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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


 

FORM 10-Q 

   

[x]

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarterly period ended

September 30, 2004

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

1-457

   

BULOVA CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       
       

                           New York

   

     11-1719409

           (State or other jurisdiction of

   

(I.R.S. Employer

           incorporation or organization)

   

Identification No.)


ONE BULOVA AVENUE, WOODSIDE, NY

 

     11377-7874

      (Address of principal executive offices)

 

      (Zip code)

(718) 204-3300

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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 an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

         

Yes  

                

No

      X       

 
    

                 Class                      

   

Outstanding at October 22, 2004    

Common stock, $5 par value

   

4,599,857 shares             

=========================================================================================

Page 1

                                                      BULOVA CORPORATION

                                           INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON
                                                   FORM 10-Q FILED WITH THE
                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                                    For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004


  Item

Part I. Financial Information

   Page

    No.  

 

    No.  

     

    1.

Financial Statements

 
 

  Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
    September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003


     3

     
 

  Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations

 
 

    Three and Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

     4

     
 

  Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 
 

    Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

     5

     
 

  Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

     6

     

    2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
   of Operations


   12

     

    4.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

   15

     
 

Part II. Other Information

 
     

    6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   16

     

Page 2

 

                                                           PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

BULOVA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands)

______________________________________________________________________________________

     
 

September 30,

December 31,

Assets

2004 

2003 

______________________________________________________________________________________

     

Current assets:

   

   Cash and cash equivalents

$       23,459 

$         18,201 

   Accounts and notes receivable -- net

81,615 

94,732 

   Inventories, principally watches and clocks

65,087 

64,491 

   Prepaid expenses

2,390 

1,019 

   Deferred income taxes

11,354 

9,931 

______________________________________________________________________________________

      Total current assets

183,905 

188,374 

     

Property, plant and equipment-net

16,152 

16,385 

 

Other assets:

   

   Deferred income taxes

9,585 

9,917 

   Trademarks

4,983 

4,983 

   Other

690 

875 

______________________________________________________________________________________

      Total assets

$     215,315 

$       220,534 

======================================================================================

     

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

   
     

Current liabilities:

   

   Accounts payable

$         9,219 

$        12,656 

   Accrued expenses

15,726 

22,324 

   Accrued environmental

4,953 

385 

   Accrued federal and foreign income taxes

1,003 

376 

______________________________________________________________________________________

      Total current liabilities

30,901 

35,741 

     

Postretirement benefits payable

24,112 

24,722 

     

Shareholders' equity

160,302 

160,071 

______________________________________________________________________________________

      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$     215,315 

$      220,534 

======================================================================================

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 Page 3

 

BULOVA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

____________________________________________________________________________________

     
 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

2004 

2003 

2004 

2003 

____________________________________________________________________________________

         

Net sales

$    38,742 

$   37,203 

$  110,264 

$  111,631 

Cost of sales

18,628 

18,190 

53,823 

52,797 

____________________________________________________________________________________

       

Gross profit

20,114 

19,013 

56,441 

58,834 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

17,797 

17,047 

50,487 

50,008 

____________________________________________________________________________________

         

Operating income

2,317 

1,966 

5,954 

8,826 

Royalty income

150 

324 

205 

572 

Interest income -- net

57 

53 

130 

170 

Environmental expense

(4,122)

 

(4,849)

 

Other (expense) income

(160)

(14)

43 

(13)

____________________________________________________________________________________

         

(Loss) income before income taxes

(1,758)

2,329 

1,483 

9,555 

Income tax benefit (expense)

772 

(659) 

(588)

(2,870)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Net (loss) income

$         (986)

$    1,670 

$         895 

$     6,685 

====================================================================================

Net (loss) income per share

$        (0.21)

$      0.36 

$        0.19 

$       1.45 

====================================================================================

Weighted average number of shares

       

   outstanding (in thousands)

4,599 

4,599 

4,599 

4,599 

====================================================================================

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 Page 4

 

BULOVA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Nine Months Ended       

 

September 30,           

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

2004 

2003 

______________________________________________________________________________________

     

Operating Activities:

   

Net income

$            895 

$      6,685 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (utilized)

   

    by operating activities

7,095 

6,488 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities-net:

   

    Accounts and notes receivable

10,517 

(1,761)

    Inventories

(596)

(11,059)

    Other assets

(1,186)

(1,425)

    Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(10,035)

(10,531)

    Accrued federal and foreign income taxes

627 

    Other long-term liabilities

(1,330)

1,679 

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

5,987 

(9,920)

______________________________________________________________________________________

     

Investing Activities:

   
     

Purchases of short-term investments

(4,952)

(3,076)

Proceeds from sales of short-term investments

4,989 

1,875 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(766)

(374)

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

(729)

(1,575)

______________________________________________________________________________________

     

Financing Activities:

   
     

Proceeds from debt to affiliate

 

8,000 

______________________________________________________________________________________

     

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

5,258 

(3,495)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

18,201 

9,930 

______________________________________________________________________________________

     

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$         23,459 

$      6,435 

======================================================================================


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 Page 5

 

BULOVA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



 1.

Basis of Presentation:

   
 

   Bulova Corporation (together with its subsidiaries referred to herein as "Bulova" or the "Company," unless the context otherwise requires) is a New York corporation. Loews Corporation ("Loews") owns approximately 97% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.

   
 

   The Company is engaged in the distribution and sale of watches, clocks and timepiece parts for consumer use. The principal watch brands are Bulova, Caravelle, Wittnauer and Accutron. In addition, the Company sells watches and clocks with brand names licensed from third parties. The principal licensed brand is Harley Davidson. Clocks are primarily sold under the Bulova brand name and the Company manufactures and distributes high quality grandfather clocks under the Bulova name. The Company's product breakdown includes luxury watch lines represented by Wittnauer and Accutron, a mid-priced watch line represented by Bulova, and a lower-priced watch line represented by Caravelle.

   
 

   See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Bulova Corporation and Subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2004. There have been no changes in significant accounting policies since December 31, 2003.

   
 

   The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements have not been audited, however, in the opinion of Management, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 and changes in cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

   
 

   Results of operations for the third quarter and the first nine months of each of the years reported herein are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire year.

   
 

   Certain amounts applicable to prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.

   
 

Accounting Pronouncements --

   
 

   In December of 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a revised version of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 132(R), "Employers Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits" that makes several significant changes to the required disclosures for pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets, obligations, and net cost in financial statements. SFAS No. 132(R) made no changes to the methodologies underlying the measurement of obligations or calculation of expense. In addition, SFAS No. 132(R) requires disclosure of certain plan information on a quarterly basis in interim financial statements. This quarterly report includes the disclosure of plan information required for interim financial statements.

   
 

   In January of 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. ("FIN") 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51." This Interpretation clarifies the application of ARB No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements," to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. On December 24, 2003, the FASB issued a complete replacement of FIN 46 ("FIN 46R"), which clarified certain complexities of FIN 46. FIN 46R is applicable for financial statements issued for reporting periods that end after March 15, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46R did not have any impact on the results of operations or equity of the Company.

 

Page 6

 

 

   Stock Options -- Loews has a stock option plan, in which some of the Company's employees participate. The Company follows Accounting Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options and awards. Under APB No. 25, no compensation expense is recognized when the exercise prices of options equal the fair value (market price) of the underlying stock on the date of grant.

   
 

   SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," requires the Company to disclose pro forma information regarding option grants made to employees. SFAS No. 123 specifies certain valuation techniques that produce estimated compensation charges for purposes of valuing stock option grants. These amounts have not been included in the Company's Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income, in accordance with APB No. 25. The Company's pro forma net (loss) income and pro forma (loss) income per share would have been as follows:

   

 

 

 

Three Months Ended    

Nine Months Ended    

 

September 30,      

September 30,     

________________________________________________________________________________

 

2004 

2003 

2004 

2003 

________________________________________________________________________________

         

(In thousands, except per share data)

       
         

Net (loss) income:

     

 

       

 

    Net (loss) income as reported

$        (986)

$   1,670 

$      895 

$  6,685 

       Deduct:  Total stock-based

       

       employee compensation expense

       

       determined under the fair value

       

       based method, net

(28)

(28)

(77)

(79)

________________________________________________________________________________

    Pro forma net (loss) income

$     (1,014)

$   1,642 

$      818 

$  6,606 

================================================================================

         

Net (loss) income per share:

       
         

     As reported

$       (0.21)

$     0.36 

$      0.19 

$    1.45 

     Pro forma

$       (0.22)

$     0.36 

$      0.18 

$    1.44 

________________________________________________________________________________

   
 

   In May of 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position ("FSP") 106-2, "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003." The FSP provides guidance on the accounting for the effects of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 for employers that provide prescription drug benefits. FSP 106-2 supersedes FSP 106-1 "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003." Adoption of this position has not had a material impact on the Company's results of operations or equity.

    

 

 2.

Related Parties:

   
 

   Under the tax allocation agreement between the Company and its parent, Loews, the Company paid, net of payments received, $1,775,000 and $3,614,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

   
 

   Loews provides administrative and managerial services for which the Company was charged $750,000 and $2,250,000 for each of the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. This expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The cost allocated to the Company is estimated to be the incremental cost incurred by Loews in providing these services to the Company.

   

 

Page 7

 

 

 

   The Company and Loews have a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") which provides for unsecured loans to be made by Loews from time to time, in principal amounts aggregating up to $50,000,000. The interest rate for amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement is a fixed rate equal to the Six-Month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), in effect on the date the Company requests the loan, plus 250 basis points (2.5%). The Credit Agreement has been periodically extended and currently expires on December 31, 2005. At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, no balance was outstanding.

   
 

   See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for additional discussion of related parties.

   

3.

Benefit Plans:

   
 

   Pension Plans -- The Company maintains non-contributory pension plans for all of its employees in the United States. Separate retirement plans, which are not material, are maintained by the Company's Canadian subsidiary. The Company's funding policy is to make contributions in accordance with applicable governmental requirements. The assets of the plans are invested primarily in interest-bearing obligations. Benefits are determined based on compensation during each year of credited service.

   
 

   Other Postretirement Benefit Plans -- The Company maintains postretirement health care plans covering eligible employees and retirees. Union participants become eligible upon retirement at age 55 and 10 years of service or upon completion of 20 years of service. Another plan covers salaried employees who are eligible upon retirement at age 55 and 20 years of service or upon retirement at age 60 and 10 years of service. The benefits provided by the Company include health, and for certain retirees, life insurance type benefits.

   

 

Net periodic benefit cost components:

 
     
 

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

 

______________________

________________________

Three Months Ended September 30,

2004 

2003 

2004 

2003 

_______________________________________________________________________________

(In thousands)

       
         

Service cost

$        300 

$        285 

$          41 

$             48 

Interest cost

568 

551 

236 

258 

Expected return on plan assets

(625)

(584)

   

Amortization of unrecognized

       

   net gain

   

(64)

(91)

Amortization of unrecognized

       

   prior service cost

(416)

(423)

_______________________________________________________________________________

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

$        250 

$        260 

$        (203)

$         (208)

===============================================================================

Net periodic benefit cost components:

 
     
 

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

 

______________________

________________________

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2004 

2003 

2004 

2003 

_______________________________________________________________________________

(In thousands)

       
         

Service cost

$       900 

$        855 

$          123 

$          144 

Interest cost

1,703 

1,653 

707 

774 

Expected return on plan assets

(1,875)

(1,752)

   

Amortization of unrecognized

       

   net gain

   

(193)

(273)

Amortization of unrecognized

       

   prior service cost

22 

24 

(1,247)

(1,269)

_______________________________________________________________________________

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

$       750 

$        780 

$        (610)

$         (624)

===============================================================================

    

Page 8

 

 

 4.

Geographic Information:

   
 

   The Company operates in a single industry segment, the distribution and sale of watches and clocks under the brand names of Bulova, Caravelle, Wittnauer and Accutron. Substantially all of the Company's sales are in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. In January of 2003, the Company's Swiss subsidiary commenced operations and currently distributes products using third party independent agents and/or distributors covering a number of European countries, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The Company has also signed distribution agreements for Brazil, South and Central America and the Philippines and license agreements for Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Macao. Sales from distribution agreements covering territories in South and Central America are included within the United States results and were not material for the periods covered hereby. The Company evaluates performance based on operating earnings of the respective geographic area. The geographic di stribution of the Company's operating results are summarized in the following tables:

    

 

 

United

       

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

States

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Total

________________________________________________________________________________

(In thousands)

         
           

Sales

$   34,044 

$    3,800 

$      973 

$      891 

$  39,708 

Intercompany sales

(966)

     

(966)

________________________________________________________________________________

Total net sales

$   33,078 

$    3,800 

$      973 

$      891 

$  38,742 

================================================================================

           

Operating income (loss)

$    2,044 

$       224 

$        90 

$       (41)

$    2,317 

Royalty income

150 

     

150 

Interest income -- net

10 

34 

13 

 

57 

Environmental expense

(4,122)

     

(4,122)

Other income (expense)

(154)

(25)

19 

 

(160)

________________________________________________________________________________

Income (loss) before income taxes

$   (2,072)

$       233 

$       122 

$       (41)

$   (1,758)

================================================================================

 

United

       

Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

States

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Total

________________________________________________________________________________

(In thousands)

         
           

Sales

$   34,579 

$    4,024 

$       884 

$     930 

$   40,417 

Intercompany sales

(3,214)

     

(3,214)

________________________________________________________________________________

Total net sales

$   31,365 

$    4,024 

$       884 

$     930 

$   37,203 

================================================================================

           

Operating income (loss)

$     1,917 

$       192 

$         52 

$    (195)

$     1,966 

Royalty income

324 

     

324 

Interest income (expense) -- net

10 

20 

35 

(12)

53 

Other income (expense)

(18)

 

(14)

________________________________________________________________________________

Income (loss) before income taxes

$     2,252 

$       194 

$         90 

$    (207)

$     2,329 

================================================================================

   

Page 9

 

 

 

United

       

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

States

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Total

________________________________________________________________________________

(In thousands)

         
           

Sales

$   96,464 

$   10,691 

$    2,999 

$   2,611 

$ 112,765 

Intercompany sales

(2,501)

     

(2,501)

________________________________________________________________________________

Total net sales

$   93,963 

$   10,691 

$    2,999 

$   2,611 

$ 110,264 

================================================================================

           

Operating income (loss)

$     5,569 

$        402 

$       286 

$     (303)

$    5,954 

Royalty income

205 

     

205 

Interest income -- net

20 

76 

34 

 

130 

Environmental expense

(4,849)

     

(4,849)

Other income (expense)

43 

(26)

26 

 

43 

________________________________________________________________________________

Income (loss) before income taxes

$        988 

$        452 

$       346 

$     (303)

$    1,483 

================================================================================

 

United

       

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

States

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Total

________________________________________________________________________________

(In thousands)

         
           

Sales

$ 102,332 

$   10,840 

$    2,892 

$   2,011 

$118,075 

Intercompany sales

(6,444)

     

(6,444)

________________________________________________________________________________

Total net sales

$   95,888 

$   10,840 

$    2,892 

$   2,011 

$111,631 

================================================================================

   

         

Operating income (loss)

$     8,035 

$        587 

$       593 

$     (389)

$    8,826 

Royalty income

572 

     

572 

Interest income (expense) -- net

101 

53 

35 

(19)

170 

Other income (expense)

 

(37)

19 

(13)

________________________________________________________________________________

Income (loss) before income taxes

$     8,708 

$        603 

$       633 

$     (389)

$   9,555 

================================================================================

     

 5.

Shareholders' equity:

 

September 30,

December 31,

 

2004 

2003 

________________________________________________________________________________

(In thousands)

   
       

Common stock, $5 par value:

   

   Authorized: 7,500,000 shares

   Issued: 4,600,000 shares

$        22,999 

$        22,999 

Additional paid-in capital

23,197 

23,197 

Retained earnings

114,537 

113,642 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(426)

238 

________________________________________________________________________________

 

Total

160,307 

160,076 

Less treasury stock, at cost

________________________________________________________________________________

Total shareholders' equity

$      160,302 

$       160,071 

================================================================================

     
 

   For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, comprehensive (loss) income totaled ($627,000), $1,536,000, $231,000 and $8,938,000, respectively. Comprehensive (loss) income includes net (loss) income, foreign currency translation gains or losses and pension liability adjustments.

   

Page 10

 

 

 6.

Environmental Matters:

   
 

   In April 2004, the Company became aware of additional contamination at its former manufacturing facility located in Jackson Heights, New York. Based on the information available at that time, in the second quarter of 2004, the Company recorded an accrual of $727,000 for its estimated environmental ability. Since that time, the Company has been working with two environmental remediation consulting firms. Based on the studies conducted and estimates provided by such firms, in the third quarter of 2004, the Company recorded an additional $4,122,000 accrual to increase its environmental liability which, together with the amount previously recorded, represents the Company's best cost point estimate of the cost of remediating the contamination at this location. The Company cannot presently estimate any additional costs it may incur as a result of further testing, sampling, reporting or remediation, if any, that may be required by the New York State Department of Health, however, such additional costs could have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flow or equity in future periods. The Company does not expect to receive insurance proceeds related to environmental matters. The Company expects to fund these costs from its working capital.

   
 

   Prior to 2003, the Company had received notices of potential environmental contaminants at various facilities formerly owned by the Company or used as offsite disposal locations. The Company continues to cooperate with the current owners of those properties and the appropriate regulatory agencies. During 2003, the Company also settled a claim related to contaminants at an offsite disposal location formerly used by the Company. At September 30, 2004, the Company maintained a reserve of $103,000 for these locations, which represents the Company's estimate of its remaining cost of remediation for these properties.

   

 7.

Warranty Reserve:

   
 

   The Company maintains a reserve for costs that it estimates will be needed to cover future product warranty obligations for products sold. Estimates are based upon the Company's historical experience as well as current production techniques.

   
 

   For the year ended December 31, 2003, the beginning warranty reserve was $445,000, reduced by charges incurred of $12,000, resulting in an ending balance of $433,000. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the beginning and ending balance of the warranty reserve is $433,000. The Company charges warranty expenses as incurred and there have been no significant claims made for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

   

 8.

Commitments and Contingencies:

   
 

   The Company leases certain of its warehouse and office facilities. The estimated remaining future minimum lease payments under these operating leases are as follows: $123,000, $491,000 for each of the years ended 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, and $2,048,000 in 2008 and thereafter.

   
 

   On October 27, 2004, the Company sold its clock warehouse in Brooklyn, New York for $12,750,000. The transaction provides for a lease of the property back to the Company for a period of up to one year at a monthly rent of $50,000, with the Company having the right to terminate the lease on sixty days notice. The pretax gain on the sale is approximately $7,600,000 and will be recorded in the Company's financials for the year ended December 31, 2004.

   

9.

Income Taxes:

   
 

   The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased to 39.6%, as compared to 30.0% for the corresponding period of the prior year. The lower effective tax rate in 2003 is primarily attributable to franchise, state and city tax settlements totaling $1,202,000 received in the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

    

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

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

   The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

   

  The Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis. The Company continually evaluates the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements. In general, management's estimates are based on historical experience, evaluation of current trends, information from third party professionals and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the known facts and circumstances.

    

  The accounting policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical to an understanding of the Company's Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as their application places the most significant demands on management's judgment. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with this type of judgment, actual results could differ significantly from estimates and have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations or equity.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

   Sales are recognized upon shipment of products to customers since title passes upon shipment or, in the case of consignment sales, upon notification from our customers that products have been sold. Allowances for estimated uncollectible accounts, discounts, returns and allowances are provided when sales are recorded and adjusted for market and consumer conditions as necessary based upon historical experience and current trends.

   

Inventory Reserve

 

   The Company has established a reserve against inventory in order to report it at the lower of cost or market value. The cost of inventory is determined on a first-in, first out basis. In determining the market value of inventory, management considers sales history of the individual product, current consumer purchasing trends, secondary distribution channels, as well as overall sales activity. The inventory reserve also contemplates inventory at customer locations which were shipped under consignment arrangements.

    

Warranty Reserve

 

   The Company maintains a reserve for costs that it estimates will be needed to cover future product warranty obligations for products sold during the year. This estimate is based upon the Company's historical experience as well as current production techniques.

 

Reserve for Environmental Matters

 

   The Company has established a reserve for the estimated costs expected to be incurred to test and, as needed, remediate contaminated properties with respect to which the Company may have liability. The Company utilized the services of outside environmental consultants and the estimate recorded is in large part based on the point estimates provided by such consultants. These estimates are periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect the current remediation progress, estimates of required activity and other relevant factors including technological or regulatory changes. Establishing this