MEI 10.29.2011 10Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
__________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
 (Mark One)
 
x      Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
for the quarterly period ended October 29, 2011
 
or
 
o         Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 __________________________________ 
Commission file number 0-2816
 
METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.)

 
Delaware
 
36-2090085
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
7401 West Wilson Avenue, Harwood Heights, Illinois
 
60706-4548
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) (708) 867-6777
 
None
(Former name, former address, former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o
 
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer x
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x
 
At December 6, 2011, registrant had 37,020,890 shares of common stock outstanding.


Table of Contents

METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
FORM 10-Q
October 29, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1 - Financial Statements
 
METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
 
 
 
As of
 
As of
 
 
October 29, 2011
 
April 30, 2011
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 

 
 

CURRENT ASSETS
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
75,548

 
$
57,445

Accounts receivable, net
 
96,092

 
88,036

Inventories:
 
 
 
 

Finished products
 
7,212

 
6,271

Work in process
 
12,097

 
10,981

Materials
 
21,268

 
21,305

 
 
40,577

 
38,557

Deferred income taxes
 
3,728

 
3,778

Prepaid and refundable income taxes
 
881

 
851

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
9,029

 
7,294

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
 
225,855

 
195,961

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
266,251

 
298,254

Less allowances for depreciation
 
199,263

 
236,743

 
 
66,988

 
61,511

GOODWILL
 
16,422

 
16,422

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
 
17,533

 
18,423

PRE-PRODUCTION COSTS
 
16,084

 
14,645

OTHER ASSETS
 
27,316

 
27,782

 
 
77,355

 
77,272

TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
370,198

 
$
334,744

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 

 
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
40,712

 
$
37,152

Other current liabilities
 
25,912

 
26,335

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
66,624

 
63,487

LONG-TERM DEBT
 
36,500

 

OTHER LIABILITIES
 
4,793

 
5,619

DEFERRED COMPENSATION
 
4,801

 
4,494

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
422

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 

 
 

Common stock, $0.50 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,363,078 and 38,312,243 shares issued as of October 29, 2011 and April 30, 2011, respectively
 
19,182

 
19,156

Additional paid-in capital
 
75,588

 
72,113

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
20,849

 
23,152

Treasury stock, 1,342,188 shares as of October 29, 2011 and April 30, 2011
 
(11,377
)
 
(11,377
)
Retained earnings
 
152,614

 
155,989

TOTAL METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
256,856

 
259,033

Noncontrolling interest
 
202

 
2,111

TOTAL EQUITY
 
257,058

 
261,144

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
$
370,198

 
$
334,744

 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

Table of Contents

METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
115,890

 
$
107,716

 
$
226,695

 
$
206,703

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
 
94,972

 
84,073

 
185,794

 
162,853

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margins
 
20,918

 
23,643

 
40,901

 
43,850

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring
 

 
(21
)
 

 
(21
)
Selling and administrative expenses
 
18,278

 
21,293

 
36,840

 
37,650

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
2,640

 
2,371

 
4,061

 
6,221

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
1

 
61

 
5

 
88

Other expense, net
 
194

 
2,032

 
152

 
1,183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
2,445

 
278

 
3,904

 
4,950

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
2,221

 
768

 
2,243

 
1,410

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income/(loss)
 
224

 
(490
)
 
1,661

 
3,540

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
(87
)
 
23

 
(145
)
 
(12
)
NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
 
$
311

 
(513
)
 
1,806

 
3,552

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts per common share attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc.:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.10

Diluted
 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.10

Cash dividends:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
$
0.07

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.14

Weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
 
37,309,890

 
37,058,108

 
37,293,598

 
37,051,058

Diluted
 
37,520,247

 
37,058,108

 
37,516,998

 
37,281,600

 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



3

Table of Contents

METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
October 29, 2011
 
October 30, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
1,661

 
$
3,540

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Provision for depreciation
 
7,047

 
6,647

Impairment of tangible assets
 

 
1,299

Amortization of intangibles
 
898

 
1,139

Amortization of stock awards and stock options
 
1,959

 
541

Gain on bargain purchase
 
(255
)
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
(10,112
)
 
(9,416
)
Other
 
539

 
77

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
1,737

 
3,827

 
 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment
 
(9,125
)
 
(5,605
)
Acquisition of businesses
 
(6,353
)
 
(750
)
Proceeds from life insurance policies
 

 
1,515

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
(15,478
)
 
(4,840
)
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
198

 
13

Cash dividends
 
(5,181
)
 
(5,154
)
Net borrowings
 
36,500

 
18,000

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
31,517

 
12,859

 
 
 
 
 
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
 
327

 
1,525

 
 
 
 
 
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
18,103

 
13,371

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
57,445

 
63,821

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
 
$
75,548

 
$
77,192

 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



4

METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)



October 29, 2011

1.             BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
Methode Electronics, Inc. was incorporated in 1946 as an Illinois corporation and reincorporated in Delaware in 1966.  As used herein, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Methode” means Methode Electronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  Our business is managed and our financial results are reported on a segment basis, with those segments being Automotive, Interconnect, Power Products and Other.  The condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures as of October 29, 2011 and results of operations for the three months and six months ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010 are unaudited, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The April 30, 2011 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair statement of the results for the interim periods.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on June 30, 2011.  Results may vary from quarter to quarter for reasons other than seasonality. Certain amounts from the fiscal 2011 condensed consolidated balance sheet have been reclassified for comparability to the fiscal 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheet.
 
2.             RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 
In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU"), 2009-13, "Revenue Recognition - Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements - a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force," which amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification, ("ASC") 605, "Revenue Recognition", by modifying the criteria used to separate elements in a multiple-element arrangement, introducing the concept of "best estimate of selling price" for determining the selling price of a deliverable, requiring use of the relative selling price method and prohibiting use of the residual method to allocate arrangement consideration among units of accounting, and expanding the disclosure requirements for all multiple-element arrangements within the scope of FASB ASC 605-25. The amended guidance is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, which is our current fiscal year that began May 1, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding ASC No. 805, "Business Combinations," on the
disclosure of supplementary pro forma information for business combinations. ASC No. 805 requires a public entity to disclose pro forma information for business combinations that occurred in the current reporting period. The disclosures include pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the current reporting period as though the acquisition date for all business combinations that occurred during the year had been as of the beginning of the annual reporting period.

If comparable financial statements are presented, the pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the comparable prior reporting period should be reported as though the acquisition date for all business combinations that occurred
during the current year had been as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. This guidance specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combinations that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. This guidance is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after May 1, 2011, the beginning of our 2012 fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, "Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and "International Financial Reporting Standards, ("IFRS")," which results in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Consequently, the amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011,

5

METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)


which will be our fiscal 2012 third quarter beginning January 29, 2012. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income" which requires companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements. It eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. We will adopt this pronouncement for our fiscal year 2013, beginning on April 29, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.”  The objective of this standard is to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment.  This standard permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.  The standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, which will be our fiscal year 2013, beginning on April 29, 2012.  Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

3.             COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
 
The components of our comprehensive income/(loss) for the three months and six months ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010 include net income/(loss) and adjustments to stockholders’ equity for foreign currency translations.  The foreign currency translation adjustment was due to exchange rate fluctuations in our foreign affiliates’ local currency versus the U.S. dollar.
 
The following table presents details of our comprehensive income/(loss):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended October 29, 2011
 
Six Months Ended October 29, 2011
 
 
 
 
Methode
 
Noncontrolling
 
 
 
Methode
 
Noncontrolling
 
 
Total
 
Shareholders
 
Interest
 
Total
 
Shareholders
 
Interest
Net income/(loss)
 
$
224

 
311

 
$
(87
)
 
$
1,661

 
$
1,806

 
$
(145
)
Translation adjustment
 
(362
)
 
(346
)
 
(16
)
 
(2,303
)
 
(2,303
)
 

Total comprehensive income/(loss)
 
$
(138
)
 
$
(35
)
 
$
(103
)
 
$
(642
)
 
$
(497
)
 
$
(145
)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended October 30, 2010
 
Six Months Ended October 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
Methode
 
Noncontrolling
 
 
 
Methode
 
Noncontrolling
 
 
Total
 
Shareholders
 
Interest
 
Total
 
Shareholders
 
Interest
Net income/(loss)
 
$
(490
)
 
(513
)
 
$
23

 
$
3,540

 
$
3,552

 
$
(12
)
Translation adjustment
 
6,557

 
6,323

 
234

 
5,782

 
5,515

 
267

Total comprehensive income
 
$
6,067

 
$
5,810

 
$
257

 
$
9,322

 
$
9,067

 
$
255

 

6

METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)


4.             GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
We review our goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable, and we also review our goodwill and indefinite-lived assets annually in accordance with ASC No. 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other”.  The values assigned to goodwill and intangible assets are normally based on estimates and judgments regarding expectations for the success and life cycle of products and technologies acquired.  A severe decline in expectations could result in significant impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Based on general business declines in the white-goods market in the U.S., we performed “step one” of the goodwill impairment test as of October 29, 2011 on our TouchSensor Technologies reporting unit within our Interconnect segment. TouchSensor had $11,146 of goodwill on the books as of October 29, 2011. We used an income approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting unit. Based on this test, we determined that the fair value was more than the carrying value of the net assets. Based on the results, management concluded that there was no impairment as of October 29, 2011.
 
The following tables present details of the Company’s intangible assets:
 
 
As of October 29, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wtd. Avg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remaining
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
Amortization
 
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Periods (Years)
Customer relationships and agreements
 
$
14,995

 
$
13,578

 
$
1,417

 
12.2

Trade names, patents and technology licenses
 
25,774

 
9,682

 
16,092

 
12.1

Covenants not to compete
 
480

 
456

 
24

 
0.3

Total
 
$
41,249

 
$
23,716

 
$
17,533

 
 
 
 
 
As of April 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wtd. Avg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remaining
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
Amortization
 
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Periods (Years)
Customer relationships and agreements
 
$
14,995

 
$
13,417

 
$
1,578

 
12.7

Trade names, patents and technology licenses
 
25,774

 
8,978

 
16,796

 
12.4

Covenants not to compete
 
480

 
431

 
49

 
0.8

Total
 
$
41,249

 
$
22,826

 
$
18,423

 
 
 
The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the current fiscal year and each of the four succeeding fiscal years is as follows:
 
2012
$1,804
2013
1,525

2014
1,481

2015
1,469

2016
1,317

 
As of October 29, 2011 and April 30, 2011, the trade names, patents and technology licenses include $1,800 of trade names that are not subject to amortization.
 
5.             INCOME TAXES
 
At October 29, 2011 and April 30, 2011, we had valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets of $59,483 and $54,015, respectively.  In accordance with ASC No. 740, “Income Taxes,” a valuation allowance is required to be recorded when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Future realization depends on the existence of

7

METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)


sufficient taxable income within the carry-forward period available under the tax laws.  Sources of future taxable income include future reversals of taxable temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing taxable differences, taxable income in carry-back years and tax planning strategies.  These sources of positive evidence of realizability must be weighed against negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years.
 
In forming a judgment about the future realization of our deferred tax assets, we considered both the positive and negative evidence of realizability and gave significant weight to the negative evidence from our recent cumulative loss in the U.S.  We will continue to assess this situation and make appropriate adjustments to the valuation allowance based on our evaluation of the positive and negative evidence existing at the time.  We are currently unable to forecast when there will be sufficient positive evidence for us to reverse the valuation allowances that we have recorded.
 
The valuation allowance is associated with the deferred tax assets for the differences between book and tax that result from net operating losses (NOLs), foreign investment tax credits with unlimited carryovers generated in the current and prior years and temporary differences which become deductible when the related asset is recovered or related liability is settled.
 
A reconciliation of the consolidated provisions for income taxes to amounts determined by applying the prevailing statutory federal income tax rate to pre-tax earnings is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
Income tax provision at statutory rate
 
$
887

 
$
89

 
$
1,418

 
$
1,737

Effect of:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
 
(15
)
 
21

 
8

 
47

Foreign operations with lower statutory rates
 
(3,184
)
 
(2,863
)
 
(5,691
)
 
(5,699
)
Valuation allowance
 
3,374

 
3,749

 
5,307

 
5,981

Uncertain tax positions
 
3

 

 
(20
)
 

Other, net
 
1,156

 
(228
)
 
1,221

 
(656
)
Income tax provision
 
$
2,221

 
$
768

 
$
2,243

 
$
1,410

 
We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to the unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.  During the six months ended October 29, 2011, we recognized an expense of $5 in interest and zero in penalties.  We had approximately $327 accrued at October 29, 2011 for the payment of interest and penalties.  The total unrecognized tax benefit as of October 29, 2011 was $338.
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits:
 
Balance at April 30, 2011
$
375

Increases for positions related to the current year

Decreases for positions related to the prior years

Settlements
(37
)
Lapsing of statutes of limitations

Balance at October 29, 2011
$
338

 
We believe that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next twelve months.  We have certain tax return years subject to statutes of limitation, which will close within twelve months of the end of the quarter.  Unless challenged by tax authorities, the closure of those statutes of limitation is expected to result in the recognition of uncertain tax positions of approximately $37.
 
The Company and all of its domestic subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states.  Our foreign subsidiaries file income tax returns in certain foreign jurisdictions since they have operations outside the U.S.  The Company and its subsidiaries are generally no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local examinations by tax authorities for all years except fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009.
 

8

Table of Contents

6.             COMMON STOCK AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
The following table sets forth the changes in the number of issued shares of common stock during the six-month periods presented:
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
Balance at the beginning of the period
 
38,312,243

 
38,149,946

Options exercised
 
21,975

 
1,350

Restricted stock awards vested
 
28,860

 
24,000

Balance at the end of the period
 
38,363,078

 
38,175,296

 
On July 29, 2011 and October 28, 2011, we paid a quarterly dividend of $2,589 and $2,591, respectively.
 
Stock Options Granted Under the 2010 Stock Plan
 
In July 2011, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of options to purchase 128,000 shares of our common stock to our executive officers.  The stock options have a ten-year term and will vest 33.3% each year over a three-year period.   The exercise price is the closing price on the date granted.
 
The following tables summarize the stock option activity and related information for the stock options granted under the 2010 Stock Plan for the six months ended October 29, 2011:
 
 
Summary of Option Activity
 
 
Shares
 
Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price
Outstanding at April 30, 2011
 
128,000

 
$
9.24

Granted
 
128,000

 
10.70

Exercised
 

 

Cancelled
 

 

Outstanding at October 29, 2011
 
256,000

 
$
9.97

 
Options Outstanding
at October 29, 2011
Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Avg. Remaining Life (Years)
$
9.24

 
128,000

 
9.0

$
10.70

 
128,000

 
9.7

 
The options outstanding had an intrinsic value of $55 at October 29, 2011. The intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the second quarter of fiscal 2012 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on October 29, 2011.
 
We estimated the fair value of our employee stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
 
 
Fiscal 2011
Fiscal 2012
 
Awards
Awards
Average expected volatility
85.83
%
52.76
%
Average risk-free interest rate
0.60
%
0.63
%
Dividend yield
3.49
%
2.66
%
Expected life of options
7.03 years
7.03 years
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
$
5.19

$
4.27


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 We recognized pre-tax compensation expense for stock options granted under the 2010 Stock Plan of $141 for the three months ended October 29, 2011 and $29 for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  In addition, we recognized pre-tax compensation expense for these options of $250 for the six months ended October 29, 2011 and $29 for the six months ended October 30, 2010. We record the compensation expense related to the stock options in the selling and administrative section of our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units Granted Under the 2010 Stock Plan

Our Compensation Committee awarded 100,000 shares of common stock subject to performance-based restricted stock awards ("RSAs") to certain non-executive members of management during the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The performance measure will be the Company's internal enterprise value at the end of fiscal 2015. The internal enterprise value shall equal the product of (i) fiscal 2015 EBITDA and (ii) 7.5 (the historic multiple of EBITDA), subject to an adjustment for cash, short-term investments, debt, preferred stock, certain equity issuances, certain acquisitions and the changes in the dividend rate. The restricted stock awards will vest, i.e., the restrictions will lapse, one-third by the end of fiscal 2015, one-third as of the end of fiscal 2016 and the final one-third as of the end of fiscal 2017, based on the enterprise value as of the end of fiscal 2015 to the extent the performance goals have been achieved and provided the employee remains employed. The remaining shares will be forfeited.

Our Compensation Committee awarded 640,000 shares of common stock subject to performance-based restricted stock awards to certain members of management during the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The performance measure will be the Company's internal enterprise value at the end of fiscal 2015. The internal enterprise value shall equal the product of (i) fiscal 2015 EBITDA and (ii) 7.5 (the historic multiple of EBITDA), subject to an adjustment for cash, short-term investments, debt, preferred stock, certain equity issuances, certain acquisitions and the changes in the dividend rate. The restricted stock awards will vest, i.e., the restrictions will lapse, at the end of the performance period to the extent the performance goals have been achieved. The remaining shares will be forfeited.

Our Compensation Committee awarded 320,000 shares of common stock subject to time-based restricted stock units, ("RSUs") to certain members of management during the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The restricted stock units will vest 20% each year on the last day of our fiscal year and be 100% vested on the last day of fiscal 2015 provided the executive remains employed.

The following table summarizes the RSA and RSU activity for the six months ended October 29, 2011 for the RSA's and RSU's granted under the 2010 Stock Plan:
 
RSA Shares
RSU Shares
Unvested and unissued at April 30, 2011
640,000

320,000

Awarded
100,000


Vested

(64,000
)
Forfeited and Cancelled


Unvested and unissued at October 29, 2011
740,000

256,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Value
 
Probable Unearned Compensation Expense at
 
Target Unearned Compensation Expense at
Grant Fiscal Year
 
Number of Shares
 
Vesting Period
 
 
October 29, 2011
 
October 29, 2011
2011
 
640,000

 
5-year cliff, performance based
 
$
9.70

 
$
4,495

 
$
4,495

2011
 
320,000

 
5-year, equal annual installments
 
9.70

 
1,402

 
N/A

2012
 
100,000

 
One-third per year, beginning in fiscal 2015, performance based
 
8.10

 
726

 
726


We recognized pre-tax compensation expense for RSAs and RSUs issued under the 2010 Stock Plan of $576 and zero for the three months ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, respectively. In addition, we recognized pre-tax compensation expense for these RSAs of $1,125 and zero for the six months ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, respectively. We record the expense in the selling and administrative section of our condensed consolidated statements of operations.


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Stock Options Granted Under the 2007 Stock Plan
 
In September 2011, our Compensation Committee awarded options to purchase 42,500 shares of our common stock to some non-executive members of the management team that vest one-third per year on each anniversary of the date of the grant. The stock options awarded under the 2007 Stock Plan have a ten-year term. The exercise price is the closing price on the date granted.

The following tables summarize the stock option activity and related information for the stock options granted under the 2007 Stock Plan for the six months ended months ended October 29, 2011:
 
 
 
Summary of Option Activity
 
 
 
 
Wtd. Avg.
 
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
Outstanding at April 30, 2011
 
720,500

 
$
5.77

Granted
 
42,500

 
8.10

Exercised
 

 

Cancelled
 

 

Outstanding at October 29, 2011
 
763,000

 
$
5.90

Options Outstanding
at October 29, 2011
 
 
 
 
Avg.
 
 
 
 
Remaining
Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Life (Years)
$
2.72

 
285,000

 
7.4

$
6.46

 
275,000

 
7.7

$
8.13

 
35,500

 
8.1

$
10.55

 
125,000

 
8.7

$
8.10

 
42,500

 
9.9

$
5.90

 
763,000

 
 
 
The options outstanding had an intrinsic value of $2,985 at October 29, 2011.

We estimated the fair value of our employee stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
 
 
 
Fiscal 2009
 
Fiscal 2010
 
Fiscal 2011
 
Fiscal 2012
 
 
Awards
 
Awards
 
Awards
 
Awards
Average expected volatility
 
69.58
%
 
86.88
%
 
85.59
%
 
63.55
%
Average risk-free interest rate
 
1.39
%
 
1.43
%
 
1.09
%
 
0.35
%
Dividend yield
 
2.26
%
 
2.77
%
 
3.63
%
 
2.84
%
Expected life of options
 
6.87 years

 
6.87 years

 
7.03 years

 
7.03 years

Weighted-average grant-date fair value
 
$
1.46

 
$
4.02

 
$
5.88

 
$
3.75

 
We recognized pre-tax compensation expense for stock options granted under the 2007 Stock Plan of $132 and $169 for the three months ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, respectively.  In addition, we recognized pre-tax compensation expense for these options of $275 and $236 for the six months ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, respectively. We record the compensation expense related to the stock options in the selling and administrative section of our condensed consolidated statement of operations.


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Restricted Stock Awards Granted Under the 2007 Stock Plan
 
In April 2007, 225,000 shares of common stock subject to performance-based Restricted Stock Awards ("RSAs") granted to our CEO in fiscal 2006 and 2007 were converted to Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).  The RSUs were subject to the same vesting schedule and other major provisions of the RSAs they replaced, except the shares for stock underlying the RSUs will not be issued and delivered until the earlier of: (1) thirty days after the CEO’s date of termination of employment with the Company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates; or (2) the last day of our fiscal year in which the payment of common stock in satisfaction of the RSUs becomes deductible to the Company under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The RSUs are not entitled to voting rights or the payment of dividends.   The RSU’s are fully vested as of October 29, 2011.  As of October 29, 2011, no shares have been delivered pursuant to the RSUs.

At the beginning of fiscal 2012, there were no RSAs outstanding related to the 2007 Stock Plan. During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we awarded 28,860 restricted shares to our independent directors, all of which vested immediately upon grant.
There was no pre-tax compensation expense for RSAs issued under the 2007 Stock Plan for both the three months ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010. In addition, we recognized pre-tax compensation expense for these RSAs of $309 and $298 for the six months ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, respectively. We record the expense in the selling and administrative section of our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Stock Options Granted Under the 2000 and 2004 Stock Plans
 
Options to purchase 259,537 shares of our common stock were granted in previous years under the 2000 and 2004 Stock Plans and are outstanding and exercisable as of October 29, 2011.  There was no remaining compensation expense related to these options in the first half of fiscal 2012 and the first half of fiscal 2011. 

The following tables summarize the stock option activity and related information for the stock options outstanding under the 2000 and 2004 Stock Plans for the six months ended October 29, 2011:
 
 
 
Summary of Option Activity
 
 
 
 
Wtd. Avg.
 
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
Outstanding at April 30, 2011
 
282,767

 
$
10.82

Exercised
 
(21,975
)
 
9.02

Forfeited and Expired
 
(1,255
)
 
11.44

Outstanding at October 29, 2011
 
259,537

 
$
10.97

Options Outstanding and
Exercisable at October 29, 2011
 
 
 
 
Wtd. Avg.
 
Avg.
Range of
 
 
 
Exercise
 
Remaining
Exercise Prices
 
Shares
 
Price
 
Life (Years)
$9.03 - $11.44
 
259,537

 
$
10.97

 
1.1

 
The options outstanding had no intrinsic value at October 29, 2011
 

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7.             NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER SHARE
 
Basic net income/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period.  Diluted net income per share is calculated after adjusting the denominator of the basic net income/(loss) per share calculation for the effect of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
Numerator - net income/(loss) attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc.
 
$
311

 
(513
)
 
1,806

 
3,552

Denominator:
 

 

 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic net income/(loss) per share-weighted average shares
 
37,309,890

 
37,058,108

 
37,293,598

 
37,051,058

Dilutive potential common shares-employee stock options
 
210,357

 

 
223,400

 
230,542

Denominator for diluted net income/(loss) per share adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions
 
37,520,247

 
37,058,108

 
37,516,998

 
37,281,600

Net income/(loss) per share:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted
 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.10

 
For the three months ended October 30, 2010, potential common shares have not been included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the three months ended October 29, 2011, options to purchase 962,662 shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $10.23 per share were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of net income per share because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of $8.60 for our common stock for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the six months ended October 29, 2011, options to purchase 514,412 shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $10.80 per share were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of net income per share because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of $9.80 for our common stock for the first six months of fiscal 2012, and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the six months ended October 30, 2010, options to purchase 395,867 shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $10.84 per share were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of net income per share because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of $9.29 for our common stock for the first six months of fiscal 2011, and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
 
8.             SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
We are a global manufacturer of component and subsystem devices.  We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, sensing and optical technologies.  Our components are found in the primary end markets of the automotive, appliance, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment, wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), aerospace, rail and other transportation industries; and the consumer and industrial equipment markets.
 
ASC No. 280, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC No. 280”), establishes annual and interim reporting standards for an enterprise’s operating segments and related disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas and major customers. An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and about which separate financial information is regularly evaluated by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources.  The CODM, as defined by ASC No. 280, is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
 
The Automotive segment supplies electronic and electromechanical devices and related products to automobile OEMs, either directly or through their tiered suppliers, including control switches for electrical power and signals, connectors for electrical devices, integrated control components, switches and sensors that monitor the operation or status of a component or system, and packaging of electrical components.

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Table of Contents

     The Interconnect segment provides a variety of copper and fiber-optic interconnect and interface solutions for the appliance, computer, networking, telecommunications, storage, medical, military, aerospace, commercial and consumer markets.  Solutions include solid-state field effect interface panels, PC and express card packaging, optical and copper transceivers, terminators, custom cable assemblies and conductive polymer and thick film inks.  Services include the design and installation of fiber optic and copper infrastructure systems, and the manufacture of active and passive optical components.
 
The Power Products segment manufactures current-carrying laminated bus devices, custom power-product assemblies, powder coated bus bars, braided flexible cables and high-current low voltage flexible power cabling systems that are used in various markets and applications, including telecommunications, computers, transportation, industrial and power conversion, insulated gate bipolar transistor solutions, aerospace and military.
 
The Other segment includes a designer and manufacturer of magnetic torque sensing products, and independent laboratories that provide services for qualification testing and certification, and analysis of electronic and optical components.
 
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011.  We allocate resources to segments based on operating income. Transfers between segments are recorded using internal transfer prices set by us.  The following tables represent information regarding our segments:
 
 
Three Months Ended October 29, 2011
 
 
Automotive
 
Interconnect
 
Power
Products
 
Other
 
Eliminations/Corporate
 
Consolidated
Net sales
 
$
68,663

 
$
32,276

 
$
13,690

 
$
3,225

 
$
(1,964
)
 
$
115,890

Transfers between segments
 
(1,120
)
 
(754
)
 
(10
)
 
(34
)
 
1,918

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers
 
$
67,543

 
$
31,522

 
$
13,680

 
$
3,191

 
$
(46
)
 
$
115,890

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
 
$
3,237

 
$
3,700

 
$
831

 
$
(225
)
 
$
(4,903
)
 
$
2,640

Interest (income)/expense, net
 
(89
)
 

 

 

 
90

 
1

Other (income)/expense, net
 
(17
)
 
430

 
35

 

 
(254
)
 
194

Income/(loss) before income taxes
 
$
3,343

 
$
3,270

 
$
796

 
$
(225
)
 
$
(4,739
)
 
$
2,445

 
 
 
Three Months Ended October 30, 2010
 
 
Automotive
 
Interconnect
 
Power
Products
 
Other
 
Eliminations/Corporate
 
Consolidated
Net sales
 
$
55,853

 
$
36,834

 
$
12,101

 
$
3,288

 
$
(360
)
 
$
107,716

Transfers between segments
 

 
(284
)
 
(70
)
 
(13
)
 
367

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers
 
$
55,853

 
$
36,550

 
$
12,031

 
$
3,275

 
$
7

 
$
107,716

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income/(loss) from operations
 
$
1,589

 
$
6,158

 
$
1,206

 
$
(428
)
 
$
(6,154
)
 
$
2,371

Interest (income)/expense, net
 
(83
)
 
(79
)
 

 

 
223

 
61

Other (income)/expense, net
 
1,617

 
326

 
86

 
2

 
1

 
2,032

Income/(loss) before income taxes
 
$
55

 
$
5,911

 
$
1,120

 
$
(430
)
 
$
(6,378
)
 
$
278



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Table of Contents

 
 
Six Months Ended October 29, 2011
 
 
Automotive
 
Interconnect
 
Power
Products
 
Other
 
Eliminations/Corporate
 
Consolidated
Net sales
 
$
132,330

 
$
65,790

 
$
26,582

 
$
6,170

 
$
(4,177
)
 
$
226,695

Transfers between segments
 
(2,110
)
 
(1,880
)
 
(56
)
 
(49
)
 
4,095

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers
 
$
130,220

 
$
63,910

 
$
26,526

 
$
6,121

 
$
(82
)
 
$
226,695

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
 
$
5,482

 
$
7,997

 
$
1,052

 
$
(1,225
)
 
$
(9,245
)
 
$
4,061

Interest (income)/expense, net
 
(159
)
 
21

 

 

 
143

 
5

Other (income)/expense, net
 
18

 
730

 
131

 
3

 
(730
)
 
152

Income/(loss) before income taxes
 
$
5,623

 
$
7,246

 
$
921

 
$
(1,228
)
 
$
(8,658
)
 
$
3,904

 
 
 
Six Months Ended October 30, 2010
 
 
Automotive
 
Interconnect
 
Power
Products
 
Other
 
Eliminations/Corporate
 
Consolidated
Net sales
 
$
105,797

 
$
71,610

 
$
23,728

 
$
6,188

 
$
(620
)
 
$
206,703

Transfers between segments
 

 
(436
)
 
(147
)
 
(51
)
 
634

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers
 
$
105,797

 
$
71,174

 
$
23,581

 
$
6,137

 
$
14

 
$
206,703

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income/(loss) from operations
 
$
4,573

 
$
9,878

 
$
1,759

 
$
(1,000
)
 
$
(8,989
)
 
$
6,221

Interest (income)/expense, net
 
(148
)
 
(146
)
 

 

 
382

 
88

Other (income)/expense, net
 
1,750

 
497

 
133

 
3

 
(1,200
)
 
1,183

Income/(loss) before income taxes
 
$
2,971

 
$
9,527

 
$
1,626

 
$
(1,003
)
 
$
(8,171
)
 
$
4,950

 
9.          CONTINGENCIES
 
Certain litigation arising in the normal course of business is pending against us.  We are from time to time subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to our business, including those arising out of alleged defects, breach of contracts, employment-related matters and environmental matters.  We consider insurance coverage and third-party indemnification when determining required accruals for pending litigation and claims.  Although the outcome of potential legal actions and claims cannot be determined, it is our opinion, based on the information available, that we have adequate reserves for these liabilities.
 
Delphi Related Litigation

On September 4, 2008, Methode and Delphi Automotive Systems LLC (“Delphi”) entered into a supply agreement pursuant to which Methode was to supply all of Delphi’s requirements for the seat bladders used in Delphi’s occupant restraint system from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011. On August 26, 2009, Delphi notified us that effective September 10, 2009, our supply arrangement was terminated. We are contesting Delphi’s right to terminate this long-term supply arrangement and the parties are engaged in litigation regarding this supply agreement and our related intellectual property.

In March 2010, DPH Holdings Corp., as successor to Delphi Corporation, served the Company with a complaint seeking to recover approximately $19,726 in alleged preference payments that Delphi made to the Company within the 90-day preference period preceding Delphi’s bankruptcy filing. The Company is seeking to dismiss the Delphi preference complaint based on violations of due process and the Company possesses several other substantive defenses.

10.          PRE-PRODUCTION COSTS RELATED TO LONG-TERM SUPPLY ARRANGEMENTS
 
We incur pre-production tooling costs related to certain products produced for our customers under long-term supply agreements.  We had $16,084 and $14,645 as of October 29, 2011 and April 30, 2011, respectively, of pre-production tooling costs related to customer-owned tools for which reimbursement is contractually guaranteed by the customer or for which the customer has provided a non-cancelable right to use the tooling.  The unreimbursed costs incurred related to customer-owned tooling, for which we have the right to use, that are not subject to reimbursement are capitalized and depreciated over the expected life of the tooling or the life of the related vehicle program, whichever is shorter. Engineering, testing and other costs incurred in the design and development of production parts are expensed as incurred, unless the costs are reimbursable, as

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specified in a customer contract. Net revenues and costs on projects are deferred and recognized over the life of the related long-term supply agreement on a gross basis in the consolidated statement of operations.    
 
11.          FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
ASC No. 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures", defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.
 
ASC No. 820 also specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observation of inputs in valuation techniques.  Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions.  In accordance with ASC No. 820, fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:
 
·               Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
 
·               Level 2 — Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
 
·               Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities.  This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
 
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are valued using quoted market prices or under a market approach using other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable instruments and included in a table below which summarizes the fair value of assets and liabilities as of October 29, 2011:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement Used
 
 
Recorded Value
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments
 
Quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments
 
Other unobservable inputs
 
 
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents (1)
 
$
75,548

 
$
75,548

 
$

 
$

Assets related to deferred compensation plan
 
3,813

 

 
3,813

 

Total assets at fair value
 
$
79,361

 
$
75,548

 
$
3,813

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Liabilities related to deferred compensation plan
 
$
3,069

 
$
3,069

 
$

 
$

Total liabilities at fair value
 
$
3,069

 
$
3,069

 
$

 
$


(1)Includes cash, money-market investments and certificates of deposit.
 
Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments. The carrying values of our short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments.
 
12.          DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
On February 25, 2011, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain other financial institutions, which amends and restates our previous credit facility and extends the maturity to February 25, 2016. The new credit facility is in the aggregate principal amount of $75,000, with an option to increase the principal amount by an additional $25,000 subject to customary conditions and approval of the lender(s) providing new commitment(s). The new credit facility provides for variable rates of interest based on the type of borrowing and the Company's debt to EBITDA financial ratio. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is guaranteed by certain of our U.S. subsidiaries. At October 29, 2011, we were in compliance with the covenants of the agreement. During the first half of fiscal

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2012, we had borrowings of $36,500 and interest payments of $280. As of October 29, 2011, there were outstanding balances due against the credit facility of $36,500.

13.          ACQUISITIONS

At the beginning of fiscal 2012, we had an investment in Eetrex of $2,720, for a 70% ownership in their stock. Eetrex is located in Boulder, Colorado and is a developer and manufacturer of chargers, inverters and battery systems for hybrid and plug-in hybrid electronic vehicles. In July 2011 and October 2011, we paid an additional $600 and $480, respectively, and acquired an additional 20% of their stock, for a total 90% ownership. Each of the existing stockholders of Eetrex will have the right to exercise put options, requiring us to purchase their remaining shares after the end of fiscal 2014 or 2016, and we will have an option to purchase any remaining shares after the end of fiscal 2016. The purchase price will be based on a percentage of net sales recorded in either fiscal 2014 or fiscal 2016 of between 2.0% and 3.5%. In accordance with ASC 480, "Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity", our non-controlling interest previously reported in equity has been reclassified to “mezzanine equity” for $422 in the second quarter, as the ability to exercise the remaining 10% put option is now outside of our control. The calculated redemption amount based on future year forecasts is presently below the recorded carrying value and has therefore not been adjusted. Additionally, future adjustments to our non-controlling interest may affect earnings per share based off projections of 2014 or 2016 revenues.
On September 9, 2011, we acquired certain assets and liabilities from Nypro Monterrey, S. de R.L. (Nypro Monterrey) from Nypro Inc. for $6,353. We will operate this injection molding and painting business under the name of Advanced Molding and Decoration, S.A. de C.V. (AMD), and it will become a part of our existing Monterrey manufacturing campus. AMD operates a state-of-the-art facility, which provides us with high-quality injection molding, painting and decorating capabilities. The AMD assets include 52 injection mold machines, three paint lines and several pad print machines. AMD intends to continue production of injection-molded components for its current third party customers, whose contracts transfered to us along with the assets. In addition, 228 employees from Nypro Monterrey were transfered to us as part of the acquisition.

Based on a third-party valuation report, management determined the tangible net assets acquired in the transaction had a fair value of $6,608, consisting primarily of fixed assets and inventory. There were no intangible assets or goodwill associated with the acquired net assets. We recorded a gain of $255 related to the transaction, in other income, which represents the amount paid for the assets, compared to the fair market value at the time of acquisition due to the distressed nature of the business. The accounts and transactions of AMD have been included in the Automotive segment in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the acquisition. The proforma impact of this acquisition as if it were made at the beginning of the earliest period presented would not have had a material impact on the historical reported results of the Company.



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Table of Contents

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Cautionary Statement
 
Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.  We undertake no duty to update any such forward-looking statements to conform to actual results or changes in our expectations.  Our business is highly dependent upon two large automotive customers and specific makes and models of automobiles.  Our results will be subject to many of the same risks that apply to the automotive, appliance, computer and telecommunications industries, such as general economic conditions, interest rates, consumer spending patterns and technological changes.   Other factors, which may result in materially different results for future periods, include the following risk factors.  These risk factors should be considered in connection with evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this report because these factors could cause our actual results and condition to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements in this report are subject to the safe harbor protection provided under the securities laws and are made as of the date of this report.

We depend on a small number of large customers, specifically two large automotive customers. If we were to lose either of these customers or experienced a significant decline in the volume of products purchased by these customers, or if either of these customers declare bankruptcy, our future results could be adversely affected.

Because we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from customers in the automotive, appliance, computer and communications industries, we are susceptible to trends and factors affecting those industries.

Further downturns in the automotive industry or the bankruptcy of certain automotive customers could reduce the sales and profitability of our business.

Our technology-based business and the markets in which we operate are highly competitive. If we are unable to compete effectively, our sales will decline.

We face risks relating to our international operations, including political and economic instability, expropriation, or the imposition of government controls.
  
We are dependent on the availability and price of materials.

Disruption of our supply chain could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to keep pace with rapid technological changes, which would adversely affect our business.

Products we manufacture may contain design or manufacturing defects that could result in reduced demand for our products or services and liability claims against us.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property or we infringe, or are alleged to infringe, on another person’s intellectual property, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

We are subject to continuing pressure to lower our prices.

We were awarded new North American automotive business in fiscal 2011 for programs that will not begin production until fiscal 2013. We anticipate that it will take a significant amount of our cash and resources to launch these programs.

We currently have a significant amount of our cash located outside the U.S. and we may suffer adverse tax consequences if we repatriate this cash.

A significant fluctuation between the U.S. dollar and other currencies could adversely impact our operating results.

We may acquire businesses or divest business operations. These transactions may pose significant risks and may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

We could suffer significant business interruptions, which could adversely affect our sales and operating results.

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Unfavorable tax law changes may adversely affect results.

We cannot ensure that the newly acquired Eetrex and Advanced Molding and Decoration businesses will be successful or that we can implement and profit from any new applications of the acquired technology.
 
The future trading price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors.

Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ materially from those foreseen in such forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the report, press release, statement, document, webcast or oral discussion in which they are made.  We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing.  See Part I — Item 1A, Risk Factors of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011, for a further discussion regarding some of the reasons that actual results may be materially different from those we anticipate.
 
Overview
 
We are a global manufacturer of component and subsystem devices with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in China, Germany, India, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. We are a global designer and manufacturer of electronic and electro-mechanical devices. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, radio remote control, electronic, wireless, sensing and optical technologies. Our business is managed on a segment basis, with those segments being Automotive, Interconnect, Power Products and Other.  For more information regarding the business and products of these segments, see “Item 1. Business.” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011.
 
Our components are found in the primary end markets of the aerospace, appliance, automotive, construction, consumer and industrial equipment markets, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment, wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), rail and other transportation industries.
 
Recent Transactions

In July 2011 and October 2011, we paid $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively for an additional 20% investment in Eetrex Incorporated to facilitate our expansion into the electric vehicle market. We now have a 90% ownership in Eetrex. Eetrex is located in Boulder, Colorado and is a developer and manufacturer of chargers, inverters and battery systems for hybrid and plug-in hybrid electronic vehicles.

In September 2011, we acquired certain assets and liabilities from Nypro Monterrey, S. de R.L. (Nypro Monterrey) from Nypro Inc. for $6.4 million. We will operate this injection molding and painting business under the name of Advanced Molding and Decoration, S.A. de C.V. ("AMD"), and it will become a part of our existing Monterrey manufacturing campus. AMD operates a state-of-the-art facility, which provides us with high-quality injection molding, painting and decorating capabilities. The AMD assets include 52 injection mold machines, three paint lines and several pad print machines. AMD intends to continue production of injection-molded components for its current third party customers, whose contracts transfered to us along with the assets. In addition, 228 employees from Nypro Monterrey transfered to us as part of the acquisition.

Results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted.  See “Item 1A Risk Factors” of our Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011.


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Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended October 29, 2011 as Compared to the Three Months Ended October 30, 2010
 
Consolidated Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the three months ended:
(in millions)
(“N/M” equals not meaningful) 
 
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
Net Change
 
Net Change
Net sales
 
$
115.9

 
$
107.7

 
$
8.2

 
7.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
 
95.0

 
84.1

 
10.9

 
13.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margins
 
20.9

 
23.6

 
(2.7
)
 
(11.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
18.3

 
21.2

 
(2.9
)
 
(13.7
)%
Interest expense, net
 

 
0.1

 
(0.1
)
 
N/M
Other expense, net
 
0.2

 
2.0

 
(1.8
)
 
(90.0
)%
Income tax expense
 
2.2

 
0.8

 
1.4

 
175.0
 %
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 
N/M
Net income/(loss) attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc.
 
$
0.3

 
$
(0.5
)
 
$
0.8

 
N/M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
 
82.0
 %
 
78.1
 %
 
 
 
 
Gross margins
 
18.0
 %
 
21.9
 %
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
15.8
 %
 
19.7
 %
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
 
 
 
Other expense, net
 
0.2
 %
 
1.9
 %
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
1.9
 %
 
0.7
 %
 
 
 
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
(0.1
)%
 
 %
 
 
 
 
Net income/(loss) attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc.
 
0.3
 %
 
(0.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales.  Consolidated net sales increased $8.2 million, or 7.6%, to $115.9 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, from $107.7 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  The Automotive segment net sales increased $11.6 million, or 20.8%, to $67.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, from $55.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  The Interconnect segment net sales decreased $5.0 million, or 13.7%, to $31.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $36.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  The Power Products segment net sales increased $1.7 million, or 14.2%, to $13.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, as compared to $12.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  The Other segment net sales decreased $0.1 million, or 3.0%, to $3.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, as compared to $3.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  Translation of foreign operations net sales for the three months ended October 29, 2011 increased reported net sales by $1.0 million or 0.8% due to average currency rates in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to the average currency rates in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.
 
Cost of Products Sold.  Consolidated cost of products sold increased $10.9 million, or 13.0%, to $95.0 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, compared to $84.1 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  Consolidated cost of products sold as a percentage of sales were 82.0% for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to 78.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  The Automotive segment experienced costs for design, development, engineering and launch costs of $1.0 million related to new programs that will not begin production until fiscal 2013 and costs of $0.7 million related to a vendor's production and delivery issues, compared to $0.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011. The Power Products segment experienced costs of $0.6 million for new product development, specifically for an on board charger for an

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electric truck. The second quarter of fiscal 2011 includes a charge of $1.3 million for negotiated program termination costs for certain products manufactured in our Malta facility.
 
Gross Margins.  Consolidated gross margins decreased $2.7 million, or 11.4%, to $20.9 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, as compared to $23.6 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  Gross margins as a percentage of net sales were 18.0% for the three months ended October 29, 2011, compared to 21.9% for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  Gross margins as a percentage of sales decreased due to new program and product launch costs. In addition, gross margins were negatively impacted by increased sales of automotive product that has higher material cost due to the current high percentage of purchased content. Gross margins were negatively impacted by $1.3 million in the second quarter of of fiscal 2011 for negotiated program termination costs for certain products manufactured in our Malta facility.
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses.  Selling and administrative expenses decreased by $2.9 million, or 13.7%, to $18.3 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, compared to $21.2 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, we recorded an expense of $3.8 million for litigation regarding unsecured claims sold to Blue Angel LLC, related to the Delphi bankruptcy. Stock award amortization expense increased by $0.6 million, to $0.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 compared $0.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011. Legal expenses increased $0.2 million, to $1.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $1.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011, primarily due to higher Delphi litigation expenses and legal expenses related to the Advanced Molding and Decoration acquisition, partially offset with lower other general legal fees. The second quarter of fiscal 2011 includes income of $0.5 million received for grants at our Malta facility. Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 15.8% for the three months ended October 29, 2011 from 19.7% for the three months ended October 30, 2010.
 
Other Expense, Net.  Other expense, net decreased $1.8 million, or 90.0%, to $0.2 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, as compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  The second quarter of fiscal 2012 includes a gain of $0.3 million related to the acquisition of Advanced Molding and Decoration. All other amounts for both periods relate to expenses for currency rate fluctuations.  The functional currencies of these operations are the British pound, Chinese yuan, Euro, Indian Rupee, Mexican peso, Singapore dollar and Swiss Franc.  Some foreign operations have transactions denominated in currencies other than their functional currencies, primarily sales in U.S. dollars and Euros, creating exchange rate sensitivities.
 
Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense increased by $1.4 million, to $2.2 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  The income tax expense for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 relates to income taxes on foreign profits of $1.1 million, $0.9 million for foreign taxes on a foreign dividend, and other taxes of $0.2 million. The income tax expense for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 relates to income taxes on foreign profits.
 
Net Income/(Loss) Attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc.   Net income/(loss) attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc. increased $0.8 million, to income of $0.3 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, compared to a loss of $0.5 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  The increase is primarily due to increased sales, the absence of expense for Blue Angel claims, lower other expense, partially offset with expenses for new product development and product launches, increased stock award amortization, higher legal expense and higher income tax expense.


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Operating Segments
 
Automotive Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the three months ended:
(in millions)

 
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
Net Change
 
Net Change
Net sales
 
$
67.5

 
$
55.9

 
$
11.6

 
20.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
 
57.2

 
45.1

 
12.1

 
26.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margins
 
10.3

 
10.8

 
(0.5
)
 
(4.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
7.1

 
9.2

 
(2.1
)
 
(22.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
$
3.2

 
$
1.6

 
$
1.6

 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
 
84.7
%
 
80.7
%
 
 
 
 
Gross margins
 
15.3
%
 
19.3
%
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
10.5
%
 
16.5
%
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
4.7
%
 
2.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales.  Automotive segment net sales increased $11.6 million, or 20.8%, to $67.5 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, from $55.9 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  Net sales increased in North America, Europe and Asia by 95.8%, 6.6% and 15.0%, respectively.  The increase in North America is primarily due to increased sales for our Ford Center Console Program, which represented 52.2% of the 95.8% increase and the remaining increase relates to the newly acquired Advanced Molding and Decoration business in September 2011. The increase in Asia is due to increases in our transmission lead-frame and steering angle sensor products and the increase in Europe is primarily due to the euro strengthening against the U.S. dollar. Translation of foreign operations net sales for the three months ended October 29, 2011 increased reported net sales by $1.0 million, or 1.5%, due to average currency rates in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to the average currency rates in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

Cost of Products Sold.  Automotive segment cost of products sold increased $12.1 million, or 26.8%, to $57.2 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, from $45.1 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  The Automotive segment cost of products sold as a percentage of sales were 84.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to 80.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, our North American operations experienced additional costs for design, development, engineering and product launches of $1.0 million related to new programs that will not begin production until fiscal 2013, as well as costs of $0.7 million related to a vendor's production and delivery issues, compared to $0.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011. The increase in costs of products sold as a percentage of sales was also affected by increased sales of product that has a higher material cost due to the current high percentage of purchased content. The second quarter of of fiscal 2011 includes a charge of $1.3 million for negotiated program termination costs for certain products manufactured in our Malta facility.
 
Gross Margins.  Automotive segment gross margins decreased $0.5 million, or 4.6%, to $10.3 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, as compared to $10.8 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  The Automotive segment gross margins as a percentage of net sales were 15.3% for the three months ended October 29, 2011, as compared to 19.3% for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  Gross margins as a percentage of sales decreased due to design, development, engineering and launch costs related to new programs and new product launches, as well as increased costs related to a vendor's production and delivery issues. In addition, gross margins were negatively impacted in the second quarter

22

Table of Contents

of fiscal 2012 due to increased sales of product that has higher material cost due to the current high percentage of purchased content. The gross margins for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 were negatively impacted by the negotiated program termination costs.
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses.  Selling and administrative expenses decreased $2.1 million, or 22.8%, to $7.1 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, compared to $9.2 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, we recorded an expense of $3.8 million for litigation regarding unsecured claims sold to Blue Angel LLC, related to the Delphi bankruptcy. Legal expenses related to the Delphi litigation increased $0.3 million, to $1.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $0.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011. In addition, salary expenses and stock award amortization expense increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2011. The second quarter of fiscal 2011 includes income of $0.5 million for grants received at our Malta facility. Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 10.5% for the three months ended October 29, 2011 and 16.5% for the three months ended October 30, 2010.
 
Income from Operations.  Automotive segment income from operations increased $1.6 million, to $3.2 million for the three months ended October 29, 2011, compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended October 30, 2010 due to increased sales, absence of expense for Blue Angel claims, partially offset by expenses related to new programs and new product launches, costs related to a vendor's production and delivery issues, higher Delphi legal expenses, stock award amortization expense and expatriate salary costs for the three months ended October 29, 2011, compared to the three months ended October 30, 2010.
 
Interconnect Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the three months ended:
(in millions)
 
 
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
Net Change
 
Net Change
Net sales
 
$
31.5

 
$
36.5

 
$
(5.0
)
 
(13.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
 
23.4

 
25.2

 
(1.8
)
 
(7.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margins
 
8.1

 
11.3

 
(3.2
)
 
(28.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
4.4

 
5.2

 
(0.8
)
 
(15.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
3.7

 
6.1

 
(2.4
)
 
(39.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
October 29,
2011
 
October 30,
2010
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
 
74.3
%
 
69.0