Attached files

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EX-21 - SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT - CHAMPION INDUSTRIES INCexhibit21.htm
EX-32 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 - CHAMPION INDUSTRIES INCexhibit32.htm
EX-31.2 - PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 - CHAMPION INDUSTRIES INCexhibit312.htm
EX-23.1 - CONSENT OF ARNETT & FOSTER, PLLC - CHAMPION INDUSTRIES INCexhibit231.htm
EX-31.3 - PRINCIPAL OPERATING OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 - CHAMPION INDUSTRIES INCexhibit313.htm
EX-31.1 - PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 - CHAMPION INDUSTRIES INCexhibit311.htm

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2010
 
OR
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission File No. 0-21084
 
CHAMPION INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
West Virginia
 
55-0717455
(State or other jurisdiction of  
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
2450 First Avenue
P.O. Box 2968
Huntington, West Virginia
 
 
 
25728
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
 
(Zip Code)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (304) 528-2700
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of Act: Common Stock, $1.00 par value
The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of Act: None
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
Yes oNo x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
 
Yes oNo x
 
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 xNo o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Indicate by check mark if the disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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. 
 
 o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer ", "accelerated filer", and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filter o
Smaller reporting company x
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes oNo x
 
 
2

 
As of April 30, 2010 the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $8,360,131 based on the closing price as reported on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System Global Market.
 
The outstanding common stock of the Registrant at the close of business on January 3, 2011 consisted of 9,987,913 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value.
 
Total number of pages including cover page:  91
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement expected to be dated February 11, 2011 with respect to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 21, 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10-14. Exhibit Index located in Part IV Item 15.
 
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report or in documents incorporated herein by reference, including without limitation statements including the word “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects” or words of similar import, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general economic and business conditions, changes in business strategy or development plans and other factors referenced in this Annual Report, including without limitations under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

PART I
 
ITEM 1 - BUSINESS
 
HISTORY
 
Champion Industries, Inc. (“Champion” or the “Company”) is a major commercial printer, business forms manufacturer and office products and office furniture supplier in regional markets east of the Mississippi River. The Company also publishes The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia with a total daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 23,000 and 29,000 respectively. The Company's sales offices and/or production facilities are located in Huntington, Charleston, Parkersburg, Clarksburg, Wheeling and Morgantown, West Virginia; Lexington Kentucky; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; Kingsport, Tennessee; Evansville, Indiana; Bridgeville and Altoona, Pennsylvania; and Asheville, North Carolina. The Company's sales force of approximately 120 salespeople sells printing services, business forms management services, office products, office furniture and newspaper advertising.
 
3

 
The Company was chartered as a West Virginia corporation on July 1, 1992. Prior to the public offering of the Company's Common Stock on January 28, 1993 (the “Offering”), the Company's business was operated by The Harrah and Reynolds Corporation (“Harrah and Reynolds”), doing business as Chapman Printing Company, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Chapman Printing Company, Inc. and Stationers, Inc. Incident to the Offering, Harrah and Reynolds and the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which, upon the closing date of the Offering: (i) Harrah and Reynolds contributed to the Company substantially all of the operating assets of its printing division, including all inventory and equipment (but excluding any real estate and vehicles) and all issued and outstanding capital stock of its subsidiaries, The Chapman Printing Company, Inc. and Stationers, Inc.; (ii) the Company assumed certain of the liabilities relating to the operations of the printing divisions of Harrah and Reynolds and its subsidiaries, The Chapman Printing Company, Inc. and Stationers, Inc., excluding debts associated with real estate, certain accounts payable to affiliates and certain other liabilities; and (iii) Harrah and Reynolds was issued 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
 
The Company and its predecessors have been headquartered in Huntington since 1922. Full scale printing facilities, including web presses for manufacturing business forms, and sales and customer service operations are located in Huntington. The Company's Charleston division was established in 1974 through the acquisition of the printing operations of Rose City Press. Sales and customer service operations, as well as the pre-press departments, are located in Charleston. The Parkersburg division opened in 1977 and was expanded by the acquisitions of Park Press and McGlothlin Printing Company. In addition to sales and customer service operations, this division houses a large full-color printing facility and a state-of-the-art studio, with scanners, electronic color retouching equipment and 4-, 5- and 6-color presses.
 
The Lexington division commenced operations in 1983 upon the acquisition of the Transylvania Company. This location includes a pre-press department, computerized composition facilities, as well as sales and customer service operations.
 
The Company acquired Stationers, Inc. (“Stationers”), an office product, office furniture and retail bookstore operation located in Huntington, in 1987 and consolidated its own office products and office furniture operations with Stationers. On August 30, 1991, Stationers, Inc. sold the assets, primarily inventory and fixtures, of its retail bookstore operation. In July 1993, Stationers expanded through acquisition and began operations in Marietta, Ohio, under the name “Garrison Brewer.” The Company’s Garrison Brewer operation was relocated across the Ohio River to the nearby Chapman Printing Parkersburg location in 2002.
 
The Bourque Printing division (“Bourque” or “Champion Graphic Communications - Baton Rouge”) commenced operations in June 1993, upon the acquisition of Bourque Printing, Inc. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This location includes a pre-press department, computerized composition facilities, a pressroom with up to 6-color presses and a bindery department, as well as sales and customer service operations. Bourque was expanded through the acquisition of Strother Forms/Printing in Baton Rouge in 1993, through the acquisition of the assets of E. S. Upton Printing Company, Inc. (“Upton” or "Champion Graphic Communications - New Orleans”) in New Orleans in 1996 and through the acquisition of Transdata Systems, Inc. in Baton Rouge and New Orleans in 2001. The Upton production operations were relocated to Baton Rouge in the fourth quarter of 2005 as a result of Hurricane Katrina. However, the sales and customer service staff continue to operate in New Orleans.
 
4

 
The Dallas Printing division (“Dallas” or “Champion Jackson”) commenced operations in September 1993, upon the acquisition of Dallas Printing Company, Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi. This location includes a pre-press department, computerized composition facilities, as well as sales and customer service operations. The operations of Dallas were moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in August 2005 and consolidated into an existing facility.
 
On November 2, 1993, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company chartered to effect such acquisition purchased selected assets of Tri-Star Printing, Inc., a Delaware corporation doing business as “Carolina Cut Sheets” in the manufacture and sale of business forms in Timmonsville, South Carolina. The Company's subsidiary has changed its name to “Carolina Cut Sheets, Inc.” Carolina Cut Sheets manufactures single-part business forms for sale to dealers and through the Company's other divisions. Carolina Cut Sheets was relocated to Huntington, West Virginia in 2001.
 
On February 25, 1994, Bourque acquired certain assets of Spectrum Press Inc. (“Spectrum”), a commercial printer located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
 
On June 1, 1994, the Company acquired certain assets of Premier Data Graphics, a distributor of business forms and data supplies located in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
 
On August 30, 1994, Dallas acquired certain assets of Premier Printing Company, Inc. (“Premier Printing”) of Jackson, Mississippi. This operation was moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana with the Dallas relocation.
 
On June 1, 1995, in exchange for issuance of 52,383 shares of its common stock, the Company acquired U.S. Tag & Ticket Company, Inc. (“U.S. Tag”), a Baltimore, Maryland based manufacturer of tags used in the manufacturing, shipping, postal, airline and cruise industries. The operations of U.S. Tag were moved to Huntington, West Virginia in August 2003 and they were consolidated into an existing facility.
 
On November 13, 1995, the Company acquired Donihe Graphics, Inc. (“Donihe”), a high-volume color printer based in Kingsport, Tennessee. 
 
On July 1, 1996, the Company acquired Smith & Butterfield Co., Inc. (“Smith & Butterfield”), an office products company located in Evansville, Indiana and Owensboro, Kentucky. Smith & Butterfield is operated as a division of Stationers, Inc.
 
On August 21, 1996, the Company purchased the assets of The Merten Company (“Merten”), a commercial printer headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
 
On December 31, 1996, the Company acquired all outstanding capital stock of Interform Corporation (“Interform”), a business form manufacturer in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.
 
On May 21, 1997, the Company acquired all outstanding common shares of Blue Ridge Printing Co., Inc. of Asheville, North Carolina (“Blue Ridge”). During the second quarter of 2004, the Blue Ridge Knoxville plant was consolidated into the Asheville plant. 
 
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On February 2, 1998, the Company acquired all outstanding common shares of Rose City Press (“Rose City”) of Charleston, West Virginia.
 
On May 18, 1998, the Company acquired all outstanding common shares of Capitol Business Equipment, Inc. (“Capitol”), doing business as Capitol Business Interiors, of Charleston, West Virginia.
 
On May 29, 1998, the Company acquired all outstanding common shares of Thompson’s of Morgantown, Inc. and Thompson’s of Barbour County, Inc. (collectively, “Thompson’s” or “Champion Morgantown”) of Morgantown, West Virginia.
 
Rose City, Capitol and Thompson’s are operated as divisions of Stationers.
 
On June 1, 1999, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Independent Printing Service, Inc. (“IPS”) of Evansville, Indiana. IPS is operated as a division of Smith & Butterfield.
 
On July 16, 1999, the Company’s Blue Ridge subsidiary acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of AIM Printing (“AIM”) of Knoxville, Tennessee.
 
On November 30, 1999, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Diez Business Machines (“Diez”) of Gonzales, Louisiana. Diez was operated as a subsidiary of Stationers until 2004 when it was relocated to the Bourque facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
 
On November 6, 2000, the Company acquired certain assets of the Huntington, West Virginia paper distribution division of the Cincinnati Cordage Paper Company (“Cordage”). On April 30, 2001, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Xpedx resulting in the assumption by Xpedx of the Cordage customer list and the sale of certain inventory items.
 
On October 10, 2001, the Company acquired Transdata Systems, Inc. (“Transdata”) of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2004, Transdata was relocated to existing facilities in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. In 2005, Transdata New Orleans operations were relocated to Baton Rouge.
 
On June 18, 2003, the Company acquired certain assets of Contract Business Interiors ("CBI") of Wheeling, West Virginia pursuant to acceptance by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. As a result of this transaction, the Company also assumed certain customer deposit liabilities in the ordinary course of business.
 
On July 1, 2003, the Company acquired certain assets of Pittsburgh based Integrated Marketing Solutions, the direct sales division and distributorship of Datatel Resources Corporation.
 
On May 13, 2004, the Company acquired certain assets of Cincinnati, Ohio Westerman Print Company (“Westerman”). The assets of Westerman were moved to the Company’s Merten operation in Cincinnati, Ohio.
 
6

 
On September 7, 2004, the Company acquired all the issued and outstanding capital stock of Syscan Corporation (“Syscan”), a West Virginia corporation, for a gross cash price of $3,500,000 and a contingent purchase price, dependent upon satisfaction of certain conditions, not to exceed the amount of $1,500,000.  At closing, after considering the cash received in the transaction, the acquisition of a building and acquisition costs, the net assets acquired totaled approximately $2,688,000. On December 14, 2006, the Company satisfied the contingent purchase price for a payment of $1,350,725.
 
On September 14, 2007, the Company completed, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement, the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia through a newly formed subsidiary Champion Publishing, Inc. The purchase price was $77.0 million and subject to a working capital payment of $837,554 plus or minus any change in working capital from the index working capital base of $1,675,107 at the closing date of September 14, 2007. The working capital payment totaled approximately $1.6 million.
 
All acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting except for U.S. Tag, Blue Ridge, Capitol and Thompson’s, which utilized the “pooling-of-interest” method of accounting.
 
BUSINESS
 
Champion is engaged in the commercial printing and office products and furniture supply business in regional markets east of the Mississippi River. The Company also publishes The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia with a total daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 23,000 and 29,000. The Company's sales force markets a full range of printing services, business forms, office products and office furniture. Management views these sales activities as complementary since frequent customer sales calls required for one of its products or services provide opportunities to cross-sell other products and services. The Company believes it benefits from significant customer loyalty and customer referrals because it provides personal service, quality products, convenience and selection with one-stop shopping.
 
The Company's printing services range from the simplest to the most complex jobs, including business cards, books, tags, labels, brochures, posters, 4- to 6-color process printing and multi-part, continuous and snap-out business forms. The Company's state-of-the-art equipment enables it to provide computerized composition, art design, paste-up, stripping, film assembly and color scanner separations. Included within our print segment are fulfillment services to our customers which encompass warehousing, distribution, and reporting services. The Company also offers complete bindery and letterpress services. The printing operations contributed $81.0 million, $89.0 million, and $105.3 million or 62.3%, 63.0% and 63.5% of the Company's total revenues for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
The Company provides a full range of office products and office furniture primarily in the budget and middle price ranges, and also offers office design services. The Company publishes a catalog of high volume, frequently ordered items purchased directly from manufacturers. These catalog sales account for the bulk of sales volume and afford sales personnel flexibility in product selection and pricing. Medium to large volume customers are offered levels of pricing discounts. In addition, the Company offers a broad line of general office products through major wholesalers' national catalogs. The Company has implemented Internet e-commerce sites, which allow customers to order office products, furniture and forms online. The e-commerce sites include the office products and office furniture catalog, which is customized specifically for each customer requesting Internet e-commerce access. These sites include www.stationers-wv.com and www.cbiwv.com. In addition, the Company offers customized on-line forms management solutions through various sites including http://printwithchampion.com and www.cgc1.com. The Company believes that its e-commerce sites will allow customers to access data concerning their company’s purchase habits so as to better control expenditures for office products and business forms and eliminate large in-house inventories. The Company is a member of a major office products purchasing organization. Members benefit from volume discounts, which permit them to offer competitive prices and improve margins. The Company's office furniture business focuses on the budget to middle price range lines, although upscale lines are offered as well. Office products, office furniture and office design operations contributed $33.4 million, $35.9 million, and $41.5 million, or 25.7%, 25.4% and 25.1% of the Company's total revenues for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
7

 
The Company operates a daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia. The Company entered the newspaper business by purchasing the assets of The Herald-Dispatch from Gatehouse Media, Inc. The Herald-Dispatch was previously owned by Gannett, Inc. since 1971 and was sold to Gatehouse Media, Inc. in May of 2007.
 
The Herald-Dispatch serves a regional market area in southwestern West Virginia covering Cabell County and portions of neighboring Wayne County and eastern Lawrence County, Ohio. The Herald-Dispatch is the primary print advertising medium for the region, which centers on Huntington and draws business from across the border into Ohio and Kentucky. The Herald-Dispatch has circulation of 23,000 Monday through Saturday mornings and 29,000 on Sunday, according to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) Newspaper Publisher's Statement for the 6 months ended September 30, 2010. The Herald-Dispatch faces a very limited amount of print competition from other daily newspapers in its home county.  It is estimated, based on research performed by Scarborough Management, that the designated market area readership (DMA) is approximately 97,000 on Sunday and 79,000 for weekdays. The website has attracted approximately 383,000 unique visitors per month and approximately 4.1 million page views per month based on the latest Newspaper Publisher's Statement. The historical on-line revenues for The Herald-Dispatch are flat at approximately $1.1 million for fiscal year 2009 and 2010, down from approximately $1.6 million in fiscal 2008.  The Herald-Dispatch contributed $15.5 million, $16.4 million, and $18.9 million, or 12.0%, 11.6% and 11.4% of the Company's total revenues for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
 The Herald-Dispatch also publishes the Putnam Herald serving Putnam County, West Virginia, one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, and the Lawrence Herald in Lawrence County, Ohio. The Putnam Herald and Lawrence Herald are distributed free via mail on Saturday and Thursday, respectively.
 
The Huntington area has been heavily affected by the de-industrialization experienced in the Upper Midwest since the 1970s. Huntington has sought to recast itself as a university town home to approximately 14,000 students. Downtown Huntington was revitalized in recent years with a $60 million retail/mixed use project; and new industries such as call centers are opening and expanding their locations. The area is also a regional shopping hub and growing medical and research center.
 
Marshall University borders the downtown area of Huntington. Marshall is over 170 years old and is the second largest university in West Virginia. The university currently enrolls 9,500 undergraduate and 4,500 graduate students and offers a full range of programs. Marshall's positive effect on the local economy goes beyond being one of Huntington's top two employers. The university's research corporation, medical school and graduate programs are dedicated to bringing research and development dollars into the community. The university's medical school is a nationwide leader for rural healthcare delivery.
 
Huntington has experienced several positive industrial developments in the last 10 plus years. According to the Huntington Area Development Council, 9,000 new jobs have been brought to the Huntington area in the last ten years and 1.7 million square feet of building space has been leased, sold or built. In 2005 the $60 million Pullman Square open-air retail, restaurant and entertainment project was completed to rejuvenate the downtown "Superblock" area, immediately increasing downtown usage. The Harris Riverfront Park promenade that stretches along the Ohio River and downtown is also a target of revitalization efforts.
 
8

 
                Kinetic Park was another major development to open for business in 2005. This 95-acre site was developed to become a business and technology park/retail area. Early tenants included professional service firms and a restaurant.
 
                Other developments in the area include the opening of two call centers. Amazon.com opened a call center in 2000 that employs 350. Global Contact Services opened a call center in 1998 and in recent years announced the intent to expand their facility and employee base. The expansion will make them one of the larger employers in the area.
 
                The Huntington area also serves as a regional shopping center. The Huntington Mall, the largest mall in the state, houses over 150 stores, restaurants and boutiques. It is anchored by Sears, Macy's, JC Penney, Elder Beerman and Dick's Sporting Goods. Many retail stores surround the mall including Best Buy, Kohl's and Wal-Mart. Only a few minutes west on U.S. 60 from the Huntington Mall is another growing shopping plaza, Merritt Creek Farm. This plaza of 30-plus shops includes Home Depot, Target, Marshall's, and the state's first freestanding Starbucks. River Place, a bustling shopping center located near the entrance to downtown Barboursville, is just another few miles down the road. This area features many locally owned restaurants and stores.
 
        Huntington's medical community provides health care for the region, which also includes portions of Ohio and Kentucky. St. Mary's Hospital is the second-largest health care facility in West Virginia with 393 beds, and has recently completed a $28 million regional heart center and expanded emergency medicine department. Cabell-Huntington Hospital, with 322 beds, recently opened its $84 million North Patient Tower, and shares its campus with the Marshall University Medical Center and the $44 million Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, which opened in 2006. Cabell-Huntington Hospital is in the process of raising funds to build a $12 million Children's Hospital which will be the first of its kind in the area. The two hospitals are jointly designated as a Level II trauma center. The third area hospital, the Huntington VA Medical Center, is an 80-bed medical and surgical facility. In 1998 the hospital completed a $10 million research facility. These hospitals are three of the top employers in the region.
 
        Huntington's historic roots as an industrial hub remain alive today. Located along the Ohio River, Huntington was founded as the western terminus of the C&O Railroad. CSX, the successor to C&O, still maintains operations in the city. Huntington's inland port along the Ohio River is the largest in the United States in terms of total tonnage and ton­ miles, and much of the coal mined in southern West Virginia is brought to Huntington via train to be transported by river barges to industrial centers in other parts of the country. Several heavy industrial plants still line the Ohio River and the Guyandotte River.
 
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ORGANIZATION
 
Champion’s three lines of business are comprised of nineteen operating divisions. The Huntington headquarters provides centralized financial management and administrative services to all of its business segments.
 
Commercial Printing
 
Eight commercial printing divisions are located in Huntington, Charleston and Parkersburg, West Virginia; Lexington, Kentucky; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; Kingsport, Tennessee; and Asheville, North Carolina. Each has a sales force, a customer service operation and a pre-press department that serve the customers in their respective geographic areas. Although each customer's interface is solely with its local division's personnel, its printing job may be produced in another division using the equipment most suited to the quality and volume requirements of the job. In this way, for example, Champion can effectively compete for high quality process color jobs in Lexington by selling in Lexington, printing in Cincinnati and binding in Huntington. The full range of printing resources is available to customers in the entire market area without Champion having to duplicate equipment in each area.
 
    Interform Corporation, doing business as Interform Solutions and located in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, manufactures business forms and related products, which it sells through a network of independent distributors concentrated in Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and metropolitan New York.
 
Consolidated Graphic Communications division in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania operates as a full line printing and printing services distributor. The division offers complete print management, fulfillment services and B2B e-commerce solutions.
 
Carolina Cut Sheets, Inc., located in Huntington, West Virginia, manufactures single sheet business forms which are sold to other commercial printers and dealers and through the Company's other divisions.
 
The Huntington, West Virginia division of Chapman Printing Company manufactures single sheet and multi-part, snap-out and continuous business forms for sale through many of the Company's commercial printing divisions.
 
U.S. Tag, located in Huntington, West Virginia, manufactures and sells tags used in the manufacturing, shipping, postal, airline and cruise industries throughout the United States through dealers and the Company's other divisions.
 
Chapman Printing in Charleston, West Virginia operates as a full line printing, printing services distributor and office products and office furniture distributor. Chapman Printing Charleston offers complete print management, fulfillment, mail, digital print, office furniture and print and office products and B2B e-commerce solutions. The Syscan operation was consolidated into the Chapman Printing Charleston division effective November 1, 2005. This division also operates a facility in Morgantown, West Virginia providing printing, office products and office furniture, distribution and integration services. In 2007, the Chapman Printing Charleston division spun off its print on demand and mail operations into a new division located in Charleston, West Virginia operating under the name Champion Output Solutions.  Champion Output Solutions is a comprehensive transactional printing and mail center providing statement rendering, check and explanation of benefits variable print, medical billing and postal optimization.
 
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        River Cities Printing was acquired via the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch and is a commercial printer with sales comprised primarily of stick-on labels and other commercial printing. In 2008, River Cities Printing was relocated to an existing facility in Huntington, WV.
 
Office Products, Office Furniture and Office Design
 
Stationers, located in Huntington, Clarksburg (doing business as “Champion Clarksburg”), Morgantown (through its Chapman Printing Morgantown division) and Parkersburg, West Virginia (doing business as “Chapman Printing”), provides office products and office furniture primarily to customers in the Company's West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky market areas. Products are sold by printing division sales people and delivered in bulk daily to each division, or shipped directly to customers.
 
Smith & Butterfield, located in Evansville, Indiana, provides office products and office furniture primarily to customers in the Company's Indiana and Kentucky market areas. Products are sold by Smith & Butterfield sales personnel and delivered to customers daily.
 
Stationers, through its Capitol division, offers office design services throughout West Virginia and eastern Kentucky.
 
Newspaper
 
      The Herald-Dispatch, located in Huntington, WV, publishes a daily newspaper with a daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 23,000 and 29,000 respectively.
 
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
 
Printing Services
 
Champion's primary business is commercial printing and business forms manufacturing. The Company, unlike most of its regional competitors, offers the full range of printing production processes, enabling the Company to provide customers a one-stop, one-vendor source without the time and service constraints of subcontracting one or more aspects of production. Major production areas include: (i) printing of business cards, letterhead, envelopes, and one, two, or three color brochures; (ii) process color manufacturing of brochures, posters, advertising sheets and catalogues; (iii) die cutting and foil stamping; (iv) bindery services, including trimming, collating, folding and stitching the final product; (v) forms printing, encompassing roll-to-roll computer forms, checks, invoices, purchase orders and similar forms in single-part, multi-part, continuous and snap-out formats; (vi) tag and label manufacturing; (vii) high volume process color web printing of brochures and catalogs; and (viii) output solutions including print on demand, inserting and mailing services. The capabilities of the Company's various printing divisions are stated below.
 
11

 
 
Division
 
Sales & Customer Service
  
 
Pre-Press
  
 
Sheet Printing
 
Rotary Printing
  
 
Full Color
  
 
High Volume Full Color
 Output Solutions
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Huntington
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charleston / Morgantown
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Champion Output Solutions
   
*
                   
*
 
Parkersburg
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
Lexington
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Champion Graphic Communications
(Baton Rouge)
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
Champion Graphic Communications
(New Orleans)
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carolina Cut Sheets, Inc.
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Tag & Ticket Company, Inc.
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donihe Graphics, Inc.
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
 
The Merten Company
 
*
 
*
 
*
   
*
   
 
 
Interform Corporation
 
 
*
 
 
*
 
*
 
 
 
*
   
*
 
Consolidated Graphic Communications
 
*
 
*
             
 
 
Blue Ridge Printing Co., Inc.
 
*
 
*
 
*
   
*
   
 
 
River Cities Printing
 
*
 
*
   
*
         
 
* - Services Provided
 
12

 
Office Products, Office Furniture and Office Design
 
Champion provides its customers with a wide range of product offerings in two major categories: supplies, such as file folders, paper products, pens and pencils, computer paper and laser cartridges; and furniture, including budget and middle price range desks, chairs, file cabinets and computer furniture. Office supplies are sold primarily by Company salespeople through the Company's own catalogs. Office furniture is primarily sold from catalogs and supplied from in-house stock. Special orders constitute a small portion of sales. The Capitol division of Stationers provides interior design services to commercial customers. The design services include space planning, purchasing and installation of office furniture, and management of design projects.
 
Newspaper
 
        The Company provides its customers in the Tri-State regions surrounding Huntington, West Virginia with the primary and premier print advertising solutions for the region.
 
MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
The Company's pre-press facilities have desktop publishing, typesetting, laser image setting and scanning/retouching equipment, as well as complete layout, design, stripping and plate processing operations. Sheet printing equipment (for printing onto pre-cut, individual sheets) includes single color duplicators, single to eight color presses and envelope presses. Rotary equipment (for printing onto continuous rolls of paper) includes multi-color business form web presses, carbon and multi-part collators, and a high-speed 5-color half-web press.
 
Binding equipment consists of hot-foil, embossing and die cutting equipment, perforators, folders, folder-gluers, scoring machines, collator/stitcher/trimmers for saddle stitching, automatic and manual perfect binders, numbering machines and mailing equipment.
 
Each of the Company's offices is linked with overnight distribution of products and on-line electronic telecommunications permitting timely transfer of various production work from facility to facility as required. While the Company maintains a fleet of delivery vehicles for intracompany and customer deliveries, it utilizes the most cost effective and expeditious means of delivery, including common carriers.
 
Requirements for the Company's press runs are determined shortly before the runs are made and, therefore, backlog is not a meaningful measure in connection with the Company's printing business.
 
The Company's inventory goal is to have approximately 85% of the office product items the Company sells in stock. Another 12% are ordered on a daily basis and received overnight. The remaining 3% are items that come direct from manufacturers and may take one week or more from placement of order to delivery to customer. Office furniture sales for mid-line and budget are made primarily from the Company's in-house stock. However, special orders from manufacturers and project furniture may require 30 to 90 days for delivery.
 
13

 
The newspaper is produced nightly at its own in-house facility. The paper is then distributed via contract haulers between 3:00AM and 4:00AM each morning. The contract haulers then deliver the papers to each of the route delivery personnel for a targeted delivery of 6:00AM each morning.
 
CUSTOMERS
 
The Company believes that its reputation for quality, service, convenience and selection allows it to enjoy significant loyalty from its customers. Champion's marketing strategy is to focus on manufacturers, institutions, financial services companies and professional firms. Consistent with customary practice in the commercial printing and office products industries, the Company ordinarily does not have long-term contracts with its customers, although a number of high volume customers issue yearly purchase orders. These purchase orders, which are typically for office products but may include printing services, are for firm prices adjustable for paper price changes. Depending upon customer satisfaction with price and service, these purchase orders may be renewed for another year or up to three years without repeating the full bidding process.
 
During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, no single customer accounted for more than 3% of the Company’s total revenues. Due to the project-oriented nature of customers' printing and furniture requirements, sales to particular customers may vary significantly from year to year depending upon the number and size of their projects.
 
SUPPLIERS
 
The Company has not experienced difficulties in obtaining materials in the past and does not consider itself dependent on any particular supplier for supplies. The Company has negotiated company-wide paper purchasing agreements directly with paper manufacturers and is a member of a major office products buying group, which management believes provides the Company with a competitive advantage. The Company is also affiliated with a buying group with a national organization for its newsprint purchases.
 
COMPETITION
 
The markets for the Company's printing services and office products are highly competitive, with success based primarily on price, quality, production capability, capacity for prompt delivery and personal service.
 
Champion's printing competitors are numerous and range in size from very large national companies with substantially greater resources than the Company to many smaller local companies. In recent years, despite consolidation within the printing industry, there has been a substantial increase in technological advances in new equipment, resulting in excess capacity and highly competitive pricing. The Company has remained competitive by maintaining its printing equipment at state-of-the-art levels and emphasizing personal attention to customers.
 
14

 
Large national and regional mail order discount operations provide significant competition in the office products and office furniture business. The economies afforded by membership in a national purchasing association and by purchasing directly from manufacturers, and the high level of personal services to customers, contribute substantially to the Company's ability to compete in the office supply and office furniture market segments.
 
The Herald-Dispatch faces limited competition from other daily newspapers in its primary market area of Cabell County, West Virginia. The Herald-Dispatch competes with other advertising media in its designated market area, including television and radio advertising.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
 
The Company is subject to the environmental laws and regulations of the United States and the states in which it operates concerning emissions into the air, discharges into waterways and the generation, handling and disposal of waste materials. The Company's past expenditures relating to environmental compliance have not had a material effect on the Company and are included in normal operating expenses. These laws and regulations are constantly evolving, and it is impossible to predict accurately the effect they may have upon the capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position of the Company in the future. Based upon information currently available, management believes that expenditures relating to environmental compliance will not have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.
 
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
 
The Company's operations and the majority of its customers are located in the United States of America, east of the Mississippi River. The Company and its profitability may be more susceptible to the effects of unfavorable or adverse local or regional economic factors and conditions than a company with a more geographically diverse customer base.
 
        The Company's newspaper operations are geographically concentrated and serve a regional market area in southwestern West Virginia primarily covering Cabell County, West Virginia, parts of neighboring Wayne County, West Virginia and eastern Lawrence County, Ohio.
 
   
 
15

 
SEASONALITY
 
    Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations that we expect to continue to be reflected in our operating results in future periods.
 
    Historically, the Company has experienced a greater portion of its profitability in the second and fourth quarters than in the first and third quarters. The second quarter generally reflects increased orders for printing of corporate annual reports and proxy statements. A post-Labor Day increase in demand for printing services and office products coincides with the Company's fourth quarter.
 
 On a historical basis The Herald-Dispatch's first and third calendar quarters of the year tended to be the weakest because advertising volume is at its lowest levels following the holiday season and a seasonal slowdown in the summer months. Correspondingly, on a historical basis the fourth calendar quarter followed by the second calendar quarter tended to be the strongest quarters. The fourth calendar quarter includes heavy holiday season advertising. Other factors that affect our quarterly revenues and operating results may be beyond our control, including changes in the pricing policies of our competitors, the hiring and retention of key personnel, wage and cost pressures, distribution costs, changes in newsprint prices and general economic factors.
 
Our operating results depend on the relative strength of the economy on both a regional and national basis. Recessionary conditions applicable to the economy as a whole, and specifically to our core business segments, have had a significant adverse impact on the Company's business. A continuing or a deepening of the recessionary conditions we are experiencing could significantly affect our revenue categories.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
On October 31, 2010, the Company had approximately 700 employees.
 
The Company's subsidiary, Interform Corporation, is party to a collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO-CLC on behalf of its Local Union 8263 covering all production and maintenance employees (totaling approximately 10 employees at October 31, 2010) at its Bridgeville, Pennsylvania facility. This contract expired May 31, 2010. As a result of the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch, the Company also is party to a collective bargaining agreement with Graphic Communication Conference/ International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 619-M of District Council 3 covering newspaper press production employees (totaling approximately 10 employees at October 31, 2010) at The Herald-Dispatch Huntington, West Virginia location. The contract expires December 31, 2013. The Company believes relations with the unions and covered employees are good.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF CHAMPION
 
 
Position and offices with Champion;
 
 
 
Name     
Age
Principal occupation or employment last five years
Marshall T. Reynolds
74
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company from December 1992 to present; President of the Company December 1992 to September 2000; President and General Manager of Harrah and Reynolds, predecessor of the Company from 1964 (and sole shareholder from 1972 to present) to 1993; Chairman of the Board of Directors of River City Associates Inc. (owner of the Pullman Plaza Hotel) since 1989; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Broughton Foods Company from November 1996 to June 1999; Director (from 1983 to November 1993) and Chairman of the Board of Directors (from 1983 to November 1993) of Banc One West Virginia Corporation (formerly Key Centurion Bancshares, Inc.).
 
Toney K. Adkins
 
 
61
 
 
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since January 2005; Vice President-Administration of the Company from November 1995 to January 2005; President, KYOWVA Corrugated Container Company, Inc. from 1991 to 1996.
 
 J. Mac Aldridge 69
Senior Vice President of the Company and Division Manager - Stationers since January 2005; Vice President and Division Manager - Stationers from December 1992 to January 2005; Vice President of Company and Division Manager - Huntington from September 1995 to October 1997; President and General Manager of Stationers since November 1989; Sales Representative of Huntington Division of Harrah and Reynolds from July 1983 to October 1989.
 
 
16

 
R. Douglas McElwain
63
Senior Vice President and Division Manager - Champion Graphic Communications Division of the Company since January 2005; Vice President and Division Manager - Bourque Printing division of the Company from December 1993 to January 2005; General Manager of Bourque Printing from June 1993 to December 1993; Sales Representative of Charleston Division of Harrah and Reynolds and Company from 1986 until June 1993.
 
Todd R. Fry
45
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since January 2005; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from November 1999 to January 2005; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Broughton Foods Company from September 1997 to June 1999; Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. from 1991 to September 1997.
 
James A. Rhodes
54
Senior Vice President of the Company since January 2005; Vice President of the Company from March 1999 to January 2005; President of Interform since October 2004; President of Consolidated Graphic Communications Division of Interform since February 1999; Vice President of Sales of Consolidated Graphic Communications from 1996 to 1999; General Sales Manager - Eastern Division of Consolidated Graphic Communications from 1995 to 1996.
 
 
 
ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS
 
        The Company’s business and results of operations are subject to a number of risks, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. In addition to the other information in this report, readers should carefully consider that the following important factors, among others, including risks not presently known or currently deemed immaterial by us could materially impact the Company’s business and future results of operations.
 
Dependence on Marshall T. Reynolds; Control of the Company.
 
    The Company's operations and prospects are dependent in large part on the continued efforts of Marshall T. Reynolds.  The loss of Mr. Reynolds could have an adverse effect on the Company. In addition, by virtue of Mr. Reynolds' ownership of Company common stock, Mr. Reynolds will continue to significantly influence our operations. As of October 31, 2010, Marshall T. Reynolds and his affiliated entities, including The Harrah and Reynolds Corporation ("Harrah and Reynolds"), held 4,756,127 shares (47.6%) of the common stock of the Company. Sales by Mr. Reynolds of common stock could adversely affect the prevailing market price of the common stock. The Company is unable to estimate the amount of common stock, if any, that may be sold in the future.
 
 
17

 
The Company operates in a highly competitive market that could negatively impact our results of operations. 
 
                In the printing segment, there has been an ongoing consolidation resulting in fewer competitors. This in part has resulted in numerous competitors that are larger with greater geographic diversity and broader product offerings. In addition, the office products and office furniture industries are extremely competitive and fragmented. The Company competes with numerous large and small companies that operate in each industry, some of which have greater financial resources than the Company. The Company competes on the basis of its reputation for quality, production capability, prompt delivery, price and strength of its continuing customer relationships.
 
        Our supply-chain management services are embedded into our printing and office products and office furniture segments. The competitive factors faced by the Company include customer service, price, distribution geography, information technology and the customer's fulfillment and distribution needs.
 
The Company may be adversely impacted by the rising costs of critical raw materials such as paper, ink, energy, postage and other raw materials.
 
    Our primary raw material is paper, therefore, the purchase of paper and other raw materials such as ink, energy, postage and items we distribute such as office products and office furniture and goods and services represent a large portion of our costs. Any increases in the costs of these items will also increase our costs. Depending on the nature of such increases we may not be able to pass these costs on to customers through higher prices. Increases in the costs of these items may also adversely impact our customers’ demand for printing and related services as well as for office products and office furniture.
 
The Company has substantial investment in the credit worthiness and financial condition of our customers.
 
                The largest current asset on the Company's balance sheet on a net basis is our accounts receivable balances from our customers. We grant credit to substantially all of our customers. A decline in financial condition across a significant component of our customer base could hinder our ability to collect amounts owed by customers. In addition, such a decline could result in lower demand for our services. The potential causes of such a decline include national or local economic downturns, the fact that many of our customers are in highly-competitive industries or markets and the impact of regulatory actions may impact the financial stability of our customers.
 
We may have difficulty adjusting our operating models to meet changing or current market conditions.
 
    Because the markets in which we compete are highly-competitive, we must continue to improve our operating efficiency in order to maintain or improve our profitability. Although we have been able to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the past, there is no assurance that we will continue to do so in the future. In addition, the need to reduce ongoing operating costs may result in significant up-front costs to reduce workforce, close or consolidate facilities, or upgrade equipment and technology.
 
 
 
18

 
       
We may be unable to grow through acquisitions or to successfully integrate acquired businesses.
 
    The Company has historically grown through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. It is critical that the Company achieve the anticipated benefits of acquisitions. The integration of companies that have previously operated independently may result in significant challenges, and we may be unable to accomplish the integration smoothly or successfully. In particular, the coordination of geographically dispersed organizations with differences in corporate cultures and management philosophies may increase the difficulties of integration. The integration of acquired businesses may also require the dedication of significant management resources, which may temporarily shift senior management’s attention from the other day-to-day operations of the Company. Our strategy is, in part, predicated on our ability to realize cost savings and to increase revenues through the acquisition of businesses that strategically enhance our capabilities and services.
 
We may have difficulty hiring and retaining appropriate employees including senior management.
 
    Our success depends, in part, on our general ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly skilled employees. The loss of a significant number of our employees or the inability to attract, hire, develop, train and retain additional skilled personnel could have a material adverse effect on us. We currently operate in several locations with geographic diversity. Individual locations may encounter strong competition from other employers for skilled labor. In addition, many members of our management have significant industry experience and a long track record with us that is important to our continued success. If one or more members of our senior management team leave and we cannot replace them with a suitable candidate quickly, we could experience difficulty in managing our business properly, which could harm our business and results of operations.
 
We may be negatively impacted by strikes or other work stoppages by our employees. 
 
    We employ approximately 20 persons who are covered by collective bargaining agreements. If our unionized employees were to engage in a concerted strike or other work stoppage, or if our other employees were to become unionized, we could experience a disruption of operations, higher labor costs or both.
 
We may have increased employee benefit costs for health care and other benefits.
 
    We provide health care and certain other benefits to our employees. In recent years, costs for health care have increased more rapidly than general inflation in the U.S. economy. If this trend in health care costs continues, our cost to provide such benefits could increase, adversely impacting our business and results of operations.
 
We may be negatively impacted by declines in general economic conditions or acts of war and terrorism.
 
    Demand for printing services is highly correlated with general economic conditions. A decline in U.S. economic conditions may, therefore, adversely impact our business and results of operations. Because such outcomes are difficult to predict, the industry may experience excess capacity resulting in declines in prices for our services. The overall business climate may also be impacted by foreign wars or domestic or foreign acts of terrorism. Such acts may have sudden and unpredictable adverse impacts on demand for our services.
 
19

 
We may face adverse pricing pressures as a result of operating in a highly-competitive market.
 
    The markets for our services are highly fragmented and we have a large number of competitors, resulting in a highly-competitive market and increasing the risk of adverse pricing pressures in various circumstances outside of our control, including economic downturns.
 
We are dependent on the markets utilizing printed materials in lieu of alternative media. If this changes we may be adversely affected.
 
        In addition to traditional non-print based marketing and advertising channels, online distribution and hosting of media content may gain broad acceptance or preferred status relative to printed materials among consumers generally and have an adverse effect on our business. Consumer acceptance of electronic delivery as well as the extent that consumers may have previously replaced traditional reading of print material with online hosted media contents is uncertain. We have no ability to predict the likelihood that this may occur.
 
We may be adversely affected by regulatory and tax requirements.
        
    We are subject to numerous rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, environmental and health and welfare benefit regulations as well as those associated with being a public company as well as numerous federal, state, and local tax rules and regulations. These rules and regulations and associated interpretations may be changed by local, state or federal governments or agencies. Changes in these regulations may result in a significant increase in our compliance costs. Compliance with changes in rules and regulations could require increases to our workforce, increased cost for services, compensation and benefits, or investments in new or upgraded equipment. In addition, audits and examinations of prior years may result in liabilities and additional financial burdens. 
 
We are highly dependent on information technology. If our systems fail or are unreliable our operations may be adversely impacted.
 
    The efficient operation of our business depends on our information technology infrastructure and our management information systems. In addition, production technology in the printing industry has continued to evolve specifically related to the pre-press component of production. We rely on our management information systems to effectively manage accounting and financial functions, job entry, tracking and cost accumulation and certain purchasing functions as well as fulfillment and inventory management including e-commerce activities. Our information technology infrastructure includes both third party solutions and applications designed and maintained internally. Since our Company operates on multiple platforms, the failure of our information technology infrastructure and/or our management information systems to perform could severely disrupt our business and adversely affect our results of operation. In addition, our information technology infrastructure and/or our management information systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from natural or man-made disasters, terrorist attacks, computer viruses or hackers, power loss, or other computer systems, Internet telecommunications or data network failures. Any such interruption could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
 
Competition from alternative forms of media may impair our ability to achieve revenue growth.
 
        Advertising produces the predominant share of our newspaper revenues. With the continued development of alternative forms of media, particularly those based on the Internet, our traditional print business faces increased competition. Alternative media sources also affect our ability to increase our circulation revenues. This competition could make it difficult for us to grow our advertising and circulation revenues, which we believe will challenge us to expand the contributions of our online business.
 
Changes in economic conditions in the markets we serve may produce volatility in demand for our products and services.
 
    Our operating results depend on the relative strength of the economy in our principal newspaper market as well as the strength or weakness of national and regional economic factors. Continuing or deepening softness in the U.S. economy could significantly affect key national advertising and automotive advertising, as well as retail and classified employment revenue.
 
20

 
 
If there is a significant increase in the price of newsprint or a reduction in the availability of newsprint, our results of operations and financial condition may suffer.
 
    Newsprint is the major component of our cost of raw materials associated with production of the newspaper. Accordingly, our earnings are sensitive to changes in newsprint prices. We have not attempted to hedge fluctuations in the normal purchases of newsprint or enter into contracts with embedded derivatives for the purchase of newsprint. If the price of newsprint increases materially, our operating results could be adversely affected. If our newsprint suppliers experience labor unrest, transportation difficulties or other supply disruptions, our ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired and/or the cost of the newsprint could increase, both of which would negatively affect our operating results.
 
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and reduce the funds available to us for other purposes, including dividend payments.
 
        We have a significant amount of indebtedness. At October 31, 2010, we had total indebtedness of $57.8 million under our credit facilities. Our interest expense for the year ended October 31, 2010 was approximately $5.4 million. At October 31, 2010, the borrowings under our credit facility were subject to a floating interest rate of LIBOR plus the applicable margin or the prime rate plus the applicable margin.  Failure to maintain compliance with financial covenants as required by our credit facility could result in default and acceleration of amounts due under those facilities.
         
Volatility in U.S. credit markets could affect the Company's ability to obtain financing to fund acquisitions, investments, or other significant operating or capital expenditures.
 
                At the end of 2010, the company had approximately $57.8 million of indebtedness. A further tightening of credit availability could restrict the Company's ability to finance significant transactions and also limit its ability to refinance its existing capital structure or to fund its current operation pursuant to the terms of the Company's Applicable Credit  Agreements. The Company's revolving line of credit expires in September 2012 and its term loan facility expires on September 2013. Both of these credit facilities are with the same bank syndicate.
 
We may not be able to pay or maintain dividends and the failure to do so may negatively affect our share price.
 
        We had historically paid regular quarterly dividends through the first quarter of 2009 to the holders of our common stock. Our ability to pay dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our cash flows, our cash requirements, our financial condition, the degree to which we are or become leveraged, contractual restrictions binding on us, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. There can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash from continuing operations in the future, or have sufficient surplus or net profits to pay dividends on our common stock. Our dividend policy is based upon our directors’ current assessment of our business and the environment in which we operate and that assessment could change based on competitive or technological developments (which could, for example, increase our need for capital expenditures) or new growth opportunities. Our board of directors may, in its discretion, amend or repeal our dividend policy to decrease the level of dividends or entirely discontinue the payment of dividends. The reduction or elimination of dividends may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.
 
    The Board of Directors suspended the Company's dividend during fiscal 2009. Any future dividends will be subject to the above mentioned factors and compliance provisions regarding dividend payments described further in the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated March 31, 2010, between the Company and its lenders (See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements).
 
21

 
Our newspaper business is subject to seasonal and other fluctuations, which affects our revenues and operating results.
 
        Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations that we expect to continue to be reflected in our operating results in future periods. On a historical basis The Herald-Dispatch's first and third calendar quarters of the year tended to be the weakest because advertising volume is at its lowest levels following the holiday season and a seasonal slow down in the summer months. Correspondingly, on a historical basis the fourth calendar quarter followed by the second calendar quarter tended to be the strongest quarters. The fourth calendar quarter includes heavy holiday season advertising. Other factors that affect our quarterly revenues and operating results may be beyond our control, including changes in the pricing policies of our competitors, the hiring and retention of key personnel, wage and cost pressures, distribution costs, changes in newsprint prices and general economic factors.
 
We could be adversely affected by declining newspaper circulation.
 
        According to the Newspaper Association of America, overall daily newspaper circulation, including national and urban newspapers, has continued to decline. There can be no assurance that our circulation will not decline in the future. Further declines in circulation could impair our ability to maintain or increase our advertising prices, cause purchasers of advertising in our publications to reduce or discontinue those purchases and discourage potential new advertising customers which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
 
                The Company conducts its operations primarily from twenty (20) different physical locations, thirteen (13) of which are leased and seven (7) of which are owned in fee simple by Company subsidiaries. The Company also owns two facilities of which the operations have been consolidated into other Champion facilities. The Company also leases other facilities primarily as sales and customer service locations, these operations and locations are not included as core operating facilities. The Company does not anticipate any issues regarding the renewal of certain leases when the terms expire. The properties leased and certain of the lease terms are set forth below and may be subject to periodic adjustments based on the consumer price index:
 
 
Property
 
 
Division Occupying Property
 
 
Square Feet
 
 
Annual Rental
 
 
Expiration Of Term
 
2450 1st Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia (1)
 
 
Chapman Printing- Huntington
 
 
85,000
 
 
$116,400
 
 
2013
 
1945 5th Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia (1)
 
 
Stationers
 
 
37,025
 
 
30,000
 
 
2013
 
 
 
22

 
 
Property
 
 
Division Occupying Property
 
 
Square Feet
 
 
Annual Rental
 
 
Expiration Of Term
 
615-619 4th Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia (1)
 
Stationers
 
 
59,641
 
 
21,600
 
 
2013
 
405 Ann Street
Parkersburg, West Virginia (1)
 
 
Chapman Printing - Parkersburg
 
 
36,614
 
 
57,600
 
 
2013
 
890 Russell Cave Road
Lexington, Kentucky (1)
 
 
Chapman Printing - Lexington
 
 
20,135
 
 
57,600
 
 
2013
 
2800 Lynch Road
Evansville, Indiana (1)
 
 
Smith & Butterfield
 
 
42,375
 
 
155,558
 
 
2014
 
1901 Mayview Road
Bridgeville, Pennsylvania (1)
 
 
Interform Corporation
 
 
120,000
 
 
293,503
 
 
2013
 
1515 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio (1)
 
 
The Merten Company
 
 
40,000
 
 
107,163
 
 
2011
 
1214 Main Street
Wheeling, West Virginia (2)
 
 
CBI - Wheeling
 
 
22,000
 
 
37,200
 
Monthly
 
3000 Washington Street
Charleston, West Virginia (1)
 
Chapman Printing-Charleston
 
 
37,710
 
 
150,000
 
2014
 
951 Point Marion Road
Morgantown, West Virginia (1)
   
Chapman Printing-Charleston
 
 
5,850
 
 
 
46,020
 
 
 
2015
 
 
120 Hills Plaza 
Charleston, West Virginia (3)
  Champion Output Solutions   22,523   115,992    
2011
 
Route 2 Industrial Lane
Huntington, West Virginia (1)
      
   The Herald-Dispatch   35,000   84,000  
 
2013
 
23

 
(1)  Lease is “triple net”, whereby the Company pays for all utilities, insurance, taxes, repairs and maintenance and all other costs associated with properties.
 
(2)  Lease is gross to the extent it excludes taxes and insurance during the lease term.
 
(3)  Lease is gross to the extent it excludes taxes and insurance during the initial lease term. The Company has renewal options through 2024 at various rates and the lease essentially converts to a triple net lease in the renewal period.  The Company has entered into a sublease agreement commencing January 2007, through June 30, 2011, at an annual sublease of $44,370, representing approximately 8,500 square feet.
 
The Dallas Printing subsidiary owns, and previously operated from, a single-story masonry structure of approximately 19,600 square feet at 321-323 East Hamilton Street, Jackson, Mississippi. This building was vacated during the fourth quarter of 2005. The Company is currently evaluating its options regarding this facility.
 
The Chapman Printing Charleston operation previously conducted business from a single story masonry building of approximately 21,360 square feet owned by the Company at 1563 Hansford Street, Charleston, West Virginia. This building was vacated during the second quarter of 2005. The Company is currently evaluating its facility needs in Charleston and the future use, if any, of this building. The Company also owns a structure in Charleston, WV that was purchased as a result of the Syscan acquisition. This building is located at 811 Virginia Street West and is a three-story block building.
 
The Bourque Printing subsidiary owns, and operates from, a single-story building of approximately 42,693 square feet at 10848 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Company also owns a warehouse and storage facility of approximately 18,501 square feet at 13112 South Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
 
Stationers' Clarksburg operation is conducted from a single-story masonry building of approximately 20,800 square feet owned by the Company at 700 N. Fourth Street, Clarksburg, West Virginia.
 
Donihe owns, and operates from, a single-story steel building of approximately 38,500 square feet situated on roughly 14.5 acres at 766 Brookside Drive, Kingsport, Tennessee.
 
Blue Ridge owns, and operates from, a two-story masonry and steel building of approximately 28,000 square feet and a contiguous 1,692 square foot former residential structure at 544 and 560 Haywood Road, Asheville, North Carolina.
 
24

 
    The Capitol subsidiary of Stationers owns and operates from a 22,000 square foot building at 711 Indiana Avenue, Charleston, West Virginia.
 
    The Herald-Dispatch owns and operates from a five-story masonry building of approximately 65,000 square feet at 946 5th Avenue, Huntington, West Virginia.
 
    The Company continually reviews its production facilities and has and continues to consolidate facilities as deemed economically feasible. The Company believes its production facilities are suitable and adequate to meet current production needs.
 
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company is subject to various claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these claims and legal actions will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
 
ITEM 4 - RESERVED
 
 
PART II
 
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
    Champion common stock has traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System (now Global Market) since the Offering under the symbol “CHMP.”
 
    The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for Champion common stock for the period indicated. The range of high and low closing prices are based on data from NASDAQ and does not include retail mark-up, mark-down or commission.
 
25

 
   
 Fiscal Year 2010
 
 Fiscal Year 2009
 
   
High
Low
 
High
Low
 
 
 
First quarter
 
$1.97
 
$1.48
 
 
$ 3.40
 
$ 2.20
 
 
 
Second quarter
    
1.86
 
1.10
 
3.00
1.40
 
 
 
Third quarter
 
2.10
 
1.52
 
 
1.98
 
1.42
 
 
 
Fourth quarter
 
1.66
 
1.10
 
 
2.09
 
1.65
 
               
 
     At the close of business on January 10, 2011, there were 395 shareholders of record of Champion common stock. The shareholders of record are determined by the Company’s transfer agent.
 
                      The following table sets forth the quarterly dividends per share declared on Champion common stock.
 
     
Fiscal Year 2011
 
Fiscal Year 2010
 
 
Fiscal Year 2009
 
 
 
 
First quarter
 $         -         $
-
 $
0.06
 
 
 
 
Second quarter
  -  
-
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
Third quarter
  -  
-
 
-
 
 
 
 
Fourth quarter                
  -   -  
-
 
 
26

 
ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
 The following selected consolidated financial data for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2010, have been derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, related notes, and the information contained in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing elsewhere herein.
 
   
Year Ended October 31,
   
2010(4)
   
2009(3)
   
2008
   
2007 (2)
   
2006 (1)
 
                   (Restated)              
   
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
OPERATING STATEMENT DATA:
                             
Revenues:
                             
Printing
  $
         80,971
    $
88,990
    $
105,275
    $
104,500
    $
108,475
 
Office products and office furniture
   
33,438
     
35,874
     
41,540
     
41,449
     
38,774
 
Newspaper    
           15,525
      16,394       18,939       2,540       -  
Total revenues
   
           129,934
     
141,258
     
165,754
     
148,489
     
147,249
 
                                         
Cost of sales & newspaper operating costs:
                                       
Printing
                 59,351      
66,856
     
75,590
     
75,617
     
77,077
 
Office products and office furniture
                23,633      
24,859
     
28,457
     
28,834
     
26,778
 
Newspaper cost of sales & operating costs    
               8,327
      8,715       9,492       1,188       -  
Total cost of sales & newspaper operating costs
   
           91,311
     
100,430
     
113,539
     
105,639
     
103,855
 
                                         
Gross profit
   
            38,623
     
40,828
     
52,215
     
42,850
     
43,394
 
                                         
Selling, general and administrative expense
   
            31,609
     
37,126
      39,529      
32,336
     
34,018
 
Restructurings / asset impairments costs                    1,641       41,334             -        
Hurricane and relocation costs, net of recoveries
   
-
      (39 )    
(33
   
-
     
(377
                                         
Income (loss) from operations                
   
               5,373
     
(37,593
   
12,719
     
10,514
     
9,753
 
Other income (expense):                                        
Interest income
   
-
     
3
     
66
     
45
      28  
Interest expense
                (5,414 )     (5,185 )     (5,734 )     (1,455 )     (610 )
Other income (expense)
   
             1,013
      (476    
70
     
179
     
32
 
                                         
                                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
               972
     
(43,251
   
7,121
     
9,283
     
9,203
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
                     (484     15,730       (2,463 )     (3,203 )     (3,729 )
Net income (loss) 
  $                488     $
(27,521
  $
4,658
    $
6,080
    $
5,474
 
                                         
Earnings (loss)  per share:
                                       
Basic
  $
               0.05
    $
(2.76
  $
0.47
    $
0.61
    $
0.56
 
Diluted
   
               0.05
     
(2.76
   
0.46
     
0.60
     
0.55
 
Dividends per share           $
                 0.00
    $ 0.06     $ 0.24     $ 0.24     $ 0.20  
 
                                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                                        
Basic
   
        9,988,000
     
9,988,000
     
9,986,000
     
9,957,000
     
9,818,000
 
Diluted
   
        9,988,000
     
9,988,000
     
10,024,000
     
10,103,000
     
9,972,000
 
 
 
27

 
(1)   During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company incurred various charges resulting from Hurricane Katrina. In 2006 as a result of the hurricane, the Company recorded recoveries of approximately $377,000, or $224,000 net of tax or $0.02 per share on a basic and diluted basis.
     
(2)   The revenues associated with the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch are primarily composed of advertising, circulation and commercial printing revenues. The advertising and circulation revenues are included as a component of the newspaper segment and the commercial printing revenues are recorded as a component of the printing segment. Approximately six weeks of the operations of The Herald-Dispatch are included in the Company's Statement of Operations commencing concurrent with the acquisition in 2007.
     
(3)  
Includes impairment for goodwill and other intangibles in the fourth quarter of 2009 of $(41.1) million or $(25.5) million net of tax or $(2.55) per share on a basic and diluted basis. The Company also recorded a loss on an interest rate swap agreement resulting from a reclassification from other comprehensive income to other expense, pursuant to the elimination of a LIBOR borrowing option from the Administrative Agent of the Company's Credit Agreement resulting in the ineffectiveness of a cash flow hedge in the amount of $(578,000), net of tax or $(0.06) per share on a basic and diluted basis. The Company also incurred a charge of $(206,000) or $(128,000) net of tax or $(0.01) per share on a basic and diluted basis related to impairment charges associated with property, plant and equipment. 
     
(4)   Includes charges in 2010 related to a restructuring and profitability enhancement plan of $(1.8) million $(1.1) million net of tax or $(0.11) per share on a basic and diluted basis. The Company also recorded other income in 2010 associated with an interest rate swap agreement, which expired in the fourth quarter of 2010, resulting primarily from a reclassification from other comprehensive income to other income of $0.7 million or $0.4 million net of tax. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company reported $0.3 million or $0.2 million net of tax as other income due to the Administrative Agent of the Company's Credit Agreement eliminating the LIBOR borrowing option resulting in ineffectiveness of a cash flow hedge.  
 
 
   
 At October 31,   
   
2010
   
 
2009
   
 
2008
(Restated)
   
 
2007
   
 
2006
 
   
   (in thousands)   
 
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents/negative book cash balances
  $
(1,014
)   $
1,159
    $
(987
  $
5,793
    $
5,487
 
 
Working capital (1)
   
13,150
     
(42,579
   
20,367
     
25,308
     
 
25,955
 
 
Total assets
   
92,234
     
101,022
     
141,279
     
149,212
     
 
65,989
 
 
Long-term debt (net of current portion) (2)
   
52,299
     
918
     
66,332
     
79,378
     
 
4,220
 
 
Shareholders' equity
   
23,422
     
22,934
     
50,496
     
48,727
     
 
44,777
 
 
(1)  Includes $60.5 million of long-term debt reclassified to current debt due to the Company's inability to remain in compliance with various financial covenants in 2009.
 
(2)  Includes non-current borrowings under the Company’s credit facilities, in 2009 $60.5 million of long-term debt was reclassified to current debt, see (1) above.
 
28

 
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
The Company is a commercial printer, business forms manufacturer and office products and office furniture supplier in regional markets of the United States of America, east of the Mississippi River. The Company also publishes The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia with a total daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 23,000 and 29,000 respectively. The Company has grown through strategic acquisitions and internal growth. Through such growth, the Company has realized regional economies of scale, operational efficiencies, and exposure of its core products to new markets. The Company has acquired fifteen printing companies, eight office products and office furniture companies, one company with a combined emphasis on both printing and office products and office furniture, a paper distribution division (which was subsequently sold in 2001) and a daily newspaper since its initial public offering on January 28, 1993.
 
The Company's net revenues consist primarily of sales of commercial printing, business forms, tags, other printed products, document output solutions including rendering, inserting and mailing, office supplies, office furniture, data products and office design services as well as newspaper revenues primarily from advertising and circulation. The Company recognizes revenues when products are shipped or ownership is transferred and when services are rendered to the customer. Newspaper advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period when advertising is printed or placed on web sites. Circulation revenues are recognized when purchased newspapers are distributed. The Company's revenues are subject to seasonal fluctuations caused by variations in demand for its products.
 
The Company's cost of sales primarily consists of raw materials, including paper, ink, pre-press supplies and purchased office supplies, furniture and data products, and manufacturing costs including direct labor, indirect labor and overhead. Significant factors affecting the Company's cost of sales include the costs of paper in printing, office supplies and the newspaper operations, costs of labor and other raw materials.
 
The Company's operating costs consist of selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs include salaries, commissions and wages for sales, customer service, accounting, administrative and executive personnel, rent, utilities, legal, audit, information systems equipment costs, software maintenance and depreciation.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES INVOLVING SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES
 
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. The discussion and analysis of the financial statements and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The following critical accounting policies affect the Company’s more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
 
Restatement of Prior Year:    In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company identified approximately $1.4 million, or $0.14 per share on a basic and diluted basis, of non-cash deferred tax related adjustments for 2008. Accordingly, the Consolidated Financial statements for October 31, 2008 presented in this Form 10-K have been restated to increase deferred income tax expense and to increase deferred income tax liability. This adjustment is related to the goodwill, tradename and masthead associated with the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch. This deferred tax liability will remain on the balance sheet until such time as the associated intangible assets are impaired, sold or otherwise disposed of. As a result of the impairment charge recorded in 2009 this deferred tax liability is now reflected as a deferred tax asset due to the non-cash benefit associated with the impairment of goodwill, tradename and masthead.  
 
Asset Impairment: The Company is required to test for asset impairment relating to property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset might not be recoverable. The Company performs an impairment analysis when indicators of impairment are present. If such indicators are present, an analysis of the sum of the future expected cash flows from the Company’s asset, undiscounted and without interest charges is calculated. If it is less than the carrying value, an asset impairment must be recognized in the financial statements. The amount of the impairment is the difference between the fair value of the asset and the carrying value of the asset.
 
 
29

 
The Company believes that the accounting estimate related to asset impairment is a “critical accounting estimate” because it is highly susceptible to change from period to period because it requires management to make assumptions about future cash flows over future years and that the impact of recognizing impairment could have a significant effect on operations. Management’s assumptions about future cash flows require significant judgment because actual operating levels have fluctuated in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future. Management has discussed the development and selection of this critical accounting estimate with the audit committee of our board of directors and the audit committee has reviewed the Company’s disclosure relating to it in this management, discussion and analysis (MD&A).
 
In accordance with GAAP, a two-step impairment test is performed on goodwill. In the first step, a comparison is made of the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, the second step of the impairment test is required. In the second step, an estimate of the current fair values of all assets and liabilities is made to determine the amount of implied goodwill and consequently the amount of any goodwill impairment.
 
In connection with our annual impairment testing of goodwill and other intangible assets conducted in the fourth quarter of 2009, we recorded a charge of $41.1 million ($25.5 million, net of deferred tax benefit) for impairment of the value of the goodwill and other intangible assets, which resulted from the 2007 acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, WV. This charge resulted in impairment charges of trademark and masthead of $8.5 million, subscriber base asset of $2.2 million, advertiser base asset $6.8 million and goodwill $23.6 million. The associated deferred tax benefit of these charges approximated $15.6 million. There were no impairment charges as a result of our annual impairment testing in 2010.
 
The Company determined that it should perform impairment testing of goodwill and intangible assets during the fourth quarter of 2009, due, in part, to declines in our stock price, increased volatility in operating results and declines in market transactions in the industry.  The valuation methodology utilized to estimate the fair value of the newspaper operating segment was based on both the market and income approach. The Company then undertook the next step in the impairment testing process by determining the fair value of assets and liabilities within this reporting unit. The implied fair values of goodwill and other intangibles for this reporting unit was less than the carrying amount by $41.1 million ($25.5 million net of deferred tax benefit) based on the analysis by the Company and with assistance of third party valuation specialists, and therefore an impairment charge in this amount was taken. The goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to be amortized for tax purposes over its remaining life in accordance with applicable internal revenue service standards.  Management has discussed the development of these estimates with the audit committee of the board of directors. Additionally, the board of directors has reviewed this disclosure and its relation to this MD&A.
 
Revenue Recognition: Revenues are recognized when products are shipped or ownership is transferred and when services are rendered to customers. The Company acts as a principal party in sales transactions, assumes title to products and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership including risk of loss for collection, delivery or returns. The Company typically recognizes revenue for the majority of its products upon shipment to the customer and transfer of title. Under agreements with certain customers, custom forms may be stored by the Company for future delivery. In these situations, the Company may receive a logistics and warehouse management fee for the services provided. In these cases, delivery and bill schedules are outlined with the customer and product revenue is recognized when manufacturing is complete and the product is received into the warehouse, title transfers to the customer, the order is invoiced and there is reasonable assurance of collectability. Since the majority of products are customized, product returns are not significant. Therefore, the Company records sales on a gross basis. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period when advertising is printed or placed on websites. Circulation revenues are recognized when purchased newspapers are distributed. Amounts received from customers in advance of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue. The deferred revenue associated with The Herald-Dispatch approximated $591,000 and $611,000 at October 31, 2010 and 2009. Revenue generally is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to government authorities. The costs of delivering finished goods to customers are recorded as shipping and handling costs and included in cost of sales. Shipping and handling costs that are included in the price of the product are included in net sales.
 
   Income Taxes:  Provisions for income taxes currently payable and deferred income taxes are based on the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.


 
30

 
    Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: The Company encounters risks associated with sales and the collection of the associated accounts receivable. As such, the Company records a monthly provision for accounts receivable that are considered to be uncollectible. In order to calculate the appropriate monthly provision, the Company primarily utilizes a historical rate of accounts receivables written off as a percentage of total revenue. This historical rate is applied to the current revenues on a monthly basis. The historical rate is updated periodically based on events that may change the rate, such as a significant increase or decrease in collection performance and timing of payments as well as the calculated total exposure in relation to the allowance. Periodically, the Company compares the identified credit risks with the allowance that has been established using historical experience and adjusts the allowance accordingly.
 
    The Company believes that the accounting estimate related to the allowance for doubtful accounts is a “critical accounting estimate” because the underlying assumptions used for the allowance can change from period to period and could potentially cause a material impact to the income statement and working capital. Management has discussed the development and selection of this estimate with the audit committee of the board of directors, and the board has, in turn, reviewed the disclosure and its relation to this MD&A.
 
During 2010, 2009 and 2008, $370,000, $876,000, and $854,000 of bad debt expense was incurred and the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,297,000, $1,353,000 and $1,851,000 of October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The actual write-offs for the periods were $426,000, $1,375,000 and $514,000 during 2010, 2009 and 2008. General economic conditions and specific geographic and customer concerns are major factors that may affect the adequacy of the allowance and may result in a change in the annual bad debt expense.
 
The following discussion and analysis presents the significant changes in the financial position and results of operations of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated information derived from the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations, including certain information presented as a percentage of total revenues.
 
   
Year Ended October 31,
 
   
($ In thousands)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008 (Restated)
 
Revenues:
                                         
Printing
 
$
80,971
    62.3
%
 
$
88,990
   
63.0
%
 
$
105,275
   
63.5
%
Office products and office furniture
   
33,438
    25.7      
35,874
   
25.4
     
41,540
   
25.1
 
    Newspaper     15,525     12.0       16,394     11.6       18,939     11.4  
Total revenues
   
129,934
    100.0      
141,258
   
100.0
     
165,754
   
100.0
 
Cost of sales & newspaper operating costs:
                                         
Printing
   
59,351
     45.7      
66,856
   
47.3
     
75,590
   
45.6
 
Office products and office furniture
   
23,633
   
18.2
     
24,859
   
17.6
     
28,457
   
17.2
 
    Newspaper cost of sales & operating costs     8,327      6.4       8,715     6.2       9,492     5.7  
Total cost of sales & newspaper operating costs
   
91,311
   
70.3
     
100,430
   
71.1
     
113,539
   
68.5
 
Gross profit
   
38,623
   
29.7
     
40,828
   
28.9
     
52,215
   
31.5
 
                                           
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
31,609
   
24.3
     
37,126
   
26.2
     
39,529
   
23.8
 
    Restructuring / asset impairments costs     1,641     1.3       41,334     29.3       -     0.0  
Hurricane and relocation costs, net of recoveries
   
-
   
-
     
(39
)  
0.0
     
(33
 
0.0
 
Income (loss) from operations
   
5,373
   
4.1
 
   
(37,593
 
(26.6
)    
12,719
   
7.7
 
Other income (expense):
                                         
Interest income
   
-
     -      
3
   
0.0
     
66
   
0.0
 
Interest expense
   
(5,414
)
 
(4.2
)
   
(5,185
)
 
(3.7
)
   
(5,734
)
 
(3.4
)
Other income
    1,013     0.8
 
   
(476
 
(0.3
)    
70
   
0.0
 
                                           
Income (loss) before income taxes
    972      0.7
 
   
(43,251
 
(30.6
)    
7,121
   
4.3
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
    (484 )   (0.3 )    
15,730
 
 
11.1
 
   
(2,463
)
 
(1.5
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
488
   
0.4
%
 
$
(27,521
 
(19.5
)%
 
$
4,658
   
2.8
%
                                           
 
31

 
 
Year Ended October 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended October 31, 2009
 
Revenues
 
Consolidated net revenues were $129.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2010 compared to $141.3 million in the prior fiscal year. This change represents a decrease in revenues of approximately $11.3 million, or 8.0%. Printing revenues decreased by $8.0 million or 9.0% from $89.0 million in 2009 to $81.0 million in 2010. Office products and office furniture revenue decreased $2.4 million or 6.8% from $35.9 million in 2009 to $33.4 million in 2010. The decrease in revenues for the office products and office furniture segment was primarily attributable to lower sales in both office products and office furniture. In 2010, newspaper revenues were composed of approximately $11.7 million in advertising revenue and $3.8 million in circulation revenue compared to the same period in 2009, in which the newspaper revenues were composed of approximately $12.5 million in advertising revenue and $3.9 million in circulation revenues. Newspaper revenues decreased $0.9 million or 5.3% in fiscal 2010 compared with fiscal 2009. The reduction in newspaper revenues is primarily associated with a decrease in advertising revenues. The Company believes the decrease in sales across its three primary revenue segments was primarily due to the continued impact of the global economic crisis. 
 
Cost of Sales
 
Total cost of sales for the year ended October 31, 2010 was $91.3 million, compared to $100.4 million in the previous year. This change represented a decrease of $9.1 million, or 9.1%, in cost of sales. Printing cost of sales decreased $7.5 million to $59.4 million in 2010 compared to $66.9 million in 2009. Printing cost of sales as a percentage of printing sales decreased to 73.3% as a percent of printing sales in 2010 from 75.1.% in 2009. This decrease was primarily the result of improved labor absorption and lower material costs as a percent of sales, partially offset by higher overhead absorption costs. Office products and office furniture cost of sales decreased $1.2 million to $23.6 million in 2010 from $24.9 million in 2009. The decrease in office products and office furniture cost of sales is attributable to a decrease in office products and office furniture sales. The increase in office products and office furniture cost of sales as a percent of office products and office furniture sales is primarily reflective of higher office furniture costs as a percent of office furniture sales. Newspaper cost of sales and operating cost decreased $0.4 million to $8.3 million in 2010 from $8.7 million in 2009. Newspaper cost of sales and operating costs as a percentage of newspaper sales were 53.6% in 2010 and 53.2% in 2009.
 
32

 
 
Operating Expenses and Income
 
    Selling, general and administrative (S,G&A) expenses decreased $5.5 million to $31.6 million in 2010 from $37.1 million in 2009. S,G&A as a percentage of net sales represented 24.3% of net sales in 2010 compared with 26.2% of net sales in 2009. This decrease in S,G&A costs is primarily due to cost reduction initiatives implemented by the Company in response to the global economic crisis. The decrease in SG&A was partially offset by various costs associated with the Company's successful defense of a legal action and the accrual of settlement costs associated with an OSHA action with combined costs of approximately $0.4 million.
 
   In connection with our annual impairment testing of goodwill and other intangible assets conducted in the fourth quarter of 2009, we recorded a charge of $41.1 million ($25.5 million, net of deferred tax benefit) for impairment of the value of the goodwill and other intangible assets, which resulted from the 2007 acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, WV. This charge resulted in impairment charges of trademark and masthead of $8.5 million, subscriber base asset of $2.2 million, advertiser base asset of $6.8 million and goodwill of $23.6 million, the associated deferred tax benefit of these charges approximated $15.6 million. There were no impairment charges as a result of our annual impairment testing in 2010.
 
    The valuation methodology utilized to estimate the fair value of the newspaper operating segment was based on both the market and income approach.  The income approach was based on a discounted cash flow methodology, in which expected future free net cash flows to invested capital are discounted to present value, using an appropriate after-tax weighted average cost of capital.  The market approach using a guideline company analysis weighs empirical evidence from shares of comparable companies sold in minority transactions on stock exchanges and merger and acquisition analysis, which analyses sales of newspapers in control transactions. The Company then undertook the next step in the impairment testing process by determining the fair value of assets and liabilities within this reporting unit. The implied fair values of goodwill  and other intangibles for this reporting unit was less than the carrying amount by $41.1 million ($25.5 million net of deferred tax benefit), and therefore an impairment charge in this amount was taken. The goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to be amortized for tax purposes over their remaining life in accordance with applicable Internal Revenue Service standards.
 
    The Company has other reporting units within Goodwill. The Company evaluated these reporting units during the fourth quarters of 2010 and 2009, and while the estimated fair value of these reporting units declined from 2008, the estimated fair value of each of our other reporting units exceeded carrying values in 2010 and 2009. As a result, no additional testing or impairment charges were necessary.  
 
         In 2010, the Company recorded charges related to a restructuring and profitability enhancement plan of approximately $1.8 million. This plan was implemented to effectuate certain key initiatives and was a key provision to the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement among the Company and its Lenders. These actions were taken to comply with the provisions and targeted covenants of the Second Agreement to the Credit Agreement and to address the impact of the global economic crisis on the Company.  The costs primarily related to excess facility and maintenance costs primarily associated with operating leases, inventory costs and costs associated with streamlining production and personnel.  The Company may incur additional costs in future periods to address the ongoing and fluid nature of the economic crisis. The amount of future charges is currently not estimable by the Company.
 
The implementation of the restructuring and profitability enhancement plan should not have a material impact on the Company's future liquidity position. The costs associated with the restructuring and profitability enhancement plan are primarily recorded in the restructuring charges line item as part of operating income. Inventory is recorded as a component of the cost of sales and aggregated approximately $0.2 million. 
 
    During 2010 and 2009, the U.S. recession had a negative impact on the Company's operations across multiple segment lines. The newspaper operating segment reflected lower operating revenues in both advertising and circulation. In response to this difficult operating environment the Company initiated a cost reduction plan and eliminated 24 employee positions, or approximately 15% of the workforce, at the Champion Publishing subsidiary in 2009.
  
    The Company also incurred asset impairment charges in 2009 from property, plant and equipment of approximately $0.2 million, or $0.1 million net of tax or $0.01 per share on a basic and diluted basis.
33

 
Other Income (Expense)
 
 Other expense decreased approximately $1.3 million from $5.7 million in 2009 to $4.4 million in 2010. This was primarily due to charges in 2009 related to an interest rate swap agreement which was reclassified from other comprehensive income to other expense as a result of ineffectiveness in a cash flow hedge of approximately $0.6 million, net of tax in 2009. The Company recorded other income in the first quarter of 2010 resulting from this hedging arrangement, in the amount of $0.2 million, net of tax. The interest swap was re-designated as a cash flow hedge in the second quarter of 2010 and upon expiration of  the swap derivative  on October 29, 2010, $0.7 million or $0.4 million, net of tax was reclassified into earnings. 
   
    Interest expense increased approximately $230,000 from higher interest rates associated with the Administrative Agent of the Company's credit facility instituting the default rate and eliminating the LIBOR borrowing expense option for most of the first six months of 2010 and a higher applicable margin for the remainder of 2010 concurrent with the Second Amendment and various deferred financing and other interest related expenses associated with this debt. Concurrent with the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement the Company was permitted to reinstate the LIBOR borrowing option and the new applicable margin was set below the default rate in effect prior to the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes were an expense of (49.8%) in 2010 compared with a benefit of 36.4% in 2009.  The effective income tax rate in 2010 and 2009 approximates the combined federal and state, net of federal benefit, statutory income tax rate.
 
Net Income (Loss)
 
For the reasons set forth above, net income increased to $0.5 million in 2010 from a loss of $(27.5) million in 2009.
 
Year Ended October 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended October 31, 2008 (Restated)
 
Revenues
 
Consolidated net revenues were $141.3 million for the year ended October 31, 2009 compared to $165.8 million in the prior fiscal year. This change represents a decrease in revenues of approximately $24.5 million, or 14.8%. Printing revenues decreased by $16.3 million, or 15.5%, from $105.3 million in 2008 to $89.0 million in 2009. The decrease in printing sales was primarily due to the continued impact of the global economic crisis. Office products and office furniture revenue decreased from $41.5 million in 2008 to $35.9 million in 2009. The decrease in revenues for the office products and office furniture segment was primarily attributable to lower sales in both office products and office furniture. In 2009, newspaper revenues were composed of approximately $12.5 million in advertising revenue and $3.9 million in circulation revenue compared to the same period in 2008, in which the newspaper revenues were composed of approximately $14.7 million in advertising revenue and $4.2 million in circulation revenues.
 
 
Cost of Sales
 
Total cost of sales for the year ended October 31, 2009 was $100.4 million, compared to $113.5 million in the previous year. This change represented a decrease of $13.1 million, or 11.5%, in cost of sales. Printing cost of sales decreased $ 8.7 million to $66.9 million in 2009, compared to $75.6 million in 2008. Printing cost of sales was lower due to lower sales partially offset by higher cost of goods sold as a percent of print sales. Printing cost of sales as a percentage of printing sales increased to 75.1% as a percent of printing sales in 2009 from 71.8.% in 2008. This increase was primarily the result of higher material, overhead and labor costs as a percent of printing sales. Office products and office furniture cost of sales decreased $3.6 million to $24.9 million in 2009 from $28.5 million in 2008. The decrease in office products and office furniture cost of sales is attributable to a decrease in office products and office furniture sales. The increase in office products and office furniture cost of sales as a percent of office products and office furniture sales is primarily reflective of higher furniture and office products costs as a percent of furniture and office products sales. Newspaper cost of sales and operating cost decreased $778,000 to $8.7 million in 2009 from $9.5 million in 2008. Newspaper cost of sales and operating costs as a percentage of newspaper sales were 53.2% in 2009 and 50.1% in 2008.
 
34

 
.
Operating Expenses and Income
 
    Selling, general and administrative (S,G&A) expenses decreased $2.4 million to $37.1 million in 2009 from $39.5 million in 2008. S,G&A as a percentage of net sales represented 26.2% of net sales in 2009 compared with 23.8% of net sales in 2008. This decrease in selling, general and administrative costs is primarily due to various cost reduction initiatives primarily reflective of payroll related reductions. These reductions were initiated in part to address the impact of the global economic crisis and the associated reduction in sales.
 
In connection with our annual impairment testing of goodwill and other intangible assets conducted in the fourth quarter of 2009, we recorded a charge of $41.1 million ($25.5 million, net of deferred tax benefit) for impairment of the value of the goodwill and other intangible assets, which resulted from the 2007 acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, WV. This charge resulted in impairment charges of trademark and masthead of $8.5 million, subscriber base asset of $2.2 million, advertiser base asset of $6.8 million and goodwill of $23.6 million, the associated deferred tax benefit of these charges approximated $15.6 million.
 
    The valuation methodology utilized to estimate the fair value of the newspaper operating segment was based on both the market and income approach. The income approach was based off a discounted cash flow methodology, in which expected future free net cash flows to invested capital are discounted to present value, using an appropriate after-tax weighted average cost of capital. The market approach using a guideline company analysis weighs empirical evidence from shares of comparable companies sold in minority transactions on stock exchanges and merger and acquisition analysis, which analyses sales of newspapers in control transactions. The Company then undertook the next step in the impairment testing process by determining the fair value of assets and liabilities within this reporting unit. The implied fair values of goodwill for this reporting unit was less than the carrying amount by $41.1 million ($25.5 million net of deferred tax benefit), and therefore an impairment charge in this amount was taken. The goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to be amortized for tax purposes over its remaining life in accordance with applicable Internal Revenue Service standards.
 
    The Company has other reporting units within Goodwill. The Company evaluated these reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2009, and while the estimated fair value of these reporting units declined from 2008, the estimated fair value of each of our other reporting units exceeded carrying values in 2009. As a result, no additional testing or impairment charges were necessary.
 
    During 2009, the U.S. recession had a negative impact on the Company's operations across multiple segment lines. The newspaper operating segment reflected lower operating revenues in both advertising and circulation. In response to this difficult operating environment Champion initiated a cost reduction plan and eliminated 24 employee positions or approximately 15% of the workforce at the Champion Publishing subsidiary.
 
    The Company also incurred asset impairment charges from property, plant and equipment of approximately $(206,000), or $(128,000) net of tax or $(0.01) per share on a basic and diluted basis.
 

 
  35

 
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
    Other expense increased approximately $59,000 from $5.6 million in 2008 to $5.7 million in 2009. This was primarily due to charges associated with ineffectiveness in the interest rate swap hedge due to the elimination of the LIBOR borrowing option by the Administrative Agent of the Credit Agreement partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $549,000 from $5,734,000 in 2008 to $5,185,000 in 2009. The decrease in interest expense was attributed to the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch which was completed on September 14, 2007 and was reflective of lower benchmark rates and debt offset partially by increased applicable margins due to the implementation of the default rate by the Administrative Agent. The loss reclassified to other expense from other comprehensive income approximated $0.6 million, net of tax or $(0.06) per share on a basic and diluted basis.
 
Income Taxes
 
    Income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes were a benefit of 36.4% in 2009 compared with an expense of (34.6%) in 2008. The income tax benefit (expense) rate is reflective of deferred tax benefits associated with impairment charges of The Herald-Dispatch partially offset by deferred tax liabilities representing timing changes associated with goodwill and other non-amortizing assets with indefinite lives being recorded as deferred tax liabilities. The effective income tax rate in 2009 and 2008 approximates the combined federal and state, net of federal benefit, statutory income tax rate.
 
Net (Loss) Income
 
    For reasons set forth above coupled with restructuring related expenses primarily associated with employee separation costs of $0.2 million or $0.1 million net of tax, net income decreased approximately $32.2 million to a loss of $(27.5) million or $(2.76) per share on a basic and diluted basis, in 2009 from net income of $4.7 million for 2008, or $0.47 and $0.46 per share on a basic and diluted basis.
 
  
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
As of October 31, 2010, the Company had $1.0 million negative book cash balance, a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $2.2 million from the prior year when the Company had a $1.2 million book cash balance. Working capital as of October 31, 2010 was $13.1 million, and $(42.6) million at October 31, 2009. The working capital deficit at October 31, 2009 was associated with the classification as a current liability of $60.5 million of debt which was previously classified as long-term. This debt was reclassified due to the Company's inability to remain in compliance with certain financial covenants in 2009. The Company entered into the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement in the second quarter of 2010; therefore at October 31, 2010 the debt is reflected in the Company's financial statements based on contractual maturity.
 
The Company had historically used cash generated from operating activities and debt to finance capital expenditures and the cash portion of the purchase price of acquisitions. Management plans to continue making required investments in equipment. The Company has available a line of credit totaling up to $17.0 million which is subject to borrowing base limitations reserves which may be initiated by the Administrative Agent for Lenders in its sole discretion and are subject to a minimum excess availability threshold (See Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements). For the foreseeable future including through Fiscal 2011, management believes it can fund operations, meet debt service requirements and make the planned capital expenditures based on the available cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations and lines of credit, subject to continued availability of the aforementioned credit facilities. The Company may incur costs in 2011 related to facility consolidations, employee termination costs and other restructuring related activities. These costs may be incurred, in part, as a response to the Company's efforts to overcome the impact of the global economic crisis.  
 
 
36

 
   
Additionally, the Company has future contracted obligations (See Note 3 and Note 6 of the Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company is not a guarantor of indebtedness of others. 
 
On December 29, 2009, the Company, Marshall T. Reynolds, Fifth Third Bank, as Administrative Agent for lenders under the Company's Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007, and the other lenders entered into a Forbearance Agreement. The Forbearance Agreement, among other provisions, required Marshall T. Reynolds to lend to the Company $3,000,000 in exchange for a subordinated unsecured promissory note in like amount, payment of principal and interest on which is prohibited until payment of all liabilities under the Credit Agreement. The subordinated unsecured promissory note, bearing interest at a floating Wall Street Journal prime rate and maturing September 14, 2014, and a debt subordination agreement, both dated December 29, 2009, were executed and delivered, and Mr. Reynolds advanced $3,000,000 to the Company. The $3,000,000 was applied to a prepayment of $3,000,000 of the Company's loans.  The Forbearance Agreement expired on March 31, 2010 and the Company entered into a Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement.
 
On March 31, 2010, the Company, Fifth Third Bank, as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent for Lenders (the "Administrative Agent") and the other Lenders party to Champion's Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007 (the "Credit Agreement") entered into a Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement ("the "Second Amendment"). All conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Second Amendment were satisfied on April 6, 2010. The Company has pledged substantially all of the assets of the Company as collateral for the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.
 
    In the Second Amendment the Administrative Agent and Lenders waived any default or event of default arising from Champion's previously disclosed violations of provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Second Amendment amended various provisions of the Credit Agreement, including but not limited to:
  • a $17,000,000 revolving credit facility with a sublimit of up to $3,000,000 for letters of credit and $3,000,000 for swing line loans. Outstanding borrowings, thereunder, may not exceed the sum of (1) up to 85% of eligible receivable plus (b) up to the lesser of $6,000,000 or 50% of eligible inventory.
  • at the Company's option, interest at a LIBOR Rate, so long as no default exists.
  • post-default increase in interest rate of 2%.
  • amendment of various financial covenants.
  • fixed charge coverage ratio is required to be 1.0:1.0 through January 31, 2011; 1.1:1.0 through January 31, 2012 and 1.20:1.00 thereafter.
  • leverage ratio shall not be greater then 6.5:1.00 at April 30, 2010 with 0.5:1.00 step-downs quarterly through April 30, 2011 and 0.25:1.00 quarterly step-downs through April 30, 2012.
  • minimum EBITDA pursuant to a quarterly build up commencing with the three months ended April 30, 2010 of $2,700,000, the six months ended July 31, 2010 of $5,400,000, the nine months ended October 31, 2010 of $8,900,000 and the twelve months ended January 31, 2011 of $11,800,000, thereafter varying quarterly step-ups culminating in twelve months trailing EBITDA of $14,300,000 at October 31, 2012.
  • maximum capital expenditures are limited to $2,000,000 per fiscal year for the years ended October 31, 2010 and 2011 and $2,500,000 thereafter.
  • enhanced reporting by the Company to Administrative Agent, including monthly reports and conference calls, quarterly reports by the Company's independent auditors of restructuring charges and organizational expense reductions.
  • application of the Company's income tax refunds applied to reduce indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.
  • Restrictions on payment of dividends based on various covenant compliance thresholds.
The Company was in compliance with the covenants of its credit agreements at October 31, 2010. Failure to maintain compliance with financial covenants as required by our credit facility could result in default and acceleration of amounts due under those facilities. The Company is required to maintain a minimum of $750,000 of compensating balances with the Administrative Agent under the terms of its Credit Agreement.
 
    As required by the Second Amendment, the Company, Marshall T. Reynolds and the Administrative Agent entered into a Contribution Agreement and Cash Collateral Security Agreement dated March 31, 2010 (the "Contribution Agreement") pursuant to which Mr. Reynolds deposited $2,500,000 as cash collateral with the Administrative Agent, which the Administrative Agent may withdraw upon an event of default under the Credit Agreement.
    
Mr. Reynolds has granted the Administrative Agent a first priority security interest in the cash collateral.
 
 
37

 
 
    Amounts drawn down by the Administrative Agent will be applied to repayment of the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Contribution Agreement expires upon the earliest of (i) full drawdown of the $2,500,000 deposited, (ii) repayment in full of all obligations under the Credit Agreement and termination of all commitments thereunder and (iii) the Administrative Agent's determination that the Company has achieved a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.2 to 1.0 as of the last day of two consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company.
 
    In connection with the Contribution Agreement, the Company has executed and delivered to Mr. Reynolds a Subordinated Promissory Note in amount of $2,500,000, payment of principal and interest on which is prohibited prior to January 31, 2011, and thereafter only with the Administrative Agent's consent. The Subordinated Promissory Note bears interest  at the Wall Street Journal prime rate (3.25% at inception and at October 31, 2010), matures September 14, 2014 and is unsecured.
 
    The Company had borrowed under its $17.0 million line of credit approximately $10.4 million at October 31, 2010 which encompassed working capital requirements, refinancing of existing indebtedness prior to The Herald-Dispatch acquisition and to partially fund the purchase of The Herald-Dispatch.  Pursuant to the terms of the Second Amendment, the Company's borrowing base certificate as submitted to the Administrative Agent reflected minimum excess availability of $6.2 million as of October 31, 2010. The minimum excess availability is subject to a $1.0 million reserve and may be adjusted by the Administrative Agent.
 
   As of October 31, 2010, the Company had contractual obligations in the form of leases and debt as follows:
 
Payments Due by Fiscal Year
Contractual Obligations
     
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
     
2015
   
Residual
   
Total
                                             
Non-cancelable operating leases       $
1,197,476
    $
1,036,174
    $
933,316
    $
359,071
     $  51,640     $     $
3,577,677
 
                                                             
Revolving line of credit         -       10,425,496       -       -       -             10,425,496  
                                                             
Term debt        
5,484,842
     
5,340,514
     
33,462,971
     
3,070,015
      -            
47,358,342
 
                                                             
        $
6,682,318
    $
16,802,184
    $
34,396,287
    $
3,429,086
     $  51,640      $     $
61,361,515
 
 
    The Company is required to make certain mandatory payments on its credit facilities related to (1) net proceeds received from a loss subject to applicable thresholds, (2) equity proceeds and (3) effective January 31, 2009, the Company is required to prepay its credit facilities by 75% of excess cash flow for its most recently completed fiscal year. The excess cash flow for purposes of this calculation is defined as the difference (if any) between (a) EBITDA for such period and (b) federal, state and local income taxes paid in cash during such period plus capital expenditures during such period not financed with indebtedness plus interest expense paid in cash during such period plus the aggregate amount of scheduled payments made by the Company and its subsidiaries during such period in respect of all principal on all indebtedness (whether at maturity, as a result of mandatory sinking fund redemption, or otherwise), plus restricted payments paid in cash by the Company during such period in compliance with the Credit Agreement. The Company has no prepayment obligation due January 31, 2011 or in 2010 pursuant to the applicable calculations of the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement.
       
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
Cash flows from operating activities for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $8.0 million, $11.3 million, and $10.3 million. The decrease in cash flows from operating activities for fiscal 2010 compared to 2009 was primarily associated with a nominal change in accounts receivable in 2010 from 2009 compared with a significant decrease in receivables in 2009 compared to 2008. The increase in cash flows from operating activities for fiscal 2009 compared to 2008 was primarily associated with a decrease in accounts receivable. The impairment costs associated primarily with the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch had no impact on cash flows from operating activities. 
 
 
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
Cash used in investing activities were $(0.4) million, $(1.0) million, and $(3.8) million for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Cash flows used in investing activities were relatively unchanged in 2010 from 2009. Cash flows used in investing activities were down approximately $2.9 million in 2009 from 2008. The cash used in investing activities in 2010 was primarily related to purchases of property and equipment. The cash used in investing activities in 2009 was primarily related to capital expenditures offset by proceeds from cash surrender value of life insurance  policies. In 2008, cash flows used in investing activities were primarily associated with purchases of property and equipment and payments for business acquired in previous periods
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
Net cash flows used in financing activities for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $(8.8) million, $(9.2) million, and $(12.3) million. During 2010, the Company reduced net borrowings by approximately $8.3 million after adjusting for non-cash investing and financing activities, net of increases in negative book cash balances. During 2009, the Company reduced net borrowings by approximately $6.8 million after adjusting for non-cash investing and financing activities. This coupled with dividend payments of $600,000 were reflective of net cash used in financing activities in 2009.  Dividends paid in 2010, 2009, and 2008 were $0.0 million, $0.6 million, and $2.4 million.
 
INFLATION AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
 
Management believes that the effect of inflation on the Company's operations has not been material and will continue to be immaterial for the foreseeable future. The Company does not have long-term contracts; therefore, to the extent permitted by competition, it has the ability to pass through to its customers most cost increases resulting from inflation, if any. In addition, the Company is not particularly energy dependent; therefore, an increase in energy costs should not have a significant impact on the Company.
 
SEASONALITY
 
    Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations that we expect to continue to be reflected in our operating results in future periods. 
 
    Historically, the Company has experienced a greater portion of its profitability in the second and fourth quarters than in the first and third quarters. The second quarter generally reflects increased orders for printing of corporate annual reports and proxy statements. A post-Labor Day increase in demand for printing services and office products coincides with the Company's fourth quarter.
 
    On a historical basis The Herald-Dispatch's first and third calendar quarters of the year tended to be the weakest because advertising volume is at its lowest levels following the holiday season and a seasonal slowdown in the summer months. Correspondingly, on a historical basis the fourth calendar quarter followed by the second calendar quarter tended to be the strongest quarters. The fourth calendar quarter includes heavy holiday season advertising. Other factors that affect our quarterly revenues and operating results may be beyond our control, including changes in the pricing policies of our competitors, the hiring and retention of key personnel, wage and cost pressures, distribution costs, changes in newsprint prices and general economic factors.
                 
    Our operating results depend on the relative strength of the economy on both a regional and national basis. Recessionary conditions applicable to the economy as a whole and specifically to our core business segments, have had a significant adverse impact on the Company's business. A continuing or a deepening of the recessionary conditions we are experiencing could significantly affect our revenue categories.
 
NEWLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
    In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, which amends the criteria in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, for revenue recognition in multiple deliverable arrangements. The amendments established a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The selling price used for each deliverable will be based on vendor-specific objective evidence if available, third-party evidence if vendor-specific objective evidence  is not available, or estimated selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence is available. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, and may be applied on either prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2009-13 effective for fiscal year 2011. The adoption of this standard is not anticipated to have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. 
           
   
 
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ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
The Company does not have any significant exposure relating to market risk. Market risk is generally defined as loss risk exposure from financial instruments as a result of movements in interest rates, foreign currency rates and commodity prices. As of October 31, 2010, the Company did not hold or utilize derivative financial instruments to manage market risk that could expose the Company to other market risk. The debt the Company holds is variable rate debt and therefore the interest expense would fluctuate based on interest rate volatility.
 
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
The financial statements and other information required by this Item are contained in the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Item 15 and listed in the index on page F-1 of this report.
 
ITEM 9A - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Company management, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15c as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that all material information required to be filed in this annual report has been made known to them in a timely fashion.
 
40

 
 
b) Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
                 Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
                 (1) Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
 
                 (2) Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
 
                 (3) Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
 
                  Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
    Management has used the framework set forth in the report entitled "Internal Control - Integrated Framework" published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Management has concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the most recent fiscal year.
 
    There were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the company's internal controls over financial reporting.  
 
    This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.
  
 
                                                                                                                                                         
/s/ Marshall T. Reynolds
 
Marshall T. Reynolds
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
   
/s/
Toney K. Adkins 
 
Toney K. Adkins
 
President and Chief Operating Executive  
   
/s/
Todd R. Fry
 
Todd R. Fry 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
   
 
                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                              
 
41

 
PART III
 
ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS,  EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Information relating to the directors and corporate governance of the Company is contained under the captions “Election of Directors”, “Meetings, Committees and Attendance”, “Section 16a Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Code of Ethics” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement, expected to be dated February 11, 2011, with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 21, 2011, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and which is incorporated herein by reference. Certain information concerning executive officers of the Company appears in “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF CHAMPION” at Part I of this report.
 
ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
The information called for by this Item is contained under the captions "Executive Compensation" including "Compensation Discussion and Analysis", "Compensation Committee Report", "Summary Compensation Table", "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End" and "Director Compensation" in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement, expected to be dated February 11, 2011, with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 21, 2011, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
The information called for by this Item is contained under the captions “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Ownership of Shares” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement, expected to be dated February 11, 2011, with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 21, 2011, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
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ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
The information called for by this Item is contained under the captions “Transactions with Directors, Officers and Principal Shareholders” and "Meetings, Committees and Attendance" in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement, expected to be dated February 11, 2011, with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 21, 2011, which will be filed pursuant to regulation 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 14 - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
                
                 The information called for by this Item is contained under the caption “Independent Auditors” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement, expected to be dated February 11, 2011, with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 21, 2011, which will be filed pursuant to regulation 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15 - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a) (1) and (2) 
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule, required by Item 8, are listed on the index on page F-1 and included as part of Item 15.
 
All other Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
 
3.             EXHIBITS 
 
(2)
 
 
Plan of Acquisition
Stock Purchase Agreement between Company and William G. Williams, Jr., sole shareholder of Syscan Corporation, dated September 7, 2004 filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K dated September 7, 2004, filed September 10, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
         
(3)
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation
Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q dated June 16, 1997, filed on June 16, 1997, incorporated herein by reference.
         
 
3.2
 
By Laws
Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-K dated January 21, 2008, filed on January 25, 2008, incorporated herein by reference.
         
(4)
 
 
Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including debentures.
See Exhibit 3.1 above.
         
(10)
 
    Material Contracts
Realty Lease dated January 28, 1993 between ADJ Corp. and Company regarding 2450 1st Avenue, Huntington, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-K dated January 27, 1994, filed January 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
43

 
      Realty Lease dated January 28, 1993 between The Harrah and Reynolds Corporation and Company regarding 615 4th Avenue, Huntington, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-K dated January 27, 1994, filed January 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.

Realty Lease dated January 28, 1993 between ADJ Corp. and Company regarding 617-619 4th Avenue, Huntington, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-K dated January 27, 1994, filed January 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.
 

Realty Lease dated January 28, 1993 between The Harrah and Reynolds Corporation and Company regarding 1945 5th Avenue, Huntington, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-K dated January 27, 1994, filed January 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Realty Lease dated January 28, 1993 between Printing Property Corp. and Company regarding 405 Ann Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-K dated January 27, 1994, filed January 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Realty Lease dated January 28, 1993 between Printing Property Corp. and Company regarding 890 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Form 10-K dated January 27, 1994, filed January 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement between Company and all directors and executive officers, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-54454, filed on November 10, 1992, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
   
Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements
Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan, effective March 22, 1994, filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Form 10- K dated January 27, 1994, filed January 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Company’s 2003 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit A to proxy statement dated February 12, 2004, filed February 13, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Company’s 2003 Stock Option Plan filed as Exhibit 10.2 to form 10-Q dated September 10, 2004 filed September 13, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement dated September 7, 2004 among William G. Williams, Jr., Syscan Corporation and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated September 7, 2004, filed September 10, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Lease Agreement dated November 1, 1999 between Randall M. Schulz, successor trustee of The Butterfield Family Trust No. 2 and Smith & Butterfield Co., Inc. regarding 2800 Lynch Road, Evansville, Indiana, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-K dated January 25, 2000, filed January 28, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
44

 
 
     
Agreement of Lease dated September 25, 1998 between Ronald H. Scott and Frank A. Scott dba St. Clair Leasing Co. and Interform Corporation, regarding 1901 Mayview Road, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-K dated January 25, 2000, filed January 28, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
First Amendment of Real Estate Lease Agreement dated May 6, 2003 by and between Ronald H. Scott and Frank J. Scott dba St. Clair Leasing Company and Interform Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed October 4, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Agreement of Lease dated September 1, 2002 between Marion B. and Harold A. Merten, Jr. and The Merten Company regarding 1515 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio, filed as Exhibit (10.1) to form 10-K dated January 21, 2002, Filed January 25, 2002 is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Agreement Amending and Extending term of lease dated May 24, 2002 between Earl H. and Elaine D. Seibert and Smith and Butterfield Co., Inc. Filed as Exhibit (10.2) to form 10-K dated January 20, 2003, Filed January 24, 2003 is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
Agreement Amending and Extending term of lease dated May 9, 2003 between Champion Industries, Inc. dba, Upton Printing and AMB Property, L.P, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to form 10-K dated January 19, 2004 filed January 26, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Agreement of Lease dated as of September 1, 2004, between Williams Land Corporation and Syscan Corporation regarding North Hills Drive and Washington Street, Charleston, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K dated September 7, 2004, filed September 10, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Agreement of Lease dated as of September 1, 2004, between Williams Land Corporation and Syscan Corporation regarding 2800 Seventh Avenue, Charleston, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K dated September 7, 2004, filed September 10, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
45

 
     
Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated September 7, 2004, between Syscan Corporation and Williams Properties, LLC regarding 811 Virginia Street, East, Charleston, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K dated September 7, 2004, filed September 10, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Exercise of Lease renewal option for 2800 Lynch Road Evansville, Indiana dated as of September 22, 2003, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to form 10-K dated January 17, 2005 filed January 31, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
Lease Agreement dated October 31, 2005, between SANS LLC and Champion Industries, Inc. dba Chapman Printing Company regarding 951 Point Marion Road Morgantown, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-K dated January 16, 2006, filed January 27, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Lease Agreement dated June 28, 2006, between White Properties No. II, LLC and Champion Industries, Inc. regarding 120 Hills Plaza Charleston, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated July 3, 2006, filed July 3, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference.
 
$642,831.68 term note between Champion Industries, Inc. and First Bank of Charleston, Inc. dated as of August 30, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-K dated January 15, 2007 filed January 28, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
$324,408.00 promissory note between Champion Industries, Inc. and First Bank of Charleston, Inc. dated as of March 23, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q dated June 8, 2007 filed June 8, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Credit Agreement between Champion Industries, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated September 14, 2007 filed September 19, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
$767,852 term loan between Champion Industries, Inc. and First Bank of Charleston, Inc. dated April 22, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated April 25, 2008 filed April 25, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Agreement of Lease dated November 1, 2008 between ADJ Corporation and Champion Publishing, Inc. regarding 100 Industrial Lane Property, Huntington, West Virginia, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-K dated January 19, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
$1,000,000 revolving line of credit between Stationers, Inc. and First Sentry Bank dated as of January 13, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-K  dated January 19, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
46

 
     
Forbearance Agreement and related Promissory Note and Debt Subordination Agreement dated December 19, 2009  between Champion Industries Inc., Marshall Reynolds and Fifth Third Bank as Lender, L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent for Lenders, filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to Form 8-K dated January 4, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     
$600,000 Promissory Note dated June 10, 2009 between Champion Industries, Inc and First Sentry Bank, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-K dated January 29, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
   
Agreement of Lease dated October 27, 2009 between ADJ Corporation and Champion Industries, Inc. regarding 3000 Washington St. West, Charleston, WV, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-K dated January 29, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
     
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated March 31, 2010 between Champion Industries, Inc, Fifth Third Bank as Lender, L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent for Lenders, and the other Lenders party to Champions Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Contribution Agreement and Cash Collateral Security Agreement dated March 31, 2010 among Marshall Reynolds, Champion Industries, Inc and Fifth Third Bank, as Administrative Agent for Lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Subordinated Promissory  Note dated March 31, 2010 from Champion Industries, Inc. to Marshall Reynolds, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
(14)
 
Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, filed as Exhibit 14 to form 10-K dated January 19, 2004 filed January 26, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, filed as Exhibit 14.2 to Form 10-K dated January 19, 2004 filed January 26, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
(16)
   
Letter of BKD, LLP dated April 20, 2007, filed as Exhibit 16 to Form 8-K dated April 20, 2007, filed April 20, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
(21)
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 
Exhibit 21
 
Page Exhibit 21-p1
             
(23.1)
 
Consent of Arnett and Foster, PLLC
 
Exhibit 23.1
 
Page Exhibit 23.1-p1
             
           
 
             
(31.1)
 
Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 - Marshall T. Reynolds
 
Exhibit 31.1
 
Page Exhibit 31.1-p1
             
 
 
47

 
(31.2)
 
Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 - Todd R. Fry
 
Exhibit 31.2
 
Page Exhibit 31.2-p1
             
(31.3)
 
Principal Operating Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 - Toney K. Adkins
 
Exhibit 31.3
 
Page Exhibit 31.3-p1
             
(32)
 
Marshall T. Reynolds, Todd R. Fry and Toney K. Adkins Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002
 
Exhibit 32
 
Page Exhibit 32-p1
   
(b)  Exhibits - Exhibits are filed as a separate section of this report.
 
(c)  Financial Statement Schedules - Filed as separate section on page F-35.
 
 
48

 
SIGNATURES
 
                Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
    
Champion Industries, Inc.
 
 
By /s/ Marshall T. Reynolds                                      
Marshall T. Reynolds
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
By /s/ Toney K. Adkins                                              
Toney K. Adkins
President and Chief Operating Officer
 
 
By /s/ Todd R. Fry                                                    
Todd R. Fry
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Date:  January 17, 2011
 
 
 
49

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.
 
SIGNATURE AND TITLE
 
 
DATE
 
 
 
 
/s/ Louis J. Akers
 
 
January 17, 2011
Louis J. Akers, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Philip E. Cline                            
 
 
January 17, 2011
Philip E. Cline, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Harley F. Mooney, Jr.                   
 
 
January 17, 2011
Harley F. Mooney, Jr., Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ A. Michael Perry                         
 
 
January 17, 2011
A. Michael Perry, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Marshall T. Reynolds                    
 
 
January 17, 2011
Marshall T. Reynolds, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Neal W. Scaggs                           
 
 
January 17, 2011
Neal W. Scaggs, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Glenn W. Wilcox, Sr.                    
 
 
January 17, 2011
Glenn W. Wilcox, Sr., Director
 
 
 
 
 
50

 
Champion Industries, Inc.
 
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule
 
October 31, 2010
 
 
Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-2
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2010 and 2009
F-3
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
F-6
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
F-7
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-8
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
F-35
 
 
 
 
F-1

 
 


ARNETT & FOSTER
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Shareholders
Champion Industries, Inc.
Huntington, West Virginia

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of October 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2010.  Our audits also included the financial statement schedule in the index on page F-35 as required for Item 15(a). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Champion Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in material respects the information set forth therein.  

 
 
/s/ ARNETT & FOSTER, P.L.L.C.

Charleston, West Virginia
January 27, 2011


Innovation With Results

AF Center ∙ 101 Washington Street, East ∙ P.O. Box 2629 ∙ Charleston, West Virginia 25329
304/346-0441 ∙ 800/642-3601
www.afnetwork.com
 
 
F-2

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
   
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
-
    $
1,159,282
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,297,000 and $1,353,000
    18,133,748       18,424,310  
Inventories
   
9,690,333
     
11,161,977
 
        Income tax refund     36,293       1,911,400  
Other current assets
   
652,178
     
925,120
 
Deferred income tax assets
   
1,144,519
     
1,000,847
 
Total current assets
   
29,657,071
     
34,582,936
 
                 
Property and equipment, at cost:
               
Land
   
2,016,148
     
2,016,148
 
Buildings and improvements
   
11,843,376
     
11,806,238
 
Machinery and equipment
   
55,025,237
     
57,481,742
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
4,171,194
     
4,129,537
 
Vehicles
   
3,266,898
     
3,145,772
 
      76,322,853      
78,579,437
 
Less accumulated depreciation
    (53,949,280 )     (53,170,108 )
     
22,373,573
     
25,409,329
 
                 
Goodwill
   
15,332,283
     
15,332,283
 
    Deferred financing costs    
1,267,174
      1,199,199  
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
   
5,195,361
     
5,645,078
 
    Trademark and masthead
    10,001,812       10,001,812  
    Deferred tax asset, net of current portion     8,370,151       8,799,518  
Other assets
   
36,561
     
51,738
 
     
40,203,342
     
41,029,628
 
Total assets
  $
92,233,986
    $
101,021,893
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
F-3

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
 
 
   
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
           
Current liabilities:
           
        Line of credit     $      $ 8,725,496  
        Negative book cash balances     1,013,713       -  
Accounts payable
   
4,116,087
     
4,637,199
 
Deferred revenue     720,549       673,368  
Accrued payroll and commissions
   
2,115,922
     
2,392,971
 
Taxes accrued and withheld
    1,125,726      
1,391,718
 
Accrued expenses
   
1,930,327
     
1,353,898
 
        Other current liabilities        -       962,893  
Current portion of long-term debt:
               
Notes payable
   
5,484,842
     
57,024,424
 
Total current liabilities
   
16,507,166
     
77,161,967
 
                 
Long-term debt, net of current portion:
               
Line of credit
    10,425,496      
-
 
Notes payable
   
41,873,500
     
918,436
 
Other liabilities
   
5,550
     
7,350
 
Total liabilities
   
68,811,712
     
78,087,753
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies-See Note
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $1 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized;
         
9,987,913 shares issued and outstanding
   
9,987,913
     
9,987,913
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
22,768,610
     
22,768,610
 
Retained deficit
   
(9,334,249
)    
(9,822,383
                       
Total shareholders’ equity
   
23,422,274
     
22,934,140
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $
92,233,986
    $
101,021,893
 
                 
 
 
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F-4

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 
   
Year Ended October 31,
 
   
 2010
 
2009
 
 2008 (Restated)
 
Revenues:
                   
Printing
 
$
80,970,584
 
$
88,989,794
 
$
105,275,191
 
Office products and office furniture
   
33,437,588
   
35,874,431
   
41,540,114
 
    Newspaper     15,525,399     
16,393,896
    18,939,250  
Total revenues
   
129,933,571
   
141,258,121
   
165,754,555
 
                     
Cost of sales & newspaper operating costs:
                   
Printing
   
59,350,853
   
66,856,098
   
75,590,247
 
Office products and office furniture
   
23,632,686
   
24,859,285
   
28,457,142
 
    Newspaper cost of sales & operating costs     8,327,100     
8,714,941
    9,492,591  
Total cost of sales & newspaper operating costs
   
91,310,639
   
100,430,324
   
113,539,980
 
                     
Gross profit
    38,622,932    
40,827,797
   
52,214,575
 
                     
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
31,608,843
   
37,126,228
   
39,528,551
 
Asset impairments/restructuring costs     
1,640,795 
    41,333,653       
Hurricane and relocation costs, net of recoveries
   
-
   
(38,673
)  
(33,411
Income (loss) from operations
   
5,373,294
   
(37,593,411
 
12,719,435
 
                     
Other income (expense):
                   
Interest income
   
-
   
2,771
   
65,657
 
Interest expense
   
(5,414,450
)
 
(5,184,668
)
 
(5,733,677
)
Other
   
1,013,041
   
(475,488
 
69,602
 
     
(4,401,409
)
 
(5,657,385
)
 
(5,598,418
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
971,885
   
(43,250,796
 
7,121,017
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
   
(483,751
)
 
15,730,172
 
 
(2,462,856
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
488,134  
$
(27,520,624
$
4,658,161
 
                     
Earnings (loss) per share:
                   
Basic
 
$
0.05
 
$
(2.76
)
$
0.47
 
Diluted
   
0.05
   
(2.76
)  
0.46
 
                     
Dividends paid per share
   
-
   
0.06
   
0.24
 
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                   
Basic
   
9,988,000
   
9,988,000
   
9,986,000
 
Diluted
   
9,988,000
   
9,988,000
   
10,024,000
 
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
F-5

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity


 
           
Additional
     
Other
     
   
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
     
   
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings (Deficit)
 
(Loss) income
 
Total
 
Balance, October 31, 2007
   
9,968,913
   $
9,968,913
   $
22,733,300
   $
16,036,224
   $
(11,350
)
 $
48,727,087
 
                                       
Net income for 2008 (Restated)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
4,658,161
       
4,658,161
 
Other comprehensive loss (net of tax)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(546,563
)   (546,563 )
Total comprehensive income (Restated)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
4,658,161
   
(546,563
)
 
4,111,598
 
Dividends ($0.24 per share)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(2,396,863
)
 
-
   
(2,396,863
)
Stock options exercised
   
19,000
   
19,000
   
35,310
   
-
   
-
   
54,310
 
Balance, October 31, 2008 (Restated)
   
9,987,913
   
9,987,913
   
22,768,610
   
18,297,522
   
(557,913
)
 
50,496,132
 
                                       
Net loss for 2009
     -     -     -    
(27,520,624
)
 
-
   
(27,520,624
)
Other comprehensive loss (net of tax)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(19,823
)
 
(19,823
)
Ineffectiveness hedging loss
                 -          -    
-
   
577,736
   
577,736
 
Total comprehensive loss
    -                
(27,520,624
)
 
557,913
   
(26,962,711
)
Dividends ($0.06 per share)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(599,281
)
 
-
   
(599,281
)
Balance, October 31, 2009
   
9,987,913
 
 
9,987,913
 
 
22,768,610
 
 
(9,822,383
)
 
-
 
 
22,934,140
 
                                       
Net income for 2010
    -     -     -     488,134      -     488,134  
Other comprehensive income (net of tax)          -     -      -      -     407,289     407,289  
Gain on hedging arrangement expiration (net of tax)
    -     -     -     -     (407,289 )   (407,289 )
Total comprehensive income     -     -     -     488,134     -     488,134  
Balance, October 31, 2010         9,987,913    $  9,987,913    $  22,768,610    $ (9,334,249  $ -    $  23,422,274  
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
F-6

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
Year Ended October 31,
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
$
488,134
 
$
(27,520,624
$
4,658,161
 
 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash
 provided by operating activities:
                 
Depreciation and amortization
 
4,300,662
   
5,244,938
   
5,384,509
 
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
 
15,490
 
 
(55,719
)
 
4,552
 
Deferred income taxes
 
14,169
 
 
(13,957,990
)
 
2,129,999
 
                Deferred financing costs   372,610     309,471     309,471  
Bad debt expense
 
370,333
   
876,145
   
854,283
 
Intangible impairment 
 
-
   
41,127,483
 
 
-
 
                Asset Impairment    -     206,170     -  
        Restructuring charges   1,812,325     -     -  
                (Gain)/Loss on hedging agreements   (691,368 )   577,736     -  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                 
Accounts receivable
 
(79,771
)  
4,588,233
 
 
(1,503,868
)
Deferred revenue   47,181     (63,499 )   226,902  
Inventories
 
1,471,644
   
852,141
 
 
(509,271
Other current assets
 
272,942
 
 
(92,053
)
 
49,469
 
Accounts payable
 
(1,295,890
)
 
(207,527
)
 
(635,114
Accrued payroll and commissions
 
(277,049
)
 
(333,940
 
266,624
 
Taxes accrued and withheld
 
(265,992
)
 
404,333
 
 
(306,740
)
Accrued income taxes
 
1,875,107
   
(1,200,304
)
 
(78,657
)
Accrued expenses
 
(461,118
)
 
544,710
   
(498,702
)
Other liabilities
 
(1,800
)
 
(1,800
)
 
(1,800
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
7,967,609
   
11,297,904
   
10,349,818
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                 
Purchase of property and equipment
 
(396,157
)
 
(1,993,029
)
 
(2,373,122
)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
 
32,256
   
160,324
   
192,749
 
Businesses acquired, net of cash received
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
(1,657,239
)
Change in other assets
 
7,753
   
5,168
 
 
52,003
 
Cash surrender value proceeds
     
874,397
    -  
(Increase) decrease in cash surrender value
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
(40,291
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(356,148
)
 
(953,140
)
 
(3,825,900
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                 
Borrowings on line of credit
 
52,260,000
   
600,000
   
-
 
Payments on line of credit
 
(50,560,000
)
 
(1,000,000
)
 
(6,415,000
)
                Increase (decrease) in negative book cash balances   1,013,713     (986,704 )   986,704  
Proceeds from long-term debt
 
-
   
-
   
767,852
 
Principal payments on long-term debt
 
(11,043,871
)
 
(7,199,497
)
 
(5,314,041
)
Deferred financing costs
  (440,585  
-
    -  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
-
   
-
   
54,310
 
Dividends paid
 
-
 
 
(599,281
)
 
(2,396,863
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(8,770,743
)
 
(9,185,482
 
(12,317,038
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
  (1,159,282  
1,159,282
 
 
(5,793,120
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
1,159,282
   
-
   
5,793,120
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
-   
 
$
1,159,282
 
$
-  
 
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
F-7

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Champion is a commercial printer, business forms manufacturer and office products and office furniture supplier in regional markets in the United States of America, east of the Mississippi. Champion also publishes The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia with a total daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 23,000 and 29,000 respectively.
 
The accounting and reporting policies of Champion conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. 
 
As of July 1, 2009, FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) Accounting Standards Codification became the single reference source of authoritative non-governmental U.S. GAAP. In the succeeding footnotes references to GAAP issued by the FASB are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification which is denoted here forth as ASC. The following is a summary of the more significant accounting and reporting policies which include updated references to GAAP as stated by the ASC which became effective for financial reporting purposes as of September 15, 2009. 
 
Restatement of Prior Year
    
    In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company identified approximately $1.4 million, or $0.14 per share on a basic and diluted basis of non-cash deferred tax related adjustments for 2008. Accordingly, the Consolidated Financial Statements for October 31, 2008 presented in this Annual Report have been restated to increase deferred income tax expense and to increase deferred income tax liability. This adjustment is related to the goodwill, tradename and masthead associated with the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch. This deferred tax liability will remain on the balance sheet until such time as the associated intangible assets are impaired, sold or otherwise disposed of. As a result of the impairment charge recorded in 2009 this deferred tax liability is now reflected as a deferred tax asset due to the non-cash benefit associated with the impairment of goodwill, tradename and masthead.  
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) include the accounts of The Chapman Printing Company, Inc., Bourque Printing, Inc., Dallas Printing Company, Inc., Stationers, Inc., Carolina Cut Sheets, Inc., U.S. Tag & Ticket, Donihe Graphics, Inc., Smith and Butterfield Co., Inc., The Merten Company, Interform Corporation, Blue Ridge Printing Co., Inc., CHMP Leasing, Inc., Rose City Press, Capitol Business Equipment, Inc., Thompson’s of Morgantown, Inc., Independent Printing Service, Inc., Diez Business Machines, Transdata Systems, Inc., Syscan Corporation and Champion Publishing, Inc.
 
Significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Accounts Receivable
 
Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to customers. Accounts receivable are ordinarily due 30 days from the invoice date.
 
F-8

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
The Company encounters risks associated with sales and the collection of the associated accounts receivable. As such, the Company records a monthly provision for accounts receivable that are considered to be uncollectible. In order to calculate the appropriate monthly provision, the Company primarily utilizes a historical rate of accounts receivable written off as a percentage of total revenue. This historical rate is applied to the current revenues on a monthly basis. The historical rate is updated periodically based on events that may change the rate such as a significant increase or decrease in collection performance and timing of payments as well as the calculated total exposure in relation to the allowance. Periodically, the Company compares the identified credit risks with the allowance that has been established using historical experience and adjusts the allowance accordingly.
 
During 2010, 2009 and 2008, $370,000, $876,000, and $854,000 of bad debt expense was incurred and the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,297,000, $1,353,000, and $1,851,000 as of October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The actual write-offs for the periods were $426,000, $1,375,000 and $514,000 during 2010, 2009 and 2008. The actual write-offs occur when it is determined an account will not be collected. General economic conditions and specific geographic and customer concerns are major factors that may affect the adequacy of the allowance and may result in a change in the annual bad debt expense.
 
No individual customer represented greater than 3.0% of the gross outstanding accounts receivable at October 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company’s ten largest accounts receivable balances represented 17.4% and 13.8% of gross outstanding accounts receivable at October 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories are principally stated at the lower of first-in, first-out, cost or market. Manufactured finished goods and work-in-process inventories include material, direct labor and overhead based on standard costs, which approximate actual costs.
 
 
F-9

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
Property and Equipment
 
        Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of leasehold improvements and equipment under capital leases are recognized primarily on the straight-line and declining-balance methods in amounts adequate to amortize costs over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
 
 
Buildings and improvements 
5 - 40 years
Machinery and equipment 
3 - 10 years
Furniture and fixtures   
5 - 10 years
Vehicles        
3 - 5 years
 
        Major renewals, betterments and replacements are capitalized while maintenance and repair costs are charged to operations as incurred. Upon the sale or disposition of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts with the resulting gains or losses reflected in income. Depreciation expense approximated $3,844,000, $4,199,000 and $4,324,000 for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and is reflected as a component of cost of sales and newspaper operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
        Long-lived property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. This evaluation includes the review of operating performance and estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying assets or businesses.
 
Goodwill 
 
    Goodwill shall not be amortized; instead it is tested for impairment using a fair-value approach on an annual basis typically for the Company during the fourth quarter of each year. Goodwill is also tested between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exist.
  
    Goodwill shall not be amortized; instead, it shall be tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit. The first step of impairment analysis is a screen for potential impairment and the second step, if required, measures the amount of the impairment. The Company performs an annual impairment test annually. The Company recorded various charges associated with Goodwill and other assets in 2009 as further disclosed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Intangible Assets
 
       Trademark and masthead are not subject to amortization whereas other remaining intangible assets are subject to amortization and are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated benefit period, in our case 5-20 years. The fair values of these intangible assets are estimated based on management's assessment as well as independent third party appraisals in some cases.
 
F-10

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
        
Advertising Costs
 
        Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 approximated $598,000, $791,000, and $978,000.
 
Income Taxes
 
    Provisions for income taxes currently payable and deferred income taxes are based on the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
 
Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the period and excludes any dilutive effects of stock options. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the period plus the shares that would be outstanding assuming the exercise of dilutive stock options using the treasury stock method. The effect of dilutive stock options increased weighted average shares outstanding by 38,000 for the year ended October 31, 2008.  There was no dilutive effect in fiscal 2010 and 2009.      
 
Segment Information
 
The Company designates the internal organization that is used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source of the Company’s reportable segments. The Company’s operating segments are more fully described in Note 9.
 
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenues are recognized when products are shipped or ownership is transferred and when services are rendered to customers. The Company acts as a principal party in sales transactions, assumes title to products and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership including risk of loss for collection, delivery or returns. The Company typically recognizes revenue for the majority of its products upon shipment to the customer and transfer of title. Under agreements with certain customers, custom forms may be stored by the Company for future delivery. In these situations, the Company may receive a logistics and warehouse management fee for the services provided. In these cases, delivery and bill schedules are outlined with the customer and product revenue is recognized when manufacturing is complete and the product is received into the warehouse, title transfers to the customer, the order is invoiced and there is reasonable assurance of collectability. Since the majority of products are customized, product returns are not significant. Therefore, the Company records sales on a gross basis. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period when advertising is printed or placed on websites. Circulation revenues are recognized when purchased newspapers are distributed. Amounts received from customers in advance of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue. The deferred revenue associated with The Herald-Dispatch approximated $591,000 and $611,000 at October 31, 2010 and 2009. Revenue generally is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to government authorities. The costs of delivering finished goods to customers are recorded as shipping and handling costs and included in cost of sales. Shipping and handling costs that are included in the price of the product are included in net sales.
 
Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities
 
   A liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity shall be measured initially at its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred.
 
F-11

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
 
 
Before the adoption of the current applicable accounting standards, the Company had elected to follow the intrinsic value method in accounting for its employee stock options. Accordingly, because the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense was recognized. There were no stock option grants in 2010, 2009 or 2008. Any future stock-based compensation will be measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and it would be recognized as an expense over the applicable vesting periods of the stock award using the straight line method.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company measures and records in the accompanying consolidated financial statements certain liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. There is a fair value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and our own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:
 
Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
 
Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
 
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions developed by the Company, which reflect those that a market participant would use.
 
Our interest bearing debt is primarily composed of a revolving line of credit and term loan facility with a syndicate of banks. The Company believes the carrying amount of these facilities approximates fair value due to these facilities carrying a variable interest rate based on recent market conditions.
 
    Cash and cash equivalents consist principally of cash on deposit with banks.  All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The Company's cash deposits in excess of federally insured amounts are primarily maintained at a large well-known financial institution.
 
The carrying amounts of the Company's accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued payrolls and commissions, taxes accrued and withheld and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.
 
NEWLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, which amends the criteria in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, for revenue recognition in multiple deliverable arrangements. The amendments established a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The selling price used for each deliverable will be based on vendor-specific objective evidence if available, third-party evidence if vendor-specific objective is not available, or estimated selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence not third-party evidence is available. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, and may be applied on either prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2009-13 effective for fiscal year 2011. The adoption of this standard is not anticipated to have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. 
           
 
F-12

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
Reclassification
    Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year Financial Statement Presentation.
                 
2. Inventories
 
    Inventories consisted of the following:
      
 
  October 31,   
    2010     2009  
Printing and Newspaper:       
 
       
    Raw materials      $ 2,897,036     $ 2,854,938  
    Work in process     1,130,291       1,405,320  
     Finished goods      3,451,815       3,765,244  
 Office products and office furniture      2,211,191       3,136,475  
    $ 9,690,333      $ 11,161,977  
3. Long-term Debt
 
    Long-term debt consisted of the following:
   
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Installment notes payable to banks and shareholders, due in monthly installments plus interest at rates approximating the bank’s prime rate maturing in various periods ranging from June 2011-September 2014, collateralized by equipment and vehicles. The shareholder note of $3.0 million plus all accrued interest is due in one balloon payment in September 2014.
   $
4,300,364
     $
1,310,418
 
 Term loan facility with a syndicate of banks, due in quarterly installments of $1,225,000 plus interest payments equal to the Base Rate plus the applicable margin or the adjusted LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin maturing September 2013, collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company.
    43,057,978       56,632,442  
      47,358,342      
57,942,860
 
Less current portion
   
5,484,842
     
57,024,424
 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
  $
41,873,500
    $
918,436
 

      
 
F-13

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
On December 29, 2009, the Company, Marshall T. Reynolds, Fifth Third Bank, as Administrative Agent for lenders under the Company's Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007, and the other lenders entered into a Forbearance Agreement. The Forbearance Agreement, among other provisions, required Marshall T. Reynolds to lend to the Company $3,000,000 in exchange for a subordinated unsecured promissory note in like amount, payment of principal and interest on which is prohibited until payment of all liabilities under the Credit Agreement. The subordinated unsecured promissory note, bearing interest at a floating Wall Street Journal prime rate and maturing September 14, 2014, and a debt subordination agreement, both dated December 29, 2009, were executed and delivered, and Mr. Reynolds advanced $3,000,000 to the Company. The $3,000,000 was applied to a prepayment of $3,000,000 of the Company's loans.  The Forbearance Agreement expired on March 31, 2010 and the Company entered into a Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement.
 
On March 31, 2010, the Company, Fifth Third Bank, as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent for Lenders (the "Administrative Agent") and the other Lenders party to Champion's Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007(the "Credit Agreement") entered into a Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement ("the "Second Amendment"). All conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Second Amendment were satisfied on April 6, 2010. The Company has pledged substantially all of the assets of the Company as collateral for the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.
 
In the Second Amendment the Administrative Agent and Lenders waived any default or event of default arising from Champion's previously disclosed violations of provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Second Amendment amended various provisions of the Credit Agreement, including but not limited to:
  • a $17,000,000 revolving credit facility with a sublimit of up to $3,000,000 for letters of credit and $3,000,000 for swing line loans. Outstanding borrowings, thereunder, may not exceed the sum of (1) up to 85% of eligible receivable plus (b) up to the lesser of $6,000,000 or 50% of eligible inventory.
  • at the Company's option, interest at a LIBOR Rate, so long as no default exists.
  • post-default increase in interest rate of 2%.
  • amendment of various financial covenants.
  • fixed charge coverage ratio is required to be 1.0:1.0 through January 31, 2011; 1.1:1.0 through January 31, 2012 and 1.20:1.00 thereafter.
  • leverage ratio shall not be greater then 6.5:1.00 at April 30, 2010 with 0.5:1.00 step-downs quarterly through April 30, 2011 and 0.25:1.00 quarterly step-downs through April 30, 2012.
  • minimum EBITDA pursuant to a quarterly build up commencing with the three months ended April 30, 2010 of $2,700,000, the six months ended July 31, 2010 of $5,400,000, the nine months ended October 31, 2010 of $8,900,000 and the twelve months ended January 31, 2011 of $11,800,000, thereafter varying quarterly step-ups culminating in twelve months trailing EBITDA of $14,300,000 at October 31, 2012.
  • maximum capital expenditures are limited to $2,000,000 per fiscal year for the years ended October 31, 2010 and 2011 and $2,500,000 thereafter.
  • enhanced reporting by the Company to Administrative Agent, including monthly reports and conference calls, quarterly reports by the Company's independent auditors of restructuring charges and organizational expense reductions.
  • application of the Company's income tax refunds applied to reduce indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.
  • Restrictions on payment of dividends based on various covenant compliance thresholds.
The Company was in compliance with the covenants of its credit agreements at October 31, 2010. Failure to maintain compliance with financial covenants as required by our credit facility could result in default and acceleration of amounts due under those facilities. The Company is required to maintain a minimum of $750,000 of compensating balances with the Administrative Agent under the terms of its Credit Agreement.
 
F-14

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
As required by the Second Amendment, the Company, Marshall T. Reynolds and the Administrative Agent entered into a Contribution Agreement and Cash Collateral Security Agreement dated March 31, 2010 (the "Contribution Agreement") pursuant to which Mr. Reynolds deposited $2,500,000 as cash collateral with the Administrative Agent, which the Administrative Agent may withdraw upon an event of default under the Credit Agreement.
 
Mr. Reynolds has granted the Administrative Agent a first priority security interest in the cash collateral.
 
Amounts drawn down by the Administrative Agent will be applied to repayment of the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Contribution Agreement expires upon the earliest of (i) full drawdown of the $2,500,000 deposited, (ii) repayment in full of all obligations under the Credit Agreement and termination of all commitments thereunder and (iii) the Administrative Agent's determination that the Company has achieved a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.2 to 1.0 as of the last day of two consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company.
 
In connection with the Contribution Agreement, the Company has executed and delivered to Mr. Reynolds a Subordinated Promissory Note in amount of $2,500,000, payment of principal and interest on which is prohibited prior to January 31, 2011, and thereafter only with the Administrative Agent's consent. The Subordinated Promissory Note bears interest  at the Wall Street Journal prime rate (3.25% at inception and at October 31, 2010), matures September 14, 2014 and is unsecured.
   
The Company had borrowed under its $17.0 million line of credit approximately $10.4 million at October 31, 2010 which encompassed working capital requirements, refinancing of existing indebtedness prior to The Herald-Dispatch acquisition and to partially fund the purchase of The Herald-Dispatch.  Pursuant to the terms of the Second Amendment, the Company's borrowing base certificate as submitted to the Administrative Agent reflected minimum excess availability of $6.2 million as of October 31, 2010. The minimum excess availability is subject to a $1.0 million reserve and may be adjusted by the Administrative Agent.
 
The Company is required to make certain mandatory payments on its credit facilities related to (1) net proceeds received from a loss subject to applicable thresholds, (2) equity proceeds and (3) effective January 31, 2009, and continuing each year thereafter under the terms of the agreement the Company is required to prepay its credit facilities by 75% of excess cash flow for its most recently completed fiscal year. The excess cash flow for purposes of this calculation is defined as the difference (if any) between (a) EBITDA for such period and (b) federal, state and local income taxes paid in cash during such period plus capital expenditures during such period not financed with indebtedness plus interest expense paid in cash during such period plus the aggregate amount of scheduled payments made by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period in respect of all principal on all indebtedness (whether at maturity, as a result of mandatory sinking fund redemption, or otherwise), plus restricted payments paid in cash by the Company during such period in compliance with the Credit Agreement. The Company paid its prepayment obligation of approximately $2.0 million in January 2009 and had no balance due under its prepayment obligation for fiscal 2009 and 2010 that would have been payable January 2010 and 2011 pursuant to the applicable calculations of the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement.  
 
F-15

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
Maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five years follow:
 
2011
  $ 5,484,842  
2012
    5,340,514  
2013
   
33,462,971
 
2014
   
3,070,015
 
2015      
    $  47,358,342  
 
 
The prime rate was the primary interest rate on the above loans prior to September 14, 2007. After this date, the primary interest rate consisted primarily of LIBOR 30-day, 60-day and 90-day rates plus the applicable margin. Prime rate approximated 3.25%  at October 31, 2010 and 2009, while the 30-day LIBOR rate approximated 0.25% and 0.24% at October 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company had entered into a hedging arrangement to convert $25.0 million of variable interest rate debt to fixed interest rate debt. The current balance outstanding subject to the hedge was $0 and $21,062,500 at October 31, 2010 and 2009 (see Note 14). The swap agreement terminated effective October 29, 2010, therefore, converting from fixed interest rate debt to variable interest upon termination. Interest paid during the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 approximated $5,256,000, $4,345,000 and $5,713,000. The Company had accrued interest of approximately $313,000 and $532,000 at October 31, 2010 and 2009 recorded as accrued expenses on the balance sheet.  Deferred financing costs are amortized over the life of the related credit facilities and are reported as part of interest expense. In 2010, 2009 and 2008, $373,000, $309,000 and $309,000 of deferred financing costs were included as interest expense.
 
The Company may incur costs in 2011 related to facility consolidations, employee termination costs and other restructuring related activities. These costs may be incurred, in part, as a response to the Company's efforts to overcome the impact of the global economic crisis.  
 
The Company’s non-cash activities for 2010, 2009 and 2008 included equipment purchases of approximately $459,000, $818,000 and $0, and which were financed by a bank. The Company recorded non-cash investing and financing activities for the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch of approximately $78.5 million in 2007. The Company also accrued approximately $1.6 million for a final working capital payment for the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch. The working capital payment was made in the first quarter of 2008 totaling approximately $1.6 million.       
 
 
F-16

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
4. Employee Benefit Plan
 
The Company had a Profit Sharing Plan that covered all eligible employees and qualified as a Savings Plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 1998, the Profit Sharing Plan was merged into The Champion Industries, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan covers all eligible employees who satisfy the age and service requirements. Each participant may elect to contribute up to 15% of annual compensation and the Company previously contributed 100% of the participant's contribution not to exceed 2% of the participant's annual compensation. The Company eliminated the employer match as previously described in the second quarter of 2010. The Company may make discretionary contributions to the Plan. The Company's expense under these Plans was approximately $121,000, $445,000 and $525,000 for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.    
 
The Company's accrued vacation liability as of October 31, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $393,000 and $615,000. This item is classified as a component of accrued expenses on the financial statements.
 
The Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan provides for the granting of both incentive and non-qualified stock options to management personnel for up to 762,939 shares of the Company's common stock. In March 2004, the Company’s 2003 stock option plan was adopted to provide for the granting of both incentive and non-qualified stock options to management personnel for up to 475,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
The option price per share for incentive stock options shall not be lower than the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant. The option price per share for non-qualified stock options shall be at such price as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may determine at its sole discretion. All options to date are incentive stock options. There were no options outstanding as of October 31, 2010. Options vest immediately and may be exercised within five years from the date of grant.
 
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the years ended October 31 follows:
 
       
Weighted
     
Weighted
     
Weighted
 
       
Average
     
Average
     
Average
 
       
Exercise
     
Exercise
     
Exercise
 
   
2010
 
Price
 
2009
 
Price
 
2008
 
Price
 
                           
Outstanding-beginning of year
 
 
        220,000
 
$
4.26
   
311,000
 
$
4.27
   
330,000
 
$
4.18
 
Granted
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Exercised
   
-
 
 
-
   
-
 
 
-
   
(19,000
 
2.77
 
Forfeited or expired
   
(220,000
)
 
4.26
   
(91,000
)
 
4.29
   
-
 
 
-
 
Outstanding-end of year
   
-
   
-
   
220,000
   
4.26
   
311,000
   
4.27
 
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year
 
$
-
       
$
-
       
$
-
       
 
 
 
F-17

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
 5. Income Taxes
 
    Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:
 
   
Year Ended October 31,
 
   
2010
 
2009
 
2008 (Restated)
 
Current (benefit) expense:
             
Federal
 
$
(754,195 )
$
(1,601,934
$
463,599
 
State
   
(333,390
)  
(170,248
 
(130,742
Deferred expenses (benefit)
    1,571,336
 
 
(13,957,990
)
 
2,129,999
 
   
$
483,751
 
$
(15,730,172
$
2,462,856
 
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
   
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $
475,365
    $
497,795
 
Net operating loss carryforward
   
1,812,856
     
555,470
 
Accrued vacation
   
142,749
     
240,311
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
682,251
     
265,681
 
    Interest rate swap     -        385,157  
    Intangible assets     10,172,785       11,784,699  
Gross deferred tax assets
   
13,286,006
     
13,729,113
 
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Property and equipment
   
(3,218,553
)    
(3,449,830
)
Intangible assets
   
-  
     
-  
 
Gross deferred tax liability
   
(3,218,553
)    
(3,449,830
)
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance
   
10,067,453
     
10,279,283
 
                 
Valuation allowance:
               
Beginning balance
   
478,918
     
291,209
 
Increase during the period
   
73,865
 
   
187,709
 
Ending balance
   
552,783
     
478,918
 
Net deferred tax asset
  $
9,514,670
    $
9,800,365
 
 
 
F-18

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
 The above net deferred tax asset is presented on the balance sheet as follows:
 
2010
 
2009
Deferred tax asset - current
$ 1,144,519   $
1,000,847
Deferred tax assets -non-current     8,370,151     8,799,518
  $ 9,514,670   $ 9,800,365
 
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:
 
   
Year Ended October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
(Restated)
 
                   
Statutory federal income tax rate
    34.0 %     (34.0 )%     34.0 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit
   
(22.1
)    
(0.7
   
3.3
 
Change in valuation allowance
   
7.6
     
0.3
     
-
 
Selling expenses
   
7.2
     
0.2
     
1.1
 
Cash surrender value of life insurance accretion
     -       0.4       (0.2 )
State apportionment and deferred tax adjustments
    23.3       (3.1 )     (2.0 )
Federal and state tax accrual adjustments
    -       (0.1     (0.8
Other
     (0.2    
0.2
      (0.8
    Interest rate swap      -       0.4       -  
Effective tax rate
     49.8 %     (36.4 )%     34.6 %
 
Income taxes (refunded) paid during the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 approximated $(1,675,000), $(572,000), and $412,000. The Company recorded an income tax refund at October 31, 2010 and 2009 of $36,000 and $1,911,000. Certain taxable losses for 2010 will be carried back to previous years to the extent allowable by applicable tax laws.
 
The Company's net operating losses are comprised of net operating losses from operations for both Federal and State as well as net operating losses of acquired companies. The tax affected benefit of these are reflected in the Financial Statements at $1.8 million or approximately $1.3 million net of valuation allowance. The Federal net operating losses may be carried forward 20 years and carried back 2 years whereas the State net operating losses generally cannot be carried back for the Company's purpose and can be carried forward 15-20 years.
 
 
F-19

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
 In June 2006, the FASB issued ASC 740 , this interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements. The Company adopted the standard addressing "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" effective November 1, 2007 with no effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. As of the date of adoption, the Company had approximately $150,000 of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company was notified in April 2008 and an examination began in May 2008 by the IRS covering our fiscal year-end 2005 federal tax return. This audit was completed and settled during the third quarter of 2008. As of October 31, 2010, the Company is subject to U.S. Federal income tax examination for returns filed after October 31, 2007. State Income Tax returns are generally subject to a period of examination for a period of three to five years. Tax interest and penalties are classified as income taxes in the accompanying statements of income and were insignificant for all periods presented. There was no unrecognized tax benefit at October 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company is currently unable to assess whether any significant increase to the unrecognized tax benefit will be recorded during the next 12 months.
 
6. Related Party Transactions and Operating Lease Commitments
 
    The Company leases operating facilities from entities controlled by its Chief Executive Officer, his family and affiliates as well as facilities controlled by a Company owned by the former sole owner of Syscan pursuant to the acquisition of Syscan (see note 8). The original terms of these leases, which are accounted for as operating leases, range from two to fifteen years.
 
    A summary of significant related party transactions follows:
 
   
Year Ended October 31,
 
   
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
Rent expense paid to affiliated entities
                   
for operating facilities
 
$
517,000
 
$
367,000
 
$
434,000
 
Sales of office products, office furniture and printing services to affiliated entities
   
913,000
   
861,000
   
895,000
 
 
 
In addition, the Company leases property and equipment from unrelated entities under operating leases. Rent expense amounted to $1,334,000, $1,060,000, and $912,000 for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
Under the terms and conditions of the above-mentioned leases, the Company is primarily responsible for all taxes, assessments, maintenance, repairs or replacements, utilities and insurance. The Champion Output Solutions' lease excludes taxes and insurance during the initial lease term. Champion Output Solutions subleases approximately 8,500 square feet at an annual rate of approximately $38,000 through June 30, 2011. The Company has renewal options for certain leases covering varying periods.
 
In addition, the Company purchased vehicles from an entity controlled by family members of its Chief Executive Officer in the amounts of $101,000, $58,000 and $150,000 for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
 
F-20

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
    Future minimum rental commitments for all non-cancelable operating leases including related party commitments with initial terms of one year or more consisted of the following at October 31, 2010:
 
2011
   $
1,197,476
 
2012
   
1,036,174
 
2013
   
933,316
 
2014     359,071  
2015
    51,640  
   
$
3,577,677
 
 
 
The Company participates in a self-insurance program for employee health care benefits with affiliates controlled by its Chief Executive Officer and as such is responsible for paying claims of Company participants as required by the plan document. The Company is allocated costs primarily related to the reinsurance premiums based on its proportionate share to provide such benefits to its employees. The Company’s expense related to this program for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $4,307,000, $5,196,000, and $5,017,000.
 
During 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company utilized an aircraft from an entity controlled by its Chief Executive Officer and reimbursed the controlled entity for the use of the aircraft, fuel, aircrew, ramp fees and other expenses attendant to the Company’s use, in amounts aggregating $47,000, $49,000, and $56,000. The Company believes that such amounts are at or below the market rate charged by third-party commercial charter companies for similar aircraft.
 
       The Company exercised its option to purchase a building at 3000 Washington Street, Charleston, WV on June 16, 2009. The Company assigned its option to a related party purchaser and leased the building back from the related party for a period of five years with a call option to purchase the building within the new five year lease period which commenced October 27, 2009 for $1.5 million.
 
    On December 29, 2009, the Company, Marshall T. Reynolds, Fifth Third Bank, as Administrative Agent for lenders under the Company's Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007, and the other lenders entered into a Forbearance Agreement. The Forbearance Agreement, among other provisions, required Marshall T. Reynolds to lend to the Company $3,000,000 in exchange for a subordinated unsecured promissory note in like amount, payment of principal and interest on which is prohibited until payment of all liabilities under the Credit Agreement. The subordinated unsecured promissory note, bearing interest at a floating Wall Street Journal prime rate and maturing September 14, 2014, and a debt subordination agreement, both dated December 29,2009, were executed and delivered, and Mr. Reynolds advanced $3,000,000 to the Company. The $3,000,000 was applied to prepayment of $3,000,000 of the Company's loans.  The Forbearance Agreement expired on March 31, 2010 and the Company entered into a Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement.
 
As required by the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, the Company, Marshall T. Reynolds and the Administrative Agent entered into a Contribution Agreement and Cash Collateral Security Agreement dated March 31, 2010 (the "Contribution Agreement") pursuant to which Mr. Reynolds deposited $2,500,000 as cash collateral with the Administrative Agent, which the Administrative Agent may withdraw upon an event of default under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Mr. Reynolds has granted the Administrative Agent a first priority security interest in the cash collateral.
 
    The Company believes that the terms of its related party transactions are no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained with an independent third party.
 
 
 
F-21

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
7. Commitments and Contingencies
   
               The Company is subject to the environmental laws and regulations of the United States and the states in which it operates concerning emissions into the air, discharges into the waterways and the generation, handling and disposal of waste materials. The Company’s past expenditures relating to environmental compliance have not had a material effect on the Company and are included in normal operating expenses. These laws and regulations are constantly evolving, and it is impossible to predict accurately the effect they may have upon the capital expenditures, earnings, and competitive position of the Company in the future. Based upon information currently available, management believes that expenditures relating to environmental compliance will not have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.
 
       The Company is subject to various claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business as well as various governmental audits and examinations. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel where applicable, the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these claims, audits and legal actions will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
 
8. Acquisitions
 
On September 14, 2007, the Company completed, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement, the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, WV. The purchase price was $77.0 million and subject to a working capital payment of $837,554 plus or minus any change in working capital from the index working capital base of $1,675,107 at the closing date of September 14, 2007. The working capital payment totaled approximately $1.6 million.
 
Approximately six weeks of the operations of The Herald-Dispatch are included in the Company's Statement of Operations commencing concurrent with the acquisition in 2007.
 
The Company acquired substantially all of the net assets of The Herald-Dispatch for a purchase price of $77.0 million consisting of cash.  The purchase price included a cash payment of $77.0 million plus acquisition costs of approximately $373,000 and a working capital adjustment of approximately $1,616,000.  The working capital adjustment was recorded under accrued expenses at October 31, 2007. The purchase price was financed by the Company through a term debt facility and a revolving credit facility. The purchase of The Herald-Dispatch was consummated based on certain specifically identified synergies due in part to duplicative functions, to achieve cash flow diversity, to capitalize on a unique investment opportunity in the Company's core territory, and to provide a platform for future growth and expansion opportunities. The following is a condensed balance sheet indicating the amount assigned to each major asset and liability caption of The Herald-Dispatch at September 14, 2007:
 
 Current assets, net of cash received   $ 2,748,445  
         
 Property, plant and equipment     8,582,200  
         
 Goodwill     35,396,335  
 Trademark & masthead     18,515,316  
 Subscriber base asset     3,427,755  
 Advertiser base asset     10,613,497  
 Total assets   $ 79,283,548  
         
 Current liabilities   $ 740,395  
         
 Net assets acquired   $ 78,543,153  
 
 
F-22

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
The following table summarizes the unaudited consolidated pro forma results of operations and pro forma net income per share for the years ended October 31, 2007, assuming The Herald-Dispatch acquisition had occurred at the start of the Company's fiscal year for the period represented below. The pro forma results below were derived from The Herald-Dispatch internal financial statements representing the periods approximating the Company's fiscal year and are reflective of adjustments associated with additional interest expense and associated deferred financing costs not recorded on the Company's financial statements of approximately $5.2 million for 2007. The Company recorded pro forma adjustments resulting from additional amortization expense of $614,000 for 2007, additional depreciation of $524,000 for 2007 and adjustments associated with retirement plans and postretirement benefits other than pensions which were not assumed by the Company totaling $398,000 in 2007.
 
 
    2007
    (in millions, expect per share data)
       
 Revenues
   $ 167.5
 Net income    $ 6.9
       
 Earnings      
      Basic    $  0.69
      Diluted    $  0.68
       
 Weighted average shares outstanding:      
      Basic      10.0
      Diluted      10.1
       
       
 
 
The identifiable intangible assets of The Herald-Dispatch are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 20 and 25 years for the subscriber and advertiser base, respectively. The weighted average life of the amortizable intangible assets for the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch at the acquisition date was approximately 20 years. The trademark and masthead for the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch was determined to have an indefinite life. The remaining allocation of the purchase price of The Herald-Dispatch was assigned to goodwill. The Company expects to achieve tax deductions associated with non-amortizing intangibles and goodwill of approximately $3.6 million per year for a period of 15 years. In 2009, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $41.1 million ($25.5 million, net of deferred tax benefit) associated with the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch (see Note 12).
 
On September 7, 2004, the Company acquired all the issued and outstanding capital stock of Syscan Corporation (“Syscan”), a West Virginia corporation, for a cash price of $3,500,000 and a contingent purchase price, dependent upon satisfaction of certain conditions, not to exceed the amount of $1,500,000.  On December 14, 2006, the Company paid the contingent purchase price in the amount of $1,350,725. This amount was accrued at October 31, 2006. The Company also purchased a building from an entity controlled by Syscan’s sole shareholder for $117,000 concurrent with the Syscan acquisition. After considering the cash received, the acquisition of a building and acquisition costs the net assets acquired totaled approximately $2,688,000. Syscan Corporation is a provider of integrated business products, with a primary emphasis on office and data products, printing, mailing and fulfillment services, and office furniture. The acquisition was consummated based on significant identified synergies which could be achieved due to a duplication of market territory. The acquisition brought additional supply chain management and mailing expertise to the Company and allowed Syscan to offer a broader array of printing services to its existing customer base.
 
 
F-23

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
    The Williams Land Corporation had the option to put the 3000 Washington Street building occupied by Syscan to the Company for a purchase price of $1.5 million and the Company had the option to purchase the building for $1.5 million at the conclusion of the five year lease term ending September 1, 2009. This option could be exercised no later than 60 days prior to the end of the lease and closing of said purchase could not exceed 45 days from the end of the lease. The Company exercised its option to purchase this building on June 16, 2009. The Company assigned its option to purchase to a related party and leased the building back from the related party for a period of five years with a call option to purchase the building within the new five year lease period, which commenced October 27, 2009, for $1.5 million.
   
All of the above transactions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
 
9. Industry Segment Information
 
The Company operates principally in three industry segments organized on the basis of product lines: the production, printing and sale, principally to commercial customers, of printed materials (including brochures, pamphlets, reports, tags, continuous and other forms); the sale of office products and office furniture including interior design services; and publication of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia with a total daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 23,000 and 29,000 respectively. The Company employs approximately 700 people, of whom approximately 20, or 3%, are covered by collective bargaining agreements, which expire on May 31, 2010 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  Approximately 50% of the employees are currently operating under the expired May 31, 2010 contract.
 
Our financial reporting systems present various data which is used to operate and measure our operating performance, including internal statements of operations which are prepared on a basis inconsistent with GAAP. Therefore, the segment reporting may not necessarily be consistent with GAAP reporting. Furthermore, because of our integrated business structure, operating costs included in one segment may benefit other segments. As a result of this structure these segments are not specifically designed to measure operating income or loss directly related to the products or services included in each segment. 
 
The identifiable assets are reflective of non-GAAP assets reported on the Company's internal balance sheets and are typically adjusted for negative book cash balances, taxes and other items excluded for segment reporting. The total assets reported on the Company's balance sheets as of October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are $92,233,986, $101,021,893 and $141,278,845. The identifiable assets reported below represent $82,813,827, $90,310,975 and $139,581,045.  
 
F-24

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
The table below presents information about reported segments for the years ended October 31:
2010
 
Printing
 
Office Products & Furniture
   
Newspaper
   
Total
 
Revenues
  $
90,106,896
    $
39,691,717
    $
15,525,399
    $
145,324,012
 
Elimination of intersegment revenue
    (9,136,312 )      (6,254,129    
-   
       (15,390,441
Consolidated revenues
  $
80,970,584
    $
33,437,588
    $
15,525,399
    $
129,933,571
 
Operating income
   
180,802
     
2,055,990
     
3,136,502
     
5,373,294
 
Depreciation & amortization
   
3,033,232
     
131,529
     
1,135,901
     
4,300,662
 
Capital expenditures
   
742,458
     
53,556
     
59,496
     
855,510
 
Identifiable assets
   
40,203,824
     
7,558,086
     
35,051,917
     
82,813,827
 
Goodwill
   
2,226,837
     
1,230,485
     
11,874,961
     
15,332,283
 
                                 
2009
 
Printing
 
Office Products & Furniture
   
Newspaper
   
Total
 
Revenues
  $
99,463,762
    $
42,518,613
    $
16,393,896
    $
158,376,271
 
Elimination of intersegment revenue
    (10,473,968 )     (6,644,182 )    
-
      (17,118,150 )
Consolidated revenues
  $
88,989,794
    $
35,874,431
    $
16,393,896
    $
141,258,121
 
Operating income (loss)
   
(1,166,528
   
2,284,729
     
(38,711,612
   
(37,593,411
Depreciation & amortization
   
3,370,162
     
168,659
     
1,706,117
     
5,244,938
 
Capital expenditures
   
2,606,836
     
143,533
     
60,167
     
2,810,536
 
Identifiable assets
   
34,276,584
     
8,757,366
     
47,277,025
     
90,310,975
 
Goodwill
   
2,226,837
     
1,230,485
     
11,874,961
     
15,332,283
 
                                 
2008 (Restated)
 
Printing
 
Office Products & Furniture
   
Newspaper
   
Total
 
Revenues
  $
118,634,673
    $
49,708,630
     
18,939,250
    $
187,282,553
 
Elimination of intersegment revenue
    (13,359,482 )     (8,168,516 )    
-
      (21,527,998 )
Consolidated revenues
  $
105,275,191
    $
41,540,114
     
18,939,250
    $
165,754,555
 
Operating income
   
5,533,022
     
3,628,716
     
3,557,697
     
12,719,435
 
Depreciation & amortization
   
3,534,326
     
214,298
     
1,635,885
     
5,384,509
 
Capital expenditures
   
2,136,125
     
84,434
     
152,563
     
2,373,122
 
Identifiable assets
   
49,649,845
     
10,484,177
     
79,447,023
     
139,581,045
 
Goodwill
   
2,226,837
     
1,230,485
     
35,437,456
     
38,894,778
 
 
 
F-25

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
A reconciliation of total segment revenue, assets and operating income (loss) to consolidated income (loss) before income taxes for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008 (Restated)
 
Revenues:
                 
Total segment revenues
  $
145,324,012
    $
158,376,271
    $
187,282,553
 
Elimination of intersegment revenue
     (15,390,441     (17,118,150 )     (21,527,998 )
Consolidated revenue
  $
129,933,571
    $
141,258,121
    $
165,754,555
 
                         
Operating income (loss):
                       
Total segment operating income (loss)
  $
5,373,294
    $
(37,593,411
  $
12,719,435
 
Interest income
   
-  
     
2,771
     
65,657
 
Interest expense
     (5,414,450     (5,184,668 )     (5,733,677 )
Other income (loss)
   
1,013,041
     
(475,488
   
69,602
 
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes
  $
971,885
    $
(43,250,796
  $
7,121,017
 
                         
Identifiable assets:
                       
Total segment identifiable assets
  $
82,813,827
    $
90,310,975
    $
139,581,045
 
Elimination of intersegment assets
   
9,420,159
     
10,710,918
     
1,697,800
 
Total consolidated assets
  $
92,233,986
    $
101,021,893
    $
141,278,845
 
 
 
F-26

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
10.  Restructuring and Other Charges
 
    In 2010, the Company recorded charges related to a restructuring and profitability enhancement plan. This plan was implemented to effectuate certain key initiatives and was an integral component of the Second Amendment and Waiver to the Credit Agreement (Second Amendment). These actions were taken to comply with the provisions and targeted covenants of the Second Amendment and to address the impact of the global economic crisis on the Company. The Company may incur additional costs in future periods to address the ongoing and fluid nature of the economic crisis. The amount of future charges are currently not estimable by the Company.
 
    The plan was implemented to address several key initiatives including streamlining production and administrative operations, headcount reductions and an overall response to the global economic crisis. The pre-tax charge resulting from these actions was $1.8 million ($1.1 million after tax or $0.11 per share on a basic and diluted basis). The charges were comprised of $1.2 million associated with excess facility and maintenance costs primarily related to operating leases, inventory related costs of $172,000 and costs associated with streamlining production and personnel related separation costs of $468,000. The costs associated with the restructuring and profitability enhancement plan are primarily recorded in the restructuring charges line item as part of operating income. Inventory is recorded as a component of cost of sales.
 
    The following information summarizes the costs incurred with respect to restructuring, integration and asset impairment charges during the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2010, respectively, these costs are included as a component of the printing segment:

   
October 31, 2010
   
 
Three
Months
Ended
 
 
Twelve
Months
Ended
         
Occupancy related costs
$
$
1,173,175
Costs incurred to streamline production, personnel and other
 
103,651
 
467,621
Inventory
 
 
171,529
Total
$
103,651
$
1,812,325
 
    The activity pertaining to the Company's accruals related to restructuring and other charges since October 31, 2009, including additions and payments made are summarized below:
 
   
Occupancy related costs
 
Costs incurred to streamline production, personnel and other
 
Total
 
               
Balance at October 31, 2009
$
-  
$
-  
$
-  
 
2010 expenses
 
1,173,175
 
467,621
 
1,640,796
 
Paid in 2010
 
(135,627
(459,159
(594,786
Balance at October 31, 2010
$
1,037,548
$
8,462
$
1,046,010
 
 

     During 2010 and 2009, the U.S. recession had a negative impact on the Company's operations across multiple segment lines. The newspaper operating segment reflected lower operating revenues in both advertising and circulation. In response to this difficult operating environment the Company initiated a cost reduction plan and eliminated 24 employee positions, or approximately 15% of the workforce, at the Champion Publishing subsidiary in 2009.

 
F-27

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
  
11. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
             The Company's interest rate swap derivative liability is based on third party valuation models, and is therefore classified as having Level 2 inputs as of October 31, 2009. The interest rate swap agreement expired on October 29, 2010 therefore there is no balance at October 31, 2010. 
 
    The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities permits entities to choose to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings.  The Fair Value Option did not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value.  The Fair Value Option was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company elected to not apply the provisions of The Fair Value Option.
  
    The Company measures and records in the accompanying consolidated financial statements certain liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. There is a fair value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and our own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:
 
Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
 
Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
 
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions developed by the Company, which reflect those that a market participant would use. 
 
The following table summarizes the financial instruments measured at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of October 31, 2010, and 2009 and recorded as other liabilities (current):

 
Fair Value Measurements as of
 
 
October 31, 2010 and 2009
 
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Liabilities:
                     
Interest rate swap (2010)
$
-    
$
-    
$
-    
$
 
Interest rate swap (2009)
 
-
     
962,893
     
-
     
962,893
 
 
 
F-28

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
12. Acquired Intangible Assets and Goodwill
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Gross
         
Gross
       
   
Carrying
   
Accumulated
   
Carrying
   
Accumulated
 
   
Amount
   
Amortization
   
Amount
   
Amortization
 
Amortizable intangible assets:
                       
Non-compete agreement
  $ 1,000,000      $
880,952
    $
1,000,000
    $
738,095
 
Customer relationships
    2,451,073        782,739      
2,451,073
     
660,641
 
    Advertising and subscriber base     4,989,768        1,656,997       4,989,768       1,509,335  
Other
    564,946        489,738      
564,946
     
452,638
 
      9,005,787        3,810,426       
9,005,787
     
3,360,709
 
                                 
Unamortizable intangible assets:
                               
Goodwill
    15,839,561        507,278       
15,839,561
     
507,278
 
    Trademark and masthead     10,001,812              10,001,812       -  
 
    25,841,373        507,278        25,841,373       507,278  
                                 
 Total goodwill and other intangibles   $ 34,847,160      $ 4,317,704      $
34,847,160
    $
3,867,987
 
                                 
 
    In accordance with GAAP, a two-step impairment test is performed on goodwill. In the first step, a comparison is made of the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, the second step of the impairment test is required. In the second step, an estimate of the current fair values of all assets and liabilities is made to determine the amount of implied goodwill and consequently the amount of any goodwill impairment.
 
    In connection with our annual impairment testing of goodwill and other intangible assets conducted in the fourth quarter of 2009, we recorded a charge of $41.1 million ($25.5 million, net of deferred tax benefit) for impairment of the value of the goodwill and other intangible assets, which resulted from the 2007 acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, WV. This charge resulted in impairment charges of trademark and masthead of $8.5 million, subscriber base asset of $2.2 million, advertiser base asset $6.8 million and goodwill $23.6 million. The associated deferred tax benefit of these charges approximated $15.6 million. There were no impairment charges as a result of our annual impairment testing in 2010.
 
    During 2009, the U.S. recession had a negative impact on the Company's operations across multiple segment lines. The newspaper operating segment reflected lower operating revenues in both advertising and circulation. In response to this difficult operating environment the Company initiated a cost reduction plan and eliminated 24 employee positions, or approximately 15% of the workforce, at the Champion Publishing subsidiary.
 
    The Company determined that it should perform impairment testing of goodwill and intangible assets during the fourth quarter of 2009, due, in part, to declines in our stock price, increased volatility in operating results and declines in market transactions in the industry.  The valuation methodology utilized to estimate the fair value of the newspaper operating segment was based on both the market and income approach. The Company then undertook the next step in the impairment testing process by determining the fair value of assets and liabilities within this reporting unit. The implied fair values of goodwill and other intangibles for this reporting unit was less than the carrying amount by $41.1 million ($25.5 million net of deferred tax benefit) based on the analysis by the Company and with assistance of third party valuation specialists, and therefore an impairment charge in this amount was taken. The goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to be amortized for tax purposes over its remaining life in accordance with applicable internal revenue service standards.      
 
F-29

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
The Company has other reporting units within Goodwill. The Company evaluated these reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2010 and 2009, and while the estimated fair value of these reporting units declined from 2008, the estimated carrying value of each of our other reporting units exceeded their carrying values in 2010 and 2009. As a result, no additional testing or impairment charges were necessary.   
 
Amortization expense for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $450,000, $1,034,000 and $1,048,000 respectively. A non-compete agreement is being amortized over a period of seven years and the customer relationships are being amortized over a period of 20 years. These items are both related to the acquisition of Syscan in 2004. The advertising and subscribers bases related to the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch are being amortized over 25 and 20 years respectively. The trademark and masthead associated with the acquisition of The Herald-Dispatch are non-amortizing assets. The weighted average remaining life of the Company's amortizable intangible assets was approximately 18 years. Estimated amortization expense for each of the following years is:
 
2011
   $
417,309
 
2012
   
292,760
 
2013
   
287,261
 
2014
   
275,970
 
2015
   
269,761
 
Thereafter     3,652,300  
   
$
5,195,361
 
 
 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, trademark and masthead and other amortizing intangibles for the years ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 were:
 
 
Goodwill:
    Printing     Office Products and Furniture     Newspaper     Total  
                                 
Balance as of October 31, 2008                                
Goodwill   $ 2,226,837     $ 1,230,485     $ 35,437,456     $ 38,894,778  
Accumulated impairment losses     -       -             -  
      2,226,837       1,230,485       35,437,456       38,894,778  
Goodwill acquired Fiscal 2009     -       -       -       -  
Impairment losses Fiscal 2009     -       -       (23,562,495 )     (23,562,495 )
Balance at October 31, 2009                                
Goodwill     2,226,837       1,230,485       35,437,456       38,894,778  
Accumulated Impairment losses     -       -       (23,562,495 )     (23,562,495 )
      2,226,837       1,230,485       11,874,961       15,332,283  
Goodwill acquired Fiscal 2010     -       -       -       -  
Impairment losses Fiscal 2010     -       -       -       -  
Balance at October 31, 2010                                
Goodwill     2,226,837       1,230,485       35,437,456       38,894,778  
 Accumulated Impairment Losses     -       -       (23,562,495 )     (23,562,495 )
    $ 2,226,837      $ 1,230,485     $ 11,874,961     $ 15,332,283  
 
 
F-30

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
Trademark and Masthead:
    Printing     Office Products and Furniture     Newspaper     Total  
                                 
Balance as of October 31, 2008                                
Trademark and Masthead   $ -     $ -     $ 18,515,316     $ 18,515,316  
Accumulated impairment losses     -       -             -  
      -       -       18,515,316       18,515,316  
Trademark and Masthead acquired Fiscal 2009     -       -       -       -  
Impairment losses Fiscal 2009     -       -       (8,513,504 )     (8,513,504 )
Balance at October 31, 2009                                
Trademark and Masthead     -       -       18,515,316       18,515,316  
Accumulated Impairment losses     -       -       (8,513,504 )     (8,513,504 )
      -       -       10,001,812       10,001,812  
Trademark and Masthead acquired Fiscal 2010     -       -       -       -  
Impairment losses Fiscal 2010     -       -       -       -  
Balance at October 31, 2010                                
Trademark and Masthead     -       -       18,515,316       18,515,316  
 Accumulated Impairment Losses     -       -       (8,513,504 )     (8,513,504 )
    $ -     $ -     $ 10,001,812     $ 10,001,812  
 
 
Amortizing Intangible Assets (net of amortization expense):
    Printing     Office Products and Furniture     Newspaper     Total  
                                 
Balance as of October 31, 2008                                
Amortizing Intangible Assets (net of amortization expense)
  $ 938,412     $ 1,540,998     $ 13,251,431     $ 15,730,841  
Accumulated impairment losses     -       -             -  
      938,412       1,540,998       13,251,431       15,730,841  
Amortizing Intangible Assets (net of amortization expense)
acquired Fiscal 2009
    -       -       -       -  
Impairment losses Fiscal 2009     -       -       (9,051,484 )     (9,051,484 )
Amortization expense     138,571       176,195       719,513       1,034,279  
Balance at October 31, 2009                                
Amortizing Intangible Assets (net of amortization expense)
    799,841       1,364,803       12,531,918       14,696,562  
Accumulated Impairment losses     -       -       (9,051,484 )     (9,051,484 )
      799,841       1,364,803       3,480,434       5,645,078  
Amortizing Intangible Assets (net of amortization expense)
acquired Fiscal 2010
    -       -       -       -  
Impairment losses Fiscal 2010     -       -       -       -  
Amortization expense     125,862       176,195       147,660       449,717  
Balance at October 31, 2010                                
Amortizing Intangible Assets (net of amortization expense)
    673,979       1,188,608       12,384,258       14,246,845  
Accumulated Impairment Losses     -       -       (9,051,484 )     (9,051,484 )
    $ 673,979     $ 1,188,608     $ 3,332,774     $ 5,195,361  
 
F-31

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
13. Certain Significant Estimates
 
Our estimates that influence the financial statements are normally based on knowledge and experience about past and current events and assumptions about future events. The following estimates affecting the financial statements are particularly sensitive because of their significance and it is at least reasonably possible that a change in these estimates will occur in the near term.
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
We evaluate the recoverability of the goodwill and intangible assets of each of our reporting units, as required, by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. The fair values of our reporting units are determined using a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis and market multiples based on historical and projected financial information. We apply our best judgment when assessing the reasonableness of the financial projections used to determine the fair value of each reporting unit.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
       The Company encounters risks associated with sales and the collection of the associated accounts receivable. As such, the Company records a monthly provision for accounts receivable that are considered to be uncollectible. In order to calculate the appropriate monthly provision, the Company primarily utilizes a historical rate of accounts receivables written off as a percentage of total revenue. This historical rate is applied to the current revenues on a monthly basis. The historical rate is updated periodically based on events that may change the rate such as a significant increase or decrease in collection performance and timing of payments as well as the calculated total exposure in relation to the allowance. Periodically, the Company compares the identified credit risks with the allowance that has been established using historical experience and adjusts the allowance accordingly. The underlying assumptions used for the allowance can change from period to period and could potentially cause a material impact to the income statement and working capital.
 
Financial Instruments
 
        In managing interest rate risk exposure, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements. An interest rate swap is a contractual exchange of interest payments between two parties. A standard interest rate swap involves the payment of a fixed rate times a notional amount by one party in exchange for a floating rate times the same notional amount from another party. As interest rates change, the difference to be paid or received is accrued and recognized as interest expense or income over the life of the agreement. These instruments are not entered into for trading purposes. Counter Parties to the Company’s interest rate swap agreements are major financial institutions. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company recognizes interest rate swap agreements on the balance sheet at fair value.

 
F-32

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 
 
14. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
 
    The Company manages exposure to changes in market interest rates. The Company’s use of derivative instruments is limited to highly effective fixed and floating interest rate swap agreements used to manage well-defined interest rate risk exposures. The Company monitors its positions and the credit ratings of its counterparties and does not anticipate non-performance by the counterparties. Interest rate swap agreements are not entered into for trading purposes.
 
    At September 28, 2007, the Company was party to an interest rate swap agreement which terminated on October 31, 2010. The swap agreement is with a major financial institution and aggregates an initial $25 million in notional principal amount $19.8 million  and $21 million of outstanding notional principal at October 29, 2010 and October 31, 2009. This swap agreement effectively converted $25 million of variable interest rate debt to fixed rate debt. The swap agreement requires the Company to make fixed interest payments based on an average effective rate of 4.78% and receive variable interest payments from its counterparties based on one-month LIBOR (actual rate of 0.25 and 0.24% at October 31, 2010 and 2009). In fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded a net change in the fair value of the fixed interest rate swap agreement in the amount of $407,289, $(19,823), and $(546,563), net of income tax as other comprehensive income (loss). In 2009 ineffectiveness resulting in a $0.6 million loss, was charged to other expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This loss resulted from the termination of LIBOR borrowing eligibility by the Administrative Agent under the Company's Credit Agreement. In 2010, the Company recorded $0.3 million, or $0.2 million net of tax as other income in the first quarter of 2010 prior to the Administrative Agent reinstating the LIBOR borrowing option in the second quarter of 2010. The interest rate swap was re-designated as a cash flow hedge in the second quarter of 2010 and upon expiration of the swap derivative on October 29, 2010 $0.7 million, or $0.4 million net of tax was reclassified into earnings. The net additional interest payments made or received under this swap agreement are recognized in interest expense.
 
15. Earnings Per Share
 
Earnings (loss) per share (EPS) were computed as follows:
 
 
 
Income (loss)
 
Weighted
Average
 Shares
 
Per
Share
Amount
 
Year Ended October 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
488,134
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income available to common shareholders
 
 
488,134
 
 
9,988,000
 
$
0.05
 
Effect of dilutive securities stock options
 
 
 
 
 
  -  
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions
 
$
488,134
 
 
9,988,000
 
$
0.05
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended October 31, 2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Loss
 
$
(27,520,624
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic loss per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss available to common shareholders
 
 
(27,520,624
)
 
9,988,000
 
$
(2.76)
 
Effect of dilutive securities stock options
 
 
 
 
 
 -  
 
 
 
 
Diluted loss per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss available to common shareholders and assumed conversions
 
$
(27,520,624
)
 
9,988,000
 
$
(2.76)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended October 31, 2008 (Restated)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
4,658,161
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income available to common shareholders
 
 
4,658,161
 
 
9,986,000
 
$
0.47
 
Effect of dilutive securities stock options
 
 
 
 
 
38,000
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss available to common shareholders and assumed conversions
 
$
4,658,161
 
 
10,024,000
 
$
0.46
 
 
 
F-33

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
 

16. Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)
 
The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended October 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
$
32,387,000
 
$
33,739,000
 
$
31,890,000
 
$
31,918,000
 
2009
 
$
36,891,000
 
$
36,140,000
 
$
34,356,000
 
$
33,871,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
$
9,606,000
 
$
10,410,000
 
$
9,028,000
 
$
9,579,000
 
2009
 
$
9,779,000
 
$
10,439,000
 
$
9,666,000
 
$
10,944,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
$
(213,000
)
$
333,000
 
$
(570,000
)
$
938,000
 
2009 (Restated)
 
$
(634,000
)
$
295,000
 
$
(307,000
)
$
(26,875,000
)
 
Earnings (loss) per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
$
(0.02
)
$
0.03
 
$
(0.06
)
$
0.09
 
2009 (Restated)
 
$
(0.06
)
$
0.03
 
$
(0.03
)
$
(2.69
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
$
(0.02
)
$
0.03
 
$
(0.06
)
$
0.09
 
2009 (Restated)
 
$
(0.06
)
$
0.03
 
$
(0.03
)
$
(2.69
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
2009
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
2009
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
9,988,000
 
 
 
F-34

 
Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
 Schedule II
 
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
 
Years Ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
 
 Description
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
 
Balances of acquired companies
 
 
Additions charged to costs and expense
 
 
Deductions(1)
 
 
Balance at end of period
 
 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
1,353,021
 
 
$
-  
 
 
$
370,333
 
 
$
(426,411
)
 
$
1,296,943
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
1,851,485
 
 
$
-  
 
 
$
876,145
 
 
$
(1,374,609
)
 
$
1,353,021
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
1,511,037
 
 
$
-  
 
 
$
854,283
 
 
$
(513,835
)
 
 
1,851,485
 
 
(1) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

 
F-35