UNITED STATES
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 27, 2008
[ ] | 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 0-19687
SYNALLOY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | 57-0426694 (IRS Employer Identification Number) |
| | |
2155 West Croft Circle Spartanburg, South Carolina (Address of principal executive offices) | | 29302 (Zip code) |
864-585-3605 |
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
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 a large accelerated filer, an accelerated file, a non-accelerated file or a smaller reporting company. See definition of Large accelerated filer,” "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one)
Larger accelerated filer ( ) | Accelerated filer (X) |
Non-accelerated filer ( ) (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company ( ) |
Yes ( ) No (X)
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of October 31, 2008 was 6,247,534.
Synalloy Corporation
Index
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. | Financial Statements (unaudited) |
| Condensed consolidated balance sheets - September 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007 |
| Condensed consolidated statements of income - Three and nine months ended September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007 |
| Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows - Nine months ended September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007 |
| Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements - September 27, 2008 |
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
| |
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
Item 6. | Exhibits |
| Signatures and Certifications |
PART I | | | | | | |
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | | | | | |
Synalloy Corporation | | | | | | |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | | Sep 27, 2008 | | | Dec 29, 2007 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | (Note) | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Current assets | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 27,874 | | | $ | 28,269 | |
Accounts receivable, less allowance | | | | | | | | |
for doubtful accounts | | | 26,240,288 | | | | 19,887,556 | |
Inventories | | | | | | | | |
Raw materials | | | 19,742,786 | | | | 9,218,395 | |
Work-in-process | | | 19,193,453 | | | | 28,824,639 | |
Finished goods | | | 13,835,752 | | | | 10,758,064 | |
Total inventories | | | 52,771,991 | | | | 48,801,098 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 2,596,949 | | | | 2,284,000 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 271,385 | | | | 433,250 | |
Total current assets | | | 81,908,487 | | | | 71,434,173 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash value of life insurance | | | 2,845,022 | | | | 2,805,500 | |
Property, plant & equipment, net of accumulated | | | | | | | | |
depreciation of $42,719,000 and $40,374,000 | | | 21,798,401 | | | | 20,858,606 | |
Deferred charges and other assets | | | 1,485,329 | | | | 1,523,021 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 108,037,239 | | | $ | 96,621,300 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | $ | 466,667 | | | $ | 466,667 | |
Accounts payable | | | 18,397,312 | | | | 13,029,172 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 8,187,480 | | | | 10,772,331 | |
Current portion of environmental reserves | | | 544,094 | | | | 467,371 | |
Income taxes payable | | | 814,072 | | | | - | |
Total current liabilities | | | 28,409,625 | | | | 24,735,541 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | 12,777,170 | | | | 10,246,015 | |
Environmental reserves | | | 580,000 | | | | 580,000 | |
Deferred compensation | | | 379,500 | | | | 409,462 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 2,566,000 | | | | 2,510,000 | |
Shareholders' equity | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, par value $1 per share - authorized | | | | | | | | |
12,000,000 shares; issued 8,000,000 shares | | | 8,000,000 | | | | 8,000,000 | |
Capital in excess of par value | | | 698,204 | | | | 532,860 | |
Retained earnings | | | 70,042,932 | | | | 65,113,597 | |
Less cost of Common Stock in treasury: | | | | | | | | |
1,752,466 and 1,762,695 shares | | | (15,416,192 | ) | | | (15,506,175 | ) |
Total shareholders' equity | | | 63,324,944 | | | | 58,140,282 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | | $ | 108,037,239 | | | $ | 96,621,300 | |
Note: The balance sheet at December 29, 2007 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
(Unaudited) | | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended | | |
| | Sep 27, 2008 | Sep 29, 2007 | | | Sep 27, 2008 | Sep 29, 2007 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | $ | 45,091,769 | | $ | 51,515,183 | | | $ | 148,987,452 | | $ | 139,854,448 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of goods sold | | | 40,383,251 | | | 44,539,138 | | | | 129,548,103 | | | 115,745,273 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 4,708,518 | | | 6,976,045 | | | | 19,439,349 | | | 24,109,175 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative expense | | | 2,675,611 | | | 3,041,844 | | | | 9,095,660 | | | 9,527,861 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income | | | 2,032,907 | | | 3,934,201 | | | | 10,343,689 | | | 14,581,314 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other (income) and expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | 147,768 | | | 363,644 | | | | 501,324 | | | 834,816 | |
Other, net | | | (1,683 | ) | | (203 | ) | | | (6,264 | | | (1,777 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | | 1,886,822 | | | 3,570,760 | | | | 9,848,629 | | | 13,748,275 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes | | | 645,000 | | | 1,311,000 | | | | 3,353,000 | | | 4,768,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 1,241,822 | | $ | 2,259,760 | | | $ | 6,495,629 | | $ | 8,980,275 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | .20 | | $ | .36 | | | $ | 1.04 | | $ | 1.45 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted | | $ | .20 | | $ | .36 | | | $ | 1.03 | | $ | 1.42 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 6,247,534 | | | 6,236,263 | | | | 6,244,121 | | | 6,203,083 | |
Dilutive effect from stock options and grants | | | 49,021 | | | 110,989 | | | | 46,268 | | | 112,691 | |
Diluted | | | 6,296,555 | | | 6,347,252 | | | | 6,290,389 | | | 6,315,774 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. | | | | | | | | |
Synalloy Corporation | | | | | | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | | | |
(Unaudited) | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | Sep 27, 2008 | | | Sep 29, 2007 | |
Operating activities | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 6,495,629 | | | $ | 8,980,275 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash | | | | | | | | |
provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation expense | | | 2,393,177 | | | | 2,311,000 | |
Amortization of deferred charges | | | 37,692 | | | | 41,193 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | (256,949 | ) | | | (717,000 | ) |
Provision for losses on accounts receivable | | | 558,071 | | | | 567,562 | |
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment | | | (1,200 | ) | | | - | |
Cash value of life insurance | | | (39,522 | ) | | | (36,000 | ) |
Environmental reserves | | | 76,723 | | | | 33,556 | |
Issuance of treasury stock for director fees | | | 74,970 | | | | 74,989 | |
Employee stock option and grant compensation | | | 161,987 | | | | 127,721 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | (6,910,803 | ) | | | (4,876,198 | ) |
Inventories | | | (3,970,893 | ) | | | (4,516,147 | ) |
Other assets and liabilities | | | (66,485 | ) | | | (47,340 | ) |
Accounts payable | | | 5,368,140 | | | | 921,471 | |
Accrued expenses | | | (2,584,851 | ) | | | 2,511,998 | |
Income taxes payable | | | 1,012,460 | | | | (1,508,295 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 2,348,146 | | | | 3,868,785 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Investing activities | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | | | (3,332,972 | ) | | | (3,547,463 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | | | 1,200 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (3,331,772 | ) | | | (3,547,463 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Financing activities | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from long-term debt | | | 2,531,155 | | | | 39,805 | |
Dividends paid | | | (1,566,294 | ) | | | (927,189 | ) |
Capital contributed | | | - | | | | 20,340 | |
Excess tax benefits from Stock Grant Plan | | | 13,720 | | | | - | |
Proceeds from exercised stock options | | | 4,650 | | | | 550,465 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 983,231 | | | | (316,579 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | (395 | ) | | | 4,743 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 28,269 | | | | 21,413 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 27,874 | | | $ | 26,156 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. | | | | | |
Synalloy Corporation
Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 27, 2008
NOTE 1-- BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending January 3, 2009. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 29, 2007.
NOTE 2--INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.
NOTE 3--STOCK OPTIONS AND EMPLOYEE STOCK GRANTS
The Company has three stock option plans in effect at September 27, 2008. A summary of plan activity for 2008 is as follows:
| | Weighted | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | | |
| | Average | | | | | | Average | | | Intrinsic | | | | |
| | Exercise | | | Options | | | Contractual | | | Value of | | | Options | |
| | Price | | | Outstanding | | | Term | | | Options | | | Available | |
| | | | | | | | (in years) | | | | | | | |
At December 29, 2007 | | $ | 8.51 | | | | 130,743 | | | | 4.6 | | | $ | 1,198,000 | | | | 207,100 | |
Exercised | | $ | 4.65 | | | | (1,000 | ) | | | | | | $ | 8,550 | | | | | |
Expired | | $ | 13.63 | | | | (1,500 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At September 27, 2008 | | $ | 8.48 | | | | 128,243 | | | | 4.0 | | | $ | 791,000 | | | | 207,100 | |
Exercisable options | | $ | 8.04 | | | | 98,789 | | | | 3.2 | | | $ | 653,000 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Grant Date | | | | | |
Options expected to vest: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Fair Value | | | | | |
At December 29, 2007 | | $ | 9.96 | | | | 43,454 | | | | 7.1 | | | $ | 6.77 | | | | | |
Vested in the first quarter | | $ | 9.96 | | | | (14,000 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At September 27, 2008 | | $ | 9.96 | | | | 29,454 | | | | 6.4 | | | $ | 6.77 | | | | | |
Synalloy Corporation
Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 27, 2008
During the first nine months of 2008, options for 1,000 shares were exercised by employees and directors for an aggregate exercise price of $4,650. There were no shares exercised during the third quarter of 2008. Stock options compensation cost has been charged against income before taxes for the unvested options of $19,000 and $57,000 for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008, respectively, and the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007. As of September 27, 2008, there was $101,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Company's stock option plans which is expected to be recognized over a period of three years.
A summary of the Company’s Stock Awards Plan activity as of September 27, 2008 is as follows:
| | | | | Weighted | |
| | | | | Average | |
| | | | | Grant Date | |
| | Shares | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 29, 2007 | | | 22,180 | | | $ | 25.00 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Granted | | | 11,480 | | | $ | 16.35 | |
Vested | | | (4,436 | ) | | $ | 25.00 | |
Forfeited or expired | | | (3,980 | ) | | $ | 21.48 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at September 27, 2008 | | | 25,244 | | | $ | 21.62 | |
On February 6, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved stock grants under the Company’s 2005 Stock Awards Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the April 28, 2005 Annual Meeting. On February 12, 2008, 11,480 shares were granted under the Plan to certain management employees of the Company. The stock awards vest in 20 percent increments annually on a cumulative basis, beginning one year after the date of grant. In order for the awards to vest, the employee must be in the continuous employment of the Company since the date of the award. Any portion of an award that has not vested will be forfeited upon termination of employment. The Company may terminate any portion of the award that has not vested upon an employee’s failure to comply with all conditions of the award or the Plan. Shares representing awards that have not yet vested will be held in escrow by the Company. An employee is not entitled to any voting rights with respect to any shares not yet vested, and the shares are not transferable. Compensation costs charged against income totaled $36,000 and $105,000 before income taxes of $13,000 and $38,000 for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008, respectively, with the offset recorded in shareholders’ equity. Compensation costs for the same periods of 2007 included $28,000 and $71,000, respectively, for stock awards. As of September 27, 2008, there was $463,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock grants under the Company’s Stock Awards Plan.
Synalloy Corporation
Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 27, 2008
NOTE 4--INCOME TAXES
The Company had approximately $224,000 and $199,000 of total gross unrecognized tax benefits accrued at September 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively, that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in any future periods. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters and substantially all material state and local income tax matters for years through 2002. The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had $114,000 and $89,000 accrued for interest and $0 accrued for penalties at September 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.
NOTE 5--PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS
On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company voted to pay an annual dividend of $.25 per share payable on March 7, 2008 to holders of record on February 21, 2008, for a total of $1,566,000, and declared and paid a $.15 dividend for a total of $927,000 in the first quarter of 2007. The Board presently plans to review at the end of each fiscal year the financial performance and capital needed to support future growth to determine the amount of cash dividend, if any, which is appropriate.
NOTE 6--SEGMENT INFORMATION
| | THREE MONTHS ENDED | | NINE MONTHS ENDED | | |
| | Sep 27, 2008 | | | Sep 29, 2007 | | | Sep 27, 2008 | Sep 29. 2007 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | | | | | | | | | |
Specialty Chemicals Segment | | $ | 15,990,000 | | | $ | 14,982,000 | | | $ | 45,318,000 | | | $ | 39,045,000 | |
Metals Segment | | | 29,102,000 | | | | 36,533,000 | | | | 103,669,000 | | | | 100,809,000 | | |
| | $ | 45,092,000 | | | $ | 51,515,000 | | | $ | 148,987,000 | | | $ | 139,854,000 | |
Operating income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Specialty Chemicals Segment | | $ | 744,000 | | | $ | 1,106,000 | | | $ | 1,919,000 | | | $ | 2,239,000 | |
Metals Segment | | | 1,858,000 | | | | 3,477,000 | | | | 10,522,000 | | | | 14,451,000 | | |
| | | 2,602,000 | | | | 4,583,000 | | | | 12,441,000 | | | | 16,690,000 | | |
Unallocated expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate | | | 569,000 | | | | 648,000 | | | | 2,097,000 | | | | 2,109,000 | | |
Interest and debt expense | | | 148,000 | | | | 364,000 | | | | 501,000 | | | | 835,000 | | |
Other income | | | (2,000 | ) | | | - | | | | (6,000 | ) | | | (2,000 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | $ | 1,887,000 | | | $ | 3,571,000 | | | $ | 9,849,000 | | | $ | 13,748,000 | |
Synalloy Corporation
Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 27, 2008
NOTE 7 --FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
Effective December 30, 2007, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements, and SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under SFAS 157 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Accordingly, companies would then be required to report unrealized gains and losses on these items in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing companies with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. There was no impact on the financial statements from the adoption of either of these Statements.
Effective December 30, 2007, the Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in SFAS 157 which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs when measuring fair value. Level-1 measurements utilize quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company does not currently have any Level-1 assets or liabilities. Level-2 measurements utilize observable inputs other than Level-1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. The Company has a level-2 liability from its interest rate swap having a fair value of $198,000 and $195,000 at September 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. Changes in its fair value are being recorded in current liabilities with corresponding offsetting entries to interest expense. Level-3 measurements utilize unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The Company does not currently have any material Level-3 assets or liabilities.
Synalloy Corporation
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following is management's discussion of certain significant factors that affected the Company during the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008.
Consolidated sales for the third quarter of 2008 decreased 13 percent and increased seven percent for the first nine months of 2008, respectively, compared to the same periods one year ago. The Company experienced 45 percent and 28 percent declines in net earnings for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 to $1,242,000, or $.20 per share, and $6,496,000, or $1.03 per share, respectively, compared to net earnings of $2,260,000, or $.36 per share, and $8,980,000, or $1.42 per share, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007, respectively.
The Specialty Chemicals Segment continued its top line growth with sales up seven percent in the quarter and 16 percent in the nine months over the same periods last year. The increases in revenues came primarily from several new products that were added late in 2007 together with increased selling prices of our basic chemical products to pass on higher energy-related costs, partially offset by lower pigment sales. The decline in operating income for the quarter and first nine months was caused by several factors. Last year the third quarter was the most profitable of 2007 with operating income equal to 40 percent of the year’s total. This year the contract tolling business had a change in the mix of projects in the quarter that generated lower revenues as well as lower gross margins. The Segment was not able to raise prices sufficiently to cover rapidly increasing raw material and energy related costs in the quarter. Finally, pigment products gross profits were down significantly because of weak demand and highly competitive conditions. However, despite these factors, operating income for the third quarter increased compared to the second and first quarters of 2008.
The sales decline in the Metals Segment for the quarter resulted from a five percent decrease in average selling prices coupled with a 17 percent decline in unit volumes compared to the third quarter of 2007. These decreases came from a change in product mix as unit volumes of lower priced commodity pipe increased while higher priced non-commodity pipe and piping systems volumes declined. Commodity pipe unit volumes in each of the second and third quarters of 2008 more than doubled the extremely depressed level generated in the first quarter of 2008. This increase in commodity volumes reflects the apparent benefit that the unfair-trade case, filed in January 2008 by U.S. producers of stainless steel pipe and the United Steelworkers Union against China, had on imports over the last six months. The increase in sales for the nine months resulted from an increase in average selling prices of 23 percent, partially offset by a 17 percent decline in unit volumes compared to the same period last year. The decline in operating income in the quarter and nine months was partially the result of significant profits experienced in the 2007 periods from rising prices of stainless steel that led to increased profits under our FIFO inventory method, compared to the reverse in 2008 when losses have resulted from modestly declining prices. Also affecting the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year were lower results from the piping systems business which can have significant variations quarter to quarter because of customer delivery requirements and the types of products being produced. Piping systems' backlog was $38,700,000 at the end of the third quarter of 2008 compared to $66,800,000 at the end of the third quarter of 2007, and $44,500,000 at the end of the second quarter of 2008.
Consolidated selling and administrative expense for the third quarter decreased $366,000, or 12 percent, and for the first nine months of 2008 decreased $432,000 or five percent, compared to the third quarter and first nine months of last year. The expense was six percent of sales for both the quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively, compared to six percent and seven percent for the same periods last year, respectively. The decreases for the quarter and first nine months resulted principally from reductions in profit incentives incurred during the periods compared to the same periods last year. The decrease in interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 compared to the same periods last year came primarily from a reduction in the interest rate and our average borrowings during the period.
Synalloy Corporation
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Outlook
The Specialty Chemicals Segment revenues and profits have grown sequentially in the second and third quarters of 2008. Management is hopeful that this favorable trend will continue, reflecting their efforts to generate new products, improve existing products, and compete in markets not as susceptible to foreign imports. However, we are experiencing significant price increases from our raw material suppliers and it may not be possible to increase our selling prices to match these increases in raw material as well as higher energy-related costs. Although Management is confident it is positioned to compete effectively, these factors together with the uncertainty of the domestic economy, add uncertainty to future performance.
As a result of the significant increases in stainless steel pipe imported from China, the Metals Segment along with three other U.S. producers of stainless steel pipe and the United Steelworkers Union filed an unfair-trade case against China on January 30, 2008. It is the third case involving pipe and tube imports from China filed since early 2007. So far, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (“DOC”) findings have supported petitioners in the previous cases, although the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) has yet to weigh in with final injury determinations on stainless steel pipe. On March 14, 2008, the ITC determined that there is a reasonable indication that our industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. As a result of the ITC's affirmative determinations, the DOC will continue to conduct its investigations of imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from China. At the end of June 2008, the DOC issued preliminary countervailing duties, and on August 28, 2008, it announced the preliminary determination of anti-dumping duties. These duties range from 22 percent to 128 percent on imported stainless steel welded pipe smaller than 16 inches from China. Management believes China is exporting pipe from excess capacity at dumped and subsidized prices into the US market. As discussed above, based on the second and third quarter’s activity, we believe the actions by the ITC and the DOC have already reduced import activity and have had a positive influence on pricing and demand for domestic producers. This is encouraging but until this trade case is finalized it will add uncertainty to the future results from commodity pipe. This positive impact on commodity pipe volumes has been offset somewhat by falling stainless steel prices which, along with the uncertainty of the economy, have caused distributors to limit stocking of inventories. The impact from the current economic situation both domestically and world-wide coupled with the volume declines in our piping systems business experienced in the third quarter, makes it difficult to predict the performance of this Segment for the fourth quarter of 2008. However, management continues to be optimistic about the piping systems business over the long-term based on our current bidding activity for projects and our strong backlog, with over 90 percent of the backlog coming from energy and water and wastewater treatment projects.
The Company is currently in compliance with its debt covenants and believes it is in excellent standing with its banks. The balance sheet remains strong with net working capital totaling $53,499,000, and our financing arrangements, along with cash flows generated from operations is expected to provide the liquidity we need to finance operations and make needed capital expenditures for the balance of the year.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This Form 10-Q includes and incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." The words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "plan" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those identified below, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following factors could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated: adverse economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and
acceptance risks, raw material and other increased costs, customer delays or difficulties in the production of products, unavailability of debt financing on acceptable terms and exposure to increased market interest rate risk, inability to comply with covenants and ratios required by our debt financing arrangements and other risks detailed from time-to-time in Synalloy's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Synalloy Corporation assumes no obligation to update the information included in this Form 10-Q.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Information about the Company’s exposure to market risk was disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2008. There have been no material quantitative or qualitative changes in market risk exposure since the date of that filing.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Based on the evaluation required by 17 C.F.R. Section 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b) of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in 17 C.F.R. Sections 240.13a-15(e) and 240.15d-15(e)), the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that such controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, were effective.
There has been no change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Synalloy Corporation
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There has been no material change in the risk factors as previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K filed for the period ended December 29, 2007.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During the third quarter ended September 27, 2008, the Registrant did not issue any shares of common stock to officers, employees or non-employee directors that would be exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 because the issuance did not involve a public offering.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None
Item 6. | | Exhibits |
| | The following exhibits are included herein: |
| 31 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
| 32 | Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 |
Synalloy Corporation
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| SYNALLOY CORPORATION |
| | (Registrant) |
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Date: October 31, 2008 | By: | /s/ Ronald H. Braam |
| | Ronald H. Braam |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Date: October 31, 2008 | By: | /s/ Gregory M. Bowie |
| | Gregory M. Bowie |
| | Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
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