UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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, 2004

Commission file number 1-13293

The Hillman Companies, Inc.

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

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.

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

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. þ

On March 25, 2005, there were 6,212.9 Class A Common Shares issued and outstanding, 1,000.0 Class B Common Shares issued and outstanding, 2,787.1 Class C Common Shares issued and outstanding, 82,104.8 Class A Preferred Shares issued and outstanding by the Registrant and 57,282.4 Class A Preferred Shares issued and outstanding by the Hillman Investment Company and 4,217,724 Trust Preferred Securities issued and outstanding by the Hillman Group Capital Trust. The Trust Preferred Securities trade on the American Stock Exchange under symbol HLM.Pr. The aggregate market value of the Trust Preferred Shares held by non-affiliates at June 30, 2004 was $113,878,548.

PART I

Item I – Business.

General

The Hillman Companies, Inc. (“Hillman” or the “Company”) is one of the largest providers of hardware-related products and related merchandising services to retail markets in North America. The Company’s principal business is operated through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hillman Group, Inc. (the “Hillman Group”) which had sales of approximately $352 million in 2004. The Hillman Group sells its products to hardware stores, home centers, mass merchants, pet supply stores, 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. The Company supports its product sales with value added services including design and installation of merchandising systems and maintenance of appropriate in-store inventory levels.

The Company headquarters is located at 10590 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company maintains a website at http://www.hillmangroup.com. Information contained or linked on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report, and you should not consider any such information to be a part of this annual report.

Background

On March 18, 2002, SunSource Inc., a Delaware corporation (“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., which reflects its predominant business as one of the largest providers of hardware-related products and related merchandising services to the 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 under the symbol “HLM.Pr”, changed its name to the Hillman Group Capital Trust.

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. Allied Capital acquired approximately 96.8% of the Company and 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 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 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, a 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 LLC (“Glencoe”). Glencoe contributed cash equity to the new partnership in exchange for a 51% controlling interest with the remaining

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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 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. The G-C note was distributed to the Company’s common stockholders on March 31, 2004.

On May 1, 2002, the Company purchased certain assets of the Lowe’s specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc. for cash consideration of $6.2 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 distributed 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.

On March 31, 2004, Hillman was acquired by an affiliate of Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC (“CHS”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the related Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”), dated as of February 14, 2004, the Company was merged with an affiliate of CHS with the Company surviving the merger (“Merger Transaction”). The total consideration paid in the Merger Transaction was $511.6 million including the repayment of outstanding debt and the value of the Company’s outstanding Trust Preferred Securities.

As a result of the change of control, an affiliate of CHS owns 49.1% of the Company’s common stock and 54.5% of the Company’s voting common stock, Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan (“OTPP”) owns 27.9% of the Company’s common stock and 31.0% of the Company’s voting common stock and HarbourVest Partners VI owns 8.7% of the Company’s common stock and 9.7% of the Company’s voting common stock. Certain members of management own 14.1% of the Company’s common stock and 4.5% of the Company’s voting common stock. For a discussion of the Company’s capital stock, see Note 13, Common and Preferred Stock, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

For additional information on certain of the transactions, see “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations”.

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 have experienced significant change as a result of the 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 cooperatives. 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

The Company is organized as a single business segment, the Hillman Group. With annualized sales of approximately $352 million, the Hillman Group believes it is the leading provider

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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 include hardware stores, home centers, mass merchants, pet supply stores, 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. Hillman regularly 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 and Canada. Currently, orders are shipped within 48 hours with a 97% order fill rate.

The Company ships its products from twelve strategically located distribution centers in the U.S and Canada (See Item 2 - Properties). In 2002, Hillman invested $9.8 million in a state of the art distribution facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to improving order turnaround time and reducing labor costs, the new facility provides additional capacity to accommodate future sales growth. In 2004, the Company moved into a new facility in Lewisville, Texas and the implementation of warehouse management technology was completed in December. A similar undertaking was started on the Shafter, California facility with an expected completion date of April 2005.

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 System™ has proven to be a profitable revenue source within Big Box retailers. The technology developed for this system revolutionized the key duplicating process utilizing computer aided alignment, indexing and duplication of keys. This system has been placed in over 13,900 retail locations to date and is supported by Hillman sales and service representatives.

In addition, Hillman offers a commercialized, innovative, consumer-operated vending system, Quick-Tag™, which provides custom engraved specialty items, such as pet identification tags, luggage tags and other engraved identification tags. To date, more than 3,250 Quick-Tag™ machines have been placed in retail locations which are being supported by Hillman’s sales and service representatives.

     Products and Suppliers

Currently, Hillman purchases 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 34% of its purchases. About half of its purchases are from overseas suppliers, with the balance from domestic manufacturers and master distributors. Hillman’s vendor quality control procedures include on-site evaluations and frequent product testing. Vendors are also evaluated based on delivery performance and the accuracy of their shipments.

     Fasteners

Hillman’s fastener product line encompasses standard and specialty nuts, bolts, washers, screws, anchors and picture hanging items. The line also includes brass, nylon, stainless steel, chrome and galvanized 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 56.7% of total revenue in 2004.

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     Keys and Key Accessories

Hillman provides a competitive line of metal key products for major retailers and the automotive sector. 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. The styles of keys marketed include standard brass keys, Wackeys™, NFL, MLB, NCAA 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 7,900 PC+ Code Cutter and 2,800 of the new Flash 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™, Fanatix™ 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. Revenues for keys, key accessories, and the PC+ Code Cutter represented 26.3% of total revenues in 2004.

     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. 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. The Company has placed over 3,250 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 8.4% of total revenues in 2004.

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.

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     Letters, Numbers and Signs (“LNS”)

The LNS program offers an extensive collection of items for both domestic and commercial use such as 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. Hillman also offers a variety of merchandisers and program configurations for this line. LNS sales accounted for 8.6% of 2004 revenues.

     Markets and Customers

Hillman sells its products to national accounts such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, Tractor Supply, PETsMART, and PetCo. Hillman’s status as a national supplier of unique, proprietary products to Big Box retailers allows 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 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.

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 economically monitor 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.

Hillman sells its products to approximately 20,000 customers, the top five of which accounted for 44.0% of its annualized sales. Lowe’s is the single largest customer, representing 17.7% of total sales, Home Depot is the second largest at 10.4% and Wal-Mart is the third largest at 10.2%. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total sales in 2004.

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

     Sales and Marketing

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.

The national accounts field service organization consists of over 395 service people and 23 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.

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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 226 people, managed by 17 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 electronic data interchange (“EDI”) system is used by a number of its large customers for handling of orders and invoices.

     Competition

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.

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 LNS products. 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.

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.

Risk Factors

An investment in the Company’s securities involves certain risks as discussed below. However, the risks set forth below are not the only risks the Company faces, and it faces other risks which have not yet been identified or which are not yet otherwise predictable. If any of the following risks occur or are otherwise realized, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. You should consider carefully the risks described below and all other information in this annual report, including the Company’s financial statements and the related notes and schedules thereto, prior to making an investment decision with regard to the Company’s securities.

The Company operates in a highly competitive industry, which may have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

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. If these competitors are successful, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

The Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected by seasonality and general economic conditions affecting its sales.

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.

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The Company’s profitability may be materially adversely affected as a result of consolidation in the retail trade industry.

With the trend toward retail trade consolidation, the Company is increasingly dependent upon key retailers whose bargaining strength is growing. Accordingly, the Company faces greater pressure from its retail trade customers to provide more favorable trade terms. The Company’s profitability may be negatively affected by changes in the policies of its retail trade customers.

Changes in general economic conditions could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s sales.

The Company’s success is highly dependent on information and technology 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 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.

These factors could have a material adverse affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The inability to make timely and cost effective acquisitions may adversely affect the Company’s business.

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, if at all, 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.

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 18, Commitments and Contingencies, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2004.

Employees

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had 1,794 full time and part time employees. In the opinion of management, employee relations are good.

Backlog

The Company’s sales backlog from ongoing operations was $3.1 million as of December 31, 2004, and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2003.

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Where You Can Find More Information

The Company files quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K and special reports on Form 8-K, 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 5^th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 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:

With the exception of Goodlettsville, 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, 2004.

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Part II

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

The Company’s common stock does not trade and is not listed on or quoted in an exchange or other market. However, the Trust Preferred Securities trade under the ticker symbol HLM.Pr on the American Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices on the American Stock Exchange composite tape for the Trust Preferred Securities.

The Trust Preferred Securities have a liquidation value of $25.00 per security. As of March 22, 2005, there were 731 holders of Trust Preferred Securities and fifteen (15) common stockholders. The total number of Trust Preferred Securities outstanding as of March 25, 2005, was 4,217,724. The total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 25, 2005, was 10,000.

Distributions

The Company pays interest to the Hillman Group 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, 2004 and 2003, the Company paid $12.2 million per year in interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, which was equivalent to the amounts distributed on the Trust for the same periods.

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

For more information on the Trust and Junior Subordinated Debentures, see “Item 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company made no repurchases of its equity securities during 2004.

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Item 6 – Selected Financial Data.

As a result of the Merger Transaction, the Company’s operations for the periods presented subsequent to the September 30, 2001 acquisition by Allied Capital but prior to March 31, 2004 are referenced herein as the predecessor operations (the “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Operations”). The Company’s operations for the periods presented since the merger are referenced herein as the successor operations (the “Successor” or “Successor Operations”) and include the effects of the Company’s debt refinancing. Periods prior to the acquisition by Allied Capital are referred to below as the pre-predecessor operations (the “Pre-predecessor” or “Pre-predecessor Operations”).

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data of the Pre-predecessor as of and for the year ended December 31, 2000 and the nine months ended September 30, 2001; and consolidated financial data of the Predecessor as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2004, the two years ended December 31, 2003 and the three months ended December 31, 2001; and consolidated financial data of the Successor as of and for the nine months ended December 31, 2004. See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for information regarding the acquisition of the Company by CHS and the Company’s debt refinancing as well as other acquisitions that affect comparability.

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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 related notes and schedules thereto appearing elsewhere herein.

General

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

The Company’s principal business is operated through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hillman Group, which had sales of approximately $352 million in 2004. The Hillman Group sells its product lines and provides its services to hardware stores, home centers, mass merchants, pet supply stores, 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.

Merger Transaction

On March 31, 2004, The Hillman Companies, Inc. was acquired by an affiliate of Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC (“CHS”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”) dated as of February 14, 2004, the Company was merged with an affiliate of CHS with the Company surviving the merger (“Merger Transaction”). The total consideration paid in the Merger Transaction was $511.6 million including repayment of outstanding debt and including the value of the Company’s outstanding Trust Preferred Securities ($102.4 million at merger).

Prior to the merger, Allied Capital Corporation (“Allied Capital”) owned 96.8 % of the Company’s common stock. As a result of the change of control, an affiliate of CHS owns 49.1% of the Company’s common stock and 54.5% of the Company’s voting common stock, Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan (“OTPP”) owns 27.9% of the Company’s common stock and 31.0% of the Company’s voting common stock and HarbourVest Partners VI owns 8.7% of the Company’s common stock and 9.7% of the Company’s voting common stock. Certain members of management own 14.1% of the Company’s common stock and 4.5% of the Company’s voting common stock.

CHS is a private equity firm that manages approximately $1.56 billion in capital in four funds. The acquisition of the Company by CHS adds to their existing portfolio of middle market manufacturing and distribution businesses.

The Company’s operations for the periods presented prior to the March 31, 2004 Merger Transaction are referenced herein as the predecessor financial statements (the “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Financial Statements”). The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2004 and its related Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2004, and its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended December 31, 2004 are referenced herein as the successor financial statements (the “Successor” or “Successor Financial Statements”).

Financing Arrangements

On March 31, 2004, the Company, through its Hillman Group subsidiary, refinanced its revolving credit and senior term loans with a Senior Credit Agreement (the “Senior Credit Agreement”) consisting of a $40.0 million revolving credit (the “Revolver”) and a $217.5 million term loan (the “Term Loan”). The Senior Credit Agreement has a seven-year term and

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provides borrowings at interest rates based on the London Interbank Offered Rates (the “LIBOR”) plus a margin of between 2.25% and 3.00% (the “LIBOR Margin”), or prime (the “Base Rate”) plus a margin of between 1.25% and 2.0% (the “Base Rate Margin”). The applicable LIBOR Margin and Base Rate Margin is based on the Company’s leverage as of the last day of the preceding fiscal quarter. In accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement, letter of credit commitment fees are based on the average daily face amount of each outstanding letter of credit multiplied by a letter of credit margin of between 2.25% and 3.00% per annum (the “Letter of Credit Margin”). The Letter of Credit Margin is also based on the Company’s leverage at the date of the preceding fiscal quarter. The Company also pays a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused Revolver balance.

In addition, on March 31, 2004, the Company, through The Hillman Group, issued $47.5 million of unsecured subordinated notes to Allied Capital maturing on September 30, 2011 (“Subordinated Debt Issuance”). Interest on the Subordinated Debt Issuance is at a fixed rate of 13.5% per annum, with cash interest payments required on a quarterly basis at a fixed rate of 11.25% commencing April 15, 2004. The outstanding principal balance of the Subordinated Debt Issuance shall be increased on a quarterly basis at the remaining 2.25% fixed rate (the “PIK Amount”). All of the PIK Amounts are due on the maturity date of the Subordinated Debt Issuance.

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.

On April 28, 2004, the Company entered into an Interest Rate Swap Agreement (“Swap”) with a two-year term for a notional amount of $50.0 million. The Swap effectively fixes the interest rate on $50.0 million of the Term Loan at a rate of 1.17% plus the applicable interest rate margin for the first three months of the Swap with incremental increases ranging from 28 to 47 basis points in each successive quarter.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

On October 3, 2002, the Company, through The Hillman Group, 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 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 $3.4 million of estimated costs related to the plan in the fourth quarter of 2002. The estimated costs consisted of approximately $1.5 million of fixed asset disposals, $0.9 million of facilities lease costs, $0.5 million of inventory conversion and relocation expense and $0.5 million for planned workforce reductions. The plan was substantially completed by December 31, 2003.

Additional reserves were established in 2003 for costs associated with the integration of the DIY acquisition. Additional costs include severance of $0.3 million, facility lease of $1.2 million, inventory adjustments of $0.8 million, and customer conversion costs which include product buybacks of $1.6 million. The actual cost of fixed asset disposals was $0.4 million less than the original estimate.

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 has expanded 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.

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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 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 held 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.

In February 2003, G-C sold the assets of its largest operating division, Kar Products. The proceeds of the sale were primarily used to pay down G-C’s senior creditors. Following the sale of Kar Products, the Company estimated the enterprise value of G-C based on the cash flows and book value of the remaining operating division under a held for sale methodology. The excess of the estimated enterprise value less debt obligations senior to the G-C note were determined to be insufficient to support the value of the G-C note and accrued interest thereon. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $11.3 million charge to income during the year ended December 31, 2003 to write-down the face value of the note and accrued interest thereon to zero.

The G-C note was distributed to the Company’s common stockholders on March 31, 2004.

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Results of Operations

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

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Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

Net sales increased $33.2 million or 10.4% in 2004 to $351.6 million from $318.4 million in 2003. Sales to national accounts represented $19.2 million of the $33.2 million total sales increase. The new store growth of our national accounts customers was primarily responsible for the increased fastener, keys, and LNS sales to Lowe’s, increased keys and LNS sales to Home Depot, and increased keys sales to Wal-Mart. Sales to Franchise and Independent (“F&I”) accounts increased $9.1 million from 2003 primarily due to improved economic activity at the retail level and increased sales of galvanized fasteners used in the newly formulated treated lumber. The F&I accounts are typically individual hardware dealers who are members of larger cooperatives, such as Tru-Serv, Ace, and Do-It-Best. In addition, the regional and engraving accounts increased $3.2 million over the comparable period in 2003. The regional accounts represent mid-sized hardware and lumber chains. Sales by our Canadian division increased $1.3 million, export sales increased $0.8 million, and other sales were $0.4 million less than the prior year.

The Company’s sales backlog, based upon cancelable purchase orders, was $3.1 million as of December 31, 2004 and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2003.

The Hillman Group’s gross margin of 54.9% in 2004 was unchanged from 2003. Price increases together with production efficiencies following the December 2003 consolidation of the Rockford packaging and distribution facility into the Company’s Cincinnati facility offset the rising cost of the Company’s products.

The Company’s consolidated Selling, General and Administrative (“S,G&A”) expenses increased $9.9 million or 8.2% from $120.5 million in 2003 to $130.4 million in 2004. Selling expenses increased $9.9 million or 17.1% primarily as a result of increased servicing and display costs at new national account stores. Warehouse and delivery expenses increased $3.6 million or 8.9% as a result of increased freight and labor costs of $2.8 million to process and ship the additional sales volume. General and administrative expenses decreased by $3.9 million or 17.8% as a result of a substantial decrease in medical claims experienced in 2004 compared to 2003 which included $1.5 million in claims by an employee for medical services. In addition, 2004 expense declined further from 2003 as a result of the elimination of several positions from our corporate office and Tempe facility together with the December 2003 shutdown of the Rockford facility. Stock compensation expenses from stock options related to the Merger Transaction were $0.3 million in 2004. There was no stock compensation expense in 2003.

Depreciation expense increased $0.8 million to $15.2 million in 2004 from $14.4 million in 2003 primarily as a result of an increase in the depreciable fixed asset base in connection with the placement of key duplication machines used in new national accounts.

Amortization expense increased $4.3 million to $5.7 million in 2004 from $1.4 million in 2003. The increase in amortization was the result of an increase in the valuation of certain intangible assets in connection with the Merger Transaction.

The Company has recorded a management fee charge of $1.3 million for 2004 and $1.8 million for 2003. The Company is obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of CHS for management services rendered in the amount of fifty-eight thousand dollars per month, plus out of pocket expenses, and to pay management fees to a subsidiary of OTPP for management services rendered in the amount of twenty-six thousand dollars per month, plus out of pocket expenses, for each month commencing with the closing date of the Merger Transaction. The Company was obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of Allied Capital for management services rendered in the amount of $1.8 million, plus out of pocket expenses, for calendar years subsequent to 2001. The payment of management fees was due annually after delivery of the Company’s annual audited financial statements to the Board of Directors of the Company. The obligation to pay management fees to Allied Capital was terminated upon the payment of outstanding fees in the amount of $2.3 million on March 31, 2004 in connection with the close of the Merger Transaction.

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Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $40.8 million after excluding $30.7 million in non-recurring costs recorded in connection with the Merger Transaction. This represents an increase of $3.5 million or 9.4% from the $37.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

The Company’s consolidated operating profit margin from operations (income from operations as a percentage of net sales) decreased from 11.7% in 2003 to 11.6% in 2004 after excluding non-recurring costs recorded in connection with the Merger Transaction. The operating profit margin benefited from the reduction of S,G&A expenses and management fees as a percentage of sales, but these benefits were offset by the increase in amortization costs as a percentage of sales which resulted from the Merger Transaction.

Interest expense, net, increased $2.1 million to $17.5 million in 2004 from $15.4 million in 2003. The increase in interest expense, net, was primarily the result of increased Company debt related to the Merger Transaction and the amortization of additional deferred financing costs.

Interest expense was $5.5 million in 2004 on the mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and management purchased preferred options related to the Merger Transaction. No such interest expense was recorded in 2003.

The Company also 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, 2004 and 2003, the Company paid $12.2 million interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, which is 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, 2004, for income taxes and disclosures related to 2004 and 2003 income tax events.

Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

Net sales from the Hillman Group operations increased $31.6 million or 11.0% in 2003 to $318.4 million from $286.8 million in 2002. DIY was acquired from the Fastenal Company in October 2002 and it contributed $12.8 million of the 2003 sales increase. Increased fastener sales to Lowe’s represented $4.7 million of the $31.6 million total sales increase in 2003 over 2002. In May 2002, Hillman began supplying all Lowe’s locations following the acquisition of the specialty fastener business from R&B, Inc. Sales to other national accounts, including Home Depot and Wal-Mart, increased by an aggregate $7.2 million in 2003 compared to 2002, primarily as a result of new store growth. In addition, the regional and engraving accounts together with F&I accounts increased $5.3 million over the comparable period in 2002. 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 Tru-Serv, Ace, and Do-It-Best. Sales by our Canadian division increased $0.5 million, Export sales increased $0.6 million, and other sales accounted for the remaining $0.5 million in increased sales over 2002.

The Company’s sales backlog, based upon cancelable purchase orders, was $2.6 million as of December 31, 2003 and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2002.

The Hillman Group’s gross margin was 54.9% in 2003 compared with 56.0% in 2002. The increase in sales volume generated from the newly acquired DIY division was made primarily to warehouse accounts at lower margin rates than other typical Hillman accounts. The resultant shift in sales mix contributed to the 1.1% decrease in gross margin in the comparison period.

The Company’s consolidated Selling, General and Administrative expenses increased $9.1 million or 8.2% from $111.4 million in 2002 to $120.5 million in 2003. Selling expenses increased $3.1 million or 5.5% primarily as a result of servicing costs at new national account stores. Warehouse and delivery expenses increased $7.6 million or 23.0% as a result

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of increased freight and labor costs to process and ship the additional sales volume. General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.6 million or 6.8% primarily as a result of the closing of the Philadelphia corporate office in May 2002 and moving the corporate operations to Cincinnati.

Depreciation expense from operations increased $2.4 million to $14.4 million in 2003 from $12.0 million in 2002 primarily as a result of an increase in the depreciable fixed asset base in connection with the purchase of automation equipment for the Cincinnati distribution center.

Amortization expense from operations decreased $0.1 million to $1.4 million in 2003 from $1.5 million in 2002. The decrease in amortization was the result of certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized during 2003.

The Company has recorded a management fee charge of $1.8 million in both the years 2003 and 2002. In connection with the merger transaction with Allied Capital, the Company was 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 was due annually after delivery of the Company’s annual audited financial statements to the Board of Directors of the Company.

Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $37.3 million. This represents an increase of $3.1 million or 9.1% from the $34.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 after excluding a one-time gain of $1.2 million on termination of the pension plan.

The Company’s consolidated operating profit margin from operations (income from operations as a percentage of net sales) decreased to 11.7% in 2003 from 12.0% after excluding a one-time gain on termination of the pension plan in 2002. The operating profit margin decreased as a result of lower gross profit on the change in sales mix discussed above and the increase in depreciation expense which resulted from the larger depreciable fixed asset base. The operating profit margin benefited from the reduction of S,G&A expenses as a percentage of sales.

Interest expense, net, increased $2.2 million to $15.4 million in 2003 from $13.2 million in 2002. The increase in interest expense, net of interest income, was primarily the result of a decrease in interest income recorded on the $10.0 million note received from Glencoe from sale of the Company’s interest in GC-Sun Holdings L.P. The Company recorded no interest income in 2003 as compared to $1.3 million in 2002. The remaining increase in interest expense 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 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, 2003 and 2002, the Company paid $12.2 million 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, 2004, for income taxes and disclosures related to 2003 and 2002 income tax events.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $5.3 million, primarily due to cash related adjustments of $5.9 million for routine operating activities represented by changes in inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other assets plus the net income adjusted for non-cash charges for depreciation, amortization, dispositions of equipment, deferred taxes, PIK interest, and interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of $0.5 million less prepayment penalty of $1.1 million.

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Net cash used for investing activities was $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. Capital expenditures for the year totaled $12.0 million, consisting of $5.7 million for key duplicating machines, $2.0 million for engraving machines and $4.3 million for equipment purchases.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $38.2 million, primarily related to the assumption of additional debt in connection with the Merger Transaction.

The Company’s working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) position of $88.7 million as of December 31, 2004, represents an increase of $33.1 million from the December 31, 2003 level of $55.6 million as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

The Company’s contractual obligations in thousands of dollars as of December 31, 2004 are summarized below:

All of the obligations noted above are reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2004, except for the Operating Leases. See Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2004 for additional information.

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had $34.5 million available under its secured credit facilities. The Company had approximately $216.0 million of outstanding debt under its secured credit facilities at December 31, 2004, consisting of $215.9 million in a term loan and $0.1 million in capitalized lease obligations. The term loan consisted of a $215.3 million Term B Loan currently at a six (6) month LIBOR rate of 5.50% and a $0.6 million Term B Loan currently at a three (3) month LIBOR rate of 5.8125%. The capitalized lease obligations were at various interest rates.

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As of December 31, 2004, the Company had purchase commitments which totaled $1.25 million for the expansions of the Cincinnati and Tempe office locations. The Company had no other material purchase commitments for capital expenditures.

Interest on the Subordinated Debt Issuance of $47.5 million which matures September 30, 2011 is at a fixed rate of 13.5% per annum, with cash interest payments being required on a quarterly basis at a fixed rate of 11.25% commencing April 15, 2004. The outstanding principal balance of the Subordinated Debt Issuance shall be increased on a quarterly basis by the remaining 2.25% PIK Amount. All of the PIK Amounts are due on the maturity date of the Subordinated Debt Issuance. As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding Subordinated Debt Issuance including the PIK Amounts was $48.1 million.

In accordance with the Company’s Senior Credit Agreement, Hillman must maintain its fixed charge coverage at all times in excess of 1.10x through December 31, 2004, 1.05x from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and 1.15x thereafter to continue monthly distributions on its Trust Preferred Securities ($1.0 million per month). Hillman’s fixed charge coverage was 1.44x for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2004 as calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement.

The Company had deferred tax assets aggregating $47.4 million, net of valuation allowance of $14.0 million, and deferred tax liabilities of $51.6 million as of December 31, 2004, 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

The Company is sensitive to inflation present in the economies of the United States and our foreign suppliers located primarily in Taiwan and China. Inflation in recent years has produced only a modest impact on the Company’s operations, however, the recent growth in China’s economic activity has increased overall demand for materials used in the manufacture of our products. This increased demand has produced cost increases for certain of our fastener products which exceed the prevailing rate of inflation. Continued inflation and resulting cost increases over a period of years 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’s operating divisions to raise prices is dependent on competitive market conditions.

Related Party Transactions

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. In connection with this Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Company was obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of Allied Capital for management services rendered in the amount of $1.8 million per year, plus out of pocket expenses, for calendar years subsequent to 2001. The Company has recorded a management fee charge of $0.5 million, $1.8 million and $1.8 million on the Predecessor’s Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Payment of management fees was 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 year ended December 31, 2002 was paid in March 2003 and the management fee for the three months ended December 31, 2001 was paid in March 2002. The obligation to pay management fees to Allied Capital was terminated upon the payment of outstanding fees in the amount of $2.3 million on March 31, 2004 in connection with the close of the Merger Transaction.

On March 31, 2004, the Company was acquired by an affiliate of CHS. In connection with the CHS acquisition, the Company is obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of CHS in the amount of $58 thousand per month and to pay management fees to a subsidiary of OTPP in the amount of $26 thousand per month, plus out of pocket expenses, for each month

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commencing with the closing date of the Merger Transaction. The Company has recorded management fee charges and expenses from CHS and OTPP of $0.8 million for the nine month period ended December 31, 2004.

The Predecessor Company incurred interest expense to Allied Capital on the unsecured subordinated note at a fixed rate of 18.0% per annum. Cash interest payments were required on a quarterly basis at a fixed rate of 13.5% with the remaining 4.5% fixed rate (the “PIK Amount”) being added to the principal balance. The subordinated debt and accrued interest thereon of $45,571 were paid in full at March 31, 2004 in connection with the Merger Transaction. See discussion above and in Note 9, Long-Term Debt, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

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 Company’s consolidated financial statements and results of operations.

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. The Company’s purchase price allocation methodology requires estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. 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 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; purchase price allocation adjustments are based on changes in settlements of liabilities and assets realized; 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, rebates and slotting fees. 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. Slotting fees are used on an infrequent basis and are not considered to be significant. Discounts, rebates and slotting fees 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.

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Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

The Company establishes the allowance for doubtful accounts using the specific identification method and also provides a reserve in the aggregate. The estimates for calculating the aggregate reserve are based on historical information. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $526 and $524 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

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 in an inventory reserve for inventory with no usage in the preceding twenty-four month period or with on hand quantities in excess of twenty-four months average usage. The inventory reserve amounts were $3,558 and $3,189 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

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 income from operations.

Depreciation:

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

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and accordingly, goodwill is no longer amortized, but is reviewed annually for impairment. Other intangible assets arising principally from the Merger Transaction are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from four to twenty-three years except the trademarks which are not amortized due to their indefinite useful lives.

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. Valuation allowances are provided for tax benefits where it is more likely than not that certain tax benefits will not be realized. Adjustments to valuation allowances are recorded from changes in utilization of the tax related item.

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Self-insurance Reserves:

The Company self insures its product liability, worker’s compensation and general liability losses up to $250 thousand per occurrence. Catastrophic coverage is maintained for occurrences in excess of $250 thousand up to $35 million.

The Company self insures its group health claims up to an annual stop loss limit of $125 thousand per participant. Aggregate coverage is maintained for annual group health insurance claims in excess of 125% of expected claims.

Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based on an analysis of historical insurance claim data and certain actuarial assumptions.

Retirement Benefits:

Certain employees of the Company are covered under a profit-sharing and retirement savings plan (“defined contribution plan”). See Note 15, Retirement Benefits, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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. The Predecessor Company’s shipping and handling costs were $3,629, $15,916, and $13,913 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Successor Company’s shipping and handling costs were $12,790 for the nine months ended December 31, 2004.

Research and Development:

The Company incurs research and development costs consisting primarily of internal wages and benefits in connection with improvements to the key duplicating and engraving machines. The Predecessor Company’s research and development costs were $277, $1,381, and $1,510 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Successor Company’s research and development costs were $796 for the nine months ended December 31, 2004.

Stock Based Compensation:

The Company applies the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”), and related interpretations in accounting for its stock based employee compensation plans. The Company is also subject to disclosure requirements of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”). Stock compensation expense as recorded under the APB 25 intrinsic value method approximates the fair value model prescribed by SFAS 123; accordingly no pro forma disclosures are necessary under SFAS 123. See Note 14, Stock Based Compensation, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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. The exchange rates represent the noon buying rates reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

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Comprehensive Income (Loss):

The components of comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

Use of Estimate 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 information.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, “Inventory Costs” (“SFAS 151”). SFAS 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, Inventory Pricing, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage. This statement requires that these items be expensed as incurred and not included in overhead. In addition, SFAS 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overhead to conversion costs should be based on normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the impact from this standard on its results of operations and financial position.

In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”). This statement replaced Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. SFAS 123(R) will require compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements (with limited exceptions). The amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. This statement is effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the impact from this standard on its results of operations and financial position.

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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 annual report involve substantial risks and uncertainties and may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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.

These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions and projections about future events. Although management believes that the expectations, assumptions and projections on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, they nonetheless could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those expectations, assumptions and projections also could be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance . Instead, forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause the Company’s strategy, planning, actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any strategy, planning, 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 annual report. Given these uncertainties, current or prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this annual report; they should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other individual. 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 annual report might not occur or be materially different from those discussed.

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 Agreement bear interest at variable interest rates. It is the Company’s policy to enter into interest rate transactions only to the extent considered necessary to meet objectives. On April 28, 2004, the Company entered into an Interest Rate Swap Agreement (“Swap”) with a two-year term for a notional amount of $50 million. The Swap fixes the interest rate on $50 million of the Term Loan at a rate of 1.17% plus the applicable interest rate margin for the first three months of the Swap with incremental increases ranging from 28 to 47 basis points in each successive quarter. Based on Hillman’s exposure to variable rate borrowings at December 31, 2004, a one percent (1%) change in the weighted average interest rate for a period of one year would change the annual interest expense by approximately $1.7 million.

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange rate changes of the Canadian currency as it impacts the $1.6 million net asset value of its Canadian subsidiary, The Hillman Group Canada, Ltd., as of December 31, 2004. Management considers the Company’s exposure to foreign currency translation gains or losses to be minimal.

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Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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, 2004 and 2003 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2004, the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards 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 significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 12, effective January 1, 2004, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting For Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” and FASB Interpretation
No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable interest Entities – an interpretation of ARB No. 51 (revised December 2003).”

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
March 10, 2005

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SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES