starrett_10q-093011.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934   
 
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011
 
OR
 
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
        For the transition period from   to   
 
        Commission file number
1-367
 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
MASSACHUSETTS
04-1866480
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
121 CRESCENT STREET, ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS
01331-1915
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
978-249-3551
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES x    NO o
 
Indicate by check mark 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 
YES x     NO o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check One):
 
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer o 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 x
 
Common Shares outstanding as of   October 31, 2011
     
Class A Common Share
  5,974,069
     
Class B Common Shares   776,437
 
 
 

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

CONTENTS
 
      Page No.
       
Part I.            Financial Information:  
       
  Item 1. Financial Statements  
       
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and June 30, 2011 3
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 25, 2010 (unaudited) 4
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 25, 2010 (unaudited) 5
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 25, 2010 (unaudited) 6
       
    Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 7-10
       
  Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 11-12
       
  Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 12
       
  Item 4. Controls and Procedures 12
       
Part II.  Other information:  
       
  Item 1A. Risk Factors 13
       
  Item 5. Other Information 13-14
       
  Item 6. Exhibits 14
       
SIGNATURES    
 
 
2

 
 
PART I.                      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of dollars except share data)
 
 
   
September 30,
2011
   
June 30,
2011
 
    (unaudited)     (audited)  
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash
  $ 16,448     $ 21,572  
Investments
    6,234       6,421  
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,186 and $416, respectively)
    40,769       45,567  
Inventories
    60,447       58,789  
    Current deferred income tax asset
    6,144       6,100  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    5,701       5,494  
Total current assets
    135,743       143,943  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    52,565       56,265  
Property held for sale
    788       788  
Intangible assets, net
    184       231  
Other assets
    888       951  
Long-term taxes receivable
    3,655       3,594  
Long-term deferred income tax asset, net
    21,198       21,407  
Total assets
  $ 215,021     $ 227,179  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
    Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 9,856     $ 8,238  
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    18,695       22,030  
    Accrued salaries and wages
    6,156       7,129  
Total current liabilities
    34,707       37,397  
Long-term taxes payable
    10,306       10,450  
Deferred income taxes
    2,804       2,806  
Long-term debt
    614       721  
Postretirement benefit and pension liability
    22,464       22,467  
Total liabilities
    70,895       73,841  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Class A Common stock $1 par (20,000,000 shares authorized); 5,956,408 outstanding on 9/30/2011 and 5,933,059 outstanding on 6/30/2011
    5,956       5,933  
Class B Common stock $1 par (10,000,000 shares authorized); 787,604 outstanding on 9/30/2011 and 800,868 outstanding on 6/30/2011
    788       801  
Additional paid-in capital, as adjusted (Note 9)
    51,545       51,411  
Retained earnings, as adjusted (Note 9)
    98,729       97,154  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (12,892 )     (1,961 )
Total stockholders' equity
    144,126       153,338  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 215,021     $ 227,179  


See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
3

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands of dollars except per share data) (unaudited)
 
   
3 Months Ended
 
   
9/30/2011
   
9/25/2010
 
             
Net sales
  $ 63,384     $ 57,539  
Cost of goods sold
    41,794       38,256  
Gross margin
    21,590       19,283  
     % of Net sales
    34.1 %     33.5 %
                 
                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    19,663       17,206  
                 
Operating income
    1,927       2,077  
                 
Other income
    1,824       183  
                 
Earnings before income taxes
    3,751       2,260  
                 
Income tax expense
    1,502       993  
                 
Net earnings
  $ 2,249     $ 1,267  
                 
Basic and diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.33     $ 0.19  
                 
Average outstanding shares used in per share calculations (in thousands):
               
     Basic
    6,740       6,684  
 Diluted
    6,755       6,699  
                 
Dividends per share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.06  


See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
4

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 and September 25, 2010
(in thousands of dollars except per share data) (unaudited)
 
                      Accumulated          
    Common Stock Outstanding    
Additional
          Other        
   
($1 Par)
    Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive        
   
Class A
   
Class B
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
 Loss
   
Total
 
Balance June 26, 2010
  $ 5,859     $ 821     $ 50,373     $ 93,006     $ (17,677 )   $ 132,382  
Correction of accounting for stock-based compensation (Note 9)
                    548       (548 )             -  
Balance June 26, 2010, as adjusted
  $ 5,859     $ 821     $ 50,921     $ 92,458     $ (17,677 )   $ 132,382  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Net earnings
                            1,267               1,267  
Minimum pension liability, net
                                    (9 )     (9 )
Translation gain, net
                                    4,194       4,194  
Total comprehensive income
                                            5,452  
Dividends ($0.06 per share)
                            (401 )             (401 )
Treasury shares:
                                               
Issued
    8               65                       73  
Issuance of stock under ESPP
                    18                       18  
Conversion
    10       (10 )                             -  
                                                 
Balance September 25, 2010, as adjusted
  $ 5,877     $ 811     $ 51,004     $ 93,324     $ (13,492 )   $ 137,524  
                                                 
Balance June 30, 2011, as adjusted
  $ 5,933     $ 801     $ 51,411     $ 97,154     $ (1,961 )   $ 153,338  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Net earnings
                            2,249               2,249  
Minimum pension liability, net
                                    (16 )     (16 )
Translation loss, net
                                    (10,915 )     (10,915 )
Total comprehensive loss
                                            (8,682 )
Dividends ($0.10 per share)
                            (674 )             (674 )
Treasury shares:
                                               
Issued
    10               96                       106  
Issuance of stock under ESPP
                    38                       38  
Conversion
    13       (13 )                             -  
                                                 
Balance September 30, 2011
  $ 5,956     $ 788     $ 51,545     $ 98,729     $ (12,892 )   $ 144,126  
                                                 
Cumulative Balance:
                                               
Translation loss
                                  $ (12,145 )        
Amounts not recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost
                                    (747 )        
                                    $ (12,892 )        


See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
5

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of dollars) (unaudited)

   
3 Months Ended
 
   
9/30/2011
   
9/25/2010
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings
  $ 2,249     $ 1,267  
Non-cash operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    2,305       2,429  
Amortization
    47       312  
Net long-term tax payable
    122       60  
Deferred taxes
    (107 )     167  
Unrealized transaction (gains)
    (20 )     (88 )
Retirement benefits
    400       (297 )
Equity loss on investment
    54       ---  
Working capital changes:
               
Receivables
    801       (4,700 )
Inventories
    (5,881 )     (352 )
Othr current assets
    (566 )     194  
Other current liabilities
    (2,520 )     1,994  
Prepaid pension cost and other
    304       (103 )
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (2,812 )     883  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (1,649 )     (1,035 )
Proceeds from sale of  investments
    ---       1,250  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (1,649 )     215  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
    1,549       1,484  
Short-term debt repayments
    (9 )     (678 )
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    137       ---  
Long-term debt repayments
    (116 )     (67 )
Proceeds from common stock issued
    106       73  
Dividends paid
    (674 )     (401 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    993       411  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (1,656 )     976  
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (5,124 )     2,485  
Cash, beginning of period
    21,572       20,478  
Cash, end of period
  $ 16,448     $ 22,963  
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:                
                 
        Interest paid  
$
68
   
$
75
 
        Taxes paid, net   $
1,667
    $
589
 

 
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
6

 
 
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011

Note 1:    Basis of Presentation

The financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  These unaudited condensed financial statements, which, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011.  Operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future interim period or for the entire fiscal year.

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company fully reserved for a receivable from a foreign customer in the amount of $831,000 due to increased uncertainty in the ability and willingness of the customer to repay its balance. The Company is pursuing various options to recover the amount it is owed, however, there is no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Note 2 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements which includes a change in the Company’s method of accounting for defined benefit pension costs.  Results of operations for the three months ended September 25, 2010 presented herein have been retroactively adjusted for this accounting change.

The Company has evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after September 30, 2011 through the date of issuance of these financial statements.  The Company did not have any material recognizable or non-recognizable subsequent events.


Note 2:    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-04 to amend fair value measurements and related disclosures; the guidance becomes effective on a prospective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012. This new guidance results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and U.S. GAAP. The new guidance also changes some fair value measurement principles and enhances disclosure requirements related to activities in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The adoption of this updated authoritative guidance is not expected to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 to amend the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements. This guidance allows companies the option to present other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under both alternatives, companies will be required to present each component of net income and comprehensive income. The adoption of this updated authoritative guidance will impact the presentation of our consolidated financial statements, but it will not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. The guidance must be applied retrospectively and is effective for the first quarter of 2013. We are in the process of evaluating the presentation options required by this ASU.


Note 3:    Investments

The Company has categorized its financial assets, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

 
7

 

Financial assets recorded on the balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

o  
Level 1 – Financial assets whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market which the company has the ability to access at the measurement date (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities and most U.S. Government and agency securities).

o  
Level 2 – Financial assets whose value are based on quoted market prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets.

o  
Level 3 – Financial assets whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own view about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset.

As of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, the Company’s Level 1 financial assets were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Level 1
 
   
9/30/2011
   
6/30/2011
 
Six Month Fixed Rate Deposit
  $ 6,234     $ 6,421  
 
As of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, the Company did not have any level 2 or 3 financial assets.


Note 4:    Inventories

          Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2011
   
June 30,
2011
 
Raw Material and Supplies
  $ 31,799     $ 31,928  
Goods in Process and Finished Parts
    23,947       23,938  
Finished Goods
    31,461       29,096  
      87,207       84,962  
LIFO Reserve
    (26,760 )     (26,173 )
Inventories
  $ 60,447     $ 58,789  

LIFO inventories were $16.0 million and $15.4 million at September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively, such amounts being approximately $26.8 million and $26.2 million, respectively, less than if determined on a FIFO basis.  The use of LIFO, as compared to FIFO, resulted in a $0.6 million increase in cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to a $0.3 million reduction in cost of sales in the three months ended September 25, 2010.


Note 5:    Pension and Post Retirement Benefits

Net periodic benefit costs for the Company's defined benefit pension plans consist of the following (in thousands):

    Three Months  
   
 Ended September
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Service cost
  $ 575     $ 573  
Interest cost
    1,664       1,611  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,652 )     (1,814 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    59       (2 )
Amortization of net (gain) loss
    (1 )     -  
    $ 645     $ 368  

 
8

 

Net periodic benefit costs for the Company's postretirement medical plan consists of the following (in thousands):

    Three Months  
   
Ended September
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Service cost
  $ 96     $ 92  
Interest cost
    156       151  
Amortization of prior service benefit
    (226 )     (226 )
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss
    5       7  
    $ 31     $ 24  

The Company’s pension plans use fair value as the market-related value of plan assets and recognize actuarial gains or losses in other comprehensive income/(loss).  Net actuarial gains or losses in excess of ten percent (10%) of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or of the plans’ projected benefit obligation will be recognized in net periodic (benefit) cost as of the plan measurement date, which is the same as the fiscal year end of the Company.


Note 6:    Debt

Debt, including capitalized lease obligations, is comprised of the following (in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2011
 
Notes payable and current maturities
           
Loan and Security Agreement
  $ 9,500     $ 8,000  
Short-term foreign credit facility
    59       27  
Capitalized leases
    297       211  
    $ 9,856     $ 8,238  
Long-term debt
               
Capitalized leases
    614       721  
    $ 10,470     $ 8,959  
 
The material financial covenants of the Loan and Security Agreement are 1) achieve a minimum Tangible Net Worth of $130 million excluding any pension liability, 2) incur no more than $10.0 million for capital expenditures on a fiscal year basis, and 3) maintain a Debt Service Coverage Ratio of a minimum of 1.25 to 1.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company was in compliance with each of these financial covenants.

The effective interest rate on the Loan and Security Agreement for the three-months ended September 30, 2011 was 2.1%.


Note 7:    Income Tax

The Company provides for income taxes on an interim basis based on an estimate of the effective tax rate for the year.  This estimate is reassessed on a quarterly basis.  Discrete tax items are accounted for in the quarterly period in which they occur.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 was 40.0%.  Discrete items impacting the effective tax rate included an adjustment of $132,000 to increase the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions related to a proposed state income tax settlement as well as an adjustment of $84,000 to decrease the deferred tax balances due to a reduction in the UK tax rate.

 
9

 
 
The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax and various state, local and foreign income taxes in numerous jurisdictions.  The Company’s domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of revenues and expenses in different jurisdictions and the timing of recognizing revenues and expenses.  Additionally, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to the Company’s interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which it files.

The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through fiscal 2006. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had one state income tax audit in progress.  There were no other local or federal income tax audits in progress as of September 30, 2011.  In international jurisdictions including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, UK, Germany, New Zealand, and Mexico, which comprise a significant portion of the Company’s operations, the years that may be examined vary by country.  Brazil is subject to audit for the years 2007 – 2011.

Other than the adjustment for a proposed state tax settlement referred to above, the Company has identified no new uncertain tax positions during the three month period ended September 30, 2011 for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.

No valuation allowance has been recorded for the Company’s domestic federal net operating loss (NOL) carry forwards. The Company continues to believe that the domestic liability for uncertain tax positions along with certain tax planning strategies available, it is more likely than not that it will be able to utilize the federal NOL carry forwards.


Note 8:    Financial Instruments
 
The fair carrying value amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.  The fair value of our variable rate debt approximates its carrying amount.


Note 9:    Prior Period Adjustment

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company determined that its retained earnings balance was overstated due to an error in the method of calculating compensation expense imputed under the employee stock option plan which had accumulated over a period of years. These errors, which arose in periods prior to July 1, 2011, are not considered to be material to previously issued financial statements.  In order to correct these immaterial errors, the Company has revised the accompanying balance sheet as of the earliest period presented (June 26, 2010), to decrease retained earnings by $548,000 and to increase additional paid in capital by the same amount. No adjustments were required to be made to the accompanying fiscal 2011 statements of operations and cash flows as such adjustments were deemed to be immaterial.

 
10

 

 ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 and September 25, 2010

Overview

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company continued to drive sales growth globally.  Net sales increased $5.9 million or 10% from $57.5 million in fiscal 2011 to $63.4 million in fiscal 2012.  Operating income declined $0.2 million as a gross margin improvement of $2.3 million was more than offset by a $2.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.  Profit before tax increased $1.5 million largely due to favorable foreign exchange rates.  Net income was $2.2 million or $0.33 per share in fiscal 2012 compared to $1.3 million or $0.19 per share in fiscal 2011.

Net Sales

Net sales in North America increased $1.5 million or 5% from $28.4 million to $29.9 million.  Strong sales growth for precision tools and optical equipment mitigated a decline in revenue from custom granite products.  International sales increased $4.4 million or 15% from $29.1 million to $33.5 million with both Brazil and Scotland posting gains of 13% and 27%, respectively.  Exchange rate fluctuations represented approximately $2.4 million or 55% of the International sales gain.

Gross Margin

Gross margins improved $2.3 million with sales volume and margin improvement representing $1.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  North American gross margin increased a modest $0.2 million as improved efficiencies in our major manufacturing facilities were offset by a $1.1 million unfavorable swing in LIFO inventory valuation.  International gross margins improved $2.3 million led by increased sales in Brazil and Scotland.  Exchange rate fluctuations represented $0.8 million or 35% on the International gross margin improvement.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling general and administrative expenses increased $2.4 million or 14% with a specifically identified International provision for bad debt of $0.8 million and exchange rate fluctuations of $0.7 million representing 63% of the consolidated expense increase.  North American expenses decreased $0.3 million or 3% due to lower employee benefit costs.  Including the $1.5 million International expenses discussed above, International expenses increased an additional $1.2 million due to higher selling expense, particularly in Brazil.

Other Income

Other income posted a positive profit variance in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 of $1.6 million principally due to favorable exchange rates as the Brazilian Real weakened against the US dollar.

Earnings Before Taxes

Earnings before taxes in fiscal 2012 increased $1.5 million compared to fiscal 2011.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flows (in thousands)
 
Three Months
 
   
9/30/2011
   
9/30/2010
 
             
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (2,812 )   $ 883  
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (1,649 )     215  
Cash provided by financing activities
    993       411  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (1,656 )     976  
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
  $ (5,124 )   $ 2,485  
 
 
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Increases in profitability as well as lower short term debt payments were more than offset by increases in working capital and resulted in a decrease of net cash of $5.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The net difference of $7.6 million in comparison with the same period one year ago is primarily due to increases in inventory and reduced levels of accounts payable and accrued expenses.  Additionally the first quarter of fiscal 2011 benefited from a $1.2 million liquidation of investment assets. 

Liquidity and Credit Arrangements

The Company believes it maintains sufficient liquidity and has the resources to fund its operations.  In addition to its cash and investments, the Company maintains a $23 million Loan and Security Agreement, of which, $9.5 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2011.  Availability under the agreement is further reduced by open letters of credit totaling $0.4 million. The Loan and Security Agreement matures in April of 2012 and the Company expects to be able to renew its credit facility prior to its expiration.  The Loan and Security Agreement was modified in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 at which time certain financial covenants were amended.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants related to its Loan and Security Agreement.  The effective interest rate on the Loan and Security Agreement during the three months ended September 30, 2011 was 2.1%.

INFLATION

The Company has experienced modest inflation relative to its material cost, much of which cannot be passed on to the customer through increased prices.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, other than operating leases, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.


ITEM 3.                      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk from what was reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.


ITEM 4.                      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011, and they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. All information required to be filed in this report was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s remediation of the material weakness that existed as of June 30, 2011, and which was noted in Item 9A of the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 14, 2011, is not complete as of September 30, 2011. As part of the plan an internal resource was assigned with the responsibility of managing the Company’s internal tax related processes and coordinating the tax calculation process with the Company’s external consultant. This part of the remediation plan is considered complete as of the end of the first quarter fiscal 2012.

 
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PART II.                    OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A.                   RISK FACTORS

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements about the Company’s business, competition, sales, expenditures, foreign operations, plans for reorganization, interest rate sensitivity, debt service, liquidity and capital resources, and other operating and capital requirements. In addition, forward-looking statements may be included in future Company documents and in oral statements by Company representatives to securities analysts and investors.  The Company is subject to risks that could cause actual events to vary materially from such forward-looking statements.  You should carefully review and consider the information regarding certain factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011. There have been no material changes from the factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011.

In addition to the risk factors outlined in Form 10-K, management has developed a plan to remediate a material weakness over financial reporting, which is described in Part I, Item 4 in this Form 10-Q. We may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


ITEM 5.                      OTHER INFORMATION

Directors’ Vote at Annual Meeting
Voting Results of 2011 Annual Stockholder Meeting

The 2011 Annual Stockholder Meeting of the Company was held on October 12, 2011.  The Company’s stockholders voted on the election of Ralph G. Lawrence, Salvador de Camargo, Jr and Stephen F. Walsh as Class III Directors of the Company, each to hold office for a term of three years and until his successor is chosen and qualified.  At the meeting, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Camargo and Mr. Walsh were each elected as Class III Directors for a term of three years ending at the 2014 Annual Stockholder Meeting.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on August 17, 2011 were entitled to vote at the meeting. On that date, the Company had outstanding and entitled to vote 5,936,383 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Stock”) and 803,950 shares of Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Stock”). Each outstanding share of Class A Stock entitles the record holder thereof to one vote and each outstanding share of Class B Stock entitles the record holder thereof to ten votes. The holders of Class A Stock are entitled to elect 25% of the Company’s directors to be elected at each meeting and such holders voting together with the holders of Class B Stock as a single class are entitled to elect the remaining directors to be elected at the meeting. Except for the foregoing and except as provided by law, all actions submitted to a vote of stockholders are voted on by the holders of Class A and Class B Stock voting together as a single class. The Company’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes with one class to be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders.  Mr. Lawrence was elected by the holders of Class A Stock voting as a single class.  Mr. Camargo and Mr. Walsh were elected by the holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock voting together as a single class.

Below are the results of the voting of the holders of Class A Stock voting as a single class:

Nominee
For
Against
Abstentions
Ralph G. Lawrence
2,793,921
1,077,376
 1,565,456

 
Below are the results of the voting of the holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock voting together as a single class:
 
Nominee
For
Against
Abstentions
Salvadore de Camargo, Jr
8,368,645
1,213,072
4,394,166
       
Stephen F. Walsh
8,312,299
1,269,418
4,394,166
 
 
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The stockholders also voted on two other items at the meeting.

 
1.
An advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.  The result was 8,365,691 votes for, 392,457 votes against, 823,569 votes abstaining and no votes withheld.
 
 
2.
An advisory vote on the frequency of future votes relating to executive compensation.  The result of this vote was:
 
1 Year
2 Years
3 Years
Abstain
2,204,455
234,089
6,114,448
1,028,715

 
ITEM 6.                      EXHIBITS

31a
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

31b
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

32
Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101
The following materials from L. S. Starrett’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,  2011 are furnished herewith, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, (iv)the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

     
THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY
(Registrant)
       
       
Date
November 8, 2011
 
S/R. Douglas A. Starrett
     
Douglas A. Starrett - President and CEO
       
Date
November 8, 2011
 
S/R. Francis J. O’Brien
     
Francis J. O’Brien - Treasurer and CFO

 
 
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