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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-K
 
X   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 2011
 
OR
 
__  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-19687
SYNALLOY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
             Delaware            
(State of incorporation)
 
                      57-0426694                    
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
Croft Industrial Park, P.O. Box 5627, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29304
               (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (864) 585-3605
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
 Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value
(Title of Class)
 
 
Name of each exchange on which registered:
                  NASDAQ Global Market                
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes __    No  X
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   Yes __    No  X
 
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_
 
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 __    No  _   (Not yet applicable to Registrant)
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
 
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 definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
    Large accelerated Filer __           Accelerated filer __          Non-accelerated filer __        Smaller reporting company X
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes __    No X
 
Based on the closing price as of July 3, 2010, which was the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $48.2 million. Based on the closing price as of February 28, 2011, the aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $80.2 million. The registrant did not have any non-voting common equity outstanding at either date.
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of February 28, 2011 was 6,301,699.
 
Documents Incorporated By Reference
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2011 annual shareholders' meeting are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 
 
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Synalloy Corporation
 
Form 10-K
 
For Period Ended January 1, 2011
 
Table of Contents

 
Page #
 Part I
     
 
 Business                                                                                     
3
 
 Risk Factors                                                                                     
7
 
 Unresolved Staff Comments                                                                                     
10
 
 Properties                                                                                     
10
 
 Legal Proceedings                                                                                     
10
       
 Part II
     
 
11
 
Selected Financial Data                                                                                     
12
 
13
 
20
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                                                                                     
21
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                                     
26
   
Segment Information                                                                                     
36
   
39
   
40
 
41
 
Controls and Procedures                                                                                     
41
 
Other Information                                                                                     
41
       
 Part III
     
 
41
 
Executive Compensation                                                                                     
42
 
42
 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                                                                                     
42
 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services                                                                                     
42
       
 Part IV
     
 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules                                                                                     
43
       
44
       
45


 

 

 
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Forward-Looking Statements
 
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes and incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." The words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "plan," “outlook” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those identified below, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following factors could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated: adverse economic conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product demand and acceptance risks; raw material and other increased costs; raw materials availability; employee relations; ability to maintain workforce by hiring trained employees; customer delays or difficulties in the production of products; environmental issues; unavailability of debt financing on acceptable terms and exposure to increased market interest rate risk; inability to comply with covenants and ratios required by our debt financing arrangements; ability to weather an economic downturn; loss of consumer or investor confidence and other risks detailed from time-to-time in Synalloy's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Synalloy Corporation assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
PART I
 
 
Item 1 Business
 
Synalloy Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), was incorporated in 1958 as the successor to a chemical manufacturing business founded in 1945. Its charter is perpetual. The name was changed on July 31, 1967 from Blackman Uhler Industries, Inc. On June 3, 1988, the state of incorporation was changed from South Carolina to Delaware. The Company's executive offices are located at 775 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 102, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
 
The Company’s business is divided into two segments, the Metals Segment and the Specialty Chemicals Segment. The Metals Segment operates as Bristol Metals, LLC (“Bristol”) and Ram-Fab, LLC (“Ram-Fab”). Bristol manufactures pipe (“Bristol Pipe”) and fabricates piping systems (“BPS”) from stainless steel and other alloys, and Ram-Fab fabricates piping systems from carbon, chrome, stainless steel and other alloys. The Metals Segment’s markets include the chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, power generation (including nuclear), water and wastewater treatment, liquid natural gas (“LNG”), brewery, food processing, petroleum, pharmaceutical and other industries. The Specialty Chemicals Segment operates as Manufacturers Chemicals, LLC (“MC”), located in Cleveland, Tennessee and Dalton, Georgia. The Specialty Chemicals Segment produces specialty chemicals and dyes for the carpet, chemical, paper, metals, mining, agricultural, fiber, paint, textile, automotive, petroleum, cosmetics, mattress, furniture, janitorial and other industries.
 
 
General
 
 
Metals Segment – This Segment is comprised of two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Synalloy Metals, Inc. which owns 100 percent of Bristol Metals, LLC, located in Bristol, Tennessee; and Ram-Fab, LLC, located in Crossett, Arkansas.
 
Bristol Pipe manufactures welded pipe, primarily from stainless steel, but also from other corrosion-resistant metals. Pipe is produced in sizes from one-half inch to 120 inches in diameter and wall thickness up to one and one-half inches. Sixteen-inch and smaller pipe is made on equipment that forms and welds the pipe in a continuous process. Pipe larger than 16 inches is formed on presses or rolls and welded on batch welding equipment. Pipe is normally produced in standard 20-foot lengths. However, Bristol Pipe has unusual capabilities in the production of long length pipe without circumferential welds. This can reduce installation cost for the customer. Lengths up to 60 feet can be produced in sizes up to 16 inches in diameter. In larger sizes Bristol Pipe has a unique ability among domestic producers to make 48-foot lengths in sizes up to 36 inches. Over the past five years, Bristol has made substantial capital improvements to both Bristol Pipe and BPS, expanding and improving capabilities to service markets requiring large diameter pipe and specialty alloy pipe such as water and waste water treatment, LNG, and scrubber applications for the power industry.  These improvements include
 
 
 
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expanding its x-ray facilities which allows simultaneous use of real time and film examination; updating material handling equipment; expanding capabilities for forming large pipe on existing batch equipment, giving Bristol Pipe the capability to produce 36-inch diameter pipe in 48-foot lengths with wall thicknesses of up to one inch; adding a shear that has the capacity of shearing stainless steel plate up to one-inch thick; completing plant expansions that allow the manufacture of pipe up to 42 inches in diameter utilizing more readily available raw materials at lower costs, provide additional manufacturing capacity, and provide improved product handling and additional space for planned equipment additions; and installing automated hydro-testing equipment for pipe up to 72 inches in diameter.
 
A portion of the pipe produced is further processed into piping systems that conform to engineered drawings furnished by the customers. This allows the customer to take advantage of the high quality and efficiency of BPS rather than performing all of the welding at the construction site. BPS’s pipe fabrication shop can make one and one-half inch diameter cold bends on one-half inch through eight-inch stainless pipe with thicknesses up through schedule 40S. Most piping systems are produced from pipe manufactured by Bristol Pipe.
 
Ram-Fab’s carbon and chrome alloy pipe fabrication enhances the stainless fabrication business of BPS, giving the Segment the capability to quote on all types of pipe fabrication projects utilizing any combination of these three material types. Ram-Fab, which was purchased by the Company in 2009, was established over 20 years ago in Crossett, Arkansas and provides affordable, quality pipe fabrication in carbon steel and high chrome alloys. From power plants to refineries to chemical plants, Ram-Fab serves a broad range of customers, both domestic and international. As a carbon steel and high chrome pipe fabrication facility Ram-Fab is poised to take advantage of the anticipated increase in the construction of power generation plants utilizing coal or natural gas, as well as nuclear. Refinery upgrades and environmental work will also add to the requirements of quality shop-fabricated carbon steel and high chrome systems. Since Bristol does not manufacture carbon or chrome alloy pipe, these materials are purchased from outside suppliers.  During 2010, Ram-Fab completed a capital project to add a temperature and humidity controlled paint facility.  Since the majority of its carbon steel fabrication systems requires painting, this will increase their production throughput while improving quality.
 
In order to establish stronger business relationships, only a few raw material suppliers are used. Five suppliers furnish about 84 percent of total dollar purchases of raw materials, with one supplier totaling about 49 percent. However, the Company does not believe that the loss of any of these suppliers would have a materially adverse effect on the Company as raw materials are readily available from a number of different sources, and the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its requirements.
 
This Segment's stainless steel products are used principally by customers requiring materials that are corrosion-resistant or suitable for high-purity processes. The largest users are the chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, waste water treatment and LNG industries, with some other important industry users being mining, power generation (including nuclear), water treatment, brewery, food processing, petroleum, pharmaceutical and alternative fuels. The Segment’s carbon and chrome alloy products are used primarily in the power generation and chemical industries.
 
Specialty Chemicals Segment – This Segment consists of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company (MS&C). MS&C owns 100 percent of MC which is located in Cleveland, Tennessee and Dalton, Georgia and is fully licensed for chemical manufacture. The Segment produces specialty chemicals and dyes for the carpet, chemical, paper, metals, mining, agricultural, fiber, paint, textile, automotive, petroleum, cosmetics, mattress, furniture, janitorial and other industries.
 
MC, which was purchased by the Company in 1996, produces over 500 specialty formulations and intermediates for use in a wide variety of applications and industries. MC’s primary product lines focus on the areas of defoamers, surfactants and lubricating agents. Over 20 years ago, MC began diversifying its marketing efforts and expanding beyond traditional textile chemical markets. These three fundamental product lines find their way into a large number of manufacturing businesses. Over the years, the customer list has grown to include end users and chemical companies that supply paper, metal working, surface coatings, water treatment, mining and janitorial applications. MC’s capabilities also include the sulfation of fats and oils. These products are used in a wide variety of applications and represent a renewable resource, animal and vegetable derivatives, as alternatives to more expensive and non-renewable petroleum derivatives. In its Dalton, Georgia facility, MC serves the carpet and rug markets and also focuses on processing aids for wire drawing. MC Dalton blends and
 
 
 
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sells specialty dyestuffs and resells heavy chemicals and specialty chemicals manufactured in MC’s Cleveland plant to its markets out of its leased warehousing facility. The Dalton site also contains a shade matching laboratory and sales offices for the group. Both MC sites have extensive chemical storage and blending capabilities.
 
MC’s strategy has been to focus on industries and markets that have good prospects for sustainability in the U.S. in light of global trends. MC’s marketing strategy relies on sales to end users through its own sales force, but it also sells chemical intermediates to other chemical companies and distributors. It also has close working relationships with a significant number of major chemical companies that outsource their production for regional manufacture and distribution to companies like MC. MC has been ISO registered since 1995.
 
The Specialty Chemicals Segment maintains five laboratories for applied research and quality control which are staffed by ten employees.
 
Most raw materials used by the Segment are generally available from numerous independent suppliers and about 30 percent of total purchases are from its top five suppliers. While some raw material needs are met by a sole supplier or only a few suppliers, the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its raw material requirements.
 
Please see Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which are included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for financial information about the Company's Segments.
 
 
Sales and Distribution
 
Metals Segment – The Metals Segment utilizes separate sales organizations for its different product groups. Stainless steel pipe is sold nationwide under the Brismet trade name through authorized stocking distributors at warehouse locations throughout the country. In addition, large quantity orders are shipped directly from Bristol's plant to end-user customers. Producing sales and providing service to the distributors and end-user customers are the President, two outside sales employees, seven independent manufacturers' representatives and nine inside sales employees. The Metals Segment has one domestic customer that accounted for approximately eleven percent of the Metals Segment’s revenues in 2010 and 2008, respectively, and was less than ten percent for 2009. The Segment also has one other domestic customer that accounted for less than ten percent of the Segment’s revenues in 2010 but was approximately ten and twelve percent in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Loss of either of these customers’ revenues would have a material adverse effect on both the Metals Segment and the Company.
 
Piping systems are sold nationwide under both the Bristol Piping Systems and Ram-Fab trade names by four outside sales employees. They are under the direction of the President of the Piping Systems division who spends a substantial amount of his time in sales and service to customers. Piping systems are marketed to engineering firms and construction companies or directly to project owners. Orders are normally received as a result of competitive bids submitted in response to inquiries and bid proposals.
 
Specialty Chemicals Segment – Specialty chemicals are sold directly to various industries nationwide by five full-time outside sales employees and five manufacturers' representatives. In addition, the President and other members of the management team of MC devote a substantial part of their time to sales. The Specialty Chemicals Segment has one domestic customer that accounted for approximately 24 percent of the Segment’s revenues in 2010 and 2009 and 20 percent of revenues in 2008. Loss of this customer’s revenues would have a material adverse effect on both the Specialty Chemicals Segment and the Company.
 
 
Competition
 
Metals Segment – Welded stainless steel pipe is the largest sales volume product of the Metals Segment. Although information is not publicly available regarding the sales of most other producers of this product, management believes that the Company is one of the largest domestic producers of such pipe. This commodity product is highly competitive with seven known domestic producers and imports from many different countries. The largest sales volume among the non-commodity specialized products comes from fabricating stainless, nickel alloys, chrome alloys and carbon piping systems. Management believes the Company is one of the largest
 
 
 
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producers of such systems. There is also significant competition in the piping systems’ markets with 13 known domestic suppliers with similar capabilities as BPS and Ram-Fab, along with many other smaller suppliers.
 
Specialty Chemicals Segment – The Company is the sole producer of certain specialty chemicals manufactured for other companies under processing agreements and also produces proprietary specialty chemicals. The Company's sales of specialty products are insignificant compared to the overall market for specialty chemicals. The market for most of the products is highly competitive and many competitors have substantially greater resources than does the Company. The market for dyes is highly competitive and the Company has less than ten percent of the market for its products.
 
 
Environmental Matters
 
Environmental expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to future revenue generation are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or cleanups are probable and the costs of these assessments and/or cleanups can be reasonably estimated. Changes to laws and environmental issues, including climate change, are made or proposed with some frequency and some of the proposals, if adopted, might directly or indirectly result in a material reduction in the operating results of one or more of our operating units. We are presently unable to foresee the future well enough to quantify such risks. See Note E to Consolidated Financial Statements, which are included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for further discussion.
 
 
Research and Development Activities
 
The Company spent approximately $392,000 in 2010, $289,000 in 2009 and $348,000 in 2008 on research and development activities that were expensed in its Specialty Chemicals Segment. Four individuals, all of whom are graduate chemists, are engaged primarily in research and development of new products and processes, the improvement of existing products and processes, and the development of new applications for existing products.
 
 
Seasonal Nature of the Business
 
The Company’s businesses and products are not normally subject to any seasonal impact causing significant variations from one quarter to another.
 
 
Backlogs
 
The Specialty Chemicals Segment operates primarily on the basis of delivering products soon after orders are received. Accordingly, backlogs are not a factor in this business. The same applies to commodity pipe sales in the Metals Segment. However, backlogs are important in the Metals Segment’s piping systems products because they are produced only after orders are received, generally as the result of competitive bidding. Order backlogs for these products were $25,300,000 at the end of 2010. Approximately 80 percent of the backlog should be completed in 2011. The backlog totaled $44,300,000 and $45,500,000 at the 2009 and 2008 respective year ends.
 
 
Employee Relations
 
As of January 1, 2011, the Company had 441 employees. The Company considers relations with employees to be satisfactory. The number of employees of the Company represented by unions, all located at the Bristol, Tennessee facility, is 231, or 52 percent of the Company’s employees. They are represented by two locals affiliated with the AFL-CIO and one local affiliated with the Teamsters. Collective bargaining contracts will expire in January 2015, February 2014 and March 2015.
 
 
Financial Information about Geographic Areas
 
Information about revenues derived from domestic and foreign customers is set forth in Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
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Available information
 
The Company electronically files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its annual reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its periodic reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), and proxy materials pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act. The SEC maintains a site on the Internet, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The Company also makes its filings available, free of charge, through its Web site, www.synalloy.com, as soon as reasonably practical after the electronic filing of such material with the SEC.
 
Item 1A Risk Factors
 
There are inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our business that could adversely affect our operating performance and financial condition. Set forth below are descriptions of those risks and uncertainties that we believe to be material, but the risks and uncertainties described are not the only risks and uncertainties that could affect our business. Reference should be made to “Forward-looking Statements” above, and “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 below.

The cyclical nature of the industries in which our customers operate causes demand for our products to be cyclical, creating uncertainty regarding future profitability. Various changes in general economic conditions affect the industries in which our customers operate. These changes include decreases in the rate of consumption or use of our customers’ products due to economic downturns. Other factors causing fluctuation in our customers’ positions are changes in market demand, capital spending, lower overall pricing due to domestic and international overcapacity, lower priced imports, currency fluctuations, and increases in use or decreases in prices of substitute materials. As a result of these factors, our profitability has been and may in the future be subject to significant fluctuation.

Product pricing and raw material costs are subject to volatility, both of which may have an adverse effect on our revenues. From time-to-time, intense competition and excess manufacturing capacity in the commodity stainless steel industry have resulted in reduced prices, excluding raw material surcharges, for many of our stainless steel products sold by the Metals Segment. These factors have had and may have an adverse impact on our revenues, operating results and financial condition. Although inflationary trends in recent years have been moderate, during the same period stainless steel raw material costs, including surcharges on stainless steel, have been volatile. While we are able to mitigate some of the adverse impact of rising raw material costs, such as passing through surcharges to customers, rapid increases in raw material costs may adversely affect our results of operations.  Surcharges on stainless steel are also subject to rapid declines which can result in similar declines in selling prices causing a possible marketability problem on the related inventory as well as negatively impacting revenues and profitability. While there has been ample availability of raw materials, there continues to be a significant consolidation of stainless steel suppliers throughout the world which could have an impact on the cost and availability of stainless steel in the future. The ability to implement price increases is dependent on market conditions, economic factors, raw material costs, including surcharges on stainless steel, availability of raw materials, competitive factors, operating costs and other factors, most of which are beyond our control. In addition, to the extent that we have quoted prices to customers and accepted customer orders for products prior to purchasing necessary raw materials, or have existing contracts, we may be unable to raise the price of products to cover all or part of the increased cost of the raw materials.

The Specialty Chemicals Segment uses significant quantities of a variety of specialty and commodity chemicals in its manufacturing processes which are subject to price and availability fluctuations. Any significant variations in the cost and availability of our specialty and commodity materials may negatively affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The raw materials we use are generally available from numerous independent suppliers. However, some of our raw material needs are met by a sole supplier or only a few suppliers. If any supplier that we rely on for raw materials ceases or limits production, we may incur significant additional costs, including capital costs, in order to find alternate, reliable raw material suppliers. We may also experience significant production delays while locating new supply sources. Purchase prices and availability of these critical raw materials are subject to volatility. Some of the raw materials used by this Segment are derived from petrochemical-based feedstock, such as crude oil and natural gas, which have been subject to historical periods of rapid and significant movements in price. These fluctuations in price could be aggravated by factors beyond our control such as political instability, and supply and demand factors, including OPEC production quotas and
 
 
 
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increased global demand for petroleum-based products. At any given time we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of these critical raw materials on a timely basis, on price and other terms acceptable, or at all. If suppliers increase the price of critical raw materials, we may not have alternative sources of supply. We selectively pass changes in the prices of raw materials to our customers from time-to-time. However, we cannot always do so, and any limitation on our ability to pass through any price increases could affect our financial performance.

We rely upon third parties for our supply of energy resources consumed in the manufacture of our products in both of our Segments. The prices for and availability of electricity, natural gas, oil and other energy resources are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions often are affected by political and economic factors beyond our control. Disruptions in the supply of energy resources could temporarily impair the ability to manufacture products for customers. Further, increases in energy costs that cannot be passed on to customers, or changes in costs relative to energy costs paid by competitors, has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our profitability.

We encounter significant competition in all areas of our businesses and may be unable to compete effectively, which could result in reduced profitability and loss of market share. We actively compete with companies producing the same or similar products and, in some instances, with companies producing different products designed for the same uses. We encounter competition from both domestic and foreign sources in price, delivery, service, performance, product innovation and product recognition and quality, depending on the product involved.  For some of our products, our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than we do. As a result, these competitors may be better able to withstand a change in conditions within the industries in which we operate, a change in the prices of raw materials or a change in the economy as a whole. Our competitors can be expected to continue to develop and introduce new and enhanced products and more efficient production capabilities, which could cause a decline in market acceptance of our products.  Current and future consolidation among our competitors and customers also may cause a loss of market share as well as put downward pressure on pricing. Our competitors could cause a reduction in the prices for some of our products as a result of intensified price competition. Competitive pressures can also result in the loss of major customers. If we cannot compete successfully, our business, financial condition and consolidated results of operations could be adversely affected.

The applicability of numerous environmental laws to our manufacturing facilities could cause us to incur material costs and liabilities. We are subject to federal, state, and local environmental, safety and health laws and regulations concerning, among other things, emissions to the air, discharges to land and water, climate changes  and the generation, handling, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste and other materials. Under certain environmental laws, we can be held strictly liable for hazardous substance contamination of any real property we have ever owned, operated or used as a disposal site. We are also required to maintain various environmental permits and licenses, many of which require periodic modification and renewal. Our operations entail the risk of violations of those laws and regulations, and we cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in compliance with all of these requirements. In addition, these requirements and their enforcement may become more stringent in the future. Although we cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance with any such requirements, the costs could be material. Non-compliance could subject us to material liabilities, such as government fines, third-party lawsuits or the suspension of non-compliant operations. We also may be required to make significant site or operational modifications at substantial cost. Future developments also could restrict or eliminate the use of or require us to make modifications to our products, which could have a significant negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows. At any given time, we are involved in claims, litigation, administrative proceedings and investigations of various types involving potential environmental liabilities, including cleanup costs associated with hazardous waste disposal sites at our facilities. We cannot assure you that the resolution of these environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows. The ultimate costs and timing of environmental liabilities are difficult to predict. Liability under environmental laws relating to contaminated sites can be imposed retroactively and on a joint and several basis. We could incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, civil or criminal fines and sanctions and third-party claims, as a result of past or future violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws. For additional information related to environmental matters, see Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

We are dependent upon the continued safe operation of our production facilities which are subject to a number of hazards. In our Specialty Chemicals Segment, these production facilities are subject to hazards associated with the manufacture, handling, storage and transportation of chemical materials and products, including leaks and
 
 
 
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ruptures, explosions, fires, inclement weather and natural disasters, unscheduled downtime and environmental hazards which could result in liability for workplace injuries and fatalities. In addition, some of our production capabilities are highly specialized, which limits our ability to shift production to another facility in the event of an incident at a particular facility. If a production facility, or a critical portion of a production facility, were temporarily shut down, we likely would incur higher costs for alternate sources of supply for our products.  We cannot assure you that we will not experience these types of incidents in the future or that these incidents will not result in production delays or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Certain of our employees in the Metals Segment are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and the failure to renew these agreements could result in labor disruptions and increased labor costs. We have 231 employees represented by unions at the Bristol, Tennessee facility, which is 52 percent of our total employees. They are represented by two locals affiliated with the AFL-CIO and one local affiliated with the Teamsters. Collective bargaining contracts will expire in January 2015, February 2014 and March 2015. Although we believe that our present labor relations are satisfactory, our failure to renew these agreements on reasonable terms as the current agreements expire could result in labor disruptions and increased labor costs, which could adversely affect our financial performance.

The limits imposed on us by the restrictive covenants contained in our credit facilities could prevent us from obtaining adequate working capital, making acquisitions or capital improvements, or cause us to lose access to our facilities. Our existing credit facilities contain restrictive covenants that limit our ability to, among other things, borrow money or guarantee the debts of others, use assets as security in other transactions, make investments or other restricted payments or distributions, change our business or enter into new lines of business, and sell or acquire assets or merge with or into other companies. In addition, our credit facilities require us to meet financial ratios which could limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet extraordinary capital needs and could otherwise restrict our financing activities. Our ability to comply with the covenants and other terms of our credit facilities will depend on our future operating performance. If we fail to comply with such covenants and terms, we will be in default and the maturity of any then outstanding related debt could be accelerated and become immediately due and payable. We may be required to obtain waivers from our lender in order to maintain compliance under our credit facilities, including waivers with respect to our compliance with certain financial covenants. If we are unable to obtain any necessary waivers and the debt under our credit facilities is accelerated, our financial condition would be adversely affected.

We may not have access to capital in the future. We may need new or additional financing in the future to expand our business or refinance existing indebtedness. If we are unable to access capital on satisfactory terms and conditions, we may not be able to expand our business or meet our payment requirements under our existing credit facilities. Our ability to obtain new or additional financing will depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We may not be able to obtain new or additional financing because we may have substantial debt or because we may not have sufficient cash flow to service or repay our existing or future debt. In addition, depending on market conditions and our financial performance, equity financing may not be available on satisfactory terms or at all.

Our existing property and liability insurance coverages contain exclusions and limitations on coverage. We have maintained various forms of insurance, including insurance covering claims related to our properties and risks associated with our operations. From time-to-time, in connection with renewals of insurance, we have experienced additional exclusions and limitations on coverage, larger self-insured retentions and deductibles and higher premiums, primarily from our Specialty Chemicals operations. As a result, in the future our insurance coverage may not cover claims to the extent that it has in the past and the costs that we incur to procure insurance may increase significantly, either of which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We may not be able to make changes necessary to continue to be a market leader and an effective competitor. We believe that we must continue to enhance our existing products and to develop and manufacture new products with improved capabilities in order to continue to be a market leader. We also believe that we must continue to make improvements in our productivity in order to maintain our competitive position. When we invest in new technologies, processes, or production capabilities, we face risks related to construction delays, cost over-runs and unanticipated technical difficulties. Our inability to anticipate, respond to or utilize changing technologies could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated results of operations.

 
 
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Our strategy of using acquisitions and dispositions to position our businesses may not always be successful. We have historically utilized acquisitions and dispositions in an effort to strategically position our businesses and improve our ability to compete. We plan to continue to do this by seeking specialty niches, acquiring businesses complementary to existing strengths and continually evaluating the performance and strategic fit of our existing business units. We consider acquisition, joint ventures, and other business combination opportunities as well as possible business unit dispositions. From time-to-time, management holds discussions with management of other companies to explore such opportunities. As a result, the relative makeup of the businesses comprising our Company is subject to change. Acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business combinations involve various inherent risks, such as: assessing accurately the value, strengths, weaknesses, contingent and other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition or other transaction candidates; the potential loss of key personnel of an acquired business; our ability to achieve identified financial and operating synergies anticipated to result from an acquisition or other transaction; and unanticipated changes in business and economic conditions affecting an acquisition or other transaction.

Our internal controls over financial reporting could fail to prevent or detect misstatements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
 
Item 2 Properties
 
The Company operates the major plants and facilities listed below, all of which are in adequate condition for their current usage. All facilities throughout the Company are believed to be adequately insured. The buildings are of various types of construction including brick, steel, concrete, concrete block and sheet metal. All have adequate transportation facilities for both raw materials and finished products. The Company owns all of these plants and facilities, except the dye blending and warehouse facilities located in Dalton, GA, and the corporate offices located in Spartanburg, SC.
 
Location
Principal Operations
Building Square Feet
Land Acres
Cleveland, TN
Chemical manufacturing and warehousing facilities
118,000
8.6
Bristol, TN
Manufacturing of stainless steel pipe and stainless steel piping systems
275,000
73.1
Crossett, AR
Manufacturing carbon and chrome alloy piping systems
133,000
19.8
Dalton, GA
Dye blending and warehouse facilities (1)
32,000
2.0
Spartanburg, SC
Corporate headquarters (1)
6,000
-
Augusta, GA
Chemical manufacturing (2)
-
46.0

(1) Leased facility.
(2) Plant was closed in 2001 and all structures and manufacturing equipment have been removed.
 
Item 3 Legal Proceedings
 
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Notes E and K to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 

 
10

 

 
PART II
 
 
Item 5 Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
 
The Company had 705 common shareholders of record at February 28, 2011. The Company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol SYNL. The Company’s credit agreement only restricts the payment of dividends through a minimum tangible net worth covenant. The Company paid a $0.25 cash dividend on December 8, 2010, a $0.25 cash dividend on March 22, 2010, a $0.10 cash dividend on March 10, 2009, and a $0.25 cash dividend on March 7, 2008. The prices shown below are the high and low sales prices for the common stock for each full quarterly period in the last two fiscal years as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market.
 
   
2010
 
2009
Quarter
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
1st
 
$     9.22
 
$     7.47
 
 $    6.83
 
$    3.85
2nd
 
      11.04
 
       7.97
 
       8.68
 
      5.25
3rd
 
     10.15
 
       8.25
 
       10.49
 
      7.88
4th
 
       12.25
 
       8.40
 
       9.98
 
        7.75
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
 
Pursuant to the compensation arrangement with directors discussed under Item 12 "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters" in this Form 10-K, on April 24, 2010, the Company issued to each of its non-employee directors 1,531 shares of its common stock (an aggregate of 7,655 shares). Such shares were issued to the directors in lieu of $15,000 of their annual cash retainer fees. During 2010, a non-employee director resigned from the Board of Directors resulting in the forfeiture of 765 shares. Issuance of these shares was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 based on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) thereof because no public offering was involved. During 2010, the Company also issued 7,059 shares of common stock to management and key employees that vested pursuant to the 2005 Stock Awards Plan. Issuance of these shares was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 based on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) thereof because no public offering was involved. Also during 2010, the Registrant issued shares of common stock to the following classes of persons upon the exercise of options issued pursuant to the Registrant's 1998 Stock Option Plan. Issuance of these shares was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 because the issuance did not involve a public offering.

             
Date Issued
 
Class of Purchasers
 
 Number of Shares Issued
 
Aggregate Exercise Price
2/27/2010
 
Officers and Employees
 
3,600
 
$16,740
5/6/2010
 
Non-Employee Directors
 
1,500
 
$10,125
9/23/2010
 
Officers and Employees
 
4,800
 
$22,320
       
9,900
 
$49,185
 
 
Neither the Company, nor any affiliated purchaser (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) on behalf of the Company repurchased any of the Company’s securities during the fourth quarter of 2010.
 

 
11

 

 
Item 6 Selected Financial Data
 
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands except for per share data)
 
Selected Financial Data and Other Financial Information
                   
                               
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Operations
                             
  Net sales
  $ 151,121     $ 103,640     $ 167,269     $ 155,704     $ 131,404  
  Gross profit
    15,916       9,489       18,552       25,564       20,163  
  Selling, general & administrative expense
    9,724       8,787       9,729       10,079       8,835  
  Operating income
    6,192       702       8,823       15,485       11,328  
  Net income continuing operations
    4,034       219       5,631       9,481       6,699  
  Net (loss) income discontinued operations
    -       (4 )     352       644       909  
  Net income
    4,034       215       5,983       10,125       7,608  
Financial Position
                                       
  Total assets
    81,375       78,252       94,666       96,621       89,810  
  Working capital
    43,232       44,123       49,433       45,446       43,237  
  Long-term debt, less current portion
    219       -       9,959       10,246       17,731  
  Shareholders' equity
    63,875       62,721       62,867       58,140       47,127  
Financial Ratios
                                       
  Current ratio
    4.0       4.5       3.7       2.7       2.9  
  Gross profit to net sales
    11 %     9 %     11 %     16 %     15 %
  Long-term debt to capital
    0 %     0 %     14 %     15 %     27 %
  Return on average assets
    5 %     0 %     6 %     10 %     8 %
  Return on average equity
    6 %     0 %     9 %     18 %     16 %
Per Share Data (income/(loss) – diluted)
                                       
  Net income continuing operations
  $ 0.64     $ 0.03     $ 0.90     $ 1.51     $ 1.07  
  Net income (loss) discontinued operations
    -       (0.00 )     0.05       0.10       0.15  
  Net income
    0.64       0.03       0.95       1.61       1.22  
  Dividends declared and paid
    0.50       0.10       0.25       0.15       -  
  Book value
    10.16       10.01       10.06       9.32       7.68  
Other Data
                                       
  Depreciation and amortization
  $ 2,642     $ 2,402     $ 2,082     $ 1,997     $ 2,095  
  Capital expenditures
  $ 5,095     $ 1,892     $ 3,059     $ 3,340     $ 2,343  
  Employees at year end
    441       466       459       482       437  
  Shareholders of record at year end
    704       790       826       834       897  
  Average shares outstanding - diluted
    6,309       6,269       6,281       6,296       6,234  
Stock Price
                                       
  Price range of common stock
                                       
     High
  $ 12.25     $ 10.49     $ 17.96     $ 47.45     $ 18.90  
     Low
    7.47       3.85       3.52       14.79       10.38  
     Close
    12.12       9.42       5.00       17.67       18.54  
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 
12

 


 
 
Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts, $435,000 as of January 1, 2011, for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments and for disputed claims and quality issues. If the financial condition of any of the customers of the Company were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
 
The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and current market conditions. As of January 1, 2011, the Company has $3,299,000 accrued for inventory obsolescence and market reserves. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.
 
As noted in Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, the Company has accrued $936,000 as of January 1, 2011, in environmental remediation costs which, in management's best estimate, are expected to satisfy anticipated costs of known remediation requirements as outlined in Note E. Expenditures related to costs currently accrued are not discounted to their present values and are expected to be made over the next three to four years. However, as a result of the evolving nature of the environmental regulations, the difficulty in estimating the extent and necessary remediation of environmental contamination, and the availability and application of technology, the estimated costs for future environmental compliance and remediation are subject to uncertainties and it is not possible to predict the amount or timing of future costs of environmental matters which may subsequently be determined. Changes in information known to management or in applicable regulations may require the Company to record additional remediation reserves.
 
The Company continually reviews the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances, (also referred to as “triggering events”), indicate that the carrying value of a long-lived asset or group of assets (the “Assets”) may no longer be recoverable. Triggering events include: a significant decline in the market price of the Assets; a significant adverse change in the operating use or physical condition of the Assets; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate impacting the Assets’ value, including regulatory issues such as environmental actions; the generation by the Assets of historical cash flow losses combined with projected future cash flow losses; or, the expectation that the Assets will be sold or disposed of significantly before the end of the useful life of the Assets. The Company concluded that there were no indications of impairment requiring further testing during the year ended January 1, 2011.
 
If the Company concluded that, based on its review of current facts and circumstances, there were indications of impairment, then testing of the applicable Assets would be performed. The recoverability of the Assets to be held and used is tested by comparing the carrying amount of the Assets at the date of the test to the sum of the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by those Assets over the remaining useful life of the Assets. In estimating the future undiscounted cash flows, the Company uses projections of cash flows directly associated with, and which are expected to arise as a direct result of, the use and eventual disposition of the Assets. This approach requires significant judgments including the Company’s projected net cash flows, which
 
 
 
13

 
 
 
are derived using the most recent available estimate for the reporting unit containing the Assets tested. Several key assumptions would include periods of operation, projections of product pricing, production levels, product costs, market supply and demand, and inflation. If it is determined that the carrying amount of the Assets are not recoverable, an impairment loss would be calculated equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the Assets over their fair value. Assets classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Assets to be disposed of other than by sale are classified as held and used until the Assets are disposed or use has ceased.
 
The Company has goodwill of $1,355,000 recorded as part of its acquisition, in 1996, of Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company, operating within the Chemicals Segment, and $1,000,000 recorded as part of its acquisition in 2009, of Ram-Fab, Inc., operating within the Metals Segment. Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired, is to be tested for impairment at least on an annual basis. The initial step of the goodwill impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit in which the goodwill is recorded, with its carrying amount. If the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying value, no impairment loss is recognized and the second step, which is a calculation of the impairment, is not performed. However, if the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge equal to the difference in the carrying value of the goodwill and the implied fair value of the goodwill is recorded. Implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if it had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts allocated to assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.  In making our determination of fair value of the reporting unit, we rely on the discounted cash flow method. This method uses projections of cash flows from the reporting unit. This approach requires significant judgments including the Company’s projected net cash flows, the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) used to discount the cash flows and terminal value assumptions. We derive these assumptions used in our testing from several sources. Many of these assumptions are derived from our internal budgets, which would include existing sales data based on current product lines and assumed production levels, manufacturing costs and product pricing. We believe that our internal forecasts are consistent with those that would be used by a potential buyer in valuing our reporting units. The WACC rate is based on an average of the capital structure, cost of capital and inherent business risk profiles of the Company. The assumptions used in our valuation are interrelated. The continuing degree of interrelationship of these assumptions is, in and of itself a significant assumption. Because of the interrelationships among the assumptions, we do not believe it would be meaningful to provide a sensitivity analysis on any of the individual assumptions. However, one key assumption in our valuation model is the WACC. If the WACC, which is used to discount the projected cash flows, were higher, the measure of the fair value of the net assets of the reporting unit would decrease. Conversely, if the WACC were lower, the measure of the fair value of the net assets of the reporting unit would increase. Changes in any of the Company’s other estimates could also have a material effect on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the reporting unit’s assets. Based on the Company’s goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2010, each reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value, therefore no further testing was required and no impairment loss was recognized.
 
The Company believes that if impairment charges should occur with respect to its existing assets, the charges would not be material to the consolidated financial statements. However, if business conditions at any of the plant sites were to deteriorate to an extent where cash flows and other impairment measurements indicated values for the related long-lived assets, including goodwill, were less than the carrying values of those assets, significant impairment charges could be necessary.
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash flows used in operating activities during 2010 totaled $6,048,000 compared to cash flows provided by continuing operations during 2009 of $19,903,000, or a decline in cash flows of $25,951,000 from 2009 to 2010. Cash flows provided by discontinued operations for 2009 was $286,000. Cash flows in 2010 were generated from net income totaling $6,676,000 before depreciation and amortization expense of $2,642,000. Cash flows were adversely affected in 2010 by a $8,849,000 increase in the Company’s inventories as inventories increased, net of reserves, from $25,504,000 at the end of 2009 to $34,353,000 at the end of 2010. Substantially all of the increase occurred in the Metals Segment to support higher 2011 sales projections. Accounts receivable increased by $5,932,000 in 2010, net of reserves, reflecting a 46 percent increase in sales in the fourth quarter of 2010 over the fourth quarter of 2009. In addition, accounts payable increased $4,092,000 in 2010, resulting primarily from
 
 
 
14

 
 
 
the timing of the receipt of and payment for stainless steel raw materials by the Metals Segment at year end. Also negatively impacting cash flows in 2010 was a decline in accrued expenses at the end of 2010 compared to the end of 2009 of $2,514,000, as advances from customers (prepayments from customers used to purchase raw materials required for piping systems projects) declined $1,679,000 and a customer product claim was paid during 2010 for $1,900,000.  These amounts were partially offset by higher accruals for profit based incentives of $552,000 reflecting higher profits earned in 2010 compared to 2009.
 
Cash flows provided by operations during 2009 totaled $20,189,000 of which $19,903,000 came from continuing operations.  This compares to cash flows provided by operations during 2008 of $5,940,000 and $6,444,000 from continuing operations, or increases in cash flows of $14,262,000 and $13,412,000 from 2008 to 2009, respectively. Cash flows from continuing operations in 2009 were generated from net income totaling $2,621,000 before depreciation and amortization expense of $2,402,000. Cash flows were also positively impacted in 2009 by a $17,392,000 decrease in the Company’s inventories, as inventories declined, net of reserves, from $38,958,000 at the end of 2008 to $25,504,000 at the end of 2009. Almost all of the decrease occurred in the Metals Segment, primarily as a result of the significant declines in stainless steel pipe unit selling prices and volumes sold coupled with declines in cost from stainless steel surcharges, discussed further in the Metals Segment Comparison of 2009 to 2008 below. Cash flows were also positively impacted from a decrease in accounts receivable of $4,313,000 in 2009 compared to 2008, reflecting a 30 percent decline in sales in the fourth quarter of 2009, offset by a decrease in accounts payable of $2,053,000 in 2009 compared to 2008, resulting primarily from the decline in the costs of raw materials discussed above combined with the timing of the receipt of and payment for stainless steel raw materials by the Metals Segment at year end. Cash flows were negatively impacted in 2009 by a decline of $749,000 in accrued expenses at the end of 2009 compared to the end of 2008, as advances from customers (prepayments from customers used to purchase raw materials required for piping systems projects) declined $1,223,000, and accruals for profit based incentives declined $554,000 reflecting the reduction in profits earned in 2009 compared to 2008, offset by a $1,100,000 increase in a claims reserve in the Metals Segment as discussed further in the Metals Segment Comparison of 2009 to 2008 below.
 
In 2010, the Company’s current assets increased $605,000 and current liabilities increased $1,496,000, from the year ended 2009 amounts, which caused working capital for 2010 to decrease by $891,000 to $43,232,000 from the 2009 total of $44,123,000. The current ratio for the year ended January 1, 2011, decreased to 4.0:1 from the 2009 year-end ratio of 4.5:1.
 
The Company also used cash during 2010 to fund capital expenditures of $5,095,000, which included $2,037,000 for the purchase in June 2010 of the land and buildings of Ram-Fab to complete the acquisition.  Also, during 2010, the Company paid a $0.25 dividend on March 22, 2010 and another $0.25 dividend on December 8, 2010.  Total cash outlay for the dividends amounted to $3,166,000. The Company expects that along with the existing amount of cash on hand, cash flows from 2011 operations and available borrowings will be sufficient to make debt payments (if any), fund estimated 2011 capital expenditures of $4,300,000 and have sufficient resources to expand into other business opportunities.
 
On June 30, 2010, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with a regional bank to provide a $20,000,000 line of credit that expires on June 30, 2013. The Company’s previous debt facility, with a different lender, was going to expire at the end of 2010. Interest on the new Credit Agreement is calculated using the One Month LIBOR Rate, plus a pre-defined spread, which is determined by the Company’s Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio. Borrowings under the line of credit are limited to an amount equal to a borrowing base calculation that includes eligible accounts receivable, inventories and cash surrender value of the Company’s life insurance. Additionally, the credit facility requires an agreement not to pledge the fixed assets of the Company. Covenants under the new agreement include maintaining a certain Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio, a minimum tangible net worth, and total liabilities to tangible net worth ratio. The Company will also be limited to a maximum amount of capital expenditures per year, which is in line with the Company’s currently projected needs. Management does not believe that these covenants and restrictions will have an adverse effect on its operations.

 
15

 
 
Results of Operations
 
 
Comparison of 2010 to 2009
 
For 2010, the Company generated net earnings from continuing operations of $4,034,000, or $0.64 per share, on sales of $151,121,000, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $219,000, or $0.03 per share, on sales of $103,640,000 in the prior year. The Company generated net earnings from continuing operations of $1,462,000, or $0.23 per share, on sales of $37,639,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $143,000, or $0.02 loss per share, on sales of $25,843,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009. The Company did not have discontinued operations for 2010 but generated a net loss from discontinued operations of $4,000, or $0.00 loss per share, and a net loss of $144,000, or $0.03 loss per share, for the fiscal year and fourth quarter of 2009, respectively. As a result, the Company earned $4,034,000, or $0.64 per share, and $1,462,000, or $0.23 per share, for the fiscal year and fourth quarter of 2010, respectively, compared to net earnings of $215,000, or $0.03 per share, and a net loss of $287,000, or $0.05 loss per share, for the same periods in 2009.
 
Consolidated gross profits from continuing operations increased 68 percent to $15,916,000 in 2010, compared to $9,489,000 in 2009, and as a percent of sales increased to eleven percent of sales in 2010 compared to nine percent of sales in 2009. Most of the improvement in dollars and in percentage of sales was attributable to the Metals Segment as discussed in the Metals Segment Comparison of 2010 to 2009 below. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense for 2010 increased by $937,000, compared to 2009, and was six percent and nine percent of sales for 2010 and 2009, respectively. The dollar increase resulted primarily from including a full year of selling and administrative costs for Ram-Fab in 2010 compared to four months in 2009. Also, management incentive bonuses, which are based on profits, increased in 2010 compared to 2009.
 
 
Comparison of 2009 to 2008
 
For the fiscal year ending January 2, 2010, the Company generated net earnings from continuing operations of $219,000, or $0.03 per share, on sales of $103,640,000, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $5,631,000, or $0.90 per share, on sales of $167,269,000 in the prior year. The Company generated a loss from continuing operations of $143,000, or $0.02 per share, on sales of $25,843,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $644,000, or $0.10 per share, on sales of $36,657,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company recorded net losses from discontinued operations of $4,000, or $0.00 loss per share, and $144,000, or $0.03 loss per share, for the fiscal year and fourth quarter of 2009, respectively, compared to net earnings from discontinued operations of $352,000, or $0.05 per share, and $131,000, or $0.02 per share, for the same periods a year earlier. As a result, the Company earned $215,000, or $0.03 per share, and lost $287,000, or $0.05 per share, for the fiscal year and fourth quarter of 2009, respectively, compared to net earnings of $5,983,000, or $0.95 per share, and a net loss $513,000, or $0.08 per share, for the same periods in 2008.
 
Consolidated gross profits from continuing operations declined 49 percent to $9,489,000 in 2009, compared to $18,552,000 in 2008, and as a percent of sales decreased to nine percent of sales in 2009 compared to eleven percent of sales in 2008. The decreases in dollars and in percentage of sales were attributable to the Metals Segment as discussed in the Metals Segment Comparison of 2009 to 2008 below. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense from continuing operations for 2009 decreased by $942,000, compared to 2008, but increased to nine percent as a percent of sales from six percent. The dollar decrease in 2009 when compared to 2008 resulted primarily from a $554,000 decrease in management incentives, which are based on profits, coupled with a $347,000 decline in environmental expenses, which were favorably impacted by the divestiture of part the chemical businesses.
 

 
16

 

 
Metals Segment–The following table summarizes operating results and backlogs for the three years indicated. Reference should be made to Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Net sales
  $ 108,544       100.0 %   $ 70,891       100.0 %   $ 131,877       100.0 %
Cost of goods sold
    99,367       91.5 %     66,713       94.1 %     117,856       84.9 %
Gross profit
    9,177       8.5 %     4,178       5.9 %     14,021       10.6 %
Selling, general and
                                               
    administrative expense
    5,403       5.0 %     4,190       5.9 %     4,695       3.6 %
Operating income (loss)
  $ 3,774       3.5 %   $ (12 )     0.0 %   $ 9,326       7.0 %
Year-end backlogs -
                                               
  Piping systems
  $ 25,300             $ 44,300             $ 45,500          
 
Comparison of 2010 to 2009 – Metals Segment
 
The Metals Segment sales increased 53 percent for the year ended 2010 compared to 2009 from a 50 percent increase in unit volumes combined with a two percent increase in average selling prices. Gross profit for 2010 increased 120 percent to $9,177,000, or nine percent of sales, from 2009 year end’s total of $4,178,000, or six percent of sales. Operating income for 2010 was $3,774,000 compared to an operating loss of $12,000 for 2009. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased 60 percent to $27,573,000 from sales of $17,272,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009, resulting from a 18 percent increase in unit volumes and a 35 percent increase in average selling prices. The Segment had a gross profit of $2,936,000, or eleven percent of sales, for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to a gross profit of $161,000, or one percent of sales, for the fourth quarter of 2009. The Segment generated operating income of $1,441,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to an operating loss of $985,000 for the fourth quarter of 2009.
 
The large unit volume improvement for 2010 compared to 2009 was essentially the result of increased commodity pipe sales resulting from an aggressive effort to gain market share combined with a modest increase in non-commodity products.  Although sales prices per pound increased about 16 percent for both commodity and non-commodity products, the change in product mix to a much higher percentage of commodity pipe resulted in the modest overall selling price increase. Operating income for 2010 also reflects a $500,000 charge during the first quarter for a product claim made by a Metals Segment customer and $1,100,000 was expensed for this claim in 2009, $343,000 of which was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter 2010 unit volumes increased as a result of the aforementioned aggressive marketing effort partially offset by lower non-commodity unit sales.  Fourth quarter’s selling prices, when compared to 2009’s fourth quarter, reflects primarily much higher prices for non-commodity products resulting from selling more expensive special alloys.  Higher stainless steel prices and a change in product mix to a higher percent of lower-priced commodity pipe also impacted the average selling price.  The improvement in fourth quarter operating income came primarily from our fabricated piping systems operations. Piping systems’ backlog was $25,300,000 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $44,300,000 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009.
 
Selling, general and administrative expense increased $1,214,000, or 29 percent in 2010 when compared to 2009, and was five percent of sales compared to six percent of sales for 2010 and 2009, respectively. The dollar increase was attributable to including a full year of Ram-Fab’s selling, general and administrative expense during 2010 compared to only four months for 2009 since Ram-Fab was acquired by the Company on August 31, 2009.  Also, higher incentive based bonuses were earned for 2010 based upon the higher profits for the current year.
 
 
Comparison of 2009 to 2008 – Metals Segment
 
The Metals Segment sales decreased 46 percent for the year from a 37 percent decline in average selling prices, coupled with a 12 percent decline in unit volumes. Sales for the fourth quarter decreased 39 percent compared to 2008 from a 29 percent decline in average selling prices, coupled with a twelve percent decline in unit volumes. The Segment experienced operating losses of $12,000 and $985,000 for the year and fourth quarter of 2009
 
 
 
17

 
 
 
compared to a profit of $9,326,000 for the year and a fourth quarter loss of $1,196,000 in the same periods in 2008, respectively. Sales of commodity pipe were down 47 percent and 48 percent for the year and in the fourth quarter, as average selling prices declined 38 percent and 22 percent and unit volumes decreased 15 percent and 33 percent for the year and in the quarter, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2008. Non-commodity pipe and piping systems also experienced declines in sales for the year and fourth quarter, down 44 percent and 31 percent respectively. The decrease in sales for the year resulted from a 38 percent decline in average selling prices and a nine percent decrease in unit volumes. The decrease for the quarter resulted from a 47 percent decline in average selling prices, offset by a 31 percent increase in unit volumes, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. The volume increase for non-commodity pipe and piping systems in the fourth quarter resulted primarily from the acquisition on August 31, 2009, of Ram-Fab.

The significant decreases in selling prices together with unit volume declines in both commodity and non-commodity pipe and piping systems, without including Ram-Fab and when compared to the same periods in 2008, reflect the decrease in demand for these products resulting from the worldwide economic turmoil and recession. This contributed to the large decline in both gross profit and operating income for 2009 compared to 2008, and to the losses incurred in the fourth quarters of both 2009 and 2008. Stainless steel surcharges, resulting primarily from the changes in nickel prices, peaked in October of 2009 after incrementally increasing over the six-month period from May to October, and fell slightly over the next three months. The surcharge averages remained at levels equal to approximately half of 2008’s averages throughout most of 2009. Although we cannot precisely calculate the effect of the price declines, we estimate that they reduced profits by about $1,700,000 for 2009 compared to 2008. The lower volumes also generated unabsorbed manufacturing costs and taken together with the lower selling prices and unit volumes, caused commodity pipe to incur losses for the year and fourth quarter of 2009. Responding to the poor economy, many of the piping systems’ customers extended their delivery dates throughout 2009 causing a decline in both dollar and unit volume sales compared to last year, and creating manufacturing inefficiencies throughout the Segment. The piping systems operations benefitted in 2008 from the completion of several favorable contracts, primarily in the LNG market, which generated significant volume, revenues and profits in 2008. As a result of these factors, non-commodity pipe and piping systems experienced significant reductions in sales and profits compared to the same periods of 2008. Also contributing significantly to the Segment’s losses for the year and fourth quarter of 2009 was the accrual of a claim from a customer who is alleging that the Segment delivered defective pipe in 2006 which the customer removed and replaced. While we believe the claim is unwarranted, and we are vigorously defending it, approximately $1,100,000 in claims expense was recorded in 2009, of which $343,000 was recorded in the fourth quarter. All of these factors taken together caused the Segment to incur losses for the year and fourth quarter of 2009.
 
Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $505,000, or eleven percent in 2009 when compared to 2008, but increased to six percent of sales in 2009 compared to four percent of sales in 2008. The dollar decrease came primarily from decreased management incentives, which are based on profits.
 
 
Specialty Chemicals Segment–The following tables summarize operating results for the three years indicated. Reference should be made to Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Net sales
  $ 42,577       100.0 %   $ 32,749       100.0 %   $ 35,392       100.0 %
Cost of goods sold
    35,838       84.2 %     27,438       83.8 %     30,861       87.2 %
Gross profit
    6,739       15.8 %     5,311       16.2 %     4,531       12.8 %
Selling, general and
                                               
    administrative expense
    2,779       6.5 %     2,589       7.9 %     2,541       7.2 %
Operating income
  $ 3,960       9.3 %   $ 2,722       8.3 %   $ 1,990       5.6 %
                                                 
 
Comparison of 2010 to 2009 – Specialty Chemicals Segment
 
The Specialty Chemicals Segment sales increased 30 percent for the year ended 2010 compared to 2009. Gross profit for the year ended 2010 increased 28 percent to $6,739,000, or 16 percent of sales, compared to a gross
 
 
 
18

 
profit of $5,311,000, or 16 percent of sales, for 2009. Operating income increased 46 percent to $3,960,000 for the year ended 2010 compared to $2,722,000 earned in 2009. Sales increased 17 percent to $10,066,000 for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $8,571,000 for the fourth quarter of 2009. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $1,400,000 or 14 percent of sales, which approximated the fourth quarter of 2009’s total of $1,406,000, or 16 percent of sales. Operating income declined one percent to $777,000 for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $783,000 for the fourth quarter of 2009. The sales gain came from increases in the sulfated product line and additives for dust control and agricultural chemicals. Contract manufacturing also contributed to the sales growth. The declines in gross profit and operating income for the fourth quarter of 2010, when compared to the same period in 2009, were caused primarily by our inability to pass on all of the increases in raw material costs, especially from naturally occurring fats and oils and petroleum derivatives.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $190,000 or seven percent in 2010 compared to the 2009 amount, and decreased to seven percent of sales in 2010 from eight percent of sales in 2009. The increase resulted primarily from increased selling commissions from the increase in sales in 2010 compared to 2009 plus higher incentive based bonuses for the current year.
 
Comparison of 2009 to 2008 – Specialty Chemicals Segment
 
The Specialty Chemicals Segment’s operating income for the year increased 37 percent to $2,722,000 on sales of $32,749,000 compared to operating income of $1,990,000 on sales of $35,392,000 in 2008. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased 230 percent to $783,000 on sales of $8,571,000 compared to operating income of $237,000 on sales of $8,449,000 for the fourth quarter of 2008. During 2008, the Segment experienced rising raw material and energy costs throughout the year and while management increased prices in an effort to offset the cost increases, the increases were not sufficient to prevent the cost increase from impacting profitability. During 2009, the increases in raw material and energy costs abated and in some cases actually declined, forcing Management to lower selling prices, which caused the sales decline for the year. However, price levels remained at levels allowing the Segment to maintain a higher level of profitability in 2009 compared to 2008. The Segment experienced strong sales volumes in the majority of its markets throughout the fourth quarter of 2009, which contributed to the increases in sales and profits achieved in the fourth quarter compared to the same period last year.
 
On October 2, 2009, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with SantoLubes Manufacturing, LLC (“SM”) to sell the specialty chemical business of Blackman Uhler Specialties, LLC (“BU”) for a purchase price of $10,366,000, along with certain property, plant and equipment held by Synalloy Corporation for a purchase price of $1,130,000, all located at the Spartanburg, SC location. The purchase price of approximately $11,496,000, payable in cash, was equal to the approximate net book values of the assets sold as of October 3, 2009, the effective date of the sale, and the Company has recorded a loss of approximately $250,000 resulting primarily from transaction fees and other costs related to the sale. Divesting BU’s specialty chemicals business, which had annual sales of approximately $14,500,000, has freed up resources and working capital to allow further expansion into the Company’s metals businesses. BU along with Organic Pigment’s (“OP”) pigment dispersion business, which was sold on March 6, 2009 and had annual sales of approximately $7,000,000, were both physically located at the Spartanburg facility. OP completed all operating activities at the end of the third quarter. As a result, these operations, which were previously included in the Specialty Chemicals Segment, are being reported as discontinued operations.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $48,000 or two percent of sales in 2009 compared to the 2008 amount, and increased to eight percent of sales in 2008 from seven percent of sales in 2008. The increase resulted primarily from increased management incentives, which are based on profits.
 
 
Unallocated Income and Expense
 
Reference should be made to Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for the schedule that includes these items.
 
 
Comparison of 2010 to 2009 – Corporate
 
Corporate expense decreased $467,000, or 23 percent, to $1,541,000, or one percent of sales, for 2010, compared to $2,008,000, or two percent of sales, in 2009. The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in environmental expenses that were eliminated by the sale of BU at the end of the third quarter of 2009. There was
 
 
 
19

 
no environmental expense during 2010, compared to $343,000 in 2009. The remainder of the decrease resulted from lower performance based bonuses for 2010.  Higher bonuses were awarded in 2009 due to the Ram-Fab acquisition and BU / OP disposition.  Interest expense in 2010 decreased $165,000 from 2009 as a result of lower outstanding debt balances during 2010 compared to 2009. Other expense for the prior year reflects a $150,000 medical settlement with a former employee of the Company’s Augusta, Georgia chemical operation which was closed in 2001. No similar charge occurred in the current year.
 
 
Comparison of 2009 to 2008 – Corporate
 
Unallocated corporate expenses in the fourth quarter of 2009 include a $106,000 favorable adjustment from the reversal of accrued environmental remediation liabilities on projects at the Company’s Spartanburg location that were completed in the quarter. In addition, corporate expenses in the quarter were favorably impacted by reduced quarterly environmental charges of approximately $100,000 that were eliminated by the sale of BU at the end of the third quarter of 2009. Unallocated Corporate Expenses for the year and fourth quarter also declined over last year’s totals for the same periods as a result of no management incentive in 2009, which is based on profits.
 
Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
 
As of January 1, 2011, the Company’s contractual obligations and other commitments were as follows:
 
 (Amounts in thousands)
       
Payment Obligations for the Year Ended
 
   
Total
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
   
Thereafter
 
Obligations:
                                         
  Revolving credit facility
  $ 219     $ -     $ -     $ 219     $ -     $ -     $ -  
   Interest payments
    20       8       8       4       -       -       -  
  Operating leases
    93       56       14       10       7       6       -  
  Purchase obligations
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Deferred compensation (1)
    471       73       83       83       83       83       66  
Total
  $ 803     $ 137     $ 105     $ 316     $ 90     $ 89     $ 66  
 
(1) For a description of the deferred compensation obligation, see Note F to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in
 
Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
                                                 
 
Current Conditions and Outlook
 
Management is very pleased with achieving substantial increases in sales and profits in both our segments during a period of slow economic activity. The Metals Segment's business is highly dependent on its customers' capital expenditures which have been significantly impacted by economic conditions. Stainless steel surcharges, which affect our costs of raw materials and selling prices, have increased consistently through June 2010, dropped slightly for the third quarter but increased during the fourth quarter of 2010 and are projected to increase for the first quarter of 2011. While the project and specialty products activities have been soft, there is some recent increase in these sectors. We believe we are the largest and most capable domestic producer of non-commodity stainless steel pipe and an effective producer of commodity stainless steel pipe which should serve us well in the long run. We also continue to be optimistic about the piping systems business over the long term. Approximately 90 percent of the piping systems backlog comes from paper, water and wastewater treatment projects. Piping systems' backlog was $25,300,000 at January 1, 2011 compared to $44,300,000 at the end of 2009. We estimate that approximately 80 percent of the backlog should be completed over the next 12 months.
 
The higher sales levels the Specialty Chemicals Segments experienced during 2010 should continue into 2011. Business conditions continue to be strong in our markets. Management will continue to monitor raw material cost increases and control spending in order to minimize their effect on Segment profitability.
 
 
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks
 
The Company is exposed to market risks from adverse changes in interest rates. Changes in U. S. interest rates affect the interest earned on the Company's cash and cash equivalents as well as interest paid on its indebtedness. Except as described below, the Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does it hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of its borrowing activities used to maintain liquidity and fund business operations.
 
 
 
20

 
Fair value of the Company's debt obligations, which approximated the recorded value, consisted of:
 
At January 1, 2011
 
$219,000 under a $20,000,000 revolving line of credit expiring on June 30, 2013 with a variable interest rate of 1.76 percent.
 
 
At January 2, 2010
 
The Company had no outstanding bank indebtedness
 
 
Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
The Company’s consolidated financial statements, related notes, report of management and report of the independent registered public accounting firm follow on subsequent pages of this report.
 

 
21

 

 

 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
       
Years ended January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010
       
     2010  
2009
 
 
Assets
       
Current assets
       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 108,902     $ 14,096,557  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
       
accounts of $435,000 and $355,000, respectively
    19,972,900       14,041,130  
Inventories
       
Raw materials
    12,660,670       8,639,078  
Work-in-process
    9,571,811       8,418,840  
Finished goods
    12,120,276       8,446,406  
Total inventories
    34,352,757       25,504,324  
Deferred income taxes
    2,257,000       1,702,000  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    814,185       1,556,423  
Total current assets
    57,505,744       56,900,434  
         
Cash value of life insurance
    3,029,566       2,959,637  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    18,191,947       15,796,882  
Goodwill
    2,354,730       2,354,730  
Deferred charges, net and other non-current assets
    293,372       240,000  
         
Total assets
  $ 81,375,359     $ 78,251,683  
         
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
       
Current liabilities
       
Accounts payable
  $ 10,674,077     $ 6,581,631  
Accrued expenses
    3,306,291       5,820,748  
Current portion of environmental reserves
    293,456       375,000  
Total current liabilities
    14,273,824       12,777,379  
         
Long-term debt
    219,275       -  
Environmental reserves
    643,000       750,000  
Deferred compensation
    302,159       380,562  
Deferred income taxes
    2,062,000       1,623,000  
         
Shareholders' equity
       
Common stock, par value $1 per share - authorized
       
12,000,000 shares; issued 8,000,000 shares
    8,000,000       8,000,000  
Capital in excess of par value
    942,707       856,021  
Retained earnings
    69,981,395       69,113,403  
      78,924,102       77,969,424  
Less cost of common stock in treasury: 1,710,591 and
       
1,733,424 shares, respectively
    15,049,001       15,248,682  
Total shareholders' equity
    63,875,101       62,720,742  
Commitments and contingencies – See Note K                
         
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 81,375,359     $ 78,251,683  
         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
       
 
 
22

 
 Consolidated Statements of Operations                        
 Years ended January 1, 2011, January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009                        
      2010        2009        2008   
                         
Net sales
  $ 151,120,668     $ 103,639,587     $ 167,268,987  
                         
Cost of sales
    135,204,721       94,150,808       148,717,173  
                         
Gross profit
    15,915,947       9,488,779       18,551,814  
                         
Selling, general and administrative expense
    9,723,590       8,786,544       9,729,026  
                         
Operating income
    6,192,357       702,235       8,822,788  
                         
 Other (income) and expense                        
  Interest expense
    54,240       350,400       684,943  
  Change in fair value of interest rate swap
    -       (131,000 )     181,000  
  Other, net
    (11,706 )     131,210       (256 )
                         
Income from continuing operations before income tax
    6,149,823       351,625       7,957,101  
Provision for income taxes
    2,116,000       133,000       2,326,000  
                         
Net income from continuing operations
    4,033,823       218,625       5,631,101  
                         
Income from discontinued operations before income tax
    -       36,891       521,591  
Provision for income taxes
    -       41,000       170,000  
                         
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations
    -       (4,109 )     351,591  
                         
Net income
  $ 4,033,823     $ 214,516     $ 5,982,692  

Net income (loss) per basic common share:
                       
    Continuing operations
   
$ 0.64
     
$  0.03
     
$  0.90
 
    Discontinued operations
   
-
     
( 0.00
 )    
0.06
 
    Net income
   
$ 0.64
     
$  0.03
     
$  0.96
 
                         
Net income (loss) per diluted common share:
                       
    Continuing operations
   
$ 0.64
     
$  0.03
     
$  0.90
 
    Discontinued operations
   
-
     
( 0.00
 )    
0.05
 
    Net income
   
$ 0.64
     
$  0.03
     
$  0.95
 
                         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                       


 
23

 


Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
             
                               
         
Capital in
         
Cost of Common
       
   
Common
   
Excess of
   
Retained
   
Stock in
       
   
Stock
   
Par Value
   
Earnings
   
Treasury
   
Total
 
 Balance at December 29, 2007
  $ 8,000,000     $ 532,860     $ 65,113,597     $ (15,506,175 )   $ 58,140,282  
                                         
 Net income
                    5,982,692               5,982,692  
    Payment of dividends, $.25
                                       
       per share
                    (1,566,294 )             (1,566,294 )
    Issuance of 9,229 shares
                                       
       of common stock
                                       
       from the treasury
            7,472               81,186       88,658  
    Stock options exercised
                                       
       for  1,000 shares, net
            (4,147 )             8,797       4,650  
    Employee stock option and
                                       
      grant compensation
            216,580                       216,580  
 Balance at January 3, 2009
    8,000,000       752,765       69,529,995       (15,416,192 )     62,866,568  
                                         
 Net income
                    214,516               214,516  
    Payment of dividends,
                                       
       $.10 per share
                    (631,108 )             (631,108 )
    Issuance of 19,042 shares
                                       
       of common stock
                                       
       from the treasury
            (106,219 )             167,510       61,291  
    Employee stock option
                                       
      and grant compensation
            209,475                       209,475  
 Balance at January 2, 2010
    8,000,000       856,021       69,113,403       (15,248,682 )     62,720,742  
                                         
 Net income
                    4,033,823               4,033,823  
    Payment of dividends,
                                       
       $.50 per share
                    (3,165,831 )             (3,165,831 )
    Issuance of 13,949 shares
                                       
       of common stock
                                       
       from the treasury
            (55,220 )             122,707       67,487  
    Stock options exercised
                                       
       for  8,884 shares, net
            (37,908 )             76,974       39,066  
    Employee stock option
                                       
      and grant compensation
            179,814                       179,814  
 Balance at January 1, 2011
  $ 8,000,000     $ 942,707     $ 69,981,395     $ (15,049,001 )   $ 63,875,101  
                           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                         


 
24

 


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                 
Years ended January 1, 2011, January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009
             
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Operating activities
                 
  Net income from continuing operations
  $ 4,033,823     $ 218,625     $ 5,631,101  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
                       
    (used in) provided by operating activities:
                       
      Depreciation expense
    2,631,785       2,331,531       2,046,592  
      Amortization of deferred charges
    10,680       70,535       35,256  
      Deferred income taxes
    (116,000 )     (100,000 )     832,051  
      Reduction in reserves for uncertain tax positions
    -       -       (199,000 )
      Provision for losses on accounts receivable
    62,617       497,576       106,265  
      Provision for losses on inventories
    1,356,057       (1,604,000 )     1,137,000  
      (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
    5,372       (4,973 )     20,536  
      Cash value of life insurance
    (69,929 )     (91,662 )     (62,475 )
      Environmental reserves
    (188,544 )     (239,000 )     316,629  
      Issuance of treasury stock for director fees
    67,487       75,010       74,970  
      Employee stock option and grant compensation
    179,814       209,475       216,580  
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
         Accounts receivable
    (5,994,387 )     4,313,283       (1,061,056 )
         Inventories
    (10,204,490 )     17,392,097       5,784,098  
         Other assets and liabilities
    (17,103 )     (618,415 )     (42,982 )
         Accounts payable
    4,092,446       (2,053,358 )     (3,498,443 )
         Accrued expenses
    (2,514,456 )     (748,568 )     (4,102,675 )
         Accrued income taxes
    616,885       254,403       (790,478 )
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operating activities
    (6,047,943 )     19,902,559       6,443,969  
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operating activities
    -       285,972       (504,026 )
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (6,047,943 )     20,188,531       5,939,943  
Investing activities
                       
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (5,095,254 )     (1,892,195 )     (3,058,727 )
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    63,032       1,162,119       -  
  Acquisition of Ram-Fab, Inc.
    -       (5,707,773 )     -  
Net cash used in continuing investing activities
    (5,032,222 )     (6,437,849 )     (3,058,727 )
  Sale of Blackman Uhler Specialties, LLC assets, net
    -       10,365,757       -  
  Sale of Organic Pigments, LLC assets, net
    -       1,441,006       -  
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    -       (501,346 )     (977,312 )
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued  investing activities
    -       11,305,417       (977,312 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (5,032,222 )     4,867,568       (4,036,039 )
Financing activities
                       
  Net borrowings from (payments on) long-term debt
    219,275       (10,425,649 )     (287,034 )
  Proceeds from exercised stock options
    39,066       -       4,650  
  Dividends paid
    (3,165,831 )     (631,108 )     (1,566,294 )
  Excess tax benefits from Stock Grant Plan
    -       -       13,720  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (2,907,490 )     (11,056,757 )     (1,834,958 )
  (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (13,987,655 )     13,999,342       68,946  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    14,096,557       97,215       28,269  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 108,902     $ 14,096,557     $ 97,215  
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                       
 

 
 
25

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
Note A Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Synalloy Corporation, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in 1958 as the successor to a chemical manufacturing business founded in 1945. Its charter is perpetual. The name was changed on July 31, 1967 from Blackman Uhler Industries, Inc. On June 3, 1988, the state of incorporation was changed from South Carolina to Delaware. The Company's executive offices are located at 775 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 102, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
 
The Company’s business is divided into two segments, the Metals Segment and the Specialty Chemicals Segment. The Metals Segment operates as Bristol Metals, LLC and Ram-Fab, LLC. Bristol manufactures pipe and fabricates piping systems from stainless steel and other alloys, and Ram-Fab fabricates piping systems from carbon, chrome, stainless steel and other alloys. The Specialty Chemicals Segment operates as Manufacturers Chemicals, LLC, produces specialty chemicals and dyes.
 
Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. The Metals Segment is comprised of two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Synalloy Metals, Inc. which owns 100 percent of Bristol Metals, LLC, located in Bristol, Tennessee; and Ram-Fab, LLC, located in Crossett, Arkansas. The Specialty Chemicals Segment consists of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company which owns 100 percent of Manufacturers Chemicals, LLC, located in Cleveland, Tennessee and Dalton, Georgia. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
 
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions, primarily for establishing reserves on accounts receivable, inventories and environmental issues, that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Accounting Period. The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending the Saturday nearest to December 31. Fiscal year 2010 ended on January 1, 2011 and fiscal year 2009 ended on January 2, 2010, both having 52 weeks.  Fiscal year 2008 ended on January 3, 2009, having 53 weeks.
 
 
Revenue Recognition. Revenue from product sales is recognized at the time ownership of goods transfers to the customer and the earnings process is complete. Shipping costs of approximately $2,669,000, $1,730,000 and $2,138,000 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are recorded in cost of goods sold.
 
Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and current market conditions. As of January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010, inventory has been reduced by $3,299,000 and $1,943,000, respectively, for obsolescence and market reserves.
 
Long-Lived Assets. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. Land improvements and buildings are depreciated over a range of ten to 40 years, and machinery, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over a range of three to 20 years.
 
The costs of software licenses are amortized over five years using the straight-line method. Debt expenses are amortized over the period of the underlying debt agreement using the straight-line method. Goodwill, representing intangibles arising from the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets of businesses acquired, is not amortized but is reviewed annually in the fourth quarter for impairment. Deferred charges represent other intangible assets that are amortized over their useful lives. Accumulated amortization of deferred charges totaled $10,680 as of January 1, 2011.There were no deferred charges as of January 2, 2010.
 
 
 
26

 
The Company continually reviews the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets. The Company also reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. When the future undiscounted cash flows of the operation to which the assets relate do not exceed the carrying value of the asset, the assets are written down to fair value.
 
Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits, trade accounts receivable and cash surrender value of life insurance. The Company maintains cash balances at financial institutions with strong credit ratings. Generally, amounts invested with financial institutions are in excess of FDIC insurance limits. Accounts receivable from the sale of products are recorded at net realizable value and the Company generally grants credit to customers on an unsecured basis. Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivables are due from companies located throughout the United States. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful collections and for disputed claims and quality issues. The allowance is based upon a review of outstanding receivables, historical collection information and existing economic conditions. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. Receivables are generally due within 30 to 45 days. Delinquent receivables are written off based on individual credit evaluations and specific circumstances of the customer. The cash surrender value of life insurance is the contractual amount on policies maintained with one insurance company. The Company performs a periodic evaluation of the relative credit standing of this company as it relates to the insurance industry.
 
Research and Development Expense. The Company incurred research and development expense of approximately $392,000, $289,000 and $348,000 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, cash surrender value of life insurance, investments and borrowings under the Company’s line of credit approximate their fair value.
 
Fair Value Disclosures. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The Company utilizes three levels of inputs when measuring fair value. Level-1 measurements utilize quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company does not currently have any Level-1 financial assets or liabilities.  Level-2 measurements utilize observable inputs other than Level-1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. The Company had a level-2 liability from its interest rate swap having a fair value of $376,000 at January 3, 2009, which was eliminated on December 7, 2009. Changes in its fair value were recorded in current liabilities with corresponding offsetting entries to other expense. The Company does not currently have any material Level-2 financial assets or liabilities.  Level-3 measurements utilize unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The Company does not currently have any material Level-3 financial assets or liabilities.
 
Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of filing this Form 10-K.

 
27

 


Note B Property, Plant and Equipment
 
 
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Land
  $ 451,523     $ 191,523  
Land improvements
    635,217       591,217  
Buildings
    11,938,434       9,282,636  
Machinery, fixtures and equipment
    42,366,519       41,615,632  
Construction-in-progress
    1,286,579       848,824  
      56,678,272       52,529,832  
Less accumulated depreciation
    38,486,325       36,732,950  
                 
Total property, plant and equipment
  $ 18,191,947     $ 15,796,882  
 
The Company recorded $2,632,000, $2,332,000 and $2,047,000 of depreciation expense in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
 
Note C Long-term Debt
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
$ 20,000,000 Revolving line of credit, due June 30, 2013
  $ 219,275     $ -  
$ 15,000,000 Revolving line of credit, terminated on June 30, 2010
    -       -  
$   7,000,000 Term loan, terminated on June 30, 2010
    -       -  
      219,275       -  
Less current installments
    -       -  
                 
Total long-term debt
  $ 219,275     $ -  
 
On June 30, 2010, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with a regional bank to provide a $20,000,000 line of credit that expires on June 30, 2013.  The Company’s previous debt facility, with a different lender, was to expire at the end of 2010.  Interest on the Credit Agreement is calculated using the One Month LIBOR Rate, plus a pre-defined spread, which is determined by the Company’s Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio. The interest rate at January 1, 2011 was 1.76 percent. Borrowings under the line of credit are limited to an amount equal to a borrowing base calculation that includes eligible accounts receivable, inventories and cash surrender value of the Company’s life insurance. Additionally, the credit facility requires an agreement not to pledge the fixed assets of the Company. As of January 1, 2011, the amount available for borrowing was $20,000,000 of which $219,000 was borrowed, leaving $19,781,000 of availability. Covenants under the agreement include maintaining a certain Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio, a minimum tangible net worth, and total liabilities to tangible net worth ratio. In addition, the Company is limited to a maximum amount of capital expenditures per year. At January 1, 2011, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants. Average borrowings outstanding during fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $1,079,000, $2,721,000 and $11,708,000 with weighted average interest rates of 1.82 percent, 1.95 percent and 4.37 percent, respectively. The Company made interest payments of $37,000 in 2010, $525,000 in 2009 and $ 706,000 in 2008. As of January 1, 2011, the Company had $219,000 borrowed against the line of credit.
 
On February 23, 2006, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract with its bank with a notional amount of $4,500,000 pursuant to which the Company received interest at Libor and paid interest at a fixed interest rate of 5.27 percent. The contract ran from March 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010, which equated to the final payment amount and due date of the term loan. The Company paid $245,000 in December of 2009 and eliminated the swap.
 

 
28

 


Note D Accrued Expenses
 
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Salaries, wages and commissions
  $ 1,151,210     $ 969,316  
Advances from customers
    676,729       2,355,639  
Insurance
    774,571       337,039  
Taxes, other than income taxes
    55,716       81,211  
Benefit plans
    159,783       161,343  
Interest
    13,014       6,870  
Professional fees
    141,750       113,400  
Utilities
    11,768       50,135  
Customer claim
    -       1,400,000  
Other accrued items
    249,062       345,795  
                 
Total accrued expenses
  $ 3,306,291     $ 5,820,748  
 
Note E Environmental Compliance Costs
 
At January 1, 2011, the Company had accrued $936,000 in remediation costs which, in management’s best estimate, are expected to satisfy anticipated costs of known remediation requirements as outlined below. Expenditures related to costs currently accrued are not discounted to their present values and are expected to be made over the next three to four years. As a result of the evolving nature of the environmental regulations, the difficulty in estimating the extent and remedy of environmental contamination, and the availability and application of technology, the estimated costs for future environmental compliance and remediation are subject to uncertainties and it is not possible to predict the amount or timing of future costs of environmental matters which may subsequently be determined.
 
Prior to 1987, the Company utilized certain products at its chemical facilities that are currently classified as hazardous materials. Testing of the groundwater in the areas of the former wastewater treatment impoundments at these facilities disclosed the presence of certain contaminants. In addition, several solid waste management units (“SWMUs”) at the plant sites have been identified. In 1998 the Company completed an RCRA Facility Investigation at its Spartanburg plant site, and based on the results, completed a Corrective Measures Study in 2000. A Corrective Measures Plan specifying remediation procedures to be performed was submitted in 2000 and the Company received regulatory approval. In prior years remediation projects were completed to clean up ten of 14 SWMUs on the Spartanburg plant site at a cost of approximately $530,000. The Company completed the cleanup of the remaining four SWMUs in the fourth quarter of 2009 for a cost of approximately $438,000 and is awaiting final regulatory approval. On October 2, 2009, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement and sold the Spartanburg facilities as discussed in Note Q. As part of the Agreement, the Company agreed to complete the SWMU cleanups described above and several unrelated cleanup projects at the site. The purchaser agreed to assume any future unidentified environmental liabilities at the site and pay all future annual monitoring and reporting costs required by the RCRA permit covering the site. The Company has completed all of the RCRA-Permit required cleanup projects.
 
At the former Augusta plant site, the Company submitted a Baseline Risk Assessment and Corrective Measures Plan for regulatory approval. A Closure and Post-Closure Care Plan was submitted and approved in 2001 for the closure of the surface impoundment (former regulated unit). The Company completed and certified closure of the surface impoundment during 2002. During 2005, the Company completed a preliminary analysis of remedial alternatives to eliminate direct contact with surface soils based on the Baseline Risk Assessment, and has accrued $861,000 at January 1, 2011, for estimated future remedial and cleanup costs. As part of Asset Purchase Agreement, the purchaser also agreed to pay for all future annual monitoring and reporting costs at the Augusta facility required by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
 
 
 
29

 
The Company has identified and evaluated two SWMUs at its plant in Bristol, Tennessee that revealed residual groundwater contamination. An Interim Corrective Measures Plan to address the final area of contamination identified was submitted for regulatory approval and was approved in March of 2005. The Company had $75,000 accrued at January 1, 2011, to provide for estimated future remedial and cleanup costs.
 
The Company has been designated, along with others, as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or comparable state statutes, at three waste disposal sites. Notifications were received by the Company in November 2007, February 2008 and September 13, 2010. It is impossible to determine the ultimate costs related to the three sites due to several factors such as the unknown possible magnitude of possible contamination, the unknown timing and extent of the corrective actions which may be required, and the determination of the Company’s liability in proportion to the other parties. At the present time, the Company does not have sufficient information to form an opinion as to whether it has any liability, or the amount of such liability, if any. However, it is reasonably possible that some liability exists.
 
The Company does not anticipate any insurance recoveries to offset the environmental remediation costs it has incurred. Due to the uncertainty regarding court and regulatory decisions, and possible future legislation or rulings regarding the environment, many insurers will not cover environmental impairment risks, particularly in the chemical industry. Hence, the Company has been unable to obtain this coverage at an affordable price.
 
 
Note F Deferred Compensation
 
The Company has deferred compensation agreements with certain former officers providing for payments for ten years in the event of pre-retirement death or the longer of ten years or life beginning at age 65. The present value of such vested future payments, $302,000 at January 1, 2011, has been accrued.
 

 
30

 


Note G Stock Options, Stock Grants and New Stock Issues
 
A summary of activity in the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
 
   
Weighted
         
Weighted
             
   
Average
         
Average
   
Intrinsic
       
   
Exercise
   
Options
   
Contractual
   
Value of
   
Options
 
   
Price
   
Outstanding
   
Term
   
Options
   
Available
 
               
(in years)
             
At December 29, 2007
  $ 8.51       130,743       4.6     $ 1,198,000       207,100  
  Exercised
  $ 4.65       (1,000 )           $ 8,550          
  Cancelled / Expired
  $ 13.63       (1,500 )                     (207,100 )
At January 3, 2009
  $ 8.48       128,243       3.7     $ 4,865       -  
  Cancelled / Expired
  $ 7.67       (45,250 )                        
At January 2, 2010
  $ 8.92       82,993       4.5     $ 76,923       -  
  Exercised
  $ 4.97       (9,900 )                        
  Cancelled / Expired
  $ 9.96       (29,093 )                        
At January 1, 2011
  $ 9.13       44,000       3.6     $ 131,670       -  
Exercisable options
  $ 9.13       44,000       3.6     $ 131,670          
                                         
                           
Grant Date
         
Options expected to vest:
                         
Fair Value
         
  At January 3, 2009
  $ 9.96       29,454       6.1     $ 6.77          
     Vested
  $ 9.96       (14,000 )                        
  At January 2, 2010
  $ 9.96       15,454       5.1     $ 6.77          
     Vested
  $ 9.96       (15,454 )                        
  At January 1, 2011
  $ -       -             $ -          
 
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at January 1, 2011:
 
       
Outstanding Stock Options
 
Exercisable Stock Options
         
Weighted Average
   
Weighted
           
Remaining
   
Average
 
Range of
     
Exercise
Contractual
   
Exercise
 Exercise Prices
 
 
Shares
Price
Life in Years
 
Shares
Price
$   5.01
     
1,500
$   5.01
0.31
 
1,500
$   5.01
$   4.65
     
5,500
$   4.65
1.30
 
5,500
$   4.65
$   9.96
     
37,000
$   9.96
4.08
 
37,000
$   9.96
       
    44,000
     
     44,000
 
 
The Company had two stock option plans, neither of which have options available for future issuance after April 30, 2008. Under the 1998 Plan covering officers and key employees, options may be exercised beginning one year after date of grant at a rate of 20 percent annually on a cumulative basis, and unexercised options expire ten years from the grant date. Under the 1994 Non-Employee Directors’ Plan, options were exercisable at the date of grant. Shares issued under both stock option plans come from shares held in Treasury. The 1998 Plan is an incentive stock option plan, therefore there are no income tax consequences to the Company when an option is granted or exercised. No options were exercised in 2009. In 2010 and 2008, options for 9,900 and 1,000 shares
 
 
 
31

 
were exercised by employees and directors for an aggregate exercise price of $49,000 and $5,000 respectively. The proceeds were generated from cash received of $39,000 and from the repurchase of 1,016 shares from employees and directors totaling $10,000 in 2010 and from cash received of $5,000 in 2008. At the 2010, 2009 and 2008 respective year ends, options to purchase 44,000, 67,539 and 98,789 shares with weighted average exercise prices of $9.13, $8.69 and $8.04, respectively, were fully exercisable. Compensation cost charged against income before taxes for the options was approximately $7,000 for 2010 and $76,000, or $0.01 per share, for 2009 and 2008. As of January 1, 2011, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the Company's stock option plans.
 
The Company has a Stock Awards Plan in effect at January 1, 2011. A summary of plan activity for 2008, 2009 and 2010 is as follows:
 
         
Weighted Average
 
   
Shares
   
Grant Date Fair Value
 
             
Outstanding at December 29, 2007
    22,180     $ 25.00  
    Granted February 12, 2008
    11,480     $ 16.35  
    Vested
    (4,436 )   $ 25.00  
    Forfeited or expired
    (3,980 )   $ 21.48  
Outstanding at January 3, 2009
    25,244     $ 21.62  
    Granted February 12, 2009
    5,500     $ 5.22  
    Vested
    (6,382 )   $ 21.97  
    Forfeited or expired
    (1,228 )   $ 21.76  
Outstanding at January 2, 2010
    23,134     $ 17.62  
    Granted February 24, 2010
    51,500     $ 7.88  
    Vested
    (7,059 )   $ 19.30  
    Forfeited or expired
    (19,235 )   $ 8.89  
Outstanding at January 1, 2011
    48,340     $ 10.47  
 

The Compensation & Long-Term Incentive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approves stock grants under the Company’s 2005 Stock Awards Plan to certain management employees of the Company. The stock awards vest in 20 percent increments annually on a cumulative basis, beginning one year after the date of grant from shares held in Treasury. In order for the awards to vest, the employee must be in the continuous employment of the Company since the date of the award. Any portion of an award that has not vested is forfeited upon termination of employment. The Company may terminate any portion of the award that has not vested upon an employee’s failure to comply with all conditions of the award or the Plan. Shares representing awards that have not yet vested are held in escrow by the Company. An employee is not entitled to any voting rights with respect to any shares not yet vested, and the shares are not transferable. Compensation expense totaling $406,000, $29,000 and $188,000 on the grants issued in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, is being charged against earnings equally net of forfeitures, if any, over a period of 60 months from the dates of the grants, with the offset recorded in Shareholders’ Equity. Compensation cost charged against income for the awards was approximately $174,000, $110,000 net of income taxes, or $0.02 per share for 2010, $134,000, $85,000 net of income taxes, or $.01 per share, for 2009 and $141,000, $90,000 net of income taxes, or $.01 per share in 2008. As of January 1, 2011, there was $362,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock grants under the 2005 Stock Awards Plan.
 
On April 24, 2010, the Company issued to each of its non-employee directors 1,531 shares of its common stock from shares held in Treasury (an aggregate of 7,655 shares). The Company issued 2,532 shares and 959 shares to non-employee directors in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Such shares were issued to the directors in lieu of $15,000 of their annual cash retainer fees.  During 2010, a non-employee Director resigned from the Board of Directors resulting in the forfeiture of 765 shares.
 

 
32

 

 

Note H Income Taxes
 
 
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows at the respective year ends:
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Deferred tax assets:
           
  Inventory valuation reserves
  $ 1,181     $ 682  
  Allowance for doubtful accounts
    166       171  
  Inventory capitalization
    1,039       922  
  Environmental reserves
    335       419  
  Other
    212       318  
      Total deferred tax assets
    2,933       2,512  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
  Tax over book depreciation and amortization
    2,555       2,183  
  Prepaid expenses
    183       250  
      Total deferred tax liabilities
    2,738       2,433  
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 195     $ 79  
 
Significant components of the provision for and (benefits from) income taxes for continuing operations are as follows:
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Current:
                 
  Federal
  $ 2,039     $ 100     $ 1,509  
  State
    193       133       236  
      Total current
    2,232       233       1,745  
Deferred:
                       
  Federal
    (148 )     (16 )     578  
  State
    32       (84 )     3  
      Total deferred
    (116 )     (100 )     581  
Total
  $ 2,116     $ 133     $ 2,326  
 
The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U. S. federal statutory tax rates to income tax expense for continuing operations is:
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
                                     
Tax at U.S. statutory rates
  $ 2,091       34.0 %   $ 120       34.0 %   $ 2,705       34.0 %
State income taxes, net of
                                               
    Federal tax benefit
    148       2.4 %     14       4.0 %     158       2.0 %
Changes in contingent
                                               
    tax reserves
    -       -       -       -       (199 )     (2.5 %)
Manufacturing exemption
    (160 )     (2.6 %)     -       -       (123 )     (1.6 %)
General business credit
    -       -       -       -       (46 )     (.6 %)
Other, net
    37       0.6 %     (1 )     (0.1 %)     (169 )     (2.1 %)
Total
  $ 2,116       34.4 %   $ 133       37.9 %   $ 2,326       29.2 %
 
 
 
33

 
 
Income tax payments of approximately $1,659,000, $2,039,000 and $2,646,000 were made in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company had South Carolina state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $40,614,000 at January 1, 2011, which expire between the years 2017 to 2029, and $38,649,000 at January 2, 2010. Since the likelihood of recognizing these carryforwards is remote, they have been fully reserved in the financial statements.
 
During 2008, the Company favorably resolved all of the accrued uncertain tax positions, recognizing benefits of $199,000. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2007 and substantially all material state and local income tax matters for years through 2005. The Company’s federal income tax return for 2007 was examined by the Internal Revenue Service in 2009 and federal income tax and interest liabilities resulting from this examination were not material. The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accruals for uncertain tax positions including interest and penalties at the end of 2010 or 2009.
 
 
Note I Benefit Plans and Collective Bargaining Agreements
 
The Company has a 401(k) Employee Stock Ownership Plan covering all non-union employees. Employees may contribute to the Plan up to 100 percent of their salary with a maximum of $16,500 for 2010. Under EGTRRA, employees who are age 50 or older may contribute an additional $5,500 per year for a maximum of $22,000 for 2010. Contributions by the employees are invested in one or more funds at the direction of the employee; however, employee contributions cannot be invested in Company stock. Contributions by the Company are made in cash and then used by the Plan Trustee to purchase Synalloy stock. The Company contributes on behalf of each eligible participant a matching contribution equal to a percentage which is determined each year by the Board of Directors. For 2010, 2009 and 2008 the maximum was four percent. The matching contribution is allocated weekly. Matching contributions of approximately $364,000, $330,000 and $341,000 were made for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company may also make a discretionary contribution, which if made, would be distributed to all eligible participants regardless of whether they contribute to the Plan. No discretionary contributions were made to the Plan in 2010, 2009 or 2008. The Company also contributes to union-sponsored defined contribution retirement plans. Contributions relating to these plans were approximately $607,000, $474,000 and $694,000 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The Company has three collective bargaining agreements at its Bristol, Tennessee facility. The number of employees of the Company represented by these unions is 231, or 52 percent of the Company’s total employees. They are represented by two locals affiliated with the AFL-CIO and one local affiliated with the Teamsters. The Company considers relationships with its union employees to be satisfactory. Collective bargaining contracts will expire in January 2015, February 2014 and March 2015.
 
 
Note J Leases
 
The Company’s Specialty Chemicals Segment leases a warehouse facility in Dalton Georgia, and in addition, the Company leases various manufacturing and office equipment at each of its locations, all under operating leases. The amount of future minimum lease payments under the operating leases are as follows: 2011 - $56,000; 2012 - $14,000; 2013 - $10,000; 2014 - $7,000 and 2015 - $6,000. Rent expense related to operating leases was $257,000, $202,000 and $ 88,000 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company does not have any leases that are classified as capital leases for any of the periods presented in the financial statements.
 
 
Note K Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is from time-to-time subject to various claims, other possible legal actions for product liability and other damages, and other matters arising out of the normal conduct of the Company’s business.  A Metals Segment customer alleged that the Segment delivered defective pipe in 2006 which the customer removed and replaced. Representatives from both Companies met in May 2010 and on May 12, 2010 agreed to settle this claim for a cash payment of $1,900,000. The Company expensed $1,100,000 for this claim in 2009 and had a $1,400,000 reserve at the end of 2009. An additional $500,000 was expensed for the claim in 2010. There were no other claims expense recorded in 2010. Other than the environmental contingencies discussed in Note E,
 
 
 
34

 
management is not currently aware of any other asserted or unasserted matters which could have a significant effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
 
 
Note L Earnings Per Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations:
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Numerator:
                 
  Net income from continuing operations
  $ 4,033,823     $ 218,625     $ 5,631,101  
Denominator:
                       
  Denominator for basic earnings per
                       
    share - weighted average shares
    6,282,497       6,261,805       6,245,344  
  Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
    Employee stock options and stock grants
    26,701       7,625       35,780  
  Denominator for diluted earnings per
                       
    share - weighted average shares
    6,309,198       6,269,430       6,281,124  
                         
Income per share from continuing operations:
                       
    Basic
  $ 0.64     $ 0.03     $ 0.90  
    Diluted
  $ 0.64     $ 0.03     $ 0.90  
 
The diluted earnings per share calculations exclude the effect of potentially dilutive shares when the inclusion of those shares in the calculation would have an anti-dilutive effect. The Company had 63,184, 98,502 and 117,707 weighted average shares of common stock in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation as their effect was anti-dilutive.
 
 
Note M Industry Segments
 
The Company operates in two principal industry segments: metals and specialty chemicals. The Company identifies such segments based on products and services. The Metals Segment consists of Synalloy Metals, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary which owns 100 percent of Bristol Metals, LLC, and Ram-Fab, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Metals Segment manufactures pipe from stainless steel and other alloys and fabricates piping systems from carbon, chrome, stainless steel and other alloys. The Segment’s products, many of which are custom-produced to individual orders and required for corrosive and high-purity processes, are used principally by the chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, power generation (including nuclear), water and wastewater treatment, liquid natural gas, brewery, food processing, petroleum, pharmaceutical and other industries. Products include pipe, piping systems and a variety of other components. The Specialty Chemicals Segment consists of Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which owns 100 percent of Manufacturers Chemicals, LLC. The Specialty Chemicals Segment manufactures a wide variety of specialty chemicals and dyes for the carpet, chemical, paper, metals, mining, agricultural, fiber, paint, textile, automotive, petroleum, cosmetics, mattress, furniture, janitorial and other industries.
 
Segment operating income is the Segment’s total revenue less operating expenses, excluding interest expense and income taxes. Identifiable assets, all of which are located in the United States, are those assets used in operations by each Segment. The Metals Segment’s identifiable assets include goodwill of $1,000,000 as of the years ended 2010 and 2009, and the Chemicals Segment’s identifiable assets include goodwill of $1,355,000 as of the years ended 2010 and 2009. Centralized data processing and accounting expenses are allocated to the two Segments based upon estimates of their percentage of usage. Unallocated corporate expenses include environmental charges of $343,000 and $647,000 for 2009 and 2008 respectively. There were no environmental charges during 2010.  Corporate assets consist principally of cash, certain investments, and equipment.
 
The Metals Segment has one domestic customer that accounted for approximately eleven percent of the Metals Segment’s revenues in 2010 and 2008, respectively, and less than ten percent for 2009. The Segment also has
 
 
 
35

 
one other domestic customer that was less than ten percent of the Segment’s revenues in 2010 but accounted for approximately ten and twelve percent in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Loss of either of these customers’ revenues would have a material adverse effect on both the Metals Segment and the Company. The Specialty Chemicals Segment has one domestic customer that accounted for approximately 24, 24 and 20 percent of the Segment’s revenues in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Loss of this customer’s revenues would have a material adverse effect on the Specialty Chemicals Segment and the Company.
 
In order to establish stronger business relationships, the Metals Segment uses only a few raw material suppliers. Five suppliers furnish about 84 percent of total dollar purchases of raw materials, with one supplier totaling about 49 percent. However, the Company does not believe that the loss of any of these suppliers would have a materially adverse effect on the Company as raw materials are readily available from a number of different sources, and the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its requirements. For the Specialty Chemicals Segment, most raw materials are generally available from numerous independent suppliers and about 30 percent of total purchases are from its top five suppliers. While some raw material needs are met by a sole supplier or only a few suppliers, the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its raw material requirements.
 
 
Segment Information:
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net sales
                 
   Metals Segment
  $ 108,544     $ 70,891     $ 131,877  
   Specialty Chemicals Segment
    42,577       32,749       35,392  
    $ 151,121     $ 103,640     $ 167,269  
Operating income (loss)
                       
   Metals Segment
  $ 3,774     $ (12 )   $ 9,326  
   Specialty Chemicals Segment
    3,960       2,722       1,990  
      7,734       2,710       11,316  
Less unallocated corporate expenses
    1,541       2,008       2,493  
      Operating income
    6,193       702       8,823  
Other expense, net
    43       350       866  
      Pretax income from continuing operations
  $ 6,150     $ 352     $ 7,957  
                         
Identifiable assets
                       
   Metals Segment
  $ 56,622     $ 41,757          
   Specialty Chemicals Segment
    17,910       15,359          
   Corporate
    6,843       21,136          
    $ 81,375     $ 78,252          
Depreciation and amortization
                       
   Metals Segment
  $ 2,067     $ 1,805     $ 1,605  
   Specialty Chemicals Segment
    416       382       344  
   Corporate
    159       215       133  
    $ 2,642     $ 2,402     $ 2,082  
Capital expenditures
                       
   Metals Segment
  $ 3,995     $ 1,416     $ 2,472  
   Specialty Chemicals Segment
    1,035       396       475  
   Corporate
    65       80       112  
    $ 5,095     $ 1,892     $ 3,059  
Geographic sales
                       
   United States
  $ 144,340     $ 101,814     $ 162,952  
   Elsewhere
    6,781       1,826       4,317  
    $ 151,121     $ 103,640     $ 167,269  
 
 
 
 
36

 
Note N Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
 
 
The following is a summary of continuing quarterly operations for 2010 and 2009:
 
(Amounts in thousands except for per share data)
   
First
   
Second
   
Third
   
Fourth
 
     
Quarter
   
Quarter
   
Quarter
   
Quarter
 
2010
                         
Net sales
    $ 35,201     $ 36,349     $ 41,932     $ 37,639  
Gross profit
      2,750       4,210       4,620       4,336  
Net  income
`
    82       1,078       1,412       1,462  
  Per common share
                                 
    Basic
      0.01       0.17       0.22       0.23  
    Diluted
      0.01       0.17       0.22       0.23  
                                   
2009
                                 
Net sales
    $ 30,393     $ 21,692     $ 25,712     $ 25,843  
Gross profit
      2,916       1,984       3,022       1,567  
Net  income (loss)
      340       (259 )     281       (143 )
  Per common share
                                 
    Basic
      0.05       (0.04 )     0.04       (0.02 )
    Diluted
      0.05       (0.04 )     0.04       (0.02 )
 
Note O Interest Rate Swap
 
The Company used an interest rate swap in which it paid a fixed rate of interest while receiving a variable rate of interest to change the cash flow profile of its variable-rate borrowing to match a fixed rate profile. As discussed in Note C, in 2006, the Company entered into a long-term debt agreement with its bank and paid interest based on a variable interest rate. To mitigate the variability of the interest rate risk, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract in February of 2006 with the bank, coupled with a third party who paid a variable rate of interest. The interest rate swap had a notional amount of $4,500,000 pursuant to which the Company received interest at LIBOR and paid interest at a fixed interest rate of 5.27 percent, and ran from March 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010, which equated to the final payment amount and due date of the term loan. Although the swap was expected to effectively offset variable interest in the borrowing, hedge accounting was not utilized. Therefore, changes in its fair value were recorded in current assets or liabilities, as appropriate, with corresponding offsetting entries to other expense. The swap liability was settled in December 2009 with a $245,000 payment and the contract was terminated.
 
 
Note P Purchase of Ram-Fab, Inc.
 
On August 31, 2009, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Ram-Fab, Inc. to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of its business for a purchase price of $5,708,000. Ram-Fab, Inc. is a pipe fabricator located in Crossett, Arkansas. The acquisition was for cash and was paid from currently available funds. The purchase price of Ram-Fab, Inc. has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed according to their estimated fair values at the time of acquisition.  This allocation included accounts receivable of $1,093,000, inventories of $2,334,000, other assets of $33,000, machinery and equipment of $1,707,000, tax-deductible goodwill of $1,000,000, and current liabilities of $459,000. The Company also entered into a Lease Agreement to lease Ram-Fab, Inc.’s property and plant buildings with an option to purchase the property and plant buildings for a purchase price of approximately $2,000,000 on or before June 1, 2010. The Company exercised the option and purchased the property and plant on June 1, 2010. Ram-Fab, Inc. had annual sales of approximately $18,000,000 over the 12 months prior to the acquisition date and was profitable. Historically, its primary business was to fabricate both carbon and stainless piping systems. Management’s focus is to expand the carbon fabrication business which is a product line that is strategically important for future growth. Goodwill represents expected synergies as the carbon business will complement our stainless steel piping systems’ operations generating new opportunities for stainless steel piping systems since many projects require that
 
 
 
37

 
 
bidders quote both carbon and stainless steel fabrication. This business operates as Ram-Fab, LLC and has been assigned to our Metals Segment.
 
 
Note Q Asset Sale of Certain Specialty Chemicals Segment’s Assets and Discontinued Operations
 
On October 2, 2009, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with SantoLubes Manufacturing, LLC (“SM”) to sell the specialty chemical business of Blackman Uhler Specialties, LLC (“BU”) for a purchase price of $10,366,000, along with certain property, plant and equipment held by Synalloy Corporation for a purchase price of $1,130,000, all located at the Spartanburg, SC location. The purchase price of approximately $11,496,000, paid in cash, was equal to the approximate net book values of the assets sold as of October 3, 2009, the effective date of the sale, and the Company recorded a loss of approximately $250,000 resulting primarily from transaction fees and other costs related to the transaction. Divesting BU’s specialty chemicals business freed up resources and working capital to allow further expansion into the Company’s metals businesses. The Company entered into a lease agreement with SM to lease office space in Spartanburg for corporate operations and has also entered into an outsourcing agreement with SM to provide SM with certain accounting and administration functions. BU, along with Organic Pigment, LLC’s pigment dispersion business (“OP”), which was sold on March 6, 2009, were both physically located at the Spartanburg facility. OP completed all operating activities at the end of the third quarter. As a result, these two operations, which were included in the Specialty Chemicals Segment, are being reported as discontinued operations. Sales of the two businesses totaled $3,967,000 and $6,486,000 for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $13,042,000 and $19,204,000 for the nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company has reclassified the operations of these disposed businesses to reflect discontinued operations in the financial statements for each of the years presented.
 
 
Note R Subsequent Events
 
On January 21, 2011, the Board of Directors appointed Craig C. Bram to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company to be effective January 24, 2011. As a condition of his employment, on January 24, 2011 the Board granted Mr. Bram a 100,000 share stock option at $11.55 per share under a Stock Option Plan approved by the Board and subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders. Simultaneously, Mr. Bram was also granted 13,420 shares of restricted stock under the Company’s 2005 Stock Awards Plan.
 
February 9, 2011, the Compensation & Long-Term Incentive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved stock grants under the Company’s 2005 Stock Awards Plan. On February 9, 2011, 13,300 shares, with a market price of $13.34 per share, were granted under the Plan to certain management employees of the Company. The stock awards will vest in 20 percent increments annually on a cumulative basis, beginning one year after the date of grant. In order for the awards to vest, the employee must be in the continuous employment of the Company since the date of the award. Any portion of an award that has not vested will be forfeited upon termination of employment. The Company may terminate any portion of the award that has not vested upon an employee’s failure to comply with all conditions of the award or the Plan. Shares representing awards that have not yet vested will be held in escrow by the Company. An employee will not be entitled to any voting rights with respect to any shares not yet vested, and the shares are not transferable. Compensation expense totaling $177,000, before income taxes of approximately $65,000, will be recorded against earnings equally over the following 60 months from the date of grant with the offset recorded in Shareholders’ Equity.
 
 

 

 
38

 


Report of Management
 
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the financial statements for the years ended January 1, 2011, January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009 have been audited by Dixon Hughes PLLC, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Management of the Company assumes responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of the financial statements. In discharging such responsibility, management has established certain standards which are subject to continuous review and are monitored through the Company's financial management. The Board of Directors pursues its oversight role for the financial statements through its Audit Committee which consists of independent directors. The Audit Committee meets on a regular basis with representatives of management and Dixon Hughes PLLC.
 
 
Management’s Annual Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management of the Company is responsible for preparing the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company.  Management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2011 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on this assessment, management believes that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2011 was effective.
 

 
39

 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Synalloy Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Synalloy Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 1, 2011. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)2 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and schedule. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Synalloy Corporation and subsidiaries as of January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 1, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We were not engaged to examine management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2011, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, referred to in Item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon.

Dixon Hughes Logo

Dixon Hughes PLLC
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
March 25, 2011
 

 
40

 


 
 
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None
 
 
Item 9A Controls and Procedures
 
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Based on the evaluation required by 17 C.F.R. Section 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b) of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in 17 C.F.R. Sections 240.13a-15(e) and 240.15d-15(e)), the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that such controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, were effective.
 
 
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting is set forth at the conclusion of the Company’s consolidated statements set forth in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Item 9B Other Information
 
Not applicable
 
 
PART III
 
Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information set forth under the captions "Election of Directors," "Executive Officers," and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the Company's definitive proxy statement to be used in connection with its Annual Meeting of Shareholder to be held April 28, 2011 (the "Proxy Statement") is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Code of Ethics. The Company's Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and corporate and divisional controllers. The Code of Ethics is available on the Company's website at: www.synalloy.com. Any amendment to, or waiver from, this Code of Ethics will be posted on the Company's internet site.
 
Audit Committee. The Company has a separately designated standing Audit Committee of the Board of Directors established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee are Carroll D. Vinson, Murray H. Wright and Sibyl N. Fishburn.
 
Audit Committee Financial Expert. The Company's Board of Directors has determined that the Company has at least one "audit committee financial expert," as that term is defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, serving on its Audit Committee. Mr. Carroll D. Vinson meets the terms of the definition and is independent, as independence is defined for audit committee members in the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market. Pursuant to the terms of Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K, a person who is determined to be an "audit committee financial expert" will not be deemed an expert for any purpose as a result of being designated or identified as an "audit committee financial expert" pursuant to Item 407(d), and such designation or identification does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and Board of Directors in the absence of such designation or identification. Further, the designation or identification of a person
 
 
 
41

 
as an "audit committee financial expert" pursuant to Item 407(d) does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or Board of Directors.
 
 
Item 11 Executive Compensation
 
The information set forth under the captions “Board of Directors and Committees - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Discussion of Executive Compensation,” and "Compensation of Directors and Officers" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information set forth under the captions "Beneficial Owners of More Than Five Percent of the Company's Common Stock" and "Security Ownership of Management" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information. The following table sets forth aggregated information as of January 1, 2011 about all of the Company's equity compensation plans.
 
 
 
 
Plan Category
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)
   
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)
   
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (1)
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans  approved by security holders
    44,000     $ 9.13       232,500  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    -       -       -  
Total
    44,000     $ 9.13       232,500  
 
(1)  
Represents shares remaining available for issuance under the 2005 Stock Awards Plan.
 
 
Non-employee directors are paid an annual retainer of $35,000, and each director has the opportunity to elect to receive $15,000 of the retainer in restricted stock. For 2010, each director elected to receive $15,000 of the annual retainer in restricted stock. The number of restricted shares is determined by the average of the high and low stock price on the day prior to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. For 2010, each non-employee director received 1,531 shares of restricted stock (an aggregate of 7,655 shares). Issuance of the shares granted to the directors is not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and the shares are subject to forfeiture in whole or in part upon the occurrence of certain events. During 2010, a non-employee director resigned from the Board of Directors resulting in the forfeiture of 765 shares. The above table does not reflect these shares issued to non-employee directors.
 
 
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
 
The information set forth under the captions “Board of Directors and Committees – Related Party Transactions” and “– Director Independence” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated therein by reference.
 
 
Item 14 Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The information set forth under the captions "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "– Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
 

 
42

 


PART IV
 
Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a)
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
 
 
1.
Financial Statements: The following consolidated financial statements of Synalloy Corporation are included in Part II, Item 8:
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended January 1, 2011, January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009
   
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended January 1, 2011, January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended January 1, 2011, January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
2.
Financial Statements Schedules: The following consolidated financial statements schedule of Synalloy Corporation is included in Item 15:
   
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended January 1, 2011, January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009
   
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
 
3.
Listing of Exhibits:
   
See "Exhibit Index"
 
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
Column A
 
Column B
   
Column C
   
Column D
   
Column E
 
   
Balance at
   
Charged to
         
Balance at
 
   
Beginning
   
Cost and
   
Deductions
   
End of
 
Description
 
of Period
   
Expenses
        (1)  
Period
 
Year ended January 1, 2011
                         
Deducted from asset account:
                         
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 355,000     $ 85,000     $ 5,000     $ 435,000  
                                 
Year ended January 2, 2010
                               
Deducted from asset account:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 816,000     $ 498,000     $ 959,000     $ 355,000  
                                 
Year ended January 3, 2009
                               
Deducted from asset account:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 1,004,000     $ 106,000     $ 294,000     $ 816,000  
                                 
(1) Allowances, uncollected accounts and credit balances written off against reserve, net of recoveries.
 

 
43

 

Signatures
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
By /s/ Craig C. Bram
Craig C. Bram
Chief Executive Officer
 
March 25, 2011
Date
By /s/ Richard D. Sieradzki
Richard D. Sieradzki
Chief Financial Officer and
 Principal Accounting Officer
March 25, 2011
Date
 
 
 
 
SYNALLOY CORPORATION
Registrant
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
By /s/ James G. Lane, Jr.
James G. Lane, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
 
March 25, 2011
Date
By /s/ Sibyl N. Fishburn
Sibyl N. Fishburn
Director
 
March 25, 2011
Date
By /s/ Carroll D. Vinson
Carroll D. Vinson
Director
 
March 25, 2011
Date
By /s/ Murray H. Wright
Murray H. Wright
Director
March 25, 2011
Date
 
By /s/ Ronald H. Braam
Ronald H. Braam
Director
 
March 25, 2011
Date
By /s/ Craig C. Bram
Craig C. Bram
Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
March 25, 2011
Date
 

 

 
44

 

Index to Exhibits
Exhibit No.
from
Item 601 of
Regulation S-K   
 
 
 
 
Description
3.1
 
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the period ended April 2, 2005
3.2
 
Bylaws of Registrant, as amended, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2001 (the "first quarter 2001 Form 10-Q")
4.1
 
Form of Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to the first quarter 2001 Form 10-Q
10.1
 
Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2009  between Registrant and Organic Pigment , LLC, as buyer and Ram-Fab, Inc. and Jones Resources Group, Inc., as seller
10.2
 
 
Synalloy Corporation Restated 1994 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the first quarter 2001 Form 10-Q
10.3
 
 
Synalloy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Stock Plan, incorporated by reference to the first quarter 2001 Form 10-Q
10.4
 
 
Registrant's Subsidiary and Divisional Management Incentive Plan, as restated, effective January 2, 2006, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006
10.5
 
 
Synalloy Corporation 2005 Stock Awards Plan, incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
10.6
 
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2005, between Registrant and Carolina First Bank, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006
10.7
 
Agreement for the purchase and sale of assets between Registrant and Blackman Uhler Specialties, LLC, as sellers and SantoLubes Manufacturing LLC and SantoLubes Spartanburg Holdings LLC, buyers, dated October 2, 2009
10.8
 
Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2006, between Registrant and Ronald H. Braam, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006
10.9
 
Amendment 1 to the Synalloy Corporation 2005 Stock Awards Plan incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007
10.10
 
Agreement between Registrant’s Bristol Metals, LLC. subsidiary and the United Steelworkers of America Local 4586, dated December 10, 2010
10.11
 
Agreement between Registrant’s Bristol Metals, LLC subsidiary and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada Local Union No. 538, dated February 16, 2009
10.12
 
Agreement between Registrant’s Bristol Metals, LLC subsidiary and the Teamsters Local Union No. 549, dated March 5, 2010
10.13
 
Loan Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2010, between Registrant and Branch Banking and Trust (“BB&T”)
10.14
 
Employment Agreement dated January 24, 2011, between Registrant and Craig C. Bram
21
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Chief Executive Officer
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
32
 
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350


 
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