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

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

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
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

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 Registrant’s 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 Registrant’s 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 Registrant’s 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
 
           
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements     3  
 
 PART I
 
   Business     4  
   Properties     9  
   Legal Proceedings     10  
   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     12  
     Executive Officers of the Registrant     12  
 
 PART II
 
   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     14  
   Selected Financial Data     18  
   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     19  
   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     42  
   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     45  
   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     88  
   Controls and Procedures     88  
 
 PART III
 
   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     89  
   Executive Compensation     90  
   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters     90  
   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     91  
   Principal Accountant Fees and Services     91  
 
 PART IV
 
   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K     92  
 
           
Signatures     93  
 
           
EXHIBIT INDEX     E-1  
 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation
 Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors
 Form of Termination Protection Agreement
 Form of Termination Protection Agreement
 Executive Retirement Plan as Amended
 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
 First Amendment to Amended/Restated Credit Agrmt.
 Nonemployee Directors Equity Compensation Plan
 Equity Compensation Plan
 Management Incentive Plan
 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 Subsidiaries of the Corporation
 Consent of Independent Public Accountants
 Powers of Attorney
 Certification Under Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(e)
 Certification Under Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(e)
 Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)
 Charter of the Compensation Committee
 Charter of the Nominating/Governance Committee
 Corporation Governance Guidelines

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CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

      This Report includes various forward-looking statements regarding the Corporation which are subject to uncertainties in the Corporation’s 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. Management’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Segment Results.”

Electrical Segment

      The Electrical segment’s markets include industrial, commercial, utility and residential construction, renovation, maintenance and repair; project construction; and industrial original

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equipment manufacturers, (collectively the “electrical products industry”) concentrated primarily in North America and Europe. The Electrical segment experiences modest seasonality increases in sales during the second and third quarters. Net sales for the segment were $1.03 billion, $1.03 billion and $1.15 billion, or 77.5%, 76.2% and 76.8% of the Corporation’s consolidated net sales for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

      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 segment’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 segment’s net sales are in North

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America, certain products are of an international standard and are also sold outside of North America. Net sales of the Communications segment were $89.4 million, $88.4 million and $108.1 million, or 6.8%, 6.6% and 7.2% of the Corporation’s consolidated net sales for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

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 Corporation’s consolidated net sales for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Manufacturing and Distribution

      Thomas & Betts employs advanced processes in order to manufacture quality products. The Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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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the Corporation. Management believes the Corporation’s Electrical segment is among the industry leaders in service to its customers.

      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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s properties are suitable and adequate for the Corporation’s current needs. In general, the Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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

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Jersey and three other states, related to either undefined and unidentified or historic products. In all cases, the Corporation is investigating these allegations. Amerace is one of hundreds of defendants and Red Dot and the Corporation are one of dozens of defendants. No product of Amerace, Red Dot or Thomas and Betts has been identified in these cases to date. In the Amerace litigation, four lawsuits have already been dismissed. Potential exposure at this time, if any, cannot be estimated. Management believes, however, that there is no merit to these claims, that damages, if any, are remote and believes that a loss is not probable in any of these cases. Insurance coverage is available in connection with these claims.

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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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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four sites are located in Hager City, Wisconsin; Lancaster, South Carolina; Medora, Indiana; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each of these sites except for one (Pittsburgh) is subject to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 28, 1985 between American Electric and ITT Corporation (“ITT”). ITT and the Corporation have shared responsibilities and costs at the four outstanding sites subject to this agreement. For certain of the sites covered by this agreement, ITT agreed to indemnify American Electric for environmental liabilities, if any, that occurred prior to the purchase of the facilities by American Electric. The Corporation believes that the indemnity of ITT is reliable; however, there can be no assurances that any such indemnities will be honored.

      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. Fluke’s 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 REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

      The Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a change in the Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s common stock in the foreseeable future. Future decisions concerning the payment of cash dividends on the Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s revolving credit agreements contain provisions that could restrict, as a practical matter, the Corporation’s ability to pay dividends during the term of those agreements. See “Item 7. Management’s 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 Corporation’s 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 director’s 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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the payment date and at the same value as dividends, if any, declared on the Common Stock. Stock Credits are distributed in shares of Common Stock and mutual fund accounts are distributed in cash upon a director’s termination of service.

Non-employee Directors Stock Option Plan

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