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STARRETT L S CO - Quarter Report: 2012 March (Form 10-Q)

lsstarrett_10q-033112.htm
 
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, 2012
 
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
1-367
 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
MASSACHUSETTS
04-1866480
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
121 CRESCENT STREET, ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS
01331-1915
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
978-249-3551
 
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 definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check One):
 
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer o Smaller Reporting Company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
YES o    NO x
 
Common Shares outstanding as of   April 30, 2012
     
Class A Common Share
  6,012,589
     
Class B Common Shares   757,945
 
 
1

 
 THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

CONTENTS
 
      Page No.
       
Part I.            Financial Information:  
       
  Item 1. Financial Statements  
       
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2012 (unaudited) and June 30, 2011
3
       
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and nine months ended March 31, 2012 and March 26, 2011 (unaudited)
4
       
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - nine months ended March 31, 2012 and March 26, 2011(unaudited)
5
       
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - nine months ended March 31, 2012 and March 26, 2011(unaudited)
6
       
    Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 7-13
       
  Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 13-16
       
  Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 16
       
  Item 4. Controls and Procedures 16
       
Part II.  Other information:  
       
  Item 1A. Risk Factors 17
       
  Item 6. Exhibits 17
       
SIGNATURES   18
 
 
2

 
 
PART I.                      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands except share data)
 
   
March 31,
2012
(unaudited)
   
June 30,
2011
(audited)
 
             
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash
  $ 14,358     $ 21,572  
Investments
    6,405       6,421  
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,189 and $416, respectively)
    40,097       45,567  
Inventories
    74,530       58,789  
Current deferred income tax asset
    6,197       6,100  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    7,340       5,494  
Total current assets
    148,927       143,943  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    55,081       56,265  
Intangible assets, net
    8,974       231  
Taxes receivable
    3,636       3,594  
Deferred tax asset, net
    20,762       21,407  
Goodwill
    3,034       -  
Other assets
    1,777       1,739  
Total assets
  $ 242,191     $ 227,179  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 2,390     $ 8,238  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    20,320       22,030  
Accrued salaries and wages
    6,013       7,129  
Total current liabilities
    28,723       37,397  
Deferred tax liabilities
    2,699       2,806  
Other tax obligations
    9,837       10,450  
Long-term debt
    29,453       721  
Postretirement benefit and pension liabilities
    22,988       22,467  
Total liabilities
    93,700       73,841  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Class A Common stock $1 par (20,000,000 shares authorized); 6,006,516 outstanding on 3/31/2012 and 5,933,059 outstanding on 6/30/2011
    6,007       5,933  
Class B Common stock $1 par (10,000,000 shares authorized); 758,696 outstanding on 3/31/2012 and 800,868 outstanding on 6/30/2011
    759       801  
Additional paid-in capital, as adjusted (Note 11)
    51,827       51,411  
Retained earnings, as adjusted (Note 11)
    100,661       97,154  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (10,763 )     (1,961 )
Total stockholders' equity
    148,491       153,338  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 242,191     $ 227,179  
 
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
3

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands except per share data) (unaudited)
 
   
3 Months Ended
   
9 Months Ended
 
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
 
                         
Net sales
  $ 64,540     $ 58,763     $ 190,143     $ 173,592  
Cost of goods sold
    43,085       39,210       124,991       115,467  
Gross margin
    21,455       19,553       65,152       58,125  
     % of Net sales
    33.2 %     33.3 %     34.3 %     33.5 %
                                 
                                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    18,674       17,868       57,244       51,258  
Gain on sale of building
    -       (1,350 )     -       (1,350 )
                                 
Operating income
    2,781       3,035       7,908       8,217  
                                 
Other (expense) / income
    (550 )     (44 )     1,308       493  
                                 
Earnings before income taxes
    2,231       2,991       9,216       8,710  
                                 
Income tax expense
    661       672       3,682       3,430  
                                 
Net earnings
  $ 1,570     $ 2,319     $ 5,534     $ 5,280  
                                 
                                 
                                 
Basic and diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.23     $ 0.35     $ 0.82     $ 0.79  
                                 
Average outstanding shares used in per share calculations:
                               
Basic
    6,764       6,698       6,753       6,691  
Diluted
    6,799       6,724       6,788       6,712  
                                 
                                 
                                 
Dividends per share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.08     $ 0.30     $ 0.22  
 
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
4

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2012 and March 26, 2011
(in thousands except per share data) (unaudited)
 
   
Common Stock
Outstanding
    Addi-
tional
Paid-in
   
Retained
    Accumulated
Other Com-prehensive
       
   
Class A
   
Class B
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Loss
   
Total
 
Balance June 26, 2010
  $ 5,859     $ 821     $ 50,373     $ 93,006     $ (17,677 )   $ 132,382  
Correction of accounting for stock-based compensation (Note 11)
                    548       (548 )             -  
Balance June 26, 2010, as adjusted
  $ 5,859     $ 821     $ 50,921     $ 92,458     $ (17,677 )   $ 132,382  
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net earnings
                            5,280               5,280  
Minimum pension liability, net
                                    (26 )     (26 )
Translation gain, net
                                    7,182       7,182  
Total comprehensive income
                                            12,436  
Dividends ($0.22 per share)
                            (1,472 )             (1,472 )
Issuance of stock under ESOP
    17               156                       173  
Issuance of stock under ESPP
            2       68                       70  
Conversion
    34       (34 )                             -  
                                                 
Balance March 26, 2011, as adjusted
  $ 5,910     $ 789     $ 51,145     $ 96,266     $ (10,521 )   $ 143,589  
                                                 
Balance June 30, 2011, as adjusted
  $ 5,933     $ 801     $ 51,411     $ 97,154     $ (1,961 )   $ 153,338  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Net earnings
                            5,534               5,534  
Minimum pension liability, net
                                    (2 )     (2 )
Translation loss, net
                                    (8,800 )     (8,800 )
Total comprehensive loss
                                            (3,268 )
Dividends ($0.30 per share)
                            (2,027 )             (2,027 )
Issuance of stock under ESOP
    23               223                       246  
Issuance of stock under ESPP
            9       193                       202  
Conversion
    51       (51 )                             -  
                                                 
Balance March 31, 2012
  $ 6,007     $ 759     $ 51,827     $ 100,661     $ (10,763 )   $ 148,491  
                                                 
Cumulative Balance:
                                               
Translation loss
                                  $ (10,030 )        
Amounts not recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost
                                    (733 )        
                                    $ (10,763 )        
 
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
5

 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of dollars) (unaudited)

   
9 Months Ended
 
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings
  $ 5,534     $ 5,280  
    Gain on sale of building
    -       (1,350 )
Non-cash operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    6,775       7,010  
Amortization
    697       936  
Other tax obligations
    (358 )     107  
Deferred taxes
    284       47  
Unrealized transaction (gains)/losses
    (30 )     (137 )
       Equity (gain) loss on investment
    (117 )     541  
Working capital changes, net of effects from business acquisition:
               
Receivables
    1,698       (3,308 )
Inventories
    (17,554 )     (7,268 )
Other current assets
    (819 )     (2,298 )
Other current liabilities
    (1,300 )     (2,013 )
Prepaid pension cost, retirement benefits and others
    1,386       617  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (3,804 )     (1,836 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
       Business acquisition, net of cash acquired
    (15,070 )     -  
   Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (8,391 )     (4,051 )
   Proceeds from sale of  investments
    -       1,250  
       Investment in private software development company
    -       (950 )
       Proceeds from sale of building
    -       3,262  
          Net cash used in investing activities
    (23,461 )     (489 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
   Proceeds from line of credit borrowings
    9,195       4,887  
   Short-term debt repayments
    (104 )     (1,303 )
   Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    14,534       -  
   Long-term debt repayments
    (678 )     (202 )
   Proceeds from common stock issued
    327       196  
   Dividends paid
    (2,027 )     (1,472 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    21,247       2,106  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (1,196 )     1,575  
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (7,214 )     1,356  
Cash, beginning of period
    21,572       20,478  
Cash, end of period
  $ 14,358     $ 21,834  
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
                 
     Interest paid
  $ 452     $ 245  
     Income taxes paid, net
  $ 3,493     $ 3,357  
                 
                 
 
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
6

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2012

Note 1:                      Basis of Presentation

The financial statements have been prepared by The L.S. Starrett Company (the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  These unaudited condensed financial statements, which, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011.  Operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future interim period or for the entire fiscal year.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company fully reserved for a receivable from a foreign customer in the amount of $831,000 due to increased uncertainty in the ability and willingness of the customer to repay its balance. The Company is pursuing various options to recover the amount it is owed, however, there is no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.

As discussed further in Note 4, on November 22, 2011, the Company acquired all the assets of Bytewise Development Corporation.  The results of operations for this acquired business are included in the Company’s results of operations as presented herein since such date.

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Note 2 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011 describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements which includes a change in the Company’s method of accounting for defined benefit pension costs.  Results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 26, 2011 presented herein have been retroactively adjusted for this accounting change.

The Company has evaluated and disclosed subsequent events or transactions that occurred after March 31, 2012 through the date of issuance of these financial statements.

 
Note 2:                      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-04 to amend fair value measurements and related disclosures; the guidance becomes effective on a prospective basis for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012. This new guidance results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and U.S. GAAP. The new guidance also changes some fair value measurement principles and enhances disclosure requirements related to activities in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The adoption of this updated authoritative guidance is not expected to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 to amend the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements. This guidance allows companies the option to present other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under both alternatives, companies will be required to present each component of net income and comprehensive income. The adoption of this updated authoritative guidance will impact the presentation of our consolidated financial statements, but it will not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. The guidance must be applied retrospectively and is effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2013. We are in the process of evaluating the presentation options required by this ASU.

 
7

 
 
Note 3:       Plant Closing

The Company closed its Dominican Republic facility effective December 31, 2011.  The decision to close the facility was the result of the previously disclosed Sears decision to no longer purchase “Craftsman” brand measuring tapes from the Company.  The Company incurred approximately $0.3 million expense in total closure costs which were recorded in the fiscal 2012 second quarter and related to closure severance and assets write-offs.  The costs included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in costs of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other income and expense are ($0.1) million $0.2 million, and $0.1 million, respectively.

 
Note 4:       Business Acquisition

On November 22, 2011 a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Bytewise Development Corporation (“Bytewise”) pursuant to which the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company purchased all of the assets of Bytewise for $15.4 million in cash plus the assumption of certain liabilities.  The asset purchase was financed through a term loan under the Company’s existing security agreement.  The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and covenants. In connection with the Purchase Agreement, $1.55 million of the purchase price was placed into escrow to support the indemnification obligations of Bytewise and its shareholders.  Under the Purchase Agreement, the former owners of Bytewise will be entitled to a 40% share of any profits from Bytewise’s operations over the next three years so long as they remain employed by the Company.  The Company has accrued for such profit sharing as an expense based on Bytewise’s results of  operations since the date of acquisition.

Bytewise designs, develops and manufactures non-contact, industrial measurement systems and software that capture the external geometric profile of a product and analyze that data to meet measurement and/or quality control requirements.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.  The total purchase price was allocated to Bytewise’s net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets based on their estimated fair value as of November 22, 2011.  The preliminary allocation of the purchase price is based upon management’s initial valuation and the Company’s estimates and assumptions and is subject to change within the measurement period as the valuation is finalized.  Prior to the end of the measurement period for finalizing the purchase price allocation, any changes will be included in the purchase price allocation retrospectively.

The table below presents the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the acquired net assets of Bytewise (in thousands):
 
Cash
  $ 298  
Accounts receivable
    1,897  
Inventories
    1,674  
Other current assets
    74  
Intangibles
    9,300  
Goodwill
    3,034  
Other long-term assets
    69  
Accounts payable
    (379 )
Accrued compensation costs
    (270 )
Accrued expenses
    (329 )
Cash paid to sellers
  $ 15,368  
 
Acquisition costs were expensed as incurred and totaled approximately $24 thousand and $121 thousand for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2012 respectively, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The estimates for definite-lived amortizable intangible assets acquired include approximately $4.95 million for customer relationships, $1.48 million for trademarks and trade names, $2.0 million for completed technology, $0.6 million for non-compete agreements and $0.26 million for order backlog.  Amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives. The preliminary weighted-average amortization period is 9.3 years.

 
8

 

The acquisition was completed on November 22, 2011 and accordingly results of operations from such date have been included in the Company’s Statement of Operations.  For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2012, the Bytewise acquisition resulted in an additional $1.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of consolidated revenue and had an insignificant impact on net earnings.

Supplemental Pro Forma Information

The following information reflects the Bytewise acquisition as if the transaction had occurred as of the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2011.  The unaudited pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred had the Company and Bytewise been combined during the periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of the future results of operations of the combined companies.

The following table represents select unaudited consolidated pro forma data (in thousands except per share amounts):

   
3 Months Ended
   
9 Months Ended
 
   
3/26/2011
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
 
                   
Unaudited consolidated pro forma revenue
  $ 60,065     $ 194,031     $ 180,275  
Unaudited consolidated pro forma net income
  $ 1,844     $ 5,597     $ 4,962  
Unaudited consolidated pro forma diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.27     $ 0.82     $ 0.74  
 
 
Note 5:      Fair Value Measurements

The Company categorizes its financial assets and liabilities accounted for on a recurring basis at fair value, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Such financial assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

o  
Level 1 – Accounts whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market which the company has the ability to access at the measurement date (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities and most U.S. Government and agency securities).

o  
Level 2 – Accounts whose value are based on quoted market prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets.

o  
Level 3 – Accounts whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own view about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset.

As of March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2011, the Company’s Level 1 financial assets were as follows (in thousands):
 
       
   
3/31/2012
   
6/30/2011
 
Nine Month Fixed Rate Deposit
  $ 6,405     $ 6,421  
 
As of March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2011, the Company did not have any liabilities accounted for at fair value nor any Level 2 or 3 financial assets accounted for at fair value.
 
The carrying value amounts of cash, trade receivables and trade payables approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.  The fair value of the notes payable and long term debts approximates its carrying amount.

 
9

 

Note 6:                      Inventories

          Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

   
March 31,2012
   
June 30, 2011
 
Raw Material and Supplies
  $ 36,685     $ 31,928  
Goods in Process and Finished Parts
    28,005       23,938  
Finished Goods
    36,757       29,096  
      101,447       84,962  
LIFO Reserve
    (26,917 )     (26,173 )
Inventories
  $ 74,530     $ 58,789  

LIFO inventories were $19.8 million and $15.4 million at March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2011, respectively, or approximately $26.9 million and $26.2 million, respectively, less than their respective balances if costed on a FIFO basis.  The use of LIFO, as compared to FIFO, resulted in a $0.7 million increase in cost of sales for the nine months ended March 31, 2012 compared to a $0.1 million increase in cost of sales in the nine months ended March 26, 2011.  The use of LIFO, as compared to FIFO, resulted in a $0.9 million increase in cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to a $0.6 million increase in cost of sales in the three months ended March 26, 2011.

 
Note 7:                      Goodwill and Intangibles

The following represents the change in the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2011
  $ 2,950  
Adjustment to Preliminary Estimate
    84  
Balance at March 31, 2012
  $ 3,034  


Amortizable intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

   
March 31, 2012
   
June 30, 2011
 
Non-Compete Agreement
  $ 600     $ -  
Trademarks and Trade Names
    1,480       -  
Completed Technology
    2,010       -  
Customer Relationships
    4,950       -  
Backlog
    260       -  
Other intangible assets
    6,416       6,276  
Total
    15,716       6,276  
Accumulated Amortization
    (6,742 )     (6,045  
Total Net Balance
  $ 8,974     $ 231  

Amortizable intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of expected economic benefit.  Amortization expense of $504 thousand was recorded on the Bytewise acquisition assets as of March 31, 2012.

The estimated useful lives of the intangible assets subject to amortization are 14 years for trademarks and trade names, 8 years for non-compete agreements, 10 years for completed technology, 8 years for customer relationships and .5 years for Backlog.

 
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The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2012, for each of the next five years and thereafter, is as follows (in thousands):

2012 Remainder of year
  $ 374  
2013
  $ 1,071  
2014
  $ 1,029  
2015
  $ 1,029  
2016
  $ 1,029  
2017
  $ 1,013  
Thereafter
  $ 3,429  


Note 8:                      Pension and Post Retirement Benefits

Net periodic benefit costs for the Company's defined benefit pension plans consist of the following (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months
Ended
   
Nine Months
Ended
 
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
 
Service cost
  $ 573     $ 575     $ 1,720     $ 1,724  
Interest cost
    1,656       1,618       4,970       4,847  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,654 )     (1,820 )     (4,962 )     (5,454 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    59       (1 )     176       (3 )
Amortization of net gain
    (1 )     -       (3 )     (1 )
    $ 633     $ 372     $ 1,901     $ (1,113 )
 
Net periodic benefit costs for the Company's postretirement medical plan consists of the following (in thousands):

   
Three Months
Ended
   
Nine Months
Ended
 
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
 
Service cost
  $ 96     $ 92     $ 288     $ 276  
Interest cost
    155       151       467       453  
Amortization of prior service benefit
    (226 )     (226 )     (679 )     (679 )
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss
    4       7       14       21  
    $ 29     $ 24     $ 90     $ 71  

The Company’s pension plans use fair value as the market-related value of plan assets and recognize actuarial gains or losses in other comprehensive income/(loss).  Net actuarial gains or losses in excess of ten percent (10%) of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or of the plans’ projected benefit obligation will be recognized in net periodic (benefit) cost as of the plan measurement date, which is the same as the fiscal year end of the Company.

 
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Note 9:                      Debt

Debt, including capitalized lease obligations, is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 
 
March 31, 2012
   
June 30, 2011
 
Notes payable and current maturities
           
Line of Credit
  $ -     $ 8,000  
Current portion of Term Note
    1,275       -  
Short-term foreign credit facility
    714       27  
Capitalized leases
    401       211  
    $ 2,390     $ 8,238  
Long-term debt
               
Line of credit
     15,100       -  
Term Note
    13,811       -  
Capitalized leases
    542       721  
      29,453       721  
    $ 31,843     $ 8,959  
 
The material financial covenants of the Loan and Security Agreement (Line of Credit) are 1)  maintain a minimum Tangible Net Worth of $120 million excluding any pension liability, 2) purchase no more than $15.0 million in capital expenditures on a fiscal year basis,  3) maintain a Debt Service Coverage Ratio of a minimum of 1.25 to 1 and 4) maintain consolidated cash plus liquid investments of not less than $10.0 million at any time.  As of March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with each of these financial covenants.

The effective interest rate on the Line of Credit under the Loan and Security Agreement for the nine-months ended March 31, 2012 was 1.91%.

On November 22, 2011, in conjunction with the Bytewise acquisition, the Company entered into a new $15.5 million term loan (the “Term Loan”) under the existing Loan and Security Agreement with TD Bank N.A.  The term loan is a ten year loan bearing a fixed interest rate of 4.5% and is payable in fixed monthly payments of principal and interest of $160,640.  The term loan is subject to the same financial covenants as the Loan and Security Agreement.
 
The Company completed the negotiations for a new Loan and and Security Agreement (Line of Credit) and executed the new agreement as of April 25, 2012.  The new Line of Credit is effective for three years commencing April 25, 2012 and expires on April 30, 2015.  The new agreement continues the current line of $23.0 million and interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.5%.  The material financial covenants of the new Loan and Security Agreement are: 1) total liabilities cannot exceed 85% of tangible net worth, 2) purchase no more than $15.0 million in capital expenditures on a fiscal year basis, 3) maintain a Debt Service Coverage Rate of a minimum of 1.25 to 1 and 4) maintain consolidated cash plus liquid investments of not less than $10.0 million at any time.  Based upon the terms of the newly amended Security and Loan Agreement, the Line of Credit has been reclassified to long-term debt in fiscal 2012 as the Agreement has a maturity greater than one year and meets all of the criteria necessary to be so classified.
 
Note 10:                      Income Tax

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax and various state, local and foreign income taxes in numerous jurisdictions.  The Company’s domestic and foreign tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of revenues and expenses in different jurisdictions and the timing of recognizing revenues and expenses.  Additionally, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to the Company’s interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which it files.

The Company provides for income taxes on an interim basis based on an estimate of the effective tax rate for the year.  This estimate is reassessed on a quarterly basis.  Discrete tax items are accounted for in the quarterly period in which they occur.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was 29.6%.  The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 was 22.5%.  For the nine months of fiscal 2012 the effective tax rate was 40.0% and for the nine months of fiscal 2011 it was 39.4%.  Discrete items impacting the fiscal 2012 effective tax rate included a state audit adjustment of $132,000 to increase the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions related to a proposed state income tax settlement, an adjustment of $84,000 to decrease the deferred tax asset balance due to a reduction in the UK tax rate, a release of reserves no longer subject to audit of $700,000 as well as an increase in tax expense of $342,000 to reflect the provision to return differences for the fiscal 2011 tax return.
 
 
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The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through fiscal 2006. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had one state income tax audit in progress.  There were no other local or federal income tax audits in progress as of March 31, 2012.  In international jurisdictions including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, UK, Germany, New Zealand, and Mexico, which comprise a significant portion of the Company’s operations, the years that may be examined vary by country.  Brazil is subject to audit for the years 2007 – 2011.

Other than the adjustment for a proposed state tax settlement referred to above,  the Company has identified no new uncertain tax positions during the six month period ended March 31, 2012 for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.

No valuation allowance has been recorded for the Company’s domestic federal net operating loss (NOL) carry forwards. The Company continues to believe that due to the domestic liability for uncertain tax positions along with certain tax planning strategies available, it is more likely than not that it will be able to utilize the federal NOL carry forwards.


Note 11:       Prior Period Adjustment

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company determined that its retained earnings balance was overstated due to an error in the method of calculating compensation expense imputed under the employee stock option plan which had accumulated over a period of years. These errors, which arose in periods prior to July 1, 2011, are not considered to be material to previously issued financial statements.  In order to correct these immaterial errors, the Company has revised the accompanying balance sheet as of the earliest period presented (June 26, 2010), to decrease retained earnings by $548,000 and to increase additional paid in capital by the same amount. No adjustments were required to be made to the accompanying fiscal 2011 statements of operations and cash flows as such adjustments were deemed to be immaterial.



 ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and March 26, 2011

Overview

The Company benefitted from the economic recovery, particularly in the manufacturing sector, as both the North America and International groups posted sales gains.  Net sales increased $5.8 million or 10% from $58.7 million in fiscal 2011 to $64.5 million in fiscal 2012.  Operating income of $3.0 million for fiscal 2011, which included a $1.35 million gain on sale of building, exceeded fiscal 2012 profits of $2.8 million by $0.2 million.


Net Sales

Net sales in North America increased $3.0 million or 10% from $30.3 million to $33.3 million.  Precision tools and saw products were the primary drivers for the gain more than offsetting modest declines in granite and optical shipments.  Bytewise, acquired on November 22, 2011, also contributed $1.8 million to the improved performance in North America.  International net sales increased $2.8 million or 10% from $28.4 million to $31.2 million with gains of 9% and 6% from Brazil and Scotland, respectively.  Exchange rate fluctuations were unfavorable by $1.2 million.
 
 
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Gross Margin

Gross margins increased $1.9 million but declined from 33.3% of sales in fiscal 2011 to 33.2 % of sales in fiscal 2012.  North American gross margins increased $1.8 million or 20% from $9.1 million or 30% of sales in fiscal 2011 to $10.9 or 33% of sales in fiscal 2012.  Efficiencies in our major manufacturing facilities, the elimination of losses from the shutdown of the Dominican Republic facility, and inclusion of the higher margin Bytewise sales all contributed to the improved performance. The Bytewise acquisition contributed $1.0 million to the higher gross margins.  International gross margins increased a modest $0.1 million due to unfavorable exchange rates related to a weakening Brazilian Real.


Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million or 4.5%.  North American expenses increased $0.9 million principally due to expenses of the newly acquired Bytewise business.  International expenses declined $0.1 million or 2% due to exchange rate changes.


Other (Expense) / Income

An increase of other expense of $0.5 million was the result of higher interest costs related to higher debt levels and unfavorable exchange rates.


Net Earnings

Net earnings declined $0.8 million from $2.3 million or $0.35 cents per share to $1.6 million or $0.23 cents per share, primarily due to a $0.9 after tax gain on the sale of a building in fiscal 2011.


Nine months ended March 31, 2012 and March 26, 2011


Overview

Balanced global growth continued in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 with sales gains realized equally in North America and International.  Net sales increased $16.5 million or 9.5 % from $173.6 million in fiscal 2011 to $190.1 million in fiscal 2012.  Operating income of $8.2 million for fiscal 2011, which included a $1.35 million gain on sale of building, exceeded fiscal 2012 operating income of $7.9 million by $0.3 million.


Net Sales

Net sales in North America increased $8.3 million or 10% from $86.6 million in fiscal 2011 to $94.9 million in fiscal 2012 as a result of a strong revenue growth for precision tools and saw products as well as $2.8 million in incremental revenue from the Bytewise acquisition. International net sales increased $8.2 million or 9% from $86.9 million in fiscal 2011 to $95.1 million in fiscal 2012 based upon increases of $4.0 and $2.5 million in Brazil and Scotland, respectively.  Exchange rate fluctuations were unfavorable by $0.9 million.


Gross Margin

Gross margins increased $7.0 million or 12% and improved from 33.5% of sales to 34.3% of sales with sales volume and margin improvement representing $5.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively.  North American gross margins increased $3.8 million or 14% from $26.4 million or 30% of sales in fiscal 2011 to $30.2 million or 32% of sales in fiscal 2012.  The principal reasons for the North American margin improvement were higher plant utilization and improved efficiencies that more than offset a $0.6 million unfavorable swing in LIFO valuations.  International gross margins increased $3.2 million or 10% based upon higher sales at all locations.

 
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.0 million or 12%.  North American expenses increased $1.1 million or 4%. Salaries and benefits represent $1.4 million of the increase partially offset by $0.4 million in lower amortization and depreciations costs.  Bytewise expenses, which are included in North America represent a $1.4 million increase in fiscal 2012 expenses.  International expenses increased $4.9 million or 20%, as a result of a $1.0 million increase in salaries and benefits; increased sales and marketing expenses of $0.5 of $0.7 million, respectively; higher research and development expenses of $0.6 million and a $0.8 million provision for bad debt.


Other (Expense) / Income

Other income increased $0.8 million from $0.5 million in fiscal 2011 to $1.3 million in fiscal 2012 principally due to favorable exchange rates as the Brazilian Real weakened against the US dollar partially offset by lower interest income.


Net Earnings

Net earnings increased $0.2 million from $5.3 million or $0.79 cents per share to $5.2 million or $0.82 cents per share.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flows (in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
3/31/2012
   
3/26/2011
 
             
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (3,804 )   $ (1,836 )
Cash used in investing activities
    (23,461 )     (489 )
Cash provided by financing activities
    21,247       2,106  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (1,196 )     1,575  
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
  $ (7,214 )   $ 1,356  

Cash declined $7.2 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2012 principally due to higher inventory levels.  The inventory increase of $17.6 million  is a timing issue related to inventory build up to reduce our backlog, extended lead time for certain raw materials and incremental inventory to support fiscal 2012 third and fourth quarter promotions. The $23.5 million increase in investing activities is the result of a $15.1 million net acquisition cost for Bytewise and $8.4 million on new capital equipment.  The $21.2 million increase in financing activities includes $15.5 million ($14.2 million long-term $1.3 million short-term) related to the Bytewise acquisition and approximately $7.8 million borrowing to support the increase in inventory.


Liquidity and Credit Arrangements

The Company believes it maintains sufficient liquidity and has the resources to fund its operations.  In addition to its cash and investments, the Company maintains a $23 million Line of Credit, of which, $15.1 million was outstanding as of March 31, 2012.  Availability under the agreement is further reduced by open letters of credit totaling $0.4 million.  The Line of Credit was modified in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 at which time certain financial covenants were amended.  As of March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants related to its Line of Credit.  The effective interest rate on the borrowings under the Line of Credit during the nine months ended March 31, 2012 was 1.91%.

The Company completed the negotiations for a new Loan and Security Agreement and executed the new agreement as of April 25, 2012 (see Note 9).

 
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INFLATION

The Company has experienced modest inflation relative to its material cost, much of which cannot be passed on to the customer through increased prices.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, other than operating leases, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.


ITEM 3.                      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk from what was reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.


ITEM 4.                      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2012, and they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. All information required to be filed in this report was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s remediation of the material weakness that existed as of June 30, 2011, and which was noted in Item 9A of the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 14, 2011, is not complete as of March 31, 2012. As part of the plan an internal resource was assigned with the responsibility of managing the Company’s internal tax related processes and coordinating the tax calculation process with the Company’s external consultant. This part of the remediation plan was considered complete as of the end of the first quarter fiscal 2012.

 
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PART II.                                OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A.                              RISK FACTORS

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements about the Company’s business, competition, sales, expenditures, foreign operations, plans for reorganization, interest rate sensitivity, debt service, liquidity and capital resources, and other operating and capital requirements. In addition, forward-looking statements may be included in future Company documents and in oral statements by Company representatives to securities analysts and investors.  The Company is subject to risks that could cause actual events to vary materially from such forward-looking statements.  You should carefully review and consider the information regarding certain factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011. There have been no material changes from the factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011.

In addition to the risk factors outlined in Form 10-K, management has developed a plan to remediate a material weakness over financial reporting, which is described in Part I, Item 4 in this Form 10-Q. We may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


ITEM 6.                      EXHIBITS

31a
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

31b
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

32
Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101
The following materials from L. S. Starrett’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,  2012 are furnished herewith, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, (iv)the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.
 
 
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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.

     
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
(Registrant)
       
       
Date
May 8, 2012  
S/R. Douglas A. Starrett
     
Douglas A. Starrett - President and CEO
       
Date
May 8, 2012  
S/R. Francis J. O’Brien
     
Francis J. O’Brien - Treasurer and CFO


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