MIDDLEBY Corp - Annual Report: 2011 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011

or

¨ 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)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 847-741-3300

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No ¨

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

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.

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

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

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

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.

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2011 was approximately $1,695,367,810.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s class of common stock, as of February 24, 2012, was 18,655,910 shares.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Part III of Form 10-K incorporates by reference the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

DECEMBER 31, 2011

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item 1.      Business

General

The Middleby Corporation (“Middleby” or the “company”), through its operating subsidiary Middleby Marshall Inc. (“Middleby Marshall”) and its subsidiaries, is a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and service of a broad line of (i) cooking and warming equipment used in all types of commercial restaurants and institutional kitchens and (ii) food preparation, cooking and packaging equipment for food processing operations.

Founded in 1888 as a manufacturer of baking ovens, Middleby Marshall Oven Company was acquired in 1983 by TMC Industries Ltd., a publicly traded company that changed its name in 1985 to The Middleby Corporation. The company has established itself as a leading provider of (i) commercial restaurant equipment and (ii) food processing equipment as a result of its acquisition of industry leading brands and through the introduction of innovative products within both of these segments.

The company's annual reports on Form 10-K, including this Form 10-K, as well as the company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports are available, free of charge, on the company's internet website, www.middleby.com. These reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Business Segments and Products

The company conducts its business through two principal business segments: the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and the Food Processing Equipment Group. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the company's business segments.

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group has a broad portfolio of cooking and warming equipment, which enable it to serve virtually any cooking or warming application within a commercial kitchen or foodservice operation. This cooking and warming equipment is used across all types of foodservice operations, including quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, convenience stores, retail outlets, hotels and other institutions.

This commercial foodservice equipment is marketed under a portfolio of thirty brands, including Anets®, Beech®, Blodgett®, Blodgett Combi®, Blodgett Range®, Bloomfield®, Britannia®, CTX®, Carter-Hoffmann®, CookTek®, Doyon®, Frifri®, Giga®, Holman®, Houno®, IMC®, Jade®, Lang®, Lincat®, MagiKitch'n®, Middleby Marshall®, MPC®, Nu-Vu®, PerfectFry®, Pitco Frialator®, Southbend®, Star®, Toastmaster®, TurboChef® and Wells®.

The products offered by this group include conveyor ovens, combi-ovens, convection ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, deck ovens, speed cooking ovens, hydrovection ovens, ranges, fryers, rethermalizers, steam cooking equipment, warming equipment, heated cabinets, charbroliers, ventless cooking systems, kitchen ventilation, induction cooking equipment, countertop cooking equipment, toasters, and beverage equipment.

Food Processing Equipment Group

The Food Processing Equipment Group offers a broad portfolio processing solutions for customers producing pre-cooked meat products, such as hot dogs, dinner sausages, poultry and lunchmeats and baked goods such as muffins, cookies and bread. Through its broad line of products, the company is able to deliver a wide array of cooking solutions to service a variety of food processing requirements demanded by its customers. The company can offer highly integrated solutions that provide a food processing operation a uniquely integrated solution providing for the highest level of food quality, product consistency, and reduced operating costs resulting from increased product yields, increased capacity and throughput and reduced labor costs though automation.

This food processing equipment is marketed under a portfolio of eight brands, including, Alkar®, Armor Inox®, Auto-Bake®, Cozzini®, Danfotech®, Drake®, MP Equipment®, and RapidPak®.

The products offered by this group include a wide array of cooking and baking solutions including, batch ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, conveyor ovens, continuous processing ovens, and automated thermal processing systems. The company also provides a comprehensive portfolio of complementary food preparation equipment such as grinders, slicers, emulsifiers, mixers, blenders, battering equipment, breading equipment, food presses, and forming equipment, as well as a variety of food safety, freezing and packaging equipment. This portfolio of equipment can be integrated to provide customers a highly efficient and customized solution.

Acquisition Strategy

The company has pursued a strategy to acquire and assemble a leading portfolio of brands and technologies for each of its two business segments. Over the past three years the company has completed thirteen acquisitions to add to its portfolio of brands and technologies of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and its Food Processing Equipment Group.  These acquisitions have added fifteen brands to the Middleby portfolio and positioned the company as a leading provider of equipment in both industries.

In January 2009, the company acquired TurboChef Technologies, Inc. (“TurboChef”) for cash and shares of Middleby common stock. The total aggregate purchase price of the transaction amounted to $160.3 million including $116.3 million in cash and 1,539,668 shares of Middleby common stock valued at $44.0 million. TurboChef is a leader in speed-cook technology, one of the fastest growing segments of the commercial foodservice equipment market. TurboChef’s user-friendly speed cook ovens employ proprietary combinations of heating technologies to cook a variety of food products at speeds up to 12 times faster than that of conventional heating methods.

In April 2009, the company acquired the assets of CookTek LLC (“CookTek”) for $8.0 million in cash and $1.0 million in a deferred payment due the seller. CookTek is a leader in the manufacture of induction cooking and warming systems for the commercial foodservice industry. CookTek’s line of induction cooking equipment utilizes magnetic waves to heat product in a highly energy efficient manner at speeds fast than conventional cooking equipment.

In April 2009, the company acquired substantially all of the assets of Anetsberger Brothers, Inc. (“Anets”), a leading manufacturer of griddles, fryers, and dough rollers for the commercial foodservice industry for $3.4 million in cash and $0.5 million in deferred payments. The acquisition of Anets allows Middleby to continue to expand its portfolio of leading brands in cooking and warming and increase its leading position in the griddle and fryer segment.

In December 2009, the company acquired all of the shares of Doyon Equipment Inc. (“Doyon”), a leading manufacturer of baking ovens for the commercial foodservice industry for approximately $6.4 million. The acquisition of Doyon enhances Middleby’s position as a leader in the baking segment and better positions the company to address the growing needs of the retail and supermarket foodservice segment

In July 2010, the company acquired substantially all of the assets and operations of PerfectFry Company (“PerfectFry”), a leading manufacturer of ventless countertop frying units for a purchase price of approximately $4.9 million. This acquisition further strengthens Middleby’s leadership position in ventless cooking solutions for the commercial foodservice industry.

In September 2010, the company acquired the food processing equipment business of Cozzini Inc. (“Cozzini”), a leading manufacturer of equipment solutions for the food processing industry for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $19.2 million in cash, 34,263 shares of Middleby common stock valued at $1.8 million and $2.0 million in deferred payments. The acquisition of Cozzini complements Middleby’s existing food processing equipment brands Alkar, RapidPak and MP Equipment.

In April 2011, the company acquired all of the capital stock of J.W. Beech Pty. Ltd., together with its subsidiary, Beech Ovens Pty. Ltd. (“Beech”), a leading manufacturer of stone hearth ovens for the commercial foodservice industry for a purchase price of approximately $13.0 million. The acquisition of Beech continues to expand Middleby’s portfolio of leading brands in the cooking and warming segments and reinforce its position as a leading manufacturer of commercial ovens.

In May 2011, the company acquired all of the capital stock of Lincat Group PLC (“Lincat”), a leading manufacturer of ranges, ovens, and counterline equipment for the commercial foodservice industry for a purchase price of approximately $82.1 million. The acquisition of Lincat not only expands its portfolio of leading brands but also increases its presence in European markets.

In July 2011, the company acquired all of the capital stock of Danfotech Inc. (“Danfotech”), a leading manufacturer of meat presses and defrosting equipment for the food processing industry for a purchase price of approximately $6.1 million and $1.5 million in contingent payments. The acquisition of Danfotech further complements Middleby’s existing food processing brands.

In July 2011, the company acquired the assets of Maurer-Atmos GmbH (“Maurer”), a leading manufacturer of thermal processing systems for the food processing industry based in Germany for a purchase price of approximately $3.3 million. The addition of this brand complements and further strengthens Middleby’s food processing equipment platform.

In August 2011, the company acquired all of the capital stock of Auto-Bake Pty. Ltd., (“Auto-Bake”) a leading manufacturer of automated baking systems for the food processing industry for a purchase price of approximately $22.5 million. The acquisition of Auto-Bake allows further expansion of product offerings in food processing equipment.

In December 2011, the company acquired all of the capital stock of F.R. Drake Company (“Drake”), a leading manufacturer of automated loading systems for the food processing industry for approximately $21.7 million. The acquisition of Drake further complements the Middleby’s existing food processing brands.

In December 2011, the company acquired all of the capital stock of Armor Inox, S.A. together with its subsidiaries Armor Inox Production S.a.r.l. and Armor Inox UK Ltd. (collectively “Armor Inox”), a leading manufacturer of thermal processing systems for the food processing industry for approximately $28.7 million.

The Customers and Market

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Industry

The company's end-user customers include: (i) fast food or quick-service restaurants, (ii) full-service restaurants, including casual-theme restaurants, (iii) retail outlets, such as convenience stores, supermarkets and department stores and (iv) public and private institutions, such as hotels, resorts, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, stadiums, airports, corporate cafeterias, military facilities and government agencies. The company's domestic sales are primarily through independent dealers and distributors and are marketed by the company's sales personnel and network of independent manufacturers' representatives. Many of the dealers in the U.S. belong to buying groups that negotiate sales terms with the company. Certain large multi-national restaurant and hotel chain customers have purchasing organizations that manage product procurement for their systems. Included in these customers are several large multi-national restaurant chains, which account for a meaningful portion of the company's business, although no single customer accounts for more than 10% of net sales.

Over the past several decades, the foodservice equipment industry has enjoyed steady growth in the United States due to the development of new quick-service and casual-theme restaurant chain concepts, the expansion into nontraditional locations by quick-service restaurants and store equipment modernization. In the international markets, foodservice equipment manufacturers have been experiencing stronger growth than the U.S. market due to rapidly expanding international economies and increased opportunity for expansion by U.S. chains into developing regions.

The company believes that the worldwide commercial foodservice equipment market has sales in excess of $20 billion. The cooking and warming equipment segment of this market is estimated by management to exceed $1.5 billion in North America and $3.0 billion worldwide. The company believes that continuing growth in demand for foodservice equipment will result from the development of new restaurant concepts in the U.S. and the expansion of U.S. and foreign chains into international markets, the replacement and upgrade of existing equipment and new equipment requirements resulting from menu changes.

Food Processing Equipment Industry

The company's customers include a diversified base of leading food processors. Customers include several large international food processing companies, which account for a significant portion of the revenues of this business segment, although none of which is greater than 10% of net sales. A large portion of the company's revenues have been generated from producers of pre-cooked meat products such as hot dogs, dinner sausages, poultry, and lunchmeats and producers of baked goods such as muffins, cookies and bread; however, the company believes that it can leverage its expertise and product development capabilities in thermal processing to organically grow into new end markets.

Food processing has quickly become a highly competitive landscape dominated by a few large conglomerates that possess a variety of food brands. The consolidation of food processing plants associated with industry consolidation drives a need for more flexible and efficient equipment that is capable of processing large volumes in quicker cycle times. In recent years, food processors have had to conform to the demands of “big-box” retailers, including, most importantly, greater product consistency and exact package weights. Food processors are beginning to realize that their old equipment is no longer capable of efficiently producing adequate uniformity in the large product volumes required, and they are turning to equipment manufacturers that offer product consistency, innovative packaging designs and other solutions. To protect their own brands and reputations, big-box retailers are also dictating food safety standards that are often more strict than government regulations.

A number of factors, including rising raw material prices, labor and health care costs, are driving food processors to focus on ways to improve their generally thin profitability margins. In order to increase the profitability and efficiency in processing plants, food processors pay increasingly more attention to the performance of their machinery and the flexibility in the functionality of the equipment. Meat processors are continuously looking for ways to make their plants safer and reduce labor-intensive activities. Food processors have begun to recognize the value of new technology as an important vehicle to drive productivity and profitability in their plants. Due to pressure from big-box retailers, food processors are expected to continue to demand new and innovative equipment that addresses food safety, food quality, automation and flexibility.

Improving living standards in developing countries is spurring increased worldwide demand for pre-cooked and convenience food products. As industrializing countries create more jobs, consumers in these countries will have the means to buy pre-cooked food products. In industrialized regions, such as Western Europe and the U.S., consumers are demanding more pre-cooked and convenience food products, such as deli tray variety packs, frozen food products and ready-to-eat varieties of ethnic foods.

The global food processing equipment industry is highly fragmented, large and growing. The company estimates demand for food processing equipment is approximately $3.0 billion in the U.S and $20.0 billion worldwide. The company’s product offerings compete in a subsegment of the total industry, and the relevant market size for its products is estimated by management to exceed $0.5 billion in the U.S. and $1.5 billion worldwide.

Backlog

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

The backlog of orders for the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group was $30.3 million at December 31, 2011, all of which is expected to be filled during 2012. The acquired Beech and Lincat businesses accounted for $1.6 million of the backlog. The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group's backlog was $32.8 million at January 1, 2011. The backlog is not necessarily indicative of the level of business expected for the year, as there is generally a short time between order receipt and shipment for the majority of the company’s products.

Food Processing Equipment Group

The backlog of orders for the Food Processing Equipment Group was $108.7 million at December 31, 2011, of which $88.8 million is expected to be filled during 2012. The acquired Danfotech, Maurer, Auto-bake, Drake and Armor Inox businesses accounted for $68.9 million of the backlog. The company's backlog was $30.7 million at January 1, 2011.

Marketing and Distribution

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

Middleby's products and services are marketed in the U.S. and in over 100 countries through a combination of the company's sales and marketing personnel, together with an extensive network of independent dealers, distributors, consultants, sales representatives and agents. The company's relationships with major restaurant chains are primarily handled through an integrated effort of top-level executive and sales management at the corporate and business division levels to best serve each customer's needs.

In the United States, the company distributes its products to independent end-users primarily through a network of non-exclusive dealers nationwide, who are supported by manufacturers' marketing representatives. Sales are made direct to certain large restaurant chains that have established their own procurement and distribution organization for their franchise system. International sales are primarily made through a network of independent local country stocking and servicing distributors and dealers and, at times, directly to major chains, hotels and other large end-users.

Food Processing Equipment Group

The company maintains a direct sales force to market the Alkar, Auto-Bake, Cozzini, Danfotech, Drake, Maurer, MP Equipment and Rapidpak brands and maintains direct relationships with each of its customers. The company also involves division management in the relationships with large global accounts. In North America, the company employs regional sales managers, each with responsibility for a group of customers and a particular region. Internationally, the company maintains sales and distribution offices in Australia, Brazil, Italy, Germany and Mexico along with global sales managers supported by a network of independent sales representatives.

The company’s sale process is highly consultative due to the highly technical nature of the equipment. During a typical sales process, a salesperson makes several visits to the customer’s facility to conceptually discuss the production requirements, footprint and configuration of the proposed equipment. The company employs a technically proficient sales force, many of whom have previous technical experience with the company as well as education backgrounds in food science.

Services and Product Warranty

The company is an industry leader in equipment installation programs and after-sales support and service. The company provides a warranty on its products typically for a one year period and in certain instances greater periods. The emphasis on global service increases the likelihood of repeat business and enhances Middleby's image as a partner and provider of quality products and services.

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

The company's domestic service network consists of over 100 authorized service parts distributors and 3,000 independent certified technicians who have been formally trained and certified by the company through its factory training school and on-site installation training programs. Technicians work through service parts distributors, which are required to provide around-the-clock service via a toll-free paging number. The company provides substantial technical support to the technicians in the field through factory-based technical service engineers. The company has stringent parts stocking requirements for these agencies, leading to a high first-call completion rate for service and warranty repairs.

It is critical to major foodservice chains that equipment providers be capable of supporting equipment on a worldwide basis. The company's international service network covers over 100 countries with more than 1,000 service technicians trained in the installation and service of the company's products and supported by internationally-based service managers along with the factory-based technical service engineers. As with its domestic service network, the company maintains stringent parts stocking requirements for its international distributors.

Food Processing Equipment Group

The company maintains a technical service group of employees that oversees and performs installation and startup of equipment and completes warranty and repair work. This technical service group provides services for customers both domestically and internationally. Service technicians are trained regularly on new equipment to ensure the customer receives a high level of customer service. From time to time the company utilizes trained third party technicians supervised by company employees to supplement company employees on large projects.

Competition

The commercial foodservice and food processing equipment industries are highly competitive and fragmented. Within a given product line the company may compete with a variety of companies, including companies that manufacture a broad line of products and those that specialize in a particular product category. Competition is based upon many factors, including brand recognition, product features, reliability, quality, price, delivery lead times, serviceability and after-sale service. The company believes that its ability to compete depends on strong brand equity, exceptional product performance, short lead-times and timely delivery, competitive pricing and superior customer service support. In the international markets, the company competes with U.S. manufacturers and numerous global and local competitors.

The company believes that it is one of the largest multiple-line manufacturers of food production equipment in the U.S. and worldwide although some of its competitors are units of operations that are larger than the company and possess greater financial and personnel resources. Among the company's major competitors to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group are: Manitowoc Company, Inc.; Vulcan-Hart and Hobart Corporation, subsidiaries of Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Electrolux AB; Groen, a subsidiary of Dover Corporation; Rational AG; and the Ali Group. Major competitors to the Food Processing Equipment Group include Convenience Food Systems, FMC Technologies, Multivac, Marel, Formax, and Heat and Control.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

The company’s manufacturing operations provide for an expertise in the design and production of specific products for each of the two business segments. The company has from time to time either consolidated manufacturing facilities producing similar product or transferred production of certain products to another existing operation with a higher level of expertise or efficiency.

The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group manufactures its products in ten domestic and eight international production facilities. These production facilities are located in Brea, California; Chicago, Illinois; Elgin, Illinois; Mundelein, Illinois; Menominee, Michigan; Bow, New Hampshire; Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; Smithville, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; Burlington, Vermont; Brisbane, Australia; Randers, Denmark; Scandicci, Italy; Shanghai, China; Laguna, the Philippines; Lincoln, the United Kingdom; Wrexham, the United Kingdom; and Warwickshire, the United Kingdom.

The Food Processing Equipment Group manufactures its products in four domestic and four international production facilities. These production facilities are located in Algona, Iowa; Chicago, Illinois; Waynesboro, Virginia; Lodi, Wisconsin; New South Wales, Australia; Mauron, France; Guadalupe, Mexico; and Reichenau, Germany.

Metal fabrication, finishing, sub-assembly and assembly operations are conducted at each manufacturing facility. Equipment installed at individual manufacturing facilities includes numerically controlled turret presses and machine centers, shears, press brakes, welding equipment, polishing equipment, CAD/CAM systems and product testing and quality assurance measurement devices. The company's CAD/CAM systems enable virtual electronic prototypes to be created, reviewed and refined before the first physical prototype is built.

Detailed manufacturing drawings are quickly and accurately derived from the model and passed electronically to manufacturing for programming and optimal parts nesting on various numerically controlled punching cells. The company believes that this integrated product development and manufacturing process is critical to assuring product performance, customer service and competitive pricing.

The company has established comprehensive programs to ensure the quality of products, to analyze potential product failures and to certify vendors for continuous improvement. Products manufactured by the company are tested prior to shipment to ensure compliance with company standards.

Sources of Supply

The company purchases its raw materials and component parts from a number of suppliers. The majority of the company’s material purchases are standard commodity-type materials, such as stainless steel, electrical components and hardware. These materials and parts generally are available in adequate quantities from numerous suppliers. Some component parts are obtained from sole sources of supply. In such instances, management believes it can substitute other suppliers as required. The majority of fabrication is done internally through the use of automated equipment. Certain equipment and accessories are manufactured by other suppliers for sale by the company. The company believes it enjoys good relationships with its suppliers and considers the present sources of supply to be adequate for its present and anticipated future requirements.

Research and Development

The company believes its future success will depend in part on its ability to develop new products and to improve existing products. Much of the company's research and development efforts at both the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and the Foodprocessing Equipment Group are directed to the development and improvement of products designed to reduce cooking and processing time, increase capacity or throughput, reduce energy consumption, minimize labor costs, improve product yield and improve safety while maintaining consistency and quality of cooking production and food preparation. The company has identified these issues as key concerns for most of its customers. The company often identifies product improvement opportunities by working closely with customers on specific applications. Most research and development activities are performed by the company's technical service and engineering staff located at each manufacturing location. On occasion, the company will contract outside engineering firms to assist with the development of certain technical concepts and applications. See Note 3(o) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the company's research and development activities.

Trademarks, Patents and Licenses

The company has developed, acquired and assembled a leading portfolio of trademarks and trade names. The company believes that these tradenames and trademarks provide for a significant competitive advantage due to a long-standing recognition in the marketplace with customers, restaurant operators, distribution partners, sales and service agents, and foodservice consultants that specify foodservice equipment. The company has historically maintained a high level of marketshare of products sold with these tradenames and trademarks.

The company's leading portfolio of tradenames of its Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group include Anets®, Blodgett®, Blodgett Combi®, Blodgett Range®, Beech®, Bloomfield®, Britannia®, Carter-Hoffmann®, CookTek®, CTX®, Doyon®, FriFri®, Giga®, Holman®, Houno®, IMC®, Jade®, Lang®, Lincat®, MagiKitch'n®, Middleby Marshall®, MPC®, Nu-Vu®, PerfectFry®, Pitco Frialator®, Southbend®, Star®, Toastmaster®, Turbochef® and Wells®.

The company’s leading portfolio of tradenames of its Food Processing Equipment Group include Alkar®, Armor Inox®, Auto-Bake®, Cozzini®, Danfotech®, Drake®, MP Equipment®, and RapidPak®.

The company holds a broad portfolio of patents and licenses covering technology and applications related to various products, equipment and systems. Management believes the expiration of any one of these patents would not have a material adverse effect on the overall operations or profitability of the company.

Employees

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

As of December 31, 2011, 2,150 persons were employed within the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. Of this amount, 905 were management, administrative, sales, engineering and supervisory personnel; 1,109 were hourly production non-union workers; and 136 were hourly production union members. Included in these totals were 778 individuals employed outside of the United States, of which 432 were management, sales, administrative and engineering personnel, 272 were hourly production non-union workers and 74 were hourly production union workers, who participate in an employee cooperative. At its Elgin, Illinois facility, the company has a union contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that expires on April 30, 2012. The company also has a union workforce at its manufacturing facility in the Philippines, under a contract that extends through June 2015. Management believes that the relationships between employees, unions and management are good.

Food Processing Equipment Group

As of December 31, 2011, 616 persons were employed within the Food Processing Equipment Group. Of this amount, 319 were management, administrative, sales, engineering and supervisory personnel; 185 were hourly production non-union workers; and 112 were hourly production union members. Included in these totals were 263 individuals employed outside of the United States, of which 140 were management, sales, administrative and engineering personnel, 123 were hourly production non-union workers. At its Lodi, Wisconsin facility, the company has a contract with the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers that expires on December 31, 2014. At its Algona, Iowa facility, the company has a union contract within the United Food and Commercial Workers that expires on December 31, 2014. Management believes that the relationships between employees, unions and management are good.

Corporate

As of December 31, 2011, 18 persons were employed at the corporate office.

Seasonality

The company’s revenues historically have been stronger in the second and third quarters due to increased purchases from customers involved with the catering business and institutional customers, particularly schools, during the summer months.

Item 1A.      Risk Factors

The company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition are subject to various risks, including, but not limited to those set forth below. If any of the following risks actually occurs, the company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected These risk factors should be carefully considered together with the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Economic conditions may cause a decline in business and consumer spending which could adversely affect the company’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 caused, and may cause in the future, a decline in business and consumer spending, a reduction in the availability of credit and decreased growth by our existing customers, resulting in customers electing to delay the replacement of aging equipment. Higher energy costs, rising interest rates, financial market volatility, recession and acts of terrorism may also adversely affect the company’s business and financial performance. Additionally, the company may experience difficulties in scaling its operations due to economic pressures in the U.S. and International markets.

The company’s level of indebtedness could adversely affect its business, results of operations and growth strategy.

The company now has and may continue to have a significant amount of indebtedness. At December 31, 2011, the company had $317.3 million of borrowings and $10.0 million in letters of credit outstanding. As of December 31, 2011, the company could incur an additional $272.7 million of indebtedness under its credit agreement. To the extent the company requires additional capital resources; there can be no assurance that such funds will be available on favorable terms, or at all. The unavailability of funds could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition, results of operations and ability to expand the company’s operations.

The company’s level of indebtedness could adversely affect it in a number of ways, including the following:

The company’s current credit agreement limits its ability to conduct business, which could negatively affect the company’s ability to finance future capital needs and engage in other business activities.

The covenants in the company’s existing credit agreement contain a number of significant limitations on its ability to, among other things:

These restrictive covenants, among others, could negatively affect the company’s ability to finance its future capital needs, engage in other business activities or withstand a future downturn in the company’s business or the economy.

Under the company’s current credit agreement, the company is required to maintain certain specified financial ratios and meet financial tests, including certain ratios of leverage and fixed charge coverage. The company’s ability to comply with these requirements may be affected by matters beyond its control, and, as a result, there can be no assurance that the company will be able to meet these ratios and tests. A breach of any of these covenants would prevent the company from being able to draw under the company revolver and would result in a default under the company’s credit agreement. In the event of a default under the company’s current credit agreement, the lenders could terminate their commitments and declare all amounts borrowed, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable. Borrowings under other debt instruments that contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions may also be accelerated and become due and payable at such time. The company may be unable to pay these debts in these circumstances.

The company has a significant amount of goodwill and could suffer losses due to asset impairment charges.

The company’s balance sheet includes a significant amount of goodwill, which represents approximately 42% of its total assets as of December 31, 2011.  The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities assumed in conjunction with acquisitions is recorded as goodwill. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”, the company’s 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 long-lived assets, the company considers changes in economic conditions and makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors.  Various uncertainties, including continued adverse conditions in the capital markets or changes in general economic conditions, could impact the future operating performance at one or more of the company’s businesses, which could significantly affect the company’s valuations and could result in additional future impairments. Also, 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. Any such charge could have a material adverse effect on the company’s reported net earnings.

Competition in the foodservice equipment industry is intense and could impact the company’s results of operations and cash flows.

The company operates in a highly competitive industry. In the company’s business, competition is based on product features and design, brand recognition, reliability, durability, technology, energy efficiency, breadth of product offerings, price, customer relationships, delivery lead times, serviceability and after-sale service. The company has a number of competitors in each product line that it offers. Many of the company’s competitors are substantially larger and enjoy substantially greater financial, marketing, technological and personnel resources. These factors may enable them to develop similar or superior products, to provide lower cost products and to carry out their business strategies more quickly and efficiently than the company can. In addition, some competitors focus on particular product lines or geographic regions or emphasize their local manufacturing presence or local market knowledge. Some competitors have different pricing structures and may be able to deliver their products at lower prices. Although the company believes that the performance and price characteristics of its products will provide competitive solutions for its customers’ needs, there can be no assurance that the company’s customers will continue to choose the company’s products over products offered by its competitors.

Further, the market for the company’s products is characterized by changing technology and evolving industry standards. The company’s ability to compete in the past has depended in part on the company’s ability to develop innovative new products and bring them to market more quickly than the company’s competitors. The company’s ability to compete successfully will depend, in large part, on its ability to enhance and improve its existing products, to continue to bring innovative products to market in a timely fashion, to adapt the company’s products to the needs and standards of its current and potential customers and to continue to improve operating efficiencies and lower manufacturing costs. Moreover, competitors may develop technologies or products that render the company’s products obsolete or less marketable. If the company’s products, markets and services are not competitive, the company’s business, financial condition and operating results will be materially harmed.

In addition, the success of the company’s business depends, in part, on its ability to maintain and expand the company’s product offerings and the company’s customer base. The company’s success also depends on its ability to offer competitive prices and services in a price sensitive business. Many of the company’s larger restaurant chain customers have multiple sources of supply for their equipment purchases and periodically approve new competitive equipment as an alternative to the company’s products for use within their restaurants. There can be no assurance that the company will be able to continue to expand its product lines or that it will be able to retain its current customers or attract new customers. The company also cannot assure you that it will not lose customers to low-cost competitors with comparable or superior products and services. If the company fails to expand its product offerings, or loses a substantial number of the company’s current customers or substantial business from current customers, or is unable to attract new customers, the company’s business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

The company is subject to risks associated with developing products and technologies, which could delay product introductions and result in significant expenditures.

The product, program and service needs of the company’s customers change and evolve regularly, and the company invests substantial amounts in research and development efforts to pursue advancements in a wide range of technologies, products and services. Also, the company continually seeks to refine and improve upon the performance, utility and physical attributes of its existing products and to develop new products. As a result, the company’s business is subject to risks associated with new product and technological development, including unanticipated technical or other problems, meeting development, production, certification and regulatory approval schedules, execution of internal and external performance plans, availability of supplier- and internally-produced parts and materials, performance of suppliers and subcontractors, hiring and training of qualified personnel, achieving cost and production efficiencies, identification of emerging technological trends in the company’s target end-markets, validation of innovative technologies, the level of customer interest in new technologies and products, and customer acceptance of the company’s products and products that incorporate technologies that the company develops. These factors involve significant risks and uncertainties. Also, any development efforts divert resources from other potential investments in the company’s businesses, and these efforts may not lead to the development of new technologies or products on a timely basis or meet the needs of the company’s customers as fully as competitive offerings. In addition, the markets for the company’s products or products that incorporate the company’s technologies may not develop or grow as the company anticipates. The company or its suppliers and subcontractors may encounter difficulties in developing and producing these new products and services, and may not realize the degree or timing of benefits initially anticipated. Due to the design complexity of the company's products, the company may in the future experience delays in completing the development and introduction of new products. Any delays could result in increased development costs or deflect resources from other projects. The occurrence of any of these risks could cause a substantial change in the design, delay in the development, or abandonment of new technologies and products. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the company will develop new technologies superior to the company’s current technologies or successfully bring new products to market.

Additionally, there can be no assurance that new technologies or products, if developed, will meet the company’s current price or performance objectives, be developed on a timely basis, or prove to be as effective as products based on other technologies. The inability to successfully complete the development of a product, or a determination by the company, for financial, technical or other reasons, not to complete development of a product, particularly in instances in which the company has made significant expenditures, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and operating results.

The company has depended, and will continue to depend, on key customers for a material portion of its revenues. As a result, changes in the purchasing patterns of such key customers could adversely impact the company’s operating results.

Many of the company’s key customers are large restaurant chains and major food processing companies. The demand for the company’s equipment can vary from quarter to quarter depending on the company’s customers’ internal growth plans, construction, seasonality and other factors. In addition, during an economic downturn, key customers could both open fewer facilities and defer purchases of new equipment for existing operations. Either of these conditions could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Price changes in some materials and sources of supply could affect the company’s profitability.

The company uses large amounts of stainless steel, aluminized steel and other commodities in the manufacture of its products. A significant increase in the price of steel or any other commodity that the company is not able to pass on to its customers would adversely affect the company’s operating results. In addition, an unanticipated delay in delivery of raw materials and component inventories by suppliers—including a delay due to capacity constraints, labor disputes, the financial condition of suppliers, weather emergencies, or other natural disasters—may impair the ability of the company to satisfy customer demand. An interruption in or the cessation of an important supply by any third party and the company’s inability to make alternative arrangements in a timely manner, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition and operating results.

The company’s acquisition, investment and alliance strategy involves risks. If the company is unable to effectively manage these risks, its business will be materially harmed.

To achieve the company’s strategic objectives, the company has pursued and may continue to pursue strategic acquisitions and investments or invest in other companies, businesses or technologies. Acquisitions entail numerous risks, including the following:

•      difficulties in the assimilation of acquired businesses or technologies;

•      inability to operate acquired businesses or utilize acquired technologies profitably;

•      diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;

•      potential assumption of unknown material liabilities;

•      failure to achieve financial or operating objectives;

•      unanticipated costs relating to acquisitions or to the integration of the acquired businesses; and

•      loss of customers, suppliers, or key employees

The company may not be able to successfully integrate any operations, personnel, services or products that it has acquired or may acquire in the future.

The company may seek to expand or enhance some of its operations by forming joint ventures or alliances with various strategic partners throughout the world. Entering into joint ventures and alliances also entails risks, including difficulties in developing and expanding the businesses of newly formed joint ventures, exercising influence over the activities of joint ventures in which the company does not have a controlling interest and potential conflicts with the company’s joint venture or alliance partners.

An inability to identify or complete future acquisitions could adversely affect future growth.

The company has historically followed a strategy of identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary products and services. As part of its growth strategy, the company intends to pursue acquisitions that provide opportunities for profitable growth and which enable it to leverage its competitive strengths. While the company continues to evaluate potential acquisitions, it may not be able to identify and successfully negotiate suitable acquisitions, obtain financing for future acquisitions on satisfactory terms, obtain regulatory approval for certain acquisitions, or otherwise complete acquisitions in the future. An inability to identify or complete future acquisitions could limit the company’s growth.

Expansion of the company’s operations internationally involves special challenges that it may not be able to meet. The company’s failure to meet these challenges could adversely affect its business, financial condition and operating results.

The company plans to continue to expand its operations internationally. The company faces certain risks inherent in doing business in international markets. These risks include:

•      reduced protection for intellectual property rights;

•      difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;

•      potentially adverse tax consequences;

•      limitations on ownership and on repatriation of earnings;

•      transportation delays and interruptions;

•      political, social, and economic instability and disruptions;

•      labor unrests;

•      potential for nationalization of enterprises; and

•      limitations on the company’s ability to enforce legal rights and remedies.

In addition, the company is and will be required to comply with the laws and regulations of foreign governmental and regulatory authorities of each country in which the company conducts business.

There can be no assurance that the company will be able to succeed in marketing its products and services in international markets. The company may also experience difficulty in managing its international operations because of, among other things, competitive conditions overseas, management of foreign exchange risk, established domestic markets, language and cultural differences and economic or political instability. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the success of the company’s international operations and, consequently, on the company’s business, financial condition and operating results.

The company is subject to currency fluctuations and other risks from its operations outside the United States.

The company has manufacturing and distribution operations located in Asia, Europe and Latin America. The company’s operations are subject to the impact of economic downturns, political instability and foreign trade restrictions, which may adversely affect the company’s business, financial condition and operating results. The company anticipates that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of consolidated net sales in the foreseeable future. Some sales and operating costs of the company’s foreign operations are realized in local currencies, and an increase in the relative value of the U.S. dollar against such currencies would lead to a reduction in consolidated sales and earnings. Additionally, foreign currency exposures are not fully hedged, and there can be no assurances that the company’s future results of operations will not be adversely affected by currency fluctuations. Furthermore, currency fluctuations may affect the prices paid to the company’s suppliers for materials the company uses in production. As a result, operating margins may also be negatively impacted by worldwide currency fluctuations that result in higher costs for certain cross-border transactions.

The company may not be able to adequately protect its intellectual property rights, and this inability may materially harm its business.

The company relies primarily on trade secret, copyright, service mark, trademark and patent law and contractual protections to protect the company’s proprietary technology and other proprietary rights. The company has filed numerous patent applications covering the company’s technology. Notwithstanding the precautions the company takes to protect its intellectual property rights, it is possible that third parties may copy or otherwise obtain and use the company’s proprietary technology without authorization or may otherwise infringe on the company’s rights. In some cases, including a number of the company’s most important products, there may be no effective legal recourse against duplication by competitors. In the future, the company may have to rely on litigation to enforce its intellectual property rights, protect its trade secrets, determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Any such litigation, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs to the company and diversions of the company’s resources, either of which could adversely affect the company’s business.

Any infringement by the company on patent rights of others could result in litigation and adversely affect its ability to continue to provide, or could increase the cost of providing, the company’s products and services.

Patents of third parties may have an important bearing on the company’s ability to offer some of its products and services. The company’s competitors, as well as other companies and individuals, may obtain, and may be expected to obtain in the future, patents related to the types of products and services the company offers or plans to offer. There can be no assurance that the company is or will be aware of all patents containing claims that may pose a risk of infringement by its products and services. In addition, some patent applications in the United States are confidential until a patent is issued and, therefore, the company cannot evaluate the extent to which its products and services may be covered or asserted to be covered by claims contained in pending patent applications. In general, if one or more of the company’s products or services were to infringe patents held by others, the company may be required to stop developing or marketing the products or services, to obtain licenses from the holders of the patents to develop and market the services, or to redesign the products or services in such a way as to avoid infringing on the patent claims. The company cannot assess the extent to which it may be required in the future to obtain licenses with respect to patents held by others, whether such licenses would be available or, if available, whether it would be able to obtain such licenses on commercially reasonable terms. If the company were unable to obtain such licenses, it also may not be able to redesign the company’s products or services to avoid infringement, which could materially adversely affect the company’s business, financial condition and operating results.

The company may be the subject of product liability claims or product recalls, and it may be unable to obtain or maintain insurance adequate to cover potential liabilities.

Product liability is a significant commercial risk to the company. The company’s business exposes it to potential liability risks that arise from the manufacture, marketing and sale of the company’s products. In addition to direct expenditures for damages, settlement and defense costs, there is a possibility of adverse publicity as a result of product liability claims. Some plaintiffs in some jurisdictions have received substantial damage awards against companies based upon claims for injuries allegedly caused by the use of their products. In addition, it may be necessary for the company to recall products that do not meet approved specifications, which could result in adverse publicity as well as costs connected to the recall and loss of revenue.

The company cannot be certain that a product liability claim or series of claims brought against it would not have an adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. If any claim is brought against the company, regardless of the success or failure of the claim, the company cannot assure you that it will be able to obtain or maintain product liability insurance in the future on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential liabilities or the cost of a recall. The company currently maintains insurance programs consisting of self insurance up to certain limits and excess insurance coverage for claims over established limits. There can be no assurance that the company will be able to obtain insurance on acceptable terms or that its insurance programs will provide adequate protection against actual losses. In addition, the company is subject to the risk that one or more of its insurers may become insolvent or become unable to pay claims that may be made in the future.

The company may be subject to litigation, environmental, and other legal compliance risks.

In addition to product liability claims, the company is subject to a variety of litigation, tax, and legal compliance risks. These risks include, among other things, possible liability relating to personal injuries, intellectual property rights, contract-related claims, taxes, environmental matters, and compliance with U.S. and foreign export laws, competition laws, and laws governing improper business practices. The company or one of its business units could be charged with wrongdoing as a result of such matters. If convicted or found liable, the company could be subject to significant fines, penalties, repayments, or other damages.

An increase in warranty expenses could adversely affect the company’s financial performance.

The company offers purchasers of its products warranties covering workmanship and materials typically for one year and, in certain circumstances, for periods of up to ten years, during which period the company or an authorized service representative will make repairs and replace parts that have become defective in the course of normal use. The company estimates and records its future warranty costs based upon past experience. These warranty expenses may increase in the future and may exceed the company’s warranty reserves, which, in turn, could adversely affect the company’s financial performance.

The company is subject to potential liability under environmental laws.

The company’s operations are regulated under a number of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that govern, among other things, the discharge of hazardous materials into the air and water as well as the handling, storage and disposal of these materials. Compliance with these environmental laws and regulations is a significant consideration for the company because it uses hazardous materials in its manufacturing processes. In addition, because the company is a generator of hazardous wastes, even if it fully complies with applicable environmental laws, it may be subject to financial exposure for costs associated with an investigation and remediation of sites at which it has arranged for the disposal of hazardous wastes if these sites become contaminated. In the event of a violation of environmental laws, the company could be held liable for damages and for the costs of remedial actions. Environmental laws could also become more stringent over time, imposing greater compliance costs and increasing risks and penalties associated with any violation, which could negatively affect the company’s operating results. There can be no assurance that identification of presently unidentified environmental conditions, more vigorous enforcement by regulatory authorities, or other unanticipated events will not arise in the future and give rise to additional environmental liabilities, compliance costs, and penalties that could be material. Environmental laws and regulations are constantly evolving, and it is impossible to predict accurately the effect they may have upon the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the company.

The company’s financial performance is subject to significant fluctuations.

The company’s financial performance is subject to quarterly and annual fluctuations due to a number of factors, including:

•      general economic conditions;

•      the gain or loss of significant customers;

•      unexpected delays in new product introductions;

•      unexpected changes in the levels of the company’s operating expenses; and

•      competitive product offerings and pricing actions.

Each of these factors could result in a material and adverse change in the company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The company may be unable to manage its growth.

The company has recently experienced rapid growth in business. Continued growth could place a strain on the company’s management, operations and financial resources. There also will be additional demands on the company’s sales, marketing and information systems and on the company’s administrative infrastructure as it develops and offers additional products and enters new markets. The company cannot be certain that the company’s operating and financial control systems, administrative infrastructure, outsourced and internal production capacity, facilities and personnel will be adequate to support the company’s future operations or to effectively adapt to future growth. If the company cannot manage the company’s growth effectively, the company’s business may be harmed.

The company’s business could suffer in the event of a work stoppage by its unionized labor force.

Because the company has a significant number of workers whose employment is subject to collective bargaining agreements and labor union representation, the company is vulnerable to possible organized work stoppages and similar actions. Unionized employees accounted for approximately 9% of the company’s workforce as of December 31, 2011. The company has union contracts with employees at its facilities in Algona, Iowa, Elgin, Illinois and Lodi, Wisconsin that extend through December 2014, April 2012 and December 2014, respectively. The company also has a union workforce at its manufacturing facility in the Philippines under a contract that extends through June 2015. Any future strikes, employee slowdowns or similar actions by one or more unions, in connection with labor contract negotiations or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s ability to operate the company’s business.

The company depends significantly on its key personnel.

The company depends significantly on certain of the company’s executive officers and certain other key personnel, many of whom could be difficult to replace. While the company has employment agreements with certain key executives, the company cannot be certain that it will succeed in retaining this personnel or their services under existing agreements. The incapacity, inability or unwillingness of certain of these people to perform their services may have a material adverse effect on the company. There is intense competition for qualified personnel within the company’s industry, and there can be no assurance that the company will be able to continue to attract, motivate and retain personnel with the skills and experience needed to successfully manage the company business and operations.

The impact of future transactions on the company’s common stock is uncertain.

The company periodically reviews potential transactions related to products or product rights and businesses complementary to the company’s business. Such transactions could include mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, alliances or licensing agreements. In the future, the company may choose to enter into such transactions at any time. The impact of transactions on the market price of a company’s stock is often uncertain, but it may cause substantial fluctuations to the market price. Consequently, any announcement of any such transaction could have a material adverse effect upon the market price of the company’s common stock. Moreover, depending upon the nature of any transaction, the company may experience a charge to earnings, which could be material and could possibly have an adverse impact upon the market price of the company’s common stock.

Item 1B.      Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 2.      Properties

The company's principal executive offices are located in Elgin, Illinois. The company operates fourteen manufacturing facilities in the U.S and twelve manufacturing facilities internationally.

The principal properties of the company utilized to conduct business operations are listed below:

At various other locations the company leases small amounts of office space for administrative and sales functions, and in certain instances limited short-term inventory storage. These locations are in Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom. The company also has a leased manufacturing facility in Verdi, Nevada which was exited as part of the company's manufacturing consolidation efforts in 2009. This lease extends through June 2012.

Management believes that these facilities are adequate for the operation of the company's business as presently conducted.

Item 3.      Legal Proceedings

The company is routinely involved in litigation incidental to its business, including product liability claims, which are partially covered by insurance or in certain cases by indemnification provisions under purchase agreements for recently acquired companies. Such routine claims are vigorously contested and management does not believe that the outcome of any such pending litigation will have a material effect upon the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the company.

Item 4.      Mine Safety Issues

Not Applicable

PART II

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

Principal Market

The company's Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "MIDD". The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sale prices per share of Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market.

Shareholders

The company estimates there were approximately 34,000 record holders of the company's common stock as of February 24, 2012.

Dividends

The company does not currently pay cash dividends on its common stock. Any future payment of cash dividends on the company’s common stock will be at the discretion of the company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon the company’s results of operations, earnings, capital requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. The company’s Board of Directors currently intends to retain any future earnings to support its operations and to finance the growth and development of the company’s business and does not intend to declare or pay cash dividends on its common stock for the foreseeable future. In addition, the company’s revolving credit facility limits its ability to declare or pay dividends on its common stock.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In July 1998, the company's Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program and subsequently authorized the purchase of up to 1,800,000 common shares in open market purchases. As of December 31, 2011, 1,540,183 shares had been purchased under the 1998 stock repurchase program.

In May 2007, the company’s Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split of the company’s common stock in the form of a stock dividend. The stock split was paid to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2007. The company’s stock began trading on a stock-adjusted basis on June 18, 2007. The stock split effectively doubled the number of shares outstanding at June 15, 2007.

At December 31, 2011, the company had a total of 4,437,428 shares in treasury amounting to $126.7 million.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Fiscal Year Ended⁽¹⁾

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

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains "forward-looking statements" subject to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the company's actual results, performance or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The following are some of the important factors that could cause the company's actual results, performance or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:

The company cautions readers to carefully consider the statements set forth in the section entitled "Item 1A Risk Factors" of this filing and discussion of risks included in the company's SEC filings.

NET SALES SUMMARY

(dollars in thousands)

Results of Operations

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

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011 as Compared to January 1, 2011

Net sales. Net sales in fiscal 2011 increased by $136.8 million or 19.0% to $855.9 million as compared to $719.1 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in net sales of $86.3 million, or 12.0%, was attributable to acquisition growth, resulting from the fiscal 2010 acquisitions of PerfectFry and Cozzini and the fiscal 2011 acquisitions of Beech, Lincat, Danfotech, Maurer, Auto-Bake, Drake and Armor Inox.  Excluding acquisitions, net sales increased $50.5 million, or 7.0%, from the prior year, reflecting a net sales increase of 11.6% at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group offset by a decline of 18.9% at the Food Processing Equipment Group.

Gross profit. Gross profit increased by $57.4 million to $344.1 million in fiscal 2011 from $286.7 million in fiscal 2010. The gross margin rate increased from 40.0% in 2010 to 40.2% in 2011. The net increase in the gross margin rate reflects the benefit of increased sales volumes and margin improvement related to acquisition integration initiatives, offset in part by lower margins at newly acquired companies.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Combined selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by $31.5 million to $195.4 million in fiscal 2011 from $163.9 million in 2010.  As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses amounted to 22.8% in fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011.

Selling expenses increased $15.3 million to $91.1 million from $75.8 million, reflecting an increase of $13.4 million associated with the recently acquired PerfectFry, Cozzini, Beech, Lincat, Danfotech, Maurer, Auto-Bake, Drake and Armor Inox operations. Additionally, expenses increased $1.5 million due to increased trade show and marketing related costs.

General and administrative expenses increased $16.2 million to $104.3 million from $88.1 million, reflecting an increase of $10.0 million associated with the recently acquired PerfectFry, Cozzini, Beech, Lincat, Danfotech, Maurer, Auto-Bake, Drake and Armor Inox operations. General and administrative expenses also included a $3.5 million increase in non-cash share based compensation, a $2.7 million increase in incentive compensation, a $3.7 million increase in professional fees associated with acquisition related activities and legal matters and a $1.2 million increase in pension costs. General and administrative expenses were offset by a $1.3 million decrease in bad debt expenses and a $1.1 million reduction in amounts due to sellers on contingent earnout arrangements related to a prior year acquisition. Additionally, in 2010, $1.7 million of non-recurring charges associated with plant consolidation initiatives relating to the acquisitions of Doyon and PerfectFry were recorded, while no such charges were recorded in 2011.

Income from operations. Income from operations increased $25.9 million to $148.7 million in fiscal 2011 from $122.8 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in operating income resulted from the increase in net sales and gross profit. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased to 17.4% in 2011 from 17.1% in 2010.

Income from operations in 2011 included $37.2 million of non-cash expenses, including $6.9 million of depreciation expense, $12.2 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions and $18.1 million of stock based compensation. This compares to $31.2 million of non-cash expenses in the prior year, including $5.9 million of depreciation expense, $10.6 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions, and $14.7 million of stock based compensation costs. Operating income excluding these non-cash expenses, amounted to $185.9 million, or 21.7%, of net sales in fiscal 2011 as compared to $154.0 million, or 21.4%, of net sales in 2010.

Non-operating expenses. Non-operating expenses decreased $0.3 million to $8.3 million in fiscal 2011 from $8.6 million in fiscal 2010. Net interest expense decreased $0.1 million from $8.6 million in fiscal 2010 to $8.5 million in fiscal 2011 as a result of lower average interest rates during the year offset in part by higher average debt balances. Other income was $0.2 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to other income of less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2010.

Income taxes. A tax provision of $45.0 million, at an effective rate of 32.0%, was recorded for fiscal 2011 as compared to $41.4 million at an effective rate of 36.2%, in fiscal 2010.  The current year effective tax rate is comprised of a 35.0% U.S. federal tax rate and 3.0% in U.S. state income taxes, net of 2.1% in tax relief for U.S. manufacturers, 1.1% in permanent tax deductions, 1.5% in foreign rate differentials and 1.3% in other adjustments benefitting the effective rate.  In comparison to the prior year, tax provision reflects a lower effective rate on increased income in lower tax rate foreign jurisdictions, reduced state tax provisions resulting from increased income in lower rate jurisdictions, and adjustments to tax reserves for reduced tax exposures, which benefitted the effective tax rate by 1.2%, 1.1% and 1.9%, respectively, as compared to the prior year. 

Fiscal Year Ended January 1, 2011 as Compared to January 2, 2010

Net sales. Net sales in fiscal 2010 increased by $72.5 million or 11.3% to $719.1 million as compared to $646.6 million in fiscal 2009. The increase in net sales of $37.8 million, or 5.9%, was attributable to acquisition growth, resulting from the fiscal 2009 acquisitions of Cooktek, Anets and Doyon and the fiscal 2010 acquisitions of PerfectFry and Cozzini.  Excluding acquisitions, net sales increased $34.7 million, or 5.4%, from the prior year. Sales of both the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and the Food Processing Equipment Group increased, reflecting improving market conditions as compared to fiscal 2009. 

Gross profit. Gross profit increased by $36.1 million to $286.7 million in fiscal 2010 from $250.6 million in fiscal 2009. The gross margin rate increased from 38.8% in 2009 to 40.0% in 2010. The net increase in the gross margin rate reflects:

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Combined selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by $24.7 million to $163.9 million in fiscal 2010 from $139.2 million in 2009.  As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses amounted to 22.8% in 2010 as compared to 21.6% in fiscal 2009.

Selling expenses increased $11.6 million to $75.8 million from $64.2 million, reflecting an increase of $5.4 million associated with the recently acquired Cooktek, Anets, Doyon, PerfectFry and Cozzini operations, an increase of $4.1 million in commissions resulting from the increase in sales and $1.5 million in increased marketing related costs.

General and administrative expenses increased $13.2 million to $88.1 million from $74.9 million, reflecting an increase of $4.2 million associated with the recently acquired Cooktek, Anets, Doyon, PerfectFry and Cozzini operations. General and administrative expenses also included a $9.9 million increase in incentive compensation associated with improvement in financial results and a $4.0 million increase in non-cash share based compensation offset by reduced professional fees and other administrative expenses.  Additionally, $1.7 million of non-recurring charges associated with plant consolidation initiatives relating to the recently acquired Doyon and Perfectfry businesses were recorded in fiscal 2010.  This compares to $5.1 million of non-recurring plant consolidation costs recorded in the prior year.

Income from operations. Income from operations increased $11.4 million to $122.8 million in fiscal 2010 from $111.4 million in fiscal 2009. The increase in operating income resulted from the increase in net sales and gross profit. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 17.2% in 2009 to 17.1% in 2010.

Non-operating expenses. Non-operating expenses decreased $3.1 million to $8.6 million in fiscal 2010 from $11.7 million in fiscal 2009. Net interest expense decreased $3.0 million from $11.6 million in fiscal 2009 to $8.6 million in fiscal 2010 as a result of lower borrowing costs resulting from the decline in interest rates in 2010. Other income was less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2010 as compared to other expense of $0.1 million in fiscal 2009.

Income taxes. A tax provision of $41.4 million, at an effective rate of 36.2%, was recorded for fiscal 2010 as compared to $38.6 million at a 38.7% effective rate in fiscal 2009.  The reduction in the effective rate reflects an increase in deductions related to domestic manufacturing activities and non-recurring expenses associated with acquisition costs.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Total cash and cash equivalents increased by $32.5 million to $40.2 million at December 31, 2011 from $7.7 million at January 1, 2011. Net borrowings increased to $317.3 million at December 31, 2011, from $214.0 million at January 1, 2011.

Operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities after changes in assets and liabilities amounted to $130.4 million as compared to $98.0 million in the prior year. 

Adjustments to reconcile 2011 net earnings to operating cash flows included $6.9 million of depreciation and $12.8 million of amortization, $18.1 million of non-cash stock compensation expense and $5.4 million of deferred tax benefit.

The changes in working capital included a $19.0 million increase in accounts receivable as a result of increased sales volumes. Inventories increased by $2.3 million as a result of increased order rates and higher levels of stock associated with foreign sales initiatives, offset in part by inventory reductions resulting from plant consolidation initiatives completed in prior years. Accounts payable decreased $2.6 million as a result of reduced purchasing volumes.  Accrued expenses and other liabilities increased by $13.1 million due in part to increased accruals for sales rebates, commissions and incentive compensation associated with higher sales volumes and profit levels.

In connection with the company’s acquisition activities during the year, the company added assets and liabilities from the opening balance sheets of the acquired businesses in its consolidated balance sheets and accordingly these amounts are not reflected in the net change in working capital. During fiscal 2011, the amounts of acquired working capital in the opening balance sheets included $23.4 million of accounts receivable, $17.3 million of inventories, $13.9 million of accounts payable and $24.0 million of accrued liabilities. At December 31, 2011, the balances of the ending combined balance sheets for these acquired business units amounted to $22.3 million of accounts receivable, $14.8 million of inventories, $12.2 million of accounts payable and $29.0 million of accrued liabilities.

Investing activities. During 2011, net cash used for investing activities amounted to $188.9 million. This included $177.4 million of current period acquisitions, which included $13.0 million, $82.1 million, $6.1 million, $3.3 million, $22.5 million, $21.7 million and $28.7 million in connection with the acquisitions of Beech, Lincat, Danfotech, Maurer, Auto-Bake, Drake and Armor Inox, respectively. Investing activities also includes $3.7 million of deferred payments associated with acquisitions completed in prior years. Additional investing activities included $7.8 million of additions and upgrades of production equipment, manufacturing facilities and training equipment.

Financing activities. Net cash flows provided by financing activities amounted to $91.6 million in 2011.   The company’s borrowing activities included $102.2 million of net proceeds under its $600.0 million revolving credit facility and $0.9 million in net proceeds of foreign borrowings.  Net borrowings were utilized primarily to fund the company’s acquisition activities and share purchases.

The company repurchased $15.7 million of Middleby common shares during the year. This was comprised of $9.5 million used to repurchase 113,550 shares of its common stock that were surrendered to the company by employees in lieu of cash for payment for withholding of taxes related to restricted stock vestings that occurred during the first quarter of 2011 and $6.2 million used to repurchase 90,068 shares of its common stock under a stock repurchase program.

The company’s borrowings are primarily under a senior revolving credit facility that provides for $600.0 million in total available borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2011, the company had $317.3 million of total debt, of which $309.4 million was borrowed under this facility. The senior revolving facility matures on December 28, 2012, and accordingly has been classified as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The company anticipates it will enter into a new and similarly structured senior revolving credit facility during first half of 2012 and is in discussions with its current lenders in this regard. The company does not foresee any difficulty in renewing the facility given the financial position and performance of the company and its long standing relationships with its lending partners.

At December 31, 2011, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements. Management believes that future cash flows from operating activities and borrowings from current lenders 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.

Contractual Obligations

The company's contractual cash payment obligations are set forth below (dollars in thousands):

The company has obligations to make $3.4 million of contingent purchase price payments to the sellers of Cooktek and Danfotech that were deferred in conjunction with the acquisitions.

As of December 31, 2011, the company had $309.4 million outstanding under its revolving credit line as part of its senior credit agreement. The average interest rate on this debt amounted to 1.56% at December 31, 2011. This facility matures on December 28, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, the company also has $7.9 million of debt outstanding under various foreign credit facilities. The estimated interest payments reflected in the table above assume that the level of debt and average interest rate on the company’s revolving credit line under its senior credit agreement does not change until the facility reaches maturity in December 2012. The estimated payments also assume that relative to the company’s foreign borrowings: all scheduled term loan payments are made; the level of borrowings does not change; and the average interest rates remain at their December 31, 2011 rates. Also reflected in the table above is $2.0 million of payments to be made related to the company’s interest rate swap agreements in 2012.

Idle facility lease consists of an obligation for a manufacturing location that was exited in 2009 in conjunction with the company's manufacturing consolidation efforts. This lease obligation continues through June 2012. The obligation presented above does not reflect anticipated sublease income from the facility.

As indicated in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, the company’s projected benefit obligation under its defined benefit plans exceeded the plans’ assets by $22.6 million at the end of 2011 as compared to $10.7 million at the end of 2010.  The unfunded benefit obligations were comprised of a $1.6 million underfunding of the company's union plan, $7.4 million underfunding of the company’s Smithville plan, which was acquired as part of the Star acquisition, $2.2 million underfunding of the company’s Wrexham plan, which was acquired as part of the Lincat acquisition, and $11.4 million underfunding of the company's director plans.  The company made minimum contributions required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) of $0.2 million and $0.3 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, to the company’s Smithville plan and $0.2 million and $0.1 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, to the company's union plan.  The company expects to continue to make minimum contributions to the Smithville and union plans as required by ERISA, of $0.3 and $0.1 million, respectively, in 2012.  The company expects to contribute $0.5 million to the Wrexham plan in 2012.

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.

Related Party Transactions

From December 31, 2011 through the date hereof, there were no transactions between the company, its directors and executive officers that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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 significant 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 and any such differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition. At the Commercial Foodservice Group, 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 that are often significant relative to the business. Revenue under these long-term sales contracts is recognized using the percentage of completion method defined within ASC 605-35 “Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts” 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. Revenue for sales of products and services not covered by long-term sales contracts are recognized 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.

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or or market using the first-in, first-out method for the majority of the company’s inventories.  The company evaluates the need to record valuation adjustments for inventory on a regular basis.  The company’s policy is to evaluate all inventories including raw material, work-in-process, finished goods, and spare parts.  Inventory in excess of estimated usage requirements is written down to its estimated net realizable value.  Inherent in the estimates of net realizable value are estimates related to our future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, possible alternative uses, and ultimate realization of potentially excess inventory.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles. The company’s business acquisitions result in the recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets, which are a significant portion of the company’s total assets. The company recognizes goodwill and other intangible assets under the guidance of ASC Topic 350-10, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.”  Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill and include trademarks and trade names, technology, customer relationships and other specifically identifiable assets.  Trademarks and trade names are deemed to be indefinite-lived. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment testing. On an annual basis, or more frequently if triggering events occur, the company compares the estimated fair value to the carrying value to determine if a potential goodwill impairment exists. If the fair value is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss, if any, is recorded for the difference between the implied fair value and the carrying value of goodwill. In estimating the fair value of specific intangible assets, management relies on a number of factors, including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, comparable transactions and other market data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them in the impairment tests of goodwill and other intangible assets.

Income taxes. The company provides deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial and tax bases of assets and liabilities based on currently enacted tax laws. The company’s deferred and other tax balances are based on management’s interpretation of the tax regulations and rulings in numerous taxing jurisdictions. Income tax expense and liabilities recognized by the company also reflect its best estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income, the effect of the Company’s various tax planning strategies and uncertain tax positions. Future tax authority rulings and changes in tax laws, changes in projected levels of taxable income and future tax planning strategies could affect the actual effective tax rate and tax balances recorded by the company. The company follows the provisions under ASC 740-10-25 that provides a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition of a tax benefit taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Tax benefits are recognized only when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the benefits will be sustained on examination. Tax benefits that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured using a probability weighting of the largest amount of tax benefit that has greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Whether the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met for a particular tax benefit is a matter of judgment based on the individual facts and circumstances evaluated in light of all available evidence as of the balance sheet date.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-29, “Business Combinations (Topic 805).” ASU No. 2010-29 clarifies the disclosures required for pro forma information for business combinations. ASU No. 2010-29 specifies if comparative financial statements are presented, revenue and earnings of a combined entity should be disclosed as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments in ASU 2010-29 are effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2010-29 on January 2, 2011.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” This update provides clarification on existing fair value measurement requirements, amends existing guidance primarily related to fair value measurements for financial instruments, and requires enhanced disclosures on fair value measurements. The additional disclosures are specific to Level 3 fair value measurements, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, financial instruments not measured at fair value and use of an asset measured or disclosed at fair value differing from its highest and best use. This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and will be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to affect the company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” which eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Instead, entities will have the option to present the components of net income, the components of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance does not change the items reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income is reclassified to net income. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and will be applied retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance will require a change in the presentation of comprehensive income and its components which are currently reported within the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. As this guidance only revises the presentation of comprehensive income, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to affect the company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350),” This ASU will allow an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it should calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. The ASU also amends previous guidance by expanding upon the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider between annual impairment tests in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Also, the ASU provides additional examples of events and circumstances that an entity having a reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount should consider in determining whether to measure an impairment loss, if any, under the second step of the goodwill impairment test. This ASU is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The company did not early adopt this ASU and is evaluating whether it will elect to apply this option for qualitative evaluation in future goodwill impairment tests.

Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

An investment in shares of the company's common stock involves risks. The company believes the risks and uncertainties described in "Item 1A Risk Factors" and in "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" are the material risks it faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the company or that it currently deems immaterial may impair its business operations. If any of the risks identified in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" actually occurs, the company's business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected, and the trading price of the company's common stock could decline.

Item 7A.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure 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:

During the second quarter of 2011, the company exercised a provision under its current credit facility that allowed the company to increase the amount of availability under the revolving credit line by approximately $102.0 million. Terms of the company’s senior credit agreement provide for $600.0 million of availability under a revolving credit line which matures on December 28, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, the company had $309.4 million of borrowings outstanding under this facility. The company also has $10.0 million in outstanding letters of credit, which reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit line. Remaining borrowing availability under this facility, which is also reduced by the company’s foreign borrowings, was $272.7 million at December 31, 2011.

At December 31, 2011, borrowings under the senior secured credit facility were assessed at an interest rate at 1.00% above LIBOR for long-term borrowings or at the higher of the Prime rate and the Federal Funds Rate. At December 31, 2011, the average interest rate on the senior debt amounted to 1.56%. 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 0.20% as of December 31, 2011.

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 December 31, 2011, these facilities amounted to $3.3 million in U.S. dollars, including $1.7 million outstanding under a revolving credit facility and $1.6 million of a term loan.  The interest rate on the revolving credit facility is assessed at 1.25% above Euro LIBOR, which amounted to 3.05% on December 31, 2011. The term loan matures in 2013 and the interest rate is assessed at 4.55%.  

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 denominated in Euro.  On December 31, 2011, these facilities amounted to $4.1 million in U.S. dollars.  The interest rate on the credit facilities is tied to six-month Euro LIBOR. The facilities mature in April of 2015. At December 31, 2011, the average interest rate on these facilities was approximately 4.11%.

In December 2011, the company completed its acquisition of Armor Inox in France. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings denominated in Euro.  On December 31, 2011, these facilities amounted to $0.5 million in U.S. dollars.  The interest rate on the credit facilities is tied to six-month Euro LIBOR. The facilities mature in April of 2015. At December 31, 2011, the average interest rate on these facilities was approximately 3.15%.

The company has historically entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rate on a portion its outstanding debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. As of December 31, 2011, the company had the following interest rate swaps in effect.

The senior revolving facility matures on December 28, 2012, and accordingly has been classified as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The company anticipates it will enter into a new and similarly structured senior revolving credit facility during first half of 2012 and is in discussions with its current lenders in this regard. The company does not foresee any difficulty in renewing the facility given the financial position and performance of the company and its long standing relationships with its lending partners.

The terms of the senior secured credit facility limit the paying of dividends, capital expenditures and leases, and require, among other things, a maximum ratio of indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of 3.5 and a minimum EBITDA to fixed charges ratio of 1.25. 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 the 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 December 31, 2011, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements.

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 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 December 31, 2011, the fair value of these instruments was a loss of $3.2 million. The change in fair value of these swap agreements in fiscal 2011 was a liability of $0.6 million, net of taxes.

Foreign Exchange Derivative Financial Instruments

The company uses derivative financial instruments, principally 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.

The company accounts for its derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging." In accordance with ASC 815, these instruments are recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. Changes in the market value and the related foreign exchange gains and losses are recorded in the statement of earnings.

Item 8.      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

All other schedules for which provision is made to applicable regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instruction or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

The Middleby Corporation

Elgin, Illinois

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Middleby Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8. We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule and an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at J.W. Beech Pty. Ltd (“Beech”), Lincat Group PLC (“Lincat”), Danfotech Inc. (“Danfotech”), Maurer-Atmos GmbH (“Maurer”), Auto-Bake Pty. Ltd. (“Auto-Bake”), F.R. Drake Company (“Drake”), and Armor Inox S.A. (“Armor Inox”), which were acquired on April 12, 2011; May 27, 2011; July 5, 2011; July 22, 2011; August 1, 2011; December 2, 2011; and December 21, 2011, respectively. These acquisitions constitute 21.7% of total assets, 38.2% of net assets, 6.0% of net sales, and 2.4% of net income of the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Beech, Lincat, Danfotech, Maurer, Auto-Bake, Drake, and Armor Inox.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Middleby Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Chicago, Illinois

March 12, 2012

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND JANUARY 1, 2011

(amounts in thousands, except share data)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, JANUARY 1, 2011

AND JANUARY 2, 2010

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, JANUARY 1, 2011

AND JANUARY 2, 2010

(amounts in thousands)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, JANUARY 1, 2011

AND JANUARY 2, 2010

(amounts in thousands)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, JANUARY 1, 2011

AND JANUARY 2, 2010

The Middleby Corporation (the "company") is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of commercial foodservice and food processing equipment. The company manufactures and assembles this equipment at fourteen U.S. production facilities and twelve international production facilities and manufacturing facilities. The company operates in two business segments: 1) the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and 2) the Food Processing Equipment Group.

The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group has a broad portfolio of cooking and warming equipment, which enables it to serve virtually any cooking or warming application within a commercial kitchen or foodservice operation. This cooking and warming equipment is used across all types of foodservice operations, including quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, convenience stores, retail outlets, hotels and other institutions. The products offered by this group include conveyor ovens, combi-ovens, convection ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, deck ovens, speed cooking ovens, hydrovection ovens, ranges, fryers, rethermalizers, steam cooking equipment, warming equipment, heated cabinets, charbroliers, ventless cooking systems, kitchen ventilation, induction cooking equipment, countertop cooking equipment, toasters, and beverage equipment.

The Food Processing Equipment Group offers a broad portfolio of processing solutions for customers producing pre-cooked meat products, such as hot dogs, dinner sausages, poultry and lunchmeats and baked goods such as muffins, cookies and bread. Through its broad line of products, the company is able to deliver a wide array of cooking solutions to service a variety of food processing requirements demanded by its customers. The company can offer highly integrated solutions that provide a food processing operation a uniquely integrated solution providing for the highest level of food quality, product consistency, and reduced operating costs resulting from increased product yields, increased capacity and throughput and reduced labor costs though automation. The products offered by this group include a wide array of cooking and baking solutions including, batch ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, conveyor ovens, continuous processing ovens, and automated thermal processing systems. The company also provides a comprehensive portfolio of complementary food preparation equipment such as grinders, slicers, emulsifiers, mixers, blenders, battering equipment, breading equipment, food presses, and forming equipment, as well as a variety of food safety, freezing and packaging equipment. This portfolio of equipment can be integrated to provide customers a highly efficient and customized solution.

The company purchases raw materials and component parts, the majority of which are standard commodity type materials, from a number of suppliers. Although certain component parts are procured from a sole source, the company can purchase such parts from alternate vendors.

The company has numerous trademarks, patents and licenses to manufacture, use and sell its products and equipment. Management believes the loss of any one of these licenses or patents would not have a material adverse effect on the financial and operating results of the company.

The company operates in a highly fragmented industry and has completed numerous acquisitions over the past several years as a component of its growth strategy. The company has acquired industry leading brands and technologies to position itself as a leader in the commercial foodservice equipment and food processing equipment industries.

The company has accounted for all business combinations using the acquisition 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 results of operations are reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the company from the date of acquisition.

PerfectFry

On July 13, 2010, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets and operations of PerfectFry Company LTD (“PerfectFry”), a leading manufacturer of ventless countertop frying units for the commercial foodservice industry for a purchase price of approximately $4.6 million, net of cash acquired.

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

The goodwill and $1.2 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.” Other intangibles also include $0.1 million allocated to developed technology and $0.3 million allocated to customer relationships which are to be amortized over a period of 5 years. Goodwill and other intangibles of PerfectFry are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Cozzini

On September 21, 2010, the company completed its acquisition of the food processing equipment business of Cozzini, Inc. (“Cozzini”), a leading manufacturer of equipment solutions for the food processing industry, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $19.2 million, net of cash acquired, including $17.4 million in cash and 34,263 shares of Middleby common stock valued at $1.8 million. An additional contingent payment of $2.0 million was made in the first quarter of 2011 upon the achievement of certain sales targets. During the second quarter of 2011, the company finalized the working capital provision resulting in no additional payments.

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

The goodwill and $3.6 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $2.7 million allocated to customer relationships and $1.4 million allocated to backlog which are to be amortized over the periods of 4 years and 3 months respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Cozzini are allocated to the Food Processing Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Beech

On April 12, 2011, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of J.W. Beech Pty. Ltd., together with its subsidiary, Beech Ovens Pty. Ltd. (collectively “Beech”), a leading manufacturer of stone hearth ovens for the commercial foodservice industry for a purchase price of approximately $13.0 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based on a working capital provision with the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the first quarter of 2012.

The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

The goodwill and $1.9 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also includes $0.1 million allocated to backlog which is to be amortized over a period of 3 months. Goodwill and other intangibles of Beech are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. Such changes are not expected to be significant. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.

Lincat Group

On May 27, 2011, the company completed its acquisition of Lincat Group PLC (“Lincat”), a leading manufacturer of ranges, ovens, and counterline equipment for the commercial foodservice industry for a purchase price of approximately $82.1 million, net of cash acquired.

The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

The goodwill and $15.2 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also includes $17.6 million allocated to customer relationships and $0.5 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 5 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Lincat are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.

Danfotech

On July 5, 2011, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Danfotech Inc. (“Danfotech”), a manufacturer of meat presses and defrosting equipment for the food processing industry for a purchase price of approximately $6.1 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision within the purchase agreements. Pursuant to terms of the purchase agreement, in December 2011 the company purchased additional assets from the sellers of Danfotech for approximately $0.7 million. An additional contingent payment is also payable upon the achievement of certain sales targets. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based on a working capital provision within the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the first quarter of 2012.

The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):