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FOSTER L B CO - Quarter Report: 2012 May (Form 10-Q)

q1form10q.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
[X]
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

Or

[  ]
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
for the transition period from ___________ to _________

Commission File Number:
0-10436

L. B. Foster Company
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania
25-1324733
(State of Incorporation)
(I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)

415 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15220
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(412) 928-3417
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer [ ]
Accelerated filer [X]
Non-accelerated filer [ ]
Smaller reporting company [ ]
   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ]
No [X]

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

Class
Outstanding at April 27, 2012
Common Stock, Par Value $.01
10,114,135 Shares




L.B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART I. Financial Information
Page
   
 
Item 1. Financial Statements:
   
   
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
 
     
 
     
 
     
PART II. Other Information
 
     
     
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
     
         



 
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In thousands, except share data)
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
       
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 67,751     $ 73,727  
Accounts and notes receivable:
               
Trade
    60,385       66,593  
Other
    1,542       1,934  
      61,927       68,527  
Inventories
    96,163       92,278  
Prepaid income taxes
    2,688       3,684  
Other current assets
    2,994       1,777  
Total Current Assets
    231,523       239,993  
                 
Property, Plant & Equipment - At Cost
    131,816       129,530  
Less Accumulated Depreciation
    (83,490 )     (81,412 )
      48,326       48,118  
                 
Other Assets:
               
Goodwill
    43,825       43,825  
Other intangibles - net
    42,434       43,048  
Investments
    3,518       3,495  
Other assets
    1,450       1,415  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 371,076     $ 379,894  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 1,030     $ 2,384  
Accounts payable - trade
    43,939       50,277  
Deferred revenue
    5,181       6,833  
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
    5,507       9,678  
Current deferred tax liabilities
    782       759  
Other accrued liabilities
    15,587       14,801  
Total Current Liabilities
    72,026       84,732  
                 
Long-Term Debt
    44       51  
Deferred Tax Liabilities
    11,458       11,708  
Other Long-Term Liabilities
    13,164       13,588  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Common stock, issued 10,114,135 shares at 3/31/2012
               
and 10,073,403 shares at 12/31/2011
    111       111  
Paid-in capital
    46,100       47,349  
Retained earnings
    258,264       255,152  
Treasury stock - at cost, Common Stock, 1,001,644 shares
               
at 3/31/2012 and 1,042,376 shares at 12/31/2011
    (26,656 )     (28,169 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (3,435 )     (4,628 )
Total Stockholders' Equity
    274,384       269,815  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 371,076     $ 379,894  
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
               



 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Net Sales
  $ 118,527     $ 117,104  
Cost of Goods Sold
    95,662       99,638  
Gross Profit
    22,865       17,466  
                 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
    17,533       15,696  
Amortization Expense
    704       704  
Interest Expense
    140       138  
Interest Income
    (100 )     (56 )
Equity in Income of Nonconsolidated Investment
    (23 )     (87 )
Other (Income)/Expense
    (486 )     87  
      17,768       16,482  
                 
Income Before Income Taxes
    5,097       984  
                 
Income Tax Expense
    1,728       305  
                 
Net Income
  $ 3,369     $ 679  
                 
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.33     $ 0.07  
                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.33     $ 0.07  
                 
Dividends Paid per Share
  $ 0.025     $ 0.00  
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
         




 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
(In thousands)
 
   
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Net income
  $ 3,369     $ 679  
                 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (1,202 )     774  
Unrealized derivative gain on cash flow hedges
    9       0  
                 
      (1,193 )     774  
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 2,176     $ 1,453  
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
         




 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(In thousands)
 
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
             
Net income
  $ 3,369     $ 679  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used
               
by operating activities:
               
Deferred income taxes
    (206 )     (953 )
Depreciation and amortization
    3,100       2,939  
Equity in income of nonconsolidated investment
    (23 )     (87 )
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
    64       30  
Deferred gain amortization on sale-leaseback
    (342 )     (54 )
Stock-based compensation
    739       389  
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
    (48 )     (152 )
                 
                 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    6,900       8,207  
Inventories
    (3,621 )     (11,106 )
Other current assets
    (1,495 )     562  
Prepaid income tax
    1,739       (296 )
Other noncurrent assets
    33       3  
Accounts payable - trade
    (6,528 )     6,015  
Deferred revenue
    (1,501 )     (5,811 )
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
    (4,524 )     (3,680 )
Other current liabilities
    222       530  
Other liabilities
    (281 )     (624 )
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities
    (2,403 )     (3,409 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment
    (2,506 )     (2,864 )
Acquisitions
    0       (8,952 )
Proceeds from fixed asset sales
    7       0  
Net Cash Used by Investing Activities
    (2,499 )     (11,816 )
                 




L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(In thousands)
 
             
   
Three Months
 
   
Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
           
Cash dividends on common stock paid to shareholders
    (257 )     0  
Treasury stock acquisitions
    (224 )     0  
Repayments of other long-term debt
    (1,361 )     (1,340 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and stock awards
    13       33  
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
    48       152  
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities
    (1,781 )     (1,155 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    707       464  
                 
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (5,976 )     (15,916 )
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    73,727       74,800  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 67,751     $ 58,884  
                 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
               
                 
Interest Paid
  $ 106     $ 176  
Income Taxes Paid
  $ 546     $ 740  
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
               
                 





L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all estimates and adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  However, actual results could differ from those estimates.  The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Amounts included in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 were derived from our audited balance sheet.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

2. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company is organized and evaluated by product group, which is the basis for identifying reportable segments. The Company is engaged in the manufacture, fabrication and distribution of rail, construction and tubular products and services.

The following table illustrates revenues and profits of the Company by segment for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2012
   
March 31, 2011
 
   
Net
   
Segment
   
Net
   
Segment
 
   
Sales
   
Profit
   
Sales
   
Profit
 
   
In thousands
 
Rail products
  $ 69,195     $ 3,670     $ 64,573     $ 725  
Construction products
    40,035       686       46,780       1,694  
Tubular products
    9,297       2,312       5,751       744  
Total
  $ 118,527     $ 6,668     $ 117,104     $ 3,163  

Segment profits, as shown above, include internal cost of capital charges for assets used in the segment at a rate of, generally, 1% per month. There has been no change in the measurement of segment profit from December 31, 2011.

The following table provides a reconciliation of reportable segment net profit to the Company’s consolidated total:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
In thousands
 
Income for reportable segments
  $ 6,668     $ 3,163  
Cost of capital for reportable segments
    4,427       3,334  
Interest expense
    (140 )     (138 )
Interest income
    100       56  
Other income/(expense)
    486       (87 )
LIFO expense
    (45 )     (131 )
Equity in income of nonconsolidated investment
    23       87  
Corporate expense and other unallocated charges
    (6,422 )     (5,300 )
                 
Income before income taxes
  $ 5,097     $ 984  




3.  GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying amount of goodwill at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $43,825,000, of which $40,614,000 is attributable to the Company’s Rail Products segment and $3,211,000 is attributable to the Construction Products segment.

Identified intangible assets of $2,305,000 are attributable to the Company’s Construction Products segment and $44,549,000 are attributable to the Company’s Rail Products segment.  The components of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows:

   
March 31, 2012
 
   
Weighted Average
   
Gross
         
Net
 
   
Amortization Period
   
Carrying
   
Accumulated
   
Carrying
 
   
In Years
   
Value
   
Amortization
   
Amount
 
   
In thousands
 
Non-compete agreements
    5     $ 380     $ (363 )   $ 17  
Patents
    10       125       (125 )     0  
Customer relationships
    23       19,960       (1,674 )     18,286  
Supplier relationships
    5       350       (91 )     259  
Trademarks
    17       6,280       (556 )     5,724  
Technology
    18       19,759       (1,611 )     18,148  
      20     $ 46,854     $ (4,420 )   $ 42,434  

   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Weighted Average
   
Gross
         
Net
 
   
Amortization Period
   
Carrying
   
Accumulated
   
Carrying
 
   
In Years
   
Value
   
Amortization
   
Amount
 
   
In thousands
 
Non-compete agreements
    5     $ 380     $ (361 )   $ 19  
Patents
    10       125       (125 )     0  
Customer relationships
    23       19,960       (1,402 )     18,558  
Supplier relationships
    5       350       (73 )     277  
Trademarks
    17       6,280       (447 )     5,833  
Technology
    18       19,667       (1,306 )     18,361  
      20     $ 46,762     $ (3,714 )   $ 43,048  

Intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives ranging from 5 to 25 years, with a total weighted average amortization period of approximately 20 years.  Amortization expense for three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $704,000.

Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2012 and the years 2013 and thereafter is as follows:

   
In thousands
 
2012
  $ 2,071  
2013
    2,775  
2014
    2,775  
2015
    2,496  
2016
    2,339  
2017 and thereafter
    29,978  
    $ 42,434  

 
4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
Credit is extended based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required.  Credit terms are consistent with industry standards and practices.  Trade accounts receivable at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 have been reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts of ($1,717,000) and ($1,810,000), respectively.



5. INVENTORIES

Inventories of the Company at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are summarized in the following table:

     
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
In thousands
 
Finished goods
  $ 77,098     $ 73,088  
Work-in-process
    9,149       9,056  
Raw materials
    20,144       20,317  
                 
Total inventories at current costs
    106,391       102,461  
Less:
LIFO reserve
    (10,228 )     (10,183 )
      $ 96,163     $ 92,278  

Inventories of the Company are generally valued at the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market.  Other inventories of the Company are valued at average cost or market, whichever is lower.  An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time.  Interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end levels and costs.

6. INVESTMENTS

Investments of the Company consist of a nonconsolidated equity method investment of $3,518,000 and $3,495,000 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The Company is a member of a joint venture with L B Industries, Inc. and James Legg until June 30, 2019.  The Company and L B Industries, Inc. each have a 45% ownership interest in the joint venture, L B Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC (JV).  The JV manufactures, markets and sells various products for the energy, utility and construction markets.  Under the terms of the JV agreement, as amended, the Company was required to make capital contributions totaling approximately $3,000,000.  The Company fulfilled these commitments during 2011.  The other JV members are required to make proportionate contributions in accordance with the ownership percentages in the JV agreement.

Under applicable guidance for variable interest entities in ASC 810, “Consolidation,” the Company determined that the JV is a variable interest entity, as the JV has not demonstrated that it has sufficient equity to support its operations without additional financial support. The Company concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity, as the Company does not have a controlling financial interest and does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the JV. Accordingly, the Company concluded that the equity method of accounting remains appropriate.

The Company recorded equity in the income of the JV of approximately $23,000 and $87,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The Company’s exposure to loss results from its capital contributions, net of the Company’s share of the JV’s income or loss, and its net investment in the direct financing lease covering the facility used by the JV for its operations.  The carrying amounts with the maximum exposure to loss of the Company at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, are as follows:
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
In thousands
 
Equity method investment
  $ 3,518     $ 3,495  
Net investment in direct financing lease
    959       971  
    $ 4,477     $ 4,466  




The Company is leasing five acres of land and the facility to the JV over a period of 9.5 years, with a 5.5 year renewal period.  Monthly rent over the term of the lease is approximately $10,000, with a balloon payment of approximately $488,000 which is required to be paid either at the termination of the lease, allocated over the renewal period or during the initial term of the lease.  This lease qualifies as a direct financing lease under the applicable guidance in ASC 840-30, “Leases.” The Company maintained a net investment in this direct financing lease of approximately $959,000 and $971,000 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The following is a schedule of the direct financing minimum lease payments for the remainder of 2012 and the years 2013 and thereafter:
   
In thousands
 
2012
  $ 38  
2013
    54  
2014
    58  
2015
    63  
2016
    67  
2017 and thereafter
    679  
    $ 959  

7. DEFERRED REVENUE

Deferred revenue consists of customer payments received for which the sales process has been substantially completed but the right to recognize revenue has not yet been met.  The Company has significantly fulfilled its obligations under the contracts and the customers have paid, but due to the Company’s continuing involvement with the material, revenue is precluded from being recognized until the customer takes possession.

8. BORROWINGS

United States

On May 2, 2011, the Company, its domestic subsidiaries, and certain Canadian subsidiaries entered into a new $125,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement) with PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania.  This Credit Agreement replaced a prior revolving credit facility with a maximum credit line of $90,000,000 and a $20,000,000 term loan.  The Credit Agreement provides for a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility that permits borrowing up to $125,000,000 for the U.S. borrowers and a sublimit of the equivalent of $15,000,000 U.S. dollars that is available to the Canadian borrowers.  Providing no event of default exists, the Credit Agreement contains a provision that provides for an increase in the revolver facility of $50,000,000 that can be allocated to existing or new lenders if the Company’s borrowing requirements should grow.  The Credit Agreement includes a sublimit of $20,000,000 for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at rates based upon either the base rate or LIBOR based rate plus applicable margins.  Applicable margins are dictated by the ratio of the Company’s Indebtedness less cash on hand to the Company’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the underlying Credit Agreement.  The base rate is the highest of (a) PNC Bank’s prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus .50% or (c) the daily LIBOR rate, as defined in the underlying Credit Agreement, plus 1.00%.  The base rate spread ranges from 0.00% to 1.00%.  LIBOR based rates are determined by dividing the published LIBOR rate by a number equal to 1.00 minus the percentage prescribed by the Federal Reserve for determining the maximum reserve requirements with respect to any Eurocurrency funding by banks on such day.  The LIBOR based rate spread ranges from 1.00% to 2.00%.

The Credit Agreement includes two financial covenants:  (a) the Leverage Ratio, defined as the Company’s Indebtedness less cash on hand divided by the Company’s consolidated EBITDA, which must not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 and (b) Minimum Interest Coverage, defined as consolidated EBITDA less Capital Expenditures divided by consolidated interest expense, which must be no less than 3.00 to 1.00.



The Credit Agreement permits the Company to pay dividends and distributions and make redemptions with respect to its stock providing no event of default or potential default (as defined in the facility agreement) has occurred prior to or after giving effect to the dividend, distribution, or redemption.  Dividends, distributions, and redemptions are capped at $15,000,000 per year when funds are drawn on the facility.  If no drawings on the facility exist, dividends, distributions, and redemptions in excess of $15,000,000 per year are subjected to a limitation of $75,000,000 in aggregate.  The $75,000,000 aggregate limitation also includes certain loans, investments, and acquisitions.  The Company is permitted to acquire the stock or assets of other entities with limited restrictions providing that the Leverage Ratio does not exceed 2.50 to 1.00 after giving effect to the acquisition.

Other restrictions exist at all times including, but not limited to, limitation of the Company’s sale of assets, other indebtedness incurred by either the borrowers or the non-borrower subsidiaries of the Company, guaranties, and liens.

As of March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with the Agreement’s covenants.

The Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011 and had available borrowing capacity of $123,831,000 at March 31, 2012.

United Kingdom

A subsidiary of the Company has a working capital facility with NatWest Bank for its United Kingdom operations which includes an overdraft availability of £1,500,000 pounds sterling (approximately $2,402,000 at March 31, 2012).  This credit facility supports the working capital requirements and is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of its United Kingdom operations.  The interest rate on this facility is the financial institution’s base rate plus 1.50%. Outstanding performance bonds reduce availability under this credit facility. There were no borrowings or performance bonds outstanding on this facility as of March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011. The expiration date of this credit facility is June 30, 2012.

The United Kingdom loan agreements contain certain financial covenants that require it to maintain senior interest and cash flow coverage ratios. The subsidiary was in compliance with these financial covenants as of March 31, 2012.

Letters of Credit

At December 31, 2012 the Company had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $1,169,000.




9. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
In thousands, except per share data
 
Numerator:
           
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share -
       
net income available to common stockholders
  $ 3,369     $ 679  
Denominator:
               
Weighted average shares
    10,090       10,285  
Denominator for basic earnings per common share
    10,090       10,285  
                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Employee stock options
    18       41  
Other stock compensation plans
    89       75  
Dilutive potential common shares
    107       116  
                 
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share -
               
adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions
    10,197       10,401  
                 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.33     $ 0.07  
                 
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.33     $ 0.07  
                 
Dividends paid per common share
  $ 0.025     $ 0.00  

10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” to account for the Company’s share-based compensation.  Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award and is recognized over the employees’ requisite service period.  The Company recorded stock compensation expense of $739,000 and $389,000 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to restricted stock awards and performance unit awards.

Stock Option Awards

A summary of the option activity as of March 31, 2012 is presented below.

               
Weighted
   
         
Weighted
   
Average
   
         
Average
   
Remaining
 
Aggregate
         
Exercise
   
Contractual
 
Intrinsic
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Term
 
Value
Outstanding and Exercisable at January 1, 2012
    39,950     $ 8.94       2.8    
Granted
    0       0       0    
Canceled
    0       0       0    
Exercised
    (1,450 )     9.30       0    
Outstanding and Exercisable at March 31, 2012
    38,500     $ 8.92       2.6  
$754,000

The total intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2011 was $2,529,000.



At March 31, 2012, common stock options outstanding and exercisable under the plans had option prices ranging from $4.10 to $14.77, with a weighted average exercise price of $8.92.  At March 31, 2011, common stock options outstanding and exercisable under the plans had option prices ranging from $3.65 to $14.77, with a weighted average exercise price of $7.47 per share.

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the stock options outstanding at March 31, 2012 and 2011 was 2.6 and 2.8 years, respectively.

Options exercised during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 totaled 1,450 and 10,000 shares, respectively.  The weighted average exercise price per share of the options exercised during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $9.30 and $3.29, respectively.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $30,000 and $372,000.

Shares issued as a result of stock option exercise generally will be from previously issued shares which have been reacquired by the Company and held as Treasury shares.

Restricted Stock Awards

For the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company granted approximately 18,000 and 25,000 shares, respectively, of restricted stock to individuals who are employees.  Additionally, during the three month period ended March 31, 2012, the Company granted approximately 66,000 shares of restricted stock to an employee director as follows:

               
Aggregate
   
         
Grant Date
   
Fair
   
Grant Date
 
Units
   
Fair Value
   
Value
 
Vesting Date
                     
March 15, 2011
    24,836     $ 38.46     $ 955,193  
March 15, 2015
February 1, 2012
    66,000       30.15       1,989,900  
February 1, 2016
March 6, 2012
    18,347       27.49       504,359  
March 6, 2016

These forfeitable Restricted Stock Awards time-vest after a four year holding period, unless indicated otherwise by the underlying Restricted Stock Agreement.  Shares issued as a result of Restricted Stock Awards generally are previously issued shares which have been reacquired by the Company and held as Treasury shares or authorized but previously unissued common stock.

Certain awards of restricted stock included in the above table provide for partial vesting over a period up to the vesting date listed.

Performance Unit Awards

Annually, under separate three year long-term incentive plans, pursuant to the Omnibus Plan, the Company granted performance units during the three month periods ended March 31:

                   
Aggregate
   
             
Grant Date
   
Fair
   
Incentive Plan
 
Grant Date
 
Units
   
Fair Value
   
Value
 
Vesting Date
                         
  2010 – 2012  
March 2, 2010
    36,541     $ 31.83     $ 1,163,100  
March 2, 2013
  2011 – 2013  
March 15, 2011
    34,002       38.46       1,307,717  
March 15, 2014
  2012 – 2014  
March 6, 2012
    43,042       27.49       1,183,225  
March 6, 2015

In addition, on March 15, 2011 the Company awarded, pursuant to the Omnibus Plan, 1,500 special performance units to an employee director and 1,000 special performance units to an executive.  Based on the satisfaction of the performance conditions, these units were converted, net of shares withheld for applicable income tax purposes, into 1,436 and 957 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock on March 6, 2012.  The grant date fair value of these awards was $38.46 and the aggregate fair value was $58,000 and $38,000, respectively.



Performance Units are subject to forfeiture and will be converted into common stock of the Company based upon the Company’s performance relative to performance measures and conversion multiples as defined in the underlying plan.  The aggregate fair value in the above table is based upon reaching 100% of the performance targets as defined in the underlying plan.

The Company recorded compensation expense of $739,000 and $389,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Shares issued as a result of restricted stock awards generally are previously issued shares which have been reacquired by the Company and held as Treasury shares or authorized but previously unissued common stock.

The excess tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from stock-based compensation approximated $48,000 and $152,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  This excess tax benefit is included in cash flows from financing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

11. RETIREMENT PLANS

Retirement Plans

The Company has five plans which cover its hourly and salaried employees in the United States; three defined benefit plans (one active / two frozen) and two defined contribution plans.  Employees are eligible to participate in the appropriate plan based on employment classification.  The Company's funding to the defined benefit and defined contribution plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), applicable plan policy and investment guidelines.  The Company policy is to contribute at least the minimum funding standards of ERISA.

The Company’s subsidiary, Portec Rail Products, Inc. (Portec Rail), maintains two defined contribution plans for its employees in Canada, as well as a post-retirement benefit plan.  In the United Kingdom, Portec Rail maintains both a defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan.  These plans are discussed in further detail below.

United States Defined Benefit Plans

Net periodic pension costs for the United States defined benefit pension plans for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
In thousands
 
Service cost
  $ 8     $ 8  
Interest cost
    187       200  
Expected return on plan assets
    (203 )     (191 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
    49       28  
Net periodic cost
  $ 41     $ 45  

The Company expects to contribute approximately $741,000 to its United States defined benefit plans in 2012.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company contributed approximately $166,000 to these plans.



United Kingdom Defined Benefit Plans

Net periodic pension costs for the United Kingdom defined benefit pension plan for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
In thousands
 
Interest cost
  $ 83     66  
Expected return on plan assets
    (71 )     (72 )
Amortization of transition amount
    (12 )     (12 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
    54       28  
Net periodic cost
  $ 54     10  


United Kingdom regulations require trustees to adopt a prudent approach to funding required contributions to defined benefit pension plans. The Company anticipates making contributions of $235,000 to the United Kingdom Portec Rail pension plan during 2012.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company contributed approximately $56,000 to the United Kingdom Portec Rail plan.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company has a domestic defined contribution plan that covers all non-union hourly and all salaried employees. This plan permits both pretax and after-tax employee contributions. Participants can contribute, subject to statutory limitations, between 1% and 75% of eligible pre-tax pay and between 1% and 100% of eligible after-tax pay.  The Company's employer match is 100% of the first 1% of deferred eligible compensation and up to 50% of the next 6%, based on years of service, of deferred eligible compensation, for a total maximum potential match of 4%.  The Company may also make discretionary contributions to the plan.

The expense associated with this plan for the three months ended March 31 was $467,000 in 2012 and $540,000 in 2011.

The Company also has a domestic defined contribution plan for union hourly employees with contributions made by both the participants and the Company based on various formulas.  The expense associated with this active plan for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $17,000 and $13,000, respectively.

The Company’s Portec Rail subsidiary maintains a defined contribution plan covering all non-union employees at its Montreal, Quebec, Canada location.  Under the terms of this plan, Portec Rail may contribute 4% of each employee’s compensation as a non-elective contribution and may also contribute 30% of the first 6% of each employee’s compensation contributed to the plan.  Contributions to this plan were $27,000 and $23,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

The Company’s Portec Rail subsidiary also maintains a defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees of Portec Rail Products (UK) Ltd.  Benefits under this plan are provided under no formal written agreement.  Under the terms of the defined contribution plan, Portec Rail may make non-elective contributions of between 3% and 10% of each employee’s compensation.  Contributions to this plan were $27,000 and $29,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Finally, the Company’s Portec Rail subsidiary maintains a defined contribution plan covering substantially all of the employees of Kelsan Technologies Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  Under the terms of this plan, Portec Rail makes a non-elective contribution of 4% of each employee’s compensation and may also contribute 30% of the first 6% of each employee’s compensation contributed to the plan. Contributions to this plan were $39,000 and $24,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.



12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.   The Company applies the provisions of ASC 820 to all its assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis.

ASC 820 discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow) and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost).  ASC 820 enables readers of financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy, which prioritizes those inputs used, for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.  The standard requires that each asset and liability carried at fair value be classified into one of the following categories:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company has an established process for determining fair value for its financial assets and liabilities, principally cash and cash equivalents and foreign currency exchange contracts.  Fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on assumptions that use as inputs market-based parameters.  The following sections describe the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each instrument is generally classified.  Where appropriate the description includes details of the key inputs to the valuations and any significant assumptions.

Cash equivalents.  Included within “Cash and cash equivalents” are principally investments in tax-free and taxable money market funds with municipal bond issuances as the underlying securities as well as government agency obligations and corporate bonds, all of which maintain AAA credit ratings.  Also included within cash equivalents were our investments in non-domestic bank certificates of deposit.  The Company uses quoted market prices to determine the fair value of these investments and they are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments.

Derivative contracts.  The Company uses significant other observable inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets to determine the fair value of its derivative contracts.  These instruments consist of foreign currency exchange contracts, are included within “Other accrued liabilities,” and are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  Fluctuations in the fair values of derivative instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged items affect earnings.  There were no such instruments as of December 31, 2011.

IDSI acquisition notes.  The Company issued non-interest bearing notes associated with its 2010 acquisition of Interlocking Deck Systems International, LLC (IDSI).  The Company determined the fair value of these notes by computing the present value of the note payments using an interest rate formula applicable to the Company’s long-term debt.  This note was paid during the period ended March 31, 2012.  The note was included within “Current maturities of long-term debt” at December 31, 2011.




The following assets and liabilities of the Company were measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 820 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

         
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
       
         
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Significant
 
         
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
   
March 31,
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
   
2012
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
   
In thousands
 
Assets
                       
Domestic money market funds
  $ 37,270     $ 37,270     $ 0     $ 0  
Non domestic bank certificates of deposit
    20,952       20,952       0       0  
Cash equivalents at fair value
    58,222       58,222       0       0  
                                 
Total Assets
  $ 58,222     $ 58,222     $ 0     $ 0  
                                 
Liabilities
             
Derivatives
  $ (13 )   $ 0     $ (13 )   $ 0  
Total other accrued liabilities
    (13 )     0       (13 )     0  
                                 
Total Liabilities
  $ (13 )   $ 0     $ (13 )   $ 0  
               
           
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
           
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
         
           
Active Markets
   
Other
     
Significant
 
           
for Identical
   
Observable
     
Unobservable
 
   
December 31,
   
Assets
   
Inputs
     
Inputs
 
      2011    
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
     
(Level 3)
 
   
In thousands
 
Assets
                               
Domestic money market funds
  $ 42,273     $ 42,273     $ 0     $ 0  
Non domestic bank certificates of deposit
    22,520       22,520       0       0  
Cash equivalents at fair value
    64,793       64,793       0       0  
                                 
Total Assets
  $ 64,793     $ 64,793     $ 0     $ 0  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
IDSI acquisition short-term note
  $ (945 )   $ 0     $ (945 )   $ 0  
Total current maturities of other long-term debt
    (945 )     0       (945 )     0  
                                 
Total Liabilities
  $ (945 )   $ 0     $ (945 )   $ 0  



13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Product Liability Claims

On July 12, 2011 the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) notified the Company and the Company’s subsidiary, CXT Incorporated (CXT), of a warranty claim under CXT's 2005 supply contract relating to the sale of prestressed concrete railroad ties for the UPRR.  The UPRR has asserted that a significant percentage of concrete ties manufactured in 2006 through 2010 at CXT's Grand Island, NE facility fail to meet contract specifications, have workmanship defects and are cracking and failing prematurely.  Approximately 1.6 million ties were sold from Grand Island to the UPRR during the period the UPRR has claimed nonconformance.  The 2005 contract calls for each concrete tie which fails to conform to the specifications or has a material defect in workmanship to be replaced with 1.5 new concrete ties, provided, that UPRR within five years of a concrete tie’s production, notifies CXT of such failure to conform or such defect in workmanship. The UPRR's notice does not specify how many ties manufactured during this period are defective nor which specifications it claims were not met or the nature of the alleged workmanship defects.  CXT believes it uses sound workmanship processes in the manufacture of concrete ties and has not agreed with the assertions in the UPRR’s warranty claim notice.  The UPRR has also notified CXT that ties have failed a certain test that is specified in the 2005 contract.

Since late July 2011, the Company and CXT have been working with material scientists and prestressed concrete experts, who have been testing a representative sample of Grand Island concrete ties.  While this testing is not complete, the Company has not identified any appreciable defects in workmanship.  Additionally, a customer of the UPRR has claimed that a representative sample of ties manufactured by the Company’s Grand Island facility have failed a test contained in its product specification.  As a result of this specific allegation, the UPRR has informed the Company that they currently intend to remove approximately 115,000 ties from track, which are a subset of ties subject to the July 12, 2011 claim.  The Company is reviewing this claim and, while its review is not complete, the Company continues to believe that these ties do not have a material deviation from its contractual specifications.  The Company expects that the testing required to address this product specification issue will be completed sometime during the latter part of the second quarter of 2012; however, the Company expects that it will continue to work collaboratively with the UPRR to address their overall product claim for some time to come.

On January 11, 2012, CXT received a subpoena from the United States Department of Transportation Inspector General (“IG”) requesting records related to its manufacture of concrete railroad ties in Grand Island, Nebraska.  The Company believes that this subpoena relates to the same set of circumstances giving rise to the UPRR product claim.  CXT and the Company intend to cooperate fully with the IG.  The Company cannot predict what impact, if any, this investigation will have on the UPRR’s product claim.
 
Based on the non-specific nature of the UPRR’s assertion and the Company’s current inability to verify the claims, the Company is unable to determine a range of reasonably possible outcomes regarding this potential exposure matter. As a result, no accruals have been made as a result of this claim, as the impact, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. No assurances can be given regarding the ultimate outcome of this matter.  The ultimate resolution of this matter could have a material, adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources.

The Company is subject to product warranty claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business.  For certain manufactured products, the Company maintains a product warranty accrual which is adjusted on a monthly basis as a percentage of cost of sales.  This product warranty accrual is periodically adjusted based on the identification or resolution of known individual product warranty claims.  The following table sets forth the Company’s product warranty accrual:

   
In thousands
 
Balance at December 31, 2011
  $ 6,642  
Additions to warranty liability
    498  
Warranty liability utilized
    (483 )
Balance at March 31, 2012
  $ 6,657  

Included within the above table are concrete tie warranty reserves of approximately $5,285,000 and $5,160,000 as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  No reserve has been recorded related specifically for the UPRR product claim dated July 12, 2011.

While the Company believes this is a reasonable estimate of these potential warranty claims, these estimates could change due to new information and future events.  There can be no assurance at this point that future potential costs pertaining to these claims or other potential future claims will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.  The warranty accrual is included within “Other accrued liabilities” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.


Environmental and Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to national, state, foreign, provincial and/or local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, and the Company is monitoring its potential environmental exposure related to current and former Portec facilities.  The Company’s efforts to comply with environmental regulations may have an adverse effect on its future earnings.  In the opinion of management, compliance with the present environmental protection laws will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, competitive position or capital expenditures of the Company.

The Company is also subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business.  In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial condition or liquidity of the Company.  The resolution, in any reporting period, of one or more of these matters could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period.
 
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company maintained environmental and litigation reserves approximating $2,131,000 and $2,184,000, respectively.

14. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company does not purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

At contract inception, the Company designates its derivative instruments as hedges.  The Company recognizes all derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value.  Fluctuations in the fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and reclassified into earnings within other income as the underlying hedged items affect earnings. To the extent that a change in the derivative does not perfectly offset the change in value of the risk being hedged, the ineffective portion is recognized in earnings immediately.

The Company is subject to exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company manages its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on firm sale and purchase commitments by entering into foreign currency forward contracts. The Company’s risk management objective is to reduce its exposure to the effects of changes in exchange rates on these transactions over the duration of the transactions.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company entered into commitments with notional amounts totaling approximately $742,000 to buy Euro funds based on the anticipated receipt of Euro funds from the purchase of certain steel piling in the second quarter of 2012.  The fair value of this instrument was a liability of approximately $13,000 as of March 31, 2012 and was recorded in “Other accrued liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company did not engage in any foreign currency hedging transactions during the three month period ended March 31, 2011.  
 
15. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was 33.9% and 31.0%, respectively.  The increase in the effective tax rate is principally attributable to statutory rate changes in the United Kingdom which lowered the 2011 first quarter rate by 3.0%.





Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview
General

L. B. Foster Company is a leading manufacturer, fabricator and distributor of products for the rail, construction, utility and energy markets.  The Company is comprised of three business segments: Rail products, Construction products and Tubular products.

Year-to-date Results of Operations

     
Three Months Ended
   
Percent of Total Net Sales
   
Percent
 
     
March 31,
   
Period Ended March 31,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
     
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012 vs. 2011
 
     
Dollars in thousands
Net Sales:
                               
 
Rail Products
  $ 69,195     $ 64,573       58.4 %     55.1 %     7.2 %
 
Construction Products
    40,035       46,780       33.8       39.9       (14.4 )
 
Tubular Products
    9,297       5,751       7.8       4.9       61.7  
 
Total Net Sales
  $ 118,527     $ 117,104       100.0 %     100.0 %     1.2 %
                                           
     
Three Months Ended
   
Gross Profit Percentage
   
Percent
 
     
March 31,
   
Period Ended March 31,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
        2012       2011       2012       2011    
2012 vs. 2011
 
     
Dollars in thousands
Gross Profit:
                                       
 
Rail Products
  $ 15,116     $ 10,521       21.8 %     16.3 %     43.7 %
 
Construction Products
    5,506       6,336       13.8       13.5       (13.1 )
 
Tubular Products
    2,695       1,174       29.0       20.4       129.6  
 
LIFO Expense
    (45 )     (131 )     (0.0 )     (0.1 )     (65.6 )
 
Other
    (407 )     (434 )     (0.3 )     (0.4 )     (6.2 )
 
Total Gross Profit
  $ 22,865     $ 17,466       19.3 %     14.9 %     30.9 %
                                           
     
Three Months Ended
   
Percent of Total Net Sales
   
Percent
 
     
March 31,
   
Period Ended March 31,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
        2012       2011       2012       2011    
2012 vs. 2011
 
     
Dollars in thousands
Expenses:
                                         
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
  $ 17,533     $ 15,696       14.8 %     13.4 %     11.7 %
 
Amortization Expense
    704       704       0.6       0.6       0.0  
 
Interest Expense
    140       138       0.1       0.1       1.4  
 
Interest Income
    (100 )     (56 )     (0.1 )     (0.0 )     78.6  
 
Equity in Income of Nonconsolidated Investment
    (23 )     (87 )     (0.0 )     (0.1 )     (73.6 )
 
Other (Income)/Expense
    (486 )     87       (0.4 )     0.1       **  
 
Total Expenses
    17,768       16,482       15.0       14.1       7.8  
                                           
Income Before Income Taxes
    5,097       984       4.3       0.8       418.0  
Income Tax Expense
    1,728       305       1.5       0.3       466.6  
                                           
Net Income
  $ 3,369     $ 679       2.8 %     0.6 %     396.2 %
                                           
**
Results of calculation are not meaningful for presentation purposes.
   




First Quarter 2012 Compared to First Quarter 2011 – Company Analysis

Net income for the first quarter of 2012 was $0.33 per diluted share which compares favorably to net income for the first quarter of 2011 of $0.07 per diluted share.  Included within gross profit in the 2011 period was a nonrecurring increase in cost of goods sold of approximately $2.5 million related to the recognition of the inventory step-up to fair value from our 2010 acquisition of Portec Rail Products, Inc.

Approximately $0.9 million of the increased selling and administrative expenses in 2012 was for concrete tie testing expenses associated with the July 2011 UPRR product warranty claim.  The remainder of the increase over 2011 was due primarily to employee salary and benefit expenses.  We recognized increased gains of approximately $0.3 million in 2012 related to a revision in the remaining term of the operating lease associated with our former Houston, TX threading facility.  These amounts were recorded within “Other (Income)/Expense” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2012 was 33.9% compared to 31.0% in the prior year quarter.  The increase in the effective tax rate is principally attributable to statutory rate changes in the United Kingdom which lowered the prior year first quarter tax rate by 3.0%.

Results of Operations – Segment Analysis

Rail Products

   
Three Months Ended
   
Increase/
   
Percent
 
   
March 31,
   
(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012 vs. 2011
   
2012 vs. 2011
 
   
Dollars in thousands
 
Net Sales
  $ 69,195     $ 64,573     $ 4,622       7.2 %
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ 15,116     $ 10,521     $ 4,595       43.7 %
Gross Profit Percentage
    21.8 %     16.3 %     5.6 %     34.1 %

First Quarter 2012 Compared to First Quarter 2011

Increased sales volumes from our rail distribution business, and secondarily at our Allegheny Rail Products division, delivered growth in our Rail Products segment.  Additionally, our United Kingdom friction management business reported improvement in sales volumes.  Partially offsetting these improvements was a decrease in volumes reported by our Canadian track components business.

Our 2011 gross profit was unfavorably impacted by a nonrecurring increase in cost of goods sold of approximately $2.5 million related to recognition of the remaining portion of the inventory step-up to fair value from our allocation of Portec Rail’s purchase price.  Exclusive of this purchase accounting impact, our Rail Products gross profit margin would have increased approximately 1.7% from the 2011 period.

We believe that reasonable carload and intermodal rail traffic, robust railroad financial results and strong forecasted spending by the Class 1 Railroads bode well for continued strong results in our Rail Products segment and we will continue to work collaboratively with the UPRR in an effort to bring its product warranty claim to a satisfactory resolution.



Construction Products

   
Three Months Ended
   
Increase/
   
Percent
 
   
March 31,
   
(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012 vs. 2011
   
2012 vs. 2011
 
   
Dollars in thousands
 
Net Sales
  $ 40,035     $ 46,780     $ (6,745 )     (14.4 )%
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ 5,506     $ 6,336     $ (830 )     (13.1 )%
Gross Profit Percentage
    13.8 %     13.5 %     0.2 %     1.5 %

First Quarter 2012 Compared to First Quarter 2011

Entering 2012 with a lower backlog of business, as well as booking fewer new orders in the 2012 quarter than the comparable prior period, resulted in lower sales volumes in the 2012 quarter for our piling division.  Even with these volume reductions, our piling division was able to deliver growth in gross profit margin.  The remainder of our Construction Products divisions experienced volume related gross profit declines.

We expect our Construction Products segment to be challenged throughout 2012 by continued weak market conditions.  Additionally, the lack of solid direction on a transportation bill will keep pressure on the segment.

Tubular Products

   
Three Months Ended
   
Increase/
   
Percent
 
   
March 31,
   
(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012 vs. 2011
   
2012 vs. 2011
 
   
Dollars in thousands
 
Net Sales
  $ 9,297     $ 5,751     $ 3,546       61.7 %
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ 2,695     $ 1,174     $ 1,521       129.6 %
Gross Profit Percentage
    29.0 %     20.4 %     8.6 %     42.0 %

First Quarter 2012 Compared to First Quarter 2011

Improved volumes from our coated pipe division led both the sales and gross profit growth in 2012.

While we expect continued growth in the oil & gas and water well application end markets throughout 2012, we do not anticipate these markets to continue at the growth rate experienced during the first quarter.



Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our capitalization is as follows:

   
March 31,
     
December 31,
   
   
2012
     
2011
   
   
Amount
%
   
Amount
%
 
Debt:
 
Dollars in millions
 
Capital leases and interim lease financing
  $ 1.1       $ 1.5    
IDSI acquisition notes
    0.0         0.9    
Total Debt
    1.1 0.4 %     2.4 0.9 %
                     
Equity
    274.4 99.6 %     269.8 99.1 %
                     
Total Capitalization
  $ 275.5 100.0 %   $ 272.2 100.0 %
 
 
Our need for liquidity relates primarily to seasonal working capital requirements, capital expenditures, joint venture capital obligations, strategic acquisitions, debt service obligations, share repurchases and dividends.

The following table summarizes the year-to-date impact of these items:

   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Liquidity needs:
 
In millions
 
Working capital and other assets and liabilities
  $ (9.0 )   $ (6.2 )
Capital expenditures
    (2.5 )     (2.9 )
Other long-term debt repayments
    (1.4 )     (1.3 )
Common stock purchases
    (0.2 )     0.0  
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (0.3 )     0.0  
Acquisitions
    0.0       (9.0 )
Cash interest paid
    (0.1 )     (0.2 )
Net liquidity requirements
    (13.5 )     (19.6 )
                 
Liquidity sources:
               
Internally generated cash flows before interest paid
    6.7       3.0  
Equity transactions
    0.1       0.2  
Foreign exchange effects
    0.7       0.5  
Net liquidity sources
    7.5       3.7  
                 
Net Change in Cash
  $ (6.0 )   $ (15.9 )

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

During the current 2012 period, cash flows from operations used $2.4 million, an improvement of $1.0 million compared to the 2011 period.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, net income and adjustments to net income provided $6.6 million compared to providing $2.8 million in the 2011 period.  Working capital and other assets and liabilities used $9.0 million compared to working capital and other assets and liabilities using $6.2 million in the prior year.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Capital expenditures were $2.5 million for the first three months of 2012 compared to $2.9 million for the same 2011 period.  Current period expenditures were primarily used for the Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada facility, other yard upgrades and plant equipment.  We anticipate total capital spending in 2012 will range between $9.0 million and $10.0 million and will be funded by cash flow from operations.

In January 2011, we made our final, net payment of approximately $9.0 million for the remaining outstanding shares of common stock related to our 2010 acquisition of Portec Rail.



Cash flow from Financing Activities

While we did not purchase any common shares of the Company under our existing share repurchase authorization, we did repurchase 19,828 shares for approximately $0.2 million to pay for withholding taxes.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2012, we had approximately $67.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and a credit facility with $123.8 million of availability while carrying only $1.1 million in total debt.  As of March 31, 2012 we were in compliance with all of the credit agreement’s covenants.  We believe this capacity will afford us the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as we explore both organic and external investment opportunities.

Included within cash and cash equivalents are primarily investments in tax-free and taxable money market funds.  The money market funds include municipal bond issuances as the underlying securities as well as government agency obligations and corporate bonds.  Our priority continues to be short-term maturities and the preservation of our principal balances.  Approximately $28.8 million of our cash and cash equivalents is held in non-domestic bank accounts.  There are no material restrictions in converting those funds into other currencies and they are available to meet the liquidity needs of our foreign operations.

Borrowings under our Credit Agreement bear interest at rates based upon either the base rate or LIBOR based rate plus applicable margins.  Applicable margins are dictated by the ratio of our indebtedness less cash on hand to our consolidated EBITDA.  The base rate is the highest of (a) PNC Bank’s prime rate or (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus .50% or (c) the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00%.  The base rate spread ranges from 0.00% to 1.00%.  LIBOR based rates  are determined by dividing the published LIBOR rate by a number equal to 1.00 minus the percentage prescribed by the Federal Reserve for determining the maximum reserve requirements with respect to any Eurocurrency funding by banks on such day.  The LIBOR based rate spread ranges from 1.00% to 2.00%.

Recent Developments

Our CXT Rail operation is dependent on the UPRR for a significant portion of its business.  In connection with the 2005 award of a long-term concrete railroad tie supply contract from the UPRR, CXT completed the construction of a new facility in Tucson, AZ.  Pursuant to the supply agreement, UPRR has agreed to purchase minimum annual quantities from the Tucson, AZ facility through 2012.  While we are currently in negotiations with the UPRR, we do not know whether we will extend the supply contract.  Additionally, we do not know whether the July 2011 UPRR product warranty claim, which is described in Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, will adversely impact our ability to extend the supply agreement.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, sales to the UPRR from our Tucson, AZ facility were approximately $6.2 million and $5.4 million, respectively.  The gross profit margin associated with these sales was approximately 2.2% and 5.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Additionally, as of March 31, 2012 we had long-lived assets with a net book value of approximately $3.7 million associated with the Tucson, AZ facility.  We expect the net book value of these assets to be approximately $1.6 million as of December 31, 2012.

Critical Accounting Policies

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  When more than one accounting principle, or method of its application, is generally accepted, management selects the principle or method that is appropriate in the Company’s specific circumstances.  Application of these accounting principles requires management to make estimates about the future resolution of existing uncertainties.  As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.  In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of the amounts and disclosures included in the financial statements giving due regard to materiality.  There have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies or estimates since December 31, 2011.  For more information regarding the Company’s critical accounting policies, please see the Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.



Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements include operating leases, purchase obligations and standby letters of credit.  A schedule of the Company’s required payments under financial instruments and other commitments as of December 31, 2011 is included in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of the Company’s  Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.  These arrangements provide the Company with increased flexibility relative to the utilization and investment of cash resources.  There were no material changes to these arrangements during the three month period ended March 31, 2012.

Outlook

We believe that we are well positioned to benefit from strengthening rail and energy markets in which we participate but we continue to anticipate a weakened construction market through 2012.  We expect to generate cash flows from operations in excess of capital expenditures, scheduled debt service repayments, share repurchases and dividends.

Class 1 Railroad capital spending is expected to remain strong through 2012 and we anticipate robust North American rail traffic, which bodes well for our rail business.
 
Our tubular divisions end markets in oil & gas and water well applications are driven by energy and agriculture.  The growth in these two segments should continue in 2012, but at a lower rate than the first quarter.  The new Magnolia, TX plant opened and will assume full production capacity by May 2012, helping us improve efficiency in the threaded products business.

In Construction Products we face softer market conditions where our backlog is lower compared to last year and the renewal of favorable transportation legislation in the United States remains uncertain.  Additionally, approximately 30 US states are projecting budget deficits in the upcoming fiscal year that may present challenges to many of the end markets in which we sell, given their reliance on government funding.  Certain of our businesses rely heavily on spending authorized by the federal transportation funding bill, SAFETEA-LU, enacted in August 2005.  This legislation authorized $286 billion for United States transportation improvement spending over a six-year period and expired in September 2009.  In March 2012, the United States Congress extended this legislation through June 30, 2012.  While certain estimates of the amounts that may be authorized under successor legislation to SAFETEA-LU range from $109 billion over two years to $470 billion over six years, there is uncertainty as to the timing of the renewal of this multi-year surface transportation legislation and how such legislation will actually be funded.  

We anticipate a slowly improving economy through the end of 2012 and we also expect to be profitable and generate cash flows in excess of our capital expenditures, debt service, dividends and share repurchases.

Although backlog is not necessarily indicative of future operating results, total Company backlog at March 31, 2012, was approximately $201.7 million and summarized by business segment in the following table for the periods indicated:

   
Backlog
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2011
 
   
In thousands
 
Rail Products
  $ 119,992     $ 68,103     $ 117,799  
Construction Products
    69,770       66,555       111,922  
Tubular Products
    11,981       10,784       7,404  
Total Backlog
  $ 201,743     $ 145,442     $ 237,125  

We are currently at approximately 90% capacity utilization for the UPRR at our Tucson, AZ facility.  While we are currently in negotiations with the UPRR, we do not know whether the supply contract will be extended.  Additionally, we do not know whether the July 2011 UPRR product warranty claim will adversely impact our ability to extend the supply agreement.



As of March 31, 2012, we maintained a warranty reserve approximating $4.8 million for potential warranty claims associated with concrete railroad ties.  While we believe this is a reasonable estimate of our potential contingencies related to identified concrete tie warranty matters, we may incur future charges associated with new customer claims or further development of information for existing customer claims, including the July 2011 product claim by the UPRR.  Thus, there can be no assurance that future potential costs pertaining to warranty claims will not have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains “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.  Forward-looking statements are statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  Sentences containing words such as “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “expects,” or “will” generally should be considered forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q may concern, among other things, the Company’s expectations regarding our strategy, goals, plans and projections regarding our financial position, liquidity and capital resources, results of operations, market position, and product development, all of which are based on current estimates that involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  The Company cautions readers that various factors could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements.  Among the factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are risks and uncertainties related to: general business conditions, the availability of material from major suppliers, labor disputes, the impact of competition, the seasonality of the Company’s business, the adequacy of internal and external sources of funds to meet financing needs, the Company’s ability to curb its working capital requirements, taxes, inflation and governmental regulations.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual outcomes could vary materially from those indicated. These and other risks are more fully described in the “Risk Factors” Section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments.



Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

The Company does not purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

At contract inception, the Company designates its derivative instruments as hedges.  The Company recognizes all derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value.  Fluctuations in the fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings within other income as the underlying hedged items affect earnings. To the extent that a change in a derivative does not perfectly offset the change in value of the interest rate being hedged, the ineffective portion is recognized in earnings immediately.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company entered into commitments with notional amounts totaling approximately $0.7 million to buy Euro funds based on the anticipated receipt of Euro funds from the purchase of certain steel piling in the second quarter of 2012.  The fair value of this instrument was a liability of less than $0.1 million as of March 31, 2012 and was recorded in “Other accrued liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company did not engage in any foreign currency hedging transactions during the three month period ended March 31, 2011.  
 
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

a)
L. B. Foster Company (the Company) carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2012.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to timely alert them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings.
   
b)
There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred in the period covered by this report that have materially affected or are likely to materially affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 13, “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities”, to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the risk factors and other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC on March 15, 2012, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, financial results, or future performance. Reference is made to Item 2.  The risks described below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

Our agreement with the UPRR includes their purchasing concrete ties from our Tucson, AZ facility through 2012.  While we are currently in negotiations with the UPRR, we do not know whether we will extend the supply contract.  Additionally, we do not know whether the July 2011 UPRR product warranty claim will adversely impact our ability to extend the supply agreement.



Our businesses could be affected adversely by significant changes in the price of steel, concrete, and other raw materials or the availability of existing and new piling and rail products.  Our operating results may also be affected negatively by adverse weather conditions.

Unexpected events including production delays or other problems encountered at our manufacturing facilities, equipment failures, failure to meet product specifications, concrete railroad tie warranty issues and the availability of existing and new piling and rail products may cause our operating costs to increase or otherwise impact our financial performance.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s purchases of equity securities for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 were as follows:

     
Total Number
Approximate Dollar
     
of Shares
Value of Shares
   
Average
Purchased as
that May Yet Be
 
Total Number
Price
Part of Publicly
Purchased Under
 
Of Shares
Paid per
Announced Plans
the Plans
 
 Purchased (1)
Share
or Programs
or Programs
January 1, 2012 – January 31, 2012
-
-
-
-
February 1, 2012 – February 29, 2012
-
-
-
-
March 1, 2012 – March 31, 2012
-
-
-
-
Total
-
-
-
-

(1)  On May 23, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $25.0 million of the Company’s common shares until December 31, 2013 at which time this authorization will expire.  The Company previously purchased 278,655 shares totaling approximately $6.5 million under this authorization.



Item 6. EXHIBITS

The Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith.  All exhibits are incorporated herein by reference:
10.1
Employment Agreement with Robert P. Bauer, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K on January 17, 2012.
   
10.2
Letter Agreement with Stan Hasselbusch, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K on January 17, 2012.
   
*31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
*31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
*32.0
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
***101.INS
XBRL Instance Document.
   
***101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
   
***101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
   
***101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
   
***101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
_______________________________
   
*
Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith.
   
**
Identifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an Exhibit.
   
***
In accordance with SEC Release 33-8238, the certifications contained in Exhibits 32 are being furnished and not filed. In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Exhibit 101 is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
   
^
Portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.



SIGNATURE

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.


 
L.B. FOSTER COMPANY
 
(Registrant)
   
Date: May 8, 2012
By: /s/ David J. Russo
 
David J. Russo
 
Senior Vice President,
 
Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer
 
(Duly Authorized Officer of Registrant)