The Eastern Company
EML
#9111
Rank
$0.12 B
Marketcap
$20.90
Share price
1.11%
Change (1 day)
-10.26%
Change (1 year)

The Eastern Company - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY
PERIOD ENDED MARCH 30, 2002

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 0-599

THE EASTERN COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut 06-0330020
----------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

112 Bridge Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut 06770
----------------------------------------- -----
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(203) 729-2255
--------------
(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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class Outstanding as of March 30, 2002
----- --------------------------------
Common Stock, No par value 3,630,520


-1-
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM I CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


ASSETS
March 30, 2002 December 29, 2001
-------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,325,145 $ 4,955,020
Investment in common stock 801,245 850,017
Accounts receivable, less allowance:
2002- $347,000; 2001- $344,000 11,545,618 10,814,017
Inventories 17,770,885 18,590,847
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,050,308 1,690,917
Deferred income taxes 640,200 640,200
---------- ----------
Total Current Assets 38,133,401 37,541,018
--------------------

Property, plant and equipment 40,680,051 40,323,624
Accumulated depreciation (15,074,043) (14,337,979)
---------- ----------
25,606,008 25,985,645

Prepaid pension cost 5,246,924 5,321,110
Goodwill 10,640,114 10,603,638
Other assets, net 2,485,407 2,444,643
--------- -----------

TOTAL ASSETS $ 82,111,854 $ 81,896,054
============ ============

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts payable $ 3,837,578 $ 3,471,951
Accrued compensation 1,534,508 982,464
Other accrued expenses 1,653,485 2,066,734
Current portion of long-term debt 3,505,134 3,388,662
------------ ------------

Total Current Liabilites 10,530,705 9,909,811
------------------------

Deferred federal income taxes 3,181,000 3,126,500
Long-term debt, less current portion 24,092,309 25,013,906
Accrued postretirement benefits 2,754,660 2,735,910
Interest rate swap obligation 869,842 1,054,420


Shareholders' Equity

Common Stock, No Par Value:
Authorized shares - 25,000,000
Issued and outstanding shares:
2002-3,630,520; 2001-3,629,185
excluding 1,652,320 shares held in treasury 859,439 839,155

Preferred Stock, No Par Value
Authorized shares - 2,000,000
(No shares issued)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency transalation (908,171) (1,156,515)
Derivative financial instruments (521,842) (632,420)
Unrealized holding gain on investment in common stock 31,700 60,972
------------ ------------
(1,398,313) (1,727,963)

Retained earnings 41,222,212 40,944,315
------------ ------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 40,683,338 40,055,507
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 82,111,854 $ 81,896,054
============ ============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.
-2-
THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED

March 30, 2002 March 31, 2001
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 20,320,517 $ 22,676,922

Interest income 13,215 39,425
------------ ------------
20,333,732 22,716,347

Cost of products sold 15,210,958 16,491,845
------------ ------------
5,122,774 6,224,502

Selling and administrative expenses 3,641,780 3,600,558

Interest expense 446,715 645,885

Goodwill amortization -- 239,763
------------ ------------


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 1,034,279 1,738,296

Income taxes 357,172 586,424
------------ ------------
NET INCOME $ 677,107 $ 1,151,872
============ ============

Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.19 $ 0.32
Diluted $ 0.18 $ 0.31

Cash dividends per share $ 0.11 $ 0.11


</TABLE>


See accompanying notes.

-3-
THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED

March 30, 2002 March 31, 2001
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 677,107 $ 1,151,872
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 743,650 802,446
Amortization 115,487 310,036
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 3,919 --
Issuance of Common Stock for directors' fees 20,284 51,290
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (748,438) (1,274,008)
Inventories 792,056 (155,209)
Prepaid expenses (177,216) (164,375)
Prepaid pension 74,186 (52,289)
Accounts payable 147,153 68,974
Accrued expenses 537,196 (429,883)
Other assets (216,293) (72,544)
----------- -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 1,969,091 236,310

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment (386,427) (523,539)
----------- -----------
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (386,427) (523,539)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on long-term debt and notes payable (803,775) (693,172)
Dividends paid (399,210) (400,218)
----------- -----------
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (1,202,985) (1,093,390)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (9,554) 23,725
----------- -----------

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 370,125 (1,356,894)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 4,955,020 4,541,706
----------- -----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 5,325,145 $ 3,184,812
=========== ===========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

-4-
THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNADUITED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

THREE MONTHS ENDED

March 30, 2002 March 31, 2001
-------------- --------------

<S> <C> <C>
Net income $ 677,107 $ 1,151,872
Other comprehensive loss -
Foreign currency translation 248,344 (140,166)

Cumulative effect of accounting change
for derivative financial intruments,
net of income taxes of $265,000 -- (400,756)


Change in fair value of derivative financial
instruments, net of income taxes
of ($74,000) in 2002 and $105,000 in 2001 110,578 (162,431)

Unrealized holding loss on investment in
common stock, net of income taxes
of $19,500 (29,272) --
----------- -----------
329,650 (703,353)
----------- -----------

Comprehensive income $ 1,006,757 $ 448,519
=========== ===========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.



-5-
THE EASTERN COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 30, 2002



Note A - Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all
of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. Refer to the
Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its
Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2001 for additional information.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited.
However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of
normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of
operations for interim periods have been reflected therein. Operating results
for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the full year.

The condensed balance sheet as of December 29, 2001 has been derived from the
audited consolidated balance sheet at that date.



Note B - Earnings Per Share

The denominators used in the earnings per share computations follow:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
March 30, 2002 March 31, 2001
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding 3,629,258 3,631,195
Contingent shares outstanding -- (11,250)
--------- ---------
Denominator for basic earnings per share 3,629,258 3,619,945
========= =========

Diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding 3,629,258 3,631,195
Contingent shares outstanding -- (11,250)
Dilutive stock options 112,777 82,010
--------- ---------
Denominator for diluted earnings per share 3,742,035 3,701,955
========= =========

</TABLE>


Note C - Inventories

The components of inventories follow:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

March 30, 2002 December 29, 2001
-------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials and component parts $ 7,872,502 $ 8,228,364
Work in process 4,193,929 4,390,818
Finished goods 5,704,454 5,971,665
------------ ------------
$ 17,770,885 $ 18,590,847
============ ============

</TABLE>

-6-
THE EASTERN COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 30, 2002


Note D - Segment Information

Segment financial information follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
March 30, 2002 March 31, 2001
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Sales to unaffiliated customers:
Industrial Hardware $ 6,897,070 $ 8,033,559
Security Products 9,055,813 9,498,206
Metal Products 4,367,634 5,145,157
------------ ------------
20,320,517 22,676,922
General corporate 13,215 39,425
------------ ------------
$ 20,333,732 $ 22,716,347
============ ============


Income Before Income Taxes:
Industrial Hardware $ 737,395 $ 1,278,875
Security Products 803,878 899,130
Metal Products 247,364 367,631
------------ ------------
Operating Profit 1,788,637 2,545,636
General corporate expenses (307,643) (161,455)
Interest expense (446,715) (645,885)
------------ ------------
$ 1,034,279 $ 1,738,296
============ ============

</TABLE>


Note E - FASB Statement 142 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Effective December 30, 2001, the Company adopted FASB Statement 142, Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets. Under the new standards, goodwill is no longer
amortized but will be subjected to annual impairment tests; other intangibles
continue to be amortized over their useful lives. Goodwill amortization for the
quarter ended March 31, 2001 was $239,763. Had this statement been in effect
December 31, 2000, then net income and earnings per share (basic) would have
been $1,295,730 and $.36 for the first quarter of 2001 compared to the reported
amounts of $1,151,872 and $.32.



Note F - FASB Statement 133 - Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities

Effective December 31, 2000, the Company adopted FASB Statement 133, Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The statement requires the
Company to recognize all derivatives in the balance sheet at fair value.
Further, derivatives that are not hedges are adjusted to fair value through
operations. If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge,
changes in the fair value of derivatives are either offset against the change in
fair value of assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through operations or
recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in
operations. The adoption of Statement No. 133 resulted in a charge to
comprehensive income for the cumulative effect of accounting change of $400,756
in the first quarter of 2001.


-7-
ITEM 2                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

Net income per share (basic) for the first quarter of 2002 was $677,000 or
$.19 per share (basic) on sales of $20.3 million compared to $1,152,000 or
$.32 per share (basic) on sales of $22.7 million in the first quarter of 2001.

Sales for the first quarter 2002 were down 10% compared to the same period a
year ago. New product introductions were up 3%, price increases were up 1% and
volume decreased 14%.

The Industrial Hardware segment sales declined 14% as compared to the first
quarter of 2001. Sales volume declined 20%, while internally developed new
products (for the utility truck and vehicular accessory markets) increased
sales by 6%. Sales of heavy hardware to the tractor-trailer market decreased
40% from 2001 levels. Sales to this market began declining in the latter half
of 2000 and are expected to continue to decline through the second quarter of
2002. Truck and trailer manufacturers still burdened with excessive
inventories have held production levels to a minimum thus reducing purchase
commitments. This market is expected to show a moderate increase in the second
half of 2002 as manufacturers begin to replenish their inventories. Sales of
industrial hardware (such as rotary locks, locking recessed handles,
multi-point paddle handles and slam latches) to original equipment
manufacturers and distributors were off 17% from prior year sales levels
primarily the result of the continued softness in the manufacturing sector of
the economy. Sales of school bus door closures decreased 4% as compared to the
same period a year ago. Sales of automotive accessories (toolbox locks, push
button locks and rotary latches for tonneau covers used on pickup trucks) were
up 12% from prior year levels. New product sales include a dual push button
package for toolbox applications, rotary latches and cable for the tonneau
cover market, push button lock systems for utility body applications, a mini
rotary lock for door enclosures and school bus hardware. The Company
anticipates an improvement in business in the second half of 2002.

The Security Products segment's sales were down 5% in the first quarter 2002
as compared to the first quarter of 2001. Price increases and sales of new
products were each up 1% and volume was down 7%. The volume decrease was
primarily due to the continued general slowness in the economy and the reduced
activity levels of the travel sector. Sales of locks to the computer and
travel markets are continuing at a reduced level from the prior year. Sales of
new products included a new push button lock, drawer slides and luggage tags.
Sales of security products to the commercial laundry industry increased 2% as
compared to the first quarter of 2001. Sales to original equipment
manufacturers such as Whirlpool, GE, Maytag and Alliance were up by 11%. Sales
to distributors and route operators in that industry were off 2% while sales
of Smart Card products increased 3% as compared to the first quarter of 2001.

In the Metal Products segment, sales were down 15% from the previous year.
Volume dropped 16%, while price increases raised sales 1%. Current year sales
for contract castings were down 22% from the comparable period in 2001. The
decrease in the contract casting business was mainly the result of a decrease
in the commercial and industrial construction sector of the economy where many
of our contract casting customers sell products such as pole line hardware,
beam clamps and electrical and gas fittings. Further weakening demand for
contract castings is the ongoing competition from China, Germany and Mexico
where labor costs are generally lower and weak currency exchange rates create
pricing pressures in the U. S. casting markets. Sales of mine roof support
anchors were down 10% compared to the same period a year ago. In 2001, the
energy crisis in California and the surge in natural gas prices created an
increase in demand for coal and resulted in the opening of several underground
coal mines using the Company's proprietary mine roof anchor support systems.
In 2002, demand for coal has softened as the result of an extremely mild
winter. Coal stockpiles have been replenished and many Appalachian coal
companies have announced production cutbacks. Although


-8-
the price of natural gas, oil and the weather influence the demand for coal,
it is still the least costly and the most price stable energy source available
today. Mining technology continues to evolve and the Company continues to look
at new manufacturing methods and alternative products to remain competitive,
including the addition of ductile iron casting capabilities and the
development of new mine roof anchor systems to more effectively compete with
resin bolt systems.

Gross margin as a percentage of sales for the three months ended March 30,
2002 was approximately 25% compared to 27% for the comparable period a year
ago. The decrease in gross margin is primarily the result of product mix and
reduced sales volume at certain locations.

Selling and administrative expenses were up 1% or $41 thousand for the three
months ended March 30, 2002 compared to the same period a year ago. The higher
selling and administrative expenses are due to increased personnel expenses.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2002 was $447 thousand versus $646
thousand for the first quarter of 2001. The decrease in interest expense was
due to the lower debt and lower interest rates.

Earnings before income taxes for the first quarter of 2002 were down 41% or
$704 thousand compared to the first quarter of 2001. The Industrial Hardware
segment was down 42% or $541 thousand for 3 months as compared to the same
period a year ago. The decrease was the direct result of lower sales volume of
industrial and transportation hardware reflecting less than fully utilized
production facilities. The Security Products segment earnings before income
taxes for the three months ended March 30, 2002 were down 11% or $95 thousand
as compared to the first quarter of 2001. This decrease was the result of
lower sales volume for our various lock products. The Metal Products segment
earnings were down 33% or $120 thousand compared to the first quarter of 2001.
The decrease was due to lower sales of mine roof expansion anchors as well as
lower contract casting sales, as the result of foreign competition from Asia,
Latin America and Europe. Weak currency exchanges continue to create pricing
pressures on the contract casting market.


Liquidity and Sources of Capital

Cash flows from operations were $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2002
versus $236 thousand for the same period in 2001. The change in cash flows
resulted from the associated timing differences for collections of accounts
receivable, payments of liabilities and changes in inventories. Cash flow from
operations coupled with cash on hand at the beginning of the first quarter of
2002 was sufficient to fund capital expenditures, debt service and dividend
payments.

Additions to property, plant and equipment were $386 thousand during the first
quarter of 2002 versus $524 thousand for the comparable period a year ago.
Total 2002 capital expenditures are not expected to exceed the annual expected
$3.0 million level of depreciation.

Total inventories as of March 30, 2002 were $17.8 million or $820 thousand
lower than year end 2001. The inventory turnover ratio of 3.4 turns at the end
of the first quarter was slightly better than the year end ratio of 3.3 turns.
However, it was slightly lower than the 3.9 turns experienced in the first
quarter of 2001. Accounts receivable increased by $732 thousand from year end
2001, primarily due to increased sales volume compared to the fourth quarter
of 2001. The average day's sales in accounts receivable for the first quarter
of 2002 was 52 days compared to the first quarter of 2001 of 59 days.

Cash flow from operating activities and funds available under the revolving
credit portion of the Company's loan agreement should be sufficient to cover
future foreseeable working capital requirements.




-9-
Other Matters

No other matters are currently pending.


Note: The preceding information contains forward looking statements which
reflect the Company's current expectations regarding its future operating
performance and achievements and is subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in
such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include changing customer
preferences, lack of success of new products, loss of customers, competition,
increased raw material prices and problems associated with foreign sourcing of
parts and products. The Company is not obligated to update or revise the
aforementioned statements for new developments


ITEM 3 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


There have been no material changes in market risk from what was reported in
the 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K.











-10-
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
- ------ -----------------

There are no significant pending legal proceedings, other than
ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company's business, to which
either the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of
their property is the subject.


ITEM 2 CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
- ------ -----------------------------------------
None


ITEM 3 DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None


ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
- ------ ---------------------------------------------------
The Registrant held its Annual Meeting of the Stockholders at
The Eastern Company, Naugatuck, Connecticut on Wednesday, the twenty-fourth day
of April 2002. The matters voted on and the voting results were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

FOR WITHHELD AGAINST ABSTENTION
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>

1) Election of two director
for a three-year term
expiring in the year 2005.

John W. Everets 3,230,275 37,671
Leonard F. Leganza 3,218,909 49,337

Continuing Directors:
Donald S. Tuttle III
David C. Robinson
Charles W. Henry


2) Appointment of Ernst &
Young LLP as
independent auditors: 3,251,034 12,022 5,189

</TABLE>



ITEM 5 OTHER INFORMATION
- ------ -----------------
None


ITEM 6 EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- ------- --------------------------------
None





-11-
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

THE EASTERN COMPANY
-------------------
(Registrant)


DATE: May 13, 2002 /s/Leonard F. Leganza
------------ ---------------------
Leonard F. Leganza
President and Chief Executive Officer



DATE: May 13, 2002 /s/John L. Sullivan III
------------ -----------------------
John L. Sullivan, III
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer







-12-