  Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratios, Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, Consolidated Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio and Minimum Asset Coverage Ratio, along with limitations on dividends, other indebtedness, liens, investments and capital expenditures.

 

      On February 3, 2006, the Company amended and restated the credit agreement to increase the Company’s existing credit facility from $70 million to $125 million. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company has the ability to request an increase in commitments by $25 million. In addition, the existing credit facility was modified in other respects, including reducing the asset coverage ratio and lowering the interest margins.

 

      On March 30, 2006 the Company entered into the Fourth Amendment of the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, (the “Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement”), between the Company and Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank and Guaranty Bank, as its lenders. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company added Gradall Industries, Inc., formerly Alamo Group (OH) Inc., and N.P. Real Estate Inc. as members of the Obligated Group. The Amendment also allows for capital expenditures not to exceed $14.0 million for the fiscal year ending 2006 and $10.0 million in the aggregate during each fiscal year thereafter.

      On May 7, 2007, the Company entered into the Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, Guaranty Bank and Rabobank, as its lenders. The Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a $125 million unsecured revolving line of credit for five years with the ability to expand the facility to $175 million, subject to bank approval. In addition to the extended term, other major changes were improvements in the leverage ratio, minimum asset coverage ratio and increase in annual allowable capital expenditures. The banks agreed to eliminate the fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum net worth requirement. The applicable interest margin fluctuates quarterly either up or down based upon the Company’s leverage ratio.

 

      On October 14, 2008, the Company entered into the Sixth Amendment and Waiver under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement.  The purpose of the amendment and waiver was to clarify company names within the obligated group after merging or dissolving some subsidiaries, to define operating cash flow and defining quarterly operating cash flow for Rivard through March 31, 2009.  Beginning June 30, 2009, Rivard’s actual operating cash flow will be used in the calculation of consolidated operating flow.

 

      As of December 31, 2008, there was $95,000,000 borrowed under the revolving credit facility.  At December 31, 2008, $780,000 of the revolver capacity was committed to irrevocable standby letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business as required by vendors’ contracts resulting in approximately $29,000,000 in available borrowings.

 

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      On May 13, 2008, Alamo Group Europe Limited expanded its overdraft facility with Lloyd’s TSB Bank plc from £ 1.0 million to £ 5.5 million.  The facility was renewed on November 10, 2008 and outstandings currently bear interest at Lloyd’s Base Rate plus 1.1% per annum.  The facility is unsecured but guaranteed by the U.K. subsidiaries of Alamo Group Europe Limited.  As of December 31, 2008, there were no outstanding balances in British pounds borrowed against the U.K. overdraft facility.

 

      There are additional lines of credit, for the Company’s French operations in the amount of 9,300,000 Euros, which includes the Rivard credit facilities, for our Canadian operation in the amount of 3,500,000 Canadian dollars, and for our Australian operation in the amount of 800,000 Australian dollars.  As of December 31, 2008, 1,315,000 Euros were borrowed against the French line of credit, 1,519,000 Canadian dollars were outstanding on the Canadian line of credit and 400,000 Australian dollars were outstanding under its facility.  The Canadian and Australian revolving credit facilities are guaranteed by the Company.  The Company’s borrowing levels for working capital are seasonal with the greatest utilization generally occurring in the first quarter and early spring.

 

As of December 31, 2008, the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of its credit facilities.

 

      The aggregate maturities of long-term debt, as of December 31, 2008, are as follows: $4,186,000 in 2009; $1,799,000 in 2010; $1,422,000 in 2011; $95,429,000 in 2012; and $411,000 in 2013 and $823,000 thereafter.

 

      The fair value of the Company’s debt is based on secondary market indicators. Since the Company’s debt is not quoted, estimates are based on each obligation’s characteristics, including remaining maturities, interest rate, credit rating, collateral, amortization schedule and liquidity. The carrying amount approximates fair value.

 

9. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

      Most of the Company’s outstanding debt is advanced from a revolving credit facility that accrues interest at a contractual margin over current market interest rates.  The Company’s financing costs associated with this credit facility can materially change with market increases and decreases of short-term borrowing rates, specifically London Inter Bank Operating Rate (“LIBOR”).  During the second quarter of 2007, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements with one of its current lenders that hedge future cash flows related to its outstanding debt obligations.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $95 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility and two interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges which are effectively hedging $40 million of these borrowings from changes in underlying LIBOR base rates.  One swap has a three year term and fixes the LIBOR base rate at 4.910% covering $20 million of this debt.  The other has a four year term and fixed the LIBOR base rate at 4.935% covering an additional $20 million of these variable rate borrowings.  The fair market value of these hedges, which is the amount that would have been paid or received by the Company had it prematurely terminated these swap contracts at December 31, 2008, was a $2,439,000 liability.  This is included in Other long-term liabilities with an offset in Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes.  At December 31, 2008, ineffectiveness related to the interest rate swap agreements was not material.

 

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company adopted SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements” as of January 1, 2008.  FSAS 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  SFAS 157 also specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques.  Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions.  In accordance with SFAS 157, fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

 

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Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable

 

When available, the Company uses quoted market prices to determine fair value, and the Company classifies such measurements within Level 1.  In some cases where market prices are not available, the Company makes use of observable market based inputs to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified with Level 2.  If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based parameters such as interest rates, yield curves, currency rates, etc.  These measurements are classified within Level 3.

 

Fair value measurements are classified to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation.  A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable.

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

The fair value of interest rate swap derivatives is primarily based on third-party pricing service models.  These models use discounted cash flows that utilize the appropriate market-based forward swap curves and zero-coupon interest rates.  Interest rate swap derivatives are Level 2 measurements and have a fair value of a negative $2,439,000.

 

The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate and is a Level 2 measurement and has a fair value of $3,173,000.

 

11. INCOME TAXES

 

      U.S. and non-U.S. income before income taxes is as follows:

 

      The provision for income taxes consists of:

     

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      Reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal rate to actual tax rate is as follows:

 

 

      At December 31, 2008, the Company had undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries of $79,048,000. These earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested in foreign operations and, accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal or state income taxes has been provided thereon. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation.

 

       The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the balance sheets are as follows:

 

 

At December 31, 2008, the Company has established a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets due to uncertainties regarding their realizability.  The net valuation allowance was $2.4 million and none for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The increase in deferred tax asset resulted from an increase in pension plan liability as required by FAS 158 creating a deferred tax asset of $3.2 million.  The offset to the deferred tax asset valuation was to Accumulated other comprehensive income.  We believe that the remaining deferred income tax assets will be realized based upon historical pre-tax earnings, adjusted for reversals of existing taxable temporary timing differences.  Accordingly, we believe that no additional valuation allowances are necessary.

 

A foreign subsidiary of the Company has a net operating loss (“NOL”) carry-forward of 2.4 million in 2008 and 3.1 million in 2007 to be used in subsequent periods.  The NOL carry-forward is offset by a valuation allowance.  The Company utilized $957,000 and $843,000 against current income in 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

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In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which clarifies the accounting treatment of uncertain tax positions in financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, ”Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 provides guidance on the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and required disclosures. It is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The new guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2007.

 

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48) on January 1, 2007. At January 1, 2007, the Company recognized a liability of approximately $379,000 for “unrecognized tax positions,” which includes penalty and interest of $134,000. During 2007, an “unrecognized tax position” was resolved in the Company’s benefit as a result of an IRS audit and the liability was reduced by $167,000 additionally, the Company recorded an “unrecognized tax position” of $125,000.

 

In 2008, an “unrecognized tax position” was reduced by $90,000.  Additionally, the Company recorded an “unrecognized tax position” during the year of $218,000.

 

 

 

      The Federal income tax returns for 2004 through 2006 were examined by the Internal Revenue Service and resulted in a net refund for these years. The Company’s income tax years 2004 through 2007 remain open to examination by state tax jurisdictions.

 

12. COMMON STOCK

 

      The Company was authorized by its Board of Directors in 1997 to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be funded through working capital and credit facility borrowings. No shares were repurchased in 2007 or 2008. The authorization to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares remains available less 42,600 shares, previously purchased.

      Subsequent to December 31, 2008, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $.06 per share.

 

13.   STOCK OPTIONS

Incentive Options

 

      On April 28, 1994, the stockholders approved the 1994 Incentive Stock Option Plan (“1994 ISO Plan”) for key employees. Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares each year after grant. Under the terms of this plan, the exercise price of the shares subject to each option granted would not be less than the fair market value of the common stock at the date the option is granted.

      On August 31, 1999, the stockholders of the Company approved amending the 1994 Amended and Restated ISO Plan. During the year ended December 31, 2004, options to purchase 23,000 shares had been granted.

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      On February 12, 2003, the Board of Directors approved an administrative amendment to the 1994 ISO Plan. The amendment eliminates the mandatory minimum annual purchase requirement and eliminates the one month window to purchase vested options for any new option grants after February 12, 2003. There are 60,980 shares outstanding under this option plan. No further option grants can be made under this plan.

      On May 3, 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2005 ISO Plan and the Company reserved 500,000 shares of common stock for these options. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, options to purchase 39,000 shares, 74,000 shares and 31,000 shares, respectively, were granted under this plan. Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year until the option is fully exercisable at the end of the fifth year.

      Following is a summary of activity in the Incentive Stock Option Plans for the periods indicated:

*Weighted Averages

 

      Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2008 were as follows:

 

*Weighted Averages

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during 2008, 2007, and 2006 were $22.55, $24.83 and $22.39, respectively. As of December 31, 2008 there was $979,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. That cost is expected to recognize over a period of five years.

Non-qualified Options

 

      On July 7, 1999, the Company granted options to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan to Mr. Robinson, CEO and President, at an exercise price of $8.9375 per share, being the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date. Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year. During 2008 there were 75,000 shares exercised. No options were exercised from 2000 and 2007.

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      On May 3, 2001, the stockholders of the Company approved the First Amended and Restated 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (“FAR 1999 NQSO Plan”) to add non-employee directors as eligible persons to receive grants of stock options. The Company then granted options to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to each Messrs. Goldress, Morris, Skaggs, and Thomas, at an exercise price of $13.96 per share, being the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date. Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year until the option is fully exercisable. During 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007, 500 shares, 1,000 shares, 5,000 shares and 11,000 shares were exercised, respectively. No options were exercised in 2003, 2004 or 2008.

      On May 12, 2003, the Company granted additional options under the FAR 1999 NQSO Plan to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to each Messrs. Goldress, Morris, Skaggs and Thomas, and 50,000 shares to Mr. Robinson at an exercise price of $12.10 per share, being the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date.  Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year until the option is fully exercisable. During 2006, 2007 and 2008, 1,000 shares, 11,000 shares and 1,000 shares were exercised, respectively.  No options were exercised in 2004 or 2005.

      On May 4, 2005, the Company granted additional options under the FAR 1999 NQSO Plan to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to each Messrs. Goldress, Morris, Skaggs and Thomas, at an exercise price of $19.79 per share, being the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date.  Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year until the option is fully exercisable. During 2006 and 2008 no options were exercised. During 2007, 5,000 of these shares were exercised.

      On August 8, 2006, the Company granted additional options under the FAR 1999 NQSO Plan to purchase 2,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to Mr. Grzelak, at an exercise price of $25.02 per share, being the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date. The option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year until the option is fully exercisable. During 2008 and 2007 no options were exercised.

 

      On May 7, 2007, the Company granted additional options under the FAR 1999 NQSO Plan to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to each Messrs. Douglass, Goldress, Grzelak, Martin, Morris and Skaggs, at an exercise price of $25.18 per share, being the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date.  Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year until the option is fully exercisable. During 2008 no options were exercised.

 

Following is a summary of activity in the Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans for the periods indicated:

 

*Weighted Averages

 

      Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2008 were as follows:

*Weighted Averages

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There were no options granted in 2008; the weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during 2007 and 2006 were $25.18 and $25.02, respectively. As of December 31, 2008 there was $222,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a period of five years.

During 2008, 2007 and 2006, 76,000, 27,000, and 6,000 non-qualified options, respectively, were exercised, $682,413, $385,610 and $81,900 of cash receipts were received, respectively, and tax deductions of $951,000, $294,000 and $59,000 were realized, respectively, for the tax deductions from option exercises.

 

14. RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Plans

 

In connection with the February 3, 2006 purchase of all the net assets of the Gradall excavator business, the Company assumed sponsorship of two Gradall non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, both of which were frozen with respect to both future benefit accruals and future new entrants.

 

The Gradall Company Hourly Employees’ Pension Plan covers approximately 310 former employees and 210 current employees who (i) were formerly employed by JLG Industries, Inc., (ii) were covered by a collective bargaining agreement and (iii) first participated in the plan before April 6, 1997. An amendment ceasing all future benefit accruals was effective April 6, 1997.

 

The Gradall Company Employees’ Retirement Plan covers approximately 220 former employees and 120 current employees who (i) were formerly employed by JLG Industries, Inc., (ii) were not covered by a collective bargaining agreement and (iii) first participated in the plan before December 31, 2004. An amendment ceasing future benefit accruals for certain participants was effective December 31, 2004. A second amendment discontinued all future benefit accruals for all participants effective April 24, 2006.

 

The following tables set forth the change in plan assets, change in projected benefit obligation, rate assumptions and components of net periodic benefit cost as of December 31 with respect to these plans. The measurement dates of the assets and liabilities of both plans were December 31 of the respective years presented.

 

 

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      The Company adopted SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R),” for the year ended December 31, 2006. This Statement requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of defined benefit postretirement plans as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur. The Statement also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, which is consistent with the Company’s current practices.  

 

      The underfunded status of the plan of $8,682,000 and $1,040,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, is recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as long-term accrued pension liability because plan assets are less than the value of benefit obligations expected to be paid.

 

      The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans represents the actuarial present value of benefits based on employee service and compensation as of a certain date and does not include an assumption about future compensation levels.

 

      In determining the projected benefit obligation and the net pension cost, we used the following significant weighted-average assumptions:

 

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

 

 

Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:

 

 

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      The Company employs a building block approach in determining the expected long-term rate on return on plan assets. Historical markets are studied and long-term historical relationships between equities and fixed-income are preserved consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. Current market factors such as inflation and interest rates are evaluated before long-term market assumptions are determined. The long-term portfolio return is established via a building block approach with proper consideration of diversification and rebalancing. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed to check for reasonability and appropriateness.

 

      The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost (gains are denoted with parentheses and losses are not):

 

 

 

 

      The Company estimates that $553,000 of unrecognized actuarial expense will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs during 2009.

 

      The Company employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, as well as growth, value, and small and large capitalizations. Other assets such as real estate, private equity, and hedge funds are used judiciously to enhance long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification. Derivatives may be used to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner; however, derivatives may not be used to leverage the portfolio beyond the market value of the underlying investments. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements, and periodic asset/liability studies.

 

      The pension plans' weighted-average asset allocations as a percentage of plan assets at December 31 are as follows:

 

 

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      Expected benefit payments are estimated using the same assumptions used in determining our benefit obligation at December 31, 2008. The following table illustrates the estimated pension benefit payments which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, that are projected to be paid:

 

 

Defined Contribution Plans

 

      In connection with the acquisition of Gradall the Company also assumed sponsorship from JLG Industries, Inc. for three defined contribution plans, The Gradall Salaried Employees Savings and Investment Plan (“Salary Plan”), The Gradall Hourly Employees’ Savings and Investment Plan (“Hourly Plan”) and The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Retirement Plan (“IAM Plan”). The Company contributed zero and $112,000 to the Salary Plan, zero and zero to the Hourly Plan and $484,000 and $518,000 to the IAM Plan for the plan years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company converted the Salary Plan into its 401(k) retirement and savings plan and put the Hourly Plan into a separate 401(k) retirement and savings plan.

 

      The Company provides a defined contribution 401(k) retirement and savings plan for eligible U.S. employees. Company matching contributions are based on a percentage of employee contributions. Company contributions to the plan during 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $1,520,000, $1,194,000, and $975,000, respectively. A U.S. subsidiary of the Company had an Hourly Employee Pension Plan of Trust covering collective bargaining which was terminated on December 31, 2006. As of January 1, 2006 the employees were added to the existing 401(k) retirement and salary plan.

 

      Three of the Company’s international subsidiaries also participate in a defined contribution and savings plan covering eligible employees. The Company’s international subsidiaries contribute between 3% and 7.5% of the participant’s salary up to a specific limit. Total contributions made to the above plan were $620,000, $596,000 and $555,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 respectively.

 

15.  SEGMENT REPORTING

 

      The Company reports three business segments: Industrial, Agricultural and European. The Company’s sales are principally within the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia. The Company sells its products primarily through a network of independent dealers and distributors, governmental end-users, related independent contractors, as well as to the agricultural and commercial turf markets.

 

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      In accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” the Company has included a summary of the financial information by reporting segment. The following table presents the revenues, income from operations (loss), goodwill and total identifiable assets by reporting segment for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:

 

 

 

16. INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

Following is selected financial information on the Company’s international operations which include Europe, Canada and Australia:

 

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Following is other selected geographic financial information on the Company’s operations:

      Net sales are attributed to countries based on the location of customers.

 

 

17.   COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

      For 2008, 2007 and 2006 the Company’s Comprehensive Income was ($14,110,000), $18,096,000, and $19,935,000, respectively.

The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are as follows:

 

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18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

 

      The Company leases office space and equipment under various operating leases, which generally are expected to be renewed or replaced by other leases. The Company has certain capitalized leases consisting principally of leases of buildings. At December 31, 2008, future minimum lease payments under these noncancelable leases and the present value of the net minimum lease payments for the capitalized leases are:

     

      Rental expense for operating leases was $1,787,000 for 2008, $1,625,000 for 2007 and $1,725,000 for 2006.

      Purchase obligations of $70,834,000 represent an estimate of goods and services to be purchased under outstanding purchase orders not reflected on the Company’s balance sheet. New purchase obligations should be received and paid for during the current fiscal year.

Other

      The Company is subject to various unresolved legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of its business.  The most significant of such actions relates to product liability, which is generally covered by insurance after various self-insured retention (“SIR”) amounts.  While amounts claimed might be substantial and the liability with respect to such litigation cannot be determined at this time, the Company believes that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations; however, the ultimate resolution cannot be determined at this time.

      The Company is subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations concerning air emissions, discharges into waterways, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste materials.  The Company’s policy is to comply with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and the Company believes it is currently in material compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations.  These laws and regulations are constantly changing, and it is impossible to predict with accuracy the effect that changes to such laws and regulations may have on the Company in the future.  Like other industrial concerns, the Company’s manufacturing operations entail the risk of noncompliance, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or other liabilities as a result thereof. 

 

      The Company knows that its Indianola, Iowa property is contaminated with chromium which most likely resulted from chrome plating operations which were discontinued before the Company purchased the property. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have also been detected in water samples on the property, though the source is unknown at this time. The Company voluntarily worked with an environmental consultant and the state of Iowa with respect to these issues and believes it completed its remediation program in June 2006. The work was accomplished within the Company’s environmental liability reserve balance. We requested a “no further action” classification from the state.  We received a conditional “no further action” letter in January of 2009.  When we demonstrate stable or improving conditions below residential standards by future monitoring of existing wells, an unconditional no further action letter will be requested.

 

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      At December 31, 2008, the Company had an environmental reserve in the amount of $1,607,000 related to the acquisition of Gradall’s facility in Ohio.  Three specific remediation projects that were identified prior to the acquisition are in process of remediation with a remaining reserve balance of $143,000.  The Company has a reserve of $276,000 concerning a potential asbestos issue that is expected to be abated over time.  The balance of the reserve, $1,188,000, is mainly for potential ground water contamination/remediation that was identified before the acquisition and believed to have been generated by a third party company located near the Gradall facility.  Certain other assets of the Company contain asbestos that may have to be remediated over time.  Management has made its best estimate of the cost to remediate these environmental issues.  However, such estimates are difficult to estimate including the timing of such costs.  The Company believes that any subsequent change in the liability associated with the asbestos removal will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

     

      The Company is subject to various other federal, state, and local laws affecting its business, as well as a variety of regulations relating to such matters as working conditions, equal employment opportunities and product safety.  A variety of state laws regulate the Company’s contractual relationships with its dealers, some of which impose restrictive standards on the relationship between the Company and its dealers, including events of default, grounds for termination, non-renewal of dealer contracts and equipment repurchase requirements.  The Company believes it is currently in material compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations.

     

19. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

      Summarized quarterly financial data for 2008 and 2007 is presented below. Seasonal influences affect the Company’s sales and profits with peak business occurring in May through August.

(In thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

20. ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS

On May 30, 2008 the Company purchased Rivard Developpement S.A.S. (“Rivard”), a leading French manufacturer of vacuum trucks, high pressure cleaning systems and trenchers.  The purchase price was approximately €15 million (approximately U.S. $23 million) plus the assumption of certain liabilities.  We have preliminarily allocated the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities assumed and recorded goodwill of approximately €9 million (approximately U.S. $15 million) related to this acquisition.  Finalization of the purchase price allocation is expected in the first quarter of 2009.  The majority of the purchase price was funded utilizing the Company’s cash reserves in Europe, with the balance from bank credit facilities.  Rivard’s sales in 2007 were €40 million, (approximately U.S. $62 million) and the company has 275 full-time employees.  Rivard is located in Daumeray, France and was founded in 1952.

 

      On March 6, 2007, the Company purchased Henke Manufacturing Corporation (“Henke”), a manufacturer of specialty snow removal attachments. Henke’s products are mounted on both heavy industrial equipment and medium to heavy-duty trucks. The primary end-users are governmental agencies, related contractors and other industrial users. The purchase price was approximately $4.8 million with assumed debt of approximately $0.6 million and goodwill of zero. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method and the results of operation have been included in the Company’s Statement of Income from March 2007. Henke, is located in Leavenworth, Kansas.

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      On July 14, 2006, the Company purchased Nite-Hawk Sweepers LLC (“Nite-Hawk”), a manufacturer of truck mounted sweeping equipment primarily for the contract sweeping market, which will expand its presence in that market and complement its Schwarze sweeper line. The purchase price was $3.1 million which included goodwill of $2.7 million. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method and the results of operations have been included in the Company’s Statement of Income from July 2006.

      On May 24, 2006, the Company purchased the vacuum truck and sweeper lines of Clean Earth Environmental Group, LLC and Clean Earth Kentucky, LLC, collectively referred to as “VacAll.” This includes the product lines, inventory and certain other assets that relate to this business. The purchase price for the assets was $8.925 million and included goodwill of $6.2 million. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method and the results of operations have been included in the Company’s Statement of Income from May 2006. The production of the vacuum truck was moved to the Gradall facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and the sweeper line was consolidated into the Schwarze facility in Huntsville, Alabama.

      On February 3, 2006, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of the Gradall excavator business of JLG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:JLG). The purchase price was $32.9 million, according to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement. The purchase price has been allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired and include trademarks of $3.6 million and goodwill of approximately $5.8 million. The acquisition was accounted for under the direct purchase method and the results of operations have been included in the Company’s Statement of Income from February 2006. This acquisition enhances our Industrial market coverage in that over half of its sales are to governmental entities or related contractors. Gradall is a leading manufacturer of both wheeled and crawler telescopic excavators in North America.

      The unaudited pro forma statement of income of the Company assuming the transactions were completed at January 1, 2007 is as follows:

 

      The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of purchase:

 

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