Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


Mark One:

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2007

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from              to             

Commission File Number: 1-1657

 


CRANE CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   13-1952290

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT   06902
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 203-363-7300

(Not Applicable)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


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 a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non –accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of April 30, 2007

Common stock, $1.00 Par Value – 59,778,206 shares

 



Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Crane Co. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In Thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2007     2006  

Net sales

   $ 628,217     $ 549,383  

Operating costs and expenses:

    

Cost of sales

     423,683       371,501  

Selling, general and administrative

     136,135       120,667  
                

Operating profit

     68,399       57,215  

Other income (expense)

    

Interest income

     1,313       708  

Interest expense

     (6,868 )     (5,527 )

Miscellaneous - net

     1,813       1,261  
                
     (3,742 )     (3,558 )

Income before income taxes

     64,657       53,657  

Provision for income taxes

     21,012       16,258  
                

Net income

   $ 43,645     $ 37,399  
                

Basic net income per share:

   $ 0.72     $ 0.62  
                

Diluted net income per share:

   $ 0.71     $ 0.61  
                

Average basic shares outstanding

     60,209       60,718  

Average diluted shares outstanding

     61,207       61,801  

Dividends per share

   $ 0.15     $ 0.125  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Crane Co. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    

March 31,

2007

  

December 31,

2006

Assets

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 133,921    $ 138,607

Accounts receivable

     358,102      330,146

Current insurance receivable - asbestos

     21,000      52,500

Inventories:

     

Finished goods

     116,488      109,856

Finished parts and subassemblies

     40,537      39,644

Work in process

     58,647      53,707

Raw materials

     111,951      110,052
             
     327,623      313,259

Other current assets

     63,547      45,897
             

Total current assets

     904,193      880,409

Property, plant and equipment:

     

Cost

     765,995      776,787

Less accumulated depreciation

     489,312      487,232
             
     276,683      289,555

Insurance receivable - asbestos

     164,030      170,400

Long-term deferred tax assets

     164,297      171,164

Other assets

     105,529      91,476

Intangible assets

     118,979      122,744

Goodwill

     709,246      704,736
             

Total assets

   $ 2,442,957    $ 2,430,484
             

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Crane Co. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    

March 31,

2007

    December 31,
2006
 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 11,310     $ 9,505  

Accounts payable

     172,479       161,270  

Current asbestos liability

     70,000       70,000  

Accrued liabilities

     194,551       196,723  

U.S. and foreign taxes on income

     32,436       24,428  
                

Total current liabilities

     480,776       461,926  

Long-term debt

     392,115       391,760  

Accrued pension and postretirement benefits

     62,798       59,996  

Deferred tax liability

     91,822       89,595  

Long-term asbestos liability

     442,877       459,567  

Other liabilities

     42,195       41,004  

Minority interest

     7,796       8,033  

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred shares, par value $.01; 5,000,000 shares authorized

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $1.00; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 72,426,139 shares issued

     72,426       72,426  

Capital surplus

     137,022       134,798  

Retained earnings

     976,481       946,077  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     78,639       73,175  

Treasury stock

     (341,990 )     (307,873 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     922,578       918,603  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,442,957     $ 2,430,484  
                

Common stock issued

     72,426,139       72,426,139  

Less: Common stock held in treasury

     (12,793,940 )     (11,953,521 )
                

Common stock outstanding

     59,632,199       60,472,618  
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Crane Co. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2007     2006  

Operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 43,645     $ 37,399  

Income from joint venture

     (1,017 )     (1,761 )

Depreciation and amortization

     15,576       15,265  

Stock-based compensation expense

     4,304       4,082  

Deferred income taxes

     (9,819 )     3,961  

Cash used for operating working capital

     (25,648 )     (32,899 )

Payments for asbestos-related fees and costs, net of insurance recoveries

     21,180       (9,300 )

Other

     (11,332 )     235  
                

Total provided by operating activities

     36,889       16,982  
                

Investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (6,963 )     (8,390 )

Proceeds from disposition of capital assets

     11,032       1,236  

Payment for acquisition, net of cash acquired and liabilities assumed

     (5 )     (85,338 )
                

Total provided by (used for) investing activities

     4,064       (92,492 )
                

Financing activities:

    

Equity:

    

Dividends paid

     (9,050 )     (7,623 )

Reacquisition of shares on the open market

     (40,001 )     (12,041 )

Stock options exercised - net of shares reacquired

     (387 )     8,396  

Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation

     690       1,716  

Debt:

    

Repayments of long-term debt

     (67 )     (134 )

Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt

     1,800       (68 )
                

Total used for financing activities

     (47,015 )     (9,754 )
                

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     1,376       1,373  
                

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (4,686 )     (83,891 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     138,607       180,392  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 133,921     $ 96,501  
                

Detail of cash used for working capital:

    

Accounts receivable

   $ (27,080 )   $ (20,310 )

Inventories

     (14,003 )     (4,378 )

Other current assets

     508       (884 )

Accounts payable

     10,531       (2,183 )

Accrued liabilities

     (2,437 )     (9,882 )

U.S. and foreign taxes on income

     6,833       4,738  
                

Total

   $ (25,648 )   $ (32,899 )
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 6,330     $ 6,627  

Income taxes paid

     20,848       4,976  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period presented. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

2. New Accounting Pronouncement

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The requirements of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. See Note 8, “Income Taxes”, for further discussion of the impacts of FIN 48.

 

3. Segment Results

Net sales and operating profit by segment are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006  

Net Sales:

    

Aerospace & Electronics

   $ 148,392     $ 139,540  

Engineered Materials

     87,748       85,949  

Merchandising Systems

     97,364       52,556  

Fluid Handling

     263,124       242,179  

Controls

     31,762       29,329  

Intersegment Elimination

     (173 )     (170 )
                

Total

   $ 628,217     $ 549,383  
                

Operating Profit (Loss):

    

Aerospace & Electronics

   $ 21,026     $ 22,406  

Engineered Materials

     16,038       15,740  

Merchandising Systems

     9,631       3,752  

Fluid Handling

     31,141       25,478  

Controls

     2,346       1,540  

Corporate

     (11,783 )     (11,701 )
                

Total

   $ 68,399     $ 57,215  
                

 

6


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

4. Net Income Per Share

The Company’s basic earnings per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,

(in thousands, except per share data)

   2007    2006

Net income

   $ 43,645    $ 37,399

Average basic shares outstanding

     60,209      60,718

Effect of dilutive stock options

     998      1,083
             

Average diluted shares outstanding

     61,207      61,801

Basic net income per share

   $ .72    $ .62

Diluted net income per share

   $ .71    $ .61

Certain options granted under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan and the Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 because they would not have had a dilutive effect (1.3 million average options for the first quarter of 2007 and 0.7 million average options for the first quarter of 2006).

 

5. Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,

(in thousands)

   2007    2006

Net income

   $ 43,645    $ 37,399

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     5,463      6,307
             

Comprehensive income

   $ 49,108    $ 43,706
             

 

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Asbestos Liability

Information Regarding Claims and Costs in the Tort System

As of March 31, 2007, the Company was a defendant in cases filed in various state and federal courts alleging injury or death as a result of exposure to asbestos. Activity related to asbestos claims during the periods indicated was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2007     2006     2006  

Beginning claims

   85,941     89,017     89,017  

New claims

   1,095     1,304     4,853  

Settlements

   (529 )   (308 )   (1,043 )

Dismissals

   (623 )   (849 )   (6,886 )
                  

Ending claims *

   85,884     89,164     85,941  
                  

* Does not include 36,281 maritime actions that were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania pursuant to an order by the Federal Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”). These claims have been placed on the inactive docket of cases that are administratively dismissed without prejudice in the MDL.

 

7


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Of the 85,884 pending claims as of March 31, 2007, approximately 25,000 claims were pending in New York, approximately 28,000 claims were pending in Mississippi, approximately 9,000 claims were pending in Texas and approximately 4,000 claims were pending in Ohio, all jurisdictions in which legislation or judicial orders restrict the types of claims that can proceed to trial on the merits.

Since the termination of the comprehensive master settlement agreement (“MSA”) on January 24, 2005, the Company has been resolving claims filed against it in the tort system. The Company has not re-engaged in discussions with representatives of current or future asbestos claimants with respect to such a comprehensive settlement. While the Company believes that federal legislation to establish a trust fund to compensate asbestos claimants is the most appropriate solution to the asbestos litigation problem, there is substantial uncertainty regarding whether this will occur and, if so, when and on what terms. The Company remains committed to exploring all feasible alternatives available to resolve its asbestos liability in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company’s shareholders.

Substantially all of the claims the Company resolves are concluded through settlements. The Company tried the Joseph Norris asbestos claim (the “Norris Claim”) to verdict in California, however, and received an adverse jury verdict on September 15, 2006. On October 10, 2006, the court entered judgment on this verdict against the Company in the amount of $2.15 million, together with interest thereon at the rate of 10% per annum until paid. The Company does not believe that the verdict was supported by the evidence. In addition, the Company believes that procedural irregularities prevented an appropriate determination of the Company’s alleged responsibility for plaintiffs’ injuries. The Company’s post-trial motions were denied by order dated December 15, 2006. On January 3, 2007, the Company appealed the judgment; the appeal is pending.

The gross settlement and defense costs incurred (before insurance and tax effects) for the Company in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 totaled $21.1 million and $15.2 million, respectively. In contrast to the recognition of settlement and defense costs that reflect the current level of activity in the tort system, cash payments and receipts generally lag the tort system activity by several months or more. Cash payments of settlement amounts are not made until all releases and other required documentation are received by the Company, and payments of both settlement amounts and defense costs by insurers are subject to delays due to the transition from the Company’s primary insurers to its excess insurers. The Company’s total pre-tax cash receipts/payments for settlement and defense costs, including payments from insurers, in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 totaled a $21.2 million net receipt in 2007 (reflecting the receipt of $31.5 million in previously escrowed funds from Equitas Limited (“Equitas”) and a $9.3 million net payment in 2006, respectively. Detailed below are the comparable amounts for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
   

Year Ended
December 31,

2006

   

Cumulative
to Date Through

March 31, 2007

 

(in millions)

   2007    2006      

Settlement costs incurred (1)

   $ 11.2    $ 5.8     $ 26.3     $ 93.7  

Defense costs incurred (1)

     9.9      9.4       42.8       126.4  
                               

Total costs incurred

   $ 21.1    $ 15.2     $ 69.1     $ 220.1  

Pre-tax cash receipts/(payments) (2)

     $21.2    $ (9.3 )   $ (40.6 )   $ (104.5 )

(1) Before insurance recoveries and tax effects.
(2) Net of payments received from insurers, including a $31.5 million payment from Equitas in January 2007. Cumulative amount includes certain legal fees and expenses related to the terminated MSA.

The amounts shown for settlement and defense costs incurred, and cash payments, are not necessarily indicative of future period amounts, which may be higher or lower than those reported.

In 2005, the Company did not receive significant reimbursements from insurers as the Company’s cost sharing agreement with primary insurers was essentially exhausted. The Company has negotiated coverage-in-place and other agreements with several of its excess insurers whose policies provide substantial insurance coverage for asbestos liabilities. Reimbursements from such insurers for past and ongoing settlement and defense costs allocable to their policies have been made as coverage-in-place and other agreements are reached with such insurers.

On July 22, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to settle its insurance coverage claims for asbestos and other liabilities against certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London reinsured by Equitas for a total payment of $33 million. Under the agreement, $1.5 million was paid to the Company in the third quarter of 2005. The balance of $31.5 million was placed into escrow for the payment of future asbestos claims and funds remaining in escrow were paid to the Company on January 4, 2007. The Company’s settlement with Equitas resolves all its claims against pre-1993 policies issued to the Company by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London and reinsured by Equitas.

 

8


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Effective March 1, 2006, the Company entered into two agreements with Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company and certain affiliated companies (“Hartford”) settling all outstanding claims under the Company’s primary policies with Hartford for a final payment of $1.3 million and establishing a coverage-in-place arrangement for asbestos claims under the Company’s excess policies with Hartford, including a payment of $2.6 million for claims billed to Hartford through September 1, 2005. The Company received these payments in March 2006 and April 2006, respectively. The agreements with Hartford also include provisions for mutual releases, indemnification of Hartford and claims handling procedures.

Effective April 10, 2006, the Company and Everest Reinsurance Company and Mt. McKinley Insurance Company (collectively, “Everest”) reached a settlement agreement pursuant to which, among other things, Everest’s insurance coverage obligations for asbestos claims under the three historical Everest policies issued to Crane Co. were released. A $3.8 million cash payment under this settlement agreement was received by the Company on April 21, 2006.

On June 30, 2006, the Company and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (“Fireman’s Fund”) entered into an agreement, effective July 3, 2006, establishing a coverage-in-place arrangement for asbestos claims under the Company’s excess policies with Fireman’s Fund, including a payment of $2.3 million for claims billed to Fireman’s Fund through June 26, 2006, which was received by the Company in August 2006. The agreement with Fireman’s Fund also includes provisions for mutual releases, indemnification of Fireman’s Fund and claims handling procedures.

Effective September 7, 2006, the Company entered into a coverage-in-place agreement with Sentry Insurance (“Sentry”), regarding an excess policy issued by Sentry’s predecessor, Dairyland Insurance Company.

Effective December 20, 2006, the Company entered into a coverage-in-place agreement with Employers Insurance of Wausau (and Nationwide Indemnity Company in its capacity as claims administrator for Wausau) (“Wausau”), establishing an arrangement for asbestos claims under the Company’s excess policies with Wausau, and providing for initial payments totaling $2.6 million for claims billed to Wausau through November 30, 2006. This amount has been received by the Company. This agreement includes provisions for mutual releases, indemnification of Wausau and claims handling procedures.

Effective December 22, 2006, the Company and Century Indemnity Company and ACE Property and Casualty Company (collectively “ACE”) entered into an agreement which, among other things, established a coverage-in-place arrangement for asbestos claims under the Company’s excess policies with ACE. This agreement includes provisions for mutual releases, indemnification of ACE and claims handling procedures.

Effective April 24, 2007, the Company and Employers Reinsurance Company (“ERC”) reached a settlement agreement pursuant to which, among other things, ERC’s insurance coverage obligations for asbestos claims under the two historical ERC policies issued to Crane Co. were released. The agreement with ERC also includes provisions for mutual releases and indemnification of ERC. A cash payment of $10 million under this agreement is due to the Company on or before May 15, 2007.

Effective April 27, 2007, the Company and the AIG Companies (“AIG”) entered into a coverage-in-place agreement for asbestos claims under the Company’s excess policies with AIG, including payment of $3.4 million for claims billed to AIG through February 20, 2007 which is due in several installments through October 5, 2007. The agreement with AIG also includes provisions for mutual releases, indemnification of AIG and claims handling procedures.

The Company anticipates that one or more additional agreements with other excess insurers, such as coverage-in-place agreements, may be executed in 2007, and the Company believes that the payment terms of such agreements will be consistent with the overall estimated future reimbursement rate of 40%, although the actual reimbursement rate will vary from period to period due to policy terms and certain gaps in coverage as described below.

Effects on the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company has retained the firm of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, Inc. (“HR&A”), a nationally recognized expert in the field, to assist management in estimating the Company’s asbestos liability in the tort system. HR&A reviewed information provided by the Company concerning claims filed, settled and dismissed, amounts paid in settlements and relevant claim information such as the nature of the asbestos-related disease asserted by the claimant, the jurisdiction where filed and the time lag from filing to disposition of the claim. The methodology used by HR&A to project future asbestos costs was based largely on the Company’s experience during 2005 and 2006 for claims filed, settled and dismissed. The Company’s experience was compared to the results of previously conducted epidemiological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases. Those studies were undertaken in connection with national analyses of the population of workers believed to have been exposed to asbestos. Using that information, HR&A estimated the number of future claims that would be filed, as well as the related settlement or indemnity costs that would be incurred to resolve those claims. This methodology has been accepted by numerous courts and is the same methodology that is utilized by the expert who is routinely retained by the asbestos claimants committee in asbestos-related bankruptcies. After discussions with the Company, HR&A assumed that costs of defending asbestos claims in the tort system would increase to $45 million in 2007 and remain at that level (with increases of 4.5% per year for inflation) indexed to the number of estimated pending claims in future years. Based on this information, HR&A compiled an estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability for pending and future claims, based on claim experience

 

9


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

over the past two years and covering claims expected to be filed through the year 2011. Although the methodology used by HR&A will also show claims and costs for periods subsequent to 2011 (up to and including the endpoint of the asbestos studies referred to above), management believes that the level of uncertainty is too great to provide for reasonable estimation of the number of future claims, the nature of such claims or the cost to resolve them for years beyond 2011, particularly given the possibility of federal legislation within that time frame.

In the Company’s view, the forecast period used to provide the best estimate for asbestos claims and related liabilities and costs is a judgment based upon a number of trend factors, including the number and type of claims being filed each year, the jurisdictions where such claims are filed and the effect of any legislation or judicial orders in such jurisdictions restricting the types of claims that can proceed to trial on the merits and the likelihood of any comprehensive asbestos legislation at the federal level. In addition, the dynamics of asbestos litigation in the tort system have been significantly affected over the past five to ten years by the substantial number of companies that have filed for bankruptcy protection, thereby staying any asbestos claims against them until the conclusion of such proceedings, and the establishment of a number of post-bankruptcy trusts for asbestos claimants, which are estimated to hold $25 billion for payments to current and future claimants. These trend factors have both positive and negative effects on the dynamics of asbestos litigation in the tort system and the related best estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability, and these effects do not move in a linear fashion but rather change over multi-year periods. Accordingly, the Company’s management monitors these trend factors over time and periodically assesses whether an alternative forecast period is appropriate. While it is reasonably possible that the Company will incur additional charges for asbestos liabilities and defense costs in excess of the amounts currently provided, the Company does not believe that any such amount can be reasonably estimated beyond 2011. Accordingly, no accrual has been recorded for any costs which may be incurred for claims made subsequent to 2011.

Management has made its best estimate of the costs through 2011 based on the analysis by HR&A completed in January 2007. A liability of $512.9 million has been recorded to cover the estimated cost of asbestos claims now pending or subsequently asserted through 2011, of which approximately 44% is attributable to settlement and defense costs for future claims projected to be filed through 2011. The liability is reduced when cash payments are made in respect of settled claims and defense costs. It is not possible to forecast when cash payments related to the asbestos liability will be fully expended; however, it is expected such cash payments will continue for many years, due to the significant proportion of future claims included in the estimated asbestos liability. An asset of $185 million has been recorded representing the probable insurance reimbursement for such claims.

Historically, a significant portion of the Company’s settlement and defense costs have been paid by its primary insurers. Following the exhaustion of most of that primary coverage, and in accordance with the settlement agreements discussed above, certain of the Company’s excess insurers have begun reimbursing the Company for a significant portion of its settlement and defense costs. The Company has substantial excess coverage policies in addition to those bound by the settlement agreements described above that are also expected to respond to asbestos claims as settlements and other payments exhaust the underlying policies. The same factors that affect developing estimates of probable settlement and defense costs for asbestos-related liabilities also affect estimates of the probable insurance payments, as do a number of additional factors. These additional factors include the financial viability of the insurance companies, the method by which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies and the years covered by those policies, how settlement and defense costs will be covered by the insurance policies and interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships. In addition, the timing and amount of reimbursements will vary because the Company’s insurance coverage for asbestos claims involves multiple insurers, with different policy terms and certain gaps in coverage. In addition to consulting with legal counsel on these insurance matters, the Company retained insurance consultants to assist management in the estimation of probable insurance recoveries based upon the aggregate liability estimate described above and assuming the continued viability of all solvent insurance carriers. After considering the foregoing factors and consulting with legal counsel and such insurance consultants, the Company determined its probable insurance reimbursement rate to be 40%.

Estimation of the Company’s ultimate exposure for asbestos-related claims is subject to significant uncertainties, as there are multiple variables that can affect the timing, severity and quantity of claims. The Company cautions that its estimated liability is based on assumptions with respect to future claims, settlement and defense costs based on recent experience during the last few years that may not prove reliable as predictors. A significant upward or downward trend in the number of claims filed, depending on the nature of the alleged injury, the jurisdiction where filed and the quality of the product identification, or a significant upward or downward trend in the costs of defending claims, could change the estimated liability, as would any substantial adverse verdict at trial. A legislative solution or a revised structured settlement transaction could also change the estimated liability.

Since many uncertainties exist surrounding asbestos litigation, the Company will continue to evaluate its estimated asbestos-related liability and corresponding estimated insurance reimbursement as well as the underlying assumptions and process used to derive these amounts. These uncertainties may result in the Company incurring future charges or increases to income to adjust the carrying value of recorded liabilities and assets, particularly if the number of claims and settlement and defense costs change significantly or if legislation or another alternative solution is implemented; however, the Company is currently unable to estimate such future changes. Although the resolution of these claims may take many years, the effect on results of operations and financial position in any given period from a revision to these estimates could be material.

 

10


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Certain Legal Proceedings

On January 21, 2005, five of the Company’s insurers within two corporate insurer groups filed suit in Connecticut state court seeking injunctive relief against the Company and declaratory relief against the Company and dozens of the Company’s other insurers. The suit also sought temporary and permanent injunctive relief restraining the Company from participating in any further settlement discussions with representatives of asbestos plaintiffs or agreeing to any settlement unless the Company permitted the plaintiff insurers to both participate in such discussions and have a meaningful opportunity to consider whether to consent to any proposed settlement, or unless the Company elected to waive coverage under the insurers’ policies. The plaintiffs also sought expedited discovery on, among other things, the Company’s proposed global settlement. At a hearing on February 22, 2005, the Company (i) contested the application for temporary injunctive relief and expedited discovery; (ii) moved to dismiss the count of the Complaint seeking injunctive relief on the grounds that the count was moot insofar as it addressed the proposed global settlement terminated on January 24, 2005 and not appropriate for determination insofar as it sought relief regarding any future negotiations with representatives of asbestos claimants; and (iii) moved to dismiss counts of the Complaint seeking declaratory relief with respect to the proposed global settlement as moot. At the hearing, the Court denied the plaintiff insurers’ application for temporary injunctive relief and expedited discovery. In denying temporary injunctive relief, the Court stated that the plaintiffs could not show irreparable injury and that the plaintiff insurers would have an adequate remedy at law. In light of the Court’s ruling and the Company’s motions to dismiss, the insurer plaintiffs sought and received leave to amend their Complaint to remove certain declaratory relief counts and to remove or restate the remaining allegations.

On April 8, 2005, the insurer plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint raising five counts against the Company. The Amended Complaint seeks: (i) declaratory relief regarding the Company’s rights to coverage, if any, under the policies; (ii) declaratory relief regarding the Company’s alleged breaches of the policies in connection with an alleged increase in asbestos claim counts; (iii) a declaration of no coverage in connection with allegedly time-barred claims; (iv) declaratory relief against the Company and the other insurer defendants for allocation of damages that may be covered under the insurance policies; and (v) preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. On April 18, 2005, the Company moved to dismiss the claims for injunctive relief on the grounds that the Court had no jurisdiction to consider the claims because they were speculative and unripe. On October 19, 2005, the Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss, ruling that the injunctive claims were not unripe. Nonetheless, the Court noted that the Company later could seek summary judgment in connection with the injunctive claims if discovery shows them to be without factual basis. Everest Reinsurance Company and Mt. McKinley Insurance Company (collectively, “Everest”) are two of the plaintiffs in the Connecticut state court action. As referenced above, effective April 10, 2006, the Company and Everest reached a settlement agreement pursuant to which, among other things, Everest’s insurance coverage obligations for asbestos claims under the three historical Everest policies issued to Crane Co. were released in exchange for a $3.8 million cash payment, which was received by the Company on April 21, 2006. As also referenced above, effective December 22, 2006, the Company and two of the other plaintiffs in the action, Century Indemnity Company and ACE Property and Casualty Company (collectively “ACE”), reached an agreement pursuant to which, among other things, they established a coverage-in-place arrangement for asbestos claims under the Company’s excess policies with ACE. The Company continues to believe it has meritorious defenses to all the counts of the Amended Complaint and cross-claims filed among the other parties, and intends to defend this matter vigorously.

 

11


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Other Contingencies

Environmental Matters

For environmental matters, the Company records a liability for estimated remediation costs when it is probable that the Company will be responsible for such costs and they can be reasonably estimated. Generally, third party specialists assist in the estimation of remediation costs. The environmental remediation liability at December 31, 2006 is primarily for the former manufacturing site in Goodyear, Arizona (the “Site”) discussed below.

The Site was operated by UniDynamics/Phoenix, Inc. (“UPI”), which became an indirect subsidiary of the Company in 1985 when the Company acquired UPI’s parent company, UniDynamics Corporation. UPI manufactured explosive and pyrotechnic compounds, including components for critical military programs, for the U.S. government at the Site from 1962 to 1993, under contracts with the Department of Defense and other government agencies and certain of their prime contractors. No manufacturing operations have been conducted at the Site since 1994. The Site was placed on the National Priorities List in 1983, and is now part of the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport North Superfund site. In 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued administrative orders requiring UPI to design and carry out certain remedial actions, which UPI has done. Groundwater extraction and treatment systems have been in operation at the Site since 1994. A soil vapor extraction system was in operation from 1994 to 1998, was restarted in 2004, and is currently in operation.

On July 26, 2006, the Company entered into a consent decree with the EPA with respect to the Site providing for, among other things, a work plan for further investigation and remediation activities at the Site. The Company’s estimated liability for the costs of such activities through 2014 was $19.1 million as of March 31, 2007, which is included in current accrued liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of that date.

On July 31, 2006, the Company entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy pursuant to which, among other things, the U.S. Government will contribute 21 percent of qualifying costs for costs of investigation and remediation activities at the Site.

False Claims Proceeding

The Company engaged in discussions with attorneys from the Civil Division of the U.S. Justice Department for over a year regarding allegations that certain valves sold by the Company’s Crane Valves North America unit (“CVNA”) to private customers that ultimately were delivered to U.S. military agencies did not conform to certain contractual specifications relating to the place of manufacture and the origin of component parts. On March 31, 2007 the Department of Justice filed a complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas seeking unspecified damages for violations of the False Claims Act, and other common law claims. The complaint alleges that CVNA failed to notify the correct U.S. military agency when its manufacturing location for Mil-Spec valves listed on the Qualified Products List was moved from Long Beach, California to Conroe, Texas in 2003. The Company believes that it has valid defenses to these claims, and will defend itself vigorously at trial; however, the ultimate resolution of these claims could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows in the periods when the claims are resolved.

The Company received a letter from the Department of the Navy on February 14, 2007, conveying the Navy’s concerns about the alleged Qualified Products List violations raised by the Department of Justice. The Department of the Navy has advised the Company that if this allegation is true, it could potentially result in the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates being suspended and/or debarred from doing business with the U.S. Government. The Company has responded to the Navy’s letter, and the Company will continue to cooperate fully with the Department in an effort to address the Navy’s concerns. The Company believes that when the Department of the Navy has concluded its examination of the factual record, the Company’s position will be confirmed. If the Company were debarred from doing business with the U.S. Government, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Other Proceedings

The Company is defending two separate lawsuits brought by customers alleging failure of the Company’s fiberglass-reinforced plastic material in recreational vehicle sidewalls manufactured by such customers. The aggregate damages sought in these two lawsuits are approximately $13 million in direct costs allegedly incurred by the plaintiffs, as well as other consequential losses allegedly suffered. These lawsuits are in early stages of pre-trial discovery and the Company believes that it has valid defenses to the claims raised in these lawsuits. The Company has given notice of these lawsuits to its insurance carriers and will seek coverage for any liability in accordance with the applicable policies.

The Company is also defending a series of five separate lawsuits, which have now been consolidated, revolving around a fire that occurred in May, 2003 at a chicken processing plant located near Atlanta, Georgia that destroyed the plant. The aggregate damages demanded by the plaintiffs are in excess of $50 million. These lawsuits contend that certain fiberglass-reinforced plastic material manufactured by the Company that was installed inside the plant was unsafe in that it acted as an accelerant, causing the fire to spread rapidly, resulting in the total loss of the plant and property. The suits are in the early stages of pre-trial discovery and the Company believes that it has valid defenses to the underlying claims raised in these lawsuits. The Company has given notice of these lawsuits to

 

12


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

its insurance carriers, and will seek coverage for any resulting losses. Based on a review of its coverage, however, the Company has determined that it is facing a potential $25 million gap in insurance coverage, for the layer of insurance which would have provided protection for losses above $25 million but below $50 million. The Company has initiated certain actions aimed at closing the gap in insurance coverage. If the plaintiffs in these lawsuits were to prevail at trial and be awarded the full extent of their claimed damages, and the gap in coverage was not closed, the resulting liability could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows in the periods affected.

A number of other lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be asserted against the Company relating to the conduct of its business, including those pertaining to product liability, patent infringement, commercial, employment, employee benefits, environmental and stockholder matters. While the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and some of these other lawsuits, claims or proceedings may be determined adversely to the Company, the Company does not believe that the disposition of any such other pending matters is likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or liquidity, although the resolution in any reporting period of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period.

 

7. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The components of net periodic cost are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
    

Three Months

Ended

    Three Months
Ended
 
     March 31,     March 31,  
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

(In Thousands)

                        

Service cost

   $ 4,228     $ 4,370     $ 40     $ 41  

Interest cost

     8,397       7,712       268       284  

Expected return on plan assets

     (10,408 )     (9,817 )     —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost

     177       130       (21 )     (21 )

Amortization of net loss

     295       548       (76 )     (40 )
                                

Net periodic cost

   $ 2,689     $ 2,943     $ 211     $ 264  
                                

The Company expects, based on current actuarial calculations, to contribute cash of approximately $5 million to its domestic and foreign defined benefit plans and $2 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2007. The Company contributed cash of $8.0 million to its defined benefit plans and $2.2 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2006. During the first three months of 2007, the Company contributed $1.9 million to its defined benefit plans and $0.6 million to its other postretirement benefit plans. However, cash contributions for the remainder of 2007 and subsequent years will depend on a number of factors, including the impact of the Pension Protection Act signed into law in 2006, changes in minimum funding requirements, long-term interest rates, the investment performance of plan assets and changes in employee census data affecting the Company’s projected benefit obligations.

 

8. Income Taxes

As discussed in Note 2, New Accounting Pronouncement, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007. The Company did not recognize a change in its liability for unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the implementation of FIN 48. The total amount of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption was approximately $5.6 million. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits (including interest) at the date of adoption that, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate was approximately $4.7 million.

The Company includes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and statutory income tax penalties in its provision (benefit) for income taxes. The total amount of accrued interest reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of the date of adoption was approximately $509,000.

The Company regularly assesses the potential outcomes of both ongoing examinations and future examinations for the current and prior years in order to ensure the Company’s provision for income taxes is adequate. The Company believes that adequate accruals have been provided for all open years.

The Company’s income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as well as other state and international taxing authorities. The IRS has completed its examinations of the Company’s federal income tax returns for all years through 2004. During the first quarter of 2007, the IRS commenced an examination of the Company’s 2005 federal income tax return. At this time, the Company anticipates that the IRS will complete its examination by December 31, 2007. With few exceptions, the

 

13


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Company is no longer subject to U.S. state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2002. At this time, the Company is currently under audit by various state and non-U.S. taxing authorities. As of the date of adoption of FIN 48, it is reasonably possible that the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $2.7 million during the next twelve months as a result of the closure of federal, state and non-U.S. income tax audits as well as the expiration of state statutes of limitation on the assessment and collection of income taxes.

The Company calculated its income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2007 in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28,

“Interim Financial Reporting,” Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 18, “Accounting for Income Taxes in Interim Periods” and Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”

The Company’s effective tax rate of 32.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2007 is higher than the Company’s effective tax rate of 30.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The increase in the 2007 tax rate above 2006 reflects the benefit of the completion of a major element of the 2003-2004 IRS audit during the first quarter of 2006, the statutory expiration of the U.S. export tax benefit as of December 31, 2006 and incremental taxes from increased dividends from foreign subsidiaries in 2007. These factors were partially offset by the inclusion of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of its statutory reinstatement in December 2006 and a statutory increase in 2007 of the amount of the U.S. federal tax benefit on domestic manufacturing activities.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2007 is lower than the statutory U.S. federal tax rate primarily as a result of state taxes, net of the U.S. federal tax benefit and the repatriation of foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory tax rate, offset by earnings in foreign jurisdictions with tax rates below the U.S. statutory rate, the U.S. research and development tax credit and the U.S. federal tax benefit on domestic manufacturing activities.

 

9. Miscellaneous – Net

 

     Three Months
Ended
 
     March 31,  

(in thousands)

   2007     2006  

Gain on sales of assets

   $ 959     $ 34  

Equity joint venture income

     1,017       1,761  

Other

     (163 )     (534 )
                
   $ 1,813     $ 1,261  
                

The gain on sales of assets in the three month period ended March 31, 2007 was higher than in the comparable quarter in the prior year from the gain in 2007 on the sale of the corporate airplane.

 

10. Long-term Debt and Notes Payable

Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs of $6.1 million and original issue discount of $1.9 million, was $392 million at March 31, 2007, comprised primarily of fixed rate borrowings under the $200 million 5.50% notes due 2013 and the $200 million 6.55% notes due 2036. There also were notes payable and other short-term debt under unsecured credit lines of $11.3 million at March 31, 2007.

 

11. Supplemental Cash Flows Information

In the first quarter of 2007, the Company sold its corporate aircraft, receiving proceeds of approximately $11 million (classified as cash provided from investing activities), and used these proceeds as the initial payment on an operating lease for a used but newer aircraft replacement (classified as cash used for operating activities).

 

12. Commitments and Guarantees

The Company entered into a seven year operating lease for an airplane in the first quarter of 2007 which includes a $14.1 million residual value guarantee by the Company. This commitment is secured by the leased airplane and the fair value of the residual value guarantee was recorded as a $0.6 million liability at March 31, 2007.

 

14


Part I – Financial Information

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

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements present management’s expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding future financial performance, and assumptions or judgments concerning such performance. Any discussions contained in this Quarterly Report on 10-Q, except to the extent that they contain historical facts, are forward-looking and accordingly involve estimates, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties. There are a number of other factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors are detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated by reference herein.

Results from Operations

First quarter of 2007 compared with first quarter of 2006

First quarter 2007 sales increased $78.8 million, or 14%, including core business growth of $27.6 million (5%), sales from acquired businesses (CashCode, Dixie-Narco, Automatic Products, Telequip and Noble Composites) of $50.4 million (9%) and favorable foreign currency translation of $12.0 million (2%), reduced by lower sales from businesses divested in 2006 of $11.2 million (2%). Operating profit of $68.4 million increased 20% compared with $57.2 million in the prior year quarter. The largest increases in our operating profit came from our Fluid Handling and Merchandising Systems businesses. Net income was $43.6 million, or $.71 per share, in the first quarter of 2007 compared with net income of $37.4 million, or $.61 per share, in the first quarter of 2006.

Net sales related to operations outside the U.S. for the three-month periods were 36.3% and 36.5% in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Order backlog at March 31, 2007 totaled $727 million, 17% higher than the backlog of $622 million at March 31, 2006 and 7% higher than $677 million at December 31, 2006.

Segment Results

All comparisons below refer to the first quarter 2007 versus the first quarter 2006 (“prior year”), unless otherwise specified.

Aerospace & Electronics

 

     First Quarter     Change  

(dollars in millions)

   2007     2006              

Sales

   $ 148.4     $ 139.5     $ 8.9     6 %

Operating Profit

   $ 21.0     $ 22.4     $ (1.4 )   (6 )%

Profit Margin

     14.2 %     16.1 %    

The first quarter 2007 sales increase of $8.9 million reflected a sales increase of $10.1 million in the Aerospace Group and a decrease of $1.2 million in the Electronics Group. Segment operating profit declined as a result of a decrease of $1.3 million in the Aerospace Group.

Aerospace Group sales of $99.6 million increased $10.1 million, or 11%, from $89.5 million in the prior year period. Resistoflex Aerospace, which was sold in May 2006, had sales of $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2006. Excluding Resistoflex Aerospace, sales increased $14.2 million or 17% over the first quarter of 2006. The $1.3 million decrease in operating profit resulted from higher engineering spending of $4.6 million largely on programs to be completed in 2007, and a recall of certain pump connectors as a result of a supplier quality issue, which more than offset the profits associated with higher sales. Backlog at the end of the first quarter of 2007 (excluding Resistoflex) increased 18% over the first quarter of 2006.

Electronics Group sales of $49.0 million decreased $1.2 million, or 2%, due to lower sales in microwave and electronic manufacturing services solutions. Operating profit was equal to the first quarter of 2006. Strong orders in the custom power and micro electronics businesses in the first quarter resulted in Electronics backlog at the end of the first quarter being $13 million, or 9%, higher than the prior year.

The Aerospace & Electronics segment backlog was $405.8 million at March 31, 2007 compared with $363.4 million at March 31, 2006 and $396.8 million at December 31, 2006.

 

15


Part I – Financial Information

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

Engineered Materials

 

     First Quarter     Change  

(dollars in millions)

   2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 87.7     $ 85.9     $ 1.8    2 %

Operating Profit

   $ 16.0     $ 15.7     $ 0.3    2 %

Profit Margin

     18.3 %     18.3 %     

The first quarter 2007 sales were higher than the prior year period as sales of $12.8 million from Noble Composites, acquired in September 2006, more than offset lower volumes to the Company’s traditional recreational vehicle, transportation and building products customers. Operating profit in 2007 increased slightly as the benefit of the Noble acquisition offset reduced operating profit in the base business from lower sales and continued product support costs in the recreational vehicle market.

The Engineered Materials segment backlog was $17.4 million at March 31, 2007, compared with $17.0 million at March 31, 2006 and $13.2 million at December 31, 2006.

Merchandising Systems

 

     First Quarter     Change  

(dollars in millions)

   2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 97.4     $ 52.6     $ 44.8    85 %

Operating Profit

   $ 9.6     $ 3.8     $ 5.8    153 %

Profit Margin

     9.9 %     7.1 %     

Merchandising Systems sales increased $44.8 million, or 85%, driven primarily by increased sales of $37.6 million from the CashCode, Telequip, Dixie-Narco, and Automatic Products acquisitions. Operating profit improved by $5.8 million. This strong improvement resulted from leveraging sales growth at CashCode and NRI, and a modest increase in core North American vending.

The Merchandising Systems segment backlog was $33.2 million at March 31, 2007, compared with $14.8 million at March 31, 2006 and $33.2 million at December 31, 2006.

Fluid Handling

 

     First Quarter     Change  

(dollars in millions)

   2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 263.1     $ 242.2     $ 20.9    9 %

Operating Profit

   $ 31.1     $ 25.5     $ 5.6    22 %

Profit Margin

     11.8 %     10.5 %     

The first quarter sales increased $20.9 million, or 9%, including $18.8 million (8%) of core sales, favorable foreign currency translation of $9.2 million (4%), partially offset by lower sales from the divestiture of Westad of $7.1 million (3%). Backlog at the end of the first quarter of 2007 (excluding Westad) increased 31% over the first quarter of 2006. Operating profit increased $5.6 million, or 22%, as the sales increase was effectively leveraged with margins improving to 11.8% from 10.5%.

Valve Group sales were $196.5 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared with $173.3 million in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 13%. Valve Group core sales growth was $20.3 million (12%), favorable currency translation was $10.0 million (5%), partially offset by $7.1 million (4%) of sales of Westad. Core sales improved from increased demand for industrial valves, particularly from the chemical / pharmaceutical and energy industries, and generally higher demand from many commercial applications. Sales growth was effectively leveraged with operating profit increasing 46%, from $16.8 million to $24.5 million. Profit margin of 12.4% increased from 9.6% in the prior year.

Crane Pumps & Systems sales of $24.2 million decreased $3.4 million, or 12%, reflecting generally softer demand in residential building and municipal projects. Profit margin of 9.0%, while improved from the fourth quarter of 2006, was down from 14.9% in the prior year primarily as a result of lower sales.

Crane Supply sales of $42.4 million increased $1.1 million, or 3%. Core sales growth of $1.8 million was partially offset by $0.7 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation. Profit margin was 10.5% in 2007, slightly below 11.1% in 2006.

The Fluid Handling segment backlog was $237 million at March 31, 2007, compared with $203 million at March 31, 2006 ($181 million excluding Westad) and $211 million at December 31, 2006.

 

16


Part I – Financial Information

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

Controls

 

     First Quarter     Change  

(dollars in millions)

   2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 31.8     $ 29.3     $ 2.5    9 %

Operating Profit

   $ 2.3     $ 1.5     $ 0.8    53 %

Profit Margin

     7.4 %     5.2 %     

Sales increased 9% because of higher demand for products in the transportation, oil and gas exploration, gas transmission, and water treatment markets. Operating profit increased 53% reflecting good leverage and cost control.

The Controls segment backlog was $33.2 million at March 31, 2007, compared with $23.6 million at March 31, 2006 and $23.0 million at December 31, 2006.

Financial Position

Net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) totaled 22.6% of capital (net debt plus shareholders’ equity) at March 31, 2007, compared with 22.2% at December 31, 2006. Net debt is a non-GAAP measure that provides useful information about the Company’s ability to satisfy its debt obligations with currently available funds.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash provided by operating activities was $36.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared with $17.0 million last year. The increase was due to stronger earnings and insurance receipts from asbestos claims. The Company’s total pre-tax cash receipts/payments for asbestos settlement and defense costs, including payments from insurers, in the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 totaled a $21.2 million net receipt in 2007 (reflecting the receipt of $31.5 million in previously escrowed funds from Equitas Limited) and a $9.3 million net payment in 2006, respectively. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company sold its corporate aircraft for approximately $11 million replacing it with a used, but newer aircraft under an operating lease with an $11 million initial payment requirement. The lease is a seven year operating lease which includes a $14.1 million residual value guarantee by the Company. Capital expenditures were $7.0 million in the first quarter of 2007, compared with $8.4 million in the first quarter of 2006. In the third quarter of 2006, the dividend was increased 20%, and, as a result, the Company paid $9.0 million in dividends to shareholders in the first quarter of 2007, compared with $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company repurchased 1,020,870 shares of its common stock on the open market at a cost of $40 million.

At March 31, 2007, there were no loans outstanding under the Company’s domestic $300 million revolving credit facility. This facility is available for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs, was $392.1 million at March 31, 2007 comprised primarily of fixed rate borrowings under the $200 million 5.50% notes due 2013 and $200 million 6.55% notes due 2036. The Company had $10.6 million outstanding at March 31, 2006 under domestic unsecured money market bid rate credit lines.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Information regarding new accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in the information called for by this item since the disclosure in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these controls are effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, identified in connection with the evaluation thereof by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer described above, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II – Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Discussion of legal matters is incorporated by reference from Part 1, Item 1, Note 6, “Commitments and Contingencies”, of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings”.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Other than as disclosed in Item 1, Legal Proceedings, above, there has been no significant change to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) Share Repurchases

 

     Total number of
shares purchased
  

Average price

paid per share

  

Total number of shares
purchased as part of
publicly announced
plans or

programs

  

Maximum number (or
approximate dollar value) of
shares that may yet be purchased
under the plans or

programs

January 1-31

   —        —      —      —  

February 1-28

   498,900    $ 39.37    —      —  

March 1-31

   521,970    $ 39.00    —      —  
                 

Total

   1,020,870    $ 39.18    —      —  
                 

The table above only includes the open-market repurchases of the Company’s common stock in 2007. The Company also routinely receives shares of its common stock as payment for stock option exercises and the withholding taxes due on stock option exercises and restricted stock awards from stock-based compensation participants.

 

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Part II – Other Information

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a vote of Security Holders

 

  A) The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on April 23, 2007.

 

  B) The following four Directors were elected to serve for three years until the Annual Meeting in 2010.

Ms. Karen E. Dykstra

Mr. Richard S. Forte

Mr. William E. Lipner

Mr. James L. L. Tullis

The following Director was elected to serve for one year until the Annual Meeting in 2008.

Mr. Philip R. Lochner, Jr.

The following Directors’ terms of office continue following the Annual Meeting: E. Thayer Bigelow, Donald G. Cook, R. S. Evans, Eric C. Fast, Dorsey R. Gardner, Ronald F. McKenna and Charles J. Queenan, Jr.

 

  C) The following four Directors were elected to serve for three years until the Annual Meeting in 2010.

 

Ms. Karen E. Dykstra

  

Vote for

   53,382,175

Vote withheld

   883,567

Mr. Richard S. Forte

  

Vote for

   53,025,399

Vote withheld

   1,240,343

Mr. William E. Lipner

  

Vote for

   52,373,878

Vote withheld

   1,891,863

Mr. James L. L. Tullis

  

Vote for

   52,340,883

Vote withheld

   1,924,859

The following Director was elected to serve for one year until the Annual Meeting in 2008.

 

Mr. Philip R. Lochner, Jr.

  

Vote for

   53,303,554

Vote withheld

   962,187

The shareholders approved the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for the Company for 2006.

 

Vote for

   53,505,730

Vote against

   676,818

Abstained

   83,193

The shareholders approved the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Vote for

   37,408,048

Vote against

   6,842,614

Abstained

   4,352,334

Non-Votes

   5,662,745

The shareholders approved the 2007 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.

 

Vote for

   37,420,672

Vote against

   6,850,869

Abstained

   4,331,456

Non-Votes

   5,662,745

The shareholders rejected a shareholder’s proposal concerning the adoption of the MacBride Principles in reference to the Company’s operations in Northern Ireland.

 

Vote for

   5,527,467

Vote against

   40,333,514

Abstained

   2,742,015

Non-Votes

   5,662,745

 

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Part II – Other Information

Item 5. Other Information

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers

Joan Atkinson Nano, Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, resigned effective May 4, 2007. Robert Vipond, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, is serving as interim Controller and Principal Accounting Officer pending the hiring of a replacement controller.

As previously disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 9, 2007, Mr. Jean Gaulin retired from the Board of Directors as of the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting, April 23, 2007.

Other Appointments

On May 1, 2007, Mr. Thomas J. Craney was named President, Crane Composites Group. Most recently, Mr. Craney had been Vice President—Building Materials Sales at Owens Corning.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)
Exhibit 31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)
Exhibit 32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b)
Exhibit 32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b)

 

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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.

 

    CRANE CO.
    REGISTRANT
Date    
May 7, 2007   By  

/s/ Eric C. Fast

    Eric C. Fast
    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date    
May 7, 2007   By  

/s/ J. Robert Vipond

    J. Robert Vipond
    Vice President, Finance and
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.  

Description

Exhibit 31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)
Exhibit 31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)
Exhibit 32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b)
Exhibit 32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b)

 

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