UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002

Commission file number 1-13293

The Hillman Companies, Inc. (formerly SunSource Inc.)


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
             
Delaware
  23-2874736  

 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
  (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
  Identification No.)
   
10590 Hamilton Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio
    45231  

 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (513) 851-4900

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

           
Title of Class
  Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

 
 
11.6% Junior Subordinated Debentures
  None
Preferred Securities Guaranty
       
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
       

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

     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 Act).

     YES     NO      X

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

     On March 20, 2003 there were 7,118,665 Common Shares issued and outstanding by the Registrant and 4,217,724 Trust Preferred Securities issued and outstanding by the Hillman Group Capital Trust (formerly SunSource Capital Trust). The Trust Preferred Securities trade on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol HLM.Pr. The aggregate market value of the Trust Preferred Shares held by non-affiliates at June 28, 2002 was $103,376,415.


 

PART I

Item I — Business.

General

SunSource Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SunSource”) converted from partnership to corporate form on September 30, 1997. On March 18, 2002, SunSource, as a result of the acquisition of a majority of SunSource common stock by Allied Capital Corporation in September 2001 as discussed below, changed its name to The Hillman Companies, Inc. (“Hillman” or the “Company”) which reflects its predominant business as one of the largest providers of merchandising services and hardware-related products to retail markets in North America. In connection with the SunSource name change, SunSource Capital Trust, which has 4.2 million Trust Preferred Securities outstanding and trading on the American Stock Exchange, changed its name to the Hillman Group Capital Trust. The Trust Preferred Securities trade under the ticker symbol HLM.Pr (formerly SDP.Pr). The Company has moved its principal executive offices from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Company’s principal business is operated through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Hillman Group, Inc. (the “Hillman Group”) which had sales of approximately $287 million in 2002. The Hillman Group sells to hardware stores, home centers, mass merchants, pet suppliers, and other retail outlets principally in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Product lines include thousands of small parts such as fasteners and related hardware items; keys, key duplication systems and accessories; and identification items, such as, tags and letters, numbers, and signs. Services offered include design and installation of merchandising systems and maintenance of appropriate in-store inventory levels.

Background

On September 26, 2001, SunSource Inc. was acquired by Allied Capital Corporation (“Allied Capital”) pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 18, 2001, by and among Allied Capital, Allied Capital Lock Acquisition Corporation and SunSource (the “Merger Transaction”). Certain members of management and other stockholders continue as stockholders of the Company after the merger. The total transaction value was $74.0 million or $10.375 per SunSource common share, consisting of the cash purchase price paid for the outstanding common stock of the Company aggregating approximately $71.5 million and management and other stockholders’ common shares valued at approximately $2.5 million. SunSource was the surviving entity in the merger and organized as an independently managed portfolio company of Allied Capital.

In connection with the Merger Transaction, on September 28, 2001, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of its SunSource Technology Services business (the “STS Business”) to STS Operating, Inc. (“STS OP”), an entity formed by certain officers and managers of the STS Business, Allied Capital and Easton Hunt Capital Partners, L.P. for the purpose of acquiring the STS Business. STS OP purchased the assets of the STS Business including the rights to the name SunSource from SunSource Technology Services, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SunSource, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 28, 2001, by and between SunSource Technology Services, LLC and STS OP. The purchase price aggregated approximately $25.5 million in cash and preferred stock of STS OP, subject to post-closing adjustments, plus the assumption of certain liabilities. On October 16, 2002, Hillman’s equity investment in STS OP preferred stock and $0.2 million of cash was distributed to the Company’s common stockholders.

On March 2, 2000, the Company contributed its Kar Products operations to a newly formed partnership affiliated with Glencoe Capital L.L.C. (“Glencoe”). Glencoe contributed cash equity to the new partnership in exchange for a 51% controlling interest with the remaining minority interest retained by SunSource. The Company received $105 million in cash proceeds from the transaction through repayment of assumed debt by the new partnership, GC-Sun Holdings, L.P. (“G-C”). On October 4, 2000, G-C acquired all of the outstanding stock of Brampton Fastener Co. Limited (d/b/a Brafasco). On January 4, 2002, G-C provided the Company notice that it intended to exercise its call right to purchase the Company’s partnership interest as a result of the Merger Transaction with Allied Capital. On April 13, 2002, the

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Company entered into a Unit Repurchase Agreement with G-C, pursuant to which G-C exercised its call right. In exchange for its interest in G-C, the Company received a $10 million subordinated note from G-C.

On May 1, 2002 the Company purchased certain assets of the Lowe’s specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc. for cash consideration of $6.3 million. In connection with this transaction, the Company settled litigation filed by R&B, Inc. in February 1996 related to the Company’s sale of the Dorman Products division.

On October 3, 2002, the Company, through its Hillman Group subsidiary, purchased the net assets of the DIY division (“DIY”) of the Fastenal Company of Winona, MN (“Fastenal”). DIY, with annual sales of approximately $22 million, distributes fasteners, anchors, picture hanging wire, hooks, tacks, and brads to national hardware cooperatives and home centers. The Company paid $15.3 million in cash to Fastenal for the net assets of DIY.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

On April 13, 2000, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of its Harding Glass, Inc. (“Harding”) subsidiary to VVP America for a cash purchase price of $30.6 million plus the assumption by the buyer of certain liabilities aggregating $12.7 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Proceeds from the sale of Harding were used to repay the Company’s outstanding debt. Harding sales aggregated $28.0 million from January 1, 2000 through April 12, 2000.

A plan to dispose of the Company’s Harding Glass business was approved by the Board of Directors in December 1999. From December 1999 through the date of sale, Harding was accounted for as a discontinued operation and, accordingly, its results of operations were segregated from results of the Company’s ongoing businesses including restatement of prior periods presented.

On April 7, 2000, the Company acquired Axxess Technologies, Inc. (“Axxess” or “Axxess Technologies”) of Tempe, Arizona through a stock merger transaction. Axxess is a manufacturer and distributor of key duplication and identification systems. The transaction was structured as a purchase of 100% of the stock of the privately held company and repayment of outstanding Axxess debt in exchange for $87 million in cash and $23 million in subordinated notes. Axxess Technologies’ sales aggregated $19.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2000. The results of operations for Axxess are included in the results of the Hillman Group from the date of acquisition. On June 1, 2001, Axxess Technologies merged with and into the Hillman Group in conjunction with the 2001 Legal Reorganization noted above with the Hillman Group being the surviving entity in the merger.

On November 3, 2000, the Company purchased inventory and other assets of the Sharon-Philstone division of Pawtucket Fasteners, L.P. of Rhode Island, distributors of fasteners to the retail hardware marketplace with annual sales of approximately $14 million for the twelve months ended prior to the acquisition. The purchase price was $6.9 million for inventory and other assets including certain post-closing adjustments.

In December 2000, the Board of Directors approved a plan to liquidate the Company’s investment in SunSource Integrated Services de Mexico, SA de CV, the “Mexican Business Segment.” This segment has been accounted for as a discontinued operation and, accordingly, its results of operations were segregated from the results of the Company’s ongoing businesses including restatement of prior periods presented. The liquidation process was substantially completed as of June 30, 2001. On August 3, 2001, STS distributed its common stock investment in the Mexican Business Segment to the Hillman Group to segregate the STS Business from the remaining business interests of SunSource.

On May 16, 2001, the Board of Directors approved a plan of legal reorganization whereby (i) SunSource Technology Services, Inc. (“STS”) was formed as a single member limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hillman Group and (ii) Axxess Technologies, Inc. was merged with and into the Hillman Group, collectively, the “2001 Legal Reorganization.”

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Industry Overview

Hillman operates in multiple channels of the retail marketplace such as hardware stores, national and regional home centers and mass merchants. Hillman focuses on delivering merchandising systems, point-of-sale displays, product support and sales installation services through its nationwide field sales and service force to the retail sector.

These retail channels are currently experiencing significant change marked by the continued growth of the large national big box (“Big Box”) chains (defined as mass merchants, home centers and large-format grocery/drug centers), which have taken market share from the regional home centers and independent hardware dealers and co-ops. Hillman has developed sales, marketing, merchandising and service specifically to meet the needs of the Big Box chains. Hillman believes that its market knowledge, merchandising skills, breadth of inventory, and value-added services, including superior support and fulfillment capabilities, will enable the Company to prosper with the Big Box chains.

The Hillman Group

Refer to Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 19, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for segment financial data for the three years ended December 31, 2002.

The Company is organized as a single business segment which is the Hillman Group. With annualized sales of approximately $287 million, the Hillman Group believes it is the leading provider of fasteners and related small hardware items; keys, key duplication systems and related accessories; and identification items, such as tags and letters, numbers and signs (“LNS”) to retail outlets in North America. Retail outlets served by Hillman are hardware stores, home centers, mass merchants, pet suppliers, grocery stores and drug stores. Through its field sales and service organization, Hillman complements its extensive product selection with value-added services for the retailer.

Sales and service representatives regularly visit retail outlets to review stock levels, reorder items in need of replacement, and interact with the store management to offer new product and merchandising ideas. Thousands of items can be actively managed with the retailer experiencing a substantial reduction in paperwork and labor costs. Service representatives also assist in organizing the products in a consumer-friendly manner. Hillman complements its broad range of products with value-added merchandising services such as displays, product identification stickers, retail price stickers, store rack and drawer systems, assistance in rack positioning and store layout, and inventory restocking services. Periodically, Hillman introduces new products and package designs with color-coding for ease of shopping by consumers and modifies rack designs to improve the attractiveness of individual store displays. In effect, Hillman functions as a merchandising manager for retailers, supporting these services with high order fill rates and rapid delivery from its twelve distribution centers across the United States. Currently, orders are shipped within 48 hours with a 96% order fill rate.

Hillman also manufactures and markets a value-added mix of high-tech and conventional products in two core product categories: key duplication systems and identification systems. The patent-protected Axxess Precision Key Duplication SystemTM has proven to be a profitable revenue source within Big Box retailers. This system has been placed in over 13,000 retail locations to date.

In addition, Hillman offers a commercialized, innovative, consumer-operated vending system, Quick-TagTM, which provides custom engraved specialty items, such as pet identification tags, luggage tags and other engraved identification tags. Hillman initially targeted the pet identification market with its Quick-Tag system, and has facilitated the process of obtaining a pet tag by providing pet owners with a quick and highly convenient means to custom engrave tags while shopping at large format retail stores such as Wal-Mart and PETsMART. Hillman has developed other high impact applications for its Quick-Tag™ interactive engraving technology, including luggage tags, key chains and military-style identification tags. To date, more than 2,900 Quick-Tag™ machines have been placed in retail locations which are being supported by Hillman’s sales and service representatives.

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The Company ships its products from twelve distribution centers located strategically throughout the U.S. and Canada (See Item 2 — Properties). In 2002 Hillman invested $9.8 million in a new state of the art distribution facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to improving order turnaround time and reducing labor costs the new facility will provide additional capacity to accommodate future sales growth.

     Products and Suppliers

Currently, Hillman buys its products from approximately 650 vendors, the largest of which accounted for approximately 10% of the Group’s annual purchases and the top five of which accounted for 27% of its purchases. About half of its purchases are from overseas suppliers, with the balance from domestic manufacturers and master distributors.

     Fasteners

Hillman’s fastener product line includes both standard and specialty nuts, bolts, washers, screws and anchors. The line also includes brass, plastic, stainless steel, and other miscellaneous fasteners. The depth of the line, over 37,500 products, is believed to be the largest among suppliers servicing the hardware retail segment. Fasteners generated almost 57% of total revenue in 2002. Non-fastener products feature picture hanging items and accessories, keys and accessories, LNS, rope and chain accessories, and an extensive list of specialty items. To assure quality from its vendors, Hillman conducts periodic on-site evaluations, random sampling of products and communicates results to vendors. Hillman also tracks the performance of its vendors based on delivery time and accuracy of shipments.

     Keys and Key Accessories

Hillman provides a competitive line of metal key products for major retailers and the automotive sector. In 2002, keys represented 21.4% of total revenue. Hillman manufactures two metal key duplication systems that are niche-marketed to retail outlets, primarily mass merchants and home centers, and a code cutting system for use in automotive dealerships and in vehicle fleet environments.

The Axxess Precision Key Duplication System™ creates high quality duplicate keys with the precision of a locksmith while minimizing the technical skill required by operators. The system was developed in response to retailers needs for reducing the miscut rate on keys. Axxess keys provide retailers with nearly ten times more gross profit per square foot than the average of all products sold in grocery and mass merchant channels. Hillman also markets a conventional key cutting system. Key styles marketed include standard brass keys, Wackeys™, NFL logo keys, Color Plus™ keys, rubber head keys, and high security vehicle anti-theft key blanks. The conventional system is marketed to retailers who do not experience high employee turnover and therefore do not have the same labor constraints as mass merchants, home centers or grocery and drug retailers.

The key cutting system developed for the automotive industry, PC+ Code Cutter, produces automobile keys using alphanumeric codes based on a vehicle’s identification number. Utilizing a proprietary computer program, the PC+ Code Cutter identifies and then cuts keys based on the automobile’s original key pattern. The PC+ Code Cutter is distributed through Barnes Distribution, a distribution company serving vehicular and industrial markets. Since its introduction in February 1996, more than 7,700 PC+ Code Cutter systems have been sold.

Hillman also markets key accessories in conjunction with its key duplication systems. Popular accessories include the Key Light™, Valet KeyChain™, key identifiers, key coils and key clips. The Key Mates™ line of key accessories includes a broad range of products such as key chains, tags, lights, floats, holders, whistles, and a host of other miscellaneous complementary items.

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     Engraving

Quick-Tag™ is a patented, state-of-the-art consumer-operated vending system that custom engraves specialty products such as pet identification tags, military-style I.D. tags, holiday ornaments and luggage tags. The Company has placed almost 3,000 Quick-Tag machines in retail outlets throughout the United States and Canada. Using an interactive touch screen, customers input information such as a pet name and telephone number, and the system’s proprietary technology engraves the tag in less than two minutes. The Quick-Tag system does not require incremental labor and generates high levels of customer satisfaction and attractive margins for the retailer. The Quick-Tag custom engraving systems generate retail profit per square foot over seven times the typical retail average. Revenues for engraving products represented 8.7% of total revenues in 2002.

Hillman purchases a wide variety of materials and components to manufacture the Axxess Key Duplication and Quick-Tag engraving machines, many of which are manufactured to its specifications. Management does not believe that it is overly dependent on any one supplier. The machine components do not generally require proprietary technology and Hillman has identified or used alternate suppliers for its primary sourcing needs.

     Letters, numbers and signs (“LNS”)

LNS sales accounted for 9.0% of 2002 revenues and include packaged self-adhesive letters and numbers, mailbox numbers and accessories, house numbers and letters, contractor safety program signs, and driveway markers and reflectors. Typical retailers dedicate eight linear feet of retail space for this product and view it as a significant contributor to their retail offerings.

     Markets and Customers

Hillman services approximately 15,000 franchise and independent (“F&I”) retail outlets. These individual dealers are typically members of the larger cooperatives, such as Tru-Serv, Ace and Do-it-Best. The Company sells directly to the cooperative’s retail locations and also supplies many fastener items to the cooperative’s central warehouses. These central warehouses distribute to their members that do not have a requirement for Hillman’s in-store service. These arrangements reduce credit risk and logistic expense for Hillman and reduce central warehouse inventory and delivery costs for the cooperatives.

The products sold to the F&I dealers typically account for approximately 7% of the retailer’s revenues and over 25% of a hardware store’s traffic. A typical hardware store maintains in inventory thousands of different items, many of which generate small dollar sales but large profits. It is difficult for a retailer to monitor economically all stock levels and to reorder the products from multiple vendors. The problem is compounded by the necessity of receiving small shipments of inventory at different times and having to stock the goods. However, failure to have these small items available will have an adverse effect on store traffic, thereby denying the retailer the opportunity to sell items that generate higher dollar sales.

In addition, Hillman sells its products to national accounts such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, Tractor Supply, PETsMART, and PetCo. Hillman’s status as a national supplier of unique, proprietary products to Big Box retailers allowed it to develop a formidable market position and high barriers to entry within its product categories. Management believes that the dynamics, which make its services attractive to hardware retailers, are present with these larger customers as well.

Hillman serves over approximately 20,000 customers, the top five of which accounted for approximately 40% of its annualized sales. The single largest customer represented approximately 14.4% of total revenue and the second largest was slightly less than 12%. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total sales in 2002.

Hillman’s telemarketing activity sells to approximately 6,700 smaller hardware outlets and over 6,000 non-hardware accounts. New business is also being cultivated internationally in such places as Canada, Mexico, South and Central America, and the Caribbean.

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     Sales and Marketing

Management believes the Company consistently is able to be responsive to the needs of the F&I retailers because it employs the largest direct sales organization in the retail home industry. This organization consists of 210 people, managed by 15 field managers. Each sales representative is responsible for approximately 50 full service accounts that they call on approximately every two weeks. Coupled with the efforts of the Marketing Department, the sales force not only sells products, but can sell merchandising and technological support capabilities as well. The Marketing Department provides support through the development of new products, sales collateral, promotional items, merchandising aids and marketing services such as advertising and trade show management. Its EDI system is used by a number of its large customers.

In addition, the national accounts field service organization consists of over 300 service people and 22 field managers focusing on “Big Box” retailers, pet super stores, large national discount chains and grocery stores. This organization reorders products, details store shelves and sets up in-store promotions.

Management believes that Hillman provides unmatched product support, customer service and profit opportunities for its retail distribution partners. It also believes that a significant source of its competitive advantage rests in its ability to provide a greater level of customer service than its competitors. Hillman products are covered directly by the combined field service organization, which provides service support through field visits. These field visits provide Hillman with critical information relating to consumer buying patterns and retailing trends, and complements their new product development efforts. Field service representatives also help retail customers to improve the efficiency and profitability of Hillman’s on-site merchandising systems by consulting with customers in the areas of EDI, product planning, inventory control, systems interface and store operations.

     Competition

The principal competitors for Hillman’s F&I business are Midwest Fasteners, Serv-A-Lite and Hyko in the hardware store marketplace. The first two carry mainly fastener products, while the latter is the major competitor in letters numbers and signs. Hillman competes primarily on field service, merchandising, as well as product availability, price and breadth of product line.

Management estimates that Hillman sells to approximately 65% of the full service hardware stores in the F&I marketplace. The hardware outlets that purchase products but not services from Hillman also purchase products from local and regional distributors and cooperatives. Competition in the F&I marketplace is primarily on the basis of price and availability.

The primary competitors in the national accounts marketplace for fasteners are Crown-Bolt, R&B, Inc. and the Newell Group. Competition is based primarily on in-store service and price. Other competitors are local and regional distributors.

In 2002, the total domestic market for keys was estimated to be 600 million units at the retail level with annual sales of over $900 million. The key duplication market can be segmented into three primary retail categories: hardware stores, locksmiths and Big Box retailers. Hillman believes it maintains the leading market share of keys in terms of unit and dollar sales. To displace Hillman’s market position, a competitor would have to develop a full range of products with demonstrably better technology without infringing on patents. These competitors would also have to buyback existing inventory from retailers. Management believes that these substantial competitive barriers help preserve its unique franchise within the key duplication market segment.

Hillman competes with Hyko for LNS sales in hardware stores, home centers and mass merchants. Competitors in the pet tag market are specialty retailers, direct mail order and retailers with in-store mail order capability. The Quick-Tag system has patent protected proprietary technology that is a major barrier to entry and preserves this market segment.

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Risk Factors

     Risks Associated with Acquisitions

An element of Hillman’s future growth strategy is to pursue selected acquisitions that either expand or complement its businesses in new or existing markets. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify or acquire acceptable acquisition candidates on terms favorable to the Company and in a timely manner to the extent necessary to fulfill Hillman’s growth strategy. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that competition for acquisition candidates will not escalate, thereby increasing the costs of acquisitions. The process of integrating acquired businesses into the Company’s operations may result in unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of resources and management’s attention, and there can be no assurance that Hillman will be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses into its operations. The failure to complete or successfully integrate prospective acquisitions may have an adverse impact on the Company’s growth strategy.

     Competition

The retail industry is highly competitive, with the principal methods of competition being price, quality of service, quality of products, product availability, credit terms and the provision of value-added services, such as merchandising design, in-store service and inventory management. The Company encounters competition from a large number of regional and national distributors, some of which have greater financial resources than the Company and may offer a greater variety of products.

     Seasonality and Economic Conditions

Hillman has, in the past, experienced seasonal fluctuations in sales and operating results from quarter to quarter. Typically, the first calendar quarter is the weakest due to the effect of weather on home projects and the construction industry.

With the growing trend toward retail trade consolidation we are increasingly dependent upon key retailers whose bargaining strength is growing. Accordingly, we face greater pressure from our retail trade customers to provide more favorable trade terms. We can be negatively affected by changes in the policies of our retail trade customers.

The threat of potential military action or war, as well as attendant political activity, has created an atmosphere of economic uncertainty throughout the world. Our results may be impacted by the macroeconomic effects of those events. A disruption in our supply chain as a result of such actions may significantly affect our business and its prospects. In addition, such events may also result in heightened domestic security and higher costs for importing shipments of product. Any of these occurrences may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flow or results in any reporting period.

Changes in general economic conditions could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

     Dependence on Information Systems

The Company believes that its proprietary computer software programs are an integral part of its business and growth strategies. Hillman depends on its information systems generally to process orders, to manage inventory and accounts receivable collections, to purchase, sell and ship products efficiently and on a timely basis, to maintain cost-effective operations and to provide superior service to its customers. There can be no assurance that the precautions which the Company has taken against certain events that could disrupt the operations of its information systems will prevent the occurrence of such a disruption. Any such disruption could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

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Insurance Arrangements

Under the Company’s current insurance programs, commercial umbrella coverage is obtained for catastrophic exposure and aggregate losses in excess of expected claims. Since October 1991, the Company has retained the exposure on certain expected losses related to worker’s compensation, general liability and automobile. The Company also retains the exposure on expected losses related to health benefits of certain employees. The Company believes that its present insurance is adequate for its businesses. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2002.

Employees

As of December 31, 2002, the Company’s total operations employed approximately 1,800 employees, of which approximately 640 were sales personnel, approximately 890 were employed as warehouse, manufacturing and delivery personnel, and approximately 270 were administrative positions. In the opinion of management, employee relations are good.

Backlog

The Company’s sales backlog from ongoing operations was $1.3 million as of December 31, 2002, and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2001.

Where You Can Find More Information

The Company files quarterly, annual and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). You may read and copy any reports, statements, or other information filed by the Company at the Commission’s public reference rooms at 450 5th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-202-942-8090 for more information on the public reference rooms. The Commission also maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, like Hillman, that file electronically with the Commission. Copies may also be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by written request to Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

You can inspect reports, proxy statements, and other information about the Company at the offices of The American Stock Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, NY 10006.

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Item 2 — Properties.

The Company’s principal office, manufacturing and distribution properties are as follows:

                 
    Approximate        
Location   Square Footage   Description

 
 
Cincinnati, Ohio
    240,000     Office, Distribution
Forest Park, Ohio
    260,000     Distribution
Tempe, Arizona
    161,000     Mfg., Distribution
Tempe, Arizona
    47,000     Office
Bakersfield, California
    84,000     Distribution
Dallas, Texas
    32,000     Distribution
Portland, Oregon
    29,000     Distribution
Charlotte, North Carolina
    32,000     Distribution
Albany, New York
    39,000     Distribution
LaCrosse, Wisconsin
    48,000     Distribution
Rockford, Illinois
    153,000     Office, Distribution
Riveria Beach, Florida
    37,000     Distribution
Goodlettsville, Tennessee
    72,000     Manufacturing
Mississuaga, Ontario
    11,000     Distribution

With the exception of Goodlettseville, Tennessee, all of the Company’s facilities are leased. In the opinion of management, the Company’s existing facilities are in good condition.

Item 3 — Legal Proceedings.

Legal proceedings are pending which are either in the ordinary course of business or incidental to the Company’s business. Those legal proceedings incidental to the business of the Company are generally not covered by insurance or other indemnity. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of the pending litigation matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, operations or cash flows of the Company.

Item 4 — Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The Company did not submit any matters to a vote of Trust Preferred holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2002.

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PART II

Item 5 — Market for Registrant’s Common Shares and Related Stockholder Matters.

Stock Exchange Listing

Effective June 19, 2001, the Company transferred listing of its Common Stock and Trust Preferred Securities from the New York Stock Exchange to the American Stock exchange utilizing its same ticker symbols SDP and SDP.PR, respectively. As a result of the Merger Transaction, the Common Stock is no longer publicly traded. In connection with the SunSource name change on March 18, 2002, the Trust Preferred Securities trade under the ticker symbol HLM.Pr (formerly SDP.Pr).

The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices on the New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange composite tapes for the Trust Preferred Securities.

                 
    HIGH   LOW
   
 
2002
               
               
First Quarter
  $ 25.80     $ 24.80  
Second Quarter
    25.50       24.51  
Third Quarter
    24.80       21.95  
Fourth Quarter
    25.00       23.31  
2001
               
               
First Quarter
  $ 18.62     $ 15.06  
Second Quarter
    23.50       17.90  
Third Quarter
    24.79       23.21  
Fourth Quarter
    25.47       24.40  

The Trust Preferred Securities have a liquidation value of $25.00 per security. As of March 20, 2003, there were 808 holders of Trust Preferred Securities and fourteen (14) common stockholders. The total number of Trust Preferred Securities outstanding as of March 20, 2003, was 4,217,724. The total number of Common Shares outstanding as of March 20, 2003, was 7,118,665.

Distributions

The Company pays interest to the Hillman Group Capital Trust, formerly SunSource Capital Trust (the “Trust”), on the Junior Subordinated Debentures underlying the Trust Preferred Securities at the rate of 11.6% per annum on their face amount of $105.4 million, or $12.2 million per annum in the aggregate. The Trust distributes an equivalent amount to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company paid $12.2 million per year in interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, equivalent to the amounts distributed by the Trust on the Trust Preferred Securities.

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Item 6 — Selected Financial Data.

As a result of the Merger Transaction, the Company’s operations for the periods presented prior to September 30, 2001 are referenced herein as the predecessor operations (the “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Operations”). The Company’s operations for the periods presented since the Merger Transaction are referenced herein as the successor operations (the “Successor” or “Successor Operations”) and include the effects of the Company’s debt refinancing and sale of an operating subsidiary completed subsequent to the Merger Transaction.

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data of the Predecessor as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2000 and the nine months ended September 30, 2001; and consolidated financial data of the Successor as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the three months ended December 31, 2001. See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for information regarding the acquisition of the Company by Allied Capital, the Company’s debt refinancing, and discontinued operations as well as other acquisitions and divestitures that affect comparability.

(dollars in thousands)

                                                   
      Successor   Predecessor
     
 
              Three   Nine                        
              Months   Months                        
      Year Ended   Ended   Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended
      12/31/02   12/31/01   09/30/01   12/31/00   12/31/99   12/31/98
     
 
 
 
 
 
Income Statement Data:
Continuing Operations
                                         
 
Net sales
$ 286,788     $ 60,040     $ 341,307     $ 462,839     $ 543,277     $ 603,071  
 
Gross profit
    160,614       34,442       143,564       184,660       226,154       252,168  
 
Gain on contribution of subsidiaries
    —       —       —       49,115       —       —  
 
Income (loss) before discontinued operations
    6,103       (2,909 )     (1,327 )     27,290       (11,321 )     11,517  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    —       —       —       (2,610 )     (25,815 )     2,300  
Extraordinary loss
    —       —       —       —       (235 )     —  
Net income (loss)
  $ 6,103     $ (2,909 )   $ (1,327 )   $ 24,680     $ (37,371 )   $ 13,817  
Balance Sheet Data at December 31:
                                               
Total assets
  $ 368,854     $ 344,564       N/A     $ 322,589     $ 321,626     $ 327,523  
Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations (1)
  $ 146,716     $ 128,739       N/A     $ 102,790     $ 126,723     $ 95,842  


(1)   Includes current portion of long-term debt.

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

The following discussion provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the Company’s operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.

General

The Hillman Companies, Inc. (“Hillman” or the “Company”), formerly SunSource Inc. (“SunSource”), is one of the largest providers of value-added merchandising services and hardware-related products to retail markets in North America.

The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Hillman Group, Inc. (the “Hillman Group”), provides merchandising services and hardware and related products, such as, fasteners and similar items, key duplication equipment, keys and related accessories, and identification equipment and items to retail outlets, primarily hardware stores, home centers and mass merchants.

Merger Transaction

On September 26, 2001, SunSource was acquired by Allied Capital Corporation (“Allied Capital”) pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 18, 2001 (the “Merger Transaction”). Certain members of management and other stockholders continued as stockholders of the Company after the merger. The total transaction value was $74.0 million or $10.375 per SunSource common share, consisting of the cash purchase price paid for the outstanding common stock of the Company aggregating approximately $71.5 million and management’s common shares valued at approximately $2.5 million. SunSource was the surviving entity in the merger and organized as an independently managed, privately held portfolio company of Allied Capital.

In connection with the Merger Transaction, on September 28, 2001, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of its SunSource Technology Services business (the “STS Business”) to STS Operating, Inc. (“STS OP”), an entity formed by certain officers and managers of the STS Business, Allied Capital and Easton Hunt Capital Partners, L.P. for the purpose of acquiring the STS Business. The purchase price aggregated approximately $25.5 million in cash and preferred stock, subject to post-closing adjustments plus the assumption of certain liabilities. On October 16, 2002, Hillman’s equity investment in STS OP preferred stock and $0.2 million of cash was distributed to the Company’s common stockholders.

The Company’s operations for the periods presented prior to September 30, 2001 are referenced herein as the predecessor operations (the “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Operations”). The Company’s operations for the period presented since the Merger Transaction are referenced herein as the successor operations (the “Successor” or “Successor Operations”) and include the effects of the Company’s debt refinancing and sale of an operating subsidiary completed subsequent to the Merger Transaction (see Financing Arrangements and Acquisitions/Divestitures below). The Company’s final two business days of operation in September 2001 are immaterial for separate presentation and have been reflected in the Predecessor Operations.

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Financing Arrangements

On September 28, 2001, the Company refinanced its $115 million bank revolving credit and $21.5 million term loan with $105 million in senior secured credit facilities (the “Refinancing”). The new senior debt agreement (“Credit Agreement”) has a $50 million revolving credit line, a $20 million term loan that expires on September 27, 2006, and a $35 million term loan that expires on September 27, 2008. On May 1, 2002, the Credit Agreement was amended to provide an additional $10.0 million of availability under the revolving credit facility and to increase the term loans by $15.0 million.

On December 23, 2002, the Credit Agreement was amended to provide an additional $4.8 million of availability under the revolving credit agreement and to increase the term loans by $5.2 million. As of December 31, 2002, the outstanding balance of the term loans aggregated $69.8 million.

On December 28, 2000, the Company issued $30 million of unsecured subordinated notes to Allied Capital and issued an additional $10 million of these notes to Allied Capital on September 28, 2001 in conjunction with the Refinancing noted above (the “Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance”). The majority of the cash proceeds generated from the Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance were used to repay at a discount an unsecured subordinated note issued in connection with the acquisition of Axxess Technologies, Inc. on April 7, 2000 (the “Axxess Subordinated Note Repayment”).

Corporate Reorganization

On May 16, 2001, the Board of Directors approved a plan of legal reorganization whereby (i) SunSource Technology Services, Inc. (“STS”) was formed as a single member limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hillman Group and (ii) Axxess Technologies, Inc. was merged with and into the Hillman Group, collectively, the “2001 Legal Reorganization.”

Acquisitions and Dispositions

On October 3, 2002, the Company, through its Hillman Group subsidiary, purchased the net assets of the DIY division (“DIY”) of the Fastenal Company of Winona, MN (“Fastenal”). DIY, with annual sales of approximately $22 million, distributes fasteners, anchors, picture hanging wire, hooks, tacks, and brads to national hardware cooperatives and home centers. The Company paid $15.3 million in cash to Fastenal for the net assets of DIY. The transaction was financed from the Company’s existing credit lines.

In connection with the DIY acquisition, the Company developed an overall integration plan that included the elimination of redundant headcount and facilities. The Company accrued approximately $3.4 million of estimated costs related to the integration plan consisting of approximately $1.5 million of fixed asset disposals, $0.9 million of facilities costs, $0.5 million of moving expenses and $0.5 million for planned workforce reductions. The integration is expected to be implemented beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003.

On May 1, 2002 the Company’s Hillman Group purchased certain assets of the Lowe’s specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc. for cash consideration of $6.2 million. The purchase of the specialty fastener business will expand the breadth of the Company’s product offering to Lowe’s. In connection with this transaction, the Company settled litigation filed by R&B, Inc. in February 1996 related to the Company’s sale of the Dorman Products division. The litigation settlement in the amount of $1.25 million was fully reserved on the Company’s balance sheet, and accordingly, there was no charge to income in 2002.

On September 28, 2001, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of STS, its Technology Services business. The sales price aggregated $25.5 million in cash and preferred stock, subject to post-closing adjustments, plus the assumption of certain liabilities by the buyer.

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In December 2000, the Board approved a plan to liquidate the Company’s investment in SunSource Integrated Services de Mexico, SA de CV, the “Mexican Business Segment” which provided comprehensive inventory management services of maintenance and repair materials to large manufacturing plants in Mexico. The Company recorded a pre-tax loss on liquidation of approximately $4.6 million representing non-cash charges for accumulated translation losses, the write-down of inventories and other assets, and other liquidation-related costs. The liquidation process was substantially completed as of June 30, 2001. On August 3, 2001, STS distributed its common stock investment in the Mexican Business Segment to the Hillman Group to segregate the STS Business from the remaining business interests of SunSource. No additional loss on disposal was recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

On November 3, 2000, the Company purchased inventory and other assets of the Sharon-Philstone division of Pawtucket Fasteners, L.P. of Rhode Island, distributors of fasteners to the retail hardware marketplace with annual sales of approximately $14 million for the twelve months ended prior to the acquisition. The purchase price was $6.9 million for inventory and other assets including certain post-closing adjustments.

On April 13, 2000, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of Harding Glass, Inc. (“Harding”) for a cash purchase price of $30.6 million plus the assumption by the buyer of certain liabilities aggregating $12.7 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Proceeds from the sale of Harding were used to repay the Company’s outstanding debt. Harding sales aggregated $28.0 million from January 1, 2000 through April 12, 2000. Since December 1999, Harding has been accounted for as a discontinued operation and, accordingly, its results of operations were segregated from results of the Company’s ongoing businesses including restatement of prior periods presented. Through December 31, 2000, the Company had recorded a loss on the discontinued Harding segment of $22.0 million in the aggregate, net of tax benefits. No additional loss on disposal was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

On April 7, 2000, the Company acquired Axxess Technologies, Inc. (“Axxess” or “Axxess Technologies”), a Tempe, Arizona manufacturer of key duplication and identification systems. The transaction was structured as a purchase of 100% of the stock of the privately held company and repayment of outstanding Axxess debt in exchange for $87 million in cash and $23 million in subordinated notes. Axxess’ sales aggregated $19.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2000. Axxess’ results of operations are included in the results of the Hillman Group from the date of acquisition. On June 1, 2001, Axxess merged with and into the Hillman Group in conjunction with the 2001 Legal Reorganization noted above with the Hillman Group being the surviving entity in the merger.

On March 2, 2000, the Company contributed the interests in its Kar Products, Inc. and A & H Bolt & Nut Company Limited operations (collectively, the Kar business), to a newly-formed partnership affiliated with Glencoe Capital, L.L.C. (“Glencoe”). Glencoe contributed cash equity to the new partnership, GC-Sun Holdings L.P. (“G-C”). The Company received $105 million in cash proceeds from the transaction through repayment of assumed debt by G-C and retained minority ownership in G-C. Affiliates of Glencoe hold the controlling interest in G-C. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain on the transaction of approximately $49.1 million in the first quarter of 2000. On January 4, 2002 G-C provided the Company notice that it intended to exercise its call right to purchase the Company’s partnership interest as a result of the Merger Transaction with Allied Capital. On April 13, 2002, the Company entered into a Unit Repurchase Agreement with G-C, pursuant to which G-C exercised its call right. In exchange for its interest in G-C, the Company received a $10 million subordinated note from G-C.

On October 4, 2000, G-C, acquired all of the outstanding stock of Brampton Fastener Co. Limited, d/b/a Brafasco, a supplier of maintenance and repair products to industrial customers based in Toronto, Canada. Brafasco had sales of $28.5 million ($CDN) for the year ended December 31, 2000.

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Results of Operations

Segment Sales and Profitability for each of the Three Years Ended December 31

(dollars in thousands)

                                                   
      2002   2001 (a)   2000
     
 
 
              % OF           % OF           % OF
SALES   AMOUNT   TOTAL   AMOUNT   TOTAL   AMOUNT   TOTAL
   
 
 
 
 
 
Hillman Group — Ongoing Operations (b)
  $ 286,788       100.0 %   $ 248,786       100.0 %   $ 210,938       100.0 %
Technology Services (c)
    —               152,561               228,730          
Expediter Segment (d)
    —               —               23,170          
 
   
             
             
         
Consolidated Net Sales $ 286,788             $ 401,347             $ 462,838          
 
   
             
             
         
                                                     
                % OF           % OF           % OF
GROSS PROFIT           SALES           SALES           SALES
           
         
         
Hillman Group — Ongoing Operations (b)
  $ 160,614       56.0 %   $ 140,983       56.7 %   $ 117,295       55.6 %
Technology Services (c)
    —               37,023               52,313          
Expediter Segment (d)
    —               —               15,052          
 
   
             
             
         
Consolidated Gross Profit
  $ 160,614             $ 178,006             $ 184,660          
 
   
             
             
         
EBITDA (g)
                                               
Hillman Group (b)
  $ 51,574       18.0 %   $ 45,439       18.3 %   $ 34,053       16.1 %
Management fee expense
    (1,800 )             (250 )             —          
Dividend income — STS Operating, Inc.
    546               185               —          
Corporate expenses
    (2,622 )     -0.9 %     (5,193 )     -2.1 %     (8,956 )     -4.2 %
 
   
             
             
         
 
Consolidated EBITDA - ongoing operations
    47,698       16.6 %     40,181       16.2 %     25,097       11.9 %
Technology Services (c)
    —               (1,205 )             (6,652 )        
Expediter Segment (d)
    —               —               2,823          
Equity in (loss) earnings of Expediter Segment (e)
    —               (105 )             2,438          
Gain (loss) on termination of pension plans (f)
    1,231               —               (4,279 )        
 
   
             
             
         
Consolidated EBITDA   $ 48,929             $ 38,871             $ 19,427          
 
   
             
             
         
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
                                               
 
Consolidated EBITDA   $ 48,929             $ 38,871             $ 19,427          
Depreciation
    (12,004 )             (12,623 )             (9,455 )        
Amortization
    (1,485 )             (4,483 )             (3,369 )        
Equity in loss (earnings) of Expediter Segment (e)
    —               105               (2,438 )        
 
   
             
             
         
Consolidated income from operations   $ 35,440             $ 21,870             $ 4,165          
 
   
             
             
         


(a)   For the purpose of comparing the Company’s results of operations for each of the three years ended December 31, 2002, the results of the Predecessor Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 have been combined with the results of the Successor Operations for the three months ended December 31, 2001.
(b)   Includes sales, gross profit and EBITDA from Axxess Technologies, Inc. since its acquisition on April 7, 2000, Sharon-Philstone since its acquisition on November 3, 2000, Lowe’s specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc. since its acquisition on May 1, 2002, and the DIY division of the Fastenal Company since its acquisition on October 3, 2002.
(c)   Represents sales, gross profit and EBITDA from the Company’s SunSource Technology Services business until its sale on September 28, 2001.
(d)   Represents sales, gross profit and EBITDA from the Company’s Kar Products, Inc. and A & H Bolt & Nut Company Limited business (collectively, the “Expediter Segment”) until its contribution on March 2, 2000 to a newly formed partnership affiliated with Glencoe Capital L.L.C., G-C Sun Holdings L.P. (G-C).

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(e)   Represents Equity in Earnings from the Contributed Expediter Segment from March 2, 2000 until the exercise of the call option by G-C in January 2002.
(f)   Represents non-recurring income as a result of the final settlement of the Company’s defined benefit plans in 2002. Non-recurring expense was previously recorded in 2000 as a result of the merger and termination of these defined benefit plans.
(g)   “EBITDA” (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is defined as income (loss) from ongoing operations before depreciation and amortization. Management believes that EBITDA provides useful information regarding the Company’s ability to service debt. EBITDA is not a measure of operating performance computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating activities, or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in conformity with GAAP, or as a measure of profitability or liquidity.

17


 

The comparisons of operating results for the periods presented below reflect ongoing operations only (the Hillman Group and Corporate Expenses). Excluded from this discussion are the operating results of the sold STS Business as identified in the preceding Results of Operations financial table.

Years Ended December 31, 2002 and 2001

Net sales from the Hillman Group ongoing operations increased $38.0 million or 15.3% in 2002 to $286.8 million from $248.8 million in 2001. Hillman entered into a supply agreement in April 2001 to provide fastener related products to 360 Lowe’s stores. In September 2001, Hillman was named the exclusive, chain-wide supplier of fastener related products for all Lowe’s locations. In May 2002, Hillman began supplying all Lowe’s locations following the acquisition of the specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc. The total fastener sales to Lowe’s represented $17.7 million of the $38.0 million total sales increase in 2002 over 2001. Sales to other national accounts including Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Petsmart, and Tractor Supply increased by an aggregate $10.2 million in 2002 compared to 2001, primarily as a result of new store growth. In October 2002, Hillman acquired the DIY division of the Fastenal Company which contributed net sales of $4.7 million. In addition, the regional accounts together with franchise and independent (“F&I”) accounts increased $3.5 million over the comparable period in 2001. The regional accounts represent mid-sized hardware and lumber chains. The F&I accounts are typically individual dealers who are members of larger cooperatives, such as TruServ, Ace, and Do-It-Best.

The Company’s sales backlog, based upon cancelable purchase orders, was $1.3 million as of December 31, 2002 and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2001.

The Hillman Group’s gross margin was 56.0% in 2002 compared with 56.7% in 2001. The large increase in sales volume to Lowe’s and other large national accounts described above and the resultant shift in sales mix caused pricing pressures which contributed to the 0.7% decline in gross margin in the comparison period.

The Company’s consolidated Selling, General and Administrative (“S,G&A”) expenses decreased $27.2 million or 19.6% from $138.6 million in 2001 to $111.4 million in 2002. Excluding the sold STS Business from the Predecessor Operations, the S,G&A expenses from ongoing operations increased $11.0 million or 11.0% from $100.4 million in 2001 to $111.4 million in 2002. Selling expenses increased $4.8 million or 9.5% primarily as a result of servicing costs at new national account stores. Warehouse and delivery expenses increased $6.7 million or 26.1% as a result of increased freight and labor costs to process and ship the additional sales volume. General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.5 million or 2.2% primarily as a result of the elimination of the Philadelphia Corporate office.

Total S,G&A expenses from ongoing operations expressed as a percentage of sales compared with 2001 are as follows:

                   
      Years ended December 31,
     
As of a % of Sales   2002   2001

 
 
Selling Expenses
    19.1 %     20.1 %
Warehouse and Delivery Expenses
    11.5 %     10.5 %
General and Administrative Expenses
    8.2 %     9.7 %
 
   
     
 
 
Total S,G&A Expenses
    38.8 %     40.3 %
 
   
     
 

EBITDA from ongoing operations after corporate expenses for 2002 was $47.7 million compared with $40.2 million for the year 2001, representing an increase of 18.7%.

The Company’s consolidated operating profit margin from ongoing operations (EBITDA as a percentage of sales) after corporate expenses, increased to 16.6% in 2002 compared with 16.2% in 2001. The operating profit margin benefited from the reduction of S,G&A expenses as a percentage of sales. The corporate expenses included in S,G&A were lower in 2002 as a result of closing the former corporate office located in Philadelphia and moving the corporate operations to the Cincinnati headquarters of the Hillman Group. However, the S,G&A benefit was partially offset by the margin decrease which was primarily the result of pricing pressures and from costs associated with the opening and servicing of a large number of new national

18


 

account customer locations. The remaining operating profit margin improvement in 2002 was further offset by the recording of $1.8 million in management fee expense compared to $0.25 million in 2001.

Depreciation expense from ongoing operations increased $1.0 million to $12.0 million in 2002 from $11.0 million in 2001 primarily as a result of an increase in the depreciable fixed asset base in connection with the production of new key duplication machines used for national accounts.

Amortization expense from ongoing operations decreased $1.3 million to $1.5 million in 2002 from $2.8 million in 2001. The decrease in amortization was the result of the adoption of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142 under which goodwill is no longer amortized, but reviewed periodically for impairment.

Interest expense, net of interest income, increased $0.4 million to $13.2 million in 2002 from $12.8 million in 2001. The increase was primarily the result of additional borrowings to finance the expansion and automation of the Company’s distribution facility, to purchase the Lowe’s specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc., and to purchase the DIY division of Fastenal Company. The Company also recorded interest income of $1.3 million in 2002 on the $10.0 million note received from Glencoe from sale of the Company’s interest in GC-Sun Holdings L.P.

The Company has recorded a management fee charge of $1.8 million for 2002 compared to $0.25 million in 2001. In connection with the Merger Transaction, the Company is obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of Allied Capital for management services rendered in the amount of $1.8 million for calendar years subsequent to 2001. The payment of management fees is due annually after delivery of the Company’s annual audited financial statements to the Board of Directors of the Company.

The Company pays interest to the Trust on the Junior Subordinated Debentures underlying the Trust Preferred Securities at the rate of 11.6% per annum on their face amount of $105.4 million, or $12.2 million per annum in the aggregate. The Trust distributes an equivalent amount to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company paid $12.2 million in interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, equivalent to the amounts distributed by the Trust on the Trust Preferred Securities.

See Note 6, Income Taxes, of Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the three years ended December 31, 2002, for income taxes and disclosures related to 2002 and 2001 income tax events.

Years Ended December 31, 2001 and 2000

Net sales from the Hillman Group from ongoing operations increased $37.9 million in 2001 to $248.8 million from $210.9 million in 2000 primarily as a result of the acquisition of Axxess and Sharon-Philstone, and strong sales from national accounts. On a pro forma basis including Axxess, the Hillman Group’s sales increased 8.0% in 2001 over the prior year period.

The Company’s sales backlog, based upon cancelable purchase orders, was $1.6 million as of December 31, 2001, compared with $1.3 million at December 31, 2000.

The Hillman Group’s gross margin was 56.7% in 2001 compared with 55.6% in 2000. On a comparable basis, including Axxess for the full year 2000, the gross margin was 55.8% in 2000. Gross margin improved 0.9% in the comparison period as a result of higher margin sales of keys and identification items related to the acquisition of Axxess, price increases for certain fastener products and productivity gains in the various manufacturing operations.

The Company’s S,G&A from ongoing operations on a comparable basis, including Axxess for the full year 2000 increased $0.8 million from $99.6 million in 2000 to $100.4 million in 2001. Selling expenses on a comparable basis, including Axxess for the full year 2000, increased $2.7 million primarily as a result of conversion costs associated with the Hillman Group’s purchase of inventory and other assets of Sharon-Philstone. Warehouse and delivery expenses on a comparable basis, including Axxess for the full year 2000, increased by $0.6 million. Higher labor costs from

19


 

new business and increased rent expense from a new facility offset reduced property taxes at the Hillman Group. General and administrative expenses on a comparable basis, including Axxess for the full year 2000, decreased by $2.5 million primarily as a result of reduced corporate expenses offset by performance bonuses related to the acquisition of Axxess.

Total S,G&A expenses from ongoing operations on a comparable basis, including Axxess for the full year 2000, as a percentage of sales compared with prior year are as follows:

                   
      Years ended December 31,
     
As of a % of Sales   2001   2000

 
 
Selling Expenses
    20.1 %     20.5 %
Warehouse and Delivery Expenses
    10.5 %     11.1 %
General and Administrative Expenses
    9.7 %     11.6 %
 
   
     
 
 
Total S,G&A Expenses
    40.3 %     43.2 %
 
   
     
 

EBITDA from ongoing operations for 2001 was $40.2 million including Axxess and corporate expenses compared with $29.1 million on a pro forma basis for the year 2000 or an increase of 38.1%.

The Company’s operating profit margin from ongoing operations (EBITDA as a percentage of sales) after corporate expenses increased to 16.2% in 2001 compared with 12.6% in 2000 on a pro forma basis as a result of the acquisition of Axxess and operational efficiencies.

Depreciation expense from ongoing operations increased $3.8 million to $11.0 million in 2001 from $7.2 million in 2000 primarily as a result of the acquisition of Axxess.

Amortization expense from ongoing operations increased $1.3 million to $4.0 million primarily as a result of the acquisition of Axxess, Sharon-Philstone and the Merger Transaction.

Interest expense, net for ongoing operations increased $1.6 million in 2001 from $11.1 million in 2000, primarily as a result of additional interest and related amortization of deferred financing fees in connection with the Company’s December 2000 issuance of $30.0 million of unsecured subordinated notes.

The Company has recorded a management fee charge of $0.25 million on the Successor’s Statement of Operations for the three months ended December 31, 2001. In connection with the Merger Transaction, the Company is obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of Allied Capital for management services rendered in the amount of $0.25 million for calendar year 2001 and $1.8 million for each calendar year thereafter.

The Company pays interest to the Trust on the Junior Subordinated Debentures underlying the Trust Preferred Securities at the rate of 11.6% per annum on their face amount of $105.4 million, or $12.2 million per annum in the aggregate. The Trust distributes an equivalent amount to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities. For the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company paid $12.2 million in interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, equivalent to the amounts distributed by the Trust on the Trust Preferred Securities.

See Note 6, Income Taxes, of Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the three years ended December 31, 2002, for income taxes and disclosures related to 2001 and 2000 income tax events.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $29.8 million, primarily due to net income adjusted for non-cash charges for depreciation, amortization, deferred taxes and PIK interest of $26.5 million.

Cash used for investing activities was $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Capital expenditures for the year totaled $23.0 million including $9.8 million for the automation and expansion of the Cincinnati Distribution facility. This new, state of the art facility is intended to improve order turnaround time and accuracy, reduce

20


 

labor costs and provide additional distribution capacity. Other capital expenditures include $7.1 million for key duplicating machines, $2.4 million for engraving machines and $3.7 million for equipment purchases. In addition, the cash purchase price for the acquisition of the Lowe’s specialty fastener business and the DIY business was $6.3 million and $15.2 million, respectively.

Cash provided by financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2002 was approximately $14.5 million, primarily related to $15.7 million of additional borrowings under the Company’s senior credit facility, net of repayments.

The Company’s working capital position of $48.6 million (excluding restricted investments) as of December 31, 2002, represents a decrease of $1.8 million from the December 31, 2001 level of $50.4 million as follows (dollars in thousands):

         
Working capital from acquisitions
  $ 7,681  
Increase in current maturities of senior term loans
    (5,455 )
Increase in other accrued liabilities
    (4,044 )
Other items, net
    (8 )
 
   
 
Net decrease in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2002
  $ (1,826 )
 
   
 

The Company’s contractual obligations in thousands of dollars as of December 31, 2002 are summarized below:

                                   
              Payments Due
     
              Less Than   1 to 3   More Than
Contractual Obligations   Total   One Year   Years   Three Years
     
 
 
 
Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in the Company’s Junior Subordinated Debentures
  $ 105,446       —       —     $ 105,446  
Long Term Senior Term Loans
    69,827     $ 9,268     $ 18,538       42,021  
Bank Revolving Credit Facility
    34,532       —       —       34,532  
Long Term Unsecured Subordinated Notes
    42,108       —       —       42,108  
Operating Leases
    33,954       6,869       9,608       17,477  
Deferred Compensation Obligations
    7,065       1,142       2,284       3,639  
Capital Lease Obligations
    303       74       113       116  
Other Long Term Obligations
    6,457       1,544       1,659       3,254  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
  $ 299,692     $ 18,897     $ 32,202     $ 248,593  
 
   
     
     
     
 

All of the obligations noted above are reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2002, except for the Operating Leases. See Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the Three Years Ended December 31, 2002 for additional information. Please reference Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, for off-balance sheet obligations regarding outstanding letters of credit for certain insurance programs.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company had $26.4 million available under its secured credit facilities. The Company had approximately $104.6 million of outstanding debt under its secured credit facilities at December 31, 2002, consisting of $69.8 million in term loans, $34.5 million in revolving credit borrowings and $0.3 million in capitalized lease obligations. The term loans consisted of a $37.1 million Term B Loan (the “Term Loan B”) currently at a three (3) month LIBOR rate of 5.56% and a $32.7 million Term A loan (the “Term Loan A”) consisting of $30.2 million currently at a three (3) month LIBOR rate of 4.81%, and $2.5 million at the prime rate of 6.00%. The revolver borrowings (the “Revolver”) consist of $20.0 million currently at a three (3) month LIBOR rate of 4.81%, $8.0 million at a three (3) month LIBOR rate of 4.44% and $6.5 million at the prime rate of 6.00%. The capitalized lease obligations were at various interest rates.

On December 23, 2002, the Company increased its revolving credit facility by $4.8 million, Term Loan A by $2.5 million and Term Loan B by $2.7 million. The additional financing will provide the Company with additional working capital.

21


 

On October 3, 2002, the Company purchased the net assets of the DIY division of the Fastenal Company for cash consideration of $15.3 million. This transaction was financed from the Company’s existing credit lines and had the impact of lowering the amount available on the secured credit facilities by the amount paid for the DIY purchase.

The Company increased its revolving credit facility by $10 million and its Term A Loan by $15 million on May 1, 2002 to finance the asset purchase of the Lowe’s specialty fastener business and to provide capital to fund the Company’s expansion and automation of its distribution facilities.

On September 28, 2001, the Company refinanced its $115 million bank revolving credit and $21.5 million term loan with $105 million in senior secured credit facilities. The new financing consists of a Revolver, Term Loan A, and Term Loan B. The Revolver and Term Loan A have a five-year term and Term Loan B has a seven-year term. The credit facility provides Hillman with adequate funds for working capital and other corporate requirements.

In accordance with the Company’s senior credit agreement, Hillman must maintain its fixed charge coverage at all times in excess of 1.05x through December 31, 2003 and 1.10x thereafter to continue monthly distributions on its Trust Preferred Securities ($1.0 million per month). Hillman’s fixed charge coverage was 1.38x for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2002. The fixed charge test measures adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the senior credit agreement, less capital expenditures over cash interest expense, Trust Preferred Security distributions, scheduled senior debt repayments and other fixed charge items.

On September 28, 2001, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of STS, including its Canadian operation for a sales price of $25.5 million in cash and preferred stock plus the assumption of certain liabilities by the buyer, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The cash proceeds from the sale of SunSource Technology Services were distributed to Allied Capital and others including certain members of management, who are the remaining shareholders of the Company.

Interest on the Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance of $40 million which matures September 29, 2009 is at a fixed rate of 18.0% per annum, with cash interest payments being required on a quarterly basis at a fixed rate of 13.5% commencing November 15, 2001. The outstanding principal balance of the Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance shall be increased on a quarterly basis at the remaining 4.5% fixed rate (the “PIK Amount”). All of the PIK Amounts are due on the fifth anniversary of the Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance. As of December 31, 2002, the outstanding Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance including the PIK Amounts was $42.1 million.

The Company has deferred tax assets aggregating $32.5 million, net of valuation allowance of $15.4 million, and deferred tax liabilities of $5.7 million as of December 31, 2002, as determined in accordance with SFAS 109. Management believes that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized through the reversal of existing temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis, as well as through future taxable income.

Inflation

Inflation in recent years has had a modest impact on the operations of the Company. Continued inflation, over a period of years at higher than current rates, would result in significant increases in inventory costs and operating expenses. However, such higher cost of sales and operating expenses can generally be offset by increases in selling prices, although the ability of the Company to raise prices is dependent on competitive market conditions.

22


 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements. As disclosed in Note 2, the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements.

The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements include estimates associated with its evaluation of the recoverability of goodwill as well as those used in the determination of liabilities related to insurance programs, litigation, and taxation. In addition, significant estimates form the basis for the Company’s reserves with respect to sales and returns allowances, collectibility of accounts receivable, inventory valuations, deferred tax assets, and certain benefits provided to current employees. Various assumptions and other factors underlie the determination of these significant estimates. The process of determining significant estimates is fact specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience, current and expected economic conditions and product mix. The Company constantly re-evaluates these significant factors and makes adjustments where facts and circumstances dictate. Specific factors are as follows: recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets are subject to annual impairment testing; litigation is based on projections provided by legal counsel; deferred taxes are based on the Company’s projections of future taxable income; sales and returns and allowances are based on historical activity and customer contracts; accounts receivable reserves are based on doubtful accounts and aging of outstanding balances; inventory reserves are based on expected obsolescence and excess inventory levels; and employee benefits are based on benefit plan requirements and severance agreements. Historically, actual results have not significantly deviated from those determined using the estimates described above.

Revenue Recognition:

Revenue from sales of products is recorded upon the passing of title and risks of ownership to the customer, which occurs upon the shipment of goods.

The Company offers a variety of sales incentives to its customers primarily in the form of discounts and rebates. Discounts are recognized in the financial statements at the date of the related sale. Rebates are estimated based on the anticipated rebate to be paid and a portion of the estimated cost of the rebate is allocated to each underlying sales transaction. Rebates and discounts are included in the determination of net sales.

The Company also establishes reserves for customer returns and allowances. The reserve is established based on historical rates of returns and allowances. The reserve is adjusted quarterly based on actual experience.

Inventory Realization:

Inventories consisting predominantly of finished goods are valued at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined principally on the first-in, first-out method. Excess and obsolete inventories are carried at net realizable value. The historical usage rate is the primary factor used by the Company in assessing the net realizable value of excess and obsolete inventory. A reduction in the carrying value of an inventory item from cost to market is recorded for inventory with no usage in the preceding twelve month period or with on hand quantities in excess of twenty-four months average usage.

Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment, including assets acquired under capital leases, are carried at cost and include expenditures for new facilities and major renewals. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from their respective accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in current operations.

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Depreciation:

For financial accounting purposes, depreciation, including that related to plant and equipment acquired under capital leases, is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three to ten years, or, if shorter, over the terms of the related leases.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

For the Predecessor Financial Statements, goodwill related to the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of net assets acquired is amortized on a straight-line basis over twenty-five to forty years. Effective January 1, 2002 the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and accordingly, goodwill is no longer amortized, but is reviewed periodically for impairment (See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). Other intangible assets arising principally from acquisitions are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from three to twenty-five years.

Long-Lived Assets:

Under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the Company has evaluated its long-lived assets for financial impairment and will continue to evaluate them based on the estimated undiscounted future cash flows as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable.

Income Taxes:

Deferred income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

Self-insurance Reserves:

The Company purchases third party insurance for worker’s compensation, automobile, product and general liability claims that exceed a certain level. However, the Company is responsible for the payment of claims under these insured limits. In estimating the obligation associated with incurred losses, the Company utilizes loss development factors prepared by consulting insurance carriers. These development factors utilize historical data to project the future development of incurred losses. Loss estimates are adjusted based upon actual claims settlements and reported claims.

Retirement Benefits:

Certain employees of the Predecessor and Successor are covered under profit sharing retirement plans (“defined contribution plans”) for which contributions are determined on an annual basis in accordance with the requirements of each plan. Certain employees of the Predecessor, principally employed at STS, were covered under a post-retirement benefit plan for which benefits were determined in accordance with the requirements of the plan. This post-retirement benefit plan was terminated as of December 31, 2000. See Note 14, Retirement Benefits.

Shipping and handling

The costs incurred to ship product to customers, including freight and handling expenses, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Statements of Operations. For the three years ended December 31, 2002 shipping and handling costs included in selling, general and administrative were $13,913 for 2002, $11,362 for 2001 and $10,002 for 2000.

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Research and Development:

The Company incurs research and development costs in connection with improvements to the key duplicating and engraving machines. For the three years ended December 31, 2002, research and development expenses, consisting primarily of internal wages and benefits, were $1,510 for 2002, $1,482 for 2001, and $635 for 2000.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

Cash, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and bank revolving credit are reflected in the consolidated financial statements at fair value due to short-term maturity or revolving nature of these instruments.

Translation of Foreign Currencies:

The translation of the Company’s Canadian foreign currency based financial statements into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average exchange rate during the period.

Comprehensive Income (Loss):

The components of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were as follows:

                         
    2002   2001   2000
   
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 6,103     $ (4,236 )   $ 24,680  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    5       —       —  
 
   
     
     
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 6,108     $ (4,236 )   $ 24,680  
 
   
     
     
 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Please reference Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements for additional related information.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” FIN No. 45 requires that a guarantor must recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation that it has undertaken in issuing a guarantee. FIN No. 45 also addresses the disclosure requirements that a guarantor must include in its financial statements for guarantees issued. The disclosure requirements in this interpretation are effective for financial statements ending after December 15, 2002. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 45 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements”), which becomes effective for the Company in June 2003. FIN No. 46 provides consolidation guidance for certain variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which equity investors of the VIE do not have the characteristics of a controlling interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the VIE to finance its activities independently. FIN No. 46 requires each enterprise involved with a special purpose entity to determine whether it provides financial support to the special purpose entity through a variable interest. Variable interests may arise

25


 

from financial instruments, service contracts, minority ownership interests or other arrangements. If an entity holds a majority of the variable interests, or a significant variable interest that is considerably more than any other party’s variable interest, that entity would be the primary beneficiary and would be required to include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the special purpose entity in its consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 46 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections” (“SFAS No. 145”). Among other items, SFAS No. 145 updates and clarifies existing accounting pronouncements related to reporting gains and losses from the extinguishment of debt and certain lease modifications that have economic effects similar to sale-leaseback transactions. The provisions of SFAS No. 145 are generally effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002, with earlier adoption of certain provisions encouraged. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 145 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS No. 146”). SFAS No. 146 nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Costs to Exit an Activity (Including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under EITF Issue 94-3, a liability for an exit cost as defined in EITF Issue 94-3 was recognized at the date of an entity’s commitment to an exit plan. The provisions of SFAS No. 146 are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002, with earlier application encouraged. Under SFAS No. 146, an entity may not restate its previously issued financial statements and the new statement grandfathers the accounting for liabilities that an entity had previously recorded under EITF Issue 94-3. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 146 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS No. 148”). SFAS No. 148 amends FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the prior disclosure guidance and requires prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The provisions of SFAS No. 148 are generally effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. At this time the Company does not plan to adopt the accounting provisions of SFAS No. 123 and will continue to account for stock options in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”

Forward Looking Statements

Certain disclosures related to acquisitions and divestitures, refinancing, capital expenditures, resolution of pending litigation and realization of deferred tax assets contained in this report involve risks and uncertainties and may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including the risks and uncertainties discussed under captions “Risk Factors” set forth in Item 1 of this 10-K. Given these

26


 

uncertainties, current or prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “project” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Report might not occur.

Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes as borrowings under the senior credit facility bear interest at variable interest rates. It is Hillman’s policy to enter into interest rate transactions only to the extent considered necessary to meet objectives. On March 31, 2002, the Company entered into an interest rate cap agreement on a notional amount of $26.6 million of senior term debt. The interest rate cap agreement, which expires September 30, 2004, caps the LIBOR interest rate at 6% plus the senior credit facility LIBOR margin of between 3.25% and 3.75%. Based on Hillman’s exposure to variable rate borrowings at December 31, 2002, a one percent (1%) change in the weighted average interest rate would change the annual interest expense by approximately $1.0 million.

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange rate changes of the Canadian currency as it impacts the $0.3 million net asset value of its Canadian subsidiary, The Hillman Group Canada, Ltd., as of December 31, 2002. Management considers the Company’s exposure to foreign currency translation gains or losses to be minimal.

27


 

Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

           
        Page  
       
 
Report of Independent Accountants
    29  
Financial Statements:
       
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2002 and 2001
    30  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Year ended December 31, 2002, Three Months ended December 31, 2001, Nine Months ended September 30, 2001, and Year ended December 31, 2000
    31  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Year ended December 31, 2002, Three Months ended December 31, 2001, Nine Months ended September 30, 2001, and Year ended December 31, 2000
    32  
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Year ended December 31, 2002, Three Months ended December 31, 2001, and Nine Months ended September 30, 2001
    33  
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
    34-59  
Financial Statement Schedule:
       
Valuation Accounts
    60  

28


 

Report of Independent Accountants

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
The Hillman Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Hillman Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2002, the three-month period ended December 31, 2001, the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2000 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and the significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 2, effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
February 6, 2003

29


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)

                         
            December 31,   December 31,
            2002   2001
           
 
       
ASSETS
                   
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,768     $ 2,059  
 
Restricted investments
    1,142       1,187  
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $552 and $537, respectively
    31,855       28,399  
 
Inventories
    59,783       49,937  
 
Deferred income taxes
    10,911       9,136  
 
Other current assets
    3,249       5,868  
 
   
     
 
     
Total current assets
    109,708       96,586  
Property and equipment, net
    68,596       55,285  
Goodwill
    132,677       120,585  
Other intangibles, net
    11,068       12,553  
Deferred income taxes
    21,638       25,443  
Restricted investments
    5,923       7,462  
Other investments
    11,258       16,185  
Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization of $1,386 and $237, respectively
    5,774       5,536  
Other assets
    2,212       4,929  
 
   
     
 
     
Total assets
  $ 368,854     $ 344,564  
 
   
     
 
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 20,373     $ 17,124  
 
Current portion of senior term loans
    9,268       3,813  
 
Current portion of capitalized lease obligations
    55       74  
 
Deferred income tax liability
    —       31  
 
Accrued expenses:
               
   
Salaries and wages
    5,523       5,337  
   
Pricing allowances
    6,118       4,092  
   
Integration costs
    4,378       215  
   
Income and other taxes
    1,329       2,014  
   
Deferred compensation
    1,142       1,187  
   
Other accrued expenses
    11,814       11,120  
 
   
     
 
     
Total current liabilities
    60,000       45,007  
Long term senior term loans
    60,559       50,312  
Bank revolving credit
    34,532       34,052  
Long term capitalized lease obligations
    194       248  
Long term unsecured subordinated notes to related party
    42,108       40,240  
Deferred compensation
    5,923       7,462  
Deferred income tax liability
    5,660       4,603  
Other non-current liabilities
    5,258       7,122  
 
   
     
 
     
Total liabilities
    214,234       189,046  
 
   
     
 
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Company’s junior subordinated debentures
    102,234       102,104  
 
   
     
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
    —       —  
 
Common stock, $.01 par, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 7,118,665 issued and outstanding
    71       71  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    52,310       56,252  
 
Accumulated deficit
    —       (2,909 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    5       —  
 
   
     
 
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    52,386       53,414  
 
   
     
 
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 368,854     $ 344,564  
 
   
     
 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

30


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands)

                                         
            Successor   Predecessor
           
 
                    Three months   Nine Months        
            Year ended   ended   ended   Year ended
            December 31,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
            2002   2001   2001   2000
           
 
 
 
Net sales
  $ 286,788     $ 60,040     $ 341,307     $ 462,838  
Cost of sales
    126,174       25,598       197,743       278,178  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Gross profit
    160,614       34,442       143,564       184,660  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating expenses:
                               
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    111,436       25,112       113,443       163,573  
 
Depreciation
    12,004       3,030       9,593       9,455  
 
Amortization
    1,485       1,588       2,895       3,369  
 
Management fee to related party
    1,800       250       —       —  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total operating expenses
    126,725       29,980       125,931       176,397  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Gain (loss) on termination of defined benefit pension plan
(Note 14)
    1,231       —       —       (5,204 )
Contribution to defined contribution plan
(Note 14)
    —       —       —       925  
Other income (expense), net
    320       173       (398 )     181  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Income from operations
    35,440       4,635       17,235       4,165  
Interest expense, net
    13,227       3,616       9,222       11,286  
Distributions on guaranteed preferred beneficial interests
    12,231       3,058       9,174       12,232  
Gain on contribution of subsidiaries (Note 4)
    —       —       —       49,115  
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    9,982       (2,039 )     (1,161 )     29,762  
Income tax provision (benefit)
    3,879       (298 )     1,229       4,910  
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    6,103       (1,741 )     (2,390 )     24,852  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Equity in (loss) earnings of affiliate (Note 4)
    —       (1,168 )     1,063       2,438  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Discontinued operations (Note 1)
                               
Loss from discontinued operations less applicable income taxes of ($110)
    —       —       —       (109 )
Loss on disposal discontinued operations less applicable income taxes of ($7,393)
    —       —       —       (2,501 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
       
Loss from discontinued operations
    —       —       —       (2,610 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Net income (loss)
  $ 6,103     $ (2,909 )   $ (1,327)     $ 24,680  
 
   
     
     
     
 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)

                                         
            Successor   Predecessor
           
 
            Year   Three Months   Nine months   Year
            ended   ended   ended   ended
            December 31,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
            2002   2001   2001   2000
           
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 6,103     $ (2,909 )   $ (1,327 )   $ 24,680  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
                               
     
Depreciation and amortization
    13,489       4,618       12,488       12,824  
     
Dispositions of property and equipment
    1,269       —       —       —  
     
Loss from discontinued segments before taxes
    —       —       —       10,113  
     
Gain on contribution from subsidiaries
    —       —       —       (49,115 )
     
Deferred income tax
    5,081       (298 )     1,044       (8,938 )
     
Loss on termination of pension plans
    —       —       —       5,204  
     
Gain on termination of pension plan contributed to defined contribution plan
    —       —       —       (925 )
     
Loss (equity) in earnings of affiliate
    —       1,168       (1,063 )     (2,438 )
     
PIK interest on unsecured subordinated notes
    1,868       476       —       —  
     
Changes in current operating items, net of effects of acquisitions and divistitures:
                               
       
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
    892       7,179       (13,792 )     8,455  
       
Decrease (increase) in inventories
    (1,184 )     (764 )     3,964       6,596  
       
Decrease in income taxes receivable
    —       —       27       10,995  
       
Decrease (increase) in other current assets
    2,484       (491 )     (356 )     2,222  
       
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
    1,302       (3,292 )     (185 )     (4,866 )
       
Increase (decrease) in other accrued liabilities
    (383 )     3,163       (3,865 )     (4,507 )
     
Other items, net
    (1,114 )     (72 )     2,013       1,340  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
    29,807       8,778       (1,052 )     11,640  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
 
Proceeds from contribution of subsidiaries
    —       —       —       105,000  
 
Costs associated with contribution of subsidiaries
    —       —       —       (655 )
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary, net of cash
    —       18,047       —       —  
 
Proceeds from sale/liquidation of discontinued operations
    —       40       1,623       30,592  
 
Costs from sale/liquidation of discontinued operations
    —       (387 )     (1,214 )     (2,023 )
 
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    104       74       718       1,523  
 
Payment for acquired businesses, net of cash
    (21,592 )     —       (5,003 )     (88,870 )
 
Capital expenditures
    (22,989 )     (2,796 )     (12,179 )     (8,345 )
 
Capitalized royalties, licensing & slotting fees
    —       (554 )     (1,172 )     —  
 
Merger transaction fees
    —       (2,503 )     (3,112 )     —  
 
Increase (decrease) in net assets held for sale
    —       5       (43 )     (949 )
 
Repurchase of common stock
    (231 )     —       —       —  
 
Other investments
    —       (1,000 )     —       —  
 
Other, net
    1,062       (443 )     (1,039 )     (68 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities
    (43,646 )     10,483       (21,421 )     36,205  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
 
Borrowings (repayments) of senior term loans, net
    15,702       51,875       (250 )     (19,000 )
 
Borrowings (repayments) of revolving credit loans, net
    480       (51,142 )     30,083       (47,680 )
 
Borrowings (repayments) of unsecured subordinated notes
    —       1,197       (2,785 )     20,400  
 
Principal payments under capitalized lease obligations
    (73 )     (62 )     (707 )     (974 )
 
Repayment of note issued for purchase of treasury stock
    —       (1,261 )     —       —  
 
Dividends to shareholders
    —       (17,718 )     —       —  
 
Prepayment penalty
    —       (1,675 )     —       —  
 
Payment on STS preferred stock
    (174 )     —       —       —  
 
Financing fees
    (1,387 )     (4,476 )     5       (3,303 )
 
Borrowings (repayments) under other credit facilities
    —       —       (624 )     248  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
    14,548       (23,262 )     25,722       (50,309 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    709       (4,001 )     3,249       (2,464 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    2,059       6,060       2,811       5,275  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 2,768     $ 2,059     $ 6,060     $ 2,811  
 
   
     
     
     
 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(dollars in thousands)

                                                         
                                    Accumulated                
                                    Other           Total
            Additional           Unearned   Comprehensive           Stock-
    Common   Paid-in   Accumulated   Compen-   Income (loss)   Treasury   holders'
    Stock   Capital   Deficit   sation   (1)   Stock   Equity
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance — December 31, 2000 — Predecessor
  $ 74     $ 22,808     $ (617 )   $ (428 )   $ (528 )   $ (8,705 )   $ 12,604  
Net Loss
                    (1,327 )                             (1,327 )
Issuance of 16,807 shares of common stock to certain non-employee directors
            58                                       58  
Issuance of 366,804 shares of common stock in exchange for warrants and stock options
    3       (3 )                                     —  
Amortization of stock option discount
                            55                       55  
Amortization of vested portion of restricted stock
                            75                       75  
Purchase of 121,524 shares of common stock for treasury
                                            (1,261 )     (1,261 )
Cancellation of 600,624 shares of common stock for treasury
            (9,966 )                             9,966       —  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Ending Balance — September 30, 2001 — Predecessor
    77       12,897       (1,944 )     (298 )     (528 )     —       10,204  
Close predecessor’s stockholders’ equity at merger date
    (77 )     (12,897 )     1,944       298       528       —       (10,204 )
Issuance of 7,135,125 shares of common stock to shareholders
    71       73,956                                       74,027  
Net Loss
                    (2,909 )                             (2,909 )
Issuance of 3,540 shares of common stock for the exercise of stock options
            14                                       14  
Dividends to shareholders
            (17,718 )                                     (17,718 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Ending Balance — December 31, 2001 — Successor
    71       56,252       (2,909 )     —       —       —       53,414  
Net Income
                    6,103                               6,103  
Change in cumulative foreign translation adjustment (1)
                                    5               5  
Purchase and retirement 20,000 shares of common stock
            (231 )                                     (231 )
Dividends to shareholders
            (3,711 )     (3,194 )                             (6,905 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Ending Balance — December 31, 2002 — Successor
  $ 71     $ 52,310     $ —     $ —     $ 5     $ —     $ 52,386  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
 


(1)   The cumulative foreign translation adjustment represents the only item of other comprehensive income.

     SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

33


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

1. Basis of Presentation:

The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of The Hillman Companies, Inc., (the “Company”) formerly SunSource Inc. (“SunSource”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries including an investment trust, Hillman Group Capital Trust (the “Trust”), formerly SunSource Capital Trust. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

On September 26, 2001, SunSource Inc. was acquired by Allied Capital Corporation (“Allied Capital”) pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 18, 2001, by and among Allied Capital, Allied Capital Lock Acquisition Corporation and SunSource (the “Merger Transaction”). Certain members of management and other stockholders continued as stockholders of the Company after the merger. The total transaction value was $74,027, consisting of the cash purchase price paid to stockholders for the outstanding common stock of the Company aggregating $71,494 and management’s common shares valued at $2,533. The Company was the surviving entity in the merger and organized as an independently managed portfolio company of Allied Capital.

The Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, Cash Flows and Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the periods presented prior to September 30, 2001 are referenced herein as the predecessor financial statements (the “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Financial Statements”). The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and its related Statements of Operations, Cash Flows and Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the three months ended December 31, 2001 are referenced herein as the successor financial statements (the “Successor” or “Successor Financial Statements”). The Successor Financial Statements include the effects of the Merger Transaction, the Company’s debt refinancing and sale of an operating subsidiary completed subsequent to the Merger Transaction (see allocation of the purchase price below and reference Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures and Note 9, Long-Term Debt, for information related to these events). For purposes of these financial statements, the final two business days of operation in September 2001 after the Merger Transaction are presented as part of the Predecessor Financial Statements because the results from these two days are immaterial for separate presentation.

The accompanying Successor Financial Statements reflect the allocation of the aggregate purchase price of $74,027 to the assets and liabilities of the Company based on fair values at the date of the merger in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion #16, “Accounting for Business Combinations”, for transactions initiated prior to June 30, 2001. The following table reconciles the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities to the total purchase price:

               
Accounts Receivable
  $ 58,439  
Inventory
    71,857  
Property and equipment
    58,589  
Goodwill
    125,881  
Intangible assets
    12,924  
Other current assets
    31,255  
Other non-current assets
    36,858  
 
   
 
 
Total assets acquired
    395,803  
Less:
       
Liabilities assumed
    219,704  
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Company’s junior subordinated debentures
    102,072  
 
   
 
 
Total assumed liabilities
    321,776  
 
 
   
 
 
Total purchase price
  $ 74,027  
 
   
 

34


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

1. Basis of Presentation (continued):

Changes in the estimate of the fair value of the assets and liabilities assumed in the Merger Transaction for the year ended December 31, 2002 resulted in a $4,079 increase in goodwill and a corresponding increase in liabilities assumed primarily due to the settlement of contingent liabilities related to the purchase.

The total liabilities include transaction related costs aggregating $4,875 which were associated with Allied Capital’s purchase of the Company and assumed by the Company in accordance with push down accounting.

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated net sales and net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 assume that the acquisition of SunSource, its subsequent refinancing and the acquisitions and dispositions described in Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, were consummated on January 1, 2000:

                         
    2002   2001   2000
   
 
 
Net Sales
  $ 304,107     $ 275,608     $ 264,856  
Net Income (loss)
  $ 6,692     $ (3,570 )   $ (6,692 )

Nature of Operations:

The Company is one of the largest providers of value-added merchandising services and hardware-related products to retail markets in North America through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hillman Group, Inc. (the “Hillman Group”). A subsidiary of The Hillman Group operates in Canada under the name The Hillman Group Canada, Ltd. The Hillman Group provides merchandising services and products, such as, fasteners and related hardware items, key duplication equipment, keys and related accessories, and identification equipment and items to retail outlets, primarily hardware stores, home centers and mass merchants. The Company has approximately 20,000 customers, the largest two of which accounted for 24.3% of net sales in 2002. The average single sale in 2002 was less than six hundred dollars.

Discontinued Operations:

In December 1999, the Company’s Board of Directors approved management’s plan to dispose of the Company’s glass business, Harding Glass, Inc. (“Harding”). In December 2000, the Company’s Board of Directors also approved management’s plan to liquidate the Company’s Integrated Supply — Mexico business (the “Mexican Segment”). Accordingly, Harding and the Mexican Segment have been accounted for as discontinued operations with results of operations segregated from results of the Company’s ongoing businesses. On April 13, 2000, the Company consummated the sale of Harding. SunSource substantially completed the liquidation of the Mexican Segment as of June 30, 2001. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures.

For the year ended December 31, 2000, the Company recorded an additional loss on disposal of the discontinued Harding segment of $5,322 less an income tax benefit of $7,191. Through December 31, 2000, the Company had recorded a loss on disposal of the discontinued Harding segment of $21,965 in the aggregate, net of tax benefits.

For the year ended December 31, 2000, the Mexican Segment had a loss from operations of $219 less an income tax benefit of $110. The estimated loss recorded during the year ended December 31, 2000 on the liquidation of the Mexican Segment was $4,572 less an income tax benefit of $202.

35


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

1. Basis of Presentation (continued):

Following is summary financial information for the Company’s discontinued Harding and Mexican Segment operations:

             
        2000
         
Income (loss) from discontinued operations:
       
 
Harding
  $ —  
 
Mexican Segment
    (109 )
 
   
 
   
Total loss from discontinued operations
    (109 )
 
   
 
Income (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations:
       
 
Harding
    1,869  
 
Mexican Segment
    (4,370 )
 
   
 
   
Total loss on disposal of discontinued operations
    (2,501 )
 
   
 
Total income (loss) from discontinued operations:
       
 
Harding
    1,869  
 
Mexican Segment
    (4,479 )
 
   
 
   
Total loss from discontinued operations
  $ (2,610 )
 
   
 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

Cash Equivalents:

Cash equivalents consist of commercial paper, U.S. Treasury obligations and other liquid securities purchased with initial maturities less than 90 days and are stated at cost which approximates market value.

Restricted Investments:

Restricted investments represent assets held in a Rabbi Trust to fund deferred compensation liabilities due to the Company’s employees. (see Note 11, Deferred Compensation Plans).

Inventories:

Inventories consisting predominantly of finished goods are valued at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined principally on the first-in, first-out method.

36


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued):

Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment, including assets acquired under capital leases, are carried at cost and include expenditures for new facilities and major renewals. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from their respective accounts when assets are sold or otherwise disposed of and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in current operations.

Depreciation:

For financial accounting purposes, depreciation, including that related to plant and equipment acquired under capital leases, is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three to ten years, or, if shorter, over the terms of the related leases.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, effective January 1, 2002. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and certain other intangible assets are no longer amortized but are reviewed for impairment. In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company has completed the first step of the transitional goodwill impairment test, which requires the Company to compare the fair value of its reporting unit to the carrying value of the net assets of the reporting unit as of January 1, 2002. Based on this analysis, the Company has concluded that no impairment existed at the time of adoption, and, accordingly, the Company has not recognized any transitional impairment loss.

Results for periods prior to the adoption of SFAS 142 have not been restated to reflect the effect of discontinuing goodwill amortization. The following table reconciles the reported net income (loss) to results that would have been reported if SFAS 142 had been adopted as of January 1, 2000:

                         
    Year ended December 31,
   
    2002   2001   2000
   
 
 
Reported net income (loss)
  $ 6,103     $ (4,236 )   $ 24,680  
Goodwill amortization, net of income taxes
    —       3,001       2,192  
 
   
     
     
 
Adjusted net income (loss)
  $ 6,103     $ (1,235 )   $ 26,872  
 
   
     
     
 

Long-Lived Assets:

Under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the Company has evaluated its long-lived assets for financial impairment and will continue to evaluate them based on the estimated undiscounted future cash flows as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable.

37


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued):

Income Taxes:

Deferred income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. See Note 6, Income Taxes.

Retirement Benefits:

Certain employees of the Company are covered under a profit-sharing and retirement savings plan (“defined contribution plan”). Certain employees of the Predecessor were covered under post-retirement benefit plans for which benefits were determined in accordance with the requirements of each plan. See Note 14, Retirement Benefits.

Revenue Recognition:

Revenue from sales of products is recorded upon the passing of title and risks of ownership which occurs upon the shipment of goods. Revenue is recorded net of pricing allowances such as customer rebates and discounts.

Shipping and handling

The costs incurred to ship product to customers, including freight and handling expenses, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Statements of Operations. For the three years ended December 31, 2002, shipping and handling costs included in selling, general and administrative were $13,913 for 2002, $11,362 for 2001 and $10,002 for 2000.

Research and Development:

The Company incurs research and development costs in connection with improvements to the key duplicating and engraving machines. For the three years ended December 31, 2002, research and development expenses, consisting primarily of internal wages and benefits, were $1,510 for 2002, $1,482 for 2001, and $635 for 2000.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

Cash, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and bank revolving credit are reflected in the consolidated financial statements at fair value due to short-term maturity or revolving nature of these instruments. The fair values of the Company’s debt instruments are disclosed in Note 9, Long-Term Debt. The fair value of the Trust Preferred Securities is disclosed in Note 12, Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in the Company’s Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Translation of Foreign Currencies:

The translation of the Company’s Canadian foreign currency based financial statements into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average exchange rate during the period.

38


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued):

Comprehensive Income (Loss):

The components of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were as follows:

                         
    2002   2001   2000
   
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 6,103     $ (4,236 )   $ 24,680  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    5       —       —  
 
   
     
     
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 6,108     $ (4,236 )   $ 24,680  
 
   
     
     
 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” FIN No. 45 requires that a guarantor must recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation that it has undertaken in issuing a guarantee. FIN No. 45 also addresses the disclosure requirements that a guarantor must include in its financial statements for guarantees issued. The disclosure requirements in this interpretation are effective for financial statements ending after December 15, 2002. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 45 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements”), which becomes effective for the Company in June 2003. FIN No. 46 provides consolidation guidance for certain variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which equity investors of the VIE do not have the characteristics of a controlling interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the VIE to finance its activities independently. FIN No. 46 requires each enterprise involved with a special purpose entity to determine whether it

39


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued):

provides financial support to the special purpose entity through a variable interest. Variable interests may arise from financial instruments, service contracts, minority ownership interests or other arrangements. If an entity holds a majority of the variable interests, or a significant variable interest that is considerably more than any other party’s variable interest, that entity would be the primary beneficiary and would be required to include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the special purpose entity in its consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 46 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections” (“SFAS No. 145”). Among other items, SFAS No. 145 updates and clarifies existing accounting pronouncements related to reporting gains and losses from the extinguishment of debt and certain lease modifications that have economic effects similar to sale-leaseback transactions. The provisions of SFAS No. 145 are generally effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002, with earlier adoption of certain provisions encouraged. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 145 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS No. 146”). SFAS No. 146 nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Costs to Exit an Activity (Including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under EITF Issue 94-3, a liability for an exit cost as defined in EITF Issue 94-3 was recognized at the date of an entity’s commitment to an exit plan. The provisions of SFAS No. 146 are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002, with earlier application encouraged. Under SFAS No. 146, an entity may not restate its previously issued financial statements and the new statement grandfathers the accounting for liabilities that an entity had previously recorded under EITF Issue 94-3. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 146 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS No. 148”). SFAS No. 148 amends FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the prior disclosure guidance and requires prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The provisions of SFAS No. 148 are generally effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. At this time the Company does not plan to adopt the accounting provisions of SFAS No. 123 and will continue to account for stock options in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”

40


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

4. Acquisitions and Divestitures:

On October 3, 2002, the Company, through its Hillman Group subsidiary, purchased the net assets of the DIY division (“DIY”) of the Fastenal Company of Winona, MN. DIY distributes fasteners, anchors, picture hanging wire, hooks, tacks, and brads to national hardware cooperatives and home centers. The Company’s management believes that the purchase of the DIY business will further strengthen the Company’s position in its core market segments, particularly with the national hardware cooperatives.

The accompanying financial statements reflect the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price of $15,218 to the assets and liabilities of the Company based on fair values at the date of the transaction in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The following table reconciles the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities to the total purchase price:

           
Accounts Receivable
  $ 3,658  
Inventory
    7,323  
Property and equipment
    3,561  
Other Assets
    2,101  
Goodwill
    3,929  
 
   
 
 
Total assets acquired
    20,572  
Less assumed liabilities
    5,354  
 
   
 
 
Total purchase price
  $ 15,218  
 
   
 

In connection with the DIY acquisition, the Company developed an overall integration plan that included the elimination of redundant headcount and facilities. In accordance with ETIF No. 95-3, “Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combination,” the Company accrued approximately $3,400 of estimated costs related to the integration plan consisting of approximately $1,500 of fixed asset disposals, $900 of facilities costs, $500 of moving expenses and $500 for planned workforce reductions. The integration is expected to be implemented beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003.

On May 1, 2002, the Hillman Group purchased certain assets of the Lowe’s specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc. for cash consideration of $6,207. The purchase price has been allocated as follows: $690 to accounts receivable, $1,338 to inventory, $138 to fixed assets, $51 to accrued liabilities and $4,092 to goodwill. The purchase of the specialty fastener business will expand the breadth of the Company’s product offering to Lowe’s. In connection with this transaction, the Company settled litigation filed by R&B, Inc. in February 1996 related to the Company’s sale of the Dorman Products division. The litigation settlement in the amount of $1,250 was fully reserved on the Company’s balance sheet, and accordingly, there was no charge to income in 2002.

On April 13, 2002, the Company entered into a Unit Repurchase Agreement with GC-Sun Holdings, L.P. (“G-C”), pursuant to which G-C exercised its call right under the G-C partnership agreement to purchase the Company’s interest in G-C. The Unit Repurchase Agreement closed on June 25, 2002. In exchange for its interest in G-C, the Company received a $10,000 subordinated note from G-C. Interest on the note is payable quarterly at a rate of 18% from May 1, 2002 to April 30, 2003, 17% from May 1, 2003 to April 30, 2004, and 16% thereafter. G-C’s payment of interest on the note is subject to certain restrictions under the terms of the subordinated note agreement. If such restrictions do not permit the current payment of interest in cash when due, accrued interest is

41


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

4. Acquisitions and Divestitures (continued):

added to the principal. For the year ended December 31, 2002 the Company added $1,258 of accrued interest to the principal. As of December 31, 2002, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet includes $11,258 in other investments related to the notes and interest accrued thereon. The Company accounted for its investment in the partnership under the equity method through December 31, 2001.

On September 28, 2001 the Company sold substantially all of the assets of its Technology Services subsidiary. The sales price aggregated $25,546 in cash and preferred stock, subject to post-closing adjustments, plus the assumption of certain liabilities by the buyer. The sale of assets resulted in no gain or loss on the sale transaction because the assets and liabilities of Technology Services were recorded at fair value in conjunction with the Merger Transaction. In the fourth quarter of 2001, the cash proceeds of $17,746 from the sale of STS, were distributed to Allied Capital and certain members of management, who are the remaining stockholders of the Company. The Technology Services preferred stock of $6,000 and accrued dividends thereon of $731 were distributed to the Company’s common shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2002.

On September 26, 2001, SunSource was acquired by Allied Capital pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 18, 2001, the Merger Transaction. Certain members of management and other stockholders continued as stockholders of the Company after the merger. The total transaction value was $74,027, consisting of the cash purchase price paid for the outstanding common stock of the Company aggregating $71,494 and management’s common shares valued at $2,533. The Company was the surviving entity in the merger and organized as an independently managed portfolio company of Allied Capital. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation.

In December 2000, the Board approved a plan to liquidate the Mexican Segment which provided comprehensive inventory management services of Maintenance Repair Operations (“MRO”) materials to large manufacturing plants in Mexico. The Company recorded a pre-tax loss on liquidation of approximately $4,600 representing non-cash charges for accumulated translation losses, the write-down of inventories and other assets, and other liquidation costs. The liquidation process was substantially completed as of June 30, 2001. On August 3, 2001, STS distributed its common stock investment in the Mexican Segment to the Hillman Group to segregate the STS Business from the remaining business interests of the Company.

On November 3, 2000, the Hillman Group purchased inventory and other assets of the Sharon-Philstone division of Pawtucket Fasteners, L.P. of Rhode Island. The Hillman Group assumed the sales and servicing of the Sharon-Philstone division who were distributors of fasteners to the retail hardware marketplace with annual sales of approximately $14,000 for the twelve month period prior to acquisition. The purchase price consisted of $5,460 for inventory and other assets including certain post-closing adjustments, and $1,413 for integration liabilities and transaction costs resulting in an aggregate cash purchase price of $6,873.

On April l3, 2000, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of Harding for a cash purchase price of $30,592 plus the assumption by the buyer of certain liabilities aggregating $12,693.

42


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

4. Acquisitions and Divestitures (continued):

On April 7, 2000, the Company’s Hillman Group acquired Axxess Technologies, Inc. (“Axxess” or “Axxess Technologies”), a Tempe, Arizona manufacturer of key duplication and identification systems. The transaction was structured as a purchase of 100% of the stock of the privately held company and repayment of outstanding Axxess debt in exchange for $87,000 in cash and $23,000 in subordinated notes. In connection with the sale of Harding on April 13, 2000, the Company repaid $9,600 of these subordinated notes leaving a balance of $13,400 comprised as follows: 1) a $2,400 note which was repaid on April 7, 2001 and 2) an $11,000 note which was repaid on September 28, 2001 at a discount as part of the Company’s debt refinancing arrangement. The aggregate consideration for the transaction was $111,537, including transaction costs of $1,537, plus the assumption of certain liabilities aggregating $14,018. The Hillman Group recorded goodwill and other intangible assets of $48,259 related to this acquisition. Axxess’ sales aggregated $19,364 for the three months ended March 31, 2000, and its results of operations are included in the results of the Hillman Group from the date of acquisition. On June 1, 2001, Axxess Technologies merged with and into the Hillman Group with the Hillman Group being the surviving entity in the merger.

On March 2, 2000, the Company contributed the interests in its Kar Products, Inc. and A & H Bolt & Nut Company Limited operations (collectively, the “Kar” or “Kar Products” business) to a newly-formed partnership affiliated with Glencoe Capital, L.L.C. (“Glencoe”). Glencoe contributed cash equity to the new partnership, GC-Sun Holdings, L.P. (“G-C”). The Company received $105,000 in cash proceeds from the transaction through repayment of assumed debt by G-C and retained a 49% minority ownership in G-C. Affiliates of Glencoe hold a controlling interest in G-C. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain on the transaction of approximately $49,115 in the first quarter of 2000. Sales from Kar aggregated $22,122 from January 1, 2000 to March 2, 2000.

On October 4, 2000, G-C acquired all of the outstanding stock of Brampton Fastener Co. Limited, d/b/a Brafasco, based in Toronto, Canada. G-C purchased the outstanding stock of Brafasco for cash and notes. Brafasco is a supplier of maintenance and repair products serving primarily industrial customers.

5. Related Party Transactions:

On September 28, 2001, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of its SunSource Technology Services business (the “STS Business”) to STS Operating, Inc. (“STS OP”), an entity formed by certain officers and managers of the STS Business, Allied Capital and Easton Hunt Capital Partners, L.P. for the purpose of acquiring the STS Business. The purchase price consisted of cash and preferred stock of STS OP plus the assumption of certain liabilities. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures.

On September 26, 2001, the Company was acquired by Allied Capital pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 18, 2001. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation, Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, and Note 9, Long-Term Debt. In connection with the Merger Transaction, the Company is obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of Allied Capital for management services rendered in the amount

43


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

5. Related Party Transactions (continued):

of $250 for calendar year 2001 and $1,800 for each calendar year thereafter. The Company has recorded a management fee charge of $1,800 and $250 on the Successor’s Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the three months ended December 31, 2001, respectively. Payment of management fees are due annually after delivery of the Company’s annual audited financial statements to the Board of Directors of the Company. The management fee for the three months ended December 31, 2001 was paid in March 2002.

On June 29, 2001, Allied Capital purchased an unsecured subordinated note, with an outstanding principal balance of approximately $12,500, from a SunSource creditor for $8,500. In connection with the Merger Transaction and refinancing the Company’s debt, Allied Capital exchanged the note for $8,500 of the Company’s subordinated debt. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Note 9, Long-Term Debt for additional information.

On December 28, 2000, the Company issued $30,000 of unsecured subordinated notes to Allied Capital which was amended on September 28, 2001, to increase the existing subordinated debenture to $40,000 in conjunction with refinancing the Company’s senior debt. See discussion above and Note 9, Long-Term Debt.

6. Income Taxes:

The Company’s income tax provision (benefit) for the three years ended December 31, 2002 was as follows:

                                     
        Successor   Predecessor
       
 
        Year   Three Months   Nine months   Year
        ended   ended   ended   ended
        December 31,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
        2002   2001   2001   2000
       
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$ 3,879     $ (298 )   $ 1,229     $ 4,910  
Discontinued operations
  —       —       —       (7,503 )
 
     
 
 
 
 
Total tax provision (benefit)
$ 3,879     $ (298 )   $ 1,229     $ (2,593 )
 
     
 
 
 
 

44


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

6. Income Taxes (continued):

The components of the Company’s provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations for the three years ended December 31, 2002 were as follows:

                                     
        Successor   Predecessor
       
 
        Year   Three Months   Nine months   Year
        ended   ended   ended   ended
        December 31,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
        2002   2001   2001   2000
       
 
 
 
Current:
                               
 
Federal & State
  $ 232     $ —     $ (292 )   $ 2,522  
 
Foreign
      —       —       185       (159 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total current
    232       —       (107 )     2,363  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Deferred:
                               
 
Federal & State
    3,872       (298 )     268       317  
 
Foreign
    —       —       —       —  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total deferred
    3,872       (298 )     268       317  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Valuation allowance
    (225 )     —       1,068       2,230  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 3,879     $ (298 )   $ 1,229     $ 4,910  
 
   
     
     
     
 

The Company has U.S. federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards for tax purposes, totaling $51,902 as of December 31, 2002, that are available to offset future taxable income. These carryforwards expire from 2019 to 2021. No valuation allowance has been provided against the federal NOL.

The Company has state net operating loss carryforwards with an aggregate tax benefit of $5,405 which expire from 2003 to 2021. A valuation allowance of $5,405 has been established for these deferred tax assets.

The Company has federal unused capital losses totaling $28,641 as of December 31, 2002 that are available to offset future capital gains. These carryforwards expire in 2006. A valuation allowance of $9,738 has been established for these deferred tax assets. The Company also has $283 of general business tax credits which expire from 2009 to 2021. A valuation allowance of $283 has been established for these tax credits. In 2002, the reduction in the valuation reserve is due to utilization of capital loss and state net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

45


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

6. Income Taxes (continued):

The table below reflects the significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2002 and 2001:

                                     
        As of December 31, 2002   As of December 31, 2001
       
 
        Current   Non-current   Current   Non-current
       
 
 
 
Deferred Tax Assets:
                               
 
Inventory
  $ 5,108     $ —     $ 4,870     $ —  
 
Bad debt reserve
    591       —       385       —  
 
Deferred compensation
    487       2,428       487       2,526  
 
Integration/severance reserve
    2,135       —                  
 
Federal net operating loss
    —       17,647       —       18,892  
 
State net operating loss
    —       5,405       —       8,083  
 
Tax credit carryforwards
    —       283       —       1,318  
 
Transaction costs
    —       661       —       1,045  
 
Federal capital loss carryforwards
    —       9,738       —       12,748  
 
All other items
    2,590       902       3,394       801  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Gross deferred tax assets
    10,911       37,064       9,136       45,413  
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
    —       (15,426 )     —       (19,970 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 10,911     $ 21,638     $ 9,136     $ 25,443  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Deferred Tax Liability:
                               
 
Property and equipment
  $ —     $ 4,473     $ —     $ 4,113  
 
All other items
    —       1,187       31       490  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Gross deferred tax liabilities
  $ —     $ 5,660     $ 31     $ 4,603  
 
   
     
     
     
 

Realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to their expiration. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized. The amount of net deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward periods are reduced.

46


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

6. Income Taxes (continued):

Below is a reconciliation of statutory income tax rates to the effective income tax rates for the periods indicated:

                                   
      Successor   Predecessor
     
 
      Year   Three Months   Nine Months   Year
      Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended
      December 31,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
      2002   2001   2001   2000
     
 
 
 
Statuatory federal income tax rate
    34.0 %     –34.0 %     –34.0 %     34.0 %
Foreign income tax rates in excess of U.S. federal income tax rates
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     –0.7 %
State and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefit
    6.7 %     0.2 %     –6.7 %     2.7 %
Other permanent differences, principally goodwill
    –1.8 %     24.5 %     1294.8 %     13.3 %
Non-taxable income — Kar transaction
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     –34.1 %
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Effective income tax rate
    38.9 %     –9.3 %     1254.1 %     15.2 %
 
   
     
     
     
 

7. Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment consists of the following at December 31, 2002 and 2001:

                           
      Estimated                
      Useful Life        
      (Years)   2002   2001
     
 
 
Land
          $ 131     $ —  
Buildings
    27       863       —  
Leasehold improvements
    3-10       4,706       3,649  
Machinery and equipment
    3-10       59,948       53,278  
Furniture and fixtures
    3-5       1,430       1,131  
Construction in process
            10,500       257  
 
           
     
 
 
Property and equipment, gross
            77,578       58,315  
Less accumulated depreciation
            8,982       3,030  
 
           
     
 
 
Property and equipment, net
          $ 68,596     $ 55,285  
 
           
     
 

47


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

8. Intangible Assets:

Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following as of December 31, 2002:

                 
    Carrying   Accumulated
    Amount   Amortization
   
 
Trademarks
  $ 6,500     $ 715  
Patents
    6,700       2,303  
Proprietary software
    1,000       344  
Non-compete agreements
    1,250       1,020  
 
   
     
 
Total
  $ 15,450     $ 4,382  
 
   
     
 

Amortization expense for intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $1,485. Amortization expense for the next five years is estimated to be as follows:

         
Year Ended        
December 31   Amount

 
2003
  $ 1,437  
2004
  $ 1,238  
2005
  $ 1,223  
2006
  $ 1,222  
2007
  $ 1,223  

9. Long-Term Debt:

On September 28, 2001, the Company entered into a $105,000 senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) consisting of $50,000 revolving credit (the “Revolver”), a $20,000 term loan (the “Term Loan A”), and a $35,000 term loan (the “Term Loan B”). This new credit agreement has a five-year term for the Revolver and Term Loan A and a seven-year term for Term Loan B. The Credit Agreement provides borrowings at interest rates based on LIBOR plus a LIBOR margin of between 3.25% and 3.75%, or prime (the “Base Rate”) plus a margin of between 2.0% and 2.5% (the “Base Rate Margin”). In accordance with the Credit Agreement, letter of credit commitment fees are based on the average daily face amount of each outstanding letter of credit multiplied by three and one quarter percent (3.25%) per annum. Also, the Company pays an annual commitment fee of 0.5% per annum on the unused Revolver balance.

The Senior Credit Agreement, among other provisions, contains financial covenants requiring the maintenance of specific coverage ratios and levels of financial position, restricts the incurrence of additional debt, and the sale of assets, and permits acquisitions only with the consent of the lenders. If the Company sells a significant amount of assets as defined in the Credit Agreement, it must make a repayment in an amount equal to the net proceeds of such sale. Such repayments shall be applied to the Term Loans and at any time after the Term Loans have been prepaid in full, such repayments shall then be applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Revolver. The Company was in compliance with all provisions of the Senior Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2002.

48


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

9. Long-Term Debt (continued):

On May 1, 2002 the Credit Agreement was amended to provide an additional $10,000 of availability under the revolving credit facility and to increase Term Loan A by $15,000. In addition to funding the purchase of certain assets of the Lowe’s specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc., (see Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures) the cash proceeds and additional availability was used to finance the expansion and automation of the Company’s distribution facilities.

On December 23, 2002 the Credit Agreement was amended to provide an additional $4,780 of availability under the revolving credit agreement and to increase Term Loan A by $2,500 and Term Loan B by $2,720. The proceeds were used to fund the previously completed acquisition of the DIY Business.

The Company incurred an additional $1,387 of financing fees for the year ended December 31, 2002 in connection with the amendments to the senior credit agreement described above. These financing fees have been capitalized and are being amortized over the remaining term of the revolver and term loans.

On December 28, 2000, the Company issued $30,000 of unsecured subordinated notes (the “Subordinated Debt Issuance”), maturing December 28, 2006 to Allied Capital. On September 28, 2001 the Company amended the Subordinated Debt Issuance to increase the existing subordinated debenture to $40,000 maturing on September 29, 2009 (the “Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance”). Interest on the Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance is at a fixed rate of 18.0% per annum, with cash interest payments required on a quarterly basis at a fixed rate of 13.5% commencing November 15, 2001. The outstanding principal balance of the Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance shall be increased on a quarterly basis at the remaining 4.5% fixed rate (the “PIK Amount”). All of the PIK Amounts are due on the fifth anniversary of the Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance. The outstanding principal balance of the Amended Subordinated Debt Issuance is included in long term unsecured subordinated notes to related party on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2002 in the amount of $42,108 of which $2,108 represents the PIK amount.

As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, long-term debt is summarized as follows:

                 
    2002   2001
   
 
Revolving Credit Agreement
  $ 34,532     $ 34,052  
Term Loan A
    32,732       19,250  
Term Loan B
    37,095       34,875  
Subordinated Debt Notes
    42,108       40,240  
Capital Leases
    249       322  
 
   
     
 
 
    146,716       128,739  
Less: amounts due in one year
    9,323       3,887  
 
   
     
 
Long-term debt
  $ 137,393     $ 124,852  
 
   
     
 

49


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

9. Long-Term Debt (continued):

The aggregate minimum principal maturities of the long-term debt for each of the five fiscal years following December 31, 2002, are as follows:

         
2003
  $ 9,324  
2004
    9,324  
2005
    9,324  
2006
    48,030  
2007
    17,565  
2008 and thereafter
    53,149  

As of December 31, 2002, the Company had $26,391 available under the Revolver. The Company had letter of credit commitments outstanding of $3,857 at December 31, 2002.

As of December 31, 2002, the estimated fair value of the Company’s Term Loans approximates the recorded value as determined in accordance with SFAS 107. The Company discounted the future cash flows of its Term Loans based on borrowing rates for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. The fair value estimate is made at a specific point in time, is subjective in nature, and involves uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimate.

10. Leases:

Certain warehouse and office space and equipment are leased under capital and operating leases with terms in excess of one year. Future minimum lease payments under noncancellable leases consisted of the following at December 31, 2002:

                   
      Capital   Operating
      Leases   Leases
     
 
2003
  $ 74     $ 6,869  
2004
    60       5,326  
2005
    53       4,282  
2006
    57       3,684  
2007
    41       2,694  
Later years
    18       11,099  
 
   
     
 
 
Total minimum lease payments
    303     $ 33,954  
 
           
 
Less amounts representing interest
    (54 )        
 
   
         
 
Present value of net minimum lease payments (including $55 currently payable)
  $ 249          
 
   
         

Total rental expense for all operating leases from continuing operations amounted to $10,080 in 2002, $11,407 in 2001, and $12,562 in 2000. Certain leases are subject to terms of renewal and escalation clauses.

50


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

11. Deferred Compensation Plans:

The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan for key employees (the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan”) which allows for deferral of cash compensation from salary and annual bonuses. The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan also includes awards that were made under previous long-term incentive plans of SunSource. Executive deferrals can grow at mutual fund investment rates.

The Company had established a Rabbi Trust which held insurance policies to assist in funding the liabilities of the deferred compensation plan. On December 29, 2000, the Company surrendered the insurance policies and transferred all investments to mutual fund investment accounts. Upon termination of the insurance policies, the Company incurred a cash surrender charge of $506 in December 2000.

As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet included $7,065 and $8,649, respectively, in restricted investments representing the assets held in mutual funds to fund deferred compensation liabilities due to the Company’s current and former employees. The current portion of the restricted investments was $1,142 and $1,187 as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Except for the cash surrender charge in December 2000, there were no other amounts charged to income for the three years ended December 31, 2002 under the Company’s deferred compensation plans. During the three years ended December 31, 2002, distributions from the deferred compensation plans aggregated $1,142 in 2002, $4,539 in 2001, and $2,714 in 2000.

12. Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in the Company’s
Junior Subordinated Debentures:

The Trust was organized in connection with the conversion of the Company to corporate form in September 1997 for the purpose of (a) issuing its Trust Preferred Securities to the Company in consideration for the deposit by the Company of Junior Subordinated Debentures in the Trust as trust assets, and its Trust Common Securities to the Company in exchange for cash and investing the proceeds thereof in an equivalent amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures and (b) engaging in such other activities as are necessary or incidental thereto.

The Trust had no operating history prior to the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities. The terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures include those stated in the indenture between the Company and the indenture trustee, and those made part of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act (the “Indenture”).

The Company has guaranteed on a subordinated basis the payment of distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities and payments on liquidation of the Trust and redemption of Trust Preferred Securities (the “Preferred Securities Guarantee”). The sole assets of the Trust are the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the obligations of the Company under the Indenture, the Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures in the aggregate constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the Trust’s obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities.

51


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

12. Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in the
Company’s Junior Subordinated Debentures (continued):

The Trust Preferred Securities have equity characteristics but creditor’s rights and are therefore classified between liabilities and stockholders’ equity on the balance sheet. On September 26, 2001, the Trust Preferred Securities were recorded at fair value of $102,072 based on the price of the Trust Preferred Securities of $24.20 upon close of trading on the American Stock Exchange on that date. The Trust Preferred Securities have a liquidation value of $25.00 per security. The discount on the Trust Preferred Securities as of September 26, 2001 to their liquidation value of $105,446, or $3,374 is amortized over the remaining life of the Trust Preferred Securities. The fair value of the Trust Preferred Securities on December 31, 2002 was $104,389 based on the closing price on the American Stock Exchange of $24.75 per security on that date.

The interest payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures underlying the Trust Preferred Securities, aggregating $12,232 per year, are deductible for federal income tax purposes under current law and will remain an obligation of the Company until the Trust Preferred Securities are redeemed or upon their maturity in 2027.

13. Stockholders’ Equity:

Common Shares Issued to Certain Non-Employee Directors:

Under the Company’s Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, certain non-employee directors were issued 16,807 common shares in the first nine months of 2001, which resulted in a compensation charge of $58.

Stock Options:

During the two years ended December 31, 2001, the Company provided employees equity incentive compensation in the form of grants of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted stock in accordance with the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan (the “Existing Equity Plan”). No equity incentive compensation was provided to employees during the year ended December 31, 2002. The aggregate numbers of common shares that may be issued or transferred under the Existing Equity Plan is 2,150,000 common shares. Immediately prior to the Merger Transaction, the Company had 1,120,000 stock options outstanding which were granted in accordance with the Existing Equity Plan.

On September 26, 2001, in conjunction with the Merger Transaction, 131,500 of these options were converted to common shares and 545,500 stock options were cancelled. During the fourth quarter of 2001, 3,359 of these stock options were exercised. In the third quarter of 2002, 50,000 of these stock options were cancelled. The balance of the outstanding stock options will remain in effect pursuant to the same terms and conditions of the Existing Equity Plan except that these roll-over options aggregating 389,641 became fully vested in connection with the Merger Transaction. The roll-over options are summarized as follows:

52


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

13. Stockholders’ Equity (continued):

                   
Grant Date   Number of Options Outstanding   Exercise Price Per Share

 
 
May 1, 2000
    22,500     $ 3.825  
May 1, 2000
    198,500     $ 4.500  
May 23, 2001
    22,500     $ 3.400  
May 23, 2001
    146,141     $ 4.000  
 
   
         
 
Total
    389,641          
 
   
         

In conjunction with the Merger Transaction, the Company has reserved 1,337,316 stock options for issuance under the SunSource Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “New Equity Plan”). Under the New Equity Plan, the stock options are intended to vest over four years with 25% of the options vesting on each anniversary of the merger through the end of year four. No awards have been made under New Equity Plan as of December 31, 2002.

Dividends:

In the fourth quarter of 2002 the Company distributed a cash dividend of $174 and STS OP preferred stock with a book value of $6,731 to the shareholders of the Company’s common stock.

During the fourth quarter of 2001, in connection with the proceeds from the sale of STS Business, the Company distributed a cash dividend of $17,718 to the shareholders of the Company’s common stock.

14. Retirement Benefits:

In December 2000, the Board of Directors approved a proposal to merge the STS Plan with another Company owned plan which was held for certain divested operations, and terminate the merged plans as of December 31, 2000. As a result, the Company recorded a pre-tax loss on termination of the merged pension plans of $4,279 in December 2000.

The $4,279 loss on termination of the defined benefit pension plans represents an estimated surplus upon termination of the defined benefit pension plans of $3,700, less a write-off of a prepaid pension asset of $7,424, and a charge for estimated excise taxes of $555. The approved proposal also provides for a contribution of 25% or $925 of the $3,700 estimated surplus upon termination to the STS deferred contribution plan. During 2000, the Company recorded a net periodic benefit of $1,500 related to expected investment returns on the surplus assets of the STS Plan.

As of December 31, 2001, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet included a prepaid pension asset of $2,775 in other current assets. In April 2002, the settlement of the STS Plan was completed and the Company received cash proceeds from plan assets in excess of settlement obligations totaling $3,903. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2002 includes a favorable income adjustment of $1,231 to the previously recorded estimated loss on termination resulting from final settlement of the STS Plan.

The Technology Services subsidiary also had a post-retirement benefit plan. The benefit obligation of this plan was assumed by the buyer of Technology Services when the subsidiary was sold on September 28, 2001. The Company’s net post–retirement expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2000 was $58 and $136, respectively.

53


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

14. Retirement Benefits (continued):

Certain employees of the Company are covered under a profit-sharing and retirement savings plan (“defined contribution plan”). The plan provides for a matching contribution for eligible employees of 50% of each dollar contributed by the employee up to 6% of employee’s compensation. In addition, the plan provides an annual contribution in amounts authorized by the Board, subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.

Costs (income) charged to operations under all retirement benefit plans for the three years ended December 31, 2002 was as follows:

                         
    2002   2001   2000
   
 
 
Defined contribution plans
  $ 1,905     $ 2,541     $ 2,475  
Defined benefit plans
    (1,231 )     58       2,293  
 
   
     
     
 
Total
  $ 674     $ 2,599     $ 4,768  
 
   
     
     
 

15. Commitments and Contingencies:

Under the Company’s insurance programs, commercial umbrella coverage is obtained for catastrophic exposure and aggregate losses in excess of normal claims. Beginning in 1991, the Company has retained risk on certain expected losses from both asserted and unasserted claims related to worker’s compensation, general liability and automobile as well as the health benefits of certain employees. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based on an analysis of historical insurance claim data and certain actuarial assumptions. As of December 31, 2002, the Company has provided insurers letters of credit aggregating $3,857 related to certain insurance programs.

Legal proceedings are pending which are either in the ordinary course of business or incidental to the Company’s business. Those legal proceedings incidental to the business of the Company are generally not covered by insurance or other indemnity. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of the pending litigation matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, operations or cash flows of the Company.

54


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

16. Statements of Cash Flows:

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information are presented below:

                                       
          Successor   Predecessor
         
 
          Year   Three Months   Nine months   Year
          ended   ended   ended   ended
          December 31,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
          2002   2001   2001   2000
         
 
 
 
Cash paid (refunded) during the period for:
                               
   
Interest
  $ 13,227     $ 1,983     $ 9,263     $ 9,186  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Income taxes
  $ (179 )   $ (49 )   $ 304     $ 4,174  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Non-cash operating activities:
                               
 
Issuance of shares of common stock to certain non-employee directors
  $ —     $ —     $ 58     $ 105  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Cash investing activities:
                               
 
Acquisitions (see Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures):
                               
   
Fair value of assets acquired, including goodwill
  $ 21,592     $ —     $ 5,003     $ 127,425  
   
Less: Unsecured subordinated notes issued
    —       —       —       23,000  
   
Less: Liabilities assumed
    —       —       —       15,555  
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Cash paid for acquired businesses
  $ 21,592     $ —     $ 5,003     $ 88,870  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Non-cash investing activities:
                               
 
Exchange of G-C interest for subordinated G-C note (Note 4)
  $ 10,000     $ —     $ —     $ —  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Non-cash financing activities:
                               
 
Accrued and unpaid distributions on trust preferred securities
  $ —     $ —     $ 1,019     $ 1,019  
 
   
     
     
     
 

55


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

17. Quarterly Data (unaudited):

                                 
            Successor        
   
       
2002   Fourth   Third   Second   First

 
 
 
 
Net Sales
  $ 71,878     $ 75,707     $ 75,778     $ 63,425  
Gross Profit
    41,268       42,636       41,760       34,950  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    1,476       2,789       3,100       (1,262 )
Net income (loss)
    1,476       2,789       3,100       (1,262 )
                                 
    Successor           Predecessor        
   
 
       
2001   Fourth   Third   Second   First

 
 
 
 
Net Sales
  $ 60,040     $ 114,767     $ 116,611     $ 109,929  
Gross Profit
    34,442       49,216       49,379       44,969  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (2,909 )     1,088       214       (2,629 )
Net income (loss)
    (2,909 )     1,088       214       (2,629 )

18. Concentration of Credit Risk:

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to sales and trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across geographic areas. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. For the year ended December 31, 2002 the largest two customers accounted for 24.3% of sales and 31.8% of the year-end accounts receivable balance. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total sales in 2002.

Concentration of credit risk with respect to purchases and trade payables are limited due to the large number of vendors comprising the Company’s vendor base, with dispersion across different industries and geographic areas. The Company’s largest vendor in terms of annual purchases accounted for less than 10% of the Company’s total purchases for ongoing operations and 12.1% of the Company’s total trade payables for ongoing operations on December 31, 2002.

19. Segment Information:

The Successor is organized as a single business segment and the Predecessor has two reportable segments (see Note 1, Basis of Presentation) which were disaggregated based on the products and services provided, markets served, marketing strategies and delivery methods.

56


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

19. Segment Information (continued):

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment sales are immaterial. The Company measures segment profitability and allocates corporate resources based on each segment’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) which is defined as income from operations before depreciation and amortization. Management believes that EBITDA provides useful information regarding the Company’s ability to service debt. EBITDA is not a measure of operating performance computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating activities, or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in conformity with GAAP, or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. The Company also measures the segments on performance on their tangible asset base. The table below provides the Company’s segment disclosures and is followed by reconciliations of the segment amounts to the consolidated amounts where appropriate:

                                     
        Successor   Predecessor
       
 
        Year   Three Months   Nine months   Year
        ended   ended   ended   ended
        December 31,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
        2002   2001   2001   2000
       
 
 
 
Net Sale
                               
Technology Services (STS)
  $ —     $ —     $ 152,561     $ 228,730  
Hillman Group
    286,788       60,040       188,746       210,938  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Segment net sales
    286,788       60,040       341,307       439,668  
Net sales from contributed subsidiaries, sold businesses and terminated contracts
    —       —       —       23,170  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Consolidated net sales
  $ 286,788     $ 60,040     $ 341,307     $ 462,838  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Gross Profit
                               
Technology Services (STS)
  $ —     $ —     $ 37,023     $ 52,313  
Hillman Group
    160,614       34,442       106,541       117,295  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Segment gross profit
    160,614       34,442       143,564       169,608  
Gross profit from contributed subsidiaries, sold businesses and terminated contracts
    —       —       —       15,052  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Consolidated gross profit
  $ 160,614     $ 34,442     $ 143,564     $ 184,660  
 
   
     
     
     
 
EBITDA
                               
Technology Services (STS)
  $ —     $ —     $ (1,205 )   $ (6,652 )
Hillman Group
    51,574       10,182       35,007       34,053  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Segment EBITDA
  $ 51,574     $ 10,182     $ 33,802     $ 27,401  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Tangible Assets
                               
Technology Services (STS)
  $ —     $ —       N/A     $ 62,132  
Hillman Group
    168,463       146,331       N/A       133,320  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Segment tangible assets
  $ 168,463     $ 146,331       N/A     $ 195,452  
 
   
     
     
     
 

57


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

19. Segment Information, (continued):

                                     
        Successor   Predecessor
       
 
        Year   Three Months   Nine Months   Year
        Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended
        12/31/02   12/31/01   9/30/01   12/31/00
       
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
                               
Technology Services (STS)
  $ —     $ —     $ 427     $ 937  
Hillman Group
    22,989       2,796       11,752       7,376  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Segment capital expenditures
    22,989       2,796       12,179       8,313  
Capital expenditures from contributed subsidiaries, sold businesses and terminated contracts
    —       —       —       27  
Corporate capital expenditures
    —       —       —       5  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Consolidated capital expenditures
  $ 22,989     $ 2,796     $ 12,179     $ 8,345  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Depreciation
                               
Technology Services (STS)
  $ —     $ —     $ 1,616     $ 2,070  
Hillman Group
    12,004       3,030       7,946       7,161  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Segment depreciation
    12,004       3,030       9,562       9,231  
Depreciation from contributed subsidiaries, sold businesses and terminated contracts
    —       —       —       181  
Corporate depreciation
    —       —       31       43  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Consolidated depreciation
  $ 12,004     $ 3,030     $ 9,593     $ 9,455  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Geographic Segment Data
                               
Net Sales
                               
 
United States
  $ 285,571     $ 59,875     $ 330,832     $ 443,159  
 
Canada
    1,217       165       10,475       19,679  
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Consolidated net sales
  $ 286,788     $ 60,040     $ 341,307     $ 462,838  
 
   
     
     
     
 

58


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(formerly SunSource Inc. and Subsidiaries)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)

19. Segment Information, (continued):

                                   
      Successor   Predecessor
     
 
      Year   Three Months   Nine Months   Year
      Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended
      12/31/02   12/31/01   9/30/01   12/31/00
     
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Segment Profit to Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
                               
Segment profit — EBITDA
  $ 51,574     $ 10,182     $ 33,802     $ 27,401  
EBITDA from contributed subsidiaries, sold businesses and terminated contracts
    —       —       —       2,823  
Dividend income — STS Operating, Inc.
    546       185       —       —  
Depreciation
    (12,004 )     (3,030 )     (9,593 )     (9,455 )
Amortization
    (1,485 )     (1,588 )     (2,895 )     (3,369 )
Management fee expense
    (1,800 )     (250 )     —       —  
Corporate expenses
    (2,622 )     (864 )     (4,079 )     (8,956 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income before non-recurring charges
    34,209       4,635       17,235       8,444  
Non-recurring gains (charges):
                               
 
Gain on curtailment/termination of pension plan
    1,231       —       —       (4,279 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income from operations
    35,440       4,635       17,235       4,165  
Interest expense, net
    (13,227 )     (3,616 )     (9,222 )     (11,286 )
Distribution on guaranteed preferred beneficial interests
    (12,231 )     (3,058 )     (9,174 )     (12,232 )
Gain on contribution of subsidiaries
    —       —       —       49,115  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ 9,982     $ (2,039 )   $ (1,161 )   $ 29,762  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Reconciliation of Segment Tangible
Assets to Total Assets
                               
Segment tangible assets
  $ 168,463     $ 146,331       N/A     $ 195,452  
Goodwill
    132,677       120,585       N/A       63,914  
Other intangible assets
    11,068       12,553       N/A       14,035  
Deferred income taxes
    32,549       34,579       N/A       29,601  
Deferred financing fees
    5,774       5,536       N/A       5,835  
Assets held for sale
    —       146       N/A       1,767  
Other corporate assets
    18,323       24,834       N/A       11,985  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Consolidated total assets
  $ 368,854     $ 344,564       N/A     $ 322,589  
 
   
     
     
     
 

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Financial Statement Schedule:

SCHEDULE II — VALUATION ACCOUNTS

(dollars in thousands)

                                                           
      Deducted From Assets in Balance Sheet
     
                              Accumulated                        
                      Allowance for   Amortization           Accumulated        
      Allowance for           Obsolete/   of Goodwill           Amortization        
      Doubtful           Excess   and           of Deferred        
      Accounts           Inventory   Intangibles           Financing Fees        
     
         
 
         
       
Balance, December 31, 1999 — Predecessor
  $ 2,064             $ 6,768     $ 19,786             $ 29          
Additions charged to cost and expenses
    756               2,132       3,369               961          
Additions for Axxess acquisition
    212               1,201       —               —          
Deductions due to:
                                                       
 
Sale of division
    368               657       8,927               —          
 
Others
    1,264 (A)             3,086 (A)     —               —          
 
   
             
     
             
         
Balance, December 31, 2000 — Predecessor
    1,400               6,358       14,228               990          
Additions charged to cost and expenses
    430               1,699       2,895               1,047          
Deductions due to:
                                                       
 
Others
    228 (A)             1,068 (A)     —               1,804 (C)        
 
   
             
     
             
         
Balance, September 30, 2001 — Predecessor
    1,602               6,989       17,123               233          
Additions charged to cost and expense
    495               (4 )     1,588               237          
Deductions due to:
                                                       
 
Sale of division
    1,038               3,436       8,816               —          
 
Merger transaction
    —               —       8,307 (B)             233 (B)        
 
Others
    522 (A)             (378 )(A)     —               —          
 
   
             
     
             
         
Balance, December 31, 2001 — Successor
    537               3,927       1,588               237          
Additions charged to cost and expenses
    274               654       1,485               1,149          
Additions for DIY Acquisition
    100               1,419       —               —          
Deductions due to:
                                                       
 
Others
    359 (A)             1,625 (A)     —               —          
 
   
             
     
             
         
Ending Balance — December 31, 2002 — Successor
    552               4,375       3,073               1,386          
 
   
             
     
             
         

Notes:

(A)  Includes write-off of accounts receivable (net of bad debt recoveries) and inventories.

(B)  Adjustment to write-off pre-merger accumulated amortization.

(C)  Write-off of deferred financing fee as a result of early extinguishment of debt related to the Company’s bank revolving credit.

60


 

Item 9 — Changes in and Disagreements on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.

There were no changes in or disagreements on accounting and financial disclosure during the year ended December 31, 2002.

61


 

PART III

Item 10 — Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

The following is a summary of the biographies for at least the last five years of the continuing directors and officers. Each of the directors has served as such since September 2001 except for Alan T. Biland who has served since December 2002.

Directors

     
    Principal Occupation; Five-Year Employment
Name and Age   History; Other Directorships

 
Maurice P. Andrien, Jr. (61)   Chairman of The Hillman Companies, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (f/k/a SunSource Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). From April 1999 to November 2001 Mr. Andrien was President and Chief Executive Officer of SunSource Inc. From June 1998 to April 1999, Mr. Andrien was President and Chief Operating Officer of Unican Security Systems, Ltd., Montreal, Quebec, Canada. From April 1992 to June 1998, Mr. Andrien was President and Chief Executive Officer of Curtis Industries, Inc., Mayfield Heights, Ohio.
Max W. Hillman, Jr. (56)   President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hillman Companies, Inc., Chief Executive Officer of The Hillman Group, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. From April 2000 to November 2001, Mr. Hillman was Co-Chief Executive Officer of The Hillman Group, Inc. From 1999 to April 2000, Mr. Hillman held the position of Chief Executive Officer of The Hillman Group, Inc. From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Hillman was a Group Vice President for The Hillman Group, Inc.
Alan T. Biland (44)   President, Diagnostics and Information; Vice President, Chief Information Officer of Snap-on Incorporated, Kenosha, Wisconsin. From April 1998, Mr. Biland was CIO for Snap-on Incorporated. From 1985 to 1998, Mr. Biland held positions of increasing responsibility at Case IH in Racine, Wisconsin. Mr. Biland serves on a number of internal advisory board positions at Snap-on Incorporated including Mitchell 1, San Diego, California, Cartec GMBH in Unterneukirchen, Germany, and Snap-on Technologies in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

62


 

     
Daniel L. Russell (38)   Principal of Allied Capital Corporation, Washington, D.C. Mr. Russell serves as a Principal in Allied Capital’s private finance group. Prior to joining Allied Capital in 1998, Mr. Russell spent six years with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP in the firm’s financial services group, including serving as a Senior Manager. Mr. Russell is a director of Nobel Learning Communities, Inc.
William L. Walton (53)   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Allied Capital Corporation, Washington, D.C., since 1997. Mr. Walton has served on the Allied Capital Board of Directors since 1986 and was named Chairman and CEO in February 1997. Mr. Walton previously served as Managing Director of New York-based Butler Capital Corporation, a mezzanine buyout firm, and was the personal venture capital advisor for William S. Paley, founder and Chairman of CBS. In addition, he was a Senior Vice President in Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb’s Investment Banking Group. Mr. Walton also founded and managed two start-up businesses, SuccessLab, Inc. and Language Odyssey, in the emerging education industry (1992-1996). Mr. Walton is a director of Riggs National Corporation and the National Venture Capital Association.
G. Cabell Williams, III (48)   Managing Director of Allied Capital Corporation, Washington, D.C. Mr. Williams has been employed by Allied Capital in the private finance group since 1981. Mr. Williams has served in many capacities during his tenure at Allied Capital since 1981.

All directors hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

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The executive officers of the Company (including the executive officers of The Hillman Group, Inc.) are set forth below:

Executive Officers

     
Name and Age   Position with the Company; Five-Year Employment History

 
Maurice P. Andrien, Jr. (61)   Chairman of The Hillman Companies, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. See page 62 for five-year employment history.
Max W. Hillman, Jr. (56)   President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hillman Companies, Inc., Chief Executive Officer of The Hillman Group, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. See page 62 for five-year employment history. Mr. Hillman is the brother of Richard P. Hillman.
Richard P. Hillman (54)   President of The Hillman Group, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Hillman has held such position since 1991. Mr. Hillman is the brother of Max W. Hillman.
James P. Waters (41)   Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of The Hillman Companies, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio and Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of The Hillman Group, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. From September 1999 to November 2001, Mr. Waters was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Hillman Group, Inc. From November 1997 to September 1999, Mr. Waters was Vice President of Finance for Curtis Industries, Inc., Mayfield Heights, Ohio. From May 1993 to November 1997, Mr. Waters was Director of Finance for Curtis Industries, Inc., Mayfield Heights, Ohio.
George L. Heredia (44)   Senior Vice President of Engraving for The Hillman Group, Inc., Tempe, Arizona. Mr. Heredia has held various executive positions since April 2000. Prior to April 2000, Mr. Heredia has held the positions of Senior Vice President of Marketing and Senior Vice President of Operations for Axxess Technologies Inc.
Terry R. Rowe (48)   Senior Vice President of National Account Sales for The Hillman Group, Inc., Tempe, Arizona. Mr. Rowe had held such position with The Hillman Group since 1992.

All executive officers hold office at the pleasure of the board of directors.

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Item 11 — Executive Compensation

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth all cash compensation paid and accrued for services rendered during the three years ended December 31, 2002, by each of the Chief Executive Officer, and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries whose remuneration exceeded $100,000 and two individuals who served as executive officers during the last completed fiscal year but were not serving as such as of December 31, 2002.

                                                     
                                Long-Term Compensation        
                               
       
                                Restricted   Securities        
    Annual Compensation       Stock   Underlying        
Name and  
  Other Annual   Awards   Options   All Other
Principal Position   Year   Salary(1)   Bonus(2)   Compensation(9)   $   #   Compensation

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maurice P. Andrien, Jr.
    2002     $ 355,600     $ 228,467     —     —       —       —  
Chairman
    2001       473,352       299,928     —     —       60,000       —  
The Hillman Companies, Inc. (3)
    2000       462,608       284,000     —   $ 450,000 (3)     70,000     $ 344,157 (4)
 
Max W. Hillman, Jr.
    2002       362,500       293,794     —     —       —       —  
President and CEO
    2001       361,216       193,262     —     —       25,000       —  
The Hillman Companies, Inc.
    2000       324,778       154,414     —     —       42,500       —  
 
Richard P. Hillman
    2002       234,423       105,990     —     —       —       —  
President
    2001       230,161       49,967     —     —       10,000       —  
The Hillman Group, Inc.
    2000       222,077       53,340     —     —       10,000       —  
 
George L. Heredia
    2002       193,992       67,968     —     —       —       —  
Senior VP of Engraving
    2001       183,257       47,992 (6)   —     —       10,000       —  
The Hillman Group, Inc. (5)
    2000       133,284       42,586     —     —       —       —  
 
Terry R. Rowe
    2002       182,000       64,715     —     —       —       —  
Senior VP National Accounts
    2001       175,000       49,508     —     —       5,000       —  
The Hillman Group, Inc.
    2000       125,000       18,737     —     —       4,000       —  
 
Former Executive Officers                                                    

                                                   
Joseph M. Corvino (8)
    2002       303,353       —     —     —       —       —  
Former Senior VP & CFO
    2001       262,600       101,404     —     —       30,000       —  
The Hillman Companies, Inc.
    2000       252,600       75,000     —     —       35,000       —  
 
Stephen W. Miller (7)
    2002       362,500       220,344     —     —       —       —  
Former Vice Chairman
    2001       362,604       193,163 (6)   —     —       25,000       —  
The Hillman Group, Inc. (5)
    2000       242,786       200,000     —     —       25,000       —  


(1)   Represents base salary plus other types of miscellaneous compensation.
(2)   Represents earned bonus for services rendered in each year.
(3)   On January 26, 2000, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors amended an original grant instrument by reducing the number of stock options from 150,000 to 50,000 and issued 100,000 shares of restricted stock. The restricted shares were issued at a fair market value of $4.50 per share (see Compensation of the Chairman of the Board of the Company on page 67).

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(4)   Includes compensation for the forgiveness of a loan in the amount of $217,058 by the Company associated with the restricted stock issued on January 26, 2000 (see note 3 above), relocation expenses of $110,666, country club fees of $13,953 and miscellaneous items of $2,480 paid by the Company in 2000.
(5)   Represents compensation paid or distributed from April 7, 2000 through December 31, 2000 only as a result of the acquisition of Axxess Technologies, Inc.
(6)   Excludes special performance bonuses of $800,000 for Mr. Miller and $293,000 for Mr. Heredia earned in 2001 related to the acquisition of Axxess Technologies, Inc.
(7)   Retired as Vice Chairman of The Hillman Group, Inc. in September 2002. Mr. Miller’s 2002 annual compensation excludes a lump sum severance payment of $1,068,623 paid in October 2002.
(8)   Retired as Senior Vice President and CFO in May 2002.
(9)   There were no perquisites paid by the Company in excess of the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the person’s total salary and bonus for the year.

There were no stock options granted in 2002.
The Board of Directors were not compensated by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2002.

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 2002
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

The following table sets forth information for each named executive officer with regard to stock option exercises during 2002 and the aggregate stock options held at December 31, 2002.

                                 
                    Number of        
                    Underlying        
                    Unexercised   Value of Unexercised
                    Options   In-The-Money Options
    Shares           At FY-End (#)   At FY-End ($)
    Acquired by   Value   Exercisable/   Exercisable/
Name   Exercise   Realized   Unexercisable (1)   Unexercisable (2)

 
 
 
 
Maurice P. Andrien, Jr.
    —       —       130,000/0     $ 2,057,626/0  
Joseph M. Corvino
    —       —       65,000/0       1,041,563/0  
Max W. Hillman, Jr.
    —       —       67,500/0       1,081,243/0  
Richard P. Hillman
    —       —       20,000/0       316,942/0  
George L. Heredia
    —       —       6,641/0       104,401/0  
Terry R. Rowe
    —       —       9,000/0       142,874/0  


(1)   Represents the number of shares subject to outstanding options.
(2)   Based on a price of $20.10 per share, the estimated per share fair value of the Company’s Common Stock as of December 31, 2002 minus the associated exercise price.

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Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control

Arrangements

Upon a change in control of the Company’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), payment would be provided for all amounts, including accrued investment earnings.

Compensation of the Chairman of the Board of the Company

Mr. Maurice P. Andrien, Jr. became the Chairman of the Board of the Company (“Chairman”) on September 26, 2001. Mr. Andrien had been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 27, 1999. Mr. Andrien entered into a four-year employment agreement with the Company effective as of the merger with Allied Capital Corporation on September 26, 2001, which term will renew on a year-to-year basis after the initial term, unless the agreement is terminated earlier or not renewed. Within the terms of Mr. Andrien’s initial employment agreement with the Company, dated April 27, 1999, a change in control credit of $1,000,000 was made in Mr. Andrien’s name to the Deferred Compensation Plan upon the Company’s merger with Allied Capital Corporation. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $343,000, a 2001 bonus of up to 100% of base salary in accordance with performance targets established in January, 2001, and subsequent annual bonuses of up to 100% of base salary for the remainder of the term, subject to performance in accordance with performance criteria determined by the Board each calendar year. During the term, Mr. Andrien will be eligible to participate in the SunSource Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “New Equity Plan”), the 1998 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Existing Equity Plan”) and the Deferred Compensation Plan. Mr. Andrien’s employment agreement contains a Non-Solicitation covenant for two years following termination of employment with the Company. If Mr. Andrien is terminated without cause in the absence of a change in control involving the Company, then the agreement requires the Company to pay Mr. Andrien his normal base salary and bonus compensation for a period of two years following the termination date. If the Company should undergo a change in control within the terms of the agreement, Mr. Andrien will receive the lump sum equivalent of one year’s base compensation and bonus.

A grant of 150,000 non-qualified stock options, at fair market value, was made to Mr. Andrien upon his initial employment with the Company, on April 27, 1999 under the Existing Equity Plan (the “Equity Plan”). The options were fully exercisable at the date of grant. External industry conditions and certain internal events that were in progress at the time of Mr. Andrien’s hire resulted in significant reduction of the intended value of the grant. On January 26, 2000 the Compensation Committee of The Board of Directors amended the grant by reducing the number of stock options from 150,000 to 50,000 and issued a grant of 100,000 shares of restricted stock. One-third of the restricted shares vested six months from the date of grant. Vesting of the remaining two-thirds of the restricted shares was based on achievement of certain performance goals. All unvested restricted shares became fully vested upon the merger with Allied Capital Corporation on September 26, 2001.

Compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company

Mr. Max W. Hillman, Jr. became the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hillman Companies, Inc. in November 2001. Mr. Hillman entered into a four-year employment agreement with the Company effective as of the merger with Allied Capital Corporation on September 26, 2001, which term will renew on a year-to-year basis after the initial term, unless this agreement is terminated earlier or not renewed. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $350,000, 2001 bonus compensation in accordance with performance targets established in January, 2001, and subsequent annual bonuses of up to 124% of base salary for the remainder of the term, subject to performance in accordance with performance criteria determined by the Board each calendar year. During the term, Mr. Hillman will be eligible to participate in the Company’s New Equity Plan, Existing Equity Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan. Mr. Hillman’s employment agreement contains Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation covenants for two years following termination of employment with

67


 

the Company. If Mr. Hillman is terminated without cause in the absence of a change in control involving the Company, then the agreement requires the Company to pay Mr. Hillman his normal base salary and bonus compensation for a period of two years following the termination date. If the Company should undergo a change in control within the terms of the agreement, Mr. Hillman will receive the lump sum equivalent of one year’s base compensation and bonus.

Compensation of the Former Senior Vice President of The Hillman Companies, Inc.

The Company and Mr. Corvino agreed that Mr. Corvino’s employment would terminate effective May 31, 2002 at which time he became eligible to receive the benefits provided for under the terms of his employment agreement. Benefits include compensation equal to two times his annual base salary of $250,000, bonus of $101,404 and car allowance as of the date of his termination. This compensation will be paid to Mr. Corvino in equal, bi-weekly installments over a four (4) year period beginning in June 2002.

Compensation of the Former Vice Chairman of The Hillman Group, Inc.

The Company and Mr. Miller agreed that Mr. Miller’s employment would terminate effective September 26, 2002 at which time he became eligible to receive the benefits provided for under the terms of his employment agreement. Benefits include a lump sum distribution of $1,068,623, the payment of Mr. Miller’s base salary of $350,000, bonus of $200,925, medical benefits and car allowance for a one year period following the date of termination. Mr. Miller will also receive a Transition Success Bonus of $188,500 on the first anniversary of his termination date, provided his duties are performed as expected under the agreement. In addition to the benefits provided by the terms of his employment agreement the Company purchased Mr. Miller’s shares of common stock for $231,377.

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Item 12 — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SHARES

The following table shows for (i) each director, (ii) each executive officer named in the summary compensation table, and (iii) all officers and directors as a group, the beneficial ownership of Common Shares as of December 31, 2002.

                   
      Common Shares        
Name of Beneficial Owner   Owned Beneficially   Percent of Class

 
 
Directors and Executive Officers
               
 
Maurice P. Andrien, Jr.
  19,880       *  
 
Richard P. Hillman
    41,205       *  
 
Max W. Hillman, Jr.
    55,422       *  
 
George L. Heredia
    3,359       *  
 
Terry R. Rowe
    2,410       *  
 
Daniel L. Russell
    —       *  
 
G. Cabell Williams, III
    —       *  
 
William L. Walton
    —       *  
 
Alan T. Biland
    —       *  
 
All Executive Officers as a Group (9 persons)
    161,005       2.3 %

The firm identified in the table below has reported that it beneficially owned at December 31, 2002 more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock:

                 
Other 5% Owners :                

               
Allied Capital Corporation 1919 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W Washington, D.C. 20006
    6,890,937       96.8 %


*   Less than 1%

Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

On September 28, 2001, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of its SunSource Technology Services business (the “STS Business”) to STS Operating, Inc. (“STS OP”), an entity formed by certain officers and managers of the STS Business, Allied Capital Corporation and Easton Hunt Capital Partners, L.P. for the purpose of acquiring the STS Business. The purchase price included preferred stock of STS OP which was distributed to the shareholders of The Hillman Companies, Inc. Common Stock on December 23, 2002.

On September 26, 2001, the Company was acquired by Allied Capital Corporation pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 18, 2001 (the “Merger Transaction”). In connection with the Merger Transaction, the Company is obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of Allied Capital Corporation for management services rendered in the amount of $250,000 for calendar year 2001 and $1,800,000 for each calendar year thereafter. The Company has recorded a management fee charge of $1,800,000 and $250,000 on its Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2002 and three months ended December 31, 2001, respectively. Payment of management fees are due annually after delivery of the Company’s annual audited financial statements to the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company paid $250,000 of management fees in March 2002 for the three months ended December 31, 2001.

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On June 29, 2001, Allied Capital Corporation purchased an unsecured subordinated note, with an outstanding principal balance of approximately $12,500,000 from a SunSource Inc. creditor for $8,500,000. In connection with the Merger Transaction and the Company’s debt refinancing, Allied Capital Corporation exchanged the note for $8,500,000 of the Company’s subordinated debt.

On December 28, 2000, the Company issued $30,000,000 of unsecured subordinated notes to Allied Capital Corporation which was amended on September 28, 2001, to increase the existing subordinated debenture to $40,000,000 in conjunction with refinancing the Company’s senior debt and to exchange the subordinated note indicated above.

Item 14 – Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchanges Act of 1934, as amended) as of a date within 90 days prior to filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Changes in Internal Controls

Since the Evaluation Date, there have not been any significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect such controls.

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PART IV

Item 15 — Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
on Form 10-K.

(a)  Documents Filed as a Part of the Report:

1.     Financial Statements.

      The information concerning financial statements called for by Item 15 of Form 10-K is set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

2.     Financial Statement Schedules.

      The information concerning financial statement schedules called for by Item 15 of Form 10-K is set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

3.     Reports on Form 8-K.

      A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed on December 26, 2002 reporting an other event under Item 5 of Form 8-K.
 
      A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed on October 4, 2002 reporting an other event under Item 5 of Form 8-K (See Exhibit 2.2 hereto).

4.     Exhibits, Including Those Incorporated by Reference.

      The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K. Where so indicated by footnote, exhibits which were previously filed are incorporated by reference. For exhibits incorporated by reference, the location of the exhibit in the previous filing is indicated in parentheses.
         
2.1
  Unit Repurchase Agreement by and among The Hillman Companies, Inc.,
 
  SunSub Holdings LLC and GC-Sun Holdings, L.P. dated April 13, 2002. (15)
 
  (Exhibit 10.2)
2.2
  Asset Purchase Agreement between Fastenal Company and The Hillman Group,
 
  Inc. dated October 3, 2002. (16) (Exhibit 10.3)
2.3
  Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 18, 2001 by and among
 
  Allied Capital Corporation, Allied Capital Lock Acquisition Corporation
 
  and SunSource Inc. (10) (Exhibit 2.1)
2.4
  Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 28, 2001, by and between
 
  SunSource Technology Services, LLC, and STS Operating, Inc. (12) (Exhibit 2.1)
2.5
  Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 7,
 
  2000 among SunSource Inc., The Hillman Group, Inc., the Hillman Group
 
  Acquisition Corp., Axxess Technologies, Inc., and certain security holders
 
  of Axxess (6) (Exhibit 2.1)
2.6
  Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of April 12, 2000, among VVP America,
 
  Inc., VVP America Acquisition, L.L.C., SunSource Inc., SunSource
 
  Investment Company, Inc., Harding Glass, Inc., and SunSub A Inc. (6)
 
  (Exhibit 2.2)
2.7
  Contribution Agreement by and among SunSource Inc., SunSource Industrial
 
  Services Company, Inc., KAR Products Inc., A & H Holding Company, Inc.,
 
  SunSource Canada Investment Company, A. & H. Bolt & Nut Company Limited
 
  and GC-Sun Holdings, L.P. dated as of February 10, 2000 (5) (Exhibit 2.1)

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10.1
  Credit Agreement dated as of September 28, 2001, by and among The Hillman Group, Inc., as Borrower and Heller Financial, Inc., as Agent, an Issuing Lender and a Lender and Antares Capital Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation and Madison Capital Funding LLC each as a Co-Agent and the other financial institutions party hereto as lenders. (13) (Exhibit 10.1)
10.2
  Consent and First Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 28, 2001, by and among The Hillman Group, Inc. as Borrower and Heller Financial, Inc. as Agent, an Issuing Lender and a Lender and Antares Capital Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation and Madison Capital Funding, LLC, each as Co-Agent and the other financial institutions party hereto as lenders. (14) (Exhibit 10.1)
10.3**
  Consent and Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 28, 2001, by and among The Hillman Group, Inc. as Borrower and Heller Financial, Inc. as Agent, an Issuing Lender and a Lender and Antares Capital Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation and Madison Capital Funding, LLC, each as Co-Agent and the other financial institutions party hereto as lenders.
10.4**
  Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 28, 2001, by and among The Hillman Group, Inc. as Borrower and Heller Financial, Inc. as Agent, an Issuing Lender and a Lender and Antares Capital Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation and Madison Capital Funding, LLC, each as Co-Agent and the other financial institutions party hereto as lenders.
10.5
  First Amended and Restated Investment Agreement by and among SunSource Inc., SunSource Investment Company, Inc., The Hillman Group, Inc., and Allied Capital Corporation dated September 28, 2001. (13) (Exhibit 10.2)
10.6
  SunSource Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. (13) (Exhibit 10.3)
10.7
  Termination Agreement dated as of June 18, 2001 by and among SunSource, Lehman Brothers, Donald T. Marshall, John P. McDonnell, Norman V Edmonson, Harold Cornelius, Max W. Hillman, Joseph P. Corvino and the respective S corporations of Marshall, McDonnell, Edmonson, Cornelius, Hillman and Corvino. (11) (Exhibit d6)
10.8*
  Employment Agreement by and between SunSource Inc. and Maurice P. Andrien, Jr. entered into June 18, 2001. (11) (Exhibit e1)
10.9*
  Employment Agreement by and between SunSource Inc. and Stephen W Miller entered into June 18, 2001 (11) (Exhibit e2)
10.10*
  Employment Agreement by and between SunSource Inc. and Joseph M Corvino entered into June 18, 2001. (13) (Exhibit 10.7)
10.11*
  Employment Agreement by and between SunSource Inc. and Max. W. Hillman entered into June 18, 2001. (13) (Exhibit 10.8)
10.12*
  SunSource Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan dated as of August 1, 2000. (9) (Exhibit 10.1)
10.13
  Investment Agreement entered into as of December 28, 2000 by and among SunSource Technology Services, Inc., SunSource Investment Company, Inc., SunSub A, Inc., the Hillman Group, Inc., Axxess Technologies, Inc., SunSource Corporate Group, Inc., SunSource Industrial Services, Inc., SunSource inventory Management Company, Inc., A&H Holding Co., SunSub C, Inc., SunSub Holdings, L.L.C. and Allied Capital Corporation. (9) (Exhibit 10.8)
10.14
  1998 Equity Compensation Plan-Amendment to Nonqualified Stock Option Grant dated as of January 26, 2000. (8)(Exhibit 10.1)

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10.15
  1998 Equity Compensation Plan — Restricted Stock Grant dated as of January 26, 2000. (8) (Exhibit 10.2)
10.16*
  SunSource Inc. 1998 Equity Compensation Plan (1) (Exhibit 10.1)
10.17*
  SunSource Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1) (Exhibit 10.2)
21.1**
  Subsidiaries (As of December 31, 2002)
99.1**
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.2**
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


(1)   Filed as an exhibit to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31, 1998.
(2)   Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 333-19077 on Form S-4.
(3)   Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 333-44733 on Form S-2.
(4)   Filed on March 31, 1994, as an exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.
(5)   Filed on March 17, 2000 as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K.
(6)   Filed on April 24, 2000 as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K
(7)   Filed on May 11, 2000 as Item 7 to Current Report on Amendment No. 1 to Form 8-K originally filed on April 24, 2000.
(8)   Filed on March 30, 2000 as an exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
(9)   Filed on April 2, 2001 as an exhibit to Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.
(10)   Filed on June 21, 2001 as an exhibit to the Current Report on form 8-K filed on June 21, 2001.
(11)   Filed as an exhibit to Schedule 13E-3 filed on July 11, 2001, as amended.
(12)   Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 15, 2001.
(13)   Filed as an exhibit to Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2001.
(14)   Filed as an exhibit to Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31, 2002.
(15)   Filed as an exhibit to Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 2002.
(16)   Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2002.
*   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an Exhibit pursuant to Item 15 of this report.
**   Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC.
           
Date:   March 25, 2003   By:
/s/ James P. Waters

James P. Waters
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Duly Authorized
Officer of the Registrant (principal financial officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.

                   
Signature   Capacity   Date

 
 
 
  Principal Executive   March 25, 2003
/s/ Max W. Hillman, Jr.
  Officer and Director        

               
Max W. Hillman, Jr.
               
 
  Chairman and   March 25, 2003
/s/ Maurice P. Andrien, Jr.
  Director        

               
Maurice P. Andrien, Jr.
               
 
  Principal Accounting   March 25, 2003
/s/ Harold J. Wilder
  Officer        

               
Harold J. Wilder
               
 
/s/ Alan T. Biland
  Director   March 25, 2003

               
Alan T. Biland
               
 
/s/ Daniel L. Russell
  Director   March 25, 2003

               
Daniel L. Russell
               
 
/s/ William L. Walton
  Director   March 25, 2003

               
William L. Walton
               
 
/s/ G. Cabell Williams, III
  Director   March 25, 2003

               
G. Cabell Williams, III
               

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CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Max W. Hillman, Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Hillman Companies, Inc.;

2.     Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer 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 we 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 annual 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 annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
 
  c)   presented in this annual 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 officer 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 officer and I have indicated in this annual 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:   3/25/03    
 
        /s/ Max W. Hillman

Max W. Hillman
Chief Executive Officer

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CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, James P. Waters, Chief Financial Officer, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Hillman Companies, Inc.;

2.     Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer 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 we 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 annual 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 annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
 
  c)   presented in this annual 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 officer 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 officer and I have indicated in this annual 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:   3/25/03    
 
        /s/ James P. Waters

James P. Waters
Chief Financial Officer

76