GRIFFON CORP - Annual Report: 2006 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006

OR

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

For the transition period from                             to

Commission File No. 1-06620

GRIFFON CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

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

 

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

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  o    No  x

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

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer  x

Accelerated filer  o

Non-accelerated filer  o

 

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

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked prices of common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. As of March 31, 2006 approximately $713,000,000.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of December 8, 2006—29,824,789.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Part III—(Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14). Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

PART I

Item 1.   Business

The Company

Griffon Corporation (“Griffon” or the “Company”) is a diversified manufacturing company with operations in four business segments: Garage Doors; Installation Services; Specialty Plastic Films; and Electronic Information and Communication Systems. The company’s Garage Doors segment designs, manufactures and sells garage doors for use in the residential housing and commercial building markets. The Installation Services segment sells, installs and services garage doors, garage door openers, manufactured fireplaces, floor coverings, cabinetry and a range of related building products primarily for the new residential housing market. The company’s Specialty Plastic Films segment develops, produces and sells plastic films and film laminates for use in infant diapers, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products and disposable surgical and patient care products. The company’s Electronic Information and Communication Systems segment designs, manufactures, sells and provides logistical support for communications, radar, information, command and control systems and large-scale integrated circuits for defense and commercial markets.

The company relies upon both internal growth and strategic investments to develop its business. Over the past five years, the company has invested significant amounts to support growth. Equipment and plant expenditures in fiscal 2006 aggregated $42 million, approximately $22 million of which were for expansion of the Garage Doors’ segment manufacturing capacity and $11 million was for Specialty Plastic Films. Over the past several years, the company constructed a manufacturing facility near São Paulo, Brazil to expand its South American specialty plastic film operations. That facility began operations in 2006. The company has also made strategic investments in each of its business segments to enhance its market position and expand into new markets, including:

·       In 2005, the Specialty Plastics Films segment acquired for $82 million the minority interest in its largest European operation and increased its investment in its Brazilian operation.

·       In 2005, the Electronic Information and Communication Systems segment acquired the Systems Engineering Group in Maryland to expand its capabilities for radar systems analysis, radar systems engineering and tactical missile defense studies and analysis. In addition, the segment also acquired its short range radio product line from SAAB.

The company was incorporated on May 18, 1959 under the laws of the State of New York. It was reincorporated in Delaware in 1970 and its name was changed to Griffon Corporation in 1995. The company makes available, free of charge through its website at www.griffoncorp.com, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. For information regarding revenue, profit and total assets of each segment see Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Garage Doors

The company believes that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Clopay Corporation, is the largest manufacturer and marketer of residential garage doors and among the largest manufacturers of commercial sectional doors in the United States. The company’s building products are sold under Clopay®, Ideal Door® and Holmes® brand names through an extensive distribution network throughout the United States. The company estimates that the majority of Garage Doors’ net sales are from sales of garage doors to the home remodeling segment of the residential housing market, with the balance from the new residential housing and commercial building markets. The segment employs approximately 1,700

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employees. Sales into the home remodeling market are being driven by the continued aging of the housing stock and the trend of improving home appearance.

According to industry sources, the residential and commercial sectional garage door market for 2005 was estimated to be $2.2 billion. Over the past decade there have been several key trends driving the garage door industry, including the shift from wood to steel doors and the growth of the home center channel of distribution. The company estimates that over 90% of the total garage door market today is steel doors. Superior strength, reduced weight and low maintenance have favored the steel door. Other product innovations during this period include insulated double-sided steel doors, new springing systems, sophisticated window options, and residential garage doors with improved safety features.

Products and Services

The company manufactures a broad line of residential sectional garage doors with a variety of options at varying prices. The company offers garage doors made primarily from several materials, including steel and wood. The company also sells related products such as garage door openers manufactured by third parties.

The company also markets commercial sectional doors. Commercial sectional doors are similar to residential garage doors, but are designed to meet more demanding performance specifications.

Sales by Garage Doors have provided approximately 32% of the company’s consolidated revenue in 2006, 37% in 2005 and 33% in 2004.

Sales and Marketing

The company distributes its building products through a wide range of distribution channels including installing dealers, retailers and wholesalers. The company owns and operates a national network of 48 distribution centers. The company’s building products are sold to approximately 2,000 independent professional installing dealers and to major home center retail chains, including The Home Depot, Inc., Menards, Inc. and Lowe’s Companies, Inc. The company maintains strong relationships with its installing dealers and believes it is the largest supplier of residential garage doors to the retail and professional installing channels.

Over the past decade, an increasing number of garage doors have been sold through home center retail chains such as The Home Depot, Inc. The company estimates that approximately 35% of its garage doors are sold through the home center channel of distribution. These home centers sell garage doors to the do-it-yourself consumer, the small residential and commercial contractor, as well as installed residential doors and operators for the rapidly growing do-it-for-me consumer segment. Distribution through the retail channel requires different capabilities and skills than those traditionally utilized by garage door manufacturers. Factors such as immediately available inventory, national distribution, national installation services, point-of-sale merchandising and special packaging are all important to the retailer.

The company is the principal supplier of residential garage doors throughout the United States and Canada to The Home Depot, Inc., with Clopay® brand doors being sold exclusively to this customer in the retail channel of distribution. Sales of the Clopay® brand outside the retail channel of distribution are not restricted. The segment’s largest customers are The Home Depot, Inc. and Menards, Inc. The loss of either of these customers would have a material adverse effect on the company’s business. The company distributes its garage doors directly to customers from its manufacturing facilities and through its network of 48 company-owned distribution centers located throughout the United States and in Canada. These distribution centers allow the company to maintain an inventory of garage doors near installing dealers and provide quick-ship service to retail and professional dealer customers.

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Manufacturing and Raw Materials

The company currently operates five garage door manufacturing facilities, having added an additional facility in Troy, Ohio in 2006. A key aspect of Garage Doors’ research and development efforts has been the ability to continually improve and streamline its manufacturing processes. The company’s engineering and technological expertise, combined with its capital investment in equipment, generally has enabled the company to efficiently manufacture products in large volume and meet changing customer needs. The company’s facilities use proprietary manufacturing processes to produce the majority of its products. Certain of the company’s equipment and machinery are internally modified to achieve its manufacturing objectives. These manufacturing facilities produce a broad line of high quality garage doors for distribution to professional installer, retail and wholesale channels.

The principal raw material used in the company’s manufacturing operations is galvanized steel, the price of which increased significantly during 2005, was relatively stable during fiscal 2006 and began to trend upwards toward the end of 2006. The company also utilizes certain hardware components as well as wood and insulated foam. All of these raw materials are generally available from a number of sources.

Research and Development

The company operates a technical development center where its research engineers work to design, develop and implement new products and technologies and perform durability and performance testing of new and existing products, materials and finishes. Also at this facility, the company’s process engineering team works to develop new manufacturing processes and production techniques aimed at improving manufacturing efficiencies.

Competition

The garage door industry is characterized by several large national manufacturers and many smaller regional and local manufacturers. The company competes on the basis of service, quality, price, brand awareness and product design.

The company’s brand names are widely recognized in the building products industry. The company believes that it has earned a reputation among installing dealers, retailers and wholesalers for producing a broad range of high-quality doors. The company’s market position and brand recognition are key marketing tools for expanding its customer base, leveraging its distribution network and increasing its market share.

Installation Services

The company has developed a substantial network of specialty building products installation and service operations. Its network of locations cover many of the key new single family home markets in the United States and offer a variety of building products and services to the residential construction and remodeling industries. The segment employs approximately 1,400 employees.

The company provides installed specialty building products primarily to residential builders. Builders are increasingly acting as developers and marketers, sub-contracting a substantial portion of the actual construction of a home. Traditionally, the market for installation services has been very fragmented, characterized by small operations offering a single type of building product in a single market. In what has historically been an undercapitalized, fragmented industry, the company has sufficient capital and the scale to attract professional management, achieve operating economies, and serve the needs of even the largest national builders.

Installation Services has targeted geographic markets that have a sizeable population or significant growth demographics. The markets served account for approximately 17% of all new residential housing

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permits in the United States. Installation Services’ multiple product offering is primarily targeted at new construction, wherein products are generally consumed at approximately the same time in the construction process. Products offered can be selected and upgraded by the end-customer in the company’s design centers. The company believes that its multi-product offering provides strategic marketing advantages over traditional, single product competitors, and provides the company with operational efficiencies. The company seeks to increase the cross-selling of its multiple products to its existing customers. Additionally, the company plans further growth through the introduction of additional installed building products. The replacement and remodeling markets are additional markets for the company’s products and professional installation services.

Products and Services

Installation Services sells and installs a variety of building products:

Garage Doors and Openers—garage doors are distributed, professionally installed and serviced in the new construction and replacement markets. Installation Services sources most of its garage doors from the Garage Doors segment.

Fireplaces—manufactured wood and gas fireplaces and related products such as stone or marble surrounds, wood mantels and gas logs are distributed, professionally installed and serviced, primarily to the new construction market.

Flooring—flooring products distributed and installed to the new construction market include carpeting, tile and stone, wood and vinyl.

Appliances—appliances distributed to the new construction market include refrigerators, stoves, cooktops, ovens and dishwashers.

Kitchen and Bath Cabinets—cabinetry, with options in wood varieties and door styles, are offered for distribution and installation to the new construction market.

Other—other products include closet systems, window coverings and bath enclosures. Tile and stone applications for shower and bath walls, counter tops and fireplace surrounds are also offered.

The company is able to leverage the offering of these products over a common customer base, providing efficiencies and convenience to the customer. The company operates well-appointed product design centers that facilitate selection of products by the consumer, enhancing customer service and providing an environment conducive to up-selling into higher margin products.

Sales by Installation Services have provided approximately 21% of the company’s consolidated revenue in both 2006 and 2005 and 22% in 2004.

Competition

The installation services industry remains fragmented, consisting primarily of smaller, single-market companies which have limited financial resources. However, the company has recently observed the emergence of several multi-market competitors in various regions. The company competes on the basis of service, price and product line diversity.

Specialty Plastic Films

The company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Clopay Plastics Products Company, develops and produces specialty plastic films and laminates for a variety of hygienic, health care and industrial uses in domestic and certain international markets. Specialty Plastic Films’ products include thin gauge embossed and printed films, elastomeric films and laminates of film and non-woven fabrics. These products are used

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primarily as moisture barriers in disposable infant diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine hygiene products, as protective barriers in single-use surgical and industrial gowns, drapes and equipment covers, and as packaging for hygienic products. Specialty Plastic Films’ products are sold through the company’s direct sales force primarily to multinational consumer and medical products companies. The segment employs approximately 1,200 employees worldwide.

The segment’s major customer is Procter & Gamble, with whom the company enjoys a long and growing relationship. Specialty Plastic Films supplies Procter & Gamble with a variety of products used primarily for its infant diapers, both domestically and internationally, and expects to continue to expand the relationship in the future.

The segment of the specialty plastic films industry in which Clopay participates has been affected by several key trends over the past five years. These trends include the increased use of disposable products in developing countries and favorable demographics, including increasing immigration, in the major global economies. Other trends representing significant opportunities for manufacturers include the continued demand for new advanced products such as cloth-like, breathable, laminated, and printed products and the need of major customers for global supply partners. Notwithstanding the positive trends affecting the industry, design changes by Procter & Gamble for its infant diaper products have resulted in a change in products produced by the company from laminates to narrower and thinner gauged printed film. As a result, the volume of film products sold by the segment for this customer has declined. The company believes that its business development activities targeting major multinational and regional producers of hygiene, healthcare and related products and its investments in its technology development capability and capacity increases will lead to additional sales of new and related products, minimizing the impact of this reduction.

Products

Specialty Plastic Films manufactures a wide variety of embossed and printed specialty films and laminates for the hygienic, healthcare and other markets. Specialty Plastic Films’ products are used as moisture barriers for disposable infant diapers, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products and as protective barriers in surgical and industrial gowns and drapes, equipment covers, flexible packaging, house wrap and other products. A specialty plastic film is a thin-gauge film (typically 0.0005” to 0.003”) that is manufactured from polymer resins and engineered to provide certain performance characteristics. A laminate is the combination of a plastic film and a non-woven fabric. These products are produced using both cast and blown extrusion and laminating processes. High speed, multi-color custom printing of films and customized embossing patterns further differentiate the products. The company’s specialty plastic film products typically provide a unique combination of performance characteristics that meet specific, proprietary customer needs. Examples of such characteristics include strength, breathability, barrier properties, elastic properties, processibility and aesthetic appeal.

Sales by Specialty Plastic Films have provided approximately 23% of the company’s consolidated revenue in 2006, 26% in 2005 and 30% in 2004.

Sales and Marketing

The segment sells its products primarily in the United States and Europe with sales also in Canada, Central and South America and Asia Pacific. The segment primarily utilizes an internal direct sales force, organized by customer accounts. Senior management actively participates by developing and maintaining close contacts with customers.

The segment’s largest customer is Procter & Gamble, which has accounted for a substantial portion of Specialty Plastic Films’ sales over the last five years. The loss of this customer would have a material

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adverse effect on the company’s business. Specialty plastic films also are sold to a diverse group of other leading consumer, health care and industrial companies.

The company seeks to expand its market presence for Specialty Plastic Films by capitalizing on its technological and manufacturing expertise and on its relationships with major international consumer products companies. Specifically, the company believes that it can continue to increase its North American sales and expand internationally through ongoing product development and enhancement and by marketing its technologically advanced films and laminates and printed film for use in all of its markets. The company believes that its operations in Germany and Brazil provide a strong platform for additional sales growth in certain international markets.

Research and Development

The company believes it is an industry leader in the research, design and development of specialty plastic films and laminate products. The company operates a technical center where approximately 50 chemists, scientists and engineers work independently and in strategic partnerships with the company’s customers to develop new technologies, products, processes and product applications. Currently, the company is engaged in several joint efforts with the research and development departments of its customers.

The company’s research and development efforts have resulted in many inventions covering embossing patterns, improved processing methods, product formulations, product applications and other proprietary technology. Products developed by the company include microporous breathable films and cost-effective cloth-like films and laminates. Microporous breathability provides for moisture vapor transmission and airflow while maintaining barrier properties resulting in improved comfort and skin care. Cloth-like films and laminates provide consumers preferred aesthetics such as softness and visual appeal. The company recently began commercialization of patented elastic laminates for its baby diaper products. The company holds a number of patents for its current specialty film and laminate products and related manufacturing processes. The company believes its patents are a less significant factor in its success than its proprietary know-how and the knowledge, ability and experience of its employees.

International Operations

The segment has two operations in Germany from which it sells plastic films throughout Europe. One of its German operations, Finotech, was structured as a joint venture with Corovin GmbH, a manufacturer of non-woven fabrics headquartered in Germany that is a subsidiary of BBA Group PLC, a publicly owned diversified U.K. manufacturer. In July 2005, the company purchased the remaining 40% interest from BBA in a cash transaction.

In June 2002, the company acquired 60% ownership in Isofilme Ltda., a manufacturer of plastic hygienic and specialty films located in Sao Paulo, Brazil which operates under the name Clopay do Brasil. In October 2004, the company acquired an additional 30% of Isofilme. In October 2005, the company purchased the remaining 10% interest. In 2005 and 2006, the company constructed and relocated to a new facility near São Paulo. The installation of new manufacturing capacity and capabilities was completed in conjunction with the move. Clopay do Brasil provides a platform to broaden participation in South American markets and strengthen the company’s position as a global supplier.

Manufacturing and Raw Materials

The company manufactures its specialty plastic film and laminate products on high-speed equipment designed to meet stringent tolerances. The manufacturing process consists of melting a mixture of polymer resins (primarily polyethylene) and additives, and forcing this mixture through a computer controlled die and rollers to produce embossed films. In addition, the lamination process involves extruding the melted

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plastic films directly onto a non-woven fabric and bonding these materials to form a laminate. The company also manufactures multi-color printed films and laminates. Through statistical process control methods, company personnel monitor and control the entire production process.

This segment launched a significant capital expansion program in fiscal 2003 to support new opportunities with its major customers and to increase capacity throughout its operations. The product initiative involving the production of high-quality, multi-color printing of films and laminates for the baby diaper market in North America and Europe is complete. The segment’s most advanced production line went onstream in 2005, and a new line in Brazil commenced production in 2006. In 2005 and 2006 the segment installed North American and European capacity for the production of the latest technology in elastomeric materials for its key customers. Capital spending for Specialty Plastic Films was approximately $27 million in fiscal 2005 and $11 million in fiscal 2006. It is anticipated that spending in fiscal 2007 will approach 2006 levels.

Plastic resins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and non-woven fabrics are the basic raw materials used in the manufacture of substantially all of Specialty Plastic Films’ products, the price of which has increased dramatically since early 2002. The near-term outlook is for stabilization of resin prices. The company currently purchases its plastic resins in pellet form from several suppliers. The purchases are made under supply agreements that do not specify fixed pricing terms. The company’s sources for raw materials are believed to be adequate for its current and anticipated needs.

Competition

The market for the company’s specialty plastic film and laminate products is highly competitive. The company has a number of competitors in the specialty plastic films and laminates market, some of which are larger and have greater resources than the company. The company believes that its technical expertise and product development capabilities enhance its market position and customer relationships. The company competes primarily on the basis of technical expertise, quality, service and price.

The company has developed strong, long-term relationships with leading consumer and health care products companies. The company believes that these relationships, combined with its technological expertise, product development and production capabilities, including global operations, have positioned it to meet changing customer needs, which the company expects will drive growth. In addition, the company believes its strong, long-term relationships provide it with increasing opportunities to expand and enter new international markets.

Electronic Information and Communication Systems

The company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Telephonics Corporation, specializes in advanced electronic information and communication systems for defense, aerospace, civil, industrial, and commercial applications domestically and in certain international markets. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and provides logistical support for aircraft communication systems, radar, air traffic management, information and command and control systems, identification friend or foe (“IFF”) equipment, transportation communication systems and custom, mixed-signal, application specific integrated circuits. The company is a leading supplier of airborne maritime surveillance radar and aircraft intercommunication management systems, the segment’s two largest product lines. In addition to its traditional defense products used predominantly by the United States Government, in recent years the company has adapted its core technologies to products used in international markets and has expanded its presence in both non-defense government and commercial markets. In fiscal 2006, approximately 73% of the segment’s sales were to the United States defense industry, 24% to international customers and 3% to commercial customers. The segment employs approximately 1,200 employees.

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The United States defense electronics procurement budget is expected to grow along with the overall defense budget. Growth in this budget area reflects the trend in recent years for the United States’ Department of Defense to opt for the installation of new electronic systems and equipment in existing aircraft rather than develop new weapons systems. Conflicts involving the country’s military have also tended in recent years to require deployment and significant coordination between air, sea and ground forces, often in distant parts of the world, underscoring the evolution and growing importance of electronic systems that provide surveillance, tracking, communication and command and control. The company believes that Telephonics’ advanced systems and sub-systems are well positioned to address the needs of an electronic battlefield with emphasis on the generation and dissemination of timely data for use by highly mobile ground, air and naval forces. The company anticipates that the need for such systems will also increase in connection with the increasingly active role that the military is playing in the war on terrorism, both at home and abroad.

Programs and Products

The table below lists some of the major programs the company currently participates in:

 

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The company, under a contract with Syracuse Research Corporation manufactures counter IED devices to support the Warlock Duke program. The program entailed the achievement of high rate production, in an accelerated timetable, of equipment designed to defeat the roadside bomb threats that our armed forces face throughout the world.

The company specializes in communication systems and products and is a leading manufacturer of aircraft intercommunication systems with products in digital and analog communication management, digital audio distribution and control, and communication systems integration. Additionally, the company also manufactures a variety of wireless products for use in ground and airborne operations. The company’s communication products are on platforms such as the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission and MH-60S utility helicopters, the United Kingdom’s NIMROD surveillance aircraft, the U.S. Air Force C-17A cargo transport, the U.S. Air Force’s Joint Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar System (Joint-STARS) aircraft, and AWACS aircraft.

The company’s command and control systems include airborne maritime surveillance radar, ground surveillance radar, weather and search radar systems, air traffic management systems and tactical instrument landing systems. The company provides expertise and equipment for detecting and tracking targets in a maritime environment and flight path management systems for air traffic control applications. Its maritime radar systems, which are used in more than 20 countries, are fitted aboard helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and aerostats for use at sea. The company’s radar products will be utilized on the U.S. Coast Guard’s helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles for its Deepwater upgrade program. The company also increased its market penetration through an award to develop, manufacture and deliver radar with imaging in both maritime and overland environments for the Canadian Forces’ CP-140 Aurora aircraft program. The company’s electronic systems include IFF systems used by the U.S. Air Force and NATO on the AWACS aircraft and for the U.S. Navy’s Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft Contract.

Telephonics is generally a first tier supplier to prime contractors in the defense industry such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky Aircraft. With the significant contraction and consolidation that has occurred in the U.S. and international defense industry, major prime contractors worldwide are relying on smaller, key suppliers to provide advances in technology and greater efficiencies to reduce the cost of major systems and platforms. The company believes that this situation creates an opportunity for established, first tier suppliers to capitalize on existing relationships with major prime contractors and play a larger role in the foreseeable future.

The company also manufactures custom and standard, mixed-signal, application-specific large-scale integrated circuits for customers in the security, military telecommunications and multi-media industries.

Sales by Electronic Information and Communication Systems have provided approximately 24% of the company’s consolidated revenue in 2006, 16% in 2005 and 16% in 2004.

Backlog

The funded backlog for Electronic Information and Communication Systems was approximately $373 million at September 30, 2006, compared to $217 million at September 30, 2005. The growth in backlog is attributable to the Syracuse Research Corporation contract and the MH-60R program. Approximately 76% of the current backlog is expected to be filled during fiscal 2007.

Sales and Marketing

Telephonics has approximately 25 technical business development personnel who act as the focal point for its marketing activities and approximately 40 sales representatives who introduce its products and systems to customers worldwide.

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The company participates in a range of long-term defense and non-military government programs, both domestically and internationally. The company has developed a base of installed products in these programs that generate significant recurring revenue and retrofit, spare parts and customer support sales. Due to the inherent complexity of defense electronics, the company believes that its incumbent status on major platforms gives it a competitive advantage in the selection process for the upgrades and enhancements that have characterized defense electronics procurement in recent years. Furthermore, the company believes that with programs such as the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R helicopter transitioning to full scale production concurrently with other radar and intercommunications systems production programs under way, the company will have a competitive price advantage on bids for new business.

In recent years, the segment has also significantly expanded its customer base in international markets. The company’s international projects include a contract with BAE Systems as part of the United Kingdom’s upgrade of the NIMROD surveillance aircraft and a number of contracts with the Civil Aviation Authority of China for air traffic management systems for Mainland China.

Research and Development

This segment regularly updates its core technologies through internally funded research and development. The selection of these R&D projects is based on available opportunities in the marketplace, as well as input from the company’s customers. Recent internally funded research and development has resulted in the development of an airborne imaging maritime surveillance radar system with advanced technology and greater functionality, as well as an all-digital, totally secure intercommunications management system.

The company believes that it is a technological leader in its core markets and intends to pursue new growth opportunities by leveraging its systems design and engineering capabilities and incumbent position on key platforms. For example, during 2000 Telephonics was awarded a contract for the development of the next generation integrated radio management system for the U.S. Air Force’s C-17A air transport. This program transitioned from development to production in fiscal 2003. Since 2003, the company has developed the next generation integrated radio management system for the C-17A Aircraft and will be retrofitting all of the previously installed systems going forward. The company also expects substantial sales growth as it transitions to the production phase for the US Navy’s MH-60R helicopter program.

In addition to Telephonics’ products for defense programs, the company has also applied its technology to produce products for commercial applications such as airborne weather and search radar air traffic control systems. The company believes that its reputation for innovative product design and engineering capabilities, especially in the areas of voice and data communications, radio frequency design, digital signal processing, networking systems, inverse synthetic aperture radar and analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits, has enhanced its ability to secure, retain and expand its participation in defense programs and commercial undertakings. The company is capable of meeting a full range of customer requirements including system requirements definition, product design and development, manufacturing and test, integration and installation, and logistical support. As a result, the company has been successful in developing a number of relationships as an important strategic partner and first tier supplier to various prime contractors.

Telephonics’ objective is to anticipate the needs of its core markets and to invest in research and development in an effort to provide solutions well in advance of its competitors. In an effort to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty, Telephonics often designs its products to exceed customers’ minimum specifications, providing its customers with greater performance and flexibility. The company believes that these practices engender increased coordination and communication with its customers at the earliest stages of new program development, thereby increasing the likelihood that Telephonics’ products will be selected and integrated as part of a total system solution.

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Competition

The Electronic Information and Communication Systems segment competes with major manufacturers of electronic information and communication systems that have greater financial resources than the company, and with several smaller manufacturers of similar products. The company competes on the basis of technology, design, quality, price and program performance.

Employees

On a consolidated basis, the company has approximately 5,700 employees located throughout the United States, in Europe and Brazil. Approximately 150 of its employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, primarily with an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. The company believes its relationships with its employees are satisfactory.

Regulation

The company’s operations are subject to various environmental, health and employee safety laws. The company has spent money and management has spent time complying with environmental, health and worker safety laws which apply to its operations and facilities and the company expects to continue to do so. Compliance with environmental laws has not historically materially affected the company’s capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. The company does not expect compliance with environmental laws to have a material effect on the company in the future. The company believes that it generally complies with applicable environmental, health and worker safety laws and governmental regulations. Nevertheless, the company cannot guarantee that in the future it will not incur additional costs for compliance or that those costs will not be material.

Seasonality

Historically the company’s revenues and earnings are lowest in its second fiscal quarter and highest in its fourth fiscal quarter.

Financial Information About Geographic Areas

Revenues, based on the customers’ locations, and property, plant and equipment attributed to the United Sates and all other countries are as follows:

 

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Research and Development

Research and development costs not recoverable under contractual arrangements are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development costs for all business segments were approximately $15,300,000 in 2006, $16,100,000 in 2005 and $17,400,000 in 2004.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Item 1A.                Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information appearing in this document. If any of the following risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or prospects. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

We operate in highly competitive industries and may be unable to compete effectively with other companies.

We face intensive competition in each of our markets. We have a number of competitors, some of which are larger and have greater resources than us. We compete primarily on the basis of competitive prices, technical expertise, product differentiation, and quality of products and services. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will not encounter increased competition in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If we were to lose any of our largest customers, our results of operations could be significantly harmed.

A small number of customers has accounted for a substantial portion of our historical net sales, and we expect that a limited number of customers will continue to represent a substantial portion of our net sales for the foreseeable future. Approximately 14% of our total sales and 59% of our specialty plastic films sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 were made to Procter & Gamble, which is our largest customer in the specialty plastic films segment. The Home Depot, Inc. and Menards Inc. are significant customers of our garage doors segment and Syracuse Research Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation and the Boeing Company are significant customers of our electronic information and communication systems segment. Our future operating results will continue to substantially depend on the success of our largest customers and our relationships with them. Orders from these customers are subject to fluctuation, and may be reduced materially. Any reduction or delay in sales of our products to one or more of these customers could significantly harm our business. Our operating results will also depend on our ability to successfully develop relationships with additional key customers. We cannot assure you that we will retain our largest customers or that we will be able to recruit additional key customers.

Increases in raw material costs could adversely impact our financial condition and operating results.

We purchase raw materials from various suppliers. While all our raw materials are available from numerous sources, commodity raw materials are subject to fluctuations in price. Because raw materials in the aggregate constitute significant components of our cost of goods sold, such fluctuations could have a

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material adverse effect on our results of operations. In recent years, there have been price increases in plastic resins and steel, which are the basic raw materials used in the manufacture of our specialty plastic films and garage door products, respectively. Our ability to pass on to our customers increases in raw material prices is limited due to customer supply arrangements and competitive pricing pressure, and there is generally a time lag between our increased costs and our implementation of related price increases. We have not always been able to increase our prices to fully recoup our increased costs. In addition, sharp increases in raw material prices are more difficult to pass through to customers in a short period of time and may negatively affect our short-term financial performance.

Trends in the housing sector and in general economic conditions will directly impact our business.

Our businesses in the garage door and the installation industries are influenced by market conditions for new home construction and renovation of existing homes. For the year ended September 30, 2006, approximately 53% of our total net sales were related to new home construction and renovation of existing homes. Trends in the housing sector directly affect our financial performance. Accordingly, the strength of the U.S. economy, the age of existing home stock, job growth, interest rates, consumer confidence and the availability of consumer credit, as well as demographic factors such as the migration into the United States and migration of the population within the United States have an effect on our business. The historically low interest rates in recent periods have generated strong growth in the housing sector. If interest rates increase or there are adverse changes in any of the other factors affecting trends in the housing sector, activities in new housing construction and renovation of existing homes may decrease. Such a decrease may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition and prospects.

Trends in the baby diaper market will directly impact our business.

Recent trends have been for baby diaper manufacturers to specify thinner plastic films for use in their products. This trend has generally resulted in Specialty Plastic Films incurring costs to redesign and reengineer its own products to accommodate the specification change and has also had the effect of reducing revenue due to lower plastic film content in products sold. Such decreases, or the failure of the company to meet changing customer specifications, could result in a decline in revenue and profits that may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

Our electronic information and communication systems business depends heavily upon government contracts.

Our electronic information and communication systems business sells products to the U.S. government primarily as a subcontractor. We are generally a first tier supplier to prime contractors in the defense industry such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, U.S. government contracts and subcontracts accounted for approximately 17% of our sales. Our contracts involving the U.S. government may include various risks, including:

·       Termination by the government;

·       Reduction or modification in the event of changes in the government’s requirements or budgetary constraints;

·       Increased or unexpected costs causing losses or reduced profits under contracts where our prices are fixed, or unallowable costs under contracts where the government reimburses us for costs and pays an additional premium;

·       The failure or inability of the prime contractor to perform its contract in circumstances where we are a subcontractor;

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·       The failure of the company to observe and comply with government business practice and procurement regulations such that the company could be suspended or barred from bidding on or receiving awards of new government contracts;

·       The failure of the government to exercise options for additional work provided for in the contracts; and

·       The government’s right in certain circumstances to freely use technology developed under these contracts.

The programs in which we participate may extend for several years, but are normally funded on an annual basis. The U.S. government may not continue to fund programs to which our development projects apply. Even if funding is continued, we may fail to compete successfully to obtain funding pursuant to such programs.

There can be no assurance that the capital expansion program that we have implemented in the specialty plastic films segment will generate the revenue and profits anticipated.

Our specialty plastic films segment implemented a capital expansion program over the past several years to support new opportunities with its major customers and to increase capacity throughout its operations. The implementation and commercialization of new products and the introduction and expansion of sales to new customers resulted in startup costs and production inefficiencies that negatively impacted operating results in fiscal 2006. Although management expects to address these issues in 2007, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in fully eliminating such inefficiencies and costs or that such items will not recur in future periods.

We must continually improve existing products, design and sell new products and manage the costs of research and development in order to compete effectively.

The markets for our specialty plastic films and electronic information and communication systems businesses are characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards and continuous improvements in products. Due to constant changes in these markets, our future success depends on our ability to develop new technologies, products, processes and product applications.

We develop our technologies and products through internally funded research and development and strategic partnerships with our customers. Because it is generally not possible to predict the amount of time required and the costs involved in achieving certain research and development objectives, actual development costs may exceed budgeted amounts and estimated product development schedules may be extended. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected if:

·       we are unable to improve our existing products on a timely basis;

·       our new products are not introduced on a timely basis or do not achieve sufficient market penetration;

·       we incur budget overruns or delays in our research and development efforts; or

·       our new products experience reliability or quality problems.

The loss of certain key officers or employees could adversely affect us.

The success of our business is materially dependent upon the continued services of certain of our key officers and employees. The loss of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

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Our businesses are subject to seasonal variations.

Historically, our revenues and earnings are lowest in the second fiscal quarter ending on March 31 and highest in the fourth fiscal quarter ending September 30. The quarterly operating results fluctuation is mainly due to the seasonality in our garage door and installation businesses. The primary revenues of our garage door and installation businesses are driven by residential renovation and construction. Cold weather in the winter months usually reduces the level of building and remodeling activity in both the home improvement and new construction markets and, accordingly, has an adverse effect on the demand for our garage door products and installation services. Seasonal fluctuation in the demand for our garage door products and installation services could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Because a high percentage of our manufacturing overhead and operating expenses is relatively fixed throughout the year, operating margins have historically been lower in quarters with lower sales. As a result, our operating results and stock price could be volatile, particularly on a quarterly basis.

We are exposed to a variety of risks relating to our international sales and operations, including foreign economic and political conditions and fluctuations in exchange rates.

We own properties and conduct operations in Europe and South America through our foreign subsidiaries. Sales of our products through our foreign subsidiaries accounted for approximately 14% of our net sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. These foreign sales could be adversely affected by changes in various foreign countries’ political and economic conditions, trade protection measures, differing intellectual property rights and changes in regulatory requirements that restrict the sales of our products or increase our costs. Currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in the foreign countries or regions in which we do business may also have an impact on our future operating results.

We may not be able to protect our proprietary rights.

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright and trademark laws, trade secrets, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and other contractual provisions to protect our proprietary rights. Such measures provide only limited protection. We cannot assure you that our means of protecting our proprietary rights will be adequate or that competitors will not independently develop similar technologies.

We are exposed to product liability claims.

We may be the subject of product liability claims in the future relating to the performance of our products or the performance of a product in which any of our products was a component part. There can be no assurance that product liability claims will not be brought against us in the future, either by an injured customer of an end product manufacturer who used one of our products as a component or by a direct purchaser from us. In addition, no assurance can be given that indemnification from our customers or coverage under insurance policies will be adequate to cover future product liability claims against us. Moreover, liability insurance is expensive, difficult to maintain and may be unobtainable in the future on acceptable terms. The amount and scope of any insurance coverage may be inadequate if a product liability claim is successfully asserted against us. Furthermore, if any significant claims are made against us, our business may be adversely affected by any resulting negative publicity.

We have been, and may in the future be, subject to claims and liabilities under environmental laws and regulations.

Our operations and assets are subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, the handling and disposal of wastes, including solid and hazardous wastes, or otherwise relating to health, safety and protection of the environment. We do not expect to make any expenditures with respect to ongoing compliance with or remediation under these environmental laws and regulations that would have a material adverse effect on

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our business, operating results or financial condition. However, the applicable requirements under the law may change at any time.

We can also incur environmental liabilities in respect of sites that we no longer own or operate, as well as third party sites to which we sent hazardous materials in the past. We cannot assure you that material costs or liabilities will not be incurred in connection with such claims. A site in Peekskill in the town of Cortlandt, New York was previously owned and used by two of our subsidiaries. The Peekskill site was sold in December 1982. In 1984, we were advised by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that random sampling of the Peekskill site indicated concentrations of solvents and other chemicals common to the operations of our subsidiary that used the site. In May 1996, our subsidiary that formerly owned the site entered into a consent order with the DEC to investigate and remediate environmental conditions at this site, including the performance of a remedial investigation and feasibility study. After completing the initial remedial investigation, such subsidiary has now performed a supplemental remedial investigation under the consent order. Subsequently, an addendum to the supplemental remediation investigation was negotiated and conducted and a further report submitted to the DEC. We believe, based on facts presently known to us, that the outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. We cannot assure you, however, that the discovery of presently unknown environmental conditions, changes in environmental laws and regulations or other unanticipated events will not give rise to claims that may involve material expenditures or liabilities.

Changes in income tax laws and regulations or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could adversely affect profitability.

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various foreign jurisdictions. Domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in any valuation allowance for deferred tax assets or the amendment or enactment of tax laws. The amount of income taxes paid is subject to ongoing audits by U.S. Federal, state and local tax authorities and also by foreign authorities. If these audits result in assessments different from recorded income tax liabilities, future financial results may include unfavorable adjustments to our income tax expense.

Our compliance with restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements may limit our ability to take corporate actions and harm our business.

Our debt agreements contain a number of covenants that restrict our ability to incur additional debt and our ability to pay dividends. Under our revolving credit agreement we are also required to comply with specific financial ratios and tests. We may not be able to comply in the future with these covenants or restrictions as a result of events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If we default in maintaining compliance with the covenants and restrictions in our debt agreements, our lenders could declare all of the principal and interest amounts outstanding due and payable and terminate their commitments to extend credit to us in the future. If we are unable to secure credit in the future, our business could be harmed.

Our inability to repurchase outstanding convertible notes as required under the indenture may cause an event of default under other agreements.

On July 18, 2010, 2013, 2018 and upon a change in control, as defined in the indenture, noteholders will have the right to require us to repurchase their notes. If we do not have sufficient funds to pay the repurchase price for all of the notes tendered, an event of default under the indenture governing the notes would occur as a result of such failure. In addition, a change in control might breach a covenant under our

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revolving credit agreement, and may be prohibited or limited by, or create an event of default under, other agreements relating to borrowings that we may enter into from time to time.

Our reported earnings per share may be more volatile because of the conversion contingency provision of our notes.

Our outstanding convertible notes are convertible when a “market price” condition is satisfied and also upon the occurrence of other circumstances as more fully described in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Upon conversion, noteholders will receive at least $1,000 in cash for each $1,000 principal amount of notes presented for conversion. The excess of the value of the company’s common stock that would have been issuable upon conversion over the cash delivered will be paid to noteholders in shares of the Company’s common stock. These shares are considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per share and volatility in our stock price could cause these notes to be dilutive in one quarter and not in a subsequent quarter, increasing the volatility of fully diluted earnings per share.

We may be unable to raise additional financing necessary to conduct our business, make payments when due or refinance our debt.

We may need to raise additional funds in the future in order to implement our business plan, to refinance our debt or to acquire complementary businesses or products. Any required additional financing may be unavailable on terms favorable to us, or at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, holders of common stock may experience significant dilution of their ownership interest and these securities may have rights senior to those of the holders of our common stock.

Our indebtedness and interest expense will limit our cash flow and could adversely affect our operations and our ability to make full payment on our outstanding notes.

Our indebtedness poses risks to our business, including the risks that:

·       we could use a substantial portion of our consolidated cash flow from operations to pay principal and interest on our debt, thereby reducing the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, product development and other general corporate purposes;

·       insufficient cash flow from operations may force us to sell assets, or seek additional capital, which we may be unable to do at all or on terms favorable to us; and

·       our level of indebtedness may make us more vulnerable to economic or industry downturns.

We have the ability to issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of our issued and outstanding common stock.

The issuance of additional equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities would result in dilution of existing stockholders’ equity interests in us. We are authorized to issue, without stockholder approval, 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, which may give other stockholders dividend, conversion, voting, and liquidation rights, among other rights, which may be superior to the rights of holders of our common stock. Our board of directors has the authority to issue, without vote or action of stockholders, shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and has the ability to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of any such series. Any such series of preferred stock could contain dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences or other rights superior to the rights of holders of our common stock. Our board of directors has no present intention of issuing any such preferred stock, but reserves the right to do so in the future. In addition, we are authorized to issue, without stockholder approval, up to 85,000,000 shares of common stock, of which approximately 29,849,000 shares were outstanding as of September 30, 2006. We are also authorized to issue, without stockholder approval, securities convertible into either shares of common stock or preferred stock.

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Item 1B.               Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2.                        Properties

The company occupies approximately 5,000,000 square feet of general office, factory, warehouse and showroom space throughout the United States, in Germany and in Brazil. For a description of the encumbrances on certain of these properties, see Note 2 to the company’s consolidated financial statements. The following table sets forth certain information related to the company’s major facilities:

 

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The company also leases approximately 1,900,000 square feet of space for the Garage Doors distribution centers and Installation Services locations in numerous facilities throughout the United States. The company has aggregate minimum annual rental commitments under real estate leases of approximately $12 million. The majority of the leases have escalation clauses related to increases in real property taxes on the leased property and some for cost of living adjustments. Certain of the leases have renewal and purchase options.

In fiscal 2006 the company acquired a manufacturing facility for the garage door segment in Troy, Ohio.  The plants and equipment of the company are believed to contain sufficient space for current and presently foreseeable needs.

Item 3.                        Legal Proceedings

Department of Environmental Conservation of New York State (“DEC”), with ISC Properties, Inc.   Lightron Corporation (“Lightron”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, once conducted operations at a location in Peekskill in the Town of Cortlandt, New York owned by ISC Properties, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company (the “Peekskill Site”). ISC Properties, Inc. sold the Peekskill Site in November 1982.

Subsequently, the company was advised by the DEC that random sampling at the Peekskill Site and in a creek near the Peekskill Site indicated concentrations of solvents and other chemicals common to Lightron’s prior plating operations. ISC Properties, Inc. then entered into a consent order with the DEC in 1996 (the “Consent Order”) to perform a remedial investigation and prepare a feasibility study. After completing the initial remedial investigation pursuant to the Consent Order, ISC Properties, Inc. was required by the DEC to conduct a supplemental remedial investigation under the Consent Order. In or about August 2004, a report was submitted to the DEC of the findings under the supplemental remedial investigation. Subsequently, an addendum to the supplemental remediation investigation was negotiated and conducted and a further report submitted to the DEC. No feasibility study has yet been performed pursuant to the Consent Order. Management believes, based on facts presently known to it, that the resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

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PART II

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

(a)   The company’s Common Stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GFF”. The following table shows for the periods indicated the quarterly range in the high and low sales prices for the company’s Common Stock:

 

(b)   As of December 1, 2006, there were approximately 15,000 recordholders of the company’s Common Stock.

(c)   No cash dividends on Common Stock were declared or paid during the five fiscal years ended September 30, 2006.

(d)   Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following sets forth information relating to the company’s equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2006:

(1)          Excludes amounts in connection with the Griffon Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”) approved by shareholders during 2006. The Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of performance shares, performance units, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares and deferred shares. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for award under the Incentive Plan is 1,700,000 and the number of shares available is reduced by a factor of two to one for awards other than stock options. As of September 30, 2006, options to purchase 25,000 shares and 309,326 shares of restricted stock have been awarded. If all of the remaining shares available under the Incentive Plan were awarded through stock options, approximately 1,056,000 shares would be issued or if all of the remaining shares were awarded as restricted stock approximately 528,000 shares would be issued.

The company’s 1998 Employee and Director Stock Option Plan (the “Employee and Director Plan”) is the only option plan which was not approved by the company’s stockholders. Eligible participants in the

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Employee and Director Plan include directors, officers and employees of, and consultants to, the company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates. Under the terms of the Employee and Director Plan, the purchase price of the shares subject to each option granted will not be less than 100% of the fair market value at the date of grant. The terms of each option shall be determined at the time of grant by the Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee.

In 2005 the company granted the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer an option to purchase 250,000 shares of the company’s common stock at an exercise price of $22.94 per share, the fair market value on the date of grant. The option has a seven year term, is fully vested and becomes exercisable as to 50% of the shares after one year and as to 100% of the shares after two years.

(e)   Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(1)          The company’s stock buyback program has been in effect since 1993, under which a total of approximately 17 million shares have been purchased for $229 million. There is no time limit on the repurchases to be made under the plan. Shares purchased apart from publically announced programs were in connection with the exercise of stock options.

Item 6.                        Selected Financial Data

(1)          Operating results for 2002 include a pre-tax charge of $10,200,000 for the divestiture of an unprofitable peripheral operation.

(2)          Per share amounts in 2002 exclude the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.

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

OVERVIEW

Net sales for the year ended September 30, 2006 increased to $1.64 billion, up from $1.40 billion in 2005. Income before income taxes was $78.7 million compared to $78.9 million last year. Net income was $51.8 million compared to $48.8 million last year.

The Company’s building products operations started strongly in fiscal 2006, continuing the operating gains and momentum that they achieved in the latter half of fiscal 2005. In the garage doors segment, raw material costs were relatively stable throughout most of fiscal 2006 with the segment experiencing an uptick in steel costs towards the end of the year. In addition, the garage door segment benefited from a shift in customer demand to more premium doors, a trend that should contribute to future revenue and margin growth. With respect to the overall outlook for garage doors, we are cautiously optimistic. The segment has continued to expand as a result of market share gains achieved by its retail and dealer customer base. Also, we believe that further opportunities to expand the segment’s product line and improve manufacturing efficiency exist as a result of the recently acquired manufacturing facility in Troy, Ohio. Although we recently have experienced softness in some of the segments markets, based on historical precedents we do not believe that a weakening new home construction market will have a significant negative impact on the segment as long as consumer confidence stays strong, fueling demand in the repair and renovate markets.

The installation services segment also benefited from the decreased volatility in steel costs. However, gains from strength in the segment’s Las Vegas and Phoenix markets and increased market share among national and regional home builders are being tempered by lower sales and narrower margins due primarily to increased competitive pressure. Several national builders have experienced and forecast continuing weakness in sales of new residential housing. We expect this segment’s fiscal 2007 sales will be below 2006 levels due to weaker housing markets and the loss of certain customers in the segment’s Las Vegas market. Several steps have been and are being taken, including the strengthening of segment management and the evaluation of cost reduction initiatives. We expect that the installation services segment will experience a six month period of adjustment before housing starts return to satisfactory levels, though we do not expect them to return to the record levels recently experienced. Consequently, we expect that this segment’s earnings will be negatively affected as the effect of sales and product initiatives will not be sufficient to offset the anticipated sales volume decrease.

The specialty plastic films segment had a difficult year. Fiscal 2006 started slowly for this segment, which experienced a significant first quarter decrease in sales and profitability due to lower unit volume and the impact of higher resin costs. Operating results were favorably affected by the subsequent return to normal levels of volume with the segment’s major customer. Raw material costs for this segment eased during most of the year, though remaining above 2005 levels, and again began exerting upward pressure in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Due to the lag created by customer supply agreements and competitive market conditions the segment was not able to pass these increases to customers. Resin price increases had an unfavorable impact on operating income of approximately $4 million for the fourth quarter and $7 million for the year. Recently, resin prices have been weaker and we believe that fiscal 2007 prices will be flat to slightly favorable. Operating profit was also reduced by approximately $2 million for the severance cost of a reduction in force, completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. The reduction focused on non-direct labor personnel and is expected to result in approximately $5 million of annual cost savings. Specialty plastic films’ results were also affected by the execution of its strategy to diversify and expand with new products and customers. Although the segment has successfully qualified new products and negotiated supply agreements with several important new customers in Europe, profitability was negatively affected by startup costs associated with the new business and in Brazil in connection with new production capacity. The majority of specialty plastic films’ products are custom engineered to meet each customer’s

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unique requirements. As new customers and products come on board, the segment goes through a start-up period that impacts its output and material yields as production ramps-up to commercial volumes. These factors add cost and they are particularly significant in the current climate of high resin prices. These start-up period challenges are not new to this segment and we are confident that, as in the past, they will be effectively addressed. In September the segment started shipping commercial quantities of its important new product, elastic laminates for the hygiene products market. The product and process are in qualification with key target customers and we expect that volume will ramp for this product over the remainder of fiscal 2007 in North America and Europe.

The electronic information and communications systems segment had an outstanding year in fiscal 2006. This segment achieved a 75% increase in net sales and more than doubled its operating profit compared to last year. This substantial growth was primarily attributable to the Warlock-Duke program with Syracuse Research Corporation (SRC) to manufacture equipment that is designed to defeat roadside bomb threats. This segment has now received awards in connection with the SRC contract approaching $280 million, and this work is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 with discussions continuing about additional orders. The segment’s other programs are performing well, and backlog has grown to $373 million, reflecting the SRC contract and the expected ramp-up of the MH-60R program. The MH-60R program is proceeding as planned, and if production continues to ramp-up as anticipated over the next eighteen months, it will then generate annual revenue of approximately $100 million.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

See Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Fiscal 2006 Compared to Fiscal 2005

Operating results (in thousands) by business segment were as follows:

		Net Sales						Operating Profit
		2006			2005			2006			2005
Garage doors		$	549,701		$	532,348		$	41,171		$	37,669
Installation services		338,731			300,041			9,238			9,135
Specialty plastic films		381,373			370,158			15,450			31,582
Electronic information and communication systems		387,437			220,993			39,609			18,117
Intersegment revenues		(20,662		)	(21,547		)	—			—
		$	1,636,580		$	1,401,993		$	105,468		$	96,503

 

Garage Doors

Net sales of the garage doors segment increased by $17.4 million compared to 2005. The sales growth was principally due to selling price increases ($12 million) that partially passed the effect of higher raw material costs to customers and favorable product mix ($9 million) partly offset by the effect of lower unit volume ($4 million).

Operating profit of the garage doors segment increased $3.5 million compared to last year. Gross margin percentage was 30.8% in 2006 compared to 29.6% in 2005, reflecting the selling price increases and improved product mix. The positive effects of increased sales and margins were partly offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses which increased $8 million over 2005 primarily due to higher distribution and freight costs and increased marketing and advertising. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 23.4% from 22.6% last year.

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Installation Services

Net sales of the installation services segment increased by $38.7 million compared to last year. The higher sales resulted from a strong construction environment in 2006 and market share gains in the segment’s Phoenix market, tempered by the effect of increased competition including the loss of certain customer accounts in the Las Vegas market.

Operating profit of the installation services segment was approximately the same compared to last year. Gross margin percentage decreased to 26.6% from 26.7% last year. The effect of the sales increase was somewhat moderated by the lower margin and was substantially offset by higher operating expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $10 million due primarily to higher distribution and selling costs to support the sales increase, and as a percentage of sales, was 23.9% in 2006 compared to 23.8% in 2005.

Specialty Plastic Films

Net sales of the specialty plastic films segment increased $11.2 million compared to last year. The increase was primarily due to higher unit volume ($23 million) principally related to new programs with private label manufacturers in Europe and the effect ($7 million) of selling price adjustments to partially pass increased raw material costs to customers, partly offset by the change in product mix ($19 million) compared to last year.

Operating profit of the specialty plastic films segment decreased $16.1 million compared to last year. Gross margin percentage decreased to 17.2% from 21.4% last year. The lower gross margin and operating profit reflect product mix changes, the effect ($7 million) of higher raw material costs, start-up costs for new customer programs and related manufacturing inefficiencies, and a charge of approximately $2 million for a reduction in force. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $4 million principally due to expenses ($2 million) related to the new Brazil facility, higher distribution costs, and a full year of intangible asset amortization. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 13.7% in 2006 compared to 13.1% last year.

Electronic Information and Communication Systems

Net sales of the electronic information and communication systems segment increased $166.4 million compared to last year. The SRC contract accounted for the significant growth in revenue, with the MH-60R program also contributing.

Operating profit of the electronic information and communication systems segment increased $21.5 million compared to last year. Gross margin percentage decreased to 19.4% from 23.4% last year, principally due to lower margins on production programs and cost growth on certain development programs. The effect of lower margins was offset by the sales increase. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $2 million over last year but, as a percentage of sales, was 9.4% compared to 15.5% last year due to the sales growth.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $2.2 million compared to 2005 principally due to higher levels of outstanding borrowings throughout the year.

Income Tax Expense

The provision for income taxes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 reflects a rate that is lower than the statutory United States and applicable foreign tax rates primarily due to the reversal of approximately $1.4 million of estimated income tax liabilities in connection with closed tax years.

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Fiscal 2005 Compared to Fiscal 2004

Operating results (in thousands) by business segment were as follows:

		Net Sales						Operating Profit
		2005			2004			2005			2004
Garage doors		$	532,348		$	476,581		$	37,669		$	42,600
Installation services		300,041			306,992			9,135			10,909
Specialty plastic films		370,158			411,346			31,582			52,655
Electronic information and communication systems		220,993			220,674			18,117			20,224
Intersegment revenues		(21,547		)	(21,784		)	—			—
		$	1,401,993		$	1,393,809		$	96,503		$	126,388

 

Garage Doors

Net sales of the garage doors segment increased by $55.8 million compared to 2004. The sales growth was principally due to selling price increases ($43.8 million) that partially passed the effect of higher raw material costs to customers. The remainder of the increase was primarily due to favorable product mix.

Operating profit of the garage doors segment decreased $4.9 million compared to 2004. Gross margin percentage was 29.6% in 2005 compared to 33.0% in 2004. Selling price increases did not offset the effect of higher raw material costs, reducing the segment’s gross margin and operating profit by approximately $4 to $5 million. The net effect ($5 million) of favorable product mix and unit volume positively affected gross margin and operating profit. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.5 million primarily due to higher distribution and freight costs and increased marketing and advertising compared to 2004 but, as a percentage of sales, declined to 22.6% from 24.1% in 2004 due to the sales increase.

Installation Services

Net sales of the installation services segment decreased by $7.0 million compared to 2004. The lower sales resulted from a weaker construction environment in certain of the segment’s markets during the first half of 2005, increased competition and elimination of an underperforming location in 2004, partly offset by the effect of a strengthening construction environment in the second half of 2005 and increased market share.

Operating profit of the installation services segment decreased $1.8 million compared to 2004. Narrower margins due to the competitive market conditions and higher raw material costs reduced the gross margin percentage to 26.7% from 27.6% in 2004. The lower sales and reduced margins negatively impacted operating profit by approximately $4.7 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased approximately $2.8 million due primarily to lower variable costs, and as a percentage of sales, was 23.8% in 2005 compared to 24.1% in 2004.

Specialty Plastic Films

Net sales of the specialty plastic films segment decreased $41.2 million compared to 2004. The decrease was primarily due to lower unit volume ($67 million) principally related to product design changes by the segment’s major customer, partly offset by the effect ($20.4 million) of selling price adjustments to partially pass increased raw material costs to customers.

Operating profit of the specialty plastic films segment decreased $21.1 million compared to 2004. Gross margin percentage decreased to 21.4% from 25.6% in 2004. The lower gross margin and operating profit reflected the effect (approximately $26 million) of lower unit volume and underabsorbed fixed costs and the negative impact ($1 to $2 million) of higher raw material costs, partly offset by the positive effect

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($2 million) of exchange rate differences and other items. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $4.5 million principally due to the sales decrease, but as a percentage of sales, increased to 13.1% from 12.9% in 2004.

Electronic Information and Communication Systems

Net sales of the electronic information and communication systems segment were approximately the same compared to 2004. New program awards and funding on existing programs replaced revenue attributable to a $35 million contract for ground surveillance radars that was fully performed in 2004.

Operating profit of the electronic information and communication systems segment decreased $2.1 million compared to 2004. Gross margin percentage decreased to 23.4% from 24.0% in 2004, principally due to lower margins on certain development programs and higher margins in 2004 on certain commercial product lines. The reduced margin negatively impacted operating profit by approximately $1 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $1 million over 2004 principally due to acquisitions, and as a percentage of sales, was 15.5% compared to 15.0% last year.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $.2 million compared to 2004.

Income Tax Expense

The provision for income taxes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 includes $1.3 million of tax benefits reflecting the reversal of previously recorded tax liabilities in connection with the closure by statute, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, of fiscal 2001.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flow generated by operations for 2006 was $16.3 million compared to $58.3 million last year and working capital was $309 million at September 30, 2006. Operating cash flows decreased compared to last year due primarily to higher inventory and accounts receivable levels, partly offset by increases in current liabilities. Higher working capital in the electronic information and communication systems segment is primarily attributable to the Warlock-Duke program with SRC and the MH-60R program. The higher working capital in the specialty plastic films segment is primarily attributable to an increase in inventory levels.

Net cash used in investing activities during 2006 was $45.4 million. The company had capital expenditures of $42 million. The garage doors segment’s capital expenditures included a new manufacturing facility; the cost of the facility and planned improvements are expected to approximate $15 million. The facility will be used to expand existing manufacturing capabilities and to add new manufacturing processes and products to the segment’s product line. Capital expenditures for specialty plastic films declined from an average of $33 million over the past three years to approximately $11 million in 2006, a level believed to be indicative of specialty plastic films requirements over the next few years.

Net cash used in financing activities during 2006 was $9.9 million. In December 2005, the company and a subsidiary entered into a new five-year senior secured multicurrency revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $150 million. Commitments under the credit agreement may be increased by $50 million under certain circumstances upon request of the Company. Borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at rates based upon LIBOR or the prime rate and are collateralized by stock of a subsidiary of the Company. The credit agreement replaced a loan agreement dating from October 2001 and refinanced $60 million of borrowings under such agreement. The proceeds of additional borrowings under the credit agreement have been used for general corporate purposes. Proceeds from borrowings under long-term

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debt arrangements, including the refinancing, aggregated $74 million, and the exercise of employee stock options provided another $2.6 million. Approximately $19.8 million was used to acquire a total of 814,000 shares of Common Stock. Approximately 1.6 million shares of common stock are available for purchase pursuant to the company’s stock buyback program and additional purchases, including any 10b5-1 plan purchases, will be made, depending upon market conditions, at prices deemed appropriate by management.

Contractual Obligations

At September 30, 2006, payments to be made pursuant to significant contractual obligations are as follows (000’s omitted):

 

The purchase obligations are generally for the purchase of goods and services in the ordinary course of business. The company uses blanket purchase orders to communicate expected requirements to certain of its vendors. Purchase obligations reflect those purchase orders where the commitment is considered to be firm. Purchase obligations that extend beyond 2007 are principally related to long-term contracts received from customers of the electronic information and communication systems segment.

A wholly owned subsidiary of the company has a lease agreement that limits dividends it may pay to the parent company. The agreement permits the payment of income taxes based on a tax sharing arrangement, and dividends based on a percentage of the subsidiary’s net income. At September 30, 2006 the subsidiary had net assets of approximately $427 million. The company expects that cash flows from operations, together with existing cash, bank lines of credit and lease line availability, should be adequate to satisfy contractual obligations and finance presently anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS

Critical Accounting Policies

The company’s significant accounting policies are set forth in Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.” The following discussion of critical accounting policies addresses those policies that require management judgment and estimates and are most important in determining the company’s operating results and financial condition.

The company recognizes revenues for most of its operations when title and the risks of ownership pass to its customers. Provisions for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to remit payments are recorded in the company’s consolidated financial statements. Judgment is required to estimate the ultimate realization of receivables, including specific reviews for collectibility when, based on an evaluation of facts and circumstances, the company may be unable to collect amounts owed to it, as well as estimation of overall collectibility of those receivables that have not required specific review.

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The company’s electronic information and communication systems segment does a significant portion of its business under long-term contracts. This unit generally recognizes contract-related revenue and profit using the percentage of completion method of accounting, which relies on estimates of total expected contract costs. A significant amount of judgment is required to estimate contract costs, including estimating many variables such as costs for material, labor and subcontracting costs, as well as applicable indirect costs. The company follows this method of accounting for its long-term contracts since reasonably dependable estimates of costs applicable to various elements of a contract can be made. Since the financial reporting of these contracts depends on estimates, recognized revenues and profit are subject to revisions as contracts progress to completion. Contract cost estimates are generally updated quarterly. Revisions in revenue and profit estimates are reflected in the period in which the circumstances requiring the revision become known. Provisions are made currently for anticipated losses on uncompleted contracts.

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (principally first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory valuation requires the company to use judgment to estimate any necessary allowances for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory, which estimates are based on assessments about future demands, market conditions and management actions.

The company sponsors several defined benefit pension plans. The amount of the company’s liability for pension benefits and the amount of pension expense recognized in the financial statements is determined using actuarial assumptions such as the discount rate, the long-term rate of return on plan assets and the rate of compensation increases. Judgment is required to annually determine the rates to be used in performing the actuarial calculations. The company evaluates these assumptions with its actuarial and investment advisors and believes that they are within accepted industry ranges. In 2006 the discount rate was raised to reflect current market conditions.

Upon acquisition, the excess of cost over the fair value of an acquired business’ net assets is recorded as goodwill. Annually in its fourth fiscal quarter, the company evaluates goodwill for impairment by comparing the carrying value of its operating units to estimates of the related operation’s fair values. An evaluation would also be performed if an event occurs or circumstances change such that the estimated fair value of the company’s operating units would be reduced below its carrying value.

The company depreciates property, plant and equipment on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are based upon the nature of the assets and their planned use in the company’s operations. Events and circumstances such as changes in operating plans, technological change or regulatory matters could affect the manner in which long-lived assets are held and used. Judgment is required to establish depreciable lives for operating assets and to evaluate events or circumstances for indications that the value of long-lived assets has been impaired.

Income taxes include current year amounts that are payable or refundable and deferred taxes reflecting the company’s estimate of the future tax consequences of temporary differences between amounts reflected in the financial statements and their tax basis. Changes in tax laws and rates may affect the amount of recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” which requires that compensation costs relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements based upon fair value, eliminates the option to continue to account for such compensation under APB Opinion No. 25 and, pursuant to SEC Release 33-8568, became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. The company adopted this pronouncement using modified prospective application and previously reported operating results and earnings per share amounts are unchanged. (See Note 3). The FASB has also issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 151, “Inventory Costs” 152, “Accounting for Real Estate Time-Sharing Transactions” 153, “Exchange of

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Nonmonetary Assets” 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets” 157, “Fair Value Measurements” 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirment Plans” Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” Staff Position No. FAS 123(R)-3, “Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards” and Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” SFAS 151 requires that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage be recognized as period charges and became effective in fiscal 2006. SFAS 152 requires that real estate time-sharing transactions be accounted for pursuant to the AICPA Statement of Position, “Accounting for Real Estate Time-Sharing Transactions” rather than SFAS 66 and SFAS 67 and became effective in fiscal 2006. SFAS No. 153 replaces the exception from fair value measurement for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets with an exception for exchanges that do not have commercial substance and became effective in fiscal 2006. SFAS 154, which becomes effective in fiscal 2007, changes the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle by generally requiring that they be retrospectively applied in prior period financial statements. SFAS 155 establishes the accounting for certain derivatives embedded in other financial instruments. SFAS 156 amends the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities. SFAS 157 defines fair value and establishes a framework for fair value measurements. SFAS 158 requires that the funded status of defined benefit plans be recognized in the balance sheet. Interpretation 47 clarified when certain asset retirement obligations should be recognized and became effective in fiscal 2006. Staff Position 123(R)-3 permits the company to elect to follow the transition guidance for the additional paid-in-capital pool or the pronouncement’s alternative transition method. Interpretation 48, which becomes effective in fiscal 2008, clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements. Also, the SEC has issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 concerning the manner in which prior period errors in financial statements should be evaluated. The company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS 151, SFAS 152, SFAS 153, SFAS 154, SFAS 155, SFAS 156, SFAS 157, SFAS 158 Interpretation 47 and SAB 108 have had or will have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The company is currently assessing what the effects of Staff Position 123(R)-3 and of Interpretation 48 will be on the financial statements.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this annual report, including without limitation statements regarding the company’s financial position, business strategy, and the plans and objectives of the company’s management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this annual report, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to, business and economic conditions, results of integrating acquired businesses into existing operations, competitive factors and pricing pressures for resin and steel, capacity and supply constraints. Such statements reflect the views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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Item 7A.                Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Management does not believe that there is any material market risk exposure with respect to foreign currency, derivatives or other financial instruments that would require disclosure under this item.

Item 8.                        Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements of the company and its subsidiaries and the report thereon of Grant Thornton LLP, dated December 13, 2006 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 and of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated December 13, 2005 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 are included herein:

·       Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms.

·       Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2006 and 2005.

·       Consolidated Statements of Income, Cash Flows and Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

·       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Griffon Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Griffon Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Griffon Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 1 of the notes to consolidated financial statements, the Company has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payments on October 1, 2005.

Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. Schedules I and II as of and for the year ended September 30, 2006 are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements. These schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria) and our report dated December 13, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Melville, New York
December 13, 2006

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Griffon Corporation:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Griffon Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
New York, New York
December 13, 2005

 

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GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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GRIFFON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended September 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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