Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 December 31, 2011

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 1-8174

 

 

DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   95-0693330

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.

 

23301 Wilmington Avenue, Carson, California     90745-6209

         (Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 513-7200

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

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.01 par value   New York Stock Exchange

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

None

(Title of class)

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.     Yes  ¨    No  x

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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity held by nonaffiliates computed by reference to the price of which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2011 was approximately $251 million.

The number of shares of common stock outstanding on January 31, 2012 was 10,540,563.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

(a) Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2012 Proxy Statement”), incorporated partially in Part III hereof.

 

 

 


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or similar expressions. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Generally, forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future actions, events or results of operations. Forward-looking statements specifically include, without limitation, the information in this Form 10-K regarding: projections; efficiencies/cost avoidance; cost savings; income and margins; earnings per share; growth; economies of scale; combined operations; the economy; future economic performance; capital expenditures; future financing needs; future acquisitions and dispositions; litigation; potential and contingent liabilities; management’s plans; and merger and integration-related expenses.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. All written and oral forward-looking statements made in connection with this Form 10-K that are attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by “Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements included herein. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this Form 10-K to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

The information in this Form 10-K is not a complete description of our business. There can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of these forward-looking statements or that our actual results will not differ materially from the results anticipated in such forward-looking statements. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by us include, but are not limited to, those factors or conditions described under “Risk Factors” and the following:

 

   

the cyclicality of the aerospace market and the level of new commercial aircraft orders;

 

   

customer concentration;

 

   

production rates for various commercial and military aircraft programs;

 

   

the level of U.S. defense spending;

 

   

competitive pricing pressures;

 

   

manufacturing inefficiencies;

 

   

start-up costs and possible overruns on new contracts;

 

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technology and product development risks and uncertainties;

 

   

product performance;

 

   

increasing consolidation of customers and suppliers in the aerospace industry;

 

   

price erosion within the electronics manufacturing services marketplace;

 

   

the risk of environmental liabilities;

 

   

possible goodwill impairment;

 

   

compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and changes in regulatory requirements, including regulatory requirements applicable to government contracts and sub-contracts;

 

   

imposition of taxes, export controls, tariffs, embargoes and other trade restrictions;

 

   

economic and geopolitical developments and conditions;

 

   

our ability to service our substantial indebtedness;

 

   

our ability to manage and otherwise comply with our covenants with respect to our significant outstanding indebtedness;

 

   

unfavorable developments in the global credit markets, which may make it more difficult to incur new indebtedness or refinance our outstanding indebtedness;

 

   

the risk that LaBarge’s business, operations and employees will not be integrated successfully with our business and operations;

 

   

our inability to recognize the benefits of the Merger, including any potential synergies, growth, cost savings or accretive value;

 

   

our ability to retain key employees following the Merger;

 

   

our inability to maintain current customer and supplier relationships following the Merger;

 

   

the risk that the Merger disrupts current plans and operations;

 

   

litigation in respect of us;

 

   

the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Merger and the financings for the Merger;

 

   

risks associated with other acquisitions and dispositions of businesses by us.

 

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We caution the reader that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. We do not undertake any duty or responsibility to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect actual outcomes.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Ducommun (“we”, “our”, or “the Company”) provides engineering and manufacturing services primarily to the aerospace and defense industry through a wide spectrum of electronic and structural applications. We design, engineer and manufacture a broad range of electronics, electromechanical and interconnect systems and components, mission-critical aerostructure and critical components and subassemblies. We also provide engineering, technical and program management services. Our products and services are used on domestic and foreign commercial and military aircraft, helicopter, missile and space programs, as well as in certain industrial, natural resources, medical and other commercial markets. We operate through two primary business units: Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (“DLT”) and Ducommun AeroStructures (“DAS”). We are the successor to a business that was founded in California in 1849 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1970.

On June 28, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of all the outstanding stock of LaBarge, Inc. (“LaBarge”), a publicly-owned company based in St. Louis, Missouri for $325,315,000 (net of cash acquired and excluding acquisition costs). LaBarge was a provider of electronics manufacturing services to aerospace, defense and other diverse markets. LaBarge provided its customers with sophisticated electronic, electromechanical and mechanical products through contract design and manufacturing. The acquisition was funded from internally generated cash, senior unsecured notes and a senior secured term loan. The operating results for this acquisition have been included in the consolidated statements of operations since the date of acquisition. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, operating expenses included expenses related to the acquisition of LaBarge of $16,137,000 and interest expense included the write-off of $831,000 of unamortized financing costs, as a result of the Company’s debt refinancing related to the acquisition of LaBarge.

 

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

We now operate in two business segments, Ducommun LaBarge Technologies and Ducommun AeroStructures, each of which is a reportable operating segment.

Business Segment Information

We operate and report our financial performance based on the following two reportable segments: Ducommun Aerostructures (“DAS”) and Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (“DLT”). The results of operations among our operating segments vary due to differences in competitors, customers, extent of proprietary deliverables and performance.

DAS engineers and manufactures aerospace structural components and subassemblies. DLT was formed in June 2011 by the combination of our former Ducommun Technologies segment (“DTI”) and LaBarge. DLT designs, engineers and manufactures a broad range of electronic, electromechanical and interconnect systems and components. In addition, DLT provides technical and program management services (including design, development, and integration and testing of prototype products) principally for advanced weapons and missile defense systems.

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (DLT)

DLT designs, engineers and manufactures a broad range of electronics, electromechanical and interconnect systems and components. Our product offerings include cable assemblies, wiring harness and interconnect systems, printed circuit board assemblies and mechanical and electromechanical subassemblies, illuminated pushbutton switches and panels, microwave and millimeter switches and filters and fractional horsepower motors and resolvers. In addition we provide engineering, technical and program management services to support our product offerings. Components and assemblies are provided principally for domestic and foreign commercial and military aircraft, helicopter and space programs as well as selected non-aerospace applications principally for the industrial, natural resources and medical industries. Engineering, technical and program management services (including design, development, and integration and testing of Prototype Products) are provided principally for advanced weapons and missile defense systems.

Electromechanical Subassemblies and Interconnect Systems

DLT designs, engineers and manufactures electromechanical subassemblies and interconnect systems for the defense electronics and commercial aircraft markets and for other commercial uses such as industrial automation, satellites, space launch vehicles, oil wells, mine automation equipment and medical devices. DLT builds custom, high performance electronics, electromechanical and interconnect systems and our products include sophisticated radar enclosures, aircraft avionics racks and shipboard communications and control enclosures, printed circuit board assemblies, cable assemblies, wire harnesses, interconnect systems and other high level complex assemblies. DLT has a fully integrated manufacturing capability, including manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, machining, assembly, electronic integration and related processes.

 

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Panels, Switches and Related Components

DLT designs, engineers and manufactures illuminated switches, switch assemblies, keyboard panels, and edge lit panels, used in many military and commercial aircraft, helicopter, and space programs. DLT manufactures switches and panels where high reliability is a prerequisite. DLT also designs, engineers and manufactures microwave and millimeterwave switches, filters, and other components used principally on commercial and military aircraft and satellites. In addition, DLT develops, designs and manufactures high precision actuators, stepper motors, fractional horsepower motors and resolvers principally for space and oil service applications, and microwave and millimeterwave products for certain non-aerospace applications.

Engineering, Technical and Program Management Services

DLT provides missile and aerospace systems design, development, integration and testing. Engineering, technical and program management services are provided principally for advanced weapons systems and missile defense primarily for United States defense, space and homeland security programs.

Ducommun AeroStructures (DAS)

DAS provides aluminum stretch-forming, titanium and aluminum hot-forming, machining, composite lay-up, metal bonding, and chemical milling services principally for domestic and foreign commercial and military aircraft, helicopter and space programs.

Stretch-Forming, Hot-Forming and Machining

DAS supplies the aerospace industry with engineering and manufacturing of complex components using stretch-forming and hot-forming processes and computer-controlled machining. Stretch-forming is a process for manufacturing large, complex structural shapes primarily from aluminum sheet metal extrusions. DAS has some of the largest and most sophisticated stretch-forming presses in the United States. Hot-forming is a metal working process conducted at high temperature for manufacturing close-tolerance titanium and aluminum components. DAS designs and manufactures the tooling required for the production of parts in these forming processes. Certain components manufactured by DAS are machined with precision milling equipment, including three 5-axis gantry profile milling machines and seven 5-axis numerically-controlled routers to provide computer-controlled machining and inspection of complex parts up to 100 feet long.

 

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Composites and Metal Bonding

DAS engineers and manufactures metal, fiberglass and carbon composite aerostructures. DAS produces helicopter main and tail rotor blades, and adhesive bonded assemblies, including spoilers, winglets, and fuselage structural panels for aircraft.

Chemical Milling

DAS is a major supplier of close tolerance chemical milling services for the aerospace industry. Chemical milling removes material in specific patterns to reduce weight in areas where full material thickness is not required. This sophisticated etching process enables DAS to produce lightweight, high-strength designs that would be impractical to produce by conventional means. DAS offers production-scale chemical milling on aluminum, titanium, steel, nickel-base and super alloys. Jet engine components, wing leading edges and fuselage skins are examples of products that require chemical milling.

SALES AND MARKETING

Military components manufactured by us are employed in many of the country’s front-line fighters, bombers, helicopters and support aircraft, as well as land and sea-based applications. Engineering, technical and program management services are provided principally for United States defense, space and homeland security programs. Our defense business is diversified among a number of military manufacturers and programs. In the space sector, we continue to support various unmanned launch vehicle and satellite programs.

Our commercial sales depend substantially on aircraft manufacturers’ production rates, which in turn depend on deliveries of new aircraft. Deliveries of new aircraft by aircraft manufacturers are dependent on the financial capacity of the airlines and leasing companies to purchase the aircraft. Sales of commercial aircraft could be affected as a result of changes in new aircraft orders, or the cancellation or deferral by airlines of purchases of ordered aircraft. Our sales for commercial aircraft programs also could be affected by changes in our customers’ inventory levels and changes in our customers’ aircraft production build rates.

Our sales into the industrial medical, natural resources and other commercial markets are customer focused in the various markets and driven primarily by manufacturing outsourcing requirements. For example our production rates in the mining down hole drilling market are driven by the number of oil rigs operating in North America.

Sales related to military and space, commercial aerospace, and other end markets were approximately 52%, 32% and 16%, respectively, of total sales in 2011. We believe the diversity of LaBarge’s customer base will help to reduce the impact to us of volatility in any one market sector.

Many of our contracts are fixed price contracts subject to termination at the convenience of the customer (as well as for default). In the event of termination for convenience, the customer generally is required to pay the costs we incurred and certain other fees through the date of termination. Larger, long-term government subcontracts may have provisions for milestone payments, progress payments or cash advances for purchase of inventory.

 

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We seek to develop strong, long-term relationships with our customers, which provide the basis for future sales. These close relationships allow us to better understand each customer’s business needs and identify ways to provide greater value to the customer.

MAJOR CUSTOMERS

The Company had substantial sales to Boeing, Raytheon, United Technologies, Spirit AeroSystems and Owen-Illinois. During 2011, sales to Boeing were $112,071,000, or approximately 19.3% of total sales; sales to Raytheon were $50,567,000 or approximately 8.7% of total sales; sales to United Technologies were $29,830,000 of total sales, or approximately 5.1% of total sales; sales to Spirit AeroSystems were $28,590,000 or approximately 4.9% and sales to Owen-Illinois were $22,796,000, or approximately 3.9% of total sales. Sales to Boeing, Raytheon, United Technologies, Spirit AeroSystems and Owens-Illinois are diversified over a number of different programs and applications.

INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES

In 2011, 2010, and 2009, sales to foreign customers worldwide were $50,865,000, $37,970,000, and $32,121,000, respectively. The Company has manufacturing facilities in Thailand and Mexico. The amounts of revenue, profitability and identifiable assets attributable to foreign sales activity were not material when compared with the revenue, profitability and identifiable assets attributed to United States domestic operations during 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Company had no sales to a foreign country greater than 3% of total sales in 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Company is not subject to any significant foreign currency risks since all sales are made in United States dollars.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Company performs concurrent engineering with its customers and product development activities under Company-funded programs and under contracts with others. Concurrent engineering and product development activities are performed for commercial, military and space applications. The Company also performs high technology systems engineering and analysis, principally under customer-funded contracts, with a focus on sensors system simulation, engineering and integration.

RAW MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Raw materials and components used in the manufacture of our products, include aluminum, titanium, steel and carbon fibers, as well as a wide variety of electronic interconnect and circuit card assemblies and components. These raw materials are generally available from a number of vendors and are generally in adequate supply. However, we, from time to time, have experienced increases in lead times for and deterioration in availability of, aluminum, titanium and certain other materials. Moreover, certain components, supplies and raw materials for our operations are purchased from single sources. In such instances, we strive to develop alternative sources and design modifications to minimize the potential for business interruptions.

 

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COMPETITION

The markets we serve are highly competitive, and our products and services are affected by varying degrees of competition. We compete worldwide with domestic and international companies in most markets, some of which are substantially larger and have greater financial, sales, technical and personnel resources. Larger competitors offering a wider array of products and services than those offered by us could have a competitive advantage by offering potential customers bundled products and services that we cannot match. In addition, our customers may, in fact, have the ability to produce internally the products contracted to us, but because of cost, capacity, engineering capability or other reasons, outsource production of such products to us. Our ability to compete depends principally upon the quality of our goods and services, competitive pricing, product performance, design and engineering capabilities, new product innovation and the ability to solve specific customer problems.

PATENTS AND LICENSES

We have several patents, but we do not believe that our operations are dependent upon any single patent or group of patents. In general, we rely on technical superiority, continual product improvement, exclusive product features, superior lead time, on-time delivery performance, quality and customer relationships to maintain our competitive advantage.

BACKLOG

Backlog is subject to delivery delays or program cancellations, which are beyond our control. As of December 31, 2011, firm backlog was $636,358,000, compared to $328,045,000 at December 31, 2010. The increase in backlog is mainly due to $265,385,000 in backlog from the acquisition of LaBarge, along with higher backlog for Apache and Blackhawk helicopters and C-17 and 777 aircrafts. Approximately $421,000,000 of total backlog is expected to be delivered during 2012. Trends in the Company’s overall level of backlog, however, may not be indicative of trends in future sales because the Company’s backlog is affected by timing differences in the placement of customer orders and because the Company’s backlog tends to be concentrated in several programs to a greater extent than sales.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Our business, operations and facilities are subject to numerous stringent federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations issued by government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. Among other matters, these regulatory authorities impose requirements that regulate the emission, discharge, generation, management, transport and disposal of hazardous materials, pollutants and contaminants. These regulations govern public and private response actions to hazardous or regulated substances that threaten to release, or have been released to the environment, and they require us to obtain and maintain licenses and permits in connection with our operations. We may also be required to investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at sites associated with past and present operations. Additionally, this extensive regulatory framework imposes significant compliance burdens and risks on us. We anticipate that capital expenditures will continue to be required for

 

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the foreseeable future to upgrade and maintain our environmental compliance efforts. We do not expect to spend a material amount on capital expenditures for environmental compliance during 2012.

DAS has been directed by California environmental agencies to investigate and take corrective action for ground water contamination at its facilities located in El Mirage and Monrovia, California. Based on currently available information, the Company has established a reserve for its estimated liability for such investigation and corrective action in the approximate amount of $1,509,000. DAS also faces liability as a potentially responsible party for hazardous waste disposed at two landfills located in Casmalia and West Covina, California. DAS and other companies and government entities have entered into consent decrees with respect to each landfill with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and/or California environmental agencies under which certain investigation, remediation and maintenance activities are being performed. Based on currently available information, at the West Covina landfill the Company preliminarily estimates that the range of its liabilities in connection with the landfill is between approximately $700,000 and $3,300,000. The Company established a reserve for its estimated liability and has been making payments against this liability. The balance in the reserve included in the Company’s liabilities, in connection with the West Covina landfill was approximately $700,000 at December 31, 2011. The Company’s ultimate liability in connection with these matters will depend upon a number of factors, including changes in existing laws and regulations, the design and cost of construction, operation and maintenance activities, and the allocation of liability among potentially responsible parties.

In the normal course of business, Ducommun and its subsidiaries are defendants in certain other litigation, claims and inquiries, including matters relating to environmental laws. In addition, the Company makes various commitments and incurs contingent liabilities. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these matters, the Company does not presently expect that any sum it may be required to pay in connection with these matters would have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

EMPLOYEES

We employ approximately 3,541 people. Our DAS business is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, expiring July 1, 2012, with labor unions at its Monrovia, California facility covering approximately 273 full-time hourly employees at year end 2011. Our DLT business is also a party to collective bargaining agreements, expiring January 11, 2016, at the two Joplin, Missouri facilities we acquired in the LaBarge acquisition, covering approximately 243 employees. If any of these unionized workers were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage, if we are unable to negotiate acceptable collective bargaining agreements with the unions, or if other employees were to become unionized, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations and higher ongoing labor costs and possible loss of customer contracts, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We have not experienced any material labor-related work stoppage and consider our relations with our employees to be good.

 

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company’s Internet website address is www.ducommun.com. The Company makes available through its Internet website its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Any of these risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause the Company’s future financial results to differ materially from recent financial results or from currently anticipated future financial results. In addition to those noted elsewhere in this report, the Company is subject to the following risks and uncertainties:

Risks Related to the LaBarge Acquisition

The acquisition of LaBarge presents risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: (1) the interest rate on any borrowings incurred to finance the LaBarge acquisition and operations of Ducommun and its subsidiaries; (2) risks that the acquisition disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention; (3) difficulties integrating LaBarge’s business, operations and employees into Ducommun’s business and operations; (4) the inability to recognize the benefits of the acquisition, including any potential synergies, growth, cost savings or accretive value; (5) the inability to maintain current customer and supplier relationships following the acquisition; (6) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the acquisition and the actual terms of certain financings that were obtained for the acquisition; and (7) the impact of the indebtedness incurred to finance the consummation of the acquisition.

The anticipated benefits of the LaBarge Acquisition may not be fully realized and may take longer to realize than expected, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

The LaBarge acquisition involves the integration of LaBarge’s operations with our existing operations, and there are uncertainties and challenges inherent with the integration of LaBarge’s business into our operations which may cause the anticipated benefits of the acquisition not being fully realized or taking longer to realize than expected. We will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating LaBarge’s operations into our operations. Delays or unexpected difficulties in the integration process could adversely affect our business, financial results and financial condition. Issues that must be addressed in integrating LaBarge’s operations include, among other things:

 

   

conforming standards, controls, procedures and policies, business cultures and compensation structures;

 

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consolidating corporate and administrative infrastructures;

 

   

consolidating sales and marketing operations;

 

   

retaining existing customers and attracting new customers;

 

   

retaining key employees;

 

   

identifying and eliminating redundant and underperforming operations and assets;

 

   

minimizing the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business concerns;

 

   

coordinating geographically dispersed organizations; and

 

   

managing tax costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating LaBarge’s operations into our operations.

Even if we are able to integrate LaBarge’s operations successfully, this integration may not result in the realization of the full benefits of synergies, cost savings and operational efficiencies that we expect or the achievement of these benefits within a reasonable period of time. In addition, we may not have discovered during the due diligence process, and we may not have discovered prior to closing, all known and unknown factors regarding LaBarge that could produce unintended and unexpected consequences for us. Undiscovered factors could result in us incurring financial liabilities, which could be material, and in us not achieving the expected benefits from the LaBarge acquisition within our desired time frames, if at all.

LaBarge may have liabilities that are not known, probable or estimable at this time.

As a result of the acquisition, LaBarge became our wholly-owned subsidiary, and we therefore effectively assumed all of its liabilities, whether or not asserted. There could be unasserted claims or assessments that we failed or were unable to discover or identify in the course of performing due diligence investigations of LaBarge. In addition, there may be liabilities that are neither probable nor estimable at this time which may become probable and estimable in the future. Any such liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business. We may learn additional information about LaBarge that adversely affects us, such as unknown, unasserted or contingent liabilities and issues relating to compliance with applicable laws.

We incurred significant costs in connection with the acquisition which may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

We incurred approximately $30.1 million in fees and expenses in connection with the acquisition and may incur a number of other costs associated with integrating LaBarge’s operations into our operations, which cannot be estimated accurately at this time. Additional unanticipated costs may also be incurred as we integrate LaBarge’s operations in our business. Consequently, we may incur material charges in subsequent quarters to reflect additional costs associated with the acquisition. Although we expect that the elimination of duplicative costs, as

 

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well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of LaBarge into our operations, may offset incremental transaction and transaction-related costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our integration efforts. In addition, while we expect to benefit from leveraging distribution channels and brand names across both companies, we cannot assure that we will achieve such benefits. If the benefits of the acquisition do not exceed the costs of integrating the business of LaBarge into our business, our financial results may be adversely affected.

Integrating our business with that of LaBarge may divert our management’s attention away from operations.

Successful integration of our and LaBarge’s operations, products and personnel may place a significant burden on our management and other internal resources. The diversion of management’s attention and any difficulties encountered in the transition and integration process, could harm our business, financial conditions and operating results.

Failure to retain key employees could diminish the anticipated benefits of the LaBarge acquisition.

The success of the LaBarge acquisition will depend in part upon the retention of personnel critical to the LaBarge business due to, for example, their technical skills or management expertise. Ducommun and LaBarge, while similar, do not have the same corporate cultures, and some LaBarge employees may not want to work for us. If we are unable to retain LaBarge personnel that are critical to the successful integration and future operation of our company, we could face disruptions in operations; loss of existing LaBarge customers, key information and expertise or know-how; and unanticipated additional recruiting and training costs. In addition, the loss of key personnel could diminish the benefits of the LaBarge Acquisition actually achieved by us.

Risks Related to Our Business

Aerospace markets are cyclical.

Both the aerospace and non-aerospace markets in which we sell our products are cyclical and have experienced periodic declines. Our sales are, therefore, unpredictable and tend to fluctuate based on a number of factors, including economic conditions and developments affecting the industries and the customers served.

We depend heavily upon a concentrated base of customers which are subject to unique risks, and a significant reduction in sales to any of our major customers, or the loss of a major customer, could have a material impact on our financial results.

In fiscal year 2011, approximately 19% of Ducommun’s sales were for Boeing commercial and military aircraft programs, 9% of our sales were for Raytheon military aircraft programs, 5% of our sales were for United Technologies (Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter) aircraft programs, 5% of our sales were to Spirit AeroSystems for various commercial programs, and 3.9% of our sales were to Owens-Illinois on various capital equipment programs. Any

 

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significant change in production rates by these customers would have a material effect on our results of operations and cash flows. There is no guarantee that our current significant customers will continue to buy products from us at current levels, and that we will retain any or all of our existing customers, or that we will be able to form new relationships with customers upon the loss of one or more of our existing customers. This risk may be further complicated by pricing pressures, intense competition prevalent in our industry and other factors. The loss of a significant customer could have a material adverse effect on us.

In addition, we generally make sales under purchase orders and contracts that are subject to cancellation, modification or rescheduling. Changes in the economic environment and the financial condition of the industries we serve could result in customer requests for rescheduling or cancellation of contractual orders. Some of our contracts have specific provisions relating to schedule and performance, and failure to deliver in accordance with such provisions could result in cancellations, modifications, rescheduling and/or penalties, in some cases at the customers’ convenience and without prior notice. While we have normally recovered our direct and indirect costs, if we experience such cancellations, modifications, or rescheduling that cannot be replaced in a timely fashion, this could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

A significant portion of our business depends upon government spending.

We derive a significant portion of our business from contracts related to orders for or associated with the U.S. Government. In 2011 approximately 52% of Ducommun’s sales were derived from military and space markets. Accordingly, the success of our business depends upon government spending, which, among other factors, is influenced by:

 

   

changes in fiscal policies or decreases in available government funding, including budgetary constraints affecting federal government spending generally, or specific departments or agencies in particular;

 

   

the adoption of new laws or regulations or changes to existing laws or regulations;

 

   

changes in political or social attitudes with respect to security and defense issues;

 

   

changes in federal government programs or requirements, including the increased use of small business providers;

 

   

increases in the federal government initiatives related to in-sourcing;

 

   

changes in or delays related to government restrictions on the export of defense articles and services, as a result of greater volatility in foreign economic and political environments or otherwise;

 

   

federal government shutdowns (such as that which occurred during the federal government’s 1996 fiscal year) and other potential delays or changes in the government appropriations process;

 

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general economic conditions; and

 

   

delays in the payment of our invoices by government payment offices.

These and other factors could cause the government and government agencies, or prime contractors that use us as a subcontractor, to reduce their purchases under existing contracts, to exercise their rights to terminate contracts at-will or to abstain from exercising options to renew contracts, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Further, certain U.S. Government programs in which we participate may extend for several years; however, these programs are typically funded annually. Changes in the government’s strategy and priorities may affect our existing programs and future opportunities. Our government contracts and related orders with the U.S. Government are subject to cancellation, or delay, if appropriations for subsequent performance periods are not made. In addition, we anticipate that the U.S. Department of Defense budget will be under pressure as the current administration is faced with competing national priorities. The termination of funding for existing or new U.S. Government programs could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

We are subject to extensive regulation and audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

The accuracy and appropriateness of certain costs and expenses used to substantiate our direct and indirect costs for the U.S. Government are subject to extensive regulation and audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency, an arm of the Department of Defense. Such audits and reviews could result in adjustments to our contract costs and profitability. We have recorded contract net sales based upon costs expected to be realized upon final audit. However, we do not know the outcome of any future audits and adjustments may be required to reduce net sales or profits upon completion and final negotiation of audits. If any audit or review were to uncover inaccurate costs or improper activities, we could be subject to penalties and sanctions, including termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspension or prohibition from conducting future business with the U.S. Government. Any such outcome could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Federal government contracts contain provisions giving government customers a variety of rights that are unfavorable to us and the OEMs to whom we provide products and services, including the ability to terminate a contract at any time for convenience.

As noted above, we derive a significant portion of our net sales from subcontracts under federal government prime contracts. A portion of our net sales is also derived from direct contracts with the federal government. Federal government contracts contain provisions and are subject to laws and regulations that give the government rights and remedies not typically found in commercial contracts. These provisions may allow the government to:

 

   

terminate existing contracts for convenience, as well as for default;

 

   

reduce orders under or otherwise modify contracts or subcontracts;

 

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cancel multi-year contracts and related orders if funds for contract performance for any subsequent year become unavailable;

 

   

decline to exercise an option to renew a multi-year contract;

 

   

suspend or debar us from doing business with the federal government or with a governmental agency;

 

   

prohibit future procurement awards with a particular agency as a result of a finding of an organizational conflict of interest based upon prior related work performed for the agency that would give a contractor an unfair advantage over competing contractors;

 

   

subject the award of contracts to protest by competitors, which may require the contracting agency or department to suspend our performance pending the outcome of the protest;

 

   

claim rights in products and systems produced by us; and

 

   

control or prohibit the export of the products and related services we offer.

If the U.S. Government terminates a contract for convenience, the counterparty with whom we have contracted on a subcontract may terminate its contract with us. As a result of any such termination, whether on a direct government contract or subcontract, we may recover only our incurred or committed costs, settlement expenses and profit on work completed prior to the termination. If the U.S. Government terminates a direct contract with us for default, we may not even recover those amounts and instead may be liable for excess costs incurred by the U.S. Government in procuring undelivered items and services from another source. Contracts with foreign governments generally contain similar provisions relating to termination at the convenience of the customer.

In addition, the U.S. Government is typically required to open all programs to competitive bidding and, therefore, may not automatically renew any of its prime contracts. If one or more of our government prime or subcontracts is terminated or cancelled, our failure to replace sales generated from such contracts would result in lower sales and have an adverse effect on our earnings, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Some of our contracts with the U.S. Government are classified which may limit investor insight into portions of our business.

We derive a portion of our net sales from programs with the U.S. Government that are subject to security restrictions (classified programs), which preclude the dissemination of information that is classified for national security purposes. We are limited in our ability to provide details about these classified programs, their risks or any disputes or claims relating to such programs. As a result, you might have less insight into our classified programs than our other businesses and therefore less ability to fully evaluate the risks related to our classified business.

 

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We face risks associated with competitive pricing pressures, which could cause price reductions, reduced profitability and loss of market share.

The aerospace and electronics manufacturing service (EMS) industries are highly competitive and competitive pressures may adversely affect us. In both of these industries we compete worldwide with a number of domestic and international companies that have substantially greater manufacturing, purchasing, marketing and financial resources than us. In the electronic manufacturing service industry, many of our customers have the in-house capability to fulfill their manufacturing requirements. Our larger competitors may be able to vie more effectively for very large-scale contracts. Our larger competitors also may be able to provide clients with different or greater capabilities or benefits than we can provide in areas such as technical qualifications, past performance on large-scale contracts, geographic presence, price and availability of key professional personnel. Our competitors may have established relationships among themselves or with third parties, including through mergers and acquisitions that could increase their ability to address customer needs. They may establish new relationships and new competitors or competitive alliances may emerge. If we are unable to successfully compete for new business, our net sales growth and operating margins may decline.

In addition, we are exposed to the introduction of lower priced competitive capabilities, significant price reductions by competitors or significant pricing pressures from customers. We are experiencing competitive pricing pressures. These pressures have had, and are expected to continue to have, an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. Further, there can be no assurance that competition from existing or potential competitors in other segments of our business will not have a material adverse effect on our financial results. If we do not continue to compete effectively and win contracts, our future business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to meet our financial obligations may be materially compromised.

We use estimates when bidding on contracts and may not have the ability to control, and may not accurately estimate, costs associated with performing under fixed-price contracts. We therefore face risks of cost overruns and losses on fixed-price contracts. In addition, when determining the cost of sales to be recognized under certain long-term contracts, we are required to estimate total costs to complete the contract.

We sell many of our products under firm, fixed-price contracts providing for a fixed price for the products regardless of the production costs incurred by us. In many cases, we make multi-year firm, fixed-price commitments to our customers, without assurance that our anticipated production costs will be achieved. Contract bidding and accounting require judgment relative to assessing risks, estimating contract net sales and costs and making assumptions for scheduling and technical issues. For example, assumptions have to be made regarding the length of time to complete the contract, because costs include expected increases in prices for materials and wages, which can be particularly difficult to estimate for contracts with new customers. Similarly, assumptions have to be made regarding the future impact of our efficiency initiatives and cost reduction efforts. In order to realize a profit on these contracts, we must, when we bid these contracts, accurately estimate our costs to complete the contracts. Our failure to accurately estimate these costs can result in cost overruns, which result in reduced or lost profits. Because of the significance of the judgments and estimates involved, it is possible that materially

 

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different amounts could be obtained if different assumptions were used or if the underlying circumstances were to change. For example, if we experience manufacturing inefficiencies, start-up costs or increases in the cost of labor, materials, outside processing, overhead and other factors, our production costs may be adversely affected. Therefore, any changes in our underlying assumptions, circumstances or estimates could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

In addition, we also face the risk of increased costs due to a rise in the prices of raw materials and components used in the manufacture of our products, including aluminum, titanium, steel and carbon fibers. Although these materials are generally available from a number of vendors and are generally in adequate supply, we have, from time to time, experienced increases in lead times for, and deterioration in availability of, aluminum, titanium and certain other materials. Moreover, certain components, supplies and raw materials for our operations are purchased from single sources. In such instances, we strive to develop alternative sources and design modifications to minimize the potential for business interruptions.

Risks associated with operating and conducting our business outside the United States could adversely impact us.

We have facilities in Thailand and Mexico and derive a portion of our net sales from direct foreign sales. Further, our customers may derive portions of their sales to non-U.S. customers. As a result, we are subject to the risks of conducting and operating our business internationally, including:

 

   

political instability;

 

   

local economic conditions;

 

   

economic and geopolitical developments and conditions;

 

   

foreign government regulatory requirements;

 

   

domestic and international government policies, including requirements to expend a portion of program funds locally and governmental industrial cooperation requirements;

 

   

delays in placing orders;

 

   

the uncertainty of the ability of non-U.S. customers to finance purchases;

 

   

uncertainties and restrictions concerning the availability of funding credit or guarantees;

 

   

compliance with a variety of international laws, as well as U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S. companies conducting business abroad, including, but not limited to, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;

 

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imposition of taxes, export controls, tariffs, embargoes and other trade restrictions; and

 

   

the potentially limited availability of skilled labor in proximity to our facilities.

While the impact of these factors is difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Our products and processes are subject to risks from changes in technology.

Our products and processes are subject to risks of obsolescence as a result of changes in technology. The future success of our business will depend in large part upon our and our customers’ ability to maintain and enhance technological capabilities, develop and market manufacturing services that meet changing customer needs and successfully anticipate or respond to technological advances in manufacturing processes on a cost-effective and timely basis. To address this risk, we invest in product design and development, and undertake capital expenditures. There can be no guarantee that our product design and development efforts will be successful, or that funds required to be invested in product design and development or incurred as capital expenditures will not increase materially in the future.

Many of our contracts require innovative design capabilities, are technologically complex, require state-of-the-art manufacturing expertise, or are dependent upon factors beyond our control.

We manufacture and assist in the design of technologically advanced and innovative products that are applied by our customers in a variety of environments. Problems and delays in development or delivery of our products and services, which could prevent us from meeting our contractual requirements, include changes in our customers’ required designs, acceptance of the customers’ designs in the marketplace, technology, licensing and patent rights, labor, learning curve assumptions, materials and components, as well as the timing of purchase orders placed or required delivery dates, variation in demand for customers’ products, federal government funding, regulatory changes affecting customers’ industries, customer efforts to manage their inventory, changes in customers’ manufacturing strategies and customers’ technical problems or issues. Any such problems or delays could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

We face risks associated with acquisitions and dispositions of businesses.

A key element of our long-term strategy has been growth through acquisitions. We are continuously reviewing and actively pursuing other acquisitions. Acquisitions, including the LaBarge Acquisition, may require us to incur additional indebtedness, resulting in increased leverage. Any significant acquisition, including the LaBarge acquisition, may result in a material weakening of our financial position and a material increase in our cost of borrowings. Acquisitions also may require us to issue additional equity, resulting in dilution to existing stockholders. This additional financing for acquisitions and capital expenditures may not be available on terms acceptable or favorable to us. Acquired businesses, including LaBarge, may not achieve anticipated results, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We also periodically review our existing

 

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businesses to determine if they are consistent with our strategy. We have sold, and may sell in the future, business units and product lines, which may result in either a gain or loss upon disposition.

Our acquisition strategy exposes us to risks. We may not be able to consummate acquisitions on satisfactory terms or, if any acquisitions are consummated, to satisfactorily integrate these acquired businesses. Our ability to grow by acquisition is dependent on, among other factors, the availability of suitable acquisition candidates. Growth by acquisition involves risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results, including difficulties in integrating the operations and personnel of acquired companies, the potential amortization of acquired intangible assets, potential impairment of goodwill and the potential loss of key customers or employees of acquired companies

Goodwill and/or other intangible assets could be impaired in the future, resulting in substantial losses and write-downs.

In assessing the recoverability of goodwill, management is required to make certain critical estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include improvements in manufacturing efficiency, reductions in operating costs and obtain increases in sales and backlog. Due to many variables inherent in the estimation of a business’s fair value and the relative size of our recorded goodwill, differences in estimates and assumptions may have a material effect on the results of our impairment analysis. If any of these or other estimates and assumptions are not realized in the future, or if market multiples decline, we may be required to record an additional impairment charge for goodwill. Ducommun’s goodwill as of December 31, 2011 was $163.8 million, or 20.3 % of total assets.

Significant consolidation in the aerospace and defense industry could adversely affect our business and financial results.

The aerospace and defense industry is experiencing significant consolidation, including our customers, competitors and suppliers. Consolidation among our customers may result in delays in the award of new contracts and losses of existing business. Consolidation among our competitors may result in larger competitors with greater resources and market share, which could adversely affect our ability to compete successfully. Consolidation among our suppliers may result in fewer sources of supply and increased cost to us.

Our failure to meet the quality or delivery expectations of customers could adversely affect our business and financial results.

Our ability to deliver our products and services on schedule is dependent upon a variety of factors, including execution of internal performance plans, availability of raw materials, internal and supplier produced parts and structures, conversion of raw materials into parts and assemblies and performance of suppliers and others. Our customers expect on-time delivery and quality with respect to our products. In some cases, we do not presently satisfy these customer expectations, particularly with respect to on-time delivery. If we fail to meet the quality or delivery expectations of our customers, this failure could lead to the loss of one or more significant customers.

 

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We rely on numerous third-party suppliers for components used in our production process. Certain of these components are available only from single sources or a limited number of suppliers, or similarly, customers’ specifications may require us to obtain components from a single source or certain suppliers. These and other factors, including the loss of a critical supplier, could cause disruptions or cost inefficiencies in our operations compared to our competitors that have greater direct purchasing power, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

In addition, from time to time, we have experienced shortages of some of the components that we use in production. These shortages can result from strong demand for those components or from problems experienced by suppliers and can result in delays in production, which may prevent us from making scheduled shipments to customers. Our inability to make scheduled shipments could cause us to experience a reduction in sales and an increase in inventory levels and costs, and could adversely affect relationships with existing and prospective customers. Component shortages may also increase our cost of goods sold because we may be required to pay higher prices for components in short supply and redesign or reconfigure products to accommodate substitute components. As a result, component shortages could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Internal system or service failures could disrupt our business and impair our ability to effectively provide the products and related services we offer to our customers, which could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Any system or service disruptions, including those caused by projects to improve our information technology systems, if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated, would have a material adverse effect on our business. We could also be subject to systems failures, including network, software or hardware failures, whether caused by us, third-party service providers, intruders or hackers, computer viruses, natural disasters, power shortages or terrorist attacks. Any such failures could cause loss of data and interruptions or delays in our business, cause us to incur remediation costs, subject us to claims and damage our reputation. In addition, the failure or disruption of our communications or utilities could cause us to interrupt or suspend our operations or otherwise adversely affect our business. Our property and business interruption insurance may be inadequate to compensate us for all losses that may occur as a result of any system or operational failure or disruption which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Our operating results may fluctuate significantly and fall below expectations, as well as make future results difficult to predict.

We depend on contract awards from our customers, the size and timing of which vary from period to period. Accordingly, our results of operations have varied historically and may continue to fluctuate significantly from period to period, including on a quarterly basis. Consequently, results of operations in any period should not be considered indicative of the operating results that may be experienced in any future period. Factors that may adversely impact our quarterly and annual results include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

general economic conditions;

 

   

changes in sales mix and volume to customers;

 

   

changes in delivery schedules of our customers and their customers;

 

   

changes in availability and cost of components used by us in our products and services;

 

   

volume of customer orders relative to our production capacity;

 

   

market demand and acceptance of our customers’ products;

 

   

price erosion within the EMS marketplace;

 

   

a downturn in the aerospace and defense markets;

 

   

the announcement or introduction of new or enhanced services by our competitors; and

 

   

capital equipment requirements needed to remain technologically competitive.

We may not have the ability to renew facilities leases on terms favorable to us and relocation of operations presents risks due to business interruption.

Certain of our manufacturing facilities and offices are leased and have lease terms that expire between 2012 and 2020. The majority of these leases provide us with the opportunity to renew the leases at our option and, if renewed, provide that rent will be equal to the fair market rental rate at the time of renewal, which could be significantly higher than our current rental rates. We may be unable to offset these cost increases by charging more for our products and services. Furthermore, continued economic conditions may continue to negatively impact and create greater pressure in the commercial real estate market, causing higher incidences of landlord default and/or lender foreclosure of properties, including properties occupied by us. While we maintain certain non-disturbance rights in most cases, it is not certain that such rights will in all cases be upheld and our continued right of occupancy in such instances is potentially jeopardized. An occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

 

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Additionally, if we choose to move any of our operations, those operations will be subject to additional relocation costs and associated risks of business interruption.

Our operations are subject to numerous laws, regulations and restrictions, and failure to comply with these laws, regulations and restrictions could subject us to liability for penalties, including termination of our U.S. Government contracts and subcontracts, disqualification from bidding on future U.S. Government contracts and subcontracts, suspension or debarment from U.S. Government contracting and various other fines and penalties.

Our contracts and operations are subject to various laws and regulations. Prime contracts with various agencies of the U.S. Government, and subcontracts with other prime contractors, are subject to numerous laws and regulations which affect how we do business with our customers and may impose added costs on our business. These laws and regulations include:

 

   

the Federal Acquisition Regulation and supplements, which regulate the formation, administration and performance of U.S. Government contracts;

 

   

the Truth in Negotiations Act, which requires certification and disclosure of cost and pricing data in connection with certain contract negotiations;

 

   

the Civil False Claims Act, which provides for substantial civil penalties for violations, including for submission, or causing the submission of, a false or fraudulent claim to the U.S. Government for payment or approval;

 

   

the U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards, which impose accounting requirements that govern our right to reimbursement under certain cost-based U.S. Government contracts and subcontracts;

 

   

the Procurement Integrity Act, which requires evaluation of ethical conflicts surrounding procurement activity and establishing certain employment restrictions for individuals who participate in the procurement process; and

 

   

the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, promulgated under the Arms Export Control Act, which authorizes the President to control the export and import of defense articles and defense services.

Noncompliance found by any one agency could result in fines, penalties, debarment or suspension from receiving additional contracts with all U.S. Government agencies. Given our dependence on U.S. Government business, suspension or debarment could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

In addition, the U.S. Government may revise its procurement practices or adopt new contract rules and regulations, at any time. The U.S. Government may also face restrictions or pressure regarding the type and amount of services it may obtain from private contractors. Congressional legislation and initiatives dealing with mitigation of potential conflicts of interest, procurement reform and shifts in the buying practices of U.S. Government agencies resulting

 

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from those proposals, such as increased usage of fixed-price contracts which transfer some risks from the U.S. Government to the performing contractors, could have adverse effects on government contractors, including us. Any of these changes could impair our ability to obtain new contracts or subcontracts or renew contracts or subcontracts under which we currently perform when those contracts are put up for recompetition. Any new contracting methods could be costly or administratively difficult for us to implement and could adversely affect our future net sales.

In addition, our international operations subject us to numerous U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to import-export control, technology transfer restrictions, repatriation of earnings, exchange controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the anti-boycott provisions of the U.S. Export Administration Act. Changes in regulations or political environments may affect our ability to conduct business in foreign markets including investment, procurement and repatriation of earnings. Failure by us or our sales representatives or consultants to comply with these laws and regulations could result in certain liabilities and could possibly result in suspension or debarment from government contracts or suspension of our export privileges, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

The occurrence of litigation in which we could be named as a defendant is unpredictable.

From time to time, we and our subsidiaries, including LaBarge, are involved in various legal and other proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of our business. While we believe no current proceedings, if adversely determined, could have a material adverse effect on our financial results, no assurances can be given. Any such claims may divert financial and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Environmental liabilities could adversely affect our financial results.

We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the use, storage, transport, discharge and disposal of hazardous chemicals used during our manufacturing process. We do not carry insurance for these potential environmental liabilities. Any failure by us to comply with present or future regulations could subject us to future liabilities or the suspension of production, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. Moreover, some environmental laws relating to contaminated sites can impose joint and several liability retroactively regardless of fault or the legality of the activities giving rise to the contamination.

The DAS chemical milling business uses various acid and alkaline solutions in the chemical milling process, resulting in potential environmental hazards. Despite existing waste recovery systems and continuing capital expenditures for waste reduction and management, at least for the immediate future, this business will remain dependent upon the availability and cost of remote hazardous waste disposal sites or other alternative methods of disposal.

 

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Our DAS subsidiary has been directed by government environmental agencies to investigate and take corrective action for groundwater contamination at two of its facilities. DAS is also a potentially responsible party at certain sites at which it previously disposed of hazardous wastes. There can be no assurance that future developments, lawsuits and administrative actions and liabilities relating to environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows.

In addition, certain of our customers must be in compliance with the European standard, Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS Directive 2002-95-EC), for all products shipped to the European marketplace. The purpose of the directive is to restrict the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and to contribute to the environmentally sound recovery and disposal of electrical and electronic equipment waste. In addition, electronic component manufacturers must produce electronic components that are lead-free. Our Pittsburgh operation has implemented lead-free wave solder and reflow systems. We rely on numerous third-party suppliers for components used in our production process and there can be no assurances these suppliers will comply with this standard. Noncompliance could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Product liability claims in excess of insurance could adversely affect our financial results and financial condition.

We face potential liability for personal injury or death as a result of the failure of products designed or manufactured by us. Although we currently maintain product liability insurance (including aircraft product liability insurance), any material product liability not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Damage or destruction of our facilities caused by storms, earthquake or other causes could adversely affect our financial results and financial condition.

We have operations located in regions of the U.S. that may be exposed to damaging storms, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Although we maintain standard property casualty insurance covering our properties and may be able to recover costs associated with certain natural disasters through insurance, we do not carry any earthquake insurance because of the cost of such insurance. Many of our properties are located in Southern California, an area subject to earthquake activity. Our California facilities generated $240.4 million in net sales during fiscal year 2011. Even if covered by insurance, any significant damage or destruction of our facilities due to storms, earthquakes or other natural disasters could result in the inability to meet customer delivery schedules and may result in the loss of customers and significant additional costs to us. Thus, any significant damage or destruction of our properties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are dependent upon our ability to attract and retain key personnel.

Our success depends in part upon our ability to attract and retain key engineering, technical and managerial personnel (both at the executive and at the plant level). We face competition for management, engineering and technical personnel from other companies and

 

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organizations. Therefore, we may not be able to retain our existing management and other key personnel, or be able to fill new management, engineering and technical positions created as a result of expansion or turnover of existing personnel. The continued growth and expansion of our contract manufacturing business will require us to identify, hire, train and retain additional skilled and experienced personnel. Also, critical to ongoing operations at three of our facilities are the successful negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and the avoidance of organized work stoppages. The loss of members of our senior management group, or key engineering and technical personnel, the failure to meet recruitment and retention objectives or the inability to efficiently and successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements could negatively impact our ability to grow and remain competitive in the future and could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Labor disruptions by our employees could adversely affect our business.

We employ approximately 3,541 people. Our DAS subsidiary is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, expiring July 1, 2012, with labor unions at its Monrovia, California facility covering 273 full-time hourly employees at year end 2011. Our Ducommun LaBarge Technologies, Inc. subsidiary is party to collective bargaining agreements, expiring January 11, 2016, at its two Joplin, Missouri facilities covering 243 people. Although we have not experienced any material labor-related work stoppage and consider our relations with our employees to be good, labor stoppages may occur in the future. If the unionized workers were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage, if we are unable to negotiate acceptable collective bargaining agreements with the unions or if other employees were to become unionized, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations, higher ongoing labor costs and possible loss of customer contracts, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Enacted and proposed changes in securities laws and regulations have increased our costs and may continue to increase our costs in the future.

In recent years, there have been several changes in laws, rules, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and various other new regulations promulgated by the SEC and rules promulgated by the national securities exchanges.

The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, expands federal regulation of corporate governance matters and imposes requirements on publicly-held companies, including us, to, among other things, provide stockholders with a periodic advisory vote on executive compensation and also adds compensation committee reforms and enhanced pay-for-performance disclosures. While some provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are effective upon enactment, others will be implemented upon the SEC’s adoption of related rules and regulations. The scope and timing of the adoption of such rules and regulations is uncertain and accordingly, the cost of compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act is also uncertain.

Our efforts to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act and other evolving laws, regulations and standards are likely to result in increased general and administrative expenses and a

 

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diversion of management time and attention from revenue generating activities to compliance activities. Further, compliance with new and existing laws, rules, regulations and standards may make it more difficult and expensive for us to maintain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition, limit our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations and prevent us from fulfilling our debt obligations.

As a result of the LaBarge acquisition we currently have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2011, we had total indebtedness of $392.2 million. Upon the satisfaction of certain conditions including, but not limited to, the agreement of lenders to provide such facilities or commitments, we also have the option to add one or more incremental term loan facilities or increase commitments under our New Revolving Credit Facility by an aggregate amount of up to $75.0 million.

If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as:

 

   

refinancing or restructuring our debt;

 

   

selling assets;

 

   

reducing or delaying scheduled expansions and capital investments; or

 

   

seeking to raise additional capital.

We cannot assure you that we would be able to enter into these alternative financing plans on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Moreover, any alternative financing plans that we may be required to undertake would still not guarantee that we would be able to meet our debt obligations. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, including our obligations under the Notes, or to obtain alternative financing, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and business prospects.

Our high level of debt could have important consequences to us and to the holders of the Notes, including:

 

   

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes and our other debt;

 

   

the occurrence of an event of default if we fail to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or our other indebtedness or fail to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants contained in the indenture governing the Notes or agreements governing other indebtedness, which event of default could result in acceleration of

 

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the indebtedness outstanding under the indenture and in a default with respect to, and an acceleration of, our other indebtedness and could permit our lenders to foreclose on any of our assets securing such debt;

 

   

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions or other general corporate requirements;

 

   

requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows to be dedicated to debt service payments instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of cash flows available for working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions or other general corporate purposes;

 

   

increasing our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions;

 

   

exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates as certain of our borrowings, including borrowings under our New Credit Facilities, bear interest at variable rates, which could further adversely impact our cash flows;

 

   

limiting our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and the industry in which we compete;

 

   

restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures;

 

   

impairing our ability to obtain additional financing in the future;

 

   

preventing us from raising the funds necessary to repurchase all Notes tendered to us upon the occurrence of certain changes of control, which failure to repurchase would constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the Notes;

 

   

placing us at a disadvantage compared to other, less leveraged competitors; and

 

   

increasing our cost of borrowing.

The occurrence of any one of these events could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to satisfy our obligations in respect of our outstanding debt.

We require a significant amount of cash to service our indebtedness. Our ability to generate cash depends upon many factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our debt, including the Notes, and to fund planned capital expenditures and working capital increases, will depend upon our ability to generate cash in the future. Since the consummation of the acquisition, our debt service requirements have increased significantly. Our ability to generate cash is subject to economic,

 

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financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that may be beyond our control. While we expect to meet all of our financial obligations, we cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt, including the Notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flow could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

The covenants in our New Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Notes impose restrictions that may limit our operating and financial flexibility and may limit our ability to make payments on the Notes.

Our New Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Notes contain a number of significant restrictions and covenants that limit our ability, among other things, to:

 

   

create liens;

 

   

incur additional debt, guarantee debt and issue preferred stock;

 

   

pay dividends;

 

   

make redemptions and repurchases of certain capital stock;

 

   

make capital expenditures and specified types of investments;

 

   

prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated debt;

 

   

sell certain assets or engage in acquisitions, mergers and consolidations;

 

   

change the nature of our business;

 

   

engage in affiliate transactions; and

 

   

restrict dividends or other payments from restricted subsidiaries.

In the event that a certain minimum amount is borrowed and outstanding under the New Revolving Credit Facility, for so long as any such amount is outstanding, we will be required to comply with a total leverage ratio. Furthermore, our consolidated EBITDA, as defined by our debt facilities, as of the end of any fiscal quarter on a trailing four-quarter basis is not permitted to be less than $50.0 million.

These covenants could materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs. Furthermore, they may restrict our ability to expand, pursue our business strategies and otherwise conduct our business. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by circumstances and events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and we cannot assure that we will be able to comply with such covenants. These restrictions also limit our ability to obtain future financings to withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general. In addition, complying

 

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with these covenants may also cause us to take actions that are not favorable to holders of the Notes and may make it more difficult for us to successfully execute our business strategy and compete against companies that are not subject to such restrictions. A breach of any covenant in the New Credit Facilities or the agreements and indentures governing any other indebtedness that we may have outstanding from time to time, including the indenture governing the Notes, would result in a default under that agreement or indenture after any applicable grace periods. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of the debt outstanding under the agreement and in a default with respect to, and an acceleration of, the debt outstanding under other debt agreements. If that occurs, we may not be able to make all of the required payments or borrow sufficient funds to refinance such debt. Even if new financing were available at that time, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us or terms as favorable as our current agreements. If our debt is in default for any reason, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

We may not be able to make the change of control offer required by the indenture governing the Notes.

We may be unable to purchase the Notes upon a change of control, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes. Upon a change of control, we will be required to offer to purchase all of the Notes then outstanding for cash at 101% of the principal amount on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes purchased to the date of purchase. If a change of control were to occur, we may not have sufficient funds to pay the change of control purchase price and we may be required to secure third-party financing to do so. However, we may not be able to obtain such financing on commercially reasonable terms, on terms acceptable to us or at all.

A change of control under the indenture governing the Notes may also result in an event of default under our New Credit Facilities which may cause the acceleration of indebtedness outstanding thereunder, in which case, proceeds of collateral pledged to secure borrowings thereunder would be used to repay such borrowings before we repay the Notes. In addition, our future indebtedness may also contain restrictions on our ability to repurchase the Notes upon certain events, including transactions that could constitute a change of control under the indenture governing the Notes. Our failure to repurchase the Notes upon a change of control would constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the Notes and would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

We face risks related to rating agency downgrades.

If the rating agencies reduce the rating on the Notes in the future, the market price of the Notes would be adversely affected. In addition, if any of our other outstanding debt is rated and subsequently downgraded, raising capital will become more difficult, borrowing costs under our New Revolving Credit Facility and other future borrowings may increase and the market price of the Notes may decrease.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company occupies approximately 32 facilities with a total office and manufacturing area of over 2.2 million square feet, including both owned and leased properties. At December 31, 2011, facilities which were in excess of 50,000 square feet each were occupied as follows:

 

Location

  

Segment

  

Square
Feet

    

Expiration

of Lease

Carson, California    Ducommun AeroStructures      286,000       Owned
Monrovia, California    Ducommun AeroStructures      274,000       Owned
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      135,502       2014
Parsons, Kansas    Ducommun AeroStructures      120,000       Owned
Carson, California    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      117,000       2013
Phoenix, Arizona    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      100,000       2017
Joplin, Missouri    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      92,000       2016
Appleton, Wisconsin    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      76,728       Owned
Orange, California    Ducommun AeroStructures      76,000       Owned
El Mirage, California    Ducommun AeroStructures      74,000       Owned
Huntsville, Arkansas    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      69,000       2020
Iuka, Mississippi    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      66,000       2013
Carson, California    Ducommun AeroStructures      65,000       2014
Coxsackie, New York    Ducommun AeroStructures      65,000       2013
Joplin, Missouri    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      55,000       Owned
Tulsa, Oklahoma    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      55,000       Owned
Huntsville, Alabama    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      52,000       2015
Berryville, Arkansas    Ducommun LaBarge Technologies      52,000       Owned

The Company’s facilities are, for the most part, fully utilized, although excess capacity exists from time to time, based on product mix and demand, but is not considered to be significant. Management believes these properties are in good condition and suitable for their present use.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Ducommun was named as a defendant in class actions filed in April, 2011 by purported stockholders of LaBarge against LaBarge, its Board of Directors and Ducommun in connection with the LaBarge acquisition. In January 2012, the Delaware Chancery Court approved the settlement of the class action which included the payment of $600,000 for plaintiffs’ attorney fees.

Ducommun is a defendant in a lawsuit entitled United States of America ex rel Taylor Smith, Jeannine Prewitt and James Ailes v. The Boeing Company and Ducommun Inc., filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas (the “District Court”). The lawsuit is a qui tam action brought by three former Boeing employees (“Relators”) against Boeing and Ducommun on behalf of the United States of America for violations of the United States False

 

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Claims Act. The lawsuit alleges that Ducommun sold unapproved parts to the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group-Wichita Division which were installed by Boeing in aircraft ultimately sold to the United States Government. The number of Boeing aircraft subject to the lawsuit has been reduced to 21 aircraft following the District Court’s granting of partial summary judgment in favor of Boeing and Ducommun. The lawsuit seeks damages, civil penalties and other relief from the defendants for presenting or causing to be presented false claims for payment to the United States Government. Although the amount of alleged damages are not specified, the lawsuit seeks damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of damages the United States Government sustained because of the defendants’ actions, plus a civil penalty of $10,000 for each false claim made on or before September 28, 1999, and $11,000 for each false claim made on or after September 28, 1999, together with attorneys’ fees and costs. One of Relators’ experts has opined that the United States Government’s damages are in the amount of $833 million. After investigating the allegations, the United States Government has declined to intervene in the lawsuit. Ducommun intends to defend itself vigorously against the lawsuit. Ducommun, at this time, is unable to estimate what, if any, liability it may have in connection with the lawsuit.

DAS has been directed by California environmental agencies to investigate and take corrective action for ground water contamination at its facilities located in El Mirage and Monrovia, California. Based on currently available information, the Company has established a reserve for its estimated liability for such investigation and corrective action of approximately $1,509,000 at December 31, 2011. DAS also faces liability as a potentially responsible party for hazardous waste disposed at two landfills located in Casmalia and West Covina, California. DAS and other companies and government entities have entered into consent decrees with respect to each landfill with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and/or California environmental agencies under which certain investigation, remediation and maintenance activities are being performed. Based on currently available information, at the West Covina landfill the Company preliminarily estimates that the range of its future liabilities in connection with the landfill is between approximately $700,000 and $3,300,000. The Company has established a reserve for its estimated liability, in connection with the West Covina landfill of approximately $700,000 at December 31, 2011. The Company’s ultimate liability in connection with these matters will depend upon a number of factors, including changes in existing laws and regulations, the design and cost of construction, operation and maintenance activities, and the allocation of liability among potentially responsible parties.

In the normal course of business, Ducommun and its subsidiaries are defendants in certain other litigation, claims and inquiries, including matters relating to environmental laws. In addition, the Company makes various commitments and incurs contingent liabilities. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these matters, the Company does not presently expect that any sum it may be required to pay in connection with these matters would have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The common stock of the Company (DCO) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. On December 31, 2011, the Company had 299 holders of record of common stock. The Company paid $790,000 of dividends in 2011, consisting of dividends of $0.075 per common share in the first quarter of 2011, and paid dividends of $0.075 per common share in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2010. The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices per share for the Company’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the fiscal periods indicated. The Company suspended payments of dividends after the first quarter of 2011.

 

     2011      2010  
     High      Low      High      Low  

First Quarter

   $ 24.06       $ 20.99       $ 21.47       $ 16.35   

Second Quarter

     25.50         18.84         24.17         16.91   

Third Quarter

     22.71         14.86         22.88         16.20   

Fourth Quarter

     14.98         11.14         23.29         20.27   

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information about the Company’s compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance.

 

Plan category

   Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(a)
     Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(b)
     Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))

(c)(2)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)

     1,151,188       $ 17.821         230,950   

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

     0         0         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,151,188       $ 17.821         230,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The number of securities to be issued consists of 978,688 for stock options, 81,500 for restricted stock units and 91,000 for performance stock units at target. The weighted average exercise price applies only to the stock options.
(2) Awards are not restricted to any specified form or structure and may include, without limitation, sales or bonuses of stock, restricted stock, stock options, reload stock options, stock purchase warrants, other rights to acquire stock, securities convertible into or redeemable for stock, stock appreciation rights, limited stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, dividend equivalents, performance units or performance shares, and an award may consist of one such security or benefit, or two or more of them in tandem or in the alternative.

 

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Performance Graph

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the Company’s cumulative total shareholder return with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the Spade Defense Index for the periods indicated, assuming the reinvestment of any dividends. The graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

 

LOGO

 

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company is authorized to issue five million shares of preferred stock. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, no preferred shares were issued or outstanding.

The Company repurchased in the open market 74,300 shares, or $938,000 of its common stock in 2009. In 2011, the Company terminated its stock repurchase program.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Year Ended December 31,

   2011(a)(b)     2010     2009(a)     2008(a)(b)     2007  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)                               

Net Sales

   $ 580,914      $ 408,406      $ 430,748      $ 403,803      $ 367,297   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross Profit as a Percentage of Sales

     18.2     19.6     18.3     20.3     20.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss)/Income Before Taxes

     (52,325     24,663        13,760        17,049        27,255   

Income Tax Benefit/(Expense)

     4,742        (4,855     (3,577     (3,937     (7,634
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (Loss)/Income

   $ (47,583   $ 19,808      $ 10,183      $ 13,112      $ 19,621   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per Common Share:

          

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

   $ (4.52   $ 1.89      $ 0.97      $ 1.24      $ 1.89   

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

     (4.52     1.87        0.97        1.23        1.88   

Dividends Per Share (c)

     0.07        0.30        0.30        0.15        —     

Working Capital

   $ 224,333      $ 90,106      $ 85,825      $ 69,672      $ 77,703   

Total Assets

     808,087        345,452        353,909        366,186        332,476   

Long-Term Debt, Including Current Portion

     392,240        3,280        28,252        30,719        25,751   

Total Shareholders' Equity

     204,284        254,185        233,886        224,446        214,051   

 

(a) The results for 2011, 2009 and 2008 include after-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $33,416, $7,753, and $8,000, respectively, resulting from annual impairment testing required by ASC 350. There was no goodwill impairment in 2010 or 2007. The results for 2011 also include $2,356 of inventory step-up adjustments in cost of sales and $16,137 for merger related transaction expenses.
(b) In June 2011, the Company acquired LaBarge, which is now a part of DLT. In December 2008 the Company acquired DynaBil, which is now a part of DAS. These transactions were accounted for as business combinations.
(c) The Company suspended payments of dividends after the first quarter of 2011.

 

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Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Ducommun Incorporated (“Ducommun” or the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, provides engineering and manufacturing services primarily to the aerospace and defense industry through a wide spectrum of electronics and structural applications. We design, engineer and manufacture mission-critical aerostructure and critical electronics and electromechanical components and subassemblies. We also provide engineering, technical and program management services. Our products and services are used on domestic and foreign commercial and military aircraft, helicopter, missile and space programs, as well as in certain industrial, natural resources, medical and other commercial markets. We operate through two primary business units: DLT and DAS.

A summary of highlights for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes:

 

   

Net sales increased 42.2% in 2011 versus 2010, reflecting increased sales of $175,368,000 from the LaBarge, Inc. acquisition

 

   

Diluted loss per share in 2011 was $4.52, resulting from a non-cash goodwill impairment charge and merger-related expenses (including cost of sales relating to the write-up of LaBarge inventory). Excluding the goodwill impairment charge and the merger-related expenses of $3.15 and $2.77 per fully diluted share, respectively, diluted earnings per share was $1.40

 

   

Cash used in operating activities was $3,002,000 in 2011. Excluding merger-related expenses cash flow from operating activities was $22,572,000

 

   

Firm backlog at the end of 2011 was approximately $636,358,000.

On June 28, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of all the outstanding stock of LaBarge, Inc. (“LaBarge”), formerly a publicly-owned company based in St. Louis, Missouri for $325,315,000 (net of cash acquired and excluding acquisition costs). LaBarge had significant sales to customers in the aerospace, defense, natural resources, industrial, medical and other commercial markets. The Company provided its customers with sophisticated electronic, electromechanical and mechanical products through contract design and manufacturing services. The operating results for the acquisition have been included in the consolidated statements of operations since the date of the acquisition. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, operating expenses included expenses related to the acquisition of LaBarge of $16,127,000 and interest expense included the write-off of $831,000 of unamortized financing costs, as a result of the Company’s debt refinancing related to the acquisition of LaBarge.

In connection with the acquisition of LaBarge on June 28, 2011, the Company borrowed $190,000,000 under a senior secured term loan and entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility of $60,000,000. Both the term loan and the credit facility provide the option of choosing the LIBOR rate (with a Libor rate floor of 1.25%) plus 4.25%, or the Alternate Base Rate (with

 

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an Alternate Base Rate floor of 2.25%) plus 3.25%. The Alternate Base Rate is the greater of the (a) Prime rate and (b) Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $475,000 beginning on September 30, 2011 and mandatory prepayment of certain amounts of excess cash flow on an annual basis beginning in 2012. Principal payments of $475,000 were paid in September and December 2011. The revolving credit facility matures on June 28, 2016 and the term loan matures on June 30, 2017. The revolving credit facility and term loan contain minimum Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) and maximum leverage ratio covenants under certain circumstances, as well as limitations on future disposition of property, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, repurchase of stock, dividends, and outside indebtedness.

In connection with the acquisition of LaBarge, the Company also issued $200,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with interest of 9.75% per annum, payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning in 2012 and ending 2018, at which time the entire principal amount is due. The first interest payment was made in January 2012.

The Company believes the LaBarge acquisition will allow us to expand our presence significantly in the aerospace and defense markets, as well as diversify our sales base across new markets, including industrial, natural resources, medical and other commercial end markets. More specifically, the Company expects to realize the following benefits from the LaBarge acquisition:

 

   

Strengthen our market position as a significant Tier 2 supplier for both structural and electronic assemblies

 

   

Diversify our end markets

 

   

Expand our platforms work content on existing programs and capabilities on new and existing programs

 

   

Increase value-added manufacturing services content in our product portfolio

 

   

Expand our technology product portfolio

 

   

Realize potential synergies.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, we generated sales of $580,914,000 and recorded a net loss of $47,583,000, which included an after-tax goodwill impairment charge of $33,416,000. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 were $(12,669,000) and $3,468,000, respectively. See below for certain information regarding EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, including reconciliations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income. We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important operating performance measures that serve as a basis for measuring business segment operating performance. We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA internally as complementary financial measures to evaluate the performance of our businesses and, when viewed with our GAAP financial results and accompanying reconciliations, we believe they provide additional useful information to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our businesses. We have

 

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expanded our operations significantly through the recent LaBarge acquisition. As a result, our operating income has included significant charges for amortization and merger-related transaction and change-in-control compensation expenses. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude these charges and provide meaningful information about the operating performance of our businesses apart from the amortization and merger-related transactions and change-in-control compensation expenses, as well as interest and tax expenses.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, we use additional measures to clarify and enhance the understanding of our respective past performance and future prospects such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios. We define these measures, explain how they are calculated and provide reconciliations of these measures to the most comparable GAAP measure in the tables below. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios, as presented in this Form 10-K, are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. They are not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as measures of our liquidity. We present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios, as applicable, because we believe that measures such as these provide useful information with respect to our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditures, working capital requirements and overall operating performance. In addition, we utilize EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA when interpreting operating trends and results of operations of our respective businesses. The presentation of these measures should not be interpreted to mean that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

They do not reflect our cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments

 

   

They do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs

 

   

They do not reflect the significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt

 

   

Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements

 

   

They are not adjusted for all non-cash income or expense items that are reflected in our statements of cash flows

 

   

They do not reflect the impact on earnings of charges resulting from matters unrelated to our ongoing operations, and

 

   

Other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently from us, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

 

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Because of these limitations, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business or as a measure of cash that will be available to us to meet our obligations. You should compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. See our consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-K report.

However, the Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to an investor in evaluating our results of operations because these measures:

 

   

Are widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such terms, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors

 

   

Help investors to evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure from our operating performance, and

 

   

Are used by our management team for various other purposes in presentations to our Board of Directors as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

The following financial items have been added back to our net income when calculating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

   

Amortization expense may be useful to investors because it represents the estimated attrition of our acquired customer base and the diminishing value of product rights

 

   

Depreciation may be useful to investors because it generally represents the wear and tear on our property and equipment used in our operations

 

   

Merger–related expenses, including change in control compensation, may be useful to investors for determining current cash flow

 

   

Interest expense may be useful to investors for determining current cash flow

 

   

Income tax expense may be useful to investors because it represents the taxes which may be payable for the period and the change in deferred taxes during the period, and may reduce cash flow available for use in our business.

Management uses non-GAAP measures only to supplement our GAAP results and to provide additional information that is useful to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.

 

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The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

 

     (In thousands)  
     2011     2010      2009  

Net (loss)/ income

   $ (47,583   $ 19,808       $ 10,183   

Depreciation and amortization (1)

     21,458        13,597         13,550   

Interest expense, net (2)

     18,198        1,805         2,522   

Income tax provision (benefit)

     (4,742     4,855         3,577   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ (12,669   $ 40,065       $ 29,832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Merger-related transaction expenses (3)

     12,394        —           —     

Merger-related change-in-control compensation expenses (4)

     3,743        —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     16,137        —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 3,468      $ 40,065       $ 29,832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes amortization of intangibles and additional depreciation expense related to the LaBarge acquisition and prior acquisitions.
(2) Includes deferred financing costs in connection with the LaBarge acquisition.
(3) Includes investment banking, accounting, legal, tax and valuation expenses as a direct result of the LaBarge acquisition.
(4) Merger-related transaction cost resulting from a change-in-control provision for certain LaBarge key executives and employees arising in connection with the LaBarge acquisition.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that can have a significant impact on the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and that require the use of subjective estimates based upon past experience and management’s judgment. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates. Below are those policies applied in preparing our financial statements that management believes are the most dependent on the application of estimates and assumptions. For additional accounting policies, see Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Revenue Recognition

Except as described below, the Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, collection is reasonably assured and delivery of products has occurred or services have been rendered. Revenue from products sold under long-term contracts is recognized by the Company on the same basis as other sale transactions.

The Company has a significant number of contracts for which net sales are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method using the units of delivery as the measure of completion. The percentage-of-completion method requires the use of assumptions and estimates related to the contract value, the total cost at completion, and measurement of progress towards completion. These contracts are primarily fixed-price contracts that vary widely in terms of size, length of performance period and expected gross profit margins. The Company also recognizes revenue on the sale of services (including prototype products) based on the type of contract: time and materials, cost-plus reimbursement and firm-fixed price. Revenue is recognized by (i) on time and materials contracts as time is spent at hourly rates, which are

 

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negotiated with customers, plus the cost of any allowable materials and out-of-pocket expenses, (ii) on cost-plus reimbursement contracts based on direct and indirect costs incurred plus a negotiated profit calculated as a percentage of cost, a fixed amount or a performance-based award fee, and (iii) on fixed-price contracts on the percentage-of-completion method measured by the percentage of costs incurred to estimated total costs.

Provision for Estimated Losses on Contracts

The Company records provisions for estimated losses on contracts considering total estimated costs to complete the contract compared to total anticipated revenues in the period in which such losses are identified. The provisions for estimated losses on contracts require management to make certain estimates and assumptions, including those with respect to the future revenue under a contract and the future cost to complete the contract. Management’s estimate of the future cost to complete a contract may include assumptions as to improvements in manufacturing efficiency and reductions in operating and material costs. If any of these or other assumptions and estimates do not materialize in the future, the Company may be required to record additional provisions for estimated losses on contracts.

Goodwill

The Company’s business acquisitions have resulted in goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to impairment tests on an annual basis in the fourth quarter and between annual tests, in certain circumstances, when events indicate an impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment utilizing a two-step method. In the first step, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit using expected future discounted cash flows and market valuation approaches (comparable Company revenue and EBITDA multiples), requiring management to make estimates and assumptions about the reporting unit’s future prospects. If the net book value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, the Company then performs the second step of the impairment test which requires fair valuation of all the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, with any residual fair value being allocated to goodwill. This residual fair value of goodwill is then compared to the carrying amount to determine impairment. An impairment charge will be recognized only when the estimated fair value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, is less than its carrying amount.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter. As of the most recent annual impairment test (Step One) on December 31, 2011, the fair value of the DAS and Miltec reporting units exceeded their carrying values by 20% and 14%, respectively. However, the fair value of the DLT reporting unit was less than its carrying value by 4%. As a result, the second step (Step Two) of the impairment test was required for the DLT reporting unit. The tangible and intangible assets were revalued according to ASC 350 and a pre-tax impairment of goodwill of $54.3 million was recorded. The impairment was driven by a decline in the Company’s market value as of December 31, 2011, following the LaBarge acquisition and a softening defense market. As of December 31, 2011, the DAS, DLT, and Miltec reporting units had $57.2 million, $98.2 million, and $8.4 million of recorded goodwill, respectively.

 

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Other Intangible Assets

The Company amortizes purchased other intangible assets with finite lives over the estimated economic lives of the assets, ranging from one to fourteen years generally using the straight-line method. The value of other intangibles acquired through business combinations has been estimated using present value techniques which involve estimates of future cash flows. Actual results could vary, potentially resulting in impairment charges.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company uses a Black-Scholes valuation model in determining the stock-based compensation expense for options, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The Company has one award population with an option vesting term of four years. The Company estimated the forfeiture rate based on its historic experience.

For performance and restricted stock units, the Company calculates compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, on a straight line basis over the requisite service/performance period of the awards. The performance stock units vest based on a three-year cumulative performance cycle. The restricted stock units, vest over various periods of time ranging from one to five years. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on its historic experience.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventoried costs include raw materials, outside processing, direct labor and allocated overhead, adjusted for any abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials (spoilage) incurred, but do not include any selling, general and administrative expense. Costs under long-term contracts are accumulated into, and removed from, inventory on the same basis as other contracts. The Company assesses the inventory carrying value and reduces it, if necessary, to its net realizable value based on customer orders on hand, and internal demand forecasts using management’s best estimates given information currently available. The Company’s customer demand can fluctuate significantly caused by factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company maintains an allowance for potentially excess and obsolete inventories and inventories that are carried at costs that are higher than their estimated net realizable values. If market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, such as an unanticipated decline in demand and not meeting expectations, inventory write-downs may be required.

 

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Environmental Liabilities

Environmental liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and costs can be reasonably estimated. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with the completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitment to a formal plan of action. Further, the Company reviews and updates its environmental accruals as circumstances change and/or additional information is obtained that reasonably could be expected to have a meaningful effect on the outcome of a matter or the estimated cost thereof.

Acquisitions

On June 28, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of all the outstanding stock of LaBarge, Inc. (“LaBarge”), a publicly-owned company based in St. Louis, Missouri for $325,315,000 (net of cash acquired and excluding acquisition costs). LaBarge was a provider of electronics manufacturing services to aerospace, defense and other diverse markets. LaBarge provided its customers with sophisticated electronic, electromechanical and mechanical products through contract design and manufacturing. The acquisition was funded from internally generated cash, senior unsecured notes and a senior secured term loan. The operating results for this acquisition have been included in the consolidated statements of operations since the date of acquisition. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, operating expenses included expenses related to the acquisition of LaBarge of $16,137,000 and interest expense included the write-off of $831,000 of unamortized financing costs, as a result of the Company’s debt refinancing related to the acquisition of LaBarge.

Results of Operations

2011 Compared to 2010

Sales, gross profit as a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales, the effective tax rate and the diluted earnings per share in 2011 and 2010, respectively, were as follows:

 

December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  
(in thousands)                   

Sales

   $ 580,914      $ 408,406      $ 430,748   

Gross Profit % of Sales

     18.2     19.6     18.3

SG&A Expense % of Sales

     14.8     13.1     11.5

Effective Tax (Benefit)/Rate

     (9.1 )%      19.7     26.0

Diluted (Loss)/Earnings Per Share

   $ (4.52   $ 1.87      $ 0.97   

 

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The Company’s net sales by end use segment during 2011 and 2010, respectively, were approximately as follows:

Net Sales by Market

 

Sales           (in thousands)      % sales  

Consolidated Ducommun

   Change      2011      2010      2011     2010  

Military and Space

   $ 54,997       $ 299,482       $ 244,485         51.6     59.9

Commercial Aerospace

     22,145         186,066         163,921         32.0     40.1

Natural Resources

     35,322         35,322         —           6.1     0.0

Industrial

     36,751         36,751         —           6.3     0.0

Medical & Other

     23,293         23,293         —           4.0     0.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 172,508       $ 580,914       $ 408,406         100.0     100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Sales           (in thousands)      % Sales  

Ducommun Aerostructures

   Change      2011      2010      2011     2010  

Military & Space

   $ 3,552       $ 132,923       $ 129,371         45.4     47.6

Commercial Aerospace

     17,635         159,836         142,201         54.6     52.4

Natural Resources

     —           —           —           0.0     0.0

Industrial

     —           —           —           0.0     0.0

Medical & Other

     —           —           —           0.0     0.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 21,187       $ 292,759       $ 271,572         100.0     100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Sales           (in thousands)      % Sales  

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

   Change      2011      2010      2011     2010  

Military & Space

   $ 51,445       $ 166,559       $ 115,114         57.8     84.1

Commercial Aerospace

     4,510         26,230         21,720         9.1     15.9

Natural Resources

     35,322         35,322         —           12.3     0.0

Industrial

     36,751         36,751         —           12.8     0.0

Medical & Other

     23,293         23,293         —           8.1     0.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 151,321       $ 288,155       $ 136,834         100.0     100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The Company had substantial sales to Boeing, Raytheon, United Technologies, Spirit AeroSystems and Owens-Illinois. During the years 2011 and 2010, sales to these customers were as follows:

Net Sales to Top Customers

 

Sales              

December 31,

   2011      2010  
(In thousands)              

Boeing

   $ 112,071       $ 107,466   

Raytheon

     50,567         48,198   

United Technologies

     29,830         30,680   

Spirit AeroSystems

     28,590         26,141   

Owens-Illinois

     22,796         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 243,854       $ 212,485   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Receivables              

December 31,

   2011      2010  
(In thousands)              

Boeing

   $ 13,157       $ 9,685   

Owens-Illinois

     8,125         —     

Raytheon

     7,379         4,520   

United Technologies

     4,445         2,049   

Spirit AeroSystems

     4,041         2,414   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 37,147       $ 18,668   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The sales and receivables relating to Boeing, Raytheon, United Technologies, Spirit AeroSystems, and Owens-Illinois, are diversified over a number of different military and space, commercial, aerospace, natural resources, industrial medical and other programs.

Sales for the year ended 2011 increased 42.2% to $580,914,000 as compared to $408,406,000 for the year ended 2010, primarily reflecting sales of $175,368,000 from the LaBarge acquisition.

Cost of Sales and Gross Profit

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands)             

Cost of Sales

   $ 474,978      $ 328,260   

Percent of Net Sales

     81.8     80.4

Gross Profit

   $ 105,936      $ 80,146   

Gross Profit % of Sales

     18.2     19.6

 

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Gross profit margins vary considerably by contract. Gross profit dollars increased primarily due to the increased gross profit from the LaBarge acquisition. Gross profit percentages were lower in the 2011 period primarily due to new business start-up costs of $8,843,000, or 2.3 percentage points on sales of $21,654,000 in 2011, compared to $4,948,000, or 1.8 percentage points on sales of $10,448,000 in 2010 at DAS, a high proportion of sales of lower margin products, and inventory step-up write-off related to the LaBarge acquisition.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands)             

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

   $ 85,790      $ 53,678   

% of Net Sales

     14.8     13.1

The SG&A expenses increased primarily due to SG&A expenses from the newly acquired LaBarge organization of $19,877,000 (including $3,983,000 for amortization of intangibles), and approximately $16,137,000 of expenses related to the acquisition of LaBarge.

Goodwill Impairment

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands)             

Goodwill Impairment

   $ 54,273      $ —     

% of Net Sales

     9.3     —  

The Company’s business acquisitions have resulted in goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to impairment tests on an annual basis in the fourth quarter and between annual tests, in certain circumstances, when events indicate an impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment utilizing a two-step method. In the first step, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit using expected future discounted cash flows and market valuation approaches (comparable Company revenue and EBITDA multiples), requiring management to make estimates and assumptions about the reporting unit’s future prospects. If the net book value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, the Company then performs the second step of the impairment test which requires fair valuation of all the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, with any residual fair value being allocated to goodwill. This residual fair value of goodwill is then compared to the carrying amount to determine impairment. An impairment charge will be recognized only when the estimated fair value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, is less than its carrying amount.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter. As of the most recent annual impairment test (Step One) on December 31, 2011, the fair value of the DAS and Miltec reporting units exceeded their carrying values by 20% and 14%, respectively. However, the fair value of the DLT reporting unit was less than its carrying value by 4%. As a result, the second step (Step Two) of the impairment test was required for the DLT reporting unit. The tangible and intangible assets were revalued according to ASC 350 and a pre-tax impairment of goodwill of $54.3 million was recorded. The impairment was driven by a decline in the Company’s market value as of December 31, 2011, following the LaBarge acquisition and a softening defense market. As of December 31, 2011, the DAS, DLT, and Miltec reporting units had $57.2 million, $98.2 million, and $8.4 million of recorded goodwill, respectively.

 

 

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Interest Expense

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands)             

Interest Expenses

   $ 18,198      $ 1,805   

% of Net Sales

     3.1     0.4

The increase in interest expense was due to higher levels of debt and associated interest rates related to the LaBarge acquisition.

Income Tax Expenses

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands)             

Income Taxes/(Benefit)

   $ (4,742   $ 4,855   

Effective Tax Rate/(Benefit)

     (9.1 )%      19.7

The decrease in income tax expense in 2011 was due to lower income before taxes and higher benefits related to research and development credits, partially offset by non-deductible expenses related to the DLT goodwill impairment charge and various other expenses related to the acquisition of LaBarge. The Company had an effective tax benefit of 9.1% in 2011, compared to an effective tax rate of 19.7% in 2010.

Due to acquisition-related expenses and higher interest expenses, the Company had a net loss of $47.6 million, or $4.52 per fully diluted share for 2011, compared to net income of $19.8 million, or $1.87 per fully diluted share for 2010. The results for 2011 included an after-tax goodwill impairment charge and merger-related expenses (including cost of sales relating to the write-up of LaBarge inventory) of $3.15 and $2.77 per fully diluted share, respectively. Excluding impairment charge and the merger-related expenses, net income would have been $14.9 million, or $1.40 per fully diluted share.

Business Segment Performance

We report our financial performance based on the following two reportable segments: Ducommun Aerostructures (“DAS”) and Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (“DLT”). The results of operations among our operating segments vary due to differences in competitors, customers, extent of proprietary deliverables and performance. Ducommun AeroStructures, Inc. (“DAS”) engineers and manufactures aerospace structural components and subassemblies.

 

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Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (“DLT”) was formed in June 2011 by the combination of our former Ducommun Technologies segment (“DTI”) and LaBarge. DLT designs, engineers and manufactures a broad range of electronic, electromechanical and interconnect systems and components. In addition, DLT provides technical and program management services (including design, development, and integration and testing of prototype products) principally for advanced weapons and missile defense systems.

We currently generate a majority of our revenue from customers in the aerospace and defense industry. In addition, we service technology driven markets in the industrial, natural resources and medical markets. The following table summarizes our net sales by end-market by business segment. The loss of one or more of our major customers, an economic downturn or a reduction in commercial aircraft production rates or defense markets could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

BUSINESS SEGMENT PERFORMANCE

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     2011     2010     Change  

Net Sales:

      

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 292,759      $ 271,572        7.8

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

     288,155        136,834        110.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Sales

   $ 580,914      $ 408,406        42.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment Operating (Loss)/Income (1)

      

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 25,798      $ 28,738     

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (2)(6)

     (33,390     13,151     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     (7,592     41,889     

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses (3)(5)

     (26,535     (15,421  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Operating (Loss)/Income

   $ (34,127   $ 26,468     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

EBITDA (1)

      

Ducommun AeroStructures

      

Operating Income

   $ 25,798      $ 28,738     

Depreciation and Amortization

     9,953        9,666     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     35,751        38,404     

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

      

Operating (Loss)/Income (2)

     (33,390     13,151     

Depreciation and Amortization

     11,445        3,880     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     (21,945     17,031     

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses (3)(4)(5)

      

Operating Loss

     (26,535     (15,421  

Depreciation and Amortization

     60        51     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     (26,475     (15,370  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

EBITDA

   $ (12,669   $ 40,065     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA

      

Merger related transaction expenses (3)(5)

   $ 12,394      $ —       

Merger related change-in-control compensation expenses (6)

     3,743        —       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     16,137        —       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 3,468      $ 40,065     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Capital Expenditures:

      

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 8,798      $ 5,150     

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

     5,454        1,904     

Corporate Administration

     284        52     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Capital Expenditures

   $ 14,536      $ 7,106     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) Before certain allocated corporate overhead.
(2) Includes approximately $54.3 million of goodwill impairment expense in the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.
(3) Includes approximately $12.4 million of merger-related transaction expenses in 2011 and $0 in 2010 related to the LaBarge acquisition.
(4) Certain expenses, previously incurred by the operating units, are now included in the corporate general and administrative expense as a result of the Company’s organizational changes.
(5) Includes investment banking, accounting, legal, tax and valuation expenses as a direct result of the LaBarge acquisition.
(6) Includes approximately $3.7 million of merger-related transaction costs resulting from a change-in-control provision for certain LaBarge key executives and employees arising in connection with the LaBarge acquisition.

 

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Ducommun AeroStructures: DAS segment net sales increased by 7.2% to $292,759,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. The increase in sales was primarily due to an increase in commercial sales, primarily for large commercial aircraft and regional jet programs.

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies: DLT segment net sales increased by 110.6% to $288,155,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. Net sales increased primarily due to $175,368,000 in sales from the LaBarge acquisition, partially offset by lower revenues for engineering services and the legacy Ducommun DTI manufacturing business.

DAS segment operating income and EBITDA were down in the twelve months of 2011 from the comparable period in 2010. Operating income was lower in the 2011 period primarily due to new business start-up costs of $8,843,000, or 1.7% points on sales of $21,654,000 in 2011, compared to $4,948,000, or 1.4% points on sales of $10,448,000 in 2010 at DAS, and a high proportion of sales of lower margin products. In addition, operating income and EBITDA for the twelve months of 2010 were favorably impacted by an adjustment to operating expenses of $1,285,000, or 0.3 percentage points, relating to the reversal of certain accounts payable accruals.

Gross profit margins vary considerably by contract. Gross profit dollars increased primarily due to the increased gross profit from the LaBarge acquisition.

DLT segment operating income and EBITDA were lower as a result of the impairment of goodwill of $(54,273,000), and lower engineering services operating income, partially offset by the added operating income from the LaBarge acquisition.

Backlog

Backlog is subject to delivery delays or program cancellations, which are beyond our control. As of December 31, 2011, firm backlog was $636,358,000, compared to $328,045,000 at December 31, 2010. The increase in backlog is mainly due to $265,385,000 in backlog from the acquisition of LaBarge, along with higher backlog for Apache and Blackhawk helicopters, C-17, and 777 aircrafts. Approximately $421,000,000 of total backlog is expected to be delivered during 2012. Trends in the Company’s overall level of backlog, however, may not be indicative of trends in future sales because the Company’s backlog is affected by timing differences in the placement of customer orders and because the Company’s backlog tends to be concentrated in several programs to a greater extent than sales.

 

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Backlog at December 31, 2011 was broken down as follows:

 

     (in thousands)  

Ducommun Incorporated

   Change      2011      2010  

Military and Space

   $ 211,088       $ 354,509       $ 143,421   

Commercial Aerospace

     7,593         192,217         184,624   

Natural Resources

     39,449         39,449         —     

Industrial

     26,390         26,390         —     

Medical & Other

     23,793         23,793         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 308,313       $ 636,358       $ 328,045   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

Ducommun AeroStructures

   Change      2011      2010  

Military and Space

   $ 49,627       $ 141,754       $ 92,127   

Commercial Aerospace

     983         171,033         170,050   

Natural Resources

     —           —           —     

Industrial

     —           —           —     

Medical & Other

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 50,610       $ 312,787       $ 262,177   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

   Change      2011      2010  

Military and Space

   $ 161,461       $ 212,755       $ 51,294   

Commercial Aerospace

     6,610         21,184         14,574   

Natural Resources

     39,449         39,449         —     

Industrial

     26,390         26,390         —     

Medical & Other

     23,793         23,793         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 257,703       $ 323,571       $ 65,868   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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2010 Compared to 2009

Sales, gross profit as a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales, the effective tax rate and the diluted earnings per share in 2010 and 2009, respectively, were as follows:

 

December 31,

   2010     2009  
(in thousands)             

Sales

   $ 408,406      $ 430,748   

Gross Profit % of Sales

     19.6     18.3

SG&A Expense % of Sales

     13.1     11.5

Effective Tax (Benefit)/Rate

     19.7     26.0

Diluted Earnings Per Share

   $ 1.87      $ 0.97   

The Company’s net sales by end use segment during 2010 and 2009, respectively, were approximately as follows:

Net Sales by Market

 

Sales          (in thousands)      % sales  

Consolidated Ducommun

   Change     2010      2009      2010     2009  

Military and Space

   $ (30,819   $ 244,485       $ 275,304         59.9     63.9

Commercial Aerospace

     8,477        163,921         155,444         40.1     36.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (22,342   $ 408,406       $ 430,748         100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Sales          (in thousands)      % Sales  

Ducommun Aerostructures

   Change     2010      2009      2010     2009  

Military & Space

   $ (24,926   $ 129,371       $ 154,297         47.6     53.8

Commercial Aerospace

     9,641        142,201         132,560         52.4     46.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (15,285   $ 271,572       $ 286,857         100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Sales          (in thousands)      % Sales  

Ducommun Technologies

   Change     2010      2009      2010     2009  

Military & Space

   $ (5,893   $ 115,114       $ 121,007         84.1     84.1

Commercial Aerospace

     (1,164     21,720         22,884         15.9     15.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (7,057   $ 136,834       $ 143,891         100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The Company had substantial sales to Boeing, Raytheon, United Technologies and the United States Government. During the years 2010 and 2009, sales to these customers were as follows:

Net Sales to Top Customers

 

Sales              

December 31,

   2010      2009  
(In thousands)              

Boeing

   $ 107,466       $ 133,007   

Raytheon

     48,198         34,009   

United Technologies

     30,680         42,117   

United States Government

     16,875         29,224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 203,219       $ 238,357   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Receivables              

December 31,

   2010      2009  
(In thousands)              

Boeing

   $ 9,685       $ 8,719   

Raytheon

     4,520         4,321   

United Technologies

     2,049         2,295   

United States Government

     1,262         1,742   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 17,516       $ 17,077   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The sales and receivables relating to Boeing, Raytheon, United Technologies, and United States Government are diversified over a number of different commercial, military and space programs.

Net sales in 2010 were $408,406,000, compared to net sales of $430,748,000 for 2009. Net sales in 2010 decreased 5% from 2009 primarily due to approximately $17,500,000 decrease in sales of engineering services and lower product sales for military helicopters (primarily Apache and Chinook helicopters), partially offset by growth in product sales of large and regional jet commercial aircraft programs.

 

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Cost of Sales and Gross Profit

 

December 31,

   2010     2009  
(In thousands)             

Cost of Sales

   $ 328,260      $ 351,915   

Percent of Net Sales

     80.4     81.7

Gross Profit

   $ 80,146      $ 78,833   

Gross Profit % of Sales

     19.6     18.3

Gross profit, as a percent of sales, increased to 19.6% in 2010 from 18.3% in 2009. Gross profit margins in 2010 were negatively impacted by approximately $4,948,000, or 1.8 percentage points, due to start-up and development costs on several new programs which generated approximately $10,448,000 in sales. In addition, gross profit for 2010 was favorably impacted by an adjustment to operating expense of approximately $1,285,000, or 0.3 percentage points, relating to the reversal of certain accounts payable accruals recorded in prior periods. The Company determined that certain accounts payable that were accrued during the period from 2004 to 2010, in fact, had been paid or were not otherwise owed to suppliers. The Company assessed the materiality of this reversal and concluded it was immaterial to previously reported annual and interim amounts. Gross profit margin in 2009 was negatively impacted by inventory reserves and valuation adjustments of $5,141,000 and a liability recorded for uncollected sales tax from customers of $617,000.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

December 31,

   2010     2009  
(In thousands)             

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

   $ 53,678      $ 49,615   

% of Net Sales

     13.1     11.5

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense increased to $53,678,000, or 13.1% of sales in 2010, compared to $49,615,000, or 11.5% of sales in 2009. The increase in SG&A expense was primarily due to higher expenses from the amortization of intangible assets of approximately $1,142,000, higher compensation costs and increased investments in product development programs. The SG&A expense in 2009 was favorably impacted by a reduction in environmental reserves of $2,241,000.

 

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Goodwill Impairment

 

December 31,

   2010     2009  
(In thousands)             

Goodwill Impairment

   $ —        $ 12,936   

% of Net Sales

     —       3.0

In accordance with ASC 350 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the Company performed its required annual impairment test for goodwill using a discounted cash flow analysis supported by comparative market multiples to determine the fair values of its businesses versus their book values. The test as of December 31, 2010 indicated that there was no impairment of goodwill during 2010. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $12,936,000 at DTI (relating to its Miltec reporting unit) for the impairment of goodwill. The charge in 2009 reduced goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition of Miltec. The principal factors used in the discounted cash flow analysis requiring judgment are the projected results of operations, weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), and terminal value assumptions. The WACC takes into account the relative weights of each component of the Company’s consolidated capital structure (equity and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital adjusted as appropriate to consider risk profiles associated with growth projection risks. The terminal value assumptions are applied to the final year of discounted cash flow model. Due to many variables inherent in the estimation of a business’s fair value and the relative size of the Company’s recorded goodwill, differences in assumptions may have a material effect on the results of the Company’s impairment analysis.

Interest Expense

 

December 31,

   2010     2009  
(In thousands)             

Interest Expenses

   $ 1,805      $ 2,522   

% of Net Sales

     0.4     0.6

Interest expense was $1,805,000 in 2010, compared to $2,522,000 in 2009, primarily due to lower debt levels in 2010 compared to the previous year.

 

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Income Tax Expenses

 

December 31,

   2010     2009  
(In thousands)             

Income Taxes

   $ 4,855      $ 3,577   

Effective Tax Rate

     19.7     26.0

Income tax expense increased to $4,855,000 in 2010, compared to $3,577,000 in 2009. The increase in income tax expense was due to the higher income before taxes, partially offset by a lower effective income tax rate. The Company’s effective tax rate for 2010 was 19.7%, compared to 26.0% in 2009. Cash expended to pay income taxes was $2,546,000 in 2010, compared to $6,960,000 in 2009.

Net income for 2010 was $19,808,000, or $1.87 diluted earnings per share, compared to $10,183,000, or $0.97 diluted earnings per share in 2009. Net income for 2009 includes an after-tax charge of $3,444,000, or $0.33 per fully diluted share for the Eclipse inventory write-off and inventory valuation adjustment discussed above and a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $7,753,000 or $0.74 per fully diluted share.

Financial Condition

Cash Flow Summary

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities for the 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $(3,002,000), $26,471,000 and $30,812,000, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities for 2011 was impacted by lower net income, an increase in accounts receivables, primarily related to the timing of billings to customers and extension of payments by the customers, an increase in inventory, primarily related to work-in-process for production jobs scheduled to ship in 2012 and afterward, payments of accounts payable, and payments in 2011 for expenses recorded in accrued liabilities in 2010. Net cash used in operating activities for 2011 was also negatively impacted by $25,574,000 of transaction expenses related to the acquisition of LaBarge, Inc.

Net cash used in investing activities for 2011 was $339,781,000. This consisted of $325,315,000 for the acquisition of LaBarge and $400,000 for the acquisition of certain assets of Foam Matrix, $14,536,000 of capital expenditures and proceeds of $470,000 from the sale of assets.

Net cash provided by financing activities for 2011 of $373,964,000 included approximately $390,000,000 of borrowings, primarily to finance the acquisition of LaBarge, $1,276,000 of repayment of senior notes, term loan and revolver debt, $14,025,000 of debt issue cost paid, also related to the acquisition of LaBarge, $790,000 of dividend payments, and $55,000 net cash effect of exercise related to stock options.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2011, the Company had $58,410,000 of unused revolver lines of credit, after deducting $1,590,000 for outstanding standby letters of credit. The Company had no outstanding revolver loans and was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2011. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 7.66% at December 31, 2011, compared to 4.76% at December 31, 2010. The carrying amount of long-term debt approximates fair value based on the terms of the related debt, recent transactions and estimates using interest rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

In connection with the acquisition of LaBarge on June 28, 2011, the Company borrowed $190,000,000 under a senior secured term loan and entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility of $60,000,000. Both the term loan and the credit facility provide the option of choosing the LIBOR rate (with a Libor rate floor of 1.25%) plus 4.25%, or the Alternate Base Rate (with an Alternate Base Rate floor of 2.25%) plus 3.25%. The Alternate Base Rate is the greater of the (a) Prime rate and (b) Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $475,000 beginning on September 30, 2011 and mandatory prepayment of certain amounts of excess cash flow on an annual basis beginning 2012. Principal payments of $475,000 were paid in September and December 2011. The revolving credit facility matures on June 28, 2016 and the term loan matures on June 30, 2017. The revolving credit facility and term loan contain minimum Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) and maximum leverage ratio covenants under certain circumstances, as well as limitations on future disposition of property, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, repurchase of stock, dividends, and outside indebtedness.

In connection with the acquisition of LaBarge, the Company also issued $200,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with interest of 9.75% per annum, payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning in 2012. The senior unsecured notes mature on July 15, 2018, at which time the entire principal amount is due.

The Company continues to depend on operating cash flow and the availability of its bank line of credit to provide short-term liquidity. Cash from operations and bank borrowing capacity are expected to provide sufficient liquidity to meet the Company’s obligations during the next twelve months.

In connection with the DAS-New York acquisition in December 2008, the Company issued a promissory note in the initial principal amount of $7,000,000 with interest of 5% per annum payable annually on each anniversary of the closing date (December 23). Principal of the promissory note in the amount of $4,000,000 was paid on June 23, 2010 and $3,000,000 is payable on December 23, 2013.

The Company expects to spend approximately $21,000,000 for capital expenditures in 2012. The increase in capital expenditures in 2012 from 2011 is principally to support new contract awards at DAS and DLT, including LaBarge capital expenditures, and offshore manufacturing expansion. The Company believes the ongoing subcontractor consolidation makes acquisitions an increasingly important component of the Company’s future growth. The

 

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Company will continue to make prudent acquisitions and capital expenditures for manufacturing equipment and facilities to support long-term contracts for commercial and military aircraft programs, defense, medical, natural resources, industrial and other commercial markets. As part of the Company’s strategic direction in moving to a Tier 2 supplier additional up-front investment in tooling will be required for newer programs which have higher engineering content and higher levels of complexity in assemblies.

The Company has made guarantees and indemnities under which it may be required to make payments to a guaranteed or indemnified party, in relation to certain transactions, including revenue transactions in the ordinary course of business. In connection with certain facility leases, the Company has indemnified its lessors for certain claims arising from the facility or the lease. The Company indemnifies its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware. However, the Company has a directors and officers insurance policy that may reduce its exposure in certain circumstances and may enable it to recover a portion of future amounts that may be payable, if any. The duration of the guarantees and indemnities varies and, in many cases, is indefinite but subject to statute of limitations. The majority of guarantees and indemnities do not provide any limitations of the maximum potential future payments the Company could be obligated to make. Historically, payments related to these guarantees and indemnities have been immaterial. The Company estimates the fair value of its indemnification obligations as insignificant based on this history and insurance coverage and has, therefore, not recorded any liability for these guarantees and indemnities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will not have any future financial exposure under these indemnification obligations.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company expects to make the following payments on its contractual obligations (in thousands):

 

             Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations

   Total      Less
than 1
year
     1 - 3
years
     3 - 5
years
     More
than 5
years
 

Long-term debt

   $ 392,240       $ 1,960       $ 6,882       $ 3,848       $ 379,550   

Operating leases

     20,848         7,500         8,545         3,271         1,532   

Pension liability

     15,483         1,465         2,819         3,032         8,167   

Liabilities related to uncertain tax position

     2,422         522         1,235         665         —     

Future interest on notes payable and long-term debt

     193,400         30,930         59,554         58,985         43,931   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 624,393       $ 42,377       $ 79,035       $ 69,801       $ 433,180   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ducommun was named as a defendant in class actions filed in April, 2011 by purported stockholders of LaBarge against LaBarge, its Board of Directors and Ducommun in connection with the LaBarge acquisition. In January 2012, the Delaware Chancery Court approved the settlement of the class action which included the payment of $600,000 for plaintiffs’ attorney fees.

Ducommun is a defendant in a lawsuit entitled United States of America ex rel Taylor Smith, Jeannine Prewitt and James Ailes v. The Boeing Company and Ducommun Inc., filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas (the “District Court”). The lawsuit is a qui tam action brought by three former Boeing employees (“Relators”) against Boeing and Ducommun on behalf of the United States of America for violations of the United States False

 

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Claims Act. The lawsuit alleges that Ducommun sold unapproved parts to the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group-Wichita Division which were installed by Boeing in aircraft ultimately sold to the United States Government. The number of Boeing aircraft subject to the lawsuit has been reduced to 21 aircraft following the District Court’s granting of partial summary judgment in favor of Boeing and Ducommun. The lawsuit seeks damages, civil penalties and other relief from the defendants for presenting or causing to be presented false claims for payment to the United States Government. Although the amount of alleged damages are not specified, the lawsuit seeks damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of damages the United States Government sustained because of the defendants’ actions, plus a civil penalty of $10,000 for each false claim made on or before September 28, 1999, and $11,000 for each false claim made on or after September 28, 1999, together with attorneys’ fees and costs. One of Relators’ experts has opined that the United States Government’s damages are in the amount of $833 million. After investigating the allegations, the United States Government has declined to intervene in the lawsuit. Ducommun intends to defend itself vigorously against the lawsuit. Ducommun, at this time, is unable to estimate what, if any, liability it may have in connection with the lawsuit.

DAS has been directed by California environmental agencies to investigate and take corrective action for ground water contamination at its facilities located in El Mirage and Monrovia, California. Based on currently available information, the Company has established a reserve for its estimated liability for such investigation and corrective action of approximately $1,509,000 at December 31, 2011. DAS also faces liability as a potentially responsible party for hazardous waste disposed at two landfills located in Casmalia and West Covina, California. DAS and other companies and government entities have entered into consent decrees with respect to each landfill with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and/or California environmental agencies under which certain investigation, remediation and maintenance activities are being performed. Based on currently available information, at the West Covina landfill the Company preliminarily estimates that the range of its future liabilities in connection with the landfill is between approximately $700,000 and $3,300,000. The Company has established a reserve for its estimated liability, in connection with the West Covina landfill of approximately $700,000 at December 31, 2011. The Company’s ultimate liability in connection with these matters will depend upon a number of factors, including changes in existing laws and regulations, the design and cost of construction, operation and maintenance activities, and the allocation of liability among potentially responsible parties.

In the normal course of business, Ducommun and its subsidiaries are defendants in certain other litigation, claims and inquiries, including matters relating to environmental laws. In addition, the Company makes various commitments and incurs contingent liabilities. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these matters, the Company does not presently expect that any sum it may be required to pay in connection with these matters would have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements consist of operating leases and indemnities.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued amendments to disclosure requirements for common fair value measurement. These amendments, effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is prohibited), result in common definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Consequently, the amendments change some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amendments to disclosure requirements for presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance, effective retrospectively for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is permitted), requires presentation of total comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In September 2011, the FASB issued amendments to the goodwill impairment guidance which provides an option for companies to use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment if certain conditions are met. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is permitted). The implementation of amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance enhancing disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s right to offset and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The new guidance requires the disclosure of the gross amounts subject to rights of set-off, amounts offset in accordance with the accounting standards followed, and the related net exposure. The new guidance will be effective for us beginning July 1, 2013. Other than requiring additional disclosures, we do not anticipate material impacts on our financial statements upon adoption.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Our main exposure to market risk relates to interest rates. At December 31, 2011, we had borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility of $189.1 million that were subject to interest rate risk, and $200.0 million of Senior Unsecured Notes at a fixed rate of 9.75%. Borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either an alternate base rate or an adjusted LIBOR rate for a one, two three or six month interest period chosen by us, plus an applicable margin percentage. This LIBOR rate has a floor of 1.25%, and a margin of 4.25%.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements and supplementary data together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP listed in the index at Item 15(a) 1 and 2 are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded, based on an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management’s report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 is included under Item 15(a)(1) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management excluded LaBarge from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting because it was acquired in a business combination during 2011. As of December 31, 2011 management is in the process of integrating the LaBarge acquisition. LaBarge will be included in management’s 2012 evaluation of internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Directors of the Registrant

The information under the caption “Election of Directors” in the 2012 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth the names and ages of all executive officers of the Company, as of the date of this report, all positions and offices held with the Company and brief accounts of business experience during the past five years. Executive officers do not serve for any specified terms, but are typically elected annually by the Board of Directors of the Company or, in the case of subsidiary presidents, by the Board of Directors of the respective subsidiaries.

 

Name (Age)

  

Positions and Offices

Held With Company

(Year Elected)

  

Other Business

Experience

(Past Five Years)

Kathryn M. Andrus (43)    Vice President, Internal Audit (2008)    Director of Internal Audit (2005-2008)
Joseph P. Bellino (61)    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2008)    Executive Vice President and CFO of Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (2006-2008)
James S. Heiser (55)    Vice President (1990), General Counsel (1988), and Secretary (1987)    Chief Financial Officer (1996-2006) and Treasurer (1995-2006)
Michael G. Pollack (52)    Vice President of Sales and Marketing (2010)    Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Ducommun AeroStructures, Inc. (2004-2010); Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ducommun Technologies, Inc. (2008-2010)
Anthony J. Reardon (61)    Chief Executive Officer (2010), President (2008)    President of Ducommun AeroStructures, Inc. (2003-2007)

 

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Rosalie F. Rogers (50)    Vice President, Human Resources (2008)    Vice President, Human Resources of Ducommun AeroStructures, Inc. (2006-2008)
Samuel D. Williams (63)    Vice President (1991) and Controller (1988)    —  

Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert

The information under the caption “Committees of the Board of Directors” relating to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in the 2012 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Compliance With Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

The information under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the 2012 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Code of Ethics

The information under the caption “Code of Ethics” in the 2012 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Changes to Procedures to Recommend Nominees

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors since the date of the Company’s last proxy statement.

 

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information under the captions “Compensation of Executive Officers,” “Compensation of Directors,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Compensation Committee Report” in the 2012 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the 2012 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information under the caption “Election of Directors” in the 2012 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information under the caption “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” contained in the 2012 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

  (a) 1.     Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements of Ducommun Incorporated and subsidiaries, are incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this report.

 

     Page  

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     69   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     70 - 71   

Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

     72   

Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2011 and 2010

     73   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity - Years Ended December  31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

     74   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

     75   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     76 - 104   

Supplemental Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

     104   

2.      Financial Statement Schedule

  
The following schedule for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is filed herewith:   

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

     105   
All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information has been otherwise supplied in the financial statements or notes thereto.   

3.      Exhibits

  

See Item 15(b) for a list of exhibits.

     106 - 108   

Signatures

     109 - 110   

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of Ducommun Incorporated (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.

Management has excluded LaBarge from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 because it was acquired by the Company in a business combination during 2011. LaBarge is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company whose total assets and total revenues represent 50% and 30%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as stated in the report which appears immediately following this Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ducommun Incorporated:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ducommun Incorporated and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 15(a)(1). Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management has excluded LaBarge, Inc. (“LaBarge”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 because it was acquired by the Company in a business combination during 2011. We have also excluded LaBarge from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. LaBarge is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company whose total assets and total revenues represent 50% and 30%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Los Angeles, California

March 5, 2012

 

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Ducommun Incorporated

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

Year Ended December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)                   

Sales and Service Revenues

      

Product sales

   $ 552,408      $ 367,563      $ 372,371   

Service revenues

     28,506        40,843        58,377   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Sales

     580,914        408,406        430,748   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Costs and Expenses:

      

Cost of product sales

     453,473        296,104        305,705   

Cost of service revenues

     21,505        32,156        46,210   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     85,790        53,678        49,615   

Goodwill impairment

     54,273        —          12,936   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Operating Costs and Expenses

     615,041        381,938        414,466   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating (Loss)/Income

     (34,127     26,468        16,282   

Interest Expense, Net

     (18,198     (1,805     (2,522
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss)/Income Before Taxes

     (52,325     24,663        13,760   

Income Tax Benefit/(Expense), Net

     4,742        (4,855     (3,577
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (Loss)/Income

   $ (47,583   $ 19,808      $ 10,183   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings Per Share:

      

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

   $ (4.52   $ 1.89      $ 0.97   

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

   $ (4.52   $ 1.87      $ 0.97   

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:

      

Basic

     10,536,000        10,488,000        10,461,000   

Diluted

     10,621,000        10,596,000        10,510,000   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Ducommun Incorporated

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands, except per share data)             

Assets

    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 41,449      $ 10,268   

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $488 and $415)

     96,174        47,949   

Unbilled receivables

     3,286        3,856   

Inventories

     154,503        72,597   

Production cost of contracts

     18,711        16,889   

Deferred income taxes

     12,020        5,085   

Other current assets

     14,648        4,748   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     340,791        161,392   

Property and Equipment, Net

     98,477        59,461   

Goodwill

     163,845        100,442   

Intangibles

     187,854        21,992   

Other Assets

     17,120        2,165   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 808,087      $ 345,452   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 1,960      $ 187   

Accounts payable

     60,675        39,925   

Accrued liabilities

     53,823        31,174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     116,458        71,286   

Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion

     390,280        3,093   

Deferred Income Taxes

     72,043        7,691   

Other Long-Term Liabilities

     25,022        9,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     603,803        91,267   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

    

Shareholders’ Equity:

    

Common stock — $.01 par value; authorized 35,000,000 shares; issued 10,683,863 shares in 2011 and 10,650,443 shares in 2010

     107        106   

Treasury stock — held in treasury 143,300 shares in 2011 and 2010

     (1,924     (1,924

Additional paid-in capital

     64,378        61,684   

Retained earnings

     149,048        197,421   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (7,325     (3,102
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     204,284        254,185   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 808,087      $ 345,452   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Ducommun Incorporated

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

     Shares
Outstanding
    Common
Stock
     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
    Treasury
Stock
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Expense)
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
               
               
               
(In thousands, except share data)                                            

Balance at December 31, 2008

     10,511,586      $ 106       $ 56,040      $ 173,718      $ (986   $ (4,432   $ 224,446   

Comprehensive income:

               

Net income

            10,183            10,183   

Equity adjustment for additional pension liability, net of tax

                494     

Equity adjustment for cash flow hedge mark-to-market adjustment, net of tax

                384        878   
               

 

 

 
                  11,061   

Cash Dividends

            (3,141         (3,141

Common stock repurchased for treasury

     (74,300            (938     —          (938

Stock options exercised

     19,416        —           44        —            —          44   

Stock repurchased related to the exercise of stock options

     (6,276     —           (105     —            —          (105

Stock Based Compensation

          2,404              2,404   

Income tax benefit related to the exercise of nonqualified stock options

     —          —           115        —            —          115   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

     10,450,426      $ 106       $ 58,498      $ 180,760      $ (1,924   $ (3,554   $ 233,886   

Comprehensive income:

               

Net income

            19,808            19,808   

Equity adjustment for additional pension liability, net of tax

                44     

Equity adjustment for cash flow hedge mark-to-market adjustment, net of tax

                408        452   
               

 

 

 
                  20,260   

Cash Dividends

            (3,147         (3,147

Stock options exercised

     77,156        —           769        —            —          769   

Stock repurchased related to the exercise of stock options

     (20,439     —           (404     —            —          (404

Stock Based Compensation

          2,517              2,517   

Income tax benefit related to the exercise of nonqualified stock options

     —          —           304        —            —          304   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

     10,507,143      $ 106       $ 61,684      $ 197,421      $ (1,924   $ (3,102   $ 254,185   

Comprehensive income:

               

Net loss

            (47,583         (47,583

Equity adjustment for additional pension liability, net of tax

                (4,223     (4,223
               

 

 

 
                  (51,806

Cash Dividends

            (790         (790

Stock options exercised

     96,605        1         1,552        —            —          1,553   

Stock repurchased related to the exercise of stock options

     (63,185     —           (1,497     —            —          (1,497

Stock Based Compensation

          2,363              2,363   

Income tax benefit related to the exercise of nonqualified stock options

     —          —           276        —            —          276   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

     10,540,563      $ 107       $ 64,378      $ 149,048      $ (1,924   $ (7,325   $ 204,284   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Ducommun Incorporated

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Year Ended December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  
(In thousands)                   

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

      

Net (Loss)/Income

   $ (47,583   $ 19,808      $ 10,183   

Adjustment to Reconcile Net (Loss)/Income to Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Operating Activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     21,458        13,597        13,550   

Impairment of goodwill

     54,273        —          12,936   

Stock-based compensation expense

     2,363        2,517        2,404   

Deferred income tax provision/(benefit)

     (6,652     (495     1,819   

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     277        304        115   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —          (9     —     

Recovery of doubtful accounts

     (3     (155     (1,124

Other - (increase)/decrease

     (22     88        (525

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable - (increase)/decrease

     (3,990     584        2,836   

Unbilled receivable - decrease

     570        351        2,867   

Inventories - (increase)/decrease

     (4,828     (4,848     5,321   

Production cost of contracts - (increase)

     (3,451     (5,215     (4,794

Other - decrease

     32        3,026        356   

Accounts payable - (decrease)/increase

     (12,323     491        4,076   

Accrued and other liabilities - (decrease)

     (3,123     (3,573     (19,208
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Operating Activities

     (3,002     26,471        30,812   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

      

Purchase of property and equipment

     (14,536     (7,106     (7,689

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

     (325,715     —          —     

Proceeds from sale of assets

     470        2        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (339,781     (7,104     (7,687
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

      

Repayment of senior notes, term loan and revolver debt

     (1,276     (24,956     (2,454

Borrowings of senior notes and term loan

     390,000        —          —     

Cash dividends paid

     (790     (3,147     (3,141

Debt issue cost paid

     (14,025     —          (1,409

Repurchase of stock

     —          —          (938

Net cash effect of exercise related to stock options

     55        366        (62

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —          9        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by/(Used in) Financing Activities

     373,964        (27,728     (8,004
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     31,181        (8,361     15,121   

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period

     10,268        18,629        3,508   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period

   $ 41,449      $ 10,268      $ 18,629   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

      

Interest paid

   $ 5,950      $ 1,799      $ 2,222   

Taxes paid

   $ 4,512      $ 2,546      $ 6,960   

Supplemental information for Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:

See Note 2 for non-cash investing activities related to the acquisition of businesses.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ducommun Incorporated and its subsidiaries (“Ducommun” or the “Company”), after eliminating intercompany balances and transactions.

The Company supplies products and services primarily to the aerospace and defense industries. The Company’s subsidiaries are organized into two strategic businesses, each of which is a reportable operating segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the Company. Ducommun AeroStructures (“DAS”) engineers and manufactures aerospace structural components and assemblies. Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (“DLT”) was formed in June 2011 by the combination of our former Ducommun Technologies segment (“DTI”) and LaBarge (See Note 2). DLT designs, engineers and manufactures a broad range of electronic, electromechanical and interconnect systems and components. In addition, DLT provides technical and program management services (including design, development, integration and testing of prototype products) principally for advanced weapons and missile defense systems.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less. The cost of these investments approximates fair value.

Revenue Recognition

Except as described below, the Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, collection is reasonably assured and delivery of products has occurred or services have been rendered. Revenue from products sold under long-term contracts is recognized by the Company on the same basis as other sale transactions.

The Company has a significant number of contracts for which net sales are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method using the units of delivery as the measure of completion. The percentage-of-completion method requires the use of assumptions and estimates related to the contract value, the total cost at completion, and measurement of progress towards completion. These contracts are primarily fixed-price contracts that vary widely in terms of size, length of performance period and expected gross profit margins. The Company also recognizes revenue on the sale of services (including prototype products) based on the type of contract: time and materials, cost-plus reimbursement and firm-fixed price. Revenue is recognized by (i) on time and materials contracts as time is spent at hourly rates, which are negotiated with customers, plus the cost of any allowable materials and out-of-pocket expenses, (ii) on cost-plus reimbursement contracts based on direct and indirect costs incurred plus a negotiated profit calculated as a percentage of cost, a fixed amount or a performance-based award fee, and (iii) on fixed-price contracts on the percentage-of-completion method measured by the percentage of costs incurred to estimated total costs.

 

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Provision for Estimated Losses on Contracts

The Company records provisions for estimated losses on contracts considering total estimated costs to complete the contract compared to total anticipated revenues in the period in which such losses are identified.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the inability of customers to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is evaluated periodically based on the aging of accounts receivable, the financial condition of customers and their payment history, historical write-off experience and other assumptions.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventoried costs include raw materials, outside processing, direct labor and allocated overhead, adjusted for any abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials (spoilage) incurred, but do not include any selling, general and administrative expense. Costs under long-term contracts are accumulated into, and removed from, inventory on the same basis as other contracts. The Company assesses the inventory carrying value and reduces it if necessary to its net realizable value based on customer orders on hand, and internal demand forecasts using management’s best estimates given information currently available. The Company maintains an allowance for potentially excess and obsolete inventories and inventories that are carried at costs that are higher than their estimated net realizable values.

Inventory Adjustment

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that certain inventory balances during the period from 2010 to 2011, in fact had been overstated. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2011 was adversely impacted by an inventory valuation adjustment of $808,000, or 0.4%. The Company assessed the materiality of the correction mentioned above individually and aggregated with other previously identified errors and concluded that they were immaterial to previously reported annual and interim amounts and that the correction of the errors in 2011 would not be material to the current year results of operations. Accordingly, the Company corrected these errors in the financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and did not restate its consolidated financial statements for the prior years or interim periods impacted.

 

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Production Cost of Contracts

Costs are incurred for certain long-term contracts that require machinery or tools to build the parts as specified within the contract. These costs include production and tooling costs. The production contract costs are recorded to cost of sales using the units of delivery method. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, production costs of contracts were $18,711,000 and $16,889,000, respectively.

Property, Equipment and Depreciation

Property and equipment, including assets recorded under capital leases, are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives and, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the lives of the improvements or the lease term. The Company evaluates long-lived assets for recoverability considering undiscounted cash flows, when significant changes in conditions occur, and recognizes impairment losses, if any, based upon the fair value of the assets.

Goodwill

The Company’s business acquisitions have resulted in goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to impairment tests on an annual basis in the fourth quarter and between annual tests, in certain circumstances, when events indicate an impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment utilizing a two-step method. In the first step, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit using expected future discounted cash flows and market valuation approaches (comparable Company revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples), requiring management to make estimates and assumptions about the reporting unit’s future prospects. If the net book value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, the Company then performs the second step of the impairment test which requires fair valuation of all the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, with any residual fair value being allocated to goodwill. This residual fair value of goodwill is then compared to the carrying amount to determine impairment. An impairment charge will be recognized only when the estimated fair value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, is less than its carrying amount.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes by recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return are recognized when it is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

 

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Litigation and Commitments

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in certain litigation, claims and inquiries, including matters relating to environmental laws. In addition, the Company makes various commitments and incurs contingent liabilities. Management’s estimates regarding contingent liabilities could differ from actual results.

Environmental Liabilities

Environmental liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and costs can be reasonably estimated. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with the completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitment to a formal plan of action. Further, the Company reviews and updates its environmental accruals as circumstances change and/or additional information is obtained that reasonably could be expected to have a meaningful effect on the outcome of a matter or the estimated cost thereof.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for share-based payment transactions in the financial statements at their fair value. The expense is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the share-based award, and is recognized over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity award).

Other Intangible Assets

The Company amortizes purchased other intangible assets with finite lives over the estimated economic lives of the assets, ranging from one to fourteen years generally using the straight-line method. The value of other intangibles acquired through business combinations has been estimated using present value techniques which involve estimates of future cash flows. The Company evaluates other intangible assets for recoverability considering undiscounted cash flows, when significant changes in conditions occur, and recognizes impairment losses, if any, based upon the estimated fair value of the assets.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in each period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders plus income associated with dilutive securities by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus any potential dilutive shares that could be issued if exercised or converted into common stock in each period.

 

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The weighted average number of shares outstanding used to compute earnings per share is as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31,

   2011      2010      2009  

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     10,536,000         10,488,000         10,461,000   

Dilutive potential common shares

     85,000         108,000         49,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     10,621,000         10,596,000         10,510,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The numerator used to compute diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

Year Ended, December 31,

   2011     2010      2009  

Net (loss)/earnings (total numerator)

   $ (47,583,000   $ 19,808,000       $ 10,183,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average number of shares outstanding, included in the table below, is excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the average market price did not exceed the exercise price. However, these shares may be potentially dilutive common shares in the future.

 

Year Ended December 31,

   2011      2010      2009  

Stock options and stock units

     705,600         435,600         791,400   

Comprehensive Income

Certain items such as pension liability adjustments are presented as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The current period change in pension liability is included in other comprehensive loss and separately reported in the financial statements. Accumulated other comprehensive loss, as reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the equity section, is comprised of a pension and retirement liability adjustment of $7,325,000, net of tax, at December 31, 2011, compared to a pension liability adjustment $3,102,000, net of tax at December 31, 2010. The change in pension and retirement liability was primarily related to the LaBarge acquisition. There was no other comprehensive income or loss reported in 2011 or 2010.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued amendments to disclosure requirements for common fair value measurement. These amendments, effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is prohibited), result in common definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Consequently, the amendments change some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

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In June 2011, the FASB issued amendments to disclosure requirements for presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance, effective retrospectively for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is permitted), requires presentation of total comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In September 2011, the FASB issued amendments to the goodwill impairment guidance which provides an option for companies to use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment if certain conditions are met. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is permitted). The implementation of amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance enhancing disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s right to offset and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The new guidance requires the disclosure of the gross amounts subject to rights of set-off, amounts offset in accordance with the accounting standards followed, and the related net exposure. The new guidance will be effective for us beginning July 1, 2013. Other than requiring additional disclosures, we do not anticipate material impacts on our financial statements upon adoption.

Use of Estimates

Certain amounts and disclosures included in the consolidated financial statements required management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Note 2. Acquisition

On June 28, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of all the outstanding stock of LaBarge, Inc. (“LaBarge”), formerly a publicly-owned company based in St. Louis, Missouri for $325,315,000 (net of cash acquired and excluding acquisition costs). LaBarge was a broad-based provider of electronics to technology-driven companies in diverse markets. LaBarge had significant sales to customers in the aerospace, defense, natural resources, industrial, medical and other commercial markets. The Company provided its customers with sophisticated electronic, electromechanical and mechanical products through contract design and manufacturing services. The operating results for the acquisition have been included in the consolidated statements of

 

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operations since the date of the acquisition. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, operating expenses included expenses related to the acquisition of LaBarge of $16,127,000 and interest expense included the write-off of $831,000 of unamortized financing costs, as a result of the Company’s debt refinancing related to the acquisition of LaBarge.

The Company believes the LaBarge acquisition will allow us to expand our presence significantly in the aerospace and defense markets, as well as diversify our sales base across new markets, including industrial, natural resources, medical and other commercial end markets. More specifically, the Company expects to realize the following benefits from the LaBarge acquisition:

 

   

Strengthen our market position as a significant Tier 2 supplier for both structural and electronic assemblies

 

   

Diversify our end markets

 

   

Expand our platforms work content on existing programs and capabilities on new and existing programs

 

   

Increase value-added manufacturing services content in our product portfolio

 

   

Expand our technology product portfolio

 

   

Realize potential synergies.

The following table presents unaudited pro forma consolidated operating results for the Company for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, as if the LaBarge acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2010. The Company acquired certain assets of Foam Matrix for $400,000 during the first quarter of 2011. Pro forma results below exclude the acquisition of certain assets of Foam Matrix. Assuming the Foam Matrix acquisition had occurred at January 1, 2010, it would not have been materially different from the Company’s historical results.

 

(Unaudited)             

Year Ended December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)             

Net sales

   $ 744,366      $ 732,443   

Net loss

     (39,737     (2,309

Basic loss per share

     (3.77     (0.22

Diluted loss per share

     (3.77     (0.22

The consolidated financial statements reflect preliminary estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the related allocation of the purchase price for LaBarge. The principal estimates of fair value have been determined using expected net present value techniques utilizing a 14% discount rate. Customer relationships are valued assuming an annual

 

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attrition rate of 6.5%. For acquisitions completed in 2011, adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the purchase price allocation period (not exceeding twelve months from acquisition date).

The table below summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation for LaBarge at the date of acquisition.

 

(In thousands)       

Accounts receivable

   $ 44,232   

Inventories

     77,078   

Prepaids

     1,382   

Deferred income taxes

     5,821   

Other current assets

     4,640   

Property, plant and equipment

     36,794   

Excess of cost over net assets acquired

     117,028   

Intangible-customer relationships

     140,300   

Intangible-trade name

     32,937   

Other assets

     4,955   
  

 

 

 
     465,167   
  

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

     250   

Accounts payable

     33,073   

Accrued liabilities

     31,193   

Other long-term liabilities

     3,343   

Deferred income tax liabilities

     71,993   
  

 

 

 
     139,852   
  

 

 

 

Cash paid for acquisition

   $ 325,315   
  

 

 

 

Note 3. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

 

December 31,

   2011      2010  
(In thousands)              

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 72,067       $ 13,155   

Work in process

     79,982         61,295   

Finished goods

     13,433         6,903   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     165,482         81,353   

Less progress payments

     10,979         8,756   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 154,503       $ 72,597   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Note 4. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

December 31,

   2011      2010      Range of
Estimated
Useful Lives
 
(In thousands)                     

Land

   $ 14,622       $ 11,333      

Buildings and improvements

     44,402         34,067         5 -40 Years   

Machinery and equipment

     107,591         95,371         2 -20 Years   

Furniture and equipment

     23,707         21,267         2 -10 Years   

Construction in progress

     8,817         3,362      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     199,139         165,400      

Less accumulated depreciation

     100,662         105,939      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 98,477       $ 59,461      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Depreciation expense was $12,068,000, $8,413,000 and $8,714,000, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The carrying amounts of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

     Ducommun
AeroStructures
     Ducommun
LaBarge
    Total
Ducommun
 
(In thousands)                    

Gross Goodwill

   $ 56,595       $ 69,847      $ 126,442   

Accumulated Goodwill Impairment

     —           (26,000     (26,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

     56,595         43,847        100,442   

Goodwill additions due to acquisitions

     648         117,028        117,676   

Goodwill impairment

     —           (54,273     (54,273
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

   $ 57,243       $ 106,602      $ 163,845   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment pursuant to paragraph 30, of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 350. For goodwill impairment testing, the Company has three reporting units, DAS, DLT without Miltec and Miltec. Management has concluded that Miltec has been properly identified as a separate reporting unit. The operating components within the DAS segment of the Company are aggregated and deemed to be a single reporting unit because of similar economic characteristics. The operating components within the DLT segment, except for the Miltec component are aggregated and deemed to be a single reporting unit because of similar economic characteristics.

 

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The revenue generation, manufacturing expertise and selling efforts of DLT’s operating components, other than Miltec, are tightly linked and are impacted by each other’s efforts. Miltec is deemed to be a single reporting unit because its economic characteristics are not considered to be similar to the other DLT operating components.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the date of the most recent annual impairment test, the DAS, DLT, and Miltec reporting units had $57.2 million, $98.2 million, and $8.4 million of recorded goodwill, respectively. As of the most recent annual impairment test (Step One) on December 31, 2011, the fair value of the DAS and Miltec reporting units exceeded their carrying values by 20% and 14%, respectively. However, the fair value of the DLT reporting unit was less than its carrying value by 4%. As a result, the second step (Step Two) of the impairment test was required for the DLT reporting unit. The tangible and intangible assets were revalued according to ASC 350 and an impairment of goodwill of $54,273,000 was recorded. The impairment was driven by a decline in the Company’s market value as of December 31, 2011, following the LaBarge acquisition and a softening defense market.

Other intangible assets at December 31, 2011 related to acquisitions are amortized on the straight-line method over periods ranging from one to eighteen years. The fair value of other intangible assets was determined by management and consists of the following:

 

     December 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Amount
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Amount
 
(In thousands)                                          

Customer relationships

   $ 164,500       $ 12,503       $ 151,997       $ 24,200       $ 5,400       $ 18,800   

Trade names

     36,987         2,690         34,297         4,050         2,270         1,780   

Non-compete agreements

     2,743         2,699         44         2,743         2,605         138   

Contract renewal

     1,845         705         1,140         1,845         571         1,274   

Backlog

     1,153         1,153         —           1,153         1,153         —     

Technology

     400         24         376         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 207,628       $ 19,774       $ 187,854       $ 33,991       $ 11,999       $ 21,992   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The carrying amount of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

     December 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  
     Gross      Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Value
     Gross      Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Value
 
(In thousands)                                          

Other intangible assets:

                 

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 20,130       $ 7,059       $ 13,071       $ 19,730       $ 4,168       $ 15,562   

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

     187,496         12,713         174,783         14,261         7,831         6,430   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 207,626       $ 19,772       $ 187,854       $ 33,991       $ 11,999       $ 21,992   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Amortization expense of other intangible assets was $7,773,000, $3,992,000 and $2,850,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in amortization expense of other intangibles was due to the LaBarge acquisition. Future amortization expense is expected to be as follows:

 

     Ducommun
AeroStructures
     Ducommun
LaBarge
     Total
Ducommun
 
(In thousands)                     

2012

   $ 2,855       $ 8,645       $ 11,500   

2013

     2,246         8,646         10,892   

2014

     1,717         8,739         10,456   

2015

     1,386         8,740         10,126   

2016

     1,123         8,399         9,522   

Thereafter

     3,744         131,614         135,358   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 13,071       $ 174,783       $ 187,854   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 6. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

December 31,

   2011      2010  
(In thousands)              

Accrued compensation

   $ 27,559       $ 20,898   

Accrued income tax and sales tax

     1,820         3,062   

Customer deposits

     6,612         1,605   

Interest payable

     9,967         68   

Accrued insurance costs

     1,781         1,053   

Customer claims

     997         1,005   

Provision for contract cost overruns

     449         348   

Other

     4,638         3,135   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 53,823       $ 31,174   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Note 7. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt is summarized as follows:

 

December 31,

   2011      2010  
(In thousands)              

Senior Unsecured Notes

   $ 200,000       $ —     

Senior Secured Term Loan

     189,050         —     

Notes and Other Liabilities for Acquisitions

     3,190         3,280   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Debt

     392,240         3,280   

Less Current Portion

     1,960         187   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt

   $ 390,280       $ 3,093   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Future long-term debt payments are as follows:

 

(In thousands)

   Long-Term
Debt
 

2012

   $ 1,960   

2013

     4,959   

2014

     1,923   

2015

     1,924   

2016

     1,924   

Thereafter

     379,550   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 392,240   
  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2011, the Company had $58,018,000 of unused revolving lines of credit, after deducting $1,590,000 for outstanding standby letters of credit. The Company had no outstanding revolver loans and was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2011. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 7.66% at December 31, 2011, compared to 4.76% at December 31, 2010. The carrying amount of long-term debt approximates fair value based on the terms of the related debt, recent transactions and estimates using interest rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

In connection with the acquisition of LaBarge on June 28, 2011, the Company borrowed $190,000,000 under a senior secured term loan and entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility of $60,000,000. Both the term loan and the credit facility provide the option of choosing the LIBOR rate (with a Libor rate floor of 1.25%) plus 4.25%, or the Alternate Base Rate (with an Alternate Base Rate floor of 2.25%) plus 3.25%. The Alternate Base Rate is the greater of the (a) Prime rate and (b) Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $475,000 beginning on September 30, 2011 and mandatory prepayment of certain amounts of excess cash flow on an annual basis beginning 2012. Principal payments of

 

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$475,000 were paid in September and December 2011. The revolving credit facility matures on June 28, 2016 and the term loan matures on June 30, 2017. The revolving credit facility and term loan contain minimum Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) and maximum leverage ratio covenants under certain circumstances, as well as limitations on future disposition of property, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, repurchase of stock, dividends, and outside indebtedness.

In connection with the acquisition of LaBarge, the Company also issued $200,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with interest of 9.75% per annum, payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning in 2012. The senior unsecured notes mature on July 15, 2018, at which time the entire principal amount is due.

In connection with the DAS-New York acquisition in December 2008, the Company issued a promissory note in the initial principal amount of $7,000,000 with interest of 5% per annum payable annually on each anniversary of the closing date (December 23). Principal of the promissory note in the amount of $4,000,000 was paid on June 23, 2011 and $3,000,000 is payable December 23, 2013.

The weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 7.66% at December 31, 2011, compared to 4.76% at December 31, 2010. The carrying amount of long-term debt approximates fair value based on the terms of the related debt, recent transactions and estimates using interest rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Note 8. Shareholders’ Equity

The Company is authorized to issue five million shares of preferred stock. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, no preferred shares were issued or outstanding.

The Company repurchased in the open market 74,300 shares, or $938,000 of its common stock in 2009. In 2011, the Company terminated its stock repurchase program.

Note 9. Stock Options

The Company has two stock incentive plans. Stock awards may be made to directors, officers and key employees under the stock incentive plans on terms determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or, with respect to directors, on terms determined by the Board of Directors. Stock options have been and may be granted to directors, officers and key employees under the stock plans at prices not less than 100% of the market value on the date of grant, and expire not more than ten years from the date of grant. The option price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain dilutive circumstances. In 2011, performance stock units were awarded to nine officers and key employees, and restricted stock units were awarded to nine officers and key employees and six directors. In 2010, performance stock units were awarded to ten officers and key employees, and restricted stock units were awarded to seven directors. In 2009, performance stock units were awarded to eight officers and key employees.

 

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The Company applies fair value accounting for stock-based compensation based on the grant-date fair value estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company recognizes compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The Company has one award population with an option vesting term of four years. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on its historic experience. Tax benefits realized from stock award exercise gains in excess of stock-based compensation expense recognized for financial statement purposes are reported as cash flows from financing activities rather than as operating cash flows.

The Company also examines its historic pattern of option exercises in an effort to determine if there were any discernable activity patterns based on certain stock option holder populations. The table below presents the weighted average expected life in months of the one identified stock option holder population. The expected life computation is based on historic exercise patterns and post-vesting termination behavior within each of the one population identified. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the award is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected volatility is derived from historical volatility of the Company’s common stock.

The fair value of each share-based payment award was estimated using the following assumptions and weighted average fair values as follows:

 

     Stock Options (1)  

December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  

Weighted average fair value of grants

   $ 8.84      $ 6.43      $ 7.16   

Risk-free interest rate

     1.47     1.99     2.72

Dividend yield

     0.00     1.66     1.68

Expected volatility

     42.28     42.90     43.14

Expected life in months

     66        66        65   

 

(1) The fair value calculation was based on stock options granted during the period.

 

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Option activity during the three years ended December 31, 2011 was as follows:

 

     2011      2010      2009  
     Number
of Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Number
of Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Number
of Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding at December 31

     929,850      $ 20.654         817,500      $ 21.070         681,500      $ 22.128   

Options granted

     224,000        21.610         190,950        18.040         199,000        17.952   

Options exercised

     (79,937     19.416         (45,850     16.797         (2,750     15.721   

Options forfeited

     (95,225     21.551         (32,750     21.231         (60,250     22.983   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 31

     978,688      $ 20.887         929,850      $ 20.654         817,500      $ 21.070   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Exerciseable at December 31

     530,262      $ 21.524         511,900      $ 21.538         409,375      $ 21.206   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Available for grant at December 31

     230,950           406,310           37,655     
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

As of December 31, 2011, total unrecognized compensation cost (before tax benefits) related to stock options of $2,501,000 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years. The total options vested and expected to vest in the future are 978,688 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $20.89 and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 4.1 years. The aggregate intrinsic value for these options is approximately $0.

Cash received from options exercised and stocks surrendered in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1,552,000, $769,000 and $44,000, respectively. The tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from options exercised of the share-based payment awards totaled $277,000, $304,000, and $115,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

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Nonvested stock options at December 31, 2010 and changes through the year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-Average
Grant Date

Fair Value
Per Share
 

Nonvested at December 31, 2010

     417,950      $ 7.92   

Granted

     224,000        8.76   

Vested

     (146,449     8.99   

Forfeited

     (47,075     8.08   
  

 

 

   

Nonvested at December 31, 2011

     448,426      $ 7.97   
  

 

 

   

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the closing price of the Company’s common stock price on the last trading day of 2011 and the exercise prices of outstanding stock options, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options as of the same date. This represents the total amount before tax withholdings that would have been received by stock option holders if they had all exercised the stock options on December 31, 2011. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $694,000, $759,000 and $8,000, respectively. Total fair value of options expensed was $2,363,000, $2,517,000 and $2,404,000, before tax benefits, for the year ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has three unfunded supplemental retirement plans. The first plan was suspended in 1986, but continues to cover certain former executives. The second plan was suspended in 1997, but continues to cover certain current and retired directors. The third plan covers certain current and retired employees from the LaBarge acquisition (the “LaBarge Deferred Compensation Plan”). Further contributions to this plan were suspended on August 5, 2011. The liability for the LaBarge Deferred Compensation Plan and interest thereon is included in accrued employee compensation and long term liabilities and was $0.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011. The accumulated benefit obligations of the other two plans at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $3,595,000 and $1,490,000, respectively, which are included in accrued liabilities.

The Company sponsors, for all its employees, two 401(k) defined contribution plans. The first plan covers all employees, other than employees at the Company’s Miltec subsidiary, and allows the employees to make annual voluntary contributions not to exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 25% of their compensation or limits established by the Internal Revenue Code. Under this plan the Company generally provides a match equal to 50% of the employee’s

 

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contributions up to the first 6% of compensation, except for union employees who are not eligible to receive the match. The second plan covers only the employees at the Company’s Miltec subsidiary and allows the employees to make annual voluntary contributions not to exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 100% of their compensation or limits established by the Internal Revenue Code. Under this plan, Miltec generally (i) provides a match equal to 100% of the employee’s contributions up to the first 5% of compensation, (ii) contributes 3% of an employee’s compensation annually, and (iii) contributes, at the Company’s discretion, 0% to 7% of an employee’s compensation annually. The Company’s provision for matching and profit sharing contributions for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were approximately $3,371,000, $3,477,000 and $4,207,000, respectively.

The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering certain hourly employees of a subsidiary. Pension plan benefits are generally determined on the basis of the retiree’s age and length of service. Assets of the defined benefit pension plan are composed primarily of fixed income and equity securities. The Company also has a retirement plan covering certain current and retired employees from the LaBarge acquisition (the “LaBarge Retirement Plan”). The liability for the LaBarge Retirement Plan included in accrued employee compensation and long term liabilities was $0.6 million and $5.5 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011. These two plans above have been combined in the tables below.

The components of net periodic pension cost for the defined benefit pension plan and the LaBarge Retirement Plan are as follows:

 

December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  
(In thousands)                   

Service cost

   $ 523      $ 463      $ 469   

Interest cost

     1,043        894        880   

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,053     (932     (689

Amortization of actuarial losses

     430        371        486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic post retirement benefits cost

   $ 943      $ 796      $ 1,146   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The estimated net actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plan and the LaBarge Retirement Plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic cost during 2012 is $1,147,000.

 

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The obligations and funded status of the defined benefit pension plan and the LaBarge Retirement Plan are as follows:

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands)             

Change in benefit obligation (1)

    

Beginning benefit obligation (January 1)

   $ 17,079      $ 15,564   

Benefit obligation related to the LaBarge acquisition

     5,589        —     

Service cost

     523        463   

Interest cost

     1,043        894   

Actuarial loss

     5,144        740   

Benefits paid

     (773     (582
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit obligation (December 31)

   $ 28,605      $ 17,079   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in plan assets

    

Beginning fair value of plan assets (January 1)

   $ 12,019      $ 10,148   

Return on assets

     (959     1,375   

Employer contribution

     1,658        1,078   

Benefits paid

     (773     (582
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets (December 31)

   $ 11,945      $ 12,019   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Funded status

   $ (16,661   $ (5,060
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Position as

    

– current liabilities

   $ 640      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

– non-current liabilities

   $ 16,021      $ 5,060   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss

    

Unrecognized loss (January 1), before tax

   $ 5,176      $ 5,250   

Amortization

     (430     (371

Liability loss

     5,144        740   

Asset (gain)/loss

     2,012        (443
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized loss (December 31), before tax

   $ 11,902      $ 5,176   

Tax impact

     (4,577     (2,074
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

   $ 7,325      $ 3,102   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Prepaid benefit cost included in other assets

   $ 811      $ 118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrued benefit cost included in other liabilities

   $ 5,569      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Projected benefit obligation equals the accumulated benefit obligation for this plan.

 

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On December 31, 2011, the Company’s annual measurement date, the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of the pension plan assets by $16,661,000. Such excess is referred to as an unfunded accumulated benefit obligation. The Company recognized a pension liability at December 31, 2011 of $7,325,000 and December 31, 2010 of $3,102,000 net of tax, respectively, which decreased shareholders’ equity and is included in other long-term liabilities. This charge to shareholders’ equity represents a net loss not yet recognized as pension expense. This charge did not affect reported earnings, and would be decreased or be eliminated if either interest rates increase or market performance and plan returns improve or contributions cause the pension plan to return to fully funded status. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the pension liability increased by $4,223,000, net of tax.

The Company’s pension plan asset allocations at December 31, 2011 and 2010, by asset category, are as follows:

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  

Equity securities

     78     80

Cash and equivalents

     15        13   

Debt securities

     7        7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Plan assets consist primarily of listed stocks and bonds and do not include any of the Company’s securities. The return on assets assumption reflects the average rate of return expected on funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. We select the return on asset assumption by considering our current and target asset allocation.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2011

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
(In thousands)                            

Cash and other investments

   $ 1,826       $ —         $ —         $ 1,826   

Fixed income securities

     —           835         —           835   

Equities (1)

     7,145         2,139         —           9,284   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,971       $ 2,974       $ —         $ 11,945   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents mutual funds and commingled accounts which invest primarily in equities, but may also hold fixed income securities, cash and other investments.

The Company’s overall investment strategy is to achieve an asset allocation within the following ranges:

 

Cash

     0-25

Fixed income securities

     0-50

Equities

     50-95

 

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The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit cost under the pension plan at:

 

     Pension Benefits  

December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  

Discount rate used to determine pension expense

      

- Pension

     5.50     6.00     6.50

- Retirement - LaBarge

     4.75     —       —  

The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations under the pension plan for:

 

     Pension Benefits  

December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  

Discount rate used to determine value of obligations

      

- Pension

     4.30     5.50     6.00

- Retirement - LaBarge

     3.75     —       —  

Long term rate of return - Pension Plan only

     8.50     8.50     9.00

The following benefit payments under the pension plan, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

     Payments  
     Pension      Retirement -
LaBarge
 

2012

   $ 826,000       $ 640,000   

2013

     915,000         465,000   

2014

     974,000         466,000   

2015

     1,043,000         465,000   

2016

     1,062,000         462,000   

Thereafter

     6,027,000         2,140,000   

The assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations and expense for the Company’s defined benefit pension plan and LaBarge Retirement Plan are presented in the tables above. The expected long-term return on assets, noted above, represents an estimate of long-term returns on investment portfolios consisting of a mixture of fixed income and equity securities. The Company considers long-term rates of return in which the Company expects its pension funds and LaBarge Retirement Plan to be invested. The estimated cash flows from the plan for all future years are determined based on the plan population at the measurement date. Each year’s cash flow is discounted back to the measurement date based on the yield for the year of bonds in the published CitiGroup Pension Discount Curve. The discount rate chosen is the single rate that provides the same present value as the individually discounted cash flows.

 

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The Company’s funding policy is to contribute cash to its pension plan so that the minimum contribution requirements established by government funding and taxing authorities are met. The Company expects to make a contribution of $1,465,000 to the pension plan in 2012.

Note 11. Indemnifications

The Company has made guarantees and indemnities under which it may be required to make payments to a guaranteed or indemnified party, in relation to certain transactions, including revenue transactions in the ordinary course of business. In connection with certain facility leases the Company has indemnified its lessors for certain claims arising from the facility or the lease. The Company indemnifies its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware. However, the Company has a directors and officers insurance policy that may reduce its exposure in certain circumstances and may enable it to recover a portion of future amounts that may be payable, if any. The duration of the guarantees and indemnities varies and, in many cases is indefinite but subject to statute of limitations. The majority of guarantees and indemnities do not provide any limitations of the maximum potential future payments the Company could be obligated to make. Historically, payments related to these guarantees and indemnities have been immaterial. The Company estimates the fair value of its indemnification obligations as insignificant based on this history and insurance coverage and has, therefore, not recorded any liability for these guarantees and indemnities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Note 12. Leases

The Company leases certain facilities and equipment for periods ranging from one to eight years. The leases generally are renewable and provide for the payment of property taxes, insurance and other costs relative to the property. Rental expense in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $7,258,000, $6,208,000 and $5,963,000, respectively. Future minimum rental payments under operating leases having initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

     Lease
Commitments
 
(In thousands)       

2012

   $ 7,500   

2013

     5,563   

2014

     2,982   

2015

     2,016   

2016

     1,255   

Thereafter

     1,532   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,848   
  

 

 

 

 

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Note 13. Income Taxes

The provision for income tax expense/(benefit) consists of the following:

 

December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  
(In thousands)                   

Current tax expense/(benefit):

      

Federal

   $ 2,133      $ 6,204      $ 2,253   

State

     (223     (854     (496
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,910        5,350        1,757   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax expense/(benefit):

      

Federal

     (6,044     (686     1,414   

State

     (608     191        406   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (6,652     (495     1,820   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   $ (4,742   $ 4,855      $ 3,577   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:

 

December 31,

   2011     2010  
(In thousands)             

Accrued expenses

   $ 672      $ —     

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     195        160   

Contract overrun reserves

     192        134   

Deferred compensation

     1,139        401   

Employment-related reserves

     5,700        2,130   

Environmental reserves

     895        999   

Inventory reserves

     5,238        2,506   

Pension obligation

     4,574        2,074   

Prepaid insurance

     308        —     

State net operating loss carryforwards

     818        385   

State tax credit carryforwards

     1,849        1,455   

Stock-based compensation

     4,003        3,050   

Workers' compensation

     17        145   

Other

     286        557   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     25,886        13,996   

Depreciation

     (7,663     (4,122

Goodwill

     (3,400     (4,873

Intangibles

     (71,163     (5,230

Purchase accounting adjustment - inventory

     —          (415

Unbilled receivables

     (1,675     (776

Valuation allowance

     (2,008     (1,323
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

   $ (60,023   $ (2,743
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company has state tax credit carryforwards of $3.3 million, which begin to expire in 2017, and state net operating losses of $20.0 million, which begin to expire in 2016. Management has recorded benefits for those carryforwards it expects to be utilized on tax returns filed in the future.

Management has established a valuation allowance for items that are not expected to provide future tax benefits. Management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the benefit of the remaining deferred tax assets.

 

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The principal reasons for the variation between expected and effective tax rates are as follows:

 

December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  

Statutory federal income tax rate

     (35.0 )%      35.0     35.0

State income taxes (net of federal benefit)

     (2.2     0.3        (0.7

Acquisition costs

     2.0        —          —     

Benefit of qualified domestic production activities

     (0.5     (3.5     (1.6

Benefit of research and development tax credits

     (2.6     (6.2     (8.4

Book income not subject to tax

     —          (0.8     —     

Goodwill impairment

     28.8        —          —     

Increase in valuation allowance

     —          2.4        —     

Reduction of tax reserves

     —          (7.4     —     

Unremitted earnings/(losses) of foreign subsidiary

     0.3        (0.5     1.4   

Other

     0.1        0.4        0.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective Income Tax Rate

     (9.1 )%      19.7     26.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The deduction for qualified domestic production activities is treated as a “special deduction” which has no effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing at the enactment date. Rather, the impact of this deduction is reported in the Company’s rate reconciliation.

The Company records the interest charge and the penalty charge, if any, with respect to uncertain tax positions as a component of tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recognized approximately $65,000, ($140,000) and ($33,000) in interest related to uncertain tax positions. The Company had approximately $228,000 and $163,000 for the payment of interest and penalties accrued at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company’s total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was approximately $2,194,000 and $1,343,000 at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. These amounts, if recognized, would affect the annual income tax rate.

 

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2011     2010  

Balance at January 1,

   $ 1,343,000      $ 2,573,000   

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

     536,000        307,000   

Additions for tax positions for prior years

     482,000        83,000   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

     (167,000     (1,620,000

Settlements

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31,

   $ 2,194,000      $ 1,343,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company’s federal income tax return for 2009 has been selected for examination. Management does not expect the results of this examination to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Federal income tax returns after 2006, California franchise (income) tax returns after 2006 and other state income tax returns after 2006 are subject to examination.

Note 14. Contingencies

Ducommun was named as a defendant in class actions filed in April, 2011 by purported stockholders of LaBarge against LaBarge, its Board of Directors and Ducommun in connection with the LaBarge acquisition. In January 2012, the Delaware Chancery Court approved the settlement of the class action which included the payment of $600,000 for plaintiffs’ attorney fees.

Ducommun is a defendant in a lawsuit entitled United States of America ex rel Taylor Smith, Jeannine Prewitt and James Ailes v. The Boeing Company and Ducommun Inc., filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas (the “District Court”). The lawsuit is a qui tam action brought by three former Boeing employees (“Relators”) against Boeing and Ducommun on behalf of the United States of America for violations of the United States False Claims Act. The lawsuit alleges that Ducommun sold unapproved parts to the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group-Wichita Division which were installed by Boeing in aircraft ultimately sold to the United States Government. The number of Boeing aircraft subject to the lawsuit has been reduced to 21 aircraft following the District Court’s granting of partial summary judgment in favor of Boeing and Ducommun. The lawsuit seeks damages, civil penalties and other relief from the defendants for presenting or causing to be presented false claims for payment to the United States Government. Although the amount of alleged damages are not specified, the lawsuit seeks damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of damages the United States Government sustained because of the defendants’ actions, plus a civil penalty of $10,000 for each false claim made on or before September 28, 1999, and $11,000 for each false claim made on or after September 28, 1999, together with attorneys’ fees and costs. One of Relators’ experts has opined that the United States Government’s damages are in the amount of $833 million. After investigating the allegations, the United States Government has declined to intervene in the lawsuit. Ducommun intends to defend itself vigorously against the lawsuit. Ducommun, at this time, is unable to estimate what, if any, liability it may have in connection with the lawsuit.

 

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DAS has been directed by California environmental agencies to investigate and take corrective action for ground water contamination at its facilities located in El Mirage and Monrovia, California. Based on currently available information, the Company has established a reserve for its estimated liability for such investigation and corrective action of approximately $1,509,000 at December 31, 2011. DAS also faces liability as a potentially responsible party for hazardous waste disposed at two landfills located in Casmalia and West Covina, California. DAS and other companies and government entities have entered into consent decrees with respect to each landfill with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and/or California environmental agencies under which certain investigation, remediation and maintenance activities are being performed. Based on currently available information, at the West Covina landfill the Company preliminarily estimates that the range of its future liabilities in connection with the landfill is between approximately $700,000 and $3,300,000. The Company has established a reserve for its estimated liability, in connection with the West Covina landfill of approximately $700,000 at December 31, 2011. The Company’s ultimate liability in connection with these matters will depend upon a number of factors, including changes in existing laws and regulations, the design and cost of construction, operation and maintenance activities, and the allocation of liability among potentially responsible parties.

In the normal course of business, Ducommun and its subsidiaries are defendants in certain other litigation, claims and inquiries, including matters relating to environmental laws. In addition, the Company makes various commitments and incurs contingent liabilities. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these matters, the Company does not presently expect that any sum it may be required to pay in connection with these matters would have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 15. Major Customers and Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company provides proprietary products and services to the Department of Defense and various United States government agencies, and most of the prime aerospace and aircraft manufacturers. As a result, the Company’s sales and trade receivables are concentrated principally in the aerospace industry.

 

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The Company had substantial sales, through both of its business segments, to Boeing, Raytheon, Owens-Illinois, United Technologies and Spirit AeroSystems. During 2011 and 2010, sales to Boeing, Raytheon, Owens-Illinois, United Technologies and Spirit AeroSystems were as follows:

 

December 31,

   2011      2010  
(In thousands)              

Boeing

   $ 112,071       $ 107,466   

Raytheon

     50,567         48,198   

United Technologies

     29,830         30,680   

Spirit Aerosystems

     28,590         26,141   

Owens-Illinois

     22,796         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 243,854       $ 212,485   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2011, trade receivables from Boeing, Raytheon, United Technologies, Spirit AeroSystems and Owens-Illinois were $13,157,000, $7,379,000, $4,445,000, $4,041,000 and $8,125,000, respectively. The sales and receivables relating to Boeing, Raytheon, Owens-Illinois, United Technologies, and Spirit AeroSystems are diversified over a number of different commercial, military and space programs.

In 2011, 2010 and 2009, sales to foreign customers worldwide were $50,865,000, $37,970,000 and $32,121,000, respectively. The Company has manufacturing facilities in Thailand and Mexico. The amounts of revenues, profitability and identifiable assets attributable to foreign sales activity were not material when compared with the revenue, profitability and identifiable assets attributed to United States domestic operations during 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Company had no sales to a foreign country greater than 3% of total sales in 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Company is not subject to any significant foreign currency risks since all sales are made in United States dollars.

Note 16. Business Segment Information

The Company supplies products and services primarily to the aerospace and defense industries. The Company’s subsidiaries are organized into two strategic businesses, each of which is a reportable operating segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the Company. DAS engineers and manufactures aerospace structural components and assemblies. DLT was formed in June 2011 by the combination of our former Ducommun Technologies segment and LaBarge. DLT designs, engineers and manufactures a broad range of electronic, electromechanical and interconnect systems and components. In addition, DLT provides technical and program management services (including design, development, integration and testing of prototype products) principally for advanced weapons and missile defense systems.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a pre-tax non-cash charge of $54,273,000 at DLT for the impairment of goodwill. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a pre-tax non-cash charge of $12,936,000 at DTI (relating to its Miltec reporting unit) for the impairment of goodwill. The test as of December 31, 2011 and 2009 indicated the book value exceeded the fair value of DLT and Miltec, respectively.

 

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Financial information by reportable segment is set forth below:

 

December 31,

   2011     2010     2009  
(In thousands)                   

Net Sales:

      

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 292,759      $ 271,572      $ 286,857   

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

     288,155        136,834        143,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Sales

   $ 580,914      $ 408,406      $ 430,748   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment (Loss)/Income Before Interest and Taxes (1):

      

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 25,798      $ 28,738      $ 28,823   

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (2)

     (33,390     13,151        570   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (7,592     41,889        29,393   

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses (2)(3)(4)

     (26,535     (15,421     (13,111
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating (Loss)/Income

   $ (34,127   $ 26,468      $ 16,282   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses:

      

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 9,953      $ 9,666      $ 9,655   

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

     11,445        3,880        3,770   

Corporate Administration

     60        51        125   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

   $ 21,458      $ 13,597      $ 13,550   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures:

      

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 8,798      $ 5,150      $ 5,953   

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

     5,454        1,904        1,724   

Corporate Administration

     284        52        12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Capital Expenditures

   $ 14,536      $ 7,106      $ 7,689   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Before certain allocated corporate overhead.
(2) Includes approximately $54.3 million of goodwill impairment expense in the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.
(3) Includes approximately $12.4 million of merger-related transaction expenses in 2011 and $0 in 2010 and 2009 related to the LaBarge acquisition.
(4) Certain expenses, previously incurred at the operating segments, are now included in the corporate general and administrative expenses as a result of the Company’s organizational changes.

LaBarge operating results for the period June 29, 2011 through October 1, 2011 have been included in the Company’s financials since the date of the acquisition.

 

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Segment assets include assets directly identifiable with each segment. Corporate assets include assets not specifically identified with a business segment, including cash.

 

December 31,

   2011      2010  
(In thousands)              

Total Assets:

     

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 240,950       $ 232,938   

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

     495,247         93,505   

Corporate Administration

     71,890         19,009   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 808,087       $ 345,452   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Goodwill and Intangibles

     

Ducommun AeroStructures

   $ 70,314       $ 72,157   

Ducommun LaBarge Technologies

     281,385         50,277   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Goodwill and Intangibles

   $ 351,699       $ 122,434   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplementary Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

     2011     2010  

Three Months Ended

   Dec 31     Oct 1     Jul 2     Apr 2     Dec 31     Oct 2      Jul 3     Apr 3  
(in thousands, except per share amounts)                                                  

Sales and Earnings

                 

Net Sales

   $ 188,238      $ 185,080      $ 108,043      $ 99,553      $ 101,770      $ 99,443       $ 102,937      $ 104,256   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross Profit

     32,338        34,186        21,004        18,408        18,549        19,937         22,343        19,318   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss)/Income Before Taxes

     (53,576     1,376        (4,124     3,999        4,241        5,688         8,431        6,303   

(Loss)/Income Tax Expense

     5,082        (415     1,151        (1,076     (82     85         (2,778     (2,080
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (Loss)/Income

   $ (48,494   $ 961      $ (2,973   $ 2,923      $ 4,159      $ 5,773       $ 5,653      $ 4,223   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings Per Share:

                 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

   $ (4.60   $ 0.09      $ (0.28   $ 0.28      $ 0.40      $ 0.55       $ 0.54      $ 0.40   

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

   $ (4.60   $ 0.09      $ (0.28   $ 0.27      $ 0.39      $ 0.55       $ 0.53      $ 0.40   

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company’s gross profit was unfavorably impacted by the write-off of inventory step-up and transaction expense related to the LaBarge acquisition of $3,156,000, or 1.7 percentage points.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $54,273,000 for the impairment of goodwill, related to the DLT segment.

 

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DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

SCHEDULE II

 

Column A

   Column B      Column C     Column D      Column E  
             Additions               

Description

   Balance at
Beginning

of Period
     Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
     Charged to Other
Accounts
    Deductions      Balance at End
of Period
 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011   

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

   $ 415,000       $ 126,000       $ 76,000 (a)    $ 129,000       $ 488,000   

Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets

   $ 1,323,000       $ 685,000            $ 2,008,000   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010   

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

   $ 570,000       $ 345,000         $ 500,000       $ 415,000   

Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets

   $ 700,000       $ 623,000            $ 1,323,000   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009   

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

   $ 1,694,000       $ 378,000         $ 1,502,000       $ 570,000   

Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets

   $ 366,000       $ 334,000            $ 700,000   

 

(a) Related to acquisitions.

 

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(b) Exhibits
    2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 3, 2011, among Ducommun Incorporated, DLBMS, Inc. and LaBarge, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Ducommun’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 5, 2011.
    3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 29, 1990. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.
    3.2    Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 27, 1998. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
    3.3    Bylaws as amended and restated on November 3, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K November 7, 2011.
    4.1    Indenture, dated June 28, 2011, between Ducommun Incorporated, certain of its subsidiaries and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee. Incorporated by reference on Exhibit 4.1 of Ducommun’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2011.
    4.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 28, 2011, between Ducommun Incorporated, certain of its subsidiaries, UBS Securities LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Ducommun’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2011.
  10.1    Commitment Letter to Ducommun Incorporated, dated April 3, 2011 from UBS Loan Finance LLC and UBS Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Credit Suisse AG. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Ducommun’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 5, 2011.
  10.2    Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2011, among Ducommun Incorporated, certain of its subsidiaries, UBS Securities LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC as joint lead arrangers, UBS AG, Stamford Branch as issuing bank, administrative agent and collateral agent, and other lenders party thereto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Ducommun’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2011.
* 10.3    2007 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix B of Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14a, filed on March 29, 2010.
* 10.4    Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, for grants to employees between January 1, 1999 and June 30, 2003, under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
* 10.5    Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, for nonemployee directors under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
* 10.6    Form of Memorandum Amendment to Existing Stock Option Agreements dated August 25, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
* 10.7    Form of Performance Stock Unit Agreement for 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated February 6, 2007.
* 10.8    Form of Performance Stock Unit Agreement for 2009 and 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K dated February 5, 2009.
* 10.9   

Form of Performance Stock Unit Agreement for 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2010.

 

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* 10.10    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated May 8, 2007.
* 10.11    Form of Directors’ Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated May 10, 2010.
* 10.12    Form of Key Executive Severance Agreement entered with six current executive officers of Ducommun. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated January 9, 2008. All of the Key Executive Severance Agreements are identical except for the name of the executive officer, the address for notice, and the date of the Agreement:

 

Executive Officer

  

Date of Agreement

Joseph P. Bellino    November 5, 2009
Joseph C. Berenato    December 31, 2007
James S. Heiser    December 31, 2007
Anthony J. Reardon    December 31, 2007
Rose F. Rogers    November 5, 2009
Samuel D. Williams    December 31, 2007
* 10.13    Form of Indemnity Agreement entered with all directors and officers of Ducommun. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990. All of the Indemnity Agreements are identical except for the name of the director or officer and the date of the Agreement:

 

Director/Officer

  

Date of Agreement

Kathryn M. Andrus    January 30, 2008
Joseph C. Berenato    November 4, 1991
Joseph P. Bellino    September 15, 2008
Eugene P. Conese, Jr.    January 26, 2000
Ralph D. Crosby, Jr.    January 26, 2000
Robert C. Ducommun    December 31, 1985
Dean W. Flatt    November 5, 2009
Jay L. Haberland    February 2, 2009
James S. Heiser    May 6, 1987
Robert D. Paulson    March 25, 2003
Michael G. Pollack    January 4, 2010
Anthony J. Reardon    January 8, 2008
Rosalie F. Rogers    July 24, 2008
Samuel D. Williams    November 11, 1988
* 10.14   Ducommun Incorporated 2012 Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated February 14, 2012 .
* 10.15   Directors’ Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plan, as amended and restated February 2, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
* 10.16   Employment Letter Agreement dated September 5, 2008 between Ducommun Incorporated and Joseph P. Bellino. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated September 18, 2008.
  10.17   Stock Purchase Agreement Dated December 22, 2008, By and Among DynaBil Acquisition, Inc., Each of the Stockholders of DynaBil Acquisition, Inc., as Sellers, Ducommun AeroStructures, Inc., as Purchaser, and Ducommun Incorporated, as Guarantor. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to Form 8-K dated December 23, 2008.

 

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11   Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Computations
21   Subsidiaries of registrant
23   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

* Indicates an executive compensation plan or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

      DUCOMMUN INCORPORATED
Date: March 5, 2012     By:  

  /s/ Joseph P. Bellino

      Joseph P. Bellino
      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been duly signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Date: March 5, 2012     By:  

  /s/ Anthony J. Reardon

      Anthony J. Reardon
      President, Chief Executive Officer and
      Chief Operating Officer
      (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: March 5, 2012     By:  

  /s/ Joseph P. Bellino

      Joseph P. Bellino
      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
      (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: March 5, 2012     By:  

  /s/ Samuel D. Williams

      Samuel D. Williams
     

Vice President and Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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DIRECTORS

 

By:   

/s/ Joseph C. Berenato

  Date:   March 5, 2012
  

Joseph C. Berenato

   
By:   

/s/ Eugene P. Conese, Jr.

  Date:   March 5, 2012
  

Eugene P. Conese, Jr.

   
By:   

/s/ Ralph D. Crosby, Jr.

  Date:   March 5, 2012
  

Ralph D. Crosby, Jr.

   
By:   

/s/ Robert C. Ducommun

  Date:   March 5, 2012
  

Robert C. Ducommun

   
By:   

/s/ Dean M. Flatt

  Date:   March 5, 2012
  

Dean M. Flatt

   
By:   

/s/ Jay L. Haberland

  Date:   March 5, 2012
  

Jay L. Haberland

   
By:   

/s/ Robert D. Paulson

  Date:   March 5, 2012
  

Robert D. Paulson

   
By:   

/s/ Anthony J. Reardon

  Date:   March 5, 2012
  

Anthony J. Reardon

   

 

110