SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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 28, 2008

or

[  ] 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:  1-5761

                                                                                                                                                              

LaBarge, Inc.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

                              

                               

                                

Delaware

                            

73-0574586

 

                  

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

         

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

            

                                                     

                                                             

    

9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri

   

63124

    

 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(314) 997-0800

 

 

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

                                                                                                    

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

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 [  ]

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  [   ]

      

Accelerated filer  [X]

                                            

Non-accelerated filer  [   ]

Smaller reporting company  [   ]

                        

                   

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

                                            

                     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Issuer’s classes of common stock as of October 30, 2008:  15,495,857 shares of common stock.

LaBarge, Inc.

 

FORM 10-Q

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 28, 2008

 

Table of Contents

                                                         

  

Part I

                

Financial Information (Unaudited)

 

   

                

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

                 

Consolidated Statements of Income

                

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

                

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

                

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

                

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

Part II

Other Information

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 6.

Exhibits

                             

Signatures

 


PART I

LaBARGE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                              

                                                                                                                

Three Months Ended

                       

                        

                                                                                                                   

 

September 28,
2008

  

 

September 30,
2007

Net sales

$

68,192

      

$

59,190

Cost and expenses:

 

Cost of sales

 

53,929

      

47,818

 

Selling and administrative expense

 

8,270

 

6,947

 

Interest expense

 

158

427

 

Other expense, net

 

10

 

10

Earnings before income taxes

 

5,825

3,988

Income tax expense

2,156

1,468

  

 

Net earnings

 

$

3,669

$

2,520

 

Basic net earnings per common share

$

0.24

$

0.17

  

Average common shares outstanding

 

15,234

 

15,200

  

Diluted net earnings per common share

 

$

0.23

     

$

0.16

  

Average diluted common shares outstanding

16,090

16,018

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


LaBARGE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

   

 

September 28,
2008

June 29,
2008

                                                                                                                    

(unaudited)

        

                   

ASSETS

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

              

 

                        

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

953

$

1,646

 

 

Accounts and other receivables, net

 

36,590

 

40,778

 

 

Inventories

 

65,538

66,927

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

1,322

 

1,245

 

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

2,406

1,960

 

  

Total current assets

 

106,809

112,556

 

  

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

16,532

17,248

 

Intangible assets, net

 

1,364

 

1,548

 

Goodwill, net

24,292

 

24,292

Deferred tax asset, net

210

---

Other assets, net

 

4,907

 

4,828

 

  

Total assets

 

$

154,114

$

160,472

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

    

Current liabilities:

 

              

          

 

Short-term borrowings

$

1,200

$

10,500

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

2,138

4,682

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

20,697

 

22,684

 

 

Accrued employee compensation

 

11,347

 

13,494

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

4,626

 

2,552

 

Cash advances

11,247

 

11,897

 

Total current liabilities

 

51,255

65,809

 

Long-term advances from customers for purchase of materials

 

46

622

 

Deferred gain on sale of real estate and other liabilities

2,003

2,125

Long-term debt

 

4,914

447

 

    

Stockholders’ equity:

 

                                                      

 

Common stock, $.01 par value.  Authorized 40,000,000 shares; 15,773,253 issued at September 28, 2008 and June 29, 2008, respectively, including shares in treasury

 

158

 

158

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

16,107

 

16,547

 

 

Retained earnings

 

82,270

78,601

 

Less cost of common stock in treasury, shares of 282,771 at
September 28, 2008 and 419,503 at June 29, 2008


(2,639


)


(3,837


)

   

Total stockholders’ equity

 

95,896

 

91,469

    

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

154,114

$

160,472

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


LaBARGE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands)

                                                                                         

Three Months Ended

 

                                                                                          

 

September 28,
2008

 

September 30,
2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

     

 

 

Net earnings

 

      

$

3,669

         

       

$

2,520

         

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by operating activities:

                                                                                        

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

     

 

1,380

            

1,260

 

Amortization of deferred gain on sale of real estate

(119

)

(120

)

 

Stock-based compensation

572

        

283

 

Other than temporary impairment of investment

13

13

 

 

Deferred taxes

 

 

(657

)

 

71

 

 

Other

 

 

---

 

2

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

4,188

724

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

1,389

(1,597

)

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

(77

)

861

 

Trade accounts payable

(2,104

)

1,149

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

232

(335

)

 

Advance payments

(1,226

)

255

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

             

7,260

      

5,086

 

    

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

                                                                                

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

    

(281

)

(648

)

 

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

---

18

 

 

Additions to other assets and intangibles

 

 

(173

)

(175

)

 

Net cash (used) by investing activities

 

 

(454

)

(805

)

 

   

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

                               

                    

 

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

22,025

19,000

 

Payments of revolving credit facility

(27,825

)

(20,225

)

 

Repayments of long-term debt

(1,577

)

(1,574

)

 

 

Issuance of treasury stock

 

 

185

287

 

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(307

)

(265

)

 

                                                                                         

                      

                      

 

Net cash (used) by financing activities

 

 

(7,499

)

(2,777

)

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(693


)

1,504

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

1,646

392

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

      

$

953

           

     

$

1,896

           

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

  

LaBarge, Inc.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.

  

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated balance sheet at September 28, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the three months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, have been prepared by LaBarge, Inc. (the “Company”) without audit.  In the opinion of management, adjustments, all of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the aforementioned periods, have been made.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 2008.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), to clarify the definition of fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value and expand the disclosures on fair value measurements. On June 30, 2008, the company adopted the provision of SFAS No. 157. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. The Company will defer the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for its nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities until the year ended June 27, 2010, as permitted under FASB Staff Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157.”

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”), to permit all entities to choose to elect, at specified election dates, to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value. An entity shall report unrealized gains and losses, on items for which the fair value option has been elected, in earnings at each subsequent reporting date, and recognize upfront costs and fees related to those items in earnings as incurred and not deferred. SFAS No. 159 applies to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted for an entity that has also elected to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157. On June 30, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 159. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements when it became effective for the fiscal year ending June 28, 2009.

In September 2006, the FASB’s EITF reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-4, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefits Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements” (“EITF 06-4”).  This addresses only endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods. EITF 06-04 was adopted on June 30, 2008. Adopting the provisions of EITF 06-4 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


2.

  

SALES AND NET SALES

Sales and net sales consist of the following:
(in thousands)

                                                                    

Three Months Ended

 

September 28,

        

September 30,

 

2008

           

2007

Sales

 

$

68,470

        

               

$

59,349

Less sales discounts

278

     

159

Net sales

 

$

68,192

$

59,190

Geographic Information

The Company has no sales offices or facilities outside of the United States.  Sales for exports did not exceed 10% of total sales in any fiscal year.


3.

  

ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Accounts and other receivables consist of the following:
(in thousands)

                                                                    

Three Months Ended

 

September 28,

        

June 29,

 

2008

           

2008

Billed shipments

 

$

36,682

        

            

$

40,105

Less allowance for doubtful accounts

318

     

252

Trade receivables, net

36,364

     

39,853

Other current receivables

226

925

  Total

 

$

36,590

$

40,778

At September 28, 2008, the amounts due from the three largest accounts receivable debtors and the percentage of total accounts receivable represented by those amounts were $8.6 million (23%), $3.8 million (10%), and $3.1 million (8%).  This compares with $10.3 million (26%), $3.4 million (9%), and $2.9 million (7%) at June 29, 2008.

At September 28, 2008, the second largest accounts receivable debtor, with a balance of $3.8 million, includes $3.6 million which is past due.  The Company is in discussions with this customer to develop a payment plan, the success of which is contingent on the customer raising additional capital. If the customer is able to raise additional equity, the Company anticipates that the receivables outstanding as of September 28, 2008 will be paid in full. If the customer is unable to raise additional equity, the Company may not collect the receivables, which could adversely affect the Company’s operations. As of September 28, 2008, the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts includes $79,000 associated with this customer related to disputed invoices which have been outstanding for more than one year.  The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts does not include any other amounts for this customer.

At June 29, 2008, other current receivables included an income tax receivable of $778,000.


4.

  

INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:
(in thousands)

 

                                                                         

  

September 28,

             

June 29,

        

2008

2008

Raw materials

        

$

46,952

           

$

47,221

Work in progress

18,586

              

19,706

 

       

$

65,538

          

$

66,927

For the three months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, expense for obsolete or slow-moving inventory charged to income before taxes was $597,000 and $317,000, respectively.

The Company’s inventory balance at September 28, 2008 included $3.8 million related to a contract with a customer who has deferred its production schedule. The inventory value will be realizable if this customer is able to resume its production schedule which, in part, is contingent upon the customer’s ability to raise additional capital. If the customer is unable to resume its production schedule, the Company may not recover the full value of the inventory related to this customer. No provision was recorded for this inventory as of September 28, 2008.

5.

  

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets, net, is summarized as follows:
(in thousands)

  

         

                  

   

September 28,

   

    

    

June 29,

    

 

                                                                   

2008

2008

Software

    

$

4,141

$

4,090

Less accumulated amortization

     

3,551

 

      

3,457

      

  

Net software

590

633

Customer list

3,400

3,400

Less accumulated amortization

2,626

2,485

  

Net customer list

774

915

   

Total intangible assets, net

$

1,364

$

1,548

 

Intangibles are amortized over a three-to-six-year period.  Amortization expense was $266,000 for the three months ended September 28, 2008, compared with $281,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007.

The Company anticipates that amortization expense will approximate $1.1 million for fiscal year 2009, $0.9 million for fiscal year 2010, $0.5 million for fiscal year 2011, $0.4 million for fiscal year 2012 and $0.4 million for fiscal year 2013.

6.

  

GOODWILL

Goodwill is summarized as follows:
(in thousands)

  

                                                                        

September 28,

   

    

    

June 29,

   

 

 

2008

2008

 

Goodwill

$

24,492

     

  

$

24,492

           

Less accumulated amortization

   

200

   

200

  Net goodwill

$

24,292

$

24,292

 

There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2008.

7.

  

OTHER ASSETS

Other assets is summarized as follows:
(in thousands)

  

                                                                          

September 28,

   

    

    

June 29,

   

 

2008

2008

 

Cash value of life insurance

$

4,724

     

  

$

4,612

           

Deposits, licenses and other, net

   

98

   

112

Securities held for sale

13

26

Deferred financing costs, net

        

36

42

Other

36

36

  Total

$

4,907

$

4,828

 

8.

  

SHORT- AND LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Short-term borrowings, long-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt consist of the following:
(dollars in thousands)

  

                                                                          

September 28,

   

    

    

June 29,

   

 

2008

2008

Short-term borrowings:

             

            

 Revolving credit agreement:

  Balance at quarter-end

$

1,200

$

10,500

  Interest rate at quarter-end

4.23

%

3.83

%

  Average amount of short-term borrowings

  

   outstanding during period

$

6,146

$

14,764

  Average interest rate for period

4.05

%

5.79

%

  Maximum short-term borrowings at

   any month-end

$

5,875

   

$

19,025

Senior long-term debt:

                    

 Senior lender:

   Term loan

$

6,500

$

4,500

 

 Other

552

629

 

Total senior long-term debt

7,052

5,129

Less current maturities

2,138

4,682

Long-term debt, less current maturities

$

4,914

$

447

 

The average interest rate was computed by dividing the sum of daily interest costs by the sum of the daily borrowings for the respective periods.

The Company entered into a senior loan agreement on February 17, 2004, which was amended on October 3, 2008.  The amended agreement extended the credit facility for two years. Remaining terms are substantially similar to the Company’s existing bank credit facility.

The amended agreement allows the Company to borrow up to a $10.0 million term loan. This new credit facility resulted in the Company paying down short-term borrowings with the proceeds from the term loan. In accordance with SFAS No. 6, “Classification of Short-term Obligations Expected to be Refinanced, an amendment of ARB No. 43,”(“SFAS No. 6”) the Company classified those current obligations, $3.5 million, that have been refinanced on a long-term basis as long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2008.


Senior Lender:


The Company entered into a senior secured loan agreement with a group of banks on October 3, 2008. The following is a summary of the agreement:

 •

 

A revolving credit facility, up to $25.0 million, available for direct borrowings or letters of credit.  The facility is based on a borrowing base formula equal to the sum of 85% of eligible receivables and 35% of eligible inventories. As of September 28, 2008, the outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility were $4.7 million; $3.5 million of the loans were reclassified to long-term debt under SFAS No. 6 due to the October 3, 2008 amendment to the credit facility. As of September 28, 2008, letters of credit issued were $1.0 million; and an aggregate of $22.8 million was available under the revolving credit facility. This credit facility matures on October 3, 2010.

            

     

 

                                                                                                                                        

 •

 

A $10.0 million term loan amortized beginning November 2008, at a quarterly rate of $500,000, with the balance due October 2010.  The balance sheet reflects the amount outstanding at September 28, 2008 under the previous term loan, $3.0 million, plus the reclassification of $3.5 million of short-term borrowings to long-term debt discussed in the paragraph above. The Company is obligated to borrow the remaining $3.5 million by November 30, 2008.

    

 

     

 •

Interest on both loans is calculated at a percentage of prime or a stated rate over LIBOR based on certain ratios.  For the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2008, the average rate was approximately 4.47%.

     

 

                                                                                                                                               

 •

 

Both loans are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company other than real estate.

 

                 

 •

Covenants and performance criteria consist of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) in relation to debt, EBITDA in relation to fixed charges and minimum net worth. The Company was in compliance with its borrowing agreement covenants as of September 28, 2008.

    

 

                                                                                                                                             

 

Other Long-Term Debt:
Other long-term debt includes capital lease agreements with outstanding balances totaling $302,000 the three months ended September 28, 2008 and $336,000 at June 29, 2008.

The aggregate maturities of long-term obligations are as follows:
(in thousands)

Fiscal Year

2009

……………………………………………………… 

$

1,605

 

2010

……………………………………………………… 

    

2,146

 

2011

……………………………………………………… 

     

3,051

 

2012

……………………………………………………… 

     

250

 

2013

……………………………………………………… 

     

---

 

    Total

……………………………………………………… 

$

7,052

 

9.

  

CASH FLOWS

Total cash payments for interest for the three months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007 amounted to $132,000 and $456,000, respectively.  Net cash payments for federal and state income taxes were $0 and $4,000 for the three months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively.



10.

  

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed as follows:
(amounts in thousands, except earnings per-share amounts)

                                                                                 

September 28,

  

September 30,

  

                                                                           

2008

2007

 Net earnings

$

3,669

$

2,520


Basic net earnings per share


$


0.24

       


$


0.17

Diluted net earnings per share

  

$

0.23

$

0.16

Basic earnings per share are calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share are calculated under the treasury stock method using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options.

(in thousands)

                 

Three Months Ended

                                                                                             

September 28,

    

September 30,

      

2008

2007

Average common shares outstanding – basic

        

15,234

      

15,200

 

Dilutive options and nonvested shares

856

818

 

Adjusted average common shares outstanding -- diluted

16,090

16,018

 

All stock options outstanding and nonvested shares at September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007 were dilutive and included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. These options expire in various periods through 2014. The nonvested shares vest over the next two fiscal years.

11.

  

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has established the 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan, and the 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (collectively, the “Plans”). The Plans provide for the issuance of up to 2,200,000 shares to be granted in the form of stock-based awards to key employees of the Company. In addition, pursuant to the 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”), the Company provides for the issuance of up to 850,000 shares to be granted in the form of stock-based awards to certain key employees and nonemployee directors. The Company may satisfy the awards upon exercise with either new or treasury shares. The Company’s stock compensation awards outstanding at September 28, 2008 include stock options, restricted stock and performance units.

Also, the Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan that allows any eligible employee to purchase common stock at the end of each quarter at 15% below the market price as of the first or last day of the quarter, whichever is lower. The Company recognizes as expense the difference between the price the employee pays and the market price of the stock on the last day of the quarter.

For the quarter ended September 28, 2008, total stock-based compensation was $572,000 ($355,000 after tax), equivalent to earnings per basic and diluted shares of $.02. For the three months ended September 30, 2007, total stock-based compensation was $283,000 ($177,000 after tax), equivalent to earnings per basic and diluted share of $0.01.

As of September 28, 2008, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested awards, including stock options and performance units, was $1.4 million pretax, and the period over which it is expected to be recognized is approximately 1.5 years. As of September 30, 2007, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested awards, including stock options and performance units, was $1.0 million pre-tax and the period over which it was expected to be recognized was 1.5 years.

A summary of the Company’s Stock Option Plans as of September 28, 2008 is presented below:

 

                                                   

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Number of
Shares
Exercisable

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted-
Average
Fair Value
Granted
Option

 

 

Outstanding at June 29, 2008

1,481,324

$

3.84

  

1,481,324

$

3.84

 

 

                                                                              

 

 

Canceled

---

---

 

 

Exercised

11,675

8.54

 

 

Outstanding at
 September 28, 2008


1,469,649


$


3.81

  


1,469,649


$


3.81

        


---

 

 

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding:

                      

Outstanding and Exercisable Options as of September 28, 2008



Range of
Exercise Prices

  



Number
Outstanding

  

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

 

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 


Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(1)
(in millions)

 

$

2.50 – 3.00

 

944,547

      

1.7

             

  

$

2.59

     

  

$

12.1

       

$

3.03 – 5.96

266,200

4.8

3.52

3.2

$

5.97 – 8.54

 

258,902

 

5.9

 

8.54

 

1.8

1,469,649

3.0

  

$

3.81

    

$

17.1

The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the fiscal quarters ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007 was $56,000 and $103,000, respectively. The exercise period for all stock options generally may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. Stock option grants to individuals generally become exercisable over a service period of one to five years.

No stock options were issued in the fiscal quarters ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007. All stock options previously granted were at prices not less than fair market value of the common stock at the grant date.  All stock options outstanding at September 28, 2008 were dilutive and included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.  These options expire in various periods through 2014.

Performance Units and Nonvested Stock

The Company’s LTIP provides for the issuance of performance units, which will be settled in stock subject to the achievement of the Company’s financial goals. Settlement will be made pursuant to a range of opportunities relative to net earnings. No settlement will occur for results below the minimum threshold and additional shares shall be issued if the performance exceeds the targeted goals. The compensation cost of performance units is subject to adjustment based upon the attainability of the target goals.

Upon achievement of the performance goals, shares are awarded in the employee’s name but are still subject to a two-year vesting condition. If employment is terminated (other than due to death or disability) prior to the vesting period, the shares are forfeited. Compensation expense is recognized over the performance period plus vesting period. The awards are treated as a liability award during the performance period and as an equity award once the performance targets are settled. Awards vest on the last day of the second year following the performance period.


A summary of the nonvested shares as of September 28, 2008 is presented below:

                                                                           

Number of

           

Weighted-

Nonvested

Average

Shares

 

Grant Price

Nonvested shares at June 29, 2008

108,084

        

$

12.29

Issued

141,923

13.00

Vested

---

---

Forfeited

---

---

Nonvested shares at September 28, 2008

250,007

$

12.69

For the quarters ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, compensation expense related to the LTIP was $551,000, and $271,000, respectively.



   

LaBARGE, INC.

 

FORM 10-Q

                           

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Item 2

                                                                                                            

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events or our future financial performance.  We have attempted to identify these statements by terminology including “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.  These statements include statements about our market opportunity, our growth strategy, competition, expected activities, and the adequacy of our available cash resources.  These statements may be found throughout the Report, including in the section of this report entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  Readers are cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risks and uncertainties may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, we can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. We expressly decline any obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements that have been made to reflect the occurrence of events after the date of this report.

General
General Development of Business and Information about Business Activity
LaBarge, Inc. (“LaBarge” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation, incorporated in 1968, that provides custom high-performance electronic, electromechanical and interconnect systems on a contract basis for customers in diverse technology-driven markets.  The Company’s core competencies are manufacturing, engineering and design of interconnect systems, circuit card assemblies, high-level assemblies, and complete electronic systems for its customers’ specialized applications.

The Company markets its services to customers desiring an engineering and manufacturing partner capable of developing and providing products that can perform reliably in harsh environmental conditions, such as high and low temperatures, severe shock and vibration.  The Company serves customers in a variety of markets including defense, aerospace, natural resources, industrial, medical and other commercial markets.  The Company’s engineering and manufacturing facilities are located in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania.  The Company employs approximately 1,340 people, including approximately 1,130 people who provide support for production activities (including assembly, testing and engineering) and approximately 210 people who provide administrative support.

The Company uses a fiscal year ending the Sunday closest to June 30; each fiscal quarter is 13 weeks.  Fiscal year 2008 consisted of 52 weeks.


Results of Operations - Three Months Ended September 28, 2008


Backlog
(in thousands)

                                                              

                       

September 28,

           

June 29,

 

Change

2008

2008

Backlog

$(2,928

)

$

218,365

    

$

221,293

  

                                                                                                                                                                    

Approximately $62.9 million of the backlog at September 28, 2008 is scheduled to ship beyond the next 12 months pursuant to the shipment schedules contained in those contracts.  This compares with $48.4 million at June 29, 2008. 

As of September 28, 2008, the Company’s backlog includes approximately $39.6 million relating to orders on a very light jet program.  Approximately $25.5 million of the backlog is scheduled to ship beyond the next 12 months. This program is discussed in more detail in Part II - Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the section related to customer concentration.

Net Sales
(dollars in thousands)

                                                                                       

Three Months Ended

                                                              

                       

September 28,

           

September 30,

 

Change

2008

2007

Net sales

15.2%

$

68,192

    

$

59,190

  

                                                                                                                                                                    

The largest contributor to fiscal 2009 first-quarter revenues was shipments to defense customers, representing $30.8 million of net sales, versus $22.9 million in 2008.  During the current year’s first quarter, LaBarge provided cables and electronic assemblies for a variety of defense applications, including military aircraft, missile systems, radar systems and shipboard programs.  Shipments to natural resources customers were $11.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, compared with $15.4 million in the year-ago period. In addition, industrial customers represented $14.6 million of fiscal 2009 first-quarter net sales, compared with $11.0 million in the year-ago period. Shipments to medical customers represented $4.7 million of fiscal 2009 first-quarter net sales, compared with $3.2 million in the year-ago period. 

Sales to the Company’s 10 largest customers represented 70% of total revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, compared with 69% for the same period of fiscal 2008.  The Company’s top three customers accounted for 18%, 9% and 9%, respectively, of total sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. This compares with 13%, 12% and 11%, respectively, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

Gross Profit
(dollars in thousands)

                                                        

Three Months Ended

                                

            
Change

    

September 28,
2008

          

September 30,
2007

Gross profit
Gross margin

   

$

2,891
1.7


  points

   

$

14,263
20.9


%

$

11,372
19.2


%

Gross profit margins vary significantly from contract to contract. The gross profit margin for any particular quarter will reflect the mix of contracts recognized in revenue for the quarter. The gross margin expansion is the result of improved operating efficiencies and favorable product mix.


Selling and Administrative Expenses
(dollars in thousands)

                                                               

Three Months Ended

                                                                

        
Change

   

September 28,
2008

         

September 30,
2007

Selling and administrative expenses

$

1,323

$

8,270

 

$

6,947

       

Percent of sales

    

0.4

  points

       

12.1

%

   

         

11.7

%


Selling and administrative expenses increased over the prior comparable period, primarily as a result of an increase in compensation cost and related fringes of $1.3 million due to wage inflation and higher accrued incentive pay.

Interest Expense
(in thousands)

                                                                    

Three Months Ended

   


Change

September 28,
2008

     

September 30,
2007

 Interest expense

$

(269

)       

$

158

       

$

427

Interest expense declined for the three months ended September 28, 2008, versus the year-ago period.  The reduction reflects lower average debt levels and lower average interest rates.

Average interest rates during the current-year period were 4.3%, compared with 6.8% in the comparable quarter a year ago.

Income Tax Expense
(in thousands)

                                                                       

Three Months Ended

     


Change

September 28,
2008

      

September 30,
2007

Income tax expense

$

688

    

$

2,156

   

      

$

1,468

The reported income tax rate was 37.0% and 36.8% for the three-month periods ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the three-month period ended September 28, 2008 was 37.9%, compared with 37.3% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007. The difference between the reported income tax rate and the effective income tax rate was due to changes in estimated Sub Part F income.

Liquidity Capital Resources
The following table shows LaBarge’s equity and total debt positions:

Stockholders’ Equity and Debt
(in thousands)

                                                           

September 28,

June 29,

                                                              

2008

2008

Stockholders’ equity

    

$

95,896

           

     

$

91,469

        

Debt

             

8,252

     

   

15,629

The Company’s operations generated $7.3 million of cash in the first quarter ended September 28, 2008.


Senior Lender:


The Company entered into a senior secured loan agreement with a group of banks on October 3, 2008. The following is a summary of the agreement:

 •

 

A revolving credit facility, up to $25.0 million, available for direct borrowings or letters of credit.  The facility is based on a borrowing base formula equal to the sum of 85% of eligible receivables and 35% of eligible inventories. As of September 28, 2008, the outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility were $4.7 million; $3.5 million of the loans were reclassified to long-term debt under SFAS No. 6 due to the October 3, 2008 amendment to the credit facility. As of September 28, 2008, letters of credit issued were $1.0 million; and an aggregate of $22.8 million was available under the revolving credit facility. This credit facility matures on October 3, 2010.

            

     

 

                                                                                                                                        

 •

 

A $10.0 million term loan amortized beginning November 2008, at a quarterly rate of $500,000, with the balance due October 2010.  The balance sheet reflects the amount outstanding at September 28, 2008 under the previous term loan, $3.0 million, plus the reclassification of $3.5 million of short-term borrowings to long-term debt discussed in the paragraph above. The Company is obligated to borrow the remaining $3.5 million by November 30, 2008.

    

 

     

 •

Interest on both loans is calculated at a percentage of prime or a stated rate over LIBOR based on certain ratios.  For the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2008, the average rate was approximately 4.47%.

     

 

                                                                                                                                               

 •

 

Both loans are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company other than real estate.

 

                 

 •

Covenants and performance criteria consist of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) in relation to debt, EBITDA in relation to fixed charges and minimum net worth. The Company was in compliance with its borrowing agreement covenants as of September 28, 2008.

    

 

                                                                                                                                             

 

Other Long-Term Debt:
Other long-term debt includes capital lease agreements with outstanding balances totaling $302,000 the three months ended September 28, 2008 and $336,000 at June 29, 2008.

The aggregate maturities of long-term obligations are as follows:
(in thousands)

Fiscal Year

2009

……………………………………………………… 

$

1,605

 

2010

……………………………………………………… 

    

2,146

 

2011

……………………………………………………… 

     

3,051

 

2012

……………………………………………………… 

     

250

 

2013

……………………………………………………… 

     

---

 

    Total

……………………………………………………… 

$

7,052

 

Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgment of certain amounts included in the financial statements.  The Company believes there is a likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions related to the accounting policies described below.  Application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.  The Company’s senior management discusses the accounting policies described below with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors on a periodic basis.

The following discussion of critical accounting policies is intended to bring to the attention of readers those accounting policies that management believes are critical to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and other financial disclosures.  It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our significant accounting policies that are more fully described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2008 and as referenced in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 2008.

Revenue Recognition and Cost of Sales
Revenue is recognized in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.” Revenue is recognized on substantially all transactions when title transfers, which is usually upon shipment.  The Company has a significant number of contracts for which revenue is accounted for under the percentage of completion method based upon units delivered. This results in revenue for these contracts being recognized when the units are shipped to the customer and title transfers.

The percentage-of-completion method gives effect to the most recent contract value and estimates of cost at completion. Management’s estimates of material, labor and overhead costs on long-term contracts are critical to the Company.  Due to the size, length of time and nature of many of our contracts, the estimation of costs through completion is complicated and subject to many variables. Total contract cost estimates are largely based on negotiated or estimated purchase contract terms, historical performance trends, business base and other economic projections. Factors that influence these estimates include inflationary trends, technical and schedule risk, performance trends, business volume assumptions, asset utilization, and anticipated labor rates.

The development of estimates of costs at completion involves procedures and personnel in all areas that provide financial or production information on the status of contracts. Estimates of each significant contract’s value and estimate of costs at completion are reviewed and reassessed quarterly. Changes in these estimates result in recognition of cumulative adjustments to the contract profit in the period in which the change in estimate was made.  When the current estimate of costs indicates a loss will be incurred on the contract, a provision is made in the current period for the total anticipated loss.

Due to the significance of judgment in the estimation process described above, it is likely that different cost of sales amounts could be recorded if we used different assumptions, or if the underlying circumstances were to change. Changes in underlying assumptions/estimates, supplier performance, or circumstances may adversely or positively affect financial performance in the future.

During fiscal year 2007, the Company entered an agreement with an industrial customer to manufacture and supply certain parts. Under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principle versus Net as an Agent,” the cost of the supplied parts is netted against the invoice price to determine net sales when the part is shipped. In the quarter ended September 28, 2008, the Company’s net revenues recognized under this contract were $4.8 million, related to the manufactured assemblies, and $137,000, related to the supplied parts.

On a very limited number of transactions, at a customer’s request, the Company will recognize revenue when title passes, but prior to the shipment of the product to the customer. As of September 28, 2008, the Company has recognized revenue on products for which title has transferred but the product has not been shipped to the customer of $950,000. The Company recognizes revenue for storage and other related services as the services are provided.

Inventories
Inventories, which consist of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead, are carried at the lower of cost or market value. In addition, management regularly reviews inventory for obsolescence to determine whether any additional write-down is necessary.  Various factors are considered in making this determination, including expected program life, recent sales history, predicted trends and market conditions.  If actual demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.  For the quarters ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, expense for obsolete or slow-moving inventory charged to income before income taxes was $597,000 and $317,000, respectively.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), to clarify the definition of fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value and expand the disclosures on fair value measurements. On June 29, 2008, the company adopted the provision of SFAS No. 157. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. The Company will defer the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for its nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities until the year ended June 27, 2010, as permitted under FASB Staff Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157.”

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”), to permit all entities to choose to elect, at specified election dates, to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value. An entity shall report unrealized gains and losses, on items for which the fair value option has been elected, in earnings at each subsequent reporting date, and recognize upfront costs and fees related to those items in earnings as incurred and not deferred. SFAS No. 159 applies to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted for an entity that has also elected to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157. On June 29, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 159. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements when it became effective for the fiscal year ending June 28, 2009.

In September 2006, the FASB’s EITF reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-4, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefits Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements” (“EITF 06-4”).  This addresses only endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods. EITF 06-04 was adopted on June 29, 2008. Adopting the provisions of EITF 06-4 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

                        

                                                                                                                    

Foreign Currency Risk
No information has been included hereunder because the Company’s foreign sales in each of fiscal quarters ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, were less than 10% of total Company revenue. All foreign contracts are paid in U.S. dollars and the Company is not significantly exposed to foreign currency translation.  However, if the significance of foreign sales grows, management will continue to monitor whether it would be appropriate to use foreign currency risk management instruments to mitigate any exposures.

Interest Rate Risk
As of September 28, 2008, the Company had $8.3 million in total debt. Industrial revenue bonds and capital leases totaling $552,000 have a fixed rate and are not subject to interest rate risk. The interest rate on the remaining $7.7 million is subject to fluctuation.  If interest rates increased 1.0%, the additional interest cost to the Company would be approximately $68,000 for one year.

 

                                                                                       

ITEM 4.        

Controls and Procedures

                        

 

                         

Evaluation Of Disclosure Controls And Procedures
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, and the Company’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, have conducted an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are functioning adequately and effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the Company can meet its disclosure obligations.  The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are based upon a chain of financial and general business reporting lines that converge in the headquarters of the Company in St. Louis, Missouri.  The reporting process is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files with or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

Changes In Internal Controls

During our first fiscal quarter of 2009, there were no changes in internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with Management’s evaluation that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect these controls.


PART II

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

                        

                                                                                                                    

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 2008, includes “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of Part I. Except for the updated risk factors described below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors described in our Form 10-K. The information below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our Form 10-K.

Because the Company’s customer base is concentrated, significant reduction in sales to any of the Company’s major customers or the loss of a major customer could have a material impact on the Company’s operations.
Although the Company believes its relationships with its large customers are good, there can be no assurance that the Company will retain any or all of its large customers or will be able to form new relationships with customers upon the loss of one or more of its existing customers. This risk may be further complicated by pricing pressures and intense competition prevalent in our industry.

As of September 28, 2008, the Company’s backlog included approximately $39.6 million relating to orders on a very light jet program with one customer. Based on current estimates, approximately $25.5 million of the backlog is scheduled to ship beyond the next 12 months.

As of September 28, 2008, the trade receivables due from this customer were $3.8 million, of which $3.6 million was past due. Included in inventory as of September 28, 2008 was $3.8 million related to this program.

At June 29, 2008, included in trade receivables was $3.4 million due from this customer, of which $1.1 million was past due. Included in inventory as of June 29, 2008 was $3.2 million related to this program.

In response to the past due receivables, the Company’s management is in discussions with the customer to develop a payment plan. The customer is currently attempting to raise additional equity to fund its operations, including satisfying obligations to suppliers. The Company does not expect to receive payment for the receivables prior to the customer raising additional equity. If the customer is able to raise additional equity, the Company anticipates that the receivables outstanding as of September 28, 2008 will be paid-in full. If the customer is unable to raise additional equity, the Company may not collect the receivables or recover the full value of inventory related to this program, which could adversely affect the Company’s operations. As of September 28, 2008, the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts includes $79,000 associated with this customer related to disputed invoices which have been outstanding for more than one year.  The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts does not include any other amounts for this customer.

The customer has also notified the Company of a significant delay in the customer’s production schedule.  The Company anticipates that shipments to this customer will be minimal in the first half of fiscal year 2009, as compared to shipments of $4.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2008. Based on schedules received from the customer, the Company anticipates that shipments will resume to previous levels in the second half of fiscal year 2009.


ITEM 6.

Exhibits

     

10.1

Fifth Amendment to the Loan Agreement dated October 3, 2008 by and among the Company, LaBarge Electronics, Inc., as borrowers, U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo, as agent, filed herewith.

 

31.1 

      

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

          

        


SIGNATURE




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.

LaBarge, Inc.

Date:   

October 30, 2008



By:  



/S/ DONALD H. NONNENKAMP

Name:  

Donald H. Nonnenkamp

                                    

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Principal Financial Officer