UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

__________

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013

 

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from_______________ to _______________

 

Commission file number 1-10435

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   06-0633559
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)   identification no.)
     
Lacey Place, Southport, Connecticut   06890
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

(203) 259-7843

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x       No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x       No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨

 

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

 

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock as of April 26, 2013: Common Stock, $1 par value –19,319,500.

 

Page 1 of 27
 

 

INDEX

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

PART I.       FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)  
     
  Condensed balance sheets – March 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 3
     
  Condensed statements of income and comprehensive income – Three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 5
     
  Condensed statement of stockholders’ equity – Three months ended March 30, 2013 6
     
  Condensed statements of cash flows Three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 7
     
  Notes to condensed financial statements – March 30, 2013 8
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 15
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 24
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 24
     
PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 25
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 25
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 25
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 25
     
Item 4. Mining Safety Disclosures 26
     
Item 5. Other Information 26
     
Item 6. Exhibits 26
     
SIGNATURES 27

 

2
 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

   March 30,
2013
   December 31,
2012
 
       (Note) 
         
Assets          
           
Current Assets          
Cash   $45,611   $30,978 
Trade receivables, net   59,482    43,018 
           
Gross inventories   54,275    55,827 
Less LIFO reserve   (38,221)   (38,089)
Less excess and obsolescence reserve   (1,964)   (1,729)
Net inventories   14,090    16,009 
           
Deferred income taxes   7,521    5,284 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,101    1,632 
Total Current Assets   127,805    96,921 
           
Property, plant and equipment   203,256    195,713 
Less allowances for depreciation   (133,821)   (129,720)
Net property, plant and equipment   69,435    65,993 
           
Deferred income taxes   2,451    2,004 
Other assets   11,784    9,568 
Total Assets  $211,475   $174,486 

 

Note:

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

3
 

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

   March 30,
2013
   December 31,
2012
 
       (Note) 
         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
           
Current Liabilities          
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses  $41,461   $38,500 
Product liability   991    720 
Employee compensation and benefits   19,163    15,182 
Workers’ compensation   4,475    4,600 
Income taxes payable   14,622    489 
Total Current Liabilities   80,712    59,491 
           
Accrued pension liability   18,873    19,626 
Product liability   252    337 
           
Contingent liabilities – Note 10        
           
Stockholders’ Equity          
Common Stock, non-voting, par value $1:          
Authorized shares 50,000; none issued        
Common Stock, par value $1:          
Authorized shares – 40,000,000          
2013 – 23,618,934 issued,          
19,319,500 outstanding          
2012 – 23,562,422 issued,          
19,262,988 outstanding   23,619    23,563 
Additional paid-in capital   16,470    15,531 
Retained earnings   139,053    123,442 
Less: Treasury stock – at cost          
2013 and 2012 – 4,299,434 shares   (37,884)   (37,884)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (29,620)   (29,620)
Total Stockholders’ Equity   111,638    95,032 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity  $211,475   $174,486 

 

Note:

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

4
 

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 30, 2013   March 31, 2012 
         
         
Net firearms sales  $153,440   $110,787 
Net castings sales   2,465    1,550 
Total net sales   155,905    112,337 
           
Cost of products sold   94,596    70,544 
           
Gross profit   61,309    41,793 
           
Operating expenses:          
Selling   15,764    10,999 
General and administrative   8,443    6,378 
Total operating expenses   24,207    17,377 
           
Operating income   37,102    24,416 
           
Other income:          
Interest expense, net   (16)   (23)
Other income, net   265    178 
Total other income, net   249    155 
           
Income before income taxes   37,351    24,571 
           
Income taxes   13,633    9,091 
           
Net income and comprehensive income  $23,718   $15,480 
           
Basic earnings per share  $1.23   $0.81 
           
Fully diluted earnings per share  $1.20   $0.79 
           
Cash dividends per share  $0.404   $0.212 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

5
 

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

   Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   Retained
Earnings
   Treasury
Stock
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
   Total 
                         
Balance at December 31, 2012  $23,563   $15,531   $123,442   $(37,884)  $(29,620)  $95,032 
                               
Net income             23,718              23,718 
                               
Dividends paid             (7,804)             (7,804)
                               
Accrued dividends             (303)             (303)
                               
Recognition of stock-based compensation expense        1,330                   1,330 
                               
Exercise of stock options and vesting of RSU’s        (2,082)                  (2,082)
                               
Tax benefit realized from exercise of stock options and vesting of RSU’s        1,747                   1,747 
                               
Common stock issued – compensation plans   56    (56)                  - 
                               
Balance at March 30, 2013  $23,619   $16,470   $139,053   $(37,884)  $(29,620)  $111,638 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

6
 

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 30,
 2013
   March 31,
 2012
 
         
Operating Activities          
Net income  $23,718   $15,480 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   4,501    3,388 
Slow moving inventory valuation adjustment   235    (53)
Stock-based compensation   1,330    928 
Gain on sale of assets   (70)   - 
Deferred income taxes   (2,684)   (1,365)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Trade receivables   (16,464)   (6,801)
Inventories   1,684    2,649 
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses   2,836    2,611 
Employee compensation and benefits   3,678    (4,238)
Product liability   186    (65)
Prepaid expenses, other assets and other liabilities   (2,676)   5,119 
Income taxes payable   14,133    4,188 
Cash provided by operating activities   30,407    21,841 
           
Investing Activities          
Property, plant and equipment additions   (7,705)   (3,047)
Proceeds from sale of assets   70    - 
Purchases of short-term investments   -    (19,994)
Cash used for investing activities   (7,635)   (23,041)
           
Financing Activities          
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options   1,747    922 
Remittance of taxes withheld from employees related to share-based compensation   (2,082)   (884)
Dividends paid   (7,804)   (4,059)
Cash used for financing activities   (8,139)   (4,021)
           
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   14,633    (5,221)
           
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   30,978    81,056 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $45,611   $75,835 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

7
 

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share)

 

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods. Operating results for the three months ended March 30, 2013 may not be indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2013. These financial statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Organization:

 

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is principally engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers. Approximately 98% of the Company’s total sales for the three months ended March 30, 2013 were firearms sales, and approximately 2% were investment castings sales. Export sales represent approximately 2% of total sales. The Company’s design and manufacturing operations are located in the United States and almost all product content is domestic.

 

The Company’s firearms are sold through a select number of independent wholesale distributors principally to the commercial sporting market.

 

The Company manufactures investment castings made from steel alloys for internal use in its firearms and utilizes available investment casting capacity to manufacture and sell castings to unaffiliated, third-party customers.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

 

The carrying amounts of financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these items.

 

Use of Estimates:

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

8
 

 

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs existing at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must necessarily be based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Because these are subject to many factors beyond management's control, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.

 

During the three month period ended March 30, 2013, inventory quantities were reduced.  If this reduction remains through year-end, it will result in a liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years as compared with the current cost of purchases.  Although the effect of such a liquidation cannot be precisely quantified at the present time, management believes that if a LIFO liquidation occurs in 2013, the impact may be material to the Company’s results of operations for the period but will not have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

   March 30,
2013
   December 31,
2012
 
Inventory at FIFO          
Finished products  $4,542   $3,615 
Materials and work in process   49,733    52,212 
Gross inventories   54,275    55,827 
Less: LIFO reserve   (38,221)   (38,089)
Less: excess and obsolescence reserve   (1,964)   (1,729)
Net inventories  $14,090   $16,009 

 

NOTE 4 - LINE OF CREDIT

 

In February 2013, the Company amended its credit facility with a bank to increase the availability from $25 million to $40 million. This facility is renewable annually and now terminates on June 15, 2014. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at LIBOR (0.731% at March 20, 2013) plus 200 basis points. The Company is charged three-eighths of a percent (0.375%) per year on the unused portion. At March 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with the terms and covenants of the credit facility, which remains unused.

 

NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

Defined Benefit Plans

 

In 2007, the Company amended its hourly and salaried defined benefit pension plans to freeze the benefits for current participants and to discontinue the plans for all future employees. All active participants became fully vested in the amount of benefit services accrued through December 31, 2007 and no benefits have accrued since that date. Currently, the Company provides supplemental discretionary contributions to substantially all employees’ individual 401(k) accounts.

 

9
 

 

In future years, the Company may be required to make cash contributions to the two defined benefit pension plans. The annual contributions will be based on the amount of the unfunded plan liabilities derived from the frozen benefits and will not include liabilities for any future accrued benefits for any new or existing participants. The total amount of these future cash contributions will depend on the investment returns generated by the plans’ assets and the then applicable discount rates used to calculate the plans’ liabilities.

 

The Company plans to contribute approximately $3.0 million in 2013, which is expected to satisfy the required minimum contribution. Contributions in the three months ended March 30, 2013 totaled $0.8 million.

 

The estimated cost of the frozen defined benefit plans for 2013 is not expected to be significant.

 

Defined Contribution Plan

 

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company modified the terms of its 401(k) plan and now matches a certain portion of employee contributions. Expenses related to these matching contributions totaled $0.7 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013, and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The Company plans to contribute approximately $2.0 million to the plan in matching employee contributions during the remainder of 2013.

 

In addition, the Company provided supplemental discretionary contributions to the 401(k) plan totaling $1.0 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013, and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The Company plans to contribute supplemental contributions to the plan of approximately $3.0 million during the remainder of 2013.

 

NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES

 

The Company's 2013 and 2012 effective tax rates differ from the statutory federal tax rate due principally to state income taxes partially offset by tax benefits related to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 were 36.5% and 37.0%, respectively.

 

Income tax payments in the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 totaled $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010.

 

The Company does not believe it has included any “uncertain tax positions” in its federal income tax return or any of the state income tax returns it is currently filing. The Company has made an evaluation of the potential impact of additional state taxes being assessed by jurisdictions in which the Company does not currently consider itself liable. The Company does not anticipate that such additional taxes, if any, would result in a material change to its financial position.

 

10
 

 

NOTE 7 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Set forth below is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the periods indicated:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 30,
 2013
   March 31,
 2012
 
         
Numerator:          
Net income  $23,718   $15,480 
Denominator:          
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Basic   19,281,969    19,116,765 
           
Dilutive effect of options and restricted stock units outstanding under the Company’s employee compensation plans   517,904    436,916 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Diluted   19,799,873    19,553,681 

 

The dilutive effect of outstanding options and restricted stock units is calculated using the treasury stock method. There were no stock options that were anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation.

 

NOTE 8 - COMPENSATION PLANS

 

In April 2007, the Company adopted and the shareholders approved the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 SIP”) under which employees, independent contractors, and non-employee directors may be granted stock options, restricted stock, deferred stock awards, and stock appreciation rights, any of which may or may not require the satisfaction of performance objectives. Vesting requirements are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Company has reserved 2,550,000 shares for issuance under the 2007 SIP of which 798,000 remain available for future grants as of March 30, 2013.

 

Compensation costs related to all share-based payments recognized in the statements of operations aggregated $1.3 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

 

Stock Options

 

A summary of changes in options outstanding under the plans is summarized below:

 

   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2012   120,460   $8.58   $6.76 
Granted   -    -    - 
Exercised   (48,550)  $8.58   $6.85 
Expired   -    -    - 
Outstanding at March 30, 2013   71,910   $8.58   $6.69 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value (mean market price at March 30, 2013 less the weighted average exercise price) of options outstanding under the plans was approximately $3.0 million.

 

11
 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, the Company began granting restricted stock units to senior employees in lieu of incentive stock options. These awards vest dependent on the achievement of corporate objectives established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Beginning in 2011, a three year vesting period was added to the performance criteria, which had the effect of requiring both the achievement of the corporate performance objectives and the satisfaction of the vesting period.

 

There were 31,696 restricted stock units issued during the three months ended March 30, 2013. Total compensation costs related to these restricted stock units are $1.8 million. These costs are being recognized ratably over the vesting period of three years. Total compensation cost related to restricted stock units was $1.2 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

 

NOTE 9 - OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company has two reportable segments: firearms and investment castings. The firearms segment manufactures and sells rifles, pistols, and revolvers principally to a select number of independent wholesale distributors primarily located in the United States. The investment castings segment manufactures and sells steel investment castings.

 

Selected operating segment financial information follows:

 

(in thousands)  Three Months Ended 
   March 30,
2013
   March 31,
2012
 
Net Sales          
Firearms  $153,440   $110,787 
Castings          
Unaffiliated   2,465    1,550 
Intersegment   7,726    6,383 
    10,191    7,933 
Eliminations   (7,726)   (6,383)
   $155,905   $112,337 
           
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes          
Firearms  $37,305   $24,894 
Castings   95    (442)
Corporate   (49)   119 
   $37,351   $24,571 

 

   March 30,
2013
   December 31,
2012
 
Identifiable Assets          
Firearms  $144,528   $120,879 
Castings   6,950    6,467 
Corporate   59,997    47,140 
   $211,475   $174,486 

 

12
 

 

NOTE 10 - CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

As of March 30, 2013, the Company was a defendant in approximately three (3) lawsuits and was aware of certain other such claims. The lawsuits fall into two general categories: traditional product litigation, and municipal litigation, discussed in turn below.

 

Traditional Product Liability Litigation

 

Two of the three lawsuits mentioned above involve claims for damages related to allegedly defective product design and/or manufacture. Both stem from a specific incident of personal injury and are based on traditional product liability theories such as strict liability, negligence and/or breach of warranty.

 

The Company believes that the allegations in these cases are unfounded, and that the incidents were caused by the negligence and/or misuse of the firearms by third-parties or the claimant, and that there should be no recovery against the Company.

 

Municipal Litigation

 

Municipal litigation generally includes those cases brought by cities or other governmental entities against firearms manufacturers, distributors and retailers seeking to recover damages allegedly arising out of the misuse of firearms by third-parties.

 

There is only one remaining lawsuit of this type, filed by the City of Gary in Indiana State Court, over ten years ago. The complaint in that case seeks damages, among other things, for the costs of medical care, police and emergency services, public health services, and other services as well as punitive damages. In addition, nuisance abatement and/or injunctive relief is sought to change the design, manufacture, marketing, and distribution practices of the various defendants. The suit alleges, among other claims, negligence in the design of products, public nuisance, negligent distribution and marketing, negligence per se and deceptive advertising. The case does not allege a specific injury to a specific individual as a result of the misuse or use of any of the Company’s products.

 

After a long procedural history, the case was scheduled for trial on June 15, 2009. The case was not tried on that date and no subsequent scheduling order has been entered. There has been no activity since that time.

 

Summary of Claimed Damages and Explanation of Product Liability Accruals

 

Punitive damages, as well as compensatory damages, are demanded in certain of the lawsuits and claims. Aggregate claimed amounts presently exceed product liability accruals and applicable insurance coverage. For claims made after July 10, 2000, coverage is provided on an annual basis for losses exceeding $5 million per claim, or an aggregate maximum loss of $10 million annually, except for certain new claims which might be brought by governments or municipalities after July 10, 2000, which are excluded from coverage.

 

13
 

 

The Company monitors the status of known claims and the product liability accrual, which includes amounts for asserted and unasserted claims. While it is not possible to forecast the outcome of litigation or the timing of costs, in the opinion of management, after consultation with special and corporate counsel, there is a remote likelihood that litigation, including punitive damage claims, will have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company, but may have a material impact on the Company’s financial results for a particular period.

 

Product liability claim payments are made when appropriate if, as, and when claimants and the Company reach agreement upon an amount to finally resolve all claims. Legal costs are paid as the lawsuits and claims develop, the timing of which may vary greatly from case to case. A time schedule cannot be determined in advance with any reliability concerning when payments will be made in any given case.

 

Provision is made for product liability claims based upon many factors related to the severity of the alleged injury and potential liability exposure, based upon prior claim experience. Because our experience in defending these lawsuits and claims is that unfavorable outcomes are typically not probable or estimable, only in rare cases is an accrual established for such costs. In most cases, an accrual is established only for estimated legal defense costs. Product liability accruals are periodically reviewed to reflect then-current estimates of possible liabilities and expenses incurred to date and reasonably anticipated in the future. Threatened product liability claims are reflected in our product liability accrual on the same basis as actual claims; i.e., an accrual is made for reasonably anticipated possible liability and claims-handling expenses on an ongoing basis.

 

A range of reasonably possible loss relating to unfavorable outcomes cannot be made. However, in product liability cases in which a dollar amount of damages is claimed, the amount of damages claimed, which totaled $0.0 million and $5.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are set forth as an indication of possible maximum liability that the Company might be required to incur in these cases (regardless of the likelihood or reasonable probability of any or all of this amount being awarded to claimants) as a result of adverse judgments that are sustained on appeal.

 

NOTE 11 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On April 25, 2013, Board of Directors authorized a dividend of 49¢ per share, for shareholders of record as of May 10, 2013, payable on May 24, 2013.

 

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to March 30, 2013 and determined that there were no other such events or transactions that would have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

14
 

  

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

 

Company Overview

 

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is principally engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers. Approximately 98% of the Company’s total sales for the three months ended March 30, 2013 were firearms sales, and 2% were investment castings sales. Export sales represent approximately 2% of total sales. The Company’s design and manufacturing operations are located in the United States and almost all product content is domestic. The Company’s firearms are sold through a select number of independent wholesale distributors, principally to the commercial sporting market.

 

The Company also manufactures investment castings made from steel alloys for internal use in its firearms and for sale to unaffiliated, third-party customers.

 

Orders of many models of firearms from the independent distributors tend to be stronger in the first quarter of the year and weaker in the third quarter of the year. This is due in part to the timing of the distributor show season, which occurs during the first quarter.

 

Results of Operations

 

Demand

 

Demand for the Company’s products in the first quarter of 2013 was very strong. We believe this strong demand for our products was primarily due to the current political environment that favorably impacted the entire firearms industry, and to a lesser extent:

 

·the Company’s continued practice of introducing innovative and exciting new products, and
·new shooters joining the ranks of gun owners, and
·increased manufacturing capacity and greater product availability for certain products in strong demand.

 

The new LC380 pistol and the SR45 pistol were introduced during the first three months of 2013. New products, including the LC380 pistol and the SR45 pistol, represented $53.3 million or 35% of firearm sales in the first three months of 2013.

 

During the first quarter of 2013, the estimated unit sell-through of our products from the independent distributors to retailers increased 12% from the first quarter of 2012.  This estimated unit sell-through was effectively limited to the amount of first quarter production because distributor inventory totaled only 59,200 units at December 31, 2012.  For reference, at December 31, 2011, the distributor inventory totaled 135,600 units, allowing Q1 2012 sell-through to exceed Q1 2012 production by 22%.  During the first quarter of 2013, National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation) increased 46%.

 

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Estimated sell-through from the independent distributors to retailers and total NICS background checks for the trailing five quarters follows:

 

   2013   2012 
   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 
                          
Estimated Units Sold from Distributors to Retailers (1)   514,200    504,700    396,900    410,300    460,800 
                          
Total adjusted NICS Background Checks (thousands) (2)   4,926    4,882    2,904    2,619    3,376 

 

(1)The estimates for each period were calculated by taking the beginning inventory at the distributors, plus shipments from the Company to distributors during the period, less the ending inventory at distributors. These estimates are only a proxy for actual market demand as they:

 

·Rely on data provided by independent distributors that are not verified by the Company,
·Do not consider potential timing issues within the distribution channel, including goods-in-transit, and
·Do not consider fluctuations in inventory at retail.

 

(2)While NICS background checks are not a precise measure of retail activity, they are commonly used as a proxy for retail demand. NICS background checks are performed when the ownership of most firearms, either new or used, is transferred by a Federal Firearms Licensee. NICS background checks are also performed for permit applications, permit renewals, and other administrative reasons.  

 

The adjusted NICS data presented above was derived by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (“NSSF”) by subtracting out NICS checks that are not directly related to the sale of a firearm, including checks used for concealed carry (CCW) permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. While not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provides a more accurate picture of current market conditions than raw NICS data.  

 

Orders Received and Ending Backlog

 

During the first quarter of 2013, the Company limited the incoming orders from the independent distributors to mitigate the growth of the backlog. This action was necessary due to the following:

 

·Strong demand from consumers, coupled with the current political climate, resulted in unprecedented levels of orders from retailers to distributors during the distributor show season,
·Our backlog at December 31, 2012, which totaled 1.5 million units, already represented approximately nine months of production at our current build rates, despite the significant year-over-year increase in our capacity. For reference, the backlog at December 31, 2011 was 337,000 units.

 

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As a result, net orders received in the first quarter of 2013 decreased 11% from the comparable prior year period. Despite this decrease in orders received, our ending backlog of 2.1 million units is 0.9 million units greater, or nearly double, the backlog at March 31, 2012.

  

The units ordered, value of orders received and ending backlog, net of excise tax, for the trailing five quarters are as follows (dollars in millions, except average sales price):

 

(All amounts shown are net of Federal Excise Tax of 10% for handguns and 11% for long guns.)

 

   2013   2012 
   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 
                     
Units Ordered  1,067,500    1,069,200    318,300    291,500    1,200,100 
                          
Orders Received  $310.7   $310.4   $92.9   $84.6   $308.7 
                          
Average Sales Price of Orders Received  $291   $290   $292   $290   $257 
                          
Ending Backlog  $602.3   $427.1   $249.7   $273.2   $304.4 
                          
Average Sales Price of Ending Backlog  $288   $283   $275   $269   $264 

 

Production

 

Total unit production in the first quarter of 2013 increased 33% from the first quarter of 2012. This increase in unit production resulted from investment in incremental capacity for new product introductions and from the utilization of lean methodologies for continuous improvement in our operations. Our increase in production was facilitated by $31 million of capital expenditures during the twelve months ended March 30, 2013. These capital expenditures exceeded depreciation by approximately $15 million during this period, which represented an approximate 7% increase to our capital equipment base.

 

Summary Unit Data

 

Firearms unit data for the trailing five quarters are as follows:

 

   2013   2012 
   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 
                     
Units Ordered   1,067,500    1,069,200    318,300    291,500    1,200,100 
                          
Units Produced   503,600    463,500    436,800    418,500    379,000 
                          
Units Shipped   502,300    467,300    425,500    421,100    382,500 
                          
Average Sales Price (3)  $305   $295   $273   $280   $290 
                          
Units on Backlog   2,090,200    1,507,200    908,700    1,016,700    1,153,500 

 

(3)      Net of Federal Excise Tax of 10% for handguns and 11% for long guns.

 

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Inventories

 

The Company’s finished goods inventory increased 1,300 units during the first quarter of 2013 and remains below optimal levels to support rapid fulfillment of distributor demand. The Company has a goal of replenishing its finished goods inventory in future periods to levels that will better serve its customers. This replenishment could increase the FIFO value of finished goods inventory by as much as $15 million from the current level upon the attainment of the desired levels of finished goods inventory.

 

Distributor inventories of the Company’s products decreased 11,900 units during the first quarter of 2013 and are below the optimal level to support rapid fulfillment of retailer demand. For reference, in the first quarter of 2012, distributor inventories decreased 78,400 units. Insufficient distributor inventory at December 31, 2012 severely limited the estimated sell-through from independent distributors to retailers in the first quarter of 2013 and resulted in unfulfilled retailer and consumer demand.

 

Inventory data for the trailing five quarters follows:

 

   2013   2012 
   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 
                     
Units – Company Inventory   16,900    15,600    21,400    10,400    12,800 
                          
Units – Distributor Inventory (4)   47,300    59,200    96,600    68,000    57,200 
                          
Total inventory (5)   64,200    74,800    118,000    78,400    70,000 

 

(4)Distributor ending inventory as provided by the Company’s independent distributors. These numbers do not include goods-in-transit inventory that has been shipped from the Company but not yet received by the distributors.

 

(5)This total does not include inventory at retailers. The Company does not have access to data on retailer inventories of the Company’s products.

 

Net Sales

 

Consolidated net sales were $155.9 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013, an increase of 38.8% from $112.3 million in the comparable prior year period.

 

Firearms net sales were $153.4 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013, an increase of 38.5% from $110.8 million in the comparable prior year period.

 

Firearms unit shipments increased 31.3% for the three months ended March 30, 2013 from the comparable prior year period.

 

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Casting net sales were $2.5 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013, an increase of 59.0% from $1.6 million in the comparable prior year period.

 

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit

 

Consolidated cost of products sold was $94.5 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013, an increase of 33.9% from $70.5 million in the comparable prior year period.

 

Gross margin was 39.3% for the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to 37.2% in comparable prior year period as illustrated below (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 30, 2013   March 31, 2012 
                 
Net sales   155,905    100.0%  $112,337    100.0%
                     
Cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory and product liability   93,578    60.0%   69,935    62.2%
                     

LIFO expense (income)

   132    0.1%   (71)   (0.1)%
                     
Overhead rate adjustments to inventory   387    0.3%   405    0.4%
                     
Labor rate adjustments to inventory   34    0%   103    0.1%
                     
Product liability   465    0.3%   172    0.2%
                     
Total cost of products sold   94,596    60.7%   70,544    62.8%
                     
Gross profit   61,309    39.3%  $41,793    37.2%

 

Cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, and product liability— During the three months ended March 30, 2013, cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, and product liability decreased as a percentage of sales by 2.2% compared with the comparable 2012 period due to increased sales volume and a favorable shift in product mix, including greater sales of higher-margin accessories.

 

LIFO— During the three months ended March 30, 2013, gross inventories decreased by $1.6 million and the Company recognized LIFO expense resulting in increased cost of products sold of $0.1 million. In the comparable 2012 period, gross inventories decreased by $2.7 million and the Company recognized LIFO income resulting in decreased cost of products sold by $0.1 million.

 

Overhead Rate Adjustments— The Company uses actual overhead expenses incurred as a percentage of sales-value-of-production over a trailing six month period to absorb overhead expense into inventory. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Company was more efficient in overhead spending and the overhead rates used to absorb overhead expenses into inventory decreased, resulting in a decrease in inventory value of $0.4 million, and a corresponding increase to cost of products sold.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the overhead rates used to absorb overhead expenses into inventory decreased, resulting in a decrease in inventory value of $0.4 million. This decrease in inventory carrying values resulted in increases to cost of products sold.

 

Labor Rate Adjustments— The Company uses actual direct labor expense incurred as a percentage of sales-value-of-production over a trailing six month period to absorb direct labor expense into inventory.

 

During the three months ended March 30, 2013, the impact of the labor rate adjustment was de minimus. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the labor rate used to absorb incurred labor expenses into inventory decreased, resulting in a decrease in inventory value of $0.1 million and a corresponding increase to cost of products sold.

 

Product Liability— This expense includes the cost of outside legal fees, insurance, and other expenses incurred in the management and defense of product liability matters.

 

For the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, product liability costs totaled $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively. See Note 10 to the notes to the financial statements “Contingent Liabilities” for further discussion of the Company’s product liability.

 

Gross Profit— As a result of the foregoing factors, for the three months ended March 30, 2013 gross profit was $61.3 million, an increase of $19.5 million from $41.8 million in the comparable prior year period. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 39.3% in the three months ended March 30, 2013 from 37.2% in the comparable prior year period.

  

Selling, General and Administrative

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $24.2 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013, an increase of $6.8 million from the comparable prior year period. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable to the following:

 

·increased promotional expenses,
·increased equity and performance-based compensation expense,
·increased expenses related to the ongoing implementation of a new information technology infrastructure, and
·increased freight expense due to increased sales volume.

 

Other income, net

 

Other income, net was $0.2 million in the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

 

Income Taxes and Net Income

 

The effective income tax rates in the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 were 36.5% and 37.0%, respectively.

 

As a result of the foregoing factors, consolidated net income was $23.7 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013, an increase of 52.9% from $15.5 million in the comparable prior year period.

 

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Financial Condition

 

Liquidity

 

At the end of the first quarter of 2013, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $45.6 million. Pre-LIFO working capital of $85.3 million, less the LIFO reserve of $38.2 million, resulted in working capital of $47.1 million and a current ratio of 1.6 to 1.

  

The Company has a goal of replenishing its finished goods inventory in future periods to levels that will better serve its customers. This replenishment could increase the FIFO value of finished goods inventory by as much as $15 million from the current level upon the attainment of the desired levels of finished goods inventory.

 

Operations

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $30.4 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013 compared to $21.8 million for the comparable prior year period. The increase in cash provided by operations is primarily attributable to greater earnings in the three months ended March 30, 2013 compared to the prior year period, partially offset by the increase in accounts receivable in the three months ended March 30, 2013.

 

Third parties supply the Company with various raw materials for its firearms and castings, such as fabricated steel components, walnut, birch, beech, maple and laminated lumber for rifle stocks, wax, ceramic material, metal alloys, various synthetic products and other component parts. There is a limited supply of these materials in the marketplace at any given time, which can cause the purchase prices to vary based upon numerous market factors. The Company believes that it has adequate quantities of raw materials in inventory to provide sufficient time to locate and obtain additional items at then-current market cost without interruption of its manufacturing operations. However, if market conditions result in a significant prolonged inflation of certain prices or if adequate quantities of raw materials cannot be obtained, the Company’s manufacturing processes could be interrupted and the Company’s financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Investing and Financing

 

Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 30, 2013 totaled $7.7 million. In 2013, the Company expects to spend $30 million on capital expenditures to purchase tooling and fixtures for new product introductions, to increase production capacity, and to upgrade and modernize manufacturing equipment. The Company finances, and intends to continue to finance, all of these activities with funds provided by operations and current cash.

 

Dividends of $7.8 million were paid during the three months ended March 30, 2013.

 

On April 25, 2013, the Board of Directors authorized a dividend of 49¢ per share, for shareholders of record as of May 10, 2013, payable on May 24, 2013. The payment of future dividends depends on many factors, including internal estimates of future performance, then-current cash and short-term investments, and the Company’s need for cash. The Company has financed its dividends with cash provided by operations and current cash.

 

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During the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. As of March 30, 2013, $8.0 million remained available for future stock repurchases.

 

The Company has migrated its retirement benefits from defined-benefit pension plans to defined-contribution retirement plans, utilizing its current 401(k) plan.

 

In 2007, the Company amended its hourly and salaried defined-benefit pension plans so that employees no longer accrue benefits under them effective December 31, 2007. This action “froze” the benefits for all employees and prevented future hires from joining the plans, effective December 31, 2007. Currently, the Company provides supplemental discretionary contributions to substantially all employees’ individual 401(k) accounts.

 

The Company contributed $0.8 million to the defined-benefit plans in the first three months of 2013. The Company plans to contribute approximately $3 million in 2013, but will increase the amount of the contribution if required to do so.

 

In future years, the Company will likely be required to make cash contributions to the two defined-benefit pension plans. The annual contributions will be based on the amount of the unfunded plan liabilities derived from the frozen benefits and will not include liabilities for any future accrued benefits for any new or existing participants. The total amount of these future cash contributions will depend on the investment returns generated by the plans’ assets and the then-applicable discount rates used to calculate the plans’ liabilities.

 

Based on its unencumbered assets, the Company believes it has the ability to raise cash through issuance of short-term debt, long-term debt, or an equity offering, if necessary. The Company’s unsecured $40 million credit facility, which expires on June 15, 2014, remains unused and the Company has no debt.

 

Other Operational Matters

 

In the normal course of its manufacturing operations, the Company is subject to occasional governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to workplace safety, firearms serial number tracking and control, waste disposal, air emissions and water discharges into the environment. The Company believes that it is generally in compliance with applicable Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, environmental, and safety regulations and the outcome of any proceedings or orders will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

 

The Company self-insures a significant amount of its product liability, workers’ compensation, medical, and other insurance. It also carries significant deductible amounts on various insurance policies.

 

The Company is transitioning to a new enterprise resource planning system and has converted all of its manufacturing facilities and its support functions during the past two years.

 

The valuation of the future defined-benefit pension obligations at December 31, 2012 and 2011 indicated that these plans were underfunded by $19.6 million and $19.1 million, respectively, and resulted in a cumulative other comprehensive loss of $29.6 million and $27.5 million on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

The Company expects to realize its deferred tax assets through tax deductions against future taxable income.

 

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Adjustments to Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company has not made any adjustments to its critical accounting estimates and assumptions described in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2013, or the judgments affecting the application of those estimates and assumptions.

 

Forward-Looking Statements and Projections

 

The Company may, from time to time, make forward-looking statements and projections concerning future expectations. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to certain qualifying risks and uncertainties, such as market demand, sales levels of firearms, anticipated castings sales and earnings, the need for external financing for operations or capital expenditures, the results of pending litigation against the Company, the impact of future firearms control and environmental legislation, and accounting estimates, any one or more of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date such forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent unanticipated events.

 

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ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Historically, the Company has been exposed to changing interest rates on its investments, which consisted primarily of United States Treasury instruments with short-term (less than one year) maturities and cash. The interest rate market risk implicit in the Company's investments at any given time is typically low, as the investments mature within short periods and the Company does not have significant exposure to changing interest rates on invested cash.

 

 

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (the “Disclosure Controls and Procedures”), as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of March 30, 2013.

 

Based on the evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 30, 2013, such Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

 

Additionally, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Company is transitioning to a new enterprise resource planning system and converted one of its manufacturing facilities and a portion of its support functions, including sales and finance during 2011. The remaining manufacturing facilities were converted in the nine months ended September 29, 2012. It is anticipated that this implementation may result in changes to certain processes and related internal controls over financial reporting.

 

The effectiveness of any system of internal controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, and, as a result, there can be no assurance that the Company’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures will detect all errors or fraud. An internal control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal control system will be attained.

 

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PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The nature of the legal proceedings against the Company is discussed at Note 10 to the financial statements, which are included in this Form 10-Q.

 

The Company has reported all cases instituted against it through December 31, 2012, and the results of those cases, where terminated, to the SEC on its previous Form 10-Q and 10-K reports, to which reference is hereby made.

 

There was one lawsuit that was formally instituted against the Company during the three months ended March 30, 2013, captioned Edgar Rodriguez, et al v. John Juseas, et al and pending in Superior Court, Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

 

During the three months ended March 30, 2013, no cases previously reported were settled or resolved.

 

 

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from the information provided in Item 1A. Risk Factors included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

 

ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not applicable

 

 

ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable

 

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ITEM 4.MINING SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable

 

 

ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

  

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS

 

(a)Exhibits:

 

31.1Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.1Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.2Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 30, 2013

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

    STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
     
Date:  April 29, 2013 S/THOMAS A. DINEEN
    Thomas A. Dineen
    Principal Financial Officer,
    Principal Accounting Officer,
    Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer

 

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