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 September 30, 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 October 31, 2007

Common stock, $1.00 Par Value – 60,116,874 shares

 



Part I – Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

Crane Co. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Net sales

   $ 664,093     $ 567,704     $ 1,953,208     $ 1,675,237  

Operating costs and expenses:

        

Cost of sales

     445,603       378,054       1,321,560       1,125,978  

Asbestos provision

     390,150       —         390,150       —    

Selling, general and administrative

     140,957       118,487       413,919       354,790  
                                

Operating (loss) profit

     (312,617 )     71,163       (172,421 )     194,469  

Other income (expense)

        

Interest income

     1,535       552       3,837       2,163  

Interest expense

     (6,845 )     (5,244 )     (20,614 )     (16,268 )

Miscellaneous - net

     849       1,461       3,593       7,143  
                                
     (4,461 )     (3,231 )     (13,184 )     (6,962 )

(Loss) Income before income taxes

     (317,078 )     67,932       (185,605 )     187,507  

(Benefit) Provision for income taxes

     (120,128 )     21,889       (78,036 )     59,602  
                                

Net (loss) income

   $ (196,950 )   $ 46,043     $ (107,569 )   $ 127,905  
                                

Basic net (loss) income per share:

   $ (3.29 )   $ 0.75     $ (1.79 )   $ 2.10  
                                

Diluted net (loss) income per share:

   $ (3.29 )   $ 0.74     $ (1.79 )   $ 2.06  
                                

Average basic shares outstanding

     59,884       61,110       60,008       60,941  

Average diluted shares outstanding

     59,884       62,226       60,008       62,192  

Dividends per share

   $ 0.18     $ 0.15     $ 0.48     $ 0.40  

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2


Crane Co. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 162,248    $ 138,607

Accounts receivable, net

     390,315      330,146

Current insurance receivable - asbestos

     32,000      52,500

Inventories, net:

     

Finished goods

     114,820      109,856

Finished parts and subassemblies

     39,943      39,644

Work in process

     62,642      53,707

Raw materials

     125,674      110,052
             
     343,079      313,259

Other current assets

     61,296      45,897
             

Total current assets

     988,938      880,409

Property, plant and equipment:

     

Cost

     811,664      776,787

Less: accumulated depreciation

     516,144      487,232
             
     295,520      289,555

Long-term insurance receivable - asbestos

     319,249      170,400

Long-term deferred tax assets

     299,704      171,164

Other assets

     121,845      91,476

Intangible assets

     113,464      122,744

Goodwill

     776,577      704,736
             

Total assets

   $ 2,915,297    $ 2,430,484
             

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3


Crane Co. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 25,032     $ 9,505  

Accounts payable

     193,934       161,270  

Current asbestos liability

     80,000       70,000  

Accrued liabilities

     215,762       196,723  

U.S. and foreign taxes on income

     13,104       24,428  
                

Total current liabilities

     527,832       461,926  

Long-term debt

     398,256       391,760  

Accrued pension and postretirement benefits

     65,724       59,996  

Deferred tax liability

     93,235       89,595  

Long-term asbestos liability

     975,000       459,567  

Other liabilities

     41,109       41,004  
                

Total liabilities

     2,101,156       1,503,848  

Minority interest

     7,987       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

     143,909       134,798  

Retained earnings

     809,527       946,077  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     121,760       73,175  

Treasury stock

     (341,468 )     (307,873 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     806,154       918,603  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,915,297     $ 2,430,484  
                

Common stock issued

     72,426,139       72,426,139  

Less: Common stock held in treasury

     (12,463,132 )     (11,953,521 )
                

Common stock outstanding

     59,963,007       60,472,618  
                

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4


Crane Co. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006  

Operating activities:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (107,569 )   $ 127,906  

Income from joint venture

     (3,798 )     (4,525 )

Asbestos provision, net

     390,150       —    

Loss (gain) on divestiture

     975       (8,931 )

Depreciation and amortization

     44,740       39,056  

Stock-based compensation expense

     11,173       11,288  

Deferred income taxes

     (140,243 )     4,954  

Cash used for working capital

     (39,532 )     (35,617 )

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

     7,311       (29,957 )

Other

     (16,889 )     (1,258 )
                

Total provided by operating activities

     146,318       102,916  
                

Investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (33,412 )     (22,312 )

Proceeds from disposition of capital assets

     11,610       3,317  

Proceeds from divestitures

     2,005       26,088  

Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (65,166 )     (234,734 )
                

Total used for investing activities

     (84,963 )     (227,641 )
                

Financing activities:

    

Equity:

    

Dividends paid

     (28,828 )     (24,465 )

Reacquisition of shares on the open market

     (50,001 )     (37,499 )

Stock options exercised - net of shares reacquired

     10,102       20,606  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     4,081       7,575  

Debt:

    

Issuance of long-term debt

     —         71,700  

Repayments of long-term debt

     (300 )     (410 )

Net increase in short-term debt

     15,492       55  
                

Total (used for) provided by financing activities

     (49,454 )     37,562  
                

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     11,740       5,848  
                

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     23,641       (81,315 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     138,607       180,392  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 162,248     $ 99,077  
                

Detail of cash used for working capital

    

Accounts receivable

   $ (41,253 )   $ (35,528 )

Inventories

     (13,020 )     (16,174 )

Other current assets

     (110 )     1,329  

Accounts payable

     22,724       1,530  

Accrued liabilities

     9,682       8,716  

U.S. and foreign taxes on income

     (17,555 )     4,510  
                

Total

   $ (39,532 )   $ (35,617 )
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 20,049     $ 17,333  

Income taxes paid

     56,576       22,292  

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5


Part I – Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 periods 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. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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 were applicable to the Company effective January 1, 2007. See Note 11, “Income Taxes”, for further discussion of the impacts of FIN 48.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosure about fair value measurements. In accordance with SFAS 157, the definition of fair value retains the exchange price notion, and exchange price is defined as the price in an orderly transaction, between market participants, to sell an asset or transfer a liability. If there is a principal market for the asset or liability, the fair value measurement should reflect that price, whether that price is directly observable or otherwise used in a valuation technique. Depending on the asset or liability being valued, the inputs used to determine fair value can range from objective inputs such as prices based on market data independent from the entity, to subjective inputs such as the entity’s own assumptions about the estimates that market participants would use. The Statement applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and will be effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 157 to determine the potential impact, if any, the adoption will have on the Company’s financial statements. Although applicable, it is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” (“SFAS 159”). This Standard permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This Statement is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the Board’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 159 to determine the potential impact, if any, the adoption will have on the Company’s financial statements. Although applicable, it is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

6


3. Segment Results

Financial information by reportable segment is set forth below:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands)    2007     2006     2007     2006  

Net Sales

        

Aerospace & Electronics

   $ 158,999     $ 139,487     $ 467,563     $ 420,480  

Engineered Materials

     80,719       71,636       256,180       239,931  

Merchandising Systems

     98,462       73,384       296,389       179,566  

Fluid Handling

     290,826       252,278       834,983       744,109  

Controls

     35,087       30,919       98,093       91,151  
                                

Total

   $ 664,093     $ 567,704     $ 1,953,208     $ 1,675,237  
                                

Operating (Loss) Profit

        

Aerospace & Electronics

   $ 23,090     $ 25,041     $ 68,481     $ 73,414  

Engineered Materials

     15,742       9,661       49,713       38,551  

Merchandising Systems

     9,755       8,887       31,298       17,101  

Fluid Handling

     37,477       29,188       102,014       84,596  

Controls

     3,129       2,559       8,331       7,353  

Corporate, excluding Asbestos Provision

     (11,660 )     (4,173 )     (42,108 )     (26,546 )

Asbestos Provision (a)

     (390,150 )     —         (390,150 )     —    
                                

Total

     (312,617 )     71,163       (172,421 )     194,469  

Interest income

     1,535       552       3,837       2,163  

Interest expense

     (6,845 )     (5,244 )     (20,614 )     (16,268 )

Miscellaneous - net

     849       1,461       3,593       7,143  
                                

(Loss) income before income taxes

   $ (317,078 )   $ 67,932     $ (185,605 )   $ 187,507  
                                

 

(a) The Company updated and extended its estimate of its asbestos liability and recorded an additional provision of approximately $390 million at September 30, 2007. This provision reflects an additional estimated liability of $586 million, offset by a corresponding insurance receivable of $196 million (Note 9).

 

               As of
(In thousands)              September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

Assets

           

Aerospace & Electronics

         $ 473,609    $ 468,652

Engineered Materials

           310,008      264,282

Merchandising Systems

           342,510      338,207

Fluid Handling

           901,768      740,390

Controls

           129,953      56,213

Corporate (b)

           757,449      562,740
                   

Total

         $ 2,915,297    $ 2,430,484
                   

 

(b) The increase in corporate assets as of September 30, 2007 includes additional insurance receivables and deferred taxes associated with the Company’s updated estimate of its asbestos claims liability recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2007 (Note 9).

 

7


4. Net (Loss) Income Per Share

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

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)    2007     2006    2007     2006

Net (Loss) Income

   $ (196,950 )   $ 46,043    $ (107,569 )   $ 127,905
                             

Average basic shares outstanding

     59,884       61,110      60,008       60,941

Effect of dilutive stock options

     —         1,116      —         1,251
                             

Average diluted shares outstanding

     59,884       62,226      60,008       62,192
                             

Basic net (loss) income per share

   $ (3.29 )   $ 0.75    $ (1.79 )   $ 2.10

Diluted net (loss) income per share

     (3.29 )     0.74      (1.79 )     2.06

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 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, because they would not have had a dilutive effect (0.9 million average options for the third quarter of 2006, and 0.8 million average options for the first nine months of 2006). Due to the net losses in the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, the effect of stock options is not used in the calculation of average shares outstanding for those periods, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

5. Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Total comprehensive (loss) income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands)    2007     2006    2007     2006

Net (Loss) Income

   $ (196,950 )   $ 46,043    $ (107,569 )   $ 127,905

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     27,810       1,739      48,585       33,489
                             

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

   $ (169,140 )   $ 47,782    $ (58,984 )   $ 161,394
                             

 

6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The changes in goodwill and intangible assets during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 primarily relate to the recording of preliminary purchase price allocations of the acquisitions of the composite panel business of Owens Corning, as well as the Mobile Rugged Business (“MRB”) of Kontron America, Inc. (see Note 7). The final purchase price allocations are expected to be completed during the first half of 2008.

 

8


Changes to goodwill are as follows:

 

(in thousands)   

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2007

    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 704,736     $ 568,355  

Additions

     55,649       130,965  

Divestitures

     (634 )     (5,370 )

Translation and other adjustments

     16,826       10,786  
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 776,577     $ 704,736  
                

Changes to intangible assets are as follows:

 

(in thousands)   

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2007

    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Balance at beginning of period, net

   $ 122,744     $ 60,735  

Additions

     5,222       76,191  

Amortization expense

     (12,879 )     (13,886 )

Translation and other adjustments

     (1,623 )     (296 )
                

Balance at end of period, net

   $ 113,464     $ 122,744  
                

A summary of intangible assets is as follows:

 

     September 30, 2007    December 31, 2006
(in thousands)    Gross
Asset
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Gross
Asset
   Accumulated
Amortization

Intellectual property rights

   $ 87,195    $ 42,540    $ 88,004    $ 40,530

Customer relationships and backlog

     79,362      19,092      79,204      14,362

Drawings

     10,825      9,516      10,825      9,199

Other

     15,322      8,092      11,662      2,860
                           

Total

   $ 192,704    $ 79,240    $ 189,695    $ 66,951
                           

Amortization expense for these intangible assets is currently estimated to be approximately $14.0 million in 2008, $12.9 million in 2009, $12.0 million in 2010, $8.6 million in 2011 and $6.7 million in 2012. Included within Intangible Assets is $18.9 million of intangibles with indefinite useful lives, consisting of trade names which are not being amortized in accordance with the guidance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”.

 

7. Acquisitions

In August 2007, the Company acquired the MRB of Kontron America, Inc., which produces computers, electronics and flat panel displays for harsh environment applications, for approximately $27 million in cash. The final purchase price allocation is expected to be completed in the first half of 2008. Based on preliminary calculations, approximately 80% of the purchase price will be

 

9


allocated to goodwill and intangible assets. MRB had sales of approximately $25 million in 2006 and employed approximately 35 people in its manufacturing operation in Poway, California and its engineering group in Fremont, California. This acquisition is being integrated into the Company’s Controls segment.

In September 2007, the Company acquired the composite panel business of Owens Corning, which produces, among other products, high gloss fiberglass reinforced plastic panels used in the manufacture of recreational vehicles. The purchase price was $38 million in cash. The final purchase price allocation is expected to be completed in the first half of 2008. Based on preliminary calculations, approximately 60% of the purchase price will be allocated to goodwill and intangible assets. The acquired business had sales of $40 million in 2006 and employed approximately 150 people at its composite panels manufacturing operation in Goshen, Indiana and its technical center in Elkhart, Indiana. This acquisition is being integrated into the Company’s Engineered Materials segment.

The pro forma effect of these acquisitions was not material to the results of three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

8. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consists of:

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006
(in thousands)          

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

   $ 94,975    $ 82,310

Accrued warranty

     23,827      20,294

Accrued insurance

     14,789      15,713

Advanced payments

     12,078      10,721

Accrued sales allowance

     10,944      15,197

Other

     59,149      52,488
             
   $ 215,762    $ 196,723
             

 

10


9. Commitments and Contingencies

Asbestos Liability

Information Regarding Claims and Costs in the Tort System

As of September 30, 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
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006     2006  

Beginning claims

   84,652     88,833     85,941     89,017     89,017  

New claims

   694     1,555     2,691     3,837     4,853  

Settlements

   (109 )   (351 )   (909 )   (923 )   (1,043 )

Dismissals

   (3,986 )   (723 )   (6,472 )   (2,617 )   (6,886 )
                              

Ending claims *

   81,251     89,314     81,251     89,314     85,941  
                              
 
  * Does not include 36,323 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.

Of the 81,251 pending claims as of September 30, 2007, approximately 25,000 claims were pending in New York, approximately 24,000 claims were pending in Mississippi, approximately 9,000 claims were pending in Texas and approximately 3,600 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. The balance of the claims are pending in a number of jurisdictions in which settlement and defense costs are affected by a number of factors as described below.

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 believes that the verdict was not 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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 totaled $64.7 million and $49.5 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

 

11


months or more. Cash payments of settlement amounts are not made until all releases and other required documentation are received by the Company. The Company’s pre-tax cash receipts/payments for settlement and defense costs, including payments from insurers, in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 totaled a $7.3 million net receipt in 2007 (reflecting the receipt of $31.5 million in previously escrowed funds from Equitas Limited (“Equitas”) in January 2007 and the receipt of $10.0 million for a full policy buyout from Employers Reinsurance Company (“ERC”) in April 2007) and a $30.0 million net payment in 2006, respectively. Detailed below are the comparable amounts for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Year Ended
December 31,
   Cumulative to
Date Through
September 30,
     2007    2006    2007      2006    2006    2007

Settlement costs incurred (1)

   $ 11.2    $ 6.4    $ 30.5      $ 17.7    $ 26.3    $ 113.0

Defense costs incurred (1)

     12.2      11.9      34.2        31.8      42.8      150.7
                                           

Total costs incurred

   $ 23.4    $ 18.3    $ 64.7      $ 49.5    $ 69.1    $ 263.7
                                           

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

   $ 7.9    $ 20.9    $ (7.3 )    $ 30.0    $ 40.6    $ 118.4
                                           
 
  (1) Before insurance recoveries and tax effects
  (2) Net of payments from insurers, including a $31.5 million payment from Equitas in January 2007 and a $10.0 million payment from ERC in April 2007. The 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.

Effects on the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company has retained the firm of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Associates, 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 reviews 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 is based largely on the Company’s experience during the two full preceding calendar years (and additional quarterly periods to the estimate date) for claims filed, settled and dismissed. The Company’s experience is then compared to the results of previously conducted epidemiological studies estimating the number of individuals 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 estimates the number of future claims that would be filed against the Company, 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. After discussions with the Company, HR&A augments its liability estimate for the costs of defending asbestos claims in the tort system using a forecast from the Company which is based upon discussions with its defense counsel. Based on this information, HR&A compiles an estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability for pending and future claims, based on claim experience over the past two years and covering claims expected to be filed through the indicated period. Although the methodology used by HR&A will also show claims and costs for subsequent periods (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 the indicated estimate.

 

12


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.

Updating the Liability Estimate. With the assistance of HR&A, effective as of September 30, 2007 the Company updated and extended its estimate of the asbestos liability, including the costs of settlement or indemnity payments and defense costs relating to currently pending claims and future claims projected to be filed against the Company through 2017. The Company’s previous estimate was for asbestos claims filed through 2011. As a result of this updated estimate, the Company recorded an additional liability of $586 million as of September 30, 2007. The Company’s decision to take this action at such date was based on several factors. First, the number of asbestos claims being filed against the Company has moderated substantially over the past several years, and in the Company’s opinion, the outlook for asbestos claims expected to be filed and resolved in the forecast period is reasonably stable. Second, these claim trends are particularly true for mesothelioma claims, which although constituting only 6% of the Company’s asbestos claims account for approximately 85% of the Company’s aggregate settlement and defense costs over the past five years. Third, federal legislation that would significantly change the nature of asbestos litigation failed to pass in 2006, and in the Company’s opinion, the prospects for such legislation at the federal level are remote. Fourth, there have been significant actions taken by certain state legislatures and courts over the past several years that have reduced the number and types of claims that can proceed to trial, which has been a significant factor in stabilizing the asbestos claim activity. Fifth, the Company has now entered into coverage-in-place agreements with a majority of its excess insurers, which enables the Company to project a more stable relationship between settlement and defense costs paid by the Company and reimbursements from its insurers. Taking all of these factors into account, the Company believes that it can reasonably estimate the asbestos liability for pending claims and future claims to be filed through 2017. While it is probable 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 2017. Accordingly, no accrual has been recorded for any costs which may be incurred for claims made subsequent to 2017.

Management has made its best estimate of the costs through 2017 based on the analysis by HR&A completed in October 2007. A liability of $1,055 million has been recorded as of September 30, 2007 to cover the estimated cost of asbestos claims now pending or subsequently asserted through 2017, of which approximately 68% is attributable to settlement and defense costs for future claims projected to be filed through 2017. 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.

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

 

13


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.

Insurance Coverage and Receivables. Prior to 2005, a significant portion of the Company’s settlement and defense costs were paid by its primary insurers. With the exhaustion of that primary coverage, the Company began negotiations with its excess insurers to reimburse the Company for a portion of its settlement and defense costs as incurred. To date, the Company has entered into agreements providing for such reimbursements, known as “coverage-in-place”, with eight of its excess insurer groups. With three of its excess insurer groups, the Company entered into policy buyout agreements, settling all asbestos and other coverage obligations for an agreed sum, totaling $46.8 million in aggregate. The Company is in discussions with or expects to enter into additional coverage-in-place agreements with other of its excess insurers whose policies are expected to respond to the aggregate costs included in the updated liability estimate. Under such coverage-in-place agreements, an insurer’s policies remain in force and the insurer undertakes to provide coverage for the Company’s present and future asbestos claims on specified terms and conditions that address, among other things, the share of asbestos claims costs to be paid by the insurer, payment terms, claims handling procedures and the expiration of the insurer’s obligations. 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. All of these agreements include provisions for mutual releases, indemnification of the insurer and, for coverage-in-place, claims handling procedures.

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 33%. An asset of $351 million has been recorded as of September 30, 2007 representing the probable insurance reimbursement for such claims.

Uncertainties. Many uncertainties exist surrounding asbestos litigation, and 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.

 

14


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 September 30, 2007 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 U.S. 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 $15.4 million as of September 30, 2007, which is included in accrued liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

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

The EPA and the DOJ have alleged that one of the Company’s subsidiaries (Crane Composites, Inc.) is in violation of certain Clean Air Act regulations and a Clean Air Act operating permit at a manufacturing facility located in Channahon, Illinois. The allegations originated from a neighbor’s complaint in late 2003 about an odor emanating from the facility. The Company has cooperated with EPA’s investigation, and it is in the late stage of discussions with the EPA and the DOJ in an effort to resolve the dispute regarding emission, as well as their claim for a civil penalty relative to the alleged violations. The DOJ has demanded a civil penalty in the amount of $1.2 million. While the Company believes that it has not violated its Clean Air Act operating permit or the regulations in question, it recognizes that the cost and risk associated with a protracted litigation with the U.S. Government could be avoided through a reasonable settlement. The Company intends to continue discussions with the DOJ and EPA in an effort to find a mutually acceptable resolution.

False Claims Proceeding

The Company engaged in discussions with attorneys from the Civil Division of the DOJ 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 contractual specifications relating to the place of manufacture and the origin of component parts. The DOJ’s allegations originated with a qui tam complaint filed under seal by a former CVNA employee. The DOJ ultimately intervened in that case, and on March 31, 2007, 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

 

15


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. As a result, the complaint alleges that the valves manufactured in Texas were not properly listed on the Qualified Products List as required by the contract specifications.

The Company received a letter from the Department of the Navy on February 14, 2007, conveying the Navy’s concerns about the Qualified Products List allegations raised by the DOJ. The Department of the Navy advised the Company that, if true, these allegations 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 cooperated with the Government’s investigation of these matters and negotiated a settlement agreement with the DOJ providing for, among other things, the payment of $7.5 million to the United States and $125,000 to pay the legal fees of the former employee who filed the qui tam complaint. In addition, the Company negotiated an administrative agreement with the Department of the Navy for a term of three years pursuant to which the Company will implement certain changes to its compliance programs and report to the Navy on a quarterly basis. These agreements were executed and became effective on July 27, 2007. The Company acknowledged the failure to notify the Navy and update the Qualified Products List but denies that this omission violated the False Claims Act. The failure to notify the Navy was unintentional and there was no misconduct by Company personnel. The Company determined to settle this matter to avoid the risks of costly and protracted legal proceedings.

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. The parties in both suits are nearing completion of fact and expert discovery, and trials are expected in the first and second quarters of 2008. The Company continues to believe 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 plaintiff 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 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.

 

16


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.

 

10. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The components of net periodic cost are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2007     2006     2007     2006     2007     2006     2007     2006  
(In thousands)    Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement
Benefits
    Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 

Service cost

   $ 4,199     $ 4,050     $ 39     $ 41     $ 12,596     $ 12,151     $ 116     $ 123  

Interest cost

     8,428       7,706       254       284       25,283       23,117       761       852  

Expected return on plan assets

     (11,084 )     (9,871 )     —         —         (33,252 )     (29,611 )     —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost

     126       147       (21 )     (40 )     378       440       (63 )     (120 )

Amortization of net loss (gain)

     146       262       (33 )     (21 )     438       786       (98 )     (63 )
                                                                

Net periodic cost

   $ 1,815     $ 2,294     $ 239     $ 264     $ 5,443     $ 6,883     $ 716     $ 792  
                                                                

During the first nine months of 2007, the Company contributed $3.8 million to its defined benefit plans and $1.2 million to its other postretirement benefit plans. The Company expects, based on current actuarial calculations, to contribute approximately $5.0 million to its domestic and foreign defined benefit plans and $2.0 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2007. The Company contributed $8.0 million to its defined benefit plans and $2.2 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2006. 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.

 

11. Income Taxes

As discussed in Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007.

During the three months ended September 30, 2007, there was no change in the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period, an increase of approximately $0.3 million in the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during the current period, and no change in the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits as a result of settlements with taxing authorities.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, there was a decrease of approximately $1.0 million in the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period, an increase of approximately $1.3 million in the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during the current period, and a decrease of approximately $0.4 million in the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a settlement with a taxing authority.

 

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During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate increased by approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

The Company recognizes interest related to uncertain tax positions in tax expense. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the total amount of interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits recognized in the consolidated statement of operations was $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the total amount of accrued interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits recorded in the consolidated balance sheet was $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

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 non-U.S. taxing authorities. In May 2007, the IRS completed its examination of the Company’s 2005 federal income tax return. Therefore, only the Company’s 2006 federal tax return, which it filed in September 2007, has not yet been examined by the IRS.

With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2003. At this time, the Company is currently under audit by various state and non-U.S. taxing authorities. As of September 30, 2007, it is reasonably possible that the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.8 million during the next twelve months as a result of the closure of the aforementioned 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 and nine months ended September 30, 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,” FASB Interpretation No. 18, “Accounting for Income Taxes in Interim Periods” and FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”

The Company’s effective tax rate of 37.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, which reflects a tax benefit on a pre-tax loss, is higher than the Company’s effective tax rate of 32.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2006, which reflects a tax provision on pre-tax income. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2007 reflects more tax benefit when compared to the same period in 2006 primarily as a result of:

 

   

the asbestos charge recorded in the third quarter of 2007,

 

   

lower foreign taxes in 2007,

 

   

the inclusion of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit in the third quarter of 2007 as a result of its statutory reinstatement in December 2006,

 

   

favorable tax legislation enacted in Germany and the United Kingdom during the third quarter of 2007, and

 

   

refunds of tax and interest received during the third quarter of 2007.

These items were partially offset by the statutory expiration of the U.S. federal tax benefit on export sales as of December 31, 2006 and incremental taxes from increased dividends from foreign subsidiaries in 2007.

 

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The Company’s effective tax rate of 42.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, which reflects a tax benefit on a pre-tax loss, is higher than the Company’s effective tax rate of 31.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, which reflects a tax provision recorded on pre-tax income. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006 reflects more tax benefit primarily as a result of:

 

   

the asbestos charge recorded in the third quarter of 2007,

 

   

lower foreign taxes in 2007,

 

   

the inclusion of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit in the third 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 of domestic manufacturing activities.

These items were partially offset by the statutory expiration of the U.S. federal tax benefit on export sales as of December 31, 2006, and incremental taxes from increased dividends from foreign subsidiaries in 2007.

The asbestos charge recorded during the third quarter 2007 will also result in an estimated incremental tax expense of $3.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The Company’s effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 are higher than the statutory U.S. federal tax rate, which reflects additional tax benefits recorded on the Company’s pre-tax book loss for each period, primarily as a result of:

 

   

the effect of the 2007 asbestos charge,

 

   

the U.S. research and development tax credit,

 

   

the U.S. federal tax benefit on domestic manufacturing activities,

 

   

earnings in foreign jurisdictions taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate,

 

   

changes in state and international tax laws enacted during 2007, and

 

   

the completion of federal and state examinations during 2007.

These items were partially offset by state taxes, net of the U.S. federal tax benefit, and the repatriation of foreign earnings taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate.

 

12. Miscellaneous Income – Net

 

      Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands)    2007     2006     2007     2006  

(Loss) Gain on sale of assets

   $ (1,008 )   $ 309     $ (490 )   $ 5,263  

Equity method joint venture income

     1,254       1,305       3,798       4,525  

Other

     603       (153 )     285       (2,645 )
                                

Total

   $ 849     $ 1,461     $ 3,593     $ 7,143  
                                

The second quarter 2006 includes a net gain of $4.1 million consisting of $8.3 million from the sales of Resistoflex Aerospace and Westad, offset by $4.2 million from the sale of unused property resulting from prior plant consolidations and certain legal costs associated with previous divestitures.

 

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13. Long-term Debt and Notes Payable

Long-term debt, net of unamortized original issue discounts, was $398.3 million and $391.8 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, and was comprised primarily of fixed rate borrowings under the $200 million 5.50% notes due 2013 and the $200 million 6.55% notes due 2036. Short-term debt was approximately $25.0 million and $9.5 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, and was primarily comprised of borrowings under a money market credit line. In September 2007, the Company amended and restated its $300 million Credit Agreement which is now due to mature in September 2012, two years and eight months later than the previous term. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement at September 30, 2007.

 

14. Supplemental Cash Flows Information

In the first quarter of 2007, the Company sold its Corporate aircraft, generating 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 in operating activities).

 

15. 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 is carried as a $0.5 million liability at September 30, 2007.

 

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Part I – Financial Information

 

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

This 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 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.

Extension of Timeframe for Asbestos Liability Estimate

As of September 30, 2007, the Company extended the time horizon of its estimate of asbestos liability from 2011 to 2017, to reflect its outlook regarding trends in its defense and indemnity costs. The following table shows the Company’s estimate of its asbestos liability, both before and after insurance reimbursements and tax effects, the estimate as of September 30, 2007 of $204 million, prior to extending the timeframe of the liability estimate; the $250 million effect of the extension; and the total $454 million after insurance and after-tax estimate as of September 30, 2007.

 

    

Original

Liability Through
2011 at
September 30, 2007

    Impact to Extend Liability to 2017  
($ in millions)      Provision Recorded
During the Three
Months Ended
September 30, 2007
    Current
Liability Through
2017 at
September 30, 2007
 

Asbestos Liability

   $ 469     $ 586     $ 1,055  

Insurance Receivable

     (155 )     (196 )     (351 )
                        

Net Asbestos Liability

     314       390       704  

Tax Benefit

     (110 )     (140 )     (250 )
                        

After-Tax Asbestos Liability

   $ 204     $ 250     $ 454  
                        

Results from Operations

Third quarter of 2007 compared with third quarter of 2006

Third quarter 2007 sales increased $96.4 million, or 17%, including core business growth of $49.8 million (9%), sales from acquired businesses (Dixie-Narco and Noble) of $30.1 million (5%) and favorable foreign currency translation of $16.5 million (3%). Net sales related to operations outside the U.S. were 39.0% and 37.3% of total net sales for the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The operating loss for the third quarter was $312.6 million compared with operating profit of $71.2 million in the prior year quarter. The operating loss included a $390.2 million provision to update and extend the Company’s estimate of its asbestos liability. This provision extended the Company’s estimated asbestos liability from 2011 to 2017 (See Note 9 in the financial statements under Item 1 included in this report). Corporate operating expenses were $11.7 compared to $4.2 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in Corporate expenses primarily reflects a $4.9 million reimbursement in the prior year quarter from the U.S. government for environmental clean-up costs at a former manufacturing site in Arizona, which previously manufactured products for the government. The effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2007 was 37.9%, reflecting a tax benefit on a pre-tax loss for the period. This compares to the Company’s effective tax rate

 

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of 32.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2006 which reflects a tax provision on pre-tax income. The Company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter 2007 reflects more tax benefit than the third quarter 2006 primarily as a result of:

 

   

the asbestos charge recorded in the third quarter of 2007,

 

   

lower foreign taxes in 2007,

 

   

the inclusion of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit in the third quarter of 2007 as a result of its statutory reinstatement in December 2006,

 

   

favorable tax legislation enacted in Germany and the United Kingdom during the third quarter of 2007, and

 

   

refunds of tax and interest received during the third quarter of 2007.

These items were partially offset by the statutory expiration of the U.S. federal tax benefit on export sales as of December 31, 2006 and incremental taxes from increased dividends from foreign subsidiaries in 2007. The third quarter 2007 net loss was $197.0 million or $3.29 per diluted share, as compared with net income of $46.0 million, or $0.74 per diluted share in the same 2006 period.

Segment Results

All comparisons below refer to the third quarter 2007 versus the third quarter 2006, unless otherwise specified.

Aerospace & Electronics

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006              

Sales

   $ 159.0     $ 139.5     $ 19.5     14.0 %

Operating Profit

   $ 23.1     $ 25.0     $ (1.9 )   -7.8 %

Profit Margin

     14.5 %     17.9 %    

The third quarter 2007 sales increase of $19.5 million reflected a sales increase of $17.8 million in the Aerospace Group and an increase of $1.7 million in the Electronics Group. Segment operating profit declined by $1.9 million as a result of higher aggregate engineering expense of approximately $9.0 million related to new programs, including the Boeing 787. The Aerospace and Electronics segment backlog increased $26 million, or 7%, as of September 30, 2007, compared to $373 million as of September 30, 2006.

Engineered Materials

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 80.7     $ 71.6     $ 9.1    12.7 %

Operating Profit

   $ 15.7     $ 9.7     $ 6.0    61.9 %

Profit Margin

     19.5 %     13.5 %     

Third quarter 2007 sales were higher than the prior year period as sales of $11.9 million from Noble Composites, acquired in September 2006, more than offset lower volumes primarily to the Company’s traditional transportation customers. Sales to building products and recreational vehicle customers were modestly lower than the same period in 2006. Operating profit in 2007 increased 62% as the benefit of the Noble acquisition, lower product support costs in the recreational vehicle market and improved manufacturing efficiencies offset the impact of lower volume in the base business.

 

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Merchandising Systems

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 98.5     $ 73.4     $ 25.1    34.2 %

Operating Profit

   $ 9.8     $ 8.9     $ 0.9    10.1 %

Profit Margin

     9.9 %     12.1 %     

Merchandising Systems sales increased $25.1 million, or 34%, driven primarily by increased sales of $18.9 million from the Dixie-Narco acquisition and organic growth in our payment solutions business. The strong results in payment solutions, completion of the Automatic Products acquisition integration and improved European vending operating results more than offset the losses generated at Dixie-Narco.

Fluid Handling

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 290.8     $ 252.3     $ 38.5    15.3 %

Operating Profit

   $ 37.5     $ 29.2     $ 8.3    28.4 %

Profit Margin

     12.9 %     11.6 %     

Third quarter 2007 sales increased $38.5 million, or 15%, including $27.2 million, or 11%, of core sales, favorable foreign currency translation of $12.4 million, or 5%, partially offset by lower sales from a divested business of approximately $1.1 million, or 1%. Operating profit increased $8.3 million, or 28%.

Margins increased to 12.9%, reflecting effective leverage of the notable sales increase. The Fluid Handling segment backlog was $267 million as of September 30, 2007, compared with $204 million as of September 30, 2006, and $211 million as of December 31, 2006. This $63 million increase in backlog, or 31%, over September 30, 2006 reflects increased global demand, particularly from the chemical/pharmaceutical and energy industries, and generally higher demand from many commercial applications.

Controls

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 35.1     $ 30.9     $ 4.2    13.6 %

Operating Profit

   $ 3.1     $ 2.6     $ 0.5    19.2 %

Profit Margin

     8.8 %     8.4 %     

The Controls Segment backlog was $42.2 million at September 30, 2007, compared with $23.0 million at December 31, 2006 and $30.4 million at September 30, 2006.

Results from Operations

Year-to-date period ended September 30, 2007 compared to year-to-date period ended September 30, 2006

Year-to-date 2007 sales increased $278.0 million, or 17%, including core business growth of $119.7 million (7%), sales from acquired businesses (CashCode, Dixie-Narco, Automatic Products, Telequip and Noble Composites) of $131.7 million (7%) and favorable foreign currency translation of $40.8 million (3%), reduced by lower sales from

 

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businesses divested in 2006 of $14.2 million (1%). Net sales related to operations outside the United States were 37.5% and 37.3% of total net sales for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Order backlog at September 30, 2007 totaled $753.2 million compared with $676.7 million at December 31, 2006 and $636.9 million at September 30, 2006.

Year-to-date operating loss was $172.4 million compared with operating profit of $194.5 million in 2006. The operating loss included a $390.2 million provision to update and extend the Company’s estimate of its asbestos liability. Corporate operating expenses were $42.1 compared to $26.5 million in the 2006 year-to-date period. The increase in Corporate operating expenses primarily reflects: (1) a $7.5 million provision recorded in the second quarter of 2007 relating to the previously disclosed civil false claims proceeding by the U.S. Government, and (2) a $4.9 million reimbursement in the prior year quarter from the U.S. Government for environmental clean-up costs at a former manufacturing site in Arizona, which previously manufactured products for the government. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net miscellaneous income included $8.3 million of net gain from the sales of Resistoflex Aerospace and Westad, partially offset by $4.2 million in losses from the sale of unused property resulting from prior plant consolidations and certain legal costs associated with previous divestitures. The Company’s effective tax rate of 42.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 reflects a tax benefit on a pre-tax loss. The Company’s effective tax rate of 31.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 reflects a tax provision on pre-tax income. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006 reflects more tax benefit primarily as a result of:

 

   

the asbestos charge recorded in the third quarter of 2007,

 

   

lower foreign taxes in 2007,

 

   

the inclusion of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit in the third 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 of domestic manufacturing activities.

These items were partially offset by the statutory expiration of the U.S. federal tax benefit on export sales as of December 31, 2006, and incremental taxes from increased dividends from foreign subsidiaries in 2007. The asbestos charge recorded during the third quarter 2007 will also result in an estimated incremental tax expense of $3.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Segment Results

All comparisons below reference the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2007 versus the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2006 (“prior year”), unless otherwise specified.

Aerospace & Electronics

 

     Year-To-Date     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006              

Sales

   $ 467.6     $ 420.5     $ 47.1     11.2 %

Operating Profit

   $ 68.5     $ 73.4     $ (4.9 )   -6.7 %

Profit Margin

     14.6 %     17.5 %    

The year-to-date 2007 sales increase of $47.1 million reflected sales increases of $43.7 million in the Aerospace Group and $3.4 million in the Electronics Group. Segment operating profit declined by $4.9 million as a result of higher aggregate engineering expense of approximately $22 million related to new programs, including the Boeing 787, which more than offset the profits associated with higher sales. Aerospace Group sales of $314.3 million increased $43.7 million, or 16%, from $270.6 million in the prior year period. Core sales growth was $49.1 million (18%) and favorable foreign currency translations of $0.6 million, were partially offset by a $6.0 million (2%)

 

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decline in sales caused by the absence of Resistoflex Aerospace, which was sold in May 2006. Electronics Group sales of $153.3 million increased $3.4 million, or 2%, from $149.8 million in the prior year period. The Aerospace and Electronics segment backlog increased $26 million, or 7%, as of September 30, 2007, compared to $373 million as of September 30, 2006.

Engineered Materials

 

     Year-To-Date     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 256.2     $ 239.9     $ 16.3    6.8 %

Operating Profit

   $ 49.7     $ 38.6     $ 11.1    28.8 %

Profit Margin

     19.4 %     16.1 %     

The year-to-date 2007 sales increase of $16.3 million, or 6.8%, includes sales of $39.3 million from Noble Composites, acquired in September 2006, which more than offset lower volumes to the Company’s traditional recreational vehicle, transportation and building products customers. Operating profit in 2007 increased as the benefit of the Noble acquisition, lower product support costs in the recreational vehicle market and improved manufacturing efficiencies offset the impact of the lower volumes in the base business. The Engineered Materials Segment backlog was $14.5 million at September 30, 2007, compared with $13.2 million at December 31, 2006 and $13.2 million at September 30, 2006.

Merchandising Systems

 

     Year-To-Date     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 296.4     $ 179.6     $ 116.8    65.0 %

Operating Profit

   $ 31.3     $ 17.1     $ 14.2    83.0 %

Profit Margin

     10.6 %     9.5 %     

Merchandising Systems sales increased $116.8 million, or 65%, driven primarily sales of $91.1 million from the CashCode, Telequip, Dixie-Narco and Automatic Products acquisitions as well as organic growth in our payment solutions business. Overall operating profit, including the impact of the acquisitions, improved by $14.2 million as a result of higher margins and effective leverage of the strong sales growth in traditional international payment systems markets. The Merchandising Systems Segment backlog was $30.8 million at September 30, 2007, compared with $33.2 million at December 31, 2006 and $18.6 million at September 30, 2006.

Fluid Handling

 

     Year-To-Date     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 835.0     $ 744.1     $ 90.9    12.2 %

Operating Profit

   $ 102.0     $ 84.6     $ 17.4    20.6 %

Profit Margin

     12.2 %     11.4 %     

The year-to-date 2007 sales increase of $90.9 million, or 12.2%, included $68.0 million (9%) of core sales, $31.1 million (4%) from favorable foreign currency translation, partially offset by lower sales from a divested business of approximately $8.2 million (1%). Operating profit increased $17.4 million or 20.6%. Margins increased to 12.2%, reflecting effective leverage of the sales increase. The Fluid Handling Segment backlog was $267.0 million at September 30, 2007, compared with $210.5 million at December 31, 2006 and $204.2 million at September 30, 2006. This $63 million increase in backlog, or 31%, over September 30, 2006 reflects increased global demand, particularly from the chemical/pharmaceutical and energy industries, and generally higher demand from many commercial applications.

 

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Controls

 

     Year-To-Date     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2007     2006             

Sales

   $ 98.1     $ 91.2     $ 6.9    7.6 %

Operating Profit

   $ 8.3     $ 7.4     $ 0.9    12.2 %

Profit Margin

     8.5 %     8.1 %     

The Controls Segment backlog was $42.2 million at September 30, 2007, compared with $23.0 million at December 31, 2006 and $30.4 million at September 30, 2006.

Financial Position

Net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) totaled 24.5% of capital (net debt plus shareholders’ equity) at September 30, 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

The Company updated and extended its estimate of its asbestos liability and recorded an additional provision of approximately $390 million during the three months ended September 30, 2007. This provision is based on the total liability to cover the estimated cost of asbestos claims currently pending and subsequently asserted through 2017 of $1,055 million, partially offset by anticipated insurance recoveries of $351 million (using an approximate 33% recovery assumption) and existing reserves of approximately $314 million. After anticipated tax benefits of $140 million, the total after-tax charge for the third quarter 2007 was $250 million. Although this increase did not have an immediate impact on the Company’s liquidity, the provision represents the incremental estimate of future cash payments associated with asbestos-related exposures.

Cash provided by operating activities was $146.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared with $102.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, reflecting a net asbestos receipt of $7.3 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, compared to $30.0 million of net asbestos payments in the first nine months of 2006. The net asbestos receipt of $7.3 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 included the following:

 

   

Receipt of $31.5 million in January 2007 representing the final payment from Equitas in connection with the Company’s agreement to settle its insurance coverage claims against certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London (reinsured by Equitas).

 

   

Receipt of $10.0 million in May 2007 in connection with a settlement agreement between the Company and Employers Reinsurance Company (“ERC”) 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 above settlement receipts were substantially offset by indemnity and defense payments made during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

In the first quarter of 2007, the Company used the proceeds from the sale of its corporate aircraft as the initial payment on an operating lease for a used, but newer aircraft replacement. Capital expenditures were $33.4 million in the first nine months of 2007, compared with $22.3 million in the first nine months of 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, the Company made payments of $65.2 million for acquisitions, which compares to $234.7 million during the first nine months of 2006; in addition, during the first nine months of 2006, the Company received $26.1 million in proceeds from the divestitures of two businesses.

 

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As a result of the acquisitions in the first nine months of 2006, the Company’s debt increased $71.7 million. In the third quarter of 2006, the dividend was increased 20%, and, as a result, the Company paid $28.8 million in dividends to shareholders in the first nine months of 2007, compared with $24.5 million in the first nine months of 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, the Company repurchased 1,247,130 shares of its common stock on the open market at a cost of $50 million, compared to a repurchase of $37.5 million in the first nine months of 2006.

During the third quarter 2007, the Company amended and restated its $300 million Credit Agreement which is now due to mature in September 2012, two years and eight months later than the previous term. At September 30, 2007, there were no loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement. Long-term debt, net of unamortized original issue discounts, was $398.2 million at September 30, 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 $25 million of borrowings primarily under a money market credit line outstanding at September 30, 2007.

Recent 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 and that the information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 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 September 30, 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 9, “Commitments and Contingencies”, of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings”.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

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

There were no open-market repurchases of the Company’s common stock during the third quarter of 2007. The Company routinely receives shares of its common stock from employees as payment for stock option exercises, the resultant withholding taxes due on such exercises, and the withholding taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock.

 

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

   

November 5, 2007

  By  

/s/ Eric C. Fast

    Eric C. Fast
    President and Chief Executive Officer

Date

   

November 5, 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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