Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 1-13419

 

 

Lindsay Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   47-0554096

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2222 North 111th Street, Omaha,

Nebraska

  68164
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

402-829-6800

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

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

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value   New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (Symbol LNN)

 

 

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 Exchange 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

The aggregate market value of Common Stock of the registrant, all of which is voting, held by non-affiliates based on the closing sales price on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. on February 29, 2012 was $816,560,475.

As of October 22, 2012, 12,722,626 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement pertaining to the Registrant’s 2013 annual stockholders’ meeting are incorporated herein by reference into Part III.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page(s)  

Part I

     3   

Item 1. Business

     3   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     10   

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

     12   

Item 2. Properties

     12   

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

     13   

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

     13   

Part II

     13   

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     13   

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

     15   

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     15   

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     26   

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     27   

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     54   

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

     54   

Item 9B. Other Information

     55   

Part III

     56   

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     56   

Item 11. Executive Compensation

     58   

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     58   

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     58   

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

     58   

Part IV

     59   

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

     59   

SIGNATURES

     61   

 

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PART I

ITEM 1 – Business

INTRODUCTION

Lindsay Corporation, along with its subsidiaries (collectively called “Lindsay” or the “Company”), is a global leader in providing a variety of proprietary water management and road infrastructure products and services. The Company has been involved in the manufacture and distribution of agricultural equipment since 1955 and has grown from a regional company to an international agribusiness and highway infrastructure firm with worldwide sales and distribution. Lindsay, a Delaware corporation, maintains its corporate offices in Omaha, Nebraska. The Company has operations which are categorized into two major reporting segments. Industry segment information about Lindsay is included in Note O to the consolidated financial statements.

Irrigation Segment – The Company’s irrigation segment includes the manufacture and marketing of center pivot, lateral move, and hose reel irrigation systems which are used principally in the agricultural industry to increase or stabilize crop production while conserving water, energy, and labor. The irrigation segment also manufactures and markets repair and replacement parts for its irrigation systems and controls, and designs, manufactures and services water pumping stations and controls for the agriculture, golf, landscape and municipal markets. The Company continues to strengthen irrigation product offerings through innovative technology such as GPS positioning and guidance, variable rate irrigation, wireless irrigation management, and smartphone applications. The Company’s principal irrigation manufacturing facilities are located in Lindsay, Nebraska and Hartland, Wisconsin. Internationally, the Company has production operations in France, Brazil and China as well as distribution operations in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The Company also exports some of its equipment from the U.S. to other international markets.

Infrastructure Segment – The Company’s infrastructure segment includes the manufacture and marketing of moveable barriers, specialty barriers, crash cushions and end terminals, road marking and road safety equipment, large diameter steel tubing, railroad signals and structures, and outsourced manufacturing services. The principal infrastructure manufacturing facilities are located in Rio Vista, California, Milan, Italy, and Omaha, Nebraska.

PRODUCTS BY SEGMENT

IRRIGATION SEGMENT

Products – The Company manufactures and markets its center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems in the U.S. and internationally under its Zimmatic® brand. The Company also manufactures and markets separate lines of center pivot and lateral move irrigation equipment for use on smaller fields under its Greenfield® brand, and hose reel travelers under the Perrot™ and Greenfield® brands in Europe and South Africa. The Company also produces or markets irrigation controls, chemical injection systems and remote monitoring and control systems which it sells under its GrowSmart® brand. In addition to whole systems, the Company manufactures and markets repair and replacement parts for its irrigation systems and controls. The Company also designs, manufactures and services water pumping stations and controls for the agriculture, golf, landscape and municipal markets.

The Company’s irrigation systems are primarily of the standard sized center pivot type, with a small portion of its products consisting of the lateral move type. Both are automatic, continuous move systems consisting of sprinklers mounted on a water carrying pipeline which is supported approximately 11 feet off the ground by a truss system suspended between moving towers.

A typical center pivot is approximately 1,300 feet long and is designed to circle within a quarter-section of land, which comprises 160 acres, wherein it irrigates approximately 130 to 135 acres. A center pivot or lateral move system can also be custom designed and can irrigate from 25 to 600+ acres.

 

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A center pivot system represents a significant investment to a farmer. In a dry land conversion to center pivot irrigation, approximately one-half of the investment is for the pivot itself and the remainder is attributable to installation of additional equipment such as wells, pumps, underground water pipes, electrical supply and a concrete pad upon which the pivot is anchored. The Company’s center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems can be enhanced with a family of integrated plug-and-play add-ons such as water pumping station controls.

The Company also manufactures and distributes hose reel travelers. Hose reel travelers are typically deployed in smaller or irregular fields and usually are easy to operate, easy to move from field to field, and a lower investment than a typical standard center pivot.

The Company also markets pivot monitoring and control systems, which include remote telemetry and a web or personal computer hosted data acquisition and monitoring application. These systems allow growers to monitor their pivot system, accumulate data on the operation of the system, and control the pivot from a remote location by logging onto an internet web site. The pivot monitoring and control systems are marketed under the FieldNET® product name.

Other Types of Irrigation – Center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems compete with three other types of irrigation: flood, drip, and other mechanical devices such as hose reel travelers and solid set sprinklers. The bulk of the worldwide irrigation is accomplished by the traditional method of flood irrigation. Flood irrigation is accomplished by either flooding an entire field, or by providing a water source (ditches or a pipe) along the side of a field, which is planed and slopes slightly away from the water source. The water is released to the crop rows through gates in the ditch or pipe, or through siphon tubes arching over the ditch wall into some of the crop rows. It runs down through the crop row until it reaches the far end of the row, at which time the water source is moved and another set of rows are flooded. A significant disadvantage or limitation of flood irrigation is that it cannot be used to irrigate uneven, hilly, or rolling terrain or fields. In “drip” or “low flow” irrigation, perforated plastic pipe or tape is installed on the ground or buried underground at the root level. Several other types of mechanical devices, such as hose reel travelers, irrigate the remaining irrigated acres.

Center pivot, lateral move, and hose reel traveler irrigation offers significant advantages when compared with other types of irrigation. It requires less labor and monitoring; can be used on sandy ground, which, due to poor water retention ability, must have water applied frequently; can be used on uneven ground, thereby allowing previously unsuitable land to be brought into production; can also be used for the application of fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, or other chemicals (termed “fertigation” or “chemigation”); and conserves water and chemicals through precise control of the amount and timing of the application.

Markets – Water is an essential and critical requirement for crop production, and the extent, regularity, and frequency of water application can be a critical factor in crop quality and yield. The fundamental factors which govern the demand for center pivot and lateral move systems are essentially the same in both the U.S. and international markets. Demand for center pivot and lateral move systems is determined by whether the value of the increased crop production attributable to center pivot or lateral move irrigation exceeds any increased costs associated with purchasing, installing, and operating the equipment. Thus, the decision to purchase a center pivot or lateral move system, in part, reflects the profitability of agricultural production, which is determined primarily by the prices of agricultural commodities and other farming inputs.

The current demand for center pivot systems has three sources: conversion to center pivot systems from less water efficient, more labor intensive types of irrigation; replacement of older center pivot systems, which are beyond their useful lives or are technologically obsolete; and conversion of dry land farming to irrigated farming. In addition, demand for center pivots and lateral move irrigation equipment depends upon the need for the particular operational characteristics and advantages of such systems in relation to alternative types of irrigation, primarily flood. More efficient use of the basic natural resources of land, water, and energy helps drive demand for center pivot and lateral move irrigation equipment. Increasing global population not only increases demand for agricultural output, but also places additional and competing demands on land, water, and energy. The Company expects demand for center pivots and lateral move systems to continue to increase relative to other irrigation methods because center pivot and lateral move systems are preferred where the soil is sandy, the terrain is not flat, the land area to be irrigated is sizeable; there is a shortage of reliable labor; water supply is restricted and conservation is critical; and/or fertigation or chemigation will be utilized.

 

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United States Market – In the United States, the Company sells its branded irrigation systems, including Zimmatic®, to over 200 independent dealer locations, who resell to their customer, the farmer. Dealers assess their customer’s requirements, assemble and erect the system in the field, and provide additional system components, primarily relating to water supply (wells, pumps, pipes) and electrical supply (on-site generation or hook-up to power lines). Lindsay dealers generally are established local agribusinesses, many of which also deal in related products, such as well drilling and water pump equipment, farm implements, grain handling and storage systems, and farm structures.

International Market – Over the years, the Company has sold center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems throughout the world. The Company has production and sales operations in France, Brazil and China as well as distribution and sales operations in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and sales operations in Central America and the Middle East serving the key European, South American, Chinese, African, Australian, New Zealand, Central American and Middle Eastern markets, respectively. The Company also exports some of its equipment from the U.S. to other international markets. The majority of the Company’s U.S. export sales is denominated in U.S. dollars and is shipped against prepayments or U.S. bank confirmed irrevocable letters of credit or other secured means.

The Company’s international markets differ with respect to the need for irrigation, the ability to pay, demand, customer type, government support of agriculture, marketing and sales methods, equipment requirements, and the difficulty of on-site erection. The Company’s industry position is such that it believes that it will likely be considered as a potential supplier for most major international agricultural development projects utilizing center pivot or lateral move irrigation systems.

Competition – The U.S. center pivot irrigation system industry has seen significant consolidation of manufacturers over the years; four primary U.S. manufacturers remain today. The international market includes participation and competition by the leading U.S. manufacturers as well as certain regional manufacturers. The Company competes in certain product lines with several manufacturers, some of whom may have greater financial resources than the Company. The Company competes by continuously improving its products through ongoing research and development activities. The Company continues to strengthen irrigation product offerings through innovative technology such as GPS positioning and guidance, variable rate irrigation, wireless irrigation management, and smartphone applications. The Company’s engineering and research expenses related to irrigation totaled approximately $6.0 million, $6.1 million, and $4.1 million for fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Competition also occurs in areas of price and seasonal programs, product quality, durability, controls, product characteristics, retention and reputation of local dealers, customer service, and, at certain times of the year, the availability of systems and their delivery time. The Company believes it competes favorably with respect to all of these factors.

INFRASTRUCTURE SEGMENT

ProductsQuickchange® Moveable Barrier™– The Company’s Quickchange® Moveable Barrier™ (“QMB®”) system is composed of three parts: 1) T-shaped concrete barriers that are connected to form a continuous wall, 2) a Barrier Transfer Machine™ (“BTM™”) capable of moving the barrier laterally across the pavement, and 3) the variable length barriers necessary for accommodating curves. A barrier element is approximately 32 inches high, 13-24 inches wide, 3 feet long and weighs 1,500 pounds. The barrier elements are interconnected by very heavy duty steel hinges to form a continuous barrier. The BTM™ employs an inverted S-shaped conveyor mechanism that lifts the barrier, moving it laterally before setting it back on the roadway surface.

In permanent applications, the QMB® systems increase capacity and reduce congestion by varying the number of traffic lanes to match the traffic demand. Roadways with fixed medians have a set number of lanes in each direction and cannot adjust to traffic demands that may change over the course of a day, or to capacity reductions caused by traffic incidents or road repair and maintenance. Applications include high volume highways where expansion may not be feasible due to lack of additional right-of-way, environmental concerns, or insufficient funding. The QMB® system is particularly useful in busy commuter corridors and at choke points such as bridges and tunnels. QMB® systems can also be deployed at roadway or roadside construction sites to accelerate construction, improve traffic flow and safeguard work crews and motorists by positively separating the work area and traffic. Examples of types of work completed with the help of a QMB® system include highway reconstruction, paving and resurfacing, road widening, median and shoulder construction, and repairs to tunnels and bridges.

 

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The Company offers a variety of equipment lease options for QMB® systems and BTM™ equipment used in construction applications. The leases extend for periods of three months or more for equipment already existing in the Company’s lease fleet. Longer lease periods may be required for specialty equipment that must be built for specific projects.

These systems have been in use since 1987. Significant progress has been made introducing the products into international markets in recent years. Typical sales for a highway safety or road improvement project range from $2.0-$20.0 million, making them significant capital investments.

Crash Cushions and End Terminals – The Company offers a complete line of redirective and non-redirective crash cushions which are used to enhance highway safety at locations such as toll booths, freeway off-ramps, medians and roadside barrier ends, bridge supports, utility poles and other fixed roadway hazards. The Company’s primary crash cushion products cover a full range of lengths, widths, speed capacities and application accessories and include the following brand names: TAU®, Universal TAU-II®, TAU-II-R™, TAU-B_NR™, ABSORB 350® and Walt™. In addition to these products the Company also offers guardrail end terminal products such as the X-Tension™ and TESI® systems. The crash cushions and end terminal products compete with other vendors in the world market. These systems are generally sold through a distribution channel that is domiciled in particular geographic areas.

Specialty BarriersThe Company also offers specialty barrier products such as the SAB™, ArmorGuard™, PaveGuard™ and DR46™ portable barrier and/or barrier gate systems. These products offer portability and flexibility in setting up and modifying barriers in work areas and provide quick opening, high containment gates for use in median or roadside barriers. The gates are generally used to create openings in barrier walls of various types for both construction and incident management purposes. The DR46™ is an energy absorbing barrier to shield motorcyclists from impacting guardrail posts which is becoming an area of focus for reducing the amount and severity of injuries.

Road Marking and Road Safety Equipment – The Company also offers preformed tape and a line of road safety accessory products. The preformed tape is used primarily in temporary applications such as markings for work zones, street crossings, and road center lines or boundaries. The road safety equipment consists of mostly plastic and rubber products used for delineation, slowing traffic, and signaling. The Company also manages an ISO 17025 certified testing laboratory, Safe Technologies, Inc., that performs full-scale impact testing of highway safety products in accordance with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (“NCHRP”) Report 350, the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (“MASH”), and the European Norms (EN1317) for these types of products. The NCHRP Report 350 and MASH guidelines are procedures required by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for the safety performance evaluation of highway features. The EN1317 Norms are being used to qualify roadway safety products for the European markets.

Other Products – The Company’s Diversified Manufacturing and Tubing business unit manufactures and markets large diameter steel tubing and railroad signals and structures, and provides outsourced manufacturing and production services for other companies. The Company continues to develop new relationships for infrastructure manufacturing in industries outside of agriculture and irrigation. The Company’s customer base includes certain large industrial companies and railroads. Each customer benefits from the Company’s design and engineering capabilities as well as the Company’s ability to provide a wide spectrum of manufacturing services, including welding, machining, painting, forming, galvanizing and assembling hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical components.

Markets – The Company’s primary infrastructure market includes moveable concrete barriers, delineation systems, guardrails and similar protective equipment. The U.S. roadway infrastructure market includes projects such as new roadway construction, bridges, tunnels, maintenance and resurfacing, the purchase of rights-of-way for roadway expansion and development of technologies for relief of roadway congestion. Much of the U.S. highway infrastructure market is driven by government (state and federal) spending programs. For example, the U.S. government funds highway and road improvements through the Federal Highway Trust Fund Program. This program provides funding to improve the nation’s roadway system. Matching funding from the various states may be required as a condition of federal funding. In the long term, the Company believes that the federal program provides a solid platform for growth in the U.S. market, as it is generally acknowledged that additional funding will be required for infrastructure development and maintenance in the future.

 

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The European market is presently very different from country to country, but the standardization in performance requirements and acceptance criteria for highway safety devices adopted by the European Committee for Standardization is expected to lead to greater uniformity and a larger installation program. This will also be influenced by the European Union’s prevention program which has the goal to lower highway traffic fatalities.

Competition – The Company competes in certain product lines with several manufacturers, some of whom may have greater financial resources than the Company. The Company competes by continuously improving its products through ongoing research and development activities. The Company’s engineering and research expenses related to infrastructure products totaled approximately $3.5 million, $4.3 million and $3.7 for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company competes with certain products and companies in its crash cushion business, but has limited competition in its moveable barrier line, as there is not another moveable barrier product today comparable to the QMB® system. However, the Company’s barrier product does compete with traditional “safety shaped” concrete barriers and other safety barriers.

Distribution methods and channels – The Company has production and sales operations in Nebraska, California and Italy. Sales efforts consist of both direct sales and sales programs managed by its network of distributors and third-party representatives. The sales teams have responsibility for new business development and assisting distributors and dealers in soliciting large projects and new customers. The distributor and dealer networks have exclusive territories and are responsible for developing sales and providing service, including product maintenance, repair and installation. The typical dealer sells an array of safety supplies, road signs, crash cushions, delineation equipment and other highway products. Customers include Departments of Transportation, municipal transportation road agencies, roadway contractors, subcontractors, distributors and dealers. Due to the project nature of the roadway construction and congestion management markets, the Company’s customer base changes from year-to-year. Due to the limited life of projects, it is rare that a single customer will account for a significant amount of revenues in consecutive years. The customer base also varies depending on the type of product sold. The Company’s moveable barrier products are typically sold to transportation agencies or the contractors or suppliers serving those agencies. In contrast, distributors account for a majority of crash cushion sales since those products have lower price points and tend to have shorter lead times.

GENERAL

Certain information generally applicable to both of the Company’s reportable segments is set forth below.

The following table describes the Company’s total irrigation and infrastructure revenues for the past three years. United States export revenue is included in International as the region of destination. No individual foreign country’s operating revenues were material for separate disclosure purposes.

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in millions

   2012      2011      2010  
            % of Total             % of Total             % of Total  
     Revenues      Revenues      Revenues      Revenues      Revenues      Revenues  

United States

   $ 354.6         64       $ 307.7         64       $ 204.5         57   

International

   $ 196.7         36       $ 171.2         36       $ 153.9         43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

   $ 551.3         100       $ 478.9         100       $ 358.4         100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

SEASONALITY

Irrigation equipment sales are seasonal by nature. Farmers generally order systems to be delivered and installed before the growing season. Shipments to customers located in Northern Hemisphere countries usually peak during the Company’s second and third fiscal quarters for the spring planting period. Sales of infrastructure products are traditionally higher during prime construction seasons and lower in the winter. The primary construction season for Northern Hemisphere countries is from March until late September which corresponds to the Company’s third and fourth fiscal quarters.

CUSTOMERS

The Company is not dependent for a material part of either segment’s business upon a single customer or upon a limited number of customers. The loss of any one customer would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

 

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ORDER BACKLOG

As of August 31, 2012, the Company has an order backlog of $57.1 million compared with $46.0 million at August 31, 2011. The Company’s backlog can fluctuate from period to period due to the seasonality, cyclicality, timing and execution of contracts. Typically, the Company’s backlog at any point in time represents only a portion of the revenue it expects to realize during the following three month period. However, the timing related to certain project oriented contracts may extend longer than three months.

Generally, the Company manufactures or purchases the components for its irrigation equipment from a sales forecast and prepares the equipment for shipment upon the receipt of a U.S. or international dealer’s firm order. Irrigation equipment orders from U.S. dealers are generally accompanied with a down payment unless they are purchased through one of the Company’s dealer network preferred vendor financing programs. Irrigation equipment orders being delivered to international markets from the U.S. are generally shipped against prepayments or receipt of an irrevocable letter of credit confirmed by a U.S. bank or other secured means, which call for delivery within time periods negotiated with the customer. Orders delivered from the Company’s international irrigation manufacturing operations are generally shipped according to payment and/or credit terms customary to that country or region.

Generally, the Company manufactures or purchases the components for its infrastructure equipment, excluding QMB® systems, from a sales forecast and prepares the equipment for shipment upon the receipt of a U.S. or international distributor’s firm order. The Company manufactures or purchases the components for its QMB® systems once a contract has been signed. Generally, QMB® system contracts require a down payment before manufacturing of the QMB® system will begin.

RAW MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Raw materials used by the Company include coil steel, angle steel, plate steel, zinc, tires, gearboxes, concrete, rebar, fasteners, and electrical and hydraulic components (motors, switches, cable, valves, hose and stators). The Company has, on occasion, faced shortages of certain such materials. The Company believes it currently has ready access to adequate supplies of raw materials and components.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Capital expenditures for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010 were $9.9 million, $8.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2013, excluding possible expansion of the leased barrier and barrier-transfer machine fleet, are estimated to be approximately $15.0 to $20.0 million. The planned expenditures include equipment for manufacturing equipment replacement, tooling, and facilities for identified efficiency and capacity improvements. The Company’s management does maintain flexibility to modify the amount and timing of some of the planned expenditures in response to economic conditions.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AND LICENSES

Lindsay’s Zimmatic®, Greenfield®, GrowSmart®, Perrot™, Quickchange® Moveable Barrier, ABSORB 350®, FieldNET®, TAU®, Universal TAU-II®, TAU-II-R™, TAU-B_NR, X-Tension, CableGuard, TESI, SAB, ArmourGuard, PaveGuard, DR46, U-MAD, and other trademarks are registered or applied for in the major markets in which the Company sells its products. Lindsay follows a policy of applying for patents on all significant patentable inventions in markets deemed appropriate. Although the Company believes it is important to follow a patent protection policy, Lindsay’s business is not dependent, to any material extent, on any single patent or group of patents.

EMPLOYEES

The number of persons employed by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries at fiscal year ends 2012, 2011, and 2010 were 1,082, 999 and 891, respectively. None of the Company’s U.S. employees are represented by a union. Certain of the Company’s non-U.S. employees are unionized due to local governmental regulations.

 

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ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS

Like other manufacturing concerns, the Company is subject to numerous laws and regulations that govern environmental and occupational health and safety matters. The Company believes that its operations are substantially in compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations and that it holds all necessary permits in each jurisdiction in which its facilities are located. Environmental and health and safety regulations are subject to change and interpretation. In some cases, compliance with applicable regulations or standards may require the Company to make additional capital and operational expenditures. The Company, however, is not currently aware of any material capital expenditures required to comply with such regulations, other than as described in Note L, Commitments and Contingencies, and does not believe that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND U.S. OPERATIONS

The Company’s primary production facilities are located in the United States. The Company has smaller production and sales operations in France, Brazil, Italy and China as well as distribution and sales operations in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Most of the Company’s financial transactions are in U.S. dollars, although some export sales and sales from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, are conducted in local currencies. Approximately 19 percent of total consolidated Company sales were conducted in local currencies in each of fiscal 2012 and 2011.

A portion of the Company’s cash flow is derived from sales and purchases denominated in currencies other than the designated functional currency. To reduce the uncertainty of foreign currency exchange rate movements on these sales and purchase commitments, the Company monitors its risk of foreign currency fluctuations and, at times, may enter into forward exchange or option contracts for transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency for certain of the Company’s operations.

In addition to the transactional foreign currency exposures mentioned above, the Company also has translation exposure resulting from translating the financial statements of its international subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. In order to reduce this translation exposure, the Company, at times, utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its net investment exposure in its foreign operations. For information on the Company’s foreign currency risks, see Item 7A of Part II of this report.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE LINDSAY WEBSITE

The Company makes available free of charge on its website homepage, under the tab “Investors – SEC Filings”, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. The Company’s internet address is http://www.lindsay.com; however, information posted on its website is not part of this report on Form 10-K. The following documents are also posted on the Company’s website homepage, under the tab “Investors – Governance – Committees” and “Investors – Governance – Ethics”:

Audit Committee Charter

Compensation Committee Charter

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter

Corporate Governance Principles

Code of Ethical Conduct

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Employee Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters

Special Toll-Free Hotline Number and E-mail Address for Making Confidential or Anonymous Complaints

These documents are also available in print to any shareholder upon request, by sending a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Company.

 

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ITEM 1A — Risk Factors

The following are certain of the more significant risks that may affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s U.S. and international irrigation equipment sales are highly dependent on the agricultural industry and weather conditions. The Company’s U.S. and international irrigation equipment sales are highly dependent upon the need for irrigated agricultural crop production which, in turn, depends upon many factors, including total worldwide crop production, the profitability of agricultural crop production, agricultural commodity prices, net cash farm income, availability of financing for farmers, governmental policies regarding the agricultural sector, water and energy conservation policies, the regularity of rainfall, regional climate change, and foreign currency exchange rates. As farm income decreases, farmers may postpone capital expenditures or seek less expensive irrigation alternatives.

Weather conditions, particularly during the planting and early growing season, can significantly affect the purchasing decisions of purchasers of irrigation equipment. Natural calamities such as regional floods, hurricanes or other storms, and droughts can have significant effects on seasonal irrigation demand. Drought conditions, which generally impact irrigation equipment demand positively over the long term, can adversely affect demand if water sources become unavailable or if governments impose water restriction policies to reduce overall water availability.

The Company’s infrastructure revenues are highly dependent on government funding of transportation projects. The demand for the Company’s infrastructure products depends to a large degree on the amount of government spending authorized to improve road and highway systems. For example, the U.S. government funds highway and road improvements through the Federal Highway Trust Fund Program and matching funding from states may be required as a condition of federal funding. If highway funding is reduced or delayed, it may reduce demand for the Company’s infrastructure products.

The Company’s profitability may be negatively affected by increases in the cost of raw materials, as well as in the cost of energy. Certain of the Company’s input costs, such as the cost of steel, zinc, and other raw materials, may increase rapidly from time to time. Because there is a level of price competition in the market for irrigation equipment and certain infrastructure products, the Company may not be able to recoup increases in these costs through price increases for its products, which would result in reduced profitability. Whether increased operating costs can be passed through to the customer depends on a number of factors, including farm income and the price of competing products. The cost of raw materials can be volatile and is dependent on a number of factors, including availability, demand, and freight costs.

The Company’s profitability may be negatively affected by the disruption or termination of the supply of parts, materials, and components from third-party suppliers. The Company uses a limited number of suppliers for certain parts, materials, and components in the manufacturing process. Disruptions in supply or significant price increases from these suppliers could affect the Company’s operations and profitability. Such disruptions, terminations or cost increases could result in cost inefficiencies, delayed sales or reduced sales.

The Company’s international equipment sales are highly dependent on foreign market conditions and are subject to additional risk and restrictions. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, approximately 36 percent of the Company’s consolidated revenues were generated from international sales and United States export revenue to international regions. Specifically, international revenues are primarily generated from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Central and Western Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, South Africa, China, and Central and South America. In addition to risks relating to general economic and political stability in these countries, the Company’s international sales are affected by international trade barriers, including governmental policies on tariffs, taxes, import or export licensing requirements, trade sanctions, and foreign currency exchange rates and are generally governed by local laws which can affect the Company’s ability to resolve disputes on contract performance and collectability. International sales are also more susceptible to disruption from changing social economic conditions as well as terrorism, political hostilities, war and similar incidents.

 

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Compliance with applicable environmental and health and safety regulations or standards may require additional capital and operational expenditures. Like other manufacturing concerns, the Company is subject to numerous laws and regulations which govern environmental and occupational health and safety matters. The Company believes that its operations are substantially in compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations and that it holds all necessary permits in each jurisdiction in which its facilities are located. Environmental and health and safety regulations are subject to change and interpretation. Compliance with applicable regulations or standards may require the Company to make additional capital and operational expenditures.

The Company’s Lindsay, Nebraska site was added to the EPA’s list of priority superfund sites in 1989. The Company and its environmental consultants have developed a remedial action work plan, under which the Company continues to work with the EPA to define and implement steps to better contain and remediate the remaining contamination.

Although the Company has accrued all reasonably estimable costs associated with remediation of the site, it is expected that additional testing and environmental monitoring and remediation will be required in the future as part of the Company’s ongoing discussions with the EPA regarding the development and implementation of the remedial action plans, which could result in changes to its estimates. In addition, the current investigation has not yet been completed and does not include all affected areas on the site. Estimates continue to be refined and evaluated on a number of remediation alternatives and the EPA has not provided approval of possible action plans. While additional estimated expenses could significantly exceed the amount accrued as of August 31, 2012 and could be material to the operating results of any fiscal quarter or fiscal year, the Company does not expect that such additional expenses would have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or financial condition. The Company’s ongoing remediation activities at its Lindsay, Nebraska facility are described in Note L to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s sales and access to credit may be negatively affected by current economic conditions. The ongoing instability in U.S. and international financial and credit markets along with the resulting global recessionary concerns and the slow economic recovery could adversely affect the ability of farmers and government agencies to buy and finance irrigation equipment and highway infrastructure equipment, respectively. Disruptions in the financial and credit markets could also restrict the Company’s ability to access credit financing under its existing credit facilities or to obtain additional financing.

The Company’s consolidated financial results are reported in U.S. dollars while certain assets and other reported items are denominated in the currencies of other countries, creating currency translation risk. The reporting currency for the Company’s consolidated financial statements is the U.S. dollar. Certain of the Company’s assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues are denominated in other countries’ currencies. Those assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues are translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rates to prepare the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Therefore, increases or decreases in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and those other currencies affect the value of those items as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Substantial fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to those other currencies could have a significant impact on the Company’s results.

Expansion of the Company’s business may result in unanticipated adverse consequences. The Company routinely considers possible expansions of the business, both domestically and in foreign locations. Acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures or other similar major investments require significant managerial resources, which may be diverted from the Company’s other business activities. The risks of any expansion of the business through investments, acquisitions, partnerships or joint ventures are increased due to the significant capital and other resources that the Company may have to commit to any such expansion, which may not be recoverable if the expansion initiative to which they were devoted is not fully implemented or is ultimately unsuccessful. As a result of these risks and other factors, including general economic risk, the Company may not be able to realize projected returns from any recent or future acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures or other investments.

 

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ITEM 1B Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

ITEM 2 – Properties

The Company’s facilities are well maintained, in good operating condition and are suitable for present purposes. These facilities, together with both short-term and long-term planned capital expenditures, are expected to meet the Company’s manufacturing needs in the foreseeable future. The Company does not anticipate any difficulty in retaining occupancy of any leased facilities, either by renewing leases prior to expiration or by replacing them with equivalent leased facilities. The following are the Company’s significant properties.

 

Segment

  

Geographic

Location (s)

   Own/
Lease
   Lease
Expiration
     Square
Feet
    

Property Description

Corporate

   Omaha, Nebraska    Lease      2019         30,000      The Corporate headquarters includes office space for its executive offices, U.S. and international sales and marketing offices and engineering laboratory space.

Irrigation and

Infrastructure

   Lindsay, Nebraska    Own      N/A         300,000      Principal U.S. manufacturing plant consists of eight separate buildings located on 122 acres

Infrastructure

   Omaha, Nebraska    Own      N/A         83,000      Manufacturing plant for infrastructure products located on six acres

Irrigation

   Hartland, Wisconsin    Own      N/A         73,000      Two commercial buildings on five acres where it designs, manufactures and services water pumping stations and controls for the agriculture, golf, landscape and municipal markets

Irrigation

   La Chapelle, France    Own      N/A         72,000      Manufacturing plant for irrigation products for the European markets, consists of three separate buildings situated on 3.5 acres

Irrigation

   Mogi Mirim, Sao Paulo, Brazil    Lease      2014         67,000      Manufacturing plant for irrigation products for the South American markets, consists of two buildings

Irrigation

   Tianjin, China and Beijing, China    Lease      2013         58,400      Manufacturing plant and office facilities for irrigation products for the Chinese markets

Infrastructure

   Milan, Italy    Own      N/A         45,000      Manufacturing plant for infrastructure products

Infrastructure

   Rio Vista, California    Own      N/A         30,000      Manufacturing plant for infrastructure products located on seven acres

Irrigation

   Pasco, Grandview, and Othello, Washington; Hermiston, Oregon    Lease     
 
2014 -
2022
  
  
     28,900      Retail irrigation operations in four leased buildings

Irrigation

   Amarillo, Texas    Lease      2017         22,000      Warehouse facility for irrigation products

Irrigation

   Paarl, South Africa    Lease      2016         20,000      Warehouse facility for the sub-Saharan Africa markets

Irrigation

   Milford, Nebraska; Sioux Falls, SD    Lease     
 
2013 -
2015
 
  
     16,400      Manufacturing, engineering, and office locations related to Digitec, Inc.

Irrigation

   Pasco, Washington; Hermiston, Oregon; Portland, Oregon    Lease     
 
2013 -
2017
  
  
     12,600      Office and warehouse locations related to IRZ Consulting, LLC

Irrigation

   Paul, Idaho    Lease      2014         11,400      Warehouse facility for irrigation products

Irrigation

   Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia; Feilding, New Zealand    Lease      2014         8,000      Warehouse facilities for the Australian and New Zealand markets

 

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ITEM 3 – Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of its business operations, the Company is involved, from time to time, in commercial litigation, employment disputes, administrative proceedings, and other legal proceedings. No such current proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, are expected to have a material effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

PART II

ITEM 5 – Market For the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Lindsay Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (NYSE) under the ticker symbol LNN. As of September 30, 2012, there were approximately 180 shareholders of record.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the range of the high and low stock prices and dividends paid per share:

 

     Fiscal 2012 Stock Price      Fiscal 2011 Stock Price  
     High      Low      Dividends      High      Low      Dividends  

First Quarter

   $ 63.40       $ 46.03       $ 0.090       $ 66.48       $ 37.22       $ 0.085   

Second Quarter

     67.27         49.17         0.090         79.56         58.00         0.085   

Third Quarter

     70.13         52.98         0.090         85.87         61.85         0.085   

Fourth Quarter

     74.62         52.68         0.115         73.03         47.68         0.090   

Year

   $ 74.62       $ 46.03       $ 0.385       $ 85.87       $ 37.22       $ 0.345   

The Company currently expects that cash dividends comparable to those paid historically will continue to be paid in the future, although there can be no assurance as to future dividends as they depend on future earnings, capital requirements and financial condition.

Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchases – The Company made no repurchases of its Common Stock under the Company’s stock repurchase plan during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012; therefore, tabular disclosure is not presented. From time to time, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized management to repurchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Under this share repurchase plan, management has existing authorization to purchase, without further announcement, up to 881,139 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the open market or otherwise.

 

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Peer Performance Table – The graph below compares the cumulative 5-year total return attained by shareholders on the Company’s Common Stock relative to the cumulative total returns of the S&P Small Cap 600 Index and the S&P 600 Construction, Farm Machinery and Heavy Truck index for the five-year period ended August 31, 2012. An investment of $100 (with the reinvestment of all dividends) is assumed to have been made in the Company’s Common Stock and in each of the indexes on August 31, 2007 and the graph shows its relative performance through August 31, 2012.

 

LOGO

 

     8/31/2007      8/31/2008      8/31/2009      8/31/2010      8/31/2011      8/31/2012  

Lindsay Corporation

     100.00         202.89         103.69         92.94         157.66         166.67   

S&P Smallcap 600

     100.00         93.79         74.35         80.15         99.74         116.60   

S&P SmallCap 600 Construction, Farm Machinery and Heavy Truck Index

     100.00         85.96         58.70         66.22         82.90         96.91   

The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

 

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ITEM 6 – Selected Financial Data

 

     For the Years Ended August 31,  

$ in millions, except per share amounts

   2012     2011     2010     2009     2008  

Operating revenues

   $ 551.3      $ 478.9      $ 358.4      $ 336.2      $ 475.1   

Gross profit

   $ 148.5      $ 129.8      $ 98.9      $ 80.6      $ 123.8   

Gross margin

     26.9     27.1     27.6     24.0     26.1

Operating expenses

   $ 83.0      $ 73.2      $ 61.1      $ 58.2      $ 61.6   

Operating income

   $ 65.5      $ 56.6      $ 37.8      $ 22.4      $ 62.2   

Operating margin

     11.9     11.8     10.6     6.7     13.1

Net earnings

   $ 43.3      $ 36.8      $ 24.9      $ 13.8      $ 39.4   

Net margin

     7.9     7.7     6.9     4.1     8.3

Diluted net earnings per share

   $ 3.38      $ 2.90      $ 1.98      $ 1.11      $ 3.20   

Cash dividends per share

   $ 0.385      $ 0.345      $ 0.325      $ 0.305      $ 0.285   

Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 56.2      $ 58.5      $ 57.6      $ 59.6      $ 57.6   

Total assets

   $ 415.5      $ 381.1      $ 325.5      $ 307.9      $ 325.9   

Long-term obligations

   $ —        $ 4.3      $ 8.6      $ 19.5      $ 25.6   

Return on sales

     7.9     7.7     6.9     4.1     8.3

Return on beginning assets (1)

     11.4     11.3     8.1     4.2     16.3

Diluted weighted average shares

     12,810        12,692        12,585        12,461        12,324   

 

(1) 

Defined as net earnings divided by beginning of period total assets.

ITEM 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Concerning Forward-Looking Statements – This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and reflect expectations for future Company performance. In addition, forward-looking statements may be made orally or in press releases, conferences, reports, on the Company’s worldwide web site, or otherwise, in the future by or on behalf of the Company. When used by or on behalf of the Company, the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. The entire section entitled Market Conditions and Fiscal 2013 Outlook should be considered forward-looking statements. For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as others not now anticipated. The risks and uncertainties described herein are not exclusive and further information concerning the Company and its businesses, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Company’s financial results, may emerge from time to time. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.

 

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Overview

The Company manufactures and markets Zimmatic®, Greenfield® and Perrot™ center pivot, lateral move, and hose reel irrigation systems. The Company also produces and markets irrigation controls, chemical injection systems and remote monitoring and control systems which it sells under its GrowSmart® brand. These products are used by farmers to increase or stabilize crop production while conserving water, energy, and labor. Through its acquisitions, the Company has been able to enhance its capabilities in providing innovative, turn-key solutions to customers through the integration of its proprietary pump stations, controls and designs. The Company sells its irrigation products primarily to a world-wide independent dealer network, who resell to their customer, the farmer. The Company’s primary production facilities are located in the United States. The Company has smaller production and sales operations in France, Brazil, Italy and China as well as distribution and sales operations in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The Company also manufactures and markets various infrastructure products, including moveable barriers for traffic lane management, crash cushions, preformed reflective pavement tapes and other road safety devices, through its production facilities in Omaha, Nebraska, Rio Vista, California and Milan, Italy. In addition, the Company’s infrastructure segment produces large diameter steel tubing and railroad signals and structures, and provides outsourced manufacturing and production services for other companies.

For the business overall, the global, long-term drivers of water conservation, population growth, increasing importance of biofuels, and the need for safer, more efficient transportation solutions remain positive. Key factors which impact demand for the Company’s irrigation products include agricultural commodity prices, net cash farm income, crop yields, weather, environmental regulations, availability of financing and interest rates. A key factor which impacts demand for the Company’s infrastructure products is the amount of spending authorized by governments to improve road and highway systems. Much of the U.S. highway infrastructure market is driven by government spending programs. For example, the U.S. government funds highway and road improvements through the Federal Highway Trust Fund Program. This program provides funding to improve the nation’s roadway system. Matching funding from the various states may be required as a condition of federal funding.

The Company continues to have an ongoing, structured, acquisition process that is expected to generate additional growth opportunities throughout the world in water and infrastructure. Lindsay is committed to achieving earnings growth by global market expansion, improvements in margins, and strategic acquisitions. Since 2001, the Company has added the operations in Europe, South America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and China. The addition of those operations has allowed the Company to strengthen its market position in those regions, yet they remain relatively small in scale. As a result, none of the international operations has achieved the operating margin of the United States based irrigation operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which requires the categorization by level for items that are only required to be disclosed at fair value and information about transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. In addition, the ASU provides guidance on measuring the fair value of financial instruments managed within a portfolio and the application of premiums and discounts on fair value measurements. The ASU requires additional disclosure for Level 3 measurements regarding the sensitivity of fair value to changes in unobservable inputs and any interrelationships between those inputs. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to impact its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which amends ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, by requiring all nonowner changes in shareholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, which defers certain portions of ASU No. 2011-05 indefinitely and will be further deliberated by the FASB at a future date. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to impact the consolidated financial statements except for the requirement of additional disclosures.

 

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In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other. ASU No. 2011-08 allows entities to first assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting period is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test is required. An entity has the unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test. The guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to impact its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Amendments to Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The objective of ASU No. 2011-11 is to provide enhanced disclosures that will enable users of its financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. This includes the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with an entity’s recognized assets and recognized liabilities which include: derivatives, sale and repurchase agreements, reverse sale and repurchase agreements, securities borrowing, and securities lending arrangements. The amendments require enhanced disclosures by requiring improved information about offsetting financial instruments and derivative instruments. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to impact its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Amendments to Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. ASU No. 2012-02 allows entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount. An entity also has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. An entity will be able to resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to impact its consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), management must make a variety of decisions which impact the reported amounts and the related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, management applies judgment based on its understanding and analysis of the relevant facts and circumstances. Certain of the Company’s accounting policies are critical, as these policies are most important to the presentation of the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition. They require the greatest use of judgments and estimates by management based on the Company’s historical experience and management’s knowledge and understanding of current facts and circumstances. Management periodically re-evaluates and adjusts the estimates that are used as circumstances change.

Following are the accounting policies management considers critical to the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition:

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for the Company’s Lindsay, Nebraska inventory and two warehouses in Idaho and Texas. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for inventory at the Company’s Omaha, Nebraska warehouse, and at operating locations in California, Wisconsin, China and Australia. Cost is determined by the weighted average cost method for inventory at the Company’s other operating locations in Washington State, France, Brazil, Italy and South Africa. At all locations, the Company reserves for obsolete, slow moving, and excess inventory by estimating the net realizable value based on the potential future use of such inventory.

 

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Valuation of Goodwill, Identifiable Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets

Assessment of the potential impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets is an integral part of the Company’s normal ongoing review of operations. Testing for potential impairment of these assets is significantly dependent on numerous assumptions and reflects management’s best estimates at a particular point in time. The dynamic economic environments in which the Company’s businesses operate and key economic and business assumptions related to projected selling prices, market growth, inflation rates and operating expense ratios, can significantly affect the outcome of impairment tests. Estimates based on these assumptions may differ significantly from actual results. Changes in factors and assumptions used in assessing potential impairments can have a significant impact on the existence and magnitude of impairments, as well as the time in which such impairments are recognized.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. Acquired intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment at least annually at August 31 and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company performs the impairment analysis at the reporting unit level using a two-step impairment test. Fair value is typically estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires the Company to estimate the future cash flows anticipated to be generated by the particular assets being tested for impairment as well as to select a discount rate to measure the present value of the anticipated cash flows. When determining future cash flow estimates, the Company considers historical results adjusted to reflect current and anticipated operating conditions. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment and assumptions by management in such areas as future economic conditions, industry-specific conditions, product pricing, and necessary capital expenditures. To the extent that the reporting unit is unable to achieve these assumptions, impairment losses may emerge. The Company updated its impairment evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives at August 31, 2012.

The estimated fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units exceeded the respective carrying values by more than 10 percent. Accordingly, no impairment losses were indicated as a result of the annual impairment testing for fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010. If assumptions on discount rates and future cash flows change as a result of events or circumstances, and the Company believes that the long-term profitability may have declined in value, then the Company may record impairment charges, resulting in lower profits. Sales and profitability of each of the Company’s reporting units may fluctuate from year to year and within a year. In the evaluation of the fair value of reporting units, the Company looks at the long-term prospects for the reporting unit and recognizes that current performance may not be the best indicator of future prospects or value, which requires management judgment.

Indefinite life intangible assets primarily consist of tradenames/trademarks. The fair value of these assets are determined using a “relief from royalty” analysis that determines the fair value of each trademark through use of a discounted cash flow model that incorporates an estimated “royalty rate” the Company would be able to charge a third party for the use of the particular trademark. When determining the future cash flow estimates, the Company must estimate future net sales and a fair market royalty rate for each applicable tradename at an appropriate discount rate to measure the present value of the anticipated cash flows. Estimating future net sales requires significant judgment by management in such areas as future economic conditions, industry-specific conditions, product pricing, and consumer trends.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s basic criteria necessary for revenue recognition are: 1) evidence of a sales arrangement exists, 2) delivery of goods has occurred, 3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes revenue when these criteria have been met and when title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. The Company generally has no post delivery obligations to its independent dealers other than standard warranties. Revenues and gross profits on intercompany sales are eliminated in consolidation.

 

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Revenues from the sale of the Company’s irrigation products to its U.S. independent dealers, international locations, and sales by its international locations are recognized based on the delivery terms in the sales contract. If an arrangement involves multiple deliverables, the delivered items are considered separate units of accounting if the items have value on a stand-alone basis and there is objective and reliable evidence of their fair values. Revenues from the arrangement are allocated to the separate units of accounting based on their objectively determined fair value. Revenues for retail sales of irrigation products are recognized when the product or service is delivered to the end-user customers. A small portion of the Company’s revenues relate to subscription revenue of wireless management services and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term.

Revenues from the sale of infrastructure products are usually recognized when the product is delivered to the customer; however, they are dependent on the specific delivery terms in the sales contract. The Company leases certain infrastructure property held for lease to customers such as moveable concrete barriers and QMB® systems. Revenues for the lease of infrastructure property held for lease are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. If an infrastructure project is completed ahead of schedule and prior to the lease term end date, the Company accelerates the lease term and the timing of recognized revenue once the Company is no longer required to perform under the lease contract.

The costs related to revenues are recognized in the same period in which the specific revenues are recorded. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are reported in revenue. Shipping and handling costs incurred by the Company are included in cost of sales. Customer rebates, cash discounts and other sales incentives are recorded as a reduction of revenues at the time of the original sale. Estimates used in the recognition of operating revenues and cost of operating revenues include, but are not limited to, estimates for product warranties, product rebates, cash discounts and fair value of separate units of accounting on multiple deliverables.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

The Company is subject to an array of environmental laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. In particular, the Company committed to remediate environmental contamination of the groundwater at and adjacent to its Lindsay, Nebraska facility (the “site”) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”). The Company and its environmental consultants have developed a remedial action work plan, under which the Company continues to work with the EPA to define and implement steps to better contain and remediate the remaining contamination.

Environmental remediation liabilities include costs directly associated with site investigation and clean up, such as materials, external contractor costs and incremental internal costs directly related to the remedy. The Company accrues the anticipated cost of environmental remediation when the obligation is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates used to record environmental remediation liabilities are based on the Company’s best estimate of probable future costs based on site-specific facts and circumstances. Estimates of the cost for the likely remedy are developed using our internal resources or by third-party environmental engineers or other service providers. The Company records the undiscounted environmental remediation liabilities that represent the points in the range of estimates that are most probable or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount.

Although the Company has accrued all reasonably estimable costs associated with remediation of the site, it is expected that additional testing and environmental monitoring and remediation will be required in the future as part of the Company’s ongoing discussions with the EPA regarding the development and implementation of the remedial action plans, which could result in changes to its estimates. In addition, the current investigation has not yet been completed and does not include all affected areas on the site. Estimates continue to be refined and evaluated on a number of remediation alternatives and the EPA has not provided approval of possible action plans. While additional estimated expenses could significantly exceed the amount accrued as of August 31, 2012 and could be material to the operating results of any fiscal quarter or fiscal year, the Company does not expect that such additional expenses would have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or financial condition. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company accrued incremental costs of $7.2 million, $1.3 million and $0.7 million for additional environmental monitoring and remediation in connection with the ongoing remedial action work plan.

 

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Results of Operations

The following “Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011” and the “Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010” sections present an analysis of the Company’s consolidated operating results displayed in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and should be read together with the industry segment information in Note O to the consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011

The following table provides highlights for fiscal 2012 compared with fiscal 2011:

 

     For the Years Ended     Percent  
     August 31,     Increase  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011     (Decrease)  

Consolidated

      

Operating revenues

   $ 551,255      $ 478,890        15.1

Cost of operating revenues

   $ 402,737      $ 349,105        15.4

Gross profit

   $ 148,518      $ 129,785        14.4

Gross margin

     26.9     27.1  

Operating expenses (1)

   $ 83,008      $ 73,199        13.4

Operating income

   $ 65,510      $ 56,586        15.8

Operating margin

     11.9     11.8  

Other (expense) income, net

   $ (402   $ (72     458.3

Income tax provision

   $ 21,831      $ 19,712        10.7

Effective income tax rate

     33.5     34.9  

Net earnings

   $ 43,277      $ 36,802        17.6

Irrigation Equipment Segment (See Note O)

      

Operating revenues

   $ 475,299      $ 369,930        28.5

Operating income (2)

   $ 80,259      $ 59,703        34.4

Operating margin (2)

     16.9     16.1  

Infrastructure Products Segment (See Note O)

      

Operating revenues

   $ 75,956      $ 108,960        (30.3 %) 

Operating (loss) income (2)

   $ (11   $ 11,901        (100.1 %) 

Operating margin (2)

     0.0     10.9  

(1) Includes $14.7 million and $15.0 million of unallocated general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively.

(2) Excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses.

Revenues

In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced significant growth in nearly all irrigation markets. The overall trend for fiscal 2012 included higher demand for irrigation systems stimulated by positive fundamental drivers in the global agricultural economy offset by lower infrastructure demand due to funding issues and project delays. Operating revenues for fiscal 2012 increased by $72.4 million to $551.3 million compared with $478.9 million in fiscal 2011. The increase is attributable to a $105.4 million increase in irrigation equipment revenues offset in part by a $33.0 million decrease in infrastructure segment revenues.

U.S. irrigation equipment revenues of $305.4 million increased $77.8 million or 34 percent compared to fiscal 2011. The increase in U.S. irrigation equipment revenues is primarily due to a 28 percent increase in the number of irrigation systems sold compared to the prior fiscal year. Favorable economic conditions in U.S. agriculture markets continued to drive strong demand for irrigation equipment. Relatively high commodity prices, with corn prices increasing 28 percent and soybean prices increasing 33 percent from the same period last year, continued to support improved irrigation equipment demand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that 2012 Net Farm Income will be the highest on record and 65 percent higher than the ten year average, creating positive economic conditions for U.S. farmers. Despite the severity of the 2012 drought, shortfalls in crop production did not necessarily have a detrimental impact on sector-wide Net Farm Income as shortages raise the prices farmers receive for crops sold and crop insurance partially offsets the impact of lower yields.

 

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International irrigation revenues of $169.9 million increased $27.6 million or 19 percent from fiscal 2011 revenues of $142.3 million driven by volume increases in the number of irrigation systems sold due to favorable economic conditions in most international regions. Operating revenues increased in nearly all international markets, most significantly in the Middle East, Latin America, China, Canada and Africa. Long-term market drivers of improving diets in a growing world-wide population combined with the water use efficiencies available from mechanized irrigation systems continue to be positive drivers for global irrigation equipment demand.

Infrastructure products segment revenues of $76.0 million decreased by $33.0 million or 30 percent compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease in infrastructure revenues was driven primarily by fewer QMB® system sales.

Gross Margin

Gross profit was $148.5 million for fiscal 2012, an increase of $18.7 million compared to fiscal 2011. Gross profit increased primarily due to a $20.0 million increase in volume partially offset by $1.3 million decrease in gross margin. Gross margin was 26.9 percent for fiscal 2012 compared to 27.1 percent for the prior fiscal year. Infrastructure segment gross margins decreased by 7.5 percentage points due to lower revenues of higher-margin QMB® systems offset by higher pricing within road safety products and contract manufuacturing. Irrigation segment gross margins increased by 1.2 percentage points driven by fixed cost leverage from increased volume.

Operating Expenses

The Company’s operating expenses of $83.0 million for fiscal 2012 increased $9.8 million compared to fiscal 2011 operating expenses of $73.2 million. Of the $9.8 million increase in operating expenses, $5.9 million is attributable to the increase in the Company’s environmental remediation accrual over the same prior year period related to an updated remediation assessment completed in fiscal 2012. The remaining increase in operating expenses was primarily due to personnel related expenses of $3.4 million driven by higher headcount to support growth and international markets, the inclusion of incremental expenses of an acquired business of $1.9 million, and investments in sales and marketing of $0.6 million, offset in part by decreases in research and development expenses of $1.1 million and a reduction in consultant expenses associated with the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implemented in the prior year of $0.9 million.

Operating margin was 11.9 percent for fiscal 2012 as compared to 11.8 percent for fiscal 2011. Operating expenses were 15.1 percent of sales for fiscal 2012 compared to 15.3 percent of sales for fiscal 2011. Excluding environmental accruals, operating margin was 13.2 percent for fiscal 2012 as compared to 12.1 percent for fiscal 2011 and operating expenses were 13.8 percent of sales for fiscal 2012 compared to 15.0 percent of sales for fiscal 2011, an improvement attributable primarily to leverage from increased sales generated from substantially similar fixed expenses.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense of $21.8 million for fiscal 2012 increased $2.1 million compared to fiscal 2011 income tax expense of $19.7 million. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to increases in pretax income. The effective income tax rate decreased to 33.5 percent in fiscal 2012 compared to 34.9 percent in fiscal 2011. The effective income tax rate decreased by 1.4 percentage points primarily due to a net reduction of uncertain tax positions compared to the previous year and a benefit resulting from finalizing the 2011 tax return calculations that were less than estimated in the 2011 income tax provision.

Net Earnings

Net earnings for fiscal 2012 were $43.3 million or $3.38 per diluted share compared to $36.8 million, or $2.90 per diluted share for the prior fiscal year. The Company’s operating income increased to $65.5 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $56.6 million during the prior fiscal year primarily due to an increase in revenues partially offset by higher operating expenses.

 

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Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010

The following table provides highlights for fiscal 2011 compared with fiscal 2010:

 

     For the Years Ended        
     August 31,     Increase  

$ in thousands

   2011     2010     (Decrease)  

Consolidated

      

Operating revenues

   $ 478,890      $ 358,440        33.6

Cost of operating revenues

   $ 349,105      $ 259,540        34.5

Gross profit

   $ 129,785      $ 98,900        31.2

Gross margin

     27.1     27.6  

Operating expenses (1)

   $ 73,199      $ 61,058        19.9

Operating income

   $ 56,586      $ 37,842        49.5

Operating margin

     11.8     10.6  

Other (expense) income, net

   $ (72   $ (1,060     93.2

Income tax provision

   $ 19,712      $ 11,920        65.4

Effective income tax rate

     34.9     32.4  

Net earnings

   $ 36,802      $ 24,862        48.0

Irrigation Equipment Segment (See Note O)

      

Operating revenues

   $ 369,930      $ 258,666        43.0

Operating income (2)

   $ 59,703      $ 40,869        46.1

Operating margin (2)

     16.1     15.8  

Infrastructure Products Segment (See Note O)

      

Operating revenues

   $ 108,960      $ 99,774        9.2

Operating (loss) income (2)

   $ 11,901      $ 11,083        7.4

Operating margin (2)

     10.9     11.1  

 

(1) Includes $15.0 million and $14.1 million of unallocated general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively.
(2) Excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses.

Revenues

Operating revenues for fiscal 2011 increased by $120.5 million to $478.9 million compared with $358.4 million in fiscal 2010. The increase is attributable to a $111.3 million increase in irrigation equipment revenues and a $9.2 million increase in infrastructure segment revenues.

U.S. irrigation equipment revenues of $227.6 million increased $74.8 million or 49 percent compared to fiscal 2010. The increase in U.S. irrigation equipment revenues is primarily due to a 51 percent increase in the number of irrigation systems sold compared to the prior fiscal year. Favorable economic conditions in U.S. agriculture markets continued to drive strong demand for irrigation equipment. Relatively high commodity prices, with corn prices increasing 27 percent and soybean prices increasing 11 percent from the same period last year, continued to support improved irrigation equipment demand. The USDA reported 2011 Net Farm Income to be the highest on record and 47 percent higher than 2010, creating positive economic conditions for U.S. farmers.

International irrigation revenues of $142.3 million increased $36.5 million from fiscal 2010 revenues of $105.8 million. Operating revenues increased in nearly all international markets, most significantly in China, Brazil, the Middle East and Australia/New Zealand. Long-term market drivers of improving diets in a growing world-wide population combined with the water use efficiencies available from mechanized irrigation systems continue to be positive drivers for global irrigation equipment demand.

Infrastructure products segment revenues of $109.0 million increased by $9.2 million or 9 percent compared to the prior fiscal year. The increase in infrastructure revenues was driven primarily by higher QMB® system revenue and from railroad signals and structures, commercial tubing and contract manufacturing businesses.

 

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Gross Margin

Gross profit was $129.8 million for fiscal 2011, an increase of $30.9 million compared to fiscal 2010. Gross margin was 27.1 percent for fiscal 2011 compared to 27.6 percent for the prior fiscal year. Gross profit increased primarily due to a $34.0 million increase in the volume of irrigation systems sold driven by positive fundamental drivers in irrigation equipment demand partially offset by a $2.8 million decrease in gross margins due to higher average material costs and inefficiencies associated with the implementation of a new ERP system in fiscal 2011.

Operating Expenses

The Company’s operating expenses of $73.2 million for fiscal 2011 increased $12.1 million compared to fiscal 2010 operating expenses of $61.1 million. The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2011 was primarily attributable to higher incentive compensation of $2.5 million due to improved operating results, inclusion of operating expenses from acquisitions completed in fiscal 2010 of $2.4 million, higher research and development expenses of $1.3 million and investments in sales and marketing of $0.8 million. Operating expenses were 15.3 percent of sales for fiscal 2011 compared to 17.0 percent of sales for fiscal 2010.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense of $19.7 million for fiscal 2011 increased $7.8 million compared to fiscal 2010 income tax expense of $11.9 million. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to increases in pretax income. The effective income tax rate increased to 34.9 percent in fiscal 2011 compared to 32.4 percent in fiscal 2010. The increase in the effective income tax rate is primarily due to a reduction in state income tax credits of $1.4 million compared to fiscal 2010.

Net Earnings

Net earnings for fiscal 2011 were $36.8 million or $2.90 per diluted share for fiscal 2011 compared to $24.9 million, or $1.98 per diluted share for the prior fiscal year. The Company’s operating income increased to $56.6 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $37.8 million during the prior fiscal year primarily due to an increase in revenues partially offset by higher operating expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $143.4 million at August 31, 2012 compared with $108.2 million at August 31, 2011. The Company requires cash for financing its receivables and inventories, paying operating expenses and capital expenditures, and for dividends. The Company meets its liquidity needs and finances its capital expenditures from its available cash and funds provided by operations along with borrowings under three credit arrangements that are described below.

The Company believes its current cash resources, projected operating cash flow, and remaining capacity under its bank lines of credit are sufficient to cover all of its expected working capital needs, planned capital expenditures, dividends, and other cash requirements, excluding potential acquisitions. The Company has permanently reinvested cash and cash equivalents in its foreign operations of $18.1 million and $10.2 million as of August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and does not expect these investments to have a significant impact on the Company’s overall liquidity. The Company does not intend to repatriate funds; however, the Company would need to accrue and pay taxes if these funds were repatriated.

Net working capital was $218.4 million at August 31, 2012, as compared with $178.4 million at August 31, 2011. The increase in net working capital mainly resulted from increased cash from earnings over the past year, increased inventory to support the increases in sales, especially in the irrigation segment, and increased receivables due to higher sales. Cash flows provided by operations totaled $52.4 million during the year ended August 31, 2012 compared to $43.1 million provided by operations during the same prior year period. Cash provided by operations increased by $9.4 million compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of increased earnings ($6.5 million) and positive cash flow changes in receivables ($5.1 million) and current taxes payable ($7.7 million) offset in part by decreases due to negative cash flow changes in other current liabilities ($9.8 million).

Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $6.8 million during the year ended August 31, 2012 compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $15.6 million during the same prior year period. The decrease in the net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the gain proceeds from the settlement of net investment hedges in 2012 as well as the impact of an acquisition of $6.2 million that occurred during the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

 

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Capital spending of $9.9 million in fiscal 2012 increased compared to the prior year capital spending of $8.4 million.

Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $8.8 million during the year ended August 31, 2012 compared to cash flows used in financing activities of $3.4 million during the same prior year period. The $5.4 million increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to a $4.8 million increase in share-based compensation activities and an increase of $0.6 million of additional dividends paid. The Company’s total interest-bearing debt decreased from $8.6 million at August 31, 2011 to $4.3 million at August 31, 2012 due to four quarterly principal payments. The remaining $4.3 million of interest-bearing debt at August 31, 2012 is scheduled to be paid by June 10, 2013.

Euro Line of Credit

The Company’s wholly-owned European subsidiary, Lindsay Europe SAS, has an unsecured revolving line of credit with Societe Generale, a European commercial bank, under which it could borrow for working capital purposes up to 2.3 million Euros, which equates to approximately USD $2.9 million as of August 31, 2012 (the “Euro Line of Credit”). On January 23, 2012, the Company extended the Euro Line of Credit with Societe Generale through January 31, 2013. There were no borrowings outstanding on this credit agreement at August 31, 2012 and 2011. Under the terms of the Euro Line of Credit, borrowings, if any, bear interest at a floating rate in effect from time to time designated by the commercial bank as the Euro Interbank Offered Rate plus 110 basis points (1.38 percent at August 31, 2012). Unpaid principal and interest is due by January 31, 2013. The Company intends to renew the Euro Line of Credit upon expiration of its term.

BSI Term Note

The Company entered into an unsecured $30.0 million Term Note and Credit Agreement, effective June 1, 2006, with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “BSI Term Note”) to partially finance the acquisition of Barrier Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“BSI”). Borrowings under the BSI Term Note bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 50 basis points (0.65 percent at August 31, 2012). The Company effectively fixed the economic effect of the variable interest rate at 6.05 percent through an interest rate swap as described in Note K, Financial Derivatives, to the consolidated financial statements. Principal is repaid quarterly in equal payments of $1.1 million over a seven-year period that began in September of 2006. The BSI Term Note is due June 10, 2013.

Revolving Credit Agreement

The Company has an unsecured $30.0 million Revolving Credit Note and Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). The Revolving Credit Agreement was amended on January 23, 2011 in order to extend the termination date from January 23, 2012 to January 23, 2014. The borrowings from the amended Revolving Credit Agreement will primarily be used for working capital purposes and funding acquisitions. At August 31, 2012 and 2011, there was no outstanding balance on the Revolving Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 105 basis points (1.28 percent at August 31, 2012), subject to adjustment as set forth in the Revolving Credit Agreement as amended. Interest is paid on a monthly to quarterly basis depending on loan type. The Company also pays an annual commitment fee of 0.25 percent on the unused portion of the amended Revolving Credit Agreement. Unpaid principal and interest is due by January 23, 2014.

The BSI Term Note and the Revolving Credit Agreement (collectively, the “Notes”) each contain similar covenants, including certain covenants relating to the Company’s financial condition. These include maintaining a funded debt to EBITDA ratio, a fixed charge coverage ratio, a current ratio and a tangible net worth requirement (all as defined in the Notes) at specified levels. Upon the occurrence of any event of default of these covenants specified in the Notes, including a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Notes), all amounts due thereunder may be declared to be immediately due and payable. At August 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company was in compliance with all loan covenants.

Inflation

The Company is subject to the effects of changing prices. During fiscal 2012, the Company realized pricing volatility for purchases of certain commodities, in particular steel and zinc products, used in the production of its products. While the cost outlook for commodities used in the production of the Company’s products is not certain, management believes it can manage these inflationary pressures by introducing appropriate sales price adjustments and by actively pursuing internal cost reduction efforts, while further refining the Company’s inventory and raw materials risk management system. However, competitive market pressures may affect the Company’s ability to pass price adjustments along to its customers.

 

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Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts and commitments which obligate the Company to make future payments. The Company uses off-balance sheet arrangements, such as leases accounted for as operating leases, standby letters of credit and performance bonds, where sound business principles warrant their use. The table below sets forth the Company’s significant future obligations by time period.

 

$ in thousands

Contractual Obligations

   Total      Less than
1 Year
     2-3
Years
     4-5
Years
     More
than 5
Years
 

Leases

   $ 8,364       $ 2,404       $ 2,406       $ 1,840       $ 1,714   

Term Note Obligation

     4,285         4,285         —           —           —     

Interest Expense

     97         97         —           —           —     

Unrecognized Tax Benefits (1)

     1,309         —           —           —           1,309   

Supplemental Retirement Plan

     7,378         557         1,077         1,055         4,689   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 21,433       $ 7,343       $ 3,483       $ 2,895       $ 7,712   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Future cash flows for unrecognized tax benefits reflect the recorded liability, including interest and penalties, in accordance with ASC 740 as of August 31, 2012. Amounts for which the year of settlement cannot be reasonably estimated have been included in the “More than 5 Years” column.

The Company does not have any additional off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Market Conditions and Fiscal 2013 Outlook

Farm incomes and commodity prices remain strong by historical standards and have continued to drive positive farmer sentiment. As of August 28, 2012, the USDA projects U.S. 2012 Net Farm Income to be the highest on record at $122.2 billion and 65 percent higher than the ten year average of $74.0 billion, continuing to represent positive economic conditions for U.S. farmers. Adverse weather conditions in several parts of the world, and most notably the drought in the U.S., has altered the outlook for the overall agriculture sector and particularly irrigation equipment. Current price levels of commodities suggest that 2013 may potentially be a positive year for irrigation equipment demand. The U.S. federal government examines the level of farm subsidies and tax credits from time to time and changes to these programs could have a positive or adverse impact on commodity prices and irrigation equipment demand. Demand for Lindsay’s irrigation equipment is closely aligned with Net Farm Income and commodity prices and can fluctuate significantly on a quarterly or annual basis. The Company believes the most significant opportunities for growth over the next several years are in international markets, where irrigation use is significantly less developed, and demand is driven by food security, water scarcity and population growth.

Infrastructure demand, including for QMB® system projects, has proven to be challenging due to funding issues and project delays. The infrastructure segment continues to experience revenue and profit volatility due to the project nature of the QMB® systems and the fixed nature of some operating expenses. However, the Company has made progress in reducing the infrastructure segment cost structure in 2012 and expects sales growth and profit improvement in the infrastructure business in 2013. The QMB® system project delays have not significantly changed the Company’s perspective on the likelihood of future demand for QMB® systems. The outlook for government funded infrastructure spending remains challenging due to global governmental budget constraints. During 2012 the U.S. government extended the multi-year U.S. highway bill through 2014, creating moderately positive sentiment for U.S. infrastructure spending by setting U.S. transportation policy for the next two years. However, the bill continues the trend of decreasing investment in road transportation and still limits long-term infrastructure projects since it was only extended for two years. The Company is confident in the opportunity for QMB® systems to drive significant profitability over the long term as a superior solution to worldwide traffic congestion, lost productivity and energy waste. Demand for the Company’s transportation safety products continues to be driven by population growth and the need for improved road safety.

 

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As of August 31, 2012, the Company has an order backlog of $57.1 million compared with $46.0 million at August 31, 2011 and $44.5 million at May 31, 2012. The Company’s backlog can fluctuate from period to period due to the seasonality, cyclicality, timing and execution of contracts. Typically, the Company’s backlog at any point in time represents only a portion of the revenue it expects to realize during the following three month period. However, the timing related to certain project oriented contracts may extend longer than three months.

For the Company’s business overall, the global, long-term drivers of water conservation, population growth, increasing importance of biofuels, and the need for safer, more efficient transportation solutions remain positive. In addition to the overall business enhancements that have taken place, the Company continues to have an ongoing, structured, acquisition process that is expected to generate additional growth opportunities throughout the world in water and infrastructure. Lindsay is committed to achieving earnings growth by employing sound business strategies, including without limitation global market expansion, improvements in margins, and/or strategic acquisitions.

ITEM 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company uses certain financial derivatives to mitigate its exposure to volatility in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company uses these derivative instruments to hedge exposures in the ordinary course of business and does not invest in derivative instruments for speculative purposes. The credit risk under these interest rate and foreign currency agreements is not considered to be significant. The Company attempts to manage market and credit risks associated with its derivative instruments by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken, and by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties. As of August 31, 2012, the Company’s derivative counterparty had investment grade credit ratings.

The Company has manufacturing operations in the United States, France, Brazil, Italy and China. The Company has sold products throughout the world and purchases certain of its components from third-party international suppliers. Export sales made from the United States are principally U.S. dollar denominated. At times, export sales may be denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. A majority of the Company’s revenue generated from operations outside the United States is denominated in local currency. Accordingly, these sales are not typically subject to significant foreign currency transaction risk. The Company’s most significant transactional foreign currency exposures are the Euro, the Brazilian real, the South African rand and the Chinese renminbi in relation to the U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies create exposures, which can adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. Based on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended August 31, 2012, the Company estimates the potential decrease in operating income from a 10 percent adverse change in the underlying exchange rates, in U.S. dollar terms, would be less than $1.0 million.

In order to reduce exposures related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the Company, at times, may enter into forward exchange or option contracts for transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency for certain of its operations. This activity primarily relates to economically hedging against foreign currency risk in purchasing inventory, sales of finished goods, intercompany transactions and future settlement of foreign denominated assets and liabilities. The Company had $3.0 million of U.S. dollar equivalent cash flow forward exchange contracts and option contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2012.

In order to reduce translation exposure resulting from translating the financial statements of its international subsidiaries into U.S. dollars, the Company, at times, utilizes Euro foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of its Euro net investment exposure in its foreign operations. At August 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding Euro foreign currency forward contracts to sell 26.5 million Euro at fixed prices expected to settle during the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Based on the net investments contracts outstanding at August 31, 2012, the Company estimates the potential decrease in fair value from a 10 percent adverse change in the underlying exchange rates would be approximately $3.3 million. This decrease in fair value would be reflected as a reduction to other comprehensive income offsetting the translation exposure or adjustment of the international subsidiaries.

In order to reduce interest rate risk on the $30 million BSI Term Note, the Company has entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. that is designed to convert the variable interest rate on the entire amount of this borrowing to a fixed rate of 6.05 percent per annum. Under the terms of the interest rate swap, the Company receives variable interest rate payments and makes fixed interest rate payments on an amount equal to the outstanding balance of the BSI Term Note, thereby creating the equivalent of fixed-rate debt.

 

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ITEM 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Lindsay Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lindsay Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of August 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2012. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule 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 Lindsay Corporation and subsidiaries as of August 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated October 26, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

October 26, 2012

 

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Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Years ended August 31,  

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   2012     2011     2010  

Operating revenues

   $ 551,255     $ 478,890     $ 358,440  

Cost of operating revenues

     402,737       349,105       259,540  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     148,518       129,785       98,900  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Selling expense

     28,104       27,842       23,070  

General and administrative expense

     38,198       33,659       29,521  

Engineering and research expense

     9,481       10,403       7,792  

Environmental remediation expense

     7,225       1,295       675  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     83,008       73,199       61,058  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     65,510       56,586       37,842  

Other (expense) income:

      

Interest expense

     (492     (762     (1,557

Interest income

     504       315       352  

Other (expense) income, net

     (414     375       145  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

     65,108       56,514       36,782  

Income tax provision

     21,831       19,712       11,920  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 43,277     $ 36,802     $ 24,862  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net earnings per share

   $ 3.41     $ 2.93     $ 2.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

   $ 3.38     $ 2.90     $ 1.98  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

     12,704       12,560       12,451  

Diluted effect of stock equivalents

     106       132       134  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution

     12,810       12,692       12,585  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash dividends per share

   $ 0.385     $ 0.345     $ 0.325  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     August 31,     August 31,  

($ and shares in thousands, except par values)

   2012     2011  

ASSETS

    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 143,444     $ 108,167  

Receivables, net of allowance of $1,717 and $2,340, respectively

     82,565       79,006  

Inventories, net

     52,873       49,524  

Deferred income taxes

     9,505       8,598  

Other current assets

     10,478       12,398  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     298,865       257,693  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     56,180       58,465  

Other intangible assets, net

     25,070       28,639  

Goodwill

     29,961       30,943  

Other noncurrent assets

     5,455       5,404  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 415,531     $ 381,144  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 31,372     $ 32,153  

Current portion of long-term debt

     4,285       4,286  

Other current liabilities

     44,781       42,880  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     80,438       79,319  

Pension benefits liabilities

     6,821       6,231  

Long-term debt

     —          4,285  

Deferred income taxes

     9,984       12,550  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     7,450       3,094  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     104,693       105,479  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, ($1 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding)

     —          —     

Common stock, ($1 par value, 25,000 shares authorized, 18,421 and 18,374 shares issued at August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)

     18,421       18,374  

Capital in excess of stated value

     43,140       39,058  

Retained earnings

     341,115       302,732  

Less treasury stock (at cost, 5,698 shares at August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)

     (90,961     (90,961

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net

     (877     6,462  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     310,838       275,665  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 415,531     $ 381,144  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Shares of
Common
stock
     Shares of
Treasury
stock
    Common
stock
     Capital in
excess of
stated value
    Retained
earnings
    Treasury
stock
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(loss) income, net
    Total
Shareholders’
equity
 

Balance at August 31, 2009

     18,129        5,763     $ 18,129      $ 28,944     $ 249,588     $ (91,998   $ 2,995     $ 207,658  

Comprehensive income:

                  

Net earnings

               24,862           24,862  

Other comprehensive income

                   (1,640     (1,640
                  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

                     23,222  

Cash dividends ($0.325) per share

               (4,051         (4,051

Issuance of common shares under share compensation plans

     56        (65     56        (417     (127     1,037         549  

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

             127             127  

Share-based compensation expense

             2,102             2,102  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2010

     18,185        5,698     $ 18,185      $ 30,756     $ 270,272     $ (90,961   $ 1,355     $ 229,607  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

                  

Net earnings

               36,802           36,802  

Other comprehensive income

                   5,107       5,107  
                  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

                     41,909  

Cash dividends ($0.345) per share

               (4,342         (4,342

Issuance of common shares under share compensation plans

     189          189        2,547             2,736  

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

             2,487             2,487  

Share-based compensation expense

             3,268             3,268  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2011

     18,374        5,698     $ 18,374      $ 39,058     $ 302,732     $ (90,961   $ 6,462     $ 275,665  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

                  

Net earnings

               43,277           43,277  

Other comprehensive income

                   (7,339     (7,339
                  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

                     35,938  

Cash dividends ($0.385) per share

               (4,894         (4,894

Issuance of common shares under share compensation plans

     47          47        (57           (10

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

             374             374  

Share-based compensation expense

             3,765             3,765  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2012

     18,421        5,698     $ 18,421      $ 43,140     $ 341,115     $ (90,961   $ (877   $ 310,838  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

($ in thousands)

   Years Ended August 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net earnings

   $ 43,277     $ 36,802     $ 24,862  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     12,468       11,734       10,710  

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

     379       388       732  

Deferred income taxes

     (3,868     (2,828     (1,500

Share-based compensation expense

     3,939       3,474       2,206  

Other, net

     959       208       (399

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Receivables

     (7,570     (12,626     (22,294

Inventories

     (5,609     (1,826     827  

Other current assets

     (641     (1,430     (2,862

Accounts payable

     723       4,780       6,739  

Other current liabilities

     (1,602     8,223       1,388  

Current taxes payable

     5,408       (2,327     5,287  

Other noncurrent assets and liabilities

     4,576       (1,517     (1,863
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     52,439       43,055       23,833  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (9,890     (8,405     (5,784

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     116       80       606  

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

     —          (6,180     (6,436

Proceeds from note receivable

     —          —          1,409  

Proceeds (payment) for settlement of net investment hedge

     2,925       (1,119     518  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (6,849     (15,624     (9,687
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Issuance of common stock under share-based compensation plans

     567       3,579       1,213  

Common stock withheld from share-based compensation for payroll tax withholdings

     (577     (843     (664

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (4,286     (4,286     (12,769

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     387       2,487       76  

Dividends paid

     (4,894     (4,342     (4,051
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (8,803     (3,405     (16,195
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (1,510     723       (462
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     35,277       24,749       (2,511

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     108,167       83,418       85,929  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 143,444     $ 108,167     $ 83,418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

      

Income taxes paid

   $ 19,667     $ 22,057     $ 8,368  

Interest paid

   $ 561     $ 860     $ 1,648  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Lindsay Corporation, along with its subsidiaries (collectively called “Lindsay” or the “Company”), is a global leader in providing a variety of proprietary water management and road infrastructure products and services. The Company has been involved in the manufacture and distribution of agricultural equipment since 1955 and has grown from a regional company to an international agribusiness and highway infrastructure firm with worldwide sales and distribution. Lindsay, a Delaware corporation, maintains its corporate offices in Omaha, Nebraska. The Company has operations which are categorized into two major reporting segments.

Irrigation Segment The Company’s irrigation segment includes the manufacture and marketing of center pivot, lateral move, and hose reel irrigation systems which are used principally in the agricultural industry to increase or stabilize crop production while conserving water, energy, and labor. The irrigation segment also manufactures and markets repair and replacement parts for its irrigation systems and controls, and designs, manufactures and services water pumping stations and controls for the agriculture, golf, landscape and municipal markets. The Company continues to strengthen irrigation product offerings through innovative technology such as GPS positioning and guidance, variable rate irrigation, wireless irrigation management, and smartphone application. The Company’s principal irrigation manufacturing facilities are located in Lindsay, Nebraska and Hartland, Wisconsin. Internationally, the Company has production operations in France, Brazil and China as well as distribution operations in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The Company also exports some of its equipment from the U.S. to other international markets.

Infrastructure Segment The Company’s infrastructure segment includes the manufacture and marketing of moveable barriers, specialty barriers, crash cushions and end terminals, road marking and road safety equipment, large diameter steel tubing, railroad signals and structures, and outsourced manufacturing services. The principal infrastructure manufacturing facilities are located in Rio Vista, California, Milan, Italy, and Omaha, Nebraska.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements describe various elements of the financial statements and the accounting policies, estimates, and assumptions applied by management. While actual results could differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the consolidated financial statements, management believes that the accounting policies, assumptions, and estimates applied promote the representational faithfulness, verifiability, neutrality, and transparency of the accounting information included in the consolidated financial statements.

The significant accounting policies of the Company are as follows:

 

(1) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

(2) Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior financial statements to conform to the current-year presentation.

(3) Stock Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the date of grant. The Company uses the straight-line amortization method over the vesting period of the awards. The Company has historically issued shares upon exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units or performance stock units from new stock issuances, except for certain non-plan option shares granted in March 2000 that are issued from Treasury Stock upon exercise. All outstanding non-plan option shares were exercised in fiscal 2010.

The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations over the periods during which the employee or director is required to perform a service in exchange for the award.

 

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The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) as its valuation method for stock option awards. Under the Black-Scholes model, the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant is estimated using an option-pricing model that is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance stock units issued under the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan will have a grant date fair value equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date less present value of expected dividends.

(4) Revenue Recognition

The Company’s basic criteria necessary for revenue recognition are: 1) evidence of a sales arrangement exists, 2) delivery of goods has occurred, 3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes revenue when these criteria have been met and when title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. The Company generally has no post delivery obligations to its independent dealers other than standard warranties. Revenues and gross profits on intercompany sales are eliminated in consolidation. If an arrangement involves multiple deliverables, the delivered items are considered separate units of accounting if the items have value on a stand-alone basis and there is objective and reliable evidence of their fair values. Revenues from the arrangement are allocated to the separate units of accounting based on their objectively determined fair value.

The costs related to revenues are recognized in the same period in which the specific revenues are recorded. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are reported in revenue. Shipping and handling costs incurred by the Company are included in cost of sales. Customer rebates, cash discounts and other sales incentives are recorded as a reduction of revenues at the time of the original sale. Estimates used in the recognition of operating revenues and cost of operating revenues include, but are not limited to, estimates for product warranties, product rebates, cash discounts and fair value of separate units of accounting on multiple deliverables.

(5) Receivables and Allowances

Trade receivables are reported on the balance sheet net of any doubtful accounts. Allowances for doubtful accounts are maintained in amounts considered to be appropriate in relation to the receivables outstanding based on collection experience, economic conditions and credit risk quality.

 

(6) Warranty Costs

The Company’s provision for product warranty reflects management’s best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. At the time a sale is recognized, the company records the estimated future warranty costs. The Company generally determines its total future warranty liability by applying historical claims rate experience to the amount of equipment that has been sold and is still within the warranty period. In addition, the Company records provisions for known warranty claims. This provision is periodically adjusted to reflect actual experience.

(7) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of investments with original maturities of three months or less.

(8) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for the Company’s Lindsay, Nebraska inventory and two warehouses in Idaho and Texas. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for inventory at the Company’s Omaha, Nebraska warehouse, and at operating locations in California, Wisconsin, China and Australia. Cost is determined by the weighted average cost method for inventory at the Company’s other operating locations in Washington State, France, Brazil, Italy, and South Africa. At all locations, the Company reserves for obsolete, slow moving, and excess inventory by estimating the net realizable value based on the potential future use of such inventory.

 

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Table of Contents

(9) Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant, equipment, and capitalized assets held for lease are stated at cost. The Company capitalizes major expenditures and charges to operating expenses the cost of current maintenance and repairs. Provisions for depreciation and amortization have been computed principally on the straight-line method for buildings and equipment. Rates used for depreciation are based principally on the following expected lives: buildings -- 15 to 30 years; temporary structures — 5 years; equipment -- 3 to 10 years; leased Barrier Transfer Machines — 8 to 10 years; leased barriers — 12 years; other -- 2 to 20 years and leasehold improvements – shorter of the economic life or term of the lease. All of the Company’s long-lived asset groups are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss is recognized based upon the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 no impairment losses were recognized. The cost and accumulated depreciation relating to assets retired or otherwise disposed of are eliminated from the respective accounts at the time of disposition. The resulting gain or loss is included in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations.

(10) Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. Acquired intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment at least annually at August 31 and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company performs the impairment analysis at the reporting unit level using a two-step impairment test. Fair value is typically estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires the Company to estimate the future cash flows anticipated to be generated by the particular assets being tested for impairment as well as a discount rate to measure the present value of the anticipated cash flows. When determining future cash flow estimates, the Company considers historical results adjusted to reflect current and anticipated operating conditions. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment and assumptions by management in such areas as future economic conditions, industry-specific conditions, product pricing, and necessary capital expenditures. To the extent that the reporting unit is unable to achieve these assumptions, impairment losses may emerge.

(11) Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for utilizing the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These expected future tax consequences are measured based on currently enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date.

When the Company has claimed tax benefits that may be challenged by a tax authority, the Company recognizes tax benefits only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon settlement. A liability for “unrecognized tax benefits” is recorded for any tax benefits claimed in the Company’s tax returns that do not meet these recognition and measurement standards.

(12) Net Earnings per Share

Basic net earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.

Employee stock options, nonvested shares and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential common share equivalents outstanding in computing diluted net earnings per share. The Company’s diluted common shares outstanding reported in each period includes the dilutive effect of restricted stock units, in-the-money options, and performance stock units for which threshold performance conditions have been satisfied and is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of excess tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in-capital when exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table shows the securities excluded from the computation of earnings per share since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

 

     For the years ended August 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

Restricted stock units

     3,241         2,062         476   

Stock options

     29,181         —           —     

Performance stock units are excluded from the calculation of dilutive potential common shares until the threshold performance conditions have been satisfied. At August 31, 2012 and 2010, the threshold performance conditions for certain performance stock units had been satisfied resulting in the inclusion of 37,746 and 13,395, respectively, of performance stock units in the calculation of diluted net earnings per share. At August 31, 2011, the threshold performance conditions for certain performance stock units had not been satisfied. At August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, there were 43,388, 98,625 and 70,693, respectively, of performance stock units excluded from the calculation of diluted net earnings per share because the threshold performance conditions had not been satisfied.

(13) Use of Estimates

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

(14) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses certain financial derivatives to mitigate its exposure to volatility in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. All derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. The Company uses these derivative instruments only to hedge exposures in the ordinary course of business and does not invest in derivative instruments for speculative purposes. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Company may elect to designate the derivative as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or the hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative that is used in the hedging transaction is highly effective. For those instruments that are designated as a cash flow hedge and meet certain documentary and analytical requirements to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, changes in the fair value for the effective portion are reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), net of related income tax effects, and are reclassified to the income statement when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in the income statement. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that qualify as hedges of a net investment in foreign operations are recorded as a component of accumulated currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), net of related income tax effects. Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in earnings. All changes in derivative fair values due to ineffectiveness are recognized currently in income.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. In situations in which the Company does not elect hedge accounting or hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative is retained, the Company carries or continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognizes any subsequent changes in its fair value through earnings. The Company manages market and credit risks associated with its derivative instruments by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken, and by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties. As of August 31, 2012, the Company’s derivative counterparty had investment grade credit ratings.

 

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(15) Fair Value Measurements

The Company’s disclosure of the fair value of assets and liabilities is based on a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refers broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

   

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation techniques are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

 

   

Level 2 – inputs to the valuation techniques are other than quoted prices but are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly

 

   

Level 3 – inputs to the valuation techniques are unobservable for the assets or liabilities

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively:

 

     August 31, 2012  

$ in thousands

   Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 143,444       $ —        $ —         $ 143,444   

Derivative Assets

   $ —         $ 12      $ —         $ 12   

Derivative Liabilities

   $ —         $ (563   $ —         $ (563

 

     August 31, 2011  

$ in thousands

   Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 108,167       $ —        $ —         $ 108,167   

Derivative Liabilities

   $ —         $ (634   $ —         $ (634

The carrying amount of long-term debt (including current portion) was $4.3 million and $8.6 million as of August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The fair value of this debt at August 31, 2012 and 2011, was estimated at $4.3 million and $8.5 million, respectively. Fair value of long-term debt (including current portion) is estimated by discounting the future estimated cash flows of each instrument at current market interest rates for similar debt instruments of comparable maturities and credit quality. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or whenever there is an impairment indicator. All goodwill is assigned to a reporting unit, where it is subject to an impairment test based on fair value using Level 3 input as defined in the fair value hierarchy.

(16) Treasury Stock

When the Company repurchases its outstanding stock, it records the repurchased shares at cost as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. The weighted average cost method is utilized for share re-issuances. The difference between the cost and the re-issuance price is charged or credited to a “capital in excess of stated value – treasury stock” account to the extent that there is a sufficient balance to absorb the charge. If the treasury stock is sold for an amount less than its cost and there is not a sufficient balance in the capital in excess of stated value – treasury stock account, the excess is charged to retained earnings.

(17) Contingencies

The Company’s accounting for contingencies covers a variety of business activities including contingencies for legal exposures and environmental exposures. The Company accrues these contingencies when its assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company’s estimates are based on currently available facts and its estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution. Actual results may differ from the Company’s estimates resulting in an impact, positive or negative, on earnings.

 

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(18) Translation of Foreign Currency

The Company’s portion of the assets and liabilities related to foreign investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Unrealized gains or losses are reflected within common shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

B. ACQUISITIONS

The Company acquires businesses synergistic to the Company’s core irrigation and infrastructure businesses and to align with its strategic intent with respect to growth markets and adjacent product lines or technologies. The Company accounts for business combinations in accordance with ASC 805 – Business Combinations, which requires the recognition of the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, goodwill, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. In addition, the Company expenses all acquisition-related costs in the period in which the costs are incurred and the services received.

IRZ Consulting, LLC

On August 26, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets of IRZ Consulting, LLC (“IRZ”) based in Pasco, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The IRZ business is involved in irrigation engineering, field monitoring, and broadband internet services for rural areas. Total consideration paid was $4.9 million which was financed with cash on hand. The fair value assigned to the assets was finalized in the first quarter of the Company’s 2012 fiscal year. Goodwill recorded in connection with this acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes.

WMC Technology Limited

On November 3, 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets of WMC Technology Limited (“WMC”) based in Feilding, New Zealand. The assets acquired primarily relate to technology that has enhanced the Company’s irrigation product offerings. Total consideration paid was $1.3 million which was financed with cash on hand. The fair value assigned to the assets was finalized in the second quarter of the Company’s 2011 fiscal year. Goodwill recorded in connection with this acquisition is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The total purchase price for IRZ and WMC has been allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair value assessments. The Company’s allocation of purchase price for these acquisitions consisted of current assets of $0.9 million, fixed assets of $0.6 million, finite-lived intangible assets of $1.6 million, indefinite-lived intangible assets of $1.0 million, goodwill of $2.2 million, other long-term assets of $1.1 million, current liabilities of $0.4 million, and long-term liabilities of $0.8 million. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is largely attributable to the existing workforce and historical and projected profitability of the acquired businesses. The goodwill associated with WMC and IRZ are included in the goodwill of the Company’s irrigation segment. Pro forma information related to acquisitions was not included because the impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements was not considered to be material.

Digitec, Inc.

On August 31, 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of stock of Digitec, Inc., (“Digitec”) based in Milford, Nebraska. Digitec is an electronics research, development and manufacturing company. The addition of Digitec enhances the Company’s capabilities in providing electronic design and integration. Total consideration paid to the selling shareholders was $6.4 million which was financed with cash on hand. The purchase price has been allocated to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities assumed based on fair value assessments. The Company’s allocation of purchase price consisted of current assets of $1.1 million (including $0.1 million of cash), fixed assets of $0.8 million, intangible assets of $1.5 million, goodwill of $4.4 million, current liabilities of $0.5 million and long-term liabilities of $0.9 million. Goodwill related to the acquisition of Digitec primarily relates to intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition, including the experience and knowledge of Digitec management, its assembled workforce, and its intellectual capital and specialization within the Irrigation industry. Goodwill recorded in connection with this acquisition is non-deductible for income tax purposes. Proforma data is not presented for this acquisition, as it was not considered material.

 

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C. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income (loss) was as follows:

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011      2010  

Net Income

   $ 43,277      $ 36,802       $ 24,862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

       

Defined benefit pension plan

     (408     69         (50

Cash flow hedges

     200        319         1,201   

Foreign currency translation, net of hedging activities

     (7,131     4,719         (2,791
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense of $394, $440 and $1,104

     (7,339     5,107         (1,640
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income

   $ 35,938      $ 41,909       $ 23,222   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets in the shareholders’ equity section, and consists of the following components:

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Defined benefit pension plan, net of tax of $1,554 and $1,306

   $ (2,547   $ (2,139

Cash flow hedges, net of tax of $33 and $155

     (53     (253

Foreign currency translation, net of hedging activities, net of tax of $2,093 and $1,573

     1,723        8,854   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income

   $ (877   $ 6,462   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

D. INCOME TAXES

For financial reporting purposes earnings before income taxes include the following components:

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011      2010  

United States

   $ 57,884       $ 53,879       $ 34,165   

Foreign

     7,224         2,635         2,617   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 65,108       $ 56,514       $ 36,782   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Significant components of the income tax provision are as follows:

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011     2010  

Current:

      

Federal

   $ 21,694      $ 18,705      $ 11,077   

State

     1,026        1,309        770   

Foreign

     2,979        2,526        1,573   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current

     25,699        22,540        13,420   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred:

      

Federal

     (3,829     (1,484     501   

State

     614        (29     (1,364

Foreign

     (653     (1,315     (637
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred

     (3,868     (2,828     (1,500
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income tax provision

   $ 21,831      $ 19,712      $ 11,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Total income tax provision resulted in effective tax rates differing from that of the statutory United States Federal income tax rates. The reasons for these differences are:

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011     2010  
     Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  

U.S. statutory rate

   $ 22,788        35.0      $ 19,780        35.0      $ 12,874        35.0   

State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit

     1,337        2.0        889        1.6        540        1.5   

State tax credits

     —          —          —          —          (1,393     (3.8

Foreign tax rate differences

     (338     (0.5     (257     (0.5     (122     (0.3

Domestic production activities deduction

     (1,900     (2.9     (1,301     (2.3     (608     (1.7

Research and development, phone, and fuel tax credits

     (105     (0.2     (239     (0.4     (28     (0.1

Other

     49        0.1        840        1.5        657        1.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective rate

   $ 21,831        33.5      $ 19,712        34.9      $ 11,920        32.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In fiscal 2010, the Company recognized investment tax credits from the state of Nebraska’s economic development program, the Nebraska Advantage Act. These credits, which expire in fiscal 2018, reduced income tax expense by $1.4 million.

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 assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Deferred rental revenue

   $ 382      $ 1,233   

Employee benefits liability

     1,282        1,305   

Net operating loss carryforwards

     284        74   

Defined benefit pension plan

     1,554        1,306   

Share-based compensation

     2,284        1,614   

State tax credits

     48        802   

Inventory

     633        789   

Warranty

     1,686        1,268   

Vacation

     224        200   

Accrued expenses and allowances

     6,610        5,039   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

   $ 14,987      $ 13,630   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Intangible assets

     (6,195     (7,088

Property, plant and equipment

     (8,210     (9,054

Inventory

     (115     (113

Other

     (296     (1,058
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (14,816     (17,313
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

   $ 171      $ (3,683
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences. Accordingly, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets at August 31, 2012 and 2011 has not been established.

 

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The determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability for permanently reinvested foreign earnings is not practical as the Company does not intend to repatriate earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries and accordingly, has not provided a U.S. deferred income tax liability for cumulative earnings on non-U.S. affiliates and associated companies that have been reinvested indefinitely. The Company continues to analyze the potential tax impact should it elect to repatriate non-U.S. earnings and would recognize a deferred income tax liability if the Company were to determine that such earnings are no longer indefinitely reinvested.

The Company recognizes tax benefits only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits are tax benefits claimed in the Company’s tax returns that do not meet these recognition and measurement standards.

A reconciliation of changes in pre-tax unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

Unrecognized Tax Benefits at September 1

   $ 1,565      $ 1,112   

Increases for positions taken in current year

     2        78   

Increases for positions taken in prior years

     61        448   

Decreases for positions taken in prior years

     (44     —     

Settlements with taxing authorities

     (42     —     

Reduction resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitations

     (173     (87

Other increases (decreases)

     (60     14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized Tax Benefits at August 31

   $ 1,309      $ 1,565   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The net amount of unrecognized tax benefits at August 31, 2012 and 2011 that, if recognized, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate was $1.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Recognition of these tax benefits would have a favorable impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Total accrued pre-tax liabilities for interest and penalties included in the unrecognized tax benefits liability were $0.5 million and $0.5 million for the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities in most jurisdictions for years prior to 2009.

While it is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next twelve months as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitations, the Company does not expect this change to have a significant impact on its results of operations or financial position.

E. INVENTORIES

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

Inventory:

    

FIFO inventory

   $ 23,082      $ 22,614   

LIFO reserves

     (6,912     (7,178
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIFO inventory

     16,170        15,436   

Weighted average inventory

     20,918        20,848   

Other FIFO inventory

     17,433        15,407   

Obsolescence reserve

     (1,648     (2,167
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total inventories

   $ 52,873      $ 49,524   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The estimated percentage distribution between major classes of inventory before reserves is as follows:

 

     August 31,  
     2012     2011  

Raw materials

     16     14

Work in process

     7     8

Finished goods and purchased parts

     77     78

F. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

     August, 31  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

Operating property, plant and equipment:

    

Land

   $ 2,541      $ 2,859   

Buildings

     28,652        29,372   

Equipment

     75,097        71,942   

Other

     9,003        5,521   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating property, plant and equipment

     115,293        109,694   

Accumulated depreciation

     (70,596     (65,083
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 44,697      $ 44,611   

Property held for lease:

    

Machines

     3,945        3,907   

Barriers

     17,457        18,198   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property held for lease

   $ 21,402      $ 22,105   

Accumulated depreciation

     (9,919     (8,251
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property held for lease, net

   $ 11,483      $ 13,854   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 56,180      $ 58,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation expense was $9.6 million, $9.0 million and $8.1 million for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

G. OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011  

Other noncurrent assets:

     

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

   $ 2,494       $ 2,414   

Split dollar life insurance

     929         929   

Deferred income taxes

     650         269   

Other

     1,382         1,792   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent assets

   $ 5,455       $ 5,404   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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H. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the year ended August 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 

$ in thousands

   Irrigation     Infrastructure     Total  

Balance as of August 31, 2010

   $ 10,881      $ 16,514      $ 27,395   

Acquisition of IRZ and WMC

     2,182        —          2,182   

Finalization of Digitec Acquisition

     490        —          490   

Foreign currency translation

     129        747        876   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of August 31, 2011

   $ 13,682      $ 17,261      $ 30,943   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

     (206     (776     (982
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of August 31, 2012

   $ 13,476      $ 16,485      $ 29,961   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Intangible Assets

The components of the Company’s identifiable intangible assets at August 31, 2012 and 2011 are included in the table below.

 

     August 31,  
     2012     2011  

$ in thousands

   Weighted
Average
Years
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Weighted
Average
Years
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
 

Amortizable Intangible Assets:

                

Patents

     12.7       $ 25,637       $ (10,458     13.1       $ 26,316       $ (8,661

Customer relationships

     8.4         6,313         (3,477     9.7         6,371         (2,768

Non-compete agreements

     5.5         846         (478     6.9         852         (320

Other

     N/A         202         (90     N/A         171         (41

Unamortizable Intangible Assets:

                

Tradenames

     N/A         6,575         —          N/A         6,719         —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 39,573       $ (14,503      $ 40,429       $ (11,790
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets was $2.9 million, $2.8 million and $2.6 million for 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Amortizable intangible assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over an average term of approximately 11.3 years.

Future estimated amortization of intangible assets for the next five years is as follows:

 

Fiscal Years

   $ in thousands  

2013

   $  2,803   

2014

     2,748   

2015

     2,446   

2016

     2,128   

2017

     1,990   

The Company updated its impairment evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives at August 31, 2012. The estimated fair value of all of the Company’s reporting units each exceeded the respective carrying values by more than 10 percent. Accordingly, no impairment losses were indicated as a result of the annual impairment testing for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010. The Company does not include a roll forward of impairment losses because the Company has never had an impairment loss.

 

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I. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011  

Other current liabilities:

     

Employee salaries, vacation and retirement plans

   $ 14,438       $ 14,288   

Income tax liability

     5,397         460   

Warranty

     4,848         3,651   

Deferred revenue

     3,714         6,718   

Dealer related liabilities

     3,622         3,198   

Environmental remediation liability

     2,414         1,540   

Other

     10,348         13,025   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other current liabilities

   $ 44,781       $ 42,880   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

J. CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

Euro Line of Credit

The Company’s wholly-owned European subsidiary, Lindsay Europe SAS, has an unsecured revolving line of credit with Societe Generale, a European commercial bank, under which it could borrow for working capital purposes up to 2.3 million Euros (the “Euro Line of Credit”). There were no borrowings outstanding on this credit agreement at August 31, 2012 or 2011. Under the terms of the Euro line of Credit, borrowings, if any, bear interest at a floating rate in effect from time to time designated by the commercial bank as the Euro Interbank Offered Rate plus 110 basis points, (1.38 percent at August 31, 2012). Unpaid principal and interest is due by January 31, 2013. The Company intends to renew the Euro Line of Credit upon expiration of its term.

BSI Term Note

The Company entered into an unsecured $30.0 million Term Note and Credit Agreement, effective June 1, 2006, with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “BSI Term Note”) to partially finance the acquisition of BSI. Borrowings under the BSI Term Note bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 50 basis points (0.65 percent at August 31, 2012). The Company effectively fixed the economic effect of the variable interest rate at 6.05 percent through an interest rate swap as described in Note K, Financial Derivatives. Principal is repaid quarterly in equal payments of $1.1 million over a seven year period that began in September of 2006. The BSI Term Note is due in June of 2013.

Revolving Credit Agreement

The Company has an unsecured $30.0 million Revolving Credit Note and Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). The Revolving Credit Agreement was amended on January 23, 2011 in order to extend the termination date from January 23, 2012 to January 23, 2014. The borrowings from the amended Revolving Credit Agreement will primarily be used for working capital purposes and funding acquisitions. At August 31, 2012 and 2011, there was no outstanding balance on the Revolving Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 105 basis points (1.28 percent at August 31, 2012), subject to adjustment as set forth in the Revolving Credit Agreement as amended. Interest is paid on a monthly to quarterly basis depending on loan type. The Company also pays an annual commitment fee of 0.25 percent on the unused portion of the amended Revolving Credit Agreement. Unpaid principal and interest is due by January 23, 2014.

The BSI Term Note and the Revolving Credit Agreement (collectively, the “Notes”) each contain similar covenants, including certain covenants relating to the Company’s financial condition. These include maintaining a funded debt to EBITDA ratio, a fixed charge coverage ratio, a current ratio and a tangible net worth requirement (all as defined in the Notes) at specified levels. Upon the occurrence of any event of default of these covenants specified in the Notes, including a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Notes), all amounts due thereunder may be declared to be immediately due and payable. At August 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company was in compliance with all loan covenants.

 

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Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

BSI Term Note

   $ 4,285      $ 8,571   

Less current portion

     (4,285     (4,286
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   $ —        $ 4,285   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense was $0.5 million, $0.8 million and $1.6 million for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. All remaining principal payments on the term note are due within one year.

K. FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES

Financial derivatives consist of the following:

 

     Fair Values of Derivative Instruments  
    

Asset (Liability)

 
          August 31,     August 31,  

$ in thousands

  

Balance Sheet Location

   2012     2011  

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

       

Foreign currency forward contracts

   Other current liabilities    $ (436   $ (218

Interest rate swap

   Other current liabilities      (90     (267

Interest rate swap

   Other noncurrent liabilities      —          (149
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

      $ (526   $ (634
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

       

Foreign currency forward contracts

   Other current assets      12        —     

Foreign currency forward contracts

   Other current liabilities      (37     —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

      $ (25   $ —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

In addition, accumulated other comprehensive income included gains, net of related income tax effects of $2.4 million and $0.5 million at August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to derivative contracts designated as hedging instruments.

Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

In order to reduce interest rate risk on the BSI Term Note, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. that is designed to effectively convert or hedge the variable interest rate on the entire amount of this borrowing to achieve a net fixed rate of 6.05 percent per annum. Under the terms of the interest rate swap, the Company receives variable interest rate payments and makes fixed interest rate payments on an amount equal to the outstanding balance of the BSI Term Note (see Note J, Credit Arrangements). Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap designated as the hedging instrument that effectively offset the variability of cash flows associated with the variable-rate, long-term debt obligation are reported in AOCI, net of related income tax effects.

In order to reduce exposures related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the Company, at times, may enter into forward exchange or option contracts for transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency for certain of its operations. This activity primarily relates to economically hedging against foreign currency risk in purchasing inventory, sales of finished goods, and future settlement of foreign denominated assets and liabilities. Changes in fair value of the forward exchange contracts or option contracts designated as hedging instruments that effectively offset the hedged risks are reported in AOCI, net of related income tax effects. The Company had $3.0 million and $0.0 million of U.S. dollar equivalent cash flow forward exchange contracts and option contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In addition, the amount of gain or loss recognized in OCI, the amount of gain or loss reclassified from AOCI into income and the amount of gain or loss recognized in income related to the outstanding cash flow hedging relationships were immaterial.

 

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Net Investment Hedging Relationships

In order to reduce translation exposure resulting from translating the financial statements of its international subsidiaries into U.S. dollars, the Company, at times, utilizes Euro foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of its Euro net investment exposure in its foreign operations. These foreign currency forward contracts qualify as a hedge of net investments in foreign operations. Changes in fair value of the net investment hedge contracts are reported in OCI as part of the currency translation adjustment, net of tax.

 

     Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives  
     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011     2010  

Foreign currency forward contracts(1)

   $ 1,677       $ (800   $ 296   

 

(1) 

Net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,023, ($489) and $181 for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company settled Euro foreign currency forward contracts resulting in after-tax net gains (losses) of $1.8 million, ($0.7 million) and $0.3 million, respectively, which were included in OCI as part of a currency translation adjustment. There were no amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of operations related to ineffectiveness of Euro foreign currency forward contracts for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Accumulated currency translation adjustment in AOCI at August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 reflected realized and unrealized after-tax gains of $2.4 million, $0.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

At August 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had outstanding Euro foreign currency forward contracts to sell 26.5 million Euro and 10.0 million Euro, respectively, at fixed prices to settle during the next fiscal quarter. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts qualify as hedges of a net investment in foreign operations.

L. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of its business operations, the Company is involved, from time to time, in commercial litigation, employment disputes, administrative proceedings, and other legal proceedings. No such current proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, are expected to have a material effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.

Environmental Remediation

In 1992, the Company entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) in which the Company committed to remediate environmental contamination of the groundwater that was discovered in 1982 through 1990 at and adjacent to its Lindsay, Nebraska facility (the “site”). The site was added to the EPA’s list of priority superfund sites in 1989. Between 1993 and 1995, remediation plans for the site were approved by the EPA and fully implemented by the Company. Since 1998, the primary remaining contamination at the site has been the presence of volatile organic chemicals in the groundwater. The remediation process consists of drilling wells into the aquifer and pumping water to the surface to allow these contaminants to be removed by aeration. The Company accrues the anticipated cost of remediation when the obligation is probable and can be reasonably estimated.

In 2008, the Company and the EPA conducted their periodic five-year review of the status of the remediation of the contamination of the site. In response to the review, the Company and its environmental consultants have developed a remedial action work plan. In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company undertook an investigation to assess further potential site remediation and containment actions. In connection with the receipt of preliminary results of this investigation and other evaluations, the Company estimated that it would incur $7.2 million in remediation and operating costs and accrued that undiscounted amount as an operating expense in fiscal 2012.

 

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Although the Company has accrued all reasonably estimable costs associated with remediation of the site, it is expected that additional testing and environmental monitoring and remediation will be required in the future as part of the Company’s ongoing discussions with the EPA regarding the development and implementation of the remedial action plans, which could result in changes to its estimates. In addition, the current investigation has not yet been completed and does not include all affected areas on the site. Estimates continue to be refined and evaluated on a number of remediation alternatives and the EPA has not provided approval of possible action plans. While additional estimated expenses could significantly exceed the amount accrued as of August 31, 2012 and could be material to the operating results of any fiscal quarter or fiscal year, the Company does not expect that such additional expenses would have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or financial condition.

The following table summarizes the undiscounted environmental remediation liability classifications included in the balance sheet as of August 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

 

$ in thousands

   August 31,      August 31,  

Balance Sheet Location

   2012      2011  

Other current liabilities

   $ 2,414       $ 1,540   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     5,200         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total environmental remediation liabilities

   $ 7,614       $ 1,540   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Leases

The Company leases land, buildings, machinery, equipment, and computer equipment under various noncancelable operating lease agreements. At August 31, 2012, future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases were as follows:

 

Fiscal Years

   $ in thousands  

2013

   $ 2,404   

2014

     1,329   

2015

     1,077   

2016

     992   

2017

     848   

Thereafter

     1,714   
  

 

 

 
   $ 8,364   
  

 

 

 

Lease expense was $3.6 million, $3.4 million and $2.8 million for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

M. RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company has a defined contribution profit-sharing plan covering substantially all of its full-time U.S. employees. Participants may voluntarily contribute a percentage of compensation, but not in excess of the maximum allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. The plan provides for a matching contribution by the Company. The Company’s total contributions charged to expense under this plan were $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

A supplementary non-qualified, non-funded retirement plan for six former executives is also maintained. Plan benefits are based on the executive’s average total compensation during the three highest compensation years of employment. This unfunded supplemental retirement plan is not subject to the minimum funding requirements of ERISA. The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain former executives named in this supplemental retirement plan to provide funding for this liability.

As of August 31, 2012 and 2011, the funded status of the supplemental retirement plan was recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company utilizes an August 31 measurement date for plan obligations related to the supplemental retirement plan. As this is an unfunded retirement plan, the funded status is equal to the benefit obligation.

 

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The funded status of the plan and the net amount recognized in the accompanying balance sheets as of August 31 is as follows:

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 6,787      $ 6,957   

Interest cost

     325        334   

Actuarial loss

     823        53   

Benefits paid

     (557     (557
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 7,378      $ 6,787   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position consist of:

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011  

Other current liabilities

   $ 557       $ 557   

Pension benefit liabilities

     6,821         6,230   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net amount recognized

   $ 7,378       $ 6,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The before-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of August 31 consists of:

 

     August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

Net actuarial loss

   $ (4,101   $ (3,445

For the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company assumed a discount rate of 3.75 percent and 5.00 percent, respectively, for the determination of the liability. The assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and costs are selected based on current and expected market conditions. The discount rate is based on a hypothetical portfolio of long-term corporate bonds with cash flows approximating the timing of expected benefit payments.

For the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company assumed a discount rate of 5.00 percent, 5.00 percent and 5.25 percent, respectively, for the determination of the net periodic benefit cost. The components of the net periodic benefit cost for the supplemental retirement plan for the years ended August 31 are as follows:

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011      2010  

Interest cost

   $ 325       $ 334       $ 351   

Net amortization and deferral

     166         164         178   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 491       $ 498       $ 529   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The estimated actuarial loss for the supplemental retirement plan that will be amortized, on a pre-tax basis, from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost during fiscal 2013 will be $212.

The Company’s future annual contributions to the supplemental retirement plan will be equal to expected net benefit payments since the plan is unfunded. The following net benefit payments are expected to be paid:

 

Fiscal Years

   $ in thousands  

2013

     557   

2014

     541   

2015

     536   

2016

     531   

2017

     524   

Thereafter

     4,689   
  

 

 

 
     7,378   
  

 

 

 

 

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N. WARRANTIES

Product Warranties

The Company generally warrants its products against certain manufacturing and other defects. These product warranties are provided for specific periods and/or usage of the product. The accrued product warranty costs are for a combination of specifically identified items and other incurred, but not identified, items based primarily on historical experience of actual warranty claims. This reserve is classified within other current liabilities.

The following tables provide the changes in the Company’s product warranties:

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011  

Warranties:

    

Product warranty accrual balance, beginning of period

   $ 3,651      $ 1,862   

Liabilities accrued for warranties during the period

     4,922        4,865   

Warranty claims paid during the period

     (3,725     (3,076
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Product warranty accrual balance, end of period

   $ 4,848      $ 3,651   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Warranty costs were $4.9 million, $4.9 million, and $3.8 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

O. INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company manages its business activities in two reportable segments:

Irrigation

This reporting segment includes the manufacture and marketing of center pivot, lateral move, and hose reel irrigation systems as well as various water pumping stations and controls. The irrigation reporting segment consists of twelve operating segments that have similar economic characteristics and meet the aggregation criteria, including similar products, production processes, type or class of customer and methods for distribution.

Infrastructure

This reporting segment includes the manufacture and marketing of moveable barriers, specialty barriers and crash cushions; providing outsource manufacturing services and the manufacturing and selling of large diameter steel tubing and railroad signals and structures. The infrastructure reporting segment consists of three operating segments that have similar economic characteristics and meet the aggregation criteria.

The accounting policies of the two reportable segments are described in the “Accounting Policies” section of Note A. The Company evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based on segment sales, gross profit, and operating income, with operating income for segment purposes excluding unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses, interest income, interest expense, other income and expenses, and income taxes. Operating income for segment purposes does include general and administrative expenses, selling expenses, engineering and research expenses and other overhead charges directly attributable to the segment. There are no inter-segment sales.

The Company has no single major customer representing 10 percent or more of its total revenues during fiscal 2012, 2011, or 2010.

 

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Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following tables:

 

$ in thousands

   2012     2011     2010  

Operating revenues:

      

Irrigation

   $ 475,299      $ 369,930      $ 258,666   

Infrastructure

     75,956        108,960        99,774   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

   $ 551,255      $ 478,890      $ 358,440   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income:

      

Irrigation

   $ 80,259      $ 59,703      $ 40,869   

Infrastructure

     (11     11,901        11,083   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment operating income

   $ 80,248      $ 71,604      $ 51,952   

Unallocated general and administrative expenses

     (14,738     (15,018     (14,110

Interest and other income (expense), net

     (402     (72     (1,060
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 65,108      $ 56,514      $ 36,782   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Capital Expenditures:

      

Irrigation

   $ 7,942      $ 5,490      $ 3,125   

Infrastructure

     1,948        2,915        2,659   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 9,890      $ 8,405      $ 5,784   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Depreciation and Amortization:

      

Irrigation

   $ 6,959      $ 6,009      $ 4,597   

Infrastructure

     5,509        5,725        6,113   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 12,468      $ 11,734      $ 10,710   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets:

      

Irrigation

   $ 303,741      $ 267,275      $ 206,885   

Infrastructure

     111,790        113,869        118,596   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 415,531      $ 381,144      $ 325,481   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s geographical areas is shown in the following tables. No individual foreign country’s operating revenues were material for separate disclosure purposes.

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011      2010  
     Revenues      % of Total
Revenues
     Revenues      % of Total
Revenues
     Revenues      % of Total
Revenues
 

United States

   $ 354,649         64       $ 307,694         64       $ 204,465         57   

International

     196,606         36         171,196         36         153,975         43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

   $ 551,255         100       $ 478,890         100       $ 358,440         100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011      2010  
     Long-Lived
Tangible
Assets
     % of Total
Long-Lived
Tangible
Assets
     Long-Lived
Tangible
Assets
     % of Total
Long-Lived
Tangible
Assets
     Long-Lived
Tangible
Assets
     % of Total
Long-Lived
Tangible
Assets
 

United States

   $ 45,100         80       $ 45,091         77       $ 45,881         80   

International

     11,080         20         13,374         23         11,765         20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Long-Lived Assets

   $ 56,180         100       $ 58,465         100       $ 57,646         100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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P. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

Share Based Compensation Program

Share based compensation is designed to reward employees for their long-term contributions to the Company and provide incentives for them to remain with the Company. The number and frequency of share grants are based on competitive practices, operating results of the Company, and individual performance. As of August 31, 2012, the Company’s share-based compensation plan was the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). The 2010 Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company, and became effective on January 25, 2010, and replaced the Company’s 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan. At August 31, 2012 the Company had share based awards outstanding under its 2001, 2006 and 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plans.

The 2010 Plan provides for awards of stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares and performance stock units to employees and non-employee directors of the Company. The maximum number of shares as to which stock awards may be granted under the 2010 Plan is 435,000 shares, exclusive of any forfeitures from the 2001 and 2006 Long Term Incentive Plans. At August 31, 2012, 297,962 shares of common stock (including forfeitures from prior plans) remained available for issuance under the 2010 Plan. All stock awards will be counted against the 2010 Plan in a 1 to 1 ratio. If options, restricted stock units or performance stock units awarded under the 2006 Plan or the 2001 Plan terminate without being fully vested or exercised, those shares will be available again for grant under the 2010 Plan. The 2010 Plan also limits the total awards that may be made to any individual.

Share Based Compensation Information

Stock Options – Stock option awards granted under the 2010 Plan have an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date of grant, expire no later than ten years from the date of grant and vest over a four-year period at 25 percent per year. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The table below shows the annual weighted-average assumptions used for valuation purposes.

 

     Grant Year  
     Fiscal 2012  

Weighed-Average Assumptions

  

Risk-free interest rate

     1.7

Dividend yield

     0.6

Expected life (years)

     7   

Volatility

     55.9
  

Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted

     $31.04   
  

There were no stock option awards granted for the years ended August 31, 2011 or 2010. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant; the dividend yield is calculated as the ratio of dividends paid per share of common stock to the stock price on the date of grant; the expected life is based on historical and expected exercise behavior; and volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price over the expected life of the option.

 

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of and for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Average
Exercise Price
     Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(‘000s)
 

Outstanding at August 31, 2010

     291,625      $ 23.23         3.7       $ 3,977   

Granted

     —          —           

Exercised

     (153,700   $ 23.28          $ 7,001   

Forfeitures

     (1,350   $ 24.33         
  

 

 

         

Outstanding at August 31, 2011

     136,575      $ 23.17         3.1       $ 5,331   
  

 

 

         

Granted

     36,294        58.10         

Exercised

     (23,588   $ 24.10          $ 971   

Forfeitures

     (2,983   $ 58.10         
  

 

 

         

Outstanding at August 31, 2012

     146,298      $ 30.97         3.9       $ 5,031   
  

 

 

         

Exercisable at August 31, 2010

     284,875      $  23.33         3.7       $  3,858   

Exercisable at August 31, 2011

     136,575      $ 23.17         3.1       $ 5,331   

Exercisable at August 31, 2012

     112,987      $ 22.97         2.4       $ 4,789   

There were no outstanding stock options that vested during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012. There were 6,750 and 27,115 outstanding stock options that vested during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Additional information regarding stock option exercises is summarized in the table below.

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012      2011      2010  

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised

   $ 971       $ 7,001       $ 2,042   

Cash received from stock option exercises

   $ 567       $ 3,579       $ 1,213   

Tax benefit realized from stock option exercises

   $ 368       $ 2,628       $ 232   

Aggregate grant-date fair value of stock options vested

     N/A       $ 8.13       $ 9.72   

Restricted stock units – The restricted stock units granted to employees and directors under the 2010 Plan have a grant date fair value equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date less present value of expected dividends. The restricted stock units granted to employees vest over a three-year period at approximately 33 percent per year. The restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors generally vest over a nine-month period.

The following table summarizes information about restricted stock units as of and for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Number of Shares     Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value
 

Restricted stock units at August 31, 2010

     75,093      $ 38.61   

Granted

     40,699        55.27   

Vested

     (40,337     43.91   

Forfeited

     (3,629     51.17   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted stock units at August 31, 2011

     71,826      $ 47.99   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Granted

     40,212        58.27   

Vested

     (37,381     47.87   

Forfeited

     (7,122     51.16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted stock units at August 31, 2012

     67,535      $ 54.35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Restricted stock units are generally settled with the issuance of shares with the exception of certain restricted stock units awarded to internationally-based employees that are settled in cash. At August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, outstanding restricted stock units included 4,873, 5,658 and 7,546 units, respectively, that will be settled in cash. The vesting date fair value of restricted stock units that vested was $1.7 million for each of the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011.

Performance stock units – The performance stock units granted to employees under the 2010 Plan have a grant date fair value equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date less present value of expected dividends. The performance stock units granted to employees cliff vest after a three-year period and a specified number of shares of common stock will be awarded under the terms of the performance stock units, if performance measures relating to three-year average revenue growth and a three-year average return on net assets are achieved.

The table below summarizes the status of the Company’s performance stock units as of and for the year ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Number of Shares     Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value
 

Performance stock units at August 31, 2010

     87,701      $ 38.98   

Granted

     27,932        55.45   

Vested

     (17,008     47.27   

Forfeited

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Performance stock units at August 31, 2011

     98,625      $ 42.21   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Granted

     19,386        57.09   

Vested

     —          —     

Forfeited

     (38,987     43.30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Performance stock units at August 31, 2012

     79,024      $ 45.32   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In connection with the performance stock units, the performance goals are based upon a three-year average revenue growth and a three-year average return on net assets over the performance period. The awards actually earned will range from zero to two hundred percent of the targeted number of performance stock units and will be paid in shares of common stock. Shares earned will be distributed upon vesting on the first day of November following the end of the three-year performance period. The Company is accruing compensation expense based on the estimated number of shares expected to be issued utilizing the most current information available to the Company at the date of the financial statements. If defined performance goals are not met, no compensation cost will be recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense will be reversed. Performance stock units that vested in fiscal 2011 represented 13,395 actual shares of common stock issued. No shares vested in fiscal 2012 as performance measures were not met. The vesting date fair value of performance stock units that vested was $0.6 million for the year ended August 31, 2011.

As of August 31, 2012, there was $4.7 million pre-tax of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.

 

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The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

 

     For the years ended August 31,  

$ in thousands

   2012     2011     2010  

Share-based compensation expense included in cost of operating revenues

   $ 225      $ 157      $ 123   

Research and development

     189        120        60   

Sales and marketing

     524        574        360   

General and administrative

     3,001        2,623        1,663   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

     3,714        3,317        2,083   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total share-based compensation expense

     3,939        3,474        2,206   

Tax benefit

     (1,493     (1,317     (836
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense, net of tax

   $ 2,446      $ 2,157      $ 1,370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Q. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

$ in thousands, except per share amounts

   First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 

Year ended August 31, 2012

           

Operating revenues

   $ 119,205       $ 132,134       $ 172,099       $ 127,817   

Cost of operating revenues

     88,957         95,640         123,071         95,069   

Earnings before income taxes

     4,441         19,427         28,587         12,653   

Net earnings

     2,921         12,774         18,823         8,759   

Diluted net earnings per share(1)

   $ 0.23       $ 1.00       $ 1.47       $ 0.68   

Market price (NYSE)

           

High

   $ 63.40       $ 67.27       $ 70.13       $ 74.62   

Low

   $ 46.03       $ 49.17       $ 52.98       $ 52.68   

Year ended August 31, 2011

           

Operating revenues

   $ 89,166       $ 120,168       $ 153,446       $ 116,110   

Cost of operating revenues

     64,943         86,159         111,947         86,056   

Earnings before income taxes

     6,577         17,001         23,159         9,777   

Net earnings

     4,286         11,325         15,289         5,902   

Diluted net earnings per share(1)

   $ 0.34       $ 0.89       $ 1.20       $ 0.46   

Market price (NYSE)

           

High

   $ 66.48       $ 79.56       $ 85.87       $ 73.03   

Low

   $ 37.22       $ 58.00       $ 61.85       $ 47.68   

 

(1)

The quarterly diluted net earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution for the quarter. There may be rounding differences between the sum of the quarterly diluted net earnings per share amounts and the year-to-date diluted net earnings per share.

 

 

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ITEM 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

ITEM 9A – Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) and internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in enabling the Company to record, process, summarize and report information required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings within the required time period.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2012, based on the criteria for effective internal control described in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its assessment, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of August 31, 2012.

The Audit Committee has engaged KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to attest to and report on management’s evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The report of KPMG LLP is included herein.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Lindsay Corporation:

We have audited Lindsay Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

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A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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.

In our opinion, Lindsay Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Lindsay Corporation and subsidiaries as of August 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2012, and our report dated October 26, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

October 26, 2012

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended August 31, 2012, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B – Other Information

None.

 

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PART III

ITEM 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The Company will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a definitive Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year ended August 31, 2012. Information about the Board of Directors required by Items 401 and 407 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference to the discussion responsive thereto under the captions “Board of Directors and Committees” and “Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement.

The executive officers and significant employees of the Company, their ages, positions and past five years experience are set forth below. All executive officers of the Company are appointed by the Board of Directors annually and have employment agreements. There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer. There are no arrangements or understandings between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which they were selected as an officer.

 

     Age     

Position

Richard W. Parod

     59       President and Chief Executive Officer

James C. Raabe

     52       Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Steven S. Cotariu

     54       President – Infrastructure Business

David B. Downing

     57       President – International Operations

Barry A. Ruffalo

     42       President – Irrigation Business

Douglas A. Taylor*

     49       President – Technology Business

Eric R. Arneson*

     38       Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Mark A. Roth*

     37       Vice President – Corporate Development and Treasurer

Lori L. Zarkowski*

     37       Chief Accounting Officer

 

* The employee is not an executive officer of the Registrant.

Mr. Richard W. Parod is President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company, and has held such positions since April 2000. Prior to that time and since 1997, Mr. Parod was Vice President and General Manager of the Irrigation Division of The Toro Company. Mr. Parod was employed by James Hardie Irrigation from 1993 through 1997, becoming President in 1994. Mr. Parod has been a Director since April 2000, when he began his employment with the Company.

Mr. James C. Raabe is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and has held such positions since June 2011. Prior to joining Lindsay and since April 1999, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Select Comfort Corporation. From September 1997 to April 1999, Mr. Raabe served as the Controller for Select Comfort Corporation. From May 1992 to September 1997, he served as Vice President – Finance of ValueRx, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management provider. Mr. Raabe held various positions with KPMG LLP from August 1982 to May 1992.

Mr. Steven S. Cotariu is President – Infrastructure Business of the Company and has held that position since September 2010 when he joined the Company. Prior to joining Lindsay and since October 2002, Mr. Cotariu held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility with Pentair, Inc., most recently as Vice President, Marketing for Pentair Technical Products. Previously, Mr. Cotariu held marketing and business development positions with Textron, Inc. and was a consultant with McKinsey & Company.

Mr. David B. Downing is President – International Operations of the Company and has held such position since March 2008. Between March 2009 and June 2011, Mr. Downing served as both Chief Financial Officer and President – International Operations of the Company. Previously he was Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company and held such positions from August 2004, when he joined the Company, to March 2008. Prior to August 2004, Mr. Downing served as the President of FPM L.L.C., a heat-treating company based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, after joining that company in January 2001 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Mr. Downing served as Vice President and Controller for Thermo-King, which manufactured transport refrigeration equipment.

 

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Mr. Barry A. Ruffalo is President – Irrigation Business of the Company and has held such position since March 2007, when he joined the Company. Prior to joining Lindsay and since February 2007, Mr. Ruffalo was most recently a Director of North American Operations for Joy Global Inc. Prior to that time and since 1996, Mr. Ruffalo held various positions of increasing responsibility with Case New Holland; the last five years were spent in Operations Management within the Tractor and the Hay and Forage divisions for both the Case IH and New Holland brands.

Mr. Douglas A. Taylor is President – Technology Business of the Company and has held such position since July 2011. Mr. Taylor joined the Company in May 2005 as the Chief Information Officer and was promoted to Vice President and Chief Information Officer in October 2006, a position he held until appointment to his current position. From 2004 through early 2005, Mr. Taylor was a Technology Consultant. Prior to that time and since 1999, Mr. Taylor held several positions with ConAgra Foods, most recently as the Vice President of Process and Systems Integration, Vice President of Financial Systems, and Director of Information Systems.

Mr. Eric R. Arneson is Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company and has held such positions since April 2008, when he joined the Company. Prior to that time and since January 1999, Mr. Arneson practiced law with the law firm of Kutak Rock LLP, and was most recently a partner of the firm.

Mr. Mark A. Roth is Vice President – Corporate Development and Treasurer of the Company. Mr. Roth joined Lindsay in 2004, as Director of Corporate Development and was promoted to Vice President – Corporate Development in March 2007, adding Treasurer to his role in April 2008. From March 2001 through 2004 when he joined the Company, Mr. Roth was an Associate with McCarthy Group, Inc., a Midwest-based investment bank and private equity fund. From January 1998 through February 2001, Mr. Roth was a Senior Credit Analyst at US Bancorp.

Ms. Lori L. Zarkowski is Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, and has held such position since August 2011. Ms. Zarkowski joined Lindsay in June 2007 as Corporate Reporting Manager and was promoted to Corporate Controller in April 2008. Prior to joining the Company and since 1997, Ms. Zarkowski was most recently an Audit Senior Manager with Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance - Item 405 of Regulation S-K calls for disclosure of any known late filing or failure by an insider to file a report required by Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act. The information required by Item 405 is incorporated by reference to the discussion responsive thereto under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement.

Code of Ethics – Item 406 of Regulation S-K calls for disclosure of whether the Company has adopted a code of ethics applicable to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Company has adopted a code of ethics applicable to the Company’s principal executive officer and senior financial officers known as the Code of Ethical Conduct (Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers). The Code of Ethical Conduct (Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers) is available on the Company’s website. In the event that the Company amends or waives any of the provisions of the Code of Ethical Conduct applicable to the principal executive officer and senior financial officers, the Company intends to disclose the same on the Company’s website at www.lindsay.com. No waivers were provided for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.

 

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ITEM 11 – Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the discussion responsive thereto under the captions “Executive Compensation”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Pension Benefits”, “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation”, “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation”, “Compensation of Directors” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference to the discussion responsive thereto under the caption “Voting Securities and Beneficial Ownership Thereof by Principal Stockholders, Directors and Officers” in the Proxy Statement.

Equity Compensation Plan Information – The following equity compensation plan information summarizes plans and securities approved by security holders as of August 31, 2012 (there were no equity compensation plans not approved by security holders as of August 31, 2012):

 

    (a)     (b)     (c)  

Plan category

  Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants, and rights
    Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants, and  rights
    Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance under

equity compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in column (a))
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) (2)

    287,984      $ 30.97        297,962   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    287,984      $ 30.97        297,962   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Plans approved by shareholders include the Company’s 2001, 2006 and 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plans. While certain share based awards remain outstanding under the Company’s 2001 and 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plans, no future equity compensation awards may be granted under such plans.

(2)

Column (a) includes (i) 79,024 shares that could be issued under performance stock units (“PSU”) outstanding at August 31, 2012, and (ii) 62,662 shares that could be issued under restricted stock units (“RSU”) outstanding at August 31, 2012. The PSUs are earned and Common Stock issued if certain predetermined performance criteria are met. Actual shares issued may be equal to, less than or greater than (but not more than 200 percent of) the number of outstanding PSUs included in column (a), depending on actual performance. The RSUs vest and are payable in Common Stock after the expiration of the time periods set forth in the related agreements. Column (b) does not take these PSU and RSU awards into account because they do not have an exercise price.

ITEM 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the discussion responsive thereto under the captions “Corporate Governance” and “Corporate Governance – Related Party Transactions” in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14 – Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the discussion responsive thereto under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement.

 

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PART IV

ITEM 15 – Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

a(1) Financial Statements

The following financial statements of Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries are included in Part II Item 8.

 

    Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    27  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

    28  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at August 31, 2012 and 2011

    29  

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income  for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

    30  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

    31  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    32-53  

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts -

Years ended August 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

    60  

Financial statements and schedules other than those listed are omitted for the reason that they are not required, are not applicable or that equivalent information has been included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

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a(2) Financial Statement Schedules

Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

 

            Additions               

(in thousands)

   Balance at
beginning
of period
     Charges to
costs and
expenses
     Charged to
other
accounts
    Deductions      Balance at
end of
period
 

Year ended August 31, 2012:

             

Deducted in the balance sheet from the assets to which they apply:

             

Allowance for doubtful accounts (a)

     2,340        379          1,002        1,717  

Allowance for inventory obsolescence (b)

     2,167        1,114        (126     1,507        1,648  

Year ended August 31, 2011:

             

Deducted in the balance sheet from the assets to which they apply:

             

Allowance for doubtful accounts (a)

     2,244        388        —          292        2,340  

Allowance for inventory obsolescence (b)

     2,045        426        (2     302        2,167  

Year ended August 31, 2010:

             

Deducted in the balance sheet from the assets to which they apply:

             

Allowance for doubtful accounts (a)

     1,864        732        4       356        2,244  

Allowance for inventory obsolescence (b)

     1,643        984        60       642        2,045  

 

(a) Deductions consist of uncollectible items written off, less recoveries of items previously written off.
(b) Deductions consist of obsolete items sold or scrapped.

a(3) Exhibits. The list of the Exhibits in the Exhibit Index is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

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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 on this 26th day of October, 2012.

 

LINDSAY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ JAMES C. RAABE

Name:   James C. Raabe
Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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 indicated on this 26th day of October, 2012.

 

/s/ RICHARD W. PAROD

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard W. Parod    (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ JAMES C. RAABE

   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
James C. Raabe    (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ MICHAEL N. CHRISTODOLOU (1)

   Chairman of the Board of Directors
Michael N. Christodolou   

/s/ HOWARD G. BUFFETT              (1)

   Director
Howard G. Buffett   

/s/ W. THOMAS JAGODINSKI         (1)

   Director
W. Thomas Jagodinski   

/s/ J. DAVID MCINTOSH                 (1)

   Director
J. David McIntosh   

/s/ MICHAEL C. NAHL                    (1)

   Director
Michael C. Nahl   

/s/ MICHAEL D.WALTER               (1)

   Director
Michael D. Walter   

/s/ WILLIAM F. WELSH II                (1)

   Director
William F. Welsh II   

 

(1) By:   /s/ RICHARD W. PAROD
  Richard W. Parod, Attorney-In-Fact

 

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a(3) EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit    

Number

 

Description

3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2006.
3.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2011.
4.1   Specimen Form of Common Stock Certificate incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2006.
10.1   Lindsay Corporation 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan and forms of award agreements, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2011.†
10.2   Lindsay Manufacturing Co. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan and forms of award agreements, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007.†
10.3   Lindsay Manufacturing Co. 2001 Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001.†
10.4   Amendment to Lindsay Manufacturing Co. 2001 Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2005.†
10.5   Lindsay Corporation Management Incentive Umbrella Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2009.†
10.6**   Lindsay Corporation Management Incentive Plan (MIP), 2012 Plan Year, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2011.†
10.7   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its Officers and Directors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2008.†
10.8   Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard W. Parod effective March 8, 2000, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2000.†
10.9   First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated May 2, 2003, between the Company and Richard W. Parod, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 (a) of Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2003.†
10.10   Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated December 22, 2004, between the Company and Richard W. Parod, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2004.†
10.11   Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 20, 2007, between the Company and Richard W. Parod, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2007.†
10.12   Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated December 22, 2008, between the Company and Richard W. Parod, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2009.†
10.13   Fifth Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated January 26, 2009, between the Company and Richard W. Parod, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2009.†

 

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10.14    Restated Sixth Amendment, effective February 25, 2010, by and between the Company and Richard W. Parod, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2010.†
10.15    Seventh Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Company and Richard W. Parod, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2011.†
10.16    Employment Agreement, dated May 5, 2011, between the Company and James Raabe, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 10, 2011.†
10.17    Employment Agreement dated February 19, 2009, by and between the Company and David B. Downing, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2009.†
10.18    Employment Agreement, dated February 19, 2009, by and between the Company and Barry A. Ruffalo, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2009.†
10.19    Employment Agreement, dated August 13, 2010, by and between the Company and Steve Cotariu, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010.†
10.20    Term Note, dated June 1, 2006, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2006.
10.21    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 1, 2006, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended on February 28, 2010.
10.22    Amended and Restated ISDA Confirmation dated May 5, 2006, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2006.
10.23    ISDA Master Agreement, dated May 5, 2006, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2006.
10.24    Schedule to the ISDA Master Agreement, dated May 5, 2006, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2006.
10.25    Revolving Credit Note, dated January 24, 2008, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2008.
10.26    Revolving Credit Agreement, dated January 24, 2008, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2008.
10.27    First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated January 23, 2010, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 26, 2010.
10.28    Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated January 23, 2011, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 26, 2011.
10.29    Lindsay Corporation Policy on Payment of Directors Fees and Expenses, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2011.
21*    Subsidiaries of the Company

 

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23*   Consent of KPMG LLP
24*   The Power of Attorney authorizing Richard W. Parod to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2012 on behalf of non-management directors.
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS***   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit hereto pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.
* Filed herein.
** Certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of redacting a portion of the text. This Exhibit has been filed separately with the Secretary of the Commission with the redacted text pursuant to the Company’s application requesting confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
*** Furnished herewith. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability under these Sections.

 

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