Insteel Industries - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (336) 786-2141

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ      No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

Large accelerated filer o       Accelerated filer þ       Non-accelerated filer o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes o       No þ

     The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of August 4, 2006 was 18,167,423.

INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except for per share data)
(Unaudited)

INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

     The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Insteel Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the audited financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These financial statements should therefore be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2005 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

     The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature that the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of results for these interim periods. The results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006 or future periods.

     In April 2006, the Company decided to exit the industrial wire business with the closure of its Fredericksburg, Virginia facility which manufactured tire bead wire and other industrial wire for commercial and industrial applications. The Company’s decision was based on the weakening in the business outlook for the facility and the expected continuation of difficult market conditions and reduced operating levels. Manufacturing activities at the Virginia facility ceased in June 2006 and the Company is currently in the process of liquidating the assets of the business.

     The Company has determined that the exit from the industrial wire business meets the criteria of a discontinued operation in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Accordingly, the results of operations and related non-recurring closure costs associated with the industrial wire business have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Additionally, the assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations have been segregated in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

     The following table summarizes the results of discontinued operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006 and July 2, 2005, respectively:

     Included within results from discontinued operations is an allocation of interest expense which was calculated based on the net assets of the industrial wire business relative to the consolidated net assets of the Company. Interest expense allocated to discontinued operations was $14,000 and $61,000 for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006, respectively, and $111,000 and $736,000 for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 2, 2005, respectively.

     Additionally, included within the net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for the prior year is a gain on the disposal of real estate, the collection of a note receivable and the settlement on the release of an equipment lien associated with Insteel Construction Systems (“ICS”), a discontinued operation that the Company had previously exited in 1997. The gain from ICS for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 2, 2005 was $154,000 and $1.3 million, respectively.

     Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of July 1, 2006 and October 1, 2005 were as follows:

     As of July 1, 2006 there was approximately $811,000 of accrued expenses and other liabilities related to employee severance costs, ongoing lease obligations and closure-related liabilities incurred as a result of the Company’s exit from the industrial wire business.

     Subsequent to the quarter ended July 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of certain machinery and equipment that had been associated with the industrial wire business for $6.0 million. In connection with the sale, the Company will record a pre-tax gain of $1.3 million from discontinued operations during its fourth quarter ending September 30, 2006.

     On May 16, 2006, the Board of Directors approved a two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock. The stock split was payable in the form of a stock dividend and entitled each shareholder of record on June 2, 2006 to receive one share of common stock for every outstanding share of common stock held on that date. The stock dividend was distributed on June 16, 2006. Unless otherwise indicated, the capital stock accounts and all share and earnings per share data in this report give effect to the stock split, applied retroactively, to all periods presented.

     Effective October 2, 2005, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with stock options and other forms of equity compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. Previously the Company had accounted for stock options according to the provisions of Accounting Principals Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and therefore no related compensation expense was recorded for awards granted with no intrinsic value. The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided for under SFAS No. 123R and consequently has not retroactively adjusted results from prior periods. Under this transition method, (1) stock compensation expense associated with options granted on or after October 2, 2005 is recorded in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R; and (2) stock compensation expense associated with the remaining unvested portion of options granted prior to October 2, 2005 is recorded based on their grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”

     As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123R, the Company recorded $84,000 and $387,000 of compensation expense for stock options within selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006, respectively. This had the effect of reducing earnings from continuing operations before income taxes by $84,000 ($0.01 per basic and diluted share) and $387,000 ($0.02 per basic and diluted share) for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006, respectively. In the prior year, the Company recorded a $329,000 reduction in compensation expense for the three-month period

ended July 2, 2005, and $487,000 of compensation expense for the nine-month period ended July 2, 2005 for stock options associated with certain previous option plans that were required to be accounted for as variable plans under the provisions of APB No. 25. Under variable plan accounting, compensation expense was recognized over the vesting period for the excess of the market price over the exercise price and adjusted each reporting period to reflect changes in market valuation. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, these options are now accounted for as equity awards and, since the options were fully vested as of October 2, 2005, no compensation expense is recorded.

     Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the benefit of tax deductions in excess of recognized stock compensation expense was reported as a reduction of taxes paid within operating cash flow. SFAS No. 123R requires that such benefits be recorded as a financing cash flow. For the three-month period ended July 1, 2006, $254,000 of excess tax benefits were generated from option exercises. In addition, upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company evaluated the need to record a cumulative effect adjustment for estimated forfeitures and determined the amount to be immaterial.

     The remaining unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested awards at July 1, 2006 is $354,000 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

     The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to options granted under the Company’s option plans for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 2, 2005:

     Under the Company’s stock option plans, employees and directors may be granted options to purchase shares of common stock at the fair market value on the date of the grant. Options granted under these plans generally vest over three years and expire ten years from the date of the grant. The fair value of each option award granted prior to October 1, 2005 was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. With the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company determined that it would use a Monte Carlo valuation model for options that are granted subsequent to October 1, 2005. The estimated fair value of stock options granted during the nine month period ended July 1, 2006 was $15.16 using the following assumptions:

     The assumptions utilized in the model are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and actual historical experience. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The dividend yield was calculated based on the Company’s annual dividend as of the option grant date. The expected volatility was derived using a term structure based on historical volatility and the volatility implied by exchange-traded options on the Company’s stock. The expected term for options was based on

the results of a Monte Carlo simulation model, using the model’s estimated fair value as an input to the Black-Scholes-Merton model, and then solving for the expected term.

     The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding (vested and unvested) as of July 1, 2006, and option activity during the nine-month period then ended:

     At July 1, 2006, there were 1,520,000 shares available for future grants under the Company’s equity incentive plans and options to purchase 189,000 shares were exercisable which had a weighted average exercise price of $3.82, an aggregate intrinsic value of $3.9 million and a weighted average contractual term of 5.0 years.

     Restricted Stock Awards. During the nine-month period ended July 1, 2006, the Company granted 37,534 shares of restricted stock to key employees which had a total market value of approximately $526,000 as of the grant date. The following table summarizes restricted stock awards outstanding as of July 1, 2006, and restricted stock activity during the nine-month period then ended:

     The Company recorded amortization expense of $106,000 and $453,000 pertaining to the restricted stock for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006, respectively, and $97,000 and $138,000 for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 2, 2005, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize the remaining unamortized balance over the vesting period of one to three years.

     The Company has recorded the following amounts for deferred income tax assets and accrued income taxes on its consolidated balance sheet as of July 1, 2006: a current deferred income tax asset of $982,000 in prepaid expenses and other, a noncurrent deferred income tax asset of $2.1 million (net of valuation allowance) in other assets, and accrued income taxes payable of $1.1 million in accrued expenses. The Company has gross state operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of $15.9 million as of July 1, 2006 which begin to expire in seven years, but principally expire in 16 - - 17 years.

     The realization of the Company’s deferred income tax assets is entirely dependent upon the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income in the applicable jurisdictions. Generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) require that the Company periodically assess the need to establish a valuation allowance against its deferred income tax assets to the extent the Company no longer believes it is more likely than not that they will be fully utilized. As of July 1, 2006, the Company had recorded a valuation allowance of $599,000 pertaining to various state NOLs that were not anticipated to be utilized. The valuation allowance established by the Company is subject to periodic review and adjustment based on changes in facts and circumstances and would be reduced should the Company utilize the state NOLs against which an allowance had been provided or determine that such utilization is more likely than not.

     In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48”) which clarifies the criteria for the recognition of tax benefits under SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN No. 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, and requires that the cumulative effect of applying its provisions be disclosed separately as a one-time, non-cash charge against the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of FIN No. 48 and any impact on its financial position cannot be readily determined at this time.

     Retirement plans. The Company has one defined benefit pension plan, the Insteel Wire Products Company Retirement Income Plan for Hourly Employees, Wilmington, Delaware (the “Delaware Plan”). The Delaware Plan provides benefits for eligible employees based primarily upon years of service. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute amounts at least equal to those required by law. The Company contributed $358,000 to the Delaware Plan during the nine-month period ended July 1, 2006 and it expects to contribute $439,000 for the entire fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. The net periodic pension costs and related components for the Delaware Plan for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006 and July 2, 2005, respectively, are as follows:

     In connection with the collective bargaining agreement that was reached between the Company and the labor union at the Delaware facility in November 2004, the Delaware Plan was frozen whereby there will be no new plan participants. The Company intends for the Delaware Plan to eventually cease upon the retirement of the remaining active employees that are participants in the plan and payment of the associated benefit obligations.

     As of July 1, 2006, the Company had a $100.0 million revolving credit facility in place to supplement its operating cash flow in funding its working capital, capital expenditure and general corporate requirements. During the nine month period ended July 1, 2006, the Company repaid the $2.4 million balance on Term Loan A that was previously outstanding on the credit facility as of October 1, 2005. As of July 1, 2006, no borrowings were outstanding on the revolving credit facility and $58.9 million of borrowing capacity was available. Outstanding letters of credit totaled $1.7 million.

     Advances under the credit facility are limited to the lesser of the revolving credit commitment or a borrowing base amount that is calculated based upon a percentage of eligible receivables and inventories plus, upon the Company’s request and subject to certain conditions, a percentage of eligible equipment and real estate. Interest rates on the revolver are based upon (1) a base rate that is established at the higher of the prime rate or 0.50% plus the federal funds rate, or (2) at the election of the Company, a LIBOR rate, plus in either case, an applicable interest rate margin. The applicable interest rate margins are adjusted on a quarterly basis based upon the amount of excess availability on the revolver within the range of 0.00% – 0.50% for the base rate and 1.25% – 2.00% for the LIBOR rate. In addition, the applicable interest rate margins would be adjusted to the highest percentage indicated for each range upon the occurrence of certain events of default provided for under the credit facility. Based on the Company’s excess availability as of July 1, 2006, the applicable interest rate margins were 0.00% for the base rate and 1.25% for the LIBOR rate on the revolver.

     The Company’s ability to borrow available amounts under the revolving credit facility will be restricted or eliminated in the event of certain covenant breaches, events of default or if the Company is unable to make certain representations and warranties.

     Financial Covenants

     The terms of the credit facility require the Company to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than: (1) 1.10 at the end of each fiscal quarter for the twelve-month period then ended when the amount of excess availability on the revolving credit facility is less than $10.0 million and the applicable borrowing base only includes eligible receivables and inventories; or (2) 1.15 at the end of each fiscal quarter for the twelve-month period then ended when the amount of excess availability on the revolving credit facility is less than $10.0 million and the applicable borrowing base includes eligible receivables, inventories, equipment and real estate. As of July 1, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the credit facility.

     Negative Covenants

     In addition, the terms of the credit facility restrict the Company’s ability to, among other things: engage in certain business combinations or divestitures; make investments in or loans to third parties, unless certain conditions are met with respect to such investments or loans; pay cash dividends or repurchase shares of the Company’s stock subject to certain minimum borrowing availability requirements; incur or assume indebtedness; issue securities; enter into certain transactions with affiliates of the Company; or permit liens to encumber the Company’s property and assets. As of July 1, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all of the negative covenants under the credit facility.

     Events of Default

     Under the terms of the credit facility, an event of default will occur with respect to the Company upon the occurrence of, among other things: a default or breach by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any agreement resulting in the acceleration of amounts due in excess of $500,000 under such agreement; certain payment defaults by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in excess of $500,000; certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company; an entry of judgment against the Company or any of its subsidiaries for greater than $500,000, which amount is not covered by insurance; or a change of control of the Company.

     Previous Amendment to Credit Facility

     As reflected in the previously stated terms of the credit facility, on January 12, 2006, the credit facility was amended, increasing the commitment amount from $75.0 million to $100.0 million and extending the maturity date by two years to June 2010. Among other changes, the amendment also: (1) reduced the initial applicable LIBOR-based borrowing rate on the revolver by 100 basis points; (2) reduced the initial unused fee by 12.5 basis points; (3) eliminated the annual capital expenditure limitation and the leverage ratio covenant; and (4) eliminated the restrictions on dividends and share repurchases and the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant subject to the maintenance of certain excess borrowing availability thresholds.

     The reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006 and July 2, 2005, respectively, are as follows:

     Antidilutive options excluded from the diluted EPS computations were 21,000 shares and 45,000 shares for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 1, 2006, respectively, and 58,000 shares and 26,000 shares for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 2, 2005, respectively. Options to purchase 68,000 shares were exercised during the nine-month period ended July 1, 2006 resulting in a $68,000 increase in common stock and a $113,000 increase in additional paid-in capital.

     Balance sheet information:

     In connection with the Company’s stock repurchase program, on January 30, 2006, the Company repurchased approximately 400,000 shares of its common stock held by Howard O. Woltz, Jr., chairman of the Company’s board of directors, and his wife. The purchase price for the shares repurchased was $21.322 per share based on a predetermined formula, which represented a 15% discount from the closing price on January 27, 2006. The number of shares repurchased and purchased price per share are prior to the effect of the two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock that was distributed as a stock dividend on June 16, 2006.

     Following the Company’s exit from the industrial wire business (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements), Insteel’s operations are entirely focused on the manufacture and marketing of concrete reinforcing products, including welded wire reinforcement and PC strand, for the concrete construction industry. The results of operations for the industrial wire products business have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Based on the criteria specified in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” the Company has one reportable segment.

     This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly under the caption “Outlook” below. When used in this report, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and the Company can provide no assurances that such plans, intentions or expectations will be implemented or achieved. All forward-looking statements are based on information that is current as of the date of this report. Many of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in detail in the Company’s periodic reports, in particular under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 2005, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You should carefully read these risk factors.

     All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements speak only to the respective dates on which such statements are made and the Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

     It is not possible to anticipate and list all risks and uncertainties that may affect the future operations or financial performance of the Company; however, they include, but are not limited to, the following:

     Following the Company’s exit from the industrial wire business (see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements), Insteel’s operations are entirely focused on the manufacture and marketing of concrete reinforcing products, including welded wire reinforcement and PC strand, for the concrete construction industry. The results of operations for the industrial wire products business have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, all amounts and percentages presented in the management’s discussion and analysis are exclusive of discontinued operations.

Statements of Operations – Selected Data
(Dollars in thousands)

     Net sales for the third quarter of 2006 increased 7% to $91.6 million from $85.6 million in the same year-ago period as higher shipments more than offset lower average selling prices. Shipments for the quarter rose 11% while average selling prices decreased 3% from the prior year levels. The increase in shipments was primarily due to the continued improvement in nonresidential construction activity and demand for the Company’s concrete reinforcing products during the current quarter. The decrease in average selling prices was due to competitive activity in the Company’s markets which was approximately offset by reductions in raw material costs.

     Gross profit for the third quarter of 2006 increased 3% to $18.5 million, or 20.2% of net sales from $18.0 million, or 21.0% of net sales in the same year-ago period. The increase in gross profit was driven by higher shipments which was partially offset by increasing manufacturing costs and the sale of inventories valued at higher costs reflecting raw materials purchased in prior periods.

     Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A expense”) for the third quarter of 2006 increased 8% to $4.0 million, or 4.3% of net sales from $3.7 million, or 4.3% of net sales in the same year-ago period. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R as of the beginning of the current year which requires all share-based payments to be recognized as expense over the requisite service period based upon their fair values as of the grant dates. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, total stock-based compensation expense for the quarter amounted to $190,000. Although the Company elected to adopt SFAS

No. 123R using the modified prospective method, the prior year amounts also reflect stock-based compensation expense due to certain previous option plans that were required to be accounted for as variable plans. Under variable plan accounting, compensation expense was recognized over the vesting period for the excess of the market price over the exercise price and adjusted to reflect changes in market valuation. As a result, SG&A expense for the prior year included a $329,000 reduction in stock-based compensation expense resulting from the decrease in the Company’s share price that occurred during the prior year quarter. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, no compensation expense was recorded for these options in the current year. Excluding the stock-based compensation expense from both periods, SG&A expense decreased $200,000 primarily due to lower professional fees associated with outside legal and consulting services.

     Interest expense for the third quarter of 2006 decreased $453,000, or 75%, to $148,000 from $601,000 in the same year-ago period. The decrease was due to lower average borrowing levels on the Company’s senior secured credit facility ($417,000) and lower amortization expense associated with capitalized financing costs ($54,000) partially offset by higher average interest rates ($18,000).

     The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2006 was flat relative to the prior year period at 37.1%.

     The Company’s earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2006 increased 5% to $9.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share from $8.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in the same year-ago period primarily due to higher sales and gross profit together with the reduction in interest expense in the current year.

     The Company’s loss from discontinued operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was $1.2 million, or $0.07 per diluted share related to the operating losses and non-recurring closure costs associated with the Company’s exit from the industrial wire business and closure of its Fredericksburg, Virginia manufacturing facility. In the prior year period, the Company recorded a loss from discontinued operations of $101,000 or $0.01 per diluted share which consisted of a loss of $196,000 from the operations of the industrial wire business partially offset by a $95,000 gain on the disposal of real estate, the collection of a note receivable and the settlement on the release of an equipment lien associated with Insteel Construction Systems, a discontinued operation that the Company had previously exited in 1997.

     Subsequent to the quarter ended July 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of certain machinery and equipment that had been associated with the industrial wire business for $6.0 million. In connection with the sale, the Company will record a pre-tax gain of $1.3 million from discontinued operations during its fourth quarter ending September 30, 2006.

     The Company’s net earnings for the third quarter of 2006 decreased 7% to $7.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share from $8.5 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the same year-ago period primarily due to the loss from discontinued operations which was partially offset by higher sales and gross profit and the reduction in interest expense in continuing operations during the current year.

     Net sales for the first nine months of 2006 increased 11% to $247.0 million from $222.7 million in the same year-ago period as higher shipments more than offset lower average selling prices. Shipments for the nine-month period rose 19% while average selling prices decreased 7% from the prior year levels. The increase in shipments was primarily due to the continued improvement in nonresidential construction activity and demand for the Company’s concrete reinforcing products during the current year together with the completion of the inventory reduction measures pursued by customers during the prior year. The decrease in average selling prices was due to competitive activity in the Company’s markets which was approximately offset by reductions in raw material costs.

     Gross profit for the first nine months of 2006 increased 23% to $52.6 million, or 21.3% of net sales from $42.7 million, or 19.2% of net sales in the same year-ago period. The increase in gross profit was driven by higher shipments together with lower unit conversion costs.

     SG&A expense for the first nine months of 2006 increased 7% to $12.5 million, or 5.1% of net sales from $11.7 million, or 5.2% of net sales in the same year-ago period. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R as of the beginning of the current year which requires all share-based payments to be recognized as expense over the requisite service period based upon their fair values as of the grant dates. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, total stock-based compensation expense for the nine-month period amounted to $840,000. Although the Company elected to adopt SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective method, the prior year amounts also reflect stock-based compensation expense due to certain previous option plans that were required to be accounted for as variable plans. Under variable plan accounting, compensation expense was recognized over the vesting period for the excess of the market price over the exercise price and adjusted to reflect changes in market valuation. As a result, SG&A expense for the prior year included $487,000 of stock-based compensation expense resulting from the increase in the Company’s share price that occurred during the prior year period. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, no compensation expense was recorded for these options in the current year. Excluding the stock-based compensation expense from both periods, SG&A expense increased $495,000 primarily due to higher employee benefit costs.

     Interest expense for the first nine months of 2006 decreased $2.5 million, or 82%, to $532,000 from $3.0 million in the same year-ago period. The decrease was due to lower average borrowing levels on the Company’s senior secured credit facility ($1.6 million) and lower amortization expense primarily associated with the unrealized loss on the terminated interest rate swaps that was recorded in the prior year ($910,000) partially offset by higher average interest rates ($46,000).

     The effective income tax rate increased to 37.5% for the first nine months of 2006 from 35.4% in the same year-ago period. The lower effective rate in the prior year was primarily due to disqualifying dispositions of incentive stock options which lowered the Company’s taxable income and a reduction in the valuation allowance on deferred income tax assets based upon the Company’s utilization of state net operating loss carryforwards against which an allowance had previously been established.

     The Company’s earnings from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2006 increased 38% to $24.9 million, or $1.35 per diluted share from $18.1 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, in the same year-ago period primarily due to higher sales and gross profit together with the reduction in interest expense in the current year.

     The Company’s loss from discontinued operations for the first nine months of 2006 was $2.0 million, or $0.11 per diluted share related to the operating losses and non-recurring closure costs associated with the Company’s exit from the industrial wire business and closure of its Fredericksburg, Virginia manufacturing facility. In the prior year period, the Company recorded earnings from discontinued operations of $575,000, or $0.03 per diluted share which consisted of a $793,000 gain on the disposal of real estate, the collection of a note receivable and the settlement on the release of an equipment lien associated with ICS, a discontinued operation that the Company had previously exited in 1997 partially offset by a loss of $218,000 from the operations of the industrial wire business.

     Subsequent to the quarter ended July 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of certain machinery and equipment that had been associated with the industrial wire business for $6.0 million. In connection with the sale, the Company will record a pre-tax gain of $1.3 million from discontinued operations during its fourth quarter ending September 30, 2006.

     The Company’s net earnings for the first nine months of 2006 increased 23% to $23.0 million, or $1.24 per diluted share from $18.7 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, in the same year-ago period primarily due to higher sales and gross profit together with the reduction in interest expense in continuing operations during the current year which was partially offset by the loss from discontinued operations.

Selected Financial Data
(Dollars in thousands)

     Operating activities of continuing operations provided $33.0 million of cash for the first nine months of 2006 compared to $28.3 million in the same year-ago period. The year-to-year change was largely due to the $6.8 million increase in earnings from continuing operations. Cash provided by the net working capital components of receivables, inventories, accounts payable and accrued expenses, was $3.1 million in the current year compared to $4.5 million in the same year-ago period. The cash provided by working capital in the current year was driven by a $15.7 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses primarily due to higher purchases and a more favorable mix of vendor payment terms which more than offset seasonal increases of $10.5 million in inventories and $2.4 million in receivables.

     Investing activities of continuing operations used $12.2 million of cash for the first nine months of 2006 compared to $5.3 million in the same year-ago period primarily due to $11.7 million of capital expenditures related to the expansion of the Company’s engineered structural mesh (“ESM”) and PC strand businesses. Capital expenditures are expected to rise to $18.0 million in 2006 and $13.0 million in 2007 with the largest outlays earmarked for the completion of the expansion and reconfiguration of the Company’s Tennessee PC strand operation in 2006, two additional ESM lines in 2007 and various upgrades to the Florida PC strand operation in 2007. The actual timing of these expenditures as well as the amounts are subject to change based on adjustments in the project timelines, future market conditions and the Company’s financial performance. Subsequent to the quarter ended July 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of certain machinery and equipment that had been associated with the industrial wire business for $6.0 million.

     Financing activities of continuing operations used $21.9 million of cash for the first nine months of 2006 compared to $27.9 million in the same year-ago period. In the current year, $11.9 million of long-term debt was repaid, $8.5 million of common stock was repurchased and $1.7 million of cash dividends were paid.

     The Company’s total debt-to-capital ratio decreased to 0% at July 1, 2006 from 21% at July 2, 2005 due to the combined impact of a $24.3 million reduction in debt and a $20.0 million increase in shareholders’ equity over the year-ago levels. The Company believes that, in the absence of significant unanticipated cash demands, net cash generated by operating activities and amounts available under its revolving credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy its expected working capital, capital expenditure, dividend and possible share repurchase requirements.

     As of July 1, 2006, the Company had a $100.0 million revolving credit facility in place to supplement its operating cash flow in funding its working capital, capital expenditure and general corporate requirements. During the nine months ended July 1, 2006, the Company repaid the $2.4 million balance on Term Loan A that was previously outstanding on the credit facility as of October 1, 2005. As of July 1, 2006, no borrowings were outstanding on the revolving credit facility and $58.9 million of borrowing capacity was available. Outstanding letters of credit totaled $1.7 million.

     Advances under the credit facility are limited to the lesser of the revolving credit commitment or a borrowing base amount that is calculated based upon a percentage of eligible receivables and inventories plus, upon the Company’s request and subject to certain conditions, a percentage of eligible equipment and real estate. Interest rates on the revolver are based upon (1) a base rate that is established at the higher of the prime rate or 0.50% plus the federal funds rate, or (2) at the election of the Company, a LIBOR rate, plus in either case, an applicable interest rate margin. The applicable interest rate margins are adjusted on a quarterly basis based upon the amount of excess availability on the revolver within the range of 0.00% – 0.50% for the base rate and 1.25% – 2.00% for the LIBOR rate. In addition, the applicable interest rate margins would be adjusted to the highest percentage indicated for each range upon the occurrence of certain events of default provided for under the credit facility. Based on the Company’s excess availability as of July 1, 2006, the applicable interest rate margins were 0.00% for the base rate and 1.25% for the LIBOR rate on the revolver.

     The Company’s ability to borrow available amounts under the revolving credit facility will be restricted or eliminated in the event of certain covenant breaches, events of default or if the Company is unable to make certain representations and warranties.

     Financial Covenants

     The terms of the credit facility require the Company to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than: (1) 1.10 at the end of each fiscal quarter for the twelve-month period then ended when the amount of excess availability on the revolving credit facility is less than $10.0 million and the applicable borrowing base only includes eligible receivables and inventories; or (2) 1.15 at the end of each fiscal quarter for the twelve-month period then ended when the amount of excess availability on the revolving credit facility is less than $10.0 million and the applicable borrowing base includes eligible receivables, inventories, equipment and real estate. As of July 1, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the credit facility.

     Negative Covenants

     In addition, the terms of the credit facility restrict the Company’s ability to, among other things: engage in certain business combinations or divestitures; make investments in or loans to third parties, unless certain conditions are met with respect to such investments or loans; pay cash dividends or repurchase shares of the Company’s stock subject to certain minimum borrowing availability requirements; incur or assume indebtedness; issue securities; enter into certain transactions with affiliates of the Company; or permit liens to encumber the Company’s property and assets. As of July 1, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all of the negative covenants under the credit facility.

     Events of Default

     Under the terms of the credit facility, an event of default will occur with respect to the Company upon the occurrence of, among other things: a default or breach by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any agreement resulting in the acceleration of amounts due in excess of $500,000 under such agreement; certain payment defaults by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in excess of $500,000; certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company; an entry of judgment against the Company or any of its subsidiaries for greater than $500,000, which amount is not covered by insurance; or a change of control of the Company.

     Previous Amendment to Credit Facility

     As reflected in the previously stated terms, on January 12, 2006, the credit facility was amended, increasing the commitment amount from $75.0 million to $100.0 million and extending the maturity date by two years to June 2010. Among other changes, the amendment also: (1) reduced the initial applicable LIBOR-based borrowing rate on the revolver by 100 basis points; (2) reduced the initial unused fee by 12.5 basis points; (3) eliminated the annual capital expenditure

limitation and the leverage ratio covenant; and (4) eliminated the restrictions on dividends and share repurchases and the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant subject to the maintenance of certain excess borrowing availability thresholds.

     The Company has no material transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K of the SEC, that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future impact on its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses.

     The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies generally accepted in the United States. The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based on these financial statements. The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires the application of these accounting policies in addition to certain estimates and judgments by the Company’s management. The Company’s estimates and judgments are based on current available information, actuarial estimates, historical results and other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

     The following critical accounting policies are used in the preparation of the financial statements:

     Revenue recognition and credit risk. The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when the product is shipped and risk of loss and title has passed to the customer. Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable are due from customers that are located in the United States and the Company generally requires no collateral depending upon the creditworthiness of the account. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon its assessment of the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. There is no concentration of credit risk.

     Allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to change significantly, adjustments to the allowances may be required. While the Company believes its recorded trade receivables will be collected, in the event of default in payment of a trade receivable, the Company would follow normal collection procedures.

     Excess and obsolete inventory reserves. The Company writes down the carrying value of its inventory for estimated obsolescence to reflect the lower of the cost of the inventory or its estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions for the Company’s products are substantially different than those projected by management, adjustments to these reserves may be required.

     Valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets. The Company has recorded valuation allowances related to a portion of its deferred income tax assets for which it cannot support the presumption that expected realization meets a “more likely than not” criteria. If the timing or amount of future taxable income is different than management’s current estimates, adjustments to the valuation allowances may be necessary.

     Accruals for self-insured liabilities and litigation. The Company has accrued its estimate of the probable costs related to self-insured medical and workers’ compensation claims and legal matters. These estimates have been developed in consultation with the Company’s legal counsel and other advisors and are based on management’s current understanding of the underlying facts and circumstances. Because of uncertainties related to the ultimate outcome of these issues as well as the possibility of changes in the underlying facts and circumstances, adjustments to these reserves may be required in the future.

     The Company believes that the increased demand for its concrete reinforcing products during the first nine months of the year was driven by the continued recovery in private nonresidential construction spending from the depressed levels of recent years together with the completion of inventory reduction measures within its customer base that reduced order levels during most of 2005. Despite surging imports of PC strand, particularly from China, robust domestic demand has allowed the Company to operate its manufacturing facilities at capacity during 2006. Should demand weaken, it is possible that pricing for PC strand and spreads between selling values and raw material costs would be negatively impacted.

     The Company currently expects that the favorable demand trend will continue and be augmented by: (1) higher government spending for infrastructure-related construction associated with the recent enactment of the transportation funding authorization at the federal level together with the improved fiscal positions of most states and (2) the post-hurricane reconstruction that will be required in the Gulf region. The Company believes that these factors had a minimal effect on shipments during the first nine months of 2006, but anticipates that they will have a gradually increasing impact on demand for the Company’s concrete reinforcing products for the remainder of 2006 and in 2007. The continuation of favorable market conditions is expected to support the maintenance of gross margins and spreads between selling prices and raw material costs at attractive levels and enable the Company to attain further reductions in unit conversion costs through higher operating volumes. In addition, following the Company’s closure of its Fredericksburg, Virginia manufacturing facility, the recent losses that were incurred in connection with the industrial wire business will no longer have a negative impact on the Company’s operating results.

     The Company is continuing to devote additional resources towards the development of its engineered structural mesh (“ESM”) business as well as other niche products and these efforts will be intensified going forward. The Company is also proceeding with organic growth initiatives that will reconfigure and expand the capacity of its ESM and PC strand businesses which are expected to favorably impact its unit manufacturing costs and position it to satisfy future increases in demand in these markets. In addition, the Company is continually evaluating potential acquisitions in existing or related products that further its penetration in current markets served or expand its geographic presence. The Company anticipates that these actions, together with the positive outlook for the demand drivers of its products, should have a favorable impact on its financial performance through the remainder of 2006 and in 2007 (see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”).

     The Company’s cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations resulting from changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The Company manages its exposure to these market risks through internally established policies and procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company does not use financial instruments for trading purposes and is not a party to any leveraged derivatives. The Company monitors its underlying market risk exposures on an ongoing basis and believes that it can modify or adapt its hedging strategies as necessary.

     The Company does not generally use derivative commodity instruments to hedge its exposures to changes in commodity prices. The principal commodity price exposure is hot-rolled carbon steel wire rod, the Company’s primary raw material, which is purchased from both domestic and foreign suppliers and denominated in U.S. dollars. Historically the Company has typically negotiated quantities and pricing for both domestic and foreign steel wire rod purchases for varying periods, depending upon market conditions, to manage its exposure to price fluctuations and to ensure adequate availability of material consistent with its requirements. The Company’s ability to acquire steel wire rod from foreign sources on favorable terms is impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, foreign taxes, duties, tariffs and other trade actions. Although changes in wire rod costs and the Company’s selling prices may be correlated over extended periods of time, depending upon market conditions, there may be periods during which it is unable to fully recover increased rod costs through higher selling prices, which reduces its gross profit and cash flow from operations.

     Although the Company was debt-free as of the end of the quarter, future borrowings under its senior secured credit facility are sensitive to changes in interest rates.

     The Company has not typically hedged foreign currency exposures related to transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars, as such transactions have not been material in the past. The Company will occasionally hedge firm commitments for certain equipment purchases that are denominated in foreign currencies. The decision to hedge any such transactions is made by the Company on a case-by-case basis. There were no forward contracts outstanding as of July 1, 2006.

     As of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material respects, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed by the Company and submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required. Further the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to management including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure.

     There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended July 1, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

     There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2005. You should carefully consider these factors in addition to the other information set forth in this report which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this report and in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 2005 are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

     On January 12, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $15.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock over a period of up to twelve months ending January 12, 2007. The repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The Company is not obligated to acquire any particular amount of common stock and the program may be modified, suspended, extended or terminated by the Company at any time without prior notice. Through July 1, 2006, the Company had purchased approximately $8.5 million of its common stock through the program. The Company made no purchases of common stock during the three-month period ended July 1, 2006.

     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.