SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002.2003.

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:  1-3574

HASTINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Michigan
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

38-0633740
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

  

325 North Hanover Street
Hastings, Michigan

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)


49058

(Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:269-945-2491

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   X  

No       

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes 

No   X    

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 


Class

 

Outstanding at
October 23, 200230, 2003

 
     

Common stock, $2 par value

761,726762,446 shares










Hastings Manufacturing Company and Subsidiaries

Contents


Part I - Financial Information

Page

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

3

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 - Financial Statements:

     Report on Review by Independent Certified Public Accountants

34

     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -

          September 30, 20022003 and December 31, 20012002

4-55-6

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income -

          Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20022003 and 20012002

67

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

          Nine Months Ended September 30, 20022003 and 20012002

78

     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8-109-15

     Review by Independent Certified Public Accountants

1116

 

Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

 

          Condition and Results of Operations

12-1917-24

Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

1924-25

Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

2025

PartPART II - Other Information

Item 1 - Legal ProceedingsOTHER INFORMATION

21

Item 6 - Exhibits and Report on Form 8-K

21-2225-27

SIGNATURESIGNATURES

2328

CERTIFICATIONSEXHIBIT INDEX

24-2529





- -2-



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q include forward-looking statements that describe plans, objectives, goals, expectations or projections of Hastings Manufacturing Company and subsidiaries (the "Company"). These forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases indicating that the Company or management "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans" or "believes" that a particular event or result "may occur," "should occur," "will likely occur" or "may possibly occur" in the future, or that an event or result is "probable," "more likely than not" or "less likely than not," or similar statements. In addition to other risks and uncertainties described in connection with the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q, there are many important factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from the Company's current expectations.

Anticipated future sales are subject to competitive pressures from many sources. As an example, future sales could be affected by consolidation within the automotive replacement parts industry, whereby the Company could lose sales due to a competitor purchasing all of the assets of a current customer of the Company. Future sales could also be affected by current and future political and economic factors in the foreign markets where the Company conducts business.

Cost of sales and operating expenses may be adversely affected by unexpected costs associated with various issues. For example, future cost of sales could be affected by unexpected expenses related to the future maintenance of a lean manufacturing environment. Future operating expenses could also be affected, for example, by such items as unexpected large claims within the Company's self-funded group health insurance plan or bad debt expenses related to deterioration in the credit worthiness of a customer or customers. Furthermore, the economies of scale and operating results actually realized from the Company's March 2003 acquisitions of Ertel and Syzygy may not be at the levels anticipated by the Company.

As discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, at September 30, 2003, the Company was in violation of certain covenants under its term loan agreement with its primary lender. As of the date of this Form 10-Q, the lender has not issued a waiver of the violations, nor has it agreed to amend any of the covenants. As such, the lender has the right to declare all of the Company's obligations immediately due and payable. While management does not believe that this action is likely, there can be no assurance that the Company will obtain necessary waivers of or revisions to such covenants.

As previously reported, in October, the Company filed the appropriate documents to voluntarily delist its common stock from the American Stock Exchange and to terminate its status as a reporting Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Upon completion of this process, the Company expects that its common stock should be immediately eligible for trading through the "pink sheets," an electronic quotation service for over-the-counter securities. However, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Company's common stock will develop in the pink sheets.

The foregoing is intended to provide meaningful cautionary statements of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The foregoing should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors that could adversely affect the Company's expected consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. The Company disclaims any obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.


- -2--3-


Report on Review by Independent Certified Public Accountants


Board of Directors
Hastings Manufacturing Company
Hastings, Michigan

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of Hastings Manufacturing Company and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2002,2003, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20022003 and 2001,2002, and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20022003 and 2001,2002, included in the accompanying Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002.2003. These condensed consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

As described in Note 4, on January 24, 2000, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Company by its retirees with respect to the 1997 amendment of the Company's postretirement benefit plans. The outcome of the lawsuit is pending at this time.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2001,2002, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein). In our report dated March 1, 2002,February 28, 2003, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2001,2002, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.



/s/BDO Seidman, LLP

BDO Seidman, LLP
Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 23, 200231, 2003









- -3--4-


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Financial Statements

Hastings Manufacturing Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets



Assets

 
 


September 30,
2002


 

 
 


December 31,
2001


 


Assets (Notes 2 and 3)

September 30,
2003


 

December 31,
2002


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

     

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

257,422

 

$

578,695

 

$

499,103

 

$

956,660

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance
for possible losses of $330,000
and $310,000

 

 
 
6,607,587

 

 
 
5,199,481

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance
for possible losses of $710,000
and $325,000

 

 
 
8,546,333

 

 
 
5,159,586

 

Refundable income taxes

 

58,439

 

6,562

 

 

144,666

 

72,734

 

Inventories:

     

 

 

 

 

 

Finished products

 

8,363,873

 

7,674,158

 

 

13,414,720

 

8,482,586

 

Work in process

 

445,461

 

510,156

 

 

374,891

 

345,418

 

Raw materials

 

1,765,693

 

1,214,020

 

 

1,448,370

 

1,405,092

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

102,696

 

173,316

 

 

233,779

 

121,732

 

Future income tax benefits

 


1,246,146


 

 


1,746,146


 

 


1,943,457


 

 


1,860,457


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

 


18,847,317


 

 


17,102,534


 

 


26,605,319


 

 


18,404,265


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Property and Equipment

     

 

 

 

 

 

Land and improvements

 

606,581

 

605,442

 

 

679,922

 

607,720

 

Buildings

 

5,445,273

 

5,260,541

 

 

5,730,013

 

5,453,033

 

Machinery and equipment

 


21,864,628


 

 


21,534,183


 

 


22,529,712


 

 


21,847,270


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,916,482

 

27,400,166

 

 

28,939,647

 

27,908,023

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 


21,385,488


 

 


20,407,093


 

 


22,919,499


 

 


21,701,776


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment

 


6,530,994


 

 


6,993,073


 

 


6,020,148


 

 


6,206,247


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid Pension Asset

 

2,490,528

 

2,264,446

 

Future Income Tax Benefits

 

6,516,499

 

6,379,240

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Future Income Tax Benefits

 

5,562,547

 

5,576,186

 

Goodwill

 

6,549,745

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible Assets

 

2,026,985

 

-

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 


147,670


 

 


134,731


 

 


53,615


 

 


134,070


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

$


33,579,056


 

$


32,070,970


 

$


47,772,311


 

$


31,123,822


 







- -4--5-


Hastings Manufacturing Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 
 


September 30,
2002


 

 
 


December 31,
2001


 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity(Notes 2 and 3)

September 30,
2003


 

December 31,
2002


 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to banks

$

4,200,000

 

$

3,700,000

 

$

14,223,476

 

$

4,200,000

 

Accounts payable

 

2,667,181

  

1,537,500

 

 

4,081,746

 

 

2,575,242

 

Accruals:

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

 

520,473

  

439,008

 

 

384,248

 

 

477,009

 

Income taxes

 

79,868

  

10,000

 

Restructuring

 

279,254

 

 

-

 

Taxes other than income

 

191,004

  

147,420

 

 

280,228

 

 

162,472

 

Miscellaneous

 

235,099

  

248,632

 

 

172,988

 

 

107,750

 

Current portion of postretirement benefit obligation

 

959,431

  

959,431

 

 

1,282,903

 

 

1,282,903

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 


800,000


 

 


3,060,000


 

 


2,376,645


 

 


800,000


 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

9,653,056

  

10,101,991

 

 

23,081,488

 

 

9,605,376

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

938,502

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt, less current maturities

 

1,335,000

  

-

 

 

4,111,592

 

 

1,135,000

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and Deferred Compensation Obligations, less current portion

 

5,081,477

  

5,109,851

 

Pension and Deferred Compensation Obligations,

 

 

 

 

 

 

less current portion

 

5,926,529

 

 

6,283,739

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement Benefit Obligation, less current portion

 


11,771,979


 

 


11,942,100


 

 


10,326,850


 

 


11,145,381


 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Liabilities

 

-

  

59,740

 
      

Total Liabilities

 


27,841,512


 

 


27,213,682


 

 


44,384,961


 

 


28,169,496


 

      

Contingency (Note 4)

      
      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $2 par value, authorized and
unissued 500,000 shares

 

 
- -

  

 
- -

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Common stock, $2 par value, 1,750,000 shares authorized;
761,726 shares issued and outstanding

 

 
1,523,452

  

 
1,523,452

 

Common stock, $2 par value, 1,750,000 shares authorized;
762,446 shares issued and outstanding

 


1,524,892

 

 


1,524,892

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

217,757

  

217,757

 

 

202,499

 

 

202,499

 

Retained earnings

 

8,386,717

  

7,544,670

 

 

7,947,219

 

 

8,049,428

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 3):

      

Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 5):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(1,087,172

)

 

(1,100,093

)

 

(546,815

)

 

(1,074,522

)

Derivative adjustment

 

(14,140

)

 

(39,428

)

 

-

 

 

(7,526

)

Pension liability adjustment

 


(3,289,070


)

 


(3,289,070


)

 


(5,740,445


)

 


(5,740,445


)

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income

 


(4,390,382


)

 


(4,428,591


)

 


(6,287,260


)

 


(6,822,493


)

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Stockholders' Equity

 


5,737,544


 

 


4,857,288


 

 


3,387,350


 

 


2,954,326


 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

$


33,579,056


 

$


32,070,970


 

$


47,772,311


 

$


31,123,822


 

See accompanying independent accountants' review report and notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.




- -5--6-


Hastings Manufacturing Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income


 


Three months ended


 

 


Nine months ended


 

Three months ended


 

Nine months ended


 

                 

September 30,

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

$

8,650,938

 

$

8,227,937

 

$

27,874,118

 

$

26,794,954

 

$

10,786,503

 

$

8,650,938

 

$

31,348,154

 

$

27,874,118

 

Cost of Sales

 


5,926,189


 

 


5,848,661


 

 


18,986,410


 

 


18,738,008


 

 


8,182,462


 

 


5,926,189


 

 


23,276,407


 

 


18,986,410


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 


2,724,749


 

 


2,379,276


 

 


8,887,708


 

 


8,056,946


 

 


2,604,041


 

 


2,724,749


 

 


8,071,747


 

 


8,887,708


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

50,698

 

58,675

 

160,025

 

163,709

 

 

43,326

 

50,698

 

120,242

 

160,025

 

Selling

 

789,027

 

727,803

 

2,300,255

 

2,331,670

 

 

829,242

 

789,027

 

2,540,943

 

2,300,255

 

General and administrative

 


1,553,520


 

 


1,350,216


 

 


4,737,747


 

 


4,128,688


 

 


1,690,874


 

 


1,553,520


 

 


5,103,822


 

 


4,737,747


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


2,393,245


 

 


2,136,694


 

 


7,198,027


 

 


6,624,067


 

 


2,563,442


 

 


2,393,245


 

 


7,765,007


 

 


7,198,027


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 


331,504


 

 


242,582


 

 


1,689,681


 

 


1,432,879


 

 


40,599


 

 


331,504


 

 


306,740


 

 


1,689,681


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Expenses (Income)

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

96,848

 

168,108

 

305,617

 

520,753

 

 

265,620

 

96,848

 

651,553

 

305,617

 

Net gain on foreign currency
transactions

 


(35,861


)

 


1,222

 


(224,284


)

 


(3,729


)

Other, net

 


(4,696


)

 


3,380


 

 


(14,983


)

 


(52,700


)

 


23,362


 

 


(5,918


)

 


42,680


 

 


(11,254


)

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


92,152


 

 


171,488


 

 


290,634


 

 


468,053


 

 


253,121


 

 


92,152


 

 


469,949


 

 


290,634


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

239,352

 

71,094

 

1,399,047

 

964,826

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense
(benefit)

 


(212,522


)

 


239,352

 


(163,209


)

 


1,399,047

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense

 


93,000


 

 


36,000


 

 


557,000


 

 


412,000


 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

 


(82,000


)

 


93,000


 

 


(61,000


)

 


557,000


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 


146,352


 

 


35,094


 

 


842,047


 

 


552,826


 

Net Income (Loss)

$


(130,522


)

$


146,352


 

$


(102,209


)

$


842,047


 

                  

Basic Earnings Per Share of
Common Stock(Note 2)


$


..20

 


$


..05

 


$


1.13

 


$


..74

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share of
Common Stock (Note 2)


$


..19

 


$


..05

 


$


1.12

 


$


..74

 

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share of
Common Stock(Note 4)


$


(.18


)


$


..20

 


$


(.14


)


$


1.13

 

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share of
Common Stock (Note 4)


$


(.18


)


$


..19

 


$


(.14


)


$


1.12

 

See accompanying independent accountants' review report and notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.







- -6--7-


Hastings Manufacturing Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


Nine months ended September 30,

 


2002


 

 


2001


 

2003


 

2002


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Activities

     

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

842,047

 

$

552,826

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from

     

operating activities:

     

Depreciation

 

1,015,949

 

1,076,766

 

Net income (loss)

$

(102,209

)

$

842,047

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from

 

 

 

 

 

(for) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,108,066

 

1,015,949

 

Gain on sale of property and equipment

 

(9,000

)

 

-

 

Net gain on foreign currency transactions

 

(224,284

)

 

(3,729

)

Deferred income taxes

 

500,000

 

290,000

 

 

(49,510

)

 

500,000

 

Gain on sale of property and equipment

 

-

 

(1,627

)

Change in postretirement benefit obligation

 

(170,121

)

 

(226,042

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

     

Change in net retirement and postretirement benefit obligations

 

(1,145,010

)

 

(396,203

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of amounts

 

 

 

 

 

acquired from business acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(1,403,984

)

 

(658,066

)

 

(777,661

)

 

(1,403,984

)

Refundable income taxes

 

(52,311

)

 

71,280

 

 

(19,382

)

 

(52,311

)

Inventories

 

(1,172,008

)

 

1,187,841

 

 

(254,373

)

 

(1,172,008

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

70,336

 

16,471

 

 

(12,160

)

 

70,336

 

Other assets

 

(239,021

)

 

93,087

 

 

60,420

 

(12,939

)

Accounts payable and accruals

 


1,258,995


 

 


(436,611


)

 


312,840


 

 


1,258,995


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash from operating activities

 


649,882


 

 


1,965,925


 

Net cash from (for) operating activities

 


(1,112,263


)

 


646,153


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

     

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(608,193

)

 

(494,737

)

 

(308,966

)

 

(608,193

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 


59,163


 

 


1,627


 

 

9,000

 

59,163

 

Acquisitions, net of cash received

 


(4,514,193


)

 


-


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash for investing activities

 


(549,030


)

 


(493,110


)

 


(4,814,159


)

 


(549,030


)

     

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

     

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of notes payable to banks

 

6,300,000

 

5,700,000

 

 

12,167,171

 

6,300,000

 

Principal payments on notes payable to banks

 

(5,800,000

)

 

(7,050,000

)

 

(7,997,470

)

 

(5,800,000

)

Proceeds from mortgage payable

 

1,890,089

 

-

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 


(925,000


)

 


(400,000


)

 


(639,709


)

 


(925,000


)

     

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash for financing activities

 


(425,000


)

 


(1,750,000


)

Net cash from (for) financing activities

 


5,420,081


 

 


(425,000


)

     

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

 


2,875


 

 


(22,312


)

 


48,784


 

 


6,604


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Cash

 

(321,273

)

 

(299,497

)

 

(457,557

)

 

(321,273

)

     

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, beginning of period

 


578,695


 

 


593,763


 

 


956,660


 

 


578,695


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, end of period

$


257,422


 

$


294,266


 

$


499,103


 

$


257,422


 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

     

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

     

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

$

293,783

 

$

693,372

 

$

627,253

 

$

293,783

 

Income taxes, net of refunds

 

46,506

 

56,799

 

 

12,803

 

46,506

 

See accompanying independent accountants' review report and notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.





- -7--8-


Hastings Manufacturing Company and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of the management of Hastings Manufacturing Company and subsidiaries (the "Company"), the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2002,2003, and the results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 20022003 and 2001,2002, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20022003 and 2001.2002.

The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 20022003 are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for all of 2002.2003.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances, transactions and stockholdings have been eliminated.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are condensed and do not contain all of the information and footnote disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in a complete set of financial statements.

In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) 00-25,Vendor Income Statement CharacterizationAcquisitions

As discussed in Note 2, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of Consideration Paid to a ResellerSeptember 30, 2003 includes the accounts of acquired businesses. The accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income reflect the results of operations of the Vendor's Productsacquired businesses beginning with the second quarter of 2003.

Stock Compensation

The Company has decided to continue to account for stock-based employee compensation using the intrinsic value method under APB Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, as permitted under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148,Accounting for Stock Based Compensation -- Transition and Disclosure (SFAS No. 148). Because the Company records co-op advertisingexercise price of the Company's stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized at the date of issuance. Historically, the Company's stock options are 100% vested on the date of grant and, since inception of the plan, have been granted in the fourth quarter of each year. There were no stock option grants in the first nine months of 2003 or the first nine months of 2002 and, therefore, there is no pro forma effect on net income and earnings per share during these periods.

Reclassification

During preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as a reduction of net sales. In previous years, co-op advertising expendituresSeptember 30, 2003, it was determined that certain expense items related to the acquired businesses were includedmisclassified in advertising costs. For the three months andJune 30, 2003 condensed consolidated financial statements. Thus, in preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, $15,1642003, the following adjustments were made to the June 30, 2003 totals: Net sales decreased $248,649;



- -9-



cost of sales increased $364,489; selling expenses decreased $173,805; and $79,193, respectively, have been reclassifiedgeneral and administrative expenses decreased $439,333. These reclassifications net to reduce net saleszero and advertising costs overthus do not affect the amountsCompany's previously reported to conform with the current year presentation.net income.

Note 2 - Acquisitions

On March 27, 2003, the Company, through its Canadian subsidiary, Hastings, Inc., acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Ertel Manufacturing Corporation of Canada, Ltd. ("Ertel") and Syzygy Auto Distribution Inc. ("Syzygy"), both Canadian corporations. Ertel and Syzygy are referred to below collectively as the "Acquired Companies." The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2003 includes the accounts of the Acquired Companies. The operating results of the Acquired Companies are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income beginning in the second quarter of 2003. Prior to being acquired, Ertel's and Syzygy's net sales for the year ended December 31, 2002 were approximately $16,235,000 and $149,000, respectively. (All amounts set forth in this Note 2 are in U.S. dollars.)

Ertel distributes a full line of internal engine parts through a network of distribution centers located throughout Canada. Syzygy is a distributor of consignment aftermarket products in Canada through Ertel's distribution network. As a result of these acquisitions, the Company (through Hastings, Inc.) is expected to be a leading Canadian distributor of internal engine components, including piston rings, pistons, gaskets, bearings, camshafts and other parts. The Company expects to reduce costs of the combined Canadian operations through economies of scale and various operational synergies.

Prior to the acquisitions, the Acquired Companies were closely related parties. For the purpose of this note, the purchase transactions were aggregated. Due to the nature of the distribution operations of the Acquired Companies, the purchase price was primarily determined based on the Acquired Companies' past operating results rather than their tangible assets. The acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting with allocated goodwill and other intangible assets of $6,019,855 and $1,937,384, respectively, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes. The purchase price payable to the sellers was $6,944,710, including $4,083,000 of cash and $2,861,710 of secured term notes payable issued to the sellers (see Note 3). The total purchase price, for accounting purposes, including estimated acquisition and restructuring costs, amounted to $8,024,560. Through September 30, 2003, the Company incurred acquisition costs of $590,551. Total acquisition costs increased by $72,532 during t he third quarter of 2003, reflecting additional legal and professional fees associated with the acquisition. Costs related to restructuring efforts, as discussed below, are $489,299. This amount decreased by $86,838 in the third quarter of 2003 in comparison to the original March 31, 2003 estimate of $576,137. This decrease primarily reflects a reduction in the original estimated severance costs. The Company does not anticipate any change to the purchase price, for accounting purposes, in future periods. The following is an allocation of the total estimated purchase price:







- -10-


 

Current assets

$

7,178,158

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

335,250

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

6,019,855

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 


1,937,384


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Total assets acquired

 


15,470,647


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

2,235,536

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

678,160

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 


4,532,391


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Total liabilities assumed

 


7,446,087


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$


8,024,560


 

 

Intangible assets of $1,937,384 were independently valued by a third party and include a trademark and a customer contract with estimated fair market values of $1,801,964 and $135,420, respectively. The trademark has an estimated useful life of 20 years. The customer contract is in effect through June 2005.

The above acquisition amounts reflect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Canadian dollar acquisition costs, translated at the U.S.-Canadian exchange rate in effect as of the March 27, 2003 acquisition date. These amounts differ from the amounts reflected in the September 30, 2003 condensed consolidated balance sheets, as the current balance sheet amounts reflect the U.S.-Canadian exchange rate in effect as of September 30, 2003.

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents results as if the acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the respective periods:

Nine months ended September 30,

 


2003


 

 


2002


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$

35,508,921

 

$

40,360,380

 

Net income (loss)

 

(289,328

)

 

941,233

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

(.39

)

 

1.26

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

(.39

)

 

1.25

 

These pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and include certain adjustments such as additional depreciation and amortization expense as a result of adjustments to property and equipment and intangible assets arising from the acquisitions, and from interest expense on acquisition debt. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative either of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred at the beginning of the respective periods or of future results. They do not include adjustments for reduced costs such as duplicative executive salaries in the Company's Canadian operations expected to result from economies of scale and operational synergies.

In connection with the acquisitions, the Company accrued an estimated $489,299 (net of the $86,838 third quarter adjustment discussed above) of restructuring costs, consisting of $330,679 of employee termination benefits for 19 salaried employees and $158,620 related to lease and other contract terminations. Since the acquisition date, $210,045 of the restructuring costs have been paid, leaving a


- -11-



September 30, 2003 accrual balance of $279,254, which is expected to be paid within the next six months.

Note 3 - Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

In connection with the acquisitions discussed in Note 2, the Company restructured its U.S. and Canadian loan agreements. The Company's U.S. secured short-term line with its primary lender was increased from $4,250,000 to $7,000,000. This short-term line increase was the result of a sixth amendment to the Company's loan agreement. In addition to the short-term line increase, this latest amendment resulted in the following changes to the primary terms of the U.S. loan agreement: (1) an adjustment to the maximum limitation on permitted short-term borrowings equal to a "borrowing base" amounting to the sum of 75% of the value of eligible accounts receivable, 35% of the value of eligible finished goods and raw materials inventories and 20% of the inventory LIFO reserve, all related to U.S. accounts receivable and inventory, (2) a revision of the maturity date on the short-term line to April 30, 2004, (3) a revision to the effective interest rates, as discussed below, and (4) the addition of, and adjustment to, certain affirmative and negative covenants contained in the agreement. Required principal payments related to the Company's U.S. term loan remained unchanged. Borrowings under the short-term line and the term loan are secured by all U.S. accounts receivable, inventory, furniture and equipment, personal property, a mortgage lien on the Company's U.S. real property and the pledge of 65% of the capital stock of all foreign subsidiaries and are guaranteed by the Company's domestic subsidiary.

Interest for both the U.S. short-term and long-term borrowings is based on two different pricing options: a Eurodollar rate plus a factor and a floating rate (greater of the federal funds rate plus a factor, or the prime rate). As amended, the effective Eurodollar rate on the short-term line is increased by a margin rate ranging from 2.50% to 3.25%. The effective floating rate on the short-term line is the prime rate adjusted by a margin rate ranging from (.25%) to .25%. The effective Eurodollar rate on the long-term borrowings is increased by a margin rate of 2.65%. The effective floating rate on the long-term borrowings is the prime rate. The margin rates are based upon certain consolidated performance parameters. The Company is also subject to a fee on the unused portion of the short-term line at a rate of .25%.

In Canada, Hastings, Inc.'s secured $700,000 short-term line with its former lender was replaced with a secured $5,784,000 short-term line with the Canadian affiliate of the Company's primary lender. Maximum borrowings under the short-term line are limited to a "borrowing base" computed as described above for the Company's U.S. loan agreement (except for inventory, which is eligible for up to 40% of its value) relating to the U.S. short-term line, as applied to Canadian accounts receivable and inventory. This new line is secured by all Canadian accounts receivable, inventory and equipment and, through an unlimited guarantee of the Company, all other assets of the Company. Hastings, Inc. also borrowed $1,890,000 on a term loan that is secured by a first mortgage on its land and buildings located in Barrie, Ontario. This term loan is payable in 60 equal principal payments through March 2008, plus interest at prime plus 1.75%.

Interest for the Canadian short-term line is based on two different pricing options, a cost of funds rate (the bank's base rate for fixed rate loans) plus a factor and a floating rate (the prime rate) plus a factor. The effective cost of funds rate is increased by a margin rate ranging from 2.50% to 3.25%. The effective floating rate is the prime rate increased by a margin rate ranging from 1.00% to 1.75%. The



- -12-



margin rates are based upon certain consolidated performance parameters. The Company is also subject to a fee on the unused portion of the short-term line at a rate of .25%.

With this new borrowing capacity, the Company financed the $4,083,000 of cash paid in the acquisitions described in Note 2. The $2,861,710 secured notes payable to the sellers, as discussed in Note 2, are comprised of two notes. The first note is for $2,215,720 and payable in 16 equal quarterly principal payments through March 2007, plus interest at prime plus 1.5%. The second note is for $645,990 and payable as a balloon payment in June 2005 with monthly interest payments at prime plus 1.5%. The notes payable to the sellers are secured by all assets of Hastings, Inc. and are subordinate to a first position by the Company's primary lender. The Canadian loan agreement and the sellers' term loan require the Company to maintain certain financial balances and ratios consistent with those required by the Company's U.S. loan agreement.

The above debt amounts regarding the acquisition reflect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Canadian dollar, translated at the U.S.-Canadian exchange rate in effect as of the March 27, 2003 acquisition date.

Of the total $15,270,000 short-term lines available to the Company at September 30, 2003, approximately $1,047,000 was unused.

Effective July 14, 2003, the Company's $1,500,000 unsecured short-term line with its secondary lender was replaced with a secured $2,000,000 short-term line with the same lender. This new line is secured by all U.S. accounts receivable and inventory and is subordinate to a first position by the Company's primary lender. The interest rate on this new short-term line is the prime rate less .50%. The increase of this line was included in the availability amounts discussed above.

In order to improve its short-term cash position, the Company obtained from the sellers of the acquired businesses, a deferral of the scheduled September 30, 2003 note payments. The total of these deferred payments is approximately $150,000, plus interest. The deferred amount will be paid, with interest, in monthly installments beginning on January 31, 2004 and ending on December 31, 2004. All other quarterly payments to the sellers are expected to be made as scheduled.

In accordance with an agreement with the Company's primary lender, the long-term debt payment that was scheduled to be paid on September 30, 2003 was delayed until October 15, 2003. The Company subsequently made the required debt payment, with interest, on the revised date.

The term loan agreement requires the Company to maintain certain financial balances and ratios. At September 30, 2003, the Company was in violation of certain covenants. As of the date of this Form 10-Q, the lender has not issued a waiver of the violations, nor has it agreed to amend any of the covenants. The lender has the right to declare all of the Company's obligations immediately due and payable, although this action is not anticipated. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will obtain necessary waivers of or revisions to such covenants. As a result of the covenant violations, the related long-term portion of the debt outstanding under the agreement, amounting to $535,000, has been reclassified as current at September 30, 2003.

Note 4 - Earnings (Loss) Per Share

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in the "basic" and "diluted" earnings (loss) per share (EPS) calculations follows:

 

 


Three months ended


 

 


Nine months ended


September 30,

 


2002


 

 


2001


 

 


2002


 

 


2001


            

Numerator:

           

Net income used for both basic and diluted
     EPS calculation


$



146,352


 


$



35,094


 


$



842,047


 


$



552,826


            

Denominator:

           

Weighted average shares outstanding
     for the period - used for basic EPS calculation

 


745,046

  


745,046

  


745,046

  


745,046

Dilutive effect of stock options and contingently
     issuable shares


 



8,747


 


 



- -


 


 



5,816


 


 



- -


Weighted average shares outstanding
     for the period - used for diluted EPS calculation


 



753,793


 


 



745,046


 


 



750,862


 


 



745,046





- -8--13-


 

Three months ended


 

Nine months ended


September 30,

2003


 

2002


 

2003


 

2002


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) used for both basic and diluted
     EPS calculation


$



(130,522



)


$



146,352


 


$



(102,209



)


$



842,047


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding
     for the period - used for basic EPS calculation

 


745,046

 

 


745,046

 

 


745,046

 

 


745,046

Dilutive effect of stock options and contingently
     issuable shares


 



- -


 


 



8,747


 


 



- -


 


 



5,816


Weighted average shares outstanding
     for the period - used for diluted EPS calculation


 



745,046


 


 



753,793


 


 



745,046


 


 



750,862


Note 35 - Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income and its components consist of the following:

 


Three months ended


 

 


Nine months ended


 

Three months ended


 

Nine months ended


 

September 30,

 


2002


 

 


2001


 

 


2002


 

 


2001


 

2003


 

2002


 

2003


 

2002


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

146,352

 

$

35,094

 

$

842,047

 

$

552,826

 

Net income (loss)

$

(130,522

)

$

146,352

 

$

(102,209

)

$

842,047

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(138,896

)

 

(131,034

)

 

12,921

 

(169,680

)

 

9,375

 

(138,896

)

 

527,707

 

12,921

 

Derivative adjustment

 

7,216

 

(16,385

)

 

25,288

 

(47,212

)

 

-

 

7,216

 

7,526

 

25,288

 

Minimum pension liability adjustment

 


-


 

 


-


 

 


-


 

 


-


 

 


-


 

 


-


 

 


-


 

 


-


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 


(131,680


)

 


(147,419


)

 


38,209


 

 


(216,892


)

 


9,375


 

 


(131,680


)

 


535,233


 

 


38,209


 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

$


14,672


 

$


(112,325


)

$


880,256


 

$


335,934


 

$


(121,147


)

$


14,672


 

$


433,024


 

$


880,256


 

The above $0 and $7,526 other comprehensive income, net of tax related to the derivative adjustment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 are made up of the following components:

 

Three months ended


 

Nine months ended


 

September 30, 2003

Before Tax


 

Net of Tax


 

Before Tax


 

Net of Tax


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of derivative

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

(74

)

$

(49

)

Reclassification adjustment to expense

 


-


 

 


-


 

 


11,478


 

 


7,575


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

$


-


 

$


-


 

$


11,404


 

$


7,526


 




- -14-


The above $7,216 and $25,288 other comprehensive income, net of tax related to the derivative adjustment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2002, are made up of the following components:

 

Three months ended


 

Nine months ended


 

September 30, 2002

Before Tax


 

Net of Tax


 

Before Tax


 

Net of Tax


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of derivative

$

(3,180

)

$

(2,099

)

$

(11,591

)

$

(7,650

)

Reclassification adjustment to expense

 


14,114


 

 


9,315


 

 


49,907


 

 


32,938


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

$


10,934


 

$


7,216


 

$


38,316


 

$


25,288


 

The above $(16,385) and $(47,212) other comprehensive loss, net of tax related to the derivative adjustment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001, are made up of the following components:

 

 


Three months ended


 

 


Nine months ended


 

September 30, 2001

 


Before Tax


 

 


Net of Tax


 

 


Before Tax


 

 


Net of Tax


 
             

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting

            

     principle, as of January 1, 2001

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

(6,569

)

$

(4,336

)

Change in fair value of derivative

 

(39,773

)

 

(26,250

)

 

(83,704

)

 

(55,244

)

Reclassification adjustment to expense

 


14,948


 

 


9,865


 

 


18,740


 

 


12,368


 
             

Other comprehensive loss

$


(24,825


)

$


(16,385


)

$


(71,533


)

$


(47,212


)








- -9-


Note 4 - Contingency

In April 1997, the Company announced the amendment of its postretirement health benefit plans, principally to adjust the cost-sharing provisions. As a result of these changes, the Company's retirees filed a class-action suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan on January 24, 2000. The suit alleges that the Company denied class retirees and their dependents certain health insurance benefits to which the retirees had a "vested" right pursuant to the terms of the Company's collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, the retirees dispute the increase in their health insurance deductibles, the increase in required co-pay obligations with respect to their prescription drug cards, and the requirement that they pay a portion of their health insurance premiums. The Company has denied any wrongdoing in this suit, and has defended it vigorously. The Company and the retirees recently entered into a settlement agreement intended to resolve the litigation. The ag reement represents a compromise as to the amounts that the retirees and the Company will pay toward the cost of health insurance premiums. The settlement has been tentatively approved by the court, as fair and reasonable to all class members. Retirees have until November 15, 2002 to withdraw from the class and to submit objections to the settlement. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company has not received any notice that any retirees have withdrawn from the class or submitted objections to the settlement. A hearing on final court approval of the settlement is scheduled for December 4, 2002. If the court gives final approval to the settlement, the case will be concluded. If the court does not give final approval, the lawsuit will continue. If this case is tried, the Company's ultimate chances of success are uncertain. If the retirees prevail, the Company anticipates that a requirement to provide postretirement benefits at the pre-amendment level would have a material adverse effect on the Company's future financial position, results of operations and cash flows.































- -10--15-


Hastings Manufacturing Company and Subsidiaries

Review by Independent Certified Public Accountants


The September 30, 20022003 and 20012002 condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been reviewed by BDO Seidman, LLP, Independent Certified Public Accountants, in accordance with established professional standards and procedures for such a review.
































- -11--16-


Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NET SALES

2003 Compared to 2002

Net sales in the third quarter of 2003 increased $2,135,565, or 24.7%, from $8,650,938 in the third quarter of 2002, to $10,786,503. This increase reflects the inclusion of $2,847,467 in sales of acquired businesses in the third quarter of 2003, offset by decreases in sales of products manufactured by the Company and commission revenues of $676,194 and $35,708, respectively. Net sales for the first nine months of 2003 increased $3,474,036, or 12.5%, from $27,874,118 in the first nine months of 2002, to $31,348,154. This increase reflects the inclusion of $7,045,236 of sales of acquired businesses (results of operations of the acquired businesses are reflected in consolidated results beginning in the second quarter), combined with a slight increase in commission revenue of $18,389, offset by a decrease in sales of products manufactured by the Company of $3,589,589.

The net sales increase pertaining to acquired businesses in the third quarter of 2003 reflects the net sales acquired through the Company's purchase of Ertel and Syzygy, as described in Note 2 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The net sales decrease in manufactured products in the third quarter of 2003 reflects volume decreases in the original equipment, private brand and domestic aftermarket, slightly offset by a volume increase in the export market. Net sales of manufactured products in the Canadian aftermarket were relatively flat for the third quarter of 2003 in comparison to the same period in 2002. The decrease in the original equipment volume reflects the decreased production volume of the domestic and light-duty truck manufacturers during the third quarter of 2003. The decrease in the private brand volume reflects decreases in sales to specific customers in that market. The decrease in the domestic aftermarket reflects a prolonged industry-wide softness in the automo tive replacement parts industry, combined with a loss of $78,000 of sales in the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the third quarter of 2002, from several production engine rebuilders who went out of business in the fourth quarter of 2002. The increase in the export volume reflects sales increases in various foreign markets, reflecting slightly improved economic conditions in those markets. In response to the prolonged industry-wide softness in the domestic automotive replacement parts industry, the Company implemented cost-containment measures in March 2003. These cost-containment measures are described in "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below, and have remained in effect through the third quarter of 2003. The slight decrease in commission revenues, which the Company earns in exchange for providing marketing and distribution services for various engine component manufacturers, primarily reflects the industry-wide softness described earlier.

For the first nine months of 2003, the net sales pertaining to acquired businesses are described above. The slight increase in commission revenues for the first nine months of 2003 reflects volume growth in the first quarter of 2003, partially offset by volume decreases in the second and third quarters of 2003 resulting from the industry-wide softness noted above. For the first nine months of 2003, net sales of manufactured products decreased in the original equipment, private brand and domestic aftermarket, as a result of the items noted above. For the first nine months of 2003, net sales of manufactured products also decreased in the Canadian aftermarket and the export market. The decrease in the Canadian aftermarket volume reflects the same industry-wide softness observed in the domestic aftermarket,


- -17-



combined with the closing of several production engine rebuilders in the fourth quarter of 2002, which resulted in a loss of $336,000 of Canadian aftermarket sales for the first nine months of 2003 in comparison to the same period of 2002. The decrease in the export volume reflects the economic and political instability present during the first half of 2003 in the Company's various export markets. As noted earlier, economic conditions improved in certain export markets during the third quarter of 2003.

2002 Compared to 2001

Net sales in the third quarter of 2002 increased $423,001, or 5.1%, from $8,227,937 in the third quarter of 2001, to $8,650,938. Included in these net sales were commission revenues of $428,674 in the third quarter of 2002 and $110,148 in the third quarter of 2001, which the Company earnsearned in exchange for providing marketing and distribution services for various engine and component manufacturers. Excluding these commission revenues, net sales of products manufactured by the Company increased $104,475, or 1.3%, from $8,117,789 in the third quarter of 2001, to $8,222,264. Net sales for the first nine months of 2002 increased $1,079,164, or 4.0%, from $26,794,954 in the first nine months of 2001, to $27,874,118. Included in these net sales were commission revenues of $301,215 and $1,204,619, respectively. Excluding these commission revenues, net sales of products manufactured by the Company increased $175,760, or 0.7%, from $26,493,739 in the first nine months of 2001, to $26,669,499.

The net sales increase on manufactured products in the third quarter of 2002 reflectsreflected a volume increase in the original equipment market, partially offset by volume decreases in the domestic and Canadian aftermarkets. Net sales in the private brand and export markets were relatively flat in the third quarter of 2002 in comparison to the same period in 2001. The increase in the original equipment volume reflectsreflected the improved production volume experienced by domestic automotive and light-duty manufacturers. The net sales decreases in the domestic and Canadian aftermarkets reflectreflected continued industry-wide softness in the automotive replacement parts industry. The increase in commission revenues reflectsreflected the volume growth observed in marketing and distributing engine component products for other companies. The Company has signed distribution agreements with several engine component manufacturers in the United States and Canada. Under the terms of these agreements, the Company retains a portion of the net product revenues, in the form of commissions, in exchange for providing marketing and distribution services. The Company anticipates that these distribution arrangements will continue to contribute to its future sales and profitability and seeks to enter into similar distribution arrangements with other component manufacturers.

For the first nine months of 2002, net sales of manufactured products increased in the original equipment and export markets. However, these sales were substantially offset by net sales decreases in the domestic and Canadian aftermarkets. Net sales in the private brand market were relatively flat for the first nine months of 2002, in comparison to the same period in 2001. The increase in the original equipment volume iswas due to the improved production volume noted above. The increase in the export volume reflectsreflected the continued broadening of the Company's customer base into new export markets. The decreases in the domestic and Canadian aftermarket volumes arewere partially due to the industry-wide softness described above. In addition, the decrease in the domestic aftermarket volume reflectsreflected significant net sales, in the first nine months of 2001, to a major customer when that customer expanded the line of products that it offers to its customers. Commission revenues for the first nine months of 2002 inc reasedincrea sed in comparison to the first half of 2001, as detailed above.


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2001 Compared to 2000

Net sales in the third quarter of 2001 increased $73,075, or 0.9%, from $8,154,862 in the third quarter of 2000 to $8,227,937. Included in this net sales amount was an increase in commission revenue of $28,446 in the third quarter of 2001, in comparison to the same period in 2000. Excluding this commission revenue increase, net sales of products manufactured by the Company increased $44,629, or 0.6%, for the period noted. Net sales for the first nine months of 2001, decreased $203,446, or 0.8%, from $26,998,400 in the first nine months of 2000, to $26,794,954. Included in this net sales amount was an increase in commission revenue of $96,442 for the first nine months of 2001, in comparison to the same period in 2000. Excluding this commission revenue increase, net sales of products manufactured by the Company decreased $299,888, or 1.1%, from the first nine months of 2000.

The net sales increase in the third quarter of 2001 reflected volume increases in the export and original equipment markets, slightly offset by a volume decrease in the domestic aftermarket. The volumes in the Canadian aftermarket and private brand market were relatively flat for the third quarter of 2001. The net sales increase in the export volume in the third quarter of 2001 reflected the broadening of the Company's customer base into new export markets. The increase in the original equipment volume reflected increased sales to the domestic automotive and light-duty truck manufacturers. The decrease in the domestic aftermarket volume reflected an industry-wide softness in the replacement parts industry.

For the first nine months of 2001, net sales decreases in the private brand and original equipment markets were slightly offset by increases in the export market and domestic aftermarket. The decrease in the private brand volume reflected reduced sales to a specific industry, while the decrease in the original equipment volume was consistent with the decreased production volume of the domestic automotive and light-duty truck manufacturers. The increase in the export volume reflected the broadening of the Company's export customer base. The increase in the domestic aftermarket volume reflected improved sales to a major customer as part of an expansion of the customer's product offerings. The increase in commission revenues reflected the volume growth observed in marketing and distributing engine component products for other companies. Commission revenue increased for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2001 in comparison to the same periods in 2000, as detailed above.

COST OF SALES AND GROSS PROFIT

2003 Compared to 2002

Cost of sales for the third quarter of 2003 increased $2,256,273, or 38.1%, from $5,926,189 in the third quarter of 2002, to $8,182,462. For the first nine months of 2003, cost of sales increased $4,289,997, or 22.6%, from $18,986,410 for the first nine months of 2002, to $23,276,407. The gross profit margin on net sales decreased in the third quarter of 2003, from 31.5% in the third quarter of 2002, to 24.1%. For the first nine months of 2003, the gross profit margin on net sales also decreased from 31.9% for the first nine months of 2002, to 25.7%. The increase in cost of sales and the corresponding decrease in the gross


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profit margin on net sales for the third quarter of 2003 primarily reflect the direct costs associated with the net sales increase pertaining to the acquired businesses, combined with the effects of a change in the sales mix and increases in group health insurance, overhead and shipping and distribution costs, slightly offset by the reduced cost of sales associated with the lower net sales of manufactured products. The increased shipping and distribution costs primarily reflect the increased costs associated with distributing the products of the acquired businesses. The negative effect of the sales mix change on the gross profit margin on net sales reflects the increased export volume observed in the third quarter of 2003. This volume has traditionally carried a lower gross profit margin (higher cost of sales as a percentage of net sales) than domestic sales due to the lower level of operating expenses (not included in cost of sales) associated with that volume. The increase in cost of sales and the decrease in the gross profit margin on net sales for the first nine months of 2003 primarily reflect the items noted above, with the exception of the effect of the export volume. As noted earlier, for the first nine months of 2003, export volume decreased, thus limiting the negative effect of the reduced gross profit margin on net sales associated with that volume.

2002 Compared to 2001

Cost of sales infor the third quarter of 2002 increased $77,528, or 1.3%, from $5,848,661 in the third quarter of 2001, to $5,926,189. For the first nine months of 2002, cost of sales increased $248,402, or 1.3%, from $18,738,008 for the first nine months of 2001, to $18,986,410. The gross profit margin on net sales increased for the third quarter of 2002, from 28.9% for the third quarter of 2001, to 31.5%. For the first nine months of 2002, the gross profit margin on net sales also increased, from 30.1% for the first nine months of 2001, to 31.9%. The increase in cost of sales for the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2002 reflectsreflected the increase in net sales of manufactured products noted earlier, combined with increased shipping and distribution costs that were incurred in distributing other manufacturers' engine component products. The effect of these additional costs, however, were more than offset by the commission revenue generated from the distribution of these products, and thus cont ributedcontrib uted to the increased gross profit margin for both periods noted.margin. There was a minimal effect on the gross profit margin from changes made to the Company's individual inventory factors (material, labor and overhead) during the first nine months of 2002.


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OPERATING EXPENSES

20012003 Compared to 20002002

Cost of sales inTotal operating expenses for the third quarter of 20012003 increased $38,621,$170,197, or 0.7%7.1%, from $5,810,040 in the third quarter of 2000, to $5,848,661.2002. For the first nine months of 2001, cost of sales decreased $206,156,2003, total operating expenses increased $566,980, or 1.1%7.9%, from $18,944,164 in the first nine months of 2000, to $18,738,008. The gross profit margin on net sales increased slightly2002. Advertising costs for the third quarter of 2001,2003 decreased $7,372, or 14.5%, from 28.8% for the third quarter of 2000, to 28.9%. Export volume increased in the third quarter and on a year-to-date basis. This volume has traditionally carried a lower gross profit margin (higher cost of sales as a percentage of net sales) than domestic sales due to the lower level of operating expenses (not included in cost of sales) that are required to service that volume. Domestic aftermarket sales, on the other hand, decreased in the third quarter of 2001. Sales in this market have traditionally carried a higher gross profit margin in order to support the higher level of operating expenses (not included in cost of sales) associated w ith that volume. The negative effect of this sales mix change on the gross profit margin, however, was more than offset by the positive gross profit impact derived from the distribution of other manufacturers' engine component products.2002. For the first nine months of 2001, the gross profit margin on net sales increased,2003, advertising costs decreased $39,783, or 24.9%, from 29.8% in the first nine months of 2000,2002. These decreases primarily reflect decreases in printed material and advertising support costs. There were no significant advertising costs related to 30.1%. The decreased gross profit margin on salesthe acquired businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003. Selling costs for the third quarter of 2003 increased $40,215, or 5.1%, from the export volume was more thanthird quarter of 2002. For the first nine months of 2003, selling costs increased $240,688, or 10.5%, from the first nine months of 2002. These increases reflect increased agents' commissions, sales personnel and sales support costs related to th e acquired businesses, slightly offset by decreases in these same costs associated with the gross profit margin generated on a nine-month totalCompany's other operations. The increase in domestic aftermarket sales,selling costs for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 also reflect the inclusion of approximately $15,000 and $30,000, respectively, of amortization expense related to the Company's customer contract associated with the acquired businesses. General and administrative costs for the third quarter of 2003 increased $137,354, or 8.8%, from the third quarter of 2002. For the first nine months of


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2003, general and administrative costs increased $366,075, or 7.7%, from the first nine months of 2002. These increased costs primarily reflect increases in general personnel and related support costs associated with the additional personnel required to administer the acquired businesses, partially offset by decreases in these same costs associated with the Company's other operations. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 also reflect increases in group health insurance costs and the provision for doubtful accounts receivable, combined with $59,000 and $118,000, respectively, of amortization expense related to the positive gross profit impact fromCompany's trademark and capital assets associated with the distributionacquired businesses. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the first nine months of other manufacturers' engine component products. Finally, the gross profit margin2003 was positively affectedslightly offset by thea net reduction in someseverance costs of $60,000 (from $122,000 to $62,000), when compared to the individual inventory cost factors (material, labor and overhead costs). While materialsame period in 2002. There were no severance costs remained relatively unchanged from the prior year average, labor costs continued to decrease modestly from the prior year average. This labor cost reduct ion reflected efficiencies gained through lean manufacturing and a decrease resulting from a work force reduction implementedincurred in the first quarterthird quarters of 2001. Overhead costs also decreased, reflecting an increased effort by the Company to control the non-fixed portion of these costs.

OPERATING EXPENSES2003 or 2002.

2002 Compared to 2001

Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2002 increased $256,551, or 12.0%, from the third quarter of 2001. For the first nine months of 2002, total operating expenses increased $573,960, or 8.7%, from the first nine months of 2001. Advertising costs for the third quarter of 2002 decreased $7,977, or 13.6%, from the third quarter of 2001. For the first nine months of 2002, advertising costs decreased $3,684, or 2.3%, from the first nine months of 2001. These decreases reflectreflected a decline in printed material costs related to the inclusion, in 2001, of a one-time charge for the start-up of the marketing and distribution of Zollner brand pistons, partially offset by an increase in advertising support costs. Selling costs for the third quarter of 2002 increased $61,224, or 8.4%, from the third quarter of 2001. This increase reflectsreflected increases in costs associated with sales personnel, sales support and industry trade shows. For the first nine months of 2002, selling costs decreased $31,415, or 1. 3%1.3%, from the first nine months of 2001. This decrease reflectsreflected declines in agents commissions, sales promotion and sales support costs, partially offset by increases in sales personnel costs and industry trade show expenses as discussed above. General and administrative costs for the third quarter of 2002 increased $203,304, or 15.1%, from the third quarter of 2001. For the first nine months of 2002, general and administrative costs increased $609,059, or 14.8%, from the first nine months of 2001. These increases primarily reflectreflected increases in general personnel and personnel support costs, combined with a smaller increase in property insurance costs. These increases were offset slightly by decreases in group health insurance costs and the provision for doubtful accounts receivable. The increase for the first nine months of 2002 also reflectsreflected $122,000 of severance payments to terminated employees. There were no severance payments made during the third quarter of 2002, nor are any further severance paym ents expected for the remainder of 2002.


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OTHER EXPENSES

20012003 Compared to 20002002

Total operatingOther expenses netted to $253,121 for the third quarter of 2001 decreased $17,025, or 0.8%, from2003, compared to a net expense of $92,152 for the third quarter of 2000.2002. For the first nine months of 2001, total operating2003, other expenses decreased $72,933, or 1.1%, fromnetted to $469,949 compared to a net expense of $290,634 for the first nine months of 2000. Advertising costs for the third quarter of 2001 increased $5,145, or 9.6%, from the third quarter of 2000. For the first nine months of 2001, advertising costs increased $17,045, or 11.6%, from the first nine months of 2001.2002. These increases reflected an increase in printed material costs,reflect a significantly higher interest expense and increased other, net expenses, partially offset by a decreasehigher gain on foreign currency transactions. The increases in advertising support costs.interest expense reflect the increased short-term and long-term debt obligations that the Company utilized to finance the purchase of Ertel and Syzygy, as discussed in Notes 2 and 3 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The increaseincreases in printed material costs relatedthe gain on foreign currency transactions reflect the Company's increased exposure to a one-time charge forCanadian currency fluctuations, relative to the start-upU.S. dollar, associated with the acquired businesses, combined with the effect of the marketing and distribution of Zollner brand pistons. Selling costs forstrengthening Canadian dollar compared to the third quarter of 2001 decreased $17,532, or 2.4%,U.S. dollar in 2003. These item s are discussed in Item 3 below. The other, net items primarily reflect the loss derived from the third quarter of 2000. This decrease reflected a declineCompany's investment in various selling support and sales personnel costs. For the first nine months of 2001, selling costs increased $2,065, or 0.1%, from the f irst nine months of 2000. This slight increase reflected an increase in agents' commissions and salesmen's travel, largely offset by decreases in various selling support and sales personnel costs. General and administrative costs for the third quarter of 2001 decreased $4,638, or 0.3%, from the third quarter of 2000. For the first nine months of 2001, general and administrative costs decreased $92,043, or 2.2%, from the first nine months of 2000. These decreases reflected declines in various general support and personnel costs resulting from the cost containment measures implemented by the Company during the first quarter of 2001. These cost decreases were slightly offset by an increase in the provision for doubtful accounts receivable, which resulted from the Chapter 11 (reorganization) bankruptcy protection sought by several of the Company's customers.its Casite joint venture.

OTHER EXPENSES


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2002 Compared to 2001

Other expenses netted to $92,152 for the third quarter of 2002, compared to a net expense of $171,488 for the third quarter of 2001. This decrease reflectsreflected a significantly lower interest expense, combined with a lower other, net expense (income) in 2002. The decrease in interest expense reflectsreflected the reduced short-term interest rates in effect in 2002 compared to 2001, combined with reduced interest expense on the amortization of the Company's long-term debt. The other, net item primarily reflectsreflected the expense (income)income derived for the Company's investment in its Casite joint venture. For the first nine months of 2002, other expenses netted to $290,634 versus a net expense of $468,053 in the first nine months of 2001. The decrease in interest expense reflectsreflected the items discussed above. The other, net item reflectsreflected the income derived from the Casite joint venture, combined with the inclusion, in 2001, of a gain recognized on the sale of stock holdings received from one of the Company's pension fund administrators. Thes eThese holdings were received when the administrator converted from a mutual structure to a stock-based structure.

2001 Compared to 2000

Other expenses netted to $171,488 for the third quarter of 2001, compared to $148,772 for the third quarter of 2000. This increase primarily reflected the other, net expense, in 2001, derived from the Company's investment in its Casite joint venture, combined with the inclusion, in the third quarter of 2000, of the income associated with a gain on the sale of excess production equipment. For the first nine months of 2001, other expenses netted to $468,053 versus a net expense of $456,543 in the first nine months of 2000. This increase reflected higher interest expense in 2001 related to the increased short-term line utilization during the first quarter of 2001. The interest expense was comparable to 2000 levels for the second and third quarters of 2001, as cash flow improved during that time period, resulting in less reliance on the short-term lines of credit. The higher interest expense in 2001 was partially offset by other, net income derived from the year-to-date earnings from the Casite joint ven ture, combined with the income derived from the gain recognized on the sale of stock holdings, as described above.


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TAXES ON INCOME

The 20022003 and 20012002 effective tax rates of 39.8%37.4% and 42.7%39.8%, respectively, are higher than the domestic statutory federal tax rate of 34.0% due primarily to the impact of various state income taxes and the impact of a higher statutory rate applicable to the earnings of the Canadian subsidiary.

As of September 30, 2002,2003, the Company recorded net deferred income tax assets of $6,808,693.$7,521,454. The major components of those assets are the tax effects of the net operating loss carryforwards and net accrued retirement and postretirement benefit obligations. The realization of these recorded benefits is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. Management believes that it is more likely than not that adequate levels of future taxable income will be generated to absorb the net operating loss carryforwards, the deductible amounts related to the retirement and postretirement benefit obligations and the remaining net deductible temporary differences. However, based on the net operating loss carryforwards at September 30, 20022003 (which must be utilized before foreign tax credit carryforwards can be utilized), management believes that it is more likely than not that the foreign tax credit carryforwards will go unutilized prior to their expiration. As a result, a valuation allowance has been recor ded forrecorded f or the total foreign tax credits of $59,467$45,576 at September 30, 2002.2003.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

In March 2003, the Company implemented cost-containment measures in response to a prolonged volume decrease in the domestic and Canadian piston ring aftermarkets. The Company has observed a decline in net piston ring sales volume in the domestic and Canadian aftermarkets since the third quarter of 2000. This aftermarket volume decrease, combined with an early 2001 decline in original equipment volume, resulted in earlier cost-containment measures implemented in February 2001, as described in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. Since that time, the domestic and Canadian aftermarket volumes have continued to decline. Therefore, in March 2003 the Company determined that additional cost-containment measures were necessary in order to align its operating expenses with current market conditions and improve its profitability and cash position. The cost-containment measures consist of voluntary and involuntary layoffs in the salaried and hourly work forces, salaried payroll reductions an d identification of reductions in various non-payroll expenses. In April 2003, the Company recognized approximately $62,000 of severance costs related to additional cost-containment measures implemented during the second quarter of 2003.


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The Company's primary cash requirements continue to be for operating expenses such as labor costs and for the funding of inventory, accounts receivable and capital expenditures.long-term debt service, including the additional debt service relating to the Company's March 2003 acquisitions of Ertel and Syzygy, as discussed below. Historically, the Company's primary sources of cash have been from operations and from bank borrowings. These sources of cash depend on attaining future positive financial results. In March and April 2003, in response to a prolonged volume decrease in the domestic and Canadian piston ring aftermarkets, the Company implemented cost-containment measures, as described above. The Company believes that these cost-containment measures, combined with the cost containment measures implemented in 2001, as discussed below, will continue to have a positive impact on its remaining 2002 financial results. The Company also expects a continuedincome derived from the sale of manufactured products, the anticipated future positive financial impact fromof the Ertel and Syzygy acquisitions and the Company's marketing and distribution agreements noted earlier. These two itemswith various engine component manufacturers, should allow the Companyit to generategener ate sufficient cash from operations to assist it in satisfying the Company's future cash requirements. In late May 2002,

The additional funding provided under the Company's U.S. and Canadian loan agreementagreements, restructured in March 2003 in connection with the Ertel and Syzygy acquisitions, combined with the additional funding obtained from the restructuring of the Company's short-term line with its primarysecondary U.S. lender relatingon July 14, 2003, both of which are discussed in Note 3 to its short-term and long-term borrowings was amended. This amended loan agreement willthe accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, should also assist the Company in fulfillingsatisfying its future cash requirements.

The Company's short-term and long-term debt represents its primary contractual obligation as of September 30, 2003. The Company is also a party to various lease commitments and other contractual obligations. The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements. Total short-term lines available to the Company as of Se ptemberSeptember 30, 20022003 totaled $6,450,000,$15,270,000, of which $2,250,000approximately $1,047,000 was unused. A significant portion of the Ertel and Syzygy acquisitions was funded with short-term debt established for the sole purpose of the acquisition. Additional economies of scale are anticipated as the Company continues to integrate the acquired operations. As those economies of scale mature, the Company intends to address its current financing arrangements, with the possibility of converting certain of those obligations into long-term financing vehicles.

In order to improve its short-term cash position, the Company obtained from the sellers of the acquired businesses, a deferral of the scheduled September 30, 2003 note payments. The total of these deferred payments is approximately $150,000, plus interest. The deferred amount will be paid, with interest, in monthly installments beginning on January 31, 2004 and ending on December 31, 2004. All other quarterly payments to the sellers are expected to be made as scheduled.

In accordance with an agreement with the Company's primary lender, the long-term debt payment that was scheduled to be paid on September 30, 2003 was delayed until October 15, 2003. The Company subsequently made the required debt payment, with interest, on the revised date.

The term loan agreement requires the Company to maintain certain financial balances and ratios. At September 30, 2003, the Company was in violation of certain covenants. As of the date of this Form 10-Q, the lender has not issued a waiver of the violations, nor has it agreed to amend any of the covenants. The lender has the right to declare all of the Company's obligations immediately due and payable, although this action is not anticipated. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will obtain necessary waivers of or revisions to such covenants. As a result of the covenant violations, the related long-term portion of the debt outstanding under the agreement, amounting to $535,000, has been reclassified as current at September 30, 2003.


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The following commentary is based on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, which reflect the changes in operating assets and liabilities net of amounts acquired from business acquisitions. During the first nine months of 2003, the Company used $1,112,263 of cash for operating activities. The realized net loss and increases in accounts receivable and inventories, combined with a decrease in the net retirement and postretirement benefit obligations and the net gain on foreign currency transactions, were partially offset by realized depreciation and amortization and an increase in accounts payable and accruals. The increase in accounts receivable primarily reflects the increased exposure relating to the credit terms associated with the acquired businesses. The increase in inventories reflects the Company's efforts to align inventory levels with customer demand. The decrease in the net retirement and postretirement benefit obligations reflects the excess of actual postretirement benefit claims paid over the actuarially determined annual expense, combined with the effect of the required quarterly funding of one of the Company's retirement plans to certain limits. The net gain on foreign currency transactions reflects the Company's increased exposure to Canadian currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar, associated with the acquired businesses, combined with the effect of the strengthening Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar in 2003, as discussed in Item 3 below. The increase in accounts payable and accruals primarily reflects the increased exposure relating to the additional volume of purchases, and the related payment terms on those purchases, associated with the acquired businesses. The investing activities for the first nine months of 2003 primarily reflect the cash used for the acquisition of Ertel and Syzygy, as discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The financing activities for the first nine months of 2003 reflect the working capi tal requirements that were needed to fund the operating activities noted above, combined with the financing utilized to purchase Ertel and Syzygy. The financing activities also reflect the principal payments required under the Company's various long-term debt agreements.

During the first nine months of 2002, the Company generated $649,882$646,153 of net cash from operating activities. The realized net income and depreciation and amortization, combined with a decrease in deferred income taxes and an increase in accounts payable and accruals, were partially offset by increases in accounts receivable inventories and other assets,inventories, and a decrease in the net retirement and postretirement benefit obligation.obligations. The decrease in deferred income taxes reflectsreflected the utilization of a portion of the net operating loss carryforward based on earnings for the first nine months. The increase in accounts payable and accruals and the increase in accounts receivable primarily reflectreflected the terms associated with the Company's marketing and distribution agreements noted earlier.agreements. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company bills the customer and records a receivable for the gross sales amount of the products covered under the agreement. The Company is responsible for collecting the gross sales amount. The Company then nets the gross sales amou ntamount down to the earned commission amount that it receives for performing the marketing and distribution services by recording a payable to the engine component manufacturers that are parties to those agreements. The change in the accounts payable and accruals also includesincluded an increase in the compensation accrual, partially offset by a decrease in the miscellaneous accrual. The increase in the compensation accrual primarily reflectsreflected additional accrued general personnel costs. The decrease in the miscellaneous accrual reflectsreflected a large payment made during the first half of the year for the December 31, 2001 workers' compensation liability, slightly offset by the recognition, through the first nine months of this year,2002, of the expected workers' compensation liability for 2002. ThisThe decrease in the miscellaneous accrual was partially offset by the reclassification of the fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreement due to expire on June 30, 2003.agreement. The increase in inventories representsrepresented a planned inc reaseincrease in the Company's inventories to certain levels. The increase in other assets reflects the


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funding of one of the Company's defined benefit pension plans to certain actuarial levels. The decrease in the net retirement and postretirement benefit obligation reflectsreflected the excess of actual postretirement benefit claims paid over the actuarially determined annual expense.expense and the funding of the Company's defined benefit pension plan to certain actuarial levels. The investing activities for the first nine months of 2002 reflectreflected the Company's continued support of its lean manufacturing environment, combined with capital expenditures for the modernization of the Company's main distribution center. The investing activities also reflect reflected


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proceeds from the sale of excess plant equipment. The financing activities for the first nine months of 2002 reflectreflected the working capital requirements that were primarily needed to fund the operating activity items noted above.items. The financing activities also reflectreflected the principal payments required under the Company's term loan agreement, combined with a required $325,000 prepayment of long-term debt borrowings, during the first quarter of 2002, pertaining to the sale of the Comp any'sCompany's non-business related real property in November 2001.

On February 22, 2001,OTHER EVENTS

As previously reported, in October, the Company announced that it had institutedfiled the appropriate documents to voluntarily delist its common stock from the American Stock Exchange and to terminate its status as a series of cost-containment measures in an effort to reduce its operating expenses and improve its profitability and cash position. The cost-containment measures were in response to a continued softness in the domestic piston ring aftermarket and a downturn in the original equipment market. The cost-containment measures consisted of reductions in the salaried and hourly workforces and identification of reductions in various non-payroll related expenses. At the time, thereporting Company also announced an indefinite suspension of its regular quarterly cash dividend and identified certain assets for possible future sale in an effort to further improve its cash position. As noted above, the Company sold its non-business related real property, and it also amended its loan agreement with its primary lender. One of the amendments permitted the Company to pay up to $250,000 of dividends in any twelve-month period, subject to compliance with the loan agreementSecurities and applicable law. Based on a review of expected cash requirementsExchange Commission. The Company expects to complete this process in mid-November 2003 and that its common stock should be immediately eligible for trading through the fourth quarter of this year, the Board of Directors decided not to pay a cash dividend in the fourth quarter of 2002. While the Company may resume paying dividends, future decisions regarding the payment of cash dividends will depend on the Company's earnings, financial condition, plans and prospects.

In late March 2001, the Company's loan agreement with its primary lender relating to its short-term and long-term borrowings was amended. The primary changes to the loan agreement were detailed in Note 3 to the Company's December 31, 2001 Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K"pink sheets," an electronic quotation service for the year ended December 31, 2001.

During the first nine months of 2001, the Company generated $1,965,925 of net cash from operating activities. The realized net income, depreciation and decreases in deferred income taxes and inventories were partially offset byover-the-counter securities. However, there can be no assurance that an increase in accounts receivable and decreases in accounts payable and accruals and the postretirement benefit obligation. The decrease in deferred income taxes reflected the utilization of a portion of the net operating loss carryforward based on earningsactive trading market for the first nine months, combined with the tax effect of certain inter-company transactions. The decrease in inventories reflected a planned reduction in the Company's inventory to certain levels, combined with the shortfall of production output versus customer demand during the first half of 2001. Production output aligned with customer demand during the third quarter of 2001. The increase in accounts receivable reflected the timing of customer sales and the related payment terms associated with those sales. The decrea se in accounts payable and accruals was due to several large payments being made over the first nine months of the year on year-end accruals for interest and general accounts payable, partially offset by increases in current year accruals for compensation, taxes other than income and miscellaneous payables. The decrease in the postretirement benefit obligation reflected the excess of actual postretirement benefit claims paid over the actuarially determined annual expense. The investing activities for the first nine months of 2001 primarily reflected the Company's continued support of its lean manufacturing environment. The financing activities for the first nine months of 2001 reflected the working capital requirements that were primarily needed to fund its operating activity items. The financing activities also reflected the principal payments under the amended loan agreement, as well as the restriction of paying dividends and repurchasing the Company's common stock in accordance with the amended loan agreement.


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As noted earlier in this discussion, the Company believes that the cost containment measures implemented in 2001 will continue to have a positive impact on the remaining 2002 financial results. The Company also expects a continued positive financial impact from the marketing and distribution agreements described above. Also, as noted earlier, the Company has observed sales increases in several of its markets, and the Company anticipates future positive sales results from those same markets. In June 2002, the Company signed an agreement with Intraco Corporation to market Hastings piston rings and related products in Central and South America and the Middle East. The Company believes that this agreement will further increase its market share in these export markets. With these anticipated sales improvements, combined with the cost containment measures and the expected positive financial impact of the marketing and distribution agreements, the Company anticipates that operations (which will be subject t o minimal current cash outflows for U.S. income taxes due to the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards), in combination with the balancing of available short-term lines of credit, will generate cash flows sufficient to funds its working capital requirements through the remainder of 2002.

LITIGATION CONTINGENCY

In April 1997, the Company announced the amendment of its postretirement health benefit plans, principally to adjust the cost-sharing provisions. As a result of these changes, the Company's retirees filed a class-action suitdevelop in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan on January 24, 2000. The suit alleges that the Company denied class retirees and their dependents certain health insurance benefits to which the retirees had a "vested" right pursuant to the terms of the Company's collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, the retirees dispute the increase in their health insurance deductibles, the increase in required co-pay obligations with respect to their prescription drug cards, and the requirement that they pay a portion of their health insurance premiums. The Company has denied any wrongdoing in this suit, and has defended it vigorously. The Company and the retirees recently entered into a settlement agreement intended to resolve the litigation. The ag reement represents a compromise as to the amounts that the retirees and the Company will pay toward the cost of health insurance premiums. The settlement has been tentatively approved by the court, as fair and reasonable to all class members. Retirees have until November 15, 2002 to withdraw from the class and to submit objections to the settlement. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company has not received any notice that any retirees have withdrawn from the class or submitted objections to the settlement. A hearing on final court approval of the settlement is scheduled for December 4, 2002. If the court gives final approval to the settlement, the case will be concluded. If the court does not give final approval, the lawsuit will continue. If this case is tried, the Company's ultimate chances of success are uncertain. If the retirees prevail, the Company anticipates that a requirement to provide postretirement benefits at the pre-amendment level would have a material adverse effect on the Company's future financial position, results of operations and cash flows.pink sheets.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this commentary include forward-looking statements that describe the Company's plans, objectives, goals, expectations or projections. These forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases indicating that the Company or management "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans" or "believes" that a particular event "may occur," "should occur," "will likely occur" in the future, or similar statements. In addition to other risks and uncertainties described in connection with the forward-looking statements contained in this commentary, there are many important factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from the Company's current expectations.

Anticipated future sales are subject to competitive pressures from many sources. As an example, future sales could be affected by consolidation within the automotive replacement parts industry, whereby the Company could lose sales due to a competitor purchasing all of the assets of a current customer of the


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Company. The Company's sales volume to the original equipment market depends on the production volume experienced by domestic automotive and light-duty manufacturers. Future sales could also be affected by current and future political and economic factors in the foreign markets where the Company conducts business. Furthermore, while the Company's net sales are increasingly dependent on providing marketing and distribution services for various engine and component manufacturers, these arrangements may not be as successful as the Company anticipates due to factors beyond the Company's control, such as market perception of these manufacturers and their products and general economic conditions.

Cost of sales and operating expenses may be adversely affected by unexpected costs associated with various issues. For example, future cost of sales could be affected by unexpected expenses related to the future maintenance of a lean manufacturing environment. Future operating expenses could also be affected, for example, by such items as unexpected large claims within the Company's self-funded group health insurance plan, increased retiree health insurance claim exposure as a result of an adverse court ruling on the current retiree health issue, or bad debt expenses related to deterioration in the creditworthiness of a customer or customers. Furthermore, the Company's cost-containment measures described above may not be as effective as the Company anticipates.

The foregoing is intended to provide meaningful cautionary statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The foregoing should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors that could adversely affect the Company's expected consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. The Company disclaims any obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risks, which include changes in interest rates and changes in the foreign currency exchange rate as measured against the U.S. dollar.

The Company's interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. The Company is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its variable rate lines of credit used to financeand its short-term working capital needs and for general corporate purposes.variable rate long-term borrowings. Of the $6,450,000$15,270,000 total short-term lines available to the Company at September 30, 2002, $4,200,0002003, approximately $14,223,000 was outstanding. The Company was previously a party to an interest rate swap agreement that expired on June 30, 2003. As of September 30, 2003, however, the Company is not a party to any derivative financial instrument agreements, nor does it use such instruments for trading purposes. As described in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section of Item 2 above, management is currently reviewing its short-term and long-term financing options. As a part of this review, management will review the Company's anticipated future interest rate exposure to determine if the Company will utilize interest rate swap agreements in the future. Management doesbelieves that it is not believelikely that fluctuations in interest rates in the near future will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

With respect to its However, the possibility for such impacts has increased recently with the significant addition of variable rate long-term borrowings, the Company has entered into an interest rate swap agreement essentially to fix the interest rate on $990,000 of the total $2,135,000 outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2002. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.borrowings.

The Company has a manufacturing/distribution facility in Canada. The facility'sCanada and, as previously discussed, acquired Ertel and Syzygy, two Canadian distribution companies, in March 2003. These entities' sales are denominated in Canadian dollars, thereby creating exposures to changes in exchange rates. The changesDue to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar during the second and third quarters of 2003, the Company's Canadian subsidiary recorded a $224,284 net gain on foreign currency transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, as detailed in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. With the acquisition of Ertel and Syzygy, the Company is now exposed to increased Canadian-originated third party and intercompany transactions that settle in U.S. dollars. In addition, the Company's $2,375,000 intercompany term note related to the acquisitions, which is eliminated upon consolidation, further exposes the Company to Canadian/U.S. dollar currency fluctuations. Future change s in the Canadian/U.S. exchange rate may positively or negatively affect the Company'sCompany' sales, gross margins and retained earnings.net income. The Company attempts to minimize foreign currency


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exposure through working capital management. The Company does not formally hedge its exposure to transaction and translation gains and losses relating to foreign currency net asset exposures.


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Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

The Company's Chief Executive Officer and its Vice President of Corporate Administration,Vice-President, Finance, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-14(c)15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the "Evaluation Date"),September 30, 2003, have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date,September 30, 2003, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was being prepared.

There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or in other factors that could significantlyare reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures subsequent to the Evaluation Date, nor any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in such disclosure controls and procedures requiring corrective actions. As a result, no corrective actions were taken.internal control over financial reporting.




























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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

For a discussion of pending litigation involving the Company, see Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is here incorporated by reference.

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

          (a)     Exhibits

Exhibit
Number
2(a)

Share Purchase Agreement dated as of February 11, 2003 by and among Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Scott, Hastings, Inc. and Ertel Manufacturing Corporation of Canada, Ltd., filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

2(b)

Amendment dated March 21, 2003 to Share Purchase Agreement dated as of February 11, 2003 by and among Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Scott, Hastings, Inc. and Ertel Manufacturing Corporation of Canada, Ltd., filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

  

2(c)

Confirmation of Extension of Closing Date relating to Share Purchase Agreement dated as of February 11, 2003 by and among Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Scott, Hastings, Inc. and Ertel Manufacturing Corporation of Canada, Ltd., as amended, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

2(d)

Share Purchase Agreement relating to Syzygy Auto Distribution Inc. dated as of February 11, 2003 by and among Ann Jackson, Lydia Scott and Hastings, Inc., filed as an exhibit to the Form 8-K Current Report filed April 11, 2003, is here incorporated by reference.

3(a)

Amended Articles of Incorporation of Hastings Manufacturing Company, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1998, are here incorporated by reference.

3(b)

Bylaws of Hastings Manufacturing Company, as amended to date, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, are here incorporated by reference.


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4(a)

NBD Bank Amended and Restated Letter Agreement for $6,600,000 Term Loan and $3,000,000 Credit Authorization to Make Revolving Credit Loans and Issue Letters of Credit dated August 28, 1998, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended September 30, 1998, is here incorporated by reference.

4(b)

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated November 11, 1999 between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One, Michigan (formerly NBD Bank), filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended September 30, 1999, is here incorporated by reference.

4(c)

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated March 30, 2000, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended March 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.

4(d)

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated October 31, 2000, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.

4(e)

Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated March 21, 2001, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.

4(f)

Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated May 31, 2002, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended June 30, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

4(g)

Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated March 25, 2003, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD Bank), filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

4(h)

Loan Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2003, between Hastings, Inc. and Bank One, NA, Canada Branch, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended March 31, 2003, is here incorporated by reference.

4(i)

Business Loan Agreement, dated July 14, 2003, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Hastings City Bank filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended June 30, 2003, is here incorporated by reference.

4(j)

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Plan, filed as an exhibit to Form 8-A filed February 15, 1996, is here incorporated by reference.

15

Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information.


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31(a)

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31(b)

Certification of Vice-President, Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

          (b)     The Company furnished the following Current Report on Form 8-K during the quarter ended September 30, 2003. This Form 8-K is considered to have been "furnished" but not "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Date of Report


Filing Date


Item(s) Reported


August 19, 2003

August 19, 2003

Under Items 9 and 12, this Form 8-K included a press release that reported the Company's financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2003. The press release included condensed consolidated statements of operations for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002.

















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SIGNATURE

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


HASTINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Date:  November 14, 2003

/s/ Thomas J. Bellgraph


Thomas J. Bellgraph
Vice-President, Finance
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)




























- -28-


EXHIBIT INDEX

2(a)

Share Purchase Agreement dated as of February 11, 2003 by and among Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Scott, Hastings, Inc. and Ertel Manufacturing Corporation of Canada, Ltd., filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

2(b)

Amendment dated March 21, 2003 to Share Purchase Agreement dated as of February 11, 2003 by and among Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Scott, Hastings, Inc. and Ertel Manufacturing Corporation of Canada, Ltd., filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

  

2(c)

Confirmation of Extension of Closing Date relating to Share Purchase Agreement dated as of February 11, 2003 by and among Paul Elliott, Jeffrey Scott, Hastings, Inc. and Ertel Manufacturing Corporation of Canada, Ltd., as amended, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

2(d)

Share Purchase Agreement relating to Syzygy Auto Distribution Inc. dated as of February 11, 2003 by and among Ann Jackson, Lydia Scott and Hastings, Inc., filed as an exhibit to the Form 8-K Current Report filed April 11, 2003, is here incorporated by reference.

3(a)

Amended Articles of Incorporation of Hastings Manufacturing Company, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended June 30, 1998, are here incorporated by reference.

3(b)

Bylaws of Hastings Manufacturing Company, as amended to date, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2000, are here incorporated by reference.

4(a)

NBD Bank Amended and Restated Letter Agreement for $6,600,000 Term Loan and $3,000,000 Credit Authorization to Make Revolving Credit Loans and Issue Letters of Credit dated August 28, 1998, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1998, is here incorporated by reference.

4(b)

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated November 11, 1999 between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One, Michigan (formerly NBD Bank), filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1999, is here incorporated by reference.

4(c)

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated March 30, 2000, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.

4(d)

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated October 31, 2000, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.


- -29-


4(e)

Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated March 21, 2001, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to the Form 10-K Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.


- -21-


4(f)

Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated May 31, 2002, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

4(g)

Restated Master Agreement dated August 10, 1998, regarding an interest rate swap transaction between Hastings Manufacturing Company and NBD Bank, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1998, is here incorporated by reference.

4(h)

Business Loan Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2002, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Hastings City Bank, filed as exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, is here incorporated by reference.

4(i)

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Plan, filed as an exhibit to Form 8-A filed February 15, 1996, is here incorporated by reference.

15

Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

          (b)          The Company filed the following Current Report on Form 8-K during the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

Date of Report


Filing Date


Item(s) Reported


July 30, 2002

July 30, 2002

This Form 8-K included a press release that reported the Company's financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. The press release included summary consolidated income statement data for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2002 and 2001.

          This Form 8-K was furnished pursuant to Regulation FD and is considered to have been "furnished" but not "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission.













- -22-


SIGNATURE

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

HASTINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Date:  November 12, 2002

/s/ Thomas J. Bellgraph


Thomas J. Bellgraph
Vice-President of Corporate Administration
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)





















- -23-


CERTIFICATIONS

I, Mark R.S. Johnson, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Hastings Manufacturing Company;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date); and

c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Date: November 12, 2002

/s/ Mark R.S. Johnson


Mark R.S. Johnson
Chief Executive Officer


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I, Thomas J. Bellgraph, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Hastings Manufacturing Company;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date); and

c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Date: November 12, 2002

/s/ Thomas J. Bellgraph


Thomas J. Bellgraph
Vice-President of Corporate Administration
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


- -25-


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

3(a)

Amended Articles of Incorporation of Hastings Manufacturing Company, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1998, are here incorporated by reference.

3(b)

Bylaws of Hastings Manufacturing Company, as amended to date, filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, are here incorporated by reference.

4(a)

NBD Bank Amended and Restated Letter Agreement for $6,600,000 Term Loan and $3,000,000 Credit Authorization to Make Revolving Credit Loans and Issue Letters of Credit dated August 28, 1998, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1998, is here incorporated by reference.

4(b)

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated November 11, 1999 between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One, Michigan (formerly NBD Bank), filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1999, is here incorporated by reference.

4(c)

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated March 30, 2000, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.

4(d)

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated October 31, 2000, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.

4(e)

Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated March 21, 2001, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, is here incorporated by reference.

4(f)

Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated May 31, 2002, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD), filed as exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

4(g)

Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated MasterLetter Agreement, dated August 10, 1998, regarding an interest rate swap transactionMarch 25, 2003, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Bank One (formerly NBD Bank,Bank), filed as an exhibit to the QuarterlyForm 10-K Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the periodyear ended September 30, 1998,December 31, 2002, is here incorporated by reference.

4(h)

Loan Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2003, between Hastings, Inc. and Bank One, NA, Canada Branch, filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended March 31, 2003, is here incorporated by reference.


- -26-


4(h)

4(i)

Business Loan Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2002,July 14, 2003, between Hastings Manufacturing Company and Hastings City Bank filed as an exhibit to Annualthe Form 10-Q Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the yearperiod ended December 31, 2001,June 30, 2003, is here incorporated by reference.

4(i)4(j)

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Plan, filed as an exhibit to Form 8-A filed February 15, 1996, is here incorporated by reference.

15

Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

31(a)

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31(b)

Certification of Vice-President, Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.




























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