Edgar Filing: ESCALADE INC

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 OR 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarter ended October 4, 2008 or

o Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission File Number 0-6966

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Indiana	13-2739290
(State of incorporation)	(I.R.S. EIN)

817 Maxwell Ave, Evansville, Indiana	47711
(Address of principal executive office)	(Zip Code)

812-467-1334
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act


Common Stock, No Par Value	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(Title of Class)	(Name of Exchange on Which Registered)

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

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


Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12 b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


Class	Outstanding at October 22, 2008

Common, no par value	12,616,042


INDEX

		Page No.

Part I.	Financial Information:

Item 1 -	Financial Statements:

	Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of October 4, 2008, October 6, 2007, and December 29, 2007	3

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended October 4, 2008 and October 6, 2007	4

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended October 4, 2008 and October 6, 2007	4

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended October 4, 2008 and October 6, 2007	5

	Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements	6

Item 2 -	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	9

Item 3 -	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	12

Item 4 -	Controls and Procedures	12

Part II.	Other Information

Item 2 -	Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	13

Item 6 -	Exhibits	14

	Signatures	14


PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(All amounts in thousands except share information)


	October 4, 2008 (Unaudited)		October 6, 2007 (Unaudited)		December 29, 2007 (Audited)

ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,342	$	9,623	$	2,808
Receivables, less allowance of $950; $1,333; and $1,087; respectively		31,549		46,780		30,639
Inventories		36,070		39,336		32,541
Prepaid expenses		3,965		2,487		2,551
Deferred income tax benefit		2,069		969		1,399
Income tax receivable		3,613		—		860

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		80,608		99,195		70,798

Property, plant and equipment, net		24,453		20,206		20,391
Intangible assets		19,340		20,911		21,012
Goodwill		25,527		25,485		25,803
Investments		10,442		10,325		12,473
Interest rate swap		—		107		54
Other assets		1,438		1,065		1,485

	$	161,808	$	177,294	$	152,016


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable	$	49,032	$	23,749	$	13,033
Current portion of long-term debt		—		3,479		—
Trade accounts payable		7,659		6,867		2,938
Accrued liabilities		15,915		26,162		23,216
Income tax payable		—		202		169

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		72,606		60,459		39,356

Other Liabilities:
Long-term debt		2,729		27,700		19,135
Other non-current income tax liability		1,237		164		118
Deferred income tax liability		589		—		589
Deferred compensation		1,149		1,055		1,076

		78,310		89,378		60,274

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock:
Authorized 1,000,000 shares; no par value, none issued
Common stock:
Authorized 30,000,000 shares; no par value, issued and outstanding – 12,616,042; 12,671,846; and 12,673,149; respectively		12,616		12,672		12,673
Retained earnings		67,238		70,516		73,246
Accumulated other comprehensive income		3,644		4,728		5,823

		83,498		87,916		91,742

	$	161,808	$	177,294	$	152,016

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(All amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended

	October 4, 2008			October 6, 2007			October 4, 2008			October 6, 2007

Net sales	$	40,797		$	60,687		$	115,759		$	144,684

Costs, expenses and other income:
Cost of products sold		31,576			45,086			85,594			100,997
Selling, general and administrative expenses		8,520			8,976			30,140			29,989
Amortization		619			813			1,788			2,259

Operating income (loss)		82			5,812			(1,763	)		11,439

Interest expense, net		(552	)		(714	)		(1,699	)		(2,183	)
Other income (expense)		(61	)		875			144			1,729

Income (loss) before income taxes		(531	)		5,973			(3,318	)		10,985

Provision for income tax benefit (expense)		(834	)		(2,842	)		401			(4,322	)


Net income (loss)	$	(1,365	)	$	3,131		$	(2,917	)	$	6,663


Per Share Data:
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.11	)	$	0.24		$	(0.23	)	$	0.51
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.11	)	$	0.24		$	(0.23	)	$	0.51
Cash dividend paid		—			—		$	0.25		$	0.22

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)


Net income (loss)	$	(1,365	)	$	3,131		$	(2,917	)	$	6,663

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of tax of $175, $(20), $480 and $(220), respectively		(271	)		31			(740	)		338

Realization of previously unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of tax of $(53), $—, $(53) and $—, respectively		83			—			83			—

Foreign currency translation adjustment		(2,888	)		205			(1,487	)		989

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap agreement, net of tax of $0, $17, $23 and $56, respectively		—			(26	)		(35	)		(86	)


Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(4,441	)	$	3,341		$	(5,096	)	$	7,904

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(All amounts in thousands)


	Nine Months Ended

	October 4, 2008			October 6, 2007
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(2,917	)	$	6,663
Depreciation and amortization		4,287			4,214
Adjustments necessary to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used by operating activities		(9,942	)		(15,397	)

Net cash used by operating activities		(8,572,	)		(4,520	)

Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(6,838	)		(1,378	)
Acquisition of assets		(521	)		(3,623	)
Purchase of investments held for sale		(996	)		—
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		27			175
Proceeds from sale of investments		1,374			—
Proceeds from reduction in life insurance		—			306

Net cash used by investing activities		(6,954	)		(4,520	)

Financing Activities:
Net increase in notes payable		19,592			21,982
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		313			140
Purchase of common stock		(921	)		(3,401	)
Dividends paid		(3,174	)		(2,866	)

Net cash provided by financing activities		15,810			15,855

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		250			(1,021	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		534			5,794
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		2,808			3,829

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	3,342		$	9,623

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note A – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Presentation of Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - The significant accounting policies followed by the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries for interim financial reporting are consistent with the accounting policies followed for annual financial reporting. All adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and are in the opinion of management necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported have been included in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements. The consolidated condensed balance sheet of the Company as of December 29, 2007 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K annual report for 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note B - Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to the current year financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.

Note C - Seasonal Aspects

The results of operations for the nine month periods ended October 4, 2008 and October 6, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Note D - Inventories


(All amounts in thousands)	October 4, 2008		October 6, 2007		December 29, 2007

Raw materials	$	10,406	$	9,694	$	9,188
Work in progress		5,801		7,814		7,032
Finished goods		19,863		21,828		16,321

	$	36,070	$	39,336	$	32,541

Note E – Notes Payable

On June 2, 2008, the Company executed an amendment to the revolving term agreement effectively maintaining the amount of available funds at $30 million by delaying the commencement of the annual $5 million step down until May 31, 2009. All other terms and conditions of the agreement were substantially unchanged. As of October 4, 2008 the outstanding balance on this line of credit was $29.4 million.

On June 2, 2008, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Indian-Martin, Inc. executed an amendment to its revolving term agreement revising the schedule of available funds to $30 million as of June 1, 2008. All other terms and conditions of the agreement were unchanged. As of October 4, 2008 the outstanding balance on this line of credit was $19.6 million.

As discussed in Part I, Item 2 under “Financial Condition and Liquidity and in Part II, Item 3, the Company is out of compliance with two financial covenants in its bank credit facility as of the end of the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008. Because there is no assurance that the lender will grant a waiver, all amounts due under the credit facility have been classified as short-term.

Note F - Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was computed based on financial statement income.

In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which became effective for the Company on December 31, 2006, the Company has recorded the following changes in uncertain tax positions under the caption “Other non-current income tax liability” on the consolidated condensed balance sheet:


	Nine Months Ended

In Thousands	October 4, 2008		October 6, 2007

Beginning Balance	$	118	$	164
Additions for current year tax positions		38		—
Additions for prior year tax positions		1,081		—
Settlements		—		—
Reductions Settlements		—		—
Reductions for prior year tax positions		—		—

Ending Balance	$	1,237	$	164

The additions relate to prior year tax positions that were disallowed in a state tax audit. The Company plans to protest the adjustments, but has recorded the potential liability given the risks associated with the Company’s tax position.

Note G – Fair Values of Financial Instruments

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“Statement No. 157”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This became effective for the Company on December 30, 2007. The Company holds one type of financial asset subject to valuation under Statement No. 157: marketable equity securities available for sale. The Company does not have any liabilities subject to valuation under Statement 157. Fair values as of October 4, 2008 were calculated as follows:


(All amounts in thousands)	Balance at October 4, 2008		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Marketable equity securities available for sale	$	2,702	$	2,702	$	—	$	—


	$	2,702	$	2,702	$	—	$	—

Note H – Employee Stock Compensation

The fair value of stock-based compensation is recognized in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R Share-Based Payments (“SFAS 123R”).

During the nine months ended October 4, 2008 and pursuant to the 2007 Incentive Plan, the Company awarded 17,358 restricted stock units to directors and 138,500 restricted stock units to employees. Of the restricted stock units awarded to the directors, 9,858 vested upon issuance and 7,500 vest after one year following the grant date. The restricted stock units awarded to employees vest at the end of three years conditioned on the achievement of specified market conditions. The number of shares issued to employees can range between 75% and 150% of the award amount depending on the outcome of specified performance criteria. Restricted stock awards are subject to forfeiture if on the vesting date the employee is not employed or the director no longer holds a position with the Company.

The Company utilizes Monte Carlo techniques to determine the fair value of restricted stock units granted with market conditions attached to vesting.

During the three months and nine months ended October 4, 2008, the Company recognized stock based compensation expense of $166 thousand and $613 thousand, respectively. During the three months and nine months ended October 6, 2007, the Company recognized stock based compensation expense of $162 thousand and $552 thousand, respectively. At October 4, 2008, there was $1.2 million in unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards.

Note I - Segment Information


	For the Three Months Ended October 4, 2008

In thousands	Sporting Goods			Office Products		Corp.			Total


Revenues from external customers	$	28,552		$	12,245	$	—		$	40,797
Operating income (loss)		106			989		(1,013	)		82
Net income (loss)		(185	)		464		(1,644	)		(1,365	)



	As of and for the Nine Months Ended October 4, 2008

In thousands	Sporting Goods			Office Products		Corp.			Total


Revenues from external customers	$	75,282		$	40,477	$	—		$	115,759
Operating income (loss)		(1,573	)		3,116		(3,306	)		(1,763	)
Net income (loss)		(1,856	)		1,710		(2,771	)		(2,917	)
Total assets	$	92,757		$	45,798	$	23,253		$	161,808


	For the Three Months Ended October 6, 2007

In thousands	Sporting Goods		Office Products		Corp.			Total


Revenues from external customers	$	47,403	$	13,284	$	—		$	60,687
Operating income (loss)		4,575		2,060		(823	)		5,812
Net income		3,409		350		(628	)		3,131


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended October 6, 2007

In thousands	Sporting Goods		Office Products		Corp.			Total


Revenues from external customers	$	101,973	$	42,711	$	—		$	144,684
Operating income (loss)		7,185		6,960		(2,706	)		11,439
Net income (loss)		5,145		3,922		(2,404	)		6,663
Total assets	$	108,653	$	55,589	$	13,052		$	177,294

Note J – Dividend Payment

On March 21, 2008, the Company paid a dividend of $0.25 per common share to all shareholders of record on March 14, 2008. The total amount of the dividend was approximately $3.2 million and was charged against retained earnings.

Note K - Earnings Per Share

The shares used in computing the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are as follows:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended

All amounts in thousands	October 4, 2008		October 6, 2007		October 4, 2008		October 6, 2007


Weighted average common shares outstanding		12,616		12,889		12,644		12,938
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		30		13		32		14

Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution		12,646		12,902		12,676		12,952

Stock options that are anti-dilutive as to earnings per share and unvested restricted stock units which have a market condition for vesting that has not been achieved are ignored in the computation of dilutive earnings per share. The number of stock options and restricted stock units that were excluded in 2008 and 2007 were 659,117 and 561,843, respectively.




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

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product development, the continuation and development of key customer and supplier relationships, Escalade’s ability to control costs, general economic conditions, fluctuation in operating results, changes in the securities market and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Escalade’s future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein. Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.

Overview

Escalade, Incorporated (“Escalade” or “Company”) manufactures and distributes products for two industries: Sporting Goods and Office Products. Within these industries the Company has successfully built a market presence in niche markets. This strategy is heavily dependent on expanding the customer base, creating barriers to entry, brand recognition and excellent customer service. A key strategic advantage is the Company’s established relationships with major customers that allow the Company to bring new products to the market in a cost effective manner while maintaining a diversified product line and wide customer base. In addition to strategic customer relations, the Company has over 75 years of manufacturing and import experience that enable it to be a low cost supplier.

Results of Operations

Net sales for the quarter and nine months ended October 4, 2008, were down 32.8% and 20.0%, respectively, over the same periods last year due principally to lower sporting goods sales to Sears Holdings, one of the Company’s mass retail customers. This decline in sales volume, combined with lower gross margin ratios, resulted in a significant decline in profitability. Operating income for the quarter was essentially breakeven, while a loss was recorded for the nine months ended October 4, 2008. During the third quarter, the Company recorded a one-time adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $1.1 million relating to a state tax audit assessment which the Company intends to protest. The result is a net loss for the quarter and nine months ended October 4, 2008.

The following schedule sets forth certain consolidated statement of income data as a percentage of net revenue for the periods indicated:


	Three Months ended						Nine Months ended

	October 4, 2008			October 6, 2007			October 4, 2008			October 6, 2007

Net revenue		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of products sold		77.4	%		74.3	%		73.9	%		69.8	%

Gross margin		22.6	%		25.7	%		26.1	%		30.2	%
Selling, administrative and general expenses		22.4	%		16.1	%		27.6	%		22.3	%

Operating income (loss)		.2	%		9.6	%		(1.5	)%		7.9	%

Consolidated Revenue and Gross Margin

Sporting Goods sales in the third quarter and nine months ended October 4, 2008 declined 39.8% and 26.2%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year primarily due to lost product placement at Sears Holdings which was the Company’s largest mass-retail customer accounting for 26% of total sporting goods sales in fiscal 2007. Sporting Goods sales to other mass-retailers remained relatively unchanged. Due to the lost placement at Sears Holdings and weakening consumer confidence in the USA, the Company anticipates lower sales to mass-retailers in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to 2007. In an effort to limit the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in the mass-retail channel, the Company continues to pursue a strategy of expanding distribution to specialty retailers and dealers. Sales to this channel during the third quarter and nine months ended October 4, 2008 were down 19.3% and 8.5%, respectively. Anticipating a continued slow down in US consumer spending, specialty retailers and dealers are exercising extreme caution in buying inventory. The Company anticipates this trend to continue in the fourth quarter resulting in lower sales in fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year.

Office Product sales in the third quarter and nine months ended October 4, 2008 were down 7.8% and 5.2%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. Approximately two-thirds of this decline is due to lower sales to office supply mass-retailers in the USA which are being negatively impacted by the worsening economy. The remaining third is due to a slow down in European sales due to slowing economies in Germany, France and Spain. The Company does not expect the market for Office Products to improve in the fourth quarter. As a result Office Product sales for fiscal 2008 will be lower than fiscal 2007.

The overall gross margin was negatively impacted in fiscal 2008 by a combination of factors. Excess manufacturing capacity in the Sporting Goods business resulted in significant unfavorable manufacturing overhead variances. To remedy this, the Company has initiated a plan to reduce the number of manufacturing facilities. The first step in this process, closing the Evansville, Indiana factory has been completed and the Company is evaluating further actions and consolidations. Other factors that are negatively impacting gross margins include rising raw material prices (steel, particle board and plastic resins); increasing costs of goods imported from China; and the weak US dollar. The Company has initiated efforts to mitigate these cost increases by raising selling prices. However, these actions will have a delayed effect due to the timing of customer catalogue pricing and sales contracts. Consequently, the gross margin achieved in the third quarter is expected to be indicative of what will occur in the fourth quarter.

Consolidated Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Total selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) declined 6.6% and 1.0% in the third quarter and nine months ended October 4, 2008, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. The primary reason for the decline in the third quarter is lower incentive compensation due to the Company’s performance. During the third quarter the Company initiated efforts to reduce SG&A costs through personnel reductions. The full benefit of these efforts is expected in fiscal 2009.

Interest Expense and Other Income (Expense)

Interest costs in the third quarter and nine months ended October 4, 2008 were lower than the same periods last year due in part to the capitalization of interest related to the Company’s ERP implementation project. The Company has also benefited from lower interest rates resulting from Federal Reserve rate cuts over the last 12 months.

Other income in the third quarter and nine months ended October 4, 2008 was less than the same periods last year due to declining royalties on licensed technology and a loss of $468 thousand on marketable securities the Company intends to sell in the fourth quarter to reduce bank debt. Royalty income will continue to decline as the Company increasingly competes with these licensees in the marketplace. The marketable securities sold were previously classified as “long term marketable securities held for sale” and were included in investments on the balance sheet.

Provision for Income Taxes

Shortly after the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company received notice from a state tax agency that deductions claimed in prior years for factoring expenses were being denied. Although the Company plans to protest the audit assessment, it has recorded the potential tax of $1.1 million as an addition to uncertain tax positions under the caption of “Other non-current income tax liabilities” on the consolidated condensed balance sheet. Excluding the effect of this one-time charge, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended October 4, 2008 is roughly equal to the effective tax rate achieved in fiscal 2007. In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company recorded a tax charge of $756 thousand associated with the repatriation of earnings from its European subsidiary.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

The following schedule summarizes the Company’s total debt:


In thousands	October 4, 2008		October 6, 2007		December 29, 2007


Notes payable short-term	$	49,032	$	23,749	$	13,033
Current portion long-term debt		—		3,479		—
Long term debt		2,729		27,700		19,135

Total debt	$	51,761	$	54,928	$	32,168

The cyclical nature of the Company’s Sporting Goods business results in a buildup of bank debt as the Company prepares for the holiday shopping period. This debt is then paid down as the Company collects on these sales. The total bank debt at the end of the third quarter is consistent with historical trends and the Company expects that total bank debt at the end of 2008 will be comparable to the balance at the end of fiscal 2007. At the end of the second and third quarters the Company was in violation of two debt covenants: a leverage ratio and debt service ratio. The Company and its lender have reached an agreement in principle to amend the debt agreements to waive the covenant deficiencies. The amended debt agreements are expected to include revised pricing terms and a new expiration date of March 1, 2009. Accordingly, the Company has classified all amounts due under the loan agreements as current. The Company has begun negotiations with its primary lender to secure an asset based loan with a maturity greater than one year to replace the existing lending facilities.

During the nine months ended October 4, 2008, the Company expended $3.2 million on a dividend to shareholders; $0.9 million on its stock repurchase plan; and $6.8 million on property and equipment of which approximately $4.7 million relates to the Company’s investment in a new global information system. The Company anticipates additional property and equipment expenditures of $1.0 million in fiscal 2008.

The Company’s working capital requirements are primarily funded from operating cash flows and revolving credit agreements with its primary bank. The Company’s relationship with its primary lending bank remains strong and the Company expects to have access to sufficient levels of credit to continue its operations subject to the Company’s ability to meet or obtain waivers of certain financial covenant requirements set forth in the loan documents as discussed below in Part II, Item 3. The Company believes it can secure additional or alternative funding should the need arise.


ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to financial market risks, including changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates and marketable equity security prices. To mitigate these risks, the Company has utilized derivative financial instruments, among other strategies but is not currently utilizing any derivative financial instruments. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

A substantial majority of revenue, expense and capital purchasing activities are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries enter into transactions in other currencies, primarily the Euro. To protect against reductions in value and the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in currency exchange rates, the Company carefully considers the use of transaction and balance sheet hedging programs. Such programs reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the impact of currency exchange rate changes. Presently the Company does not employ currency exchange hedging financial instruments, but has adjusted transaction and cash flows to mitigate adverse currency fluctuations. Historical trends in currency exchanges indicate that it is reasonably possible that adverse changes in exchange rates of 20% for the Euro could be experienced in the near term. Such adverse changes could have resulted in a material impact on income before taxes for the three months and nine months ended October 4, 2008.

An adverse movement of equity market prices would have an impact on the Company’s long-term marketable equity securities that are included in investments on the consolidated condensed balance sheet. At October 4, 2008 the aggregate carrying value of long-term marketable equity securities was $2.7 million. Currently, the Company does not employ any hedge programs relative to these investments.


ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Escalade maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’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, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a-14(c). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, the Company has investments in certain unconsolidated entities. As the Company does not control or manage these entities, its disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities are necessarily substantially more limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company has evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the third quarter of 2008.

There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s third quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Not Required.

Item 1A.	Not Required.

Item 2.	(c) ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Period

(a) Total
Number of
Shares (or
Units)
Purchased

(b)
Average
Price
Paid per
Share (or
Unit)

(d) Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar
Value) of
Shares (or
Units) that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs

Shares purchased prior to 07/12/2008 under the current repurchase program.

982,916

8.84

982,916

2,273,939

Third quarter purchases:

07/13/2008 – 08/09/2008

None

No change

08/10/2008 – 09/06/2008

None

No change

09/07/2008 – 10/04/2008

None

No change

Total share purchases under the current program

982,916

8.84

982,916

2,273,939

The Company has one stock repurchase program which was established in February 2003 by the Board of Directors and which authorized management to expend up to $3,000,000 to repurchase shares on the open market as well as in private negotiated transactions. The repurchase plan has no termination date. There have been no share repurchases that were not part of a publicly announced program. In February 2008, the Board of Directors increased the remaining amount on this plan to its original level of $3,000,000.


Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities

(a) As of the end of registrant’s fiscal second and third quarter, the Company is out of compliance with its financial covenants as to leverage ratio and debt service ratio set forth in its bank credit facility. The Company has so notified the lender and is seeking a waiver of such non-compliance. The lender is assessing the Company’s request and has not declared the credit facility to be in default. Although the Company believes that its relationship with its lender is strong, there can be no assurances that the lender will grant such a waiver and/or that the terms of any such waiver will not be disadvantageous to the Company. See also Part I, Item 2 under “Financial Condition and Liquidity.


Item 4 and 5.	Not Required.

Item 6.	Exhibits

(a) Exhibits


Number	Description

31.1	Chief Executive Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.

31.2	Chief Financial Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.

32.1	Chief Executive Officer Section 1350 Certification.

32.2	Chief Financial Officer Section 1350 Certification.

10.1	Ninth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective October 24, 2001 by and between Escalade, Incorporated and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA. The effective date of the Amendment was May 31, 2008. (a)

10.2	Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective September 5, 2003 by and between Indian-Martin, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA. The effective date of the Amendment was May 31, 2008. (a)

(a) Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2008.

SIGNATURE

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


	ESCALADE, INCORPORATED


Date: October 23, 2008	/s/ Robert J. Keller

	Robert J. Keller
	Chief Executive Officer


Date: October 23, 2008	/s/ Terry D. Frandsen

	Terry D. Frandsen
	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer