UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

S QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2013
 
£ 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: 1-06620

 

GRIFFON CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   11-1893410
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
712 Fifth Ave, 18th Floor, New York, New York   10019
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(212) 957-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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). S Yes   £ No

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer £    Accelerated filer S

Non-accelerated filer

£   Smaller reporting company £

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

     

 

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

 

The number of shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2013 was 54,825,654.

 

Griffon Corporation and Subsidiaries

 

Contents

 

    Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION      
       
Item 1 – Financial Statements      
       
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 (unaudited) and September 30, 2013   1  
       
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 (unaudited)   1  
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)   2  
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)   3  
       
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)   4  
       
Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   22  
       
Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   32  
       
Item 4 - Controls & Procedures   32  
       
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION      
       
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings   33  
       
Item 1A – Risk Factors   33  
       
Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   33  
       
Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities   33  
       
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures   33  
       
Item 5 – Other Information   34  
       
Item 6 – Exhibits   34  
       
Signatures   35  
       
Exhibit Index   36  
 

Part I – Financial Information

Item 1 – Financial Statements

 

GRIFFON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)

 

   (Unaudited)     
   At December 31, 2013   At September 30, 2013 
CURRENT ASSETS        
Cash and equivalents  $95,374   $178,130 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $6,062 and $6,136   245,246    256,215 
Contract costs and recognized income not yet billed, net of progress payments of $8,727 and $6,941   111,353    109,828 
Inventories, net   266,921    230,120 
Prepaid and other current assets   50,440    48,903 
Assets of discontinued operations   1,212    1,214 
Total Current Assets   770,546    824,410 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net   355,315    353,593 
GOODWILL   368,537    357,730 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net   226,079    221,391 
OTHER ASSETS   28,621    28,580 
ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS   3,061    3,075 
Total Assets  $1,752,159   $1,788,779 
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt  $18,060   $10,768 
Accounts payable   158,898    163,610 
Accrued liabilities   89,700    106,743 
Liabilities of discontinued operations   3,142    3,288 
Total Current Liabilities   269,800    284,409 
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of debt discount of $12,363 and $13,246   715,096    678,487 
OTHER LIABILITIES   167,593    170,675 
LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS   4,577    4,744 
Total Liabilities   1,157,066    1,138,315 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - See Note 14          
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Total Shareholders’ Equity   595,093    650,464 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $1,752,159   $1,788,779 

 

GRIFFON CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)

 

                           ACCUMULATED         
           CAPITAL IN               OTHER         
   COMMON STOCK   EXCESS OF   RETAINED   TREASURY SHARES   COMPREHENSIVE   DEFERRED     
(in thousands)  SHARES   PAR VALUE   PAR VALUE   EARNINGS   SHARES   COST   INCOME (LOSS)   COMPENSATION   Total 
Balance at 9/30/2013   77,616   $19,404   $494,412   $434,363    18,527   $(274,602)  $(3,339)  $(19,774)  $650,464 
                                              
Net income               3,236                    3,236 
Dividend               (1,719)                   (1,719)
Tax effect from exercise/vesting of equity awards, net           273                        273 
Amortization of deferred compensation                               610    610 
Common stock acquired                   4,798    (55,189)           (55,189)
Equity awards granted, net   535    134    (144)                       (10)
ESOP purchase of common stock                               (1,591)   (1,591)
ESOP allocation of common stock           165                        165 
Stock-based compensation           1,675                        1,675 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax                           (2,821)       (2,821)
Balance at 12/31/2013   78,151   $19,538   $496,381   $435,880    23,325   $(329,791)  $(6,160)  $(20,755)  $595,093 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

1

GRIFFON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Revenue  $453,458   $423,749 
Cost of goods and services   347,955    326,079 
Gross profit   105,503    97,670 
           
Selling, general and administrative expenses   87,680    82,219 
Restructuring and other related charges   842    1,108 
Total operating expenses   88,522    83,327 
           
Income from operations   16,981    14,343 
           
Other income (expense)          
Interest expense   (13,134)   (13,107)
Interest income   33    28 
Other, net   906    486 
Total other expense, net   (12,195)   (12,593)
           
Income before taxes   4,786    1,750 
Provision for income taxes   1,550    1,192 
Net income  $3,236   $558 
           
Basic earnings per common share  $0.06   $0.01 
           
Weighted-average shares outstanding   52,754    55,153 
           
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.06   $0.01 
           
Weighted-average shares outstanding   54,633    57,265 
           
Net income  $3,236   $558 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:          
Foreign currency translation adjustments   (3,137)   3,003 
Pension and other post retirement plans   316    3,860 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes   (2,821)   6,863 
Comprehensive income, net  $415   $7,421 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

2

GRIFFON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net income  $3,236   $558 
           
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:          
           
Depreciation and amortization   16,793    17,357 
Stock-based compensation   1,675    2,960 
Asset impairment charges - restructuring   109     
Provision for losses on accounts receivable   185    206 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts   1,606    1,539 
Deferred income taxes   (239)   458 
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of assets   53    (733)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:          
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable and contract costs and recognized income not yet billed   12,835    (529)
Increase in inventories   (33,915)   (9,800)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets   (1,628)   3,625 
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes payable   (25,647)   (50,165)
Other changes, net   543    2,022 
Net cash used in operating activities   (24,394)   (32,502)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment   (17,916)   (17,288)
Acquired business, net of cash acquired   (23,666)    
Proceeds from sale of assets   224    1,055 
Net cash used in investing activities   (41,358)   (16,233)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Dividends paid   (1,719)   (1,464)
Purchase of shares for treasury   (55,189)   (7,336)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt   57,635    303 
Payments of long-term debt   (25,246)   (4,062)
Change in short-term borrowings   9,940    1,643 
Financing costs   (681)    
Purchase of ESOP shares   (1,591)    
Tax benefit from exercise/vesting of equity awards, net   273    150 
Other, net   31    184 
Net cash used in financing activities   (16,547)   (10,582)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:          
Net cash used in operating activities   (299)   (463)
Net cash used in discontinued operations   (299)   (463)
           
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents   (158)   191 
           
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS   (82,756)   (59,589)
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD   178,130    209,654 
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD  $95,374   $150,065 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

3

GRIFFON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(US dollars and non US currencies in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

(Unless otherwise indicated, references to years or year-end refer to Griffon’s fiscal period ending September 30)

 

NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

About Griffon Corporation

 

Griffon Corporation (the “Company” or “Griffon”) is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Griffon oversees the operations of its subsidiaries, allocates resources among them and manages their capital structures. Griffon provides direction and assistance to its subsidiaries in connection with acquisition and growth opportunities as well as in connection with divestitures. Griffon, to further diversify, also seeks out, evaluates and, when appropriate, will acquire additional businesses that offer potentially attractive returns on capital.

 

Griffon currently conducts its operations through three segments:

 

  · Home & Building Products (“HBP”) consists of two companies, Ames True Temper, Inc. (“ATT”) and Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. (“CBP”):

 

    - ATT is a global provider of non-powered landscaping products that make work easier for homeowners and professionals.
       
    - CBP is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential, commercial and industrial garage doors to professional installing dealers and major home center retail chains.

 

  · Telephonics Corporation (“Telephonics”) designs, develops and manufactures high-technology integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions to military and commercial markets worldwide.
     
  · Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc. (“Plastics”) is an international leader in the development and production of embossed, laminated and printed specialty plastic films used in a variety of hygienic, health-care and industrial applications.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. As such, they should be read with reference to Griffon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013, which provides a more complete explanation of Griffon’s accounting policies, financial position, operating results, business properties and other matters. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of interim results. Griffon’s HBP operations are seasonal; for this and other reasons, the financial results of the Company for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet information at September 30, 2013 was derived from the audited financial statements included in Griffon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Griffon and all subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

4

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These estimates may be adjusted due to changes in economic, industry or customer financial conditions, as well as changes in technology or demand. Significant estimates include allowances for doubtful accounts receivable and returns, net realizable value of inventories, restructuring reserves, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, percentage of completion method of accounting, pension assumptions, useful lives associated with depreciation and amortization of intangible and fixed assets, warranty reserves, sales incentive accruals, stock based compensation assumptions, income taxes and tax valuation reserves, environmental reserves, legal reserves, insurance reserves and the valuation of discontinued assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions Griffon may undertake in the future. Actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates.

 

Certain amounts in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

 

NOTE 2 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The carrying values of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts and notes payable and revolving credit debt approximate fair value due to either the short-term nature of such instruments or the fact that the interest rate of the revolving credit debt is based upon current market rates.

 

The fair values of Griffon’s 2018 senior notes and 2017 4% convertible notes approximated $583,000 and $115,440, respectively, on December 31, 2013. Fair values were based upon quoted market prices (level 1 inputs).

 

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

Insurance contracts and trading securities with values of $3,756 and $1,306 at December 31, 2013, respectively, are measured and recorded at fair value based upon quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (level 2 inputs).

 

At December 31, 2013, Griffon had $3,450 of Australian dollar contracts at a weighted average rate of $1.09. The contracts, which protect Australia operations from currency fluctuations for U.S. dollar based purchases, do not qualify for hedge accounting and a fair value gain of $51 was recorded in Other assets and to Other income for the outstanding contracts, based on similar contract values (level 2 inputs), for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. All contracts expire in 15 to 60 days.

 

NOTE 3 – ACQUISITION

 

On December 31, 2013, Griffon’s subsidiary, ATT acquired Northcote Pottery (“Northcote”), founded in 1897 and a leading brand in the Australian outdoor planter and decor market, for approximately $24,000. The acquisition of Northcote complements Southern Patio, acquired in 2011, and adds to ATT’s existing lawn and garden operations in Australia. Northcote, which will be integrated with ATT, is expected to generate approximately $28,000 of annualized revenue. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses are $798 of acquisition costs, incurred by Griffon, related to this transaction in the first quarter of 2014.

 

The accounts of the acquired company, after adjustment to reflect preliminary fair market values assigned to assets purchased, have been included in the consolidated financial statements from date of acquisition; acquired inventory was not significant. Griffon is in the process of finalizing the adjustment to the purchase price, if any, primarily related to working capital, and gathering data as of the closing date to complete the purchase price allocation; accordingly, management has used their best estimates in the initial purchase price allocation as of the date of these financial statements.

5

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the Northcote assets and liabilities as of the date of acquisition:

 

   2014 
Current Assets, net of cash acquired  $8,027 
PP&E   1,385 
Goodwill   11,168 
Amortizable intangible assets   6,023 
Indefinite life intangible assets   1,646 
Total assets acquired   28,249 
Total liabilities assumed   (4,583)
Net assets acquired  $23,666 

 

The amounts assigned to major intangible asset classifications, none of which are tax deductible, for the Northcote acquisition are as follows:

 

   2014   Amortization
Period (Years)
 
Goodwill  $11,168   N/A 
Tradenames   1,646   Indefinite 
Customer relationships   6,023   25 
   $18,837     

 

NOTE 4 – INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out or average) or market.

 

The following table details the components of inventory:

 

   At December 31,
2013
   At September 30,
2013
 
Raw materials and supplies  $75,579   $65,560 
Work in process   85,264    63,930 
Finished goods   106,078    100,630 
Total  $266,921   $230,120 

 

NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

The following table details the components of property, plant and equipment, net:

 

   At December 31,
2013
   At September 30,
2013
 
Land, building and building improvements  $130,772   $130,905 
Machinery and equipment   678,684    661,094 
Leasehold improvements   36,039    35,884 
    845,495    827,883 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (490,180)   (474,290)
Total  $355,315   $353,593 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for property, plant and equipment was $14,905 and $15,371 for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

No event or indicator of impairment occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, which would require additional impairment testing of property, plant and equipment.

6

NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

 

The following table provides changes in the carrying value of goodwill by segment during the quarter ended December 31, 2013:

 

   At September 30,
2013
   Goodwill from 2014
acquisitions
   Other adjustments
including currency
translations
   At December 31,
2013
 
Home & Building Products  $269,802   $11,168   $   $280,970 
Telephonics   18,545            18,545 
Plastics   69,383        (361)   69,022 
Total  $357,730   $11,168   $(361)  $368,537 

 

The following table provides the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible assets:

 

   At December 31, 2013       At September 30, 2013 
   Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Average
Life
(Years)
   Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
 
                     
Customer relationships  $172,246   $30,706    25   $166,985   $29,049 
Unpatented technology   6,804    3,047    12.5    6,804    2,916 
Total amortizable intangible assets   179,050    33,753         173,789    31,965 
Trademarks   80,782             79,567     
Total intangible assets  $259,832   $33,753        $253,356   $31,965 

 

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $1,888 and $1,986 for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

No event or indicator of impairment occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, which would require impairment testing of long-lived intangible assets including goodwill.

 

NOTE 7 – INCOME TAXES

 

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 was 32.4% compared to 68.1% in the prior year quarter. The rates include discrete benefits in the current and prior year quarter of $289 and $55, respectively, primarily resulting from the release of previously established reserves for uncertain tax positions on conclusion of certain tax audits, and benefits arising on the filing of tax returns in various jurisdictions.

 

Excluding discrete items, the effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 was 38.4% compared to 71.3% in the prior year quarter. Rates in both quarters reflect the impact of permanent differences not deductible in determining taxable income, mainly limited deductibility of restricted stock, tax reserves and of changes in earnings mix between domestic and non-domestic operations, all of which are material relative to the level of pretax result; the impact of the permanent differences diminished in the current quarter primarily as a result of the improved pretax result.

7

NOTE 8 – LONG-TERM DEBT

 

     At December 31, 2013    At September 30, 2013  
      Outstanding
Balance
   Original Issuer
Discount
   Balance Sheet   Capitalized Fees
& Expenses
   Coupon
Interest Rate
   Outstanding
Balance
   Original Issuer
Discount
   Balance Sheet   Capitalized Fees
& Expenses
   Coupon
Interest Rate
 
Senior notes due 2018  (a)  $550,000   $   $550,000   $6,832    7.100 %  $550,000   $   $550,000   $7,328    7.100 %
Revolver due 2018  (a)   20,000        20,000    2,291    n/a                 2,425    n/a  
Convert. debt due 2017  (b)   100,000    (12,363)   87,637    1,367    4.000 %   100,000    (13,246)   86,754    1,478    4.000 %
Real estate mortgages  (c)   17,032        17,032    693    n/a     13,212        13,212    185    n/a  
ESOP Loans  (d)   22,184        22,184    66    n/a     21,098        21,098    24    n/a  
Capital lease - real estate  (e)   9,289        9,289    200    5.000 %   9,529        9,529    207   5.000 %
Non U.S. lines of credit  (f)   14,392        14,392        n/a     4,606        4,606        n/a  
Non U.S. term loans  (f)   11,091        11,091    90    n/a     3,115        3,115    27    n/a  
Other long term debt  (g)   1,531        1,531        n/a     941        941        n/a  
Totals      745,519    (12,363)   733,156   $11,539          702,501    (13,246)   689,255   $11,674       
less: Current portion      (18,060)       (18,060)              (10,768)       (10,768)           
Long-term debt     $727,459   $(12,363)  $715,096              $691,733   $(13,246)  $678,487            

 

     Three Months Ended December 31, 2013   Three Months Ended December 31, 2012  
     Effective
Interest Rate
    Cash Interest   Amort. Debt
Discount
   Amort. Deferred
Cost & Other
Fees
    Total Interest
Expense
   Effective
Interest Rate
    Cash Interest   Amort. Debt
Discount
   Amort. Deferred
Cost & Other
Fees
   Total Interest
Expense
Senior notes due 2018  (a)   7.4%   $9,797   $   $406    $10,203    7.4%   $9,797   $   $406   $10,203 
Revolver due 2018  (a)   n/a     167        136     303    n/a     218        156    374 
Convert. debt due 2017  (b)   9.0%    1,000    883    111     1,994    9.1%    1,000    811    111    1,922 
Real estate mortgages  (c)   3.6%    130        36     166    5.3%    139        21    160 
ESOP Loans  (d)   2.9%    152        2     154    2.9%    167        2    169 
Capital lease - real estate  (e)   5.3%    119        6     125    5.3%    131        6    137 
Non U.S. lines of credit  (f)   n/a     193             193    n/a     113            113 
Non U.S. term loans  (f)   n/a     52        26     78    n/a     173        26    199 
Other long term debt  (g)   n/a     11             11    n/a     115            115 
Capitalized interest            (93)            (93)         (285)           (285)
Totals           $11,528   $883   $723    $13,134         $11,568   $811   $728   $13,107 

 

(a)On March 17, 2011, in an unregistered offering through a private placement under Rule 144A, Griffon issued, at par, $550,000 of 7.125% Senior Notes due in 2018 (“Senior Notes”); interest is payable semi-annually. On August 9, 2011, Griffon exchanged all of the Senior Notes for substantially identical Senior Notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933 via an exchange offer.

 

Proceeds from the Senior Notes were used to pay down outstanding borrowings under a senior secured term loan facility and two senior secured revolving credit facilities of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Griffon guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries, and subject to certain covenants, limitations and restrictions.

 

On March 28, 2013, Griffon amended and increased the amount available under its Revolving Credit Facility (“Credit Agreement”) from $200,000 to $225,000 and extended its maturity from March 18, 2016 to March 28, 2018 (except that if the Company’s 7-1/8 Senior Notes due 2018 are still outstanding on October 1, 2017, the Facility will mature on October 1, 2017). The facility includes a letter of credit sub-facility with a limit of $60,000, a multi-currency sub-facility of $50,000 and a swing line sub-facility with a limit of $30,000. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be repaid and re-borrowed at any time, subject to final maturity of the facility or the occurrence of a default or event of default under the Credit Agreement. Interest is payable on borrowings at either a LIBOR or base rate benchmark rate, in each case without a floor, plus an applicable margin, which adjusts based on financial performance. The current margins are 1.00% for base rate loans and 2.00% for LIBOR loans. The Credit Agreement has certain financial maintenance tests including a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum senior secured leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The Credit Agreement also includes certain restrictions, such as limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness and liens and the making of restricted payments and investments. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Griffon’s material domestic subsidiaries and are secured, on a first priority basis, by substantially all assets of the Company and the guarantors and a pledge of not greater than two-thirds of the equity interest in each of Griffon’s material, first-tier foreign subsidiaries.

 

At December 31, 2013, there were $24,947 of standby letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement; $180,053 was available, subject to certain covenants, for borrowing at that date.
8
(b)On December 21, 2009, Griffon issued $100,000 principal of 4% convertible subordinated notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”). The current conversion rate of the 2017 Notes is 67.8495 shares of Griffon’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, corresponding to a conversion price of $14.74 per share. When a cash dividend is declared that would result in an adjustment to the conversion ratio of less than 1%, any adjustment to the conversion ratio is deferred until the first to occur of (i) actual conversion; (ii) the 42nd trading day prior to maturity of the notes; and (iii) such time as the cumulative adjustment equals or exceeds 1%. As of December 31, 2013, aggregate dividends since the last conversion price adjustment of $0.105 per share would have resulted in an adjustment to the conversion ratio of approximately 0.89%. At both December 31, 2013 and 2012, the 2017 Notes had a capital in excess of par component, net of tax, of $15,720.

 

(c)On October 21, 2013, Griffon refinanced two properties’ real estate mortgages to secure new loans totaling $17,175. The loans mature in October 2018, are collateralized by the related properties and are guaranteed by Griffon. The loans bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%.

 

(d)In December 2013, Griffon’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) entered into an agreement, which refinanced the two existing ESOP loans into one new Term Loan in the amount of $21,098. The Agreement also provided a Line Note with $10,000 available to purchase shares of Griffon common stock in the open market through September 29, 2014 at which point the Line Note will be combined with the Term Loan. Through December 31, 2013, 120,000 shares of Griffon common stock, for a total of $1,591, have been purchased with the Line Note proceeds. The loans bear interest at a) LIBOR plus 2.25% or b) the lender’s prime rate, at Griffon’s option. The loans require quarterly principal payments of $505 through September 30, 2014 and $419 per quarter thereafter, with a balloon payment of approximately $19,000 due at maturity in December 2018 (except that if the Company’s 7-1/8 Senior Notes due 2018 are still outstanding on October 1, 2017, the Facility will mature on October 1, 2017). The loans are secured by shares purchased with the proceeds of the loans and with a lien on a specific amount of Griffon assets, and Griffon guarantees repayment.

 

(e)In October 2006, CBP entered into a capital lease totaling $14,290 for real estate in Troy, Ohio. The lease matures in 2022, bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.0%, is secured by a mortgage on the real estate and is guaranteed by Griffon.

 

(f)In November 2010, Clopay Europe GMBH (“Clopay Europe”) entered into a €10,000 revolving credit facility and a €20,000 term loan. The term loan was paid off in December 2013 and the revolver had borrowings of $11,013 at December 31, 2013. The revolving facility matures in November 2014, but is renewable upon mutual agreement with the bank. The revolving credit facility accrues interest at EURIBOR plus 2.45% per annum. Clopay Europe is required to maintain a certain minimum equity to assets ratio and keep leverage below a certain level, defined as the ratio of total debt to EBITDA.

 

Clopay do Brazil maintains lines of credit of approximately $5,500. Interest on borrowings accrues at a rate of Brazilian CDI plus 6.0% (15.77% at December 31, 2013). At December 31, 2013 there was approximately $3,378 borrowed under the lines. Clopay Plastic Products Co., Inc. guarantees the loan and lines.

 

In November 2012, Garant G.P. (“Garant”) entered into a CAD $15,000 revolving credit facility. The facility accrues interest at LIBOR (USD) or the Bankers Acceptance Rate (CDN) plus 1.3% per annum (1.47% LIBOR USD and 2.45% Bankers Acceptance Rate CDN as of December 31, 2013). The revolving facility matures in November 2015. Garant is required to maintain a certain minimum equity. At December 31, 2013, there were no borrowings under the revolving credit facility with CAD $15,000 available for borrowing.

 

In December 2013, Northcote Holdings Pty. Ltd entered into an AUD $12,500 term loan. The term loan is unsecured, requires quarterly interest payments and principal is due at maturity (December 2016). The loan accrues interest at Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate “BBSY” plus 2.8% per annum (5.42% at December 31, 2013). The Loan is guaranteed by Griffon Corporation and had an outstanding balance of $11,091 at December 31, 2013.

 

(g)Other long-term debt primarily consists of capital leases.

 

At December 31, 2013, Griffon and its subsidiaries were in compliance with the terms and covenants of its credit and loan agreements.

9

NOTE 9 — SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

During 2013, the Company declared and paid quarterly dividends of $0.025 per share, totaling $0.10 per share for the year. During the first quarter of 2014, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share, paid on December 24, 2013 to shareholders of record as of close of business on December 5, 2013. Dividends paid on allocated shares in the ESOP were used to pay down the ESOP loan and recorded as a reduction in expense. A dividend payable was established for the holders of restricted shares; such dividends will be released upon vesting of the underlying restricted shares.

 

On January 30, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share, payable on March 27, 2014 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 27, 2014.

 

Compensation expense for restricted stock is recognized ratably over the required service period based on the fair value of the grant calculated as the number of shares granted multiplied by the stock price on the date of grant, and for performance shares, the likelihood of achieving the performance criteria. Compensation cost related to stock-based awards with graded vesting is amortized using the straight-line attribution method.

 

In February 2011, shareholders approved the Griffon Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan under which awards of performance shares, performance units, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, deferred shares and other stock-based awards may be granted. On January 30, 2014, shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of the Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Incentive Plan”), which, among other things, added 1,200,000 shares to the Incentive Plan. Options granted under the Incentive Plan may be either “incentive stock options” or nonqualified stock options, generally expire ten years after the date of grant and are granted at an exercise price of not less than 100% of the fair market value at the date of grant. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for award under the Incentive Plan is 4,200,000 (600,000 of which may be issued as incentive stock options), plus any shares underlying awards outstanding on the effective date of the Incentive Plan under the 2006 Incentive Plan that are subsequently cancelled or forfeited. As of December 31, 2013, after giving effect to the 1,200,000 shares added to the plan on January 30, 2014, 1,296,468 shares were available for grant.

 

All grants outstanding under the Griffon Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan, 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and Outside Director Stock Award Plan will continue under their terms; no additional awards will be granted under such plans.

 

During the first quarter of 2014, Griffon granted 599,328 restricted stock awards with vesting periods up to four years, 554,498 of which are also subject to certain performance conditions, with a total fair value of $7,426, or a weighted average fair value of $12.39 per share.

 

For the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, stock based compensation expense totaled $1,675 and $2,960, respectively.

 

In August 2011, Griffon’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50,000 of Griffon’s outstanding common stock. Under this repurchase program, the Company may purchase shares, depending upon market conditions, in open market or privately negotiated transactions, including pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan. During the first quarter of 2014, Griffon repurchased 65,700 shares, for a total of $822, or $12.52 per shares. To date, under this program, Griffon has repurchased 3,787,931 shares, for a total of $38,796 or $10.24 per share. As of December 31, 2013, $11,204 remains under the $50,000 authorization.

 

During the quarter, 288,012 shares, with a market value of $3,764, or $13.07 per share, were withheld to settle employee taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock.

10

On December 10, 2013, Griffon repurchased 4,444,444 shares of its common stock for $50,000 from GS Direct, L.L.C. (“GS Direct”), an affiliate of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The repurchase was effected in a private transaction at a per share price of $11.25, an approximate 9.2% discount to the stock’s closing price on November 12, 2013, the day before announcement of the transaction. The transaction was exclusive of the Company’s current $50,000 authorized share repurchase program. After closing the transaction, GS Direct continued to hold approximately 5.56 million shares (approximately 10%) of Griffon’s common stock. GS Direct also agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, if it intends to sell its remaining shares of Griffon common stock at any time prior to December 31, 2014, it will first negotiate in good faith to sell the shares to the Company.

 

In December 2013, Griffon’s Board of Directors authorized the ESOP to purchase up to $10,000 of Griffon’s outstanding common stock, depending upon market conditions, in open market or privately negotiated transactions, including pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan. During the first quarter of 2014, the ESOP purchased 120,000 shares of common stock, for a total of $1,591 or $13.26 per share. As of December 31, 2013, $8,409 remains under the $10,000 authorization.

 

NOTE 10 – EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

 

Basic EPS was calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS was calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus additional common shares that could be issued in connection with stock based compensation. The 2017 Notes were anti-dilutive due to the conversion price being greater than the weighted-average stock price during the periods presented.

 

The following table is a reconciliation of the share amounts (in thousands) used in computing earnings per share:

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2013  2012 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic   52,754    55,153 
Incremental shares from stock based compensation   1,879    2,112 
           
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted   54,633    57,265 
           
Anti-dilutive options excluded from diluted EPS computation   710    884 

 

Griffon has the intent and ability to settle the principal amount of the 2017 Notes in cash, and as such, the potential issuance of shares related to the principal amount of the 2017 Notes does not affect diluted shares.

 

NOTE 11 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

Griffon’s reportable business segments are as follows:

 

  · HBP is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential, commercial and industrial garage doors to professional installing dealers and major home center retail chains, as well as a global provider of non-powered landscaping products that make work easier for homeowners and professionals.
     
  · Telephonics develops, designs and manufactures high-technology integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions to military and commercial markets worldwide.
     
  · Plastics is an international leader in the development and production of embossed, laminated and printed specialty plastic films used in a variety of hygienic, health-care and industrial applications.
11

Information on Griffon’s business segments is as follows:

 

   For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
REVENUE   2013    2012 
Home & Building Products:          
ATT  $96,608   $77,309 
CBP   121,842    112,867 
Home & Building Products   218,450    190,176 
Telephonics   96,025    96,050 
Plastics   138,983    137,523 
Total consolidated net sales  $453,458   $423,749 

 

The following table reconciles segment operating profit to income before taxes:

 

  For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
INCOME BEFORE TAXES  2013   2012 
Segment operating profit:        
Home & Building Products  $9,393   $7,271 
Telephonics   10,652    14,645 
Plastics   5,825    2,642 
Total segment operating profit   25,870    24,558 
Net interest expense   (13,101)   (13,079)
Unallocated amounts   (7,983)   (7,587)
Loss on pension settlement       (2,142)
Income before taxes  $4,786   $1,750 

 

Griffon evaluates performance and allocates resources based on each segments’ operating results before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, unallocated amounts (mainly corporate overhead), restructuring charges, acquisition-related expenses, and gains (losses) from pension settlement and debt extinguishment, as applicable (“Segment adjusted EBITDA”). Griffon believes this information is useful to investors for the same reason.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of Segment adjusted EBITDA to Income before taxes:

 

   For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
   2013   2012 
Segment adjusted EBITDA:          
Home & Building Products  $19,067   $17,239 
Telephonics   12,396    16,364 
Plastics   12,743    9,319 
           
Total Segment adjusted EBITDA   44,206    42,922 
Net interest expense   (13,101)   (13,079)
Segment depreciation and amortization   (16,696)   (17,256)
Unallocated amounts   (7,983)   (7,587)
Restructuring charges   (842)   (1,108)
Acquisition costs   (798)    
Loss on pension settlement       (2,142)
Income before taxes  $4,786   $1,750 

 

Unallocated amounts typically include general corporate expenses not attributable to a reportable segment.

12

 

  For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2013   2012 
DEPRECIATION and AMORTIZATION        
Segment:        
Home & Building Products  $8,034   $8,860 
Telephonics   1,744    1,719 
Plastics   6,918    6,677 
Total segment depreciation and amortization   16,696    17,256 
Corporate   97    101 
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization  $16,793   $17,357 
           
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES          
Segment:          
Home & Building Products  $8,468   $9,093 
Telephonics   3,367    822 
Plastics   5,760    7,368 
Total segment   17,595    17,283 
Corporate   321    5 
Total consolidated capital expenditures  $17,916   $17,288 

 

ASSETS   At December
31, 2013
    At September
30, 2013
 
Segment assets:          
Home & Building Products  $956,407   $908,386 
Telephonics   291,180    296,919 
Plastics   426,968    422,730 
Total segment assets   1,674,555    1,628,035 
Corporate   73,331    156,455 
Total continuing assets   1,747,886    1,784,490 
Assets of discontinued operations   4,273    4,289 
Consolidated total  $1,752,159   $1,788,779 

 

NOTE 12 – DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION EXPENSE

 

Defined benefit pension expense was as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
   2013   2012 
Service cost  $45   $50 
Interest cost   2,500    2,425 
Expected return on plan assets   (2,885)   (3,138)
Amortization:          
Prior service cost   4    5 
Recognized actuarial loss   489    840 
Loss on pension settlement       2,142 
Net periodic expense  $153   $2,324 

 

First quarter of 2013, Selling, general and administrative expenses included a $2,142, non-cash, pension settlement loss resulting from the lump-sum buyout of certain participant’s balances in the Company’s defined benefit plan. The buyouts, funded by the pension plan, reduced the Company’s net pension liability by $3,472 and increased Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by $3,649.

13

NOTE 13 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued new accounting guidance requiring enhanced disclosures for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The guidance does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. As this new guidance is related to presentation only, the implementation of this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may impact its financial statements and does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

NOTE 14 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

The following amounts related to the Installation Services segment, discontinued in 2008, and other businesses discontinued several years ago, which have been segregated from Griffon’s continuing operations, and are reported as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:

 

   At December 31,
2013
   At September 30,
2013
 
Assets of discontinued operations:          
Prepaid and other current assets  $1,212   $1,214 
Other long-term assets   3,061    3,075 
Total assets of discontinued operations  $4,273   $4,289 
           
Liabilities of discontinued operations:          
Accrued liabilities, current  $3,142   $3,288 
Other long-term liabilities   4,577    4,744 
Total liabilities of discontinued operations  $7,719   $8,032 

 

There was no Installation Services revenue or income for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 or 2012.

 

NOTE 15 – RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES

 

In January 2013, ATT announced its intention to close certain manufacturing facilities, and to consolidate affected operations primarily into its Camp Hill and Carlisle, PA locations. The intended actions, to be completed by the end of calendar 2014, will improve manufacturing and distribution efficiencies, allow for in-sourcing of certain production currently performed by third party suppliers, and improve material flow and absorption of fixed costs.

 

ATT anticipates incurring pre-tax restructuring and related exit costs approximating $8,000, comprised of cash charges of $4,000 and non-cash, asset-related charges of $4,000; the cash charges will include $2,500 for one-time termination benefits and other personnel-related costs and $1,500 for facility exit costs. ATT expects $20,000 in capital expenditures in connection with this initiative and, to date, has incurred $7,200 and $14,392 in restructuring costs and capital expenditures, respectively.

 

HBP recognized $842 and $1,108, respectively, for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, of restructuring and other related exit costs primarily related to one-time termination benefits, facility costs, other personnel costs and asset impairment charges related to the ATT plant consolidation initiatives.

14

A summary of the restructuring and other related charges included in the line item “Restructuring and other related charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) were recognized as follows:

 

  Workforce Reduction   Facilities &
Exit Costs
   Other Related Costs   Total 
Amounts incurred in:                    
 Quarter ended December 31, 2012  $994   $39   $75   $1,108 
 Quarter ended December 31, 2013  $638   $95   $109   $842 

 

The activity in the restructuring accrual recorded in accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

 

   Workforce Reduction   Facilities &
Exit Costs
   Other Related Costs   Total 
Accrued liability at September 30, 2013   $3,057   $393   $407   $3,857 
 Charges    638    95    109    842 
 Payments    (1,351)   (119)   (323)   (1,793)
Accrued liability at December 31, 2013   $2,344   $369   $193   $2,906 

 

NOTE 16 – OTHER EXPENSE

 

For the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, Other expense included $242 and $12, respectively, of net currency exchange gains in connection with the translation of receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of Griffon and its subsidiaries as well as $112 and $32, respectively, of net investment income.

 

NOTE 17 – WARRANTY LIABILITY

 

Telephonics offers warranties against product defects for periods generally ranging from one to two years, depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement. Typical warranties require Telephonics to repair or replace the defective products during the warranty period at no cost to the customer. At the time revenue is recognized, Griffon records a liability for warranty costs, estimated based on historical experience, and periodically assesses its warranty obligations and adjusts the liability as necessary. ATT offers an express limited warranty for a period of ninety days on all products unless otherwise stated on the product or packaging from the date of original purchase.

 

Changes in Griffon’s warranty liability, included in Accrued liabilities, were as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Balance, beginning of period  $6,649   $8,856 
Warranties issued and changes in estimated pre-existing warranties   966    (6)
Actual warranty costs incurred   (686)   (1,107)
Balance, end of period  $6,929   $7,743 

 

NOTE 18 – OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income were as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 2013   Three Months Ended December 31, 2012 
   Pre-tax   Tax   Net of tax   Pre-tax   Tax   Net of tax 
Foreign curency translation adjustments  $(3,137)  $   $(3,137)  $3,003   $   $3,003 
Pension and other defined benefit plans   493    (177)   316    6,459    (2,599)   3,860 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   (2,644)   (177)   (2,821)   9,462    (2,599)   6,863 
15

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to income were as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Pension amortization  $493   $845 
Pension settlement       2,142 
Total before tax   493    2,987 
Tax   (177)   (1,045)
Net of tax   316    1,942 

 

NOTE 19 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Legal and environmental

 

Department of Environmental Conservation of New York State (“DEC”), with ISC Properties, Inc. Lightron Corporation (“Lightron”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Griffon, once conducted operations at a location in Peekskill in the Town of Cortlandt, New York (the “Peekskill Site”) owned by ISC Properties, Inc. (“ISC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Griffon. ISC sold the Peekskill Site in November 1982.

 

Subsequently, Griffon was advised by the DEC that random sampling at the Peekskill Site and in a creek near the Peekskill Site indicated concentrations of solvents and other chemicals common to Lightron’s prior plating operations. ISC then entered into a consent order with the DEC in 1996 (the “Consent Order”) to perform a remedial investigation and prepare a feasibility study. After completing the initial remedial investigation pursuant to the Consent Order, ISC was required by the DEC, and did conduct accordingly over the next several years, supplemental remedial investigations, including soil vapor investigations, under the Consent Order.

 

In April 2009, the DEC advised ISC’s representatives that both the DEC and the New York State Department of Health had reviewed and accepted an August 2007 Remedial Investigation Report and an Additional Data Collection Summary Report dated January 30, 2009. With the acceptance of these reports, ISC completed the remedial investigation required under the Consent Order and was authorized, accordingly, by the DEC to conduct the Feasibility Study required by the Consent Order. Pursuant to the requirements of the Consent Order and its obligations thereunder, ISC, without acknowledging any responsibility to perform any remediation at the Site, submitted to the DEC in August 2009, a draft feasibility study which recommended for the soil, groundwater and sediment medias, remediation alternatives having a current net capital cost value, in the aggregate, of approximately $5,000. In February 2011, DEC advised ISC it has accepted and approved the feasibility study. Accordingly, ISC has no further obligations under the consent order.

 

Upon acceptance of the feasibility study, DEC issued a Proposed Remedial Action Plan (“PRAP”) that sets forth the proposed remedy for the site. The PRAP accepted the recommendation contained in the feasibility study for remediation of the soil and groundwater medias, but selected a different remediation alternative for the sediment medium. The approximate cost and the current net capital cost value of the remedy proposed by DEC in the PRAP is approximately $10,000. After receiving public comments on the PRAP, the DEC issued a Record of Decision (“ROD”) that set forth the specific remedies selected and responded to public comments. The remedies selected by the DEC in the ROD are the same remedies as those set forth in the PRAP.

 

It is now expected that DEC will enter into negotiations with potentially responsible parties to request they undertake performance of the remedies selected in the ROD, and if such parties do not agree to implement such remedies, then the State may use State Superfund money to remediate the Peekskill site and seek recovery of costs from such parties. Griffon does not acknowledge any responsibility to perform any remediation at the Peekskill Site.

16

Improper Advertisement Claim involving Union Tools Products. Since December 2004, a customer of ATT has been named in various litigation matters relating to certain Union Tools products. The plaintiffs in those litigation matters have asserted causes of action against the customer of ATT for improper advertisement to end consumers. The allegations suggest that advertisements led the consumers to believe that Union Tools’ hand tools were wholly manufactured within boundaries of the United States. The complaints assert various causes of action against the customer of ATT under federal and state law, including common law fraud. At some point, likely once the litigation against the customer of ATT ends, the customer may seek indemnity (including recovery of its legal fees and costs) against ATT for an unspecified amount. Presently, ATT cannot estimate the amount of loss, if any, if the customer were to seek legal recourse against ATT.

 

Department of Environmental Conservation of New York State, regarding Frankfort, NY site. During fiscal 2009, an underground fuel tank with surrounding soil contamination was discovered at the Frankfort, N.Y. site, which is the result of historical facility operations prior to ATT’s ownership. While ATT was actively working with the DEC and the New York State Department of Health to define remediation requirements relative to the underground fuel tank, the DEC took the position that ATT was responsible to remediate other types of contamination on the site. After negotiations with the DEC, on August 15, 2011, ATT executed an Order on Consent with the DEC. The Order is without admission or finding of liability or acknowledgement that there has been a release of hazardous substances at the site. Importantly, the Order does not waive any rights that ATT has under a 1991 Consent Judgment entered into between the DEC and a predecessor of ATT relating to the site. The Order requires that ATT identify Areas of Concern at the site, and formulate a strategy to investigate and remedy both on and off site conditions in compliance with applicable environmental law. At the conclusion of the remedy phase of the remediation to the satisfaction of the DEC, the DEC will issue a Certificate of Completion. On August 1, 2012, a fire occurred during the course of demolition of certain structures at the Frankfort, NY site, requiring cleanup and additional remediation under the oversight of the DEC. Demolition of the structures on the property has been substantially completed. The DEC has inspected the progress of the work and is satisfied with the results thus far. On February 12, 2013, the DEC issued comments to the Remedial Investigation Work Plan previously submitted by ATT in October 2011, and in response, ATT issued a Revised Remedial Investigation Work Plan. Completion of the remedial investigation is dependent on timing of the DEC approval; no additional comments have been provided by the DEC to date. On October 21, 2013 ATT filed its revised Remedial Investigation Report with the DEC.

 

U.S. Government investigations and claims

 

Defense contracts and subcontracts, including Griffon’s contracts and subcontracts, are subject to audit and review by various agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, including among others, the Defense Contract Audit Agency (“DCAA”), the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (“DCIS”), and the Department of Justice which has responsibility for asserting claims on behalf of the U.S. government. In addition to ongoing audits, pursuant to an administrative subpoena Griffon is currently providing information to the U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General. No claim has been asserted against Griffon, and Griffon is unaware of any material financial exposure in connection with the Inspector General’s inquiry.

 

In general, departments and agencies of the U.S. Government have the authority to investigate various transactions and operations of Griffon, and the results of such investigations may lead to administrative, civil or criminal proceedings, the ultimate outcome of which could be fines, penalties, repayments or compensatory or treble damages. U.S. Government regulations provide that certain findings against a contractor may lead to suspension or debarment from future U.S. Government contracts or the loss of export privileges for a company or an operating division or subdivision. Suspension or debarment could have material adverse effect on Telephonics because of its reliance on government contracts.

 

General legal

 

Griffon is subject to various laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and is a party to legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes, based on facts presently known to it, that the resolution of the matters above and such other matters will not have a material adverse effect on Griffon’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

17

NOTE 20 — CONSOLIDATING GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Griffon’s Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by the domestic assets of Clopay Building Products Company, Inc., Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc., Telephonics Corporation, Ames True Temper, Inc. and ATT Southern, Inc. In accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, presented below are condensed consolidating financial information as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 and for the three ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations or financial position had the guarantor companies or non-guarantor companies operated as independent entities. The guarantor companies and the non-guarantor companies include the consolidated financial results of their wholly-owned subsidiaries accounted for under the equity method.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

 At December 31, 2013

 

   Parent Company   Guarantor
Companies
   Non-Guarantor
Companies
   Elimination   Consolidation 
                     
CURRENT ASSETS                         
Cash and equivalents  $32,424   $21,955   $40,995   $   $95,374 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances       198,472    75,489    (28,715)   245,246 
Contract costs and recognized income not yet billed, net of progress payments       111,010    343        111,353 
Inventories, net       205,617    61,327    (23)   266,921 
Prepaid and other current assets   (1,180)   21,424    19,635    10,561    50,440 
Assets of discontinued operations           1,212        1,212 
Total Current Assets   31,244    558,478    199,001    (18,177)   770,546 
                          
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net   1,213    251,606    102,496        355,315 
GOODWILL       288,147    80,390        368,537 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net       159,278    66,801        226,079 
INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLE   537,068    883,208    624,044    (2,044,320)    
EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES   2,230,698    545,847    2,720,505    (5,497,050)    
OTHER ASSETS   45,329    50,896    7,630    (75,234)   28,621 
ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS           3,061        3,061 
Total Assets  $2,845,552   $2,737,460   $3,803,928   $(7,634,781)  $1,752,159 
                          
CURRENT LIABILITIES                         
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt  $1,515   $1,090   $15,455   $   $18,060 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   27,886    169,672    70,051    (19,011)   248,598 
Liabilities of discontinued operations           3,142        3,142 
Total Current Liabilities   29,401    170,762    88,648    (19,011)   269,800 
                          
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of debt discounts   678,306    8,578    28,212        715,096 
INTERCOMPANY PAYABLES   21,197    811,177    1,184,325    (2,016,699)    
OTHER LIABILITIES   63,765    152,629    25,534    (74,335)   167,593 
LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS           4,577        4,577 
Total Liabilities   792,669    1,143,146    1,331,296    (2,110,045)   1,157,066 
                          
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   2,052,883    1,594,314    2,472,632    (5,524,736)   595,093 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $2,845,552   $2,737,460   $3,803,928   $(7,634,781)  $1,752,159 
18

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

At September 30, 2013

 

   Parent
Company
   Guarantor
Companies
   Non-Guarantor Companies   Elimination   Consolidation 
                     
CURRENT ASSETS                         
Cash and equivalents  $68,994   $25,343   $83,793   $   $178,130 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances       213,506    76,241    (33,532)   256,215 
Contract costs and recognized income not yet billed, net of progress payments       109,683    145        109,828 
Inventories, net       173,406    56,723    (9)   230,120 
Prepaid and other current assets   (712)   21,854    17,330    10,431    48,903 
Assets of discontinued operations           1,214        1,214 
Total Current Assets   68,282    543,792    235,446    (23,110)   824,410 
                          
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net   972    248,973    103,648        353,593 
GOODWILL       288,146    69,584        357,730 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net       160,349    61,042        221,391 
INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLE   547,903    911,632    573,269    (2,032,804)    
EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES   2,217,864    533,742    2,718,956    (5,470,562)    
OTHER ASSETS   45,968    50,423    7,423    (75,234)   28,580 
ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS           3,075        3,075 
Total Assets  $2,880,989   $2,737,057   $3,772,443   $(7,601,710)  $1,788,779 
                          
CURRENT LIABILITIES                         
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt  $1,000   $1,079   $8,689   $   $10,768 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   41,121    182,765    70,427    (23,960)   270,353 
Liabilities of discontinued operations           3,288        3,288 
Total Current Liabilities   42,121    183,844    82,404    (23,960)   284,409 
                          
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of debt discounts   656,852    9,006    12,629        678,487 
INTERCOMPANY PAYABLES   20,607    796,741    1,188,017    (2,005,365)    
OTHER LIABILITIES   65,455    153,970    25,578    (74,328)   170,675 
LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS           4,744        4,744 
Total Liabilities   785,035    1,143,561    1,313,372    (2,103,653)   1,138,315 
                          
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   2,095,954    1,593,496    2,459,071    (5,498,057)   650,464 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $2,880,989   $2,737,057   $3,772,443   $(7,601,710)  $1,788,779 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013

 

   Parent Company   Guarantor
Companies
   Non-Guarantor
Companies
   Elimination   Consolidation 
                     
Revenue  $   $344,644   $121,752   $(12,938)  $453,458 
Cost of goods and services       259,983    99,394    (11,422)   347,955 
Gross profit       84,661    22,358    (1,516)   105,503 
                          
Selling, general and administrative expenses   6,331    68,381    14,574    (1,606)   87,680 
Restructuring and other related charges       764    78        842 
Total operating expenses   6,331    69,145    14,652    (1,606)   88,522 
                          
Income (loss) from operations   (6,331)   15,516    7,706    90    16,981 
                          
Other income (expense)                         
Interest income (expense), net   (3,604)   (6,998)   (2,499)       (13,101)
Other, net   112    2,429    (1,173)   (462)   906 
Total other income (expense)   (3,492)   (4,569)   (3,672)   (462)   (12,195)
                          
Income (loss) before taxes   (9,823)   10,947    4,034    (372)   4,786 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   (4,534)   5,727    357        1,550 
Income (loss) before equity in net income of subsidiaries   (5,289)   5,220    3,677    (372)   3,236 
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries   8,897    3,765    5,220    (17,882)    
Income (loss) from continuing operations  $3,608   $8,985   $8,897   $(18,254)  $3,236 
Loss from operations of discontinued businesses                    
Benefit from income taxes                    
Loss from discontinued operations                    
Net income (loss)  $3,608   $8,985   $8,897   $(18,254)  $3,236 
                          
Net Income (loss)  $3,608   $8,985   $8,897   $(18,254)  $3,236 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes   170    1,789    (4,780)       (2,821)
Comprehensive income (loss)  $3,778   $10,774   $4,117   $(18,254)  $415 
19

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2012

 

   Parent
Company
   Guarantor
Companies
   Non-Guarantor
Companies
   Elimination   Consolidation 
                     
Revenue  $   $321,058   $114,911   $(12,220)  $423,749 
Cost of goods and services       238,817    98,355    (11,093)   326,079 
Gross profit       82,241    16,556    (1,127)   97,670 
                          
Selling, general and administrative expenses   7,456    61,651    14,622    (1,510)   82,219 
Restructuring and other related charges       1,108            1,108 
Total operating expenses   7,456    62,759    14,622    (1,510)   83,327 
                          
Income (loss) from operations   (7,456)   19,482    1,934    383    14,343 
                          
Other income (expense)                         
Interest income (expense), net   (3,611)   (6,880)   (2,588)       (13,079)
Other, net   33    2,300    (1,385)   (462)   486 
Total other income (expense)   (3,578)   (4,580)   (3,973)   (462)   (12,593)
                          
Income (loss) before taxes   (11,034)   14,902    (2,039)   (79)   1,750 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   (5,367)   6,199    360        1,192 
Income (loss) before equity in net income of subsidiaries   (5,667)   8,703    (2,399)   (79)   558 
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries   6,304    (2,363)   8,703    (12,644)    
Net income (loss)  $637   $6,340   $6,304   $(12,723)  $558 
                          
Net Income (loss)  $637   $6,340   $6,304   $(12,723)  $558 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes   1,603    4,423    837        6,863 
Comprehensive income (loss)  $2,240   $10,763   $7,141   $(12,723)  $7,421 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013

 

   Parent Company   Guarantor
Companies
   Non-Guarantor
Companies
   Elimination   Consolidation 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                         
Net income (loss)  $3,608   $8,985   $8,897   $(18,254)  $3,236 
                          
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (4,051)   (42,977)   22,634        (24,394)
                          
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                         
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment   (320)   (16,334)   (1,262)       (17,916)
Acquired business, net of cash acquired           (23,666)       (23,666)
Intercompany distributions   10,000    (10,000)            
Proceeds from sale of assets       202    22        224 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   9,680    (26,132)   (24,906)       (41,358)
                          
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                         
Purchase of shares for treasury   (55,189)               (55,189)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt   42,689    (152)   15,098        57,635 
Payments of long-term debt   (21,603)   (266)   (3,377)       (25,246)
Change in short-term borrowings           9,940        9,940 
Financing costs   (91)       (590)       (681)
Purchase of ESOP shares   (1,591)               (1,591)
Tax effect from exercise/vesting of equity awards, net   273                273 
Dividend   (6,719)   5,000            (1,719)
Other, net   32    61,139    (61,140)       31 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (42,199)   65,721    (40,069)       (16,547)
                          
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:                         
Net cash used in discontinued operations           (299)       (299)
                          
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents           (158)       (158)
                          
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS   (36,570)   (3,388)   (42,798)       (82,756)
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD   68,994    25,343    83,793        178,130 
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD  $32,424   $21,955   $40,995   $   $95,374 
20

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2012

 

   Parent
Company
   Guarantor
Companies
   Non-Guarantor
Companies
   Elimination   Consolidation 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                         
Net income (loss)  $637   $6,340   $6,304   $(12,723)  $558 
                          
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (37,574)   (9,117)   14,189        (32,502)
                          
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                         
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment   14    (16,663)   (639)       (17,288)
Intercompany distributions   10,000    (10,000)            
Proceeds from sale of assets       1,055            1,055 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   10,014    (25,608)   (639)       (16,233)
                          
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                         
Purchase of shares for treasury   (7,336)               (7,336)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt       303            303 
Payments of long-term debt   (406)   (256)   (3,400)       (4,062)
Change in short-term borrowings           1,643        1,643 
Tax effect from exercise/vesting of equity awards, net   150                150 
Dividend   (1,464)               (1,464)
Other, net   185    18,601    (18,602)       184 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (8,871)   18,648    (20,359)       (10,582)
                          
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:                         
Net cash used in discontinued operations           (463)       (463)
                          
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents           191        191 
                          
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS   (36,431)   (16,077)   (7,081)       (59,589)
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD   125,093    34,782    49,779        209,654 
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD  $88,662   $18,705   $42,698   $   $150,065 
21

(Unless otherwise indicated, US dollars and non US currencies are in thousands, except per share data)

 

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

 

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

Griffon Corporation (the “Company” or “Griffon”) is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Griffon oversees the operations of its subsidiaries, allocates resources among them and manages their capital structures. Griffon provides direction and assistance to its subsidiaries in connection with acquisition and growth opportunities as well as in connection with divestitures. Griffon, to further diversify, also seeks out, evaluates and, when appropriate, will acquire additional businesses that offer potentially attractive returns on capital.

 

Griffon currently conducts its operations through three businesses: Home & Building Products (“HBP”), Telephonics Corporation (“Telephonics”) and Clopay Plastic Products Company (“Plastics”).

 

·HBP consists of two companies, Ames True Temper, Inc. (“ATT”) and Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. (“CBP”):

 

-ATT is a global provider of non-powered landscaping products that make work easier for homeowners and professionals.

 

-CBP is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential, commercial and industrial garage doors to professional installing dealers and major home center retail chains.

 

·Telephonics designs, develops and manufactures high-technology integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions for military and commercial markets worldwide.

 

·Plastics is an international leader in the development and production of embossed, laminated and printed specialty plastic films used in a variety of hygienic, health-care and industrial applications.

 

On December 31, 2013, Griffon’s subsidiary, ATT acquired Northcote Pottery (“Northcote”), founded in 1897 and a leading brand in the Australian outdoor planter and decor market, for approximately $24,000. The acquisition of Northcote complements Southern Patio, acquired in 2011, and adds to ATT’s existing lawn and garden operations in Australia. Northcote, which will be integrated with ATT, is expected to generate approximately $28,000 of annualized revenue. Griffon incurred $798 of acquisition costs related to this transaction in the first quarter of 2014.

 

On December 10, 2013, Griffon repurchased 4,444,444 shares of its common stock for $50,000 from GS Direct, L.L.C. (“GS Direct”), an affiliate of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The repurchase was effected in a private transaction at a per share price of $11.25, an approximate 9.2% discount to the stock’s closing price on November 12, 2013, the day before announcement of the transaction. The transaction was exclusive of the Company’s current $50,000 authorized share repurchase program. After closing the transaction, GS Direct continued to hold approximately 5.56 million shares (approximately 10%) of Griffon’s common stock. GS Direct also agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, if it intends to sell its remaining shares of Griffon common stock at any time prior to December 31, 2014, it will first negotiate in good faith to sell the shares to the Company.

 

In January 2013, ATT announced its intention to close certain manufacturing facilities and consolidate affected operations primarily into its Camp Hill and Carlisle, PA locations. The intended actions, to be completed by the end of calendar 2014, will improve manufacturing and distribution efficiencies, allow for in-sourcing of certain production currently performed by third party suppliers, and improve material flow and absorption of fixed costs. Management estimates that, upon completion, these actions will result in annual cash savings exceeding $10,000, based on current operating levels.

22

ATT anticipates incurring pre-tax restructuring and related exit costs approximating $8,000, comprised of cash charges of $4,000 and non-cash, asset-related charges of $4,000; the cash charges will include $2,500 for one-time termination benefits and other personnel-related costs and $1,500 for facility exit costs. ATT expects $20,000 in capital expenditures in connection with this initiative and, to date, has incurred $7,200 and $14,392 in restructuring costs and capital expenditures, respectively.

 

First quarter 2013, Selling, general and administrative expenses included a $2,142, non-cash, pension settlement loss resulting from the lump-sum buyout of certain participant’s balances in the Company’s defined benefit plan. The buyouts, funded by the pension plan, reduced the Company’s net pension liability by $3,472.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 was $453,458 compared to $423,749 in the prior year quarter. Net income was $3,236 or $0.06 per share, compared to $558 or $0.01 per share, in the prior year quarter.

 

The current quarter included:

-Restructuring charges of $842 ($522, net of tax or $0.01 per share);
-Acquisition costs of $798 ($495, net of tax or $0.01 per share); and
-Discrete tax benefits, net, of $289 or $0.01 per share.

 

The prior year quarter included:

-Restructuring charges of $1,108 ($720, net of tax or $0.01 per share);
-Loss on pension settlement of $2,142 ($1,392, net of tax of $0.02 per share); and
-Discrete tax benefits, net, of $55 or $0.00 per share.

 

Excluding these items from the respective quarterly results, net income would have been $3,964 or $0.07 per share in the current quarter compared to $2,615 or $0.05 per share in the prior year quarter.

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Griffon evaluates performance based on Earnings per share and Net income excluding restructuring charges, acquisition-related expenses, gains (losses) from pension settlement and debt extinguishment and discrete tax items, as applicable. Griffon believes this information is useful to investors for the same reason. The following table provides a reconciliation of Net income to adjusted net income and Earnings per share to Adjusted earnings per share:

 

GRIFFON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME
TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(Unaudited)

 

   For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
   2013   2012 
           
Net income  $3,236   $558 
           
Adjusting items, net of tax:          
Restructuring and related   522    720 
Acquisition costs   495     
Loss on pension settlement       1,392 
Discrete tax benefits   (289)   (55)
           
Adjusted net income  $3,964   $2,615 
           
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.06   $0.01 
           
Adjusting items, net of tax:          
Restructuring   0.01    0.01 
Acquisition costs   0.01     
Loss on pension settlement       0.02 
Discrete tax benefits   (0.01)   (0.00)
           
Adjusted diluted earnings per common share   0.07   $0.05 
           
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands)   54,633    57,265 

 

Note: Due to rounding, the sum of earnings per common share and adjusting items, net of tax, may not equal adjusted earnings per common share.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

 

Griffon evaluates performance and allocates resources based on each segments’ operating results before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, unallocated amounts (mainly corporate overhead), restructuring charges, acquisition-related expenses and gains (losses) from pension settlement and debt extinguishment, as applicable (“Segment adjusted EBITDA”). Griffon believes this information is useful to investors for the same reason.

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The following table provides a reconciliation of Segment operating profit to Income before taxes:

 

   For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
   2013   2012 
Segment operating profit:        
Home & Building Products  $9,393   $7,271 
Telephonics   10,652    14,645 
Plastics   5,825    2,642 
Total segment operating profit   25,870    24,558 
Net interest expense   (13,101)   (13,079)
Unallocated amounts   (7,983)   (7,587)
Loss on pension settlement       (2,142)
Income before taxes  $4,786   $1,750 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of Segment adjusted EBITDA to Income before taxes:

 

   For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
   2013   2012 
Segment adjusted EBITDA:          
Home & Building Products  $19,067   $17,239 
Telephonics   12,396    16,364 
Plastics   12,743    9,319 
           
Total Segment adjusted EBITDA   44,206    42,922 
Net interest expense   (13,101)   (13,079)
Segment depreciation and amortization   (16,696)   (17,256)
Unallocated amounts   (7,983)   (7,587)
Restructuring charges   (842)   (1,108)
Acquisition costs   (798)    
Loss on pension settlement       (2,142)
Income before taxes  $4,786   $1,750 

 

Home & Building Products

 

   For the Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Revenue:                    
ATT  $96,608        $77,309      
CBP   121,842         112,867      
Home & Building Products  $218,450        $190,176      
Segment operating profit  $9,393    4.3%  $7,271    3.8%
Depreciation and amortization   8,034         8,860      
Restructuring charges   842         1,108      
Acquisition costs   798               
Segment adjusted EBITDA  $19,067    8.7%  $17,239    9.1%

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, revenue increased $28,274 or 15%, compared to the prior year quarter. ATT revenue increased 25% compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to improved US and Canada snow tool sales, while CBP revenue increased 8%, primarily due to improved volume.

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For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, Segment operating profit was $9,393 compared to $7,271 in the prior year quarter, primarily from improved volume at ATT and CBP. Partially offsetting the benefit of improved volume, ATT continued to experience manufacturing inefficiencies in connection with its plant consolidation initiative, which are expected to continue until the initiative is completed. The prior year quarter also benefitted from $1,000 in Byrd Amendment receipts (anti-dumping compensation from the government); current quarter Byrd Amendment receipts were not significant. Segment depreciation and amortization decreased $826 from the prior year period. The current and prior year restructuring charges primarily related to the previously announced manufacturing and operations consolidation initiative at ATT, and the acquisition costs related to Northcote transaction.

 

On December 31, 2013, ATT acquired Northcote, a leading brand in the Australian outdoor planter and decor market, for approximately $24,000. The acquisition of Northcote complements Southern Patio, acquired in 2011, and adds to ATT’s existing lawn and garden operations in Australia. Northcote, which will be integrated with ATT, is expected to generate approximately $28,000 of annualized revenue.

 

In January 2013, ATT announced its intention to close certain manufacturing facilities and consolidate affected operations primarily into its Camp Hill and Carlisle, PA locations. The intended actions, to be completed by the end of calendar 2014, will improve manufacturing and distribution efficiencies, allow for in-sourcing of certain production currently performed by third party suppliers, and improve material flow and absorption of fixed costs.

 

ATT anticipates incurring pre-tax restructuring and related exit costs approximating $8,000, comprised of cash charges of $4,000 and non-cash, asset-related charges of $4,000; the cash charges will include $2,500 for one-time termination benefits and other personnel-related costs and $1,500 for facility exit costs. ATT expects $20,000 in capital expenditures in connection with this initiative and, to date, has incurred $7,200 and $14,392 in restructuring costs and capital expenditures, respectively.

 

HBP recognized $842 and $1,108, respectively, for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in restructuring and other related exit costs; such charges primarily related to one-time termination benefits, facility and other personnel costs, and asset impairment charges related to the ATT plant consolidation initiatives.

 

Telephonics

 

   For the Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Revenue  $96,025        $96,050      
Segment operating profit  $10,652    11.1%  $14,645    15.2%
Depreciation and amortization   1,744         1,719      
Segment adjusted EBITDA  $12,396    12.9%  $16,364    17.0%

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, revenue was comparable with the prior year. The current quarter benefitted from increased international radar program sales, offset by reduced MH-60 Romeo radar sales.

 

Segment operating profit decreased $3,993, or 27%, and operating profit margin decreased 410 basis points compared to the prior year quarter. The prior year quarter benefitted from a combination of favorable program mix and manufacturing efficiencies.

 

During the current quarter, Telephonics was awarded several new contracts and incremental funding on existing contracts approximating $68,300. Contract backlog was $416,000 at December 31, 2013 with 68% expected to be fulfilled in the next 12 months. Backlog was $444,000 at September 30, 2013 and $467,000 at December 31, 2012. Backlog is defined as unfilled firm orders for products and services for which funding has been both authorized and appropriated by the customer or Congress, in the case of the U.S. government agencies.

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Plastics

 

   For the Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Revenue  $138,983        $137,523      
Segment operating profit  $5,825    4.2%  $2,642    1.9%
Depreciation and amortization   6,918         6,677      
Segment adjusted EBITDA  $12,743    9.2%  $9,319    6.8%

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, revenue increased $1,460, or 1%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase reflected the benefit of favorable mix (3%), the pass through of higher resin costs in customer selling prices (2%) and favorable foreign exchange translation (1%), partially offset by the impact of lower volume (5%), a portion of which was attributable to Plastics exiting certain low margin products in the second half of 2013. Plastics adjusts selling prices based on underlying resin costs on a delayed basis.

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, Segment operating profit increased $3,183 compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was mainly due to continued efficiency improvements and a $600 favorable resin benefit, partially offset by the impact of the reduced volume.

 

Unallocated

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, unallocated amounts totaled $7,983 compared to $7,587 in the prior year with the increase in 2013 primarily related to compensation costs.

 

Segment Depreciation and Amortization

 

Segment depreciation and amortization decreased $560 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior year primarily due to assets fully amortizing, partially offset by the onset of depreciation for new assets placed in service in the quarter.

 

Other Expense

 

For the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, Other expense included $242 and $12, respectively, of net currency exchange gains in connection with the translation of receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of Griffon and its subsidiaries as well as $112 and $32, respectively, of net investment income.

 

Provision for income taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 was 32.4% compared to 68.1% in the prior year quarter. The rates include discrete benefits in the current and prior year quarter of $289 and $55, respectively, primarily resulting from the release of previously established reserves for uncertain tax positions on conclusion of certain tax audits, and benefits arising on the filing of tax returns in various jurisdictions.

 

Excluding discrete items, the effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 was 38.4% compared to 71.3% in the prior year quarter. Rates in both quarters reflect the impact of permanent differences not deductible in determining taxable income, mainly limited deductibility of restricted stock, tax reserves and of changes in earnings mix between domestic and non-domestic operations, all of which are material relative to the level of pretax result; the impact of the permanent differences diminished in the current quarter primarily as a result of the improved pretax result.

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Stock based compensation

 

For the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, stock based compensation expense totaled $1,675 and $2,960, respectively.

 

Discontinued operations – Installation Services

 

There was no revenue or income from the Installation Services’ business for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Management assesses Griffon’s liquidity in terms of its ability to generate cash to fund its operating, investing and financing activities. Significant factors affecting liquidity include: cash flows from operating activities, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dispositions, bank lines of credit and the ability to attract long-term capital under satisfactory terms. Griffon remains in a strong financial position with sufficient liquidity available for reinvestment in existing businesses and strategic acquisitions while managing its capital structure on both a short-term and long-term basis.

 

The following table is derived from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

 

Cash Flows from Continuing Operations  Three Months Ended December 31, 
(in thousands)  2013   2012 
         
Net Cash Flows Used In:          
Operating activities  $(24,394)  $(32,502)
Investing activities   (41,358)   (16,233)
Financing activities   (16,547)   (10,582)

 

Cash used in continuing operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 was $24,394 compared to $32,502 in the prior year. Current assets net of current liabilities, excluding short-term debt and cash, increased to $423,432 at December 31, 2013 compared to $372,639 at September 30, 2013, primarily due to an increase in inventory and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and contract costs and recognized income not yet billed.

 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, Griffon used cash for investing activities of $41,358 compared to $16,233 in the prior year; the acquisition of Northcote for approximately $24,000 impacted the current year. Current quarter capital expenditures totaled $17,916, an increase of $628 from the prior year quarter.

 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, cash used in financing activities totaled $16,547 compared to $10,582 in the prior year. The Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share, paid on December 24, 2013 to shareholders of record as of close of business on December 5, 2013. On December 10, 2013, Griffon repurchased 4,444,444 shares of its common stock for $50,000 from GS Direct, L.L.C. (“GS Direct”), an affiliate of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., in a private transaction, exclusive of the Company’s current $50,000 authorized share repurchase program, of which $11,204 remains at December 31, 2013. During the first quarter of 2014, Griffon purchased 65,700 shares of common stock under the authorized program, for a total of $822, or $12.52 per shares. To date, Griffon has purchased 3,787,931 share of common stock, for a total of $38,796 or $10.24 per share under its existing share repurchase authorization. During the quarter, 288,012 shares, with a market value of $3,764, or $13.07 per share, were withheld to settle employee taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock.

 

On January 30, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share, payable on March 27, 2014 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 27, 2014.

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Payments related to Telephonics revenue are received in accordance with the terms of development and production subcontracts; certain of such receipts are progress or performance based payments. Plastics customers are generally substantial industrial companies whose payments have been steady, reliable and made in accordance with the terms governing such sales. Plastics sales satisfy orders that are received in advance of production, and where payment terms are established in advance. With respect to HBP, there have been no material adverse impacts on payment for sales.

 

A small number of customers account for, and are expected to continue to account for, a substantial portion of Griffon’s consolidated revenue. For the quarter ended December 31, 2013:

 

·The United States Government and its agencies, through either prime or subcontractor relationships, represented 16% of Griffon’s consolidated revenue and 74% of Telephonics’ revenue.
·Procter & Gamble Co. represented 13% of Griffon’s consolidated revenue and 43% of Plastics’ revenue.
·The Home Depot represented 10% of Griffon’s consolidated revenue and 21% of HBP’s revenue.

 

No other customer exceeded 8% of consolidated revenue. Future operating results will continue to substantially depend on the success of Griffon’s largest customers and our ongoing relationships with them. Orders from these customers are subject to fluctuation and may be reduced materially. The loss of all or a portion of volume from any one of these customers could have a material adverse impact on Griffon’s liquidity and operations.

 

Cash and Equivalents and Debt  At December 31,   At September 30, 
(in thousands)  2013   2013 
Cash and equivalents  $95,374   $178,130 
           
Notes payables and current portion of long-term debt   18,060    10,768 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities   715,096    678,487 
Debt discount   12,363    13,246 
Total debt   745,519    702,501 
Debt, net of cash and equivalents  $650,145   $524,371 

 

On March 17, 2011, in an unregistered offering through a private placement under Rule 144A, Griffon issued, at par, $550,000 of 7.125% Senior Notes due in 2018 (“Senior Notes”); interest is payable semi-annually. On August 9, 2011, Griffon exchanged all of the Senior Notes for substantially identical Senior Notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933 via an exchange offer. The fair value of the Senior Notes approximated $583,000 on December 31, 2013 based upon quoted market prices (level 1 inputs).

 

Proceeds from the Senior Notes were used to pay down outstanding borrowings under a senior secured term loan facility and two senior secured revolving credit facilities of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Griffon guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries, and subject to certain covenants, limitations and restrictions.

 

On March 28, 2013, Griffon amended and increased the amount available under its Revolving Credit Facility (“Credit Agreement”) from $200,000 to $225,000 and extended its maturity from March 18, 2016 to March 28, 2018 (except that if the Company’s 7-1/8 Senior Notes due 2018 are still outstanding on October 1, 2017, the Facility will mature on October 1, 2017). The facility includes a letter of credit sub-facility with a limit of $60,000, a multi-currency sub-facility of $50,000 and a swing line sub-facility with a limit of $30,000. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be repaid and re-borrowed at any time, subject to final maturity of the facility or the occurrence of a default or event of default under the Credit Agreement. Interest is payable on borrowings at either a LIBOR or base rate benchmark rate, in each case without a floor, plus an applicable margin, which adjusts based on financial performance. The current margins are 1.00% for base rate loans and 2.00% for LIBOR loans. The Credit Agreement has certain financial maintenance tests including a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum senior secured leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The Credit Agreement also includes certain restrictions, such as limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness and liens and the making of restricted payments and investments. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Griffon’s material domestic subsidiaries and are secured, on a first priority basis, by substantially all assets of the Company and the guarantors and a pledge of not greater than two-thirds of the equity interest in each of Griffon’s material, first-tier foreign subsidiaries.

29

At December 31, 2013, there were $24,947 of standby letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement and borrowings of $20,000; $180,053 was available, subject to certain covenants, for borrowing at that date.

 

On December 21, 2009, Griffon issued $100,000 principal of 4% convertible subordinated notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”). The current conversion rate of the 2017 Notes is 67.8495 shares of Griffon’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, corresponding to a conversion price of $14.74 per share. When a cash dividend is declared that would result in an adjustment to the conversion ratio of less than 1%, any adjustment to the conversion ratio is deferred until the first to occur of (i) actual conversion; (ii) the 42nd trading day prior to maturity of the notes; and (iii) such time as the cumulative adjustment equals or exceeds 1%. As of December 31, 2013, aggregate dividends since the last conversion price adjustment of $0.105 per share would have resulted in an adjustment to the conversion ratio of approximately 0.89%. At both December 31, 2013 and 2012, the 2017 Notes had a capital in excess of par component, net of tax, of $15,720. The fair value of the 2017 Notes approximated $115,440 on December 31, 2013 based upon quoted market prices (level 1 inputs).

 

On October 21, 2013, Griffon refinanced two properties’ real estate mortgages to secure new loans totaling $17,175. The loans mature in October 2018, are collateralized by the related properties and are guaranteed by Griffon. The loans bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%. At December 31, 2013, $17,032 was outstanding.

 

In December 2013, Griffon’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) entered into an agreement, which refinanced the two existing ESOP loans into one new Term Loan in the amount of $21,098. The Agreement also provided a Line Note with $10,000 available to purchase shares of Griffon common stock in the open market through September 29, 2014 at which point the Line Note will be combined with the Term Loan. Through December 31, 2013, 120,000 shares of Griffon common stock, for a total of $1,591, have been purchase with proceeds from the Line Note. The loans bear interest at a) LIBOR plus 2.25% or b) the lender’s prime rate, at Griffon’s option. The loans require quarterly principal payments of $505 through September 30, 2014 and $419 per quarter thereafter, with a balloon payment of approximately $19,000 due at maturity in December 2018 (except that if the Company’s 7-1/8 Senior Notes due 2018 are still outstanding on October 1, 2017, the Facility will mature on October 1, 2017). The loans are secured by shares purchased with the proceeds of the loans and with a lien on a specific amount of Griffon assets, and Griffon guarantees repayment. At December 31, 2013, $22,184 was outstanding.

 

In October 2006, CBP entered into a capital lease totaling $14,290 for real estate in Troy, Ohio. The lease matures in 2022, bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.0%, is secured by a mortgage on the real estate and is guaranteed by Griffon. At December 31, 2013, $9,289 was outstanding.

 

In November 2010, Clopay Europe GMBH (“Clopay Europe”) entered into a €10,000 revolving credit facility and a €20,000 term loan. The term loan was paid off in December 2013 and the revolver had borrowings of $11,013 at December 31, 2013. The revolving facility matures in November 2014, but is renewable upon mutual agreement with the bank. The revolving credit facility accrues interest at EURIBOR plus 2.45% per annum. Clopay Europe is required to maintain a certain minimum equity to assets ratio and keep leverage below a certain level, defined as the ratio of total debt to EBITDA.

 

Clopay do Brazil maintains lines of credit of approximately $5,500. Interest on borrowings accrues at a rate of Brazilian CDI plus 6.0% (15.77% at December 31, 2013). At December 31, 2013 there was approximately $3,378 borrowed under the lines. Clopay Plastic Products Co., Inc. guarantees the loan and lines.

 

In November 2012, Garant G.P. (“Garant”) entered into a CAD $15,000 revolving credit facility. The facility accrues interest at LIBOR (USD) or the Bankers Acceptance Rate (CDN) plus 1.3% per annum (1.47% LIBOR USD and 2.45% Bankers Acceptance Rate CDN as of December 31, 2013). The revolving facility matures in November 2015. Garant is required to maintain a certain minimum equity. At December 31, 2013, there were no borrowings under the revolving credit facility with CAD $15,000 available.

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In December 2013, Northcote Holdings Pty. Ltd entered into an AUD $12,500 term loan. The term loan is unsecured, requires quarterly interest payments and principal is due at maturity (December 2016). The loan accrues interest at Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate “BBSY” plus 2.8% per annum (5.42% at December 31, 2013). The Loan is guaranteed by Griffon Corporation and had an outstanding balance of $11,091 at December 31, 2013.

 

At December 31, 2013, Griffon and its subsidiaries were in compliance with the terms and covenants of its credit and loan agreements.

 

During the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, Griffon used cash for discontinued operations of $299 and $463, respectively, primarily related to settling remaining Installation Services liabilities and environmental costs.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The preparation of Griffon’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the use of estimates, assumptions, judgments and subjective interpretations of accounting principles that have an impact on assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates can also affect supplemental information contained in public disclosures of Griffon, including information regarding contingencies, risk and its financial condition. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are evaluated on an ongoing basis and based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions, and form the basis for estimating the carrying values of assets and liabilities, as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment for commitments and contingencies. Actual results may materially differ from these estimates. There have been no changes in Griffon’s critical accounting policies from September 30, 2013.

 

Griffon’s significant accounting policies and procedures are explained in the Management Discussion and Analysis section in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013. In the selection of the critical accounting policies, the objective is to properly reflect the financial position and results of operations for each reporting period in a consistent manner that can be understood by the reader of the financial statements. Griffon considers an estimate to be critical if it is subjective and if changes in the estimate using different assumptions would result in a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of Griffon.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issues, from time to time, new financial accounting standards, staff positions and emerging issues task force consensus. See the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of these matters.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, especially “Management’s Discussion and Analysis”, contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements relate to, among other things, income, earnings, cash flows, revenue, changes in operations, operating improvements, industries in which Griffon Corporation (the “Company” or “Griffon”) operates and the United States and global economies. Statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” and may be indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “supports,” “plans,” “projects,” “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “hope,” “forecast,” “management is of the opinion,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “explores,” “opportunities,” the negative of these expressions, use of the future tense and similar words or phrases. Such forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: current economic conditions and uncertainties in the housing, credit and capital markets; Griffon’s ability to achieve expected savings from cost control, integration and disposal initiatives; the ability to identify and successfully consummate and integrate value-adding acquisition opportunities; increasing competition and pricing pressures in the markets served by Griffon’s operating companies; the ability of Griffon’s operating companies to expand into new geographic and product markets and to anticipate and meet customer demands for new products and product enhancements and innovations; reduced military spending by the government on projects for which Griffon’s Telephonics Corporation supplies products, including as a result of sequestration at such time as the budgetary cuts mandated by sequestration begin to take effect; the ability of the federal government to fund and conduct its operations; increases in the cost of raw materials such as resin and steel; changes in customer demand or loss of a material customer at one of Griffon’s operating companies; the potential impact of seasonal variations and uncertain weather patterns on certain of Griffon’s businesses; political events that could impact the worldwide economy; a downgrade in Griffon’s credit ratings; changes in international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange fluctuations; the reliance by certain of Griffon’s businesses on particular third party suppliers and manufacturers to meet customer demands; the relative mix of products and services offered by Griffon’s businesses, which impacts margins and operating efficiencies; short-term capacity constraints or prolonged excess capacity; unforeseen developments in contingencies, such as litigation; unfavorable results of government agency contract audits of Telephonics Corporation; Griffon’s ability to adequately protect and maintain the validity of patent and other intellectual property rights; the cyclical nature of the businesses of certain of Griffon’s operating companies; and possible terrorist threats and actions and their impact on the global economy. Additional important factors that could cause the statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or the actual results of operations or financial condition of Griffon to differ are discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Special Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Griffon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Griffon undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

Griffon’s business’ activities necessitates the management of various financial and market risks, including those related to changes in interest rates, foreign currency rates and commodity prices.

 

Interest Rates

 

Griffon’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to variable interest rate debt and investments in cash and equivalents.

 

The revolving credit facility and certain other of Griffon’s credit facilities have a LIBOR-based variable interest rate. Due to the current and expected level of borrowings under these facilities, a 100 basis point change in LIBOR would not have a material impact on Griffon’s results of operations or liquidity.

 

Foreign Exchange

 

Griffon conducts business in various non-U.S. countries, primarily in Canada, Germany, Brazil, United Kingdom, Turkey, China, Sweden, Australia and Mexico; therefore, changes in the value of the currencies of these countries affect the financial position and cash flows when translated into U.S. Dollars. Griffon has generally accepted the exposure to exchange rate movements relative to its non-U.S. operations. Griffon may, from time to time, hedge its currency risk exposures. A change of 10% or less in the value of all applicable foreign currencies would not have a material effect on Griffon’s financial position and cash flows.

 

Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of Griffon’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Griffon’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), were evaluated as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, Griffon’s CEO and CFO concluded that Griffon’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

During the period covered by this report, there were no changes in Griffon’s internal control over financial reporting which materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Griffon’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

 

Griffon believes that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all controls issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. Griffon’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1 Legal Proceedings
 

None

   
Item 1A Risk Factors
   
 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A to Part I in Griffon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013, which could materially affect Griffon’s business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in Griffon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing Griffon. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to Griffon or that Griffon currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect Griffon’s business, financial condition and/or operating results.

   
Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
  (c)

 

     ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES     
  Period  (a) Total Number
 of Shares (or
 Units) Purchased
    (b) Average Price
 Paid Per Share (or
Unit)
   (c) Total Number of
 Shares (or Units)
 Purchased as Part of
 Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (1)
   (d) Maximum Number
(or Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares (or
Units) That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
 
  October 1 - 31, 2013   65,700    $12.52    65,700      
  November 1 - 30, 2013   254,061 (2)    13.11          
  December 1 - 31, 2013   4,478,395 (2)(3)    11.39          
  Total   4,798,156    $11.50    65,700   $11,204 (1)

 

  1. On August 2, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $50,000 of Griffon common stock; as of December 31, 2013, $11,204 remained available for the purchase of Griffon common stock under this program.
  2. Includes 288,012 shares acquired by the Company from holders of restricted stock upon vesting of the restricted stock, to satisfy tax-withholding obligations of the holders.
  3. On December 10, 2013, Griffon repurchased 4,444,444 shares of its common stock for $50,000 from GS Direct, L.L.C. (“GS Direct”), an affiliate of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., in a private transaction, exclusive of the Company’s current $50,000 authorized share repurchase program.
     
  Griffon’s revolving credit facility, as well as the indenture governing Griffon’s 7.125% Senior Notes due 2018, each contain limitations regarding the making of restricted payments (which include cash dividends and share repurchases).

 

Item 3

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

  None
   
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures
  Not applicable
33
Item 5 Other Information
 

 

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

Griffon Corporation Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan

 

On January 30, 2014, the stockholders of Griffon Corporation (“Griffon”) approved an amendment and restatement of the Griffon Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”) at the annual meeting of stockholders. Any employee or non-employee director of, or consultant to, Griffon and its subsidiaries is eligible to participate in the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of Griffon’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The Committee may award restricted stock and restricted stock units and establish the applicable restrictions. The Committee may award stock options in the form of nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options, or stock appreciation rights, each with a maximum term of ten years. In addition, the Committee may grant performance awards, deferred stock and other stock-based awards, with performance awards payable to, or exercisable by, the participant upon the achievement of performance goals during performance periods. The maximum number of shares as to which stock options and stock awards may be granted under the Incentive Plan was originally 3,000,000; this number was increased by 1,200,000 shares pursuant to the amended and restated Incentive Plan. The maximum number of shares that may be awarded to a participant in any fiscal year shall not exceed 2,000,000 with respect to options or 1,000,000 with respect to any award other than an option award.  If any award is forfeited, terminates or expires unexercised, the shares of common stock subject to such award will again be available for future grant.

 

This summary description of the Incentive Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to (i) the description of the Incentive Plan included in Griffon’s Proxy Statement relating to its 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 20, 2013 (the “Proxy Statement”), and (ii) the actual Incentive Plan, a form of which was included as Exhibit A to the Proxy Statement, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Director Compensatory Arrangements

 

On January 30, 2014, Victor Eugene Renuart was elected to serve on Griffon’s Board of Directors, and entered into a customary indemnification agreement with Griffin which provides that Griffon will indemnify Mr. Renuart to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and which includes provisions relating to the advancement of expenses incurred by or on behalf of Mr. Renuart. This indemnification agreement is in the same form as the indemnification agreement entered into between Griffon and each of its directors and executive officers; the form of the indemnification agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

 

Mr. Renuart will receive compensation for his services pursuant to our director compensation program. This program is described in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Directors’ Compensation,” and is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Pursuant to our director compensation program, Mr. Renuart received a grant of 3,333 restricted shares of Griffon common stock at the time of his election to the Board, which grant vests at the rate of one-third a year for three years.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

On January 30, 2014, Griffon Corporation (“Griffon”) held its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Of the 59,313,049 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, 56,647,007 shares, or 95.5%, were represented at the meeting in person or by proxy, and therefore a quorum was present. The final results for each of the matters submitted to a vote of stockholders at the Annual Meeting are as follows:

 

Item No. 1: All of the Board’s nominees for Class I directors were elected to serve until Griffon’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, by the votes set forth below:

 

  Nominee For Withheld Broker Non-Votes
         
  Robert G. Harrison 48,340,608 6,162,242 2,144,157
  Ronald J. Kramer 52,962,218 1,540,632 2,144,157
  Victor Eugene Renuart 53,271,461 1,231,389 2,144,157
  Martin S. Sussman 52,706,165 1,796,685 2,144,157

 

Item No. 2: The stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in Griffon’s proxy statement, by the votes set forth below:

 

  For Against Abstain Broker Non-votes  
  38,407,917 7,432,610 8,662,319 2,144,161  

 

Item No. 3: The stockholders approved the Griffon Corporation amended and restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, by the votes set forth below:

 

  For Against Abstain Broker Non-votes  
  49,921,198 3,351,435 1,230,214 2,144,160  

 

Item No. 4: The stockholders ratified the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as Griffon’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2014, by the votes set forth below:

 

  For Against Abstain  
  56,069,398 419,518 158,091  

Item 6 Exhibits

 

10.1 Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement made as of December 12, 2013 by and between Griffon Corporation and Ronald J. Kramer.
   
31.1 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32 Certifications 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 Document*
   

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Document*

   
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Document*
   
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Document*
   
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentations Document*
   
* In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall be deemed to be “furnished” and not “filed”.
34

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  GRIFFON CORPORATION  
     
  /s/ Douglas J. Wetmore  
  Douglas J. Wetmore  
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  
  (Principal Financial Officer)  
     
  /s/ Brian G. Harris  
  Brian G. Harris  
  Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer  
  (Principal Accounting Officer)  

 

Date: January 31, 2014

35

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

10.1 Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement made as of December 12, 2013 by and between Griffon Corporation and Ronald J. Kramer.
   
31.1 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32 Certifications 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 Document*
   
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Document*
   
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Document*
   
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Document*
   
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentations Document*
   
* In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall be deemed to be “furnished” and not “filed”.
36