Form: 10-Q

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

May 15, 2008

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
Commission file number 1-13293
The Hillman Companies, 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   None
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 þ     NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer þ   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o     NO þ
On May 15, 2008, there were 6,217.3 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, 82,192.8 Class A Preferred Shares issued and outstanding by the Registrant, 57,344.4 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 HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
         
    PAGE(S)
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
 
       
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
       
 
       
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    3-4  
 
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    5  
 
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    6  
 
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
    7  
 
       
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
    8-18  
 
       
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    19-29  
 
       
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
    30  
 
       
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
    30  
 
       
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
       
 
       
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
    31  
 
       
Item 1A. Risk Factors
    31  
 
       
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
    31  
 
       
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
    31  
 
       
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
    31  
 
       
Item 5. Other Information
    31  
 
       
Item 6. Exhibits
    31  
 
       
SIGNATURES
    32  

Page 2 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,955     $ 11,919  
Restricted investments
    343       325  
Accounts receivable, net
    67,365       48,962  
Inventories, net
    106,710       97,976  
Deferred income taxes, net
    7,951       7,780  
Other current assets
    3,631       3,355  
 
           
Total current assets
    187,955       170,317  
Property and equipment, net
    55,702       56,088  
Goodwill
    260,687       260,687  
Other intangibles, net
    158,212       159,971  
Restricted investments
    4,961       5,316  
Deferred financing fees, net
    3,391       3,711  
Investment in trust common securities
    3,261       3,261  
Other assets
    2,043       709  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $    676,212     $ 660,060  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 30,020     $ 23,233  
Current portion of senior term loans
    2,350       2,350  
Current portion of capitalized lease obligations
    315       266  
Junior subordinated interest payable
    1,019       —  
Accrued expenses:
               
Salaries and wages
    4,052       4,628  
Pricing allowances
    5,867       5,484  
Income and other taxes
    2,532       2,166  
Interest
    1,246       1,241  
Deferred compensation
    343       325  
Other accrued expenses
    6,444       5,476  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    54,188       45,169  
Long term senior term loans
    229,125       229,125  
Bank revolving credit
    9,120       —  
Long term capitalized lease obligations
    314       239  
Long term unsecured subordinated notes
    49,820       49,820  
Junior subordinated debentures
    116,407       116,505  
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
    89,833       87,358  
Management purchased preferred options
    5,469       5,298  
Deferred compensation
    4,961       5,316  
Deferred income taxes, net
    43,075       43,704  
Accrued dividends on preferred stock
    47,172       43,566  
Other non-current liabilities
    10,190       9,353  
 
           
Total liabilities
    659,674       635,453  
 
           
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 3 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED)
               
Common and preferred stock with put options:
               
Class A Preferred stock, $.01 par, 238,889 shares authorized, 88.0 issued and outstanding
    88       88  
 
           
Class A Common stock, $.01 par, 23,141 shares authorized, 412.0 issued and outstanding
    247       417  
 
           
Class B Common stock, $.01 par, 2,500 shares authorized, 1,000.0 issued and outstanding
    624       1,635  
 
           
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred Stock:
               
Class A Preferred stock, $.01 par, 238,889 shares authorized, 82,104.8 issued and outstanding
    1       1  
 
               
Common Stock:
               
Class A Common stock, $.01 par, 23,141 shares authorized, 5,805.3 issued and outstanding
    —       —  
Class C Common stock, $.01 par, 30,109 shares authorized, 2,787.1 issued and outstanding
    —       —  
Additional paid-in capital
    40,745       44,164  
Accumulated deficit
    (24,641 )     (21,287 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (526 )     (411 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    15,579       22,467  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $    676,212     $ 660,060  
 
           
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 4 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED

(dollars in thousands)
                 
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2008     2007  
Net sales
  $ 106,796     $ 100,924  
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
    52,945       48,278  
 
           
Gross profit
    53,851       52,646  
 
           
 
               
Operating expenses:
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    39,555       39,629  
Depreciation
    4,696       4,709  
Amortization
    1,759       1,937  
Management and transaction fees to related party
    251       253  
 
           
Total operating expenses
    46,261       46,528  
 
           
 
               
Other (expense) income, net
    (312 )     15  
 
           
 
               
Income from operations
    7,278       6,133  
 
Interest expense, net
    5,463       6,403  
Interest expense on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and management purchased options
    2,646       2,347  
Interest expense on junior subordinated debentures
    3,152       3,153  
Investment income on trust common securities
    (94 )     (95 )
 
           
 
               
Loss before income taxes
    (3,889 )     (5,675 )
 
               
Income tax benefit
    (535 )     (929 )
 
           
 
               
Net loss
  $ (3,354 )   $ (4,746 )
 
           
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 5 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED

(dollars in thousands)
                 
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2008     2007  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net loss
  $ (3,354 )   $ (4,746 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    6,455       6,646  
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)
    (800 )     1,302  
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and management purchased options
    2,646       2,347  
Changes in operating items:
               
Increase in accounts receivable, net
    (18,403 )     (9,533 )
Increase in inventories, net
    (8,734 )     (2,713 )
Increase in other assets
    (1,610 )     (261 )
Increase in accounts payable
    6,787       4,253  
Increase in junior subordinated interest payable
    1,019       1,019  
Increase (decrease) in other accrued liabilities
    1,146       (2,773 )
Other items, net
    (57 )     1,146  
 
           
 
               
Net cash used for operating activities
    (14,905 )     (3,313 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (4,078 )     (3,663 )
Other, net
    —       —  
 
           
 
               
Net cash used for investing activities
    (4,078 )     (3,663 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Repayments of senior term loans
    —       (587 )
Borrowings of revolving credit loans
    12,620       6,141  
Repayments of revolving credit loans
    (3,500 )     —  
Principal payments under capitalized lease obligations
    (101 )     (68 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash provided by financing activities
    9,019       5,486  
 
           
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (9,964 )     (1,490 )
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    11,919       2,551  
 
           
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 1,955     $ 1,061  
 
           
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 6 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
                                                         
                                            Accumulated        
                    Additional     Class A             Other     Total  
    Common Stock     Paid-in     Preferred     Accumulated     Comprehensive     Stockholders’  
    Class A     Class C     Capital     Stock     Deficit     Loss     Equity  
 
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2007
    —       —     $ 44,164     $ 1     $ (21,287 )   $ (411 )   $ 22,467  
 
                                                       
Net loss
    —       —       —       —       (3,354 )     —       (3,354 )
Class A Common Stock FMV adjustment (2)
    —       —       170       —       —       —       170  
Dividends to shareholders
    —       —       (3,605 )     —       —       —       (3,605 )
Stock-based compensation
    —       —       16       —       —       —       16  
Change in cumulative foreign translation adjustment (1)
    —       —       —       —       —       21       21  
Change in derivative security value (1)
    —       —       —       —       —       (136 )     (136 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Balance at March 31, 2008
    —       —     $ 40,745     $ 1     $ (24,641 )   $ (526 )   $ 15,579  
 
                                         
 
(1)   The cumulative foreign translation adjustment and change in derivative security value, net of taxes, represent the only items of other comprehensive loss.
 
(2)   Company management controls 412 shares of class A common stock which contain a put feature that allows redemption at the holder’s option. These shares have been adjusted to fair market value in accordance with EITF D-98, “Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities.” See Note 9 of condensed consolidated financial statements.
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 7 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
1. Basis of Presentation:
The accompanying financial statements include the condensed consolidated accounts of The Hillman Companies, Inc. (“Hillman” or the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
On March 31, 2004, The Hillman Companies, Inc. was acquired by affiliates of Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC (“CHS”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 14, 2004, the Company was merged with an affiliate of CHS, with the Company surviving the merger (“Merger Transaction”).
As a result of the Merger Transaction, affiliates of CHS own 49.1% of the Company’s outstanding 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 outstanding common stock and 31.0% of the Company’s voting common stock and HarbourVest Partners VI owns 8.7% of the Company’s outstanding common stock and 9.7% of the Company’s voting common stock. OTPP’s voting rights with respect to the election of directors to the Board of Directors is limited to the lesser of 30.0% or the actual percentage of voting stock held. Certain members of management own 14.1% of the Company’s outstanding common stock and 4.5% of the Company’s voting common stock.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements present information in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information or footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Management believes the financial statements include all normal recurring accrual adjustments necessary for a fair presentation. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
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. and another in Mexico under the name SunSource Integrated Services de Mexico SA de CV. The Hillman Group provides merchandising services and products such as fasteners and related hardware items; threaded rod and metal shapes; keys, key duplication systems and accessories; and identification items, such as, tags and letters, numbers and signs to retail outlets, primarily hardware stores, home centers and mass merchants.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
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 collection experience. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $528 as of March 31, 2008 and $597 as of December 31, 2007.

Page 8 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued):
Shipping and Handling:
The costs incurred to ship product to customers, including freight and handling expenses, are included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses on the Company’s statements of operations. The Company’s shipping and handling costs included in SG&A were $4,618 and $4,492 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
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 for the reporting period. Actual results may differ from estimates.
3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The Company is not electing the fair value option for any of its eligible financial instruments and other items that are not already measured at fair value under existing standards.
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 160 (“SFAS 160”), “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51”. SFAS 160 requires the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified, labeled, and presented in the consolidated balance sheet as a component of shareholders’ equity. It also requires the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect that adoption of SFAS 160 will have a material effect on its results of operations and financial position.
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 141 (revised 2007) (“SFAS 141R”), “Business Combinations”. SFAS 141R requires that the acquisition method be applied to all business combinations and it establishes requirements for the recognition and measurement of the acquired assets and liabilities by the acquiring company. Further, it requires that costs incurred to complete any acquisition be recognized as expense in the consolidated statement of income. SFAS 141R also requires that contingent assets and liabilities be recorded at fair value and marked to market quarterly until they are settled, with any changes to the fair value to be recorded as income or expense in the consolidated statement of income. SFAS 141R is effective for any business combinations that are completed subsequent to January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the provisions of SFAS 141R will have on its consolidated financial statements and its method of accounting for business combinations.

Page 9 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued):
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161 (“SFAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. SFAS 161 requires expanded disclosure about the Company’s hedging activities and use of derivative instruments in its hedging activities. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
4. Acquisition:
On December 28, 2007, the Hillman Group entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and among All Points Industries, Inc. (“All Points”), Gabrielle Mann, Gregory Mann, and the Hillman Group, whereby the Hillman Group acquired all of the equity interest of All Points. All Points, a Pompano Beach, Florida, based distributor of commercial and residential fasteners catering to the hurricane protection industry, has positioned itself as a major supplier to manufacturers of railings, screen enclosures, windows and hurricane shutters. All Points has also developed a retail division that supplies hardware for hurricane protection to the do-it-yourself consumer. The aggregate purchase price, including acquisition costs of $335, was $10,243 paid in cash at closing. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2007 reflects the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price 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:
         
Cash
  $ 481  
Account receivable, net
    1,017  
Inventory, net
    7,372  
Other current assets
    77  
Deferred income taxes
    677  
Property and equipment
    435  
Goodwill
    1,056  
 
     
Total assets acquired
    11,115  
Less:
       
Liabilities assumed
    872  
 
     
Total purchase price
  $ 10,243  
 
     
The excess of the purchase price over the net assets acquired has been preliminarily allocated to goodwill pending final valuation of assets by an independent appraisal.
The following table indicates the pro forma financial statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The pro forma financial statements give effect to the All Points acquisition, as if it had occurred on January 1, 2007:
         
Net sales
  $ 107,031  
Net loss
    (4,535 )
The pro forma results are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred if the transactions had been effective January 1, 2007, nor are they intended to be indicative of results that may occur in the future. The underlying pro forma information includes the historical financial results of the Company, the Company’s financing arrangements, and certain purchase accounting adjustments.

Page 10 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
5. Other Intangibles, net:
Intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives and are subject to lower of cost or market impairment testing.
Other intangibles, net as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 consist of the following:
                     
    Estimated            
    Useful Life   March 31,     December 31,  
    (Years)   2008     2007  
Customer relationships
  23   $ 126,651     $ 126,651  
Trademarks
  Indefinite     47,294       47,294  
Patents
  9     7,960       7,960  
Non-compete agreements
  4     5,742       5,742  
 
               
Intangible assets, gross
        187,647       187,647  
Less: Accumulated amortization
        29,435       27,676  
 
               
Other intangibles, net
      $ 158,212     $ 159,971  
 
               
The Company’s amortization expense for amortizable assets for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $1,759 and $1,937, respectively. The Company’s amortization expense for amortizable assets for the year ended December 31, 2008 is estimated to be $7,037 and for the years ending December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 are estimated to be $6,875, $6,391, $6,391, $6,391, and $5,727, respectively.
6. Contingencies:
The Company self insures its product liability, automotive, worker’s compensation and general liability losses up to $250 per occurrence. Catastrophic coverage has been purchased from third party insurers for occurrences in excess of $250 up to $35,000. The two risk areas involving the most significant accounting estimates are workers’ compensation and automotive liability. Actuarial valuations performed by the Company’s outside risk insurance expert, Insurance Services Office, Inc., were used to form the basis for workers’ compensation and automotive liability loss reserves. The actuary contemplated the Company’s specific loss history, actual claims reported, and industry trends among statistical and other factors to estimate the range of reserves required. Risk insurance reserves are comprised of specific reserves for individual claims and additional amounts expected for development of these claims, as well as for incurred but not yet reported claims. The Company believes the liability recorded for such risk insurance reserves is adequate as of March 31, 2008, but due to judgments inherent in the reserve estimation process it is possible the ultimate costs will differ from this estimate.
As of March 31, 2008, the Company has provided certain vendors and insurers letters of credit aggregating $5,262 related to its product purchases and insurance coverage of product liability, workers compensation and general liability.
The Company self-insures its group health claims up to an annual stop loss limit of $175 per participant. Aggregate coverage is maintained for annual group health insurance claims in excess of 125% of expected claims. Historical group insurance loss experience forms the basis for the recognition of group health insurance reserves.
Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based on an analysis of historical insurance claim data and certain actuarial assumptions.

Page 11 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
6. Contingencies (continued):
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 condensed consolidated financial position, operations or cash flows of the Company.
7. Related Party Transactions:
The Company is obligated to pay management fees to a subsidiary of CHS in the amount of $58 per month and to pay transaction fees to a subsidiary of OTPP in the amount of $26 per month, plus out of pocket expenses. The Company has recorded management and transaction fee charges and expenses from CHS and OTPP for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 of $251 and $253, respectively.
Gregory Mann and Gabrielle Mann are employed by the All Points division of Hillman as President and Vice President, respectively. All Points leases an industrial warehouse and office facility from companies under the control of the Mann’s. The Company has recorded rental expense for the lease of this facility in the amount of $76 and $0 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
8. Income Taxes:
The Company’s policy is to estimate income taxes for interim periods based on estimated annual effective tax rates which are derived, in part, from expected pre-tax income. However, the income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2008 has been computed on a discrete period basis as a result of the Company’s inability to reliably estimate pre-tax income for the remainder of the year. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 is 162.5%, which could result in significant variations in the reported tax provision in the interim periods. Accordingly, the interim tax provision for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 was calculated on a discrete period basis by multiplying the statutory income tax rate by pretax earnings adjusted for permanent book tax basis differences.
The effective income tax rate was 13.8% and 16.4% for the first three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition to the effect of state taxes, the effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of nondeductible interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and stock compensation expense.
The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” as of January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized a $2,868 decrease in the deferred tax asset related to the future tax benefit of the Company’s net operating loss carryforward. There was a corresponding adjustment of a $1,438 decrease in the January 1, 2007 balance of accumulated deficit and a $1,430 reduction in the Company’s uncertain tax position reserve. Also, as a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company’s uncertain tax position reserve was reduced an additional $608, all of which was recorded as a reduction of the goodwill recorded in the 2004 Merger Transaction. At the adoption date, $1,445 of the gross unrecognized tax benefit would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. There was no adjustment of the FIN 48 reserve in the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.

Page 12 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
8. Income Taxes (continued):
The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. In conjunction with the adoption of FIN 48, the Company has not recognized any adjustment for interest or penalties in its financial statements due to its net operating loss position. The Company does not anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change due to the settlement of audits and the expiration of statute of limitations prior to March 31, 2009.
The Company files a consolidated income tax return in the United States and numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions. As of March 31, 2008, with few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years prior to 2004.
9. Common and Preferred Stock:
Common Stock issued in connection with the Merger Transaction:
There are 23,141 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, 6,217.3 of which are issued and outstanding. Each share of Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote. Each holder of Class A Common Stock is entitled at any time to convert any or all of the shares into an equal number of shares of Class C Common Stock.
There are 2,500 authorized shares of Class B Common Stock, 1,000 of which are issued and outstanding. Holders of Class B Common Stock have no voting rights. The Class B Common Stock was purchased by and issued to certain members of the Company’s management and is subject to vesting over five years with 20% vesting on each anniversary of the Merger Transaction.
In connection with the Merger Transaction, certain members of management entered into an Executive Securities Agreement (“ESA”). The ESA provides for the method and terms under which management proceeds were invested in the Company. Under the terms of the ESA, management shareholders have the right to put their Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock back to the Company at fair market value if employment is terminated for other than cause. If terminated for cause, the management shareholders can generally put the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock back to the Company for the lower of the fair market value or cost. The SEC’s Accounting Series Release No. 268, “Presentation in Financial Statements of Redeemable Preferred Stock,” requires certain securities whose redemption is not in the control of the issuer to be classified outside of permanent equity. The put feature embedded in management’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock allows redemption at the holder’s option under certain circumstances. Accordingly, management’s 412.0 Class A Common Stock shares and 1,000 Class B Common Stock shares have been classified between liabilities and stockholder’s equity in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.
EITF D-98, “Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities,” requires securities that are either currently redeemable or where redemption is probable to be marked to redemption value with a corresponding charge to accumulated paid in capital. The ESA allows the management shareholders to put, or redeem, the Class A Common Stock back to the Company if terminated for other than cause. Under the terms of the ESA, the redemption value of the Class A Common Stock is equal to the fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the Class A Common stock has been adjusted to its fair market value of $247 as of March 31, 2008 with a corresponding increase in accumulated paid-in capital of $170.
The repurchase feature of the Class B Common Stock triggers liability accounting treatment under SFAS 123(R), “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation”. See Note 10, Stock Based Compensation, for further information.

Page 13 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
9. Common and Preferred Stock (continued):
There are 30,109 authorized shares of Class C Common Stock, 2,787.1 of which are issued and outstanding. Each share of Class C Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote, provided that the aggregate voting power of Class C Common Stock (with respect to the election of directors) never exceeds 30%. Each holder of Class C Common Stock is entitled at any time to convert any or all of the shares into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock.
Preferred Stock:
The Company has 238,889 authorized shares of Class A Preferred Stock, 82,192.8 of which are issued and outstanding and 13,450.7 of which are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Class A Preferred Stock. Holders of Class A Preferred Stock are not entitled to any voting rights. Holders of Class A Preferred Stock are entitled to preferential dividends that shall accrue on a daily basis at the rate of 11.5% per annum of the sum of the Liquidation Value (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon.
Hillman Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Company, has 166,667 authorized shares of Class A Preferred Stock, 57,344.4 of which are issued and outstanding and 9,384.2 of which are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Class A Preferred Stock. Holders of Class A Preferred Stock are not entitled to any voting rights. Holders of Class A Preferred Stock are entitled to preferential dividends that shall accrue on a daily basis at the rate of 11.0% per annum on the sum of the Liquidation Value (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) thereof plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon.
The Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock is mandatorily redeemable on March 31, 2028 and in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity,” (“SFAS 150”) has been classified as debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Hillman investment Company Class A Preferred Stock is redeemable at its liquidation value of $1,000 per share plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends. Dividends on the mandatorily redeemable Class A Preferred Stock were $2,646 and $2,347 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The dividends on the mandatorily redeemable Class A Preferred Stock are recorded as interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Purchased Options:
In connection with the Merger Transaction, options in the predecessor to the Company were cancelled and converted into rights to receive options to purchase 3,895.16 shares of Hillman Companies, Inc. Class A Preferred Stock and 2,717.55 shares of Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock (collectively the “Purchased Options”). The Purchased Options have a weighted average strike price of $170.69 per share. The fair value of the Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock options has been included with the underlying security in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. SFAS 150 requires security instruments with a redemption date that is certain to occur to be classified as liabilities. The Hillman Companies, Inc. Class A Preferred Stock options, which have a March 31, 2028 expiration date, have been classified at their fair market value in the liability section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. To the extent the Company pays a dividend to holders of the Class A Preferred Stock and the Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock, the Purchased Option holder will be entitled to receive an amount equal to the dividend which would have been paid if the Purchased Options had been exercised on the date immediately prior to the record date for the dividend. Dividends on the Purchased Options are recorded as interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, under the terms of the ESA, the Purchased Options can be put back to the Company at fair market value if employment is terminated.

Page 14 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
9. Common and Preferred Stock (continued):
SFAS 150 requires the initial and subsequent valuations of the Purchased Options be measured at fair value with the change in fair value recognized as interest expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, interest expense of $171 and $151, respectively, was recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations to recognize the increase in fair market value of the Purchased Options.
The table below reconciles the components of the Preferred Stock and the Purchased Options to the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets:
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock
  $ 54,927     $ 54,927  
Purchased Options — Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock
    2,254       2,254  
Accumulated and unpaid dividends
    32,652       30,177  
 
           
Total Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
  $ 89,833     $ 87,358  
 
           
 
               
Purchased Options — Hillman Companies, Inc. Class A Preferred Stock
  $ 3,230     $ 3,230  
Accumulated and unpaid dividends
    2,239       2,068  
 
           
Total Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
  $     5,469     $ 5,298  
 
           
10. Stock-Based Compensation:
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective method. SFAS No. 123(R) requires entities to recognize the cost of employee services in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards (with limited exceptions). That cost, based on the estimated number of awards that are expected to vest, will be recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide the service in exchange for the award. No compensation cost is recognized for awards for which employees do not render the requisite service.
Compensation cost for the unvested portions of equity-classified awards granted prior to January 1, 2006, will be recognized in the results of operations on a straight line basis over the remaining vesting periods. Changes in fair value of unvested liability instruments during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that service period. Changes in the fair value of vested liability instruments during the contractual term will be recognized as an adjustment to compensation cost in the period of the change in fair value.

Page 15 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
10. Stock-Based Compensation (continued):
Common Option Plan:
On March 31, 2004, the Company adopted the 2004 Stock Option Plan (“Common Option Plan”) following Board and shareholder approval. Grants under the Common Option Plan will consist of non-qualified stock options for the purchase of Class B Common Shares. The number of Class B Common Shares authorized for issuance under the Common Option Plan is not to exceed 356.41 shares. Unless otherwise consented to by the Board, the aggregate number of Class B Common Shares for which options may be granted under the Common Option Plan cannot exceed 71.28 in any one calendar year. The Common Option Plan is administered by a Committee of the Board. The Committee determines the term of each option, provided that the exercise period may not exceed ten years from date of grant. The Class B Common Options vest over five years with 20% vesting on each anniversary of the date of grant.
The fair value of the most recent option grant in 2007 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: dividend yield equaling 0%, risk-free interest rate of 4.6%, expected volatility of 27.3% based on the average of four comparable publically traded companies, and expected life of 6 years.
A summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2008 is presented below:
                                 
            Exercise     Remaining     Aggregate  
            Price Per     Contractual     Intrinsic  
    Shares     Share *     Term *     Value  
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    208.9     $ 2,158                  
Granted
    —       —                  
Exercised
    —       —                  
Forfeited or expired
    —       —                  
 
                           
Outstanding at March 31, 2008
    208.9     $ 2,158     8.29 years   $ 71  
 
                               
Exercisable at March 31, 2008
    61.3     $ 1,523     7.08 years   $ 60  
 
*   weighted average
Compensation expense of $16 and $9 has been recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had $51 of unrecognized compensation expense for unvested Common Options. The expense will be recognized as a charge to earnings over a weighted average period of 1.1 years.
Preferred Options:
On March 31, 2004, certain members of the Company’s management were granted options to purchase 9,555.5 shares of Class A Preferred Stock and 6,666.7 shares of Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock (collectively the “Preferred Options”). The Preferred Options were granted with an exercise price of $1,000 per share which was equal to the value of the underlying Preferred Stock. The Preferred Options vest over five years with 20% vesting on each anniversary of the Merger Transaction. Holders of the Preferred Options are entitled to accrued dividends as if the underlying Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding as of the grant date. There have been no grants, forfeitures or exercise of the Preferred Options since March 31, 2004.
Upon resignation from the Company after the third anniversary of grant, termination by the Company without cause, death or disability, or retirement at age 61, the holder of the Preferred Options has a put right on the vested securities at a price equal to fair market value less any option exercise price payable. SFAS 123(R) requires the

Page 16 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
10. Stock-Based Compensation (continued):
classification of stock-based compensation awards as liabilities if the underlying security is classified as a liability. Therefore, the Preferred Options are treated as liability classified awards, and compensation expense is recognized based on the fair value of the Preferred Options at the grant date re-measured at fair value in each subsequent reporting period. The value of the Preferred Options is included under other non-current liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
SFAS 123(R) requires equity instruments for which it is not possible to reasonably estimate fair value at the grant date to be valued using the intrinsic value method, remeasured at each reporting date through the date of exercise or other settlement. Management has determined the lack of an active market, trading restrictions and absence of any trading history preclude the reasonable estimate of fair value. Accordingly, the Company uses the intrinsic value method to estimate fair value of the Preferred Options at the end of each reporting period pro-rated for the portion of the service period rendered. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, compensation expense of $829 and $840, respectively, was recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
At March 31, 2008, the aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding Preferred Options was $9,114, and the intrinsic value of the exercisable Preferred Options was $7,291.
Class B Shares:
The repurchase feature of the Class B Common Stock requires classification as liability awards. The Company uses the intrinsic value method to estimate fair value of the Class B Common Stock Shares at the end of each reporting period pro-rated for the portion of the service period rendered.
There have been no grants or forfeitures of Class B Common Stock shares since the Merger Transaction. At March 31, 2008, there were 800 Class B Common shares vested with a fair value of $599.4 per share. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, compensation (income) expense of ($1,010) and $0, respectively, was recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
11. Derivatives and Hedging:
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposures to interest rate fluctuations on its floating rate senior debt. The derivative instruments are accounted for pursuant to SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities.” As amended, SFAS No. 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet, measure those instruments at fair value and recognize changes in the fair value of derivatives in earnings in the period of change, unless the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge that offsets certain exposures.
On August 28, 2006, 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 at 5.375% plus applicable interest rate margin.
The Swap was designated as a cash flow hedge, and the fair value at March 31, 2008 was $(346), net of $216 in taxes. The Swap was reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheet in other current liabilities with a related deferred charge recorded as a component of other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

Page 17 of 32


 

THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
12. Fair Value Measurements:
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), on January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. As defined in SFAS 157, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The statement requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
     
Level 1:
  Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2:
  Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
 
Level 3:
  Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of quoted market prices and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. An asset or liability’s level is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the period, by level, within the fair value hierarchy:
                                 
    Fair Value Measurement
    at March 31, 2008
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Available-for-sale securities
  $ 5,304     $ —     $ —     $ 5,304  
Interest rate swaps
    —       (346 )     —       (346 )
Available-for-sale securities are trading securities valued using quoted prices on an active exchange. Available-for-sale securities represent assets held in a Rabbi Trust to fund deferred compensation liabilities and are included as restricted investments on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The Company utilizes interest rate swap contracts to manage its targeted mix of fixed and floating rate debt, and these swaps are valued using observable benchmark rates at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swaps. Interest rate swaps are included in other current liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 157-2, which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for one year for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Based on this guidance, the Company expects to adopt the provisions of SFAS 157 as they relate to long-lived assets, including goodwill and intangibles, effective January 1, 2009 and it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Page 18 of 32


 

Item 2.
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 condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain disclosures related to acquisitions, refinancing, capital expenditures, resolution of pending litigation and realization of deferred tax assets contained in this quarterly 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 the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. 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 report and the risk factors referenced above; 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 report might not occur or be materially different from those discussed.
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 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. and another in Mexico under the name SunSource Integrated Services de Mexico SA de CV. The Hillman Group provides merchandising services and products such as fasteners and related hardware items; threaded rod and metal shapes; keys, key duplication systems and accessories; and identification items, such as, tags and letters, numbers and signs to retail outlets, primarily hardware stores, home centers and mass merchants.
Page 19 of 32

 


 

On March 31, 2004, The Hillman Companies, Inc. was acquired by affiliates of Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC (“CHS”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 14, 2004, the Company was merged with an affiliate of CHS with the Company surviving the merger (“Merger Transaction”).
Affiliates of CHS own 49.1% of the Company’s outstanding 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 outstanding common stock and 31.0% of the Company’s voting common stock and HarbourVest Partners VI owns 8.7% of the Company’s outstanding common stock and 9.7% of the Company’s voting common stock. OTPP’s voting rights with respect to the election of directors to the Board of Directors is limited to the lesser of 30.0% or the actual percentage of voting stock held. Certain members of management own 14.1% of the Company’s outstanding common stock and 4.5% of the Company’s voting common stock.
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 line (the “Revolver”) and a $217.5 million term loan (the “Term Loan”). The Senior Credit Agreement has a seven-year term and 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 are 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.
On July 21, 2006, the Company amended and restated the Senior Credit Agreement. The Term Loan was increased by $22.4 million to $235.0 million. Proceeds of the additional Term Loan borrowings were used to pay down outstanding Revolver borrowings. The Revolver credit line remains at $40.0 million. Additionally, the LIBOR margin on the Term Loan was reduced by 25 basis points and certain financial covenants were revised to provide additional flexibility. There were no other significant changes to the Senior Credit Agreement. The Company incurred $1,147 in financing fees in connection with amended and restated agreement. The fees were capitalized and will be amortized over the remaining term of the Senior Credit Agreement, as amended.
On March 31, 2004, the Company, through its Hillman Group subsidiary, 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 was 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 was 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.
Effective July 21, 2006, the Subordinated Debt Agreement was amended to reduce the interest rate to a fixed rate of 10.0% payable quarterly. In addition, financial covenants were revised consistent with the changes to the amended and restated Senior Credit Agreement. The reduction in the interest rate was retroactive to May 15, 2006. During the third quarter of 2006, the Company wrote off $0.7 million in deferred financing fees in connection with the amended Subordinated Debt Agreement.
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 August 28, 2006, 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 at 5.375% plus applicable interest rate margin.
Page 20 of 32

 


 

Acquisition
On December 28, 2007, the Hillman Group entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and among All Points Industries, Inc. (“All Points”), Gabrielle Mann, Gregory Mann and the Hillman Group, whereby the Hillman Group acquired all of the equity interest of All Points. All Points, a Pompano Beach, Florida, based distributor of commercial and residential fasteners catering to the hurricane protection industry, has positioned itself as a major supplier to manufacturers of railings, screen enclosures, windows and hurricane shutters. All Points has also developed a retail division that supplies hardware for hurricane protection to the do-it-yourself consumer. The aggregate purchase price, including acquisition costs, was $10.2 million paid in cash at closing.
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Results of Operations
Sales and Profitability for each of the Three Month Periods Ended March 31,
                                 
    (dollars in thousands)  
    2008     2007  
            % of             % of  
    Amount     Total     Amount     Total  
Net sales
  $ 106,796       100.0 %   $ 100,924       100.0 %
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
    52,945       49.6 %     48,278       47.8 %
 
                       
Gross profit
    53,851       50.4 %     52,646       52.2 %
 
                       
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling
    20,123       18.8 %     19,972       19.8 %
Warehouse & delivery
    13,761       12.9 %     13,073       13.0 %
General & administrative
    5,837       5.5 %     5,735       5.7 %
Stock compensation expense
    (166 )     -0.2 %     849       0.8 %
 
                       
Total SG&A
    39,555       37.0 %     39,629       39.3 %
Depreciation
    4,696       4.4 %     4,709       4.7 %
Amortization
    1,759       1.6 %     1,937       1.9 %
Management and transaction fees
    251       0.2 %     253       0.3 %
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    46,261       43.3 %     46,528       46.1 %
 
                       
 
                               
Other (expense) income, net
    (312 )     -0.3 %     15       0.0 %
 
                       
 
Income from operations
    7,278       6.8 %     6,133       6.1 %
 
Interest expense, net
    5,463       5.1 %     6,403       6.3 %
Interest expense on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock & management purchased options
    2,646       2.5 %     2,347       2.3 %
Interest expense on junior subordinated notes
    3,152       3.0 %     3,153       3.1 %
Investment income on trust common securities
    (94 )     -0.1 %     (95 )     -0.1 %
 
                       
 
                               
Loss before income taxes
    (3,889 )     -3.6 %     (5,675 )     -5.6 %
 
                               
Income tax benefit
    (535 )     -0.5 %     (929 )     -0.9 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net loss
  $ (3,354 )     -3.1 %   $ (4,746 )     -4.7 %
 
                       
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Macroeconomic Conditions
The Company is sensitive to inflation present in the economies of the United States and foreign suppliers located primarily in Taiwan and China. In the last several years, the rapid growth in China’s economic activity has produced significantly rising costs of certain imported fastener products. In addition, the cost of commodities such as copper, zinc, aluminum, nickel, and plastics used in the manufacture of Company products have increased sharply. Further, recent increases in the cost of diesel fuel have contributed to transportation rate increases. Continued inflation and resulting cost increases over a period of years would result in significant increases in inventory costs and operating expenses. 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. The Company was able to recover most of its purchased product cost increases of the past several years by raising prices to its customers. We expect rising commodities prices to continue during the next year, which may require that we institute various customer pricing actions and productivity improvements.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
Net sales of $106.8 million in the first quarter of 2008 increased $5.9 million or 5.8% from the first quarter of 2007. Sales by the newly acquired All Points business represented $4.1 million of the total $5.9 million increase from the prior year.
Sales of the remaining Company products, excluding sales by All Points, were $1.8 million of the total $5.9 million sales increase in the first quarter of 2008. Sales to national accounts increased $3.2 million in the first quarter primarily as a result of increased fastener sales to Lowe’s which was partially offset by decreased sales of $2.2 million in keys and LNS at Home Depot and Wal-mart. Sales increased to Lowe’s by $6.3 million as a result additional store locations and their recent strategy to increase fastener inventory at the store level to drive sales volume. Lowe’s has employed this strategy in similar product categories resulting in improved comparable store sales activity. The remaining national accounts sales declined $3.1 million, which included sales declines of $0.6 million at Home Depot and $1.5 million at Wal-mart. National account sales, with the exception of Lowe’s, were negatively impacted by the contraction in the residential construction market and the U.S. economic downturn. Economic conditions also had an adverse impact on sales to the traditional franchise and independent (“F&I”), warehouse, and regional accounts which experienced sales decreases of $1.6 million, $1.3 million, and $0.1 million, respectively. Sales of engraving products increased $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2008 primarily as a result of additional machine placements at the large national pet retailers. The sales of the Canadian division increased $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2008 primarily as a result of $0.3 million in sales of builders hardware products to Canadian Tire stores. Other sales to commercial industrial, Mexican and Latin American accounts increased $0.6 million to $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $2.5 million in the same period of 2007.
The Company’s gross profit was 50.4% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 52.2% in the first quarter of 2007. Adjusted for the All Points acquisition, first quarter 2008 gross profit was 51.5%. The remaining 70 basis point decline in the first quarter 2008 gross profit was primarily a function of the shift in sales mix. A proportionately larger percentage of the Company’s revenue was generated from Lowe’s in the first quarter at a gross profit lower than the Company average. In addition, the Company’s gross profit rate has been negatively impacted by higher product costs as a result of increased prices for commodities such as steel, plastics, aluminum, nickel, copper, and zinc used in the manufacture of our products. In particular, the cost of steel based fasteners sourced primarily from Asia has risen dramatically in the last six months. The Company anticipates the full year 2008 inflation impact of increased commodity costs will be approximately $18 million, which management plans to mitigate through various customer pricing actions and productivity improvements.
The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses (“S, G&A”) of $39.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 was unchanged from the prior year period. Selling expenses increased $0.1 million or 0.5% primarily as a result of additional selling costs of $0.3 million in the newly acquired All Points operation. In addition, higher costs to provide service and merchandising to the expanded national accounts store base were offset by substantial savings on sales supply items which were used in the 2007 customer price increases. Warehouse and delivery expenses, adjusted for sales volume, decreased slightly in the first quarter of 2008. Freight expense, the largest component of warehouse and delivery expense, declined from 5.2% of sales in 2007 to 5.1% of sales in the comparable 2008 quarter. The Company has been able to offset the negative impact of higher fuel surcharges by negotiating more favorable freight contracts and implementing shipping and handling efficiencies. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily the result of higher salaries, wages, and employee benefit costs in the 2008 period compared to the 2007 period. Stock compensation expenses from stock options primarily related to the Merger Transaction were a gain of $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to a charge of $0.8 in the same prior year period. The change in the fair value of the Class B Common Stock is included in stock compensation expense and this resulted in a gain of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 and no gain or charge in the same prior year period.
Depreciation expense of $4.7 million in the first quarter of 2008 was unchanged from depreciation of $4.7 million in the first quarter of 2007.
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Amortization expense of $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2008 was $0.1 million less than the amortization in the same quarter of 2007.
The Company has recorded management and transaction fees of $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2008 and for the first quarter of 2007. 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 transaction fees to a subsidiary of OTPP for transaction services rendered in the amount of twenty-six thousand dollars per month, plus out of pocket expenses, for each month commencing after March 31, 2004.
Other (expense) income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was an expense of $0.3 million compared to none for the same period of 2007. The expense in the 2008 period consisted of a $0.2 million loss on investments and $0.1 million loss on foreign exchange.
Income from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $7.3 million, an increase of $1.2 million from the same period of the prior year.
The Company’s condensed consolidated operating profit margin from operations (income from operations as a percentage of net sales) increased from 6.1% in the first quarter of 2007 to 6.8% in the same period of 2008. The operating profit margin benefited from a reduction in selling expense and stock compensation expense which was partially offset by a decrease in gross profit as a percentage of sales.
Interest expense, net, decreased $0.9 million to $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $6.4 million in the same period of 2007. The decrease in interest expense was the result of a decrease in the LIBOR borrowing rate on the Term B Loan.
Interest expense on the mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and management purchased options increased by $0.3 million due to compounding of interest to $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $2.3 million in the same prior year period.
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 quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company paid $3.2 million in interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, which is equivalent to the amounts distributed by the Trust on the Trust Preferred Securities.
The Company also pays interest to the Trust on the Junior Subordinated Debentures underlying the Trust Common Securities at the rate of 11.6% per annum on their face amount of $3.3 million, or $0.4 million per annum in the aggregate. The Trust distributes an equivalent amount to the Company as a distribution on the underlying Trust Common Securities. For the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company paid $0.1 million interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, which is equivalent to the amounts received by the Company as investment income.
The Company recorded a tax benefit for income taxes of $0.5 million on a pre-tax loss of $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to a tax benefit of $0.9 million on a pre-tax loss of $5.7 million in 2007. The effective income tax rates were 13.8% and 16.4% for the first three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the effect of nondeductible interest on the mandatorily redeemable Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred stock, and stock compensation expense recorded on the Preferred Options and Class B Common Stock. The nondeductible interest and compensation expense described above reduced the effective income tax rate from the federal statutory rate by 22.2% and 19.7% in the three month period ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The remaining difference between the effective income tax rate and the federal statutory rates in both periods was due to state and foreign income taxes.
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Cash Flows
The statements of cash flows reflect the changes in cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 by classifying transactions into three major categories: operating, investing and financing activities.
Operating Activities
The Company’s main source of liquidity is cash generated from routine operating activities represented by changes in inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other assets and liabilities plus the net loss adjusted for non-cash charges for depreciation, amortization, deferred taxes, and interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and management purchased options.
Cash used for operating activities was $14.9 million in the first three months of 2008 compared to cash used of $3.3 million for the same period of 2007. Operating cash outflows have historically been higher in the first two fiscal quarters when selling volume, accounts receivable and inventory levels increase as the Company approaches the stronger spring and summer selling seasons. The cash collections have historically improved in the third quarter following the spring and summer selling seasons. Cash used for the seasonal increase of accounts receivable and inventory levels was $27.1 million in the first three months of 2008 compared to $12.2 in the prior year period. The seasonal accounts receivable and inventory build was higher than usual in the first quarter of 2008 as a result of the efforts to procure and sell product for the fulfillment of Lowe’s strategy to reset in-store minimum on-hand quantities. This resulted in an increase in cash used of $14.9 million in the first three months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007.
Investing Activities
The principal recurring investing activities are property additions primarily for key duplicating machines. The net property additions for the first three months of 2008 were $4.1 million which consisted of $2.1 million for key duplicating machines, $0.8 million for engraving machines and $1.2 million for computer software and equipment. The net property additions of $3.7 million in the first three months of 2007 consisted of $2.8 million for key duplicating machines, $0.4 million for engraving machines and $0.5 million for computer software and equipment.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $9.0 million compared to $5.5 million for the comparable period in 2007. The current year period includes $9.1 million in cash provided by additional borrowings, net of repayments, on the revolving credit facility compared to cash provided from revolver borrowings of $6.1 million in the prior year period. The revolving credit facility was used to fund the seasonal increase in working capital described in “Operating Activities” for the current and prior years.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s working capital position (defined as current assets less current liabilities) of $133.8 million at March 31, 2008 represents an increase of $8.7 million from the December 31, 2007 level of $125.1 million. The primary factor for this increase in working capital was the seasonal increase of accounts receivable and inventories of $27.1 million which was partially offset by an increase in accounts payable of $6.8 million and a decrease in cash of $10.0 million. The Company’s current ratio (defined as current assets divided by current liabilities) increased to 3.47x at March 31, 2008 from 2.77x at December 31, 2007.
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The Company’s contractual obligations in thousands of dollars as of March 31, 2008:
                                         
            Payments Due  
            Less Than     1 to 3     3 to 5     More Than  
Contractual Obligations   Total     1 Year     Years     Years     5 Years  
Junior Subordinated Debentures (1)
  $ 116,407     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ 116,407  
Long Term Senior Term Loans
    231,475       2,350       172,578       56,547       —  
Bank Revolving Credit Facility
    9,120       —       —       9,120       —  
Long Term Unsecured Subordinated Notes
    49,820       —       —       49,820       —  
Interest Payments (2)
    52,604       18,075       31,770       2,759       —  
Operating Leases
    42,428       8,017       10,686       8,333       15,392  
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock
    89,833       —       —       —       89,833  
Management Purchased Options
    5,469       —       —       —       5,469  
Accrued Stock Based Compensation on Preferred Options
    8,547       —       —       —       8,547  
Deferred Compensation Obligations
    5,304       343       686       686       3,589  
Capital Lease Obligations
    706       359       283       64       —  
Purchase Obligations
    350       350       —       —       —  
Other Long Term Obligations
    2,794       1,150       962       240       442  
FIN 48 Liabilities
    2,875       —       —       —       2,875  
 
                             
 
Total Contractual Cash Obligations (3)
  $ 617,732     $ 30,644     $ 216,965     $ 127,569     $ 242,554  
 
                             
 
(1)   The junior subordinated debentures liquidation value is approximately $108,707.
 
(2)   Interest payments for Long Term Senior Term Loans and Long Term Unsecured Subordinated Notes. Interest payments on the variable rate Long Term Senior Term Loans were calculated using actual interest rates as of March 31, 2008 and a LIBOR rate of 2.6875% plus applicable margin of 3.0% thereafter.
 
(3)   All of the contractual obligations noted above are reflected on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2008 except for the interest payments and operating leases. In addition to the contractual obligations above, the Company has issued certain equity securities to management shareholders with terms that allow them to be put back to the Company upon termination from employment, death or disability. The terms of the equity securities held by management limit cash distributions for puttable equity securities to an aggregate of $5.0 million per annum. As of March 31, 2008, no equity securities have been put back to the Company by management shareholders. See Note 9, Common and Preferred Stock, to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
The Company has a purchase agreement with its supplier of key blanks which requires minimum purchases of 100 million key blanks per year. To the extent minimum purchases of key blanks are below 100 million, the Company must pay the supplier $.0035 per key multiplied by the shortfall. Since the inception of the contract in 1998, the Company has purchased more than the requisite 100 million key blanks per year from the supplier. The Company extended this contract for an additional two years in 2007.
The Company had approximately $231.5 million of outstanding debt under its collateralized credit facilities at March 31, 2008, consisting of $230.9 million in a term loan and $0.6 million in capitalized lease obligations. The term loan consisted of a $230.9 million Term B Loan (the “Term Loan B”) currently at a one (1) month LIBOR rate plus margin of 5.6875%. The capitalized lease obligations were at various interest rates.
As of March 31, 2008, the Company had $29.2 million available under its $40.0 million revolving credit facility compared to availability of $34.8 million as of December 31, 2007. The availability under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2008 was reduced by borrowing of $5.5 million and outstanding letters of credit of $5.3 million.
As of March 31, 2008, the Company had no material purchase commitments for capital expenditures.
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Interest on the Subordinated Debt Issuance of $47.5 million which matures September 30, 2011 was 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. Effective July 21, 2006, the Subordinated Debt Agreement was amended to reduce the interest rate to a fixed rate of 10.0% payable quarterly. At March 31, 2008, the outstanding Subordinated Debt Issuance was $49.8 million.
The Senior Credit and Subordinated Debt Agreements, among other provisions, contain financial covenants requiring the maintenance of specific fixed charge, leverage and interest coverage ratios, restricting the incurrence of additional debt and the sale of assets, and permit acquisitions only with the consent of the lenders. At March 31, 2008, the fixed charge ratio was 1.41 on a minimum requirement of 1.15, the interest coverage ratio was 3.17 on a minimum requirement of 2.50 and the leverage ratio was 3.85 on a maximum requirement of 4.00.
The Company was in compliance with all other provisions of the Senior Credit and Subordinated Debt Agreements as of March 31, 2008 and management believes the likelihood of default is remote.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Significant accounting policies and estimates are summarized in the footnotes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Some accounting policies require management to exercise significant judgment in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. Such judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on our historical experience, known trends in our industry, terms of existing contracts and other information from outside sources, as appropriate. Management believes these estimates and assumptions are reasonable based on the facts and circumstances as of March 31, 2008, however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and circumstances.
We identified our critical accounting policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. We believe there have been no changes in these critical accounting policies. We have summarized our critical accounting policies either in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements or below:
Common and Preferred Stock:
In connection with the March 31, 2004 acquisition of the Company by affiliates of Code Hennessey & Simmons LLC, certain members of management entered into an Executive Securities Agreement (“ESA”). The ESA provides the method and terms under which management proceeds were invested in the Company. Under the terms of the ESA, management shareholders have the right to put their Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class A Preferred Stock Options and Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock Options back to the Company at fair market value if employment is terminated for other than cause and upon death or disability. The terms of the ESA limit the total amount of redemption from all puttable equity securities to an aggregate of $5 million per year.
The fair value of the Class A Preferred Stock Options and Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock Options is equal to the liquidation value of $1,000 per share plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon. The aggregate fair value of the puttable Class A Preferred Stock Options and Hillman Investment Company Class A Preferred Stock Options at December 31, 2007 was $8,913.
According to the ESA, the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock is to be determined by the Board of Directors using an enterprise basis and taking into account all relevant market factors.
Stock-Based Compensation:
During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of, and accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123—revised 2004 (“SFAS 123R”), “Share-Based Payment” which replaced Statement of Financial
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Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. The Company elected the modified-prospective method, under which prior periods are not revised for comparative purposes. The valuation provisions of SFAS 123R apply to new grants and to grants that were outstanding prior to the effective date and are subsequently modified. Estimated compensation for grants that were outstanding as of the effective date will be recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost estimated for the SFAS 123 pro forma disclosures. See Note 10, Stock Based Compensation, of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
Revenue Recognition:
Revenue is recognized when products are shipped or delivered to customers depending upon when title and risks of ownership have passed.
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 reserves are established based on historical rates of returns and allowances. The reserves are adjusted quarterly based on actual experience. Returns and allowances are included in the determination of net sales.
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 $528 as of March 31, 2008 and $597 as of December 31, 2007.
Inventory Realization:
Inventories consisting predominantly of finished goods are valued at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined principally on the weighted average cost 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 twenty-four month period or with on hand quantities in excess of twenty-four months average usage. The inventory reserve amounts were $6,981 as of March 31, 2008 and $6,164 as of December 31, 2007.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which requires that goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives no longer be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment at least annually. If the carrying amount of goodwill is greater than the fair value, impairment may be present. The Company’s independent appraiser, John Cole, CPA, CVA, assesses the value of its goodwill based on a discounted cash flow model and multiple of earnings. Assumptions critical to the Company’s fair value estimates under the discounted cash flow model include the discount rate, projected average revenue growth and projected long-term growth rates in the determination of terminal values.
The Company also evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets (primarily trademarks and trade names) for impairment annually. The Company also tests for impairment if events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an
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indefinite-lived intangible asset is below its carrying amount. Assumptions critical to the Company’s evaluation of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment include: the discount rate, royalty rates used in its evaluation of trade names, projected average revenue growth, and projected long-term growth rates in the determination of terminal values. An impairment charge is recorded if the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the estimated fair value on the measurement date.
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.
Risk Insurance Reserves:
The Company self insures its product liability, automotive, worker’s compensation and general liability losses up to $250 thousand per occurrence. Catastrophic coverage has been purchased from third party insurers for occurrences in excess of $250 thousand up to $35 million. The two risk areas involving the most significant accounting estimates are workers’ compensation and automotive liability. Actuarial valuations performed by the Company’s outside risk insurance expert, Insurance Services Office, Inc., were used to form the basis for workers’ compensation and automotive liability loss reserves. The actuary contemplated the Company’s specific loss history, actual claims reported, and industry trends among statistical and other factors to estimate the range of reserves required. Risk insurance reserves are comprised of specific reserves for individual claims and additional amounts expected for development of these claims, as well as for incurred but not yet reported claims. The Company believes the liability recorded for such risk insurance reserves is adequate as of March 31, 2008, but due to judgments inherent in the reserve estimation process it is possible the ultimate costs will differ from this estimate.
The Company self-insures its group health claims up to an annual stop loss limit of $175 thousand per participant. Aggregate coverage is maintained for annual group health insurance claims in excess of 125% of expected claims. Historical group insurance loss experience forms the basis for the recognition of group health insurance reserves.
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Item 3.
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 the Company’s policy to enter into interest rate transactions only to the extent considered necessary to meet objectives.
On August 28, 2006, 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 at 5.375% plus applicable interest rate margin.
Based on the Company’s exposure to variable rate borrowings at March 31, 2008, 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 $1.9 million.
The Company is exposed to foreign exchange rate changes of the Canadian and Mexican currencies as it impacts the $3.6 million net asset value of its Canadian and Mexican subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008. Management considers the Company’s exposure to foreign currency translation gains or losses to be immaterial.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, which included the matters discussed below, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period ended March 31, 2008, in ensuring that material information relating to The Hillman Companies, Inc. required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. – 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 1A. – Risk Factors.
     There have been no material changes to the risks related to the Company.
Item 2. – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
     Not Applicable
Item 3. – Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
     Not Applicable
Item 4. – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
     Not Applicable
Item 5. – Other Information.
     Not Applicable
Item 6. – Exhibits.
         
a)
      Exhibits, including those incorporated by reference.
 
       
31.1
  *   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
       
31.2
  *   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
       
32.1
  *   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
       
32.2
  *   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
*   Filed herewith.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE HILLMAN COMPANIES, INC.
     
/s/ James P. Waters
  /s/ Harold J. Wilder
 
   
James P. Waters
  Harold J. Wilder
Vice President — Finance
  Controller
(Chief Financial Officer)
  (Chief Accounting Officer)
DATE: May 15, 2008
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