MASCO CORP /DE/ - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

MASCO CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 313-274-7400

 

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 þ     No o

 

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 þ

 

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     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.  þ

 

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

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on June 30, 2008 (based on the closing sale price of $15.73 of the Registrant’s Common Stock, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on such date) was approximately $5,516,595,000.

 

Number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock at January 31, 2009:

 

359,500,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K

 

 

Masco Corporation
2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Masco Corporation (the “Company”) manufactures, distributes and installs home improvement and building products, with emphasis on brand name consumer products and services holding leadership positions in their markets. The Company is among the largest manufacturers in North America of a number of home improvement and building products, including faucets, cabinets, architectural coatings and windows and is one of the largest installers of insulation for the new home construction market. The Company generally provides broad product offerings in a variety of styles and price points and distributes products through multiple channels including home builders and wholesale and retail channels. Approximately 78 percent of the Company’s 2008 sales were generated by North American operations.

 

Over the past several years, the Company has been focused on the strategic rationalization of its businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions, system implementations and other initiatives. As a result of the recent dramatic downturn in the home improvement and new home construction markets, the Company has implemented several plant closures. In addition, the Company has idled two cabinet plants and one window plant. Since 2006, the Company has closed over 80 locations formerly operated by its Installation and Other Services segment, including closing 29 such locations in 2008.

 

The Company reports its results in five business segments arranged by similarity in products and services. The following table sets forth, for the three years ended December 31, 2008, the contribution of the Company’s segments to net sales and operating profit. Additional financial information concerning the Company’s operations by segment and by geographic regions, as well as general corporate expense, as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2008, is set forth in Note Q to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Except as the context otherwise indicates, the terms “Masco” and the “Company” refer to Masco Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Cabinets and Related Products

 

In North America, the Company manufactures and sells economy, stock, semi-custom, assembled and ready-to-assemble cabinetry for kitchen, bath, storage, home office and home entertainment applications in a broad range of styles and price points. In Europe, the Company manufactures and sells assembled and ready-to-assemble kitchen, bath, storage, home office and home entertainment cabinetry. These products are sold under a number of trademarks including KRAFTMAID^®, DISTINCTIONS^®, TVILUM-SCANBIRK^tm and WOODGATE^® primarily to dealers and home centers, and under the names MERILLAT^®, MOORES^tm and QUALITY CABINETS^® primarily to distributors and homebuilders for both the home improvement and new home construction markets. Cabinet sales are significantly affected by levels of activity in both new home construction and retail consumer spending, particularly spending for major home improvement products. A significant portion of our sales for the home improvement market is made through home center retailers.

 

Recently, the Company has intensified its focus on lean manufacturing principles and is moving toward a more flexible and scalable manufacturing capability. The related goal of the Cabinet and Related Products segment is to be able to manufacture a common base cabinet at all of its plants that principally manufacture cabinets for the new home construction market. This approach is intended to allow the Company to strengthen cabinet production efficiencies at lower volumes and to respond effectively to increased demand when the new home construction market improves.

 

The cabinet manufacturing industry in the United States and Europe is highly competitive, with several large competitors and numerous local and regional competitors. In addition to price, the Company believes that competition in this industry is based largely on product quality, responsiveness to customer needs, product features and selection. Significant North American competitors include American Woodmark Corporation, Fortune Brands, Inc. and Cardell Cabinetry.

 

Plumbing Products

 

The Company sells a wide variety of faucet and showering devices that are manufactured by or for the Company. The Company’s plumbing products are sold in North America and Europe under various brand names including DELTA^®, PEERLESS^®, HANSGROHE^®, BRASSTECH^®, BRIZO^®, BRISTAN^tm, DAMIXA^®, NEWPORT BRASS^®, AXOR^®, ALSONS^®, SIRRUS^® and PLUMB SHOP^®. Products include single- and double-handle faucets, showerheads, handheld showers and valves, which are sold by manufacturers’ representatives and Company sales personnel to major retail accounts and to distributors who sell these products to plumbers, building contractors, remodelers, smaller retailers and others.

 

Masco believes that its faucet operations are among the leaders in sales in the North American market, with American Standard, Kohler, Moen and Price Pfister as major brand competitors. The Company also has several major competitors among the European manufacturers, primarily in Germany and Italy, including Friedrich Grohe. The Company faces significant competition from private label

products (including house brands sold by certain of the Company’s customers). Many of the faucet and showering products with which the Company’s products compete are manufactured in Asia. The businesses in the Company’s Plumbing Products segment source products from Asia and manufacture products in the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and Asia.

 

Other plumbing products manufactured and sold by the Company include AQUA GLASS^®, MIROLIN^® and AMERICAN SHOWER & BATH^tm acrylic and gelcoat bath and shower enclosure units, shower trays and laundry tubs, which are sold primarily to wholesale plumbing distributors and home center retailers for the North American home improvement and new home construction markets. The Company’s spas are manufactured and sold under HOT SPRING^®, CALDERA^® and other trademarks directly to independent dealers. Major competitors include Kohler, Lasco, Maax and Jacuzzi. HÜPPE^® and BREUER^tm shower enclosures are sold by the Company through wholesale channels and home centers primarily in western Europe. HERITAGE^tm ceramic and acrylic bath fixtures and faucets are principally sold in the United Kingdom directly to selected retailers.

 

Also included in the Plumbing Products segment are brass and copper plumbing system components and other plumbing specialties, which are sold to plumbing, heating and hardware wholesalers and to home center retailers, hardware stores, building supply outlets and other mass merchandisers. These products are marketed in North America for the wholesale trade under the BRASSCRAFT^® and BRASSTECH trademarks and for the “do-it-yourself” market under the MASTER PLUMBER^® and PLUMB SHOP trademarks and are also sold under private label.

 

In addition to price, the Company believes that competition in its Plumbing Products markets is based largely on brand reputation, product quality, product features, and breadth of product offering.

 

A substantial portion of the Company’s plumbing products are made from brass, the major components of which are copper and zinc. From time to time, the Company has encountered volatility in the price of brass. The Company is considering a hedging strategy to attempt to minimize the impact of commodity price volatility. In addition, legislation enacted in California and Vermont to become effective in January 2010 mandates new standards for acceptable lead content in plumbing products sold in those states. Similar legislation may be considered by other states. Faucet and water supply valve manufacturers, including the Company, will be required to obtain adequate supplies of lead-free brass or suitable alternative materials for continued production of faucets. An increase in the demand for lead-free brass may cause a shortage of supply and resulting price increases and could adversely impact this segment’s operating results.

 

In 2008, the Company’s Delta Faucet business introduced a new water delivery system known as DIAMOND^tm Seal Technology. DIAMOND^tm Seal Technology, which replaces existing valve technology, reduces the number of potential leak points in a faucet, simplifies installation and satisfies the legislation enacted in California and Vermont regulating the acceptable lead content in plumbing products. Delta Faucet, in the near term, plans to incorporate DIAMOND^tm Seal Technology into its domestically manufactured single-handle faucets and, in the future, plans to expand the application of the technology to most other Delta faucets. The success of DIAMOND^tm Seal Technology depends on many factors, including the performance of the technology and the market’s acceptance of the technology as well as Delta’s ability to integrate successfully the technology into its most popular faucets.

 

Installation and Other Services

 

The Company’s Installation and Other Services segment sells installed building products and distributes building products primarily to the new home construction market, and to a lesser extent, the commercial construction market, throughout the United States. In light of the current economic environment in the new home construction industry, the Company has decided to de-emphasize the installation of certain non-insulation building products that are not core to its service offering, including windows and paint. In addition to insulation, our current offering of installed building products primarily consists of gutters, fireplaces, garage doors and framing components. The installation and distribution of insulation comprised approximately 11 percent, 12 percent and 15 percent of the

Company’s consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Distributed products include insulation, insulation accessories, gutters, roofing and fireplaces. Installed building products are supplied primarily to custom and production homebuilders by the Company’s network of branches located in most major markets throughout the United States. Distributed products are sold primarily to contractors and dealers from distribution centers in various parts of the United States.

 

In addition to price, the Company believes that competition in this industry is based largely on customer service and the quality of installation service. The Company believes that it is the largest national provider of installed insulation in the new home construction industry in the United States. Competitors include several regional contractors, as well as numerous local contractors and lumber yards. The Company believes that its financial resources are substantial compared to regional and local contractors.

 

The Installation and Other Services segment is a labor-intensive business. Significant changes in federal, state and local regulations addressing immigration and wages, as well as collective bargaining arrangements affecting wages and working conditions, could adversely affect the financial performance of the Company’s business.

 

Decorative Architectural Products

 

The Company manufactures architectural coatings including paints, specialty paint products, stains, varnishes and waterproofing products. The products are sold in the United States and Canada under the brand names BEHR^®, KILZ^®, CASUAL COLORS^® and EXPRESSIONS^® to the “do-it-yourself” and professional markets through home centers, paint stores and other retailers. Net sales of architectural coatings comprised approximately 15 percent, 13 percent and 12 percent of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Competitors in the architectural coatings market include large national and international brands such as Benjamin Moore, Glidden, Olympic, Sherwin-Williams, Valspar and Zinsser, as well as many regional and other national brands. In addition to price, the Company believes that competition in this industry is based largely on product quality, technology and product innovation, customer service and brand reputation.

 

The BEHR brand is sold through The Home Depot, the segment’s and the Company’s largest customer. The paint departments at The Home Depot stores include the Behr color center and computer kiosk with the COLOR SMART BY BEHR^® computerized color-matching system that enables consumers to select and coordinate their paint-color selection. The loss of the segment’s sales to The Home Depot would have a material adverse effect on the segment’s business and on the Company as a whole.

 

Titanium dioxide is a major ingredient in the manufacture of paint. Shortages of supply and cost increases for titanium dioxide in the past have resulted from surges in global demand and from production capacity limitations. Petroleum products are also used in the manufacture of architectural coatings. Significant increases in the cost of crude oil and natural gas lead to higher raw material costs (e.g., for resins, solvents and packaging, as well as titanium dioxide), which can adversely affect the segment’s results of operations.

 

The Decorative Architectural Products segment also includes LIBERTY^® cabinet, door, window and other hardware, which is manufactured for the Company and sold to home centers, other retailers, original equipment manufacturers and wholesale markets. Key competitors in North America include Amerock, Belwith, Umbra and Stanley. Decorative bath hardware and shower accessories are sold under the brand names FRANKLIN BRASS^® and DECOR BATHWARE^® to distributors, home center retailers and other retailers. Competitors include Moen and Globe Union.

 

Other Specialty Products

 

The Company manufactures and sells vinyl, fiberglass and aluminum windows and patio doors under the MILGARD^® brand name to the new home construction and home improvement markets,

principally in the western United States. MILGARD products are sold primarily through dealers and, to a lesser extent, direct to production homebuilders and through lumberyards and home center retailers. The segment’s competitors in North America include national brands, such as Jeld-Wen, Simonton, Pella and Andersen, and numerous regional brands. In the United Kingdom, the Company manufactures and sells windows, related products and components under several brand names including GRIFFIN^tm, CAMBRIAN^tm, PREMIER^tm and DURAFLEX^tm. Sales are primarily through dealers and wholesalers to the repair and remodeling markets, although the Company’s Duraflex business is also a supplier to other window fabricators. United Kingdom competitors include many small and mid-sized firms and a few large, vertically integrated competitors. In addition to price, the Company believes that competition in this industry is based largely on customer service and product quality.

 

The Company manufactures and sells a complete line of manual and electric staple gun tackers, staples and other fastening tools under the brand names ARROW^® and POWERSHOT^®. These products are sold through various distribution channels including home centers and other retailers and wholesalers. The principal North American competitor in this product line is Stanley.

 

Additional Information

 

 

Available Information

 

The Company’s website is www.masco.com. The Company’s periodic reports and all amendments to those reports required to be filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge through its website. This Form 10-K is being posted on the Company’s website concurrently with its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company will continue to post its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and its current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those documents to its website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Material contained on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Report on Form 10-K.

 

There are a number of business risks and uncertainties that have affected and may continue to affect our business. These risks and uncertainties have negatively impacted our current results and could cause future results to differ from past performance or expected results, including results described in statements elsewhere in this Report that constitute “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The effect on us of certain of these risk factors is discussed below under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently believe to be immaterial, also may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following, which we consider to be most relevant to our specific business activities.

 

A significant portion of our business relies on home improvement and new home construction activity levels, both of which are experiencing a significant downturn.

 

A significant portion of our business relies on home improvement (including repair and remodeling) and new home construction activity levels, principally in North America and Europe. The new home construction market, which is cyclical in nature, is undergoing a significant downturn marked by declines in the demand for new homes, an oversupply of new and existing homes on the market and a reduction in the availability of financing for homebuyers. The oversupply of existing homes has been exacerbated by a growing number of home mortgage foreclosures, which is further contributing to downward pressure on home prices.

 

Unlike most previous cyclical declines in new home construction in which we did not experience comparable declines in our home improvement businesses, the current economic decline is adversely affecting our home improvement businesses as well. Low levels of consumer confidence and the downward pressure on home prices have made it much more difficult for homeowners to make additional investments in existing homes, such as kitchen and bath remodeling projects. Further, recent disruptions in credit markets have limited the ability of consumers to finance home improvements.

 

Although we believe the long-term outlook for the home improvement and new home construction markets is favorable, we cannot provide any assurances that current market conditions will not deteriorate further and we cannot predict the timing or strength of a recovery in these markets. Continued depressed activity levels in consumer spending for home improvement and new home construction will continue to adversely affect our results of operations and our financial position. Furthermore, continued economic turmoil may cause unanticipated shifts in consumer preferences and purchasing practices and in the business models and strategies of our customers. Such shifts may alter the nature and prices of products demanded by the end consumer and our customers and could adversely affect our operating performance.

 

Continued disruption in the financial markets could harm our business.

 

We, our customers and end consumers rely on stable and efficient financial markets. The credit markets and the financial services industry have experienced significant disruptions, characterized by

the bankruptcy and failure of several financial institutions and severe limitations on credit availability. The disruptions in the financial markets have adversely affected, and could continue to adversely affect, our operations in a variety of ways. The financial stability of certain of our customers has been negatively impacted, which has resulted in increased bad debt expense for us. A prolonged continuation of adverse economic conditions would cause additional financial distress for our customers and could compromise the financial condition of our suppliers, which could result in non-performance by certain of our suppliers. In addition, our own borrowing costs are increasing and our access to capital markets may be reduced. In December 2008, our senior debt ratings were lowered by two credit rating agencies, including by one agency to below investment grade. As a result of the general deterioration in financial markets, as well as the lowering of our credit ratings, costs under our existing credit facilities have increased and may continue to increase, and it may become more difficult for us to obtain financing to fund operations or to refinance our existing debt obligations. Further, the dramatic deterioration in general economic conditions over the past several months has resulted in the decline in the value of our investments in debt and equity securities, including the assets held in our pension plans.

 

A prolonged economic downturn would reduce our financial resources and flexibility.

 

The valuation of assets on our balance sheet, particularly goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets is largely dependent upon the expectations for future performance of our businesses. The reduced expectations of future performance have caused us to recognize impairment charges for certain long-lived assets, including goodwill, and a continuation of the adverse conditions in our markets may result in additional impairment charges and a reduction in our shareholders’ equity in the future.

 

Such a reduction in our shareholders’ equity and other adverse effects of a prolonged economic downturn on our results of operations and financial position would reduce our financial resources and flexibility and increase the relative impact on the Company of other developments that otherwise affect us.

 

We rely on key customers and may encounter conflicts within and between our distribution channels.

 

The size and importance of individual customers to our businesses has increased as customers in our major distribution channels have consolidated or exited the business. Larger customers can effect significant changes in their volume of purchases and can otherwise significantly affect the prices we receive for our products and services, our costs of doing business with them and the terms and conditions on which we do business. Further, as discussed above, during downturns in our markets, declines in the financial condition and creditworthiness of customers may impact the volume of our business, the credit risk involved and our terms of doing business with them. Sales of our home improvement and building products to home center retailers are substantial. In 2008, sales to our largest customer, The Home Depot, were $2.1 billion (approximately 21 percent of our consolidated net sales). Lowe’s is our second largest customer. In 2008, our sales to Lowe’s were less than 10 percent of our consolidated net sales. Although homebuilders, dealers and other retailers represent other channels of distribution for our products and services, the loss of a substantial portion of our sales to The Home Depot or the loss of our sales to Lowe’s would have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

As some of our customers expand their markets and their targeted customers, conflicts between our existing distribution channels have occurred, and will continue to occur. In addition, we may undermine the business relationships we have with customers who purchase our products through traditional wholesale channels as we increase the amount of business we transact directly with our larger customers. In addition, our large retail customers are increasingly requesting product exclusivity, which may affect the products we can offer to other customers.

Our principal markets are highly competitive.

 

The major geographic markets for our products and services are highly competitive and, in recent years, competition has intensified significantly. Competition is further exacerbated during economic downturns. Home center retailers are increasing their purchases of products directly from manufacturers, particularly low-cost suppliers in Asia, for sale as private label and house brand merchandise. Also, home center retailers, which have historically concentrated their sales efforts on retail consumers and remodelers, are increasingly turning their marketing efforts directly toward professional contractors and installers. We believe that competition in our industries is based largely on price, product and service quality, brand reputation, customer service and product features and innovation. Although the relative importance of such factors varies among customers and product categories, price is often a primary factor.

 

In addition to the challenges we are facing as a result of the current economic downturn, our ability to maintain our competitive positions in our markets and to grow our businesses depends to a large extent upon successfully maintaining our relationships with major customers, implementing growth strategies in our existing markets and entering new geographic markets, capitalizing on and strengthening our brand names, managing our cost structure, accommodating shorter life-cycles for our products and product development and innovation.

 

The cost and availability of materials and the performance of our supply chain affect our operating results.

 

It has been, and likely will continue to be, difficult for us to pass on to customers cost increases for commodities or other materials that are major components of our products or services. In addition, we may incur substantial costs as part of our strategy to hedge against price volatility of certain commodities we purchase and we may make commitments to purchase supplies at prices that subsequently exceed their market prices. Delays in adjusting, or in our inability to adjust, selling prices may be due to factors such as our existing arrangements with customers, competitive considerations and customer resistance to price increases. Further, when commodity prices decline, we receive pressure from our customers to reduce prices for our products and services. Changes in energy costs and certain commodities not only impact our production costs, but also the cost to transport our products.

 

We manufacture products in Asia and source products and components from third parties in Asia. The distances involved in these arrangements, together with differences in business practices, shipping and delivery requirements, the limited number of suppliers, and laws and regulations, have increased the difficulty of managing our supply chain, the complexity of our supply chain logistics and the potential for interruptions in our production scheduling.

 

We rely heavily or exclusively on outside suppliers for certain of our products or key components. If there is an interruption in these sources of supply, we may experience difficulty or delay in substituting alternatives and our business may be disrupted.

 

International political, monetary, economic and social developments affect our business.

 

Over 20 percent of our sales are derived outside of North America (principally in Europe) and are transacted in currencies other than U.S. dollars (principally European euros and Great Britain pounds). In addition, we manufacture products in Asia and source products and components from third parties in Asia. Our international business faces risks associated with changes in political, monetary, economic and social environments, labor conditions and practices, the laws, regulations and policies of foreign governments, cultural differences and differences in enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights. U.S. laws affecting activities of U.S. companies doing business abroad, including tax laws and laws regulating various business practices, also impact our international business. Our international operating results may be influenced, when compared to our North American results, in part due to relative economic conditions in the European markets and due to competitive pricing pressures on certain products. The financial reporting of our consolidated operating results is affected by fluctuations

in currency exchange rates, which may present challenges in comparing operating performance from period to period and in forecasting future performance.

 

We have financial commitments and investments in financial assets, including assets that are not readily marketable and involve financial risk.

 

We have maintained investments in available-for-sale securities (including marketable and auction rate securities) and a number of private equity funds. Since there is no active trading market for investments in private equity funds, they are for the most part illiquid. These investments, by their nature, can also have a relatively higher degree of business risk, including financial leverage, than other financial investments. Future changes in market conditions, the future performance of the underlying investments or new information provided by private equity fund managers could affect the recorded values of such investments or the amounts realized upon liquidation. In addition, we have commitments that require us to contribute additional capital to these private equity funds upon receipt of a capital call from the private equity fund.

 

Product liability claims and other litigation could be costly.

 

We are subject to product safety regulations, recalls and direct claims for product liability, including putative class actions. Product liability claims can result in significant liability and, regardless of the ultimate outcome, can be costly to defend. Also, we increasingly rely on other manufacturers to provide us with products or components for products that we sell. As a result of the difficulty of controlling the quality of products or components sourced from other manufacturers, we are exposed to risks relating to the quality of such products and to limitations on our recourse against such suppliers.

 

We have experienced putative class action lawsuits in recent years predicated upon claims for antitrust violations, product liability and wage and hour issues. We have generally denied liability and have vigorously defended these cases. However, even when there is no basis for imposing liability, such lawsuits are particularly costly to resolve due to their scope and complexity and the potentially significant exposure that is alleged.

 

Increasingly, homebuilders, including our customers, are subject to construction defect and home warranty claims in the ordinary course of their business. Our contractual arrangements with these customers typically include the agreement to indemnify them against liability for the performance of our products or services or the performance of other products that we install. These claims, often asserted several years after completion of construction, frequently result in lawsuits against the homebuilders and many of their subcontractors, including us, and require us to incur defense costs even when our products or services are not the principal basis for the claims.

 

See Note U to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional information about litigation involving our businesses.

 

Government and industry responses to environmental and health and safety concerns could impact our capital expenditures and operating results.

 

Government regulations pertaining to health and safety (including protection of employees as well as consumers) and environmental concerns continue to emerge, domestically as well as internationally. In addition to having to comply with current requirements (including requirements that do not become effective until a future date), even more stringent requirements could be imposed on our industries in the future. Compliance with these regulations (such as the restrictions on lead content in plumbing products and on volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde emissions that are applicable to certain of our businesses) may require us to alter our manufacturing and installation processes and our sourcing. Such actions could adversely impact our operating results, and our ability to effectively and timely meet such regulations could adversely impact our competitive position.

The long-term performance of our businesses relies on our ability to attract, develop and retain talented management.

 

To be successful, we must attract, develop and retain highly qualified and talented personnel in management, sales, marketing and product design and innovation and, as we consider entering new international markets, skilled personnel familiar with these markets. We compete with multinational firms for these employees and we invest significant resources in recruiting, developing, motivating and retaining them. The failure to attract, develop, motivate and retain key employees could negatively affect our competitive position and our operating results.

 

None.

 

The table below lists the Company’s principal North American properties for segments other than Installation and Other Services.

 

 

Most of the Company’s North American manufacturing facilities range in size from single buildings of approximately 10,000 square feet to complexes that exceed 1,000,000 square feet. The Company owns most of its North American manufacturing facilities, none of which are subject to significant encumbrances. A substantial number of our warehouse and distribution facilities are leased.

 

In addition, the Company’s Installation and Other Services segment operates over 200 installation branch locations and over 60 distribution centers in the United States, most of which are leased.

 

The table below lists the Company’s principal properties outside of North America.

 

 

Most of these international facilities are located in China, Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom. The Company generally owns its international manufacturing facilities, none of which are subject to significant encumbrances, and leases its warehouse and distribution facilities.

 

The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Taylor, Michigan and are owned by the Company. The Company owns an additional building near its corporate headquarters that is used by our corporate research and development department.

 

Each of the Company’s operating divisions assesses the manufacturing, distribution and other facilities needed to meet its operating requirements. The Company’s buildings, machinery and

equipment have been generally well maintained and are in good operating condition. In general, the Company’s facilities have sufficient capacity and are adequate for its production and distribution requirements.

 

Information regarding legal proceedings involving the Company is set forth in Note U to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report.

 

Not applicable.

Supplementary Item. Executive Officers of the Registrant
(Pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K).

 

 

Executive officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors. Each of the above executive officers has been employed in a managerial capacity with the Company for at least five years. Mr. DeMarie was elected Executive Vice President in July 2007 and became Chief Operating Officer in December 2007. He had previously served as Group President of the Company’s Installation and Other Services segment since 2003. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Masco Contractor Services and in other managerial roles since 1995. Mr. Sznewajs was elected to his current position in July 2007. He had previously served as Vice President and Treasurer since 2005 and Vice President – Business Development since 2003 and before that time served in various capacities in the Business Development Department from 1996 to 2003. Mr. Anderson has served as the Company’s Vice President – Controller since 2007. From 2005 to 2007, he served as Vice President-Controller, Corporate Accounting. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Anderson served as Group Vice President for the Company. Mr. Silverman was elected Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in 2008. He had previously served as Vice President – Associate General Counsel for the Company since 1995. Mr. Greenwood has served as Vice President – Human Resources of the Company since July 2007. Prior to 2007, Mr. Greenwood was the Company’s Director of Employee Relations since 1992.

 

The New York Stock Exchange is the principal market on which the Company’s common stock is traded. The following table indicates the high and low sales prices of the Company’s common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange and the cash dividends declared per common share for the periods indicated:

 

 

On February 10, 2009 there were approximately 6,000 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.

 

The Company expects that its practice of paying quarterly dividends on its common stock will continue, although the payment of future dividends is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors. Given the continued uncertainty in the global economic and financial markets, the Company will focus on liquidity preservation. As a result, the Company’s management is recommending to the Board of Directors that the quarterly dividend be reduced from $.235 per common share ($.94 per common share annually) to $.075 per common share ($.30 per common share annually).

Performance Graph

 

The table below sets forth a line graph comparing the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common stock with the cumulative total return of (i) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index (“S&P 500”), (ii) The Standard & Poor’s Industrials Index (“S&P Industrials Index”) and (iii) the Standard & Poor’s Consumer Durables & Apparel Index (“S&P Consumer Durables & Apparel Index”), from December 31, 2003 through December 31, 2008, when the closing price of the Company’s common stock was $11.13. The graph assumes investments of $100 on December 31, 2003 in common stock of the Company and in each of these three indices and the reinvestment of dividends.

 

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

 

 

The table below sets forth the value, as of December 31 for each of the years indicated, of a $100 investment made on December 31, 2003 in each of Masco common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Industrials Index and the S&P Consumer Durables & Apparel Index and the reinvestment of dividends.

 

 

In July 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 50 million shares of the Company’s common stock in open-market transactions or otherwise, replacing the May 2006 authorization. The Company continues to evaluate its share repurchase program in relation to its cash balances, cash flows and market conditions and has not repurchased any shares since July 2008 and does not anticipate further repurchases under current conditions. However, consistent with past practice, the Company anticipates repurchasing shares in 2009 to offset any dilution from long-term stock awards granted or stock options exercised as part of its compensation programs.

 

 

 

The financial and business analysis below provides information which the Company believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. This financial and business analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes.

 

The following discussion and certain other sections of this Report contain statements reflecting the Company’s views about its future performance and constitute “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These views involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, accordingly, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements. Readers should consider that various factors, including those discussed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Report, the “Executive Level Overview,” “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and “Outlook for the Company” sections, may affect the Company’s performance. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Executive Level Overview

 

The Company manufactures, distributes and installs home improvement and building products. These products are sold to the home improvement and new home construction markets through mass merchandisers, hardware stores, home centers, home builders, distributors and other outlets for consumers and contractors.

 

During 2008, the Company experienced a significant decline in its markets, including a decline in new home construction of over 30 percent from 2007, as well as a continued decline in consumer spending for home improvement products. The Company’s net sales decreased 17 percent in 2008 from 2007 and the Company’s operating profit (as adjusted to exclude impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets, general corporate expense, net, gains on sale of fixed assets, net and 2008 charge for litigation settlement) declined to 7.2 percent of sales in 2008 from 11.7 percent of sales in 2007.

 

Factors that affect the Company’s results of operations include the levels of home improvement activity and new home construction principally in North America and Europe, the importance of and the Company’s relationships with key customers (including The Home Depot, which represented approximately 21 percent of the Company’s net sales in 2008), the Company’s ability to maintain its leadership positions in its U.S. and global markets in the face of increasing competition and the Company’s ability to effectively manage its overall cost structure, including the cost and availability of labor and materials. If the current market conditions, including the rate of consumer spending for home improvement products and new home construction, continue or deteriorate further, the Company’s results of operations would continue to be negatively impacted. The Company cannot provide any assurances that current market conditions affecting the home improvement and new home construction markets will not deteriorate further and the Company cannot predict the timing or strength of a recovery in these markets. The Company’s International businesses face political, monetary, economic and other risks that vary from country to country, as well as fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Further, the Company has financial commitments and investments in financial assets that are not readily marketable and that involve financial risk, particularly in the current uncertain economic and credit market conditions. In addition, product liability claims and other litigation could be costly. These and other factors are discussed in more detail in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Report.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of

the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company regularly reviews its estimates and assumptions, which are based upon historical experience, as well as current economic conditions and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

 

The Company believes that the following critical accounting policies are affected by significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

 

 

The Company recognizes revenue as title to products and risk of loss is transferred to customers or when services are rendered. The Company records revenue for unbilled services performed based upon estimates of labor incurred in the Installation and Other Services segment; such amounts are recorded in Receivables. The Company records estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and co-operative advertising arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. Allowances for doubtful accounts receivable are maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. In addition, the Company monitors its customer receivable balances and the credit worthiness of its customers on an on-going basis. During downturns in our markets, declines in the financial condition and creditworthiness of customers impact the credit risk of the receivables involved and the Company has incurred additional bad debt expense related to customer defaults. The Company’s bad debt expense was $41 million, $29 million and $16 million at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

In North America, the Company manufactures products (principally windows, doors and cabinets) and provides installation of insulation and other services to homebuilders. The Company’s bad debt expense related to homebuilders was $28 million, $23 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

 

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with expense estimates made for obsolescence or unsaleable inventory equal to the difference between the recorded cost of inventories and their estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. On an on-going basis, the Company monitors these estimates and records adjustments for differences between estimates and actual experience. Historically, actual results have not significantly deviated from those determined using these estimates.

 

 

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS No. 157”) for its financial assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” SFAS No. 157 further defines a fair value hierarchy for measurement and disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments, as follows: Level 1 inputs as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by market data; and Level 3 inputs as unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models or instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 

Financial investments that are available to be traded on readily accessible stock exchanges (domestic or foreign) are considered to have active markets and have been valued using Level 1 inputs. Financial

investments that are not available to be traded on a public market or have limited secondary markets, or contain provisions that limit the ability to sell the investment are considered to have inactive markets and have been valued using Level 2 or 3 inputs. The Company incorporated credit risk into the valuations of financial instruments by estimating the likelihood of non-performance by the counterparty to the applicable transactions. The estimate included the length of time relative to the contract, financial condition of the counterparty and current market conditions. The criteria for estimating if a market was active or inactive were based on the individual facts and circumstances.

 

The Company has maintained investments in available-for-sale securities and a number of private equity funds, which aggregated $101 million and $138 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008. Investments in available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value, and unrealized gains or losses (that are deemed to be temporary) are recognized, net of tax effect, through shareholders’ equity, as a component of other comprehensive income in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of the Company’s investments in available-for-sale securities is estimated using primarily Level 1 inputs. The fair value of the Company’s investment in Asahi Tec preferred stock is estimated using a discounted cash flow model (Level 3 input). If the Company changed the discount rate used in the fair value estimate by 100 basis points, the value of the Asahi Tec preferred stock would change by approximately four percent.

 

The Company records an impairment charge to earnings when an investment has experienced a decline in fair value that is deemed to be other-than-temporary. During 2008, the Company recognized non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges of $31 million related to its investment in TriMas common stock and $1 million related to its investment in Asahi Tec common stock.

 

In the past, the Company invested excess cash in auction rate securities. Auction rate securities are investment securities that have interest rates which are reset every 7, 28 or 35 days. At December 31, 2008, the Company’s investment in auction rate securities was $22 million; the Company has not increased its investment in auction rate securities since 2007. The fair value of auction rate securities is estimated based on a discounted cash flow model (Level 3 input). If the Company changed the discount rate used in the fair value estimate by 75 basis points, the value of the auction rate securities would change by approximately $1 million.

 

The Company’s investments in private equity funds and other private investments are carried at cost. It is not practicable for the Company to estimate a fair value because the private equity funds have no quoted market price and sufficient information is not readily available for the Company to utilize a valuation model to determine the fair value for each fund. These investments are evaluated quarterly for potential other-than-temporary impairment when impairment indicators are present, or when an event or change in circumstances has occurred, that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. Impairment indicators the Company considers include the following: whether there has been a significant deterioration in earnings performance, asset quality or business prospects; a significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic or technological environment; a significant adverse change in the general market condition or geographic area in which the investment operates; industry and sector performance; current equity and credit market conditions; and any bona fide offers to purchase the investment for less than the carrying value. The Company also considers specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of and business outlook for the fund, including industry and sector performance. The significant assumptions utilized in analyzing a fund for potential other-than-temporary impairment include current economic conditions, market analysis for specific funds and performance indicators in the automotive and transportation, residential and commercial construction, bio-technology, health care and information technology sectors in which the applicable funds’ investments operate.

 

At December 31, 2008, the Company had investments in 17 venture capital funds, with an aggregate carrying value of $33 million. The venture capital funds invest in start-up or smaller, early-stage established businesses, principally in the information technology, bio-technology and health care sectors. At December 31, 2008, the Company also has investments in 29 buyout funds, with an aggregate carrying

value of $105 million. The buyout funds invest in later-stage, established businesses and, other than the Heartland Industrial Partners Fund (“Heartland Fund”) which is primarily in the automotive and transportation sector, no buyout fund has a concentration in a particular sector.

 

Since there is no active trading market for these investments, they are for the most part illiquid. These investments, by their nature, can also have a relatively higher degree of business risk, including financial leverage, than other financial investments. The timing of distributions from the funds, which depends on particular events related to the underlying investments, as well as the funds’ schedules for making distributions and their needs for cash, can be difficult to predict. As a result, the amount of income that is recorded from these investments can vary substantially from quarter to quarter. Future changes in market conditions, the future performance of the underlying investments or new information provided by private equity fund managers could affect the recorded values of such investments and the amounts realized upon liquidation.

 

During 2008, as a result of the Company’s review of its private equity investments, the Company determined that the Heartland Fund was negatively impacted by the 2008 decline in North American automotive production and the expected continued decline in automotive production in 2009. In addition, five funds with limited exposure to the residential and commercial construction markets were negatively impacted by the 2008 decline in housing starts and the expected continued decline in 2009, as well as a slow-down in commercial construction; these conditions resulted in the impairment of certain investments within these five funds. During 2008, the Company recognized non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges aggregating $23 million related to these investments in private equity funds. Therefore, these six funds now have a carrying value of $43 million at December 31, 2008. If automotive production were to decline further than expected in 2009 or continue for a period of time at lower than normal historical production rates, the Heartland Fund could have an additional impairment charge in a range of $1-$5 million. The Company expects that a continued decline in the residential and commercial construction markets would not have a significant impact on the five private equity funds that recorded an impairment charge in 2008, as their remaining investments are diversified outside the residential and commercial construction sectors.

 

 

The Company records the excess of purchase cost over the fair value of net tangible assets of acquired companies as goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” in the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, the Company completes the impairment testing of goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow method. The Company selected the discounted cash flow methodology as the Company believes that it is comparable to what would be used by other market participants. The Company has defined its reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level, as defined by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” The Company’s operating segments are reporting units that engage in business activities, for which discrete financial information, including five-year forecasts, are available.

 

Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. The Company’s judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in different outcomes. In estimating future cash flows, the Company relies on internally generated five-year forecasts for sales and operating profits, including capital expenditures, and generally a one to three percent long-term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the five-year forecast. The Company generally develops these forecasts based upon, among other things, recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches, estimated housing starts and repair and remodeling estimates for existing homes.

In 2008, for its reporting units that primarily sell to the new home construction market (including those in the Installation and Other Services segment), the Company utilized estimated housing starts growing from current levels to 1.55 million in 2013 (terminal growth year) and operating profit margins improving to approximate historical margins for those business units by 2013 (terminal growth year). The housing starts projections were obtained from independent industry sources and discounted by approximately ten percent. In 2007, the Company estimated housing starts growing from 1.0 million units in 2008 to 1.75 million units in 2012 (terminal growth year). In 2008 and 2007, the Company generally utilized its weighted average cost of capital (discount rate) of approximately nine percent to discount the estimated cash flows. Due to the market conditions in 2008, the Company increased the discount rate for certain of its reporting units, based upon a review of the current risks impacting its businesses.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company estimated that future discounted cash flows projected for most of its reporting units were greater than the carrying values. Any increases in estimated discounted cash flows would have no effect on the reported value of goodwill.

 

If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company measures the possible goodwill impairment based upon an allocation of the estimate of fair value of the reporting unit to all of the underlying assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any previously unrecognized intangible assets (Step Two Analysis). The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit’s recorded goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill.

 

In 2008, the Company recognized non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges for goodwill of $456 million ($438 million, after tax). The pre-tax impairment charges, related to three of the Company’s United Kingdom manufacturers and distributors, recorded in 2008 were as follows: Cabinets and Related Products segment – $59 million; Plumbing Products segment – $203 million; and Other Specialty Products segment – $143 million; these impairment charges reflect the anticipated long-term outlook for the reporting units, including declining demand for certain products, as well as decreased operating profit margins. The pre-tax impairment charge in the Installation and Other Services segment, related to a small installation service reporting unit in North America, was $51 million, and reflects a decline in the reporting unit’s anticipated long-term outlook.

 

A ten percent decrease in the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units at December 31, 2008 would have resulted in a Step Two Analysis and probable goodwill impairment for one reporting unit in the Cabinets and Related Products segment, one reporting unit in the Installation and Other Services segment and one reporting unit in the Other Specialty Products segment.

 

The Company reviews its other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter, or as events occur or circumstances change that indicate the assets may be impaired without regard to the reporting unit. The Company considers the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, competition and local economic conditions) and internal (e.g., product sales and expected product growth) factors and their potential impact on cash flows related to the intangible asset in both the near- and long-term. In 2008, the Company recognized non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges for other indefinite-lived intangible assets of $11 million ($7 million, after tax). The pre-tax impairment charges recorded in 2008 were as follows: Installation and Other Services segment – $1 million, and Other Specialty Products segment – $10 million.

 

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company evaluates the remaining useful lives of amortizable identifiable intangible assets at each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization.

 

The Company’s 2005 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) provides for the issuance of stock-based incentives in various forms to employees and non-employee Directors. At December 31, 2008, outstanding stock-based incentives were in the form of long-term stock awards, stock options, phantom stock awards and stock appreciation rights.

 

The Company elected to begin recording expense for stock options granted or modified subsequent to January 1, 2003. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS No. 123R”) using the Modified Prospective Application (“MPA”) method. The MPA method requires the Company to recognize expense for unvested stock options that were awarded prior to January 1, 2003 through the remaining vesting periods. The MPA method did not require the restatement of prior-year information. In accordance with SFAS No. 123R, the Company utilized the shortcut method to determine the tax windfall pool associated with stock options as of the date of adoption.

 

 

Long-term stock awards are granted to key employees and non-employee Directors of the Company and do not cause net share dilution inasmuch as the Company continues the practice of repurchasing and retiring an equal number of shares on the open market. The Company measures compensation expense for stock awards at the market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. There was $155 million (eight million common shares) of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock awards at December 31, 2008, which was included as a reduction of common stock and retained earnings. Effective January 1, 2006, such expense is being recognized ratably over the shorter of the vesting period of the stock awards, typically 10 years (except for stock awards held by grantees age 66 or older, which vest over five years), or the length of time until the grantee becomes retirement-eligible at age 65. For stock awards granted prior to January 1, 2006, such expense is being recognized over the vesting period of the stock awards, typically 10 years, or for executive grantees that are, or will become, retirement-eligible during the vesting period, the expense is being recognized over five years, or immediately upon a grantee’s retirement. Pre-tax compensation expense for the annual vesting of long-term stock awards was $43 million for 2008.

 

 

Stock options are granted to key employees and non-employee Directors of the Company. The exercise price equals the market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. These options generally become exercisable (vest ratably) over five years beginning on the first anniversary from the date of grant and expire no later than 10 years after the grant date. The 2005 Plan does not permit the granting of restoration stock options, except for restoration options resulting from options granted under the Company’s previous plan. Restoration stock options become exercisable six months from the date of grant.

 

The Company measures compensation expense for stock options using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. For stock options granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, such expense is being recognized ratably over the shorter of the vesting period of the stock options, typically five years, or the length of time until the grantee becomes retirement-eligible at age 65. The expense for unvested stock options at January 1, 2006 is based upon the grant date fair value of those options as calculated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model for pro forma disclosures under SFAS No. 123. For stock options granted prior to January 1, 2006, such expense is being recognized ratably over the vesting period of the stock options, typically five years. Pre-tax compensation expense for stock options was $36 million for 2008.

 

The fair value of stock options was estimated at the grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions for 2008: risk-free interest rate – 3.25%, dividend yield – 4.96%, volatility factor – 32.00% and expected option life – 6 years. For SFAS No. 123R calculation purposes, the

weighted average grant-date fair value of option shares, including restoration options, granted in 2008 was $3.72 per option share.

 

If the Company increased its assumptions for the risk-free interest rate and the volatility factor by 50 percent, the expense related to the fair value of stock options granted in 2008 would increase 64 percent. If the Company decreased its assumptions for the risk-free interest rate and the volatility factor by 50 percent, the expense related to the fair value of stock options granted in 2008 would decrease 69 percent.

 

 

Accounting for defined-benefit pension plans involves estimating the cost of benefits to be provided in the future, based upon vested years of service, and attributing those costs over the time period each employee works. Pension costs and obligations of the Company are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions regarding inflation, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates, compensation increases and discount rates for obligations and expenses. The Company considers current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in selecting these assumptions. Changes in assumptions used could result in changes to reported pension costs and obligations within the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In 2008, the Company decreased its discount rate for obligations to an average of 6.10 percent from 6.25 percent. The discount rate for obligations was based upon the expected duration of each defined-benefit pension plan’s liabilities matched to the December 31, 2008 Citigroup Pension Discount Curve. Such rates for the Company’s defined-benefit pension plans ranged from 7.50 percent to 2.25 percent, with the most significant portion of the liabilities having a discount rate for obligations of 6.00 percent or higher. The assumed asset return was primarily 8.00 percent, reflecting the expected long-term return on plan assets.

 

The Company’s net underfunded amount for its qualified defined-benefit pension plans, the difference between the projected benefit obligation and plan assets, increased to $344 million at December 31, 2008 from $114 million at December 31, 2007, primarily due to a decline in asset values; in accordance with SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R),” (“SFAS No. 158”), the underfunded amount has been recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007. Qualified domestic pension plan assets in 2008 had a net loss of approximately 33 percent compared to average losses of 25 percent for the corporate funds universe within the Independent Consultant Cooperative.

 

The Company’s projected benefit obligation for its unfunded non-qualified defined-benefit pension plans was $147 million at December 31, 2008 compared with $138 million at December 31, 2007; in accordance with SFAS No. 158, the unfunded amount has been recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

The Company expects pension expense for its qualified defined-benefit pension plans to be $49 million in 2009 compared with $14 million in 2008. If the Company assumed that the future return on plan assets was one-half percent lower than the assumed asset return and the discount rate decreased by 50 basis points, the 2009 pension expense would increase by $7 million. The Company expects pension expense for its non-qualified defined-benefit pension plans to be $12 million in 2009 compared with $13 million in 2008.

 

Given the significant market decline in asset values for the Company’s qualified defined benefit pension plans, the Company has several funding options and credits available and anticipates that it will be required to increase its funding to meet ERISA requirements by between $16 million and $35 million in 2009.

 

The Company has considered potential sources of future taxable income in determining the amount of a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets at December 31, 2008. Should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded in the period such determination is made. The need to maintain a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets may cause greater volatility in the Company’s effective tax rate.

 

Historically, the Company established reserves for tax contingencies in accordance with SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” (“SFAS No. 5”). Under this standard, reserves for tax contingencies were established when it was probable that an additional tax may be owed and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 allows the recognition of only those income tax benefits that have a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. The adoption of FIN No. 48 was effective January 1, 2007.

 

FIN No. 48 establishes a lower threshold than SFAS No. 5 for recognizing reserves for income tax contingencies on uncertain tax positions (referred to by FIN No. 48 as “unrecognized tax benefits”). Therefore, the Company believes that there is a greater potential for volatility in its effective tax rate because this lower threshold allows changes in the income tax environment and the inherent complexities of income tax law in a substantial number of jurisdictions to affect our unrecognized tax benefits computation to a greater degree than with SFAS No. 5.

 

While the Company believes it has adequately provided for its uncertain tax positions, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could vary from our accrued liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Accordingly, additional provisions for tax-related matters, including interest and penalties, could be recorded in income tax expense in the period revised estimates are made or the underlying matters are settled or otherwise resolved.

 

 

Certain of the Company’s products and product finishes and services are covered by a warranty to be free from defects in material and workmanship for periods ranging from one year to the life of the product. At the time of sale, the Company accrues a warranty liability for estimated costs to provide products, parts or services to repair or replace products in satisfaction of warranty obligations. The Company’s estimate of costs to service its warranty obligations is based upon historical experience and expectations of future conditions. To the extent that the Company experiences any changes in warranty claim activity or costs associated with servicing those claims, its warranty liability is adjusted accordingly.

 

The majority of the Company’s business is at the consumer retail level through home centers and major retailers. A consumer may return a product to a retail outlet that is a warranty return. However, certain retail outlets do not distinguish between warranty and other types of returns when they claim a return deduction from the Company. The Company’s revenue recognition policy takes into account this type of return when recognizing revenue, and deductions are recorded at the time of sale.

 

The Company is subject to lawsuits and pending or asserted claims with respect to matters generally arising in the ordinary course of business. Liabilities and costs associated with these matters require estimates and judgments based upon the professional knowledge and experience of management and its legal counsel. When estimates of the Company’s exposure for lawsuits and pending or asserted claims meet the criteria for recognition under SFAS No. 5, amounts are recorded as charges to earnings. The ultimate resolution of any such exposure to the Company may differ due to subsequent developments. See Note U to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for information regarding certain legal proceedings involving the Company.

Corporate Development Strategy

 

In past years, acquisitions have enabled the Company to build strong positions in the markets it serves and have increased the Company’s importance to its customers. The Company’s more recent focus includes the rationalization of its business units, including consolidations, as well as pursuing synergies among the Company’s business units. The Company expects to maintain a more balanced growth strategy with emphasis on organic growth and fewer acquisitions with increased emphasis on cash flow and return on invested capital. As part of its strategic planning, the Company continues to review all of its businesses to determine which businesses may not be core to the Company’s long-term growth strategy.

 

During 2008, the Company determined that several European business units were not core to the Company’s long-term growth strategy and, accordingly, embarked on a plan of disposition. In separate transactions, the Company completed the sale of three business units in Europe, including two in the Plumbing Products segment and one in the Other Specialty Products segment. The Company recorded an impairment of assets related to these discontinued operations which primarily included the write-down of goodwill of $24 million and other assets of $21 million. The Company recognized a net gain of $3 million in 2008, primarily related to the 2008 discontinued operations.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the Company accounted for the business units which were sold in 2008, 2007 and 2006, as discontinued operations. There were no businesses held for sale at December 31, 2008. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

 

During 2008, the Company acquired a relatively small countertop business (Cabinet and Related Products segment). This business, which allows the Company to expand the products and services it offers to its customers, had annual sales of over $40 million. The results of this acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The aggregate net purchase price for this acquisition was $20 million and included cash of $18 million and future cash payments of $2 million.

 

During 2007, the Company acquired several relatively small installation service businesses (Installation and Other Services segment), as well as Erickson Construction Company and Guy Evans, Inc. (Installation and Other Services segment). The results of these acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Historically, the Company has largely funded its growth through cash provided by a combination of its operations, long-term bank debt and the issuance of notes in the financial markets, and by the issuance of Company common stock, including issuances for certain mergers and acquisitions.

 

Maintaining high levels of liquidity and cash flow are among the Company’s financial strategies. The Company’s total debt as a percent of total capitalization increased to 58 percent at December 31, 2008 from 50 percent at December 31, 2007. The increase is primarily due to the decline in shareholders’ equity due to share repurchases, the decline in the fair value of pension assets, the effect of currency translation and the net loss (including impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets) in 2008.

 

Bank credit lines are maintained to provide for the availability of funds. At December 31, 2008, the Company had a $2.0 billion Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement with a group of banks syndicated in the United States and internationally, which expires in February 2011. This agreement allows for borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars or European euros with interest payable based upon various floating-rate options as selected by the Company. At December 31, 2008, there are no amounts outstanding under the Five-Year Revolving Credit facility and there are no current plans to utilize this facility. In light of the recent financial market turmoil, the Company has confirmed with JPMorgan Chase Bank, the agent for this facility, that the obligations of Merrill Lynch and Wachovia Bank, as participating lenders under this facility, have been assumed by Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank, respectively, in

connection with the completion of the transactions to combine these entities. Both Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank were already participating lenders under the Company’s credit facility.

 

The Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended, contains limitations on additional borrowings, related to the debt to total capitalization requirements; at December 31, 2008, the Company had additional borrowing capacity, subject to availability, of up to $284 million. The Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement also contains a requirement for maintaining a certain level of net worth; at December 31, 2008, the Company’s net worth exceeded such requirement by $29 million. Based on the credit agreement, the net worth covenant is adjusted on an annual basis. On a pro forma basis, as of January 1, 2009, the Company’s net worth, including the minority interest reclassification of $135 million (upon adoption of SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51,”) would have exceeded the requirement by approximately $980 million. In addition, at January 1, 2009, the Company could borrow approximately $480 million or absorb a reduction to shareholders’ equity of approximately $300 million and remain in compliance with the debt to total capitalization covenant.

 

In order to borrow under the Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, there must not be any defaults in the Company’s covenants in the credit agreement (i.e., in addition to the two financial covenants, principally limitations on subsidiary debt, negative pledge restrictions, legal compliance requirements and maintenance of insurance) and the Company’s representations and warranties in the credit agreement must be true in all material respects on the date of borrowing (i.e., principally no material adverse change or litigation likely to result in a material adverse change, in each case since December 31, 2003, no material ERISA or environmental non-compliance and no material tax deficiency). The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

A credit rating agency (i.e., Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s) is an entity that assigns credit ratings for issuers of certain types of debt obligations. In December 2008, one rating agency reduced the credit rating on the Company’s debt to below investment grade. As a result, the Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Notes (“Notes”) are convertible on demand and the balance of $54 million has been classified as short-term debt at December 31, 2008. The Company does not anticipate conversion of the Notes since, based on the terms, it would not currently be profitable for holders of the Notes to exercise the option to convert the Notes. Also, as a result of the downgrade, the costs related to the Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement will be higher.

 

As a result of the general deterioration in global economic and financial market conditions, as well as the lowering of the Company’s credit ratings, it may become difficult to obtain financing to fund operations or to refinance the Company’s existing debt obligations.

 

The Company had cash and cash investments of $1 billion at December 31, 2008 principally as a result of strong cash flows from operations.

 

The Company’s cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand and time deposit accounts, money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While the Company attempts to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that the recent global turmoil in the financial markets could result in failures of additional financial institutions or other events and thereby affect the security or availability of these investments.

 

The Company has maintained investments in available-for-sale and marketable securities and a number of private equity funds, principally as part of its tax planning strategies, as any gains enhance the utilization of any current and future capital tax losses. The Company determined that the longer maturity of private equity funds would be advantageous to the Company and complement the Company’s investment in more liquid available-for-sale and marketable securities to balance risk. Since the Company has significantly reduced its capital tax losses in part by generating capital gains from investments and other sources, the Company has and will continue to reduce its investments in long-term financial assets.

In 2008, the Company increased its quarterly common stock dividend two percent to $.235 per common share. Given the continued uncertainty in the global economic and financial markets, the Company will focus on liquidity preservation. As a result, the Company’s management is recommending to the Board of Directors that the quarterly dividend be reduced from $.235 per common share ($.94 per common share annually) to $.075 per common share ($.30 per common share annually).

 

During 2008, the Company retired $100 million of 5.75% notes due October 15, 2008, the scheduled maturity date. The Company has no further scheduled maturities of its long-term indebtedness until March 2010 when $300 million of its Floating Rate Notes become due.

 

The Company’s working capital ratio was 2.1 to 1 and 2.0 to 1 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

During 2004, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements for the purpose of effectively converting a portion of fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt. In 2008, the Company terminated these interest rate swap agreements covering a notional amount of $850 million of the Company’s fixed-rate debt due July 15, 2012 with an interest rate of 5.875%, and received cash of $16 million. These swap agreements were accounted for as fair value hedges and were considered 100 percent effective. The gain of $16 million from the termination of these swaps is being amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining term of the debt, through July 2012.

 

The Company, including certain European operations, has entered into foreign currency forward contracts to manage exposure to currency fluctuations, primarily related to the European euro and the U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2008, the Company had also entered into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge currency fluctuations related to intercompany loans denominated in non-functional currencies.

 

Cash Flows

 

Significant sources and (uses) of cash in the past three years are summarized as follows, in millions:

 

 

The Company’s cash and cash investments increased $106 million to $1,028 million at December 31, 2008, from $922 million at December 31, 2007.

Net cash provided by operations of $797 million consisted primarily of net (loss) adjusted for non-cash and certain other items, including depreciation and amortization expense of $238 million, net loss on disposition of businesses of $38 million, a $467 million charge for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, a $58 million charge for the impairment of financial investments and other non-cash items, including stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense related to in-store displays and interest expense on the Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Notes, as well as a net decrease in working capital of $161 million.

 

The Company continues to emphasize balance sheet management, including working capital management and cash flow generation. Days sales in accounts receivable were 50 days at December 31, 2008 compared with 49 days at December 31, 2007, and days sales in inventories were 48 days at both December 31, 2008 and 2007. Accounts payable days were 43 days at both December 31, 2008 and 2007. Working capital (defined as accounts receivable and inventories less accounts payable) as a percent of sales was 14.7 percent and 15.4 percent at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Net cash used for financing activities was $632 million, and included cash outflows of $336 million for cash dividends paid, $133 million for the retirement of notes and $160 million for the acquisition and retirement of nine million shares of Company common stock in open-market transactions.

 

At December 31, 2008, the Company had remaining Board of Directors’ authorization to repurchase up to an additional 32 million shares of its common stock in open-market transactions or otherwise. The Company continues to evaluate the requirements for reinvestment in the business, working capital, common stock dividends and common stock repurchases in relation to its cash balances, cash flows, financial resources and financial market conditions. The Company believes that its present cash balance and cash flows from operations are sufficient to fund its near-term working capital and other investment needs. The Company believes that its longer-term working capital and other general corporate requirements will be satisfied through cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, from bank borrowings and future financial market activities. Further, in connection with this review, given the turmoil in the financial markets and challenging new home construction and home improvement markets, the Company has not repurchased any shares since July 2008 and does not anticipate further repurchases under current conditions. However, consistent with past practice, the Company anticipates repurchasing shares in 2009 to offset any dilution from long-term stock awards granted or stock options exercised as part of its compensation programs.

 

Net cash used for investing activities was $13 million, and included $200 million for capital expenditures and $21 million for acquisitions. Cash provided by investing activities included primarily $179 million of net proceeds from the disposition of businesses and $58 million from the net sale of financial investments.

 

The Company invests in automating its manufacturing operations to increase its productivity to improve customer service and to support new product innovation. Capital expenditures for 2008 were $200 million, compared with $248 million for 2007 and $388 million for 2006; for 2009, capital expenditures, excluding any potential 2009 acquisitions, are expected to approximate $175 million. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2008 totaled $238 million, compared with $248 million for 2007 and $244 million for 2006; for 2009, depreciation and amortization expense, excluding any potential 2009 acquisitions, is expected to approximate $230 million. Amortization expense totaled $17 million, $20 million and $14 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Costs of environmental responsibilities and compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations have not had, nor, in the opinion of the Company, are they expected to have, a material effect on the Company’s capital expenditures, financial position or results of operations.

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States. However, the Company believes that certain non-GAAP

performance measures and ratios, used in managing the business, may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior periods. Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results.

 

 

Net sales for 2008 were $9.6 billion, representing a decrease of 17 percent from 2007. Excluding results from acquisitions and the effect of currency translation, net sales decreased 18 percent compared with 2007. The following table reconciles reported net sales to net sales excluding acquisitions and the effect of currency translation, in millions:

 

 

Net sales for 2008 were adversely affected by an accelerating decline in the new home construction market, which reduced sales volume by approximately ten percent compared to 2007. Economic conditions remain difficult in the new home construction market as full-year 2008 housing starts have declined over 30 percent to 900,000 from 2007. Net sales for 2008 were also negatively affected by a continued decline in consumer spending for home improvement products, which contributed to lower sales volume, reducing net sales by approximately six percent compared to 2007. Such declines were partially offset by net selling price increases of approximately one percent compared to 2007.

 

The Company’s International operations have also been adversely affected by global deterioration in consumer spending for home improvement products and new home construction. Net sales volume of the Company’s International products declined in local currencies and reduced consolidated net sales by approximately three percent compared to 2007. A weaker U.S. dollar had a positive effect on the translation of local currencies of European operations and increased sales by one percent compared to 2007.

 

The Company’s gross profit margins were 24.8 percent, 27.3 percent and 27.5 percent in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease in the 2008 and 2007 gross profit margins reflects declining sales volume and the related under-absorption of costs, which more than offset net selling price increases and the benefits associated with the Company’s business rationalizations and other initiatives.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales were 19.1 percent in 2008 compared with 17.2 percent in 2007 and 16.1 percent in 2006. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales in 2008 reflect lower sales volume and increased bad debt and litigation expense, as well as increased plant closure costs. The year 2007 includes increased severance costs, increased bad debt expense and increased system implementation costs, which, on a combined basis, increased $36 million or .3 percent of sales compared to 2006.

 

Operating profit in 2008, 2007 and 2006 includes $83 million, $79 million and $47 million, respectively, of costs and charges related to the Company’s business rationalizations and other initiatives. Operating profit in 2008, 2007 and 2006 includes $467 million, $119 million and $317 million, respectively, of impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets. Operating profit in 2008 and 2006 includes $(9) million and $1 million of (charges) income regarding the Masco Contractor Services and Behr litigation settlements, respectively. Operating profit margins, as reported, were .8 percent, 9.1 percent and 8.9 percent

in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Operating profit margins, excluding the items above, were 6.6 percent, 10.9 percent and 11.8 percent in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Operating profit margins in 2008 were adversely affected by an accelerating decline in new home construction and a continued decline in consumer spending in North American and International markets, both of which negatively impacted the sales volume in each of the Company’s segments and negatively impacted operating profit margins by approximately two percentage points compared to 2007. Operating profit margins in 2007 were adversely affected by a continuing decline in new home construction and a moderation in consumer spending in North America, both of which negatively impacted the sales volume of installation and other services, cabinets and windows and doors; such sales volume declines negatively impacted operating profit margin by approximately two percentage points compared to 2006. Operating profit margins in 2006 were negatively affected by an accelerating decline in the new home construction market and a moderation in consumer spending for certain “big ticket” home improvement items, such as cabinets, in the last half of 2006, as well as the continuing negative impact of higher commodity costs partially offset by certain selling price increases.

 

 

During 2008 the Company recognized non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges aggregating $58 million primarily related to financial investments in TriMas common stock ($31 million), Asahi Tec common stock ($1 million), private equity funds ($23 million) and other investments ($3 million).

 

Other, net, for 2008 included $3 million of realized losses, net, from the sale of marketable securities and $4 million of income from other investments, net. Other, net, for 2008 also included realized currency losses of $31 million and other miscellaneous items.

 

During 2007, the Company recognized non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges aggregating $22 million related to financial investments in Furniture Brands International common stock ($6 million), Asahi Tec common stock ($3 million), auction rate securities ($3 million) and private equity funds ($10 million).

 

Other, net, for 2007 included $5 million of realized gains, net, from the sale of marketable securities, $6 million of dividend income and $38 million of income from other investments, net. Other, net, for 2007 also included $9 million of realized currency gains and other miscellaneous items.

 

During 2006, the Company recognized non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges aggregating $101 million for its investments related to Metaldyne ($40 million), TriMas ($16 million), the Heartland fund ($29 million) and other funds ($16 million).

 

Other, net, for 2006 included $4 million of realized gains, net, from the sale of marketable securities, $10 million of dividend income and $30 million of income from other investments, net. Other, net, for 2006 also included realized currency gains of $14 million and other miscellaneous items.

 

Interest expense was $228 million, $258 million and $240 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease in interest expense in 2008 is primarily due to lower interest rates and the retirement of higher fixed-rate debt in 2007 and 2008. The increase in interest expense in 2007 is primarily due to increasing interest rates and the issuance of higher interest rate debt of 6.125% notes in October 2006 and floating-rate notes and 5.85% notes in March 2007. These debt issuances were in consideration of the 2007 debt payments.

 

 

(Loss) income and diluted (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations for 2008 were $(382) million and $(1.08) per common share, respectively. Income and diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations for 2007 were $494 million and $1.32 per common share, respectively. Income and diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations for 2006 were $458 million and $1.15 per common share, respectively. (Loss) income from continuing operations for

2008 included non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets of $467 million ($445 million or $1.26 per common share, after tax). Income from continuing operations for 2007 included non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets of $119 million ($100 million or $.27 per common share, after tax). Income from continuing operations for 2006 included non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges for goodwill of $317 million ($317 million or $.79 per common share, after tax).

 

The Company’s effective tax rate for the loss from continuing operations was 63 percent in 2008 and for income from continuing operations was 39 percent and 46 percent in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for income from continuing operations, excluding the impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets, was 60 percent, 36 percent and 34 percent in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for 2008 reflects the additional U.S. tax on a repatriation of low-taxed earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries in order to utilize the Company’s foreign tax credit carryforward by December 31, 2008, combined with a decrease in the Company’s 2008 pre-tax income.

 

Outlook for the Company

 

Business conditions remain difficult in the Company’s markets. The Company experienced a further significant reduction in sales of its products and services in the fourth quarter of 2008, which has continued into early 2009. Housing starts declined over 30 percent to 900,000 in 2008 from 2007. The Company estimates that 2009 housing starts will decline approximately 35 percent to a range of 550,000 to 600,000 units. The Company anticipates that consumer spending for home improvement products and demand for certain of the Company’s International products will continue to decline in the near-term.

 

Although the Company is confident that the long-term fundamentals for the new home construction and home improvement markets are positive, the Company expects that market conditions will be extremely challenging over the next several quarters, given the continued uncertainty in the global economic and financial markets. Accordingly, the Company will focus on liquidity preservation to ensure its ability to fund its business operations, growth opportunities that may arise and a relatively modest debt maturity due in early 2010.

 

The Company believes that its financial position (including cash of over $1 billion at December 31, 2008, and its ability to generate cash flow) together with its current strategy of investing in leadership brands, innovative growth and flexible and scalable supply chains, will allow the Company to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.

Business Segment and Geographic Area Results

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s net sales and operating profit (loss) information by business segment and geographic area, dollars in millions.

 

 

Business Segment Results Discussion

 

Changes in operating profit margins in the following Business Segment and Geographic Area Results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net, gains on sale of corporate fixed assets, net, (charge) income regarding litigation settlements, and impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets in 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

Business Rationalizations and Other Initiatives

 

Over the past several years, the Company has been focused on the strategic rationalization of its businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions, system implementations and other initiatives. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company incurred net costs and charges of $83 million pre-tax related to these initiatives. Based on current plans, the Company anticipates costs and charges related to the Company’s business rationalizations and other initiatives to approximate $44 million in 2009. The Company continues to evaluate its businesses and may implement additional rationalization programs based on changes in the Company’s markets which could result in further costs and charges.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company incurred net costs and charges of $79 million related to business rationalizations, net of an $8 million gain from the sale of fixed assets. During 2006, the Company incurred $39 million pre-tax of costs and charges (primarily accelerated depreciation and severance expense) related to a plant closure and other profit improvement programs in the Plumbing Products segment. In addition, in 2006, the Company incurred $8 million pre-tax of costs and charges (including the write-down of inventories and accelerated depreciation) related to the closure of a relatively small ready-to-assemble cabinet manufacturing facility in the Cabinets and Related Products segment.

 

 

Net sales of Cabinets and Related Products decreased in 2008 primarily due to a decline in sales volume of cabinets in the new home construction market and lower sales volume of cabinets in the North American retail market, as well as a less favorable product mix, which combined to reduce sales in this segment by approximately 16 percent compared to 2007. Net sales in this segment were also negatively impacted by lower local currency sales volume of International operations, which reduced sales in this segment by approximately five percent compared to 2007. Net sales in this segment decreased in 2007 primarily due to a decline in sales volume of cabinets in the new home construction market, which reduced sales in this segment by 11 percent compared to 2006. A decline in net sales of ready-to-assemble cabinets reduced sales in this segment by five percent in 2007 compared to 2006. A weaker U.S. dollar had a positive effect on the translation of local currencies of International operations included in this segment and increased sales by one percent in 2008 compared to 2007 and increased sales by two percent in 2007 compared to 2006. Net sales in this segment in 2006 were affected primarily by lower sales of ready-to-assemble cabinets in North America and Europe, which more than offset certain selling price increases and sales volume increases of assembled cabinets in North America in the first half of 2006.

 

Operating profit margins in the Cabinets and Related Products segment in 2008 were negatively affected by lower sales volume and the related under-absorption of fixed costs and a less favorable product mix which reduced operating profit margins by approximately six percentage points compared to 2007, as well as increased plant closure and system implementation costs. In 2008, operating profit margins were also negatively affected by lower results of International operations included in this segment, which reduced operating profit margins by approximately two percentage points compared to 2007. In 2007, operating profit margins in this segment were negatively affected by the decline in sales volume, which reduced operating profit margins by approximately three percentage points, as well as increased start-up costs and the under-utilization of two new plants in this segment, and increased severance costs. Such declines were partially offset by a gain on the sale of a manufacturing facility of $8 million and benefits associated with business rationalizations and other initiatives. In 2006, operating

profit margins in this segment were negatively affected by a decline in sales volume in the last half of the year, as well as increased commodity, freight and plant start-up costs and lower results of International operations, offset in part by selling price increases. In 2006, operating profit margins in this segment were also negatively affected by $8 million of costs and charges related to the closure of a relatively small ready-to-assemble cabinet manufacturing facility.

 

 

Net sales of Plumbing Products decreased in 2008 primarily due to lower sales volume to North American retailers and wholesalers, which reduced sales by approximately ten percent compared to 2007. Reflecting the weakened global economy, net sales in this segment were also negatively impacted by lower local currency sales volume of International operations, which reduced sales in this segment by approximately four percent compared to 2007. Such declines were partially offset by net selling price increases, which increased sales by approximately three percent compared to 2007. Net sales in this segment increased in 2007 and 2006 primarily due to increased sales volume of certain International operations, which increased sales in this segment by three percent in 2007 compared to 2006. In 2007, increased selling prices also increased sales in this segment by three percent compared to 2006. These results were partially offset by declining sales volume to North American retail and wholesale customers, which reduced sales in this segment by four percent in 2007 compared to 2006. A weaker U.S. dollar also had a positive effect on the translation of local currencies of International operations included in this segment and increased sales by two percent in 2008 compared to 2007 and increased sales by four percent in 2007 compared to 2006.

 

Operating profit margins in the Plumbing Products segment in 2008 were negatively affected by the decline in North American and International sales volume, which reduced operating profit margins by approximately one percentage point compared to 2007. Such declines were partially offset by net selling price increases. Operating profit margins in this segment in 2007 were negatively affected by increased commodity costs in early 2007, which reduced operating profit margins by approximately two percentage points compared to 2006. Such declines were offset by selling price increases and the reduction of certain variable expenses, as well as lower rationalization costs. In 2006, operating profit margins in this segment were negatively affected by increased commodity costs, as well as a less favorable product mix and declining sales volume to certain retail customers.

 

 

Net sales of Installation and Other Services decreased in 2008 primarily due to significantly lower sales volume related to the accelerating decline in the new home construction market which declined over 30 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, as well as lower selling prices (related to material price decreases). Net sales in this segment decreased in 2007 primarily due to lower sales volume related to the continued slowdown in the new home construction market, which reduced sales in this segment by 20 percent compared to 2006 and declines in selling prices, partially offset by acquisitions which increased sales in this segment by six percent compared to 2006. Net sales in this segment in 2006 were affected primarily by increased sales volume of non-insulation products and selling price increases in the first half of 2006.

 

Operating profit margins in the Installation and Other Services segment in 2008 were negatively affected by lower sales volume and the related under-absorption of fixed costs, as well as decreased selling prices and increased bad debt expense, which decreased operating profit margins by approximately seven percentage points. Such declines were partially offset by material price decreases. Operating profit margins in this segment were lower in 2007 primarily due to lower sales volume and the related under-absorption of fixed costs, which decreased operating profit margins in this segment by approximately three percentage points compared to 2006, and lower selling prices. The year 2007 also included increased bad debt expense, increased severance and location closure costs and increased system implementation expenses, which, on a combined basis, reduced operating profit margin in this segment by one percentage point compared to 2006. Partially offsetting these declines were

reductions in material costs, as well as benefits associated with the business rationalizations and other initiatives. In 2006, the operating profit margins in this segment reflect increased sales volume of generally lower-margin, non-insulation products, as well as operating costs to support the segment’s growth in non-insulation products, new product development and technology initiatives.

 

The Installation and Other Services segment continues to rationalize its footprint and portfolio of products.

 

 

Net sales of Decorative Architectural Products decreased in 2008, primarily due to lower retail sales volume of paints and stains and builders’ hardware, which more than offset selling price increases. Net sales in this segment increased in 2007 primarily due to higher retail sales volume from new product introductions of paints and stains, which increased sales in this segment by four percent compared to 2006, which was partially offset by sales declines related to builder’s hardware. Net sales in this segment in 2006 were affected primarily by selling price increases of paints and stains.

 

Operating profit margins in the Decorative Architectural Products segment in 2008 were negatively affected by lower sales volume of paints and stains and builders’ hardware, increasing material costs throughout 2008 and program costs for builders’ hardware, which more than offset the effect of selling price increases. Operating profit margins in this segment in 2007 primarily reflect increased sales volume of paints and stains, offset by increased advertising expenses. In 2006, operating profit margins in this segment reflect increased selling prices of paints and stains, which partially offset commodity cost increases experienced in late 2004 and during 2005.

 

 

Net sales of Other Specialty Products decreased primarily due to lower sales volume of windows and doors, resulting from the accelerating decline in the new home construction market, as well as a decline in the home improvement market in this segment, particularly in the Western United States, which decreased sales in this segment by approximately 18 percent in 2008 compared to 2007 and approximately 14 percent in 2007 compared to 2006. Net sales in this segment were also negatively impacted by lower local currency sales volume of International operations, which reduced sales in this segment by approximately two percent compared to 2007, due to the decline in the United Kingdom markets. A stronger U.S. dollar, particularly in the fourth quarter, had a negative effect on the translation of local currencies of International operations included in this segment and decreased sales by one percent in 2008 compared to 2007 and a weaker U.S. dollar increased sales by two percent in 2007 compared to 2006.

 

Operating profit margins in the Other Specialty Products segment in 2008 were negatively affected by lower sales volume and the related under-absorption of fixed costs, which decreased operating profit margins by approximately seven percentage points compared to 2007, as well as increased plant closure costs. Operating profit margins were also negatively affected by lower results of International operations, which reduced operating profit margins by approximately two percentage points compared to 2007. Operating profit margins in this segment declined in 2007 due to lower sales volume of windows and doors in the new home construction market, which decreased operating profit margins by approximately three percentage points compared to 2006, and lower results of International operations, which reduced operating profit margins by approximately two percentage points compared to 2006. Operating profit margins in this segment in 2006 reflected lower sales volume of windows and doors, which offset improved International operating results.

Geographic Area Results Discussion

 

 

Net sales from North American operations decreased in 2008 and 2007 primarily due to the accelerating decline in the new home construction market and the continued decline in consumer spending for home improvement products. North American net sales in 2008 were negatively affected by lower sales volume of installation and other services, cabinets and windows and doors in the new home construction market which decreased sales from North American operations by approximately 13 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. In addition, North American net sales were negatively affected by lower retail sales volume of cabinets, plumbing products, paints and stains and builder’s hardware, which aggregated to a net decrease in North American sales of approximately eight percent in 2008 compared to 2007. North American sales in 2007 were negatively affected by lower sales volume of installation and other services, cabinets and windows and doors in the new home construction market which decreased sales from North American operations by 11 percent compared to 2006. In addition, North American net sales were negatively affected by lower retail sales volume of certain products, partially offset by increased retail sales volume of paint and stains, which aggregated a net decrease to sales from North American operations of one percent in 2007 compared to 2006. Net sales from North American operations in 2006 reflect relatively stronger market conditions in the first half of 2006, as well as increased selling prices.

 

The declines in operating profit margins from North American operations in 2008 and 2007 are primarily due to accelerating declines in new home construction and consumer spending, which negatively impacted the sales volume of the Company’s products and decreased operating profit margins by approximately three percentage points in 2008 compared to 2007 and approximately two percentage points in 2007 compared to 2006. The declines in 2007 were partially offset by selling price increases, and the benefits associated with the Company’s business rationalizations and other initiatives. In 2006, the operating profit margins from North American operations reflected sales volume declines in the second half of 2006 of ready-to-assemble cabinets, windows and doors and the installation of insulation products, as well as increased commodity costs, partially offset by selling price increases.

 

 

Net sales from International operations decreased in 2008 primarily due to lower sales volume of plumbing products and cabinets, which reduced sales from International operations in local currencies by approximately 13 percent compared to 2007. Such declines were partially offset by selling price increases, which increased sales from International operations by approximately two percent compared to 2007. Net sales from International operations increased in 2007 primarily due to increased sales volume of plumbing products which increased sales from International operations in local currencies by five percent compared to 2006. A weaker U.S. dollar had a positive effect on the translation of International results in 2008 and 2007, increasing International net sales by three percent in 2008 compared to 2007 and ten percent in 2007 compared to 2006. Net sales from International operations in 2006 reflect increased sales of plumbing products, as well as a weaker U.S. dollar which had a positive effect on the translation of European results.

 

Operating profit margins in 2008 were negatively affected by lower sales volumes and the related under-absorption of fixed costs, as well as increased severance and plant closure costs. Operating profit margins in 2007 were negatively affected by a less favorable product mix and material cost increases. Operating profit margins in 2006 were negatively affected by the lower operating results for European ready-to-assemble cabinets, which more than offset the positive effect of increased sales volume of plumbing products and improved operating results of other European operations.

Other Matters

 

 

 

Information regarding legal proceedings involving the Company is set forth in Note U to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

With respect to the Company’s investments in private equity funds, the Company had, at December 31, 2008, commitments to contribute up to $42 million of additional capital to such funds, representing the Company’s aggregate capital commitment to such funds less capital contributions made to date. The Company is contractually obligated to make additional capital contributions to these private equity funds upon receipt of a capital call from the private equity fund. The Company has no control over when or if the capital calls will occur. Capital calls are funded in cash and generally result in an increase in the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the private equity fund when paid.

 

The Company enters into contracts, which include reasonable and customary indemnifications that are standard for the industries in which it operates. Such indemnifications include claims made against builders by homeowners for issues relating to the Company’s products and workmanship. In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, the Company occasionally provides reasonable and customary indemnifications relating to various items, including: the enforceability of trademarks; legal and environmental issues; and provisions for sales returns. The Company has never had to pay a material amount related to these indemnifications, and evaluates the probability that amounts may be incurred and appropriately records an estimated liability when probable.

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table provides payment obligations related to current contracts at December 31, 2008, in millions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 was effective January 1, 2008 for financial assets and liabilities. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” (“FSP No. 157-2”). FSP No. 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 related to non-financial assets and liabilities to January 1, 2009. In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active,” (“FSP No. 157-3”). FSP No. 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 to financial assets in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities did not have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements and the Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this pronouncement for non-financial assets and liabilities will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 160 requires the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified, labeled,

and presented in the consolidated balance sheet as a component of shareholders’ equity. SFAS No. 160 is effective January 1, 2009, and requires the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141R”). SFAS No. 141R requires that the acquisition method be applied to all business combinations and it establishes requirements for the recognition and measurement of the acquired assets and liabilities by the acquiring company. Further, it requires that costs incurred to complete any acquisition be recognized as expense in the consolidated statement of income. SFAS No. 141R also requires that contingent assets and liabilities be recorded at fair value and marked to market quarterly until they are settled, with any changes to the fair value to be recorded as income or expense in the consolidated statement of income. SFAS No. 141R is effective for the Company, for any business combination that is completed subsequent to January 1, 2009.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 is effective January 1, 2009 and the Company does not anticipate that this pronouncement will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement),” (“FSP APB 14-1”). FSP APB 14-1 requires issuers of convertible debt instruments that permit or require the issuer to pay cash upon conversion to separately account for the liability and equity components. The adoption of FSP APB 14-1 is effective January 1, 2009 and retrospective application is required. The adoption of FSP APB 14-1 will result in the Company recognizing $1 million as a cumulative effect of accounting change, net as of January 1, 2007. The Company has determined that the adoption of FSP APB 14-1 would reduce basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change, net by $.05 per common share for the year ended December 31, 2006, and would have no impact for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities,” (“FSP EITF 03-6-1”). FSP EITF 03-6-1 requires that the Company’s unvested share-based payment awards containing non-forfeited rights to dividends be included in the computation of earnings per common share. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 is effective January 1, 2009 and retrospective application is required. The Company has determined that the impact of the adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 would (increase) decrease basic (loss) income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change, net and net (loss) income by $(.02) and $(.03) per common share, $.03 and $.03 per common share and $.02 and $.03 per common share, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. The Company has also determined that the impact of the adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 would (increase) decrease diluted (loss) income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change, net and net (loss) income by $(.02) and $(.03) per common share, $.02 and $.01 per common share and $.02 and $.02 per common share, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132R-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets,” (“FSP FAS 132R-1”). FSP FAS 132R-1 expands the disclosures related to postretirement benefit plan assets to include disclosures concerning the Company’s investment policies for benefit plan assets and categories of plan assets. FSP FAS 132R-1 further expands the disclosure requirements to include fair value measurements of plan assets, including the levels within the fair value hierarchy and other related disclosures under SFAS No. 157 and any concentrations of risk related to the plan assets. The adoption of FSP FAS 132R-1 is effective for the year ended December 31, 2009, and the Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

The Company has considered the provisions of Financial Reporting Release No. 48, “Disclosure of Accounting Policies for Derivative Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments, and Disclosure of Quantitative and Qualitative Information about Market Risk Inherent in Derivative Financial Instruments, Other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments”.

 

The Company is exposed to the impact of changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates in the normal course of business and to market price fluctuations related to its marketable securities and other investments. The Company has limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and uses such instruments to the extent necessary to manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations. See Note F to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments.

 

The derivatives used by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2008 consist of two interest rate swap agreements entered into in 2004 for the purpose of effectively converting a portion of fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt; in October 2008, the Company terminated the two interest rate swap agreements. The Company, including certain European operations, also entered into foreign currency forward contracts to manage exposure to currency fluctuations related primarily to the European euro and the U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2008, the Company had also entered into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge currency fluctuations related to intercompany loans denominated in non-functional currencies.

 

At December 31, 2008, the Company performed sensitivity analyses to assess the potential loss in the fair values of market risk sensitive instruments resulting from a hypothetical change of 10 percent in foreign currency exchange rates or a 10 percent decline in the market value of the Company’s long-term investments. Based upon the analyses performed, such changes would not be expected to materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The management of Masco Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Masco Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The management of Masco Corporation assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework.” Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, performed an audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and of the effectiveness of Masco Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. Their report expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Masco Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 and expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 2008 consolidated financial statements. This report appears under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data under the heading Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Masco 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 Masco Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

As discussed in Note S to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for unrecognized tax benefits in 2007. As discussed in Note N to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for stock-based compensation in 2006. As discussed in Note O to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans effective December 31, 2006.

 

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

 

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

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Detroit, Michigan

February 17, 2009

MASCO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

at December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

MASCO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

MASCO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006