BADGER METER INC - Quarter Report: 2013 March (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-Q

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Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

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BADGER METER, INC.

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4545 W. Brown Deer Road

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223

(414) 355-0400

A Wisconsin Corporation

IRS Employer Identification No. 39-0143280

Commission File No. 001-06706

___________________________________________________

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No ¨

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



Large accelerated filer	¨	Accelerated filer	x

Non-accelerated filer	o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

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

As of April 10, 2013, there were 14,363,336 shares of Common stock outstanding with a par value of $1 per share.

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BADGER METER, INC.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Period Ended September 30, 2012

Index



		Page No.

Part I. Financial Information:

Item 1	Financial Statements:

	Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets - March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012	4

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations - Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012	5

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012	6

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012	7

	Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements	8

Item 2	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	11

Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	16

Item 4	Controls and Procedures	16

Part II. Other Information:

Item 6	Exhibits	17

Signatures		18

Exhibit Index		19

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Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as other information provided from time to time by Badger Meter, Inc. (the “Company”) or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “think,” “should,” “could” and “objective” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. All such forward looking statements are based on the Company's then current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Some risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward looking statements include those described in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 that include, among other things:


•	the continued shift in the Company's business from lower cost, manually read meters toward more expensive, value-added automatic meter reading (AMR) systems, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems and advanced metering analytics (AMA) systems that offer more comprehensive solutions to customers' metering needs;


•	the success or failure of newer Company products;


•	changes in competitive pricing and bids in both the domestic and foreign marketplaces, and particularly in continued intense price competition on government bid contracts for lower cost, manually read meters;


•	the actions (or lack thereof) of the Company's competitors;


•	changes in the Company's relationships with its alliance partners, primarily its alliance partners that provide radio solutions, and particularly those that sell products that do or may compete with the Company's products;


•	changes in the general health of the United States and foreign economies, including to some extent such things as the length and severity of global economic downturns, the ability of municipal water utility customers to authorize and finance purchases of the Company's products, the Company's ability to obtain financing, housing starts in the United States, and overall industrial activity;


•	unusual weather and other natural phenomena, including related economic and other ancillary effects of any such events;


•	the timing and impact of government programs to stimulate national and global economies;

•

changes in the cost and/or availability of needed raw materials and parts, such as volatility in the cost of brass castings as a result of fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly for copper and scrap metal at the supplier level, foreign-sourced electronic components as a result of currency exchange fluctuations and/or lead times, and plastic resin as a result of changes in petroleum and natural gas prices;

•

the Company's expanded role as a prime contractor for providing complete connectivity systems to governmental entities, which brings with it added risks, including but not limited to, the Company's responsibility for subcontractor performance, additional costs and expenses if the Company and its subcontractors fail to meet the timetable agreed to with the governmental entity, and the Company's expanded warranty and performance obligations;


•	the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses or products;


•	changes in foreign economic conditions, particularly currency fluctuations in the United States dollar, the Euro and the Mexican peso;


•	the loss of certain single-source suppliers; and


•	changes in laws and regulations, particularly laws dealing with the use of lead (which can be used in the manufacture of certain meters incorporating brass housings) and the United States Federal Communications Commission rules affecting the use and/or licensing of radio frequencies necessary for radio products.

All of these factors are beyond the Company's control to varying degrees. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements. The forward looking statements made in this document are made only as of the date of this document and the Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update any such forward looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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Part I – Financial Information

Item 1 Financial Statements

BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets



	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash	$	3,787		$	6,554
Receivables	47,304			45,584
Inventories:
Finished goods	20,598			19,872
Work in process	11,590			13,340
Raw materials	26,313			27,785
Total inventories	58,501			60,997
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,932			4,343
Deferred income taxes	3,926			3,896
Total current assets	117,450			121,374
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	155,350			152,760
Less accumulated depreciation	(84,467		)	(82,276		)
Net property, plant and equipment	70,883			70,484
Intangible assets, at cost less accumulated amortization	57,129			58,351
Other assets	5,400			4,314
Goodwill	35,930			35,930
Total assets	$	286,792		$	290,453
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	63,878		$	66,730
Payables	16,710			15,551
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	6,852			9,821
Warranty and after-sale costs	717			881
Income and other taxes	1,265			1,097
Total current liabilities	89,422			94,080
Other long-term liabilities	1,545			1,086
Deferred income taxes	8,663			8,692
Accrued non-pension postretirement benefits	6,519			6,489
Other accrued employee benefits	8,128			8,859
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	20,473			20,441
Capital in excess of par value	42,652			41,755
Reinvested earnings	156,182			155,694
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(14,307		)	(13,948		)
Less: Employee benefit stock	(1,135		)	(1,234		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(31,350		)	(31,461		)
Total shareholders’ equity	172,515			171,247
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	286,792		$	290,453

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

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BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
	2013		2012
Net sales	$	71,808	$	76,233
Cost of sales	46,771		47,369
Gross margin	25,037		28,864
Selling, engineering and administration	20,312		18,676
Operating earnings	4,725		10,188
Interest expense, net	248		205
Earnings before income taxes	4,477		9,983
Provision for income taxes	1,570		3,734
Net earnings	$	2,907	$	6,249
Per share amounts:
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.21	$	0.42
Diluted	$	0.20	$	0.42
Dividends declared – Common stock	$	0.17	$	0.16
Shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic	14,145,406		14,831,780
Impact of dilutive securities	91,351		65,837
Diluted	14,236,757		14,897,617

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

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BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands)
	2013			2012
Net earnings	$	2,907		$	6,249
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(521		)	550
Employee benefit funded status adjustment, net of tax	162			352
Comprehensive income	$	2,548		$	7,151

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

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BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows



	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	(Unaudited) (In thousands)
	2013			2012
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$	2,907		$	6,249
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used for) operations:
Depreciation	2,191			2,134
Amortization	1,164			921
Deferred income taxes	(24		)	63
Noncurrent employee benefits	255			689
Stock-based compensation expense	273			284
Changes in:
Receivables	(1,838		)	(4,661		)
Inventories	2,445			(1,662		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	416			(245		)
Liabilities other than debt	(3,481		)	6,435
Total adjustments	1,401			3,958
Net cash provided by operations	4,308			10,207
Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment expenditures	(2,803		)	(1,294		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired and future payments	—			(50,261		)
Net cash used for investing activities	(2,803		)	(51,555		)
Financing activities:
Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt	(2,750		)	62,393
Dividends paid	(2,421		)	(2,389		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	620			187
Tax benefit on stock options	363			103
Repurchase of Common stock	—			(17,013		)
Issuance of treasury stock	147			45
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(4,041		)	43,326
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	(231		)	(292		)
Increase (decrease) in cash	(2,767		)	1,686
Cash – beginning of period	6,554			4,975
Cash – end of period	$	3,787		$	6,661

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

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BADGER METER, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

Note 1 Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of Badger Meter, Inc. (the “Company”) contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals except as otherwise discussed) necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated condensed financial position at March 31, 2013, results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, comprehensive income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note 2 Additional Financial Information Disclosures

The consolidated condensed balance sheet at December 31, 2012 was derived from amounts included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Refer to the footnotes to the financial statements included in that report for a description of the Company’s accounting policies and for additional details of the Company’s financial condition. The details in those notes have not changed except as discussed below and as a result of normal adjustments in the interim.

Warranty and After-Sale Costs

The Company estimates and records provisions for warranties and other after-sale costs in the period in which the sale is recorded, based on a lag factor and historical warranty claim experience. After-sale costs represent a variety of activities outside of the written warranty policy, such as investigation of unanticipated problems after the customer has installed the product, or analysis of water quality issues. Changes in the Company's warranty and after-sale costs reserve are as follows:



	Three months ended
	March 31,
(In thousands)	2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	881		$	1,593
Net additions charged to earnings	200			179
Costs incurred	(364		)	(366		)
Balance at end of period	$	717		$	1,406

Note 3 Employee Benefit Plans

The Company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (sometimes referred to as the “qualified pension plan”) for certain employees. On December 31, 2010, the Company froze the qualified pension plan for its non-union participants and formed a new defined contribution feature within the Badger Meter Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan (“ESSOP”) in which each employee received a similar benefit. On December 31, 2011, the Company froze the qualified pension plan for its union participants and included them in the defined contribution feature within the ESSOP. After December 31, 2011, employees received no future benefits under the qualified pension plan as benefits have been frozen and the employees now receive a defined contribution in its place. Employees will continue to earn returns on their frozen balances under the qualified pension plan. The Company also maintains a non-contributory postretirement plan that provides medical benefits for certain of its retirees and eligible dependents in the United States.

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The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 based on December 31, 2012 and 2011 actuarial measurement dates, respectively:



	Defined pension plan benefits						Other postretirement benefits
(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013		2012
Service cost – benefits earned during the year	$	13		$	12		$	42	$	39
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	452			557			66		76
Expected return on plan assets	(695		)	(792		)	—		—
Amortization of prior service cost	—			—			40		40
Amortization of net loss	215			522			3		—
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	(15	)	$	299		$	151	$	155

The Company disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 that it was not required to make a minimum contribution for the 2013 calendar year. The Company continues to believe no additional contributions will be required during 2013.

The Company also disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 that it estimated it would pay $0.5 million in other postretirement benefits in 2013 based on actuarial estimates. As of March 31, 2013, $0.1 million of such benefits have been paid. The Company continues to believe that its estimated payments for the full year are reasonable. However, such estimates contain inherent uncertainties because cash payments can vary significantly depending on the timing of postretirement medical claims and the collection of the retirees’ portion of certain costs. Note that the amount of benefits paid in calendar year 2013 will not impact the expense for postretirement benefits for 2013.

Note 4 Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2013 are as follows:



(In thousands)	Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefits			Foreign currency			Total
Beginning balance	$	(15,532	)	$	1,584		$	(13,948	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	—			(521		)	(521		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	162			—			162
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	162			(521		)	(359		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(15,370	)	$	1,063		$	(14,307	)

Details of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss during the three months ended March 31, 2013 are as follows:



(In thousands)	Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Prior service cost (1)	$	40
Actuarial loss (1)	218
Total before tax	258
Income tax benefit	(96		)
Amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	162


(1)	These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (income) in Note 3 Employee Benefit Plans.

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Note 5 Acquisitions

On January 31, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the outstanding common stock of Racine Federated, Inc. (“Racine Federated”) of Racine, Wisconsin and its subsidiary Premier Control Technologies, Ltd. located in Thetford, England for approximately $57.3 million in cash, plus an estimated working capital adjustment of $0.3 million. The purchase price included a final $4.6 million payment which is due on July 31, 2013 and is included in payables on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets at March 31, 2013. Racine Federated manufactures and markets flow meters for the water industry as well as various industrial metering and specialty products. These products complement and expand the Company’s existing lines for the global flow measurement business. This acquisition is further described in Note 3 “Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of the Company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method, and accordingly, the results of operations were included in the Company's financial statements from the date of acquisition. The following unaudited pro forma information combines historical results as if Racine Federated had been owned by the Company since January 1, 2012:



	Three months ended
	March 31,
(In thousands except per share amount)		2012
Net sales		$	80,089
Net earnings		$	6,415
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.43

Note 6 Contingencies, Litigation and Commitments

In the normal course of business, the Company is named in legal proceedings. There are currently no material legal proceedings pending with respect to the Company. The more significant legal proceedings are discussed below.

The Company is subject to contingencies related to environmental laws and regulations. The Company is named as one of many potentially responsible parties in two landfill lawsuits. The landfill sites are impacted by the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and other environmental laws and regulations. At this time, the Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations, either from a cash flow perspective or on the financial statements as a whole. This belief is based on the Company's assessment of its limited past involvement with these landfill sites as well as the substantial involvement of and government focus on other named third parties with these landfill sites. However, due to the inherent uncertainties of such proceedings, the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any of these matters. A future change in circumstances with respect to these specific matters or with respect to sites formerly or currently owned or operated by the Company, off-site disposal locations used by the Company, and property owned by third parties that is near such sites, could result in future costs to the Company and such amounts could be material. Expenditures for compliance with environmental control provisions and regulations during 2012 and the first quarter of 2013 were not material.

Like other companies in recent years, the Company is named as a defendant in numerous pending multi-claimant/multi-defendant lawsuits alleging personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos, manufactured by third parties, and integrated into or sold with a very limited number of the Company's products. The Company is vigorously defending itself against these claims. Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, the Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of these issues will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations, either from a cash flow perspective or on the financial statements as a whole. This belief is based in part on the fact that no claimant has proven or substantially demonstrated asbestos exposure caused by products manufactured or sold by the Company and that a number of cases have been voluntarily dismissed.

The Company has been named as a defendant in one pending patent infringement lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges the Company and other parties infringed a patent on a metering data feature. The Company believes this claim is without merit and it is vigorously defending its interests. As part of its contracts, the Company indemnifies certain customers and alliance partners for intellectual property infringement claims on its products. Some of those types of parties are also named defendants in this lawsuit. Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, the Company does not believe the ultimate

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resolution of this issue will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations, either from a cash flow perspective or on the financial statements as a whole.

The Company relies on single suppliers for most brass castings and certain electronic subassemblies in several of its product lines. The Company believes these items would be available from other sources, but that the loss of certain suppliers would result in a higher cost of materials, delivery delays, short-term increases in inventory and higher quality control costs in the short term. The Company attempts to mitigate these risks by working closely with key suppliers, purchasing minimal amounts from alternative suppliers and by purchasing business interruption insurance where appropriate.

The Company reevaluates its exposures on a periodic basis and makes adjustments to reserves as appropriate.

Note 7 Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings before income taxes for the first quarter of 2013 was 35.1% compared to 37.4% in the first quarter of 2012. The percentage for the first quarter of 2013 was lower than the previous year due to recognition of 2012 research and development credits in the first quarter of 2013 as a result of recently enacted tax legislation. Without this recognition, the percentages would have been consistent between years.

Note 8 Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash, receivables and payables in the financial statements approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Short-term debt is comprised of notes payable drawn against the Company's lines of credit and commercial paper. Because of its short-term nature, the carrying amount of the short-term debt also approximates fair value. Included in other assets are insurance policies on various individuals that were associated with the Company. The carrying amounts of these insurance policies approximate their fair value.

Note 9 Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates subsequent events at the date of the balance sheet as well as conditions that arise after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. The effects of conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet date are recognized in the financial statements. Events and conditions arising after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued are evaluated to determine if disclosure is required to keep the financial statements from being misleading. To the extent such events and conditions exist, if any, disclosures are made regarding the nature of events and the estimated financial effects for those events and conditions. For purposes of preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes to these financial statements, the Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the accompanying financial statements were issued.

On April 1, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Aquacue, Inc. (“Aquacue”) of Los Gatos, California for approximately $14.0 million, of which $1.5 million is deferred until December 2013 and $1.5 million is deferred until September 2014. The Aquacue acquisition primarily provides the Company with intellectual property that compliments and expands the Company's Advanced Metering Analytics offerings by adding an integrated software platform that allows utility managers to monitor and control their water systems, while providing water management data to consumers. Sales for Aquacue are immaterial.

Since the acquisition closed subsequent to March 31, 2013, the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements do not reflect any adjustments related to the acquisition, although transaction costs of approximately $0.1 million are included in selling, engineering and administration in the Company's Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations at March 31, 2013.

The allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is incomplete because the acquisition was only recently consummated and the Company has just begun the valuation process. Therefore, no additional disclosures are available.

Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Business Description and Overview

The core competency of the Company is flow measurement solutions. The Company is a leading innovator, manufacturer and marketer of flow measurement and control products, serving water and gas utilities, municipalities and industrial customers worldwide. Measuring a wide variety of liquids ranging from water and oil to lubricants in industrial

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processes, the Company's products are known for their high degree of accuracy, long-lasting durability and ability to provide valuable and timely measurement information to customers. The Company's product lines fall into three categories: sales of water meters and related technologies to municipal water utilities (municipal water), sales of meters to various industries for water and other fluids (industrial flow) and sales of concrete vibrators and gas meter radios to unique markets (specialty products). The Company estimates that over 75% of its products are used in water applications when all categories are grouped together.

Municipal water, the largest category by sales volume, includes water meters and related technologies and services used by water utilities as the basis for generating water and wastewater revenues. The key market for the Company's water meter products is North America, primarily the United States, because the meters are designed and manufactured to conform to standards promulgated by the American Water Works Association. Sales of water meters and related technologies and services are commonly referred to as residential or commercial water meter sales, the latter referring to larger sizes of meters.

Industrial flow includes products sold worldwide to measure and control materials flowing through a pipe or pipeline including water, air, steam, oil, and other liquids and gases. These meters and valves are used in a variety of applications, such as water/wastewater; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); oil and gas; chemical and petrochemical; food and beverage; and pharmaceutical production.

Specialty products include sales of radio technology to natural gas utilities for installation on their gas meters, and concrete vibrators.

For municipal water, residential and commercial water meters are generally classified as either manually read meters or remotely read meters via radio technology. A manually read meter consists of a water meter and a register that gives a visual meter reading display. Meters equipped with radio transmitters (endpoints) use encoder registers to convert the measurement data from the meter into an encrypted digital format which is then transmitted via radio frequency to a receiver that collects and formats the data appropriately for water utility billing systems. Mobile systems, referred to as automatic meter reading (AMR) systems, have been the primary technology deployed by water utilities over the past two decades, providing accurate and cost-effective billing data. In an AMR system, a vehicle equipped for meter reading purposes, including a radio receiver, computer and reading software, collects the data from the utility's meters.

Fixed network advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems continue to build interest among water utilities. These systems incorporate a network of permanent data collectors or gateway receivers that are always active or listening for the radio transmission from the utilities' meters. AMI systems eliminate the need for utility personnel to drive through service territories to collect meter reading data. These systems provide the utilities with more frequent and diverse data from the utilities' meters at specified intervals.

In 2011, the Company introduced what it believes will be the next generation of metering technology, advanced metering analytics (AMA), along with a host of automated utility management tools to facilitate the ability of water and gas utilities to increase their productivity and revenue, as well as proactively utilize their data. AMA is comprised of ReadCenter® Analytics software coupled with ORION® SE two-way fixed network or GALAXY® one-way fixed network technology, which is complemented by a family of highly accurate and reliable water meters.

The ORION SE system can operate as a mobile AMR system, a fixed network AMI system, or both. For example, a water or gas utility can begin deployment in mobile mode and migrate to a fixed network system. Also, if the system is operating in fixed network mode and the collector network goes down, the system will automatically revert to mobile mode, allowing the utility to continue collecting readings. Once the collector network is back up, it will automatically revert back to its fixed network mode. By using AMA, utilities will be able to proactively manage their day-to-day operations through powerful analytics-based software and a fixed network meter reading system.

The Company's net sales and corresponding net earnings depend on unit volume and product mix, with the Company generally earning higher margins on meters equipped with radio technology. In addition to selling its proprietary radio products, including the ORION radio technologies and GALAXY AMI/AMA system, the Company also remarkets the Itron® radio products under a license and distribution agreement with Itron. The Company's proprietary radio products generally result in higher margins than the remarketed, non-proprietary technology products. The Company also sells registers and endpoints separately to customers who wish to upgrade their existing meters in the field.

The proprietary ORION endpoint technology has been licensed to other technology providers on a non-exclusive basis, including those providing radio products that communicate over power lines, broadband networks, and proprietary radio frequency networks, allowing ORION a distinct advantage in the radio solutions market. In addition, the ORION universal

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gateway receiver transmits data over a variety of public wireless networks, which allows for strategic deployments, such as monitoring large commercial users.

Water meter replacement and the adoption and deployment of new technology comprise the majority of water meter product sales, including radio products. To a much lesser extent, housing starts also contribute to the new product sales base. Over the last decade, there has been a growing trend in the conversion from manually read water meters to radio technology. This conversion rate is accelerating and contributes to an increased water meter and radio solutions base of business. The Company estimates that less than 30 percent of water meters installed in the United States have been converted to a radio solutions technology. The Company's strategy is to fulfill customers' metering expectations and requirements with its proprietary meter reading systems or other systems available through its alliance partners in the marketplace.

Industrial flow and specialty products serve niche flow measurement and control applications across a broad industrial spectrum. Specialized communication protocols that control the entire flow measurement process drive these markets. The Company's specific flow measurement and control applications and technologies serve the flow measurement market through both customized and standard precision flow measurement technologies.

Business Trends

Increasingly, the electric utility industry relies on AMI technology for two-way communication to monitor and control electrical devices at the customer's site. Although the Company does not sell products for electric market applications, the trend toward AMI affects the markets in which the Company does participate, particularly for those customers in the water utility market that are interested in more frequent and diverse data collection. Specifically, AMI and AMA technologies enable water utilities to capture readings from each meter at more frequent and variable intervals.

The Company sells its technology solutions to meet customer requirements. Since the technology products have comparable margins, any change in the mix between AMR, AMI or AMA is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's net sales related to meter reading technology.

There are approximately 53,000 water utilities in the United States and the Company estimates that less than 30 percent of them have converted to a radio solutions technology. Although there is growing interest in AMI and AMA communication by water utilities, the vast majority of utilities installing such technology continue to select AMR technologies for their applications. The Company's ORION technology has experienced rapid acceptance in the United States as an increasing number of water utilities have selected ORION as their AMR solution. The Company anticipates that even with growing interest in AMI and AMA, AMR will continue to be the primary product of choice for a number of years. For many water utilities, AMR technology is simply the most cost-effective solution available today. However, with the introduction of AMA, the Company believes it is well-positioned to meet customers' future needs.

Revenue and Product Mix

Prior to the Company's introduction of its own proprietary radio products, for example ORION and GALAXY, Itron water utility-related products were a dominant radio products contributor to the Company's results. Itron products are sold under an agreement between the Company and Itron, Inc. that has been renewed multiple times and is in effect until early 2016. The Company's radio products directly compete with Itron water radio products. In recent years, many of the Company's customers have selected the Company's proprietary products over Itron products. While the Company's proprietary product sales are generally greater than those of the Itron licensed products, the Company expects that Itron products will remain a significant component of sales to water utilities. Continuing substantial sales in both product lines underscores the continued acceptance of radio technology by water utilities and affirms the Company's strategy of selling Itron products in addition to its own proprietary products.

As the industry continues to evolve, the Company has been vigilant in anticipating and exceeding customer expectations. In 2011, the Company introduced AMA as a hardware and software solution for water and gas utilities, which it believes will help maintain the Company's position as a market leader. The Company continues to seek opportunities for additional revenue enhancement. For instance, the Company is periodically asked to oversee and perform field installation of its products for certain customers. The Company assumes the role of general contractor, hiring installation subcontractors and supervising their work. The Company also supports its product and technology sales with the sale of extended service programs that provide additional services beyond the standard warranty. In recent years, the Company has sold ORION radio technology to natural gas utilities for installation on their gas meters. With the exception of a large sale of gas radios to one particular customer, the revenues from such products and services are not yet significant and the Company is uncertain of the potential growth achievable for such products and services in future periods.

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Results of Operations - Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

The Company's net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2013 decreased $4.4 million, or 5.8%, to $71.8 million compared to $76.2 million during the same period in 2012. The decrease was the net result of lower sales of municipal water products and industrial flow products, offset somewhat by higher specialty products as well as the inclusion of Racine Federated's products for the entire three-month period in 2013 versus only two months in 2012.

Municipal water sales decreased $5.5 million, or 10.5%, from $52.3 million in the first quarter of 2012 to $46.8 million in the first quarter of 2013. These sales represented 65.1% of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The decrease was due to lower sales of residential meters both with and without radio technology as well as lower commercial meter sales. Sales of the residential meters decreased 9.9% due primarily to lower volumes. Commercial meter sales decreased 16.9% in this period over the same period in 2012 also due to lower volumes of products sold. The Company believes the net overall sales decrease in municipal water sales was due mainly to a colder and snowier winter and to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. National weather data indicates that above normal snow fell on the country compared to the same period in 2012 in which there was below normal snowfall. Generally, snow can slow or stop installations and delay the reordering of meters. For the eight states directly affected by Hurricane Sandy, sales declined nearly 30%. Other factors affecting market conditions and continuing to have an unfavorable effect on sales include municipal spending concerns that have been delaying ordering decisions, slower housing starts and the Company's introduction in early 2011 of the next generation of the ORION product that continues to cause water utilities to take time to evaluate this new technology.

Industrial flow products represented 30.6% of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2013. These sales increased $0.5 million, or 2.3%, to $22.0 million from $21.5 million in the same period last year. As noted above, Racine Federated was acquired on January 31, 2012 and their sales were included from that point forward. As such, the first quarter of 2013 includes three months of those product sales versus only two months in the first quarter of 2012. Industrial sales on a comparable basis between years show declines due to a slight weakening of overall industrial orders.

Specialty application products represented 4.3% of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2013. These sales increased $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2013, or 25.0%, to $3.0 million from $2.4 million during the same period in 2012. The increase was due to slightly higher sales of gas radios and three months of sales of concrete products versus two months in 2012. On a comparable basis, specialty application sales were down slightly.

The gross margin as a percentage of sales was 34.9% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 37.9% in the first quarter of 2012. The decline was due principally to lower volumes of product sold which negatively affected factory utilization.

Selling, engineering and administration expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013 increased $1.6 million, or 8.8%, over the same period in 2012. The increase was due to having one more month of expenses in 2013 for certain Racine Federated costs as well as higher amortization of intangibles acquired for the additional month. In addition, software amortization costs associated with standardizing industrial product systems also increased. The remainder of the increase was due to normal inflationary increases, offset by continuing cost control measures.

Operating earnings for the first quarter of 2013 decreased $5.5 million, or 53.9%, to $4.7 million compared to $10.2 million in 2012 as a net result of the lower sales of municipal water products and the higher selling, engineering and administration expenses.

Interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 increased slightly compared to the first quarter of 2012 due to higher average debt balances as compared to the first quarter of 2012.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings before income taxes for the first quarter of 2013 was 35.1% compared to 37.4 % in the first quarter of 2012. The percentage for the first quarter of 2013 was lower than the previous year due to recognition of 2012 research and development credits in the first quarter of 2013 as a result of recently enacted tax legislation. Without this recognition, the percentages would have been consistent between years.

As a result of the above mentioned items, net earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were $2.9 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $6.2 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the same period in 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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The main sources of liquidity for the Company are cash from operations and borrowing capacity. Cash provided by operations was $4.3 million for the first three months of 2013 compared to $10.2 million in the same period in 2012 due to the cash impact of lower earnings for the first three months of 2013.

The receivables balance increased from $45.6 million at December 31, 2012 to $47.3 million at March 31, 2013 due principally to the timing of payments. The Company believes its net receivables balance is fully collectible.

Inventories at March 31, 2013 decreased $2.5 million to $58.5 million from $61.0 million at December 31, 2012 due to continued inventory management controls.

Net property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2013 increased to $70.9 million from $70.5 million at December 31, 2012. This is the net effect of $2.8 million of normal capital expenditures, partially offset by depreciation expense.

Intangible assets decreased to $57.1 million at March 31, 2013 from $58.4 million at December 31, 2012 due to normal amortization expense.

Short-term debt decreased from $66.7 million at December 31, 2012 to $63.9 million at March 31, 2013 as funds generated by operations were used to reduce outstanding balances.

Payables increased to $16.7 million at March 3, 2013 from $15.6 million at December 31, 2012 due primarily to the timing of payments. In addition, this account includes $4.6 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 owed to the sellers of Racine Federated that is to be paid July 31, 2013.

Accrued compensation and employee benefits decreased to $6.9 million at March 31, 2013 from $9.8 million at December 31, 2012, which is the net result of the first quarter 2013 payment of employee incentives and benefits related to 2012 operations, offset by the accrual of employee incentives earned in the first quarter of 2013.

The overall increase in total shareholders' equity from $171.2 million at December 31, 2012 to $172.5 million at March 31, 2013 was the net effect of net earnings and stock options exercised, offset by dividends paid.

The Company's financial condition remains strong. In May 2012, the Company signed a new credit agreement which increased its principal line of credit (increasing it from $90.0 million to $125.0 million) with its primary lender for a three year period. The line will be permanently reduced by $16.7 million annually in May. This facility is unsecured, but there are a number of financial covenants with which the Company is in compliance. The Company believes that its operating cash flows, available borrowing capacity, and its ability to raise capital provide adequate resources to fund ongoing operating requirements, future capital expenditures and the development of new products. The Company continues to take advantage of its local commercial paper market and carefully monitors the current borrowing market. The Company had $70.0 million of unused credit lines available at March 31, 2013.

Other Matters

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integrated into or sold with a very limited number of the Company's products. The Company is vigorously defending itself against these claims. Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, the Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of these issues will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations, either from a cash flow perspective or on the financial statements as a whole. This belief is based in part on the fact that no claimant has proven or substantially demonstrated asbestos exposure caused by products manufactured or sold by the Company and that a number of cases have been voluntarily dismissed.

See the “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” at the front of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company's financial performance and results of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

The Company's off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations are discussed in Part II, Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the headings “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” and “Contractual Obligations” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and have not materially changed since that report was filed unless otherwise indicated in this Form 10-Q.

Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company's quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are included in Part II, Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Market Risks” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and have not materially changed since that report was filed.

Item 4 Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), the Company's management evaluated, with the participation of the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Senior Vice President - Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Senior Vice President - Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer concluded that, as of the date of such evaluation, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II – Other Information

Item 6 Exhibits



Exhibit No.		Description


31.1		Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32		Certification of Periodic Financial Report by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101		The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and (vi) document and entity information.

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SIGNATURES

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



	BADGER METER, INC.

Dated: April 24, 2013	By	/s/ Richard A. Meeusen
		Richard A. Meeusen
		Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

	By	/s/ Richard E. Johnson
		Richard E. Johnson
		Senior Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

	By	/s/ Beverly L. P. Smiley
		Beverly L. P. Smiley
		Vice President – Controller

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BADGER METER, INC.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Period Ended March 31, 2013

Exhibit Index



Exhibit No.		Description


31.1		Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32		Certification of Periodic Financial Report by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101		The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and (vi) document and entity information.