RC2 (RCRC)

Specialty retailers, wholesalers and OEM dealers.>  We sell many of the products available at chain dealers retailers, as well as higher-priced products with special features, to specialty retailers, wholesalers and OEM dealers, which comprised 28.6% of our net sales in 2007.  Additionally, we often sell licensed products to the licensing OEM’s dealer network.  OEM licensing partners benefit from our OEM dealer sales through the opportunity to receive royalties from additional product sales through the OEM’s dealer network.  We often provide OEM dealers with a short-term exclusivity period in which the OEM dealers have the opportunity to purchase new products for a short period (generally 90 to 360 days) before the products become available through other distribution channels.  We reach these customers directly through our internal telesales group, our business-to-business website located at www.myRC2.com and through specialty sales representatives.  Key customers in our specialty retailers, wholesalers and OEM dealers channel include Learning Express, All Aboard Toys, Buy Buy Baby, Inc., John Deere and Case New Holland.

Corporate promotional and direct to consumers.>  We make certain products available to corporate promotional accounts and to consumers through a company store and our website located at www.learningcurveshop.com.  Individual products sold directly to consumers sell at prices similar to those found at retailers, hobby stores and OEM dealers.  Sales through this channel constituted 3.1% of our net sales in 2007.

Trademarks

We have registered several trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including the trademarks RC2®, Learning Curve®, The First Years®, Johnny Lightning®, Ertl® and Take & Toss®.  A number of these trademarks are also registered in foreign countries.  We believe our trademarks hold significant value, and we plan to build additional value through increased consumer awareness of our many other trade names and trademarks.

 

 

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Sales and Marketing

Our sales organization consists of an internal sales force and external sales representative organizations.  Our internal sales force provides direct customer contact with nearly all of our chain retail and key wholesale accounts.  A number of accounts are designated as "house accounts" and are handled exclusively by our internal sales staff.  Our inside sales and customer service groups use telephone calls, mailings, faxes and e-mails to directly contact OEM dealers and smaller volume customers such as collector, hobby, specialty and independent toy stores.

Our internal sales force is supplemented by external sales representative organizations.  These external sales representative organizations provide more frequent customer contact and solicitation of the specialty, regional and national retailers and supported 29.5% of our net sales in 2007.  External sales representatives generally earn commissions of 1.0% to 10.0% of the net sales price from their accounts.  Their commissions are unaffected by the involvement of our internal sales force with a customer or sale.

The Company maintains a business-to-business website under the name www.myRC2.com.  This website, targeted at smaller volume accounts, allows qualified customers to view new product offerings, place orders, check open order shipping status and review past orders.  We believe that www.myRC2.com leverages our internal sales force and customer service group by providing customers with greater information access and more convenient ordering capability.

We support our product lines with various advertising and marketing promotions.  Advertising takes place at varying levels throughout the year and peaks during the traditional holiday season.  Advertising includes television commercials and print advertisements in magazines and other publications.  Marketing includes, but is not limited to, digital media, including our websites www.learningcurve.com, www.johnnylightning.com and www.ertl.com, in-store displays, merchandising material and public relations.  We also work closely with retail chains to plan and execute ongoing retailer-driven promotions and advertising.  These programs usually involve promotion of our products in retail customers’ print circulars, mailings and catalogs, and sometimes include placing our products in high-traffic locations within retail stores.

Competition

We compete with several large domestic and foreign companies, such as Mattel, Inc. and Hasbro, Inc., with private label products sold by many of our retail customers, and with other producers of toys, collectibles and infant and toddler products.  Competition in the distribution of our products is intense, and the principal methods of competition consist of product appeal, ability to capture shelf or rack space, timely distribution, price and quality.  Competition is also based on the ability to obtain license agreements for existing and new products to be sold through specific distribution channels or retail outlets.  We believe that our competitive strengths include our knowledge of the markets we serve, our ability to bring products to market rapidly and efficiently, our dedicated and integrated suppliers, our multiple channels of distribution, our well-known brands supported by respected licenses, our diversified product categories, and our established and loyal consumer base.  Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, and greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we have.

Production

We believe we are an industry leader in bringing new products to market rapidly and efficiently.  Our integrated design and engineering expertise, extensive library of product designs, molds and tools, and dedicated suppliers enable us to be first to market with many innovative products.

 

 

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Far east product sourcing.>  We have operations in Kowloon, Hong Kong and in the RC2 Industrial Zone in Dongguan City, China, and employ 290 people in Hong Kong and China who oversee the sourcing of the majority of our products.  This group assists our suppliers in sourcing raw materials and packaging, performs engineering and graphic art functions, executes the production schedule, provides on-site quality control, facilitates third-party safety testing and coordinates the delivery of shipments for export from China.

Far east production.>  All of our products are manufactured in China, except for certain plastic ride-ons and certain infant and toddler products.  Our China-based product sourcing accounted for 88.2% of our product purchases in 2007.  We primarily use six third-party, dedicated suppliers who manufacture only our products in six factories, three of which are located in the RC2 Industrial Zone.  The RC2 Industrial Zone is the name of a factory complex developed in 1997 and located in Dongguan City, China, (approximately 50 miles from Hong Kong) where three of our third-party, dedicated suppliers operate freestanding factory facilities.  Most of our third-party, dedicated suppliers have been supplying us for more than ten years.  Third-party, dedicated suppliers produced 40.3% of our China-based product purchases in 2007.  In order to supplement our third-party, dedicated suppliers, we use several other suppliers in China.  All products are manufactured to our specifications using molds and tooling that we own.  These suppliers own the manufacturing equipment and machinery, purchase raw materials, hire workers and plan production.  We purchase fully assembled and packaged finished goods in master cartons for distribution to our customers.  We enter into purchase orders with our foreign suppliers and generally do not enter into long-term contracts.

Die-casting.>  All of our die-cast products are manufactured in China.  Die-casting for our products involves the use of custom molds to shape melted zinc alloy into our die-cast products.  Our suppliers purchase zinc alloy and conduct the die-cast manufacturing process at their facilities.

Domestic production.>  The production of certain plastic ride-ons and certain infant and toddler products is completed primarily by U.S.-based suppliers.  We create the product design and specifications and coordinate the manufacturing activities.  We generally prefer to coordinate the production of these products through a limited number of suppliers and believe that a number of alternate suppliers are available.

 

Tooling.>  To create new products, we continuously invest in new tooling.  Tooling represents the majority of our capital expenditures.  Depending on the size and complexity of the product, the cost of tooling a product generally ranges from $3,000 to $250,000.  We own all of our tools and provide them to our suppliers during production.  Tools are returned to us when a product is no longer in production and are stored for future use.

Product safety.>  Our products are designed, manufactured, packaged and labeled to conform with all safety requirements under U.S. federal and other applicable laws and regulations, industry developed voluntary standards and product specific standards.  Additionally, following the June 2007 recall of certain Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway products, we established additional safeguards through our Multi-Check Safety System which includes:

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Increased scope and frequency of testing both incoming materials and finished products, including testing of finished products from every production run.

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Tougher certification program for contract manufacturers and paint suppliers, including evidence that toy safety standards and quality control procedures are in place and operating effectively.

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Mandatory paint control procedures for contract manufacturers, including certified independent lab test results of every batch of wet paint before the paint is released for production.

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Increased random inspections and audits of both manufacturers and their suppliers, including semi-annual audits and quarterly random inspections for key suppliers.

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Zero tolerance for compromise on RC2 specifications reinforced by mandatory vendor compliance seminars and signed agreements.

 

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We carry various product liability insurance policies with coverage in aggregate over $75.0 million per occurrence.  Certain policies have coverage exclusions including, but not limited to, certain policies that exclude claims related to lead.

 

Logistics.>  We own a distribution facility in Dyersville, Iowa, lease distribution facilities in Rochelle, Illinois, and Australia, and use independent warehouses in California, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and Australia.

Seasonality

We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, substantial fluctuations in our quarterly net sales and operating results, which is typical of many companies in our industry.  Our business is highly seasonal due to high consumer demand for our products during the year-end holiday season.  Approximately 59.2% of our net sales for the three years ended December 31, 2007, were generated in the second half of the year, with August, September, October and November being the largest shipping months.  As a result, consistent with industry practice, our working capital, mainly inventory and accounts receivable, is typically highest during the third and fourth quarters and lowest during the first and second quarters.

Customers

We derive a significant portion of our sales from some of the world’s largest retailers.  Our top three customers, Wal-Mart, Target and Toys "R" Us/Babies "R" Us, combined accounted for 42.6% of our net sales in 2007.  Other than Wal-Mart, Target and Toy "R" Us/Babies "R" Us, no customer accounted for more than 10.0% of our net sales in 2007.  Many of our retail customers generally purchase large quantities of our product on credit, which may cause a concentration of accounts receivable among some of our largest customers.

Employees

As of December 31, 2007, we had 832 employees, 43 of whom were employed part-time.  We emphasize the recruiting and training of high-quality personnel, and to the extent possible, promote people from within RC2.  A collective bargaining agreement covers 103 of our employees, all of whom work in the distribution facility in Dyersville, Iowa.  We consider our employee relations to be good.  Our continued success will depend, in part, on our ability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel at all of our locations.

Available Information

We maintain our corporate website at www.rc2.com and we make available, free of charge, through this website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports that we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Commission.  Information on our website is not part of this report.  This report includes all material information about the Company that is included on the Company’s website and is otherwise required to be included in this report.

 

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Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risks described below are not the only risks we face.  Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also impair our business operations.  If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.  In such cases, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

 

Costs relating to our 2007 recalls could exceed current estimates and reduce our net sales and profitability.

In June and September 2007, we announced the voluntary recall of certain Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway items.  In December 2007, we announced the voluntary recall of certain products under our The First Years brand.  Following the announcement of the June recall, a number of putative class action lawsuits were filed against us with respect to the products subject to the June and September recalls.  In January 2008, we reached a settlement in Barrett v. RC2 Corporation with the plaintiffs in the various class action lawsuits filed in state courts.  The proposed settlement, if approved, would resolve the class claims made by the members of the class in Barrett, namely persons in the United States who do not opt out of the class and who purchased or owned for purposes other than resale our Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway products which were recalled in June 2007 and September 2007.  We recorded charges of $17.6 million, net of tax, or $0.84 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2007, related to these recalls, based on the latest estimates of retailer inventory returns, consumer product replacement costs and shipping costs as of the date of this filing, as well as the additional replacement costs or refunds, donations, notice charges, claims administration and legal fees related to the settlement of the class action lawsuits.  Since these charges are based on estimates, additional charges may be incurred based on a number of factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, including the amount of inventory of affected products at retailers, the amount of affected products that may be returned by customers, the cost of providing replacement products to consumers and retailers, and the final resolution of the lawsuits.  Any increase in the costs relating to the recalls would further reduce our profitability and could reduce our net sales.

 

The 2007 recalls could harm our reputation and our relationship with retailers and licensors.

The 2007 recalls may harm our reputation and consumer acceptance of the affected products or our other products, which may have an adverse effect on our net sales.  The recalls may also harm our relationships with our retail customers, including the willingness of those customers to purchase and provide shelf space for our products and to support retailer driven promotions and advertising for our products.

 

The June and September recalls may harm our relationship with the licensor (the Licensor) who has granted the licenses under which we market the property affected by those recalls (the Licenses).  The Licenses give the Licensor the right to terminate, under certain circumstances, if we do not comply with a covenant relating to compliance with government and industry standards or under certain other conditions and to indemnification for certain damages arising out of our sales of products covered by the Licenses.  The Licensor has sent a letter demanding that we indemnify it for certain costs in connection with the recalls and alleging that we have not complied with several provisions in the Licenses.  We have responded to the Licensor's letter and are attempting to resolve these matters.  Any termination of the Licenses, any adverse effect of the June and September recalls on our relationship with the Licensor and the terms of the Licenses or our other licenses with the Licensor, or any increase in the costs of the recalls for any indemnification or other payments to the Licensor, would likely have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects and would likely materially reduce our net sales and profitability.

 

At December 31, 2007, we have intangible assets not subject to amortization of $33.1 million relating to the Licenses.  These intangible assets are not subject to amortization because they have indefinite useful lives.  As of the date of this report, we have determined that there is no impairment of these intangible assets or charge to the indefinite useful lives.  However, we will continue to monitor these intangible assets for impairment or a change in the indefinite useful lives in light of the status of the recalls and related events, including the class action litigation.  Termination of the Licenses would result in an impairment and a write-off of the full value of these intangible assets.  Any impairment or change in the useful lives of the intangible assets would increase our expenses and reduce our profitability.

 

 

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Other product recalls or claims relating to the use of our products could increase our costs.

Because we sell infant products, toys and collectibles to consumers, we face product liability risks relating to the use of our products.  We also must comply with a variety of product safety and product testing regulations.  If we fail to comply with these regulations or if we face product liability claims, we may be subject to damage awards or settlement costs that exceed our insurance coverage, and we may incur significant costs in complying with recall requirements.  In addition, substantially all of our licenses give the licensor the right to terminate, under certain circumstances, if any products marketed under the license are subject to a product liability claim, recall or similar violations of product safety regulations, or if we breach covenants relating to the safety of the products or their compliance with product safety regulations.  A termination of a license could adversely affect our net sales.  Even if a product liability claim is without merit, the claim could harm our reputation and divert management’s attention and resources from our business.

 

Our net sales and profitability depend on our ability to continue to conceive, design and market products that appeal to consumers.

The introduction of new products is critical in our industry and to our growth strategy.  Our business depends on our ability to continue to conceive, design and market new products and upon continuing market acceptance of our product offerings.  Rapidly changing consumer preferences and trends make it difficult to predict how long consumer demand for our existing products will continue or what new products will be successful.  Our current products may not continue to be popular or new products that we introduce may not achieve adequate consumer acceptance for us to recover development, manufacturing, marketing and other costs.  A decline in consumer demand for our products, our failure to develop new products on a timely basis in anticipation of changing consumer preferences or the failure of our new products to achieve and sustain consumer acceptance could reduce our net sales and profitability.

Competition for licenses could increase our licensing costs or limit our ability to market products.

We market a significant portion of our products with licenses from other parties.  These licenses are limited in scope and duration, and generally authorize the sale of specific licensed products on a nonexclusive basis.  Our license agreements often require us to make minimum guaranteed royalty payments that may exceed the amount we are able to generate from actual sales of the licensed products.  Any termination of or failure to renew our significant licenses, or inability to develop and enter into new licenses, could limit our ability to market our products or develop new products and reduce our net sales and profitability.  For the year ended December 31, 2007, net sales of the Company’s products with the licensed properties of Thomas & Friends and John Deere each accounted for more than 10.0% of the Company’s total net sales.  Over the next two years, license agreements in connection with several key licensed properties, including licenses for certain John Deere,  Nickelodeon, Bob the Builder and Disney infant products, are scheduled to expire.  Competition for licenses could require us to pay licensors higher royalties and higher minimum guaranteed payments in order to obtain or retain attractive licenses, which could increase our expenses.  In addition, licenses granted to other parties, whether or not exclusive, could limit our ability to market products, including products we currently market, which could cause our net sales and profitability to decline.

 

Increases in the cost of raw materials used to manufacture our products could increase our cost of sales and reduce our gross margins.

Since our products are manufactured by third-party suppliers, we do not directly purchase the raw materials used to manufacture our products.  However, the prices we pay our suppliers may increase if their raw materials, labor or other costs increase.  We may not be able to pass along such price increases to our customers.  As a result, increase in the cost of raw materials, labor or other costs associated with the manufacturing of our products could increase our cost of sales and reduce our gross margins.  For example, increase in the price of zinc, a key component in die-cast products, and increased costs in China, primarily for labor, reduced our gross margins in 2006 and 2007 and may continue to reduce our gross margins in 2008.

 

 

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Competition in our markets could reduce our net sales and profitability.

We operate in highly competitive markets.  We compete with several large domestic and foreign companies such as Mattel, Inc. and Hasbro, Inc., with private label products sold by many of our retail customers and with other producers of toys, collectibles and infant and toddler products.  Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, and greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we have.  In addition, we may face competition from new participants in our markets because the collectible, toy and infant product industries have limited barriers to entry.  We experience price competition for our products, competition for shelf space at retailers and competition for licenses, all of which may increase in the future.  If we cannot compete successfully in the future, our net sales and profitability will likely decline.

We may experience difficulties in integrating strategic acquisitions.

As part of our growth strategy, we intend to pursue acquisitions that are consistent with our mission and enable us to leverage our competitive strengths.  We acquired Learning Curve International, Inc. (Learning Curve) and certain of its affiliates (collectively, LCI) effective February 28, 2003, Playing Mantis, Inc. (PM) effective June 1, 2004, The First Years Inc. (TFY) effective September 15, 2004, Angels Landing, Inc. (Angels Landing) effective May 24, 2007, and Mother’s Intuition Inc. (MI) effective November 30, 2007.  The integration of acquired companies and their operations into our operations involves a number of risks, including:

●	the acquired business may experience losses that could adversely affect our profitability;

●	unanticipated costs relating to the integration of acquired businesses may increase our expenses;

●	possible failure to obtain any necessary consents to the transfer of licenses or other agreements of the acquired company;

●	possible failure to maintain customer, licensor and other relationships after the closing of the transaction of the acquired company;

●	difficulties in achieving planned cost-savings and synergies may increase our expenses or decrease our net sales;

●	diversion of management’s attention could impair their ability to effectively manage our business operations; and

●	unanticipated management or operational problems or liabilities may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

Additionally, to finance our strategic acquisitions, we have borrowed funds under our credit facility and we may borrow additional funds to complete future acquisitions.  This debt leverage could adversely affect our profit margins and limit our ability to capitalize on future business opportunities.  All of our borrowing capacity is also subject to fluctuations in interest rates.

We depend on the continuing willingness of chain retailers to purchase and provide shelf space for our products.

In 2007, approximately 68.3% of our net sales were to chain retailers.  Our success depends upon the continuing willingness of these retailers to purchase and provide shelf space for our products.  We do not have long-term contracts with our customers.  In addition, our access to shelf space at retailers may be reduced by store closings, consolidation among these retailers and competition from other products.  An adverse change in our relationship with or the financial viability of one or more of our customers could reduce our net sales and profitability.

 

 

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We may not be able to collect outstanding accounts receivable from our major retail customers.

Many of our retail customers generally purchase large quantities of our products on credit, which may cause a concentration of accounts receivable among some of our largest customers.  Our profitability may be harmed if one or more of our largest customers were unable or unwilling to pay these accounts receivable when due or demand credits or other concessions for products they are unable to sell.  We maintain credit insurance for some of our major customers, and the amount of this insurance generally does not cover the total amount of the accounts receivable.  At December 31, 2006 and 2007, our credit insurance covered 6.3% and 7.9%, respectively, of our gross accounts receivable.  Insurance coverage for future sales is subject to reduction or cancellation.

We rely on a limited number of foreign suppliers in China to manufacture a majority of our products.

We rely on six third-party, dedicated suppliers in China to manufacture a significant portion of our products in six factories, three of which are located in close proximity to each other in the RC2 Industrial Zone manufacturing complex in China.  Our China-based product sourcing accounted for 88.2% of our product purchases in 2007.  Third-party, dedicated suppliers who manufacture only our products accounted for 40.3% of our China-based product purchases in 2007.  We enter into purchase orders with our foreign suppliers and generally do not enter into long-term contracts.  Because we rely on these suppliers for flexible production and have integrated these suppliers with our development and engineering teams, if these suppliers do not continue to manufacture our products exclusively, our product sourcing would be adversely affected.  Difficulties encountered by these suppliers, such as fire, accident, natural disaster or an outbreak of a contagious disease at one or more of their facilities, could halt or disrupt production at the affected facilities, delay the completion of orders, cause the cancellation of orders, delay the introduction of new products or cause us to miss a selling season applicable to some of our products.  Any of these risks could increase our expenses or reduce our net sales.

Currency exchange rate fluctuations could increase our expenses.

Our net sales are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, with 19.4% of our net sales in 2007 denominated in British pounds sterling, Australian dollars, Euros or Canadian dollars.  Our purchases of finished goods from Chinese manufacturers are primarily denominated in Hong Kong dollars.  Expenses for these manufacturers are primarily denominated in Chinese Renminbi.  As a result, any material increase in the value of the Hong Kong dollar or the Renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar would increase our expenses, and therefore, could adversely affect our profitability.  We are also subject to exchange rate risk relating to transfers of funds denominated in British pounds sterling, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars or Euros from our foreign subsidiaries to the United States.  Historically, we have not hedged our foreign currency risk.

Because we rely on foreign suppliers and we sell products in foreign markets, we are susceptible to numerous international business risks that could increase our costs or disrupt the supply of our products.

Our international operations subject us to risks, including:

●	economic and political instability;

●	restrictive actions by foreign governments;

●	greater difficulty enforcing intellectual property rights and weaker laws protecting intellectual property rights;

●	changes in import duties or import or export restrictions;

●	timely shipping of product and unloading of product through West Coast ports, as well as timely rail/truck delivery to the Company’s warehouses and/or a customer’s warehouse;

●	complications in complying with the laws and policies of the United States affecting the importation of goods, including duties, quotas and taxes; and

●	complications in complying with trade and foreign tax laws.

 

 

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Any of these risks could disrupt the supply of our products or increase our expenses.  The cost of compliance with trade and foreign tax laws increases our expenses, and actual or alleged violations of such laws could result in enforcement actions or financial penalties that could result in substantial costs.

Trademark infringement or other intellectual property claims relating to our products could increase our costs.

Our industry is characterized by frequent litigation regarding trademark and patent infringement and other intellectual property rights.  We are and have been a defendant in trademark and patent infringement claims and claims of breach of license from time to time, and we may continue to be subject to such claims in the future.  The defense of intellectual property litigation is both costly and disruptive of the time and resources of our management even if the claim is without merit.  We also may be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs to resolve intellectual property litigation.

Our debt covenants may limit our ability to complete acquisitions, incur debt, make investments, sell assets, merge or complete other significant transactions.

Our credit agreement includes provisions that place limitations on a number of our activities, including our ability to:

●	incur additional debt;

●	create liens on our assets or make guarantees;

●	make certain investments or loans;

●	pay dividends; or

●	dispose of or sell assets or enter into a merger or similar transaction.

 

Our existing credit facility matures on September 14, 2008, and we currently anticipate that we will refinance during the second quarter of 2008.  We may not be able to refinance on acceptable terms given the current conditions of credit markets in the United States.  The terms of any refinancing may be less advantageous to us than our existing credit facility, including with respect to the amount of credit available, interest rates and the terms of restrictive debt covenants.  A refinancing on less advantageous terms may adversely affect our business and may reduce our profitability.

 

Sales of our products are seasonal, which causes our operating results to vary from quarter to quarter.

Sales of our products are seasonal.  Historically, our net sales and profitability have peaked in the third and fourth quarters due to the holiday season buying patterns.  Seasonal variations in operating results may cause us to increase our debt levels and interest expense in the second and third quarters.

The trading price of our common stock has been volatile, and investors in our common stock may experience substantial losses.

The trading price of our common stock has been volatile and may become volatile again in the future.  The trading price of our common stock could decline or fluctuate in response to a variety of factors, including:

●	our failure to meet the performance estimates of securities analysts;

●	changes in financial estimates of our net sales and operating results or buy/sell recommendations by securities analysts;

●	the timing of announcements by us or our competitors concerning significant product developments, acquisitions or financial performance;

●	fluctuation in our quarterly operating results;

●	substantial sales of our common stock;

●	general stock market conditions; or

●	other economic or external factors.

You may be unable to sell your stock at or above your purchase price.

 

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We may face future securities class action lawsuits that could require us to pay damages or settlement costs and otherwise harm our business.

A securities class action lawsuit was filed against us in 2000, following a decline in the trading price of our common stock from $17.00 per share on June 21, 1999, to $6.50 per share on June 28, 1999.  We settled this lawsuit in 2002 with a $1.8 million payment, covered by insurance, after incurring legal costs of $1.0 million that were not covered by insurance.  Future volatility in the price of our common stock may result in additional securities class action lawsuits against us, which may require that we pay substantial damages or settlement costs in excess of our insurance coverage and incur substantial legal costs, and which may divert management’s attention and resources from our business.

Various restrictions in our charter documents, Delaware law and our credit agreement could prevent or delay a change in control of us that is not supported by our board of directors.

We are subject to a number of provisions in our charter documents, Delaware law and our credit agreement that may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or change of control that a stockholder may consider favorable.  These anti-takeover provisions include:

●	advance notice procedures for nominations of candidates for election as directors and for stockholder proposals to be considered at stockholders’ meetings;

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covenants in our credit agreement restricting mergers, asset sales and similar transactions and a provision in our credit agreement that triggers an event of default upon the acquisition by a person or a group of persons of beneficial ownership of 33 1/3% or more of our outstanding common stock; and

●	the Delaware anti-takeover statute contained in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a merger, consolidation, asset sale or other similar business combination between RC2 and any stockholder of 15% or more of our voting stock for a period of three years after the stockholder acquires 15% or more of our voting stock, unless (1) the transaction is approved by our board of directors before the stockholder acquires 15% or more of our voting stock, (2) upon completing the transaction the stockholder owns at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the commencement of the transaction, or (3) the transaction is approved by our board of directors and the holders of 66 2/3% of our voting stock, excluding shares of our voting stock owned by the stockholder.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

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Item 2.  Properties

As of December 31, 2007, our facilities were as follows:

Description	Square Feet		Location	Lease Expiration
Corporate headquarters	27,050		Oak Brook, IL	April 2013
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. warehouse	400,000		Rochelle, IL	November 2019
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office and warehouse	368,000		Dyersville, IA	Owned
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. warehouse	166,000		Dyersville, IA	Owned
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office	21,650		Stoughton, MA	August 2010
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office	2,755		Bentonville, AR	October 2008
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office	2,300		Walnut Creek, CA	May 2010
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office	1,263		Kettering, OH	Month-to-month
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. storage	1,250		Stoughton, MA	May 2008
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office	1,200		Mission Viejo, CA	November 2008
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office	938		Edina, MN	August 2009
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office	495		Danbury, CT	June 2008
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. office	108		Kansas City, MO	Month-to-month
RC2 Industrial Zone quarters	44,867		Dongguan City, China	March 2008
RC2 Industrial Zone quarters	25,478		Dongguan City, China	August 2008
RC2 Industrial Zone office, warehouse and storage	61,398		Dongguan City, China	March 2008
RC2 Industrial Zone office	806		Dongguan City, China	August 2008
RC2 (H.K.) Limited office	10,296		Kowloon, Hong Kong	July 2008
Racing Champions International Limited office	8,419		Exeter, United Kingdom	October 2013
Racing Champions International Limited office and showroom	2,035		Thatcham, United Kingdom	August 2011
Racing Champions International Limited office	667		Saint Germain en Laye, France	December 2012
Racing Champions International Limited office	603		Laren, Holland	December 2010
Racing Champions International Limited office	172		Barcelona, Spain	February 2008
RC2 Canada Corporation warehouse (1)	47,000		Concord, Ontario	May 2010
RC2 Deutschland GmbH office	2,570		Marsdof, Germany	December 2010
RC2 Australia, Pty. Ltd. office and warehouse	49,127		Mount Waverly, Victoria, Australia	December 2009

 

(1)	As of January 1, 2004, the Canadian warehouse was no longer being used in our operations and has been subsequently sublet.

 

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Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

Following the announcement of our recall of certain Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway products in June 2007, a number of putative class action lawsuits were filed against the Company in various federal and state courts with respect to the products subject to the June and September recalls of the Company's Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway products.  These lawsuits make various claims and seek (i) medical monitoring as a result of alleged exposure to lead in the products subject to the recalls, (ii) disgorgement of certain profits under common law unjust enrichment theories, and/or (iii) various remedies under claims of product liability, breach of warranty, negligence, unfair and deceptive trade practices under state law and violation of the federal Consumer Product Safety Act.  On December 19, 2007, the various federal class action lawsuits were consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  On January 22, 2008, we announced that we had reached a settlement in Barrett v. RC2 Corporation filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois with the plaintiffs in the various class action lawsuits filed in state courts.  The Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois has granted preliminary approval of the terms of the proposed settlement.  If the settlement receives final approval it would resolve the claims made by members of the class in Barrett, namely persons in the United States who do not opt out of the class and who purchased or owned for purposes other than resale the Company's Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway products which were recalled in June 2007 and September 2007.  The settlement would not include a release of individual claims for personal injury against the Company.  On February 20, 2008, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois denied a motion filed by plaintiffs in the federal cases for a preliminary injunction seeking to stop the settlement proceedings in the state court and granted the Company's motion to stay the federal court actions pending the state court's final decision of whether to approve the proposed settlement in the Barrett case.  Certain plaintiffs in the federal court action also filed a motion to intervene in the state court proceeding but, on February 25, 2008, they withdrew this motion.  The state court had stayed issuance of notice of the proposed settlement to the class in Barrett pending a decision on the federal plaintiffs' motion to intervene.  Since this motion was withdrawn, the Company will now seek to implement the state court settlement in the Barrett case.

The Company has certain contingent liabilities resulting from litigation and claims incident to the ordinary course of business.  Management believes that the probable resolution of such contingencies will not materially affect the financial position or the results of the Company’s operations.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

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Part II

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Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Stock Price Information

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "RCRC."  The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales prices for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ for the periods indicated.

2006:		High				Low
First Quarter		$	40.18			$	34.10
Second Quarter			39.75				34.38
Third Quarter			38.85				31.28
Fourth Quarter		$	45.11			$	33.66

2007:		High				Low
First Quarter		$	44.53			$	38.26
Second Quarter			45.72				39.86
Third Quarter			41.45				28.86
Fourth Quarter		$	30.95			$	26.30

As of December 31, 2007, there were approximately 134 holders of record of our common stock.  We believe the number of beneficial owners of our common stock on that date was substantially greater.

 

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Dividend Policy

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock.  We intend to retain any earnings for use in operations to repay indebtedness and for expenses of our business, and therefore, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.  Our credit agreement prohibits the Company from declaring or paying any dividends on any class or series of our capital stock.  This prohibition will apply as long as any credit is available or outstanding under the credit agreement that currently has a maturity date of September 14, 2008.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased				Average Price Paid Per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Program				Maximum Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (000s)
January 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007			2,246,396			$	30.33				2,246,396			$	81,869
October 1, 2007 – October 31, 2007			52,300				28.68				52,300				80,368
November 1, 2007 – November 30, 2007			427,608				29.02				427,608				67,957
December 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007			207,730				28.37				207,730				62,064
Total quarter ended December 31, 2007			687,638				28.80				687,638				62,064
Total			2,934,034			$	29.97				2,934,034			$	62,064

In February 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the adoption of a program to repurchase up to $75.0 million of the Company’s common stock.  The program was initially authorized for a period of one year.  In October 2007, the Board of Directors authorized a $75.0 million increase to the stock repurchase program and extended the timing of this program through December 31, 2008.  This program may be extended beyond the currently authorized period or may be suspended at any time.  Under this program, shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors.  During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company repurchased 2.9 million shares for $87.9 million under this program.

 

 

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Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data, which should be read along with our consolidated financial statements, the notes to those statements and "Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."  The consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006 and 2007, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.  The consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, as adjusted for discontinued operations, that are not included herein.

		Year Ended December 31,
		2003				2004				2005				2006				2007
Consolidated Statements of Earnings:		(in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales (1)		$	296,689			$	367,687			$	492,766			$	518,829			$	488,999
Cost of sales (2)			142,918				186,813				252,935				275,754				270,059
Restructuring charge related to    discontinued automotive collectibles			—				—				—				1,872				—
Recall-related costs			—				—				—				—				4,624
Gross profit			153,771				180,874				239,831				241,203				214,316
Selling, general and administrative    expenses (2)			100,385				121,785				150,381				155,180				161,560
Amortization of intangible assets			30				94				1,385				1,149				893
Impairment of intangible assets			327				4,318				—				—				—
Gain on sale of W. Britain product line			—				—				(1,953	)			—				—
Restructuring charge related to    discontinued automotive collectibles			—				—				—				12,631				—
Recall-related costs			—				—				—				—				18,068
Operating income			53,029				54,677				90,018				72,243				33,795
Interest expense, net			3,477				4,063				5,983				3,465				1,515
Other (income) expense			(145	)			(508	)			146				530				(1,768	)
Income from continuing operations       before income taxes			49,697				51,122				83,889				68,248				34,048
Income tax expense			13,904				18,755				31,153				24,478				12,472
Income from continuing operations			35,793				32,367				52,736				43,770				21,576
Income (loss) from discontinued    operations, net of tax			2,624				1,611				394				(9,676	)			110
Net income		$	38,417			$	33,978			$	53,130			$	34,094			$	21,686
Basic earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations		$	2.10			$	1.73			$	2.56			$	2.09			$	1.05
Income (loss) from discontinued       operations			0.15				0.09				0.02				(0.46	)			0.01
Net income		$	2.25			$	1.82			$	2.58			$	1.63			$	1.06
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations		$	1.98			$	1.64			$	2.45			$	2.04			$	1.04
Income (loss) from discontinued       operations			0.14				0.08				0.02				(0.45	)			0.01
Net income		$	2.12			$	1.72			$	2.47			$	1.59			$	1.05
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic			17,060				18,687				20,613				20,884				20,395
Diluted			18,105				19,761				21,532				21,377				20,748

 

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		As of December 31,
		2003				2004				2005				2006				2007
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital		$	70,471			$	112,931			$	113,286			$	129,603			$	67,128
Total assets			381,829				585,748				629,736				614,640				650,245
Total debt			85,000				131,250				82,647				22,438				95,000
Total stockholders’ equity		$	225,299			$	346,762			$	398,951			$	451,926			$	397,378

(1)  Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2007, include $5.6 million in recall-related returns and allowances.

(2)  Depreciation expense was $11.9 million, $15.3 million, $14.4 million, $14.1 million and $13.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

General Note:  Results for 2003 include the results of LCI from March 1, 2003.  Results for 2004 include the results of PM from June 1, 2004, and TFY from September 16, 2004.  Results for 2007 include the results of Angels Landing from May 24, 2007 and MI from November 30, 2007.  As these acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, periods prior to the acquisition effective dates do not include any results for LCI, PM, TFY, Angels Landing or MI.  Discontinued operations include the results from our collectible trading card business and die-cast sports collectibles product line, which were disposed of in connection with the sale of RC2 South, Inc. effective November 1, 2006.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We are a leading designer, producer and marketer of innovative, high-quality toys, collectibles, and infant and toddler products.  We reach our target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North America, Europe, Australia and Asia Pacific.  Our product categories include (i) infant and toddler products, (ii) preschool products and (iii) youth and adult products.  We market a significant portion of our products with licenses from other parties, and we are currently a party to over 400 license agreements.

The Compass Business Acquisition.>  On May 24, 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Angels Landing, Inc. (Angels Landing), a privately-held, start-up developer and marketer of infant and toddler travel gear under the Compass brand name (the Compass Business) based in Kettering, Ohio.  Closing consideration consisted of $6.9 million of cash, excluding transaction expenses, and includes $0.3 million which may be earned in the transaction by Angels Landing if gross sales relating to the Compass Business in 2008 exceed a certain target.  This transaction has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the operating results of the Compass Business have been included in our consolidated statements of earnings since the effective date of the acquisition.

Mother’s Intuition Acquisition.>  On November 30, 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Mother’s Intuition Inc. (MI), a privately-held, start-up developer and marketer of women’s prenatal bodycare products based in Mission Viejo, California.  Closing consideration consisted of $2.2 million of cash, excluding transaction expenses.  An additional $1.5 million in purchase price has been deferred and will be paid in three equal installments of $0.5 million each on December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010.  Additional cash consideration of up to $10.5 million may be earned in the transaction by MI based on achieving certain financial targets in each of the three years beginning in 2008 through 2010.  This transaction has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the operating results of MI have been included in our consolidated statements of earnings since the effective date of the acquisition.

 

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Product Recalls.>  On June 13, 2007, we announced the voluntary recall of 26 individual wooden railway vehicles and set components from the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway product line, after an internal investigation linked apparent excess levels of lead with a limited number of paint colors used at a single contract manufacturer facility which purchased paint from independent suppliers.  On September 26, 2007, the Company announced the voluntary recall of five Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway items, in addition to those items recalled in June 2007.  Additionally, on December 6, 2007, the Company announced the voluntary recalls of two styles of The First Years 3-in-1 Flush & Sounds Potty training seats due to the discovery of excess levels of lead in the surface paint on 5-inch rectangular plaques inserted into the backs of the training seats and three styles of The First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seat due to malfunctioning restraining straps that may disengage and permit the child to slip out of the seat.  See "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A for additional information.

Sales.>  Our sales are primarily derived from the sale of infant and toddler products, preschool products and youth and adult products and are recognized upon transfer of title of product to our customers.  We market our products through a variety of distribution channels, including chain retailers, specialty retailers, wholesalers and OEM dealers, and corporate promotional and direct to consumers.  For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, sales to chain retailers comprised 63.8%, 68.0% and 68.3%, respectively, of our net sales.

Our products are marketed and distributed primarily in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia Pacific.  International sales, defined as sales outside of North America, constituted 14.5%, 16.7% and 22.1% of our net sales for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.  We expect international sales to continue to increase as we expand our geographic reach.  Net sales in our international segment increased 24.5% for the year ended December 31, 2007, which includes a 9.5% benefit in changes from currency exchange rates.

We derive a significant portion of our sales from some of the world’s largest retailers.  Our top three customers combined accounted for 40.5%, 44.2% and 42.6% of our net sales in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.  Net sales to each of the Company’s largest customers for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, as a percentage of the Company’s total net sales in each of the respective years is as follows:

		Year Ended December 31,
		2005				2006				2007
Wal-mart			13.4	%			16.3	%			15.4	%
Target			12.0				13.1				14.1
Toys "R" Us/Babies "R" Us			15.1	%			14.8	%			13.1	%

No other customers accounted for more than 10.0% of the Company’s net sales in any of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 or 2007.

We provide certain customers the option to take delivery of our products in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Belgium or Germany, with credit terms generally ranging from 30 to 90 days or directly in China with payment made by irrevocable letter of credit or wire transfer.  We generally grant price discounts on direct sales from China resulting in lower gross margins.  However, shipments direct from China lower our distribution and administrative costs, so we believe that our operating income margin is comparable for products delivered in China versus products shipped in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Belgium or Germany.  For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, direct sales from China constituted 10.5%, 14.7% and 15.6%, respectively, of our net sales.

We do not ordinarily sell our products on consignment, and we ordinarily accept returns only for defective merchandise.  In certain instances, where retailers are unable to resell the quantity of products that they have purchased from us, we may, in accordance with industry practice, assist retailers in selling such excess inventory by offering credits and other price concessions, which are typically evaluated and issued annually.  Returns and allowances on an annual basis have ranged from 6.2% to 8.6% of our net sales over the last three years.  Returns and allowances for the year ended December 31, 2007, include $5.6 million related to the 2007 recalls causing an increase in the higher end of the annual range.

 

 

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Expenses.>  Our products are manufactured by third-parties, principally located in China.  Cost of sales primarily consists of purchases of finished products, which accounted for 81.7%, 82.5% and 80.9% of our cost of sales in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.  The remainder of our cost of sales primarily includes tooling depreciation, freight-in from suppliers, inventory reserves, concept and design expenses, employee compensation, expense related to stock-based payment arrangements and, in 2007, certain recall-related costs.  Our purchases of finished products from Chinese manufacturers are primarily denominated in Hong Kong dollars.  Expenses for these manufacturers are primarily denominated in Chinese Renminbi.  As a result, any material increase in the value of the Hong Kong dollar or the Renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar would increase our expenses and, therefore, could adversely affect our profitability.

Additionally, if our suppliers experience increased raw materials, labor or other costs and pass along such cost increases to us through higher prices for finished goods, our cost of sales would increase, and to the extent we are unable to pass such price increases along to our customers, our gross margins would decrease.  For example, increases in the price of zinc, a key component in die-cast products, and increased costs in China, primarily for labor, reduced our gross margins in 2006 and 2007 and may continue to reduce our gross margins in 2008.

Our quarterly gross margins can also be affected by the mix of product that is shipped during each quarter.  Our infant and toddler products category has higher sales of non-licensed products that carry lower selling prices and gross margins than our preschool products and youth and adult products categories.  Additionally, individual product lines within each category carry gross margins that vary significantly and cause quarterly fluctuations, based on the timing of these individual shipments throughout the year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of royalties, employee compensation, advertising and marketing expenses, freight-out to customers, sales commissions, expense related to stock-based payment arrangements and, in 2007, certain recall-related costs.  Royalties vary by product category and are generally paid on a quarterly basis.  Multiple royalties may be paid to various licensors on a single product.  In 2007, aggregate royalties by product ranged from approximately 0.3% to 22.0% of our net sales price.  Royalty expense was 6.6%, 7.4% and 7.1% of our net sales for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.  Sales commissions ranged from approximately 1.0% to 10.0% of the net sales price, and are generally paid quarterly to our external sales representative organizations.  Sales subject to commissions represented 31.1%, 30.2% and 29.5% of our net sales for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.   Sales commission expense was 1.3%, 1.2% and 1.2% of our net sales for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment," using the modified prospective method.  This Statement is a revision of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."  For periods ended prior to January 1, 2006, pursuant to APB Opinion No. 25, no stock-based employee compensation expense was recognized by the Company, and under the modified prospective method pursuant to SFAS No. 123R, results for prior periods have not been restated.

In order to support its new product launches and to build consumer awareness of its owned brands, the Company incurred $9.5 million for investment spending during the year ended December 31, 2007, of which $8.3 million has been expensed.  The spending is focused on key strategic plan initiatives, including on-line, digital and traditional consumer marketing, and building and launching owned brands.

Seasonality.>  We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, substantial fluctuations in our quarterly net sales and operating results, which is typical of many companies in our industry.  Our business is highly seasonal due to high consumer demand for our products during the year-end holiday season.  Approximately 59.2% of our net sales for the three years ended December 31, 2007, were generated in the second half of the year.  As a result, our working capital, mainly inventory and accounts receivable, is typically highest during the third and fourth quarters and lowest during the first and second quarters.

 

 

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Results of Operations

		Year Ended December 31,
		2005								2006								2007
(in thousands, except per share data)		Amount				Percent				Amount				Percent				Amount				Percent
Net sales (1)		$	492,766				100.0	%		$	518,829				100.0	%		$	488,999				100.0	%
Cost of sales			252,935				51.3				275,754				53.1				270,059				55.2	%
Restructuring charge related to    discontinued automotive collectibles			—				—				1,872				0.4				—				—
Recall-related costs			—				—				—				—				4,624				1.0	%
Gross profit			239,831				48.7				241,203				46.5				214,316				43.8
Selling, general and    administrative expenses			150,381				30.5				155,180				29.9				161,560				33.0	%
Amortization of intangible assets			1,385				0.3				1,149				0.3				893				0.2
Gain on sale of W. Britain    product line			(1,953	)			(0.4	)%			—				—				—				—
Restructuring charge related to    discontinued automotive collectibles			—				—				12,631				2.4				—				—
Recall-related costs			—				—				—				—				18,068				3.7	%
Operating income			90,018				18.3				72,243				13.9				33,795				6.9
Interest expense, net			5,983				1.2				3,465				0.7				1,515				0.3
Other expense (income)			146				—				530				0.1				(1,768	)			(0.4	)
Income from continuing operations       before income taxes			83,889				)17.1				68,248				13.1				34,048				7.0
Income tax expense			31,153				6.3				24,478				4.7				12,472				2.6
Income from continuing operations			52,736				10.8				43,770				8.4				21,576				4.4
Income (loss) from discontinued    operations, net of tax			394				—				(9,676	)			(1.9	)			110				—
Net income		$	53,130				10.8	%		$	34,094				6.5	%		$	21,686				4.4	%
Basic earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations		$	2.56							$	2.09							$	1.05
Income (loss) from discontinued       operations			0.02								(0.46	)							0.01
Net income		$	2.58							$	1.63							$	1.06
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations		$	2.45							$	2.04							$	1.04
Income (loss) from discontinued      operations			0.02								(0.45	)							0.01
Net income		$	2.47							$	1.59							$	1.05
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic			20,613								20,884								20,395
Diluted			21,532								21,377								20,748

(1)  Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2007, include $5.6 million in recall-related returns and allowances.

 

 

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Operating Highlights

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2007, decreased 5.7%.  Gross margin decreased to 43.8% for 2007 from 46.5% for 2006.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 33.0% for 2007 from 29.9% for 2006.  Operating income decreased to $33.8 million for 2007 compared to $72.2 million for 2006.  As a percentage of net sales, operating income decreased to 6.9% for 2007 from 13.9% for 2006.

 

The Company recorded charges of $17.6 million, net of tax, or $0.84 per diluted share, in the year ended December 31, 2007, related to the 2007 recalls.  The portion of these charges included in the North America and International segments for the year ended December 31, 2007, is $14.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively.  These charges are based on the latest estimates of retailer inventory returns, consumer product replacement costs and shipping costs as of the date of this filing, as well as the additional replacement costs or refunds, donations, notice charges, claims administration and legal fees related to the settlement of the class action lawsuits.  See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for additional information.

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment," using the modified prospective method.  This Statement is a revision of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."  For periods ended prior to January 1, 2006, pursuant to APB Opinion No. 25, no stock-based employee compensation expense was recognized by the Company, and under the modified prospective method pursuant to SFAS No. 123R, results for the prior periods have not been restated.  Results for the year ended December 31, 2005, do not include compensation expense for stock-based payment arrangements.

Effective November 1, 2006, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of RC2 South, Inc., its collectible trading card business, and substantially all of the assets related to its die-cast sports collectibles product line.  Closing consideration consisted of $6.9 million of cash, excluding transaction expenses.  The sale of the Company’s trading card business and sports collectibles product line is consistent with the Company’s strategic focus to achieve sustainable organic growth and to concentrate its efforts on its higher growth infant and toddler products and preschool products categories. The transaction was effective November 1, 2006, and the results of this sold business are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and consolidated statements of cash flows.  A loss of $11.4 million and a gain of $0.1 million, both net of income tax, on the sale were recognized on this transaction during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.  The operations of the sold business, as well as the loss and the gain on the sale, are presented in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007.

During December 2006, the Company made the decision to discontinue its Racing Champions®, JoyRide®, AMT® and certain Ertl® die-cast and model kit automotive collectible product lines.  As a result of discontinuing certain of these product lines, the Company recorded a non-cash restructuring charge of $14.5 million, or $9.1 million net of estimated income tax benefits, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2006, to write-off undepreciated tooling costs and unamortized intangible assets and to provide inventory and royalty reserves.

 

Results for 2005 were negatively impacted by a tax charge of $0.5 million incurred as a result of repatriation of foreign earnings and by additional depreciation expense of $0.8 million, or $0.5 million net of income tax benefit, for tooling on discontinued product lines.  These negative impacts were offset by a gain of $2.0 million, or $1.2 million net of income tax expense, on the sale of the W. Britain product line and an income tax benefit of $0.7 million due to a reduction of income tax accruals stemming from the resolution of specific outstanding state and foreign tax issues.  The combined impact of these charges positively impacted diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2005, by $0.05 per diluted share.

 

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2007, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006

Net sales.>  Net sales decreased $29.8 million, or 5.7%, to $489.0 million for 2007 from $518.8 million for 2006.  Net sales in our North America segment decreased 11.8% and net sales in our international segment increased 24.5% which includes a 9.5% benefit in changes from currency exchange rates.

 

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2007, excluding $22.2 million in net sales of discontinued product lines and $5.6 million of recall-related returns and allowances, were $472.4 million, a decrease of 1.9% when compared with net sales for the year ended December 31, 2006, excluding $37.4 million in net sales of discontinued product lines, of $481.4 million.  Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors because this information may allow investors to better evaluate ongoing business performance and certain components of the Company’s results.  A reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure follows:

(in millions)		Net Sales
2007 actual		$	489.0
Deduct: discontinued product lines			22.2
Add: recall-related returns and allowances			5.6
As adjusted		$	472.4
2006 actual		$	518.8
Deduct: discontinued product lines			37.4
As adjusted		$	481.4

Net sales decreases occurred in our preschool products and youth and adult products categories, but these decreases were partially offset by an increase in our infant and toddler products category.

 

Net sales in our preschool products category decreased 14.2% primarily driven by declines in our licensed toy product lines and ride-ons which offset the increases generated from new product launches.  Excluding the $4.9 million of recall-related returns and allowances, our preschool products category decreased 12.0%.  Net sales in our youth and adult products category decreased 5.7% primarily due to lower sales of discontinued products, partially offset by sales increases attributable to new product launches.  Excluding net sales related to the discontinued product lines, net sales in our youth and adult products category increased 11.0%.  Net sales in our infant and toddler products category increased 5.2% primarily driven by our Take & Toss toddler self-feeding system, our Soothie bottle feeding system, our American Red Cross health and wellness products marketed under our The First Years by Learning Curve brand and the newly re-launched Lamaze infant development products.  Excluding the $0.7 million of recall-related returns and allowances and net sales related to discontinued product lines of $0.3 million, net sales in our infant and toddler products category increased 5.8%.  Information in this paragraph regarding net sales in our infant and toddler products category excluding recall-related returns and allowances and excluding net sales related to discontinued product lines, in our preschool products category excluding recall-related returns and allowances and in our youth and adult products category excluding net sales related to discontinued product lines constitutes non-GAAP financial information.  Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors because this information may allow investors to better evaluate ongoing business performance and certain components of the Company’s results.

 

 

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A reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure follows:

		Net Sales
(in millions)		2007				2006				Difference				% Change
Infant and toddler products actual		$	184.9			$	175.7			$	9.2				5.2	%
Add: recall-related returns and allowances			0.7				—				0.7				—
Deduct: discontinued product lines			—				0.3				(0.3	)			—
As adjusted		$	185.6			$	175.4			$	10.2				5.8	%
Preschool products actual		$	196.8			$	229.3			$	(32.5	)			(14.2	)%
Add: recall-related returns and allowances			4.9				—				4.9				—
As adjusted		$	201.7			$	229.3			$	(27.6	)			(12.0	)%
Youth and adult products actual		$	107.3			$	113.8			$	(6.5	)			(5.7	)%
Deduct: discontinued product lines			22.2				37.1				(14.9	)			(40.2	)
As adjusted		$	85.1			$	76.7			$	8.4				11.0	%

 

Gross profit.>  Gross profit decreased $26.9 million, or 11.2%, to $214.3 million for 2007 from $241.2 million for 2006.  The gross profit margin, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 43.8% for 2007 compared to 46.5% for 2006.  This decrease was primarily due to a less favorable product mix, higher product costs than that experienced in the prior year and $10.2 million of recall-related costs.  Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2006, was negatively impacted by the $1.9 million restructuring charge related to the discontinuance of the automotive collectible product lines.  There were no major changes in the components of cost of sales.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.> Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.4 million, or 4.1%, to $161.6 million for 2007 from $155.2 million for 2006.  As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 33.0% for 2007 from 29.9% for 2006.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007, include $8.3 million of investment spending to support our new product launches and to build consumer awareness of our owned brands.

Operating income.> Operating income decreased to $33.8 million for 2007 from $72.2 million for 2006.  As a percentage of net sales, operating income decreased to 6.9% for 2007 from 13.9% for 2006.  Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2007, was negatively impacted by $28.3 million of recall-related costs and $8.3 million of investment spending to support our new product launches and to build consumer awareness of our owned brands.  Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2006, includes a $14.5 million restructuring charge related to the discontinuance of the automotive collectible product lines.

Net interest expense.> Net interest expense of $1.5 million for 2007 and $3.5 million for 2006 relates primarily to bank term loans and lines of credit.  The decrease in net interest expense for 2007 was primarily due to the decrease in average outstanding debt balances partially offset by higher average interest rates and the write-off of $0.2 million of deferred financing fees related to the Company’s voluntary payment of the remaining balance of its term loan.  The $95.0 million of borrowings under our revolving line of credit in 2007 will increase net interest expense in future periods.

Income tax.>  Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, includes provisions for federal, state and foreign income taxes at an effective rate of 37.3% and 37.9%, respectively.  However, the tax rate, including discrete items, for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, is 35.9% and 36.6%, respectively.   Discrete items include significant, infrequent, unusual or non-recurring items.

 

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2006, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2005

Net sales.> Net sales increased $26.0 million, or 5.3%, to $518.8 million for 2006 from $492.8 million for 2005.  Net sales increased in our infant and toddler products and preschool products categories, but these increases were partially offset by a decrease in our youth and adult products category.

 

Net sales in our preschool products category increased 14.7% primarily attributable to the Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and John Deere ride-on and toy vehicles product lines.  Net sales in our infant and toddler products category increased 9.8%, primarily attributable to The First Years’ Take & Toss toddler self-feeding system, Soothie bottle system and Learning Curve’s Lamaze infant toys.  Net sales in our youth and adult products category decreased 14.4%, primarily due to continued softness in the collectibles market.

Actual net sales for 2006, excluding $37.4 million in net sales of sold and discontinued product lines, were $481.4 million, an increase of 12.0% when compared to 2005 actual net sales, excluding $62.9 million in net sales of sold and discontinued product lines, of $429.9 million.  Management has provided this non-GAAP financial information so that investors can more easily compare financial performance of the Company’s current business operations from period to period.  A reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure follows:

(in millions)		Net Sales
2006 actual		$	518.8
Deduct: sold and discontinued product lines			37.4
As adjusted		$	481.4
2005 actual		$	492.8
Deduct: sold and discontinued product lines			62.9
As adjusted		$	429.9

 

Gross profit.> Gross profit increased $1.4 million, or 0.6%, to $241.2 million for 2006 from $239.8 million for 2005.  However, the gross profit margin, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 46.5% for 2006 compared to 48.7% for 2005.  This decrease was primarily due to a less favorable product and distribution mix, higher product costs, especially in die-cast products, and increasing costs in China, primarily for labor, than that experienced in 2005.  In addition, the 2006 gross profit was negatively impacted by the $1.9 million restructuring charge related to the discontinuance of the automotive collectible product lines.  There were no major changes in the components of cost of sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.>  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.8 million, or 3.2%, to $155.2 million for 2006 from $150.4 million for 2005.  As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 29.9% for 2006 from 30.5% for 2005.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2006, include $3.9 million of compensation expense for stock-based payment arrangements.  Results for the year ended December 31, 2005, do not include compensation expense for stock-based payment arrangements.  Pro forma compensation expense for stock-based payment arrangements for the year ended December 31, 2005, was $3.3 million.

Operating income.>  Operating income decreased to $72.2 million for 2006 from $90.0 million for 2005.  As a percentage of net sales, operating income decreased to 13.9% for 2006 from 18.3% for 2005.  Operating income for 2006 includes a $14.5 million restructuring charge related to the discontinuance of the automotive collectible product lines.  Operating income for 2005 includes a $2.0 million gain on the sale of assets related to the sale of our W. Britain product line. 

Net interest expense.  Net interest expense of $3.5 million for 2006 and $6.0 million for 2005 relates primarily to bank term loans and lines of credit.  The decrease in net interest expense for 2006 was primarily due to a decrease in average outstanding debt balances offset slightly by higher interest rates.

 

 

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Income tax.>  Income tax expense of $24.5 million for 2006 includes provisions for federal, state and foreign income taxes at an effective rate of 37.3%.  However, the tax rate, including discrete items, for 2006 is 35.9%.  Discrete items include significant, infrequent, unusual or non-recurring items.  Income tax expense of $31.2 million for 2005 includes a tax charge of $0.5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, incurred as a result of repatriation of foreign earnings and a tax benefit of $0.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, relating to a reduction of income tax accruals stemming from the resolution of specific outstanding state and foreign tax issues.  Income tax expense for 2005 includes provisions for federal, state and foreign income taxes at an effective rate of 37.1%.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We generally fund our operations and working capital needs through cash generated from operations and borrowings under our credit facility.  Our operating activities generated cash of $63.5 million in 2007, $61.8 million in 2006 and $59.1 million in 2005.

Working capital decreased $62.5 million to $67.1 million at December 31, 2007, from $129.6 million at December 31, 2006.  Cash and cash equivalents increased $32.4 million to $57.8 million at December 31, 2007, from $25.4 million at December 31, 2006.  Our accounts receivable decreased $2.6 million to $110.3 million at December 31, 2007, from $112.9 million at December 31, 2006.  Our inventory level decreased $6.7 million to $77.0 million at December 31, 2007, from $83.7 million at December 31, 2006.  Accounts payable and accrued recall-related costs increased $21.7 million to $48.6 million at December 31, 2007, from $26.9 million at December 31, 2006.

Net cash used in investing activities was $20.3 million in 2007, $8.3 million in 2006 and $6.6 million in 2005. The increase in 2007 was primarily attributable to the 2007 acquisitions of the Compass Business and MI and the 2006 sale of discontinued operations.  Capital expenditures, primarily for molds and tooling, in 2007 and 2006 were $11.5 million and $14.4 million, respectively, and we expect capital expenditures for 2008, principally for molds and tooling, to be approximately $14.0 million.

Net cash used in financing activities was $12.3 million in 2007, $54.5 million in 2006 and $46.5 million in 2005.  Payments of outstanding debt under our credit facilities were $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, all of which were made on our term loan and resulted in our paying off our outstanding term loan debt during the first quarter of 2007.  During the year ended December 31, 2007, we purchased $87.9 million of our common stock which we funded via borrowings on our revolving line of credit.  Borrowings on our revolving line of credit were $95.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Upon the closing of the acquisition of TFY on September 15, 2004, the Company entered into a new credit facility, which has subsequently been amended, to replace its previous credit facility.  The credit facility is comprised of an $85.0 million term loan and a $100.0 million revolving line of credit.  The credit facility also provides an additional $75.0 million of capacity under the revolving line of credit which was approved by the lenders upon the Company’s request in October 2007.  During the first quarter of 2007, the term loan was repaid and the term loan is no longer available for borrowing.  The revolving line of credit is available until its maturity on September 14, 2008.  A portion of the term loan had an interest rate of 3.45% plus applicable margin through the first three years of the facility.  The remaining term loan bore and revolving line of credit bears interest, at the Company’s option, at a base rate or at a LIBOR rate plus applicable margin.  The applicable margin is based on the Company’s ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash expense related to equity awards) and varies between 0.75% and 1.625%.  At December 31, 2007, the margin in effect was 1.00% for LIBOR loans.  The Company is also required to pay a commitment fee of 0.20% to 0.35% per annum on the average daily unused portion of the revolving line of credit.  At December 31, 2007, the commitment fee in effect was 0.25% per annum.  Under the terms of this credit facility, the Company is required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants.  Among other restrictions, the Company is restricted in its ability to pay dividends, incur additional debt and make acquisitions above certain amounts.  The key financial covenants include minimum EBITDA and interest coverage and leverage ratios.  The credit facility is secured by working capital assets and certain intangible assets.  On December 31, 2007, the Company had $95.0 million outstanding on the revolving line of credit, and was in compliance with all covenants.

 

The Company’s Hong Kong subsidiary maintains an on-going credit agreement with a bank that provides for a line of credit of up to $1.9 million.  Amounts borrowed under this line of credit bear interest at the bank’s prime rate or prevailing funding cost, whichever is higher, and are cross-guaranteed by the Company.  As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, there were no outstanding borrowings under this line of credit.

The Company’s United Kingdom subsidiary maintains two on-going lines of credit with two banks totaling $0.4 million.  The lines of credit bear interest at 1.0% over the bank’s base rate, and the total amount is subject to a letter of guarantee given by the Company.  At December 31, 2006 and 2007, there were no amounts outstanding on these lines of credit.

 

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During 2005, the Company’s United Kingdom subsidiary entered into an additional line of credit with a bank for $8.0 million that was to expire on September 14, 2008.  The line of credit bore interest at 1.15% over the LIBOR rate, and the total amount was secured by a guarantee of the Company.  During 2006, all borrowings under the line of credit were repaid, and the Company cancelled the availability thereunder.

The following table summarizes our significant contractual commitments at December 31, 2007:

		Payment Due by Period
(in thousands) Contractual Obligations		Total				2008					2009-2010				2011-2012			2013 and beyond
Line of credit		$	95,000			$	95,000			$	—			$	—			$	—
Estimated future interest payments    on line of credit			4,097				4,097				—				—				—
Minimum guaranteed royalty payments			36,245				4,147				15,981				15,842				275
Operating leases			25,804				4,095				6,413				4,267				11,029
Unconditional purchase obligations			65,720				23,261				42,459				—				—
Total contractual cash obligations		$	226,866			$	130,600			$	64,853			$	20,109			$	11,304

Estimated future interest payments on our line of credit were based upon the interest rates in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

In February 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the adoption of a program to repurchase up to $75.0 million of our common stock.  The program was initially authorized for a period of one year.  In October 2007, the Board of Directors authorized a $75.0 million increase to the stock repurchase program and extended the timing of this program through December 31, 2008.  This program may be extended beyond the currently authorized period or may be suspended at any time.  Under this program, shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at our discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors.  Shares repurchased are held as treasury shares.  During the year ended December 31, 2007, we repurchased 2.9 million shares for $87.9 million under this program.  These repurchases were funded via borrowings on our revolving line of credit.

In order to support our new product launches and to build consumer awareness of our owned brands, we incurred $9.5 million for investment spending during the year ended December 31, 2007 of which $8.3 million has been expensed.  The spending is focused on key strategic plan initiatives including on-line, digital and traditional consumer marketing and building and launching owned brands.

We believe that our cash flows from operations, cash on hand and available borrowings will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements and provide us with adequate liquidity to meet anticipated operating needs in 2008.  Our existing credit facility matures on September 14, 2008, and we currently anticipate that we will refinance during the second quarter of 2008.  Due to seasonal increases in demand for our products, our working capital is typically highest during the third and fourth quarters, and our debt levels are highest during the second and third quarters.  Although operating activities are expected to provide sufficient cash, any significant future product or property acquisitions, including up-front licensing payments, may require additional debt or equity financing.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements during any of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

 

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company makes certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.  The accounting policies described below are those the Company considers critical in preparing its consolidated financial statements.  These policies include significant estimates made by management using information available at the time the estimates are made.  However, as described below, these estimates could change materially if different information or assumptions were used.

Allowance for doubtful accounts.>  The allowance for doubtful accounts represents adjustments to customer trade accounts receivable for amounts deemed uncollectible.  The allowance for doubtful accounts reduces gross trade receivables to their estimated net realizable value and is disclosed on the face of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  The Company’s allowance is based on management’s assessment of the business environment, customers’ financial condition, historical trends, customer payment practices, receivable aging and customer disputes.  The Company has purchased credit insurance that covers a portion of its receivables from major customers.  The Company will continue to proactively review its credit risks and adjust its customer terms to reflect the current environment.

Inventory.>  Inventory, which consists of finished goods, has been written down for excess quantities and obsolescence, and is stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method and includes all costs necessary to bring inventory to its existing condition and location.  Market represents the lower of replacement cost or estimated net realizable value.  Inventory write-downs are recorded for damaged, obsolete, excess and slow-moving inventory.  The Company’s management uses estimates to record these write-downs based on its review of inventory by product category, length of time on hand and order bookings.  Changes in public and consumer preferences and demand for product or changes in customer buying patterns and inventory management, as well as discontinuance of products or product lines, could impact the inventory valuation.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets.>  Long-lived assets have been reviewed for impairment based on SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of."  This Statement requires that an impairment loss be recognized whenever the carrying value of an asset exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of that asset, excluding future interest costs the entity would recognize as an expense when incurred.  Goodwill and other intangible assets have been reviewed for impairment based on SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets."  Under this Statement, goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but rather tested at least annually for impairment.  The Company’s management reviews for indicators that might suggest an impairment loss could exist.  Testing for impairment requires estimates of expected cash flows to be generated from the use of the assets.  Various uncertainties, including changes in consumer preferences, deterioration in the political environment or changes in general economic conditions, could impact the expected cash flows to be generated by an asset or group of assets.  Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002. Goodwill has been amortized over 40 years on a straight-line basis through December 31, 2001. 

As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, was $239.1 million and $247.8 million, respectively.  The increase in goodwill at December 31, 2007, was due to the acquisition of the Compass Business and MI.  The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2006 and 2007, which resulted in no impairment.  The annual impairment tests for intangible assets in 2007 resulted in no impairment to intangibles.  However, for the year ended December 31, 2006, an impairment charge for intangible assets in the North America segment of $2.8 million has been included in the restructuring charge related to discontinued automotive collectibles within operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of earnings, as a result of the 2006 annual impairment test for intangible assets.  The impairment charge was based upon the Company’s decision to discontinue its automotive collectible product lines.

 

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Income taxes.>  The Company records current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities.  Management considers all available evidence in evaluating the realizability of the deferred tax assets and records valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets as needed.  Management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in the appropriate carry-forward periods to realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets, except for those deferred tax assets for which an allowance has been provided.

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109."  Management considers certain tax exposures and all available evidence when evaluating and estimating tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately anticipate actual outcomes.  If the available evidence were to change in the future, an adjustment to the tax-related balances may be required.  Estimates for such tax contingencies are classified in other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Product recalls.  The Company establishes a reserve for product recalls on a product-specific basis during the period in which the circumstances giving rise to the recall become known and estimatable.  Facts underlying the recall, including, among others, estimates of retailer inventory returns, consumer replacement costs and shipping costs, are considered when establishing a product recall reserve.  In 2007, the Company also considered additional replacement costs or refunds, donations, notice charges, claims admininstration and legal fees related to the settlement of the class action lawsuits (see Item 3).  When facts or circumstances become known that would indicate that the recall reserve is either not sufficient to cover or exceeds the estimated product recall expenses, the reserve is adjusted, as appropriate.

 

Accrued allowances.>  The Company ordinarily accepts returns only for defective merchandise.  In certain instances, where retailers are unable to resell the quantity of products that they have purchased from the Company, the Company may, in accordance with industry practice, assist retailers in selling excess inventory by offering credits and other price concessions, which are typically evaluated and issued annually.  Other allowances can also be issued for defective merchandise, volume programs and co-op advertising.  All allowances are accrued throughout the year, as sales are recorded.  The allowances are based on the terms of the various programs in effect; however, management also takes into consideration historical trends and specific customer and product information when making its estimates.  For the volume programs, the Company generally sets a volume target for the year with each participating customer and issues the discount if the target is achieved.  The allowance for the volume program is accrued throughout the year, and if it becomes clear to management that the target for the participating customer will not be reached, the Company will change the estimate for that customer as required. 

 

Accrued royalties.>  Royalties are accrued based on the provisions in licensing agreements for amounts due on net sales during the period, as well as management estimates for additional royalty exposures.  Royalties vary by product category and are generally paid on a quarterly basis.  Multiple royalties may be paid to various licensors on a single product.  Royalty expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.

Stock-based compensation.>  Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment."  The Company elected to use the modified prospective application of SFAS No. 123R for awards issued prior to January 1, 2006.  Income from continuing operations before income tax for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, includes total expense recognized for all of the Company’s stock-based payment plans.

The fair value of stock options granted under the stock incentive plans is estimated on the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  Prior to 2007, the Company calculated the expected volatility factor for those options issued under the stock incentive plans to correspond with the average volatility factor of those companies included in a peer group study.  The historical stock price movements of the Company’s common stock had not been considered a good indicator of expected future volatility because the Company’s business had changed significantly as a result of acquisitions completed.  However, the Company continued to monitor its actual volatility to assess whether its historical stock price movements over the expected option term were a good indicator of expected future results and began using Company specific volatility in 2007.

The Company uses historical data to estimate stock option exercise and employee departure behavior used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The expected term of stock options granted represents the period of time that stock options granted are expected to be outstanding.  The risk-free rate for the period within the contractual term of the stock option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The fair value of restricted stock awards granted under the stock incentive plan is calculated either using the market price on the grant date or the market price on the last day of the reported period.

 

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements."  This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurement.  However, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements.  This Statement is effective for the financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is evaluating the effect that this Statement will have on the Company’s financial statements. 

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), "Business Combinations."  This Statement replaces SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations."  This Statement establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree; recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.  This Statement applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The Company plans to adopt this statement on January 1, 2009.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s exposure to market risk is limited to interest rate risk associated with the Company’s credit facilities and foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with the Company’s foreign operations.

Based on the Company’s interest rate exposure on variable rate borrowings at December 31, 2007, a one percentage point increase in average interest rates on the Company’s borrowings would increase future interest expense by $0.1 million per month and a five percentage point increase would increase future interest expense by approximately $0.4 million per month.  The Company determined these amounts based on $95.0 million of variable rate borrowings at December 31, 2007, multiplied by 1.0% and 5.0%, respectively, and divided by twelve.  The Company is currently not using any interest rate collars, hedges or other derivative financial instruments to manage or reduce interest rate risk.  As a result, any increase in interest rates on the Company’s variable rate borrowings would increase interest expense and reduce net income.

The Company’s net sales are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, with 19.4% of net sales in 2007 denominated in British pounds sterling, Australian dollars, Euros and Canadian dollars.  The Company’s purchases of finished goods from Chinese manufacturers are primarily denominated in Hong Kong dollars.  Expenses for these manufacturers are primarily denominated in Chinese Renminbi.  The Hong Kong dollar is currently pegged to the U.S. dollar.  If the Hong Kong dollar ceased to be pegged to the U.S. dollar, a material increase in the value of the Hong Kong dollar relative to the U.S. dollar would increase our expenses, and therefore, could adversely affect our profitability.  A 10.0% change in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar with respect to the Hong Kong dollar for the year ended December 31, 2007, would have changed the total dollar amount of our gross profit by 10.2%.  During July 2005, China revalued the Chinese Renminbi, abandoning the former method of pegging the Chinese Renminbi to the U.S. dollar.  As expenses for the Company’s Chinese manufacturers are primarily denominated in Chinese Renminbi, a material increase in the value of the Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar would increase the Company’s expenses, and therefore, could adversely affect the Company’s profitability.  A 10.0% change in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar with respect to the British pound sterling, the Australian dollar, the Euro or the Canadian dollar for the year ended December 31, 2007, individually would not have had a significant impact on the Company’s earnings.  The Company is also subject to exchange rate risk relating to transfers of funds denominated in British pounds sterling, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars or Euros from its foreign subsidiaries to the United States.  Historically, the Company has not used hedges or other derivative financial instruments to manage or reduce exchange rate risk.

 

 

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Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Financial Statements

Our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are filed under this item beginning on page F1 of this report.

Quarterly Results of Operations

The following tables set forth our unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2006 and 2007.  We have prepared this unaudited information on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements contained in this report and this unaudited information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations for the quarters presented.  You should read this quarterly financial data along with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes to those statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission.  The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for the annual period or any future period.

		Fiscal Year 2006
(in thousands, except per share data)			Q1				Q2				Q3				Q4
Net sales		$	101,672			$	106,586			$	156,021			$	154,550
Cost of sales (1)			54,395				56,146				82,574				82,639
Restructuring charge related to discontinued    automotive collectibles			—				—				—				1,872
Gross profit			47,277				50,440				73,447				70,039
Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)			34,116				36,646				42,425				41,993
Amortization of intangible assets			315				315				315				204
Restructuring charge related to discontinued    automotive collectibles			—				—				—				12,631
Operating income			12,846				13,479				30,707				15,211
Interest expense, net			1,015				856				944				650
Other (income) expense			(155	)			37				273				375
Income before income taxes			11,986				12,586				29,490				14,186
Income tax expense			4,420				4,538				10,758				4,762
Income from continuing operations			7,566				8,048				18,732				9,424
(Loss) income from discontinued operations,    net of tax			(76	)			1,087				641				(11,328	)
Net income (loss)		$	7,490			$	9,135			$	19,373			$	(1,904	)
Basic earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations		$	0.36			$	0.39			$	0.90			$	0.45
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			—				0.05				0.03				(0.54	)
Net income (loss)		$	0.36			$	0.44			$	0.93			$	(0.09	)
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations		$	0.35			$	0.38			$	0.88			$	0.44
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			—				0.05				0.03				(0.53	)
Net income (loss)		$	0.35			$	0.43			$	0.91			$	(0.09	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic			20,750				20,863				20,917				21,004
Diluted			21,262				21,347				21,365				21,463

 

(1)  Depreciation expense was $3.5 million, $3.6 million, $3.6 million and $3.4 million for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 2006, respectively.

 

 

33

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		Fiscal Year 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)			Q1				Q2				Q3				Q4
Net sales (1)		$	112,593			$	92,990			$	144,843			$	138,573
Cost of sales (2)			62,131				53,544				78,552				75,832
Recall-related costs			—				1,703				2,408				513
Gross profit			50,462				37,743				63,883				62,228
Selling, general and administrative expenses (2)			37,768				32,722				42,680				48,390
Amortization of intangible assets			213				213				208				259
Recall-related costs			—				2,233				5,270				10,565
Operating income			12,481				2,575				15,725				3,014
Interest expense (income), net			302				(150	)			355				1,008
Other income			(466	)			(110	)			(411	)			(781	)
Income before income taxes			12,645				2,835				15,781				2,787
Income tax expense			4,586				485				5,012				2,389
Income from continuing operations			8,059				2,350				10,769				398
Income from discontinued operations,    net of tax			—				110				—				—
Net income		$	8,059			$	2,460			$	10,769			$	398
Basic earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations		$	0.38			$	0.11			$	0.52			$	0.02
Income from discontinued operations			—				0.01				—				—
Net income		$	0.38			$	0.12			$	0.52			$	0.02
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations		$	0.37			$	0.11			$	0.52			$	0.02
Income from discontinued operations			—				—				—				—
Net income		$	0.37			$	0.11			$	0.52			$	0.02
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic			21,116				21,225				20,523				18,743
Diluted			21,519				21,611				20,850				19,060

 

(1)  Net sales for Q2, Q3, and Q4 2007 include $2.4 million, $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of recall-related returns and allowances.

(2)  Depreciation expense was $3.6 million, $3.6 million, $3.3 m