LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. (Form: 8-K)  

 


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):   August 9, 2012

LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 0-10546 36-2229304
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction
_____________
(Commission
______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
8770 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois   60631
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (773) 304-5050

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Top of the Form

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On August 9, 2012, Lawson Products, Inc. issued a press release announcing its 2012 second quarter results. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.





Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release issued on August 9, 2012






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SIGNATURES

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

         
    LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.
          
August 9, 2012   By:   Ronald J. Knutson
       
        Name: Ronald J. Knutson
        Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer


Top of the Form

Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description

 
99.1
  Press Release issued on August 9, 2012
EX-99.1

Lawson Products Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results

CHICAGO, August 9, 2012 – Lawson Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:LAWS) (“Lawson” or the “Company”), a distributor of products and services to the MRO marketplace, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

Thomas Neri, president and chief executive officer commented, “Over the past 18 months, we have undertaken a series of strategic initiatives to drive the future growth and profitability of our business including the recently announced restructuring to reduce our cost structure and improve our operating efficiency. During the quarter, we recorded approximately $40 million of non-recurring charges which significantly impacted our results. These actions are anticipated to produce annualized savings of approximately $20 million beginning in the third quarter of this year.”

“We have returned to pre-ERP implementation customer service levels despite challenging top-line growth. As we continue to improve upon our operations, we expect to begin realizing benefits from our strategic restructuring initiatives in the second half of 2012.”

Second Quarter Results

Net sales for the second quarter of 2012 were $74.3 million versus $84.2 million in the second quarter of 2011. The decrease was mainly driven by a decline of $3.8 million in government sales primarily due to military bases that support troop deployment, lower freight revenues, increased attrition among smaller customers and a decline in sales representatives from a year ago. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in sales to strategic accounts. Average daily sales declined 2.1% sequentially from the first quarter of 2012 and 11.6% year-over-year.

As part of the restructuring, the Company recorded additional inventory reserves of $3.9 million. Excluding these reserves, gross profit for the second quarter of 2012 was $40.7 million versus $48.3 million a year ago. The gross margin percentage declined from 57.4% to 54.8% which was unchanged from the first quarter. Lower outbound freight recoveries, additional labor to support customer service and a shift toward higher volume strategic customers with lower margins reduced gross margin on a year over year basis.

Excluding the restructuring related severance charge of $6.6 million, total selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.2 million from the year ago period. Operating expenses were also impacted by a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $28.3 million offset by a gain of $2.1 million from the sale of properties. Including the charges and the gain on sale of properties, operating expenses were $78.3 million for the quarter versus $46.7 million in the prior year period.

Excluding the aforementioned charges and the gain on sale of properties, adjusted operating loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 was $4.8 million compared to adjusted operating income of $2.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. Including these items, the operating loss for the quarter was $41.4 million.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2012 was $61.2 million, or $7.12 per diluted share. During the quarter the Company increased the valuation allowance related to the recoverability of its deferred tax assets by $33.5 million which resulted in net tax expense of $19.5 million for the period. Excluding the non-recurring items referred to above as well as the increase in the tax valuation allowance, diluted loss per share was $0.39 compared to earnings of $0.12 per diluted share in the prior year period.

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Second Half 2012 Initiatives

As the Company continues to focus on its long-term transformation, the following events are expected to occur in the near future:

    Sales force transformation – Lawson will continue the transition of its independent agent model to an employee model. This transition is planned to be completed in the United States during the first quarter of 2013. Management anticipates minimal disruption while its sales representatives continue to service their existing customers.

    Website launch – A redesigned website will be launched in a phased approach. The website will be fully integrated and allow orders to be placed directly on-line as well as enhancing the Company’s visibility to a broader base of customers.

    Distribution network consolidation – The Company will consolidate distribution operations currently performed at three separate Illinois locations into a new state-of-the-art leased facility in McCook, Illinois. This facility will become the hub of Lawson’s distribution network and will help to improve the Company’s operating efficiency.

    Credit facility – The Company entered into a new five year $40.0 million credit facility that provides the necessary liquidity to fund its future operations and continue its transformation.

Mr. Neri concluded, “We continue to take the necessary steps to transform the Company. We believe the recently completed restructuring and the implementation of our new ERP system, along with the initiatives scheduled to be completed in the near future, will enable us to better leverage our competitive advantages and reposition the Company for long-term growth and profitability.”

Conference Call

Lawson Products, Inc. will conduct a conference call with investors to discuss second quarter 2012 results at 9:00 a.m. EST on August 9, 2012. The conference call is available by direct dial at 877-317-6789 in the U.S. or 412-317-6789 from outside of the U.S. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately one hour after completion of the call through August 24, 2012. Callers can access the replay by dialing 877-344-7529 in the U.S. or 412-317-0088 outside the U.S. The PIN access number for the replay is 10013133#. A streaming audio of the call and an archived replay will also be available on the investor relations page of Lawson’s Web site through September 9, 2012.

About Lawson Products, Inc.

Founded in 1952, Lawson Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAWS) is an industrial distributor of more than 375,000 different maintenance and repair supplies. Lawson Products serves its customers through a dedicated team of sales representatives and employees. The Company services the industrial, institutional, commercial and government markets in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico. You can learn more about the company on its Web site, www.lawsonproducts.com.

This Release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. The terms “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continues,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, intentions or beliefs and are subject to a number of factors, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such differences or that might otherwise impact the business and include the risk factors set forth in Item 1A of the December 31, 2011, Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2012 and the June 30, 2012 Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2012. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such factor or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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 LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.                
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)    
    (Unaudited)    
    Three Months Ended   Six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2012   2011   2012   2011
Net sales
  $ 74,348     $ 84,154     $ 150,310     $ 166,733  
Cost of goods sold
    37,532       35,855       72,160       68,495  
 
                               
Gross profit
    36,816       48,299       78,150       98,238  
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    52,069       46,707       96,236       92,901  
Goodwill impairment
    28,306             28,306        
Gain on sale of assets
    (2,122 )           (2,122 )      
 
                               
 
    78,253       46,707       122,420       92,901  
Operating income (loss)
    (41,437 )     1,592       (44,270 )     5,337  
 
                               
Other expense, net
    (231 )     (8 )     (320 )     (504 )
 
                               
 
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (41,668 )     1,584       (44,590 )     4,833  
 
                               
Income tax expense
    19,472       496       18,335       1,695  
 
                               
 
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (61,140 )     1,088       (62,925 )     3,138  
 
                               
Discontinued operations, net of income tax
    (17 )     (22 )     (30 )     (52 )
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ (61,157 )   $ 1,066     $ (62,955 )   $ 3,086  
 
                               
 
                               
Basic income (loss) per share of common stock:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ (7.12 )   $ 0.13     $ (7.33 )   $ 0.37  
Discontinued operations
    (0.00 )     (0.01 )     (0.01 )     (0.01 )
 
                               
 Net income (loss) per share
  $ (7.12 )   $ 0.12     $ (7.34 )   $ 0.36  
 
                               
Diluted income (loss) per share of common stock:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ (7.12 )   $ 0.13     $ (7.33 )   $ 0.36  
Discontinued operations
    (0.00 )     (0.01 )     (0.01 )     (0.00 )
 
                               
 Net income (loss) per share
  $ (7.12 )   $ 0.12     $ (7.34 )   $ 0.36  
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
    8,587       8,550       8,581       8,541  
Dilutive effect of stock based compensation
          60             67  
 
                               
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    8,587       8,610       8,581       8,608  
 
                               
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock
  $ 0.12     $ 0.12     $ 0.24     $ 0.24  
 
                               
Net comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (61,395 )   $ 1,100     $ (62,766 )   $ 3,494  
 
                               

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LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.    
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS    
(Amounts in thousands)    
    June 30,   December 31,
    2012   2011
    (Unaudited)        
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,237     $ 2,116  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
    36,061       43,239  
Inventories, net
    54,727       55,498  
Miscellaneous receivables and prepaid expenses
    3,636       7,064  
Deferred income taxes
          5,716  
Property held for sale
    1,869        
Discontinued operations
    385       410  
 
               
Total current assets
    97,915       114,043  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    64,495       52,702  
Cash value of life insurance
    14,666       15,490  
Deferred income taxes
    41       11,864  
Goodwill
          28,148  
Other assets
    535       501  
 
               
Total assets
  $ 177,652     $ 222,748  
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Revolving line of credit
  $ 14,800     $  
Accounts payable
    15,542       22,967  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    31,679       28,231  
Discontinued operations
    433       681  
Total current liabilities
    62,454       51,879  
 
               
Security bonus plans
    20,773       23,310  
Deferred compensation
    8,887       9,279  
Financing lease obligation
    10,726       3,377  
Other liabilities
    5,067       731  
 
    45,453       36,697  
 
               
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    69,745       134,172  
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 177,652     $ 222,748  
 
               

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  LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.
REGULATION G GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, the Company’s management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures can provide additional meaningful reflection of underlying trends of the business because they provide a comparison of historical information that excludes certain infrequently occurring or non-operational items that impact the overall comparability. See the table below for supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

                                 
TABLE 1 - RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO ADJUSTED NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)    
    (Unaudited)    
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2012   2011   2012   2011
Operating income (loss), as reported per GAAP
  $ (41,437 )   $ 1,592     $ (44,270 )   $ 5,337  
Goodwill Impairment (1)
    28,306             28,306        
Severance expense (2)
    6,585       465       6,770       1,210  
Inventory rationalization (3)
    3,893             3,893        
Gain on sale of assets (4)
    (2,122 )           (2,122 )      
 
                               
Adjusted non-GAAP operating income (loss)
  $ (4,775 )   $ 2,057     $ (7,423 )   $ 6,547  
 
                               

(1)   Non-cash $28.3 million goodwill impairment charge.

(2)   Includes a $6.6 million severance charge for an organizational restructuring plan in the second quarter of 2012.

(3)   A non-cash $3.9 million charge was recorded as a result of discontinuing certain products.

(4)   Three properties were sold during the quarter, resulting in a gain of $2.1 million.

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                    LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.                        
            TABLE 2 - QUARTERLY RESULTS                        
                    (Dollars in thousands)                
                            Three months ended                
 
  Jun. 30, 2012           Mar. 31, 2012   Dec. 31, 2011           Sep. 30, 2011   Jun. 30, 2011
 
                                                       
Average daily net sales
  $ 1,162             $ 1,187     $ 1,214             $ 1,178     $ 1,315  
Sequential quarter increase (decrease)
    (2.1 )%             (2.2 )%     3.1 %             (10.4 )%     0.3 %
Net sales
  $ 74,348             $ 75,962     $ 72,860             $ 75,366     $ 84,154  
Gross profit
    36,816       (1 )     41,334       38,993               42,546       48,299  
Gross profit percentage
    49.5 %             54.4 %     53.5 %             56.5 %     57.4 %
Operating expenses
  $ 78,253       (2 )   $ 44,167     $ 46,755       (3 )   $ 45,617     $ 46,707  
Operating income (loss)
  $ (41,437 )     (4 )   $ (2,833 )   $ (7,762 )           $ (3,071 )   $ 1,592  
 
                                                       

(1)   Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2012 includes a $3.9 million charge for discontinuing certain products.

(2)   Operating expense for the three months ended June 30, 2012 includes a $28.3 million goodwill impairment charge, a $6.6 million restructuring charge and a $2.1 million gain on the sale of the properties.

(3)   Operating expense for the three months ended December 31, 2011 includes a $1.2 million expense for the estimated cost of settling an employment tax matter and a $1.1 million impairment charge related to certain long-lived assets.

(4)   Excluding items referred to in (1) and (2) above, operating loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 was $4.8 million.

Investor Relations:
Lawson Products, Inc.
Ronald J. Knutson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
773-304-5665

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