FORM 10-K
| (Mark One) | ||
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
| For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. | ||
| or | ||
|
o
|
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 1-4682
Thomas & Betts Corporation
| Tennessee | 22-1326940 | |
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
|
8155 T&B Boulevard Memphis, Tennessee |
38125 |
|
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
(901) 252-8000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Name of Each Exchange | ||
| Title of Each Class | on which Registered | |
| Common Stock, $.10 par value | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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 o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes x No o
As of June 29, 2003, the last business day of the Registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates (based on the average bid and asked prices of such common equity on the New York Stock Exchange as of such date) was $820,114,151.
As of March 12, 2004, 58,645,250 shares of the Registrants common stock were outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 5, 2004, are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
Thomas & Betts Corporation and Subsidiaries
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 2 of 94
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report includes various forward-looking statements regarding the Corporation which are subject to uncertainties in the Corporations operations, business, economic and political environment. Statements that contain words such as achieve, guidance, believes, expects, anticipates, intends, estimates, continue, should, could, may, plan, project, predict, will or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and many factors could affect the future financial results of the Corporation. See Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Business Risks. Accordingly, actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this Report. For those statements, the Corporation claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, some of which are beyond the control of the Corporation. These factors include, but are not limited to:
| | Economic weakness or recession in the U.S. or the Corporations other main markets, including Canada and Europe; | |
| | Significant changes in governmental policies which could create trade restrictions, patent enforcement issues, adverse tax-rate changes and changes to tax treatment of items such as tax credits, withholding taxes, transfer pricing and other income and expense recognition for tax purposes, including changes in taxation of income generated in Puerto Rico; | |
| | Changes in environmental regulations and future remediation technology advances that could impact expectations of remediation expenses; | |
| | Availability and pricing of commodities and raw materials, especially steel, needed for the production of the Corporations products; | |
| | Changes in customer demand for various products of Thomas & Betts that could affect its overall product mix, pricing, margins, plant utilization levels and asset valuations; | |
| | Simultaneous changes in creditworthiness of several major customers; | |
| | Unexpected liabilities resulting from legal matters, pending or future tax examinations and risks associated with the coverage of insurance; | |
| | Realization of deferred tax assets, which is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income prior to their expiration and the Corporations tax planning strategies; | |
| | Recoverability of goodwill and other long-lived assets, which could be impacted if estimated future operating cash flows are not achieved; and | |
| | Impact of interest rate changes and market volatility on earnings, cash flows, investments, derivatives and borrowings of the Corporation and on investments held in the Corporations retirement plans. |
The Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements included in this Report to reflect any future events or circumstances.
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PART I
| Item 1. | BUSINESS |
Thomas & Betts Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of connectors and components for electrical and communication markets. The Corporation is also a leading producer of steel structures, used primarily for utility power lines, and industrial heating units. It operates approximately 130 manufacturing, distribution and office facilities around the world in approximately 20 countries. Manufacturing, marketing and sales activities are concentrated primarily in North America and Europe.
The Corporation sells its products 1) through electrical, telephone, cable, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning distributors; 2) directly to original equipment manufacturers and certain end users; and 3) through mass merchandisers, catalog merchandisers and home improvement centers. Thomas & Betts pursues growth through market penetration, new product development, and, at times, acquisitions. See Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information on acquisitions and divestitures during 2003, 2002 and 2001.
Thomas & Betts was first established in 1898 as a sales agency for electrical wires and raceways, and was incorporated and began manufacturing products in New Jersey in 1917. The Corporation was reincorporated in Tennessee in May 1996. Corporate offices are maintained at 8155 T&B Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38125, and the telephone number at that address is 901-252-8000.
Available information
The Corporations Internet address is www.TNB.com. The Corporation will make available free of charge on or through its Internet website, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, its Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Corporation will voluntarily provide electronic or paper copies of its filings free of charge upon request.
General Segment Information
The Corporation classifies its products into the following business segments based on a combination of product lines and channels to market through which it sells those products: Electrical, Steel Structures, Communications and HVAC. The majority of the Corporations products, especially those sold in the Electrical segment, have region-specific standards and are sold mostly in North America or in other regions sharing North American electrical codes. No customer accounted for 10% or more of the Corporations consolidated net sales for 2003, 2002, or 2001. For additional segment financial information, including net sales and segment earnings (loss) from continuing operations for the three years ended December 31, 2003 and total assets as of December 31, 2003 and December 29, 2002 refer to Note 15 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Segment Results.
Electrical Segment
The Electrical segments markets include industrial, commercial, utility and residential construction, renovation, maintenance and repair; project construction; and industrial original
Page 4 of 94
The Electrical segment designs, manufactures and markets thousands of various electrical connectors, components and other products for electrical applications. The Corporation has a market-leading position for many of its products. Products in the Electrical segment include: fittings and accessories for electrical raceways; fastening products, such as plastic and metallic ties for bundling wire, and flexible tubing; connectors, such as compression and mechanical connectors for high-current power and grounding applications; indoor and outdoor switch and outlet boxes, covers and accessories; floor boxes; metal framing used as structural supports for conduits, cable tray and electrical enclosures; hazardous location lighting; safety switches; underground connectors and switchgear; and other products, including insulation products, wire markers, and application tooling products. These products are sold under a variety of well-known brand names, such as Color Keyed®, Elastimold®, Kindorf®, Red Dot®, Sta-Kon®, Steel City®, Superstrut®, and Ty-Rap®.
Demand for electrical products follows general economic conditions and is sensitive to activity in construction markets, industrial production levels and spending by utilities for replacements, expansions and efficiency improvements. The segments product lines are predominantly sold through major distributor chains and thousands of independent distributors and, to a lesser extent, to retail home centers and hardware outlets, and directly to original equipment manufacturers and utilities. Thomas & Betts has strong relationships with its distributors as a result of the breadth and quality of its product lines; its market-leading service programs; its strong history of product innovation; and the high degree of brand-name recognition for its products among end users.
Steel Structures Segment
The Steel Structures segment designs, manufactures and markets tubular steel transmission and distribution poles and lattice steel transmission towers for North American power and telecommunications companies. These products are primarily sold to five types of end users: investor-owned utilities; cooperatives, which purchase power from utilities and manage its distribution to end users; municipal utilities; cable television operating companies; and telephone companies. They are marketed under the LehighTM, Meyer® and Thomas & Betts® brand names. Net sales of the Steel Structures segment were $93.5 million, $129.7 million and $140.6 million, or 7.1%, 9.6% and 9.4% of the Corporations consolidated net sales for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Communications Segment
The Communications segment designs, manufactures and markets components, subsystems and accessories used to construct, maintain and repair cable television (CATV) and telecommunications networks. The Corporations communications products include: CATV drop hardware; radio frequency RF connectors; aerial, pole, pedestal and buried splice enclosures; connectors; encapsulation and sheath repair systems; and cable ties. These products are sold directly to CATV system operators and also through telecommunications and CATV distributors. The products are sold under a variety of brand names, most notably LRC®, Diamond®, Kold-N-Klose® and Snap-N-Seal®. Although the majority of the segments net sales are in North
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HVAC Segment
The HVAC segment designs, manufactures and markets heating and ventilation products for commercial and industrial buildings. Products in this segment include: gas, oil and electric unit heaters; gas-fired duct furnaces; indirect and direct gas-fired make-up air heaters; infrared heaters; and evaporative cooling and heat recovery products. These products are sold primarily under the Reznor® brand name through HVAC, mechanical and refrigeration distributors throughout North America and Europe. Demand for HVAC products tends to be higher when customers are experiencing cold weather. To reduce the impact of this seasonality, the segment has offered a summer promotional program with its distributors. Net sales of the HVAC segment were $113.9 million, $102.5 million and $98.5 million, or 8.6%, 7.6% and 6.6% of the Corporations consolidated net sales for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Manufacturing and Distribution
Thomas & Betts employs advanced processes in order to manufacture quality products. The Corporations manufacturing processes include high-speed stamping, precision molding, machining, plating and automated assembly. The Corporation makes extensive use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software and equipment to link product engineering with its manufacturing facilities.
The Corporation also utilizes other advanced equipment and techniques in the manufacturing and distribution process, including computer software for scheduling, material requirements planning, shop floor control, capacity planning, and the warehousing and shipment of products.
Thomas & Betts products have historically enjoyed a reputation for quality in the markets in which they are sold. To ensure quality, all of its facilities embrace quality programs, and as of December 31, 2003, approximately 48% meet the ISO 9001 2000 standard. Management expects the majority of its plants will be ISO 9001 2000 certified by the end of 2004. Additionally, the Corporation has implemented quality control processes in its design, manufacturing, delivery and other operations in order to further improve product quality and the service level to customers.
Raw Materials
Thomas & Betts purchases a wide variety of raw materials for the manufacture of its products including steel, aluminum, zinc, copper, resins and rubber compounds. The Corporations sources of raw materials and component parts are well established and are sufficiently numerous to avoid serious future interruptions of production in the event that certain suppliers are unable to provide raw materials and component parts. However, the Corporation has experienced a reduction in the number of steel suppliers during 2003. Given the current tight supply of steel, the Corporation could encounter manufacturing disruptions for each of its segments from sporadic interruptions by its steel suppliers. In addition, the Corporation could encounter price increases, especially for steel, which it may not be able to pass on to its customers.
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Research and Development
Thomas & Betts has research, development and engineering capabilities in each business segment and maintains regional facilities to respond to the specific needs of regional markets. The Corporation has a reputation for innovation and value based upon its ability to develop products that meet the needs of the marketplace.
Research, development and engineering expenditures invested into new and improved products and processes were $19.6 million, $18.8 million and $20.7 million, or 1.5%, 1.4% and 1.4% of net sales for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. These expenses are included in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Working Capital Practices
The Corporation maintains sufficient inventory to enable it to provide a high level of service to its customers. Its inventory levels, payment terms and return policies are in accordance with general practices associated with the industries in which it operates and standard business procedures.
Patents and Trademarks
Thomas & Betts owns approximately 1,300 active patent registrations and applications worldwide. The Corporation has over 1,400 active trademarks and domain names worldwide, including: Thomas & Betts, T&B, T&B Access, Blackburn, Bowers, Canstrut, Catamount, Center Lok, Color-Keyed, Commander, Deltec, Diamond, DuraGard, E.K. Campbell, Eklips, Elastimold, Electroline, Emergi-Lite, Epitome, Ever-Lok, E-Z-Code, Flex-Cuf, Furse, Hazlux, Kindorf, Klik-It, Kold-N-Klose, Locktite, LRC, Marr, Marrette, Max-Gard, Meyer, Ocal, Red Dot, Reznor, RussellStoll, Sachs, Shamrock, Shield-Kon, Shrink-Kon, Signature Service, Site Light, Snap-N-Seal, Sta-Kon, Star Teck, Steel City, Superstrut, Sure Shot, Taylor, Termaster, The Grip of Steel, Ty-Fast, Ty-Rap, Union and Zinsco.
While the Corporation considers its patents and trademarks (including trade dress) to be valuable assets, it does not believe that its competitive position is dependent solely on patent or trademark protection or that any business segment or its operations as a whole is dependent on any individual patent or trademark. However, the Color Keyed, Elastimold, Kindorf, Red Dot, Sta-Kon, Steel City, Super-Strut, and Ty-Rap trademarks are important to the Electrical segment; the Meyer trademark is important to the Steel Structures segment; the Kold-N-Klose, LRC, Snap-N-Seal, and Diamond trademarks are important to the Communications segment; and the Reznor trademark is important to the HVAC segment. In addition, the Corporation does not consider any of its individual licenses, franchises or concessions held to be material to its business as a whole or to any business segment.
Competition
Thomas & Betts continuing ability to meet customer needs by enhancing existing products and developing and manufacturing new products is critical to its prominence in its primary market, the electrical products industry. Thomas & Betts encounters competition in all areas of its business, and the methods and levels of competition (e.g., price, service, warranty and product performance) vary among its markets. While no single company competes with the Corporation in all of its product lines, various companies compete with it in one or more product lines. Some of these competitors have substantially greater sales and assets and greater access to capital than
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As Thomas & Betts works to enhance its product offerings, its competitors will most likely continue to improve their products and will likely develop new offerings with competitive price and performance characteristics. Although Thomas & Betts believes that it has specific technological and other advantages over certain of its competitors, because of the intensity of the competition in the product areas and geographic markets that it serves, Thomas & Betts could experience increased downward pressure on the selling prices for certain of its products.
The activities of the Corporations competitors designed to enhance their own product offerings, coupled with any unforeseeable changes in customer demand for various products of Thomas & Betts, could affect the Corporations overall product mix, pricing, margins, plant utilization levels and asset valuations. Management believes that industry consolidation could further increase competitive pressures.
Employees
As of December 31, 2003, the Corporation and its subsidiaries had approximately 9,000 full-time employees worldwide. Employees of the Corporations foreign subsidiaries in the aggregate comprise 50% of all employees. Of the total number of employees, 35% are represented by trade unions. The Corporation believes its relationships with its employees and trade unions are good.
Compliance with Environmental Regulations
The Corporation is subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations which govern the discharge of pollutants into the air, soil and water, as well as the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. Thomas & Betts believes that it is in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that the costs of maintaining such compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations will not be material to the Corporations financial position or results of operations. See Item 3 Legal Proceedings and Note 17 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financial Information About Foreign and U.S. Operations
Export sales originating in the U.S. were approximately $33 million, $44 million and $46 million for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. See Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning financial results for foreign and U.S. operations.
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| Item 2. | PROPERTIES |
As of December 31, 2003, the Corporation had approximately 130 plant, office, distribution, storage and warehouse facilities, occupying approximately 7,258,000 sq. ft. in 22 U.S. states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and in approximately 20 other countries. This space is composed of approximately 4,672,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space; 1,934,000 sq. ft. of office, distribution, storage and warehouse space; and 652,000 sq. ft. of idle space.
The Corporations manufacturing locations by segment as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:
| Approximate Area | ||||||||||||||
| in Sq. Ft. | ||||||||||||||
| No. of | ||||||||||||||
| Segment | Location | Facilities | Leased | Owned | ||||||||||
|
Electrical
|
Arkansas | 1 | 246,000 | | ||||||||||
| Massachusetts | 1 | | 116,000 | |||||||||||
| Mississippi | 1 | | 236,648 | |||||||||||
| New Jersey | 1 | | 134,000 | |||||||||||
| New Mexico | 1 | | 100,000 | |||||||||||
| Puerto Rico | 3 | 116,386 | 28,200 | |||||||||||
| Tennessee | 2 | | 457,000 | |||||||||||
| Texas | 1 | 35,805 | | |||||||||||
| Australia | 1 | 20,969 | 28,729 | |||||||||||
| Canada | 11 | 111,811 | 704,754 | |||||||||||
| France | 2 | 17,216 | 8,178 | |||||||||||
| Germany | 1 | 30,106 | | |||||||||||
| Hungary | 1 | 88,332 | | |||||||||||
| Japan | 1 | 13,584 | | |||||||||||
| Mexico | 14 | 450,465 | | |||||||||||
| Netherlands | 2 | 8,265 | 38,779 | |||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 4 | 16,000 | 125,230 | |||||||||||
|
Steel Structures
|
South Carolina | 1 | | 105,000 | ||||||||||
| Texas | 1 | | 136,172 | |||||||||||
| Wisconsin | 1 | | 171,206 | |||||||||||
|
Communications
|
New York | 1 | | 268,000 | ||||||||||
| Mexico | 2 | 160,769 | | |||||||||||
|
HVAC
|
Pennsylvania | 1 | | 227,050 | ||||||||||
| Belgium | 1 | 139,932 | | |||||||||||
| France | 2 | 116,686 | | |||||||||||
| Mexico | 1 | 214,543 | | |||||||||||
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In addition to the above mentioned manufacturing facilities, the Corporation owns three central distribution centers which are located in Belgium (141,792 sq. ft.), Canada (260,000 sq. ft.) and Byhalia, Mississippi (960,000 sq. ft.). The Corporation also has principal sales offices, warehouses and storage facilities located in approximately 572,374 sq. ft. of space, most of which is leased. Included in this total is approximately 214,000 sq. ft. of leased space in Memphis, Tennessee, for the Corporations corporate headquarters.
The Corporation has approximately 652,000 sq. ft. of idle manufacturing, distribution and office space in California, Massachusetts, Nevada and New Jersey, which is owned or leased by the Corporation. Approximately 298,000 sq. ft. of this space is subleased. Such space is not included in the above table.
Management believes the Corporations properties are suitable and adequate for the Corporations current needs. In general, the Corporations plants are operating at the lower range of practical capacity utilization.
| Item 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
Kaiser Litigation
By July 5, 2002, Kaiser Aluminum, its property insurers, 28 Kaiser injured workers, nearby businesses and 18,000 residents near the Kaiser facility in Louisiana certified as a class, filed product liability and business interruption cases against the Corporation and six other defendants in Louisiana state court seeking damages in excess of $550 million. These cases alleged that a Thomas & Betts cable tie mounting base failed thereby allowing bundled cables to come in contact with a 13.8 kv energized bus bar. This alleged electrical fault supposedly initiated a series of events culminating in an explosion, which leveled 600 acres of the Kaiser facility.
A seven-week trial in the fall 2001 resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the Corporation. However, 13 months later, the trial court overturned that verdict in granting plaintiffs judgment notwithstanding the verdict motions. On December 17, 2002, the trial court judge found the Thomas & Betts product, an adhesive backed mounting base, to be unreasonably dangerous and therefore assigned 25% fault to T&B. The judge set the damages for the injured workers at $20 million and the damages for Kaiser at $335 million. The Corporations 25% allocation is $88.8 million, plus legal interest. The Corporation has appealed this ruling. Management believes there are meritorious defenses to the claim and intends to contest the litigation vigorously.
The appeal required a bond in the amount of $104 million (the judgment plus legal interest). Plaintiffs successfully moved the trial court to increase the bond to $156 million. Nonetheless, the Corporations liability insurers have secured the $156 million bond.
The Corporation has not reflected a liability in its financial statements for the Kaiser litigation because management believes meritorious defenses exist for this claim and thus management does not believe a loss is probable. Further, until there are new developments in the case that would provide more concrete amounts, management cannot provide any better range of possible losses than zero to the amount of the judgment. When evaluating the impact of the judgment on the Corporations liquidity, investors should note that the Corporation has insurance coverage in excess of the judgment.
Asbestos Cases
The Corporation and two subsidiaries, Amerace Corporation and L.E. Mason (Red Dot), acquired respectively in 1995 and 1999, are subject to asbestos lawsuits in Mississippi, New
Page 10 of 94
Other Legal Matters
The Corporation is also involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In those cases where the Corporation is the defendant, plaintiffs may seek to recover large and sometimes unspecified amounts or other types of relief and some matters may remain unresolved for several years. Such matters may be subject to many uncertainties and outcomes which are not predictable with assurance. Management considers the gross probable liability when determining whether to accrue for a loss contingency for a legal matter. The Corporation has provided for losses to the extent probable and estimable. The legal matters that have been recorded in the Corporations consolidated financial statements are based on gross assessments of expected settlement or expected outcome. Additional losses, even though not anticipated, could have a material adverse effect on the Corporations financial position, results of operations or liquidity in any given period.
Environmental Matters
Owners and operators of sites containing hazardous substances, as well as generators of hazardous substances, are subject to broad and retroactive liability for investigatory and cleanup costs and damages arising out of past disposal activities. Such liability in many cases may be imposed regardless of fault or the legality of the original disposal activity. The Corporation has received notifications from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar state environmental regulatory agencies or private parties that the Corporation, in many instances along with others, may currently be potentially responsible for the remediation of sites pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (the Superfund Act), similar federal and state environmental statutes, or common law theories. The Corporation, along with others, may be held jointly and severally liable for all costs relating to investigation and remediation of 11 sites pursuant to the Superfund Act or similar state environmental enactments.
The Corporation is the owner or operator, or former owner, of various manufacturing locations currently being evaluated by the Corporation for the presence of contamination that may require remediation. These sites include former or inactive facilities or properties in Alabama (Mobile); Connecticut (Monroe); Indiana (Medora); Massachusetts (Attleboro, Boston, Canton); New Hampshire (New Milford); New Jersey (Butler, Elizabeth, Garwood); New York (Horseheads); Pennsylvania (Perkasie, Pittsburgh); Ohio (Bucyrus) and Oklahoma (Stillwater). The sites further include active manufacturing locations in New Jersey (Hackettstown); New Mexico (Albuquerque); South Carolina (Lancaster); and Wisconsin (Hager City).
Four of these current and former manufacturing locations relate to activities of American Electric for the period prior to the acquisition of American Electric by the Corporation. These
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In December 1996, the Corporation acquired Augat Inc. Pursuant to the various environmental laws and regulations described above, Augat has evaluated or remediated, and may have liability associated with contamination at a number of sites. Pursuant to a Purchase Agreement, dated July 2, 2000, between the Corporation and Tyco Group S.A.R.L., the Corporation agreed to retain certain environmental liabilities, if any, for former Augat manufacturing locations in Alabama (Montgomery Plants 1 & 3); Massachusetts (Mashpee) and South Carolina (Inman); and for three offsite alleged disposal locations.
In November 1998, the Corporation acquired Kaufel Group, Ltd. Pursuant to the various environmental laws and regulations described above, the Corporation is evaluating, and may have liability associated with contamination at two facilities owned and operated by Kaufel in Dorval, Quebec.
The Corporation has provided for liabilities to the extent probable and estimable, but the Corporation is not able to predict the extent of its ultimate liability with respect to all of its pending or future environmental matters. However, the Corporation believes that any additional liability with respect to the aforementioned environmental matters will not be material to its financial position or results of operations.
| Item 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Information regarding executive officers of the Corporation is as follows (included herein pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K and General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K):
| Date Assumed | ||||||||||
| Present | ||||||||||
| Name | Position | Age | Position | |||||||
|
Dominic J. Pileggi
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
52 | January 2004 | |||||||
|
John P. Murphy
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
57 | March 2000 | |||||||
|
Kenneth W. Fluke
|
Vice President Controller
|
44 | September 2000 | |||||||
|
Connie C. Muscarella
|
Vice President Human Resources and
Administration
|
49 | March 2000 | |||||||
|
J.N. Raines
|
Vice President General Counsel and
Secretary
|
60 | December 2001 | |||||||
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Mr. Pileggi held various positions with the Corporation (1979 to 1983) before being elected Vice President General Manager of the Electronics division (1983 to 1986), Vice President, Electronics Marketing Division (1986 to 1988), President Electronics division (1988 to 1994), President Electrical Components Division (1994 to 1995), Senior Vice President and Group President Electrical (2000 to 2003) and President and Chief Operating Officer (2003 to 2004) of the Corporation. Mr. Pileggi was Executive Vice President (1998 to 2000) and President EMS Division (2000) of Viasystems Group, Inc.
Mr. Murphy was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Johns Manville Corporation (1997 to 2000).
Mr. Fluke held various finance and managerial positions with The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company beginning in 1982, including General Manager, Finance South Pacific Tyres and Controller North American Tires Division.
Ms. Muscarella was Vice President Human Resources of the Corporation (1998 to 2000).
Mr. Raines was a partner of the law firm of Glankler Brown PLLC for more than five years prior to joining the Corporation in 2001.
Executive officers are elected by, and serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors for a term of one year. The current terms expire May 5, 2004.
The Board of Directors has elected Mr. Fluke, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, effective May 1, 2004 following the retirement of Mr. Murphy on April 30, 2004. The Board has also approved Mr. Flukes compensation arrangement in his new position.
There are no other arrangements or understandings between any officer and any person, other than a director or executive officer of the Corporation acting in his or her official capacity, pursuant to which any officer was selected.
There is no family relationship between any executive officer and any other officer or director of the Corporation.
There has been no event involving any executive officer of the Corporation under any bankruptcy act, criminal proceeding, judgment or injunction during the past five years.
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PART II
| Item 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Market Information
The Corporations common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol TNB. The following table sets forth by quarter for the last two years the high and low sales prices of the Corporations common stock as reported by the NYSE, and the dividends declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on its common stock.
At March 12, 2004, the closing price of the Corporations common stock on the NYSE was $21.19.
Holders
At March 12, 2004, the Corporation had approximately 3,300 shareholders of record.
| 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||
|
First Quarter
|
|||||||||
|
Market price high
|
$ | 18 | 7/16 | $ | 22 | ||||
|
Market price low
|
$ | 13 | 1/4 | $ | 17 | 11/16 | |||
|
Dividends declared
|
$ | | $ | | |||||
|
Second Quarter
|
|||||||||
|
Market price high
|
$ | 16 | 1/4 | $ | 24 | 1/2 | |||
|
Market price low
|
$ | 13 | 7/8 | $ | 17 | 15/16 | |||
|
Dividends declared
|
$ | | $ | | |||||
|
Third Quarter
|
|||||||||
|
Market price high
|
$ | 17 | 11/16 | $ | 19 | 3/8 | |||
|
Market price low
|
$ | 14 | 1/8 | $ | 13 | 3/8 | |||
|
Dividends declared
|
$ | | $ | | |||||
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|||||||||
|
Market price high
|
$ | 23 | 3/16 | $ | 19 | 3/8 | |||
|
Market price low
|
$ | 15 | 9/16 | $ | 12 | 3/16 | |||
|
Dividends declared
|
$ | | $ | | |||||
Dividends
On July 24, 2001, the Corporations Board of Directors approved a change in the Corporations dividend payment practices and elected to retain its future earnings to fund the development and growth of its business. The Corporation does not presently anticipate declaring any cash dividends on the Corporations common stock in the foreseeable future. Future decisions concerning the payment of cash dividends on the Corporations common stock will depend upon its results of operations, financial condition, capital expenditure plans and other factors that the Board of Directors may consider relevant.
The Corporations revolving credit agreements contain provisions that could restrict, as a practical matter, the Corporations ability to pay dividends during the term of those agreements. See Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources Financing Activities.
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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
As of December 31, 2003, the Corporation had the following compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which equity securities of the Corporation are authorized for issuance. After May 5, 2004, the date of the Corporations 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, no equity securities of the Corporation will be issued under any of the following plans and such plans will be terminated.
| (a) | (b) | (c) | |||||||||||
| Number of Securities | |||||||||||||
| Remaining Available | |||||||||||||
| Number of Securities | for Future Issuance | ||||||||||||
| to be Issued Upon | Weighted-average | Under Equity | |||||||||||
| Exercise of | Exercise Price of | Compensation Plans | |||||||||||
| Outstanding Options, | Outstanding Options, | (excluding securities | |||||||||||
| Plan Category | Warrants and Rights | Warrants and Rights | reflected in column(a)) | ||||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security
holders
|
|||||||||||||
|
1993 Management Stock Ownership
Plan()()
|
3,238,727 | $ | 30.60 | 1,481,187 | |||||||||
|
Restricted Stock Plan for Non-employee Directors
|
| | 13,621 | ||||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by
security holders
|
|||||||||||||
|
Deferred Fee Plan for Non-employee Directors
|
| | () | ||||||||||
|
Non-employee Directors Stock Option Plan
|
149,734 | $ | 21.33 | 50,266 | |||||||||
|
2001 Stock Incentive Plan
|
2,125,753 | $ | 19.41 | 352,175 | |||||||||
|
Total
|
5,514,214 | $ | 26.03 | 1,897,249 | |||||||||
| () | This plan contains a formula for calculating the number of securities available for issuance under the plan. Under the formula, the number of securities available for issuance automatically increases each year by 1.25% of the number of outstanding securities of the Corporation. Under the transition rules of the NYSE, effective November 4, 2003, no new equity securities may be issued under this formula without shareholder approval. |
| () | Under the plan, the Corporation has the choice of issuing in any combination up to 1,481,187 of options or up to 740,594 of restricted stock. |
| () | The number of securities available for issue is dependent on the stock price at the time of grant. See below for a description of this plan. |
Deferred Fee Plan for Non-employee Directors
The Deferred Fee Plan for Nonemployee Directors provides for a nonemployee director to defer all or a portion of compensation earned for services as a director. Any amount deferred is valued, in accordance with the directors election, in a hypothetical investment in Common Stock (Stock Credits) or in one or more of seven mutual funds in the Vanguard Group. Stock Credits fluctuate in value as the value of the Common Stock fluctuates. In addition, each nonemployee director receives an annual grant of Stock Credits having a value of $7,500 as of the last day of the Board year. Additional Stock Credits are credited as dividend equivalents on
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Non-employee Directors Stock Option Plan
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