Edgar Filing: LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC

Quarterly Report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009

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

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 0-1402

LOGO

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Ohio		34-1860551
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

22801 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio		44117
(Address of principle executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(216) 481-8100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Yes þ 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 ¨ No ¨

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


Large Accelerated Filer þ		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 þ

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common shares as of June 30, 2009 was 42,523,871.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION		3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)		3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME		3
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS		4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS		5
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		15
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		21
Item 4. Controls and Procedures		21
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION		22
Item 1. Legal Proceedings		22
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		22
Item 5. Other Information		23
Item 6. Exhibits		24
Signature		25
EX-10.1
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)


	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Net sales	$	413,283		$	699,826		$	825,034		$	1,320,053
Cost of goods sold		306,892			495,112			628,395			937,888

Gross profit		106,391			204,714			196,639			382,165

Selling, general & administrative expenses		80,121			113,118			157,637			212,079
Rationalization charges		6,877			—			18,576			—

Operating income		19,393			91,596			20,426			170,086

Other income (expense):
Interest income		952			1,865			2,064			4,299
Equity earnings in affiliates		4,555			3,814			2,569			4,363
Other income		918			627			1,311			1,126
Interest expense		(1,953	)		(2,802	)		(4,515	)		(5,783	)

Total other income		4,472			3,504			1,429			4,005


Income before income taxes		23,865			95,100			21,855			174,091
Income taxes		8,797			24,972			10,381			50,486

Net income	$	15,068		$	70,128		$	11,474		$	123,605


Basic weighted average shares outstanding		42,389			42,709			42,380			42,692
Effect of dilutive securities - stock options and awards		203			464			200			440

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		42,592			43,173			42,580			43,132


Basic earnings per share	$	0.36		$	1.64		$	0.27		$	2.90

Diluted earnings per share	$	0.35		$	1.62		$	0.27		$	2.87


Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.27		$	0.25		$	0.54		$	0.50

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of dollars)


	June 30, 2009			December 31, 2008
	(UNAUDITED)			(NOTE 1)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	346,899		$	284,332
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,326 in 2009; $7,673 in 2008)		263,613			299,171
Inventories
Raw materials		63,391			94,112
Work-in-process		33,857			49,692
Finished goods		170,302			203,128

Total inventory		267,550			346,932

Other current assets		81,632			94,291

Total Current Assets		959,694			1,024,726

Property, Plant and Equipment
Land		42,186			38,745
Buildings		269,503			258,736
Machinery and equipment		657,792			643,056

		969,481			940,537
Less accumulated depreciation		539,662			512,635

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		429,819			427,902

Total Non-current assets		262,869			266,177


TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,652,382		$	1,718,805


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Amounts due banks	$	17,517		$	19,436
Trade accounts payable		101,226			124,388
Other current liabilities		167,958			181,561
Current portion of long-term debt		1,103			31,257

Total Current Liabilities		287,804			356,642

Long-Term Liabilities
Long-term debt, less current portion		89,533			91,537
Accrued pensions		168,562			188,160
Other long-term liabilities		71,716			72,493

Total Long-Term Liabilities		329,811			352,190

Shareholders’ Equity
Common shares		4,929			4,929
Additional paid-in capital		158,030			155,538
Retained earnings		1,225,323			1,236,810
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(185,750	)		(218,254	)
Treasury shares		(183,934	)		(183,807	)

Total Shareholders’ Equity		1,018,598			995,216
Noncontrolling Interest		16,169			14,757

Total Equity		1,034,767			1,009,973


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,652,382		$	1,718,805

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars)


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	11,474		$	123,605
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		27,668			28,348
Equity earnings in affiliates, net		(512	)		(2,917	)
Deferred income taxes		(3,765	)		65
Stock-based compensation		2,374			2,240
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps		(801	)		(479	)
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost		10,186			681
Other non-cash items, net		1,649			2,515
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable		40,533			(61,703	)
Decrease (increase) in inventories		88,248			(36,924	)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets		15,808			(21,273	)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable		(24,943	)		37,557
(Decrease) increase in other current liabilities		(15,600	)		58,178
Decrease in accrued pensions		(18,951	)		(12,758	)
Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities		857			3,550

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		134,225			120,685

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(20,819	)		(31,098	)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			(24,264	)
Additions to equity investment in affiliates		(488	)		—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		260			314

NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(21,047	)		(55,048	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		10,263			11,306
Payments on short-term borrowings		(9,694	)		(713	)
Amounts due banks, net		(692	)		2,557
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		163			1,352
Payments on long-term borrowings		(30,476	)		(424	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		218			5,435
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options		74			2,708
Purchase of shares for treasury		(343	)		(18,033	)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders		(22,894	)		(21,380	)

NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(53,381	)		(17,192	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		2,770			2,530

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		62,567			50,975

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		284,332			217,382

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	346,899		$	268,357

See notes to these consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)

June 30, 2009

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

As used in this report, the term “Company,” except as otherwise indicated by the context, means Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries for which it has a controlling interest. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements contain all the adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and changes in cash flows for the interim periods. Management has evaluated and disclosed all material events occurring subsequent to the date of the financial statements up to July 28, 2009, the filing date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2008 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

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

NOTE 2 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company issued 10,650 and 183,237 shares of common stock from treasury upon exercise of employee stock options during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

For the three months ended June 30, 2009, common shares subject to equity-based awards of 180,760 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of their exercise would be anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, common shares subject to equity-based awards of 197,489 and 14,583, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of their exercise would be anti-dilutive.

NOTE 3 – COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of comprehensive income are as follows:


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008
Net income	$	15,068		$	70,128
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax of ($99) in 2009 and $353 in 2008		(336	)		1,148
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $2,454 in 2009 and $313 in 2008		5,923			439
Currency translation adjustment		47,046			12,477

Total comprehensive income		67,701			84,192
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(854	)		(354	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.	$	66,847		$	83,838


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008
Net income	$	11,474		$	123,605
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax of $227 in 2009 and $1,654 in 2008		259			3,126
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $4,920 in 2009 and $581 in 2008		10,273			825
Currency translation adjustment		22,838			37,145

Total comprehensive income		44,844			164,701
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(866	)		(291	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.	$	43,978		$	164,410

NOTE 4 – INVENTORY VALUATION

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Fixed manufacturing overhead costs are allocated to inventory based on normal production capacity, and abnormal manufacturing costs are recognized as period costs. For domestic inventories, cost is determined principally by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, and for non-U.S. inventories, cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The valuation of LIFO inventories is made at the end of each year based on inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations, by necessity, are based on estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to final year-end LIFO inventory calculations. The excess of current cost over LIFO cost amounted to $84,969 and $90,914 at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

NOTE 5 – ACCRUED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Accrued employee compensation and benefits at June 30, 2009 and 2008 include accruals for year-end bonuses and related payroll taxes of $17,871 and $59,393, respectively, related to Lincoln employees worldwide. The payment of bonuses is discretionary and is subject to approval by the Board of Directors. A majority of annual bonuses are paid in December resulting in an increasing bonus accrual during the Company’s fiscal year. The decrease in the accrual from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2009 is due to the decrease in profitability of the Company.

NOTE 6 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s primary business is the design and manufacture of arc welding and cutting products, manufacturing a full line of arc welding equipment, consumable welding products and other welding and cutting products. The Company manages its operations by geographic location and has two reportable segments, North America and Europe, and combines all other operating segments as Other Countries. Other Countries includes results of operations for the Company’s businesses in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Venezuela and Vietnam. Each operating segment is managed separately because each faces a distinct economic environment, a different customer base and a varying level of competition and market conditions. Segment performance and resource allocation is measured based on income before interest and income taxes.

Financial information for the reportable segments follows:


	North America		Europe			Other Countries		Eliminations			Consolidated
Three months ended June 30, 2009:
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	$	239,716	$	93,999		$	79,568	$	—		$	413,283
Inter-segment sales		12,741		2,772			1,338		(16,851	)		—

Total	$	252,457	$	96,771		$	80,906	$	(16,851	)	$	413,283

Income (loss) before interest and income taxes	$	24,767	$	(3,654	)	$	3,332	$	421		$	24,866
Interest income												952
Interest expense												(1,953	)

Income before income taxes											$	23,865

Rationalization charges	$	121	$	6,161		$	595	$	—		$	6,877

Three months ended June 30, 2008:
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	$	400,735	$	170,978		$	128,113	$	—		$	699,826
Inter-segment sales		31,145		7,339			2,731		(41,215	)		—

Total	$	431,880	$	178,317		$	130,844	$	(41,215	)	$	699,826

Income before interest and income taxes	$	62,049	$	20,510		$	12,385	$	1,093		$	96,037
Interest income												1,865
Interest expense												(2,802	)

Income before income taxes											$	95,100

Six months ended June 30, 2009:
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	$	486,372	$	187,299		$	151,363	$	—		$	825,034
Inter-segment sales		30,349		5,274			3,301		(38,924	)		—

Total	$	516,721	$	192,573		$	154,664	$	(38,924	)	$	825,034

Income (loss) before interest and income taxes	$	33,000	$	(10,258	)	$	1,709	$	(145	)	$	24,306
Interest income												2,064
Interest expense												(4,515	)

Income before income taxes											$	21,855

Rationalization charges	$	10,647	$	6,631		$	1,298	$	—		$	18,576

Total assets	$	1,053,580	$	420,253		$	395,874	$	(217,325	)	$	1,652,382

Six months ended June 30, 2008:
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	$	771,848	$	318,423		$	229,782	$	—		$	1,320,053
Inter-segment sales		58,211		14,264			4,297		(76,772	)		—

Total	$	830,059	$	332,687		$	234,079	$	(76,772	)	$	1,320,053

Income before interest and income taxes	$	118,582	$	38,729		$	17,424	$	840		$	175,575
Interest income												4,299
Interest expense												(5,783	)

Income before income taxes											$	174,091

Total assets	$	1,083,140	$	574,225		$	442,630	$	(162,354	)	$	1,937,641

NOTE 7 – RATIONALIZATION

The Company recorded rationalization charges of $18,576 during the six months ended June 30, 2009. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company initiated various actions including the closure of a manufacturing facility in Europe. These actions are expected to affect 122 and 112 employees in the Europe and Other Countries segments, respectively. The total cost of these actions is expected to be approximately $7,400, of which the Company recorded rationalization charges of $6,818 in the three months ended June 30, 2009. At June 30, 2009, the liability related to these actions of $5,469 was recorded in “Other

current liabilities.” These costs relate primarily to employee severance actions that are expected to be substantially completed and paid over the next year.

Actions taken during the first quarter of 2009 included a voluntary separation incentive program covering certain U.S.-based employees. These actions affected 350, 48 and 170 employees in North America, Europe and Other Countries, respectively. The total cost is expected to be approximately $12,200 of which the Company recorded rationalization charges of $11,899 in the first six months of 2009. At June 30, 2009, the liability related to these actions of $1,284 was recorded in “Other current liabilities.” These costs relate primarily to employee severance actions that are expected to be completed and paid by the end of 2009.

Actions taken during the fourth quarter of 2008 affected 65 employees in European businesses and 67 employees in North American businesses. The total cost of these actions is expected to be approximately $2,800 of which $2,447 was recorded at December 31, 2008 and $44 was recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2009. At June 30, 2009, the liability related to these actions of $100 was recorded in “Other current liabilities.” These costs relate primarily to employee severance actions that are expected to be completed and paid by the end of 2009.

The following table summarizes the activity related to the rationalization liabilities:


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2009
Balance at beginning of period	$	9,625
Payments and other adjustments		(9,834	)
Charged to expense		7,062

Balance at end of period	$	6,853

The Company is in the process of terminating the Harris Calorific Limited (“Harris Ireland”) Pension Plan. During the second quarter 2009, the Company received cash of $1,740 and recorded a gain of $185 in connection with the termination.

The Company continues evaluating its cost structure and additional rationalization actions are being contemplated that would result in charges in subsequent quarters.

NOTE 8 – ACQUISITIONS

On March 16, 2009, the Company announced that it signed definitive agreements to acquire the remaining 52% of Jinzhou Jin Tai Welding and Metal Co., Ltd. (“Jin Tai”), based in Jinzhou, China. The transaction will expand the Company’s customer base and give the Company control of significant cost-competitive MIG wire manufacturing capacity. The Company currently has a 21% direct interest in Jin Tai and a further 27% indirect interest via its 35% interest in Taiwan-based Kuang Tai Metal Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Kuang Tai”). Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will exchange its 35% interest in Kuang Tai, pay cash of approximately $40,000 and assume Jin Tai’s net debt of approximately $10,000. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2009, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary conditions. Annualized sales for Jin Tai were approximately $130,000 for the first half of 2009.

On October 1, 2008, the Company acquired a 90% interest in a leading Brazilian manufacturer of brazing products for approximately $24,000 in cash and assumed debt. The newly acquired company, based in Sao Paulo, is being operated as Harris Soldas Especiais S.A. This acquisition expanded the Company’s brazing product line and increased the Company’s presence in the South American market. Annual sales at the time of the acquisition were approximately $30,000.

On April 7, 2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Electro-Arco S.A. (“Electro-Arco”), a privately held manufacturer of welding consumables headquartered near Lisbon, Portugal, for approximately $24,000 in cash and assumed debt. This acquisition added to the Company’s European consumables manufacturing capacity and widened the Company’s commercial presence in Western Europe. Annual sales at the time of the acquisition were approximately $40,000.

Acquired companies are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.

NOTE 9 – CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEE

The Company, like other manufacturers, is subject from time to time to a variety of civil and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Such claims and litigation include, without limitation, product liability claims and health, safety and environmental claims, some of which relate to cases alleging asbestos and manganese induced illnesses. The claimants in the asbestos and manganese cases seek compensatory and punitive damages, in most cases for unspecified amounts. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims and intends to contest such suits vigorously. Although defense costs remain significant, all other costs associated with these claims, including indemnity charges and settlements, have been immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Based on the Company’s historical experience in litigating these claims, including a significant number of dismissals, summary judgments and defense verdicts in many cases and immaterial settlement amounts, as well as the Company’s current assessment of the underlying merits of the claims and applicable insurance, the Company believes resolution of these claims and proceedings, individually or in the aggregate (exclusive of defense costs), will not have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company has provided guarantees of loans for an unconsolidated joint venture of approximately $4,056 at June 30, 2009. The guarantees are provided under three separate loan agreements. One loan is for $2,000, which matures in July 2009. The other two loans mature in July 2010, one for $1,355 and the other for $701. The loans were undertaken to fund the joint venture’s working capital and capital expansion needs. The Company would become liable for any unpaid principal and accrued interest if the joint venture were to default on payment at the respective maturity dates. The Company believes the likelihood is remote that material payment will be required under these arrangements based on the current financial condition of the joint venture.

NOTE 10 – PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS

The Company accrues for product warranty claims based on historical experience and the expected material and labor costs to provide warranty service. Warranty services are provided for periods up to three years from the date of sale. The accrual for product warranty claims is included in “Other current liabilities.”

The changes in the carrying amount of product warranty accruals for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008
Balance at beginning of period	$	13,736		$	12,308
Charged to expense		6,573			10,444
Deductions		(5,777	)		(7,438	)
Foreign currency translation		158			340

Balance at end of period	$	14,690		$	15,654

Warranty expense was 0.8% of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.

NOTE 11 – DEBT

As of June 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants. The Company repaid the $30,000 Series B Note on maturity in March 2009, reducing the balance outstanding of the Notes to $80,000, which is due in March 2012.

During February 2009, the Company terminated interest rate swaps with a notional value of $80,000 and realized a gain of $5,079. This gain was deferred and is being amortized over the remaining life of the Notes. The amortization of this gain reduced “Interest expense” by $592 in the first six months of 2009 and is expected to reduce annual interest expense by $1,429 in 2009. At June 30, 2009, $4,487 remains to be amortized and is recorded in “Long-term debt, less current portion.” Additionally, the amortization of a gain of $10,163 on interest rate swaps terminated in 2003 reduced “Interest expense” by $209 and $479 in the first six months of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and is expected to reduce annual interest expense by $313 in 2009. At June 30, 2009, $546 remains to be amortized and is recorded in “Long-term debt, less current portion.” The weighted average effective interest rate on the Notes, net of the impact of swaps, was 4.1% for the first six months of 2009.

NOTE 12 – NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

SFAS 168 – In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The objective of this Statement is to replace Statement 162 and to establish the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. SFAS 168 will be effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This Statement is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

SFAS 167 – In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46.” The objective of this Statement is to amend certain requirements of FASB Interpretation 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities and to provide more relevant and reliable information to users of financial statements. SFAS 167 will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. This Statement is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

SFAS 166 – In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.” The objective of this Statement is to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets. SFAS 166 must be applied as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. This Statement must be applied to transfers occurring on or after the effective date. This Statement is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

SFAS 165 – In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 165, “Subsequent Events.” The objective of this Statement is to establish general standards of accounting for disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. In particular, this Statement sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. SFAS 165 was adopted in the second quarter of 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

SFAS 161 – In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” an amendment of SFAS 133. SFAS 161 requires disclosures of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 with early adoption permitted. See Note 15 for the Company’s disclosures pursuant to the adoption of SFAS 161.

SFAS 160 – In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements,” an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin 51. SFAS 160 clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 changes the way the consolidated statement of income is presented thus requiring consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both parent and the noncontrolling interest. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS 160 as of January 1, 2009, applying the presentation and disclosure requirements retrospectively resulting in reclassification of noncontrolling interests from “Other non-current liabilities” to “Total equity.” Income attributable to noncontrolling interests is included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and is not material to the Company. Therefore, the Company did not present income attributable to non-controlling interests separately in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

NOTE 13 – RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The components of total pension expense were as follows:


	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Service cost	$	2,753		$	4,151		$	6,319		$	8,415
Interest cost		10,750			11,755			21,482			21,429
Expected return on plan assets		(11,238	)		(16,142	)		(21,838	)		(28,723	)
Amortization of prior service cost		(28	)		11			(13	)		31
Amortization of net loss		5,935			405			12,546			825
Settlement (gain) loss		(2,329	)		545			(2,321	)		545

Defined benefit plans		5,843			725			16,175			2,522
Multi-employer plans		310			392			614			785
Defined contribution plans		1,168			2,252			2,398			4,146

Total pension expense	$	7,321		$	3,369		$	19,187		$	7,453

During the second quarter 2009, the Company settled a defined benefit pension plan resulting in a gain of $2,144 included in the Other Countries segment. In addition, the Company received cash of $1,740 and recorded a settlement gain of $185 related to the termination of the Harris Ireland Pension Plan.

NOTE 14 – INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded $10,381 of tax expense on pre-tax income of $21,855, resulting in an effective tax rate of 47.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The effective tax rate is higher than the Company’s statutory rate primarily because of losses at certain non-U.S. entities for which no tax benefit has been provided. The rate also includes a benefit for the utilization of foreign tax credits.

The effective income tax rate of 29.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 is lower than the Company’s statutory rate primarily because of the utilization of foreign tax credits, lower taxes on non-U.S. earnings and the utilization of foreign tax loss carryforwards.

The anticipated effective rate for 2009 depends on the amount of earnings in various tax jurisdictions and the level of related tax deductions achieved during the year.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company had $35,667 of unrecognized tax benefits. If recognized, approximately $20,924 would be recorded as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2004. The Company anticipates no significant changes to its total unrecognized tax benefits through the end of the second quarter of 2010. The Company is currently subject to an Internal Revenue Service audit for the 2005-2006 tax years and an Italian tax audit for 2005.

NOTE 15 – DERIVATIVES AND FAIR VALUE

The Company uses derivatives to manage exposures to currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices arising in the normal course of business. Derivative contracts to hedge currency and commodity exposures are generally written on a short-term basis but may cover exposures for up to two years while interest rate contracts may cover longer periods consistent with the terms of the underlying debt. The Company does not enter into derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

All derivatives are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. The accounting for gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value depends on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. The Company formally documents the relationship of the hedge with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy for all designated hedges. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis, the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness, when applicable. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the derivative is terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued. The cash flows from settled

derivative contracts are recorded in operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Hedge ineffectiveness was immaterial in 2008 and for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

The Company is subject to the credit risk of the counterparties to derivative instruments. Counterparties include a number of major banks and financial institutions. The Company manages individual counterparty exposure by monitoring the credit rating of the counterparty and the size of financial commitments and exposures between the Company and the counterparty. None of the concentrations of risk with any individual counterparty was considered significant at June 30, 2009. The Company does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations.

Cash flow hedges

Certain foreign currency forward contracts were qualified and designated as cash flow hedges. The total notional amount of these short-term contracts at June 30, 2009 was $19,473. The effective portions of the fair value gains or losses on these cash flow hedges were recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” (“AOCI”) and subsequently reclassified to “Cost of goods sold” or “Sales” for hedges of purchases and sales, respectively, as the underlying hedged transactions affect earnings. The Company reclassified a gain of $86 and a net loss of $61 from AOCI to earnings based on the probability of the forecasted transactions no longer occurring for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

Fair value hedges

In February 2009, the Company terminated swaps that were qualified and designated as fair value hedges that converted notional amounts of $80,000 of debt from fixed to floating interest rates. The gain of $5,079 realized on termination was deferred and is being amortized as an offset to “Interest expense” over the remaining life of the Note. The fair value gains or losses on these contracts prior to settlement were recognized in earnings and offset by fair value losses or gains on the fixed-rate borrowings.

In March 2009, swaps designated as fair value hedges that converted notional amounts of $30,000 of debt from fixed to floating interest rates matured with the underlying Note. The fair value gains or losses on these contracts were recognized in earnings and offset by fair value losses or gains on the fixed-rate borrowings.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

The Company has certain foreign exchange forward contracts which were not designated as hedges under SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” These derivatives were held as economic hedges of certain balance sheet exposures. The total notional amount of these short-term contracts was $97,245 at June 30, 2009. The fair value gains or losses from these contracts were recognized currently in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” offsetting the losses or gains on the exposures being hedged.

The Company dedesignated commodity forward contracts at the inception of 2009 that had previously been designated and qualified as cash flow hedges. These contracts consist of aluminum, copper and nickel forward contracts with notional amounts, in thousands of pounds, of 1,700, 1,650 and 150, respectively, at June 30, 2009. The effective portion of the fair value gains or losses on these instruments were recorded in AOCI while the instruments were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges. Realized gains and losses were reclassified to earnings as the underlying hedged transactions affected earnings. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company reclassified a loss of $410 and $1,262 , respectively, from AOCI to earnings based on the probability of the forecasted transactions no longer occurring. Subsequent to dedesignation, the fair value gains or losses on these instruments were recognized currently in earnings.

During the second quarter, the Company entered into short term silver forward contracts with a notional amount of 100,000 troy ounces at June 30, 2009. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts were recorded to earnings.

Fair values of derivative instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet follow:


	June 30, 2009
Derivatives by hedge designation	Other Current Assets		Other Current Liabilities
Designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts	$	357	$	479

Not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts		99		815
Commodity contracts		125		2,048


Total derivatives	$	581	$	3,342

The effects of designated fair value hedges and undesignated derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 consisted of the following:


Derivatives by hedge designation	Classification of gains (losses)	Three Months Ended June 30, 2009			Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
Fair value hedges:
Interest rate swaps	Interest expense	$	—		$	181

Not designated as hedges:
Foreign exchange contracts	Selling, general & administrative expenses		(3,468	)		(3,770	)
Commodity contracts	Selling, general & administrative expenses		(576	)		—
	Cost of goods sold		2,634			2,634

The effects of designated cash flow hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 consisted of the following:


Total recognized in AOCI, net of tax	June 30, 2009			Reclassified from AOCI to:	Three Months Ended June 30, 2009			Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
Foreign exchange contracts	$	(318	)	Sales	$	24		$	(153	)
				Cost of goods sold		925			3,144
				Selling, general & administrative expenses		147			—

Commodity contracts		(1,511	)	Cost of goods sold		(1,971	)		(4,775	)

The Company expects $1,829 related to existing contracts to be reclassified from AOCI, net of tax, to earnings over the next 12 months as the hedged transactions are realized.

Assets and liabilities that are within the provisions of SFAS 157, such as the Company’s derivative contracts, are valued at fair value using the market and income valuation approaches. The Company uses the market approach to value similar assets and liabilities in active markets and the income approach that consists of discounted cash flow models that take into account the present value of future cash flows under the terms of the contracts using current market information as of the reporting date.

SFAS 157 classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

Level 1

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

Level 3

Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The following table provides a summary of the fair values of assets and liabilities under SFAS 157:


	Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2009 Using
Description	Balance as of June 30, 2009			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Derivatives, net liability	$	(2,761	)	$	—	$	(2,761	)	$	—

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximated book value at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, including the current portion, was approximately $88,874 and $124,446, respectively, which was determined using available market information and methodologies requiring judgment. Since considerable judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair value of the debt is not necessarily the amount that could be realized in a current market exchange.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2008


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2009				2008				Change
	Amount			% of Sales	Amount			% of Sales	Amount			%
Net sales	$	413,283		100.0%	$	699,826		100.0%	$	(286,543	)	(40.9%)
Cost of goods sold		306,892		74.3%		495,112		70.7%		(188,220	)	(38.0%)

Gross profit		106,391		25.7%		204,714		29.3%		(98,323	)	(48.0%)
Selling, general & administrative expenses		80,121		19.4%		113,118		16.2%		(32,997	)	(29.2%)
Rationalization charges		6,877		1.7%		—		0.0%		6,877		NA

Operating income		19,393		4.7%		91,596		13.1%		(72,203	)	(78.8%)
Interest income		952		0.2%		1,865		0.3%		(913	)	(49.0%)
Equity earnings in affiliates		4,555		1.1%		3,814		0.5%		741		19.4%
Other income		918		0.2%		627		0.1%		291		46.4%
Interest expense		(1,953	)	(0.5%)		(2,802	)	(0.4%)		849		(30.3%)

Income before income taxes		23,865		5.8%		95,100		13.6%		(71,235	)	(74.9%)
Income taxes		8,797		2.1%		24,972		3.6%		(16,175	)	(64.8%)

Net income	$	15,068		3.6%	$	70,128		10.0%	$	(55,060	)	(78.5%)

Net Sales: Net sales for the second quarter of 2009 decreased 40.9% to $413,283 from $699,826 in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease in Net sales reflects a $256,735 (36.7%) decrease due to volume, an $807 (0.1%) decrease due to price, a $4,265 (0.6%) increase from acquisitions and a $33,266 (4.8%) unfavorable impact as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net sales for the North American operations decreased 40.2% to $239,716 in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $400,735 in the second quarter of 2008. This decrease reflects a decrease of $157,620 (39.3%) due to volume, a $487 (0.1%) decrease due to price and a $2,912 (0.7%) decrease as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net sales for the European operations decreased 45.0% to $93,999 in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $170,978 in the second quarter of 2008. This decrease reflects a decrease of $50,844 (29.7%) due to volume, a $4,615 (2.7%) decrease due to price and a $21,520 (12.6%) unfavorable impact as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net sales for Other Countries decreased 37.9% to $79,568 in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $128,113 in the second quarter of 2008. This decrease reflects a decrease of $48,271 (37.7%) due to volume, a $4,295 (3.4%) increase due to price, a $4,265 (3.3%) increase from acquisitions and an $8,834 (6.9%) unfavorable impact as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Gross Profit: Gross profit decreased 48.0% to $106,391 during the second quarter of 2009 compared with $204,714 in the second quarter of 2008. As a percentage of Net sales, Gross profit decreased to 25.7% in the second quarter of 2009 from 29.3% in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily a result of declining volumes and higher retirement costs in the U.S. of $3,978. Foreign currency exchange rates had a $4,750 unfavorable translation impact in the second quarter of 2009.

Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: SG&A expenses decreased $32,997 (29.2%) in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the second quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower bonus expense of $16,637, lower selling, administrative and research and development expense of $12,908, the favorable translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $5,274 and incremental foreign currency transaction gains of $3,823 partially offset by higher retirement costs in the U.S. of $2,742. The Company realized a gain of $1,543 on the settlement of a pension obligation during the second quarter of 2009. The gain was recorded as a reduction to SG&A expenses.

Rationalization Charges: In the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded $6,877 ($6,639 after-tax) in charges related to rationalization activities at facilities around the world as the Company adjusts its cost base to current market conditions. The charges include the closure of a manufacturing facility in Europe and primarily relate to employee severance costs.

Interest Income: Interest income decreased to $952 in the second quarter of 2009 from $1,865 in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease was due to lower interest rates on cash and cash equivalents in 2009 when compared with 2008.

Equity Earnings in Affiliates: Equity earnings in affiliates were $4,555 in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $3,814 in the second quarter of 2008. Second quarter 2009 results include income of $5,667 as the Company’s share of the gain realized on the sale of a property by the Company’s joint venture in Turkey. Excluding this gain, equity earnings were down primarily as a result of decreased earnings at the Company’s joint venture in Taiwan.

Interest Expense: Interest expense decreased to $1,953 in the second quarter of 2009 from $2,802 in the second quarter of 2008 primarily as a result of a lower average debt balance from the payment of $30,000 on the Senior Unsecured Note that matured in March 2009 and the impact of a lower effective interest rate as a result of interest rate swaps.

Income Taxes: The Company recorded $8,797 of tax expense on pre-tax income of $23,865, resulting in an effective tax rate of 36.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The effective tax rate approximates the Company’s statutory rate and reflects losses at certain non-U.S. entities for which no tax benefit has been provided and a benefit for the utilization of foreign tax credits.

The effective income tax rate of 26.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 is lower than the Company’s statutory rate primarily because of the utilization of foreign tax credits, lower taxes on non-U.S. earnings and the utilization of foreign tax loss carryforwards.

Net Income: The net income for the second quarter of 2009 was $15,068 compared with net income of $70,128 in the second quarter of 2008. Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2009 was $0.35 compared with earnings of $1.62 per share in the second quarter of 2008. Foreign currency exchange rate movements had an unfavorable translation effect of $649 and favorable translation effect of $2,418 on net income for the second quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2008


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2009				2008				Change
	Amount			% of Sales	Amount			% of Sales	Amount			%
Net sales	$	825,034		100.0%	$	1,320,053		100.0%	$	(495,019	)	(37.5%)
Cost of goods sold		628,395		76.2%		937,888		71.0%		(309,493	)	(33.0%)

Gross profit		196,639		23.8%		382,165		29.0%		(185,526	)	(48.5%)
Selling, general & administrative expenses		157,637		19.1%		212,079		16.1%		(54,442	)	(25.7%)
Rationalization charges		18,576		2.3%		—		0.0%		18,576		NA

Operating income		20,426		2.5%		170,086		12.9%		(149,660	)	(88.0%)
Interest income		2,064		0.3%		4,299		0.3%		(2,235	)	(52.0%)
Equity earnings in affiliates		2,569		0.3%		4,363		0.3%		(1,794	)	(41.1%)
Other income		1,311		0.2%		1,126		0.1%		185		16.4%
Interest expense		(4,515	)	(0.5%)		(5,783	)	(0.4%)		1,268		(21.9%)

Income before income taxes		21,855		2.6%		174,091		13.2%		(152,236	)	(87.4%)
Income taxes		10,381		1.3%		50,486		3.8%		(40,105	)	(79.4%)

Net income	$	11,474		1.4%	$	123,605		9.4%	$	(112,131	)	(90.7%)

Net Sales: Net sales for the first six months of 2009 decreased 37.5% to $825,034 from $1,320,053 in the first six months of 2008. The decrease in Net sales reflects a $464,958 (35.2%) decrease due to volume, a $27,703 (2.1%) increase due to price, a $13,650 (1.0%) increase from acquisitions and a $71,414 (5.4%) unfavorable impact as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net sales for the North American operations decreased 37.0% to $486,372 in the first six months of 2009 compared with $771,848 in the first six months of 2008. This decrease reflects a decrease of $292,763 (37.9%) due to volume, a $15,649 (2.0%) increase due to price and an $8,362 (1.1%) decrease as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net sales for the European operations decreased 41.2% to $187,299 in the first six months of 2009 compared with $318,423 in the first six months of 2008. This decrease reflects a decrease of $88,616 (27.8%) due to volume, a $3,722 (1.2%) decrease due to price, a $5,242 (1.6%) increase from acquisitions and a $44,028 (13.8%) unfavorable impact as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net sales for Other Countries decreased 34.1% to $151,363 in the first six months of 2009 compared with $229,782 in the first six months of 2008. This decrease reflects a decrease of $83,579 (36.4%) due to volume, a $15,776 (6.9%) increase due to price, an $8,408 (3.7%) increase from acquisitions and a $19,024 (8.3%) unfavorable impact as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Gross Profit: Gross profit decreased 48.5% to $196,639 during the first six months of 2009 compared with $382,165 in the first six months of 2008. As a percentage of Net sales, Gross profit decreased to 23.8% in the first six months of 2009 from 29.0% in the first six months of 2008. This decrease was primarily a result of declining volumes, the liquidation of higher cost inventories and higher retirement costs in the U.S. of $6,354 offset by lower product liability costs of $4,206 primarily due to an insurance settlement. Foreign currency exchange rates had a $12,031 unfavorable translation impact in the first six months of 2009.

Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: SG&A expenses decreased $54,442 (25.7%) in the first six months of 2009 compared with the first six months of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower bonus expense of $39,747, lower selling, administrative and research and development expenses of $8,846 and the favorable translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $13,212 partially offset by higher retirement costs in the U.S. of $6,078. The Company realized a gain of $1,543 on the settlement of a pension obligation during the first half of 2009. The gain was recorded as a reduction to SG&A expenses.

Rationalization Charges: In the first six months of 2009, the Company recorded $18,576 ($14,067 after-tax) in charges related to rationalization activities at facilities around the world as the Company adjusts its cost base to current market conditions. The charges primarily relate to employee severance costs.

Interest Income: Interest income decreased to $2,064 in the first six months of 2009 from $4,299 in the first six months of 2008. The decrease was due to lower interest rates on cash and cash equivalents in 2009 when compared with 2008.

Equity Earnings in Affiliates: Equity earnings in affiliates were $2,569 in the first six months of 2009 compared with $4,363 in the first six months of 2008. First half results include income of $5,667 as the Company’s share of the gain realized on the

sale of a property by the Company’s joint venture in Turkey. Excluding this gain, equity earnings were down primarily as a result of decreased earnings at the Company’s joint venture in Taiwan.

Interest Expense: Interest expense decreased to $4,515 in the first six months of 2009 from $5,783 in the first six months of 2008 primarily as a result of a lower average debt balance from the payment of $30,000 on the Senior Unsecured Note that matured in March 2009 and the impact of a lower effective interest rate as a result of interest rate swaps.

Income Taxes: The Company recorded $10,381 of tax expense on pre-tax income of $21,855, resulting in an effective tax rate of 47.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The effective tax rate is higher than the Company’s statutory rate primarily because of losses at certain non-U.S. entities for which no tax benefit has been provided. The rate also includes a benefit for the utilization of foreign tax credits.

Net Income: The net income for the first six months of 2009 was $11,474 compared with net income of $123,605 in the first six months of 2008. Diluted earnings per share for the first six months of 2009 was $0.27 compared with earnings of $2.87 per share in the first six months of 2008. Foreign currency exchange rate movements had a favorable translation effect of $671 and $4,283 on net income for the first six months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s cash flow from operations, while cyclical, has been reliable and strong. Operational cash flow is a key driver of liquidity, providing cash and access to capital markets. In assessing liquidity, the Company reviews working capital measurements to define areas of improvement. Management anticipates the Company will be able to satisfy cash requirements for its ongoing businesses for the foreseeable future primarily with cash generated by operations, existing cash balances and, if necessary, borrowings under its existing credit facilities.

The following table reflects changes in key cash flow measures:


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2009			2008			Change
Cash provided by operating activities:	$	134,225		$	120,685		$	13,540
Cash used by investing activities:		(21,047	)		(55,048	)		34,001
Capital expenditures		(20,819	)		(31,098	)		10,279
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			(24,264	)		24,264
Cash used by financing activities:		(53,381	)		(17,192	)		(36,189	)
(Payments on) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net		(123	)		13,150			(13,273	)
(Payments on) proceeds from long-term borrowings, net		(30,313	)		928			(31,241	)
Purchase of shares for treasury		(343	)		(18,033	)		17,690
Cash dividends paid to shareholders		(22,894	)		(21,380	)		(1,514	)
Increase in Cash and cash equivalents		62,567			50,975			11,592

Cash and cash equivalents increased 22.0% or $62,567 during the first six months of 2009 to $346,899 as of June 30, 2009 from $284,332 as of December 31, 2008. This compares to an increase of 23.4% or $50,975 to $268,357 during the first six months of 2008.

Cash provided by operating activities increased by $13,540 for the first six months of 2009 compared with 2008. The increase was primarily related to lower accounts receivable and inventory as the Company liquidated working capital commensurate with the decline in demand levels when compared with 2008. Average operating working capital to sales was 26.6% at June 30, 2009 compared with 26.1% at December 31, 2008 and 22.1% at June 30, 2008. Days sales in inventory increased to 119.9 days at June 30, 2009 from 115.8 days at December 31, 2008 and 106.3 days at June 30, 2008. Accounts receivable days increased to 61.5 days at June 30, 2009 from to 55.0 days at December 31, 2008 and 58.5 days at June 30, 2008. Average days in accounts payable increased to 33.0 days at June 30, 2009 from 32.1 days at December 31, 2008 and decreased from 45.0 days at June 30, 2008.

Cash used by investing activities for the first six months of 2009 compared with 2008 decreased by $34,001. This reflects a decrease in cash used in the acquisition of businesses of $24,264 and a decrease in capital expenditures of $10,279 to $20,819 from $31,098 in 2008. The Company anticipates capital expenditures in 2009 in the range of $40,000—$50,000. Anticipated capital expenditures reflect investments to improve operational effectiveness and the Company’s continuing international expansion. Management critically evaluates all proposed capital expenditures and requires each project to increase efficiency, reduce costs, promote business growth, or to improve the overall safety and environmental conditions of the Company’s facilities. Management does not currently anticipate any unusual future cash outlays relating to capital expenditures.

Cash used by financing activities increased $36,189 to $53,381 in the first six months of 2009 compared with the first six months of 2008. The increase was primarily due to the repayment of the Company’s $30,000 Series B Senior Unsecured Note on maturity during the first six months of 2009 partially offset by lower purchases of shares for treasury of $17,690.

The Company has investments in Venezuela, which currently require the approval of a government agency to convert local currency to U.S. dollars at official government rates. Government approval for currency conversion to satisfy U.S. dollar liabilities to foreign suppliers, including payables to Lincoln affiliates, has lagged payment due dates from time to time in the past, resulting in higher cash balances and higher past due U.S. dollar payables within our Venezuelan subsidiary. If the Company settled its Venezuelan subsidiary’s U.S. dollar liabilities using unofficial, parallel currency exchange mechanisms as of June 30, 2009, it would result in a currency exchange loss of approximately $1,625.

The Company’s debt levels decreased from $142,230 at December 31, 2008, to $108,153 at June 30, 2009 primarily due to the repayment of the Company’s $30,000 Series B Senior Unsecured Note on maturity during March of 2009. Debt to total invested capital decreased to 9.5% at June 30, 2009 from 12.3% at December 31, 2008.

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized share repurchase programs for up to 15 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Total shares purchased through the share repurchase programs were 11,215,390 shares at a cost of $274,531 through June 30, 2009.

In July 2009, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.27 per share, or $11,453, to shareholders of record on June 30, 2009.

Rationalization

The Company continues evaluating its cost structure and additional rationalization actions are being contemplated that would result in charges in subsequent quarters.

Acquisitions

Acquired companies are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.

Debt

Revolving Credit Agreement

The Company has a $175,000 five-year revolving Credit Agreement expiring in December 2009. The Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes and may be increased subject to certain conditions by an additional amount up to $75,000. The interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Agreement is based on either LIBOR plus a spread based on the Company’s leverage ratio or the prime rate at the Company’s election. A quarterly facility fee is payable based upon the daily aggregate amount of commitments and the Company’s leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants including limitations on the Company with respect to indebtedness, liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets, subordinated debt and transactions with affiliates. As of June 30, 2009, there are no borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The Company expects to replace the Credit Agreement prior to its expiration in December 2009.

New Accounting Pronouncements

ITEM 3. QUANTITIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risk since December 31, 2008. See Item 7A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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 of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are operating effectively as designed. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that occurred during the period covered by this Form 10-Q that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject, from time to time, to a variety of civil and administrative proceedings arising out of its normal operations, including, without limitation, product liability claims and health, safety and environmental claims. Among such proceedings are the cases described below.

At June 30, 2009, the Company was a co-defendant in cases alleging asbestos induced illness involving claims by approximately 17,582 plaintiffs, which is a net decrease of 3,241 claims from those previously reported. In each instance, the Company is one of a large number of defendants. The asbestos claimants seek compensatory and punitive damages, in most cases for unspecified sums. Since January 1, 1995, the Company has been a co-defendant in other similar cases that have been resolved as follows: 37,992 of those claims were dismissed, eleven were tried to defense verdicts, four were tried to plaintiff verdicts, one was resolved by agreement for an immaterial amount and 559 were decided in favor of the Company following summary judgment motions.

At June 30, 2009, the Company was a co-defendant in cases alleging manganese induced illness involving claims by approximately 3,908 plaintiffs, which is a net increase of 146 claims from those previously reported. In each instance, the Company is one of a large number of defendants. The claimants in cases alleging manganese induced illness seek compensatory and punitive damages, in most cases for unspecified sums. The claimants allege that exposure to manganese contained in welding consumables caused the plaintiffs to develop adverse neurological conditions, including a condition known as manganism. At June 30, 2009, cases involving 2,414 claimants were filed in or transferred to federal court where the Judicial Panel on MultiDistrict Litigation has consolidated these cases for pretrial proceedings in the Northern District of Ohio. Since January 1, 1995, the Company has been a co-defendant in similar cases that have been resolved as follows: 12,875 of those claims were dismissed, 20 were tried to defense verdicts in favor of the Company and four were tried to plaintiff verdicts (three of which are being appealed). In addition, 13 claims were resolved by agreement for immaterial amounts and one was decided in favor of the Company following a summary judgment motion.

On December 13, 2006, the Company filed a complaint in U.S. District Court (Northern District of Ohio) against Illinois Tool Works, Inc. seeking a declaratory judgment that eight patents owned by the defendant relating to certain inverter power sources have not and are not being infringed and that the subject patents are invalid. Illinois Tool Works filed a motion to dismiss this action, which the Court denied on June 21, 2007. On September 7, 2007, the Court stayed the litigation, referencing pending reexaminations before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. On June 17, 2008, the Company filed a motion to amend its pleadings in the foregoing matter to include several additional counts, including specific allegations of fraud on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with respect to portable professional welding machines and resulting monopoly power in that market.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

(a)

The Annual Meeting of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (Lincoln) was held on April 30, 2009.

(b)

The shareholders voted in favor of electing the following persons as Directors of the Company:


For term ending in 2012	Votes For	Abstentions / Votes Withheld
Harold L. Adams	35,200,221	2,843,431
Robert J. Knoll	37,431,908	611,744
John M. Stropki, Jr.	37,040,695	1,002,957

The following Directors, who were not nominees for election at this Annual Meeting, continued to serve their respective terms after the meeting: David H. Gunning, G. Russell Lincoln, Hellene S. Runtagh, Stephen G. Hanks, Kathryn Jo Lincoln, William E. MacDonald, III and George H. Walls, Jr.

(c)

The following matters were voted upon by security holders:

(i)

Ratification of Independent Auditors. The shareholders ratified the appointment of the firm of Ernst & Young, LLP as independent auditors to examine the Company’s books of account and other records and internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.


Votes For		37,413,427
Votes Against		134,640
Abstentions		495,584

(d)

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

(a) On July 24, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company approved new severance agreements (the “Severance Agreements”) with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the other named executive officers listed in the Company’s 2009 proxy statement. The form of the new Severance Agreement is included as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference. Currently existing change in control agreements for John M. Stropki, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, and Frederick G. Stueber, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, will be replaced and superseded by the new Severance Agreements. Below is a summary of the terms of the new Severance Agreements.

In the event of a “change in control,” as described below, and, unless otherwise indicated below, if the executive officer’s employment with the Company is terminated without “cause” (as defined in the Severance Agreement) or the executive officer terminates employment with the Company for “good reason” (as defined in the Severance Agreement) during the two-year period following the change in control, the Company will make severance payments and provide certain benefits as follows:

•

For the Chief Executive Officer, a lump-sum payment equal to three (3) times the sum of (i) base pay as described in the Severance Agreement, and (ii) bonus as described in the Severance Agreement. For the other named executive officers, the lump-sum payment is equal to two (2) times base pay and bonus as described above. Under Messrs. Stropki and Stueber’s currently existing change in control agreements, the severance benefit upon a change in control was calculated as the greater of one (1) year or the remainder of the severance period of three (3) years as opposed to the fixed amount described above. In addition, the protection period under the new Severance Agreements is two (2) years following a change in control, as compared to three (3) years under Messrs. Stropki and Stueber’s currently existing change in control agreements.

•

Upon a change in control (single trigger), a pro-rata bonus (MIP) payment equal to the greater of the actual or target amount.

•

Upon a change in control (single trigger), a pro-rata portion of cash long-term incentive awards granted prior to the change in control, in amounts equal to the greater of target or actual performance.

•

Continuation of medical insurance and life insurance for a period of three (3) years following the executive officer’s termination date.

•

Immediate vesting under the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP). There is no age or service credit under the new Severance Agreements. Under the terms of Messrs. Stropki and Stueber’s currently existing change in control agreements, additional age and service credit for the remainder of the three-year severance period was provided.

•

Outplacement services for a period of two (2) years capped at $100,000 for Mr. Stropki and $50,000 for the other named executive officers.

•

Under the new Severance Agreements, there is no payment, net of taxes, to compensate for the excise tax imposed on these and other payments if they are determined to be excess parachute payments under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (ie., excise tax gross-up). Instead, the named executive officers have their severance payments reduced to the 280G (excess parachute payment) safe harbor limit. With respect to Mr. Stueber and Mr. Stropki, this is a change from their currently existing change in control agreements that provide for excise tax gross-ups with respect to any payments determined to be excess parachute payments.

Under the new Severance Agreements, a “change in control” is deemed to occur when:

•

any individual, entity or group is or becomes the beneficial owner of 30% or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the Company;

•

a majority of the Board of Directors ceases to be comprised of incumbent directors;

•

certain reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of the stock or assets of another corporation, or other transactions are consummated; or

•

there is a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

The above definition is substantially similar to the definition of a “change in control” under Messrs. Stropki and Stueber’s currently existing change in control agreements, except that the change in beneficial ownership hurdle was 20% (as opposed to now 30%).

The Severance Agreements are not employment agreements. The Company may terminate any covered officer’s employment at any time, with or without cause. Similarly, a covered officer may resign at any time, with or without good reason.

The foregoing summary of the form of the new Severance Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the form agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith and made a part hereof.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits



10.1		Form of Severance Agreement.

31.1		Certification by the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2		Certification by the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Signature

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

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

/s/ Vincent K. Petrella

Vincent K. Petrella

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Treasurer

(principal financial and accounting officer)

July 28, 2009

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