UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

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

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarter ended March 31, 2003
Commission file number 1-4416

 

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

PENNSYLVANIA
(State of incorporation)

Two Pitcairn Place, Suite 200

23-1116110
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

165 Township Line Road
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

19046
(Zip Code)

(215) 517-2000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes X No ___

The number of shares of Registrant's Common Stock outstanding on May 7, 2003 was 12,907,425.

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SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

Part I. Financial Information

 Page

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

         Statements of Consolidated Operations -
         Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
         and 2002 (Unaudited)



    3

         Consolidated Balance Sheets -
         March 31, 2003 (Unaudited) and December 31,
         2002


  4-5

         Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows -
         Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002
         (Unaudited)



    6

         Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income -
         Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
         and 2002 (Unaudited)



    7

         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
         Statements (Unaudited)

 8-15

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


16-23

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
         Market Risk


   24

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

   25

Part II. Other Information

 

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   27

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Page 2

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(Unaudited-Thousands of dollars, except share data)

 

 

    Three Months Ended
          March 31,     

 

     2003     

      2002  

Net sales

   $212,617

   $208,053

Cost of goods sold

    176,102

    172,654 

Gross profit

     36,515

     35,399

Selling, general and
administrative expense


     25,031


     26,564

Operating earnings

     11,484

      8,835

Other income (expense):

   

Interest income

        298

        220

Interest expense

     (4,078)

     (4,612)

Other, net

       (284)

       (153)

 

     (4,064)

     (4,545)

Earnings before income taxes

      7,420

      4,290 

Provision for income taxes

      2,410

      1,200

Net earnings

   $  5,010


   $  3,090


Earnings per common share:

   

Basic

   $   0.39


   $   0.24


Diluted

   $   0.38


   $   0.23


 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Page 3

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited - Thousands of dollars)

 

   March 31,

 December 31,

 

     2003    

     2002    

Assets

   

Current assets

   

 Cash and cash equivalents

 $  63,834

 $  75,982

 Accounts and notes receivable,
  less allowance for doubtful
  receivables of $4,858 (2002 -
  $5,143)




   134,638




   119,932

 Inventories

   164,482

   163,883

 Deferred income taxes

    21,382

    21,592

 Prepaid expenses and other

     8,218

     8,488

    Total current assets

   392,554

   389,877

Property, plant and equipment, net
 of accumulated depreciation of
 $184,921 (2002 - $184,751)



   213,905



   216,406

Goodwill

   210,503

   210,116

Other assets

    21,079

    22,216

    Total assets

 $ 838,041


 $ 838,615


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Page 4

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited - Thousands of dollars, except share data)

 

 

   March 31,

December 31,

 

     2003    

    2002    

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

   

Current liabilities

   

 Notes payable and current portion of
   long-term debt


$   12,244


$   11,518

 Accounts payable

    81,564

    82,028

 Accrued expenses

    62,395

    63,939

 Income taxes payable

     1,704

       558

   Total current liabilities

   157,907

   158,043

Deferred income taxes

    21,075

    20,237

Long-term debt

   210,643

   213,074

Retirement obligations and other
  long-term liabilities


    99,008


   100,327

Commitments and contingencies (note 9)

   

Shareholders' equity

   

 Preferred stock, par value $1 per share,
   authorized 400,000 shares, issued none

   

 Common stock, par value $0.50 per share,
   authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued
   14,487,578 shares (14,483,352 shares
   in 2002)




     7,244




     7,242

 Additional paid-in capital

   127,937

   127,901

 Common stock in treasury, at cost,
   1,580,153 shares (1,469,753 shares
   in 2002)



   (32,795)



   (30,331)

 Retained earnings

   306,220

   301,210

 Accumulated other comprehensive income
   (loss)

   

  Minimum pension liability

   (43,503)

   (43,833)

  Cumulative translation adjustments

   (13,516)

   (13,081)

  Fair value of derivative adjustments

    (2,179)

    (2,174)

    Total shareholders' equity

   349,408

   346,934

      Total liabilities and
       shareholders' equity


$  838,041



$  838,615


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Page 5

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited-Thousands of dollars)

 


   Three Months Ended

 

        March 31,     
   2003        2002   

Net cash provided by (used in) operating
 activities (including depreciation and
 amortization of $8,088 in 2003 and $7,619
 in 2002)




$ (2,263)




$  2,542

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing
 activities

   

  Additions to property, plant and equipment

  (5,634)

 (10,162)

  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and
   equipment


       7


     684

  Acquisition of business

  (1,700)

      - 

  Proceeds from sale of business

   1,850

      - 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (5,477)

  (9,478)

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing
 activities

   

  Proceeds from borrowings

  29,642

   4,205

  Reduction of borrowings

 (31,404)

  (8,784)

  Proceeds from exercise of stock options

       2

      - 

  Purchases of treasury stock

  (2,464)

      - 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing
 activities


  (4,224)


  (4,579
)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    (184)

     (14)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents


 (12,148)


 (11,529)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
 period


  75,982


  59,948

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 63,834


$ 48,419


Significant noncash investing and financing
 activities:

   

  Acquisition of treasury shares for stock
   options exercised


$   -


$    933

 
 
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Page 6

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited - Thousands of dollars)

 

 

      Three Months Ended

         March 31,         
     2003          2002    

Net earnings

  $ 5,010

  $ 3,090

Other comprehensive income
 (expense), net of tax:

   

  Changes in minimum pension
   liability


      330


     -

  Foreign currency
   translation adjustments


     (435)


     (535)

  Changes in fair values of
   derivatives


       (5)


      318

Total comprehensive income

  $ 4,900


  $ 2,873


 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Page 7

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited-Thousands of dollars, except share data)

1. Financial Statements

     In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position as of March 31, 2003 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. The December 31, 2002 balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The accompanying financial statements contain only normal recurring adjustments. All financial information has been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles reflected in the financial statements included in the 2002 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K applied on a consistent basis except as disclosed in Note 3.

2. Stock-Based Compensation

     The Company has a stock-based compensation plan. The Company accounts for the plan under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as the exercise price of all options granted under the plan is equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had elected to recognize compensation expense based on the fair value of the options granted at grant date as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation".

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Page 8

 

Three months ended      March 31,    

 

2003

2002

 

Net income, as reported

$ 5,010

$ 3,090

 

  Deduct:
     Total stock-based
      compensation expense
      determined under fair
      value based method for
      all awards, net of related
      tax effects







   (459
)







   (481
)

 

Pro forma net income

$ 4,551


$ 2,609


 

Earnings per share:

     

     Basic - as reported

$  0.39


$  0.24


 

     Basic - pro forma

$  0.35


$  0.20


 

     Diluted - as reported

$  0.38


$  0.23


 

     Diluted - pro forma

$  0.35


$  0.20


 

3. Change in Accounting Policies

     Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." This statement requires that obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the related asset retirement costs be recognized when they are incurred and displayed as liabilities. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

4. Restructure of Operations

     In 2002, the Company announced plans to eliminate, consolidate and restructure certain manufacturing and distribution locations. The Statement of Consolidated Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2002 included charges for restructurings and impairments of $900 ($690 or $0.05 per share on an after-tax basis). The Statement of Consolidated Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2002 included charges that total $16,000 ($11,216 or $0.85 per share on an after-tax basis) for restructurings and impairments, related inventory write downs and costs to mark to market two interest rate swaps that became ineffective as a result of lower debt levels. As of March 31, 2003, employment has been reduced by approximately 270 people due to the 2002 restructuring plans. Remaining actions related to the Company's 2002 restructure plans include the payment of severance benefits, the closure of one manufacturing plant in England and transfer of that plant's equipment to another facility. These remaining actions are expected to be substantially completed in the second quarter of 2003. As of March 31, 2003, the Company also has a liability for the payment of severance benefits to separated employees related to its 2001 restructure plans.

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Page 9

     The following table summarizes the 2003 activity related to the Company's restructuring plans and the balances in the accrued restructure account:

 

 

  Accrual
December 31,     2002    


2003
Incurred

 Accrual
March 31,
  2003   

2002 Restructure Plan:

     

  Employee separations

 $1,656

 $  979

 $  677

  Other costs

     80

      3

     77

 

  1,736

    982

    754

2001 Restructure Plan:

     

  Employee separations

    151

    109

     42

 

 $1,887


 $1,091


 $  796


 

     In addition, the Company has incurred certain restructure related costs that were charged to the Statement of Consolidated Operations as incurred. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, the Company expensed $723 ($506 or $0.04 per share on an after-tax basis) of costs related to the restructure plan that were charged to the Statement of Consolidated Operations as incurred. These costs included $355 for losses during the wind-down period for facilities that were closed, $242 of costs to relocate equipment and $126 of costs to start up production at plants where products have been transferred. For the three months ended March 31, 2002, the Company expensed $1,354 ($884 or $0.07 per share on an after-tax basis) of costs related to the restructure plan that were charged to the Statement of Consolidated Operations as incurred. These costs included $1,209 for losses during the wind-down period for plants that were closed, $81 for costs to relocate equipment and $64 for costs to start up production at plants where products have been transferred.

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Page 10

5. Business Acquisitions

     All acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method. The results of operations of the acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition.

     On February 21, 2003, the Company acquired the remaining 40 percent of outstanding stock of JADE Magnetics Limited (JADE) based in Shenzhen City, China for $1,700. JADE is a manufacturer of magnetic assemblies for reprographic applications. The goodwill acquired of $690 was assigned to the Magnetic Products segment and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Prior to and after this acquisition, the Company had a controlling financial interest in JADE; therefore, JADE's results of operations are included in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

6. Inventories

 

   March 31,
     2003   

   December 31,
       2002    

Finished goods

  $ 71,518

    $ 71,388

Work-in-process

    56,611

      54,485

Raw materials and supplies

    29,264

      31,157

Tools

     7,089

       6,853

 

  $164,482


    $163,883


7. Goodwill

     The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2003, are as follows:

 

Aerospace
Fasteners and Components

Engineered
Fasteners and Components

Specialty
Materials and Alloys



Magnetic Products




Total

Balance as
 of January
 1, 2003



$ 88,119



$ 77,658



$ 17,115



$ 27,224



$210,116

Goodwill
 acquired

     


     690


     690

Foreign
 currency
 translation
 adjustments




    (348)




      45




    -   




    -   




    (303)

Balance as
 of March
 31, 2003



$ 87,771




$ 77,703




$ 17,115




$ 27,914




$210,503


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Page 11

8. Intangible Assets

Identifiable intangible assets are recorded in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and comprise the following:

 

      March 31,
        2003   

   December 31,
       2002    

Gross carrying amount
 of amortized
 intangible assets:

   

   Patents

       $1,850

     $1,850

   Customer contracts

        1,300

      1,300

 

       $3,150


     $3,150


Accumulated  amortization
 of amortized intangible
 assets:

   

   Patents

       $  343

     $  305

   Customer contracts

          632

        537

 

       $  975


     $  842


     Aggregate amortization expense incurred was $133 and $146 for thethree months ended march 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The estimated amortization expense amounts are as follows: $537, $537, $155, $155 and $155 in 2003 through 2007, respectively.

9. Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental

     The Company has been identified as a potentially responsible party by various federal and state authorities for clean up or removal of waste from various disposal sites. At March 31, 2003, the accrued liability for environmental remediation represents management's best estimate of the undiscounted costs related to environmental remediation which are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company has not included any insurance recovery in the accrued environmental liability. The measurement of the liability is evaluated quarterly based on currently available information. Management believes the overall costs of environmental remediation will be incurred over an extended period of time. As the scope of the Company's environmental liability becomes more clearly defined, it is possible that additional reserves may be necessary. Accordingly, it is possible that the Company's results of operations in future quarterly or annual periods could be materially affected. Management does not anticipate that its consolidated financial condition will be materially affected by environmental remediation costs in excess of amounts accrued.

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Page 12

Litigation

     The Company is involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including commercial, environmental and employment matters, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of these matters cannot be determined, it is management's opinion that the final resolution will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     On April 29, 2002, in the case of Brookover v. Flexmag Industries, Inc., an Ohio Appeals Court affirmed a trial court judgment against one of the Company's subsidiaries, resulting from a workplace injury claim in 1997. As a result, the Company recorded a pretax charge against first quarter 2002 earnings of $2,820 ($1,720 after tax or $0.13 per share). On June 17, 2002 the Company settled its portion of the claim for $2,150 ($1,328 after tax or $0.10 per share) resulting in a benefit to second quarter 2002 earnings of $670 ($392 after tax or $0.03 per share).

Leases

     In 2001, the company sold machinery and equipment with a book value of $15,166 for $20,000 and leased the equipment back under a five year operating lease. The gain on the transaction was deferred and is being amortized over the lease term. If the lease is terminated and the Company chooses to retain the equipment, the Company must pay the purchase option price. If the lease is terminated and the lessor disposes of the equipment, then the Company must pay any shortfall of the sales proceeds up to the residual value guarantee to the lessor. The purchase option price and minimum residual value guarantee related to this lease are $8,000 and $2,000 respectively.

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Page 13

10. Per Share Data

      Basic earnings per common share is calculated using the average shares of common stock outstanding, while diluted earnings per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options were exercised. Earnings per share are computed as follows:

 

       Three Months Ended
           March 31,       

 

    2003  

    2002   

Net earnings

$    5,010


$    3,090


Average shares of common stock
 outstanding used to compute
 basic earnings per common
 share




12,976,187




13,121,489

Additional common shares to be
 issued assuming exercise of
 stock options, net of shares
 assumed reacquired




    57,240




   115,053

Shares used to compute dilutive
 effect of stock options


13,033,427



13,236,542


Basic earnings  per common
 share


$     0.39



$     0.24


Diluted earnings per common
 share


$     0.38



$     0.23


     Options to purchase 950,719 shares of common stock at a weighted-average price of $37.44 per share were outstanding during 2003 but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2003 because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. These options expire on various dates between January 2, 2006 and February 15, 2012.

     Options to purchase 524,288 shares of common stock at a weighted-average price of $41.69 per share were outstanding during 2002 but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2002 because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. These options expire on various dates between December 17, 2007 and July 31, 2011.

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Page 14

11.  Segment Information

     The Company has four reportable segments: Aerospace Fasteners and Components, Engineered Fasteners and Components, Specialty Materials and Alloys and Magnetic Products. The Aerospace Fasteners and Components segment consists of business units which produce precision fasteners, fastening systems and structural and other metal components used in critical applications for the aerospace market. The Engineered Fasteners and Components segment consists of business units which produce precision fasteners, fastening systems and other metal components and consumable tools for critical applications in the automotive and industrial machinery markets. The Specialty Materials and Alloys segment produces specialty metals, superalloys and wax blends for aerospace, industrial gas turbine, medical and other general industrial applications. The Magnetic Products segment produces magnetic materials and products used in automotive, telecommunications, aerospace, reprographic, computer and advertising specialty applications.

 

   Three Months Ended
       March 31,      

 

   2003   

   2002  

Net sales:

   

 Aerospace Fasteners and Components

$ 77,383

$ 77,216

 Engineered Fasteners and Components

  77,386

  69,714

 Specialty Materials and Alloys

  31,408

  33,156

 Magnetic Products

  26,440

  27,967

 Total net sales

$212,617


$208,053


Operating earnings(loss):

   

 Aerospace Fasteners and Components

$  5,797

$  6,678 

 Engineered Fasteners and Components

   3,495

   2,429

 Specialty Materials and Alloys

   3,456

   4,164

 Magnetic Products

   2,006

  (1,326)

 Unallocated Corporate Costs

  (3,270)

  (3,110)

Total operating earnings

$ 11,484


$  8,835


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Page 15

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

Introduction

     The Company's sales and operating earnings increased compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase in sales was driven by higher sales of products to the heavy truck, mining and construction markets by the Engineered Fasteners and Component segment. In 2003, the Company also continued to execute the remaining steps of its restructuring plans announced in 2002. Earnings in 2002 were negatively impacted by a charge related to a trial court judgment against the Company, which adversely affected the operating earnings of the Magnetic Products segment.

Net Sales and Orders

     Net sales for the first quarter of 2003 were $212.6 million, an increase of $4.6 million, or 2.2 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 and $11.1 million, or 5.5 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002. Incoming orders for the first quarter of 2003 were $227.0 million, an increase of $25.3 million, or 12.5 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 and an increase of $38.3 million, or 20.3 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002.

     The Company's Aerospace Fasteners and Components segment sales of $77.4 million were essentially unchanged from the first quarter of 2002 and increased by $2.1 million, or 2.8 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002. This segment's incoming orders were $81.5 million, an increase of $16.3 million, or 25.0 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 and $9.1 million, or 12.6 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002. These improvements are due primarily to the Company's structural component business in England which is benefiting more from improved production flow and market share gains than from any improvement in end market demand from the Company's commercial aerospace market. Current production schedules announced by commercial aircraft and jet engine manufacturers continue to indicate that the cyclical downturn in the commercial aerospace industry experienced in 2002 has continued into 2003. With fundamentals in the commercial aerospace markets remaining weak (decreased air travel miles and major airlines facing bankruptcy), the Company does not expect that the increase in orders reported in the first quarter of 2003 will be sustained throughout 2003.

     Specialty Materials and Alloys segment sales of $31.4 million decreased $1.7 million, or 5.3 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 but increased $3.1 million, or 11.0 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002. This segment's incoming orders were $39.5 million, an increase of $7.0 million, or 21.4 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 and an increase of $15.0 million, or 61.1 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002. The reduction in sales from the first quarter of 2002 reflect the continuation of lower build rates for aerospace and industrial gas turbine engines experienced in 2002. The increase in orders is a result of market share gains in the automotive turbocharger end market and to orders from Rolls Royce in support of its aerospace engine programs. While the Company does not expect the first quarter's incoming order rate to be sustained throughout 2003, the increase in orders received in the first quarter of 2003 should result in improved sales for this segment in 2003 compared to the annualized rate for the last six months of 2002.

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Page 16

     The Company's Engineered Fasteners and Components segment sales of $77.4 million increased $7.7 million, or 11.0 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 and $5.9 million, or 8.2 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002. This segment's incoming orders were $79.6 million, an increase of $5.1 million, or 6.8 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 and an increase of $13.8 million, or 21.0 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002. The increase in sales and orders is primarily the result of strengthening demand for products sold to the heavy truck, mining and construction markets in North America. In addition, the Company's Brazilian operation continues to gain market share in Brazil while increasing its level of export sales. The Unbrako fastener and precision tool businesses that serve the industrial markets are included in this segment. Sales and orders for these units remained level or showed small improvements compared to the periods in 2002 noted above.

     Magnetic Products segment sales of $26.4 million decreased $1.5 million, or 5.5 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 but remained level with the fourth quarter of 2002. This segment's incoming orders were $26.3 million, a decrease of $3.1 million, or 10.6 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002 but an increase of $0.3 million, or 1.3 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002. The decreases compared to the first quarter of 2002 are primarily due to the sale of the National-Arnold Magnetics business in the first quarter of 2003 (which had 2002 annual revenues of approximately $5.4 million) and lower sales of bonded magnetic products.

Operating Earnings

     Operating earnings of the Company increased from $8.8 million, or 4.2 percent of sales, for the first quarter of 2002 to $11.5 million, or 5.4 percent of sales for the first quarter of 2003. In the first quarter of 2002, the Company recognized a charge for legal judgments of $2.8 million, or 1.4 percent of sales. Additional information on the related litigation is provided below in the section entitled "Litigation". Operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $10.1 million, or 5.0 percent of sales. The increase in operating earnings from the fourth quarter of 2002 is attributed primarily to improved results of the Magnetic Products Segment. In connection with the restructure plans announced in 2002 and 2001, the Company has incurred charges to eliminate, consolidate and restructure certain operations. Charges for wind down losses of plants closed and other restructure related costs have continued into 2003. Additional information on the expenses related to the Company's restructuring actions in total and by segment is provided below in the section entitled "Summary of the Restructure Actions".

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     Operating earnings of the Aerospace Fasteners and Components segment decreased from $6.7 million, or 8.6 percent of sales, for the first quarter of 2002 to $5.8 million, or 7.5 percent of sales, for the first quarter of 2003. Despite sales that were essentially unchanged from the prior period, a shift in mix towards lower margin structural component products combined with operating losses at the Company's manufacturing operation in France, resulted in lower operating earnings and reduced margins in this segment. This segment was also negatively impacted by production inefficiencies related to the production of new parts awarded as a result of market share increases. The Company also incurred start up costs related to a new subsidiary, Avibank Services LLC, which commenced operations in the first quarter of 2003. During the remaining months of 2003, the Company expects to implement changes to the manufacturing operation in France and realize improved efficiencies as it gains production experience with the new products obtained.

     Operating earnings of the Specialty Materials and Alloys segment decreased from $4.2 million, or 12.6 percent of sales, for the first quarter 2002 to $3.5 million, or 11.0 percent of sales, for the first quarter of 2003. The decrease in earnings is due primarily to the lower sales of higher margin proprietary alloys.

     Operating earnings of the Engineered Fasteners and Components segment increased from $2.4 million, or 3.5 percent of sales, for the first quarter of 2002, to $3.5 million, or 4.5 percent of sales, for the first quarter of 2003. Operating earnings in the fourth quarter of 2002 were $2.7 million, or 3.8 percent of sales. Higher earnings are due primarily to the increase in sales of products discussed above. Reductions in excess operating costs (such as premium freight and outside inspection expenses) that adversely affected 2002 operating results along with the implementation of cost reduction initiatives also contributed to the increase in operating profit and margins.

     Operating earnings of the Magnetic Products segment improved from a loss of $1.3 million, or 4.7 percent of sales, for the first quarter of 2002 to a profit of $2.0 million, or 7.6 percent of sales, for the first quarter of 2003. In the first quarter of 2002, operating earnings of the Magnetic Products segment were adversely affected by the $2.8 million charge for a trial court judgment against the Company. Additional information on the related litigation is provided below in the section entitled "Litigation". The 2002 legal judgment charge accounted for $2.8 million of the $3.3 million total increase in the first quarter 2003 operating earnings of this segment compared to the first quarter of 2002. Despite lower sales in this segment, both operating earnings and margins improved. This segment has been subject to declining sales and intense price competition. Part of the Company's strategy to reduce costs is to increase the level of manufacturing activity in Asia. The Company currently has two plants in operation in China. Sales of products manufactured in China were $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2003, an increase of $2.0 million, or 69.8 percent, from the first quarter of 2002 and consistent with levels recorded in the fourth quarter of 2002.

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Summary of the Restructure Actions

     As discussed in note 4 to the financial statements, the Company announced plans in 2002 and 2001 to eliminate, consolidate and restructure certain manufacturing and distribution operations. These restructuring plans were implemented to provide a meaningful reduction in the cost structure of the Company in response to an anticipated decline in the Company's revenues. The Company's annual revenues decreased by $87.8 million in 2002 compared to 2001. The Company implemented actions to reduce overhead by closing certain stand-alone facilities, transferring production to shared facilities and reducing the headcount at retained facilities. As of December 31, 2002, total employment had been reduced by approximately 1,000 people due to these actions. In the first three months of 2003, total employment has been reduced by an additional 70 people due to these actions. Remaining actions related to the Company's 2002 restructure plan include the payment of severance benefits, the closure of one manufacturing plant in England and transfer of that plant's equipment to another facility. These remaining actions are expected to be substantially completed in the second quarter of 2003. As of March 31, 2003 the Company also has a liability for the payment of severance benefits to separated employees related to its 2001 restructure plan.

     The following table summarizes the 2003 activity related to the Company's restructuring plans and the balances in the accrued restructure account:


(In thousands)

  Accrual
December 31,     2002    


2003
Incurred

 Accrual
March 31,   2003   

2002 Restructure Plan:

     

  Employee separations

 $ 1,656

$   979

 $  677

  Other costs

      80

      3

     77

 

   1,736

    982

    754

2001 Restructure Plan:

     

  Employee separations

     151

    109

     42

 

 $ 1,887


$ 1,091


 $  796


 

     In addition, the Company has expensed certain restructure related costs that were charged to the Statement of Consolidated Operations as incurred. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, the Company expensed $0.7 million ($0.5 million or $0.04 per share on an after-tax basis) of costs related to the restructure plan that were charged to the Statement of Consolidated Operations as incurred. These costs included $0.4 million for losses during the wind-down period for facilities that were closed, $0.2 million of costs to relocate equipment and $0.1 million of costs to start up production at plants where products have been transferred. For the three months ended March 31, 2002, the Company expensed $1.4 million ($0.9 million or $0.07 per share on an after-tax basis) of costs related to the restructure plan that were charged to the Statement of Consolidated Operations as incurred. These costs included $1.2 million for losses during the wind-down period for plants that were closed, $0.1 million for costs to relocate equipment and $0.1 million for costs to start up production at plants where products have been transferred.

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     The expenses related to the Company's restructuring actions included in operating earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 and for the three months ended December 31, 2002 by segment are as follows:


(In thousands)

   Three Months Ended
        March 31,      

Three Months Ended
    December 31,   

 

  2003  

    2002  

       2002  

Aerospace Fasteners and
 Components


$   -


$   706


      $   952

Engineered Fasteners and
 Components


   639


    422


            2

Specialty Materials and
 Alloys


    -  


     -  


          -  

Magnetic Products

    84

    226

          449

Unallocated Corporate Costs


    - 
 


     -  


           (4)

Total charges and
 wind-down losses


$  723



$ 1,354



      $ 1,399


 

Litigation

     The Company is involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including commercial, environmental and employment matters, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of these matters cannot be determined, it is management's opinion that the final resolution will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     On April 29, 2002, in the case of Brookover v. Flexmag Industries, Inc., an Ohio Appeals Court affirmed a trial court judgment against one of the Company's subsidiaries, resulting from a workplace injury claim at a magnetic products manufacturing plant in 1997. As a result, the Company recorded a pretax charge against first quarter 2002 earnings of $2.8 million ($1.7 million after tax or $0.13 per share). On June 17, 2002 the Company settled its portion of the claim for $2.15 million ($1.3 million after tax or $0.10 per share) resulting in a benefit to second quarter 2002 earnings of $0.7 million ($0.4 million after tax or $0.03 per share).

Other Income and Expense

     Due to lower levels of debt, interest expense decreased from $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2002 to $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003.

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Income Taxes

     The effective income tax rate increased from 28.0 percent of profit before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2002 to 32.5 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The increase in the effective income tax rate is due primarily to the federal and state income tax benefit of the 2002 charge for the legal judgment noted above. The 2002 legal settlement noted above decreased the 2002 effective income tax rate by approximately 4.3 percent of profit before income taxes.

Backlog

     The backlog of orders, which represents firm orders with delivery scheduled within 12 months, was $292.7 million at March 31, 2003, compared to $290.4 million at March 31, 2002 and $279.2 million at December 31, 2002.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Management considers liquidity to be cash and the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its needs and capital resources to be the sources from which such cash can be obtained. The Company believes that capital resources available to it will be sufficient to meet the needs of its business, both on a short-term and long-term basis. The Company's principal sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flows from operations, management of working capital and borrowings under existing credit facilities. Cash flows from operations are impacted by changes in demand for the Company's products. Economic downturns, product and price competition and customer satisfaction and qualification issues all affect demand for the Company's products. Changes in the Company's ratio of debt to total capitalization could result in an increase in the cost to borrow funds under the Bank Credit Agreement as described in note 13 to the financial statements included in the 2002 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K. The cost and terms of any future financing arrangements will depend on market conditions and the Company's financial position at the time that such facilities are put into place.

     Cash provided or used by operating activities, investing activities and financing activities is summarized in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, net cash used by operating activities was $2.3 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2002. The decrease of $4.8 million is due primarily to an increase in cash used to fund working capital ($9.0 million) net of higher earnings ($1.9 million) combined with higher add-backs for non-cash charges of depreciation and amortization ($.5 million) and deferred income taxes ($1.3 million).

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Page 21

     The decrease in cash used in investing activities is due primarily to a $4.5 million reduction in capital expenditures. The capital expenditures for the first three months of 2002 included approximately $3.5 million for the new furnace and building expansion project at Cannon-Muskegon. The Company has budgeted $30.5 million for capital expenditures for the full year of 2003, as reported on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Cash used in investing activities in 2003 included $1.7 million for the acquisition of the remaining 40 percent of capital stock of JADE Magnetics Limited. Cash provided by investing activities in 2003 included the $1.85 million of proceeds from the sale of the Company's National-Arnold Magnetics business unit in the first quarter of 2003.

     The Company's total cash and cash equivalents were $63.8 million at March 31, 2003 and $76.0 million at December 31, 2002. Total debt was $222.9 million at March 31, 2003 and $224.6 million at December 31, 2002. As of March 31, 2003, under the terms of its existing credit agreements, the Company is permitted to incur an additional $126.3 million in debt. The Company's total debt to equity ratio was 64 percent at March 31, 2003, compared to 65 percent at December 31, 2002. Cash used in financing activities in 2003 included the repurchase of 110,400 shares of the Company's common stock for $2.5 million.


Critical Accounting Policies/Estimates

     Critical accounting policies are those that involve subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates. The following areas all require the use of judgments and estimates: the valuation of deferred income taxes, environmental and litigation accruals, pension and postretirement benefits, inventories and goodwill and the cost of restructuring actions. Estimates in each of these areas are based on historical experience as well as assumptions that the Company believes are appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The company's accounting policies are discussed in more detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

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Forward-Looking Statements

     Certain statements in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain "forward-looking" information, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risk and uncertainty. Statements such as: the Company does not expect the increase in incoming orders in the Aerospace Fasteners and Components segment achieved in the first quarter of 2003 will be sustained throughout 2003, the Company does not expect the first quarter's incoming orders rate for the Specialty Materials and Alloys segment to be sustained throughout 2003, the first quarter of 2003 increase in incoming orders for the Specialty Materials and Alloys segment should result in improved sales for this segment in 2003 compared to the last six months of 2002, the Company expects to implement changes to the manufacturing operation in France and realize improved efficiencies as it gains production experience with the new products obtained during the remaining months of 2003, the remaining actions of the 2002 restructure plan are expected to be substantially completed in the second quarter of 2003 and capital resources available to the Company will be sufficient to meet the needs of its business on a short-term and long-term basis, are "forward-looking" statements contained in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Actual future results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, such as: the effects of competition on products and pricing, customer satisfaction and qualification issues, labor disputes, terrorist activities, worldwide political and economic stability, successful execution of the restructuring plan on a timely basis and changes in fiscal policies, laws and regulations on a national and international basis. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any forward-looking information to reflect anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of this document.

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Page 23

SPS Technologies, Inc and Subsidiaries

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     The Company's primary market risk exposures are foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risk. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affect the Company's results of operations and financial position. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company uses forward exchange contracts to minimize exposure and reduce risk from exchange rate fluctuations affecting the results of operations. Because the largest portion of the Company's foreign operations are in countries with relatively stable currencies, namely, England, Ireland and Canada, the foreign currency exchange rate risk to the Company's financial position is not significant. However, the Company has operations in Brazil, China and other foreign countries which increases its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. Fluctuations in interest rates primarily affect the Company's results of operations. Because a majority of the Company's debt is in fixed rate obligations (as disclosed in Note 13 to the financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002), the Company has effectively limited its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.

     A description of the Company's financial instruments is provided in Notes 1 and 21 to the financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Assuming an instantaneous 10 percent strengthening of the United States dollar versus foreign currencies and a 10 percent change in the interest rate on the Company's debt had all occurred on March 31, 2003, the Company's financial position would not have been materially affected. Assuming the United States dollar had been 10 percent stronger versus foreign currencies and that the interest rate on the Company's variable rate debt had been 10 percent higher in 2003, the Company's 2003 results of operations would not have been materially affected.

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Page 24

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 4. controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, within the 90 days prior to the date of this report, the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. In connection with the new rules, the Company is currently in the process of further reviewing and documenting disclosure controls and procedures, including internal controls and procedures for financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that the Company's systems evolve with its business.

(b) Changes in internal controls.

None.

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Page 25

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)     Exhibits
        None.

(b)     No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

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Page 26

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SIGNATURE

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.

 

 

 

                                   SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                                   (Registrant)

 

 

 

Date:  May 12, 2003               /s/William M. Shockley
                                   William M. Shockley
                                   Vice President,
                                   Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Mr. Shockley is signing on behalf of the registrant and as the Chief Financial Officer of the registrant.

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Page 27

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CERTIFICATION

     I, John S. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of SPS Technologies, Inc., certify that:

     1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SPS Technologies, Inc.;

     2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

     4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

          a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

          b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

          c) Presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

     5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

          a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

          b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

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Page 28

     6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 12, 2003                /s/ John S. Thompson
                                  John S. Thompson
                                  Chief Executive Officer, President
                                  and Director

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Page 29

SPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CERTIFICATION

     I, William M. Shockley, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SPS Technologies, Inc. certify that:

     1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SPS Technologies, Inc.;

     2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

     4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

          a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

          b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

          c) Presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

     5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

          a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

          b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

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Page 30

     6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

 

Date: May 12, 2003                /s/ William M. Shockley
                                  William M. Shockley
                                  Vice President and Chief Financial
                                  Officer

 

 

 

Page 31