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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)    

ý

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010

Or

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Period From                  to                  .

Commission File Number: 333-110441

THE SHERIDAN GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  52-1659314
(I.R.S. employer
identification number)

11311 McCormick Road, Suite 260
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031-1437

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(410) 785-7277
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

        Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ý    No o

        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 periods as the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes o    No ý

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

        Indicate by check mark if 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. ý

        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 the 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 filer ý   Smaller reporting company o

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes o    No ý

        None of the Registrant's common stock is held by non-affiliates of the Registrant.

        There was 1 share of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of March 29, 2011.


Table of Contents


THE SHERIDAN GROUP, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
INDEX

 
  Pages  

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

    3  

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

   
8
 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

   
15
 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

   
16
 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   
16
 

ITEM 4. RESERVED

   
17
 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

   
17
 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   
17
 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   
18
 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   
33
 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

   
34
 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   
63
 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   
63
 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

   
63
 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   
63
 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   
69
 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

   
83
 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

   
87
 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

   
89
 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

   
90
 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate solely to historical fact. They include, but are not limited to, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, achievements or events. They may contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "likely," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" or words or phrases of similar meaning. They may relate to, among other things:

    our liquidity and capital resources, including our ability to refinance our debt;

    competitive pressures and trends in the printing industry;

    prevailing interest rates;

    legal proceedings and regulatory matters;

    general economic conditions;

    predictions of net sales, expenses or other financial items;

    future operations, financial condition and prospects; and

    our plans, objectives, strategies and expectations for the future.

        Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, might cause us to modify our plans or objectives, may affect our ability to pay timely amounts due under our notes and/or may affect the value of our notes. These risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors." New risk factors can emerge from time to time. It is not possible for us to predict all of these risks, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, we urge you to read this Annual Report on Form 10-K completely with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what we plan or expect. We caution you that any forward-looking statement reflects only our belief at the time the statement is made. We will not update these forward-looking statements even if our situation changes in the future.


PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

Overview

        We are a leading specialty printer offering a full range of printing and value-added support services for the journal, catalog, magazine and book markets. We believe that we enjoy strong and long-standing relationships with our customers, which include publishers, catalog merchants, associations and university presses. We provide a wide range of printing services and value-added support services that supplement the core printing operations such as page composition, electronic copy-editing, digital proofing, electronic publishing systems, subscriber services, digital media distribution, custom publishing and back issue fulfillment. We are focused on short production runs for small to medium sized customers who rely heavily on our world class prepress operations to prepare, edit and publish content for electronic or printed distribution. We utilize a decentralized management structure, which provides our customers with access to the resources of a large company, while maintaining the high level of service and flexibility of a smaller company. We operate in three business segments: Publications, Specialty Catalogs and Books. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we generated net sales of $266.2 million, operating income of $9.4 million and a net loss of $5.9 million.

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As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms "we," "us," "our" and other similar terms refer to the consolidated businesses of The Sheridan Group, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

History

        We trace our roots back to The Sheridan Press, the predecessor of which was founded in 1915. We entered the short-run journal market in 1980, targeting the printing of scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals for publishers. The Sheridan Group, Inc. was formed in 1988 to complete the acquisition of Braun-Brumfield, Inc., a short-run book printer located in Michigan. In 1994, we entered the specialty magazine market with the acquisition of United Litho, Inc., a printer of specialty magazines serving the Washington, D.C. metro area. In conjunction with our recapitalization in 1998, we acquired Dartmouth Printing Company, a specialty magazine printer in New Hampshire, and Capital City Press ("CCP"), a journal printer in Vermont. In 1999, we acquired BookCrafters, Inc., a short-run book printer in Chelsea, Michigan and consolidated it with Braun-Brumfield to form Sheridan Books, Inc. In 2004, we acquired The Dingley Press (the "Dingley Acquisition"), a specialty catalog printer in Maine. In 2006, we shut down the operations of CCP and consolidated the production of short-run journals at The Sheridan Press. Currently, we are comprised of six specialty printing companies operating in the domestic scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journal, specialty catalog, short-run book and specialty magazine markets: The Sheridan Press in Pennsylvania; Sheridan Books in Michigan; Dartmouth Printing Company in New Hampshire; United Litho in Virginia; Dartmouth Journal Services in Vermont; and The Dingley Press in Maine. During the first quarter of 2011, we announced the shutdown of the operations of United Litho and the consolidation of the production of specialty magazines at Dartmouth Printing Company. We anticipate that the shutdown and consolidation will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2011.

Printing Services

        Our printing services include transferring content onto printing plates in pre-press, printing the content on press, binding the printed pages into the finished product and distributing the finished product to either the customer or the ultimate end user. Pre-press processes, which include digital techniques, as well as computer-to-plate technology, are critical front-end elements of our printing services which ready the content for printing on our presses. Sheet-fed and web presses are used, depending on run length, to produce the printed product. We also offer ultra-short-run printing services for books and journals. During 2008, we launched a new product offering to digitally print books and journals on demand. We utilize three types of binding techniques for the printed product: perfect binding, saddle stitching and case binding. The product is then labeled and packaged prior to mailing. The majority of journals and magazines are mailed to the subscribers; the remainders are shipped to the publisher. All of our books are shipped in cases to the customer. Catalogs are drop-shipped to various locations throughout the U.S. and placed into the mail stream close to the recipient.

Technology Services

        We continue to develop new services and solutions to help our customers and prospects thrive in the evolving printing industry. Through our extensive experience as a journal printer supporting the sophisticated technology requirements of journal publishers and our deep understanding of our customers' needs, we believe we are well positioned to bring innovative technology-based services and solutions to the journal, book, magazine, and catalog market segments. In order to accelerate our technology development, we have added technology resources throughout the organization and increased spending on software development. The result of these efforts includes the introduction of on-demand digital printing, custom publishing, interactive content for mobile applications and electronic content warehousing. We process significant amounts of our customers' intellectual property and play a critical role in helping customers meet demands for electronic and printed media.

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Value-Added Support Services

        In addition to providing printing services to our customers, we offer a full range of value-added support services. While sales of these services constitute a relatively small percentage of total revenues, they are critical to meeting the customer's needs. These services are highly customized for each customer's specifications and logistics requirements. Examples of the value-added support services we provide are page composition, electronic copy-editing, digital proofing, electronic publishing systems, subscriber services, digital media distribution, custom publishing and back issue fulfillment.

Printing Segments

        As a leading publications printer, we offer a broad range of products and services, including the printing of scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, specialty catalogs, short-run books, specialty magazines, article reprints and an extensive array of value-added support services. Our products are sold to a diverse set of customers, including publishers, catalog merchants, university presses and associations.

        The following table presents the percentage of net sales contributed by each segment during the past three fiscal years.

Net sales %
  2010   2009   2008  

Publications

    56     57     54  

Specialty Catalogs

    23     23     27  

Books

    21     20     19  
               
 

Total

    100     100     100  
               

        Our net sales attributable to customers in the United States were $261.1 million, $287.5 million and $343.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our net sales attributable to customers in foreign countries were $5.1 million, $5.8 million and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Additional financial information about our segments is set forth in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this report.

Assets by Segment

        The following table presents the total assets by segment for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

(Dollars in thousands)
  Year ended
December 31,
2010
  Year ended
December 31,
2009
  Year ended
December 31,
2008
 

Assets

                   

Publications

  $ 140,566   $ 146,047   $ 165,194  

Specialty catalogs

    51,669     54,186     65,403  

Books

    46,519     46,173     51,386  

Corporate

    2,757     2,594     3,114  
               
 

Consolidated total

  $ 241,511   $ 249,000   $ 285,097  
               

Publications

        The Publications segment provides products and services for journals and specialty magazines to publishers, university presses and associations.

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Journals

        The journal market includes journals for the scientific, technical, medical and scholarly communities. We compete in both the short-run and medium-run portions of the journal market. We define short-run journals as journals produced on sheet-fed and digital presses with typical production runs of less than 5,000. We consider medium-run journals to be journals with production runs between 5,000 and 100,000 copies. Medium-run journals are typically produced on web presses due to economies of scale versus sheet-fed presses. Publishers, associations and university presses comprise the customers in the journals market. In 2010, we printed over 2,500 journal titles.

        Our journals are primarily black and white with a small amount of color for photographs, diagrams and advertisements. They are printed on schedules that range from weekly to annually. Journal printing typically results in a high level of repeat business due to the periodic nature and complexity of these publications. The vast majority of journals are perfect bound, with the remainder saddle-stitched. Our journal customers rely on our consistency and on-time reliability to meet the demands of their own customers.

        Originally developed as an ancillary product from the base journal business, we produce article reprints on sheet-fed and digital presses. Article reprints are produced for customers who require reprints of an individual article from a journal or magazine for marketing or other purposes. Historically, we have primarily reprinted journal and magazine articles for which we were the original printer. We have expanded our business by winning article reprint business on publications for which we were not the original printer. We are a full-service reprint printer, producing black and white as well as color reprints for publishers, university presses and associations.

Specialty Magazines

        We characterize specialty magazines as magazines having production runs of less than 100,000 copies. Our customers in this market are publishers and associations. Specialty magazines also have a high level of repeat business due to the periodic nature of the publications. This is largely a regional market defined by proximity to the customer. In 2010, we printed about 380 magazine titles.

        We produce short-run magazines with average run lengths of about 25,000 copies. The majority of these magazines are printed in four-color. The magazines are bound using the saddle-stitching and perfect binding techniques. The magazines are produced in frequencies that range from weekly to annually. These magazines are produced on web presses. Although specialty magazine customers do not require composition services, they do demand high levels of customer service focused on distribution and mailing services, where managing the customer's subscriber database is critical to customer satisfaction.

Specialty Catalogs

        We entered the specialty catalog segment in 2004 with our purchase of The Dingley Press. We characterize Specialty Catalogs as catalogs distributed by specialty catalog merchant companies, which are often smaller entrepreneurial firms with high service requirements. We produce catalogs with run lengths between 50,000 and 8,500,000 copies, most of which are printed in four-color and are bound using the saddle stitching technique. Multiple versions of each catalog are distributed during the year requiring high levels of customer service and extensive distribution services. In 2010, we printed about 160 catalog titles.

Books

        We print books for publishers, associations and university presses. Sales to this market include both the initial printing of titles and subsequent reprints. In 2010, we printed over 9,100 book titles.

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        We produce books in run lengths that average about 2,100 copies and range from 100 to 10,000 copies. The majority of these books are black and white. Books are produced on both sheet-fed and web presses. In 2010, about 61% of our books had soft covers (perfect bound) and about 39% had hard covers (case bound).

Competition

        The printing industry in the United States is fragmented and highly competitive in most product categories and geographic regions. We compete in sub segments of the overall printing market. Competition is largely based on price, quality, range of services offered, distribution capabilities, ability to service the specialized needs of customers, availability of printing time on appropriate equipment and use of state-of-the-art technology. Competitive price pressure continues to be strong in the product segments in which we compete.

Customers

        We benefit from a highly diversified customer base. The majority of our business comes from publishers, followed by catalog merchants, associations and university presses. The average length of our relationship with our top 50 customers is approximately 16 years. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, we had no customer that accounted for more than 10% of our net sales.

Sales and Marketing

        We have developed a knowledgeable and experienced sales management team, which has successfully cultivated and maintained strong relationships with customers across the U.S. Our products are sold through internal direct sales professionals and a dedicated network of sales representatives. Across all of our companies, external representatives augment an internal customer service and sales staff, providing our customers with multiple touch points. Our sales representatives are paid a commission based on sales volume growth targets.

Raw Materials

        The principal raw material used in our business is paper, which represents a significant portion of our cost of materials. Due to the significance of paper in our business, we are dependent upon the availability of paper. In periods of high demand, certain paper grades have been in short supply, including grades we use in our business. In addition, during periods of tight supply, many paper producers allocate shipments of paper based upon historical purchase levels of customers. Historically, however, we generally have not experienced significant difficulty in obtaining adequate quantities of paper. We do not have any long-term paper supply agreements. We also use a variety of other raw materials including ink, film, offset plates, chemicals and solvents, glue, wire and subcontracted components. In general, we have not experienced any significant difficulty in obtaining these raw materials.

Technology and Operations

        Our capital investments have been focused on productivity improvement, more efficient material usage and incremental capacity. Additionally, our investments in technology have been critical in helping achieve improved workflow and reduced cycle times.

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Employees

        We had approximately 1,450 employees as of December 31, 2010. We focus heavily on fostering enthusiastic and positive cultures at each of our locations, evidenced by the fact that we have been recognized with numerous "Best Workplace in America" awards presented by Printing Industries of America. In addition, we closely monitor our employees' level of job satisfaction with comprehensive surveys on a regular basis. Management believes our compensation and benefits packages are competitive within the industry and local markets.

Regulatory Matters

        We are subject to a broad range of federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the pollution and protection of the environment, health and safety and labor. Based on currently available information, we do not anticipate any material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition or competitive position as a result of our efforts to comply with environmental, health and safety or labor requirements, and we do not anticipate needing to make any material capital expenditures to comply with such requirements.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Risk Factors

Senior Secured Notes Maturing—Our senior secured notes mature on August 15, 2011. We do not have sufficient funds to repay our senior secured notes and may not be able to refinance them prior to their maturity.

        We do not have sufficient funds, nor do we anticipate generating sufficient funds from operations, to repay our senior secured notes, which mature on August 15, 2011. In order to enable us to meet our debt repayment obligations, we are currently seeking to refinance our senior secured notes. There can be no assurance that we will be able to do so on terms and conditions satisfactory to us within the period needed to meet our repayment obligations. Our ability to refinance senior secured notes on commercially reasonable terms may be materially and adversely impacted by the current credit market conditions and our financial condition. The uncertainty associated with our ability to repay the outstanding debt raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we were unable to continue as a going concern, we would need to liquidate our assets and we might receive significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the uncertainty associated with our ability to meet our debt obligations as they come due.

Working Capital Facility Maturing—Although we anticipate that we will be able to refinance our working capital facility prior to its termination on May 25, 2011, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so.

        Our working capital facility is scheduled to terminate on May 25, 2011. As of December 31, 2010 we had no borrowings outstanding under our working capital facility, although we have borrowed under the facility from time to time in the past. We anticipate that we will be able to replace the current facility prior to its termination, but there can be no assurances that we will be able to do so on similar terms or at all. If we are not able to replace our working capital facility on similar terms it could adversely impact our ability to fund our liquidity needs.

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Additional Capital—We may need additional capital in the future and it may not be available on acceptable terms.

        We may require more capital in the future to:

    fund our operations;

    finance investments in equipment and infrastructure needed to maintain and expand our network;

    enhance and expand the range of services we offer; and

    respond to competitive pressures and potential strategic opportunities, such as investments, acquisitions and international expansion.

        We cannot assure you that additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. The terms of available financing may place limits on our financial and operating flexibility. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be forced to reduce our operations or delay, limit or abandon expansion opportunities. Moreover, even if we are able to continue our operations, the failure to obtain additional financing could reduce our competitiveness as our competitors may provide better maintained networks or offer an expanded range of services.

Substantial Leverage—Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from meeting our obligations under our indebtedness.

        We have a significant amount of indebtedness. On December 31, 2010, we had total indebtedness of approximately $142.9 million.

        Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:

    make it more difficult for us to meet our payment and other obligations under our indebtedness;

    require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

    increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

    limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

    place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged; and

    limit our ability to borrow additional funds or raise additional financing.

        In addition, agreements governing our indebtedness contain financial and other restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our debt.

Technological Change—The evolution of technology may decrease the demand for our products and services.

        The technology we use in our operations is rapidly evolving. We could experience delays or difficulties in responding to changing technology, in addressing the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers or in keeping pace with emerging industry standards. In addition, the cost required to respond to and integrate changing technologies may be greater than we anticipate. If we do not respond adequately to the need to integrate changing technologies in a timely manner, or if the investment required to so respond is greater than anticipated, our business, financial condition, results

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of operations, cash flow and ability to make payments on the notes may be adversely affected. We remain largely dependent on the distribution of scientific, technical, medical and other scholarly information in printed form. Usage of the Internet and other electronic media continues to grow. We cannot assure you that the acceleration of the trend toward such electronic media will not decrease the demand for our products which could result in lower profits and reduced cash flows.

        Changes in technology could also result in digital printing methods becoming more cost effective for printing short-run publications. If the use of digital printing were expanded in this manner, it could allow smaller printers to compete against us in our specialized market, which could cause a decrease in the demand for our services or could force us to lower our prices to remain competitive. Such a decrease in demand or price could result in decreased profitability and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, if our new product offering in the digital printing market is not successful, the same adverse impacts previously mentioned could result.

Competition—The printing industry is competitive and rapidly evolving and competition may adversely affect our business.

        The printing industry is extremely competitive. We compete with numerous companies, some of which have greater financial resources than we do. We compete on the basis of ongoing customer service, quality of finished products, range of services offered, distribution capabilities, use of state of the art technology and price. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully with respect to any of these factors. In certain circumstances, due primarily to factors such as freight rates and customer preference for local services, printers with better access to certain regions of the country may have a competitive advantage in such regions. Our failure to compete successfully could cause us to lose existing business or opportunities to generate new business and could result in decreased profitability, adversely affecting our business.

Consolidation—Industry consolidation of customers and increased competition for those customers may result in increased expenses and reduced revenue and market position.

        The continuing consolidation of publishing companies has shrunk the pool of available customers. Large publishing companies often have preferred provider arrangements with specific printing companies. As smaller publishing companies are consolidated into the larger companies, the smaller publishing companies are often required to use the printing company with which the acquiring company has established an arrangement. If our customers were to merge or consolidate with publishing companies utilizing other printing companies, we could lose our customers to competing printing companies. If we were to lose a significant portion of our current base of customers to competing printing companies, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially adversely affected.

Customer Concentration—The increase in business from a top customer may make our net sales and profitability more sensitive to the loss of such a customer's business.

        During 2010 we did not derive more than 10% of our net sales from any single customer. However, we derived a significant portion of our net sales from our ten largest customers. In the future, an increase in business from a large customer could result in net sales to that customer comprising more than 10% of our total net sales. We cannot assure you that our large customers will continue to use our printing services. The loss of any of our large customers could cause our net sales and profitability to decline materially.

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Our financial results could be negatively impacted by impairments of goodwill and other long-lived assets.

        On an annual basis or as circumstances dictate, we review goodwill and other long-lived assets, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment and identified intangibles subject to amortization, and evaluate events or other developments that may indicate impairment in the carrying amount. A decline in profitability at one of our reporting units could result in non-cash impairment charges. Any impairment charge could have a significant negative effect on our reported results of operations. In the fourth quarter of 2010, due primarily to the longer and more sustained deterioration of the magazine business through the fourth quarter of 2010, and the unlikely prospect of a meaningful recovery in the near term, our assessment indicated that goodwill at Dartmouth Printing Company was fully impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge of $7.0 million. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2008, as the result of a decline in profitability at United Litho, Inc. and The Dingley Press, Inc., due to the downturn in the economic environment, our assessment indicated that goodwill and certain other intangibles were fully impaired at such entities. This resulted in a non-cash charge of $3.4 million and $2.2 million for goodwill and customer relationship assets, respectively.

Cost and Availability of Paper and Other Raw Materials—Increases in prices of paper and other raw materials and postal rates as well as changes in postal delivery schedules could cause disruptions in our services to customers.

        The principal raw material used in our business is paper, which represents a significant portion of our cost of materials. Although we believe that we have been successful in negotiating favorable price relationships with our paper vendors, prices in the overall paper market are beyond our control. Historically, we have generally been able to pass increases in the cost of paper on to our customers. If we are unable to continue to pass any price increases on to our customers, future paper price increases could adversely affect our margins and profits.

        Due to the significance of paper in our business, we are dependent upon the availability of paper. In periods of high demand, certain paper grades have been in short supply, including grades we use in our business. In addition, during periods of tight supply, many paper producers allocate shipments of paper based upon historical purchase levels of customers. Although we generally have not experienced significant difficulty in obtaining adequate quantities of paper, unforeseen developments in the overall paper markets could result in a decrease in the supply of paper and could cause either or both of our revenues or profits to decline.

        We use a variety of other raw materials including ink, film, offset plates, chemicals and solvents, glue, wire and subcontracted components. In general, we have not experienced any significant difficulty in obtaining these raw materials. We cannot assure you, however, that a shortage of any of these raw materials will not occur in the future or will not potentially adversely affect the financial results of our business.

        Our journals, magazines and catalogs are mailed, either by us or our customers, to subscribers. As a result, an increase in postal rates may cause our customers to decrease the size and number of their publications. Although we generally have not experienced significant decreases in mailings in the past due to postal rate increases, we cannot assure you that such a decrease will not occur in the future or will not potentially adversely affect the financial results of our business. In addition, the U.S. Postmaster General has proposed reducing the delivery of mail from six days to five days per week. If this change is adopted we cannot assure you how our customers will react and whether or not this will adversely affect the financial results of our business.

        We require energy products, primarily natural gas and electricity, in our operating facilities. We also depend on gasoline and diesel fuel for our delivery vehicles and the vehicles of the carriers we utilize to deliver our products. Possible disruption of supplies or an increase in the prices of energy products could adversely affect the financial results of our business.

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        Fluctuations in the markets for paper and raw materials could adversely impact the market for our recycled materials, such as paper, cardboard and used plates. This could have a negative effect on the income we generate from such sales.

Economic Conditions—Current and future economic conditions could adversely affect our business and financial performance.

        Our operating results and performance are impacted by general economic conditions, both domestic and abroad. The printing industry realized a significant contraction between 2008 and 2010 due to the severity of the most recent recession. The current global economic downturn and credit crisis may continue to negatively and materially affect demand for our products and services and our financial performance. Examples of how our business and financial performance may continue to be adversely affected by current and future economic conditions include:

    increased price competition resulting in lower sales, profitability and cash flow;

    deterioration in the financial condition of our customers resulting in reduced orders, an inability to collect receivables, payment delays or customer bankruptcy;

    increased risk of insolvency of financial institutions, which may limit our liquidity in the future or adversely affect our ability to use or refinance our senior secured notes and working capital facility;

    increased turmoil in the financial markets may limit our ability and the ability of our customers and suppliers to access the capital markets or require limitations or terms and conditions for such access that are more restrictive and costly than in the past; and

    declines in our businesses could result in material charges for restructuring or asset impairments.

Key Employees—Our ability to attract, train and retain executives and other qualified employees is crucial to results of operations and future growth.

        We rely to a significant extent on our executive officers and other key management personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to retain our executive officers and key management personnel or attract additional qualified management in the future. In addition, the success of any acquisition by us may depend, in part, on our ability to retain management personnel of the acquired companies. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain such management personnel.

        In addition, to provide high-quality printed products in a timely fashion we must maintain an adequate staff of skilled technicians, including pre-press personnel, pressmen, bindery operators and fulfillment personnel. Accordingly, our ability to maintain and increase our productivity and profitability will depend, in part, on our ability to employ, train and retain the skilled technicians necessary to meet our commitments. From time-to-time:

    the industry experiences shortages of qualified technicians, and we may not be able to maintain an adequate skilled labor force necessary to operate efficiently;

    our labor expenses may increase as a result of shortages of skilled technicians; or

    we may have to curtail our planned internal growth as a result of labor shortages.

        If any of these events were to occur, it could adversely affect our business.

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Business Interruption—Our printing facilities may suffer business interruptions which could increase our operating costs, decrease our sales or cause us to lose customers.

        The reliability of our printing facilities is critical to the success of our business. Our facilities might be damaged or interrupted by fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, war or similar events. Equipment malfunctions, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions might cause interruptions and delays in our printing services and could significantly diminish our reputation and brand name and prevent us from providing services. Although we believe we have taken adequate steps to address these risks, damage to, or unreliability of, our printing facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Research Funding—Decreases in the types and amount of research funding could decrease the demand for our journal printing services.

        In our journal business, we provide printing services primarily to scientific, technical, medical and other scholarly journals. The supply of research papers published in these journals is related to the amount of research funding provided by the federal government and private companies. In the future, the federal government or private companies could decrease the type and amount of funding that they provide for scientific, technical, medical and other scholarly research. A significant decrease in research funding might decrease the number or length of journals that we print for our customers, which would decrease our cash flow. A reduction in the investment value of university endowments in the current economic environment could also result in less demand by university libraries for printed journals.

Environmental Matters—Our printing and other facilities are subject to environmental laws and regulations, which may subject us to liability or require us to incur costs.

        We use various materials in our operations which contain substances considered hazardous or toxic under environmental laws. In addition, our operations are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations relating to, among other things, air emissions, waste generation, handling, management and disposal, waste water treatment and discharge and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination. Permits are required for the operation of certain of our businesses, and these permits are subject to renewal, modification and, in some circumstances, revocation. Our operations also generate wastes which are disposed of off-site. Under certain environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended ("CERCLA," commonly referred to as "Superfund") and similar state laws and regulations, we may be liable for costs and damages relating to soil and groundwater contamination at these off-site disposal locations, or at our own facilities. In the past, such matters have not had a material impact on our business or operations. We are not currently aware of any environmental matters that are likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. However, we cannot assure you that such matters will not have such an impact on us. Furthermore, future changes to environmental laws and regulations may give rise to additional costs or liabilities that could have a material adverse impact on us.

Health and Safety Requirements—We could be adversely affected by health and safety requirements.

        We are subject to requirements of federal, state and local occupational health and safety laws and regulations. These requirements are complex, constantly changing and have tended to become more stringent over time. It is possible that these requirements may change or liabilities may arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. We cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with all those requirements or that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with those requirements in the future.

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Intellectual Property—We may not protect our technology effectively, which would allow competitors to duplicate our products and services, or our products and services may infringe on claims of intellectual property rights of third parties.

        Our success and ability to compete depend, in part, upon our technology. Among our significant assets are our proprietary information and intellectual property rights. We rely on a combination of copyright and trademark laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions and other intellectual property safeguards to protect these assets. Unauthorized use and misuse of our intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and there can be no assurance that our legal remedies would adequately compensate us for the damages caused by unauthorized use. In addition, licenses for a number of software products have been granted to us. Some of these licenses, individually and in the aggregate, are material to our business. Although we believe that the risk that we will lose any material license is remote, any loss could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

        We do not believe that any of our products, services or activities infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties in any material respect. There can be no assurance, however, that third parties will not claim infringement by us with respect to current or future products, services or activities. Any infringement claim, with or without merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and financial resources, and a successful claim could effectively block our ability to use or license products and services or cost us money.

Consummation of Future Acquisitions—We may not be able to acquire other companies on satisfactory terms or at all.

        Our business strategy includes pursuing acquisitions. Nonetheless, we cannot assure you that we will identify suitable acquisitions or that such acquisitions can be made at an acceptable price. If we acquire additional businesses, those businesses may require substantial capital. Although we will be able to borrow under our working capital facility under certain circumstances to fund acquisitions, we cannot assure you that such borrowings will be available in sufficient amounts or that other financing will be available in amounts and on terms that we deem acceptable. In addition, future acquisitions could result in us incurring debt and contingent liabilities. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in consummating future acquisitions on favorable terms or at all.

Integration of Acquired Businesses—The integration of acquired businesses may result in substantial costs, delays and other problems.

        Our future performance will depend on our ability to integrate the businesses that we may acquire. To integrate newly acquired businesses we must integrate manufacturing facilities and extend our financial and management controls and operating, administrative and information systems in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms and conditions. This may be more difficult with respect to significant acquisitions. We may not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses or realize projected cost savings and synergies in connection with those acquisitions on the timetable contemplated or at all.

        Furthermore, the costs of businesses that we may acquire could significantly impact our short-term operating results. These costs could include:

    restructuring charges associated with the acquisitions; and

    other expenses associated with a change of control, as well as non-recurring acquisition costs including accounting and legal fees, investment banking fees, recognition of transaction-related obligations and various other acquisition-related costs.

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        The integration of newly acquired businesses will require the expenditure of substantial managerial, operating, financial and other resources and may also lead to a diversion of management's attention from our ongoing business concerns.

        Finally, although we conduct and intend to conduct what we believe to be a prudent level of investigation regarding the businesses we purchase, in light of the circumstances of each transaction, an unavoidable level of risk remains regarding the actual condition of these businesses. Until we actually assume operating control of such business assets and their operations, we may not be able to ascertain the actual value or understand the potential liabilities of the acquired entities and their operations. Once we acquire a business, we are faced with risks, including:

    the possibility that we have acquired substantial undisclosed liabilities;

    the risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience;

    the potential loss of key employees or customers as a result of changes in management; and

    the possibility that we may be unable to recruit additional managers with the necessary skills to supplement the management of the acquired businesses.

        We may not be successful in overcoming these risks.

Principal Stockholders—Our principal stockholders could exercise their influence over us.

        As a result of their stock ownership of TSG Holdings Corp., our parent, Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., L.L.C. ("BRS"), Jefferies Capital Partners ("JCP") and their respective affiliates together beneficially own about 84.6% of TSG Holdings Corp.'s outstanding capital stock. By virtue of the ownership interests of these funds and affiliates and the terms of our securities holders' agreement, these entities have significant influence over our management and will be able to determine the outcome of all matters required to be submitted to the stockholders for approval, including the election of our directors and the approval of mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets. The interests of the funds managed by BRS and JCP and their respective affiliates may differ from the interests of our noteholders and the lenders under our working capital facility, and, as such, BRS and JCP may take actions which may not be in the interest of such noteholders and lenders. For example, if we encounter financial difficulties or are unable to pay our debts as they mature, the interests of our equity owners might conflict with the interests of our noteholders and the lenders under our working capital facility. In addition, our equity owners may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings or other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investments, even though such transactions might involve risks to our noteholders and the lenders under our working capital facility.

Effectiveness of our internal controls—Failure to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could impact our business.

        There can be no assurance that the periodic evaluation of our internal controls required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will not result in the identification of significant control deficiencies. Failure to comply may have consequences for our business. These consequences could include increased risks of financial statement misstatements, investigations or sanctions by regulatory authorities, such as the SEC, and negative capital market reactions.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        None.

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ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

        We operate a network of 12 manufacturing, warehousing and office facilities located throughout the East Coast and Midwest that occupy, in total, about 1.1 million square feet. We maintain approximately 1.0 million square feet of production space consisting of manufacturing and publication services. We own about 85% of the square footage we use. The following table provides an overview of our manufacturing, warehousing and office facilities.

Location
  Function(s)   Ownership
Structure
  Total Size
(Sq. Feet)
 

Hunt Valley, MD

  Corporate Headquarters     Leased     8,340  

Hanover, PA

  Manufacturing (Publications)     Owned (1)   172,250  

Chelsea, MI

  Manufacturing (Books)     Owned (1)   160,569  

Hanover, NH

  Manufacturing (Publications)     Owned (1)   147,830  

Ashburn, VA

  Manufacturing (Publications)     Owned (1)   70,159  

Lisbon, ME

  Manufacturing (Specialty catalogs)     Owned (1)   276,787  

Ann Arbor, MI

  Manufacturing and Distribution (Books)     Owned (1)   124,726  

Hanover, PA

  Warehousing (Publications)     Leased     70,000  

Orford, NH

  Warehousing (Publications)     Leased     4,330  

Waterbury, VT

  Publication Services (Publications)     Leased     13,000  

Lewiston, ME

  Warehousing (Specialty catalogs)     Leased     68,286  

Lisbon, ME

  Warehousing (Specialty catalogs)     Leased     3,200  

        Total     1,119,477  

(1)
Subject to liens in favor of the holders of our outstanding senior secured notes and the lenders under our working capital facility.

        Some of our office and warehouse leases are on yearly renewals. The lease of our corporate headquarters expires in December 2011, subject to a renewal option. We believe that our office, manufacturing and warehousing facilities are adequate for our immediate needs and that additional or substitute space is available at a reasonable cost if needed to accommodate future growth and expansion.

        On February 3, 2011, we entered into a contract to sell the Ashburn, Virginia facility as a result of the consolidation of this business. Consummation of the transaction is conditioned upon satisfaction of specific terms and conditions and delivery of specific documents, which are customary for similar transactions. The closing is scheduled for October 31, 2011.

        We are continuing our efforts to sell the Ann Arbor, Michigan book facility. We may consolidate this facility with our Chelsea, Michigan operation, pending a firm offer from a third party at an acceptable price.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        We currently are involved in various litigation proceedings as a defendant and are from time to time involved in routine litigation. Accruals for litigation have not been provided because information available at this time does not indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred. In the opinion of our management, these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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ITEM 4.    RESERVED

PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

        We are wholly-owned by TSG Holdings Corp, a privately owned corporation. There is no public trading market for our equity securities or for those of TSG Holdings Corp. As of March 29, 2011, there were 34 holders of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock.

        Our working capital facility contains customary restrictions on our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to declare or pay any dividends or repurchase stock. The indenture governing our 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 also contains customary terms restricting our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to declare or pay any dividends or repurchase stock. For further information related to the payment of dividends, see the discussion contained in Part III, Item 12, "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters." Information with respect to shares of common stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans is set forth in Part III, Item 12, "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters."

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other financial data included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. The consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet data for all periods presented is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K or in annual reports on Form 10-K for prior years on file with the Commission.

(Dollars in thousands)
  Year ended
December 31,
2010
  Year ended
December 31,
2009
  Year ended
December 31,
2008
  Year ended
December 31,
2007
  Year ended
December 31,
2006
 

Statement of Income Data:

                               

Net sales

  $ 266,188   $ 293,349   $ 348,027   $ 344,240   $ 337,540  

Gross profit

    53,677     60,401     66,647     70,050     65,376  

Selling and administrative expenses

    35,799     37,115     42,175     41,746     40,339  

Operating income

    9,392     21,390     12,757     26,308     5,489  

Net (loss) income

    (5,941 )   8,217     (5,872 )   4,847     (8,343 )

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 13,717   $ 4,110   $ 16,397   $ 20,517   $ 7,800  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    112,044     117,757     127,064     126,709     129,666  

Total assets

    241,511     249,000     285,097     298,968     291,567  

Total debt

    142,924     142,949     164,946     164,930     164,915  

Total stockholder's equity

    38,099     44,012     44,882     50,845     46,688  

Other Financial Data:

                               

Depreciation and amortization

  $ 20,864   $ 18,674   $ 18,400   $ 17,834   $ 18,991  

Capital expenditures

    13,671     9,654     17,597     15,158     26,296  

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ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our historical consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The discussions in this section contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" for a discussion of some of the risks that could affect us in the future.

Introduction

        We are a leading specialty printer offering a full range of printing and value-added support services for the journal, catalog, magazine, book and article reprint markets. We provide a wide range of printing services and value-added support services, such as digital proofing, preflight checking, offshore composition, copy editing, subscriber services, mail sortation, distribution and back issue fulfillment. We utilize a decentralized management structure, which provides our customers with access to the resources of a large company, while maintaining the high level of service and flexibility of a smaller company.

Acquisition transactions

        On August 21, 2003, TSG Holdings Corp ("Holdings" or our "Parent") purchased 100% of the outstanding capital stock of The Sheridan Group, Inc. from its existing stockholders (the "Sheridan Acquisition") for total cash consideration of $142.0 million less net debt (as defined in the stock purchase agreement), resulting in cash of $79.9 million being paid to the selling stockholders. The accounting purchase price was $186.6 million, which was comprised of the $79.9 million of cash paid to the selling stockholders, $51.4 million of assumed liabilities and $55.3 million of refinanced debt. We funded the acquisition price and the related fees and expenses with the proceeds of the sale of $105.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (the "2003 Notes") and equity investments in Holdings.

        On May 25, 2004, The Sheridan Group, Inc., through a newly formed subsidiary, purchased substantially all of the assets and business of The Dingley Press (the "Dingley Acquisition"). The accounting purchase price was $95.4 million, which was comprised of cash paid of $65.5 million, $26.0 million of assumed liabilities and $3.9 million of financing costs. We funded the acquisition price and the related fees and expenses with the proceeds of the sale of $60.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (the "2004 Notes"), available cash and equity investments in Holdings. The 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by all of our subsidiaries.

Restructuring costs and facility shutdown

        In January 2009, we announced our plan to consolidate some administrative and production operations at our DPC facility in Hanover, New Hampshire. Approximately 20 positions at our ULI facility in Ashburn, Virginia were eliminated as a result of this action. We recorded $0.3 million of restructuring costs during 2009. The costs relate primarily to guaranteed severance payments and employee health benefits. We recorded an additional $0.1 million of restructuring costs in connection with this consolidation during 2010.

        Due to continued adverse trends in the specialty magazine business as a result of the weak economy, our Board of Directors, on January 19, 2011, approved a restructuring plan to consolidate all specialty magazine printing operations into one site. We will consolidate the printing of specialty magazines at Dartmouth Printing Company in Hanover, New Hampshire and close the

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United Litho, Inc. facility in Ashburn, Virginia. Approximately 80 positions will be eliminated as a result of the closure. It is expected that approximately 20 employees in the Customer Service and Sales areas will be retained by Dartmouth Printing Company.

        Charges related to this restructuring will be recorded as the plan is implemented. We estimate approximately $2.2 million ($1.3 million after tax) of restructuring charges resulting in future cash expenditures will be incurred, including $1.5 million of charges related to severance and other personnel costs and $0.7 million of other exit costs. We expect to record these costs in 2011.

        On February 3, 2011, we entered into a contract to sell the Ashburn, Virginia facility for $4.2 million. Sales commissions, transfer taxes, fees and other closing costs are expected to reduce the net proceeds to approximately $3.9 million which should result in a negligible gain. Consummation of the transaction is conditioned upon satisfaction of specific terms and conditions and delivery of specific documents, which are customary for similar transactions. The purchaser under the contract may, in its sole discretion in accordance with the terms of the agreement, terminate the agreement to purchase the facility prior to the expiration of a 75-day due diligence period. Additionally, after such period, the purchaser may elect not to consummate the transaction by forfeiting its deposit of approximately $0.4 million. The closing is scheduled for October 31, 2011.

        We estimate that we will incur non-cash charges of $1.6 million in 2011 associated with the accelerated amortization of the United Litho trade name which is reflected in the estimated future amortization expense as disclosed in Note 6 of our financial statements.

        We also expect that we will incur non-cash charges of approximately $3.0 million associated with the accelerated depreciation of equipment, based on updated estimates of remaining useful life and estimated residual value, equal to the lower of carrying value or best estimate of selling price, less costs to sell.

Critical Accounting Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and the differences could be material. We consider the following accounting policies to be critical policies which involve various estimation processes:

    Allowance for doubtful accounts;

    Goodwill and other long-lived assets;

    Income taxes; and

    Self-insurance.

    Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

        Our policy with respect to trade accounts receivable is to maintain an adequate allowance or reserve for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The process to estimate the collectibility of our trade accounts receivable balances consists of two steps. First, we evaluate specific accounts for which we have information that the customer may have an inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy). In these cases, using our judgment based on available facts and circumstances, we record a specific allowance for that customer against the receivable to reflect the amount we expect to ultimately collect. Second, we then establish an additional reserve for all customers based on a range of percentages applied to aging categories, based on

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management's best estimate. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate and result in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

    Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

        On an annual basis or as circumstances dictate, we review goodwill and evaluate events or other developments that may indicate impairment in the carrying amount. We test goodwill for impairment using the two-step process as prescribed by the appropriate guidance. The initial step requires us to determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying value, including goodwill, of such unit. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss is recognized. However, if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the goodwill of this unit may be impaired. The amount, if any, of the impairment is then measured in the second step by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill for each reporting unit. To determine the implied fair value of goodwill, we make a hypothetical allocation of the reporting unit's estimated fair value to the tangible and intangible assets (other than goodwill) of the reporting unit.

        The determination of the fair value of our reporting units and the allocation of fair value to assets and liabilities within the reporting units requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. We derive an estimate of fair values for each of our reporting units using a combination of an income approach and appropriate market approaches, each based on an applicable weighting. We assess the applicable weighting based on such factors as current market conditions and the quality and reliability of the data. Absent an indication of fair value from a potential buyer or similar specific transactions, we believe that the use of these methods provides a reasonable estimate of a reporting unit's fair value. Fair value computed by these methods is arrived at using a number of factors, including projected future operating results, anticipated future cash flows, effective income tax rates, comparable marketplace data within a suitable industry grouping, control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in our industry and the cost of capital. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and to our judgment in applying them to this analysis. Nonetheless, we believe that the combination of these methods provides a reasonable approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. The allocation requires several analyses to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities including, among others, customer relationships, trade names, technology and property, plant and equipment. Although we believe our estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of the goodwill impairment charge, or both.

        Due primarily to the longer and more sustained deterioration of the magazine business through the fourth quarter of 2010, and the unlikely prospect of a meaningful recovery in the near term, the December 31, 2010 assessment indicated that goodwill related to our Dartmouth Printing Company reporting unit, a component of the Publications segment, was fully impaired resulting in a write-down of goodwill totaling $7.0 million which was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2010. The fair values of our remaining reporting units for goodwill impairment purposes were substantially in excess of their carrying values as of December 31, 2010. No impairments were noted for any of our reporting units as a result of these tests performed on December 31, 2009. The December 31, 2008 assessment indicated that goodwill related to our United Litho, Inc. reporting unit, a component of the Publications segment, was fully impaired resulting in a write-down of goodwill totaling $3.4 million. At December 31, 2010, we had $34.0 million in goodwill. While significant judgment is required, we believe that our estimates of fair value are reasonable. However, should our assumptions change in future years, our fair value models could result in lower fair values for goodwill, which could materially affect the value of goodwill and our results of operations.

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        We review other long-lived assets, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment and identified intangibles subject to amortization, for impairment by analyzing the future undiscounted cash flows whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the long-lived assets, including goodwill, may not be recoverable. As a result of the impairment analysis performed in 2008 for United Litho, Inc. (a component of the Publications segment) and The Dingley Press, Inc. (our Specialty Catalogs segment), we concluded that the carrying value of the customer relationship assets exceeded their fair value. Therefore, during 2008, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.0 million and $0.2 million for the customer relationship assets of United Litho, Inc. and The Dingley Press, Inc., respectively. We do not believe there was any impairment of intangible assets or other long-lived assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. While significant judgment is required, we believe that our estimates of future undiscounted cash flows are reasonable. However, should our assumptions change in future years, estimates of undiscounted cash flows could change, which could affect our conclusions regarding the recoverability of long-lived assets and could materially affect the value of long-lived assets and our results of operations.

    Income Taxes

        As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. In addition to estimating the actual current tax liability, we must assess future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and amounts reflected on our consolidated balance sheets, and operating loss carryforwards. Such differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets. We then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and, to the extent recovery is not considered likely, establish a valuation allowance against those assets. The valuation allowance is based on estimates of future taxable income in jurisdictions in which we operate and the period over which the deferred tax assets will be recoverable. We use our best judgment in determining the provision for income taxes, the deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against the net deferred tax assets.

        To the extent that actual results differ from our estimates, new information results in changes to estimates or there is a material change in the actual tax rates or time periods within which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, we may need to establish an additional valuation allowance, reduce our existing valuation allowance or adjust the effective tax rate, all of which could materially impact our financial position and results of operations.

        We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of uncertain tax positions may be different from what is reflected in our consolidated financial statements. We adjust our uncertain tax positions based on changes in circumstances that would cause a change to the liability, upon settlement of the position or upon the expiration of the statute of limitations during the period in which such events occur.

        We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision. We had accrued interest of $0.4 million and penalties of $0.3 million as of December 31, 2010. Interest and penalties in the amount of $0.1 million were expensed during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Interest and penalties will continue to accrue on certain issues in 2010 and forward.

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    Self-Insurance

        We are self-insured for healthcare and workers' compensation costs. We seek to mitigate the risk related to our ultimate claims exposure under these self-insurance arrangements through the purchase of various levels of individual and aggregate claims stop-loss insurance coverage with third-party insurers. We periodically review health insurance and workers' compensation claims outstanding and estimates of incurred but not reported claims with our third-party claims administrators and adjust our reserves for self-insurance risk accordingly. Provisions for medical and workers' compensation claims are based on estimates, which are subject to differing financial outcomes based upon the nature and severity of those claims. As a result, additional reserves may be required in future periods.

Results of Operations

        The periods presented in this Form 10-K are reported on a comparable basis. The Publications business segment is focused on the production of short-run journals, medium-run journals and specialty magazines and is comprised of the assets and operations of The Sheridan Press, Inc., Dartmouth Printing Company, Dartmouth Journal Services, Inc. and United Litho, Inc. We believe there are many similarities in the journal and magazine markets such as the equipment used in the print and bind process, distribution methods, repetitiveness and frequency of titles and the level of service required by customers. Our Books segment is focused on the production of short-run books and is comprised of the assets and operations of Sheridan Books, Inc. This market does not have the repetitive nature of our other products and does not require the same level of customer service. The Specialty Catalogs segment, which is comprised of the assets and operations of The Dingley Press, Inc., is focused on catalog merchants that require run lengths between 50,000 and 8,500,000 copies.

        The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, information derived from our consolidated statements of income, the relative percentage that those amounts represent to total net sales (unless

22


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otherwise indicated), and the percentage change in those amounts from period to period. These tables should be read in conjunction with the commentary that follows them.

    Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 
  Year ended
December 31,
  Increase (decrease)   Percent of
revenue
Year ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
  2010   2009   Dollars   Percentage   2010   2009  

Net sales

                                     

Publications

  $ 148,758   $ 165,872   $ (17,114 )   (10.3 )%   55.9 %   56.5 %

Specialty catalogs

    60,725     68,948     (8,223 )   (11.9 )%   22.8 %   23.5 %

Books

    56,776     58,554     (1,778 )   (3.0 )%   21.3 %   20.0 %

Intersegment sales elimination

    (71 )   (25 )   (46 )   (184.0 )%        
                                 

Total net sales

    266,188     293,349     (27,161 )   (9.3 )%   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of sales

   
212,511
   
232,948
   
(20,437

)
 
(8.8

)%
 
79.8

%
 
79.4

%
                                 

Gross profit

    53,677     60,401     (6,724 )   (11.1 )%   20.2 %   20.6 %
                                 

Selling and administrative expenses

    35,799     37,115     (1,316 )   (3.5 )%   13.5 %   12.7 %

Loss on disposition of fixed assets

    9     146     (137 )   nm          

Restructuring costs

    78     312     (234 )   (75.0 )%       0.1 %

Amortization of intangibles

    1,398     1,438     (40 )   (2.8 )%   0.5 %   0.5 %

Impairment charge

    7,001         7,001     nm     2.7 %    
                                 

Total operating expenses

    44,285     39,011     5,274     13.5 %   16.7 %   13.3 %
                                 

Operating income

                                     

Publications

    8,070     17,312     (9,242 )   (53.4 )%   5.4 %   10.4 %

Specialty catalogs

    (1,485 )   1,491     (2,976 )   nm     (2.4 )%   2.2 %

Books

    4,339     4,039     300     7.4 %   7.6 %   6.9 %

Corporate expenses

    (1,532 )   (1,452 )   (80 )   (5.5 )%   N/A     N/A  
                                 

Total operating income

    9,392     21,390     (11,998 )   (56.1 )%   3.5 %   7.3 %
                                 

Other (income) expense

                                     

Interest expense

    15,791     17,229     (1,438 )   (8.3 )%   5.9 %   5.9 %

Interest income

    (49 )   (69 )   20     29.0 %        

Gain on repurchase of notes payable

        (7,194 )   7,194     100.0 %       (2.5 )%

Other, net

    23     (234 )   257     nm         (0.1 )%
                                 

Total other expense

    15,765     9,732     6,033     62.0 %   5.9 %   3.3 %
                                 

(Loss) income before income taxes

    (6,373 )   11,658     (18,031 )   nm     (2.4 )%   4.0 %

Income tax (benefit) provision

   
(432

)
 
3,441
   
(3,873

)
 
nm
   
(0.2

)%
 
1.2

%
                                 

Net (loss) income

  $ (5,941 ) $ 8,217   $ (14,158 )   nm     (2.2 )%   2.8 %
                                 

nm—not meaningful

Commentary:

        Net sales for 2010 decreased $27.2 million or 9.3% versus 2009, largely attributable to decreases in shipping and paper costs, which are passed on to our customers, due principally to lower volumes being produced by us. The lower volumes are due primarily to reductions in print run lengths resulting from

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the economic recession as well as the loss of work from certain customers due to pricing considerations. Net sales for the Publications segment decreased $17.1 million or 10.3% in 2010 compared to a year ago due primarily to: (i) loss of a portion of our journal work from a specific customer due to pricing considerations; (ii) sales declines in magazines as reductions in print advertising have led our customers to reduce run lengths, page counts and frequency of publication; and (iii) the conversion from offset to digital printing for journals as publishers seek cost-effective methods for delivering content. Decreases in shipping and paper costs, which are passed on to our customers, accounted for a majority of the dollar sales decline in Publications sales. Net sales for the Specialty Catalogs segment decreased $8.2 million or 11.9% in 2010 compared with a year ago due primarily to the impact of lower paper costs, coupled with a reduction in print quantities for catalogs in response to soft retail sales. Net sales for the Books segment decreased $1.8 million or 3.0% in 2010 compared with a year ago due primarily to fewer titles being produced due to the economic recession as well as the loss of a portion of our book work from a specific customer due to pricing considerations, which were partially offset by higher paper pass through costs due to price increases and product mix changes as well as increases in volume from new customers.

        Gross profit for 2010 decreased $6.7 million compared to 2009 as we were not able to adjust our cost structure sufficiently to offset the reduction in sales. A one-time charge of $2.3 million for depreciation expense in connection with the write down of the value of a printing press, in the Publications segment, that was removed from service accounted for slightly more than one-third of the gross profit decline. This was partially offset by a $1.8 million increase in revenue from recyclable materials. Gross margin of 20.2% of net sales for 2010 reflected a 0.4 margin point decrease versus 2009 due primarily to the 0.8 margin point reduction associated with the one-time depreciation charge.

        Selling and administrative expenses for 2010 decreased $1.3 million or 3.5% versus 2009, due primarily to decreases in staffing and benefit costs (largely due to headcount reductions and the suspension of the Company's contributions to the 401k plan) coupled with a decrease in bad debt expense and the non-recurrence in 2010 of non-capitalizable costs associated with renewing our working capital facility in 2009.

        We evaluate possible impairment of goodwill on an annual basis at the reporting unit level. As a result of our impairment tests, we concluded that the carrying value of goodwill at Dartmouth Printing Company exceeded its implied fair value. This resulted in a non-cash impairment charge of $7.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2010. In connection with our annual assessment of goodwill and other intangibles in 2009, we concluded that there were no indications of impairment.

        Operating income of $9.4 million for 2010 represented a decrease of $12.0 million or 56.1% as compared to operating income of $21.4 million for 2009. The impact of the $7.0 million goodwill impairment charge and the $2.3 million one-time charge for depreciation expense, mentioned above, accounted for a majority of the decrease in operating income. The remainder of the decrease was due to lower sales only partially offset by cost reductions in staffing, materials and operating leases and higher recyclables revenue. Publications operating income decreased $9.2 million in 2010 compared to 2009 due primarily to the $7.0 million goodwill impairment charge and the $2.3 million one-time charge for depreciation expense. Specialty Catalogs realized an operating loss of $1.5 million during 2010 as compared to operating income of $1.5 million a year ago due to reductions in sales, which outpaced reductions in our cost structure. The Books segment increased operating income by $0.3 million in 2010 compared to 2009 as lower costs, primarily staffing, benefits and materials, coupled with increased revenue from recyclable materials more than offset the decrease in sales.

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Table of Contents

        Other expense of $15.8 million for 2010 represented a $6.1 million increase as compared to other expense of $9.7 million for 2009. This increase was due primarily to the absence in 2010 of the $7.2 million gain on the repurchases of notes payable that occurred during 2009, partially offset by a corresponding reduction in related interest expense of $1.4 million in 2010.

        The loss before income taxes of $6.4 million for 2010 represented an $18.0 million decrease as compared to last year. This change was due primarily to the absence in 2010 of the $7.2 million gain on the repurchases of notes payable that occurred during the same period of 2009, the $7.0 million charge for goodwill impairment in 2010, the $2.3 million one-time charge for depreciation expense in 2010 and the reductions in sales which outpaced reductions in our cost structure.

        Our effective income tax rate in 2010 was 6.8% compared to 29.5% in 2009. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due primarily to the impact of the goodwill impairment charge in the Publications segment, as this goodwill was not deductible for tax purposes.

        Net loss of $5.9 million for 2010 represented a $14.1 million decrease as compared to net income of $8.2 million for 2009 due to the factors mentioned previously.

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Table of Contents

    Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

 
  Year ended
December 31,
  Increase (decrease)   Percent of revenue
Year ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
  2009   2008   Dollars   Percentage   2009   2008  

Net sales

                                     

Publications

  $ 165,872   $ 188,714   $ (22,842 )   (12.1 )%   56.5 %   54.2 %

Specialty catalogs

    68,948     92,218     (23,270 )   (25.2 )%   23.5 %   26.5 %

Books

    58,554     67,282     (8,728 )   (13.0 )%   20.0 %   19.3 %

Intersegment sales elimination

    (25 )   (187 )   162     86.6 %        
                                 

Total net sales

    293,349     348,027     (54,678 )   (15.7 )%   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of sales

   
232,948
   
281,380
   
(48,432

)
 
(17.2

)%
 
79.4

%
 
80.9

%
                                 

Gross profit

    60,401     66,647     (6,246 )   (9.4 )%   20.6 %   19.1 %
                                 

Selling and administrative expenses

    37,115     42,175     (5,060 )   (12.0 )%   12.7 %   12.1 %

Loss on disposition of fixed assets

    146     1,223     (1,077 )   (88.1 )%       0.4 %

Related party guaranty

        3,000     (3,000 )   (100.0 )%       0.8 %

Restructuring costs

    312     137     175     127.7 %   0.1 %    

Amortization of intangibles

    1,438     1,715     (277 )   (16.2 )%   0.5 %   0.5 %

Impairment charge

        5,640     (5,640 )   (100.0 )%       1.6 %
                                 

Total operating expenses

    39,011     53,890     (14,879 )   (27.6 )%   13.3 %   15.4 %
                                 

Operating income

                                     

Publications

    17,312     12,481     4,831     38.7 %   10.4 %   6.6 %

Specialty catalogs

    1,491     (426 )   1,917     nm     2.2 %   (0.5 )%

Books

    4,039     5,524     (1,485 )   (26.9 )%   6.9 %   8.2 %

Corporate expenses

    (1,452 )   (4,822 )   3,370     69.9 %   N/A     N/A  
                                 

Total operating income

    21,390     12,757     8,633     67.7 %   7.3 %   3.7 %
                                 

Other (income) expense

                                     

Interest expense

    17,229     18,399     (1,170 )   (6.4 )%   5.9 %   5.3 %

Interest income

    (69 )   (172 )   103     59.9 %       (0.1 )%

Gain on repurchase of notes payable

    (7,194 )       (7,194 )   nm     (2.5 )%    

Other, net

    (234 )   1,269     (1,503 )   nm     (0.1 )%   0.4 %
                                 

Total other expense

    9,732     19,496     (9,764 )   (50.1 )%   3.3 %   5.6 %
                                 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    11,658     (6,739 )   18,397     nm     4.0 %   (1.9 )%

Income tax provision (benefit)

   
3,441
   
(867

)
 
4,308
   
nm
   
1.2

%
 
(0.2

)%
                                 

Net income (loss)

  $ 8,217   $ (5,872 ) $ 14,089     nm     2.8 %   (1.7 )%
                                 


nm—not
meaningful

Commentary:

        Net sales were $293.3 million in 2009, a $54.7 million or 15.7% decrease compared to net sales of $348.0 million in 2008. The decrease in sales was due primarily to reductions in pricing, print run lengths and page counts resulting from the ongoing economic recession coupled with decreases in paper and shipping costs, which are passed on to our customers. Net sales for the Publications segment decreased $22.8 million or 12.1% in 2009 as compared to the same period a year ago with the sales

26


Table of Contents


decline largely due to lower paper and freight costs. The balance of the Publications sales decline was due to reductions in pricing, run lengths and frequency of publication for journal and magazine customers along with a reduction in page counts from our magazine customers. Net sales for the Specialty Catalogs segment decreased $23.3 million or 25.2% in 2009 as compared to the same period a year ago. A majority of the Specialty Catalogs sales decrease was due to lower paper and freight costs, including the impact of the segment's largest customer's decision to supply its own paper. The remainder of the Specialty Catalogs sales decline is attributable to a reduction in print run lengths and page counts for catalogs reflecting reduced consumer spending. Net sales for the Books segment decreased $8.7 million or 13.0% in 2009 as compared to the same period a year ago due primarily to fewer titles being produced coupled with shorter run lengths and page counts as book publishers deal with the economic recession. Additionally, lower paper and freight costs contributed to the sales decline in Books.

        Gross profit for 2009 decreased by $6.2 million or 9.4% compared to 2008. The gross profit decrease was attributable primarily to the reduction in sales mentioned previously coupled with lower revenue from recyclable materials partially offset by lower variable costs, reductions in healthcare and utility costs, and cost reductions pertaining to staffing, benefits and discretionary spending. Additionally, the non-recurrence of 2008 start-up costs associated with the new digital product offering in the Publications segment also helped partially offset the adverse impact of the decline in sales and recyclables revenue. Gross margin of 20.6% of net sales in 2009 reflected a 1.5 margin point increase versus 2008. The gross margin increase was due principally to reductions in pass through costs of freight and paper as well as the reductions in health care, utility and variable costs combined with cost reduction efforts.

        Operating income of $21.4 million for 2009 represented an increase of $8.6 million or 67.7% as compared to operating income of $12.8 million for 2008. This increase was primarily attributable to the non-recurrence of three items from 2008: (i) $5.6 million of impairment charges related to goodwill and intangibles at United Litho, Inc. and The Dingley Press, Inc., (ii) $3.0 million of related party guaranty costs to satisfy obligations in connection with the shutdown of GPN Asia, a former affiliate of our parent company and (iii) $0.8 million of losses on the disposition of fixed assets associated with our product offering in the digital printing market. We also realized reductions in selling and administrative costs due to cost management of staffing, employee benefits and discretionary costs coupled with lower administrative costs associated with the new digital product initiative, partially offset by the gross profit reductions discussed previously. In the Publications segment, operating income increased by $4.8 million during 2009 as compared to the year ago period due primarily to the non-recurrence of the impairment charges for goodwill and other intangibles and the losses on the disposition of fixed assets associated with the digital product initiative mentioned previously. Additionally, reductions in Publications staffing, employee benefit plans and discretionary spending coupled with lower healthcare claims, lower material and utility costs, and the absence of start-up costs associated with our product offering in the digital printing market more than offset the adverse impact of lower sales volume and lower revenue from recyclable materials. In the Specialty Catalogs segment, operating income increased by $1.9 million in 2009 as a result of reductions in staffing and discretionary spending coupled with lower utility costs which offset the impact of lower sales volume and the lower revenue from recyclable materials compared to the same period year ago. Operating income in the Books segment decreased $1.5 million in 2009 as compared to 2008 due primarily to the decline in sales volume and lower revenue from recyclable materials. These adverse impacts were partially offset by significant reductions in staffing and employee benefits in the Books segment.

        During 2009, we recorded gains on the repurchase of notes payable of $7.2 million. There were no comparable transactions during 2008. The repurchase of notes payable was the primary reason our interest expense decreased $1.2 million during 2009 as compared to the same period last year.

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Table of Contents

        Other income was $0.2 million for 2009 as compared to other expense of $1.3 million during the same period last year. This increase was due primarily to the increase in the market value of investments held in the deferred compensation plan during 2009. The market value of these investments decreased during the same period in 2008.

        Income before income taxes of $11.7 million for 2009 represented an $18.4 million increase as compared to the same period last year. The increase was due primarily to the gains on the repurchases of notes payable and the non-recurrence of (i) impairment charges for goodwill and other intangibles, (ii) the related party guaranty costs in connection with the shutdown of GPN Asia and (iii) the losses on the disposition of certain fixed assets associated with the digital product initiative. In addition, the reduction in interest expense and the increase in the market value of investments held in the deferred compensation plan during the year also contributed to the increase in income before income taxes. These increases were partially offset by the adverse impact of lower sales net of the operating cost reductions mentioned previously.

        Our effective income tax rate was 29.5% for 2009 compared to 12.9% for the same period in 2008. The effective tax rate was much lower in 2008 due primarily to the impact of the goodwill impairment charge mentioned previously.

        Net income of $8.2 million for 2009 represented a $14.1 million increase as compared to a net loss of $5.9 million for 2008 due to the factors mentioned previously.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our 2003 Notes and 2004 Notes mature on August 15, 2011. We do not have sufficient funds, nor do we anticipate generating sufficient funds from operations to repay these notes. We are actively engaged in the process of refinancing these notes prior to their maturity but we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. Our future operating performance and ability to extend or refinance our indebtedness will be dependent on future economic conditions and financial, business, and other factors that may be beyond our control. If we fail to refinance the notes this would have a material adverse impact on our business, assets and ability to fund our liquidity needs. Our working capital facility is scheduled to terminate on May 25, 2011. We are also actively engaged in the process of replacing the current facility prior to its termination, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. If we are not able to replace our working capital facility on similar terms, it could adversely impact our ability to fund our liquidity needs.

        We had cash of $13.7 million as of December 31, 2010 compared to $4.1 million as of December 31, 2009. During 2010, we utilized cash on hand to fund operations, make investments in new plant and equipment and make the semi-annual interest payments on the senior secured notes.

        Our principal sources of liquidity are expected to be cash flow generated from operations and borrowings under our working capital facility. Our principal uses of cash are expected to be to meet debt interest requirements, finance our capital expenditures and provide working capital. Additionally, we may from time to time fund cash distributions to our Parent, as we did in the first quarter of 2009, in accordance with the limitations outlined in our bond indenture and our working capital facility.

        We are subject to liquidity risk, which is the potential that we will be unable to meet our obligations as they become due or capitalize on growth opportunities as they arise because of an inability to liquidate assets, or obtain adequate funding on a timely basis at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the printing industry in general, including a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn or the insufficient access to liquidity. If we do not have sufficient liquidity to comply with the terms of the working capital facility and the 2003 and 2004 Notes, we could be in default under those agreements, and the debt

28


Table of Contents


under those instruments, together with the accrued interest, could then be declared immediately due and payable.

        To service our debt, we require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash, make scheduled payments or refinance our obligations depends on our successful financial and operating performance. If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell material assets or operations, obtain additional capital or restructure our debt. If we are required to take any such actions, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, we cannot assure that we would be able to take any of these actions on terms acceptable to us, or at all, that these actions would enable us to continue to satisfy our capital requirements or that these actions would be permitted under the terms of our various debt agreements.

    Operating Activities

        Net cash provided by operating activities was $22.7 million for 2010, virtually unchanged as compared to $23.0 million for 2009. Our net cash provided by operating activities for 2010 was primarily due to our $5.9 million net loss adjusted for non-cash items of $28.8 million partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease due to working capital changes. Our unfavorable working capital changes included (i) an increase in paper inventory at the end of 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily in our Specialty Catalogs segment in advance of a price increase and (ii) a decrease in our accrued expenses, which included our payroll-related liability, primarily due to a lower headcount at the end of 2010 as compared to the prior year and a decrease in the accrual for incentives paid to customers primarily due to lower sales in 2010 as compared to the prior year. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by (i) a decrease in accounts receivable at the end of 2010 as compared to 2009 due primarily to a decrease in sales activity and (ii) an increase in accounts payable at the end of 2010 as compared to 2009, due primarily to the timing of paper purchases and a change in payment terms with an ink supplier.

        Net cash provided by operating activities was $23.0 million for 2009, an increase of $8.3 million as compared to $14.7 million for 2008. The increase was primarily due to favorable changes in working capital and other assets and liabilities totaling $7.9 million. The working capital changes included (i) a decrease in accounts receivable at the end of 2009 as compared to 2008 due primarily to decreases in sales activity, (ii) inventory levels at the end of 2009 were significantly lower as compared to the end of 2008 due primarily to efforts to reduce inventory balances in line with our lower production and sales levels, (iii) a decrease in refundable income taxes at the end of 2009 as compared to 2008 due to the tax refunds we collected during the year and (iv) the effect of the increase in income taxes payable to Holdings for federal and state jurisdictions where consolidated income tax returns are filed by Holdings. These favorable changes were partially offset by unfavorable changes which included: (i) a decrease in accounts payable at the end of 2009 as compared to 2008 due primarily to our lower production levels, (ii) an unfavorable change in other current assets due to the timing of cash received for rebates for materials and recyclables and (iii) an unfavorable change in other non-current assets due to the increase in the market value of investments held in the deferred compensation plan at the end of 2009 as compared to the end of 2008 versus the decrease in these investments at the end of 2008 as compared to the end of 2007. We also realized an increase in net income of $14.1 million in 2009 as compared to 2008. Much of this increase did not result in additional cash flow because it was due principally to decreases in non-cash charges consisting primarily of the reduction of impairment charges for goodwill and intangibles, the reduction in losses from the disposition of fixed assets, the reduction in amortization of intangible assets as well as the non-cash nature of the gain on the repurchase of notes payable partially offset by increases in depreciation expense and the provision for doubtful accounts.

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Table of Contents

    Investing Activities

        Net cash used in investing activities was $13.1 million for 2010 compared to $11.4 million for 2009. This $1.7 million increase was primarily the result of a $4.0 million increase in plant and equipment purchased in the ordinary course of business partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in proceeds received from the sale of fixed assets and a $1.7 million decrease in advances made to our parent company. The $4.0 million increase in plant and equipment was due to spending associated with the purchase of a new press at DPC to accommodate future journal growth and provide capacity for magazines being transferred from ULI as we consolidate sites.

        Net cash used in investing activities was $11.4 million for 2009 compared to $18.7 million for 2008. This $7.3 million decrease was primarily the result of a $7.9 million decrease in plant and equipment purchased in the ordinary course of business partially offset by a $0.6 million net increase in advances made to our parent and a former affiliated company.

    Financing Activities

        Net cash provided by financing activities was negligible in 2010. Net cash used in financing activities was $23.9 million in 2009 and consisted primarily of the $14.5 million we paid to repurchase our senior secured notes, the $9.1 million dividend paid to our parent company to enable it to repurchase its capital stock in connection with the complete divestiture of its interest in Euradius International Dutch Bidco B.V. and the $0.3 million in deferred financing costs we paid in connection with the amendment to our working capital facility

        Net cash used in financing activities during 2009 was $23.9 million compared to $0.1 million during 2008. The $23.8 million increase in cash used was primarily the result of the $14.5 million we paid to repurchase our senior secured notes, the $9.1 million dividend paid to our parent company to enable it to repurchase its capital stock in connection with the complete divestiture of its interest in Euradius International Dutch Bidco B.V. and the $0.3 million in deferred financing costs we paid in connection with the amendment to our working capital facility.

    Indebtedness

        As of December 31, 2010, we had total indebtedness of $142.9 million comprised entirely of amounts due under the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes, all with a scheduled maturity of August 2011. We have significant interest payments due on the outstanding notes as well as interest payments due on any borrowings under our working capital facility, under which there were no amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2010. Total cash interest payments related to our working capital facility and the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes are expected to be in excess of $14.6 million on an annual basis.

        Our working capital facility provides for available credit of up to $20.0 million, subject to a borrowing base test, that we may repay and reborrow until the May 25, 2011 maturity date. Actual available credit under the working capital facility fluctuates because it depends on inventory and accounts receivable values that fluctuate and is subject to discretionary reserves and revaluation adjustments that may be imposed by the agent from time to time and other limitations. Our working capital facility contains various covenants which limit our discretion in the operation of our businesses. Among other things, our working capital facility restricts our ability to prepay other indebtedness, including the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes, incur other indebtedness or pay dividends. We amended our working capital facility on June 16, 2009. The amended agreement prohibits us from repurchasing the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes unless certain conditions are met, including that the amount expended for note repurchases after May 25, 2009 may not exceed $20.0 million in the aggregate, and that immediately after each note repurchase, there must be at least $5.0 million available under the working capital facility. The working capital facility also requires us to satisfy an interest coverage ratio of at least 1.80 to 1.00 and to maintain EBITDA (as defined in and calculated pursuant to our working

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capital facility, such EBITDA being referred to hereinafter as "WCF EBITDA") of at least $33.0 million, both calculated for the period consisting of the four preceding consecutive fiscal quarters. Failure to satisfy the financial tests in our working capital facility would constitute a default under our working capital facility. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, our interest coverage ratio was 2.58 to 1.00 and our WCF EBITDA for purposes of our working capital facility was $38.2 million. As of December 31, 2010, we had no borrowings outstanding under the working capital facility, had unused amounts available of $16.2 million and had $1.3 million in outstanding letters of credit.

        WCF EBITDA, as calculated pursuant to the working capital facility, generally consists of net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring charges and certain other non-cash items. WCF EBITDA is used below for purposes of calculating our compliance with the covenants in our working capital facility and to evaluate our operating performance and determine management incentive payments. WCF EBITDA is not an indicator of financial performance or liquidity under generally accepted accounting principles and may not be comparable to similarly captioned information reported by other companies. In addition, it should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, income before income taxes, cash flows from operating activities or other traditional indicators of operating performance.

        WCF EBITDA is reconciled directly to cash flow from operations as follows (in thousands):

 
  Year ended
December 31,
2010
  Year ended
December 31,
2009
  Year ended
December 31,
2008
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 22,740   $ 22,968   $ 14,640  
 

Accounts receivable

    (2,994 )   (3,646 )   660  
 

Inventories

    2,104     (3,707 )   (1,141 )
 

Other current assets

    366     566     (1,056 )
 

Refundable income taxes

    (171 )   (2,755 )   2,117  
 

Other assets

    16     124     (1,653 )
 

Accounts payable

    (1,057 )   7,149     3,130  
 

Accrued expenses

    2,157     4,181     3,642  
 

Income taxes payable

    (413 )   (3,140 )   73  
 

Other liabilities

    156     112     1,049  
 

Provision for doubtful accounts

    (918 )   (1,239 )   (863 )
 

Provision for inventory realizability and LIFO value

    (285 )   (107 )   (199 )
 

Deferred income tax benefit

    1,200     470     297  
 

Loss on disposition of fixed assets, net

    (9 )   (146 )   (1,223 )
 

Income tax (benefit) provision

    (432 )   3,441     (867 )
 

Cash interest expense

    14,848     16,112     17,102  
 

Management fees

    763     894     767  
 

Non cash adjustments:

                   
   

Adjustments to LIFO value

    30     13     137  
   

(Increase) decrease in market value of investments

    (29 )   (85 )   319  
   

Amortization of prepaid lease costs

    4     76     90  
   

Loss on disposition of fixed assets

    120     174     1,318  
 

Interest income

    (49 )   (69 )    
 

Related party guaranty

            3,000  
 

Restructuring costs

    78     313     137  
 

Bank fees for abandoned line of credit renewal

        308      
               
 

WCF EBITDA

  $ 38,225   $ 42,007   $ 41,476  
               

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        The indenture governing the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes also contains various restrictive covenants. It, among other things: (i) limits our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, issue shares of preferred stock, incur liens and enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (ii) places restrictions on our ability to pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments; and (iii) places restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to merge or consolidate with any other person or sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets.

        Our principal sources of liquidity are expected to be cash flow generated from operations and borrowings under our working capital facility. Our principal uses of cash are expected to be to meet debt service requirements, finance our capital expenditures and provide working capital. We may from time to time fund cash distributions to our Parent, as we did in the first quarter of 2009, in accordance with the limitations outlined in our bond indenture and our working capital facility. We estimate that our capital expenditures for 2011 will total about $18.8 million. Based on our current level of operations, we believe that our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our working capital facility will not be adequate to meet our future short-term liquidity needs due to the pending maturity of our notes. Our 2003 Notes and 2004 Notes mature on August 15, 2011. We do not have sufficient funds, nor do we anticipate generating sufficient funds from operations, to repay these notes. We are actively engaged in the process of refinancing these notes prior to their maturity but we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. Our future operating performance and ability to extend or refinance our indebtedness will be dependent on future economic conditions and financial, business and other factors that may be beyond our control.

Contractual Obligations

        The following table summarizes our future minimum non-cancelable contractual obligations as of December 31, 2010. The information presented in the table below reflects management's estimates of the contractual maturities of our obligations. These maturities may differ significantly from the actual maturities of these obligations:

 
  Remaining Payments Due by Period  
(in thousands)
  Total   2011   2012 to
2013
  2014 to
2015
  2016 and
beyond
 

Long term debt, including interest(1)

  $ 157,547   $ 157,547   $   $   $  

Operating leases

    4,531     2,232     1,636     591     72  

Purchase obligations(2)

    8,759     8,548     208     3      

Other long-term obligations(3)

    315     151     164          
                       

Total(4)

  $ 171,152   $ 168,478   $ 2,008   $ 594   $ 72  
                       

(1)
Includes the $142.9 million aggregate principal amount due on the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes plus interest at 10.25% payable semi-annually through August 15, 2011.

(2)
Represents payments due under purchase agreements for consumable raw materials and commitments for construction projects and equipment acquisitions.

(3)
Represents payments due under a non-compete arrangement with our former Chairman of the Board.

(4)
At December 31, 2010, we have recognized $1.9 million of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. There is a high degree of uncertainty with respect to the timing of future cash outflows associated with our unrecognized tax benefits because they are dependent on various matters including tax examinations, changes in tax laws or interpretation of those laws, expiration of statutes of limitation, etc. Due to these uncertainties, our unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations table above.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Effect of Inflation

        Inflation generally affects us by increasing our costs of labor, equipment and new materials. We do not believe that inflation has had any material effect on our results of operations during 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

        On January 1, 2010, we adopted authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") related to the accounting and disclosure requirements for transfers of financial assets. This guidance requires greater transparency and additional disclosures for transfers of financial assets and the entity's continuing involvement with them and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets. In addition, the guidance eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

        In June 2009, the accounting standard regarding the requirements of consolidation accounting for variable interest entities was updated by the FASB to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the entity's variable interest or interests give it a controlling interest in a variable interest entity. The adoption of this guidance by us on January 1, 2010, did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        Market risk represents the risk of changes in value of a financial instrument, derivative or non-derivative, caused by fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in results of our operations and cash flows. In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to foreign currency and interest rate risks. These risks primarily relate to the purchase of products and services from foreign suppliers and changes in interest rates on our long-term debt.

Foreign Exchange Rate Market Risk

        We consider the U.S. dollar to be the functional currency for all of our entities. All of our net sales and virtually all of our expenses in fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008 were denominated in U.S. dollars. Therefore, foreign currency fluctuations had a negligible impact on our financial results in those periods.

Interest Rate Market Risk

        We could be exposed to changes in interest rates. Our working capital facility is variable rate debt. Interest rate changes, therefore, generally do not affect the market value of such debt but do impact the amount of our interest payments and, therefore, our future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. We did not have any borrowings under our working capital facility during 2010. We do not currently utilize derivative financial instruments to hedge changes in interest rates. All of our other debt carries fixed interest rates.

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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and the Stockholder
of The Sheridan Group, Inc.

        In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in the stockholder's equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements 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. An audit 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has a significant amount of current debt maturing within the next twelve months and will need to raise additional capital in order to settle these obligations, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



Baltimore, Maryland
March 29, 2011

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

At December 31, 2010 and 2009

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Assets

             

Current assets

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 13,717,082   $ 4,109,740  
 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,261,252 and $2,055,569, respectively

    25,470,633     29,382,142  
 

Inventories, net

    15,809,053     13,989,631  
 

Other current assets

    4,389,986     4,023,966  
 

Refundable income taxes

    8,457     179,473  
 

Deferred income taxes

    1,564,076     1,700,168  
           
   

Total current assets

    60,959,287     53,385,120  
           

Property, plant and equipment, net

    112,044,062     117,757,008  

Intangibles, net

    32,168,520     33,566,535  

Goodwill

    33,978,641     40,979,426  

Deferred financing costs, net

    516,286     1,483,423  

Other assets

    1,843,739     1,828,173  
           
   

Total assets

  $ 241,510,535   $ 248,999,685  
           

Liabilities

             

Current liabilities

             
 

Accounts payable

  $ 16,305,544   $ 14,621,067  
 

Accrued expenses

    15,541,858     17,698,876  
 

Current portion of notes payable

    142,923,740      
 

Due to parent, net

    534,440     121,044  
           
   

Total current liabilities

    175,305,582     32,440,987  
           

Notes payable

        142,948,652  

Deferred income taxes

    24,612,025     25,935,903  

Other liabilities

    3,494,135     3,662,574  
           
   

Total liabilities

    203,411,742     204,988,116  
           

Commitments and contingencies

             

Stockholder's Equity

             

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100 shares authorized;

             
 

1 share issued and outstanding

         

Additional paid-in capital

    42,075,908     42,047,938  

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

    (3,977,115 )   1,963,631  
           
   

Total stockholder's equity

   
38,098,793
   
44,011,569
 
           
   

Total liabilities and stockholder's equity

  $ 241,510,535   $ 248,999,685  
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009
  Year Ended
December 31,
2008
 

Net sales

  $ 266,187,753   $ 293,349,196   $ 348,026,720  

Cost of sales

    212,510,439     232,947,797     281,380,147  
               
   

Gross profit

    53,677,314     60,401,399     66,646,573  
               

Selling and administrative expenses

    35,799,291     37,115,289     42,175,411  

Loss on disposition of fixed assets

    9,385     146,146     1,222,918  

Related party guaranty

            3,000,000  

Restructuring costs

    78,335     312,556     136,965  

Amortization of intangibles

    1,398,015     1,437,852     1,714,628  

Impairment charges

    7,000,785         5,639,613  
               
   

Total operating expenses

    44,285,811     39,011,843     53,889,535  
               

Operating income

    9,391,503     21,389,556     12,757,038  
               

Other (income) expense

                   
 

Interest expense

    15,790,421     17,228,454     18,398,974  
 

Interest income

    (48,869 )   (69,485 )   (172,549 )
 

Gain on repurchase of notes payable

        (7,193,906 )    
 

Other, net

    22,906     (233,698 )   1,269,162  
               
   

Total other expense

    15,764,458     9,731,365     19,495,587  
               

(Loss) income before income taxes

    (6,372,955 )   11,658,191     (6,738,549 )

Income tax (benefit) provision

    (432,209 )   3,441,405     (866,658 )
               

Net (loss) income

  $ (5,940,746 ) $ 8,216,786   $ (5,871,891 )
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 
  Common Stock    
   
   
 
 
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  (Accumulated Deficit)
Retained Earnings
  Total
Stockholder's
Equity
 
 
  Shares   Amount  

Balance as of December 31, 2007

    1       $ 51,043,554   $ (198,261 ) $ 50,845,293  
                       

Cash dividend

                (183,003 )   (183,003 )

Capital contribution from parent company—stock options exercised

            20,400         20,400  

Income tax benefit from stock options exercised

            62,610         62,610  

Share-based compensation

            9,000         9,000  

Net loss

                (5,871,891 )   (5,871,891 )
                       

Balance as of December 31, 2008

    1       $ 51,135,564   $ (6,253,155 ) $ 44,882,409  
                       

Cash dividend

            (9,105,226 )       (9,105,226 )

Share-based compensation

            17,600         17,600  

Net income

                8,216,786     8,216,786  
                       

Balance as of December 31, 2009

    1       $ 42,047,938   $ 1,963,631   $ 44,011,569  
                       

Capital contribution from parent company—stock options exercised

            2,970         2,970  

Share-based compensation

            25,000         25,000  

Net loss

                  (5,940,746 )   (5,940,746 )
                       

Balance as of December 31, 2010

    1       $ 42,075,908   $ (3,977,115 ) $ 38,098,793  
                       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
  December 31,
2008
 

Cash flows provided by operating actvities:

                   

Net (loss) income

  $ (5,940,746 ) $ 8,216,786   $ (5,871,891 )

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities

                   
 

Depreciation

    19,466,429     17,236,045     16,684,883  
 

Amortization of intangible assets

    1,398,015     1,437,852     1,714,628  
 

Impairment of goodwill and intangibles

    7,000,785         5,639,613  
 

Provision for doubtful accounts

    917,857     1,238,625     862,897  
 

Provision for inventory realizability and LIFO value

    284,829     106,747     198,755  
 

Stock-based compensation

    25,000     17,600     9,000  
 

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount, included in interest expense

    942,225     1,116,566     1,296,573  
 

Deferred income tax benefit

    (1,199,846 )   (470,043 )   (297,475 )
 

Gain on repurchase of notes payable

        (7,193,906 )    
 

Loss on disposition of fixed assets

    9,385     146,146     1,222,918  
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

                   
   

Accounts receivable

    2,993,652     3,645,521     (659,767 )
   

Inventories

    (2,104,251 )   3,706,707     1,140,705  
   

Other current assets

    (366,020 )   (566,094 )   1,056,253  
   

Refundable income taxes

    171,016     2,755,337     (2,116,829 )
   

Other assets

    (15,566 )   (124,182 )   1,653,164  
   

Accounts payable

    1,057,415     (7,149,268 )   (3,129,729 )
   

Accrued expenses

    (2,157,018 )   (4,181,219 )   (3,642,227 )
   

Income tax payable

    413,396     3,140,527     (72,513 )
   

Other liabilities

    (156,379 )   (111,824 )   (1,048,915 )
               
     

Net cash provided by operating activities

    22,740,178     22,967,923     14,640,043  
               

Cash flows used in investing activities:

                   
 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (13,671,287 )   (9,654,334 )   (17,596,886 )
 

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

    535,481     38,640     108,330  
 

Advances to affiliated companies

        (1,734,539 )   (1,172,064 )
               
     

Net cash used in investing activities

    (13,135,806 )   (11,350,233 )   (18,660,620 )
               

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

                   
 

Borrowing of revolving line of credit

        42,931,000      
 

Repayment of revolving line of credit

        (42,931,000 )    
 

Repayment of long term debt

        (14,539,500 )    
 

Payment of deferred financing costs in connection with long term debt

        (259,852 )    
 

Proceeds from capital contribution from parent company

    2,970         20,400  
 

Realized income tax benefit from stock options exercised

            62,610  
 

Payment of dividend

        (9,105,226 )   (183,003 )
               
     

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    2,970     (23,904,578 )   (99,993 )
               

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   
9,607,342
   
(12,286,888

)
 
(4,120,570

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   
4,109,740
   
16,396,628
   
20,517,198
 
               

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 
$

13,717,082
 
$

4,109,740
 
$

16,396,628
 
               

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

                   

Cash paid (received) during the year for

                   
 

Interest paid

  $ 14,822,816   $ 16,966,542   $ 17,076,499  
 

Income taxes paid (received), net

  $ 181,237   $ (1,872,697 ) $ 1,120,816  

Non-cash investing activities

                   
 

Asset additions in accounts payable

  $ 787,993   $ 160,932   $ 1,682,000  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

1. Business Organization

        The Sheridan Group, Inc. ("TSG") is one of the leading specialty printers in the United States, offering a full range of printing and value-added support services for the journal, magazine, book, catalog and article reprint markets. We provide a wide range of printing services and value-added support services, such as digital proofing, preflight checking, offshore composition, copy editing, subscriber services, mail sortation, distribution and back issue fulfillment. We operate seven wholly-owned subsidiaries: The Sheridan Press, Inc. ("TSP"), Dartmouth Printing Company ("DPC"), United Litho, Inc. ("ULI"), Dartmouth Journal Services, Inc. ("DJS"), Sheridan Books, Inc. ("SBI"), The Dingley Press, Inc. ("TDP") and The Sheridan Group Holding Company. As used in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the terms "we," "us," "our" and other similar terms refer to the consolidated businesses of The Sheridan Group, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

        On August 21, 2003, we became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSG Holdings Corp. ("Holdings"), when Holdings purchased 100% of the outstanding capital stock of TSG from its existing stockholders (the "Sheridan Acquisition"). Holdings funded the acquisition price and the related fees and expenses with the proceeds of the sale of $105.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (the "2003 Notes") and equity investments in Holdings. On May 25, 2004, we acquired all of the assets and business of The Dingley Press of Lisbon, Maine (the "Dingley Acquisition"). We funded the acquisition price and the related fees and expenses with the proceeds of the sale of $65.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (the "2004 Notes") and equity investments in Holdings.

2. Liquidity

        All of our outstanding debt matures on August 15, 2011, with a balance due at maturity of $142.9 million. We do not have sufficient funds, nor do we anticipate generating sufficient funds from operations to repay the notes. Additionally, our working capital facility, for which we had no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2010, is scheduled to terminate on May 25, 2011. Our future operating performance and ability to extend or refinance our indebtedness will be dependent on future economic conditions and financial, business, and other factors that may be beyond our control. If we fail to refinance the notes and extend the working capital facility this would have a material adverse impact on our business, assets and ability to fund our liquidity needs.

        The conditions described above raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we were unable to continue as a going concern, we would need to liquidate our assets and we might receive significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our consolidated financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result should we be unable to continue as a going concern. We are actively engaged in the process of refinancing our notes prior to their maturity and replacing our current working capital facility but we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

        The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Sheridan Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, TSP, DPC, ULI, DJS, SBI, TDP and The Sheridan Group Holding Company. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

        We record revenue when realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met:

    Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,

    Delivery has occurred,

    The seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and

    Collectibility is reasonably assured.

        As such, substantially all revenue is recognized when a product is shipped and title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales and any cost of shipping and handling is included in cost of sales. A liability is recognized when cash is received from customers in advance of the shipment of their products.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

        Cash and cash equivalents include amounts invested in accounts which are readily convertible to known amounts or have original maturities of three months or less when purchased.

Business and Credit Concentrations

        Our customers are not concentrated in any specific geographic region, but are concentrated in the journal, magazine, book, specialty catalog and article reprint markets. There were no significant accounts receivable from a single customer. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

        Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of probable credit losses in our existing accounts receivable. We review the allowance for doubtful accounts on a regular basis. Past due balances over

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


120 days are reviewed for collectibility and form the basis of our reserve. When we determine that a particular customer poses a credit risk, a specific reserve is established. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when we feel it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. We do not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to our customers. During 2010, we wrote off reserves we had provided during 2009 for a specific customer which was deemed to be insolvent.

        A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009
  Year Ended
December 31,
2008
 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 2,055,569   $ 1,080,208   $ 616,869  

Charged to expense

    917,857     1,238,625     862,897  

Deductions

    (712,174 )   (263,264 )   (399,558 )
               

Balance at end of period

  $ 2,261,252   $ 2,055,569   $ 1,080,208  
               

Inventories

        Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with the cost of TSP's paper inventory and SBI's work-in-process inventory determined by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") cost method. The cost of the remaining inventory (approximately 90% and 88% of inventories at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively) is determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method.

Property and Equipment

        Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, except those assets acquired through acquisitions, in which case they are recorded at fair value. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows: 3-11 years for machinery and equipment; and 10-40 years for buildings and land improvements. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful lives or the term of the underlying lease, whichever is shorter. Upon disposal of property, plant and equipment, the cost of the asset and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings.

        Expenditures for improvements which extend the original estimated lives of the assets are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.

        We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset group to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of by sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. We do not believe there was any impairment of property and equipment as of December 31, 2010.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Income Taxes

        Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

        We record a liability for uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that a tax position that has been taken will not be sustained under audit. The respective probability is evaluated based on relevant facts and tax law. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of uncertain tax positions may be materially different from that which is reflected in the consolidated financial statements. We adjust our reserves upon changes in circumstances that would cause a change to the estimate of the ultimate liability, upon effective settlement or upon the expiration of the statute of limitations, in the period in which such event occurs.

Goodwill

        Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually or whenever circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the reporting unit's net assets may not be recoverable, utilizing a two-step methodology. The initial step requires us to determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying value, including goodwill, of such unit. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss is recognized. However, if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the goodwill of this unit may be impaired. The amount, if any, of the impairment is then measured in the second step by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill for each reporting unit. To determine the implied fair value of goodwill, we make a hypothetical allocation of the reporting unit's estimated fair value to the tangible and intangible assets (other than goodwill) of the reporting unit. Based on this methodology, we concluded that $3.4 million of ULI goodwill (a component of our Publications segment) was fully impaired and was required to be expensed as a non-cash charge to continuing operations during 2008. In connection with our annual assessment of goodwill in 2009, we concluded that there was no impairment. In connection with our annual assessment of goodwill in 2010, we concluded that $7.0 million of DPC goodwill (a component of our Publications segment) was fully impaired and was required to be expensed as a non-cash charge to continuing operations during the fourth quarter of 2010.

Identified Intangible and Other Long-Lived Assets

        Identified intangible assets, which primarily consist of customer relationships and trade names, were valued at fair value, effective with acquisitions. All long-lived assets are amortized over the estimated useful lives. We review long-lived assets for impairment using undiscounted future cash flows whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of the long-lived asset groups (including goodwill) may not be recoverable. If the sum of undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying values, the difference between the fair value of the long-lived asset group, using discounted cash flows, and the carrying value is recognized as impairment to the extent of the individual fair values of the long-lived assets (except goodwill). As a result of the impairment analysis performed in 2008 for ULI (a component of our Publications segment) and TDP (our Specialty Catalogs segment), we concluded that the carrying value of the customer relationship assets exceeded their fair value.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


Therefore, during 2008, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.0 million and $0.2 million for the customer relationship assets of ULI and TDP, respectively. We do not believe there was any impairment of intangible assets or other long-lived assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Deferred Financing Costs

        Deferred financing costs incurred in connection with the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes are being amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Deferred financing costs incurred in connection with establishing our working capital facility are being amortized over the term of the agreement using the straight-line method. During 2009, we wrote off $0.3 million of deferred financing costs in connection with the repurchase of our senior secured notes and incurred $0.3 million of deferred financing costs in connection with an agreement to amend our working capital facility (see Note 9). Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $10.2 million and $9.3 million, respectively.

Accounting for Stock Based Compensation

        Our parent company, Holdings, established the 2003 Stock-based Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2003 Plan"), pursuant to which Holdings has reserved for issuance 55,500 shares of its Common Stock. There is currently no public trading market for the Common Stock. When necessary, we determine fair value through internal valuations based on historical financial information and/or through a third party service provider. As of December 31, 2010, 640 shares were available for future grants. Stock options are granted at exercise prices not less than the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. Options generally vest ratably over a five-year period, except those options granted to officers, portions of which vest ratably over five years, and the remainder of which vest upon the achievement of certain performance targets, the occurrence of certain future events, including the sale of the Company or a qualified public offering, or after eight years from the date of grant, as specified in the 2003 Plan. Options expire ten years from the date of grant. We have a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy share options upon exercise.

        For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $25,000, $17,600 and $9,000, respectively, which is included in selling and administrative expenses.

        We value options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that are fully transferable and have no vesting restrictions. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected term of the options is an output of the option-pricing model and estimates the period of time that options are expected to remain unexercised. We use historical data to estimate the timing and amount of option exercises and forfeitures. The expected volatility is calculated by averaging the volatility, over a period equal to the expected term of the options, for five peer group companies and a small-cap index. There were no stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2008 and

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


2009. The following summarizes the assumptions used for estimating the fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2010:

Risk-free interest rate

  2.87%-3.44%

Average expected years until exercise

  7.75 years

Expected volatility

  52.13%-54.37%

Weighted-average expected volatility

  53.25%

Dividend yield

  0%

        The following is a summary of option activity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010:

 
   
  Weighted average    
 
 
  Number of
shares
  Exercise
price
  Remaining term
(in years)
  Aggregate
intrinsic
value
 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2007

    55,150   $ 12.23     6.7   $ 5,851,600  
 

Granted

                     
 

Exercised

    (2,040 )   10.00              
 

Forfeited

    (4,910 )   10.00              
                         

Options outstanding at December 31, 2008

    48,200   $ 12.55     5.4   $  
 

Granted

                       
 

Exercised

                       
 

Forfeited

    (2,600 )   12.27              
                         

Options outstanding at December 31, 2009

    45,600   $ 12.56     4.3   $ 487,000  
 

Granted

    7,660     23.24              
 

Exercised

    (120 )   24.75              
 

Forfeited

    (640 )   16.45              
                         

Options outstanding at December 31, 2010

    52,500   $ 14.05     4.2   $  

Options exercisable at December 31, 2010

   
26,300
 
$

11.24
   
3.1
 
$

 

        The following is a summary of non-vested option activity for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 
  Number of shares   Weighted average grant date fair value  
 
  Years ended December 31,   Years ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009   2008   2010   2009   2008  

Non vested options outstanding at beginning of year

    19,800     25,500     34,920   $ 4.13   $ 4.79   $ 4.11  

Granted

    7,660             13.80          

Vested

    (620 )   (4,060 )   (4,960 )   10.60     3.70     3.19  

Forfeited

    (640 )   (1,640 )   (4,460 )   5.60     9.09     2.49  
                                 

Non vested options outstanding at end of year

    26,200     19,800     25,500   $ 6.63   $ 4.13   $ 4.79  
                           

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        The total compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized as of December 31, 2010 is approximately $0.1 million and will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 5.2 years.

        During the year ended December 31, 2010, 120 options to purchase Holdings Common Stock were exercised and $2,970 of proceeds was received. The total intrinsic value, the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of Holdings Common Stock on the date of exercise of options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2010, was negligible. During the year ended December 31, 2009, no options to purchase Holdings Common Stock were exercised. During the year ended December 31, 2008, 2,040 options to purchase Holdings Common Stock were exercised and $20,400 of proceeds was received. The total intrinsic value, the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of Holdings Common Stock on the date of exercise of options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2008, was $215,100.

Fair Value Measurements

        Certain of our assets and liabilities must be recorded at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Accounting guidance outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy in order to increase the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and the related disclosures and prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

      Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

      Level 2: Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

      Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

        Our financial instruments consist of long-term investments in marketable securities (held in trust for payment of non-qualified deferred compensation) and long-term debt. We are permitted to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value that were not previously required to be measured at fair value. We have elected not to measure any financial assets or financial liabilities, including long-term debt, at fair value which were not previously required to be measured at fair value. We classify the investments in marketable securities within level 1 of the hierarchy since quoted market prices are available in active markets.

        We believe that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. The estimated fair value of our publicly traded debt, based on quoted market prices, was approximately $140.8 million and $133.4 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Advertising Costs

        We expense advertising costs as the advertising occurs in accordance with the authoritative guidance. Advertising expense, included in selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, was approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

New Accounting Standards

        On January 1, 2010, we adopted authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") related to the accounting and disclosure requirements for transfers of financial assets. This guidance requires greater transparency and additional disclosures for transfers of financial assets and the entity's continuing involvement with them and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets. In addition, the guidance eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

        In June 2009, the accounting standard regarding the requirements of consolidation accounting for variable interest entities was updated by the FASB to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the entity's variable interest or interests give it a controlling interest in a variable interest entity. The adoption of this guidance by us on January 1, 2010, did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Reclassifications

        Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

4. Inventories

        Inventories consist of the following:

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Work-in-process

  $ 6,617,642   $ 7,367,236  

Raw materials (principally paper)

    9,494,521     6,895,279  
           

    16,112,163     14,262,515  

Excess of current cost over LIFO inventory value

    (303,110 )   (272,884 )
           

  $ 15,809,053   $ 13,989,631  
           

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

4. Inventories (Continued)

        We maintained a reserve for the realizability of inventory in the amounts of $70,227 and $193,991 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which are included in the amounts in the table above relating to work-in-process and raw materials. A rollforward of this inventory reserve is as follows:

 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009
  Year Ended December 31, 2008  

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 193,991   $ 116,433   $ 83,363  

Charged to expense

    254,603     93,616     61,602  

Deductions

    (378,367 )   (16,058 )   (28,532 )
               

Balance at end of period

  $ 70,227   $ 193,991   $ 116,433  
               

5. Property, Plant and Equipment

        Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Land

  $ 4,742,111   $ 4,742,111  

Buildings and improvements

    44,097,744     43,833,998  

Machinery and equipment

    163,026,420     154,397,889  
           

    211,866,275     202,973,998  

Accumulated depreciation

    (99,822,213 )   (85,216,990 )
           

Property, plant and equipment, net

  $ 112,044,062   $ 117,757,008  
           

        Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, was $19.5 million, $17.2 million, and $16.7 million, respectively.

6. Intangible Assets

        In conjunction with previous acquisitions, we acquired intangible assets relating to customer relationships, trade names and technology. The customer relationships, trade names and technology are being amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as described below. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, related to customer relationships, trade names and technology intangible assets was $1.4 million, $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Accumulated impairments, in the table below, consists of impairment charges we recorded in 2008 related to customer relationships at ULI and TDP. Other, in the table below, represents the realization of the tax goodwill benefit in connection with the Dingley Acquisition (see Note 12). In the years 2008 through 2009, this benefit was applied to reduce intangibles related to the Dingley Acquisition since there was no book goodwill related to this previous acquisition as of the beginning of 2008. Intangible assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following:

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

6. Intangible Assets (Continued)


 
   
  December 31, 2010  
 
  Useful
Life
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Accumulated
Impairments
  Other   Net Carrying
Amount
 

Customer

                                   
 

relationships

  25 years   $ 27,800,000   $ 7,612,683   $ 2,202,626   $ 2,135,806   $ 15,848,885  

Trade names

  40 years     20,400,000     3,721,262         359,103     16,319,635  

Technology

  5 years     300,000     243,416         56,584      
                           

      $ 48,500,000   $ 11,577,361   $ 2,202,626   $ 2,551,493   $ 32,168,520  
                           

 

 
   
  December 31, 2009  
 
  Useful
Life
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Accumulated
Impairments
  Other   Net Carrying
Amount
 

Customer

                                   
 

relationships

  25 years   $ 27,800,000   $ 6,714,668   $ 2,202,626   $ 2,135,806   $ 16,746,900  

Trade names

  40 years     20,400,000     3,221,262         359,103     16,819,635  

Technology

  5 years     300,000     243,416         56,584      
                           

      $ 48,500,000   $ 10,179,346   $ 2,202,626   $ 2,551,493   $ 33,566,535  
                           

        We estimate that we will incur a charge of $1.6 million in 2011 associated with the accelerated amortization of the United Litho trade name which will be disposed of as a result of the shutdown of this facility (see Note 20).

        We estimate annual amortization expense related to these intangibles as follows:

Years ended December 31,
  Amortization
expense
 

2011

    2,980,363  

2012

    1,348,400  

2013

    1,348,400  

2014

    1,348,400  

2015

    1,348,400  

Thereafter

    23,794,557  
       

Total

  $ 32,168,520  
       

7. Goodwill

        Goodwill, which arises from the purchase price exceeding the assigned value of the net assets of an acquired business, represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements being acquired. Goodwill totaled $34.0 million and $41.0 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Goodwill resulted from the Sheridan Acquisition as a result of a stock purchase and, therefore, is not deductible for tax purposes and from the Dingley Acquisition as a result of an asset purchase and is deductible for tax purposes.

        As of December 31, 2008, the initial step in the annual test for goodwill impairment indicated potential impairment at ULI, one of the components of the Publications segment, as a result of the

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

7. Goodwill (Continued)


worldwide economic downturn and declining results. We completed the second step by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill for ULI. As a result of the second step, we determined that the carrying value of goodwill at ULI was fully impaired. There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2010, the initial step in the annual test for goodwill impairment indicated potential impairment at DPC, one of the components of the Publications segment, due primarily to the longer and more sustained deterioration of the magazine business through the fourth quarter of 2010, and the unlikely prospect of a meaningful recovery in the near term. We completed the second step by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill for DPC. As a result of the second step, we determined that the $7.0 million carrying value of goodwill at DPC was fully impaired. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 are as follows:

 
  Publications   Specialty
Catalogs
  Books   Consolidated  

Balance at December 31, 2008

                         
 

Goodwill

  $ 35,493,565   $ 12,774,931   $ 8,922,848   $ 57,191,344  
 

Accumulated impairment losses

    (3,436,987 )   (12,774,931 )       (16,211,918 )
                   

    32,056,578         8,922,848     40,979,426  

Balance at December 31, 2009

                         
 

Goodwill

    35,493,565     12,774,931     8,922,848     57,191,344  
 

Accumulated impairment losses

    (3,436,987 )   (12,774,931 )       (16,211,918 )
                   

  $ 32,056,578   $   $ 8,922,848   $ 40,979,426  
 

Impairment charge

    (7,000,785 )           (7,000,785 )

Balance at December 31, 2010

                         
 

Goodwill

    35,493,565     12,774,931     8,922,848     57,191,344  
 

Accumulated impairment losses

    (10,437,772 )   (12,774,931 )       (23,212,703 )
                   

  $ 25,055,793   $   $ 8,922,848   $ 33,978,641  
                   

8. Other Assets

        Other assets consist of the following:

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Other receivables

  $ 1,914,147   $ 1,407,591  

Prepaid expenses and deposits

    2,526,121     2,616,375  

Deferred compensation plan assets

    1,630,694     1,731,265  

Other

    162,763     96,908  
           
 

Total

    6,233,725     5,852,139  

Less: current portion

    4,389,986     4,023,966  
           
 

Long-term portion

  $ 1,843,739   $ 1,828,173  
           

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

9. Notes Payable and Working Capital Facility

        In conjunction with the Sheridan Acquisition, on August 21, 2003, we completed a private debt offering of 10.25% senior secured notes totaling $105.0 million, priced to yield 10.50%, that mature August 15, 2011 (the "2003 Notes"). In conjunction with the Dingley Acquisition, on May 25, 2004, we completed a private debt offering of 10.25% senior secured notes totaling $60.0 million, priced to yield 9.86%, that mature August 15, 2011 (the "2004 Notes"). The 2004 Notes have identical terms to the 2003 Notes. The carrying value of the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes was $142.9 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

        The 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes are collateralized by security interests in substantially all of our assets, subject to permitted liens. The capital stock, securities and other payment rights of our subsidiaries will constitute collateral for the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes only to the extent that Rule 3-10 and Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act do not require separate financial statements of a subsidiary to be filed with the SEC. Payment obligations under the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes are guaranteed jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, by all of our subsidiaries. The Sheridan Group, Inc. (the stand-alone parent company) owns 100% of the outstanding stock of all of its subsidiaries and has no material independent assets or operations. There are no restrictions on the ability of The Sheridan Group, Inc. (the stand-alone parent company) to obtain funds by dividend, advance or loan from its subsidiaries.

        In connection with the offerings of the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes (the "Offerings"), we entered into registration rights agreements pursuant to which we were required to register the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes with the SEC. We filed Registration Statements on Form S-4 with the SEC in connection with exchange offers of our outstanding 2003 Notes and 2004 Notes for like principal amounts of new senior secured notes. The Registration Statement covering the 2003 Notes was declared effective on October 13, 2004. The Registration Statement covering the 2004 Notes was declared effective on October 25, 2004. The new senior secured notes are identical in all material respects to the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes, except that the new senior secured notes do not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof.

        In an event of default, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes, may declare the principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes to be due and payable immediately. Concurrent with the offering of the 2003 Notes, we entered into a working capital facility agreement. The working capital facility was amended concurrent with the offering of the 2004 Notes. Terms of the working capital facility allowed for revolving debt of up to $30.0 million, including letters of credit commitments of up to $5.0 million, subject to a borrowing base test. Borrowings under the working capital facility bore interest at the bank's base rate or the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 1.75% at our option and matured in June 2009. Interest was payable monthly in arrears. We agreed to pay an annual commitment fee on the unused portion of the working capital facility at a rate of 0.35%. In addition, we agreed to pay an annual fee of 1.875% on all letters of credit outstanding.

        During 2009, we paid $15.0 million, which included $0.5 million of accrued interest, to redeem senior secured notes with a face value of $22.1 million. Deferred financing costs and unamortized debt discount attributable to these notes, along with commission fees, totaled $0.4 million. As a result of the repurchases, we recognized a net gain of $7.2 million.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

9. Notes Payable and Working Capital Facility (Continued)

        On June 16, 2009, we executed an agreement to amend our working capital facility. Terms of the working capital facility allow for revolving debt of up to $20.0 million, including letters of credit commitments of up to $5.0 million, subject to a borrowing base test. The interest rate on borrowings under the working capital facility is a fluctuating rate equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the bank's prime rate, and (c) the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 3.75%. At our option, we can elect a LIBOR option for a specified period. Any such borrowings bear interest at the specified LIBOR rate plus a margin of 3.75%. We have agreed to pay an annual commitment fee on the unused portion of the working capital facility at a rate of 0.50%. In addition, we have agreed to pay an annual fee of 3.875% on all letters of credit outstanding. The working capital facility was amended on January 5, 2011 to extend the maturity date from March 25, 2011 to May 25, 2011. As of December 31, 2010, we had no borrowings outstanding under the working capital facility, had unused amounts available of $16.2 million and had $1.3 million in outstanding letters of credit.

        Borrowings under the working capital facility are collateralized by the assets of the Company and our subsidiaries, subject to permitted liens. The working capital facility contains various covenants including provisions that restrict our ability to incur or prepay indebtedness, including the 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes, or pay dividends. It also requires us to satisfy financial tests, such as an interest coverage ratio and the maintenance of a minimum amount of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as defined in the working capital facility agreement). We have complied with all of the restrictive covenants as of December 31, 2010. In an event of default, all principal and interest due under the working capital facility shall be immediately due and payable.

10. Accrued Expenses

        Accrued expenses consist of the following:

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Payroll and related expenses

  $ 3,177,493   $ 3,639,665  

Profit sharing accrual

    435,874     476,151  

Accrued interest

    5,517,147     5,516,678  

Customer prepayments

    3,298,520     3,727,548  

Self-insured health and workers' compensation accrual

    1,631,830     1,933,529  

Other

    1,480,994     2,405,305  
           

  $ 15,541,858   $ 17,698,876  
           

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

11. Other Liabilities

        Other liabilities consist of the following:

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Deferred compensation

  $ 1,396,887   $ 1,471,953  

Uncertain tax positions

    1,939,416     1,884,992  

Other

    157,832     305,629  
           
 

Total

  $ 3,494,135   $ 3,662,574  
           

12. Income Taxes

        The components of the income tax (benefit) provision are as follows:

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
  December 31,
2008
 

Current

                   

Federal

  $ 387,886   $ 3,308,339   $ (1,198,197 )

State

    379,751     603,109     629,014  
               

    767,637     3,911,448     (569,183 )
               

Deferred

                   

Federal

    (757,806 )   (14,884 )   118,837  

State

    (442,040 )   (455,159 )   (416,312 )
               

    (1,199,846 )   (470,043 )   (297,475 )
               

  $ (432,209 ) $ 3,441,405   $ (866,658 )
               

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

12. Income Taxes (Continued)

        Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Deferred tax assets

             

Incentive and vacation accrual

  $ 767,652   $ 920,512  

Bad debt reserve

    827,647     762,203  

Self insurance accrual

    299,477     451,661  

Intangible assets

    213,773     276,813  

Amortization of financing costs

    109,751     266,538  

Inventory-additional costs capitalized for tax

    272,168     264,321  

Net operating loss carryforwards-Federal

        13,854  

Net operating loss carryforwards-States

    790,981     777,540  

Capital loss carryforward-Federal

    151,899     161,969  

Goodwill

    3,530,848     3,959,844  

Federal benefit related to State uncertain tax positions

    451,431     463,491  

Other

    232,193     302,888  

Valuation allowance

    (774,154 )   (758,393 )
           
 

Total deferred tax assets

    6,873,666     7,863,241  
           

Deferred tax liabilities

             

Intangible assets

    11,873,249     12,611,090  

Inventory basis difference

    156,706     208,855  

Property and equipment

    16,777,859     18,138,947  

Land

    1,002,839     1,022,911  

Prepaid insurance

    110,962     117,173  
           
 

Total deferred tax liabilities

    29,921,615     32,098,976  
           
 

Net deferred tax liabilities

  $ 23,047,949   $ 24,235,735  
           

 

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Included in the balance sheet

             
 

Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities in excess of assets

  $ 24,612,025   $ 25,935,903  
 

Current deferred tax assets in excess of liabilities

    1,564,076     1,700,168  
           

Net deferred tax liability

  $ 23,047,949   $ 24,235,735  
           

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

12. Income Taxes (Continued)

        We will realize a tax benefit associated with the amount of tax goodwill in excess of book goodwill associated with the Dingley Acquisition. We only recognize the benefit when realized on future tax returns and have previously applied the benefit first to reduce book goodwill associated with the acquisition to zero, second to reduce to zero other noncurrent intangible assets related to the acquisition, and third to reduce income tax expense. During 2010 and 2009, we realized a tax benefit of $0.8 million in both years associated with the realization of tax deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill. For the year ended December 31, 2010, this benefit was recorded as a reduction to the tax provision. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the majority of this benefit was recorded as a reduction to the tax provision and a negligible amount of the benefit was recorded as a reduction to intangible assets which resulted in reducing these intangible assets to zero.

        As of December 31, 2009, we had a minimal amount of U.S. Federal net operating loss ("NOL") deduction carryforwards. We fully utilized the benefit of the deduction during 2010.

        As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had state NOLs with a tax effected value of approximately $0.8 million in various jurisdictions, which begin to expire in 2012. We have determined that substantially all of the state NOLs require a full valuation allowance as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, due to the uncertainty of their realization.

        We utilized NOLs against Federal and state taxable income, which reduced tax expense by a negligible amount and $0.2 million for 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        A rollforward of our valuation allowance is as follows:

 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009
  Year Ended
December 31,
2008
 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 758,393   $ 762,906   $ 686,924  

Charged to expense

    25,790     54,185     112,134  

Other, net

    (10,029 )   (58,698 )   (36,152 )
               

Balance at end of period

  $ 774,154   $ 758,393   $ 762,906  
               

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

12. Income Taxes (Continued)

        Our income tax provision differs from taxes computed using the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate as follows:

 
  Year ended
December 31,
2010
  Year ended
December 31,
2009
  Year ended
December 31,
2008
 

(Loss) income before income taxes

  $ (6,372,955 ) $ 11,658,191   $ (6,738,549 )

U.S. Federal statutory tax rate

 
$

(2,166,805

)

$

3,963,785
 
$

(2,291,106

)

Increase (decrease) in tax expense resulting from
Tax reserves

    (4,346 )   5,301     430,127  
 

Non-deductible meals and entertainment

    54,669     50,198     75,874  
 

Change in valuation allowance

    25,790     54,185     112,134  
 

Goodwill impairment

    2,380,267         1,168,576  
 

Tax goodwill in excess of book goodwill

    (451,516 )   (445,171 )    
 

State income taxes, net of U.S. Federal income tax benefit

    228,887     523,180     79,376  
 

Change in state tax apportionment and rates

    (443,213 )   (637,582 )   (453,892 )
 

Domestic production activity deduction

    (35,415 )   (171,107 )    
 

Other, net

    (20,527 )   98,616     12,253  
               

Income tax (benefit) provision

  $ (432,209 ) $ 3,441,405   $ (866,658 )
               

        We reported a decrease in our deferred state tax liabilities and our deferred state tax provision of approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, to properly reflect the lower anticipated state effective income tax rates due to decreased apportionment of our taxable income to states with high tax rates. We recognized a minimal increase during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and an increase of $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively, in our effective rate related to the accounting for uncertain tax positions.

        We file consolidated tax returns with Holdings for Federal and certain state jurisdictions. We classify these current tax liabilities as "Due to parent, net" on the consolidated balance sheet. The tax liabilities owed to Holdings were $0.5 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

12. Income Taxes (Continued)

        Our uncertain tax positions relate primarily to state nexus and other related state tax issues. The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is $0.9 million. Our uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties, are as follows:

 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2010
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009
  Year Ended
December 31,
2008
 
 
  (Dollars in thousands)
 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 1,359   $ 1,445   $ 1,093  

Increases for current year tax positions

    19     19     192  

Increases for prior year tax positions

    163     25     251  

Decreases for prior year tax positions

        (7 )    

Lapse in statute of limitations

    (91 )   (123 )   (91 )

Settlement of tax positions

    (126 )        
               

Balance at end of period

  $ 1,324   $ 1,359   $ 1,445  
               

        We continue to recognize both interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision. We had accrued interest of $0.4 million and penalties of $0.3 million as of December 31, 2010 and $0.5 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2009. Interest and penalties in the amount of $0.1 million were expensed during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Interest and penalties will continue to accrue on certain issues in 2011 and forward.

        We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and local jurisdictions. The statute of limitations related to the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and most state income tax returns are closed for all tax years up to and including 2006. During the first quarter of 2010, we reached a settlement in connection with an audit conducted by the state of Maryland. As a result of this audit, all tax years are closed with the state of Maryland through 2008. No federal or state income tax returns are under examination by the respective taxing authorities.

13. Commitments

        We lease warehouse, plant and office space, printing equipment, computer equipment and delivery equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense relating to these leases was approximately $3.5 million, $4.5 million and $5.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2010 approximate minimum future rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:

Years Ended December 31,
  (in thousands)
 

2011

    2,232  

2012

    1,088  

2013

    548  

2014

    300  

2015

    291  

Thereafter

    72  
       

Total

  $ 4,531  
       

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

13. Commitments (Continued)

        We have also entered into agreements to acquire raw materials and additional plant and equipment. As of December 31, 2010, approximate future payments related to these agreements are as follows:

Years Ended December 31,
  Raw
materials
  Plant and
equipment
 
 
  (in thousands)
 

2011

    315     8,233  

2012

    136      

2013

    72      

2014

    3      

2015

         

Thereafter

         
           

Total

  $ 526   $ 8,233  
           

14. Employee Benefit Plans

        We sponsor a 401(k) retirement plan (the "Plan"). Substantially all of our employees are eligible to participate in the Plan on the first day of the month in which the employee has attained 18 years of age and 30 days of employment. Employees may make pre-tax contributions of their eligible compensation under the Plan and may direct their investments among various pre-selected investment alternatives. We determine discretionary and matching contributions to the Plan. No contributions were charged to operations in 2010. Contributions of approximately $0.8 million and $4.5 million were charged to operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        We maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain employees which allows participants to annually elect (via individual contracts) to defer a portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis and which allows for make-whole contributions for participants whose pre-tax deferrals are limited under our 401(k) Plan and other discretionary contributions. Contributions made by us and our employees are maintained in an irrevocable trust. Legally, the assets remain ours; however, access to the trust assets is severely restricted. The trust cannot be revoked by the employer or an acquirer, but the assets are subject to the claims of our general creditors. The employee has no right to assign or transfer contractual rights in the trust. The participants are fully vested in their compensation deferred; however, the make-whole contributions and any employer discretionary contributions are subject to vesting requirements. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we recorded a deferred compensation liability of approximately $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We account for the assets as trading securities. The change in the fair value of the assets held in trust is recorded within "Other, net" in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The change in the deferred compensation obligation related to changes in the fair value of the vested assets is recorded as income (loss) in compensation expense. The assets held in trust were approximately $1.6 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices, as discussed in "Fair Value Measurements" in Note 2. The assets held in trust are included in "Other assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

15. Related Party Transactions

        On January 5, 2009, we executed a waiver to our working capital facility to allow for payment of a cash dividend and a loan to Holdings, which is not a registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the aggregate amount of up to $14.0 million, provided that Holdings used the entire cash proceeds of such dividend and loan solely to purchase capital stock issued by Holdings (the "Stock Purchase") from Participatiemaatschappij Giraffe B.V. ("Giraffe") and to pay related expenses in connection therewith. On January 5, 2009, we paid a dividend in the aggregate amount of $8.0 million to Holdings and made a loan in the principal amount of $2.0 million to Holdings. The loan had an original maturity on January 4, 2012 and accrued interest at the rate of 1.36% per year. The loan was subsequently settled against the income tax obligations due to Holdings, which is presented within "Due to parent, net" in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 (as discussed in Note 12).

        Additionally, subsequent to January 5, 2009, we paid an additional dividend in the amount of $1.1 million to Holdings to pay expenses and other amounts in connection with the Stock Purchase. In connection with the Stock Purchase, Euradius Acquisition Co., a majority owned subsidiary of Holdings, sold all of the outstanding stock of Euradius International Dutch Bidco B.V. ("Euradius") to Giraffe. This resulted in Holdings fully divesting its interest in Euradius, which was Holdings' only investment other than The Sheridan Group, Inc. Neither Euradius nor its subsidiaries were guarantors of the 2003 or 2004 Notes. Neither Euradius nor its subsidiaries were subsidiaries of ours and their financial results were not included in our consolidated financial statements.

        In connection with the Sheridan Acquisition, we entered into a 10-year management agreement with our principal equity sponsors, Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. LLC and Jefferies Capital Partners. The management fee is equal to the greater of $0.5 million or 2% of earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization (as defined in the management agreement), plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We incurred and paid approximately $0.8 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million in such fees for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        During 2008, we guaranteed certain obligations of GPN Asia Pte. Ltd. ("GPN Asia"), an affiliate of our parent company, related to a lease agreement, up to a maximum of $4.0 million, and established a $0.3 million letter of credit to secure a working capital facility for GPN Asia. In August 2008, GPN Asia began the process of shutting down operations. In connection with this shutdown, we estimated our liabilities to be $3.0 million which was charged to operations during 2008. We paid $2.6 million and $0.4 million during 2008 and 2009, respectively, to satisfy the obligations under the lease agreement, the letter of credit and other costs related to the shutdown including severance payments and professional fees. We expect that any future payments in connection with this shutdown will be negligible and are provided for in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010.

        Pierce Atwood LLP serves as legal counsel for The Dingley Press. A partner at Pierce Atwood LLP is the brother of Christopher A. Pierce, one of our officers in his role as Chairman of The Dingley Press. The fees incurred and paid for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were negligible. We incurred and paid approximately $0.1 million in fees to Pierce Atwood LLP during the year ended December 31, 2008. We believe the fees were reasonable based upon the services rendered.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

16. Contingencies

        We are party to legal actions as a result of various claims arising in the normal course of business. Accruals for litigation have not been provided because information available at this time does not indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred. We believe that the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

17. Business Segments

        We are a specialty printer in the United States offering a full range of printing and value — added support services for the journal, magazine, book and catalog markets. The Publications business segment is focused on the production of short-run journals, medium-run journals and specialty magazines and is comprised of the assets and operations of The Sheridan Press, Dartmouth Printing, United Litho and Dartmouth Journal Services. We believe there are many similarities in the journal and magazine markets such as the equipment used in the print and bind process, distribution methods, repetitiveness and frequency of titles and the level of service required by customers. The Books segment is focused on the production of short-run books and is comprised of the assets and operations of Sheridan Books. This market does not have the repetitive nature of our other products and does not require the same level of customer service. The Specialty Catalogs segment, which is comprised of the assets and operations of The Dingley Press, is focused on catalog merchants that require run lengths between 50,000 and 8,500,000 copies.

        The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The results of each segment include certain allocations for general, administrative and other shared costs. However, certain costs, such as corporate profit sharing and bonuses, are not allocated to the segments. Our customer base resides primarily in the continental United States and our manufacturing, warehouse and office facilities are located throughout the East Coast and Midwest.

        We had no customers which accounted for 10.0% or more of our net sales for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

17. Business Segments (Continued)

        The following table provides segment information for continuing operations (in thousands):

 
  Year ended December 31, 2010   Year ended December 31, 2009   Year ended December 31, 2008  

Net sales

                   

Publications

  $ 148,758   $ 165,872   $ 188,714  

Specialty catalogs

    60,725     68,948     92,218  

Books

    56,776     58,554     67,282  

Intersegment eliminations

    (71 )   (25 )   (187 )
               
 

Consolidated total

  $ 266,188   $ 293,349   $ 348,027  
               

Operating income (loss)

                   

Publications

  $ 8,070   $ 17,312   $ 12,481  

Specialty catalogs

    (1,485 )   1,491     (426 )

Books

    4,339     4,039     5,524  

Corporate

    (1,532 )   (1,452 )   (4,822 )
               
 

Consolidated total

  $ 9,392   $ 21,390   $ 12,757  
               

Depreciation and amortization

                   

Publications

  $ 11,505   $ 9,248   $ 9,284  

Specialty catalogs

    5,767     5,878     6,193  

Books

    3,419     3,365     2,769  

Corporate

    173     183     154  
               
 

Consolidated total

  $ 20,864   $ 18,674   $ 18,400  
               

Capital expenditures

                   

Publications

  $ 10,326   $ 7,027   $ 5,480  

Specialty catalogs

    1,628     1,335     3,715  

Books

    1,234     1,146     7,870  

Corporate

    483     146     532  
               
 

Consolidated total

  $ 13,671   $ 9,654   $ 17,597  
               

Assets

                   

Publications

  $ 140,566   $ 146,047        

Specialty catalogs

    51,669     54,186        

Books

    46,519     46,173        

Corporate

    2,757     2,594        
                 
 

Consolidated total

  $ 241,511   $ 249,000        
                 

Goodwill

                   

Publications

  $ 25,056   $ 32,056        

Books

    8,923     8,923        
                 
 

Consolidated total

  $ 33,979   $ 40,979        
                 

Intangible assets

                   

Publications

  $ 30,393   $ 31,733        

Books

    1,776     1,834        
                 
 

Consolidated total

  $ 32,169   $ 33,567        
                 

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

17. Business Segments (Continued)

        A reconciliation of total segment operating income to consolidated (loss) income before income taxes is as follows:

 
  Years ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009   2008  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Total operating income (as shown above)

  $ 9,392   $ 21,390   $ 12,757  

Interest expense

    (15,791 )   (17,229 )   (18,399 )

Interest income

    49     69     172  

Gain on repurchase of notes payable

        7,194      

Other, net

    (23 )   234     (1,269 )
               

(Loss) income before income taxes

  $ (6,373 ) $ 11,658   $ (6,739 )
               

18. Restructuring Costs

        In January 2009, we announced our plan to consolidate some administrative and production operations at our DPC facility in Hanover, New Hampshire. Approximately 20 positions at our ULI facility in Ashburn, Virginia were eliminated as a result of this action. We recorded $0.3 million of restructuring costs during 2009. The costs relate primarily to guaranteed severance payments and employee health benefits. We recorded an additional $0.1 million of restructuring costs in connection with this consolidation during 2010. There was no liability outstanding as of December 31, 2010 related to this restructuring.

19. Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)

        Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows (in thousands):

2010
  First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
 

Net sales

  $ 68,298   $ 64,418   $ 67,867   $ 65,605  

Gross profit

    14,774     13,990     11,335     13,578  

Operating income

    4,936     5,026     2,006     (2,576 )

Net income (loss)

  $ 1,546   $ 606   $ (1,206 ) $ (6,887 )

2009
  First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
 

Net sales

  $ 76,976   $ 70,702   $ 73,341   $ 72,330  

Gross profit

    13,927     14,828     15,587     16,059  

Operating income

    4,095     4,965     6,174     6,156  

Net income (loss)

  $ (743 ) $ 1,806   $ 5,207   $ 1,947  

        The results for the third quarter of 2010 reflect the impact of a charge of $2.3 million for depreciation expense in connection with the write down of the value of a printing press that was removed from service. The results for the fourth quarter of 2010 reflect the impact of a charge of

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The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

19. Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Continued)


$7.0 million in connection with the impairment of goodwill at DPC (see Note 7). The results for the second and third quarters of 2009 reflect the impact of the gain on repurchase of notes payable of $5.4 million and $1.8 million, respectively (see Note 9).

20. Subsequent Events (unaudited)

        Due to continued adverse trends in the specialty magazine business as a result of the weak economy, our Board of Directors, on January 19, 2011, approved a restructuring plan to consolidate all specialty magazine printing operations into one site. We will consolidate the printing of specialty magazines at Dartmouth Printing Company in Hanover, New Hampshire and close the United Litho facility in Ashburn, Virginia. Approximately 80 positions will be eliminated as a result of the closure. It is expected that approximately 20 employees in the Customer Service and Sales areas will be retained by Dartmouth Printing Company. As of December 31, 2010, we have not recorded any charges related to this restructuring plan.

        Charges related to this restructuring will be recorded as the plan is implemented in 2011. We estimate approximately $2.2 million ($1.3 million after tax) of restructuring charges resulting in future cash expenditures will be incurred, including $1.5 million of charges related to severance and other personnel costs and $0.7 million of other exit costs. We expect to record these costs in 2011.

        On February 3, 2011, we entered into a contract to sell the Ashburn, Virginia facility for $4.2 million. Sales commissions, transfer taxes, fees and other closing costs are expected to reduce the net proceeds to approximately $3.9 million which will result in a negligible gain. Consummation of the transaction is conditioned upon satisfaction of specific terms and conditions and delivery of specific documents, which are customary for similar transactions. The closing is scheduled for October 31, 2011.

        We estimate that we will incur non-cash charges of $1.6 million in 2011 associated with the accelerated amortization of the United Litho trade name which is reflected in the estimated future amortization expense as disclosed in Note 6.

        We also expect that we will incur non-cash charges of approximately $3.0 million associated with the accelerated depreciation of equipment, based on updated estimates of remaining useful life and estimated residual value, equal to the lower of carrying value or best estimate of selling price, less costs to sell.

        On February 24, 2011, we commenced a cash tender offer and consent solicitation for any and all of our outstanding 2003 and 2004 Notes. As of March 25, 2011, approximately $136.6 million, or 95.6%, of the aggregate principal amount of the notes had been tendered. The closing of the tender offer is conditioned on, among other things, the receipt of debt financing sufficient to pay the total consideration in respect of the notes.

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ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

        Not applicable.

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

        As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer ("CEO") and principal financial officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")). Based on this evaluation and as of the end of the period for which this report is made, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

        Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)). To evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, we use the framework in "Internal Control—Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the "COSO Framework"). Using the COSO Framework, our management, including the CEO and CFO, evaluated our internal control over financial reporting and concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010. Because of the inherent limitations, a system of 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.

        There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

        Not applicable.


PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSG Holdings Corp., whose stockholders include affiliates of Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., LLC and Jefferies Capital Partners and members of our senior management.

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Our Equity Sponsors

        Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., LLC, or BRS, is a New York-based private equity investment firm with over $1.4 billion under management. BRS was founded in 1995 and has since invested in over 20 companies in the following industries: restaurants, consumer goods, specialty retail, recreation/leisure, apparel, home furnishings, industrial and commercial services (including equipment rental), commercial equipment manufacturing, wholesale distribution and healthcare services. BRS's strategy is to make leveraged buyout, recapitalization/restructuring and growth capital investments in companies with superior management, predictable cash flow, strong market share and growth potential. BRS and its affiliates are collectively referred to as "BRS."

        Jefferies Capital Partners, or JCP, is a New York-based private equity investment firm with over $1.3 billion in equity commitments under management. Since 1994, JCP's professionals have invested in over 50 companies in a variety of industries. JCP focuses on partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams in industries in which JCP has expertise. JCP invests in management buyouts, recapitalizations, industry consolidations and growth equity. JCP and its affiliates are collectively referred to as "JCP."

Directors and Executive Officers

        We have provided information below about our directors and executive officers, including their ages, term of service, business experience, and service on other boards of directors. We have also included information about each director's specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led the board to conclude that he should serve as a director of the Company, in light of our business and structure. Our executive officers and directors are as follows:

Name
  Age   Position
John A. Saxton   61   President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert M. Jakobe   57   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Douglas R. Ehmann   54   Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Dale A. Tepp   54   Vice President—Human Resources
Joan B. Davidson   49   Group President
Patricia A. Stricker   46   President and Chief Operating Officer—The Sheridan Press, Inc. ("TSP")
Gary J. Kittredge   60   President and Chief Operating Officer—Dartmouth Journal Services ("DJS")
Michael J. Seagram   54   President and Chief Operating Officer—Sheridan Books, Inc. ("SBI")
G. Paul Bozuwa   50   President and Chief Operating Officer—Dartmouth Printing Company ("DPC") and United Litho, Inc. ("ULI")
Eric D. Lane   51   President and Chief Operating Officer—The Dingley Press, Inc. ("TDP")
Thomas J. Baldwin   52   Director
Nicholas Daraviras   37   Director
Craig H. Deery   63   Director
Gary T. DiCamillo   60   Director
James L. Luikart   65   Director
Nicholas R. Sheppard   36   Director
George A. Whaling   74   Director

        John A. Saxton, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director.    Mr. Saxton joined us in 1995 as our President and Chief Executive Officer and has served on our board of directors since 1991. Prior to joining us, Mr. Saxton held various positions during 24 years at The Procter & Gamble Company, most

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recently serving as President of the Noxell Corporation following its acquisition by The Procter & Gamble Company in 1990. Mr. Saxton is a member of the National Association for Printing Leadership's Walter E. Soderstrom Society, which honors individuals in the printing industry who have significantly contributed to the development and the progress of the graphic arts. Mr. Saxton holds a B.S. from Bucknell University. Mr. Saxton is the only director who is also one of our officers. The board believes that Mr. Saxton has a deep knowledge of our business gained throughout his 16 years as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and adds a valuable perspective for board decision making.

        Robert M. Jakobe, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.    Mr. Jakobe joined us in 1994 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TSG. He has served as Secretary of TSG since 2003. Effective January 1, 2007, he began serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Prior to joining us, he worked at various positions within The Procter & Gamble Company, most recently serving as Division Comptroller and Vice President of Finance for the Noxell Corporation. Mr. Jakobe holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

        Joan B. Davidson, Group President.    Ms. Davidson joined us in 1995, and effective January 1, 2007, began serving as Group President. Ms. Davidson served as President and Chief Operating Officer of TSP from 1996 through 2006. From 1995 to 1996, she served as Finance Manager of TSP. Prior to joining us, Ms. Davidson worked in various positions in the marketing and finance departments of The Procter & Gamble Company, most recently serving as a Finance Manager. Ms. Davidson is active in the industry as former Chairman of the National Association for Printing Leadership and as past Secretary and past Treasurer of the Print and Graphic Scholarship Foundation of the Graphic Arts. She is a member of the National Association for Printing Leadership's Walter E. Soderstrom Society and was inducted into the Printing Industry Hall of Fame in 2010. Ms. Davidson holds a B.S. from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and an M.B.A. from Loyola College in Maryland.

        Douglas R. Ehmann, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.    Mr. Ehmann joined us in 1998 as our Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. He was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer on January 1, 2009. Prior to joining us, he worked at Northrop Grumman Corporation as a Sector Chief Information Officer for Information Systems from 1995 to 1998 and in the Management Systems Division at the Procter & Gamble Company from 1981 to 1995. He holds a B.S., an M.E. and an M.B.A. from Cornell University.

        Dale A. Tepp, Vice President—Human Resources.    Ms. Tepp joined us in September 2006 as Vice President, Human Resources. Prior to joining us, she worked in various Human Resources positions with Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Color-Box and Cenveo, most recently serving as Executive Director of Human Resources. She holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin.

        Patricia A. Stricker, President and Chief Operating Officer—TSP.    Ms. Stricker joined us in 1998 and effective January 1, 2007, began serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of TSP. Ms. Stricker served as Vice President, Operations and Human Resources for TSG from January 2003 through 2006. From 2000 to 2003, she served as President of SBI. Ms. Stricker served as our Vice President, Corporate Development from 1999 to 2000, and as our Projects Manager from 1998 to 1999. Prior to joining us, Ms. Stricker held various positions at General Physics Corporation, most recently serving as Vice President, Finance and Administration. She holds a B.A. from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

        Ms. Stricker, President and Chief Operating Officer of TSP, and Ms. Davidson, Group President, are sisters.

        Gary J. Kittredge, President and Chief Operating Officer—DJS.    Mr. Kittredge joined us in 2000, and effective September 1, 2009 began serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of DJS. From

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January 2008 to August 2009 he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DPC, DJS, and ULI. From April 2006 to 2008, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DPC and DJS. From 2002 to 2006, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of CCP. From 2000 to 2002, he served as Executive Vice President of CCP. Prior to joining us, Mr. Kittredge was the General Manager and Vice President of Manufacturing for IPD Printing. Prior to that, he served as a Business Unit Manager and Manager of Technical Development of Litho-Krome Co., a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Incorporated. He holds a B.S. and an M.S. from Rochester Institute of Technology.

        Michael J. Seagram, President and Chief Operating Officer—SBI.    Mr. Seagram joined us in 2003, and since April 1, 2006 has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of SBI. From 2003 to 2006, he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of SBI. Before joining SBI, Mr. Seagram was Owner and President of Aristoplay, Ltd., a publisher of children's games, from 1997 to 2003. He was also the Owner and President of the marketing firm, Seagram & Singer, Inc. from 1986 to 1998. Mr. Seagram holds a B.S. from Wayne State University.

        G. Paul Bozuwa, President and Chief Operating Officer—DPC and ULI.    Mr. Bozuwa joined us in 1991 and effective September 2009 began serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of DPC and ULI. From January 2007 to August 2009 Mr. Bozuwa served as Vice President, Global Business Development. Mr. Bozuwa served as President of DJS from 2002 to 2006. From 1995 to 2002, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of CCP. From 1991 to 1995, he served as Chief Financial Officer of CCP. Mr. Bozuwa is active in industry affairs serving as past Chairman of the Finance Committee and past Treasurer of the Council of Science Editors. He was also the Chairman of the task force on Science, Journals, Poverty and Human Development. Prior to joining us, he was an Associate of Kearsarge Ventures, a venture fund, from 1989 to 1991. Mr. Bozuwa holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the University of New Hampshire.

        Eric D. Lane, President and Chief Operating Officer—TDP.    Mr. Lane joined us in 1986 and effective October, 2008 began serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of TDP. From 2000 to 2008 he served as Vice President of Finance of TDP. From 1986 to 2000 he served as Controller of TDP. Mr. Lane holds an A.S. in Accounting from Andover College.

        Thomas J. Baldwin, Director.    Mr. Baldwin has been a member of our board of directors since 2003. Mr. Baldwin is a Managing Director of BRS. He joined BRS in 2000. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Baldwin was a Principal at PB Ventures, Inc. From 1988 to 1995, he served as Vice President and then Managing Director of The INVUS Group, Ltd., a private equity investment firm. Prior to that he was a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, a strategy consulting firm. Mr. Baldwin holds a B.B.A. from Siena College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. From 2005 to 2006 Mr. Baldwin also held Directorship of Eurofresh, Inc., Lazy Days, Inc., and Totes Isotoner Corp. Mr. Baldwin brings to the board extensive experience advising portfolio companies of BRS and provides valuable insight regarding strategic, financing, acquisition and management issues.

        Nicholas Daraviras, Director.    Mr. Daraviras has been a member of our board of directors since August 2003. Mr. Daraviras is a Managing Director of JCP. Mr. Daraviras joined JCP in 1996. Mr. Daraviras holds a B.S. and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Daraviras is also a Director of Carrols Restaurant Group. He has served as director of Edgen Murray II, L.P. or of its predecessor companies since February 2005 and various private companies in which JCP has an interest. Mr. Daraviras brings to the board extensive experience advising portfolio companies of JCP and provides valuable insight regarding strategic, financing, acquisition and management issues.

        Craig H. Deery, Director.    Mr. Deery has been a member of our board of directors since August 2003. He was also a member of our board of directors from 1991 through 2001. Mr. Deery was a Managing Director of JCP from 2002 to 2003. From 1987 to 2002, Mr. Deery was a Managing Director

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at BancBoston Capital, where he served on the management committee of BancBoston Capital. While at BancBoston Capital, Mr. Deery supervised a direct investment portfolio of $500 million, including mezzanine securities and equity as a minority, co-invest, and control investor. Prior to 1987, Mr. Deery spent fifteen years at BancBoston, serving as a team leader in domestic lending and as Deputy Managing Director and Senior Credit Officer of BancBoston Australia, Ltd. Mr. Deery holds a B.A. from Bucknell University and an M.B.A. from New York University. He served as Director of First Ipswich Bancorp from 2005-2007. Mr. Deery has a broad knowledge of our business gained throughout his 18 years as a director of the Company. Mr. Deery brings to the board extensive experience advising portfolio companies of BancBoston Capital and JCP and he provides valuable insight to the board regarding strategic, financial, acquisition, and management issues.

        Gary T. DiCamillo, Director.    Mr. DiCamillo has been a member of our board of directors since 1989. Mr. DiCamillo has been a partner for Eaglepoint Advisors, LLC, since January 2010. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of RADIA International in Dedham, Massachusetts from 2005 to 2009. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. DiCamillo served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of TAC Worldwide Companies. From 1995 to 2002, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Polaroid Corporation (which filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on October 12, 2001), and from 1993 to 1995 he was President of Worldwide Power Tools for Black & Decker Corporation. Mr. DiCamillo holds a B.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. DiCamillo is also a director of 3Com Corporation from 2000 to April 2010, Whirlpool Corporation from 1997 to the present and Pella Corporation from 1993 to 2007 and from January 2010 to the present. Mr. DiCamillo has a broad knowledge of our business gained throughout his 22 years as a director of the Company and brings to the board his vast experience as a chief executive, non-executive director, and audit committee chair with a variety of both public and private companies. These experiences have provided Mr. DiCamillo with a depth of knowledge in such areas as finance, general management, marketing, risk management and strategic development.

        James L. Luikart, Director.    Mr. Luikart has been a member of our board of directors since 2003. Mr. Luikart is Executive Vice President of JCP. Mr. Luikart joined JCP in 1994 after spending over twenty years with Citicorp, the last seven years of which were as a Vice President of Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. Mr. Luikart holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.I.A. from Columbia University. He served as director of W&T Offshore, Inc. from 2002 to 2006; Edgen Murray II, L.P. or of its predecessor companies since February 2005, United Maritime Group LLC in 2010, and various private companies in which JCP has an interest. Mr. Luikart brings to the board extensive experience advising portfolio companies of JCP and provides valuable insight regarding strategic, financing, acquisition and management issues.

        Nicholas R. Sheppard, Director.    Mr. Sheppard was a member of our board of directors from 2003 to 2007, rejoining our board in March 2009. Mr. Sheppard is a Managing Director of BRS. Prior to joining BRS in 2000, he worked as a Consultant in the London and New York offices of Marakon Associates, a strategy consulting firm. Mr. Sheppard received his BSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science and his MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Sheppard was a director of Lazy Days R.V. Center, Inc. from 2005 to 2009 and was Director of Penhall International, Inc. in 2005 to 2006. Mr. Sheppard brings to the board extensive experience advising portfolio companies of BRS and provides valuable insight regarding strategic, financing, acquisition and management issues.

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        George A. Whaling, Director.    Mr. Whaling has been a member of our board of directors since 1998 and is Chairman of Kingston Capital Corporation in New York. From 1980 to 1997, he was Chairman and owner of the Petty Printing Company, a commercial web printer. Mr. Whaling holds a B.A. from Colgate University. Mr. Whaling served as Director of Colgate University, Hamilton Initiative LLC and Augusta Glenn Partners LLC from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Whaling has a broad knowledge of our business gained throughout his 12 years as a director of the Company and his 30 years of experience in the printing industry and he provides valuable insight to the board regarding operational, sales, and management issues.

Board Composition and Director Independence

        The securities holders' agreement among BRS, JCP and the other stockholders of TSG Holdings Corp. provides that TSG Holdings Corp.'s and our board of directors will consist of eight members, including four designees of BRS (who currently are Messrs. Baldwin, DiCamillo, Sheppard and Saxton) and four designees of JCP (who currently are Messrs. Daraviras, Deery, Luikart and Whaling). Pursuant to the securities holders' agreement, we may not take certain significant actions without the approval of each of BRS and JCP. Although our securities are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, for purposes of this item we have adopted the definition of "independence" applicable under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Using such definition, the board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. DiCamillo, Deery and Whaling is independent. If we were listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we would be exempt from certain independence requirements with respect to our board of directors and board committees under the "controlled company" exemption. See Part III, Item 13, "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Securities Holders' Agreement."

Audit Committee

        The board of directors has an audit committee. The audit committee consists of Messrs. Daraviras, DiCamillo and Sheppard. The audit committee reviews our financial statements and accounting practices, selects our independent registered public accounting firm and oversees our internal audit function. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are defined in a charter, which has been approved by the Board of Directors. In carrying out their responsibilities, the Committee has reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements with management, and it has discussed the matters which are required to be discussed by AU Section 380 (The Auditor's Communication with Those Charged With Governance), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, with our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. In addition, the Committee has reviewed the written disclosures required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which were received from our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, and has discussed the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm's independence with them. The Audit Committee has reviewed the fees of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for non-audit services and believes that such fees are compatible with the independence of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

        Based on these reviews and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that our audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

        The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. DiCamillo, the chairman of the audit committee, is the "audit committee financial expert" as defined in applicable SEC rules and regulations. Mr. DiCamillo is "independent" as defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

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Code of Business Conduct

        Our Code of Business Conduct applies to all employees of The Sheridan Group, Inc. and all its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Each supervisor and above has been required to sign annually that they have read, understand and will comply with the Code. Our Code of Business Conduct is included on our internet website at www.sheridan.com. If any substantive amendments are made to the Code of Business Conduct or the Board of Directors grants any waiver from a provision of the Code to any officers of The Sheridan Group, Inc. or its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the nature of such amendment or waiver will be disclosed on our website.

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Introduction

        This Compensation Discussion and Analysis ("CD&A") provides an overview of our executive compensation program together with a description of the material factors underlying the decisions which resulted in the compensation provided to our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and certain other executive officers (collectively, the named executive officers) for 2010 (as presented in the tables which follow this CD&A).

Compensation Committee

        The board of directors has a compensation committee. The compensation committee consists of three members, Messrs. Baldwin, Deery and Luikart. The compensation committee has responsibility for establishing, implementing and continually monitoring adherence with our compensation philosophy. The role of the compensation committee is to make recommendations to our board of directors concerning salaries, incentive compensation and employee benefit programs. The compensation committee reviews and approves employment agreements and compensation programs or benefit plans for all of our executive officers, including the named executive officers, and certain other management employees. The compensation committee periodically compares our executive compensation levels with those of companies with which we believe that we compete in recruitment and retention of senior executives. The compensation committee also reviews and makes recommendations with respect to succession planning and management development. The CEO recommends changes in compensation for his direct reports, including each of the named executive officers, to the compensation committee for approval. The compensation committee recommends changes in compensation for the CEO to the full board for approval.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

        In reviewing our compensation programs, the compensation committee applies a philosophy which is based on the premise that our achievements result from the coordinated efforts of all individuals working toward common objectives. We have developed a compensation policy that is designed to attract and retain qualified senior executives, reward executives for actions that result in the long-term enhancement of stockholder value and reward results with respect to our financial and operational goals.

Setting Executive Compensation

        Based on the foregoing philosophy, the company's annual and long-term incentive-based cash and non-cash executive compensation has been structured to (a) pay competitive levels of compensation in order to attract and retain qualified executives, (b) motivate executives to achieve the short-term and long-term business goals set by us and reward the executives for achieving such goals and (c) reward

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long-term performance. We compete with many larger companies for top executive-level talent. Competitors include RR Donnelley, WorldColor, Cenveo (previously Cadmus), Quad Graphics, Edwards Brothers, and numerous other printing companies. We consider these our primary competitors because we compete against these companies in each of our market segments. Accordingly, we generally consider the compensation paid to similarly situated executives at these larger corporations, together with individual experience, performance and cost-of-living factors, when determining the overall compensation available to our named executive officers. A significant percentage of total compensation is allocated to incentive compensation. However, there is no pre-established policy or target for the allocation between either cash and non-cash or short-term and long-term incentive compensation. Rather, market data, internal pay equity and performance are the factors considered in determining the appropriate level and mix of incentive compensation.

Compensation Policies and Practices as they Relate to Risk Management

        We conducted an assessment of potential risks arising from our compensation policies and practices and concluded that these risks are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

2010 Executive Compensation Components

        For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, the principal components of compensation considered by the compensation committee for named executive officers were:

        We have also entered into employment agreements and/or change in control arrangements with all of the named executive officers. In addition to the compensation components listed above, these agreements provide for post-employment severance payments and benefits in the event of a termination of employment under certain circumstances. The terms of these agreements are described in more detail below (see the section entitled "Potential Payments on Termination or a Change in Control"). We believe that these agreements provide an incentive to the named executive officers to remain with us and serve to align the interests of the executives and the stockholders in the event of a potential acquisition. Additionally, a retention award, made to the Deferred Compensation Plan described below, was provided to a certain named executive officer whose retention is determined by our board of directors to be critical to our ongoing success.

Base Salary

        We provide the named executive officers with base salaries to compensate them for services rendered during the fiscal year. The base salaries for our CEO, Messrs. Jakobe and Bozuwa, and Mss. Davidson and Stricker are contained in their respective employment agreements and are subject to increase at the discretion of our board of directors. Base salary levels are intended to reflect an individual's responsibilities, performance and expertise and are designed to be competitive with salary levels in effect at other manufacturing companies, and in particular, companies within the printing industry. Accordingly, we establish salaries for the named executive officers on the basis of personal performance and by reviewing available national and printing industry compensation data from time to time, including published salary surveys regarding compensation of officers of larger and smaller

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companies, both within and outside the printing industry. Our CEO annually reviews and provides his subjective assessment of the performance of each of our named executive officers and recommends whether any adjustment to base salary for any named executive officer should be considered by the compensation committee. The compensation committee generally affords significant consideration to the CEO's recommendations based on his proximity to the other named executive officers and understanding of their day-to-day performance and responsibilities. Based on the CEO's recommendations and the compensation committee's review of available market data, the compensation committee set base salaries for 2010 at the levels reported in the Summary Compensation Table, below. The compensation committee believes such salaries are in line with market data and reflect the responsibilities, performance and expertise of our named executive officers.

Annual Incentive Compensation

        Management Performance Incentive Plan.    Annual cash bonuses are generally considered for inclusion in our executive compensation program because we believe that a significant portion of each named executive officer's compensation should be contingent on our annual performance, as well as the individual contribution of the executive. Accordingly, our named executive officers have historically participated in a management performance incentive plan, which compensated them for achievement of certain objectives established annually by our board of directors. Historically, these objectives have been based on our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), the EBITDA of each executive's operating subsidiary and individual performance. For purposes of our management performance incentive plan and our profit sharing plan (discussed below), our EBITDA is calculated the same way WCF EBITDA is calculated as described in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, above. To the extent applicable with respect to any named executive officer's award, the same EBITDA calculation is performed for the applicable operating subsidiary.

        The management performance incentive plan was suspended for 2009 as a cost-savings measure to offset revenue reductions brought on by the economic recession. This plan was reinstated for 2010 and the following is a summary of how the management performance incentive plan operated for 2010.

        Under the management performance incentive plan, our executive officers are eligible to receive a maximum award of 50% of base salary, except Mr. Saxton, whose maximum award is 100% of base salary. Maximum award amounts are developed based on market data but also set at a level to insure that a significant portion of potential compensation is tied to delivering results. Management performance incentive awards are based upon achievement of corporate EBITDA financial objectives and individual performance objectives. Upon completion of the fiscal year, the compensation committee assesses our performance for each corporate financial objective, comparing actual year-end results to the objectives. Then individual performance is evaluated and an overall award is calculated.

        The board of directors establishes the financial performance objectives for our named executive officers and designates the portion of each named executive officer's annual bonus that would be eligible to be paid based on a subjective assessment of such individual's performance, in the board's discretion. There is no calculation or metric used for determining the subjective individual performance score; it is determined in the Board's discretion based on the input of the CEO and the board's view of the individual named executive officer's contribution to our success. The individual component was capped at 50% of maximum potential for 2010.

        The financial objectives are set based on the annual plan that is approved by the Board of Directors. The maximum target is set to be approximately 2-4% above the target and the minimum is set to be approximately 8-10% below the target. EBITDA is the primary measure that private equity investors like ours often use to determine the success of their portfolio companies. TSG and operating company subsidiary EBITDA targets, consistent with the company's annual financial plan that is

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approved by the board of directors, are set at levels to incent improvement over previous year operating results and are designed to be relatively challenging to achieve and very difficult to exceed. Accordingly, the Board of Directors sets financial performance goals at levels that it expects will be achieved, at least in part, for a fiscal year. TSG financial targets have not been achieved in any of the last three fiscal years. Operating company subsidiary EBITDA targets have been achieved at least at the threshold level in two of the last three years.

        Mr. Saxton was eligible for a maximum award of 100% of base salary in 2010. 75% of this award was based on attainment of TSG financial objectives and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. TSG financial objectives were not achieved in 2010 and only 50% of the discretionary award was earned ($76,100). There is no minimum threshold for the discretionary portion of the bonus. It is totally discretionary based on the board's view of an individual's contribution to our success. The management performance incentive plan was suspended for 2009. Mr. Saxton was eligible for a maximum award of 100% of base salary in 2008. 50% of this award was based on attainment of TSG financial objectives, 25% was based on attainment of Sheridan Europe financial objectives, and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. The TSG and Sheridan Europe financial objectives were not achieved; therefore, no award was earned for these components. There was no discretionary award earned in 2008.

        Mr. Jakobe was eligible for a maximum award of 50% of base salary in 2010. 75% of this award was based on attainment of TSG financial objectives and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. TSG financial objectives were not achieved in 2010 and only 50% of the discretionary award was earned ($19,100). There is no minimum threshold for the discretionary portion of the bonus. It is totally discretionary based on the board's view of an individual's contribution to our success. The management performance incentive plan was suspended for 2009. Mr. Jakobe was eligible for a maximum award of 50% of base salary in 2008. 50% of this award was based on attainment of TSG financial objectives, 25% was based on attainment of Sheridan Europe financial objectives, and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. The TSG and Sheridan Europe financial objectives were not achieved; therefore, no award was earned for these components. There was no discretionary award earned in 2008.

        Ms. Davidson was eligible for a maximum award of 50% of base salary in 2010. 50% of this award was based on Publications financial objectives, 25% of the award was based on TSG EBITDA and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. Ms Davidson received an incentive award equal to 27.5% of the of the maximum award as follows: 15% for achieving Publications EBITDA targets ($24,700) and 12.5% as a discretionary award for individual performance ($20,600) based on the board's view of her effectiveness as Group President. There is no minimum threshold for the discretionary portion of the bonus. It is totally discretionary based on the board's view of an individual's contribution to our success. TSG financial objectives were not achieved in 2010, therefore, no award was earned for this component. The total 2010 award was equal to $45,300, or approximately 13.7% of her base salary. The management performance incentive plan was suspended for 2009. Ms. Davidson was eligible for a maximum award of 50% of base salary in 2008. 50% of this award was based on attainment of Publications financial objectives, 25% was based on attainment of Sheridan US (TSG) financial objectives, and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. Ms. Davidson received an incentive award equal to 42.5% of the maximum award as follows: 27.5% for achieving Publications EBITDA financial targets ($44,647) and 15% as a discretionary award ($24,353) for individual performance. The TSG financial objectives were not attained; therefore, no award was earned for this component. The total 2008 award was equal to $69,000, or approximately 21.2% of her base salary.

        Mr. Bozuwa was eligible for a maximum award of 50% of base salary in 2010. 50% of this award was based on attainment of DPC and ULI financial objectives, 25% was based on TSG EBITDA, and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. DPC/ULI financial objectives and TSG

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EBITDA were not achieved in 2010. Only 40% of the discretionary award was earned for individual performance in 2010 ($15,900). There is no minimum threshold for the discretionary portion of the bonus. It is totally discretionary based on the board's view of an individual's contribution to our success. The management performance incentive plan was suspended for 2009. Mr. Bozuwa was eligible for a maximum award of 50% of base salary in 2008. 100% of this award was based on attainment of Global Print Network (GPN) EBITDA objectives. GPN EBITDA objectives were not achieved; therefore, no bonus was earned in 2008.

        Ms. Stricker was eligible for a maximum award of 50% of base salary in 2010. 50% of this award was based on attainment of TSP financial objectives, 25% was based on TSG EBITDA, and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. Ms. Stricker received an incentive award equal to 62.5% of the maximum award as follows: 50% for achieving TSP financial targets ($60,900) and a 12.5% discretionary award for individual performance ($15,300) based on the board's view of her effectiveness as President and Chief Operating Officer of TSP. There is no minimum threshold for the discretionary portion of the bonus. It is totally discretionary based on the board's view of an individual's contribution to our success. TSG financial objectives were not achieved in 2010, therefore, no award was earned for this component. The total 2010 award was equal to $76,200, or approximately 31.3% of her base salary. The management performance incentive plan was suspended for 2009. Ms. Stricker was eligible for a maximum award of 50% of base salary in 2008. 50% of this award was based on attainment of TSP financial objectives, 25% was based on TSG EBITDA, and 25% was discretionary based on individual performance. Ms. Stricker received an incentive award equal to 75% of the maximum award as follows: 50% for achieving TSP financial targets ($67,500) and a 25% discretionary award for individual performance ($22,500). The total 2008 award was equal to $90,000, or approximately 37.5% of her base salary.

        Annual incentive compensation awards for 2010 and 2008 appear as "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table.

        Profit Sharing Plan.    The Sheridan Group Profit Sharing Plan is a broad-based incentive program provided to all eligible employees at each location, excluding TDP and DJS. The board of directors determines, on an annual basis, if a profit sharing contribution will be made for each participating company. The contribution, if any, is determined by a formula approved by our board of directors.

        The profit sharing plan was suspended as a cost-savings measure for all locations other than TSP to offset revenue reductions brought on by the economic recession. Under the formula approved for 2010, a guideline was established of 6.5% of EBITDA for TSP. If company EBITDA is a positive number, the established percent of EBITDA is put into the profit sharing pool. The total dollar contribution for an operating subsidiary cannot exceed 6.5% of its total payroll for the year. Additionally, a company must also meet a minimum threshold of an 8% net profit margin (before profit sharing) in order to be eligible for profit sharing. In 2009, all companies transitioned to payment of profit sharing in cash; however, employees have the option of deferring their cash payment into their 401(k) accounts. Ms. Stricker was the only named executive officer eligible to receive a profit sharing award for 2010. The $15,491 profit sharing award for Ms. Stricker is reported in the "All Other Compensation" column in the Summary Compensation Table shown below.

Stock-Based Incentive Compensation

        TSG Holdings Corp., our parent company, adopted a Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan in October 2003. The purpose of the 2003 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan is to provide long-term equity incentives to assist us in attracting and retaining valued management employees through the award of options to purchase common stock of TSG Holdings Corp. Option grants are designed to align the interests of officers and employees with those of the stockholders, to provide each individual with a significant incentive to manage our business from the perspective of an owner and to

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remain employed by us. Eligible employees will receive options on terms determined by our board of directors. The compensation committee considers the level of responsibility, position, past and expected performance, potential incentive payouts and annual base salary of each named executive officer when determining awards to be made under the Stock-Based Incentive Plan. The stock option awards are recommended by the CEO to the compensation committee, who then makes a recommendation to our board of directors for approval.

        Options granted under the Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan have exercise prices equal to or above the fair market value of the underlying common stock (as determined under the Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan) on the grant date and are equally split 50% between a time-based vesting schedule and a performance-based vesting schedule. Time-based awards vest 20% per year over five years subject to the executive's continued employment with us. Performance-based awards vest 20% per year over five years based on us achieving a per share equity value, as defined by the option agreements, each year as determined by the board. The per share equity value is calculated by multiplying our twelve month EBITDA by a pre-defined multiple, then subtracting net debt, and then dividing by the number of issued and outstanding shares of TSG Holdings Corp. Common Stock. If an annual performance target is not met in any of the five years, but is achieved by meeting subsequent year targets, shares will vest for all preceding plan years. The targets for the performance based options were established based upon the original objectives that BRS and JCP established when they bought us in 2003 (as modified in connection with the Dingley Acquisition in 2004) and wanted to incent management to deliver the rate of return expected on their investment in us.

        Three named executive officers received option awards in fiscal year 2010. Mr. Saxton received 4,060 shares, Ms. Davidson received 1,500 shares, and Ms. Stricker received 300 shares.

        We do not require our named executive officers to maintain a minimum ownership interest in us or our affiliates.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

        In General.    Our nonqualified deferred compensation program serves primarily to attract and retain qualified executives by providing them with enhanced tax deferral opportunities and retirement benefits in addition to those provided under our broad-based 401(k) plan. Under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, officers, directors and certain management employees may annually elect (via individual contracts) to defer a portion of their compensation, on a pre-tax basis. The benefit is based on the amount of compensation (salary and bonus) deferred, employer "make-whole" contributions, employer discretionary contributions and earnings on these amounts. Make-whole contributions are matching contributions and profit sharing contributions which we would have made to the participants' accounts under the 401(k) plan were we not prohibited from making such contribution under the limits applicable to the 401(k) plan under the Internal Revenue Code. Make-whole contributions are made early in the year following the year in which the applicable matching and profit sharing contributions to our 401(k) plan were limited. Accordingly, such contributions for 2010 include a component relating to 2009's profit sharing plan even though such profit sharing plan was unavailable to most of the named executive officers in 2010. Individuals are fully vested in deferred salary and bonus amounts; however, the make-whole contributions vest in full after two years of employment, which is the same schedule applicable to employer contributions under the 401(k) plan. The employer discretionary contributions become vested pursuant to a vesting schedule as determined by us.

        Salary and bonus amounts deferred by named executive officers in 2010 under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan are shown in the "Executive Contributions" column of the Deferred Compensation Table below. Employer make whole and discretionary contributions for 2010 are shown in the "Registrant Contributions" column of the Deferred Compensation Table and in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table.

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        Retention Awards.    Annual retention awards are employer discretionary contributions paid to certain management employees whose retention is determined by our board of directors to be critical to our ongoing success. These awards are deposited in the deferred compensation plan under the employee's name and vest after five years. Distribution is made on a date previously elected by the executive. Other than the awards paid in accordance with the employment agreement of Ms. Davidson, these awards are solely awarded at the board of directors' discretion. Any awards made outside of an employment agreement were equal to 10% of base salary.

        In 2010, our board of directors provided a retention award to Ms. Davidson in the amount of $82,388 in accordance with the terms of her existing employment agreement. The retention awards for our named executive officers are disclosed under "All Other Compensation" on the Summary Compensation Table and in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table under Registrant Contributions.

        Effective as of September 1, 2010, the Company adopted the Change-of-Control Incentive Plan for Officers under which certain executives, including the named executive officers, would be entitled to extended additional severance benefits in the event of a change of control with a specific strategic buyer. This plan was adopted because the Board felt that is was necessary to incent such officers to remain in the employ of the Company notwithstanding any risks and uncertainties created by a potential change of control. The amounts of such additional severance benefits are set forth under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control."

Other Compensation, Perquisites and Other Benefits

        401(k) Plan.    We sponsor a defined contribution plan, or 401(k) Plan, intended to qualify under section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Substantially all of our employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan on the first day of the month in which the employee has attained 18 years of age and 30 days of employment. Employees may make pre-tax contributions of their eligible compensation, not to exceed the limits under the Internal Revenue Code. Employees may direct their investments among various pre-selected investment alternatives. Employer matching contributions to the 401(k) plan vest after two years of employment. Employer matching contributions were suspended as of July 2009.

        Perquisites and Other Benefits.    The named executive officers are not generally entitled to benefits that are not otherwise available to all of our employees. In this regard it should be noted that we do not provide pension arrangements (other than the 401(k) plan and the nonqualified deferred compensation plan), post-retirement health coverage or similar benefits for our executives. However, some of the named executive officers are entitled to certain insurance benefits, relocation benefits and an executive physical program. These perquisites are provided because we view the benefits as being very closely related to the services our named executive officers perform for us. Supplemental Long-Term disability insurance is provided as an income security measure in the event of a catastrophic illness. Relocation benefits are provided to all management employees who are relocated at our request, including named executive officers. The executive physical program benefit is provided to all of our key managers and officers, including the named executive officers, to ensure their continuing ability to fulfill the responsibilities of their respective positions. These amounts are noted in the "All Other Compensation" column in the Summary Compensation Table. The Committee believes that these benefits are consistent with the goal of attracting and retaining superior executive talent.

Tax and Accounting Implications

        Deductibility of Certain Compensation.    Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a $1.0 million limit on the deductibility of compensation paid to certain executive officers of public companies, unless the compensation meets certain requirements for "performance-based" compensation. Although Section 162(m) does not apply to companies that do not have registered

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common equity securities, we generally consider the potential loss of deduction under Section 162(m) in designing certain types of compensation plans so that such plans may protect us from a potential loss of deduction if our common equity securities become publicly traded. In determining executive compensation, the compensation committee considers, among other factors, the possible tax consequences to us and to the executives. However, tax consequences, including but not limited to tax deductibility by us, are subject to many factors (such as changes in the tax laws and regulations or interpretations thereof and the timing and nature of various decisions by executives regarding options and other rights) that are beyond our control. In addition, the compensation committee believes that it is important for it to retain maximum flexibility in designing compensation programs that meet its stated objectives. For all of the foregoing reasons, the compensation committee, while considering tax deductibility as one of its factors in determining compensation, will not limit compensation to those levels or types of compensation that will be deductible. The compensation committee will, of course, consider alternative forms of compensation, consistent with its compensation goals, which preserve deductibility.

        Accounting Impact.    The compensation committee does not consider potential accounting treatment in making decisions regarding equity-based or cash-based compensation.


Compensation Committee Report

        Our Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.

    Thomas J. Baldwin
Craig H. Deery
James L. Luikart

        The following table summarizes compensation awarded or paid by us during 2010, 2009, and 2008 to our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and our three next most highly compensated executive officers (our "named executive officers"). Perquisites and other benefits included in the All Other Compensation column are disclosed and itemized in the "All Other Compensation" table below.

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Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)(1)
  Stock
Awards
($)
  Option
Awards
($)(2)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
  Total
($)
 

John A. Saxton

    2010     601,408             47,177     76,100     34,005     758,690  
 

President and Chief

    2009     619,967                     143,833     763,800  
 

Executive Officer

    2008     599,567                     108,136     707,703  

Robert M. Jakobe

   
2010
   
302,626
   
   
   
   
19,100
   
2,442
   
324,168
 
 

Executive Vice President

    2009     310,011                     35,546     345,557  
 

and Chief Financial Officer

    2008     299,694                     78,160     377,854  

Joan B. Davidson

   
2010
   
328,994
   
   
   
17,430
   
45,300
   
84,275
   
475,999
 
 

Group President

    2009     335,800                     121,509     457,309  
 

    2008     324,596                 69,000     136,238     529,834  

G. Paul Bozuwa(5)

   
2010
   
258,325
   
300
   
   
   
15,900
   
914
   
275,439
 
 

President & COO—

    2009     255,399                     222,555     477,954  
 

DPC/ULI

    2008     81,736                     94,307     176,043  

Patricia A. Stricker

   
2010
   
251,571
   
300
   
   
3,486
   
76,200
   
16,410
   
347,967
 
 

President & COO—TSP

    2009     238,878                     45,378     284,256  
 

    2008     239,917     135             90,000     58,437     388,489  

(1)
Ms. Stricker received a $135 Christmas bonus in 2008. Ms. Stricker and Mr. Bozuwa received a special incentive bonus of $300 in 2010.

(2)
Three named executive officers received option awards in 2010. Mr. Saxton received 4,060 shares, Ms. Davidson received 1,500 shares, and Ms. Stricker received 300 shares. The amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards during the year determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions made in determining the grant date fair values of the options are disclosed in Note 3 of our consolidated financial statements.

(3)
The amounts reported as "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" for 2010, 2009, and 2008 consist of bonuses paid as management performance incentive compensation.

(4)
The amounts reported as "All Other Compensation" for 2010, 2009, and 2008 are itemized in the "All Other Compensation" table below.

(5)
Mr. Bozuwa worked for an affiliate of our parent during a portion of 2008. Base salary for 2008 reflects only wages for services performed for the Company.

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All Other Compensation

Name
  Year   Spousal
Travel
  Taxable
Relocation
Income
  Other Non
Cash
  Retention
Awards
  Additional
Disability
Coverage
  Taxable
Term Life
  Physical
Program
  GTL
Taxable
Income
  Profit
Sharing
  Profit Sharing
Make Whole
  401k
Match
  401(k)
Fixed 1%
  401(k)
Make
Whole
  Total All
Other
Comp
 
 
   
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
 

John A. Saxton

    2010     265         1,050         4,033     12,230     6,213     6,732                     3,482     34,005  
 

President and

    2009             850         4,000     12,230     2,784     6,732         92,957     7,569         16,711     143,833  
 

Chief

    2008             850         4,000     12,230         4,390     23,000     43,666     4,600     2,300     13,100     108,136  
 

Executive Officer

                                                                                           

Robert M. Jakobe

   
2010
   
341
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2,100
   
   
   
   
   
   
2,442
 
 

Executive Vice

    2009                             3,047     2,100         20,469     5,526         4,404     35,546  
 

President

    2008                 30,000     2,735         3,731     2,069     23,000     7,481     4,600     2,300     2,244     78,160  
 

and Chief

                                                                                           
 

Financial

                                                                                           
 

Officer

                                                                                           

Joan B. Davidson

   
2010
   
753
   
   
   
82,388
   
   
   
   
801
   
   
   
   
   
333
   
84,275
 
 

Group President

    2009                 82,388             3,501     801         21,780     8,068         4,971     121,509  

    2008     959             81,250     2,740             788     23,000     15,847     4,600     2,300     4,754     136,238  

Paul Bozuwa

   
2010
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
914
   
   
   
   
   
   
914
 
 

President &

    2009         205,039                         596         12,315     4,605             222,555  
 

COO—

    2008                 62,500                 587     23,000     2,475     3,400     2,098     247     94,307  
 

DPC/ULI

                                                                                           

Patricia A. Stricker

   
2010
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
569
   
15,491
   
   
   
   
350
   
16,410
 
 

President &

    2009                             3,699     569     21,248     12,562     7,225         75     45,378  
 

COO—TSP

    2008                 24,000                 373     23,000     3,241     4,600     2,300     923     58,437  

        Retention awards and make-whole contributions are invested in the deferred compensation plan. Even though the profit sharing plan was not available in 2010 for named executive officers other than Ms. Stricker, Mr. Saxton and Ms. Davidson's deferred compensation plan accounts were credited with a profit-sharing make-whole contribution in 2010 due to the limitations applicable to our 401(k) plan for 2009. 401(k) match is invested in the 401(k) plan. Pre-2010 Profit sharing and 1% fixed contributions are also invested in the 401(k) plan.


Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 
   
  (1) Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
  All Other Option
Awards Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
  Exercise or
Base Price of
Option
Awards
($/sh)
  Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Option
Awards
 
 
  Grant
Date
 
Name
  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Threshold   Target   Maximum  
 
   
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
  ($)
 

John A. Saxton

  N/A     76,054     190,100     304,214           47,177                       47,177  
 

President and Chief

                                                           
 

Executive Officer

                                                           

Robert M. Jakobe

 

N/A

   
19,015
   
47,500
   
76,060
         
                     
 
 

Executive Vice President and

                                                           
 

Chief Financial Officer

                                                           

Joan B. Davidson

 

N/A

   
20,597
   
48,100
   
82,388
         
17,430
                     
17,430
 
 

Group President

                                                           

G. Paul Bozuwa

 

N/A

   
15,845
   
36,500
   
63,879
         
                     
 
 

President & COO—DPC/ULI

                                                           

Patricia A. Stricker

 

N/A

   
15,227
   
35,800
   
60,908
         
3,486
                     
3,486
 
 

President & COO—TSP

                                                           

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 
   
  Option Awards  
Name
   
  Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options (#)
(Exercisable)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
(Unexercisable)
  Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned Options
(#)
  Option
Exercise
Price ($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
 

John A. Saxton

    (1 )   3,300           2,200     10.00     11/16/2013  

    (2 )   0           4,060     23.24     2/3/2020  

Robert M. Jakobe

   
(1

)
 
3,300
         
2,200
   
10.00
   
11/16/2013
 

Joan B. Davidson

   
(1

)
 
2,100
         
1,400
   
10.00
   
11/16/2013
 

    (2 )   0           1,500     23.24     2/3/2020  

G. Paul Bozuwa

   
(1

)
 
1,800
         
1,200
   
10.00
   
11/16/2013
 

Patricia A. Stricker

   
(1

)
 
1,620
         
1,080
   
10.00
   
11/16/2013
 

    (2 )   0           300     23.24     2/3/2020  

(1)
Stock option awards were awarded on October 16, 2003. The shares began vesting on January 1, 2004. Twenty percent (20%) of the time-based shares vest each year on January 1st, i.e. 20% vested on January 1, 2005, 20% vested on January 1, 2006, 20% vested on January 1, 2007, 20% vested on January 1, 2008, and the remaining 20% vested on January 1, 2009. As of December 31, 2009, 100% of the Named Executive Officers' time-based shares were vested. Because our 2010 performance targets were not met, only 20% of performance shares vested through December 31, 2010. The established performance-based option targets (per share equity values, as defined in the stock option agreements) are $20/share on 1/1/05, $52/share on 1/1/06, $86/share on 1/1/07, $118/share on 1/1/08, $148/share on 1/1/09, $178/share on 1/1/10.

(2)
Stock option awards were awarded on February 4, 2010. The shares began vesting on January 1, 2011. Twenty percent (20%) of the time-based shares vest each year on January 1st, i.e., 20% vested on January 1, 2011, 20% will vest on January 1, 2012, 20% will vest on January 1, 2013, 20% will vest on January 1, 2014, and the remaining 20% will vest on January 1, 2015. The established performance-based option targets (per share equity values, as defined in the stock option agreements) are $35/share on 1/1/11, $40/share on 1/1/12, $85/share on 1/1/13, $85/share on 1/1/14, and $85/share on 1/1/15.

        See Stock-Based Incentive Compensation under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for details on the vesting schedule.

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Last Fiscal Year

 
  Option Awards  
Name
  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise(1)
  Value Realized
on Exercise ($)
 

John A. Saxton

         
 

President and Chief

             
 

Executive Officer

             

Robert M. Jakobe

   
   
 
 

Executive Vice President

             
 

and Chief Financial Officer

             

Joan B. Davidson

   
   
 
 

Group President

             

G. Paul Bozuwa

   
   
 
 

President & COO—DPC/ULI

             

Patricia A. Stricker

   
   
 
 

President & COO—TSP

             

(1)
No options were exercised during 2010.


Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Name
  Executive
Contributions
in last FY ($)
  Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY ($)
(Retention Bonus
and Make-
Wholes)(1)
  Aggregate
Earnings in Last
FY ($)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
  Aggregate
Balance at Last
FYE ($)
 

John A. Saxton

    0     3,482     15,337     0     184,762  

Robert M. Jakobe

   
   
0
   
5,111
   
74,218
   
47,139
 

Joan B. Davidson

   
0
   
82,721
   
53
   
45,641
   
343,639
 

G. Paul Bozuwa

   
   
0
   
33,892
   
57,471
   
232,854
 

Patricia A. Stricker

   
0
   
350
   
4,541
   
14,751
   
71,638
 

(1)
Registrant contributions for Fiscal Years ending 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, that were included in the Summary Compensation Table are as follows: Mr. Saxton—Make Whole Contributions of $3,482, $109,668, and $56,766; Mr. Jakobe—Make Whole Contributions of $0, $24,873, and $9,725 and Retention Awards of $0, $0, $30,000; Ms. Davidson—Make Whole Contributions of $333, $26,751, and $20,601 and Retention Awards of $82,388, $82,388, and $81,250; Mr. Bozuwa—Make Whole Contributions of $0, $12,315, and $2,722 and Retention Awards of $0, $0, and $62,500; and Ms. Stricker—Make Whole Contributions of $350, $12,637, and $4,164 and Retention Awards of $0, $0, and $24,000. Retention awards and employer make-whole contributions (described below) are reported in the Summary Compensation Table in the "All Other Compensation" column.

        The types of compensation that may be deferred under our nonqualified deferred compensation plan are salary, profit share and bonus (deferred at the employee's election), employee retention awards, employer make-whole contributions, employer discretionary contributions and earnings on the

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deferrals. The individuals are fully vested in the compensation they voluntarily defer; however, the make-whole contributions, the employer discretionary contributions and employee retention awards are subject to vesting requirements. Make-whole contributions vest once the employee has attained two years of service. Employee retention awards cliff vest after five years. Employees may defer up to 20% of their base salary and up to 100% of any earned bonus or profit share into the deferred compensation program on an annual basis. Earnings under the nonqualified plan are calculated by reference to the return on investment of funds selected by the executives from a menu of investment fund options offered under the plan. These investment fund options are the same options as are available to all participants under our 401(k) plan. Participants may change their investment fund elections at any time. A participant may elect distribution of their vested account balance at a fixed payment date, no earlier than the third calendar year after the calendar year in which the initial election is made, five years after a previously-scheduled distribution is to be made, or upon separation of service from the company.

        The table below shows the funds available under our 401(k) plan and their annual rate of return for the calendar year ended December 31, 2010:


Deferred Compensation Investment Options

Name of Fund
  Rate of
Return
 
Name of Fund
  Rate of
Return
 

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2010 A

    12.20  

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2025 A

    14.68  

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2020 A

    13.78  

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2035 A

    15.73  

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2030 A

    15.16  

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2045 A

    16.24  

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2040 A

    15.86  

Fidelity Advisor High Income Advantage

    17.85  

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2050 A

    16.43  

Legg Mason Value, FI

    7.31  

Maxim Money Market Portfolio

    0.00  

Franklin Small-Mid-Cap Growth Fund A

    28.43  

PIMCO Total Return A

    8.36  

Legg Mason Special Investment FI

    19.85  

PIMCO Low Duration Fund A

    4.56  

Pennsylvania Mutual Fund Consultant CI

    22.66  

Davis NY Venture Fund

    12.11  

American Funds EuroPacific A

    9.40  

Hartford Capital Appreciation

    12.87  

RS Value Fund

    25.47  

Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2015 A

    12.41  

American Funds Growth Fund of America

    12.28  

       

Pennsylvania Mutual Fund Service

    23.80  

Potential Payments on Termination or Change of Control

        Our employment agreements with Mr. Saxton, Mr. Jakobe, Ms. Davidson, Mr. Bozuwa and Ms. Stricker provide that if the executive is terminated by us without "cause" or by the executive for "good reason," the executive will be entitled to receive the following amounts: (1) severance pay equal to his or her annual base salary and average annual incentive bonus during the two years preceding the termination for a period of 18 months in the case of Messrs. Jakobe and Bozuwa and Mss. Davidson and Stricker, and 24 months in the case of Mr. Saxton, (2) all amounts credited to the executive under our deferred compensation plan will fully vest and become payable in a single lump sum and (3) the executive will continue to have coverage under our health insurance plan for 18 months, or 24 months in the case of Mr. Saxton. A termination shall be for "cause," as defined in the agreements, if any one or more of the following has occurred: i) the employee shall have committed an act of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation against the employer, including, but not limited to, the offer, payment, solicitation or acceptance of any unlawful bribe or kickback with respect to the employer's business; or, ii) the employee shall have been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of, or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; or, iii) the employee shall have refused, after explicit written notice, to obey any lawful resolution of or direction by the Board which is consistent with his duties; or, iv) the employee has been chronically absent from work (excluding vacations, illnesses or leaves of absence approved by the Board); or, v) the employee

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shall have failed to perform the duties incident to his employment with the employer on a regular basis, and such failure shall have continued for a period of twenty (20) days after written notice to the employee specifying such failure in reasonable detail (other than as a result of the employee's disability); or, vi) the employee shall have engaged in the unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of illegal drugs on the employer's premises; or vii) the employee shall have breached any one or more of the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2003, among The Sheridan Group, Inc. and its stockholders as amended and in effect from time to time, and such breach shall have continued for a period of ten (10) days after written notice to the employee specifying such breach in reasonable detail. "Good reason" is defined as the occurrence of: i) a material reduction in the employee's status, position, scope of authority or responsibilities, the assignment to the employee of any duties or responsibilities which are materially inconsistent with such status, position, authority or responsibilities; involuntary relocation of the employee to an extent requiring an increase in his commute to his normal place of employment of more than 50 miles; or any removal of the employee from or failure to reappoint him to any of positions to which the employee has been appointed by the employer, except in connection with the termination of his employment; or, ii) a material reduction by the employer in the employee's compensation or benefits, except in conjunction with a general reduction by the employer in the salaries of its executive level employees or the TSG site management team.

        The employment agreements contain non-compete and non-solicitation language prohibiting such actions for the term of the severance period. Additionally, the severed employee is prohibited from disclosing proprietary company information to any person, firm, corporation, association or entity, during or after their term of employment. Any breach of these terms will be subject to appropriate injunctive and equitable relief.

        The following table summarizes potential benefits that each of the Named Executive Officers would have received under their employment agreements or change in control arrangements on December 31, 2010, if a termination without cause or for good reason occurred, or they had been terminated following a change in control.

Named Executive Officer
  Severance
Pay
  Incentive
Pay
  Deferred
Compensation
  COBRA
(Employer's
Portion)
 

John A. Saxton

  $ 1,977,392   $ 123,666   $ 184,762   $ 32,468  

Robert M. Jakobe

  $ 836,662   $ 26,262   $ 47,139   $ 27,473  

Joan B. Davidson

  $ 906,263   $ 62,288   $ 343,639   $ 27,473  

G. Paul Bozuwa

  $ 697,170   $ 21,863   $ 232,854   $ 38,074  

Patricia A. Stricker

  $ 669,989   $ 104,775   $ 71,638   $ 38,074  

Severance payments for the named executive officers include the additional benefits that are described under "Retention Awards."

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Compensation of Directors

        Beginning on January 1, 2010, each director who is not also one of our executive officers or an employee of BRS or JCP will receive a fee of $30,000 per year for their service on our board of directors. The chairman of the audit committee (Mr. DiCamillo) will receive an additional fee of $5,000 per year. All directors are reimbursed for any personal expenses incurred in the conduct of their duties as a director. There were no stock options awarded to directors during 2010. A summary of fees paid to our directors in 2010 is as follows:

Name
  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
  All Other
Compensation
  Total  

Gary T. DiCamillo

  $ 35,000       $ 35,000  

Craig H. Deery

 
$

30,000
   
 
$

30,000
 

George A. Whaling

 
$

30,000
   
 
$

30,000
 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        In 2010, the compensation committee consisted of Messrs. Baldwin, Deery and Luikart. None of the members of the compensation committee are currently, or have been at any time since the time of our formation, one of our officers or employees.

ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

        We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSG Holdings Corp, which has pledged our shares as security for our obligations under our working capital facility. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of TSG Holdings Corp., as of March 29, 2011, by (i) each person or entity known to us to own more than 5% of any class of TSG Holdings Corp.'s outstanding securities, (ii) each member of our board of directors and each of our named executive officers and (iii) all of the members of the board of directors and executive officers as a group. TSG Holdings Corp.'s outstanding securities consist of about 597,433 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock and about 45,326 shares and 4,234 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. Series A and Series B preferred stock, respectively, the terms of which are described in more detail below. Additionally, there are 17,580 options to purchase common stock outstanding that are held by our executive officers. To our knowledge, each of such stockholders will have sole voting and investment power as to the stock shown unless otherwise noted.

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Beneficial ownership of the securities listed in the table has been determined in accordance with the applicable rules and regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 
  Number and Percent of Shares of TSG Holdings Corp.(1)  
 
  Preferred Stock   Common Stock  
 
  Series A   Series B    
   
 
 
  Number   Percent   Number   Percent   Number   Percent  

Greater than 5% Stockholders:

                                     

Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. II, L.P.(2)
126 East 56th Street, New York, NY, 10022

    19,210     42.4 %   1,833     43.3 %   252,756     42.3 %

Funds affiliated with Jefferies Capital Partners(3)
520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022

    19,210     42.4 %   1,833     43.3 %   252,756     42.3 %

Christopher A. Pierce(4)(5)

    3,096     6.8 %   289     6.8 %   42,577     7.1 %

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

                                     

John A. Saxton(4)(6)(7)

    1,340     3.0 %   125     3.0 %   21,308     3.5 %

Robert M. Jakobe(4)(8)(9)

    108     0.2 %   10     0.2 %   4,721     0.8 %

Joan B. Davidson(4)(10)

    67     0.1 %   6     0.1 %   3,130     0.5 %

G. Paul Bozuwa(4)(11)

    268     0.6 %   25     0.6 %   5,320     0.9 %

Patricia A. Stricker(4)(12)

    91     0.2 %           2,730     0.5 %

Thomas J. Baldwin(13)(14)

    19,210     42.4 %   1,833     43.3 %   252,756     42.3 %

Nicholas Daraviras(15)

                         

Craig H. Deery(4)

    245     0.5 %   23     0.5 %   3,212     0.5 %

Gary T. DiCamillo(4)

    268     0.6 %   25     0.6 %   3,520     0.6 %

James L. Luikart(15)(16)

    19,210     42.4 %   1,833     43.3 %   252,756     42.3 %

Nicholas R. Sheppard(13)

                         

George A. Whaling(4)

    272     0.6 %   25     0.6 %   3,572     0.6 %

All executive officers and directors as a group (15 persons)(17)

    41,220     90.9 %   3,919     92.5 %   560,790     91.0 %

(1)
Pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a person has beneficial ownership of any securities as to which such person, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, undertaking, relationship or otherwise has or shares voting power and/or investment power and as to which such person has the right to acquire such voting and/or investment power within 60 days. Percentage of beneficial ownership as to any person as of a particular date is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person by the sum of the number of shares outstanding as of such date and the number of shares as to which such person has the right to acquire voting and/or investment power within 60 days.

(2)
The Sheridan Group Holdings (BRS), LLC (the "BRSLLC") is controlled by Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. II, L.P. (the "BRS Fund") which is a private equity investment fund managed by Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., LLC. BRSE, L.L.C. ("BRSE") is the general partner of the BRS Fund and by virtue of such status may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares owned by BRSLLC. BRSE has the power to direct BRSLLC as to the voting and disposition of shares held by BRSLLC. No single person controls the voting and dispositive power of BRSE with respect to the shares owned by BRSLLC. Bruce Bruckmann, Harold O. Rosser, Stephen C. Sherrill, Paul D. Kaminski and Thomas J. Baldwin are the managers of BRSE, and none of them individually has the power to direct or veto the voting or disposition of shares owned by BRSLLC. BRSE expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by BRSLLC. Each of Messrs. Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill, Kaminski and Baldwin expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by BRSLLC.

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(3)
The Sheridan Group Holdings (Jefferies), LLC is controlled by ING Furman Selz Investors III L.P., ING Barings U.S. Leveraged Equity Plan LLC and ING Barings Global Leveraged Equity Plan Ltd. which are private equity investment funds managed by Jefferies Capital Partners. Brian P. Friedman and Mr. Luikart are the Managing Members of JCP and may be considered the beneficial owners of the shares owned by The Sheridan Group Holdings (Jefferies), LLC, but each of Messrs. Friedman and Luikart expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of each of their pecuniary interests therein.

(4)
The address of each of Mr. Pierce, Mr. Saxton, Mr. Jakobe, Ms. Davidson, Mr. Bozuwa, Ms. Stricker, Mr. Deery, Mr. DiCamillo and Mr. Whaling is c/o The Sheridan Group, Inc., 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 260, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031.

(5)
Includes options to purchase 1,920 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock exercisable within 60 days.

(6)
Includes 17,602 common shares, 1,340 Series A preferred shares and 125 Series B preferred shares which are owned by RBC Capital Markets Corp. FBO John Saxton. Mr. Saxton may be deemed to beneficially own such shares.

(7)
Includes options to purchase 3,706 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock exercisable within 60 days.

(8)
Includes 1,288 common shares and 108 Series A preferred shares which are owned by CGM Custodian FBO Robert M. Jakobe Roll-over IRA. Mr. Jakobe may be deemed to beneficially own such shares.

(9)
Includes options to purchase 3,300 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock exercisable within 60 days.

(10)
Includes options to purchase 2,250 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock exercisable within 60 days.

(11)
Includes options to purchase 1,800 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock exercisable within 60 days.

(12)
Includes options to purchase 1,650 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock exercisable within 60 days.

(13)
The address of each of Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Sheppard is c/o Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., Inc., 126 East 56th Street, New York, New York 10022.

(14)
Consists of 19,210 shares and 1,833 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. Series A and Series B preferred stock, respectively, and 252,756 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock owned and/or controlled by the BRSLLC. Mr. Baldwin may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares owned of record and/or controlled by BRSLLC by virtue of his status as a manager of BRSE, but he expressly disclaims such beneficial ownership of the shares owned and/or controlled by BRSLLC. The members and managers of BRSE share investment and voting power with respect to securities owned and/or controlled by BRSE, but no individual controls such investment or voting power.

(15)
The address of each of Mr. Daraviras and Mr. Luikart is c/o Jefferies Capital Partners, 520 Madison Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

(16)
Consists of 19,210 shares and 1,833 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. Series A and Series B preferred stock, respectively, and 252,756 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock owned by The Sheridan Group Holdings (Jefferies), LLC. Mr. Luikart is a Managing Member of JCP and may be considered the beneficial owner of such shares, but he expressly disclaims such beneficial

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(17)
Includes options to purchase 18,626 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock exercisable within 60 days.

TSG Holdings Corp. Preferred Stock

        TSG Holdings Corp.'s Certificate of Incorporation provides that TSG Holdings Corp. may issue 200,000 shares of preferred stock, 50,000 of which is designated as 10% Series A Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock ("Series A"), 20,000 of which is designated as 10% Series B Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock ("Series B") and 130,000 of which is undesignated. TSG Holdings Corp. preferred stock has a stated value of $1,000 per share for Series A and $1,428.89 per share for Series B and is entitled to annual dividends when, as and if declared, which dividends will be cumulative, whether or not earned or declared, and will accrue at a rate of 10%, compounding annually. As of March 29, 2011, there are issued and outstanding about 45,326 and 4,234 shares of Series A and Series B preferred stock, respectively.

        Except as otherwise required by law, the TSG Holdings Corp. preferred stock is not entitled to vote. TSG Holdings Corp. may not pay any dividend upon (except for a dividend payable in Junior Stock, as defined below), or redeem or otherwise acquire shares of, capital stock junior to the TSG Holdings Corp. preferred stock (including the common stock) ("Junior Stock") unless all cumulative dividends on the TSG Holdings Corp. preferred stock have been paid in full. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of TSG Holdings Corp., holders of TSG Holdings Corp. Series A and Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive out of the legally available assets of TSG Holdings Corp., before any amount shall be paid to holders of Junior Stock, an amount equal to $1,000 per share and $1,428.89 per share, respectively, of TSG Holdings Corp. preferred stock, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of final distribution. If the available assets are insufficient to pay the holders of the outstanding shares of TSG Holdings Corp. preferred stock in full, the assets, or the proceeds from the sale of the assets, will be distributed ratably among the holders.

TSG Holdings Corp. Common Stock

        The Certificate of Incorporation of TSG Holdings Corp. provides that TSG Holdings Corp. may issue 1,000,000 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock. About 597,553 shares of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock are issued and outstanding as of March 29, 2011. The holders of TSG Holdings Corp. common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

        The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2010 regarding all of our existing compensation plans pursuant to which equity securities are authorized for issuance to employees and non-employee directors.

Plan Category
  Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights(1)
  Number of
Securities remaining
available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 
 
  (a)
  (b)
  (c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    N/A     N/A     N/A  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   
52,500
 
$

14.05
   
640
 
 

Total

   
52,500
 
$

14.05
   
640
 

(1)
As of December 31, 2010.

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Dividend and Loan

        On January 5, 2009, we executed a waiver to our working capital facility. The waiver allowed us to pay a cash dividend and make a loan to our parent company, TSG Holdings Corp. ("Holdings"), which is not a registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the aggregate amount of up to $14.0 million, provided that Holdings used the entire cash proceeds of such dividend and loan solely to purchase capital stock issued by Holdings (the "Stock Purchase") from Participatiemaatschappij Giraffe B.V. and to pay related expenses in connection therewith. On January 5, 2009, we paid a dividend in the aggregate amount of $8.0 million and made a loan in the principal amount of $2.0 million to Holdings. The loan had an original maturity on January 4, 2012 and accrued interest at the rate of 1.36% per year. The loan was subsequently settled against the income tax obligations due to Holdings, which is presented within "Due to parent, net" in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 (as discussed in Note 12 of our financial statements). Additionally, subsequent to January 5, 2009, we paid an additional dividend in the amount of $1.1 million to Holdings to pay expenses and other amounts in connection with the Stock Purchase.

Securities Holders' Agreement

        The second amended and restated securities holders' agreement among BRS, JCP and the other stockholders of Holdings provides that Holding's and our board of directors will consist of eight members, including four designees of BRS and four designees of JCP. Also pursuant to the securities holders' agreement, we may not take certain significant actions, such as incurrence of indebtedness in excess of certain thresholds or a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, without the approval of each of BRS and JCP.

        The securities holders' agreement generally restricts the transfer of shares of Holding's common stock or Holding's preferred stock without the consent of BRS and JCP. Exceptions to this restriction include transfers to affiliates and transfers for estate planning purposes, in each case so long as any transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of the agreement.

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        Each of Holdings, BRS and JCP has a right of first refusal under the securities holders' agreement with respect to sales of shares of Holdings by management investors. Under certain circumstances, the stockholders have "tag-along" rights to sell their shares on a pro rata basis with the selling stockholder in certain sales to third parties. If BRS and JCP approve a sale of Holdings, they have the right to require the other stockholders of Holdings to sell their shares on the same terms. The securities holders' agreement also contains a provision that gives Holdings the right to repurchase a management investor's shares upon termination of that management stockholder's employment or removal or resignation from the board of directors.

Registration Rights Agreement

        Pursuant to the amended and restated registration rights agreement among BRS, JCP and the other stockholders of Holdings, upon the written request of either BRS or JCP, Holdings has agreed to, on one or more occasions, prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC concerning the distribution of all or part of the shares of Holding's common stock held by BRS or JCP or certain of their respective affiliates, as the case may be, and use its best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective. Following an initial public offering of Holdings, BRS, JCP and the management investors also have the right, subject to certain exceptions and rights of priority, to have their shares included in certain registration statements filed by Holdings. Registration expenses of the selling stockholders (other than underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes applicable to the shares sold by such stockholders or the fees and expenses of any accountants or other representatives retained by a selling stockholder) will be paid by Holdings. Holdings has also agreed to indemnify the stockholders against certain customary liabilities in connection with any registration.

Management Agreement

        In connection with the Sheridan Acquisition, we entered into a management agreement with BRS and JCP pursuant to which BRS and JCP may provide financial, advisory and consulting services to us. In exchange for these services, BRS and JCP will be entitled to an annual management fee. The total management fee will be equal to the greater of 2% of EBITDA (as defined in the Management Agreement) or $0.5 million per year, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will be split equally between BRS and JCP. In addition, BRS and JCP may negotiate with us to provide additional services in connection with any transaction in which we may be, or may consider becoming, involved. At the closing of the Sheridan Acquisition, BRS and JCP also were paid a transaction fee of about $1.0 million, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, pursuant to the management agreement. The management agreement has an initial term of ten years. The agreement automatically renews for additional one year terms unless either we or BRS and JCP give written notice of termination within 90 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any extension thereof. There are no minimum levels of service required to be provided pursuant to the management agreement. The management agreement includes customary indemnification provisions in favor of BRS and JCP.

Policy for Approval of Related Transactions

        We do not have a written policy for the treatment of transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Our securities holders' agreement described above generally prohibits entry into such transactions without the consent of BRS and JCP.

Director Independence

        See Part III, Item 10, "Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance—Board Composition and Director Independence."

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ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

        The Company incurred fees for services performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
  Year ended
December 31,
2010
  Year ended
December 31,
2009
 

Audit fees (include the review of interim consolidated financial statements, annual audit of the consolidated financial statements and assistance with SEC filings)

  $ 667   $ 755  

Tax fees (include tax compliance, transactional consulting and advice for state tax issues )

   
201
   
182
 

All other fees (include license fees for online financial reporting and assurance literature)

   
2
   
3
 
           

Total

  $ 870   $ 940  
           

        All services that are performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the Company, including those described herein, are pre-approved by the audit committee prior to performance in accordance with legal requirements.

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PART IV

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

(1)
All Financial Statements:

 
  Page No.  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    34  

Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

    35  

Consolidated statements of operations for the years-ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

    36  

Consolidated statements of changes in stockholder's equity for the years-ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

    37  

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years-ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

    38  

Notes to consolidated financial statements

    39  

        All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements and the footnotes thereto.

        The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Where so indicated by footnote, exhibits which were previously filed are incorporated by reference.

  2.1   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2003, by and among Sheridan Acquisition Corp., The Sheridan Group, Inc. and the shareholders, optionholders and warrantholders named therein.†

 

2.2

 

First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2003, by and among Sheridan Acquisition Corp., The Sheridan Group, Inc. and BancBoston Ventures Inc. and John A. Saxton, on behalf of and solely in their capacity as representatives of all of the Sellers (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement).†

 

2.3

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2004, by and among The Sheridan Group, Inc., Lisbon Acquisition Corp. and The Dingley Press.†

 

3.1.a

 

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TSG Holdings Corp. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on March 28, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

3.1.b

 

Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TSG Holdings Corp. (filed as Exhibit 3.1.b to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on March 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of TSG Holdings Corp.†

 

3.3

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The Sheridan Group, Inc.†

 

3.4

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of The Sheridan Group, Inc.†

 

3.5

 

Restated and Amended Articles of Association of Capital City Press, Inc.†

 

3.6

 

Restated and Amended By-laws of Capital City Press, Inc.†

 

3.7

 

Articles of Incorporation of Dartmouth Journal Services, Inc.†

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  3.8   Bylaws of Dartmouth Journal Services, Inc.†

 

3.9

 

Articles of Agreement of Dartmouth Printing Company, as amended.†

 

3.10

 

By-Laws of Dartmouth Printing Company.†

 

3.11

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Sheridan Books, Inc., as amended.†

 

3.12

 

By-laws of Sheridan Books, Inc.†

 

3.13

 

Certificate of Incorporation of The Sheridan Group Holding Company.†

 

3.14

 

By-Laws of The Sheridan Group Holding Company.†

 

3.15

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The Sheridan Press, Inc.†

 

3.16

 

By-Laws of The Sheridan Press, Inc.†

 

3.17

 

Amendment and Restatement of Articles of Incorporation of United Litho, Inc.†

 

3.18

 

By-Laws of United Litho, Inc.†

 

3.19

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Dingley Press, Inc.†

 

3.20

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of The Dingley Press, Inc.^

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated as of August 21, 2003, among Sheridan Acquisition Corp. and The Bank of New York, as trustee and notes collateral agent.†

 

4.2

 

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 21, 2003, among Capital City Press, Inc., Dartmouth Printing Company, Dartmouth Journal Services, Inc., Sheridan Books, Inc., The Sheridan Group Holding Company, The Sheridan Press, Inc., United Litho, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee and notes collateral agent.†

 

4.3

 

Form of 10.25% Senior Secured Note Due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.1).†

 

4.4

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2003, by and between Sheridan Acquisition Corp. and Jefferies & Company, Inc.†

 

4.5

 

Joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2003, by and among Capital City Press, Inc., Dartmouth Printing Company, Dartmouth Journal Services, Inc., Sheridan Books, Inc., The Sheridan Group Holding Company, The Sheridan Press, Inc., United Litho, Inc. and Jefferies & Company, Inc.†

 

4.6

 

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 11, 2004, by and among The Sheridan Group, Inc., Lisbon Acquisition Corp. and The Bank of New York, as trustee and notes collateral agent.†

 

4.7

 

Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 11, 2004, by and among The Sheridan Group, Inc., Capital City Press, Inc., Dartmouth Printing Company, Dartmouth Journal Services, Inc., Lisbon Acquisition Corp., Sheridan Books, Inc., The Sheridan Group Holding Company, The Sheridan Press, Inc., United Litho, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee and notes collateral agent.†

 

4.8

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2004, by and among The Sheridan Group, Inc., Capital City Press, Inc., Dartmouth Printing Company, Dartmouth Journal Services, Inc., Lisbon Acquisition Corp., Sheridan Books, Inc., The Sheridan Group Holding Company, The Sheridan Press, Inc., United Litho, Inc. and Jefferies & Company, Inc.†

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  10.1.a   Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2009, by and among The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as agent, issuer and lender (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 17, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.1.b

 

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2011, by and among The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as agent, issuer and lender.

 

10.2

 

Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2003, among Sheridan Acquisition Corp., The Sheridan Group, Inc., the guarantors signatory thereto, The Bank of New York, as trustee and collateral agent, and Fleet National Bank.†

 

10.3

 

Second Amendment and Restatement to the Securities Holders Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by and among TSG Holdings Corp., The Sheridan Group Holdings (BRS) LLC and The Sheridan Group Holdings (Jefferies) LLC, dated as of March 30, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on March 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.5

 

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2003, by and among TSG Holdings Corp., Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. II, L.P., ING Furman Selz Investors III L.P., ING Barings Global Leveraged Equity Plan Ltd. and ING Barings U.S. Leveraged Equity Plan LLC.†

 

10.6

 

Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2003, by and among TSG Holdings Corp. and the management investors named therein.†

 

10.7

 

Management Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2003, by and among Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., LLC, FS Private Investments III LLC (d/b/a Jefferies Capital Partners) and Sheridan Acquisition Corp.†

 

10.11

 

TSG Holdings Corp. 2003 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan.†*

 

10.12

 

The Sheridan Group, Inc. Executive and Director Deferred Compensation Plan.†*

 

10.13

 

The Sheridan Group, Inc. Change-of-Control Incentive Plan for Corporate Staff.~

 

10.14

 

The Sheridan Group, Inc. Change-of-Control Incentive Plan for Key Management Employees.~

 

10.15

 

Amendment No. 1 to Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2004, by and among The Sheridan Group, Inc., the guarantors signatory thereto, The Bank of New York, as trustee and collateral agent, and Fleet National Bank.†

 

10.16

 

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2004, by and among TSG Holdings Corp. and the management investors named therein.†

 

10.20

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of May 10, 2005, of The Sheridan Group Holdings (BRS), LLC by and between Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. II, L.P. and John A. Saxton.^^

 

10.21

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of May 10, 2005, of The Sheridan Group Holdings (Jefferies), LLC by and among ING Furman Selz Investors III L.P., ING Barings U.S. Leveraged Equity Plan LLC, ING Barings Global Leveraged Equity Plan Ltd. and John A. Saxton.^^

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  10.27   Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2007, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Douglas R. Ehmann.*#

 

10.28

 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2007, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Gary J. Kittredge.*#

 

10.29

 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2007, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and G. Paul Bozuwa.*#

 

10.30

 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2007, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and John A. Saxton*#

 

10.31

 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2007, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Joan B. Davidson.*#

 

10.32

 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2007, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Patricia A. Stricker.*#

 

10.33

 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2007, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Robert M. Jakobe.*#

 

10.35

 

Addendum to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2008, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Douglas R. Ehmann.*††

 

10.36

 

Addendum to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2008, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Gary J. Kittredge.*††

 

10.37

 

Addendum to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2008, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and G. Paul Bozuwa.*††

 

10.38

 

Addendum to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2008, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and John A. Saxton.*††

 

10.39

 

Addendum to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2008, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Joan B. Davidson.*††

 

10.40

 

Addendum to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2008, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Patricia A. Stricker.*††

 

10.41

 

Addendum to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2008, between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Robert M. Jakobe.*††

 

10.42

 

First Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Douglas R. Ehmann.*##

 

10.43

 

First Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Gary J. Kittredge.*##

 

10.44

 

First Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and G. Paul Bozuwa.*##

 

10.45

 

First Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and John A. Saxton.*##

 

10.46

 

First Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Joan B. Davidson.*##

 

10.47

 

First Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Patricia A. Stricker.*##

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  10.48   First Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Robert M. Jakobe.*##

 

10.49

 

Second Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2010 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Douglas R. Ehmann.*##

 

10.50

 

Second Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2010 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Gary J. Kittredge.*##

 

10.51

 

Second Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2010 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and G. Paul Bozuwa.*##

 

10.52

 

Second Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2010 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and John A. Saxton.*##

 

10.53

 

Second Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2010 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Joan B. Davidson.*##

 

10.54

 

Second Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2010 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Patricia A. Stricker.*##

 

10.55

 

Second Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2010 between The Sheridan Group, Inc. and Robert M. Jakobe.*##

 

10.56

 

Change-of-Control Incentive Plan for Officers, dated as of August 31, 2010.*

 

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of The Sheridan Group, Inc.†

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, executed by John A. Saxton, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Sheridan Group,  Inc. and Robert Jakobe, Chief Financial Officer of The Sheridan Group, Inc.

Filed as a like numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-110441) and incorporated herein by reference.


^
Filed as a like numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on March 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.


^^
Filed as a like numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, filed on May 13, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.


~
Filed as a like numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed on March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.


#
Filed as a like numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed on March 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

††
Filed as a like numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on March 28, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.

*
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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##
Filed as a like numbered exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, filed on November 10, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.


Supplemental Information to be Furnished With Reports Filed Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act by Registrants Which Have Not Registered Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Act

        No annual report or proxy material has been sent to security holders in the year ended December 31, 2010. The Registrant is a wholly owned subsidiary of TSG Holdings Corp.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  THE SHERIDAN GROUP, INC.

 

By:

 

/s/ JOHN A. SAXTON


      Name:   John A. Saxton

      Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer and
Director

     

Date:

 

March 29, 2011

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ JOHN A. SAXTON

John A. Saxton
  President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   March 29, 2011

/s/ ROBERT M. JAKOBE

Robert M. Jakobe

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

March 29, 2011

/s/ THOMAS J. BALDWIN

Thomas J. Baldwin

 

Director

 

March 29, 2011

/s/ NICHOLAS DARAVIRAS

Nicholas Daraviras

 

Director

 

March 29, 2011

/s/ CRAIG H. DEERY

Craig H. Deery

 

Director

 

March 29, 2011

/s/ GARY T. DICAMILLO

Gary T. DiCamillo

 

Director

 

March 29, 2011

/s/ JAMES L. LUIKART

James L. Luikart

 

Director

 

March 29, 2011

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Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ NICHOLAS R. SHEPPARD

Nicholas R. Sheppard
  Director   March 29, 2011

/s/ GEORGE A. WHALING

George A. Whaling

 

Director

 

March 29, 2011

97