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Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Quarter Report: 2014 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended:  March 31, 2014

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                to                

 

Commission file number:  1-13429

 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

94-3196943

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation

 

(I.R.S. Employer

or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

5956 W. Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton, CA 94588

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code):  (925) 560-9000

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

x

 

 

Accelerated filer

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company

 

o

 

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

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2014:  48,938,691

 

 

 



 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

211,988

 

$

141,965

 

$

251,208

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

114,159

 

102,813

 

90,017

 

Inventories

 

216,529

 

202,341

 

197,728

 

Deferred income taxes

 

12,998

 

12,419

 

12,699

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

577

 

 

Other current assets

 

16,073

 

20,377

 

16,454

 

Total current assets

 

571,747

 

480,492

 

568,106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

207,457

 

211,010

 

209,533

 

Goodwill

 

129,433

 

122,582

 

129,218

 

Intangible assets, net

 

39,728

 

50,636

 

41,773

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

4,804

 

6,827

 

4,983

 

Total assets

 

$

953,169

 

$

871,547

 

$

953,613

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line of credit and notes payable

 

$

83

 

$

1,214

 

$

103

 

Trade accounts payable

 

31,291

 

30,958

 

34,933

 

Accrued liabilities

 

48,946

 

31,290

 

51,745

 

Accrued profit sharing trust contributions

 

2,005

 

1,849

 

5,784

 

Accrued cash profit sharing and commissions

 

8,105

 

4,707

 

6,049

 

Accrued workers’ compensation

 

5,119

 

4,673

 

4,591

 

Total current liabilities

 

95,549

 

74,691

 

103,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax and other long-term liabilities

 

10,111

 

8,435

 

9,129

 

Total liabilities

 

105,660

 

83,126

 

112,334

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, at par value

 

489

 

485

 

486

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

208,870

 

184,550

 

207,418

 

Retained earnings

 

621,260

 

597,104

 

615,289

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

16,890

 

6,282

 

18,086

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

847,509

 

788,421

 

841,279

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

953,169

 

$

871,547

 

$

953,613

 

 

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

 

2



 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands except per-share amounts, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Net sales

 

$

168,288

 

$

154,281

 

Cost of sales

 

90,526

 

89,561

 

Gross profit

 

77,762

 

64,720

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development and other engineering

 

9,700

 

8,308

 

Selling

 

21,819

 

21,371

 

General and administrative

 

26,922

 

26,036

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

(285

)

(8

)

 

 

58,156

 

55,707

 

Income from operations

 

19,606

 

9,013

 

Interest income, net

 

85

 

38

 

Income before taxes

 

19,691

 

9,051

 

Provision for income taxes

 

7,604

 

4,256

 

Net income

 

$

12,087

 

$

4,795

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.10

 

Diluted

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

48,899

 

48,536

 

Diluted

 

49,065

 

48,626

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.125

 

$

 

 

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

 

3



 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Net income

 

$

12,087

 

$

4,795

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

Translation adjustment, net of tax of $11 and ($84), respectively

 

(1,196

)

(5,817

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

10,891

 

$

(1,022

)

 

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

 

4



 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, and for the nine months ended December 31, 2013

(In thousands except per-share amounts, unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Accumulated
Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Par Value

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Income (Loss)

 

Stock

 

Total

 

Balance, January 1, 2013

 

48,422

 

$

483

 

$

184,677

 

$

592,309

 

$

12,099

 

$

 

$

789,568

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

4,795

 

 

 

4,795

 

Translation adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

(5,817

)

 

(5,817

)

Stock options exercised

 

18

 

1

 

495

 

 

 

 

496

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

2,813

 

 

 

 

2,813

 

Tax effect of options exercised

 

 

 

(1,843

)

 

 

 

(1,843

)

Shares issued from release of Restricted Stock Units

 

108

 

1

 

(1,907

)

 

 

 

(1,906

)

Common stock issued at $33.83 per share for stock bonus

 

9

 

 

315

 

 

 

 

315

 

Balance, March 31, 2013

 

48,557

 

485

 

184,550

 

597,104

 

6,282

 

 

788,421

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

46,176

 

 

 

 

46,176

 

Translation adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

11,758

 

 

11,758

 

Pension adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

46

 

Stock options exercised

 

494

 

4

 

14,557

 

 

 

 

14,561

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

9,277

 

 

 

 

9,277

 

Tax effect of options exercised

 

 

 

(802

)

 

 

 

(802

)

Shares issued from release of Restricted Stock Units

 

3

 

1

 

(167

)

 

 

 

(166

)

Repurchase of common stock

 

(342

)

 

 

 

 

(9,825

)

(9,825

)

Retirement of treasury stock

 

 

(4

)

 

(9,821

)

 

9,825

 

 

Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.375 per share

 

 

 

 

(18,170

)

 

 

(18,170

)

Common stock issued at $31.58 per share for stock bonus

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

3

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

 

48,712

 

486

 

207,418

 

615,289

 

18,086

 

 

841,279

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

12,087

 

 

 

12,087

 

Translation adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

(1,196

)

 

(1,196

)

Stock options exercised

 

62

 

1

 

1,768

 

 

 

 

1,769

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

2,379

 

 

 

 

2,379

 

Tax effect of options exercised

 

 

 

(135

)

 

 

 

(135

)

Shares issued from release of Restricted Stock Units

 

153

 

2

 

(2,962

)

 

 

 

(2,960

)

Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.125 per share

 

 

 

 

(6,116

)

 

 

(6,116

)

Common stock issued at $35.87 per share for stock bonus

 

11

 

 

402

 

 

 

 

402

 

Balance, March 31, 2014

 

48,938

 

$

489

 

$

208,870

 

$

621,260

 

$

16,890

 

$

 

$

847,509

 

 

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

 

5



 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

12,087

 

$

4,795

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

(285

)

(8

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,684

 

7,487

 

Impairment loss on assets

 

 

1,024

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,651

 

2,093

 

Noncash compensation related to stock plans

 

2,657

 

2,977

 

Excess tax benefit of options exercised

 

(8

)

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

(53

)

(39

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

(24,220

)

(21,006

)

Inventories

 

(19,128

)

823

 

Trade accounts payable

 

(3,403

)

(5,578

)

Income taxes payable

 

4,140

 

927

 

Accrued profit sharing trust contributions

 

(3,770

)

(3,335

)

Accrued cash profit sharing and commissions

 

2,057

 

1,318

 

Other current assets

 

(2,977

)

16

 

Accrued liabilities

 

(5,022

)

(9,179

)

Long-term liabilities

 

(950

)

(612

)

Accrued workers’ compensation

 

528

 

(18

)

Other noncurrent assets

 

54

 

(417

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(28,958

)

(18,732

)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(4,193

)

(4,632

)

Asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(5,300

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

451

 

17

 

Loan repayment by related parties

 

 

605

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(3,742

)

(9,310

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred and contingent consideration paid for asset acquisition

 

(1,294

)

 

Debt and line of credit borrowings

 

 

1,080

 

Repayment of debt and line of credit borrowings

 

(20

)

(20

)

Issuance of common stock

 

1,769

 

496

 

Excess tax benefit of options exercised

 

8

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(6,089

)

(6,053

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(5,626

)

(4,497

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(894

)

(1,049

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(39,220

)

(33,588

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

251,208

 

175,553

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

211,988

 

$

141,965

 

Noncash activity during the period

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash capital expenditures

 

$

406

 

$

140

 

Dividends declared but not paid

 

6,116

 

 

Issuance of Company’s common stock for compensation

 

402

 

315

 

 

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

 

6



 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.             Basis of Presentation

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). Investments in 50% or less owned affiliates are accounted for using either cost or the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

 

Interim Period Reporting

 

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Annual Report”).

 

The unaudited quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the financial information set forth therein, in accordance with GAAP. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data were derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The Company’s quarterly results fluctuate. As a result, the Company believes the results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.

 

Revisions

 

The Company revised its March 31, 2013, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet to classify $5.4 million of indefinite-lived assets as intangible assets, net, that had erroneously been classified as other noncurrent assets. The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013, was revised to reflect $0.3 million of rent income from properties rented to third-parties as an offset to general and administrative expense rather than as net sales as originally reported in error. With this revision, rental incomes are reported, net of related expenses, in general and administrative expense. These revisions were not considered material to the affected periods.

 

Out-of-Period Adjustment

 

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment, which had the effect of increasing gross profit, income from operations and net income by $2.3 million, $2.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively. The adjustment resulted from an over-statement of prior periods’ workers compensation expense, net of cash profit sharing expense, and was not material to the current period or any prior period.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue when the earnings process is complete, net of applicable provision for discounts, returns and incentives, whether actual or estimated, based on the Company’s experience. This generally occurs when products are shipped to the customer in accordance with the sales agreement or purchase order, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer, collectability is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable. The Company’s general shipping terms are F.O.B. shipping point, where title is transferred and revenue is recognized when the products are shipped to customers. When the Company sells F.O.B. destination point, title is transferred and the Company recognizes revenue on delivery or customer acceptance, depending on terms of the sales agreement. Service sales, representing after-market repair and maintenance, engineering activities, software license sales and services and lease income, though significantly less than 1% of net sales and not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements, are recognized as the services are completed or the software products and services are delivered. If actual costs of sales returns, incentives and discounts were to significantly exceed the recorded estimated allowance, the Company’s sales would be adversely affected.

 

7



 

Net Earnings Per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per common share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive securities, using the treasury stock method, are included in the diluted per-share calculations for all periods when the effect of their inclusion is dilutive.

 

The following is a reconciliation of basic earnings per common share to diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Net income available to common stockholders

 

$

12,087

 

$

4,795

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

 

48,899

 

48,536

 

Dilutive effect of potential common stock equivalents — stock options

 

166

 

90

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

 

49,065

 

48,626

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.10

 

Diluted

 

0.25

 

0.10

 

Potentially dilutive securities excluded from earnings per diluted share because their effect is anti-dilutive

 

 

 

 

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

 

With the approval of the Company’s stockholders on April 26, 2011, the Company adopted the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The 2011 Plan amended and restated in their entirety, and incorporated and superseded, both the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan (the “1994 Plan”), which was principally for the Company’s employees, and the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1995 Independent Director Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Plan”), which was for its directors who are not employees. Options previously granted under the 1994 Plan or the 1995 Plan were not affected by the adoption of the 2011 Plan and continue to be governed by the 1994 Plan or the 1995 Plan, respectively.

 

Under the 1994 Plan, the Company could grant incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. The Company, however, granted only non-qualified stock options under both the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan. The Company generally granted options under each of the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan once each year. The exercise price per share of each option granted under the 1994 Plan equaled the closing market price per share of the Company’s common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on the day preceding the day that the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors met to approve the grant of the options. The exercise price per share under each option granted under the 1995 Plan was at the fair market value on the date specified in the 1995 Plan. Options vest and expire according to terms established at the grant date. Options granted under the 1994 Plan typically vest evenly over the requisite service period of four years and have a term of seven years. The vesting of options granted under the 1994 Plan will be accelerated if the grantee ceases to be employed by the Company after reaching age 60 or if there is a change in control of the Company. Options granted under the 1995 Plan were fully vested on the date of grant. Shares of common stock issued on exercise of stock options under the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Under the 2011 Plan, the Company may grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, although the Company currently intends to award primarily restricted stock units and to a lesser extent, if at all, non-qualified stock options. The Company has not awarded, and does not currently intend to award, incentive stock options or restricted stock. Under the 2011 Plan, no more than 16.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued (including shares already issued) pursuant to all awards under the 2011 Plan, including on exercise of options previously granted under the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan. Shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to the 2011 Plan are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

8



 

The following table represents the Company’s stock option and restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in operating expenses

 

$

2,476

 

$

2,879

 

Tax benefit of stock-based compensation expense in provision for income taxes

 

910

 

1,048

 

Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

 

$

1,566

 

$

1,831

 

Fair value of shares vested

 

$

2,379

 

$

2,813

 

Proceeds to the Company from the exercise of stock-based compensation

 

$

1,769

 

$

496

 

Tax effect from exercise of stock-based compensation, including shortfall tax benefits

 

$

(135

)

$

(1,843

)

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Stock-based compensation cost capitalized in inventory

 

$

459

 

$

361

 

 

The amounts included in cost of sales, research and development and other engineering, selling, or general and administrative expense depend on the job functions performed by the employees to whom the stock options and restricted stock units were awarded.

 

The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of restricted stock units awarded are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and the Company’s experience.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification™ (“ASC”) establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset’s or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The Company’s investments consisted of only United States Treasury securities and money market funds, which are the Company’s primary financial instruments, maintained in cash equivalents and carried at cost, approximating fair value, based on Level 1 inputs. The balance of the Company’s primary financial instruments was as follows:

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

Financial instruments

 

$

99,235

 

$

59,074

 

$

117,571

 

 

The carrying amounts of trade accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s contingent consideration related to acquisitions is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy and is based on the Company’s unobserved inputs and assumptions, which are used to measure the liabilities at fair value.

 

9



 

Income Taxes

 

The Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate to measure the tax benefit or tax expense recognized in each interim period. The effective tax rate was lower in the first quarter of 2014 than in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to reduced first quarter 2014 operating losses in the Europe and Asia/Pacific segments, for which no tax benefit was recorded.

 

The following table presents the Company’s effective tax rates and income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Effective tax rate

 

38.6

%

47.0

%

Provision for income taxes

 

$

7,604

 

$

4,256

 

 

Acquisitions

 

In February 2013, the Company purchased certain assets relating to the TJ® ShearBrace (“ShearBrace”) product line of Weyerhaeuser NR Company (“Weyerhaeuser”) for $5.3 million in cash. The ShearBrace is a line of pre-fabricated shearwalls that complements the Company’s Strong-Wall shearwall, and is sold throughout North America. The Company’s measurement of assets acquired included goodwill of $0.9 million that has been assigned to the North America segment, and intangible assets of $3.6 million, both of which are subject to tax-deductible amortization. Net tangible assets consisting of inventory and equipment accounted for the balance of the purchase price. The weighted-average amortization period for the intangible assets is 11.3 years.

 

In November 2013, the Company purchased certain assets related to a connector product line from Bierbach GmbH & Co. KG (“Bierbach”), a Germany corporation, for $1.2 million in cash and a contingent liability of $0.8 million. Bierbach manufactured and sold a line of connectors, primarily in Germany. The Company’s provisional measurement of assets acquired included goodwill of $0.7 million, which was assigned to the Europe segment, and intangible assets of $0.6 million, both of which are subject to tax-deductible amortization. Net tangible assets consisting of inventory and tooling accounted for the balance of the purchase price.

 

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company paid $1.1 million in deferred consideration and $0.2 million in contingent consideration related to the acquisition of S&P Clever Reinforcement Company AG and S&P Clever International AG (collectively, “S&P Clever”). The remaining deferred and contingent consideration of $1.5 million is payable in the first quarter of 2015.

 

Under the business combinations topic of the FASB ASC, the Company accounted for these acquisitions as business combinations and ascribed acquisition-date fair values to the acquired assets. Provisional fair value measurements were made in the first and fourth quarters of 2013 for the acquired assets of ShearBrace and Bierbach, respectively. Adjustments to those measurements may be made in subsequent periods, up to one year from the acquisition date, as information necessary to complete the analysis is obtained. Fair value of intangible assets was based on Level 3 inputs. The Company has completed the measurement process for ShearBrace assets and expects the measurement process for the Bierbach acquisition to be finalized within a year of its acquisition date.

 

Pro-forma financial information is not presented as it would not be materially different from the information presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-08 (Topic 205 and Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASC update modifies the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This update also requires additional financial statement disclosures about discontinued operations, as well as disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation. The updated guidance is effective prospectively for years beginning on or after December 15, 2014.  The Company expects that the adoption of ASC Update 2014-08 will not materially affect its financial position or results of operations.

 

10



 

Other recent authoritative guidance issued by the FASB (including technical corrections to the ASC), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not or is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

2.             Trade Accounts Receivable, Net

 

Trade accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

$

117,728

 

$

105,880

 

$

92,413

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(870

)

(1,134

)

(945

)

Allowance for sales discounts and returns

 

(2,699

)

(1,933

)

(1,451

)

 

 

$

114,159

 

$

102,813

 

$

90,017

 

 

3.             Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

Raw materials

 

$

92,671

 

$

90,697

 

$

81,338

 

In-process products

 

19,822

 

18,118

 

18,475

 

Finished products

 

104,036

 

93,526

 

97,915

 

 

 

$

216,529

 

$

202,341

 

$

197,728

 

 

4.             Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

 

Property, plant and equipment, net, consisted of the following:

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

Land

 

$

29,960

 

$

30,364

 

$

29,347

 

Buildings and site improvements

 

178,135

 

173,923

 

178,391

 

Leasehold improvements

 

5,492

 

4,708

 

5,213

 

Machinery, equipment, and software

 

229,112

 

213,865

 

225,831

 

 

 

442,699

 

422,860

 

438,782

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(240,289

)

(221,468

)

(235,535

)

 

 

202,410

 

201,392

 

203,247

 

Capital projects in progress

 

5,047

 

9,618

 

6,286

 

 

 

$

207,457

 

$

211,010

 

$

209,533

 

 

11



 

5.             Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net

 

Goodwill was as follows:

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

North America

 

$

84,690

 

$

81,205

 

$

84,822

 

Europe

 

42,982

 

39,390

 

42,690

 

Asia/Pacific

 

1,761

 

1,987

 

1,706

 

Total

 

$

129,433

 

$

122,582

 

$

129,218

 

 

Amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, net, were as follows:

 

 

 

At March 31, 2014

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Carrying

 

(in thousands)

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

North America

 

$

34,495

 

$

(17,278

)

$

17,217

 

Europe

 

33,367

 

(10,856

)

22,511

 

Total

 

$

67,862

 

$

(28,134

)

$

39,728

 

 

 

 

At March 31, 2013

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

Net

 

(in thousands)

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Carrying
Amount

 

North America

 

$

40,551

 

$

(13,313

)

$

27,238

 

Europe

 

31,171

 

(7,773

)

23,398

 

Total

 

$

71,722

 

$

(21,086

)

$

50,636

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

Net

 

(in thousands)

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Carrying
Amount

 

North America

 

$

34,520

 

$

(15,909

)

$

18,611

 

Europe

 

33,217

 

(10,055

)

23,162

 

Total

 

$

67,737

 

$

(25,964

)

$

41,773

 

 

Intangible assets consist primarily of definite-lived intangible assets such as customer relationships, patents, unpatented technology and non-compete agreements and indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of in-process research and development assets. Amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, totaled $2.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

 

12



 

At March 31, 2014, estimated future amortization of definite-lived intangible assets was as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Remaining nine months of 2014

 

$

4,866

 

2015

 

6,068

 

2016

 

5,877

 

2017

 

4,066

 

2018

 

3,042

 

2019

 

3,014

 

Thereafter

 

7,089

 

 

 

$

34,022

 

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2014, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible

 

(in thousands)

 

Goodwill

 

Assets

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

$

129,218

 

$

41,773

 

Amortization

 

 

(2,170

)

Foreign exchange

 

215

 

125

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

 

$

129,433

 

$

39,728

 

 

6.             Debt

 

The Company has revolving lines of credit with various banks in the United States and Europe. Total available credit at March 31, 2014, was $304.7 million, including revolving credit lines and an irrevocable standby letter of credit in support of various insurance deductibles.

 

The Company’s primary credit facility is a revolving line of credit with $300.0 million in available credit. This credit facility will expire in July 2017. Amounts borrowed under this credit facility will bear interest at an annual rate equal to either, at the Company’s option, (a) the rate for Eurocurrency deposits for the corresponding deposits of U.S. dollars appearing on Reuters LIBOR1screen page (the “LIBOR Rate”), adjusted for any reserve requirement in effect, plus a spread of 0.60% to 1.45%, determined quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio (at March 31, 2014, the LIBOR Rate was 0.24%), or (b) a base rate, plus a spread of 0.00% to 0.45%, determined quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The base rate is defined in a manner such that it will not be less than the LIBOR Rate. The Company will pay fees for standby letters of credit at an annual rate equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the applicable spread described above, and will pay market-based fees for commercial letters of credit. The Company is required to pay an annual facility fee of 0.15% to 0.30% of the available commitments under the credit agreement, regardless of usage, with the applicable fee determined on a quarterly basis based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The Company also paid customary closing fees as specified in a separate fee agreement between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as the Agent under the credit agreement.

 

The Company’s borrowing capacity under other revolving credit lines and a term note totaled $4.7 million at March 31, 2014. The other revolving credit lines and term note charge interest ranging from 1.110% to 7.25%, have maturity dates from December 2014 to July 2017, and had outstanding balances totaling $0.1 million, $1.2 million and $0.1 million at March 31, 2014, March 31, 2013, and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants at March 31, 2014.

 

7.             Commitments and Contingencies

 

From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings and other matters arising in the normal course of business.  The resolution of claims and litigation is subject to inherent uncertainty and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

 

13



 

Pending Claims

 

Four lawsuits (the “Cases”) have been filed against the Company in the Hawaii First Circuit Court: Alvarez v. Haseko Homes, Inc. and Simpson Manufacturing, Inc., Civil No. 09-1-2697-11 (“Case 1”); Ke Noho Kai Development, LLC v. Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., and Honolulu Wood Treating Co., LTD., Case No. 09-1-1491-06 SSM (“Case 2”); North American Specialty Ins. Co. v. Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. and K.C. Metal Products, Inc., Case No. 09-1-1490-06 VSM (“Case 3”); and Charles et al. v. Haseko Homes, Inc. et al. and Third Party Plaintiffs Haseko Homes, Inc. et al. v. Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., et al., Civil No. 09-1-1932-08 (“Case 4”).  Case 1 was filed on November 18, 2009.  Cases 2 and 3 were originally filed on June 30, 2009.  Case 4 was filed on August 19, 2009.  The Cases all relate to alleged premature corrosion of the Company’s strap tie holdown products installed in buildings in a housing development known as Ocean Pointe in Honolulu, Hawaii, allegedly causing property damage.  Case 1 is a putative class action brought by the owners of allegedly affected Ocean Pointe houses.  Case 1 was originally filed as Kai et al. v. Haseko Homes, Inc., Haseko Construction, Inc. and Simpson Manufacturing, Inc., Case No. 09-1-1476, but was voluntarily dismissed and then re-filed with a new representative plaintiff.  Case 2 is an action by the builders and developers of Ocean Pointe against the Company, claiming that either the Company’s strap tie holdowns are defective in design or manufacture or the Company failed to provide adequate warnings regarding the products’ susceptibility to corrosion in certain environments.  Case 3 is a subrogation action brought by the insurance company for the builders and developers against the Company claiming the insurance company expended funds to correct problems allegedly caused by the Company’s products.  Case 4 is a putative class action brought, like Case 1, by owners of allegedly affected Ocean Pointe homes.  In Case 4, Haseko Homes, Inc. (“Haseko”), the developer of the Ocean Pointe development, brought a third party complaint against the Company alleging that any damages for which Haseko may be liable are actually the fault of the Company. Similarly, Haseko’s sub-contractors on the Ocean Pointe development brought cross-claims against the Company seeking indemnity and contribution for any amounts for which they may ultimately be found liable. None of the Cases alleges a specific amount of damages sought, although each of the Cases seeks compensatory damages, and Case 1 seeks punitive damages.  Cases 1 and 4 have been consolidated.  In December 2012, the Court granted the Company summary judgment on the claims asserted by the plaintiff homeowners in Cases 1 and 4, and on the third party complaint and cross-claims asserted by Haseko and the sub-contractors, respectively, in Case 4. In April 2013, the Court granted Haseko and the sub-contractors’ motion for leave to amend their cross-claims to allege a claim for negligent misrepresentation. The Company continues to investigate the facts underlying the claims asserted in the Cases, including, among other things, the cause of the alleged corrosion; the severity of any problems shown to exist; the buildings affected; the responsibility of the general contractor, various subcontractors and other construction professionals for the alleged damages; the amount, if any, of damages suffered; and the costs of repair, if needed.  At this time, the likelihood that the Company will be found liable under any legal theory and the extent of such liability, if any, are unknown.  Management believes the Cases may not be resolved for an extended period in the absence of agreement to settle the Cases and other related legal proceedings (discussed below). The Company is defending itself vigorously in connection with the Cases.

 

Based on facts currently known to the Company, the Company believes that all or part of the claims alleged in the Cases may be covered by its insurance policies.  On April 19, 2011, an action was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA v. Simpson Manufacturing Company, Inc., et al., Civil No. 11-00254 ACK.  In this action, Plaintiff National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (“National Union”), which issued certain Commercial General Liability insurance policies to the Company, seeks declaratory relief in the Cases with respect to its obligations to defend or indemnify the Company, Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., and a vendor of the Company’s strap tie holdown products.  By Order dated November 7, 2011, all proceedings in the National Union action have been stayed.  If the stay is lifted and the National Union action is not dismissed, the Company intends vigorously to defend all claims advanced by National Union.

 

On April 12, 2011, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (“Fireman’s Fund”), another of the Company’s general liability insurers, sued Hartford Fire Insurance Company (“Hartford”), a third insurance company from whom the Company purchased general liability insurance, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company v. Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Civil No. 11 1789 SBA (the “Fireman’s Fund action”).  The Company has intervened in the Fireman’s Fund action and seeks a stay of proceedings in that action as well, pending resolution of the underlying Ocean Pointe cases.

 

On November 21, 2011, the Company commenced a lawsuit against National Union, Fireman’s Fund, Hartford and others in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the City and County of San Francisco (the “San Francisco coverage action”).  In the San Francisco coverage action, the Company alleges generally that the separate pendency of the National Union action and the Fireman’s Fund action presents a risk of inconsistent adjudications; that the San Francisco Superior Court has jurisdiction over all of the parties and should exercise jurisdiction at the appropriate time to resolve any and all disputes that have arisen or may in the future arise among the Company and its liability insurers; and that the San Francisco coverage action should also be stayed pending resolution of the underlying Ocean Pointe Cases. The San Francisco coverage action has been ordered stayed pending resolution of the Cases.

 

14



 

Nishimura v. Gentry Homes, Ltd; Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.; and Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., Civil no. 11-1-1522-07, was filed in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit of Hawaii on July 20, 2011.  The Nishimura case alleges premature corrosion of the Company’s strap tie holdown products in a housing development at Ewa Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii.  In February 2012, the Court dismissed three of the five claims the plaintiffs had asserted against the Company. In December 2013, the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment on the remaining claims. Currently, the case is closed, though it remains subject to appeal.

 

Based on recent mediation, a tentative settlement in principle has been reached to resolve all of these legal proceedings, including Cases 1, 2, 3 and 4; the National Union action; the Fireman’s Fund action; and the San Francisco coverage action.  No settlement agreement has been documented or is currently enforceable.  If the tentative settlement in principle is documented in a final, enforceable agreement and its conditions are satisfied, the Company will incur no uninsured liability in any of these legal proceedings. The Company cannot predict when, if ever, any settlement will be finalized, and an unfavorable outcome could result in uninsured liability that substantially exceeds the amount of such tentative settlement in principle. It is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of any such possible excess.

 

The Company is not engaged in any other legal proceedings as of the date hereof, which the Company expects individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. The resolution of claims and litigation is subject to inherent uncertainty and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

 

Other

 

The Company’s policy with regard to environmental liabilities is to accrue for future environmental assessments and remediation costs when information becomes available that indicates that it is probable that the Company is liable for any related claims and assessments and the amount of the liability is reasonably estimable.  The Company does not believe that these environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

 

Corrosion, hydrogen enbrittlement, cracking, material hardness, wood pressure-treating chemicals, misinstallations, misuse, design and assembly flaws, manufacturing defects, environmental conditions or other factors can contribute to failure of fasteners, connectors, tools, anchors, adhesives and tool products.  On occasion, some of the products that the Company sells have failed, although the Company has not incurred any material liability resulting from those failures.  The Company attempts to avoid such failures by establishing and monitoring appropriate product specifications, manufacturing quality control procedures, inspection procedures and information on appropriate installation methods and conditions.  The Company subjects its products to extensive testing, with results and conclusions published in Company catalogues and on its websites. Based on test results to date, the Company believes that, generally, if its products are appropriately selected, installed and used in accordance with the Company’s guidance, they may be reliably used in appropriate applications.

 

8.             Stock-Based Incentive Plans

 

The Company currently has one stock-based incentive plan, which incorporates and supersedes its two previous plans (see Note 1 “Basis of Presentation — Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”). Participants are granted stock-based awards only if the applicable Company-wide or profit-center operating goals, or both, established by the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of the Board of Directors at the beginning of the year, are met. Certain participants may have additional goals based on strategic initiatives of the Company.

 

The fair value of each restricted stock unit award is estimated on the date of the award based on the closing market price of the underlying stock on the day preceding the date of the award. On February 3, 2014, 342,950 restricted stock units were awarded, including 9,975 awarded to the Company’s directors who are not employees, at an estimated value of $30.98 per share, based on the closing price on January 31, 2014. The restrictions on these awards generally lapse one quarter on the date of the award and one quarter on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the award.

 

15



 

The following table summarizes the Company’s unvested restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value *

 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

 

(in thousands)

 

Average Price

 

(in thousands)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2014

 

448

 

$

32.45

 

 

 

Awarded

 

343

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

(245

)

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2014

 

546

 

$

31.68

 

$

19,294

 

Outstanding and expected to vest at March 31, 2014

 

533

 

$

31.69

 

$

16,904

 

 


*  The intrinsic value is calculated using the closing price per share of $35.33 as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on March 31, 2014.

 

Based on the market value on the award date, the total intrinsic value of vested restricted stock units during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was $7.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

 

The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility was based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock measured monthly over a term that is equivalent to the expected life of the stock option. The expected term of each stock option was estimated based on the Company’s prior exercise experience and future expectations of the exercise and termination behavior of the grantees. The risk-free rate was based on the yield of United States Treasury zero-coupon bonds with maturities comparable to the expected life in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield was based on the expected dividend yield on the grant date.

 

No stock options were granted in 2013 or the first three months of 2014. The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value *

 

Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

(in thousands)

 

Exercise Price

 

(in years)

 

(in thousands)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2014

 

1,021

 

$

29.35

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(61

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2014

 

957

 

$

29.38

 

 

 

$

5,696

 

Outstanding and expected to vest at March 31, 2014

 

939

 

$

29.37

 

3.7

 

$

5,593

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2014

 

637

 

$

29.24

 

3.7

 

$

3,883

 

 


*  The intrinsic value represents the amount, if any, by which the fair market value of the underlying common stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option, using the closing price per share of $35.33 as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on March 31, 2014.

 

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

 

16



 

A summary of the status of unvested stock options as of March 31, 2014, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2014, are presented below:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date Fair

 

Unvested Stock Options

 

(in thousands)

 

Value

 

Unvested at January 1, 2014

 

448

 

$

10.31

 

Vested

 

(128

)

10.26

 

Unvested at March 31, 2014

 

320

 

$

10.33

 

 

As of March 31, 2014, $13.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost was related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements under the 2011 Incentive Plan and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.

 

9.                                      Segment Information

 

The Company is organized into three reportable segments. The segments are defined by the regions where the Company’s products are manufactured, marketed and distributed to the Company’s customers. The three regional segments are the North America segment, comprising primarily the United States and Canada, the Europe segment, comprising continental Europe and the United Kingdom, and the Asia/Pacific segment, comprising the Company’s operations in China, Hong Kong, the South Pacific and the Middle East. These segments are similar in several ways, including the types of materials, the production processes, the distribution channels and the product applications.

 

The Company’s measure of profit or loss for its reportable segments is income (loss) from operations. The reconciling amounts between consolidated income before tax and consolidated income from operations are net interest income, which is primarily attributed to Administrative and All Other.

 

The following table illustrates certain measurements used by management to assess the performance as of or for the following eriods:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

136,882

 

$

127,737

 

Europe

 

27,647

 

23,900

 

Asia/Pacific

 

3,759

 

2,644

 

Administrative and all other

 

 

 

Total

 

$

168,288

 

$

154,281

 

Sales to Other Segments*

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

1,130

 

$

761

 

Europe

 

466

 

280

 

Asia/Pacific

 

3,072

 

4,136

 

Total

 

$

4,668

 

$

5,177

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

22,561

 

$

15,260

 

Europe

 

(919

)

(4,180

)

Asia/Pacific

 

(1,151

)

(1,184

)

Administrative and all other

 

(885

)

(883

)

Total

 

$

19,606

 

$

9,013

 

 


* The sales to other segments are eliminated in consolidation.

 

17



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

2013

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

630,323

 

$

580,882

 

$

627,196

 

Europe

 

203,606

 

182,687

 

201,384

 

Asia/Pacific

 

29,932

 

29,303

 

31,560

 

Administrative and all other

 

89,308

 

78,675

 

93,473

 

Total

 

$

953,169

 

$

871,547

 

$

953,613

 

 

Cash collected by the Company’s United States subsidiaries is routinely transferred into the Company’s cash management accounts and, therefore, has been included in the total assets of “Administrative and all other.” Cash and cash equivalent balances in the “Administrative and all other” segment were $116.1 million, $62.5 million, and $156.0 million, as of March 31, 2014 and 2013, and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

The following table illustrates the distribution of the Company’s net sales by product group for the following periods:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Wood Construction

 

$

144,676

 

$

132,795

 

Concrete Construction

 

23,524

 

21,421

 

Other

 

88

 

65

 

Total

 

$

168,288

 

$

154,281

 

 

Wood construction products include connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and pre-fabricated shearwalls and are used for connecting and strengthening wood-based construction primarily in the residential construction market. Concrete construction products include adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors, carbide drill bits, powder actuated tools and fiber reinforcing materials and are used for restoration, protection or strengthening concrete, masonry and steel construction in residential, industrial, commercial and infrastructure construction.

 

10.                               Subsequent Events

 

In April 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per share, estimated to total $6.9 million, to be paid on July 24, 2014, to stockholders of record on July 3, 2014.

 

In April 2014, a tentative settlement in principle was reached to resolve certain pending legal proceedings.  See note 7.

 

18



 

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

 

This document contains forward-looking statements, based on numerous assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties, such as statements below regarding full-year 2014 sales, profits, gross profit margins, effective tax rate and capital spending and regarding future steel prices. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it does not and cannot give any assurance that its beliefs and expectations will prove to be correct. Many factors could significantly affect the Company’s operations and cause the Company’s actual results to be substantially different from the Company’s expectations. Those factors include, but are not limited to: (i) general economic and construction business conditions; (ii) customer acceptance of the Company’s products; (iii) relationships with key customers; (iv) materials and manufacturing costs; (v) the financial condition of customers, competitors and suppliers; (vi) technological developments; (vii) increased competition; (viii) changes in capital and credit market conditions; (ix) governmental and business conditions in countries where the Company’s products are manufactured and sold; (x) changes in trade regulations; (xi) the effect of acquisition activity; (xii) changes in the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions; and (xiii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors.” Actual results might differ materially from results suggested by any forward-looking statements in this report. The Company does not have an obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

 

The following is a discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The following should be read in conjunction with the interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes appearing elsewhere herein.

 

Overview

 

The Company designs, manufactures and sells building construction products that are of high quality and performance, easy to use and cost-effective for customers. It operates in three business segments determined by geographic region: North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. The Company’s stated goals are to strengthen its core wood construction products, expand its global footprint to be less dependent on housing starts in the United States and continue to invest in strategic initiatives, such as expanding its offering of concrete construction products, particularly specialty chemicals, and wood construction products, particularly truss plates and software.

 

The North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific segments all sell both wood and concrete construction products.

 

Until recently, the Europe segment sold primarily wood construction products. Although, the Europe segment’s first quarter results were an improvement from the prior year, it is too early for the Company to estimate whether the Europe segment may report an operating profit for the current year.

 

With the expansion of product lines that repair, protect and strengthen concrete, brick, masonry or asphalt construction, concrete construction product sales have increased in the Asia/Pacific segment. Based on current conditions, the Company expects the Asia/Pacific segment to report an operating loss for the current year.

 

The Admin & All Other column below includes expenses such as self-insured workers compensation claims, if any, for certain members of management, stock compensation for certain members of management, interest expense, foreign exchange gains or losses and income tax expense. It also includes revenues and expenses related to real estate activities, such as rental income and associated expenses on the Company’s facility in Vacaville, California, which the Company has leased to a third party for a term expiring in August 2020.

 

The Company has continued to benefit from increased housing starts with increased sales volumes in the first quarter of 2014, particularly in the North America segment. Unlike lumber or other products that have a more direct correlation to housing starts, however, the Company’s products are used to a greater extent in areas that are subject to natural forces, such as seismic or wind events. The Company’s products are used in a sequential process that follows the construction process. Residential and commercial construction begins with the foundation, followed by the wall and the roof systems, and the installation of the Company’s products flow into a project or a house according to those schedules. Foundation product sales could be considered a leading indicator. Sales of these products in the first quarter of 2014 increased compared to the same period in 2013.

 

19



 

The Company’s sales also tend to be seasonal, with operating results varying from quarter to quarter. With some exceptions, the Company’s sales and income have historically been lower in the first and fourth quarters than in the second and third quarters of the year, as customers purchase construction materials in the late spring and summer months for the construction season. In addition, weather conditions, such as extended cold or wet weather, which affect and sometimes delay installation of some of the Company’s products, could negatively affect the Company’s results of operations. Political and economic events can also affect the Company’s sales and profitability.

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014, Compared with the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

 

Net sales increased 9.1% to $168.3 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $154.3 million in the first quarter of 2013. The Company had net income of $12.1 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to net income of $4.8 million for the first quarter of 2013. Diluted net income per common share was $0.25 for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $0.10 per common share for the first quarter of 2013. Income from operations increased 117.5% to $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $9.0 million in the first quarter of 2013. The following table illustrates the differences in the Company’s operating results in the three months ended March 31, 2014, from the three months ended March 31, 2013, and the increases or decreases for each category by segment.

 

 

 

Three
Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three
Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Increase (Decrease) in Operating Segment

 

Ended

 

 

 

Mar. 31,

 

North

 

 

 

Asia/

 

Admin &

 

Mar. 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2013

 

America

 

Europe

 

Pacific

 

All Other

 

2014

 

Net sales

 

$

154,281

 

$

9,145

 

$

3,747

 

$

1,115

 

$

 

$

168,288

 

Cost of sales

 

89,561

 

(1,053

)

1,267

 

804

 

(53

)

90,526

 

Gross profit

 

64,720

 

10,198

 

2,480

 

311

 

53

 

77,762

 

Research and development and other engineering expense

 

8,308

 

877

 

403

 

112

 

 

9,700

 

Selling expense

 

21,371

 

61

 

216

 

202

 

(31

)

21,819

 

General and administrative expense

 

26,036

 

2,301

 

(1,456

)

(44

)

85

 

26,922

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

(8

)

(341

)

56

 

8

 

 

(285

)

Income from operations

 

9,013

 

7,300

 

3,261

 

33

 

(1

)

19,606

 

Interest income, net

 

38

 

(3

)

55

 

(16

)

11

 

85

 

Income before income taxes

 

9,051

 

7,297

 

3,316

 

17

 

10

 

19,691

 

Provision for income taxes

 

4,256

 

3,324

 

39

 

(78

)

63

 

7,604

 

Net income

 

$

4,795

 

$

3,973

 

$

3,277

 

$

95

 

$

(53

)

$

12,087

 

 

Net sales

 

The following table represents net sales by segment for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2014:

 

 

 

North

 

 

 

Asia/

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

America

 

Europe

 

Pacific

 

Total

 

Three months ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

$

127,737

 

$

23,900

 

$

2,644

 

$

154,281

 

March 31, 2014

 

136,882

 

27,647

 

3,759

 

168,288

 

Increase

 

$

9,145

 

$

3,747

 

$

1,115

 

$

14,007

 

Percentage increase

 

7.2

%

15.7

%

42.2

%

9.1

%

 

20



 

The following table represents segment net sales as percentages of total net sales for three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2014:

 

 

 

North
America

 

Europe

 

Asia/
Pacific

 

Total

 

Percentage of total 2013 net sales

 

82.8

%

15.5

%

1.7

%

100.0

%

Percentage of total 2014 net sales

 

81.3

%

16.4

%

2.3

%

100.0

%

 

The Company’s first quarter 2014 net sales increased in the North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific segments, with North America reporting the largest absolute increase. North America and Europe sales benefited from improved economic activity, while Europe and parts of the United States benefited from a mild winter.

 

·                  Segment net sales:

 

·                  North America  —  Net sales increased 7.2% in the first quarter of 2014, compared to the first quarter of 2013. Net sales in the United States increased over the same period in 2013, primarily due to increased sales volumes, partly offset by slightly lower average selling prices. Canada net sales increased slightly over the same period in 2013 due to increased sales volumes, partly offset by the effects of foreign currency translations and lower average selling prices.

·                  Europe  — Net sales increased 15.7% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013,  mostly due to increased sales volumes and the effects of foreign currency translations, partly offset by lower selling prices.

 

·                  Consolidated net sales channels and product groups:

 

·                  Net sales to contractor distributors, dealer distributors lumber dealers, and home centers increased in the first quarter of 2014, compared to the first quarter of 2013, with above-average sales increases to contractor distributors and lumber dealers.

·                  Wood construction product sales, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, represented 86% of total Company sales in the first quarter of each of 2014 and 2013.

·                  Concrete construction product sales, including adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials, represented 14% of total Company sales in the first quarter of each of 2014 and 2013.

 

Gross profit

 

The following table represents gross profit by segment for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2014:

 

 

 

North

 

 

 

Asia/

 

Admin &

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

America

 

Europe

 

Pacific

 

All Other

 

Total

 

Three months ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

$

57,091

 

$

7,283

 

$

446

 

$

(100

)

$

64,720

 

March 31, 2014

 

67,290

 

9,764

 

756

 

(48

)

77,762

 

Increase

 

$

10,199

 

$

2,481

 

$

310

 

$

52

 

$

13,042

 

Percentage increase

 

17.9

%

34.1

%

69.5

%

*

 

20.2

%

 


* The statistic is not meaningful.

 

The following table represents gross profit as a percentage of sales by segment for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2014:

 

(in thousand)

 

North
America

 

Europe

 

Asia/
Pacific

 

Admin &
All Other

 

Total

 

2013 gross profit percentage

 

44.7

%

30.5

%

16.9

%

*

 

41.9

%

2014 gross profit percentage

 

49.2

%

35.3

%

20.1

%

*

 

46.2

%

 


* The statistic is not meaningful.

 

21



 

Gross profit increased to $77.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $64.7 million in the first quarter of 2013. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 46.2% in the first quarter of 2014 from 41.9% in the first quarter of 2013. Based on current information, the Company estimates that its full year 2014 gross profit margin will be between 44% and 45%.

 

·                  North America — Gross profit margin increased to 49.2% in the first quarter of 2014 from 44.7% in the first quarter of 2013, as a result of decreases in all elements of costs as a percentage of sales, with the largest decreases as a percentage of sales in factory overhead elements on increased volumes and in material. The gross profit margin also benefited from a one-time $2.3 million correction to worker compensation expense, net of cash profit sharing expense, in states where the Company is not self-insured. Concrete construction product sales, which have a lower gross profit margin than wood construction product sales, were 13% of North America sales in the first quarter of each of 2014 and 2013.

·                  Europe — Gross profit margin increased to 35.3% in the first quarter of 2014 from 30.5% in the first quarter of 2013, as a result of decreases in all elements of costs as a percentage of sales, with the largest decrease as a percentage of sales in factory overhead on increased volumes and in material. Concrete construction product net sales, which have a lower gross profit margin than wood construction product net sales, were 13% and 12% of Europe net sales in the first quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2013, respectively.

·                  Product mix — The gross profit margin differential between wood construction products and concrete construction products was 15% in the first quarter of each of 2014 and 2013.

·                  Steel prices — Steel prices have decreased slightly from December 2013. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the market price for steel to increase during the second quarter of 2014.

 

Research and development and engineering expense

 

Research and development and engineering expense increased 16.8% to $9.7 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases of $1.1 million in professional fees, $0.4 million in cash profit sharing and $0.4 million in personnel costs, partly offset by a decrease of $0.5 million due to capitalized software development costs.

 

·                  North America —

 

·                  Research and development and engineering expense increased $0.9 million, primarily due to increases of $0.7 million in professional fees related to software development, $0.4 million in cash profit sharing, and $0.4 million in personnel costs related to the addition of staff in support of product and software development and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014.

·                  In late 2013, the Company began capitalizing software development costs, which resulted in a decrease of $0.5 million in software development expense in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

 

Selling expense

 

Selling expense increased slightly to $21.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $21.4 million in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases of $0.7 million in cash profit sharing and sales commissions and $0.3 million in professional fees, partly offset by decreases of $0.4 million in promotional expense and $0.3 million in stock-based compensation.

 

·                  North America — Selling expense increased slightly, due to increases of $0.3 million in cash profit sharing and sales commissions and $0.3 million in professional fees, partly offset by a decrease of $0.4 million in promotional expense.

 

General and administrative expense

 

General and administrative expense increased 3.4% to $26.9 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $26.0 million in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases of $1.8 million in cash profit sharing, $0.7 million in personnel costs and $0.3 million in professional fees, partly offset by a $1.0 million impairment of fixed assets that occurred in the first quarter of 2013 and a net gain of $0.2 million in foreign currency in the first quarter of 2014 compared to a net loss of $0.6 million in foreign currency in the first quarter of 2013.

 

·                  North America — General and administrative expense increased $2.3 million, primarily due to increases of $1.0 million in cash profit sharing, $0.4 million in personnel costs related to the addition of administrative and information technology staff and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014, $0.3 million in depreciation expense and $0.1 million in professional fees.

 

22



 

·                  Europe — General and administrative expense decreased by $1.5 million, primarily due to the $1.0 million impairment of fixed assets that occurred in the first quarter of 2013 and decreases of $0.6 million in net foreign currency loss and $0.2 million in professional fees, partly offset by increases of $0.3 million in personnel costs and $0.3 million in cash profit sharing.

·                  Administrative and all other — General and administrative expense increased due to increases of $0.5 million in cash profit sharing and $0.3 million in professional fees, partly offset by a net increase of $0.3 million in foreign currency gain. The Company has adjusted rent revenue and expense, mostly associated with its property in Vacaville, California, to general and administrative expense. Rent revenue in the first quarter of each of 2014 and 2013 was $0.3 million.

 

Income taxes

 

The effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2014 was 38.6% compared to 47.0% in the first quarter of 2013. The effective income tax rate was lower due to reduced first quarter 2014 operating losses in the Europe and Asia/Pacific segments for which no tax benefit was recorded. Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company estimates that its 2014 effective tax rate will be between 37% and 39%.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-08 (Topic 205 and Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASC update modifies the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This update also requires additional financial statement disclosures about discontinued operations, as well as disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation. The updated guidance is effective prospectively for years beginning on or after December 15, 2014.  The Company expects that the adoption of ASC Update 2014-08 will not materially affect its financial position or results of operations.

 

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

 

Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities

 

As of March 31, 2014, working capital was $476.2 million as compared to $405.8 million at March 31, 2013, and $464.9 million at December 31, 2013. The increase in working capital from December 31, 2013, was primarily due to increases of $24.1 million in trade accounts receivable, net, and $18.8 million in inventory and $0.3 million in deferred income taxes, and decreases of $2.8 million in accrued liabilities, $3.8 million in accrued profit sharing trust contributions and $3.6 million in trade accounts payable, which were also primarily responsible for lower cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2014. The increase in trade accounts receivable, net, was primarily due to an increase in net sales during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. Raw material inventories increased 13.9% as compared to December 31, 2013, while in-process and finished goods inventories increased 6.4% over the same period of the prior year in anticipation of increased construction activity during the spring and summer building seasons. The decrease in accrued liabilities and trade accounts payable was primarily due to the payment of outstanding payables and liabilities. The decrease in accrued profit sharing trust was due to the 2013 contribution paid in the first quarter of 2014. The increases in working capital from December 31, 2013, were partly offset by decreases of $39.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and $0.4 million in other current assets and increases of $2.1 million in accrued cash profit sharing and commissions and $0.5 million in accrued workers compensation. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to the increase in inventory purchases and the payment of accrued liabilities, accrued profit sharing trusts and trade accounts payable. The decrease in other current assets was primarily due to the decrease in income tax refunds receivable. The increase in accrued cash profit sharing and commissions was due to higher operating profits in the first quarter of 2014, compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. The working capital change and changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities, combined with net income of $12.1 million and noncash expenses, primarily charges for depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation totaling $10.3 million, resulted in net cash used in operating activities of $29.0 million. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had unused credit available of $304.6 million, including a $300.0 million credit facility.

 

As of March 31, 2013, working capital was $405.8 million as compared to $402.5 million at December 31, 2012. The slight increase in working capital from December 31, 2012, was primarily due to increases in net trade accounts receivable of $20.0 million and deferred income taxes of $0.9 million, and decreases in accrued liabilities of $13.6 million, trade accounts payable of $6.2 million, and accrued profit sharing trust contributions of $3.3 million, which were also primarily responsible for lower cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2013. The increase in net trade accounts receivable was primarily due to seasonal

 

23



 

increases in net sales during the first quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in accrued liabilities was due to reduced accrued rebate charges and dividends, while the decrease in trade accounts payable was primarily due to decreased material purchases in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in accrued profit sharing trust was due to the 2012 contribution paid in the first quarter of 2013. The increase in working capital from December 31, 2012, was partly offset by decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $33.6 million, other current assets of $3.1 million and inventories of $1.8 million, and increases in accrued cash profit sharing of $1.3 million, and line of credit and notes payable of $1.0 million. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to the payment of accrued liabilities, trade accounts payable and accrued profit sharing trust contributions, as well as the ShearBrace acquisition for $5.3 million, while the decrease in other current assets was primarily due to the decrease in income taxes receivable and the collection of a note receivable. Raw material inventories decreased 5.5% as compared to December 31, 2012, while in-process and finished goods inventories increased 3.2% over the same period. The increase in accrued cash profit sharing was due to higher operating profits in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in line of credit and notes payable was primarily for working capital in Europe. The working capital change and changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities, combined with net income of $4.8 million and noncash expenses, primarily charges for depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and impairment of assets held for sale totaling $11.5 million, resulted in net cash used by operating activities of $18.7 million.

 

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

 

The Company’s investing activities used cash of $3.7 million, including $4.2 million in capital expenditures, partly offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $0.5 million. The Company’s capital expenditures were primarily to increase manufacturing capacity in North America and to improve information technology support systems. The Company estimates that its full-year capital spending will be $22.0 million to $24.0 million in 2014.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company’s investing activities used cash of $9.3 million, primarily due to the recent North America acquisition of the ShearBrace product line from Weyerhaeuser for $5.3 million and capital expenditures of $4.6 million, partly offset by a Keymark-related entity’s repayment of loan of $0.6 million. The Company’s capital expenditures were primarily due to increasing capacity in North America and to improving information technology support systems.

 

Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities

 

The Company’s financing activities used net cash of $5.6 million, including $6.1 million in dividend payments, $1.1 million in deferred purchase payments related to the 2012 S&P Clever acquisition and $0.2 million in contingent consideration also related to the 2012 S&P Clever acquisition, partly offset by $1.8 million from the issuance of common stock on the exercise of stock options. In April 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per share, an increase of 12% over the previous dividend and estimated to total $6.9 million, to be paid on July 24, 2014, to stockholders of record on July 3, 2014. The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized up to $50.0 million, all of which remained available at March 31, 2014, for the repurchase of common stock in 2014.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company’s financing activities used net cash of $4.5 million, primarily due to dividends paid of $6.1 million, partly offset by cash provided by borrowings on credit facilities of $1.1 million, primarily for working capital in Europe, and issuance of common stock through the exercise of stock options of $0.5 million.

 

The Company believes that cash generated by operations and borrowings available under its credit facility will be sufficient for the Company’s working capital needs and planned capital expenditures for the next 12 months. Depending, however, on the Company’s future growth and possible acquisitions, it may become necessary to secure additional sources of financing, which may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all. The $300.0 million unsecured credit agreement will expire in July 2017.

 

A significant portion of the cash and cash equivalents held by the Company is in foreign currencies. Cash and cash equivalents of $96.6 million held in foreign countries could be subject to additional taxation if it were repatriated to the United States. The Company has no plans to repatriate cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States, as it is expected to be used to fund future international growth and acquisitions.

 

The Company believes that the effect of inflation on the Company has not been material in recent years, as general inflation rates have remained relatively low. Because, however, the Company’s main raw material is steel, increases in steel prices may adversely affect the Company’s gross profit margin if it cannot recover the higher costs through price increases.

 

24



 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

The Company has foreign exchange rate risk in its international operations, primarily Europe and Canada, and through purchases from foreign vendors. The Company does not currently hedge this risk. If the exchange rate were to change by 10% in any one country or currency where the Company has operations, the change in net income would not be material to the Company’s operations as a whole. The translation adjustment resulted in increases in accumulated other comprehensive income of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The translation adjustment in the first quarter of 2014 was primarily due to the effect of a weakening United States dollar in relation to most European currencies, partly offset by a strengthening United States dollar to the Canadian dollar and the Chinese Yuan.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of March 31, 2014, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the chief executive officer (“CEO”) and the chief financial officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed reasonably to assure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, such as this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed reasonably to assure information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as a result of the material weaknesses that existed in its internal control over financial reporting as described below.

 

The Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or the Company’s internal control over financial reporting will necessarily prevent all fraud and material errors. Internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. In addition, the design of a control system must reflect the facts that there are resource constraints and that the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. The inherent limitations in internal control over financial reporting include the realities that judgments can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls also can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of controls. The design of any system of internal control is also based in part on assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential events and conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in circumstances, or the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

 

Notwithstanding the material weaknesses discussed below, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the interim condensed consolidated financial statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

 

Material Weaknesses. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management identified the following material weaknesses as of December 31, 2013, which remained unremediated at March 31, 2014:

 

(a) The Company’s management did not design and maintain effective controls over the valuation of goodwill. Specifically, management did not design a review precise enough to determine the accuracy and support of certain forecasts and assumptions related to the goodwill impairment assessments. This material weakness resulted in errors in the Company’s step-one goodwill impairment models, which were not detected by its internal control review process.

 

(b) The Company’s management did not design and maintain effective internal controls related to the valuation of indefinite-lived in-process research and development intangible assets. Specifically, management did not design a process or controls to evaluate impairments at the individual asset level in accordance with GAAP.

 

25



 

While the Company’s management concluded that these material weaknesses did not result in any misstatements, they could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement in the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

 

Remediation. The Company’s management has been actively engaged in developing a comprehensive remediation plan to address fully such material weaknesses. The Company’s plan to address the material weaknesses is expected to be finalized by the end of the second quarter of 2014, and to include the following:

 

·                  enhance the controls over the review of the annual goodwill assessment for impairment, determining that management forecasts and assumptions do not contain input errors; and

·                  design an appropriate process and controls to evaluate the annual assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment in accordance with GAAP.

 

Remediation will not be completed until the fourth quarter of 2014, when the two annual impairment assessments are completed and reviewed by management.

 

The Company’s management believes the foregoing efforts will effectively remediate such material weaknesses. As management continues to evaluate and work to improve the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, management may determine to take additional measures to address such material weaknesses or determine to modify the remediation plan described above.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company made no changes to its internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings and other matters arising in the normal course of business.

 

Four lawsuits (the “Cases”) have been filed against the Company in the Hawaii First Circuit Court: Alvarez v. Haseko Homes, Inc. and Simpson Manufacturing, Inc., Civil No. 09-1-2697-11 (“Case 1”); Ke Noho Kai Development, LLC v. Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., and Honolulu Wood Treating Co., LTD., Case No. 09-1-1491-06 SSM (“Case 2”); North American Specialty Ins. Co. v. Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. and K.C. Metal Products, Inc., Case No. 09-1-1490-06 VSM (“Case 3”); and Charles et al. v. Haseko Homes, Inc. et al. and Third Party Plaintiffs Haseko Homes, Inc. et al. v. Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., et al., Civil No. 09-1-1932-08 (“Case 4”). Case 1 was filed on November 18, 2009. Cases 2 and 3 were originally filed on June 30, 2009. Case 4 was filed on August 19, 2009. The Cases all relate to alleged premature corrosion of the Company’s strap tie holdown products installed in buildings in a housing development known as Ocean Pointe in Honolulu, Hawaii, allegedly causing property damage. Case 1 is a putative class action brought by the owners of allegedly affected Ocean Pointe houses. Case 1 was originally filed as Kai et al. v. Haseko Homes, Inc., Haseko Construction, Inc. and Simpson Manufacturing, Inc., Case No. 09-1-1476, but was voluntarily dismissed and then re-filed with a new representative plaintiff. Case 2 is an action by the builders and developers of Ocean Pointe against the Company, claiming that either the Company’s strap tie holdowns are defective in design or manufacture or the Company failed to provide adequate warnings regarding the products’ susceptibility to corrosion in certain environments. Case 3 is a subrogation action brought by the insurance company for the builders and developers against the Company claiming the insurance company expended funds to correct problems allegedly caused by the Company’s products. Case 4 is a putative class action brought, like Case 1, by owners of allegedly affected Ocean Pointe homes. In Case 4, Haseko Homes, Inc. (“Haseko”), the developer of the Ocean Pointe development, brought a third party complaint against the Company alleging that any damages for which Haseko may be liable are actually the fault of the Company. Similarly, Haseko’s sub-contractors on the Ocean Pointe development brought cross-claims against the Company seeking indemnity and contribution for any amounts for which they may ultimately be found liable. None of the Cases alleges a specific amount of damages sought, although each of the Cases seeks compensatory damages, and Case 1 seeks punitive damages. Cases 1 and 4 have been consolidated. In December 2012, the Court granted the Company summary judgment on the claims asserted by the plaintiff homeowners in Cases 1 and 4, and on the third party complaint and cross-claims asserted by Haseko and the sub-contractors, respectively, in Case 4. In April 2013, the Court granted Haseko and the sub-contractors’ motion for leave to amend their cross-claims to allege a claim for negligent misrepresentation. The Company continues to investigate the facts underlying the claims asserted in the Cases, including, among other things, the cause of the alleged corrosion; the severity of any problems shown to exist; the buildings affected; the responsibility of the general contractor, various subcontractors and other construction professionals for the alleged damages; the amount, if any, of damages suffered; and the costs of repair, if needed. At this time, the likelihood that the Company will be found liable under any legal theory, and the extent of such liability, if any, are unknown. Management believes the Cases may not be resolved for an extended period in the absence of agreement to settle the Cases and other related legal proceedings (discussed below). The Company is defending itself vigorously in connection with the Cases.

 

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Based on facts currently known to the Company, the Company believes that all or part of the claims alleged in the Cases may be covered by its insurance policies. On April 19, 2011, an action was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA v. Simpson Manufacturing Company, Inc., et al., Civil No. 11-00254 ACK. In this action, Plaintiff National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (“National Union”), which issued certain Commercial General Liability insurance policies to the Company, seeks declaratory relief in the Cases with respect to its obligations to defend or indemnify the Company, Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., and a vendor of the Company’s strap tie holdown products. By Order dated November 7, 2011, all proceedings in the National Union action have been stayed. If the stay is lifted and the National Union action is not dismissed, the Company intends vigorously to defend all claims advanced by National Union.

 

On April 12, 2011, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (“Fireman’s Fund”), another of the Company’s general liability insurers, sued Hartford Fire Insurance Company (“Hartford”), a third insurance company from whom the Company purchased general liability insurance, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company v. Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Civil No. 11 1789 SBA (the “Fireman’s Fund action”).  The Company has intervened in the Fireman’s Fund action and seeks a stay of proceedings in that action as well, pending resolution of the underlying Ocean Pointe cases.

 

On November 21, 2011, the Company commenced a lawsuit against National Union, Fireman’s Fund, Hartford and others in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the City and County of San Francisco (the “San Francisco coverage action”). In the San Francisco coverage action, the Company alleges generally that the separate pendency of the National Union action and the Fireman’s Fund action presents a risk of inconsistent adjudications; that the San Francisco Superior Court has jurisdiction over all of the parties and should exercise jurisdiction at the appropriate time to resolve any and all disputes that have arisen or may in the future arise among the Company and its liability insurers; and that the San Francisco coverage action should also be stayed pending resolution of the underlying Ocean Pointe Cases. The San Francisco coverage action has been ordered stayed pending resolution of the Cases.

 

Nishimura v. Gentry Homes, Ltd; Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.; and Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., Civil no. 11-1-1522-07, was filed in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit of Hawaii on July 20, 2011. The Nishimura case alleges premature corrosion of the Company’s strap tie holdown products in a housing development at Ewa Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. In February 2012, the Court dismissed three of the five claims the plaintiffs had asserted against the Company. In December 2013, the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment on the remaining claims.  Currently, the case is closed, though it remains subject to appeal.

 

Based on recent mediation, a tentative settlement in principle has been reached to resolve all of these legal proceedings, including Cases 1, 2, 3 and 4; the National Union action; the Fireman’s Fund action; and the San Francisco coverage action. No settlement agreement has been documented or is currently enforceable.  If the tentative settlement in principle is documented in a final, enforceable agreement and its conditions are satisfied, the Company will incur no uninsured liability in any of these legal proceedings. The Company cannot predict when, if ever, any settlement will be finalized, and an unfavorable outcome could result in uninsured liability that substantially exceeds the amount of such tentative settlement in principle. It is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of any such possible excess.

 

The Company is not engaged in any other legal proceedings as of the date hereof, which the Company expects individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. The resolution of claims and litigation is subject to inherent uncertainty and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

We are affected by risks specific to us, as well as risks that generally affect businesses operating in global markets. Some of the significant factors that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results appear in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (available at www.simpsonmfg.com/docs/10K-2013.pdf or www.sec.gov).

 

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

 

In February 2014, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock. This replaced the $50.0 million repurchase authorization from February 2013. The authorization will remain in effect through the end of 2014. There were no purchases by the Company during the first quarter of 2014.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

The following exhibits are either incorporated by reference into this report or filed with this report, as indicated below.

 

3.1                   Certificate of Incorporation of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., as amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

 

3.2                   Bylaws of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., as amended through February 3, 2014, are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of its Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 3, 2014.

 

4.1                   Amended Rights Agreement dated as of June 15, 2009, between Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., which includes as Exhibit B the form of Rights Certificate, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A dated June 15, 2009.

 

4.2                   Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Participating Preferred Stock of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., dated July 30, 1999, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of its Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated August 4, 1999.

 

4.3                   Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan for Salaried Employees is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 333-173811, dated April 29, 2011.

 

4.4                   Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan for Hourly Employees is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 333-173811, dated April 29, 2011.

 

10.1             Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended through February 13, 2008, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

 

10.2             Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1995 Independent Director Stock Option Plan, as amended through November 18, 2004, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

 

10.3            Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. Executive Officer Cash Profit Sharing Plan, as amended through February 25, 2008, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

 

10.4            Credit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2012, among Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its separate capacities as Swing Line Lender and L/C issuer and as Administrative Agent, and Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., and Simpson Strong-Tie International, Inc. as Guarantors, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 1, 2012.

 

10.5            Form of Indemnification Agreement between Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and its directors and executive officers, as well as the officers of Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

10.6            Compensation of Named Executive Officers is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 11, 2013.

 

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10.7            Compensation of Named Executive Officers is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 26, 2014.

 

10.8            Compensation of Named Executive Officers is incorporated by reference to Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Schedule 14A Proxy Statement dated March 10, 2014.

 

10.9            Compensation of Named Executive Officers is incorporated by reference to Item 5.02 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 22, 2014.

 

10.10     Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Schedule 14A Proxy Statement dated March 10, 2011.

 

10.11      Separation agreement dated as of July 3, 2013, between Michael J. Herbert, Vice President of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., on the one hand, and Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., on the other hand, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

 

31                      Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications are filed herewith.

 

32                      Section 1350 Certifications are filed herewith.

 

99.1            Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1994 Employee Stock Bonus Plan, as amended through November 18, 2004, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

101                Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL, are filed herewith and include: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

   Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

 

 

     (Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE:

May 9, 2014

 

By

/s/Brian J. Magstadt

 

 

Brian J. Magstadt

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(principal accounting and financial officer)

 

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