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MIDDLEBY Corp - Quarter Report: 2008 September (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

  For the quarterly period ended September 27, 2008

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

Commission File No. 1-9973

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware
 
36-3352497
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
   

1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois
 
60120
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone No., including Area Code    (847) 741-3300

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer, large accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non accelerated filer o 
Smaller reporting company o

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

As of October 31, 2008, there were 16,993,843 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.



THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 2008

INDEX

DESCRIPTION
 
PAGE
       
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
       
Item 1.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
   
       
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007
 
1
       
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007
 
2
       
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007
 
3
       
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
4
       
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
24
       
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
34
       
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
37
       
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
   
       
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
38
       
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
41
       
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
42



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts In Thousands, Except Share Data)
(Unaudited)

   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Dec. 29, 2007
 
ASSETS
             
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
7,027
 
$
7,463
 
Accounts receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $7,684 and $5,818
   
91,633
   
73,090
 
Inventories, net
   
94,360
   
66,438
 
Prepaid expenses and other
   
9,697
   
10,341
 
Prepaid taxes
   
7,627
   
17,986
 
Current deferred taxes
   
14,788
   
11,095
 
Total current assets
   
225,132
   
186,413
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,046 and $41,114
   
44,562
   
36,774
 
Goodwill
   
248,779
   
134,800
 
Other intangibles
   
125,726
   
52,581
 
Other assets
   
3,836
   
3,079
 
Total assets
 
$
648,035
 
$
413,647
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Current liabilities:
             
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
7,803
 
$
2,683
 
Accounts payable
   
34,377
   
26,576
 
Accrued expenses
   
98,535
   
95,581
 
Total current liabilities
   
140,715
   
124,840
 
Long-term debt
   
249,850
   
93,514
 
Long-term deferred tax liability
   
20,856
   
2,568
 
Other non-current liabilities
   
18,847
   
9,813
 
Stockholders' equity:
             
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; nonvoting; 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
   
   
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 47,500,000 shares authorized; 21,068,556 and 20,732,836 shares issued in 2008 and 2007, respectively
   
120
   
120
 
Paid-in capital
   
106,739
   
104,782
 
Treasury stock at cost; 4,074,713 and 3,855,044 shares in 2008 and 2007, respectively
   
(102,000
)
 
(89,641
)
Retained earnings
   
213,484
   
166,896
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
(576
)
 
755
 
Total stockholders' equity
   
217,767
   
182,912
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
648,035
 
$
413,647
 

See accompanying notes

1


THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
                   
Net sales
 
$
166,472
 
$
135,996
 
$
500,868
 
$
354,939
 
Cost of sales
   
101,735
   
84,600
   
310,221
   
217,552
 
Gross profit
   
64,737
   
51,396
   
190,647
   
137,387
 
Selling expenses
   
16,822
   
13,507
   
49,743
   
36,575
 
General and administrative expenses
   
16,962
   
12,465
   
51,443
   
35,380
 
Income from operations
   
30,953
   
25,424
   
89,461
   
65,432
 
Net interest expense and deferred financing amortization
   
3,168
   
1,621
   
9,910
   
4,138
 
Other expense (income), net
   
850
   
(316
)
 
1,798
   
(1,053
)
Earnings before income taxes
   
26,935
   
24,119
   
77,753
   
62,347
 
Provision for income taxes
   
10,645
   
10,063
   
31,165
   
24,989
 
Net earnings
 
$
16,290
 
$
14,056
 
$
46,588
 
$
37,358
 
                           
Net earnings per share:
                         
Basic
 
$
1.02
 
$
0.89
 
$
2.91
 
$
2.39
 
Diluted
 
$
0.96
 
$
0.83
 
$
2.72
 
$
2.22
 
                           
Weighted average number of shares
                         
Basic
   
15,911
   
15,743
   
15,985
   
15,632
 
Dilutive stock options1
   
1,106
   
1,191
   
1,158
   
1,225
 
Diluted
   
17,017
   
16,934
   
17,143
   
16,857
 

 
1
There were no anti-dilutive stock options excluded from common stock equivalents for any period presented.

See accompanying notes

2


THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities-
             
Net earnings
 
$
46,588
 
$
37,358
 
               
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:
             
Depreciation and amortization
   
10,256
   
4,850
 
Deferred taxes
   
2,593
   
1,417
 
Non-cash share-based compensation
   
8,421
   
5,540
 
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments
   
169
   
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions
             
Accounts receivable, net
   
100
   
(5,674
)
Inventories, net
   
(7,022
)
 
(2,992
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
13,243
   
(4,576
)
Accounts payable
   
(2,108
)
 
6,866
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
(8,248
)
 
3,195
 
               
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
63,992
   
45,984
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities-
             
Net additions to property and equipment
   
(3,408
)
 
(1,689
)
Acquisition of Houno
   
   
(179
)
Acquisition of Jade
   
   
(7,779
)
Acquisition of Carter-Hoffmann
   
(167
)
 
(16,152
)
Acquisition of MP Equipment
   
(3,000
)
 
(15,193
)
Acquisition of Wells Bloomfield
   
(317
)
 
(28,803
)
Acquisition of Star
   
(188,241
)
 
 
Acquisition of Giga
   
(9,918
)
 
 
Acquisition of Frifri
   
(3,050
)
 
 
               
Net cash (used in) investing activities
   
(208,101
)
 
(69,795
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities-
             
Net proceeds under revolving credit facilities
   
156,450
   
36,750
 
Repayments under senior secured bank notes
   
   
(11,250
)
Net proceeds (payments) under foreign bank loan
   
525
   
(822
)
Debt issuance costs
   
(1,002
)
 
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(12,359
)
 
 
Net proceeds from stock issuances
   
270
   
3,121
 
               
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
143,884
   
27,799
 
               
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
   
(211
)
 
94
 
               
Changes in cash and cash equivalents-
             
               
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
(436
)
 
4,082
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
7,463
   
3,534
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter
 
$
7,027
 
$
7,616
 
               
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
             
Interest paid
 
$
8,524
 
$
3,844
 
Income tax payments
 
$
19,582
 
$
24,815
 

See accompanying notes

3


THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 27, 2008
(Unaudited)

1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A) Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by The Middleby Corporation (the "company"), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial statements are unaudited and certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in the company's 2007 Form 10-K/A.

In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the company as of September 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007.

Subsequent to the issuance of the company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the fiscal period ended March 29, 2008, the company determined that purchase accounting methodology had been improperly applied as it related to the calculation of deferred tax assets and liabilities for certain acquisitions, including Nu-Vu Foodservice Systems, Jade Products Company, Carter-Hoffman, MP Equipment, and Wells Bloomfield. Specifically, in each of these acquisitions, the company allocated a portion of the purchase price to deferred tax assets to reflect the expected tax benefit to be realized from the future amortization of goodwill deductible for tax purposes. This restatement had no impact on the company’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings or cash flows for the three month period ended March 29, 2008.

B) Non- Cash Share-Based Compensation

The company estimates the fair value of market-based stock awards and stock options at the time of grant and recognizes compensation cost over the vesting period of the awards and options. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $2.9 million and $2.2 million for the third quarter of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $8.4 million and $5.5 million for the nine-month periods ended September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007, respectively.

4


C) Income Tax Contingencies

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”).   This interpretation prescribes a comprehensive model for how a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. FIN 48 states that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax benefit from an uncertain position was previously recognized if it was probable of being sustained. Under FIN 48, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is classified as non-current unless the liability is expected to be settled in cash within 12 months of the reporting date. FIN 48 was effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. The company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on the first day of fiscal 2007 as required.

As of December 29, 2007, the total amount of liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to federal, state and foreign taxes was approximately $7.7 million plus approximately $1.0 million of accrued interest and $1.3 million of penalties. As of September 27, 2008, the corresponding balance of liability for unrecognized tax benefits was approximately $9.6 million plus approximately $1.6 million of accrued interest and $1.3 million of penalties. The company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense, which is consistent with reporting in prior periods.

During the second quarter of 2008 the U.S. Internal Revenue Service completed an audit of the company’s 2005 and 2006 federal income tax returns.  Results of these audits have been considered in the company’s evaluation of the reserve requirements under FIN 48.  The company does not anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change due to any settlement of audits and the expiration of statute of limitations within the next twelve months.

The company operates in multiple taxing jurisdictions; both within the United States and outside of the United States, and faces audits from various tax authorities. The company remains subject to examination until the statute of limitations expires for the respective tax jurisdiction. Within specific countries, the company and its operating subsidiaries may be subject to audit by various tax authorities and may be subject to different statute of limitations expiration dates. A summary of the tax years that remain subject to examination in the company’s major tax jurisdictions are:

United States – federal
   
2007
 
United States – states
   
2002 - 2007
 
China
   
2006 - 2007
 
Denmark
   
2006 - 2007
 
Mexico
   
2006 - 2007
 
Philippines
   
2004 - 2007
 
South Korea
   
2004 - 2007
 
Spain
   
2005 - 2007
 
Taiwan
   
2005 - 2007
 
United Kingdom
   
2006 - 2007
 

5


D) Fair Value Measures

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This statement is effective for interim reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The company adopted SFAS No. 157 on December 30, 2007 (first day of fiscal year 2008).

FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” delays the effective date of the application of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis. The company adopted SFAS No. 157 with the exception of the application of the statement to non-recurring nonfinancial assets and liabilities. Non-recurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities for which the company has not applied the provisions of SFAS No. 157 primarily include those measured at fair value in goodwill and long-lived asset impairment testing, those initially measured at fair value in a business combination, and nonfinancial liabilities for exit or disposal activities.

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following levels:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions.

The company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized using the fair value hierarchy at September 27, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):

   
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
     
   
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Financial Assets:
                         
None
   
   
   
   
 
                           
Financial Liabilities:
                         
Interest rate swaps
   
   
12
   
   
12
 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Upon adoption, the company has elected to not apply SFAS No. 159 to measure selected financial instruments and certain other items; therefore, there was no impact to the financial statements upon adoption. Subsequent to the initial adoption of SFAS No. 159, the company has not made any elections during the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008.

6


2)
Acquisitions and Purchase Accounting

Jade

On April 1, 2007, the company completed its acquisition of the assets and operations of Jade Products Company (“Jade”), a leading manufacturer of commercial and residential cooking equipment from Maytag Corporation ("Maytag") for an aggregate purchase price of $7.4 million in cash plus transaction costs.

The company has accounted for this business combination using the purchase method to record a new cost basis for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements.

The final allocation of cash paid for the Jade acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Apr. 1, 2007
 
Adjustments
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Current assets
 
$
6,727
 
$
(2,357
)
$
4,370
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
2,029
   
   
2,029
 
Goodwill
   
250
   
2,858
   
3,108
 
Other intangibles
   
1,590
   
   
1,590
 
Current liabilities
   
(3,205
)
 
(50
)
 
(3,255
)
                     
Total cash paid
 
$
7,391
 
$
451
 
$
7,842
 

The goodwill and other intangibles of $1.4 million associated with the trade name, are subject to the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", from the date of acquisition. Other intangibles of $0.2 million allocated to customer relationships are to be amortized over a period of 10 years. Goodwill and other intangibles of Jade are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Carter-Hoffmann

On June 29, 2007, the company completed its acquisition of the assets and operations of Carter-Hoffmann (“Carter-Hoffmann”), a leading manufacturer of commercial cooking and warming equipment, from Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc., a subsidiary of Carrier Corporation, which is a unit of United Technologies Corporation, for an aggregate purchase price of $15.9 million in cash plus transaction costs.

The company has accounted for this business combination using the purchase method to record a new cost basis for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements.

7


The final allocation of cash paid for the Carter-Hoffmann acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Jun. 29, 2007
 
Adjustments
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Current assets
 
$
7,912
 
$
(2,125
)
$
5,787
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
2,264
   
   
2,264
 
Goodwill
   
9,452
   
(1,254
)
 
8,198
 
Other intangibles
   
   
3,910
   
3,910
 
Current liabilities
   
(3,646
)
 
(50
)
 
(3,696
)
Other non-current liabilities
   
(54
)
 
   
(54
)
                     
Total cash paid
 
$
15,928
 
$
481
 
$
16,409
 

The goodwill and $2.3 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. Other intangibles also includes $1.6 million allocated to customer relationships are to be amortized over a period of 4 years. Goodwill and other intangibles of Carter-Hoffmann are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.


MP Equipment

On July 2, 2007, the company completed its acquisition of the assets and operations of MP Equipment (“MP Equipment”), a leading manufacturer of food processing equipment for a purchase price of $15.0 million in cash plus transaction costs. During the quarter ended September 27, 2008, additional payments amounting to $3.0 million were made to the sellers pursuant to the agreement upon the business reaching certain profit targets.

The company has accounted for this business combination using the purchase method to record a new cost basis for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements.

The final allocation of cash paid for the MP Equipment acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Jul. 2, 2007
 
Adjustments
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Current assets
 
$
5,315
 
$
 
$
5,315
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
297
   
(152
)
 
145
 
Goodwill
   
9,290
   
2,044
   
11,334
 
Other intangibles
   
6,420
   
(770
)
 
5,650
 
Other assets
   
16
   
   
16
 
Current liabilities
   
(4,018
)
 
(46
)
 
(4,064
)
Other non-current liabilities
   
(2,127
)
 
2,000
   
(127
)
                     
Total cash paid
 
$
15,193
 
$
3,076
 
$
18,269
 

8


The goodwill and $3.3 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. Other intangibles also includes $0.3 million allocated to backlog, $0.3 million allocated to developed technology and $1.8 million allocated to customer relationships which are to be amortized over periods of 6 months, 5 years and 5 years, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of MP Equipment are allocated to the Food Processing Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Wells Bloomfield

On August 3, 2007, the company completed its acquisition of the assets and operations of Wells Bloomfield (“Wells Bloomfield”), a leading manufacturer of commercial cooking and beverage equipment from Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc., a subsidiary of Carrier Corporation, which is a unit of United Technologies Corporation, for an aggregate purchase price of $28.4 million in cash plus transaction costs.

The company has accounted for this business combination using the purchase method to record a new cost basis for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements.

The final allocation of cash paid for the Wells Bloomfield acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Aug. 3, 2007
 
Adjustments
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Cash
 
$
2
 
$
 
$
2
 
Current assets
   
15,133
   
(838
)
 
14,295
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
3,961
   
(87
)
 
3,874
 
Goodwill
   
5,835
   
3,135
   
8,970
 
Other intangibles
   
8,130
   
(200
)
 
7,930
 
Other assets
   
21
   
   
21
 
Current liabilities
   
(4,277
)
 
(1,587
)
 
(5,864
)
                     
Total cash paid
 
$
28,805
 
$
423
 
$
29,228
 

The goodwill and $5.5 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. Other intangibles of $2.4 million allocated to customer relationships are to be amortized over a period of 4 years. Goodwill and other intangibles of Wells Bloomfield are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

9


Star

On December 31, 2007, the company acquired the stock of New Star International Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Star”), a leading manufacturer of commercial cooking equipment for an aggregate purchase price of $188.4 million in cash plus transaction costs.

The company has accounted for this business combination using the purchase method to record a new cost basis for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements. The allocation of the purchase price to the assets, liabilities and intangible assets is under review and is subject to change based upon finalization of the valuation of the assets and liabilities acquired.

The preliminary allocation of cash paid for the Star acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Dec. 31, 2007
 
Adjustments
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Cash
 
$
376
 
$
 
$
376
 
Current assets
   
27,783
   
   
27,783
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
8,225
   
   
8,225
 
Goodwill
   
101,365
   
350
   
101,715
 
Other intangibles
   
75,150
   
   
75,150
 
Other assets
   
71
   
   
71
 
Current liabilities
   
(10,205
)
 
(164
)
 
(10,369
)
Deferred tax liabilities
   
(8,837
)
 
   
(8,837
)
Other non-current liabilities
   
(4.295
)
 
   
(4,295
)
                     
Total cash paid
 
$
189,633
 
$
186
 
$
189,819
 

The goodwill and $47.0 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. Other intangibles also includes $0.4 million allocated to backlog, $3.8 million allocated to developed technology and $24.0 million allocated to customer relationships which are to be amortized over periods of 1 month, 7 years and 7 years, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Star are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

10


Pro forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 29, 2007, assumes the Star acquisition was completed on December 31, 2006.  The pro forma results include adjustments to reflect additional interest expense to fund the acquisition, amortization of intangibles associated with the acquisition, and the effects of adjustments made to the carrying value of certain assets.

   
December 29, 2007
 
December 30, 2006
 
Net sales 
 
$
592,513
 
$
487,283
 
Net earnings 
 
$
51,769
 
$
40,672
 
               
Net earnings per share:
             
Basic
 
$
3.30
 
$
2.66
 
Diluted
 
$
3.06
 
$
2.46
 

The pro forma financial information presented above is not necessarily indicative of either the results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisition of Star, been effective on December 31, 2006 or of future operations of the company.  Also, the pro forma financial information does not reflect the costs which the company has or may incur to integrate Star.

Giga

On April 22, 2008, the company acquired the stock of Giga Grandi Cucine S.r.l. (“Giga”), a leading European manufacturer of ranges, ovens and steam cooking equipment for a purchase price of $9.7 million in cash plus transaction costs. The company also assumed $5.1 million of debt included as part of the net assets of Giga. An additional deferred payment of $5.4 million is also due the seller ratably over a three year period. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision within the purchase agreement.

The company has accounted for this business combination using the purchase method to record a new cost basis for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements. The allocation of the purchase price to the assets, liabilities and intangible assets is under review and is subject to change based upon finalization of the valuation of the assets and liabilities acquired.

The preliminary allocation of cash paid for the Giga acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Apr. 22, 2008
 
Adjustments
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Cash
 
$
222
 
$
 
$
222
 
Current assets
   
14,645
   
   
14,645
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
628
   
   
628
 
Goodwill
   
10,135
   
25
   
10,160
 
Other intangibles
   
3,330
   
   
3,330
 
Other assets
   
473
   
   
473
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
(5,105
)
 
   
(5,105
)
Current liabilities
   
(8,757
)
 
   
(8,757
)
Other non-current liabilities
   
(5,431
)
 
   
(5,431
)
                     
Total cash paid
 
$
10,140
 
$
25
 
$
10,165
 

11


The goodwill and $2.4 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. Other intangibles also includes $0.1 million allocated to backlog and $0.8 million allocated to customer relationships, which are to be amortized over periods of 3 months and 4 to 10 years, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Giga are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Frifri

On April 23, 2008, the company acquired the assets of FriFri aro SA (“FriFri”), a leading European supplier of frying systems for an aggregate purchase price of $3.4 million plus transaction costs. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision within the purchase agreement.

The company has accounted for this business combination using the purchase method to record a new cost basis for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements. The allocation of the purchase price to the assets, liabilities and intangible assets is under review and is subject to change based upon finalization of the valuation of the assets and liabilities acquired.

The preliminary allocation of cash paid for the Frifri acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
Apr. 23, 2008
 
Adjustments
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Cash
 
$
469
 
$
 
$
469
 
Current assets
   
4,263
   
127
   
4,390
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
460
   
   
460
 
Goodwill
   
1,155
   
(147
)
 
1,008
 
Current liabilities
   
(2,828
)
 
29
   
(2,799
)
                     
Total cash paid
 
$
3,519
 
$
9
 
$
3,528
 

The goodwill is subject to the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. Goodwill of Frifri is allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
 
TurboChef

On August 12, 2008, the company announced that it had agreed to acquire TurboChef Technologies, Inc. (“TurboChef”). At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each issued and outstanding share of TurboChef’s common stock will be automatically converted into the right to receive 0.0486 shares (the “Exchange Ratio”) of the common stock of Middleby (“Middleby Common Stock”) and $3.67 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”, and together with Middleby Common Stock, the “Merger Consideration”) for a total value of $6.47 based on Middleby’s closing stock price of $57.60 on August 11, 2008, the last trading date prior to the announcement of the contemplated transaction. Consummation of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including the approval of TurboChef’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions.

12


3)
Stock Split

On May 3, 2007, the company’s Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one split of the company’s common stock in the form of a stock dividend. The stock dividend was paid on June 15, 2007 to company shareholders of record as of June 1, 2007. The company’s common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on June 18, 2007. All references in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto to net earnings per share and the number of shares have been adjusted to reflect this stock split.

4)
Litigation Matters
 
From time to time, the company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to products, suppliers, employees, customers and competitors. The company maintains insurance to partially cover product liability, workers compensation, property and casualty, and general liability matters.  The company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses.  A determination of the amount of accrual required, if any, for these contingencies is made after assessment of each matter and the related insurance coverage.  The reserve requirement may change in the future due to new developments or changes in approach such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters.  The company does not believe that any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the company.

5)
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In December 2007, the FAS issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations”. This statement provides companies with principles and requirements on how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree as well as the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in a business combination. This statement also requires certain disclosures to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Acquisition costs associated with the business combination will generally be expensed as incurred. This statement is effective for business combinations occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Early adoption of FASB Statement No. 141R is not permitted. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this guidance will have on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The company will adopt this statement for acquisitions consummated after the statement’s effective date.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51”. This statement amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest (minority interest) in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Upon its adoption, effective as of the beginning of the company’s 2009 fiscal year, noncontrolling interests will be classified as equity in the company’s financial statements and income and comprehensive income attributed to the noncontrolling interest will be included in the company’s income and comprehensive income. The provisions of this standard must be applied retrospectively upon adoption. The company does not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a material impact on its financial statements.

13


In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” This statement amends SFAS No. 133 to require enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this guidance will have on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” This statement identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. This statement directs the hierarchy to the entity, rather than the independent auditors, as the entity is responsible for selecting accounting principles for financial statements that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. This statement is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to remove the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles from the auditing standards. The company does not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 162 will have a material impact on its financial statements.

6)
Other Comprehensive Income

The company reports changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, in accordance with SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income."

Components of other comprehensive income were as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
                   
Net earnings
 
$
16,290
 
$
14,056
 
$
46,588
 
$
37,358
 
Currency translation adjustment
   
(2,556
)
 
320
   
(1,571
)
 
596
 
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax
   
20
   
(202
)
 
240
   
(301
)
                           
Comprehensive income
 
$
13,754
 
$
14,174
 
$
45,257
 
$
37,653
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of unrecognized pension benefit costs of $(0.9) million, net of taxes of $(0.6) million as of September 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, foreign currency translation adjustments of $0.1 million as of September 27, 2008 and $1.7 million as of December 29, 2007, and an unrealized gain on interest rate swaps of $0.2 million, net of taxes of $0.4 million, as of September 27, 2008.

14


7)
Inventories

Inventories are composed of material, labor and overhead and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs for inventory at two of the company's manufacturing facilities have been determined using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. These inventories under the LIFO method amounted to $16.8 million at September 27, 2008 and $16.4 million at December 29, 2007 and represented approximately 17% and 25% of the total inventory in each respective period. Costs for all other inventory have been determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. The company estimates reserves for inventory obsolescence and shrinkage based on its judgment of future realization. Inventories at September 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007 are as follows:
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Dec. 29, 2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Raw materials and parts
 
$
36,473
 
$
25,047
 
Work-in-process
   
21,782
   
11,033
 
Finished goods
   
37,485
   
30,669
 
     
95,740
   
66,749
 
LIFO adjustment
   
(1,380
)
 
(311
)
               
   
$
94,360
 
$
66,438
 

8)
Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Dec, 29, 2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
           
Accrued payroll and related expenses
 
$
20,874
 
$
21,448
 
Accrued warranty
   
13,190
   
12,276
 
Accrued customer rebates
   
12,768
   
16,326
 
Accrued product liability and workers comp
   
10,121
   
6,978
 
Advance customer deposits
   
8,009
   
7,971
 
Accrued commission
   
5,214
   
4,265
 
Other accrued expenses
   
28,360
   
26,317
 
               
   
$
98,536
 
$
95,581
 

15


9)
Warranty Costs

In the normal course of business the company issues product warranties for specific product lines and provides for the estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the sale is recorded.  The estimate of warranty cost is based on contract terms and historical warranty loss experience that is periodically adjusted for recent actual experience. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, claims costs may differ from amounts provided. Adjustments to initial obligations for warranties are made as changes in the obligations become reasonably estimable.

A rollforward of the warranty reserve is as follows:

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
       
Beginning balance
 
$
12,276
 
Warranty reserve related to acquisitions
   
1,442
 
Warranty expense
   
10,943
 
Warranty claims
   
(11,471
)
Ending balance
 
$
13,190
 

10)
Financing Arrangements

   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Dec. 29, 2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
           
Senior secured revolving credit line
 
$
247,800
 
$
91,350
 
Foreign loan
   
9,853
   
4,847
 
Total debt
 
$
257,653
 
$
96,197
 
               
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt
   
7,803
   
2,683
 
               
Long-term debt
 
$
249,850
 
$
93,514
 

During the third quarter of 2008 the company amended its senior secured credit facility. The original agreement provided for $450.0 million of availability under a revolving credit line. The amendment currently provides for $497.5 million of availability under a revolving credit line. As of September 27, 2008, the company had $247.8 million of borrowings outstanding under this facility. The company also has $5.6 million in outstanding letters of credit, which reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit line.

Borrowings under the senior secured credit facility are assessed at an interest rate at 1.25% above LIBOR for long-term borrowings or at the higher of the Prime rate and the Federal Funds Rate. At September 27, 2008 the average interest rate on the senior debt amounted to 3.87%. The interest rates on borrowings under the senior bank facility may be adjusted quarterly based on the company’s defined indebtedness ratio on a rolling four-quarter basis. Additionally, a commitment fee based upon the indebtedness ratio is charged on the unused portion of the revolving credit line. This variable commitment fee amounted to 0.25% as of September 27, 2008.

16


In August 2006, the company completed its acquisition of Houno A/S in Denmark. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings in Danish Krone.  On September 27, 2008 these facilities amounted to $4.7 million in US dollars, including $2.5 million outstanding under a revolving credit facility and $2.2 million of a term loan.  The interest rate on the revolving credit facility is assessed at 1.25% above Euro LIBOR, which amounted to 6.5% on September 27, 2008. The term loan matures in 2013 and the interest rate is assessed at 6.4%.

In April 2008, the company completed its acquisition of Giga Grandi Cucine S.r.l in Italy. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings in denominated in Euro.  On September 27, 2008 these facilities amounted to $5.2 million in US dollars.  The borrowings under these facilities are collateralized by the receivables of the company.  The interest rate on the credit facilities is tied to six month Euro LIBOR. The facilities mature in April of 2015.
 
The company believes that its current capital resources, including cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, funds available from its revolving credit facility and access to the credit and capital markets will be sufficient to finance its operations, debt service obligations, capital expenditures, product development and integration expenditures for the foreseeable future.

The company has historically entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rate on its outstanding debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. As of September 27, 2008 the company had the following interest rate swaps in effect:

   
Fixed
         
Notional
 
Interest
 
Effective
 
Maturity
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Date
 
Date
 
               
$ 10,000,000
   
5.030
%
 
3/3/2006
   
12/21/2009
 
$ 10,000,000
   
2.520
%
 
2/19/2008
   
2/19/2009
 
$ 20,000,000
   
2.635
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/6/2009
 
$ 25,000,000
   
3.350
%
 
1/14/2008
   
1/14/2010
 
$ 10,000,000
   
2.920
%
 
2/1/2008
   
2/1/2010
 
$ 10,000,000
   
2.785
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/8/2010
 
$ 10,000,000
   
3.033
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/7/2011
 
$ 10,000,000
   
2.820
%
 
2/1/2008
   
2/1/2009
 
$ 10,000,000
   
3.590
%
 
6/10/2008
   
6/10/2011
 
$ 20,000,000
   
3.350
%
 
6/10/2008
   
6/10/2010
 
$ 10,000,000
   
3.460
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/6/2011
 
$ 15,000,000
   
3.130
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/7/2010
 
$ 20,000,000
   
2.800
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/8/2009
 
$ 25,000,000
   
3.670
%
 
9/26/2008
   
9/23/2011
 

The terms of the senior secured credit facility limit the paying of dividends, capital expenditures and leases, and require, among other things, ratios of indebtedness of 3.5 debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and fixed charge coverage of 1.25 EBITDA to fixed charges. The credit agreement also provides that if a material adverse change in the company’s business operations or conditions occurs, the lender could declare an event of default. Under terms of the agreement a material adverse effect is defined as (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business properties, condition (financial and otherwise) or prospects of the company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the company to perform under the loan agreements and to avoid any event of default; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the company of any loan document. A material adverse effect is determined on a subjective basis by the company's creditors. The credit facility is secured by the capital stock of the company’s domestic subsidiaries, 65% of the capital stock of the company’s foreign subsidiaries and substantially all other assets of the company. At September 27, 2008, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements.
 
17

 
11)
Financial Instruments

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS No. 133, as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. The statement requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. Derivatives that do not qualify as a hedge must be adjusted to fair value in earnings. If the derivative does qualify as a hedge under SFAS No. 133, changes in the fair value will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments or recognized in other accumulated comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a hedge's change in fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings.

Foreign Exchange: The company has entered into derivative instruments, principally forward contracts to reduce exposures pertaining to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. As of September 27, 2008, the company had no forward contracts outstanding.

Interest Rate: The company has entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for a fixed rates. The company has designated these swaps as cash flow hedges and all changes in fair value of the swaps are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of September 27, 2008, the fair value of these instruments was less than $0.1 million. The change in fair value of these swap agreements in the first nine months of 2008 was a gain of $0.8 million, net of taxes.

   
Fixed
             
Changes
 
Notional
 
Interest
 
Effective
 
Maturity
 
Fair Value
 
In Fair Value
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Date
 
Date
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
(net of taxes)
 
                       
$ 10,000,000
   
5.030
%
 
3/03/2006
   
12/21/2009
 
$
(234,000
)
$
137,0001
 
$ 10,000,000
   
2.520
%
 
2/19/2008
   
2/19/2009
 
$
32,000
 
$
36,000
 
$ 20,000,000
   
2.635
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/6/2009
 
$
49,000
 
$
69,000
 
$ 25,000,000
   
3.350
%
 
1/14/2008
   
1/14/2010
 
$
(91,000
)
$
224,000
 
$ 10,000,000
   
2.920
%
 
2/1/2008
   
2/1/2010
 
$
30,000
 
$
82,000
 
$ 10,000,000
   
2.785
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/8/2010
 
$
22,000
 
$
42,000
 
$ 10,000,000
   
3.033
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/7/2011
 
$
49,000
 
$
78,000
 
$ 10,000,000
   
2.820
%
 
2/1/2008
   
2/1/2009
 
$
92,000
 
$
115,000
 
$ 10,000,000
   
3.590
%
 
6/10/2008
   
6/10/2011
 
$
(8,000
)
$
16,000
 
$ 20,000,000
   
3.350
%
 
6/10/2008
   
6/10/2010
 
$
(39,000
)
$
(28,000
)
$ 10,000,000
   
3.460
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/6/2011
 
$
41,000
 
$
24,000
 
$ 15,000,000
   
3.130
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/7/2010
 
$
42,000
 
$
25,000
 
$ 20,000,000
   
2.800
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/8/2009
 
$
52,000
 
$
31,000
 
$ 25,000,000
   
3.670
%
 
9/26/2008
   
9/23/2011
 
$
(49,000
)
$
(30,000
)

1
Previous to the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2008, this swap had not been designated as an effective cash flow hedge. The swap was designated as an effective cash flow hedge during the quarter ended March 29, 2008. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the net reduction of $0.2 million in the fair value of this swap prior to the designation date has been recorded as a loss in earnings for the first quarter 2008.
 
18


12)
Segment Information

The company operates in three reportable operating segments defined by management reporting structure and operating activities.

The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group manufactures cooking equipment for the restaurant and institutional kitchen industry. This business segment has manufacturing facilities in California, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Denmark, Italy, the Philippines and Switzerland. The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group manufactures conveyor ovens, convection ovens, fryers, ranges, toasters, combi ovens, steamers, broilers, deck ovens, baking ovens, proofers, beverage systems and beverage dispensing equipment, counter-top cooking and warming equipment. This business segment’s principal product lines include Middleby Marshall® and CTX® conveyor oven equipment, Blodgett® convection ovens, conveyor ovens, deck oven equipment, Blodgett Combi® cooking equipment, Blodgett Range® ranges, Nu-Vu® baking ovens and proofers, Pitco Frialator® fryer equipment, Southbend® ranges, convection ovens and heavy-duty cooking equipment, Toastmaster® toasters and counterline cooking and warming equipment, Jade Range® ranges and ovens, Carter Hoffmann® warming, holding and transporting equipment, Bloomfield® beverage systems and beverage dispensing equipment, Wells® convection ovens, counterline cooking equipment and ventless cooking systems, Star® light duty cooking equipment, Holman® toasting equipment, Lang® ovens and ranges, Houno® combi-ovens and baking ovens, Giga® ranges, ovens and steam equipment, Frifri® frying systems and MagiKitch'n® charbroilers and catering equipment.   

The Food Processing Equipment Group manufactures cooking and packaging equipment for the food processing industry. This business segment has manufacturing facilities in Georgia and Wisconsin. Its principal products include Alkar® batch ovens, conveyorized ovens and continuous process ovens, RapidPak® food packaging machinery and MP Equipment® breading, battering, mixing, forming, and slicing equipment.

The International Distribution Division provides integrated sales, export management, distribution and installation services through its operations in China, India, Lebanon, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. The division sells the company’s product lines and certain non-competing complementary product lines throughout the world. For a local country distributor or dealer, the company is able to provide a centralized source of foodservice equipment with complete export management and product support services.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The chief decision maker evaluates individual segment performance based on operating income. Management believes that intersegment sales are made at established arms-length transfer prices.
 
19

 
Net Sales Summary
(dollars in thousands)

   
Three Months Ended      
 
Nine Months Ended      
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008  
 
Sep. 29, 2007  
 
Sep. 27, 2008  
 
Sep. 29, 2007  
 
   
Sales
 
Percent
 
Sales
 
Percent
 
Sales
 
Percent
 
Sales
 
Percent
 
Business Divisions:
                                                 
Commercial Foodservice
 
$
138,327
   
83.1
 
$
109,667
   
80.6
 
$
419,212
   
83.7
 
$
290,597
   
81.9
 
Food Processing
   
21,079
   
12.7
   
20,780
   
15.3
   
61,435
   
12.3
   
46,329
   
13.0
 
International Distribution(1)
   
16,162
   
9.7
   
15,059
   
11.1
   
47,380
   
9.4
   
43,156
   
12.2
 
                                                   
Intercompany sales (2)
   
(9,096
)
 
(5.5
)
 
(9,510
)
 
(7.0
)
 
(27,159
)
 
(5.4
)
 
(25,143
)
 
(7.1
)
Total
 
$
166,472
   
100.0
%
$
135,996
   
100.0
%
$
500,868
   
100.0
%
$
354,939
   
100.0
%

(1)
Consists of sales of products manufactured by Middleby and products  manufactured by third parties.

(2)
Represents the elimination of sales from the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group to the International Distribution Division
 
20

 
The following table summarizes the results of operations for the company's business segments(1)(in thousands):

 
 
Commercial
 
Food
 
International
 
Corporate
                                    
   
Foodservice
 
Processing
 
Distribution
 
and Other(2)
 
Eliminations(3)
 
Total
 
Three months ended September 27, 2008
                                                                  
Net sales
 
$
138,327
 
$
21,079
 
$
16,162
 
$
 
$
(9,096
)   
$
166,472
 
Operating income
   
34,068
   
4,189
   
1,341
   
(9,102
)
 
457
   
30,953
 
Depreciation expense
   
1,281
   
98
   
53
   
39
   
   
1,471
 
Net capital expenditures
   
678
   
12
   
(40
)
 
15
   
   
665
 
                                       
Nine months ended September 27, 2008
                                     
Net sales
 
$
419,212
 
$
61,435
 
$
47,380
 
$
 
$
(27,159
)
$
500,868
 
Operating income
   
102,272
   
10,275
   
3,507
   
(27,251
)
 
658
   
89,461
 
Depreciation expense
   
3,926
   
305
   
152
   
111
   
   
4,494
 
Net capital expenditures
   
3,122
   
88
   
161
   
37
   
   
3,408
 
                                       
Total assets
   
527,204
   
71,495
   
27,780
   
30,774
   
(9,218
)
 
648,035
 
Long-lived assets(4)
   
367,426
   
43,656
   
649
   
11,172
   
   
422,903
 
                                       
Three months ended September 29, 2007
                                     
Net sales
 
$
109,667
 
$
20,780
 
$
15,059
 
$
 
$
(9,510
)
$
135,996
 
Operating income
   
25,155
   
4,009
   
1,245
   
(5,267
)
 
282
   
25,424
 
Depreciation expense
   
898
   
131
   
41
   
36
   
   
1,106
 
Net capital expenditures
   
508
   
53
   
52
   
7
   
   
620
 
                                       
Nine months ended September 29, 2007
                                     
Net sales
 
$
290,597
 
$
46,329
 
$
43,156
 
$
 
$
(25,143
)
$
354.939
 
Operating income
   
69,234
   
10,026
   
3,227
   
(17,748
)
 
693
   
65,432
 
Depreciation expense
   
2,401
   
381
   
125
   
109
   
   
3,016
 
Net capital expenditures
   
1,436
   
65
   
107
   
81
   
   
1,689
 
                                       
Total assets
   
280,999
   
73,931
   
28,741
   
11,741
   
(8,116
)
 
387,296
 
Long-lived assets(4)
   
166,241
   
43,948
   
456
   
10,430
   
   
221,075
 

(1)
Non-operating expenses are not allocated to the operating segments. Non-operating expenses consist of interest expense and deferred financing amortization, foreign exchange gains and losses and other income and expense items outside of income from operations.

(2)
Includes corporate and other general company assets and operations.

(3)
Includes elimination of intercompany sales, profit in inventory and intercompany receivables. Intercompany sale transactions are predominantly from the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group to the International Distribution Division.

(4)
Long-lived assets of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group includes assets located in the Philippines, which amounted to $1,848 and $1,937 in third quarter 2008 and 2007, respectively, assets located in Denmark which amounted to $2,402 and $1,645 in third quarter 2008 and 2007, respectively, assets located in Italy which amounted to $14,906 in third quarter of 2008 and assets located in Switzerland which amounted to $1,229 in third quarter 2008.

21

 
Net sales by major geographic region, including those sales from the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group direct to international customers, were as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended  
 
Nine Months Ended  
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
United States and Canada
 
$
133,923
 
$
109,291
 
$
405,495
 
$
286,832
 
Asia
   
9,242
   
10,003
   
25,752
   
21,645
 
Europe and Middle East
   
18,672
   
11,994
   
55,532
   
35,266
 
Latin America
   
4,635
   
4,708
   
14,089
   
11,196
 
                           
Net sales
 
$
166,472
 
$
135,996
 
$
500,868
 
$
354,939
 

13)
Employee Retirement Plans

(a) Pension Plans

The company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit plan for its union employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 30, 2002 and no further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 30, 2002 upon reaching retirement age. The employees participating in the defined benefit plan were enrolled in a newly established 401K savings plan on September 30, 2002, further described below.

The company also maintains a retirement benefit agreement with its Chairman. The retirement benefits are based upon a percentage of the Chairman’s final base salary. Additionally, the company maintains a retirement plan for non-employee directors. The plan provides for an annual benefit upon a change in control of the company or retirement from the Board of Directors at age 70, equal to 100% of the director’s last annual retainer, payable for a number of years equal to the director’s years of service up to a maximum of 10 years.

Contributions under the union plan are funded in accordance with provisions of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. There are no contributions expected to be made in 2008. Contributions to the directors' plan are based upon actual retirement benefits as they retire.

(b) 401K Savings Plans

The company maintains two separate defined contribution 401K savings plans covering all employees in the United States. These two plans separately cover the union employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility and all other remaining union and non-union employees in the United States. The company makes profit sharing contributions to the various plans in accordance with the requirements of the plan. Profit sharing contributions for the Elgin Union 401K savings plans are made in accordance with the agreement.

22


14)
Treasury Stock

In July 1998, the company’s Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program that authorized the purchase of common shares in open market purchases. As of September 27, 2008, 1,167,868 shares had been purchased under the 1998 stock repurchase program.

23


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

Informational Notes

This report contains forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions readers that these projections are based upon future results or events and are highly dependent upon a variety of important factors which could cause such results or events to differ materially from any forward-looking statements which may be deemed to have been made in this report, or which are otherwise made by or on behalf of the company. Such factors include, but are not limited to, volatility in earnings resulting from goodwill impairment losses which may occur irregularly and in varying amounts; variability in financing costs; quarterly variations in operating results; dependence on key customers; international exposure; foreign exchange and political risks affecting international sales; ability to protect trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property; changing market conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timely development and market acceptance of the company’s products; the availability and cost of raw materials; and other risks detailed herein and from time-to-time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and Item 1A of this Form 10-Q.
 
The economic outlook for 2009 is extremely uncertain at this time, with substantial turmoil in financial markets and unprecedented government intervention around the world. As a global business, the company's operating results are impacted by the health of the North American, European, Asian and Latin American economies. While the response by governments and central banks around the world may restore global liquidity, the depth and duration of economic decline and the timing and strength of the recovery are very uncertain.

On August 12, 2008, the company announced that it had agreed to acquire TurboChef Technologies, Inc. (“TurboChef”). At the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each issued and outstanding share of TurboChef's common stock will be automatically converted into the right to receive 0.0486 shares (the "Exchange Ratio") of the common stock of Middleby ("Middleby Common Stock") and $3.67 in cash (the "Cash Consideration", and together with Middleby Common Stock, the "Merger Consideration") for a total value of $6.47 based on Middleby's closing stock price of $57.60 on August 11, 2008, the last trading date prior to the announcement of the contemplated transaction. Consummation of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including the approval of TurboChef's stockholders and other customary closing conditions.

24

 
Net Sales Summary
(dollars in thousands)

   
Three Months Ended      
 
Nine Months Ended      
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008  
 
Sep. 29, 2007  
 
Sep. 27, 2008  
 
Sep. 29, 2007  
 
   
Sales
 
Percent
 
Sales
 
Percent
 
Sales
 
Percent
 
Sales
 
Percent
 
Business Divisions:
                                                 
Commercial Foodservice
 
$
138,327
   
83.1
 
$
109,667
   
80.6
 
$
419,212
   
83.7
 
$
290,597
   
81.9
 
Food Processing
   
21,079
   
12.7
   
20,780
   
15.3
   
61,435
   
12.3
   
46,329
   
13.0
 
International Distribution(1)
   
16,162
   
9.7
   
15,059
   
11.1
   
47,380
   
9.4
   
43,156
   
12.2
 
 
                                                 
Intercompany sales (2)
   
(9,096
)
 
(5.5
)
 
(9,510
)
 
(7.0
)
 
(27,159
)
 
(5.4
)
 
(25,143
)
 
(7.1
)
Total
 
$
166,472
   
100.0
%
$
135,996
   
100.0
%
$
500,868
   
100.0
%
$
354,939
   
100.0
%

(1)
Consists of sales of products manufactured by Middleby and products  manufactured by third parties.

(2)
Represents the elimination of sales from the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group to the International Distribution Division. 

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of earnings items as a percentage of net sales for the periods.

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
Sep. 29, 2007
 
Net sales
   
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Cost of sales
   
61.1
   
62.2
   
61.9
   
61.3
 
Gross profit
   
38.9
   
37.8
   
38.1
   
38.7
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
20.3
   
19.1
   
20.2
   
20.3
 
Income from operations
   
18.6
   
18.7
   
17.9
   
18.4
 
Net interest expense and deferred financing amortization
   
1.9
   
1.2
   
2.0
   
1.2
 
Other (income) expense, net
   
0.5
   
(0.2
)
 
0.4
   
(0.3
)
Earnings before income taxes
   
16.2
   
17.7
   
15.5
   
17.5
 
Provision for income taxes
   
6.4
   
7.4
   
6.2
   
7.0
 
Net earnings
   
9.8
%
 
10.3
%
 
9.3
%
 
10.5
%
 
25

 
 Three Months Ended September 27, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended September 29, 2007

NET SALES. Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 were $166.5 million as compared to $136.0 million in the third quarter of 2007.

Net sales at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group amounted to $138.3 million in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to $109.7 million in the prior year quarter.

Net sales from the acquisitions of Star, Giga and Frifri, which were acquired on December 31, 2007, April 22, 2008 and April 23, 2008, respectively, accounted for an increase of $32.4 million during the third quarter of 2008. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales of commercial foodservice equipment decreased $2.2 million due to a sudden drop in orders late in the third quarter that was caused by the disruption in the financial markets.

Net sales for the Food Processing Equipment Group amounted to $21.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to $20.8 million in the prior year quarter. Net sales of food processing equipment increased due to increased sales of new products. 

Net sales at the International Distribution Division increased by $1.1 million to $16.2 million or 7%, reflecting higher sales in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Increased international sales reflect increased business with restaurant chains and increased pricing competitiveness driven by the weakened US dollar.
.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased to $64.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $51.4 million in the prior year period, reflecting the impact of higher sales volumes. The gross margin rate was 38.9% in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to 37.8% in the prior year quarter. The net increase in the gross margin rate reflects:

 
·
Improved margins at certain of the newly acquired operating companies which are in continuing the process of being integrated within the company.
     
 
·
Higher margins associated with new product sales.

 
·
The adverse impact of steel costs which have risen significantly from the prior year quarter.

26


SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Combined selling, general, and administrative expenses increased from $26.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $33.8 million in the third quarter of 2008. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses decreased from 19.1% in the third quarter of 2007 to 20.3% in the third quarter of 2008. Selling expenses increased from $13.5 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $16.8 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting $3.1 million of incremental costs associated with the acquisitions of Star completed on December 31, 2007, Giga completed on April 22, 2008 and Frifri completed on April 23, 2008. General and administrative expenses increased from $12.5 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $17.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. General and administrative expenses reflect $2.2 million of costs associated with the acquired operations of Star, Giga and Frifri. Increased general and administrative costs also include increased non-cash stock compensation costs which increased by $0.7 million from the prior year third quarter.

NON-OPERATING EXPENSES. Interest and deferred financing amortization costs increased to $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2007, due to increased borrowings resulting from recent acquisitions. Other expense was $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2008, which primarily consisted of foreign exchange losses, as compared to other income of $0.3 million in the prior year third quarter.

INCOME TAXES. A tax provision of $10.6 million, at an effective rate of 40%, was recorded during the third quarter of 2008, as compared to a $10.1 million provision at a 42% effective rate in the prior year quarter.

Nine Months Ended September 29, 2008 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 29, 2007

NET SALES. Net sales for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 were $500.9 million as compared to $354.9 million in the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007.

Net sales at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group amounted to $419.2 million in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 as compared to $290.5 million in the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007.

Net sales from the acquisitions of Jade, Carter-Hoffmann, Wells Bloomfield, Star, Giga and Frifri, which were acquired on April 1, 2007, June 29, 2007, August 3, 2007, December 31, 2007, April 22, 2008 and April 23, 2008, respectively, accounted for an increase of $130.1 million during the first nine months of 2008. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales of commercial foodservice equipment decreased $2.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 compared to the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007. 

Net sales for the Food Processing Equipment Group increased by $15.1 million to $61.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 from $46.3 million in the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales of food processing equipment decreased $6.6 million due to delayed customer purchases as a result of economic uncertainties and quarterly variations which occur as a result of the timing of large orders.
 
27

 
Net sales at the International Distribution Division increased from $43.2 for the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007 to $47.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008, reflecting higher sales in Latin America and Asia, which more than offset a decline in sales in Europe, which had strong sales in the prior year due to an oven rollout with a major restaurant chain customer. International sales benefited from expansion of the U.S. chains overseas and increased business with local and regional restaurant chains in developing markets.

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased to $190.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 from $137.4 million in the nine-month period, ended September 29, 2007, reflecting the impact of higher sales volumes. The gross margin rate was 38.1% for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 compared to 38.7% for the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007. The net decrease in the gross margin rate reflects:

 
·
Inventory step-up charges of $2.0 million related to the acquisitions of Star, Giga and Frifri.

 
·
The adverse impact of steel costs which have risen significantly from the prior year.

 
·
Lower margins at certain of the newly acquired operating companies which are in the process of being integrated within the company.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Combined selling, general, and administrative expenses increased from $72.0 million in the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007 to $101.2 million in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses decreased from 20.3% in the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007, to 20.2% in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008, reflecting greater leverage on higher sales volumes. Selling expenses increased from $36.6 million in the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007, to $49.7 million in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008, reflecting $13.7 million of increased costs associated with the acquired operations of Jade, Carter-Hoffmann, MP Equipment, Wells Bloomfield, Star, Giga and Frifri. General and administrative expenses increased from $35.4 million in the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007, to $51.4 million in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008, which includes increased costs of $11.9 million associated with the acquired operations of Jade, Carter-Hoffmann, MP Equipment, Wells Bloomfield, Star, Giga and Frifri. Increased general and administrative costs also include increased non-cash compensation costs which increased by $2.9 million from the prior year nine month period.
 
NON-OPERATING EXPENSES. Interest and deferred financing amortization costs increased to $9.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 from $4.1 million in the prior year period, as a result of higher debt balances. Other expense was $1.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008, which primarily consisted of foreign exchange losses, compared to other income of $1.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007.

INCOME TAXES. A tax provision of $31.2 million, at an effective rate of 40%, was recorded for the first nine months of 2008 as compared to a $25.0 million provision at a 40% effective rate in the prior year period.
 
28

 
Financial Condition and Liquidity

During the nine months ended September 27, 2008, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $0.5 million to $7.0 million at September 27, 2008 from $7.5 million at December 29, 2007. Net borrowings increased from $96.2 million at December 29, 2007 to $257.7 million at September 27, 2008.

OPERATING ACTIVITIES. Net cash provided by operating activities was $64.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 compared to $46.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 29, 2007.

During the nine months ended September 27, 2008, working capital levels changed due to normal business fluctuations, including the impact of increased seasonal working capital needs. The changes in working capital included a $0.1 million decrease in accounts receivable, a $7.0 million increase in inventory, and a $2.1 million decrease in accounts payable. Prepaid and other assets decreased $13.2 million primarily due to the utilization and refund of prepaid tax balances during the first nine months of 2008. Accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities also decreased by $8.2 million, reflecting second quarter payout of customer rebates and incentive compensation in the first half of 2008 related to prior year programs.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES. During the nine months ended September 27, 2008, net cash used in investing activities amounted to $208.1 million. This includes cash utilized to complete the acquisitions of Star, Giga and Frifri for $188.2 million, $9.9 million and $3.1 million respectively, $1.2 million to purchase a manufacturing facility for Carter-Hoffmann and $2.2 million of capital expenditures associated with additions and upgrades of production equipment.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES. Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $143.9 million during the nine months ended September 27, 2008. The net increase in debt includes $156.5 million in borrowings under the company’s $497.5 million revolving credit facility utilized to fund the company’s investing activities and the repurchase of $12.4 million of Middleby common shares.

At September 27, 2008, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements. Management believes that future cash flows from operating activities and borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility will provide the company with sufficient financial resources to meet its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and debt amortization for the foreseeable future.
 
29

 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2007, the FAS issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations”. This statement provides companies with principles and requirements on how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree as well as the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in a business combination. This statement also requires certain disclosures to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Acquisition costs associated with the business combination will generally be expensed as incurred. This statement is effective for business combinations occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Early adoption of FASB Statement No. 141R is not permitted. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this guidance will have on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The company will adopt this statement for acquisitions consummated after the statement’s effective date.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51”. This statement amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest (minority interest) in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Upon its adoption, effective as of the beginning of the company’s 2009 fiscal year, noncontrolling interests will be classified as equity in the company’s financial statements and income and comprehensive income attributed to the noncontrolling interest will be included in the company’s income and comprehensive income. The provisions of this standard must be applied retrospectively upon adoption. The company does not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” This statement amends SFAS No. 133 to require enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this guidance will have on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” This statement identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. This statement directs the hierarchy to the entity, rather than the independent auditors, as the entity is responsible for selecting accounting principles for financial statements that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. This statement is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to remove the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles from the auditing standards. The company does not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 162 will have a material impact on its financial statements.

30


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management's discussion and analysis of 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. The preparation of these financial statements requires the company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, the company evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue Recognition: The company recognizes revenue on the sale of its products when risk of loss has passed to the customer, which occurs at the time of shipment, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The sale prices of the products sold are fixed and determinable at the time of shipment. Sales are reported net of sales returns, sales incentives and cash discounts based on prior experience and other quantitative and qualitative factors.

At the Food Processing Equipment Group, the company enters into long-term sales contracts for certain products. Revenue under these long-term sales contracts is recognized using the percentage of completion method prescribed by Statement of Position No. 81-1 due to the length of time to fully manufacture and assemble the equipment. The company measures revenue recognized based on the ratio of actual labor hours incurred in relation to the total estimated labor hours to be incurred related to the contract. Because estimated labor hours to complete a project are based upon forecasts using the best available information, the actual hours may differ from original estimates. The percentage of completion method of accounting for these contracts most accurately reflects the status of these uncompleted contracts in the company's financial statements and most accurately measures the matching of revenues with expenses. At the time a loss on a contract becomes known, the amount of the estimated loss is recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

Property and equipment: Property and equipment are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives based on management's estimates of the period over which the assets will be utilized to benefit the operations of the company. The useful lives are estimated based on historical experience with similar assets, taking into account anticipated technological or other changes.  The company periodically reviews these lives relative to physical factors, economic factors and industry trends. If there are changes in the planned use of property and equipment or if technological changes were to occur more rapidly than anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened, resulting in the recognition of increased depreciation and amortization expense in future periods.

31


Long-lived assets: Long-lived assets (including goodwill and other intangibles) are reviewed for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of the company's long-lived assets, the company considers changes in economic conditions and makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors.  Estimates of future cash flows are judgments based on the company's experience and knowledge of operations.  These estimates can be significantly impacted by many factors including changes in global and local business and economic conditions, operating costs, inflation, competition, and consumer and demographic trends.  If the company's estimates or the underlying assumptions change in the future, the company may be required to record impairment charges.

Warranty: In the normal course of business the company issues product warranties for specific product lines and provides for the estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the sale is recorded.  The estimate of warranty cost is based on contract terms and historical warranty loss experience that is periodically adjusted for recent actual experience. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, claims costs may differ from amounts provided. Adjustments to initial obligations for warranties are made as changes in the obligations become reasonably estimable.

Litigation: From time to time, the company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to products, suppliers, employees, customers and competitors. The company maintains insurance to partially cover product liability, workers compensation, property and casualty, and general liability matters.  The company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses.  A determination of the amount of accrual required, if any, for these contingencies is made after assessment of each matter and the related insurance coverage.  The reserve requirements may change in the future due to new developments or changes in approach such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters.  The company does not believe that any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

Income taxes: The company operates in numerous foreign and domestic taxing jurisdictions where it is subject to various types of tax, including sales tax and income tax.  The company's tax filings are subject to audits and adjustments. Because of the nature of the company’s operations, the nature of the audit items can be complex, and the objectives of the government auditors can result in a tax on the same transaction or income in more than one state or country.  The company initially recognizes the financial statement effects of a tax position when it more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. For tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the company initially and subsequently measures its tax positions as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon effective settlement with the taxing authority. As part of the company's calculation of the provision for taxes, the company has recorded liabilities on various tax positions that are currently under audit by the taxing authorities. The liabilities may change in the future upon effective settlement of the tax positions.

32


Contractual Obligations

The company's contractual cash payment obligations as of September 27, 2008 are set forth below (in thousands):

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
Deferred
 
 
 
 
 
Idle
 
Contractual
 
 
 
Acquisition
 
Long-term
 
Operating
 
Facility
 
Cash
 
 
 
Costs
 
Debt
 
Leases
 
Leases
 
Obligations
 
                       
Less than 1 year
 
$
 
$
7,803
 
$
2,429
 
$
358
 
$
10,590
 
1-3 years
   
4,935
   
440
   
2,588
   
848
   
8,811
 
3-5 years
   
   
249,410
   
507
   
892
   
250,809
 
After 5 years
   
   
   
32
   
819
   
851
 
                                 
   
$
4,935
 
$
257,653
 
$
5,556
 
$
2,917
 
$
271,061
 

The company has an obligation to make $4.9 million of purchase price payments to the sellers of Giga Grandi Cucine that were deferred in conjunction with the acquisition.

The company has contractual obligations under its various debt agreements to make interest payments. These amounts are subject to the level of borrowings in future periods and the interest rate for the applicable periods, and therefore the amounts of these payments is not determinable.

The company has $5.6 million in outstanding letters of credit, which expire on September 27, 2009 to secure potential obligations under insurance programs.

Idle facility leases consists of an obligation for a manufacturing location that was exited in conjunction with the company's manufacturing consolidation efforts. This lease obligation continues through June 2015. This facility has been subleased. The obligation presented above does not reflect any anticipated sublease income from the facilities.

Under terms of the TurboChef merger agreement, upon closing of the transaction, the company has an obligation to pay the stockholders of TurboChef a combination of $3.67 in cash and 0.0486 shares of Middleby common stock per TurboChef share. The implied value per TurboChef share is $6.47 based on the closing price of Middleby’s common stock as of August 11, 2008. The transaction is subject to a number of closing conditions.

The projected benefit obligation of the company’s defined benefit plans exceeded the plans’ assets by $4.6 million at the end of 2007 as compared to $3.5 million at the end of 2006. The unfunded benefit obligations were comprised of a $0.6 million under funding of the company's union plan and $4.0 million of under funding of the company's director plans. The company does not expect to contribute to the director plans in 2008. The company made minimum contributions required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) of $0.1 million in 2007 to the company's union plan. The company does not expect to make contributions in 2008 to the union plan.

The company places purchase orders with its suppliers in the ordinary course of business. These purchase orders are generally to fulfill short-term manufacturing requirements of less than 90 days and most are cancelable with a restocking penalty. The company has no long-term purchase contracts or minimum purchase obligations with any supplier.
 
The company has no activities, obligations or exposures associated with off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
33

 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market  Risk

Interest Rate Risk

The company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. The following table summarizes the maturity of the company’s debt obligations.

   
Fixed
 
Variable
 
   
Rate
 
Rate
 
Twelve Month Period Ending
 
Debt
 
Debt
 
 
 
(in thousands)  
 
           
September 27, 2009
 
$
 
$
7,803
 
September 27, 2010
   
   
220
 
September 27, 2011
   
   
220
 
September 27, 2012
   
   
220
 
September 27, 2013
   
   
249,190
 
               
 
  $  —  
$
257,653
 

During the third quarter of 2008 the company amended its senior secured credit facility. The original agreement provided for $450.0 million of availability under a revolving credit line. The amendment currently provides for $497.5 million of availability under a revolving credit line. As of September 27, 2008, the company had $247.8 million of borrowings outstanding under this facility. The company also has $5.6 million in outstanding letters of credit, which reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit line.

Borrowings under the senior secured credit facility are assessed at an interest rate at 1.25% above LIBOR for long-term borrowings or at the higher of the Prime rate and the Federal Funds Rate. At September 27, 2008 the average interest rate on the senior debt amounted to 3.87%. The interest rates on borrowings under the senior bank facility may be adjusted quarterly based on the company’s defined indebtedness ratio on a rolling four-quarter basis. Additionally, a commitment fee, based upon the indebtedness ratio is charged on the unused portion of the revolving credit line. This variable commitment fee amounted to 0.25% as of September 27, 2008.

In August 2006, the company completed its acquisition of Houno A/S in Denmark. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings in Danish Krone.  On September 27, 2008 these facilities amounted to $4.7 million in US dollars, including $2.5 million outstanding under a revolving credit facility and $2.2 million of a term loan.  The interest rate on the revolving credit facility is assessed at 1.25% above Euro LIBOR, which amounted to 6.5% on September 27, 2008. The term loan matures in 2013 and the interest rate is assessed at 6.4%.

In April 2008, the company completed its acquisition of Giga Grandi Cucine S.r.l in Italy. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings in denominated in Euro.  On September 27, 2008 these facilities amounted to $5.2 million in US dollars.  The borrowings under these facilities are collateralized by the receivables of the company.  The interest rate on the credit facilities is tied to six-month Euro LIBOR. The facilities mature in April of 2015.
 
The company believes that its current capital resources, including cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, funds available from its revolving credit facility and access to the credit and capital markets will be sufficient to finance its operations, debt service obligations, capital expenditures, product development and integration expenditures for the foreseeable future.

34


The company has historically entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rate on its outstanding debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. As of September 27, 2008 the company had the following interest rate swaps in effect:

     
Fixed
         
 
Notional
 
Interest
 
Effective
 
Maturity
 
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Date
 
Date
 
                 
10,000,000
   
5.030
%
 
3/3/2006
   
12/21/2009
 
10,000,000
   
2.520
%
 
2/19/2008
   
2/19/2009
 
20,000,000
   
2.635
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/6/2009
 
25,000,000
   
3.350
%
 
1/14/2008
   
1/14/2010
 
$
10,000,000
   
2.920
%
 
2/1/2008
   
2/1/2010
 
$
10,000,000
   
2.785
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/8/2010
 
$
10,000,000
   
3.033
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/7/2011
 
$
10,000,000
   
2.820
%
 
2/1/2008
   
2/1/2009
 
$
10,000,000
   
3.590
%
 
6/10/2008
   
6/10/2011
 
$
20,000,000
   
3.350
%
 
6/10/2008
   
6/10/2010
 
$
10,000,000
   
3.460
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/6/2011
 
$
15,000,000
   
3.130
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/7/2010
 
$
20,000,000
   
2.800
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/8/2009
 
$
25,000,000
   
3.670
%
 
9/26/2008
   
9/23/2011
 

The terms of the senior secured credit facility limit the paying of dividends, capital expenditures and leases, and require, among other things, ratios of indebtedness of 3.5 debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and fixed charge coverage of 1.25 EBITDA to fixed charges. The credit agreement also provides that if a material adverse change in the company’s business operations or conditions occurs, the lender could declare an event of default. Under terms of the agreement a material adverse effect is defined as (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business properties, condition (financial and otherwise) or prospects of the company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the company to perform under the loan agreements and to avoid any event of default; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the company of any loan document. A material adverse effect is determined on a subjective basis by the company's creditors. The credit facility is secured by the capital stock of the company’s domestic subsidiaries, 65% of the capital stock of the company’s foreign subsidiaries and substantially all other assets of the company. At September 27, 2008, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements.
 
35

 
Financing Derivative Instruments

The company has entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for a fixed rates The company has designated these swaps as cash flow hedges and all changes in fair value of the swaps are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of September 27, 2008, the fair value of these instruments was less than $0.1 million. The change in fair value of these swap agreements in the first nine months of 2008 was a gain of $0.8 million, net of taxes.

A summary of the company’s interest rate swaps is as follows:

     
Fixed
             
Changes
 
 
Notional
 
Interest
 
Effective
 
Maturity
 
Fair Value
 
In Fair Value
 
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Date
 
Date
 
Sep. 27, 2008
 
(net of taxes)
 
                         
10,000,000
   
5.030
%
 
3/03/2006
   
12/21/2009
 
$
(234,000
)
$
137,000
1 
$
10,000,000
   
2.520
%
 
2/19/2008
   
2/19/2009
 
$
32,000
 
$
36,000
 
$
20,000,000
   
2.635
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/6/2009
 
$
49,000
 
$
69,000
 
$
25,000,000
   
3.350
%
 
1/14/2008
   
1/14/2010
 
$
(91,000
)
$
224,000
 
$
10,000,000
   
2.920
%
 
2/1/2008
   
2/1/2010
 
$
30,000
 
$
82,000
 
$
10,000,000
   
2.785
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/8/2010
 
$
22,000
 
$
42,000
 
$
10,000,000
   
3.033
%
 
2/6/2008
   
2/7/2011
 
$
49,000
 
$
78,000
 
$
10,000,000
   
2.820
%
 
2/1/2008
   
2/1/2009
 
$
92,000
 
$
115,000
 
$
10,000,000
   
3.590
%
 
6/10/2008
   
6/10/2011
 
$
(8,000
)
$
16,000
 
$
20,000,000
   
3.350
%
 
6/10/2008
   
6/10/2010
 
$
(39,000
)
$
(28,000
)
$
10,000,000
   
3.460
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/6/2011
 
$
41,000
 
$
24,000
 
$
15,000,000
   
3.130
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/7/2010
 
$
42,000
 
$
25,000
 
$
20,000,000
   
2.800
%
 
9/8/2008
   
9/8/2009
 
$
52,000
 
$
31,000
 
$
20,000,000
   
3.670
%
 
9/26/2008
   
9/23/2011
 
$
(49,000
)
$
(30,000
)
 
1
Previous to the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2008, this swap had not been designated as an effective cash flow hedge. The swap was designated as an effective cash flow hedge during the quarter ended March 29, 2008. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the net reduction of $0.2 million in the fair value of this swap prior to the designation date has been recorded as a loss in earnings for the first quarter 2008.

Foreign Exchange Derivative Financial Instruments

The company uses foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts with terms of less than one year to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The company’s primary hedging activities are to mitigate its exposure to changes in exchange rates on intercompany and third party trade receivables and payables. The company does not currently enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. In managing its foreign currency exposures, the company identifies and aggregates naturally occurring offsetting positions and then hedges residual balance sheet exposures. There were no forward contracts outstanding at the end of the quarter.

36

 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of September 27, 2008, the company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the company's management, including the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of this period.
 
During the quarter ended September 27, 2008, there has been no change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting.

37


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

The company was not required to report the information pursuant to Items 1 through 6 of Part II of Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 27, 2008, except as follows:

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risks Related to the company’s acquisition of TurboChef

Although TurboChef and Middleby expect that the merger will result in benefits to the combined company, the combined company may not realize those benefits because of various factors.
 
TurboChef and Middleby believe that the merger will result in the diversification of revenue streams and the expansion of marketing opportunities and efficiencies for the combined company. Realizing the benefits anticipated from the merger will depend, in part, on several factors, including:
 
 
·
retaining and attracting key employees;

 
·
successfully implementing cross-promotional and other future marketing initiatives, products and services directed at Middleby's customer base; and

 
·
improving the overall performance of the TurboChef business. 

Middleby and TurboChef have operated and, until the completion of the merger, will continue to operate independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, as well as the disruption of each company’s ongoing business. Any or all of those occurrences could adversely affect Middleby’s ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees after the merger or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger. Integration efforts between the two companies will also divert management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on each of Middleby and TurboChef.

38


TurboChef and Middleby will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger is pending.
 
Uncertainty about the merger and diversion of management attention could harm TurboChef, Middleby or the combined company, whether or not the merger is completed. In response to the announcement of the merger, existing or prospective customers, suppliers, distributors and retailers of TurboChef or Middleby may delay or defer their purchasing or other decisions concerning TurboChef or Middleby, or they may seek to change their existing business relationship. In addition, as a result of the merger, current and prospective employees could experience uncertainty about their future with TurboChef or Middleby or the combined company. The success of the merger will depend in part on the retention of personnel critical to the business and operation of the combined company and the uncertainties discussed above may impair each company's ability to retain, recruit or motivate key personnel. The closing of the merger will also require a significant amount of time and attention from management. In addition, the pendency of the merger could exacerbate the diversion of management resources from other transactions or activities that TurboChef or Middleby may undertake. The diversion of management attention away from ongoing operations could adversely affect ongoing operations and business relationships. The merger agreement also restricts TurboChef from making certain acquisitions and taking other specified actions until the merger occurs. These restrictions may prevent TurboChef from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the closing of the merger.

The issuance of shares of Middleby common stock to TurboChef stockholders in the merger will initially have a negative impact on the earnings per share of the combined company.
 
If the merger is completed, TurboChef and Middleby expect that up to approximately 1.525 million shares of Middleby common stock will be issued to TurboChef stockholders (based on the number of outstanding shares of TurboChef common stock on August 12, 2008, and issuable pursuant to the exercise of all outstanding options, settlement of restricted stock units, and cancellation of exchange rights to purchase shares of TurboChef common stock on August 12, 2008). The companies expect that the merger will initially result in lower earnings per share than would have been earned by Middleby in the absence of the merger. Based on the expected number of shares of Middleby common stock to be issued to TurboChef stockholders in the merger, TurboChef stockholders will own approximately 8% of the then outstanding shares of Middleby common stock on a fully diluted basis (including options) immediately after the merger. Middleby expects that over time the merger will yield benefits to the combined company such that the merger will ultimately be accretive to earnings per share on a generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) basis. However, there can be no assurance that the increase in earnings per share on a GAAP basis expected over time will be achieved or that stockholders of either company will realize a benefit from the merger commensurate with the ownership dilution they will experience in connection with the merger. In order to achieve increases in earnings per share on a GAAP basis as a result of the merger, the combined company will, among other things, need to effectively continue the successful operations of TurboChef and Middleby after the merger, develop successful marketing initiatives, products and services and improve the overall performance of the TurboChef business.

39

 
The company’s substantial leverage following the TurboChef merger could adversely affect its ability to raise additional capital to fund operations, limit its ability to react to changes in the economy or the company’s industry and prevent the company from satisfying its debt obligations.

Following the TurboChef merger, the combined company will have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of September 30, 2008, Middleby had $257.7 million outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money.  In addition, Middleby expects to incur incremental borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility in order to finance the cash portion of the merger consideration. After giving effect to the merger, the pro forma indebtedness of the combined company as of September 30, 2008 is estimated to be approximately $390.0 million. This substantial indebtedness could have important consequences on the combined company’s business and financial condition. For example:
 
 
·
if Middleby fails to meet payment obligations or otherwise defaults under the agreements governing its indebtedness, the lenders under those agreements will have the right to accelerate the indebtedness and exercise other rights and remedies against the combined company;

 
·
Middleby will be required to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to payments on its debt, thereby reducing funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, acquisitions and other purposes;

 
·
Middleby’s ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, additional acquisitions and other general corporate requirements could be limited;

 
·
Middleby will experience increased vulnerability to, and limited flexibility in planning for, changes to its business and adverse economic and industry conditions;

 
·
Middleby’s credit rating could be adversely affected;

 
·
Middleby could be placed at a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies with less indebtedness; and

 
·
Middleby’s ability to apply excess cash flows of Middleby or proceeds from certain types of securities offerings, asset sales and other transactions to purposes other than the repayment of debt could be limited.

Under the terms of the company’s credit facilities, the company will be permitted to incur additional indebtedness subject to certain conditions, and the risks described above may be increased if the company incurs additional indebtedness.
 
Risks Related to Current Market Events

Economic conditions may cause a decline in business and consumer spending which could adversely affect the comapny's business and financial performance.

The company's operating results are impacted by the health of the North American, European, Asian and Latin American economies. The company's business and financial performance, including collection of its accounts receivable, may be adversely affected by the current and future economic conditions that cause a decline in business and consumer spending, including a reduction in the availability of credit, decreased growth by its existing customers, customers electing to delay the replacement of aging equipment, higher energy costs, rising interest rates, financial market volatility, recession and acts of terrorism. Additionally, the company may experience difficulties in scaling its operations to economic pressures in the U.S. and International markets.

40


Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 
 
 
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
 
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plan or
Program
 
Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet be
Purchased
Under the Plan
or Program
 
June 29, 2008 to July 25, 2008
   
   
   
   
632,132
 
July 26, 2008 to August 26, 2008
   
   
   
   
632,132
 
August 27, 2008 to September 27, 2008
   
   
   
   
632,132
 
Quarter ended September 27, 2008
   
   
   
   
632,132
 

In July 1998, the company's Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program that authorized the purchase of common shares in open market purchases. As of September 27, 2008, 1,167,868 shares had been purchased under the 1998 stock repurchase program.

41


Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
     
Exhibit 31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d -14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
Exhibit 31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d -14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
Exhibit 32.1
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer of The Middleby Corporation Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18 U.S.C. 1350).
     
Exhibit 32.2
Certification by the Principal Financial Officer of The Middleby Corporation Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
42


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
(Registrant)

November 6, 2008
 
By:
/s/ Timothy J. FitzGerald
       
Timothy J. FitzGerald
       
Vice President,
       
Chief Financial Officer

43