Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended August 28, 2010

OR

 

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

For the transition period from             to             

Commission file number: 001-09225

 

 

H.B. FULLER COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Minnesota   41-0268370

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1200 Willow Lake Boulevard, St. Paul, Minnesota   55110-5101
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(651) 236-5900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, was 48,978,763 as of September 17, 2010.

 

 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     August 28,     August 29,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Net revenue

   $ 338,568     $ 315,329     $ 995,918     $ 893,086  

Cost of sales

     (242,294     (214,914     (700,857     (628,264
                                

Gross profit

     96,274       100,415       295,061       264,822  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (73,584     (68,324     (220,324     (192,446

Asset impairment charges

     —          —          (8,785     (790

Other income (expense), net

     1,041       18,487       2,318       16,142  

Interest expense

     (2,669     (1,680     (7,660     (6,266
                                

Income before income taxes and income from equity investments

     21,062       48,898       60,610       81,462  

Income taxes

     (4,071     (15,113     (17,152     (26,175

Income from equity investments

     1,859       1,677       5,391       3,744  
                                

Net income including non-controlling interests

     18,850       35,462       48,849       59,031  

Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests

     128       (49     92       56  
                                

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller

   $ 18,978     $ 35,413     $ 48,941     $ 59,087  
                                

Earnings per share attributable to H.B. Fuller common stockholders:

        

Basic

   $ 0.39     $ 0.73     $ 1.01     $ 1.22  

Diluted

   $ 0.38     $ 0.72     $ 0.99     $ 1.21  

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     48,595       48,343       48,552       48,312  

Diluted

     49,585       49,242       49,564       49,031  

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.0700     $ 0.0680     $ 0.2080     $ 0.2020  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     August 28,     November 28,  
     2010     2009  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 140,717     $ 100,154  

Trade receivables (net of allowances - $6,078 and $7,119, for August 28, 2010 and November 28, 2009, respectively)

     209,429       203,898  

Inventories

     148,464       116,907  

Other current assets

     53,323       52,697  
                

Total current assets

     551,933       473,656  
                

Property, plant and equipment

     797,465       815,521  

Accumulated depreciation

     (550,561     (562,221
                

Property, plant and equipment, net

     246,904       253,300  
                

Other assets

     139,733       128,558  

Goodwill

     106,290       103,731  

Other intangibles, net

     133,809       141,200  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,178,669     $ 1,100,445  
                

Liabilities and equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Notes payable

   $ 25,737     $ 8,690  

Current installments of long-term debt

     22,500       42,625  

Trade payables

     118,967       109,165  

Accrued compensation

     39,478       43,840  

Other accrued expenses

     24,643       25,427  

Income taxes payable

     3,565       6,261  
                

Total current liabilities

     234,890       236,008  
                

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

     251,118       162,713  

Accrued pension liabilities

     41,647       50,684  

Other liabilities

     51,470       56,798  
                

Total liabilities

     579,125       506,203  
                

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —     

Equity:

    

H.B. Fuller stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized – 10,045,900

     —          —     

Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, Shares authorized – 160,000,000, Shares outstanding – 48,976,295 and 48,657,618, for August 28, 2010 and November 28, 2009, respectively

     48,976       48,658  

Additional paid-in capital

     19,579       12,309  

Retained earnings

     628,132       589,451  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (99,956     (59,064
                

Total H.B. Fuller stockholders’ equity

     596,731       591,354  
                

Non-controlling interests

     2,813       2,888  
                

Total equity

     599,544       594,242  
                

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,178,669     $ 1,100,445  
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Non-Controlling
Interests
    Total  

Balance at November 29, 2008

   $ 48,448     $ 5,280     $ 518,937     $ (37,054   $ 2,843     $ 538,454  

Net income including non-controlling interests

         83,654         32       83,686  

Foreign currency translation

           66,758       13       66,771  

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of tax of $49,605

           (88,629       (88,629

Interest rate swap, net of tax

           (139       (139
                  

Comprehensive income

               61,689  

Effect of eliminating early measurement date for pension plans, net of tax of $116

         29           29  

Dividends

         (13,169         (13,169

Stock option exercises

     59       777             836  

Share-based compensation plans other, net

     176       6,388             6,564  

Tax benefit on share-based compensation plans

       201             201  

Repurchases of common stock

     (25     (337           (362
                                                

Balance at November 28, 2009

     48,658       12,309       589,451       (59,064     2,888       594,242  

Net income including non-controlling interests

         48,941         (92     48,849  

Foreign currency translation

           (44,203     17       (44,186

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of tax of $1,714

           3,290         3,290  

Interest rate swaps, net of tax

           21         21  
                  

Comprehensive income

               7,974  

Dividends

         (10,260         (10,260

Stock option exercises

     142       1,782             1,924  

Share-based compensation plans other, net

     194       5,757             5,951  

Tax benefit on share-based compensation plans

       90             90  

Repurchases of common stock

     (18     (359           (377
                                                

Balance at August 28, 2010

   $ 48,976     $ 19,579     $ 628,132     $ (99,956   $ 2,813     $ 599,544  
                                                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28, 2010     August 29, 2009  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income including non-controlling interests

   $ 48,849     $ 59,031  

Adjustments to reconcile net income including non-controlling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation

     22,392       24,448  

Amortization

     8,325       8,982  

Deferred income taxes

     1,063       3,323  

Income from equity investments

     (5,391     (3,744

Share-based compensation

     5,607       4,109  

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

     (90     (27

Asset impairment charges

     8,785       790  

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

    

Trade receivables, net

     (9,256     25,477  

Inventories

     (34,102     38,112  

Other assets

     (4,604     1,010  

Trade payables

     9,736       (43,011

Accrued compensation

     (2,795     11,424  

Other accrued expenses

     (66     (3,943

Income taxes payable

     (2,364     (5,950

Accrued / prepaid pensions

     (6,885     (12,986

Other liabilities

     (5,952     (2,600

Other

     (6,068     12,866  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     27,184       117,311  

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchased property, plant and equipment

     (24,421     (15,191

Purchased businesses, net of cash acquired

     (26,768     (4,175

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     2,923       216  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (48,266     (19,150

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from long-term debt

     339,000       266,000  

Repayment of long-term debt

     (275,000     (263,000

Net proceeds from notes payable

     17,069       337  

Dividends paid

     (10,180     (9,816

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     1,924       593  

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

     90       27  

Repurchases of common stock

     (377     (361
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     72,526       (6,220

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (10,881     7,825  
                

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     40,563       99,766  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     100,154       80,370  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 140,717     $ 180,136  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Dividends paid with company stock

   $ 80     $ 86  

Cash paid for interest

   $ 10,251     $ 8,155  

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 24,663     $ 10,230  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations, financial position, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In our opinion, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended November 28, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements:

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued and, in April 2009, amended a new business combinations standard which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. The standard also establishes disclosure requirements that will enable users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The intent of the amendment is to address application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. This standard became effective for us on November 29, 2009, the beginning of our fiscal year 2010. With the adoption of this standard, as amended, our accounting for business combinations has changed on a prospective basis for business combinations completed after November 29, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued a new standard which established the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. This standard requires that non-controlling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) be included in the consolidated balance sheets within equity separate from the parent’s equity; consolidated net income be reported at amounts inclusive of both the parent’s and the non-controlling interests shares, with disclosure on the face of the consolidated statements of earnings of the amounts attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interests; changes in a parent’s ownership be treated as an equity transaction; and if a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained non-controlling interests in the former subsidiary be measured at fair value with gain or loss recognized in net earnings. These provisions are to be applied prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. This standard became effective for us on November 29, 2009, the beginning of our fiscal year 2010. Other than the change in presentation of non-controlling interests, this adoption did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued an accounting standard which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. The objective is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under the accounting standards. This standard applies to all intangible assets, whether acquired in a business combination or otherwise. The standard became effective for us on November 29, 2009, the beginning of our fiscal year 2010 and has been applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after November 29, 2009.

In January 2010, the FASB updated the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The updated guidance requires companies to disclose separately the investments that transfer in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and the reasons for those transfers. Additionally, in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable

 

6


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

inputs (Level 3), companies should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, which for us was February 28, 2010, the beginning of our second quarter in fiscal 2010. The adoption did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. The disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the Level 3 reconciliation are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, our fiscal 2012.

New Accounting Pronouncements:

In December 2008, the FASB issued an accounting standard regarding a company’s disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets. This standard provides guidance on disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. These new disclosures will provide users of the financial statements with an understanding of how investment allocation decisions are made, the major categories of plan assets, input and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, the effects of fair value measurements and the significant concentrations of risk in regard to the plan assets. The requirement for the new disclosures is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009 which for us will be our 2010 fiscal year ending November 27, 2010.

In October 2009, the FASB updated the revenue recognition accounting guidance relating to the accounting for revenue arrangements involving multiple deliverables. These updates require companies to allocate revenue in arrangements involving multiple deliverables based on the estimated selling price of each deliverable, even though such deliverables are not sold separately either by the company itself or other vendors. This guidance eliminates the requirement that all undelivered elements must have objective and reliable evidence of fair value before a company can recognize the portion of the overall arrangement fee that is attributable to items that already have been delivered. As a result, the new guidance may allow some companies to recognize revenue on transactions that involve multiple deliverables earlier than under current requirements. The updates are effective for revenue arrangements that begin or are changed in fiscal years that start June 15, 2010 or later which will be our fiscal year 2011.

Note 2: Acquisitions

Revertex Finewaters Sdn. Bhd. On June 2, 2010, we acquired the outstanding shares of Revertex Finewaters Sdn. Bhd., a supplier of adhesives in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, based outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The acquisition further strengthens our market position in Southeast Asia and expands our geographic presence and customer portfolio in the region. The acquisition was a stock purchase and therefore encompasses all Revertex Finewaters’ business operations. The acquisition was recorded in our Asia Pacific operating segment.

The purchase price of $26,768, which was net of cash acquired of $557, was funded through existing cash. We also incurred acquisition related costs of approximately $498, which were recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Based on valuations, we recorded:

 

Current assets (including cash acquired)

   $ 7,736  

Property, plant and equipment

     3,820  

Intangibles

     11,144  

Goodwill

     12,289  

Current liabilities

     (4,234

Long-term liabilities

     (3,430
        

Total purchase price (including cash acquired)

   $ 27,325  
        

 

7


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Of the $11,144 of acquired intangibles, $7,271 was assigned to customer relationships with an expected life of 12 years, $2,978 was assigned to trademarks with an expected life of 15 years and $895 was assigned to non-competition agreements with an expected life of 5 years.

Nordic Adhesive Technology: On April 20, 2009 we acquired the outstanding shares of Nordic Adhesive Technology GmbH., a developer and manufacturer of flexible packaging adhesives, based in Buxtehude, Germany. The acquisition complements our existing product line, enhances our applications knowledge and enables us to expand our presence in the flexible packaging segment of the adhesives industry. The acquisition was a stock purchase and therefore encompasses all Nordic Adhesive Technology business operations. Intangible assets identified were customer lists, technology, trademarks and non-competition agreements.

The original purchase price of $4,175, which was net of cash acquired of $370, was funded through existing cash. We also incurred $295 of direct external costs for legal and due diligence expenses. The acquisition was recorded in our EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East and Africa) operating segment.

The former shareholders of Nordic Adhesive Technology are entitled to an earn-out of up to €2,600, over the first three years, based on certain financial performance criteria. The first earn-out was based on financial performance for a period from April 2009 to April 2010. According to the terms of the agreement, the first earn-out period resulted in the shareholders earning €624 or approximately $766. This amount was recorded in the second quarter of 2010 and was considered additional purchase price, which increased goodwill. There are two remaining earn-out periods that could result in additional payments of up to €1,976 which would also be considered additional purchase price. No amounts have been accrued for the remaining two earn-out periods as the contingency has not been resolved and additional consideration is not distributable as of the end of the third quarter of 2010.

Note 3: Accounting for Share-Based Compensation

Overview: We have various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards including stock options, restricted stock and deferred compensation. These equity awards fall under several plans and are described in detail in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K/A as of November 28, 2009.

Grant-Date Fair Value: We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of an award. The fair value of options granted during the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009, respectively, were calculated using the following assumptions:

 

     39 Weeks Ended1 
     August 28, 2010    August 29, 2009

Expected life (in years)

   5   

Weighted-average expected volatility

   50.81%    44.79%

Expected volatility

   50.80% - 51.10%    44.73% - 45.80%

Risk-free interest rate

   2.15%    1.51%

Expected dividend yield

   1.35%    1.87%

Weighted-average fair value of grants

   $8.52    $4.86

 

1

There were no options granted for the 13 week periods ended August 28, 2010 or August 29, 2009

Expected life – We use historical employee exercise and option expiration data to estimate the expected life assumption for the Black-Scholes grant-date valuation. We believe that this historical data is currently the best estimate of the expected term of a new option. We use a weighted-average expected life for all awards.

Expected volatility – Volatility is calculated using our historical volatility for the same period of time as the expected life. We have no reason to believe that our future volatility will differ from the past.

Risk-free interest rate – The rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant for the same period of time as the expected life.

 

8


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Expected dividend yield – The calculation is based on the total expected annual dividend payout divided by the average stock price.

Expense Recognition: We use the straight-line attribution method to recognize expense for option awards with graded vesting and restricted stock awards with graded and cliff vesting.

The amount of share-based compensation recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. We currently expect, based on an analysis of our historical forfeitures and known forfeitures on existing awards, that approximately 82 percent and 85 percent of our unvested outstanding options and restricted stock awards will vest, respectively.

Total share-based compensation expense of $2,045 and $1,583 was included in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the 13 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009, respectively. Included in these amounts were $877 and $644 of stock option expense, respectively. Total share-based compensation expense of $5,607 and $4,109 was included in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009, respectively. Included in these amounts were $3,109 and $2,184 of stock option expense, respectively. No share-based compensation was capitalized. All share-based compensation was recorded as selling, general and administrative expense. For the 13 weeks ended August 28, 2010 there was $4 written off against the APIC Pool for tax deficiencies. For the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 there was $90 of excess tax benefit recognized. For the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended August 29, 2009, there was $1 and $27, respectively, of excess tax benefit recognized.

As of August 28, 2010, there was $6,122 of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock option awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards was $3,568, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.

Share-based Activity

A summary of option activity as of August 28, 2010 and changes during the 39 weeks then ended is presented below:

 

           Weighted-
           Average
     Options     Exercise Price

Outstanding at November 28, 2009

   2,743,223     $ 15.68

Granted

   570,264       20.65

Exercised

   (141,925     13.56

Forfeited or Cancelled

   (177,210     20.33
            

Outstanding at August 28, 2010

   2,994,352     $ 17.58

No options were granted during the 13 weeks ended August 28, 2010 or August 29, 2009. Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the 13 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009 were $57 and $154, respectively. Intrinsic value is the difference between our closing stock price on the respective trading day and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options exercised. The fair value of options granted during the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009 were $4,861 and $4,241, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009 were $1,233 and $172, respectively. Proceeds received from option exercises during the 13 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009 were $64 and $513, respectively and $1,924 and $593 during the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009, respectively.

 

9


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options as of August 28, 2010:

 

Range of Exercise Prices

   Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
   Options    Life1      Price2      Value3      Options    Life1      Price2      Value3   

$5.01-$10.00

   214,335    0.3      $ 9.31      $ 2,207      214,335    0.3      $ 9.31      $ 2,207   

$10.01-$15.00

   1,290,694    6.1        13.90        7,365      704,935    4.3        13.77        4,114   

$15.01-$20.00

   389,695    6.3        17.29        931      286,328    5.3        16.38        928   

$20.01-$25.00

   576,732    9.2        20.66        —        11,985    7.6        20.93        —     

$25.01-$30.00

   522,896    6.8        26.85        —        328,150    6.7        26.88        —     
                                                      
   2,994,352    6.4      $ 17.58      $ 10,503      1,545,733    4.4      $ 16.48      $ 7,249   

 

1

Represents the weighted-average remaining contractual life in years.

2

Represents the weighted-average exercise price.

3

Represents the aggregate intrinsic value, in thousands, based on our closing stock price on the last trading day of the quarter for in-the-money options.

A summary of nonvested restricted stock activity as of August 28, 2010, and changes during the 39 weeks then ended is presented below:

 

                            Weighted-
                       Weighted-    Average
                       Average    Remaining
                       Grant    Contractual
                       Date Fair    Life
     Units     Shares     Total     Value    (in Years)

Nonvested at November 28, 2009

   83,266     273,104     356,370     $ 19.32    1.7

Granted

   71,770     155,757     227,527       21.06    2.8

Vested

   (13,583   (52,059   (65,642     26.79    —  

Forfeited

   (26,529   (9,332   (35,861     18.85    1.7
                             

Nonvested at August 28, 2010

   114,924     367,470     482,394     $ 19.16    1.9

Total fair value of restricted stock vested during the 13 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009 was $5 and $9, respectively. Total fair value of restricted stock vested during the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009 was $1,441 and $1,245, respectively. The total fair value of nonvested restricted stock at August 28, 2010 was $9,243.

We repurchased 142 restricted stock shares during the 13 weeks ended August 29, 2009 and 17,804 and 24,808 restricted stock shares during the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009, respectively, in conjunction with restricted stock vestings. We did not repurchase restricted stock shares during the 13 weeks ended August 28, 2010. The repurchases relate to statutory minimum tax withholding. We do not expect any additional restricted stock shares to be repurchased in fiscal 2010.

We have a Directors’ Deferred Compensation plan that allows non-employee directors to defer all or a portion of their retainer and meeting fees in a number of investment choices, including units representing shares of our common stock. We also have a Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan that allows key employees to defer a portion of their eligible compensation in a number of investment choices, including units, representing shares of our common stock. A summary of deferred compensation unit activity as of August 28, 2010, and changes during the 39 weeks then ended is presented below:

 

      Non-employee
Directors
    Employees     Total  

Units outstanding November 28, 2009

   268,863     97,641     366,504  

Participant contributions

   12,948     2,762     15,710  

Company match contributions1  

   27,241     554     27,795  

Payouts

   (35,060   (10,902   (45,962
                  

Units outstanding August 28, 2010

   273,992     90,055     364,047  

 

1

The non-employee directors’ company match includes 24,924 deferred compensation units paid as discretionary awards to all non-employee directors.

 

10


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Deferred compensation units are fully vested at the date of contribution.

Note 4: Earnings Per Share

A reconciliation of the common share components for the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended    39 Weeks Ended
     August 28,    August 29,    August 28,    August 29,
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Weighted-average common shares - basic

   48,594,685    48,342,997    48,552,383    48,312,164

Equivalent shares from share-based compensations plans

   990,790    899,193    1,011,966    719,062
                   

Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares - diluted

   49,585,475    49,242,190    49,564,349    49,031,226
                   

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to H.B. Fuller by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share is based upon the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the applicable period. The difference between basic and diluted earnings per share is attributable to share-based compensation awards. We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding shares, which computes total employee proceeds as the sum of (a) the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award, (b) the amount of unearned share-based compensation costs attributed to future services and (c) the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the award. Share-based compensation awards for which total employee proceeds exceed the average market price over the applicable period have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Options to purchase 1,204,526 and 655,878 shares of common stock at the weighted-average exercise price of $23.37 and $26.38 for the 13 week periods ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009, respectively, and options to purchase 1,197,234 and 1,469,370 shares of common stock at the weighted-average exercise price of $23.34 and $19.96 for the 39 week periods ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculations because they were antidilutive.

Note 5: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss follow:

 

     August 28, 2010  
     Total     H.B. Fuller
Stockholders
    Non-controlling
Interests
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   $ 34,824     $ 34,820     $ 4  

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment net of taxes

     (134,548     (134,548     —     

Interest rate swap

     (228     (228     —     
                        

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (99,952   $ (99,956   $ 4  
                        
     November 28, 2009  
     Total     H.B. Fuller
Stockholders
    Non-controlling
Interests
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   $ 79,010     $ 79,023     $ (13

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment net of taxes

     (137,838     (137,838     —     

Interest rate swap

     (249     (249     —     
                        

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (59,077   $ (59,064   $ (13
                        

 

11


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 6: Components of Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) related to Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

 

     13 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009  
           Other  
     Pension Benefits     Postretirement  
     U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans     Benefits  

Net periodic cost (benefit):

   2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 1,374     $ 1,105     $ 236     $ 242     $ 135     $ 103  

Interest cost

     4,276       4,260       1,650       1,833       731       787  

Expected return on assets

     (6,558     (5,693     (1,850     (1,719     (684     (840

Amortization:

            

Prior service cost

     17       26       (1     (1     (1,159     (1,159

Actuarial (gain)/ loss

     616       27       588       244       1,583       1,043  

Transition amount

     —          —          —          5       —          —     

Settlement

     —          —          144       —          —          —     
                                                

Net periodic cost (benefit)

   $ (275   $ (275   $ 767     $ 604     $ 606     $ (66
                                                
     39 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 and August 29, 2009  
           Other  
     Pension Benefits     Postretirement  
     U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans     Benefits  

Net periodic cost (benefit):

   2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 4,122     $ 3,316     $ 776     $ 692     $ 406     $ 311  

Interest cost

     12,828       12,779       5,238       5,210       2,192       2,362  

Expected return on assets

     (19,674     (17,078     (5,861     (4,874     (2,051     (2,521

Amortization:

            

Prior service cost

     50       78       (3     (3     (3,477     (3,477

Actuarial (gain)/ loss

     1,850       82       1,894       692       4,749       3,129  

Transition amount

     —          —          —          15       —          —     

Settlement

     —          —          965       —          —          —     
                                                

Net periodic cost (benefit)

   $ (824   $ (823   $ 3,009     $ 1,732     $ 1,819     $ (196
                                                

As a result of a plant closing, elections for lump-sum payouts made by terminated employees triggered a settlement for the Canadian Pension Plan. Since a portion of the participants that were impacted received their payouts during the second and third quarters of 2010, we have incurred additional expense of $144 and $965 for the third quarter and first nine months ended August 28, 2010, respectively.

Note 7: Inventories

The composition of inventories follows:

 

     August 28,     November 28,  
     2010     2009  

Raw materials

   $ 81,447     $ 61,849  

Finished goods

     86,206       72,513  

LIFO reserve

     (19,189     (17,455
                

Total inventories

   $ 148,464     $ 116,907  
                

Note 8: Financial Instruments

As a result of being a global enterprise, our earnings, cash flows and financial position are exposed to foreign currency risk from foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. These items are denominated in various

 

12


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

foreign currencies, including the Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, British pound sterling, Japanese yen, Swiss franc, Argentine peso, Brazilian real, Chilean peso, Columbian peso, Costa Rican colones, Chinese renminbi and Honduran lempira.

Our objective is to balance, where possible, local currency denominated assets to local currency denominated liabilities to have a natural hedge and minimize foreign exchange impacts. We take steps to minimize risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments. We do not enter into any speculative positions with regard to derivative instruments.

We enter into derivative contracts with a group of investment grade multinational commercial banks. Each of these banks is a participant in our revolving credit facility. We evaluate the credit quality of each of these banks on a periodic basis as warranted.

Foreign currency derivative instruments outstanding are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, the gains and losses related to mark-to-market adjustments are recognized as other income or expense in the income statement during the periods in which the derivative instruments are outstanding. See Note 13, Fair Value Measurements, for the fair value amounts of these derivative instruments.

As of August 28, 2010, we had forward foreign currency contracts maturing between September 13, 2010 and April 18, 2011. The mark-to-market effect associated with these contracts, on a net basis, was a loss of $261 at August 28, 2010. These losses were largely offset by the underlying transaction gains and losses resulting from the foreign currency exposures for which these contracts relate.

Effective November 13, 2009, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to convert all of Series A, all of Series B, and $25 million of Series C from our new Senior Notes agreement to variable interest rates. The swaps convert our Series A Senior Notes from a fixed rate of 5.13 percent to a variable rate of 6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.59 percent, our Series B Senior Notes from a fixed rate of 5.13 percent to a variable rate of 6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.47 percent, and the $25 million of Series C Senior Notes from a fixed rate of 5.61 percent to a variable rate of 6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.78 percent. The change in fair value of the Senior Notes swapped into variable rates, was a liability of $5,618 at August 28, 2010 and was included in long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet. The fair values of the swaps in total were an asset of $5,503 at August 28, 2010 and were included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. The swaps were designated for hedge accounting treatment. The changes in the fair value of the swap and the fair value of the Senior Notes are recorded as other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of income. In a perfectly effective hedge relationship, the two fair value calculations would exactly offset each other. Any difference in the calculation represents hedge ineffectiveness. The hedge ineffectiveness calculations as of August 28, 2010 resulted in additional income of $1,157 for the third quarter of 2010 and additional income of $172 year-to-date.

Note 9: Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental: From time to time, we are identified as a “potentially responsible party” (“PRP”) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and/or similar state laws that impose liability for costs relating to the clean up of contamination resulting from past spills, disposal or other release of hazardous substances. We are also subject to similar laws in some of the countries where current and former facilities are located. Our environmental, health and safety department monitors compliance with all applicable laws on a global basis.

Currently we are involved in various environmental investigations, clean up activities and administrative proceedings and lawsuits. In particular, we are currently deemed a PRP in conjunction with numerous other parties, in a number of government enforcement actions associated with hazardous waste sites. As a PRP, we may be required to pay a share of the costs of investigation and clean up of these sites. In addition, we are engaged in environmental remediation and monitoring efforts at a number of current and former operating facilities, including remediation of environmental contamination at the Sorocaba, Brazil facility. Soil and water samples were collected on and around the Sorocaba facility, and test results indicated that certain contaminants, including carbon tetrachloride and other solvents, exist in the soil at the Sorocaba facility and in the groundwater at both the Sorocaba facility and some neighboring properties. We are continuing to work with Brazilian regulatory authorities to implement and operate a remediation system at the site. As of August 28, 2010, $1,000 was recorded as a liability for expected remediation expenses remaining for this site. Depending on the results of testing of our current remediation actions, we may be required to record additional liabilities related to remediation costs at the Sorocaba facility.

 

13


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

As of August 28, 2010, we had recorded $2,446 as the best probable estimate of aggregate liabilities for costs of environmental investigation and remediation, inclusive of the accrual related to the Sorocaba facility described above. These estimates are based primarily upon internal or third-party environmental studies, assessments as to our responsibility, the extent of the contamination and the nature of required remedial actions. Our current assessment of the probable liabilities and associated expenses related to environmental matters is based on the facts and circumstances known at this time. Recorded liabilities are adjusted as further information is obtained or circumstances change.

While uncertainties exist with respect to the amounts and timing of the ultimate environmental liabilities, based on currently available information, we do not believe that these matters, individually or in aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our long-term financial condition. However, adverse developments and/or periodic settlements could negatively impact the results of operations or cash flows in one or more future quarters.

Product Liability: As a participant in the chemical and construction products industries, we face an inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event that the alleged failure, use or misuse of our products results in or is alleged to result in property damage and/or bodily injury. From time to time and in the ordinary course of business, we are a party to, or a target of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, contract, patent and intellectual property, health and safety and employment matters.

We have been named as a defendant in lawsuits in various courts in which plaintiffs have alleged injury due to products containing asbestos manufactured more than 25 years ago. The plaintiffs generally bring these lawsuits against multiple defendants and seek damages (both actual and punitive) in very large amounts. In many of these cases, the plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable injuries or that the injuries suffered were the result of exposure to products manufactured by us. We are typically dismissed as a defendant in such cases without payment. If the plaintiff presents evidence indicating that compensable injury occurred as a result of exposure to our products, the case is generally settled for an amount that reflects the seriousness of the injury, the length, intensity and character of exposure to asbestos containing products, the number and solvency of other defendants in the case, and the jurisdiction in which the case has been brought.

A significant portion of the defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation continues to be paid by third parties, including indemnification pursuant to the provisions of a 1976 agreement under which we acquired a business from a third party. Historically, this third party routinely defended all cases tendered to it and paid settlement amounts resulting from those cases. In the 1990s, the third party sporadically reserved its rights, but continued to defend and settle all asbestos-related claims tendered to it by us. In 2002, the third party rejected the tender of certain cases and indicated it would seek contributions for past defense costs, settlements and judgments. However, this third party is defending and paying settlement amounts, under a reservation of rights, in most of the asbestos cases tendered to the third party. As discussed below, during the fourth quarter of 2007, we and a group of other defendants, including the third party obligated to indemnify us against certain asbestos-related claims, entered into negotiations with certain law firms to settle a number of asbestos-related lawsuits and claims.

In addition to the indemnification arrangements with third parties, we have insurance policies that generally provide coverage for asbestos liabilities (including defense costs). Historically, insurers have paid a significant portion of our defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation. However, certain of our insurers are insolvent. We have entered into cost-sharing agreements with our insurers that provide for the allocation of defense costs and, in some cases, settlements and judgments, in asbestos-related lawsuits. Under these agreements, we are required in some cases to fund a share of settlements and judgments allocable to years in which the responsible insurer is insolvent.

As referenced above, during the fourth quarter of 2007, we and a group of other defendants entered into negotiations with certain law firms to settle a number of asbestos-related lawsuits and claims over a period of years. In total, we expect to contribute up to $4,114 towards the settlement amount to be paid to the claimants in exchange for a full release of claims. Of this amount, our insurers have committed to pay $2,043 based on a probable liability of $4,114. Given that the remaining settlement payouts are expected to occur over a period of years and the accrual is based on the maximum number of cases to be settled, we applied a present value approach and have accrued $2,542 and recorded a receivable of $1,269, due from insurers, as of August 28, 2010.

 

14


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

In addition to the group settlement described above, a summary of the number, settlement amounts and insurance amounts for asbestos-related lawsuits and claims follows:

 

($ in thousands)

   39 Weeks Ended
August 28, 2010
   39 Weeks Ended
August 29, 2009

Lawsuits and claims settled

     3      2

Settlement amounts

   $ 448    $ 51

Insurance payments received or expected to be received

   $ 359    $ 35

We do not believe that it would be meaningful to disclose the aggregate number of asbestos-related lawsuits filed against us because relatively few of these lawsuits are known to involve exposure to asbestos-containing products that we manufactured. Rather, we believe it is more meaningful to disclose the number of lawsuits that are settled and result in a payment to the plaintiff.

To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liability for pending asbestos-related claims, we establish a financial provision and a corresponding receivable for insurance recoveries. As of August 28, 2010, our probable liabilities and insurance recoveries related to asbestos claims, inclusive of the amounts related to the group settlement described above, were $2,700 and $1,411, respectively. We have concluded that it is not possible to reasonably estimate the cost of disposing of other asbestos-related claims (including claims that might be filed in the future) due to our inability to project future events. Future variables include the number of claims filed or dismissed, proof of exposure to our products, seriousness of the alleged injury, the number and solvency of other defendants in each case, the jurisdiction in which the case is brought, the cost of disposing of such claims, the uncertainty of asbestos litigation, insurance coverage and indemnification agreement issues, and the continuing solvency of certain insurance companies.

Based on currently available information, we do not believe that asbestos-related litigation, individually or in aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our long-term financial condition. However, adverse developments and/or periodic settlements in such litigation could negatively impact the results of operations or cash flows in one or more future quarters.

In addition to product liability claims discussed above, we are involved in other claims or legal proceedings related to our products, which we believe are not out of the ordinary in a business of the type and size in which we are engaged.

Note 10: Operating Segments

We evaluate the performance of each of our operating segments based on operating income, which is defined as gross profit less selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses. Corporate expenses are fully allocated to each operating segment.

In the first quarter of 2010 we changed the name of our EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) operating segment to EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East, Africa). This was to acknowledge that the financial results of our entity in India are now included in this operating segment. The India entity began operations in the second half of 2009 and for that period the results were included in the Asia Pacific operating segment. The 2009 India results have been reclassified to the EIMEA operating segment.

The tables below provide certain information regarding the net revenue and operating income of each of our operating segments:

 

     13 Weeks Ended
     August 28, 2010    August 29, 2009
          Inter-              Inter-     
     Trade    Segment    Operating    Trade    Segment    Operating
     Revenue    Revenue    Income    Revenue    Revenue    Income

North America

   $ 146,583    $ 9,421    $ 18,491    $ 139,353    $ 7,176    $ 21,469

EIMEA

     97,307      2,533      2,276      94,145      2,278      7,043

Latin America

     53,726      —        1,207      49,635      12      1,448

Asia Pacific

     40,952      1,510      716      32,196      624      2,131
                                 

Total

   $ 338,568       $ 22,690    $ 315,329       $ 32,091
                                 

 

15


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     39 Weeks Ended
     August 28, 2010    August 29, 2009
          Inter-              Inter-     
     Trade    Segment    Operating    Trade    Segment    Operating
     Revenue    Revenue    Income    Revenue    Revenue    Income

North America

   $ 424,752    $ 30,844    $ 54,537    $ 393,820    $ 19,748    $ 51,348

EIMEA

     295,893      6,772      9,680      258,604      5,817      15,240

Latin America

     163,758      12      6,317      155,502      53      4,282

Asia Pacific

     111,515      4,999      4,203      85,160      1,928      1,506
                                 

Total

   $ 995,918       $ 74,737    $ 893,086       $ 72,376
                                 

Reconciliation of operating income to income before income taxes and income from equity investments:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     August 28,     August 29,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Operating income

   $ 22,690     $ 32,091     $ 74,737     $ 72,376  

Asset impairment charges

     —          —          (8,785     (790

Other income (expense), net

     1,041       18,487       2,318       16,142  

Interest expense

     (2,669     (1,680     (7,660     (6,266
                                

Income before income taxes and income from equity investments

   $ 21,062     $ 48,898     $ 60,610     $ 81,462  
                                

Note 11: Income Taxes

As of August 28, 2010, we had a $6,585 liability recorded under FASB ASC 740 “Income Taxes” for gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest). Of this total, $5,543 represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of August 28, 2010, we had accrued $1,611 of net interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits. During the third quarter of 2010 our recorded liability for unrecognized tax benefits, net, decreased by $4,101 principally as a result of audit activity in various jurisdictions. Of this amount, $3,805 was recognized as a discrete tax benefit in the third quarter.

We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for years prior to 2006 or for Swiss income tax examination for years prior to 2008. The U.S. federal examination of 2007 and 2008, that commenced in the first quarter of 2010, was completed in the third quarter of 2010. We are in various stages of examination and appeal in several state and other foreign jurisdictions. Although the final outcomes of these examinations cannot currently be determined, we believe that we have adequate accruals with respect to these examinations.

Note 12: Goodwill

As part of our April 20, 2009 acquisition of Nordic Adhesive Technology GmbH., the shareholders are entitled to an earn-out of up to €2,600, over the first three years, based on certain financial performance criteria. According to the terms of the agreement, the first earn-out period was the period between April 2009 and April 2010. Based on actual results, we will be paying the former shareholders an earn-out amount of €624 or approximately $766. This amount was recorded as additional goodwill in the second quarter of 2010.

 

16


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

During the third quarter of 2010, we acquired the outstanding shares of Revertex Finewaters Sdn. Bhd., a supplier of adhesives in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, for $26,768, which is net of cash acquired of $557. Based on valuations, we recorded $12,289 to goodwill.

A summary of goodwill activity for the first nine months of 2010 is presented below:

 

Balance at November 28, 2009

   $ 103,731  

Currency impact

     (6,958
        

Balance at February 27, 2010

     96,773  

Nordic Adhesive Technology earn-out

     766  

Currency impact

     (7,152
        

Balance at May 29, 2010

     90,387  

Revertex Finewaters acquisition

     12,289  

Currency impact

     3,614  
        

Balance at August 29, 2010

   $ 106,290  
        

Note 13: Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents information about our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 28, 2010, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include data points that are observable such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

 

          Fair Value Measurements Using:     
     August 28,                   Total

Description

   2010    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Gains (Losses)

Assets:

              

Cash equivalents

   $ 74,651    $ 11,072    $ 63,579    $ —      $ —  

Derivative assets

     280      —        280      —        —  

Interest rate swaps

     5,503      —        5,503      —        —  

Liabilities:

              

Derivative liabilities

   $ 541    $ —      $ 541    $ —      $ —  

Long-term debt

     80,618      —        80,618      —        —  

Note 14: Impairment of Long-lived Asset

During the second quarter of 2010, we decided to exit our polysulfide-based insulating glass product line in Europe. This is a commodity product line that was failing to meet return on gross investment targets. Exiting this product line will improve the growth and profitability profile of our EIMEA operating segment. In accordance with accounting standards, we determined that the carrying amount of this asset group was not recoverable and was therefore impaired. We calculated the fair value of the asset group using a present value technique. As a result of this analysis, we recorded exit costs and impairment charges in the second quarter of $11,368 ($8,440 after tax). Pre-tax asset impairment charges of $8,785 were recorded to write-down the value of intangible assets, a write-down on property, plant and equipment was recorded in costs of sales in the amount of $608 and exit costs of $1,975 were recorded of which $1,223 were recorded in cost of sales and $752 were in SG&A expense.

 

17


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 15: Subsequent Event

On September 10, 2010 a fire at our Portugal manufacturing site caused significant damage to a portion of one building and production in that specific unit has been temporarily idled. There were no injuries to employees and the fire was quickly brought under control. The portion of the building that was damaged produces water-based polymers used to manufacture adhesive products. Manufacturing facilities in Germany and the United Kingdom are viable options for replacing lost production. We are insured for events of this nature and our loss retention is $2,500 per event. At this time, we do not have an accurate estimate of the costs that may arise from this event.

We have evaluated subsequent events through the date the unaudited consolidated financial statements were issued. No other subsequent events have taken place that meet the definition of a subsequent event that requires disclosure in this filing.

 

18


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the MD&A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended November 28, 2009 for important background information related to our business.

Net revenue in the third quarter of 2010 increased 7.4 percent over the third quarter of 2009. Organic revenue growth, which we define as revenue growth due to changes in sales volume and selling prices, increased 8.9 percent as compared to the third quarter of 2009. Foreign currency fluctuations had a negative 3.1 percent impact on the third quarter net revenue as compared to last year. We completed the acquisition of Revertex Finewaters in Malaysia at the beginning of the third quarter and that contributed $5.1 million to the third quarter net revenue. Through nine months of 2010 the net revenue growth was 11.5 percent over last year and the organic growth was 9.7 percent. The most significant factor impacting the third quarter results was the increase in raw material costs primarily due to supply shortages. This limited our ability to substitute raw materials and reformulate products; a strategy we typically leverage in an environment of rising raw material costs. The gross margin declined in the third quarter of 2010 to 28.4 percent from 29.1 percent in the second quarter of 2010. The gross margin in the third quarter of 2009 was 31.8 percent.

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller for the third quarter of 2010 was $19.0 million as compared to $35.4 million in the third quarter of 2009. On a diluted earnings per share basis, the third quarter of 2010 was $0.38 per share as compared to $0.72 per share in the third quarter of 2009. The net income attributable to H.B. Fuller of $48.9 million in the first nine months of 2010 was 17.2 percent under the $59.1 million recorded in the first nine months of 2009. The third quarter of 2010 included $2.9 million ($0.06 per share) of discrete income tax benefits. The 2009 net income attributable to H.B. Fuller included a lawsuit settlement with the former owners of Roanoke Companies Group, a business we acquired in 2006. The settlement resulted in a pretax gain for the third quarter of 2009 of $18.8 million, which was $11.8 million after tax or $0.24 per diluted share.

Our expectation for the fourth quarter is that net revenue will be in the range of $360 to $365 million. This will result in full year net revenue growth of approximately 10 percent over 2009. We are not providing specific earnings per share projections, but we do expect our overall financial performance to improve as compared to the third quarter of 2010. The effective income tax rate, excluding any discrete tax events, for the remainder of 2010 is expected to be approximately 34 percent.

Results of Operations

Net revenue:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010    2009    2009     2010    2009    2009  

Net revenue

   $ 338.6    $ 315.3    7.4   $ 995.9    $ 893.1    11.5

We review variances in net revenue in terms of changes related to product pricing, sales volume, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and by acquisitions. The following table shows the net revenue variance analysis for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28, 2010     August 28, 2010  

Product pricing

   2.5   (0.1 %) 

Sales volume

   6.4   9.8

Currency

   (3.1 %)    0.8

Acquisitions

   1.6   1.0
            
   7.4   11.5
            

 

19


Organic sales growth was a positive 8.9 percent (positive 6.4 percent from sales volume and positive 2.5 percent from product pricing) in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period last year. The organic growth was driven by double-digit growth in both the EIMEA and Latin America Adhesives reporting units. The negative currency effects in the quarter were primarily the result of the U.S. dollar strengthening as compared to the Euro. Organic sales growth was a positive 9.7 percent (positive 9.8 percent from sales volume and negative 0.1 percent from product pricing) in the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the first nine months of 2009. The 1.6 percent and 1.0 percent net revenue increase from acquisitions, in the third quarter and first nine months, respectively, was due to the acquisition of Revertex Finewaters, early in the third quarter of 2010 and the acquisition of Nordic Adhesive Technology during the second quarter of 2009.

Cost of sales:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

Cost of sales:

   $ 242.3     $ 214.9     12.7   $ 700.9     $ 628.3     11.6

Percent of net revenue

     71.6     68.2       70.4     70.3  

The 12.7 percent increase in the cost of sales in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009 was driven by the increases in raw material costs due to supply shortages. Each of our four operating segments was impacted by the supply issues. The shortages were driven by refineries reducing the supply of the by-products that are used as raw materials in the production of adhesives and increased demand in adjacent industries. Sales volume increases also contributed to the third quarter increase in cost of sales. Through nine months of 2010 the cost of sales increased 1l.6 percent as compared to 2009. Sales volume increases of 9.8 percent during that same period were the main reason for the year-to-date cost increases as the supply issues were not as severe in the first half of 2010.

Gross profit:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

Gross profit

   $ 96.3     $ 100.4     (4.1 %)    $ 295.1     $ 264.8     11.4

Percent of net revenue

     28.4     31.8       29.6     29.7  

The lower gross profit margin for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 resulted from the increase in raw material costs which more than offset the benefits from the increased sales volume. Through nine months of 2010 the gross profit margin was slightly below the same period in 2009. The margin had been running higher than 2009 through the first two quarters of the year, but the weaker third quarter brought the year-to-date margin to below last year.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

SG&A

   $ 73.6     $ 68.3     7.7   $ 220.3     $ 192.4     14.5

Percent of net revenue

     21.7     21.7       22.1     21.5  

SG&A expenses increased $5.3 million or 7.7 percent from the third quarter of 2009 and $27.9 million or 14.5 percent from the first nine months of 2009. The increases were largely due to higher costs associated with adding resources to our sales and technical organizations. We continue to invest in growth despite the sluggish economic environment.

 

20


Asset impairment charges:

 

     13 Weeks Ended    39 Weeks Ended
     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs    August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs
($ in millions)    2010    2009    2009    2010    2009    2009

Asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ —      NMP    $ 8.8    $ 0.8    NMP

 

NMP = Non-meaningful percentage

In the second quarter of 2010, $8.8 million of asset impairment charges were taken as a result of the decision to exit the polysulfide-based insulating glass sealant product line in Europe. The impairment charges reduced intangible assets.

In the fourth quarter of 2008 an $85.0 million impairment charge was taken as a reduction of the goodwill balance related to the construction products reporting unit in the North America operating segment. This amount was considered an estimate as of November 29, 2008 with final valuation work to be completed in the first quarter of 2009. The additional charge of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2009 was the result of the final valuation work.

Other income (expense), net:

 

     13 Weeks Ended    39 Weeks Ended
     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs    August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs
($ in millions)    2010    2009    2009    2010    2009    2009

Other income (expense), net

   $ 1.1    $ 18.5    NMP    $ 2.4    $ 16.2    NMP

 

NMP = Non-meaningful percentage

The largest factor in the variances for other income (expense), net for both the third quarter and nine months year-to-date was the $18.8 million gain from the Roanoke litigation settlement in the third quarter of 2009. Currency translation and re-measurement losses were $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to losses of $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2009. The currency losses through the first nine months of 2010 were $0.2 million as compared to $3.2 million through the first nine months of 2009. The losses in the first nine months of 2009 were caused by the combination of fluctuations in currency rates and the changes in our foreign currency exposures.

Interest expense:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010    2009    2009     2010    2009    2009  

Interest expense

   $ 2.7    $ 1.7    58.9   $ 7.7    $ 6.3    22.2

The higher interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 was due to both the higher average debt levels in 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009 as well as higher interest rates on the current mix of debt.

Income taxes:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

Income taxes

   $ 4.1     $ 15.1     (73.1 %)    $ 17.2     $ 26.2     (34.5 %) 

Effective tax rate

     19.3     30.9       28.3     32.1  

Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2010 was $4.1 million as compared to $15.1 million in the third quarter of 2009. Several discrete tax charges and benefits from both U.S. and international jurisdictions were recorded in the

 

21


third quarter of 2010 that amounted to a net tax benefit of $2.9 million. Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2009 included $7.0 million of expense related to the $18.8 million litigation settlement gain, as discussed previously in this report. There was also $1.3 million of discrete tax benefits recorded in the third quarter of 2009. Excluding discrete benefits of $4.2 million and a $3.0 million benefit related to the second quarter EIMEA polysulfide-based product line exit costs and asset impairment charges, the overall effective tax rate for the 39 weeks ended August 28, 2010 was 33.7 percent, as compared to 33.6 percent for the 39 weeks ended August 29, 2009.

Income from equity investments:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010    2009    2009     2010    2009    2009  

Income from equity investments

   $ 1.9    $ 1.7    10.9   $ 5.4    $ 3.7    44.0

The income from equity investments relates to our 50 percent ownership of the Sekisui-Fuller joint venture in Japan. The third quarter and first nine months results reflected the higher net income recorded by the joint venture in 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 due mainly to stronger gross profit margins.

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests:

 

     13 Weeks Ended    39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,    August 29,     2010 vs    August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010    2009     2009    2010    2009    2009  

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

   $ 0.13    $ (0.05   NMP    $ 0.09    $ 0.06    64.3

 

NMP = Non-meaningful percentage

Operating losses in our China entities led to a $0.13 million and a $0.09 million net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively. This compared to a $0.05 million net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the third quarter of 2009. Last year’s first nine months was a net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests of $0.06 million.

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller

   $ 19.0     $ 35.4     (46.4 %)    $ 48.9     $ 59.1     (17.2 %) 

Percent of net revenue

     5.6     11.2       4.9     6.6  

The net income attributable to H.B. Fuller for the third quarter of 2010 was $19.0 million compared to $35.4 million for the third quarter of 2009. The diluted EPS for the third quarter of 2010 was $0.38 per share as compared to $0.72 per share for the third quarter of 2009. The $2.9 million of discrete tax benefits recorded in the third quarter of 2010 added $0.06 per share to this quarter’s diluted EPS. The net income attributable to H.B. Fuller for the third quarter of 2009 included $11.8 million or $0.24 per diluted share from the Roanoke litigation settlement. The net income attributable to H.B. Fuller for the first nine months of 2010 was $48.9 million compared to $59.1 million for the same period of 2009. The diluted EPS for the first nine months of 2010 was $0.99 per share as compared to $1.21 per share for the first nine months of 2009. Exit costs and asset impairment charges of $8.4 million, or $0.17 per share, were included in the net income attributable to H.B. Fuller for the first nine months of 2010. The discrete tax benefits and Roanoke litigation settlement discussed above were also in the first nine month results of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

22


Operating Segment Results

Our operations are managed through the four primary geographic regions: North America, EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East, Africa), Latin America and Asia Pacific. Region Vice Presidents report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and are accountable for the financial results of their entire region.

In the first quarter of 2010 we changed the name of our EMEA operating segment to EIMEA. This was to acknowledge that the financial results of our entity in India are now included in this operating segment. The India entity began operations in the second half of 2009 and for that period the results were included in the Asia Pacific operating segment. The 2009 India results have been reclassified to the EIMEA operating segment.

In the second quarter of 2010 we changed the name of our Specialty Construction reporting unit in the North America operating segment to Construction Products. There was no change in the reporting unit in terms of how the reporting unit operates. The name of the subsidiary was changed from Specialty Construction Brands, Inc. to H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc. The purpose of the change was to better leverage the H.B. Fuller name.

The tables below provide certain information regarding the net revenue and operating income of each of our operating segments. Operating income is defined as gross profit less SG&A expenses.

Net Revenue by Segment:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28, 2010     August 29, 2009     August 28, 2010     August 29, 2009  
     Net    % of     Net    % of     Net    % of     Net    % of  

($ in millions)

   Revenue    Total     Revenue    Total     Revenue    Total     Revenue    Total  

North America

   $ 146.6    43   $ 139.4    44   $ 424.8    43   $ 393.9    44

EIMEA

     97.3    29     94.1    30     295.9    30     258.5    29

Latin America

     53.7    16     49.6    16     163.7    16     155.5    17

Asia Pacific

     41.0    12     32.2    10     111.5    11     85.2    10
                                                    

Total

   $ 338.6    100   $ 315.3    100   $ 995.9    100   $ 893.1    100
                                                    

Operating Income by Segment:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28, 2010     August 29, 2009     August 28, 2010     August 29, 2009  

($ in millions)

   Operating
Income
   % of
Total
    Operating
Income
   % of
Total
    Operating
Income
   % of
Total
    Operating
Income
   % of
Total
 

North America

   $ 18.5    82   $ 21.4    67   $ 54.5    73   $ 51.3    71

EIMEA

     2.3    10     7.1    22     9.7    13     15.3    21

Latin America

     1.2    5     1.5    5     6.3    8     4.3    6

Asia Pacific

     0.7    3     2.1    6     4.2    6     1.5    2
                                                    

Total

   $ 22.7    100   $ 32.1    100   $ 74.7    100   $ 72.4    100
                                                    

The following table provides a reconciliation of operating income to income before income taxes and income from equity investments, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     August 28,     August 29,  

($ in millions)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Operating income

   $ 22.7     $ 32.1     $ 74.7     $ 72.4  

Asset impairment charges

     —          —          (8.8     (0.8

Other income (expense), net

     1.1       18.5       2.4       16.2  

Interest expense

     (2.7     (1.7     (7.7     (6.3
                                

Income before income taxes and income from equity investments

   $ 21.1     $ 48.9     $ 60.6     $ 81.5  
                                

 

23


North America

The following table shows the net revenue generated from the key components of the North America operating segment.

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010    2009    2009     2010    2009    2009  

Adhesives

   $ 115.0    $ 108.3    6.2   $ 330.9    $ 306.6    8.0

Construction Products

     31.6      31.1    1.9     93.9      87.3    7.5
                                        

Total

   $ 146.6    $ 139.4    5.2   $ 424.8    $ 393.9    7.9
                                        

The following tables provide details of North America net revenue variances by reporting units. The Pricing/Sales Volume variance is viewed as organic growth.

 

     13 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 vs
August 29, 2009
    39 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 vs
August 29, 2009
 
           Construction                 Construction        
     Adhesives     Products     Total     Adhesives     Products     Total  

Pricing/Sales Volume

   5.7   1.9   4.8   6.9   7.5   7.0

Currency

   0.5   —        0.4   1.1   —        0.9
                                    

Total

   6.2   1.9   5.2   8.0   7.5   7.9
                                    

The following table reflects the operating income by component of the North America operating segment.

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

Adhesives

   $ 17.4     $ 19.9     (12.8 %)    $ 51.2     $ 50.9     0.6

Construction Products

     1.1       1.5     (28.2 %)      3.3       0.4     727.0
                                            

Total

   $ 18.5     $ 21.4     (13.9 %)    $ 54.5     $ 51.3     6.2
                                            

Segment profit margin %

     12.6     15.4       12.8     13.0  

Note: Individual component results are subject to numerous allocations of segment-wide costs that may or may not have been focused on that particular component for a particular reporting period. The costs of these allocated resources are not tracked on a “where-used” basis as financial performance is managed to maximize the total operating segment performance. Therefore, the above financial information should only be used for directional indications of performance.

Total North America: End-market demand contracted early in the third quarter as compared to the first half of 2010 but the year-over-year comparison was a 5.2 percent net revenue increase as compared to the third quarter of 2009. This reduced the year-to-date net revenue growth to 7.9 percent as compared to 9.3 percent through the first six months of 2010. The comparison to last year was more difficult in the third quarter as revenue growth started its upswing in the third quarter of 2009. Raw material cost increases primarily due to supply shortages during the third quarter of 2010 led to a lower gross profit margin as compared to the third quarter of 2009. Manufacturing costs decreased in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to last year due to 2009 initiatives that have improved efficiencies. SG&A expenses increased as compared to last year as vacant sales positions were filled and new positions were added to strengthen the commercial organizations. The decrease in gross profit margin combined with higher SG&A expenses resulted in operating income declining 13.9 percent in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009. Through nine months the operating income in 2010 was 6.2 percent higher than the first nine months of 2009.

 

24


Adhesives: The organic sales growth in the third quarter as compared to the third quarter of 2009 was split evenly between increases in average selling prices and increases in sales volume – both were up 2.8 percent. Although sales volume increased in the third quarter the growth was at a slower pace than in the first six months of 2010. This was due to both a slowdown in end-market demand and a more difficult comparison to last year. The gross profit margin declined in the third quarter of 2010 as selling price increases were not enough to offset the run-up in raw material costs. Manufacturing cost reductions helped mitigate the impact from the raw material costs but not enough to prevent the overall decline in the margin. Investments continue to be made to strengthen the commercial organization resulting in higher SG&A expenses for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009. The resulting operating income in the third quarter fell 12.8 percent below the operating income in the third quarter of 2009. Through nine months the operating income improved 0.6 percent over last year.

Construction Products: Net revenue growth slowed in the third quarter to a year-over-year increase of 1.9 percent largely due to inventory reductions at customer locations. The 7.5 percent increase in net revenue through the first nine months of 2010 was driven by new product introductions and additional shelf space in the retail market. Raw material costs did increase in the third quarter of 2010 however at a slower rate than in the adhesives reporting unit. Efficiencies gained from the 2009 project to consolidate manufacturing facilities helped mitigate the impact from the raw material cost increases. SG&A expenses increased in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to investments to reorganize the sales and marketing areas. Although the third quarter operating income fell below last year’s level, the operating income through nine months of 2010 was nearly $3 million above the same period of 2009.

EIMEA

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

Net Revenue

   $ 97.3     $ 94.1     3.4   $ 295.9     $ 258.5     14.4

Operating Income

   $ 2.3     $ 7.1     (67.7 %)    $ 9.7     $ 15.3     (36.5 %) 

Segment profit margin%

     2.3     7.5       3.3     5.9  

The following table provides details of the EIMEA net revenue variances. The Pricing/Sales Volume variance is viewed as organic growth.

 

    13 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 vs     39 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 vs  
    August 29, 2009     August 29, 2009  

Pricing/Sales Volume

  15.6   15.5

Currency

  (12.2 %)    (2.4 %) 

Acquisitions

  0.0   1.3
           

Total

  3.4   14.4
           

Total EIMEA: The strong organic sales growth in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 resulted from market share gains as well as improved end market demand. Investments made in the sales organization continue to have positive effects on the organic revenue growth. The gross profit margin decreased in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009 as raw material cost increases exceeded the pace of selling price increases. The SG&A expenses increased due mainly to the continuing investments in the sales organization. The SG&A expenses in the third quarter of 2010 also included charges of $1.3 million related to a product liability claim. The combination of higher raw material costs and the increase in SG&A expenses led to the 68 percent decline in operating income in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009. A key item impacting the operating income through nine months of 2010 was the $2.6 million of charges related to the exiting of the polysulfide-based insulating glass product line that were recorded in the second quarter and discussed in last quarter’s report.

 

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Latin America

The following table shows the net revenue generated from the key components of the Latin America operating segment.

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs     August 28,    August 29,    2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010    2009    2009     2010    2009    2009  

Adhesives

   $ 31.1    $ 27.5    13.1   $ 91.9    $ 82.0    12.0

Paints

     22.6      22.1    2.2     71.8      73.5    (2.2 %) 
                                        

Total Latin America

   $ 53.7    $ 49.6    8.2   $ 163.7    $ 155.5    5.3
                                        

The following table provides details of Latin America net revenue variances by reporting units. The Pricing/Sales Volume variance is viewed as organic growth.

 

     13 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 vs
August 29, 2009
    39 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 vs
August 29, 2009
 
     Adhesives     Paints     Total     Adhesives     Paints     Total  

Pricing/Sales Volume

   13.1   2.2   8.2   12.0   (2.2 %)    5.3

The following table reflects the operating income (loss) by component of the Latin America operating segment.

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

Adhesives

   $ 1.2     $ 2.4     (49.2 %)    $ 5.3     $ 4.7     13.9

Paints

     —          (0.9   NMP        1.0       (0.4   NMP   
                                            

Total Latin America

   $ 1.2     $ 1.5     (16.7 %)    $ 6.3     $ 4.3     47.5
                                            

Segment profit margin %

     2.2     2.9       3.9     2.8  

 

NMP = Non-meaningful percentage

Note: Individual component results are subject to numerous allocations of segment-wide costs that may or may not have been focused on that particular component for a particular reporting period. The costs of these allocated resources are not tracked on a “where-used” basis as financial performance is managed to maximize the total operating segment performance. Therefore, the above financial information should only be used for directional indications of performance.

Total Latin America: Both reporting units had positive net revenue growth in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009. For Adhesives, this represents a continuation of the 2010 trend. For Paints, it represents a stabilization of local market conditions as the first two quarters of the year posted net revenue decreases compared to 2009. Raw material cost increases and supply shortages had a negative impact on Adhesives during the quarter while the Paints raw material costs were steady. A decrease in the Adhesives gross profit margin was the main driver for the decline in operating income in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009. The Adhesives net revenue growth for the year has been the key to the increase in the nine month year-to-date operating income in 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009.

Adhesives: The net revenue growth experienced in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 can be attributed to improved economic conditions as well as increases in market share. The gross profit margin decreased in the third quarter due to the significant increase in raw material costs. Supply shortages were the primary cause of the raw material cost increases. SG&A expenses increased from last year however at a slower pace than the growth in net revenue. The lower gross profit margin was the key factor in the nearly 50 percent decline in operating income in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to last year. The nine month year-to-date operating income increased by 13.9 percent over the first nine months of 2009 as the first half results were strong enough to offset the negative effects of the third quarter.

 

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Paints: The net revenue increase experienced in the third quarter of 2010 was the first quarter of 2010 to show positive year-over-year growth. A key component in the third quarter growth was the sales results in Honduras, which experienced political instability in the second half of 2009. The gross profit margin increased over last year for both the third quarter and first nine months due to the favorable mix of sales as well as the impact from selling price increases. The improved margin in 2010 was the driver of improved operating income for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009.

Asia Pacific

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs     August 28,     August 29,     2010 vs  
($ in millions)    2010     2009     2009     2010     2009     2009  

Net Revenue

   $ 41.0     $ 32.2     27.2   $ 111.5     $ 85.2     30.9

Operating Income

   $ 0.7     $ 2.1     (66.4 %)    $ 4.2     $ 1.5     179.0

Segment profit margin %

     1.7     6.6       3.8     1.8  

The following table provides details of Asia Pacific net revenue. The Pricing/Sales Volume variance is viewed as organic growth.

 

     13 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 vs     39 Weeks Ended August 28, 2010 vs  
     August 29, 2009     August 29, 2009  

Pricing/Sales Volume

   7.6   12.8

Currency

   3.9   12.2

Acquisition/Divesture

   15.7   5.9
            

Total

   27.2   30.9
            

Total Asia Pacific: The Revertex Finewaters acquisition in Malaysia added $5.1 million to the third quarter net revenue. Organic growth was 7.6 percent in the third quarter as compared to last year as economic expansion continues throughout the region. The Asia Pacific operating segment faced the same raw material price and supply pressures as the other regions and also had a reduced gross profit margin as compared to last year. SG&A expenses increased significantly over 2009 in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 as we continue to invest for growth in this operating segment. The acquisition also accounted for a significant increase in SG&A expenses. The reduced gross profit generation combined with the increases in SG&A expenses led to the reduction in operating income in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Total cash and cash equivalents as of August 28, 2010 were $140.7 million as compared to $100.2 million as of November 28, 2009 and $180.1 million as of August 29, 2009. Total long and short-term debt was $299.4 million as of August 28, 2010, $214.0 million as of November 28, 2009 and $243.9 million as of August 29, 2009. The total debt to total capital ratio as measured by Total Debt divided by (Total Debt plus Total Equity) was 33.3 percent as of August 28, 2010 as compared to 26.5 percent as of November 28, 2009 and 27.4 percent as of August 29, 2009. The higher ratio as of August 28, 2010 compared to November 28, 2009 and August 29, 2009 was due primarily to the $150.0 million of new long-term debt from our November 13, 2009 note purchase agreement, which was funded in the first quarter of 2010.

We believe that cash flows from operating activities will be adequate to meet our ongoing liquidity and capital expenditure needs. In addition, we believe we have the ability to obtain both short-term and long-term debt to meet our financing needs for the foreseeable future.

Our credit agreements include restrictive covenants that, if not met, could lead to a renegotiation of our credit lines and a significant increase in our cost of financing. At August 28, 2010, we were in compliance with all covenants of our contractual obligations as shown in the following table:

 

($ in millions) Debt Instrument

 

Covenant

  Measurement   Result as of
August 28,
2010
 
Revolving Credit Facility & Term Loan   TTM EBITDA / TTM Interest Expense   Not less than 2.5     17.9   
Revolving Credit Facility & Term Loan   Total Indebtedness / TTM EBITDA   Not greater than 3.5     1.8   
2010 Private Placement   TTM EBITDA / TTM Interest Expense   Not less than 2.5     16.9   
2010 Private Placement   Total Indebtedness / TTM EBITDA   Not greater than 3.5     1.9   
1998 Private Placement   Total Debt / Total Capital   Not greater than 70%     33.3
1998 Private Placement   Total Equity   Not less than $200.0   $ 599.5   

 

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TTM = Trailing 12 months

 

   

For the revolving credit facility and term loan, EBITDA is defined as income from continuing operations plus goodwill and other impairment charges plus interest expense plus income tax expense plus depreciation and amortization expense.

 

   

For the 2010 private placement, EBITDA is defined as income from continuing operations plus interest expense plus income tax expense plus depreciation and amortization expense.

We believe we have the ability to meet all of our contractual obligations and commitments in fiscal 2010. Included in these obligations is the following scheduled debt payment:

 

   

$5.6 million payment on term loan, due September 30, 2010, is expected to be paid using existing cash.

Selected Metrics of Liquidity

Key metrics we monitor are net working capital as a percent of annualized net revenue, trade account receivable days sales outstanding (DSO), inventory days on hand, free cash flow and debt capitalization ratio.

 

      August 28,
2010
  August 29,
2009

Net working capital as a percentage of annualized net revenue1  

   17.6%   16.4%

Accounts receivable DSO2  

   55 Days   54 Days

Inventory days on hand3  

   57 Days   49 Days

Free cash flow4  

   ($7.4) million   $92.3 million

Total debt to total capital ratio5  

   33.3%   27.4%

 

1

Current quarter net working capital (trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts plus inventory minus trade payables) divided by annualized net revenue (current quarter multiplied by four).

2

(Trade receivables less the allowance for doubtful accounts at the balance sheet date) multiplied by 56 (8 weeks) and divided by the net revenue for the last 2 months of the quarter.

3

Total inventory multiplied by 56 and divided by cost of sales (excluding delivery costs) for the last 2 months of the quarter.

4

Net cash provided by operations from continuing operations, less purchased property, plant and equipment and dividends paid.

5

Total debt divided by (total debt plus total stockholders’ equity).

Another key metric is the return on gross investment, or ROGI. The calculation is represented by gross cash flow divided by Gross Investment.

 

   

Gross cash flow is defined as: gross profit, less SG&A less taxes at a non-GAAP standard rate of 29 percent, plus depreciation and amortization expenses, less maintenance capital expenditures, a non-GAAP financial measure defined as 50 percent of total depreciation expense. Gross cash flow is calculated using trailing 12 month information.

 

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Gross investment is defined as total assets plus accumulated depreciation less non-debt current liabilities less cash.

ROGI was introduced because we believe it provides a true measure of return on investment, it is a better way to internally measure performance and it is focused on the long term. The ROGI calculated at August 28, 2010 and November 28, 2009 were both 7.7 percent.

The following table shows the ROGI calculation based on the definition above compared to a calculation using all GAAP-based data. We believe the use of certain non-GAAP financial measures provides a better calculation of ROGI because they eliminate fluctuations not specifically related to the return on the current investment base.

 

     Trailing 12 months  
     as of August 28, 2010  
     ROGI     ROGI  
     (Management     (GAAP-based  
($ in millions)    calculation)     calculation)  

Gross profit1  

   $ 403.4     $ 401.6  

Selling, general and administrative expenses2  

     (291.3     (292.1
                

Operating income

     112.1       109.5  

Taxes3  

     (32.5     (33.2

Depreciation and amortization

     44.1       44.1  

Maintenance capital expenditures4  

     (16.4     (32.1
                

Gross cash flow

   $ 107.3     $ 88.3  

Gross investment

   $ 1,401.9     $ 1,401.9  

Return on gross investment

     7.7     6.3

 

1

The ROGI (management calculation) gross profit excludes exit costs and asset impairment charges of $1.8 associated with exiting the polysulfide insulating glass product line in Europe.

2

The ROGI (management calculation) selling, general and administrative expenses excludes exit costs of $0.8 associated with exiting the polysulfide insulating glass product line in Europe.

3

The ROGI calculation for management measurement purposes uses a tax rate of 29 percent. The GAAP rate is based on actual tax expense including any discrete items.

4

Maintenance capital expenditures used for the management calculation of ROGI is 50 percent of total depreciation expense whereas the GAAP-based amount is the actual capital expenditures from the cash flow statement.

Summary of Cash Flows

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

     39 Weeks Ended
     August 28,    August 29,
($ in millions)    2010    2009

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 27.2    $ 117.3

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller plus depreciation and amortization expense totaled $79.6 million in the first nine months of 2010 as compared to $92.5 million in the first nine months of 2009. Changes in net working capital (trade receivables, inventory and trade payables) accounted for a use of cash of $33.7 million in the first nine months

 

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of 2010 as compared to a source of cash of $20.6 million in the first nine months of 2009. The overriding factor in the decrease in cash flow from operations in 2010 as compared to 2009 was that in 2009 as sales volumes and business activity were decreasing, the balances such as accounts receivable and inventory were being liquidated, resulting in positive cash flow. In 2010, investments in working capital are increasing in response to the significant growth in net revenue.

The table below shows the cash flow impact due to changes in the components of net working capital:

 

     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,  
($ in millions)    2010     2009  

Trade receivables, net

   $ (9.3   $ 25.5  

Inventory

     (34.1     38.1  

Trade payables

     9.7       (43.0
                

Total cash flow impact

   $ (33.7   $ 20.6  
                

 

   

Trade Receivables, net – The increase in sales activity in the first nine months of 2010 was the primary reason for the use of cash of $9.3 million compared to a source of cash of $25.5 million in 2009, when sales activity was lower. The DSO was 55 days at August 28, 2010 and 54 days at August 29, 2009. The one day increase in DSO was driven by increases in North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific operating segments.

 

   

Inventory – The increase in inventory in 2010 is directly related to the increase in sales volume and the purchases of inventory based on availability instead of forecasted usage. In the first three quarters of 2009 inventories were held at lower levels due to the lower sales levels and the uncertain economic environment. In 2010 certain raw materials have been in short supply so purchases have been made based on availability instead of forecasted usage. This resulted in some balances being higher than normal as of August 28, 2010. Inventory days on hand were 57 days as of August 28, 2010 as compared to 49 days as of August 29, 2009. All four operating segments reported higher days on hand at the end of the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the end of the third quarter of 2009.

 

   

Trade Payables – The large use of cash in the first nine months of 2009 was primarily due to economic uncertainty in the first quarter of 2009 that resulted in the year-end 2008 payables balances being paid down without a corresponding increase in purchasing activity during the first three quarters of 2009. The increase in the payables balance during 2010 was due to the overall increase in business activity and the purchasing of inventory based on availability instead of forecasted usage.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,     August 29,  
($ in millions)    2010     2009  

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (48.3   $ (19.2

Purchases of property, plant and equipment were $24.4 million in the first three quarters of 2010 as compared to $15.2 million for the same period of 2009. The construction of the new manufacturing plant in Nanjing, China accounted for $5.5 million of the increased spending in 2010 as compared to last year. During the third quarter of 2010, we purchased the outstanding shares of Revertex Finewaters for $26.8 million, net of cash acquired. During the second quarter of 2009, we purchased the outstanding shares of Nordic Adhesive Technology for $4.2 million. Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment were $2.9 million and $0.2 million for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. We do not anticipate significant repair and maintenance activities on existing property, plant and equipment as a result of current or past capital spending policies, with the possible exception of damage caused by the September 10, 2010 fire in our Portugal manufacturing facility. At this time, we do not have an accurate estimate of the costs that may arise from this event. See Note 15 for additional information.

 

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Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

     39 Weeks Ended  
     August 28,    August 29,  
($ in millions)    2010    2009  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ 72.5    $ (6.2

Proceeds of long-term debt were $339.0 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $266.0 million for the first nine months of 2009. Included in the 2010 proceeds of long-term debt is our November 13, 2009 note purchase agreement under which we issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes. The note purchase agreement was funded in the first quarter of 2010. Repayments of long-term debt were $275.0 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $263.0 million for the same period of 2009. Net proceeds from notes payable was $17.1 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared to $0.3 million for the first nine months of 2009. The 2010 increase in net proceeds from notes payable was primarily due to the financing of the new Nanjing China plant and the financing of working capital. Cash dividends paid on common stock were $10.2 million and $9.8 million in the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we discuss expectations regarding our future performance which include anticipated financial performance, savings from restructuring and process initiatives, global economic conditions, liquidity requirements, the impact of litigation and environmental matters, the effect of new accounting pronouncements and one-time accounting charges and credits, and similar matters. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of words like “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” (including the negative or variations thereof) and other expressions that indicate future events and trends. These plans and expectations are based upon certain underlying assumptions, including those mentioned with the specific statements. Such assumptions are in turn based upon internal estimates and analyses of current market conditions and trends, our plans and strategies, economic conditions and other factors. These plans and expectations and the assumptions underlying them are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties inherent in projecting future conditions and results. Actual results could differ materially from expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements if one or more of the underlying assumptions and expectations proves to be inaccurate or is unrealized. In addition to the factors described in this report, Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in this report and Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009, identify some of the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. This list of important factors does not include all such factors nor necessarily present them in order of importance. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, we have identified these important factors which could affect our financial performance and could cause our actual results for future periods to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Additionally, the variety of products sold by us and the regions where we do business makes it difficult to determine with certainty the increases or decreases in revenues resulting from changes in the volume of products sold, currency impact, changes in geographic and product mix and selling prices. Our best estimates of these changes as well as changes in other factors have been included. References to volume changes include volume, product mix and delivery charges, combined. These factors should be considered, together with any similar risk factors or other cautionary language, which may be made elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

We may refer to Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors and this section of the Form 10-Q to identify risk factors related to other forward looking statements made in oral presentations, including investor conferences and/or webcasts open to the public.

This disclosure, including that under “Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors,” and other forward-looking statements and related disclosures made by us in this report and elsewhere from time to time, represents our best judgment as of the date the information is given. We do not undertake responsibility for updating any of such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

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Investors are advised, however, to consult any further public company disclosures (such as in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in company press releases) on related subjects.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risk: We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency rates and prices of raw materials. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and cost of raw materials.

Our financial performance has been, and may continue to be, negatively affected by the unfavorable economic conditions. Continued or further recessionary economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our sales volumes, pricing levels and profitability. As domestic and international economic conditions change, trends in discretionary consumer spending also become unpredictable and subject to reductions due to uncertainties about the future. A general reduction in consumer discretionary spending due to recession in the domestic and international economies, or uncertainties regarding future economic prospects, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Interest Rate Risk: Exposure to changes in interest rates result primarily from borrowing activities used to fund operations. Committed floating rate credit facilities are used to fund a portion of operations. We believe that probable near-term changes in interest rates would not materially affect financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The annual impact on interest expense of a one-percentage point interest rate change on the outstanding balance of our variable rate debt as of August 28, 2010 would be approximately $2.2 million.

Foreign Exchange Risk: As a result of being a global enterprise, there is exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect operating results and financial condition. Approximately 58 percent of net revenue was generated outside of the United States for the first nine months of 2010. Principal foreign currency exposures relate to the Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, British pound sterling, Japanese yen, Swiss franc, Argentine peso, Brazilian real, Chilean peso, Columbian peso, Costa Rican colones, Chinese renminbi and Honduran lempira.

Our objective is to balance, where possible, local currency denominated assets to local currency denominated liabilities to have a natural hedge and minimize foreign exchange impacts. We enter into cross border transactions through importing and exporting goods to and from different countries and locations. These transactions generate foreign exchange risk as they create assets, liabilities and cash flows in currencies other than the local currency. This also applies to services provided and other cross border agreements among subsidiaries.

We take steps to minimize risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments. We do not enter into any speculative positions with regard to derivative instruments.

From a sensitivity analysis viewpoint, based on the financial results of the first nine months of 2010, and foreign currency balance sheet positions as of August 28, 2010, a hypothetical overall 10 percent change in the U.S. dollar would have resulted in a change in net income attributable to H.B. Fuller of approximately $2.1 million or $0.04 per diluted share.

Raw Materials: The principal raw materials used to manufacture products include resins, polymers, synthetic rubbers, vinyl acetate monomer and plasticizers. We generally avoid sole source supplier arrangements for raw materials. While alternate supplies of most key raw materials are available, unplanned supplier production outages may lead to strained supply-demand situations for several key raw materials such as ethylene and propylene, several polymers and other petroleum derivatives such as waxes.

For the nine months ended August 28, 2010, our single largest expenditure was the purchase of raw materials. Our objective is to purchase raw materials that meet both our quality standards and production needs at the lowest total cost. Most raw materials are purchased on the open market or under contracts that limit the frequency but not the magnitude of price increases. In some cases, however, the risk of raw material price changes is managed by strategic sourcing agreements which limit price increases to increases in supplier feedstock costs, while requiring decreases as feedstock costs decline. The leverage of having substitute raw materials approved for use wherever possible is used to minimize the impact of possible price increases.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Controls and procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our president and chief executive officer and senior vice president, chief financial officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, the president and chief executive officer and the senior vice president, chief financial officer concluded that, as of August 28, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to us, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Change in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Environmental Matters. From time to time, we are identified as a “potentially responsible party” (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and/or similar state laws that impose liability for costs relating to the clean up of contamination resulting from past spills, disposal or other release of hazardous substances. We are also subject to similar laws in some of the countries where current and former facilities are located. Our environmental, health and safety department monitors compliance with applicable laws on a global basis.

Currently we are involved in various environmental investigations, clean up activities and administrative proceedings and lawsuits. In particular, we are currently deemed a PRP in conjunction with numerous other parties, in a number of government enforcement actions associated with hazardous waste sites. As a PRP, we may be required to pay a share of the costs of investigation and clean up of these sites. In addition, we are engaged in environmental remediation and monitoring efforts at a number of current and former operating facilities, including remediation of environmental contamination at the Sorocaba, Brazil facility. Soil and water samples were collected on and around the Sorocaba facility, and test results indicated that certain contaminants, including carbon tetrachloride and other solvents, exist in the soil at the Sorocaba facility and in the groundwater at both the Sorocaba facility and some neighboring properties. We are continuing to work with Brazilian regulatory authorities to implement and operate a remediation system at the site. As of August 28, 2010, $1.0 million was recorded as a liability for expected remediation expenses remaining for this site. Depending on the results of the testing of our current remediation actions, we may be required to record additional liabilities related to remediation costs at the Sorocaba facility.

From time to time, we become aware of compliance matters relating to, or receive notices from, federal, state or local entities regarding possible or alleged violations of environmental, health or safety laws and regulations. We review the circumstances of each individual site, considering the number of parties involved, the level of our potential liability or contribution relative to the other parties, the nature and magnitude of the hazardous substances involved, the method and extent of remediation, the estimated legal and consulting expense with respect to each site and the time period over which any costs would likely be incurred. To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liabilities for environmental matters, we establish a financial provision. As of August 28, 2010, we had reserved $2.4 million, which represents our best estimate of probable liabilities with respect to environmental matters, inclusive of the accrual related to the Sorocaba facility as described above. However, the full extent of our future liability for environmental matters is difficult to predict because of uncertainty as to the cost of investigation and clean up of the sites, our responsibility for such hazardous substances and the number of and financial condition of other PRP.

 

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While uncertainties exist with respect to the amounts and timing of the ultimate environmental liabilities, based on currently available information, we do not believe that these matters, individually or in aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our long-term financial condition. However, adverse developments and/or periodic settlements could negatively impact the results of operations or cash flows in one or more future quarters.

Other Legal Proceedings. From time to time and in the ordinary course of business, we are a party to, or a target of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, contract, patent and intellectual property, health and safety and employment matters. While we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, we do not believe, based upon currently available information, that the ultimate resolution of any pending matter, individually or in aggregate, including the asbestos litigation described in the following paragraphs, will have a material adverse effect on our long-term financial condition. However, adverse developments and/or periodic settlements could negatively impact the results of operations or cash flows in one or more future quarters.

We have been named as a defendant in lawsuits in which plaintiffs have alleged injury due to products containing asbestos manufactured more than 25 years ago. The plaintiffs generally bring these lawsuits against multiple defendants and seek damages (both actual and punitive) in very large amounts. In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable injuries or that the injuries suffered were the result of exposure to products manufactured by us. We are typically dismissed as a defendant in such cases without payment. If the plaintiff presents evidence indicating that compensable injury occurred as a result of exposure to our products, the case is generally settled for an amount that reflects the seriousness of the injury, the length, intensity and character of exposure to asbestos containing products, the number and solvency of other defendants in the case, and the jurisdiction in which the case has been brought.

A significant portion of the defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation continues to be paid by third parties, including indemnification pursuant to the provisions of a 1976 agreement under which we acquired a business from a third party. Historically, this third party routinely defended all cases tendered to it and paid settlement amounts resulting from those cases. In the 1990s, the third party sporadically reserved its rights, but continued to defend and settle all asbestos-related claims tendered to it by us. In 2002, the third party rejected the tender of certain cases and indicated it would seek contributions for past defense costs, settlements and judgments. However, this third party is defending and paying settlement amounts, under a reservation of rights, in most of the asbestos cases tendered to the third party. As discussed below, during the fourth quarter of 2007, we and a group of other defendants, including the third party obligated to indemnify us against certain asbestos-related claims, entered into negotiations with certain law firms to settle a number of asbestos-related lawsuits and claims.

In addition to the indemnification arrangements with third parties, we have insurance policies that generally provide coverage for asbestos liabilities (including defense costs). Historically, insurers have paid a significant portion of our defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation. However, certain of our insurers are insolvent. We have entered into cost-sharing agreements with our insurers that provide for the allocation of defense costs and, in some cases, settlements and judgments, in asbestos-related lawsuits. Under these agreements, we are required in some cases to fund a share of settlements and judgments allocable to years in which the responsible insurer is insolvent.

As referenced above, during the fourth quarter of 2007, we and a group of other defendants entered into negotiations with certain law firms to settle a number of asbestos-related lawsuits and claims over a period of years. In total, we expect to contribute up to $4.1 million towards the settlement amount to be paid to the claimants in exchange for a full release of claims. Of this amount, our insurers have committed to pay $2.0 million based on a probable liability of $4.1 million. Given that the remaining settlement payouts are expected to occur over a period of years and that the accrual is based on the maximum number of cases to be settled, we applied a present value approach and have accrued $2.5 million and recorded a receivable of $1.3 million, due from insurers, as of August 28, 2010.

In addition to the group settlement described above, a summary of the number, settlement amounts and insurance amounts for asbestos-related lawsuits and claims follows:

 

     39 Weeks Ended    39 Weeks Ended

($ in millions)

   August 28, 2010    August 29, 2009

Lawsuits and claims settled

     3      2

Settlement amounts

   $ 0.4    $ 0.1

Insurance payments received or expected to be received

   $ 0.4    $ 0.0

 

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We do not believe that it would be meaningful to disclose the aggregate number of asbestos-related lawsuits filed against us because relatively few of these lawsuits are known to involve exposure to asbestos-containing products that we manufactured. Rather, we believe it is more meaningful to disclose the number of lawsuits that are settled and result in a payment to the plaintiff.

To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liabilities for pending asbestos-related claims, we establish a financial provision and a corresponding receivable for insurance recoveries. As of August 28, 2010, our probable liabilities and insurance recoveries related to asbestos claims, inclusive of the amounts related to the group settlement described above, were $2.7 million and $1.4 million respectively. We have concluded that it is not possible to reasonably estimate the cost of disposing of other asbestos-related claims (including claims that might be filed in the future) due to our inability to project future events. Future variables include the number of claims filed or dismissed, proof of exposure to our products, seriousness of the alleged injury, the number and solvency of other defendants in each case, the jurisdiction in which the case is brought, the cost of disposing of such claims, the uncertainty of asbestos litigation, insurance coverage and indemnification agreement issues, and the continuing solvency of certain insurance companies.

Based on currently available information, we do not believe that asbestos-related litigation, individually or in aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our long-term financial condition. However, adverse developments and/or periodic settlements in such litigation could negatively impact the results of operations or cash flows in one or more future quarters.

In addition to product liability claims discussed above, we are involved in other claims or legal proceedings related to our products, which we believe are not out of the ordinary in a business of the type and size in which we are engaged.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements concerning our future programs, products, expenses, revenue, liquidity and cash needs as well as our plans and strategies. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and we assume no obligation to update this information. Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ significantly from the results described in these forward-looking statements, including the risk factors identified under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009. There have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed by us under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

31.1   Form of 302 Certification – Michele Volpi
31.2   Form of 302 Certification – James R. Giertz
32.1   Form of 906 Certification – Michele Volpi
32.2   Form of 906 Certification – James R. Giertz
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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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.

 

  H.B. Fuller Company
Dated: September 30, 2010  

/S/    JAMES R. GIERTZ        

  James R. Giertz
  Senior Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibits

31.1   Form of 302 Certification – Michele Volpi
31.2   Form of 302 Certification – James R. Giertz
32.1   Form of 906 Certification – Michele Volpi
32.2   Form of 906 Certification – James R. Giertz
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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