UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-K

 


ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006   Commission file number 0-21835

 


SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registration as Specified in its Charter)

 


 

Florida   59-2754337

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1500 West University Parkway

Sarasota, Florida

  34243
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

941/362-1200

(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 $.001 Par Value   NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 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 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.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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 the shares of voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the closing sales price of such shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC, as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $150,821,136.

As of March 2, 2007, there were 10,926,753 shares of common stock outstanding.

 



PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

The Company is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds, which control force, speed, and motion as integral components in fluid power systems. The innovative floating construction of the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves and the design of the cavities in which they are installed provide demonstrable performance and reliability advantages compared to other available screw-in cartridge valves. The Company designs and manufactures one of the most comprehensive lines of screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds in the world. The Company has generated a profit every year since 1972 and has paid a dividend every quarter since its initial public offering of securities in 1997. The Company believes that its success is primarily a result of its innovative product design, consistent high quality, superior product performance and the breadth of the markets it serves.

The Company sells its products primarily through a global network of independent fluid power distributors to a diverse universe of end users, for use in various “mobile” applications, such as construction, agricultural and utility equipment (historically, approximately 66% of net sales), and a broad array of “industrial” applications, such as machine tools and material handling equipment (historically, approximately 34% of net sales). While many of the Company’s end users are subject to cyclical demand for their products, the Company mitigates this exposure through the wide variety of applications and industries it serves. In 2006, sales to the Company’s largest distributor represented less than 7% of net sales, and approximately 53% of the Company’s net consolidated sales were outside the United States.

The Company was organized as a Florida corporation in 1986 to take over the operations of the business of the Company’s predecessor, Suninco, Inc. (f/k/a Sun Hydraulics Corporation). Suninco, Inc. was founded in 1970 by Robert E. Koski for the specific purpose of developing and promoting screw-in cartridge valve technology. The Company’s executive offices are located at 1500 West University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243, and its telephone number is (941) 362-1200. The Company’s website is www.sunhydraulics.com.

Industry Background

Fluid power is one of three basic technologies, along with electrical and mechanical, utilized to achieve power transmission and motion control. Due to its mechanical advantage, fluid power is widely employed to move and position materials, control machines, vehicles and equipment, and improve industrial efficiency and productivity. Fluid power can perform work on very light loads with a high degree of accuracy or develop enormous forces to move and position materials and equipment that weigh many tons.

Screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves first appeared in the late 1950s as an alternative to conventional forms of hydraulic valves. Conventional hydraulic valves are generally larger in size, typically manufactured from cumbersome iron castings, relatively limited in their ability to interface with machinery and equipment, and are usually simple devices designed to control a single task. Screw-in cartridge valves represent a miniaturization of hydraulic valves, providing the same functional characteristics as conventional valves, but in a smaller package size. In addition to being lighter-weight and more compact, screw-in cartridge valves frequently offer significant advantages in interface flexibility and cost over conventional hydraulic valves.

Screw-in cartridge valves have significant marketplace acceptance because hydraulic system design engineers are easily able to develop multiple-function control systems. A number of screw-in cartridge valves can be grouped together in a manifold, creating a hydraulic control system that is functionally analogous to an electronic integrated circuit. End users can utilize screw-in cartridge valves and custom manifolds to design an optimal solution for control of their fluid power systems that significantly reduces assembly time and expense.

 

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Strategy

The Company will continue to design, manufacture, market and support, on a worldwide basis, differentiated high-performance and high-quality cartridge valves and integrated valve packages. The Company believes this focus supports its business objectives of sustaining revenue growth that will yield an above-average return on capital while achieving a high level of customer satisfaction. Key elements of the Company’s strategy include the following:

Deliver Value Through High-Quality, High-Performance Products. The Company’s products are designed with operating and performance characteristics that exceed those of many functionally similar products. Overall, the Company’s products provide high value because they generally operate at higher flow rates and pressures than competitive offerings of the same size. The Company tests 100% of its screw-in cartridge valves to ensure the highest level of performance on a consistent basis.

Achieve a High Level of Customer Satisfaction. The Company is a build-to-order operation that schedules orders to the customer’s request date. To ensure all employees are dedicated to meeting customer requests, the Company measures and posts monthly the percentage of shipments that satisfy the customers’ requests. In addition to meeting the above requirement, the Company tests 100% of the screw-in cartridge valves before shipment. The Company tests extensively all product returns due to questions regarding functionality and issues a written report of findings upon request. The Company believes that its long-term success is dependent upon its reputation in the marketplace, which in turn is a result of its ability to service its customers.

Offer a Wide Variety of Standard Products. The Company currently offers one of the most comprehensive lines of screw-in cartridge valves and manifolds in the world. The Company is committed to producing functionally superior, standard products that contain a high degree of common content to minimize work in process and maximize manufacturing efficiency. Products are designed for use by a broad base of industries to minimize the risk of dependence on any single market segment or customer. The Company expands its business through the development of new products that are complementary to its existing products.

Expand the Product Line. The Company is continuously engaged in new product development programs to offer new and better cartridge valve solutions to its customers. New cartridge products generally fit into existing cavities, often allowing them to be installed in existing standard manifolds. The Company recently has aggressively begun designing and introducing to the marketplace electro-hydraulic cartridge valves, including solenoid and proportional valves. The Company believes these products provide the opportunity to obtain sales for which it previously could not compete, and further believes that the electro-hydraulic cartridge valves will help increase sales of the Company’s other cartridge valve and manifold products.

Capitalize on Custom Manifold Opportunities. Because fluid power system design engineers are increasingly incorporating screw-in cartridge valves into custom control systems, the Company concentrates its efforts in custom manifolds in two ways. The Company designs and manufactures manifolds which incorporate the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves for sale to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). To support this effort, the Company is able to design and manufacture manifolds at its operations in Sarasota, Florida and Kansas City, Kansas, USA, Coventry, England, Erkelenz, Germany, Seoul, Korea and at its operation in Shanghai, China. The Company also encourages competitive manifold manufacturers to utilize the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves in their manifold designs. The Company sells tooling for machining its cavities, allowing independent manifold manufacturers to easily incorporate the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves into their designs.

Expand Global Presence. The Company intends to continue to strengthen its global presence in the areas of distribution and international operations. The Company has strong distributor representation in most developed and developing markets, including North and South America, Western Europe, Asia, Australia, and South Africa. In 2006, the Company generated approximately 53% of its net sales outside the United States. The Company is continuing to expand its distribution arrangements in Eastern Europe and expand its market presence in China, Central and South America. The Company believes that further expansion of its international facilities will enhance its competitive position in certain foreign markets. In addition, custom manifolds provide an opportunity for operating units and distributors to offer significant value-added content through the local production of manifolds that incorporate the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves. This strategy helps minimize potential tariffs and duties that could inflate the price of the Company’s products in foreign markets.

 

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Maintain a Horizontal Organization with Entrepreneurial Spirit. The Company believes that maintaining its horizontal management structure is critical to retaining key personnel and an important factor in attracting top talent from within the hydraulic valve and manifold industry. The Company strives to maintain its horizontal management structure that encourages communication, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and individual responsibility among employees. Employee initiatives have led to continuous process improvements, resulting in considerable operating efficiencies and quality control, as well as the maintenance of a safe and comfortable working environment. The Company believes that a lack of job titles and direct formal reporting responsibilities eliminates perceived barriers to advancement and reduces the potential for adversarial relationships to arise within the organization. A workplace without walls in the Company’s offices as well as on the shop floor encourages informal employee consultation and provides the opportunity for all personnel to interface across functional areas.

Leverage Manufacturing Capability and Know-how as Competitive Advantages. The Company believes that one of its competitive advantages is its ability to consistently manufacture products to demanding specifications. The Company’s strong process capability is critical in achieving the high performance characteristics of its screw-in cartridge valves. The Company has the ability to manufacture most of the components of its products with the exception of springs, elastomer seals, and electrical coils, although most high-volume machining is performed by independent, outside vendors (see Manufacturing). The Company has in-house heat treatment capability to provide consistent and reliable control of this critical operation.

Sell Through Distributors. Due to the variety of potential customers and the Company’s desire to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy, the sales function has been performed primarily by independent distributors. The Company has 65 distributors, 43 of which are located outside the United States, and a majority of which have strong technical backgrounds or capabilities, which enable them to develop practical, efficient and cost-effective fluid power systems for their customers. Many of these distributors sell products manufactured by other companies that allow them to provide a complete hydraulic system to the customer. The Company provides a high level of technical support to its distributors through open access to the Company’s engineering staff, technical documentation, and technical training programs.

Develop Closer Relations with Key Customers. The Company maintains close relationships with many OEMs and end users of its products to help it understand and predict future needs for fluid power control devices and to test and refine new product offerings. The Company also recognizes it will sometimes have to develop a direct relationship in the areas of sales and support with some large OEMs that are existing or potential customers. The Company will be selective in developing these relationships and believes the closer ties will help increase sales without compromising profits or developing excessive bureaucracy.

Brand Label and License Manufacturing where desirable. When it is deemed to be of strategic benefit, the Company sometimes enters into marketing, brand labeling and/or non-exclusive manufacturing licensing agreements with other manufacturers of fluid power components. Historically, approximately 5% of the Company’s sales have been to other fluid power manufacturers that incorporate the Company’s products into complete system solutions.

Products

Screw-in Cartridge Valves

The Company designs and manufactures high-performance, screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves in five size ranges, suitable for flows from one to 400 gallons per minute and continuous operating pressures up to 5,000 pounds per square inch. The floating construction pioneered by the Company provides demonstrable performance and reliability advantages compared to most competitors’ product offerings due to its self-alignment characteristic that accommodates potential manufacturing deviations common in the thread-making operations of screw-in cartridge valves and manifolds. This floating construction significantly differentiates the Company from most of its competitors, which design and manufacture rigid screw-in cartridge valves that fit an industry common cavity. The floating construction of the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves eliminates the tendency of working parts inside the cartridge valves to bind

 

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when screwed into the manifold, which leads to unnecessary stress and, often, premature failure. Some competitors manufacture products that fit the Company’s cavity. Strategically, the Company believes the markets for its products will expand more rapidly if other sources are available for products that fit the Company’s cavity.

Electro-hydraulic Cartridges

In recent years the Company has developed and released to the marketplace a broad range of electro-hydraulic cartridge valves. These valves, while commonly available in the industry for more than 30 years, are a relatively recent addition to the Company’s product line. Electro-hydraulic products are differentiated from competitive products in the same ways the Company’s pure hydraulic valves are, namely performance, pressure rating, size relative to capacity, reliability and broad range of options.

Manifolds

A manifold is a solid block of metal, usually aluminum or ductile iron, which is machined to create threaded cavities and channels into which screw-in cartridge valves can be installed and through which the hydraulic fluid flows. The manifolds manufactured by the Company are described below:

Standard Manifolds. The variety of standard, catalogued manifolds offered by the Company is unmatched by any screw-in cartridge valve or manifold competitor. These products allow customers to easily integrate the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves into their systems in many different ways. Once designed, standard manifolds require minimal, if any, maintenance engineering over the life of the product and can be readily manufactured at all of the Company’s operations.

Custom Manifolds. Custom manifolds are designed for a customer-specific application and typically combine many different screw-in cartridge valves in a single package or multiple packages. The Company’s internally-developed, proprietary expert system software allows the Company to manufacture manifolds efficiently in low volumes. The innovative design of the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves allows manifolds to be physically smaller for certain applications than functionally similar manifolds containing competitors’ screw-in cartridges that fit industry common cavities. The Company believes many of the custom manifolds that incorporate cartridge valves which fit industry common cavities require testing after assembly. The Company does not routinely test manifolds that contain its screw-in cartridge valves because of the inherent reliability of the cartridge valves, and this provides the Company with a significant competitive advantage. Custom manifolds provide many benefits to end users and equipment manufacturers, including reduced assembly time, order simplification, reduced leakage points, neater packaging, potentially fewer hose and fitting connections, and more control functions in a single location.

Integrated Packages

An integrated package is an assembly of cartridge valves into a custom designed manifold. In recent years, with the proliferation of more electro-hydraulic cartridges, the Company has altered its approach to supplying fully assembled integrated packages. Previously, the Company designed and manufactured custom manifolds but routinely shipped the manifolds and cartridges separately, leaving the assembly task to either the distributor or the customer. This approach was taken because the Company, in the past, often could not supply the electro-hydraulic valve content of the circuit and was left to design in and manufacture competitive cavities for that purpose. As the Company has expanded its offerings of electro-hydraulic products, it is now able to provide most of the functionality required in the marketplace. Therefore, the Company now ships fully assembled integrated packages, often direct to the customer. Due to the inherent service advantage for all parties, this approach has helped make the Company more attractive as an integrated package and system supplier.

Engineering

The Company’s engineers play an important role in all aspects of the Company’s business, including design, manufacturing, sales and marketing and technical support. When designing products, engineers work within a disciplined set of design parameters that often results in repeated incorporation of existing screw-in cartridge valve parts in new functional products.

During product development, engineers work closely with manufacturing personnel to define the processes required to manufacture the product reliably and consistently. The close link between engineering and manufacturing helps smooth the transition from design to market. Design changes to

 

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facilitate manufacturing processes are sometimes considered but typically not if product performance levels would be compromised. The Company practices a continuous improvement process, which it believes is largely attributable to its horizontal management structure that empowers employees and encourages their creative contribution. At various times the Company may incorporate design changes in a product to improve its performance or life expectancy. All of the Company’s engineers provide application support to customers and distributors.

Manufacturing

The Company is a process intensive manufacturing operation that extensively utilizes computer numerically controlled (“CNC”) machinery to manufacture its products. Where commercial machinery is not available for specific manufacturing or assembly operations, the Company often designs and builds its own machinery to perform these tasks. The Company makes extensive use of automated handling and assembly technology (including robotics) where possible to perform repetitive tasks, thus promoting manufacturing efficiencies and workplace safety. The Company has its own electric heat treatment furnaces to provide consistent and reliable control of this important operation.

At its two Sarasota, Florida, manufacturing plants, the Company has extensive testing facilities that allow its design engineers to test fully all cartridge valve products at their maximum rated pressure and flow rates. A metallurgist and complete metallurgical laboratory support the Company’s design engineers and in-house heat treatment. The resident engineers at the Company’s other facilities also utilize test equipment.

The Company employs a build-to-order philosophy and relies on its distributors to purchase and maintain sufficient inventory to meet their customers’ demands. With this build-to-order philosophy, most raw materials, including aluminum and steel, are delivered on a just-in-time basis. These and other raw materials are commercially available from multiple sources.

The Company controls most critical finishing processes in-house but does rely on a small network of outside manufacturers to machine cartridge parts to varying degrees of completeness. Many high-volume machining operations are performed exclusively at outside suppliers. The Company is very selective in establishing its supplier base and attempts to develop and maintain long-term relationships with suppliers. The Company continually reviews all of its suppliers to improve the quality of incoming parts and to assess opportunities for better control of both price and quality. The Company’s quality systems at the U.S. and U.K. facilities are in compliance with ISO 9001:2000 for design and manufacture of steel cartridge valves, aluminum and ferrous manifolds for hydraulic systems. Those in Korea are certified to ISO 9001:2000 and 14001:2004 for the design, development, production, and after sales service of hydraulic valves.

Sales and Marketing

The Company’s products are sold globally, primarily through independent fluid power distributors. Distributors are supported with product education programs conducted by the Company at its facilities. Technical support is provided by each of the Company’s operations (Florida, Kansas, England, Germany, France, Korea, and China). Included in the Company’s sales and marketing staff are hydraulic engineers who have significant experience in the fluid power industry. Discount pricing structures encourage distributors to buy in moderate to high volumes to ensure there is a local inventory of products in the marketplace.

The Company currently has 65 distributors, 43 of which are located outside the United States and a majority of which have strong technical backgrounds or capabilities, which enable them to develop practical, efficient, and cost-effective fluid power systems for their customers. In 2006, sales to the Company’s largest distributor represented less than 7% of net sales and net sales outside of the United States represented approximately 53% of total net sales.

In addition to distributors, the Company sells directly to other companies within the hydraulic industry under a pricing program that does not undermine the primary distributors’ efforts. Companies that participate in this program utilize the Company’s products in a value-added application, integrating the Company’s screw-in cartridge valves into other fluid power products or systems of their manufacture. Management believes this strategy strengthens the Company by encouraging other manufacturers to buy products from the Company that they might otherwise develop themselves.

 

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The Company has in the past, to a limited degree, sold product directly to OEMs. Although the Company does not have any employee whose primary responsibility is direct sales, it may consider this in the future. The Company recognizes that to gain access to certain large OEM accounts it may have to deal directly in the areas of sales and support.

While the Company principally sells its products through distributors, it provides end users with technical information via its website and catalogues that offers design engineers all of the information necessary to specify and obtain the Company’s products. The Company believes that providing complete technical information to the marketplace helps to stimulate demand for the Company’s products. The Company’s website continues to evolve and has helped to drastically reduce the time between engineering release of products and their appearance in the marketplace. The Company is continuing to invest in this technology as one of the best ways to keep its broad product offering available to customers around the world.

Customers

While many of the Company’s customers’ requirements are growing, management does not believe that the loss of any one customer would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. End-user customers are classified by whether their primary applications for the Company’s products are “mobile” or “industrial.”

Mobile applications involve equipment that generally is not fixed in place and is often operated in an uncontrolled environment, such as construction, agricultural, mining, and fire and rescue and other utility equipment. Mobile customers were the original users of screw-in cartridge valves due to the premium that these industries place on considerations of space, weight, and cost. Mobile customers historically account for approximately 66% of the Company’s net sales.

Industrial applications involve equipment that generally is fixed in place in a controlled environment. Examples include automation machinery, presses, plastics machinery such as injection molding equipment, and machine tools. The requirements of the industrial marketplace are more demanding than most mobile applications since industrial equipment typically operates at significantly higher cycles. The Company’s products are designed to withstand these operating imperatives, and industrial applications historically account for approximately 34% of the Company’s net sales. Many conventional valve designs are still used in industrial applications and represent substitution opportunities for the Company’s products.

The Company does not warrant its products for use in any of the following applications, (i) any product that comes under the Federal Highway Safety Act, such as steering or braking systems for passenger-carrying vehicles or on-highway trucks, (ii) aircraft or space vehicles, (iii) ordnance equipment, (iv) life support equipment, and (v) any product that, when sold, would be subject to the rules and regulations of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These “application limitations” have alleviated the need for the Company to maintain the internal bureaucracy necessary to conduct business in these market segments.

Competition

The hydraulic valve industry is highly fragmented and intensely competitive. The Company has a large number of competitors, some of which are full-line producers and others that are niche suppliers similar to the Company. Most competitors market globally. Full-line producers have the ability to provide total hydraulic systems to customers, including components functionally similar to those manufactured by the Company. There has been increasing consolidation activity within the industry in recent years, with large, full-line producers filling out their product lines by acquiring or entering into relationships with other hydraulics companies, and management expects there will be further consolidation in the future. The Company believes that it competes based upon quality, reliability, price, value, speed of delivery and technological characteristics.

Most of the Company’s screw-in cartridge valve competitors produce screw-in cartridge valves that fit an industry common cavity that sometimes allows their products to be interchangeable. The industry common cavity is not currently supported by any national or global standards organizations, although there is an ongoing effort to standardize a modified version of this cavity in the United States. The International Standards Organization (ISO) has developed a standard screw-in cartridge cavity that is

 

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different from the industry common cavity, but the Company is not aware of any major competitor that currently produces a full line of standard products conforming to the ISO standard. The Company does not manufacture a product that fits either the industry common or the ISO standard cavity. Some competitors manufacture selected screw-in cartridge valves that fit the Company’s cavity. The Company believes the majority of these products are load control valves. Management believes that increased use of the Company’s cavity will be beneficial in the long term because, although competition will increase, markets and applications for the Company’s products also will increase.

Employees

As of December 30, 2006, the Company had 663 full-time employees in the United States, 74 in England, 36 in Germany, two in France and 34 in Korea. The Company continues to focus its efforts on designing and manufacturing standard products, allowing it to maintain over 90% of its employees in manufacturing, distribution, and engineering functions. No employees are represented by a union in any of the Company’s operating units, and management believes that relations with its employees are good. Employees are paid either hourly or with an annual salary at rates that are competitive with other companies in the industry and in its geographic areas. Management believes that the combination of competitive salary, above average health and retirement plans, and a safe and pleasant working environment discourages employee turnover and encourages efficient, high-quality production. Nevertheless, due to the nature of the Company’s manufacturing business, it is often difficult to attract skilled personnel.

Patents and Trademarks

The Company believes that the growth of its business is dependent upon the quality and functional performance of its products and its relationship with the marketplace, rather than the extent of its patents and trademarks. The Company’s principal trademark is registered internationally in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. While the Company believes that its patents have significant value, the loss of any single patent would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Available Information

The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, as well as its proxy statements and other materials which are filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are made available, free of charge, on or through its website under the heading “Investor Relations—Reports—SEC Filings,” as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

ITEM 1A.—RISK FACTORS

FACTORS INFLUENCING FUTURE RESULTS—FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about us, our beliefs, and assumptions made by us, including (i) our strategies regarding growth, including our intention to develop new products; (ii) our financing plans; (iii) trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations; (iv) our ability to continue to control costs and to meet our liquidity and other financing needs; (v) the declaration and payment of dividends; and (vi) our ability to respond to changes in customer demand domestically and internationally, including as a result of standardization. In addition, we may make other written or oral statements, which constitute forward-looking statements, from time to time. Words such as “may,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals also are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this report. Our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) conditions in the capital markets, including the interest rate environment and the availability of capital; (ii) changes in the competitive marketplace that could affect our revenue and/or cost bases, such as increased competition, lack of qualified engineering, marketing, management or other personnel, and increased labor and raw materials costs; (iii) new product introductions, product sales mix and the geographic mix of sales nationally and internationally; and the following risk factors:

Sales in our industry are subject to economic cycles. The capital goods industry in general, and the hydraulic valve and manifold industry in particular, are subject to economic cycles, which directly affect customer orders, lead times and sales volume. The downturn in the industry from 2001 - 2003 had a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The strength of the economic recovery which began in 2004 directly affected orders for our products through 2006. The continued strength or a weakening in the economy in the future will directly affect future orders.

Our products are subject to obsolescence due to technological change. The fluid power industry and its component parts are subject to technological change, evolving industry standards, changing customer requirements and improvements in and expansion of product offerings. If technologies or standards used in our products become obsolete, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. Although we believe that we have the technological capabilities to remain competitive, we cannot assure you that developments by others will not render our products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive. See “Item 1—Business — Strategy.”

We are subject to intense competition. The hydraulic valve industry is highly fragmented and intensely competitive, and we face competition from a large number of competitors, some of which are full-line producers and others that are niche suppliers like us. Full-line producers have the ability to provide total hydraulic systems to customers, including components functionally similar to those manufactured by us. We believe that we compete based upon quality, reliability, price, value, speed of delivery and technological characteristics. Many of our screw-in cartridge valve competitors are owned by corporations that are significantly larger than us and have greater financial resources than we do. We cannot assure you that we will continue to be able to compete effectively with these companies.

The manifold business is also highly fragmented and intensely competitive. All of the major screw-in cartridge valve manufacturers either manufacture manifolds or have sources that they use on a regular basis. In addition, there are a number of independent manifold suppliers that produce manifolds incorporating various manufacturers’ screw-in cartridge valves, including those made by us. Finally, there are many small, independent machine shops that produce manifolds at very competitive prices. We believe that competition in the manifold business is based upon quality, price, proximity to the customer and speed of delivery. Many of our competitors have very low overhead structures and we cannot assure you that we will continue to be able to compete effectively with these companies.

In addition, we compete in the sale of hydraulic valves and manifolds with certain of our customers. Generally, these customers purchase cartridge valves from us to meet a specific need in a system that cannot be filled by any valve made by such customer. To the extent that we introduce new valves in the future that increase the competition between us and such customers, such competition could adversely affect our relationships with these customers.

The marketplace could adopt an industry standard cavity that would not accommodate our products. Our screw-in cartridge valves fit into a unique cavity for which, to date, few other manufacturers have designed products. Accordingly, our screw-in cartridge valves are not interchangeable with those of other manufacturers. Most competitive manufacturers produce screw-in cartridge valves that fit into an industry common cavity. There is an ongoing effort in the United States to produce a new standard for screw-in hydraulic cartridge valve cavities based on the industry common cavity. Additionally, the International Standards Organization (“ISO”) has an existing industry standard for screw-in hydraulic cartridge valve cavities, which is different from our cavity and the industry common cavity. In our view, the industry common cavity as well as the suggested standardized form of this cavity and the ISO standard cavity fail to address critical functional requirements, which could result in performance and safety problems of significant magnitude for end users. To our knowledge, no major

 

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competitor has converted its standard product line to fit the ISO standard cavity. Any move by a substantial number of screw-in cartridge valve and manifold manufacturers toward the adoption of ISO standard or another standard, based on the existing industry common cavity, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation. See “Item 1.—Business — Competition.”

We are subject to risks relating to international sales. In 2006, approximately 53% of our net sales were outside of the United States. We are expanding the scope of our operations outside the United States, both through direct investment and distribution, and expect that international sales will continue to account for a substantial portion of our net sales in future periods. International sales are subject to various risks, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements and tariffs, longer payment cycles, difficulties in receivable collections, potentially adverse tax consequences, trade or currency restrictions, and, particularly in emerging economies, potential political and economic instability and regional conflicts. Furthermore, our international operations generate sales in a number of foreign currencies, particularly British pounds, the Euro, and the Korean Won. Therefore, our financial condition and results of operation are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates between the United States dollar and these currencies. Any or all of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to various risks relating to our growth strategy. In pursuing our growth strategy, we intend to expand our presence in our existing markets and enter new markets. In addition, we may pursue acquisitions and joint ventures to complement our business. Many of the expenses arising from our expansion efforts may have a negative effect on operating results until such time, if at all, that these expenses are offset by increased revenues. We cannot assure you that we will be able to improve our market share or profitability, recover our expenditures, or successfully implement our growth strategy. See “Item 1—Business — Strategy.”

Our expansion strategy also may require substantial capital investment for the construction of new facilities and their effective operation. We may finance the acquisition of additional assets using cash from operations, bank or institutional borrowings, or through the issuance of debt or equity securities. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain financing from bank or institutional sources or through the equity or debt markets or that, if available, such financing will be on terms acceptable to us.

We are dependent upon key employees and skilled personnel. Our success depends, to a significant extent, upon a number of key individuals. The loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our future operating results depend to a significant degree upon the continued contribution of our key technical personnel and skilled labor force. Competition for management and engineering personnel is intense, and we compete for qualified personnel with numerous other employers, some of which have greater financial and other resources than we do. We conduct a substantial part of our operations at our facilities in Sarasota, Florida. Our continued success depends on our ability to attract and retain a skilled labor force at this location. While we have been successful in attracting and retaining skilled employees in the past, we cannot assure you that we will continue to be successful in attracting and retaining the personnel we require to develop, manufacture and market our products and expand our operations. See “Item 1—Business — Employees.”

We are subject to the risk of liability for defective products. The application of many of our products entails an inherent risk of product liability. We cannot assure you that we will not face any material product liability claims in the future or that the product liability insurance we maintain at such time will be adequate to cover such claims.

We are subject to fluctuations in the prices of raw materials. The primary raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are aluminum, ductile iron and steel. We cannot assure you that prices for such materials will not increase or, if they do, that we will be able to increase the prices for our products to maintain our profit margins. Material costs have increased during the past fiscal year. These costs increases were partially offset by sales price increases in January and July of this year. If future price increases do not adequately cover material cost increases, our operating results may be adversely affected.

 

10


We are dependent upon our parts suppliers. Our largest expense in the cost of sales is purchased cartridge valve parts. We cannot assure you that our manufacturing costs and output would not be materially and adversely affected by operational or financial difficulties experienced by one or more of our suppliers.

Hurricanes could cause a disruption in our operations which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. A significant portion of our operations are located in Florida, a region that is susceptible to hurricanes. Such weather events can cause disruption to our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our overall results of operations. While we have property insurance to partially reimburse us for wind losses resulting from a named storm, such insurance would not cover all possible losses.

We are subject to the cost of environmental compliance and the risk of failing to comply with environmental laws. Our operations involve the handling and use of substances that are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the soil, air and water and establish standards for their storage and disposal. We believe that our current operations are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, the violation of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. New laws and regulations, or stricter interpretations of existing laws or regulations, could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our board may decide to reduce or eliminate dividends. Although we have paid a cash dividend each quarter since our common stock began trading in 1997, we cannot assure you that funds will be available for this purpose in the future. The declaration and payment of dividends is subject to the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our profitability, financial condition, capital needs, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the board, and may be restricted by the terms of credit agreements that we may enter into.

Certain anti-takeover provisions may hinder or prevent a change in control. Our Articles of Incorporation provide for a classified board of directors. In addition, the Articles give the board of directors the authority, without further action by the shareholders, to issue and fix the rights and preferences of a new class, or classes, of preferred stock. These and other provisions of the Articles and our Bylaws may deter or delay changes in control, including transactions in which shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices. In addition, these provisions may limit the ability of shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests.

We are subject to control by certain shareholders and management. Members of the Koski family, including two Directors, Robert E. Koski, our founder and former Chairman, and Christine L. Koski, and their affiliates own or control approximately 31% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Accordingly, the members of the Koski family have the ability to influence significantly the election of our directors and the outcome of certain corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, and to influence our business. Such influence could preclude any acquisition of the Company and could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Our directors and executive officers as a group beneficially own or control approximately 33% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. See “Item 12.—Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns major facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Korea, as set forth below.

The Company owns a 66,000 square foot facility in Sarasota, Florida, which houses manufacturing, design, marketing and other administrative functions. The Sarasota facility is well suited for the design, testing and manufacture of the Company’s products.

 

11


The Company also owns a 77,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Manatee County, Florida. The Manatee County facility, constructed in 1997, has a productive capacity similar to the Sarasota facility.

The close proximity of the Florida facilities allows for quick change and the ability to shift resources, including machinery and people, to effectively meet changing business requirements.

Both facilities in Florida are encumbered by a revolving line of credit, which is due August 1, 2011. Monthly payment of interest only is due on the revolving line of credit, with a variable interest rate based upon the Company’s leverage ratio. At December 30, 2006, there was no outstanding balance on the Line of Credit.

The Company also owns vacant land in Manatee County, Florida, for future expansion requirements. There is no mortgage on this property and the Company believes the land to be well suited to add over 30,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity.

The Company leases a 17,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Lenexa, Kansas, which is used to manufacture manifolds for the North American market.

The Company owns a 37,000 square foot facility in Coventry, England, free of any encumbrances. The facility, while primarily acting as a distributor, is also involved in cartridge assembly and manifold manufacturing.

The Company’s 45,000 square foot distribution and manufacturing facility in Erkelenz, Germany is encumbered by a mortgage loan, which is due September 30, 2008, and has a fixed interest rate of 6.05%. At December 30, 2006, the principal balance was $0.5 million. This facility is well suited to house equipment used for manufacturing and testing of the Company’s products. Currently, a small portion of the manufacturing area is utilized and the remainder is leased on an annual basis to an outside company.

The Company owns a 10,000 square foot distribution and manufacturing facility in Inchon, Korea, free of any encumbrances.

The Company believes that its properties have been adequately maintained, are generally in good condition, and are suitable and adequate for its business as presently conducted. The extent of utilization of the Company’s properties varies from time to time and among its facilities.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company from time to time is involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company does not believe that any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE

OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of the security holders of the Company through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006.

 

12


PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY,

RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

The Common Stock of the Company has been trading publicly under the symbol SNHY on the Nasdaq Global Select Market since the Company’s initial public offering on January 9, 1997. The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices of the Company’s Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the dividends declared for the periods indicated. 2005 First Quarter stock prices and dividends are adjusted for a three-for-two stock split, effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend, which became effective on July 15, 2005.

 

     High    Low    Dividends
declared

2006

              

First quarter

   $ 25.390    $ 19.670    $ 0.100

Second quarter

     22.450      16.950      0.100

Third quarter

     20.720      16.620      0.100

Fourth quarter

     22.130      19.970      0.100

2005

              

First quarter

   $ 21.060    $ 9.667    $ 0.050

Second quarter

     25.733      15.460      0.050

Third quarter

     32.340      19.490      0.100

Fourth quarter

     26.250      17.580      0.100

Holders

There were 101 shareholders of record of Common Stock on March 2, 2007. The number of record holders was determined from the records of the Company’s transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of Common Stock whose shares are held in the names of securities brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies. The Company believes that there are between 2,500 and 3,000 beneficial owners of Common Stock.

Dividends

Dividends were paid on the 15th day of each month following the date of declaration. The Company’s Board of Directors currently intends to continue to pay a quarterly dividend of at least $0.10 per share during 2007. However, the declaration and payment of future dividends is subject to the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, and any determination as to the payment of future dividends will depend upon the Company’s profitability, financial condition, capital needs, future prospects and other factors deemed pertinent by the Board of Directors.

Stock Split

On June 10, 2005, the Company declared a three-for-two stock split, effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend, to shareholders of record on June 30, 2005, which was paid on July 15, 2005. The Company issued approximately 3,600,000 shares of common stock as a result of the stock split. The effect of the stock split on outstanding shares, earnings per share and dividends per share has been retroactively applied to all periods presented.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company did not repurchase any of its stock during the fourth quarter of 2006.

 

13


Five-Year Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares cumulative total return among Sun Hydraulics Corporation, the Russell 2000 Index and the Value Line Machinery Industry Stock Index, from December 31, 2001, to December 30, 2006, assuming $100 invested in each on December 31, 2001. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends for all companies considered within the comparison. The stock price performance shown in the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

Among Sun Hydraulics Corporation, The Russell 2000 Index

And The Value Line Machinery Industry Group

LOGO


* $100 invested on 12/31/01 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Indexes calculated on month-end basis

 

     12/01    12/02    12/03    12/04    12/05    12/06

Sun Hydraulics Corporation

   100.00    108.66    117.87    267.16    491.90    532.32

Russell 2000

   100.00    79.52    117.09    138.55    144.86    171.47

Value Line Machinery Industry Group

   100.00    100.09    158.05    196.21    212.96    268.82

 

14


ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following summary should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained herein. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 1. Business.”

The Company reports on a fiscal year that ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st. Each quarter generally consists of two 4-week periods and one 5-week period. As a result of the 2005 fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, the quarter ended April 2, 2005 consisted of one 4-week period and two 5-week periods, resulting in a 53-week year.

 

     Year Ended
     Dec 30, 2006    Dec 31, 2005    Dec 25, 2004    Dec 27, 2003    Dec 28, 2002
     (in thousands except per share data)

Statement of Operations:

              

Net sales

   $ 142,282    $ 116,757    $ 94,503    $ 70,798    $ 64,545

Gross profit

     43,932      36,918      28,535      18,486      15,964

Operating income

     25,051      19,180      12,294      3,683      3,420

Income before income taxes

     24,903      19,137      11,732      3,277      2,592

Net income

   $ 16,223    $ 12,808    $ 7,830    $ 2,176    $ 1,778

Basic net income per common share

   $ 1.49    $ 1.18    $ 0.76    $ 0.22    $ 0.18

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 1.48    $ 1.17    $ 0.76    $ 0.22    $ 0.18

Dividends per common share

   $ 0.40    $ 0.30    $ 0.14    $ 1.44    $ 0.11

Other Financial Data:

              

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 5,849    $ 5,604    $ 5,465    $ 5,152    $ 5,100

Capital expenditures

     9,525      8,813      4,987      3,076      5,870

Balance Sheet Data:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9,497    $ 5,830    $ 9,762    $ 5,219    $ 3,958

Working capital

     24,015      16,391      16,723      12,663      12,828

Total assets

     87,185      73,561      71,808      63,032      62,285

Total debt

     1,072      2,384      12,254      18,207      9,611

Redeemable common stock

     —        —        —        —        2,250

Shareholders’ equity

     70,800      56,440      45,403      35,063      42,899

 

15


Quarterly Results of Operations

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

     For the Quarter Ended
    

Dec 30,

2006

  

Sep 30

2006

  

Jul 1,

2006

  

Apr 1,

2006

Net sales

   $ 34,967    $ 36,202    $ 36,928    $ 34,185

Gross profit

     11,051      10,662      11,239      10,981

Operating income

     6,237      5,955      6,549      6,310

Income before income taxes

     6,253      5,896      6,501      6,253

Net income

   $ 3,813    $ 3,916    $ 4,314    $ 4,180
                           

Basic net income per common share

   $ 0.35    $ 0.36    $ 0.39    $ 0.38

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 0.35    $ 0.36    $ 0.39    $ 0.38
     For the Quarter Ended
    

Dec 31,

2005

  

Oct 1,

2005

  

Jul 2,

2005

  

Apr 2,

2005

Net sales

   $ 27,938    $ 28,726    $ 31,014    $ 29,079

Gross profit

     8,054      9,025      10,086      9,753

Operating income

     3,702      4,381      5,562      5,533

Income before income taxes

     3,833      4,202      5,583      5,518

Net income

   $ 2,888    $ 2,918    $ 3,536    $ 3,466
                           

Basic net income per common share

   $ 0.26    $ 0.27    $ 0.33    $ 0.33

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 0.26    $ 0.27    $ 0.32    $ 0.32
    

Dec 25,

2004

  

Sep 25,

2004

  

Jun 26,

2004

  

Mar 27,

2004

Net sales

   $ 23,426    $ 23,164    $ 26,522    $ 21,390

Gross profit

     6,796      7,047      8,386      6,305

Operating income

     2,817      3,045      4,190      2,241

Income before income taxes

     2,561      2,972      4,117      2,082

Net income

   $ 2,001    $ 1,880    $ 2,591    $ 1,358
                           

Basic net income per common share

   $ 0.19    $ 0.18    $ 0.25    $ 0.13

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 0.19    $ 0.18    $ 0.25    $ 0.13

 

16


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

Sun Hydraulics Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds, which control force, speed and motion as integral components in fluid power systems. The Company sells its products globally through wholly owned subsidiaries and independent distributors. Sales outside the United States for the year ended December 30, 2006, were approximately 53% of total net sales.

Approximately 66% of product sales are used by the mobile market, which is characterized by applications where the equipment is not fixed in place, the operating environment is often unpredictable, and duty cycles are generally moderate to low. Some examples of mobile equipment include off-road construction equipment, fire and rescue equipment and mining machinery.

The remaining 34% of sales are used by industrial markets, which are characterized by equipment that is fixed in place, typically in a controlled environment, and which operates at higher pressures and duty cycles. Automation machinery, metal cutting machine tools and plastics machinery are some examples of industrial equipment. The Company sells to both markets with a single product line.

Company Focus

In recent years, the Company has realized robust growth in all areas of the world. Management believes there are five key reasons why:

 

   

Delivery performance,

 

   

New products, especially electro-hydraulic products,

 

   

Integrated packages,

 

   

Our geographic presence, and

 

   

Our website.

The company is continuously engaged in efforts to improve productivity to enhance productive capacity and be in the best position to be able to respond to marketplace demand. Company engineering and manufacturing personnel redesign existing products, where necessary, to improve manufacturability. New product design efforts include personnel from engineering, manufacturing and marketing to help reduce the time and effort required to release products to the market. These on-going activities enable the Company to maintain a level of delivery performance and shipping reliability that it believes differentiates it from its competitors.

The Company continues to add to its electro-hydraulic valve offerings with many new products, including different types of solenoid and proportional valves. Electrically actuated cartridges help create new system opportunities as they enable the Company to offer complete integrated valve packages which could not be offered previously. The addition of electro-hydraulic products allows integrated packages to be designed with 100% Sun content. Integrated packages, standard cartridges housed in a custom designed manifold, have been one of the Company’s fastest growing areas.

The Company has wholly-owned companies in North America, Europe and the Far East, augmented by what management believes to be the finest distribution network in the fluid power industry. The Company’s distributors are particularly skilled in applying products and developing integrated solutions for the local market. Through its wholly-owned companies and global distribution network, the Company is able to service all major industrialized market areas.

The Company’s major marketing tool is its website, www.sunhydraulics.com. The Company’s website is developed for serious design engineers. It provides all the detailed technical information and specifications to select, apply and obtain Sun products, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The website continues to evolve by adding greater levels of detail in technical information and new configuration capability.

 

17


Industry Conditions

Demand for the Company’s products is dependent on demand for the capital goods into which the products are incorporated. The capital goods industries in general, and the fluid power industry specifically, are subject to economic cycles. According to the National Fluid Power Association (the fluid power industry’s trade association in the United States), the United States index of shipments of hydraulic products increased 9% and 13%, in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The Company’s order trend has historically tracked closely to the United States Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). The index was 51.4 at the end of December 2006 compared to 55.6 at the end of December 2005. When the PMI is over 50, it indicates economic expansion.

Results for the 2006 fiscal year

(Dollars in millions except net income per share)

 

     December 30,
2006
   December 31,
2005
   Increase  

Twelve Months Ended

        

Net Sales

   $ 142.3    $ 116.8    22 %

Net Income

   $ 16.2    $ 12.8    27 %

Net Income per share:

        

Basic

   $ 1.49    $ 1.18    26 %

Diluted

   $ 1.48    $ 1.17    26 %

Three Months Ended

        

Net Sales

   $ 35.0    $ 27.9    25 %

Net Income

   $ 3.8    $ 2.9    31 %

Net Income per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.35    $ 0.26    35 %

Diluted

   $ 0.35    $ 0.26    35 %

Fourth quarter orders and shipments finished very strong and the Company’s 2006 financial results were even better than had been expected. While North America continued to hold up, the Company saw robust demand in Europe and Asia/Pacific. The strong order trends have continued through January and February and management anticipates first quarter 2007 results will continue to outpace the industry. Management expects continued double digit growth in Q1 2007, even given the strength of last year’s first quarter.

The keys to the Company’s success have not changed. Shipping reliability, new complementary and differentiated products, a focus on integrated packages, its strong geographic presence and its website continue to help Sun gain market share. In the product area, the Company is excited about the launch of additional electro-hydraulic products at the Hannover Fair in Germany in April. Having the right products at the right time has been, and continues to be, the Company’s focus.

The Company is in its tenth year as a public company. During that time the Company has continued to grow both the top and bottom lines, and has returned to shareholders over $29 million in dividends. For long-term investors, the value of an investment in Sun in January 1997, has grown more than 300%, compared to a 200% return on the S&P 500 over the same 10-year period.

Dividends

The Company declared quarterly dividends of $0.10 per share for a total dividend of $0.40 for 2006. These dividends were paid on the 15th day of each month following the date of declaration.

 

18


Cash Flow

Net cash generated from operations for the year was $19.6 million, a $2.6 million increase compared to $17.0 million in 2005. Capital expenditures for the year were $9.5 million, cash on hand increased $3.7 million to $9.5 million, debt decreased $1.3 million to $1.1 million, and $4.3 million was paid to shareholders in dividends.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items in the Company’s statements of operations as a percentage of net sales.

 

     For the Year Ended  
     Dec 30, 2006     Dec 31, 2005     Dec 25, 2004     Dec 27, 2003     Dec 28, 2002  

Net sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Gross profit

   30.9 %   31.6 %   30.2 %   26.1 %   24.7 %

Operating income

   17.6 %   16.4 %   13.0 %   5.2 %   5.3 %

Income before income taxes

   17.5 %   16.4 %   12.4 %   4.6 %   4.0 %

Segment Information (in thousands)

 

     United
States
   Korea    United
Kingdom
   Germany    Elimination     Consolidated

2006

                

Sales to unaffiliated customers

   $ 89,077    $ 16,368    $ 17,709    $ 19,128    $ —       $ 142,282

Intercompany sales

     25,809      —        2,990      106      (28,905 )     —  

Operating income

     16,608      2,212      2,330      4,046      (145 )     25,051

Identifiable assets

     59,505      7,580      13,756      8,187      (1,843 )     87,185

Depreciation and amortization

     4,206      150      983      510        5,849

Capital expenditures

     8,408      122      757      238        9,525

2005

                

Sales to unaffiliated customers

   $ 73,998    $ 11,604    $ 16,054    $ 15,101    $ —       $ 116,757

Intercompany sales

     21,239      —        2,873      80      (24,192 )     —  

Operating income

     13,443      1,520      1,260      3,145      (188 )     19,180

Identifiable assets

     50,019      4,958      12,403      8,777      (2,596 )     73,561

Depreciation and amortization

     3,944      149      1,025      473      —         5,591

Capital expenditures

     7,007      29      934      843      —         8,813

2004

                

Sales to unaffiliated customers

   $ 59,847    $ 8,723    $ 13,375    $ 12,558    $ —       $ 94,503

Intercompany sales

     15,702      —        1,812      66      (17,580 )     —  

Operating income

     8,417      926      483      2,399      69       12,294

Identifiable assets

     44,765      4,449      13,742      10,062      (1,210 )     71,808

Depreciation and amortization

     3,792      137      1,061      475      —         5,465

Capital expenditures

     4,264      42      540      141      —         4,987

Outlook for first quarter 2007

2007 first quarter sales are estimated to be in the range of $39 million, a 14% increase over last year. First quarter earnings per share are estimated to be between $0.42 and $0.45 per share, compared to $0.38 per share last year.

 

19


Comparison of Years Ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

Net Sales

Net sales were $142.3 million, an increase of $25.5 million, or 21.8%, compared to $116.8 million in 2005. Net sales increased 21.4% excluding the effect of exchange rates.

The increase was due in large part to the continued growth of international sales, particularly in Asia where sales increased 41.9%, or $6.9 million, to $23.4 million. Domestic sales in Korea increased 41.1%, sales to China increased 63.0%, and to Japan 36.6%.

European sales increased 26.0%, or $8.5 million, to $41.2 million. Sales to France increased 20.5%, to Germany 23.0%, and to the U.K. 19.5%. Significant increases were also noted in Norway, Italy, Ireland and Sweden.

North American sales increased 14.2%, or $9.2 million, to $74.0 million.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased 19.0% to $43.9 million in 2006, compared to $36.9 million in 2005. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 30.9% in 2006, compared to 31.6% in 2005. Declines in the gross profit percentage were due to higher variable costs and an increased fixed cost base. Increased materials, fringe benefits, and productivity declines during the third quarter accounted for the majority of the increased variable costs. The fixed cost increases were primarily made up of salaries, fringe benefits, utilities, and depreciation. Gross profit percentage decreases were partially offset by higher sales volume and sales price increases that occurred in January and July of this year.

Selling, Engineering, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, engineering and administrative expenses in 2006 were $18.9 million, a $1.1 million, or 6.4%, increase, compared to $17.7 million in 2005. The increase was primarily due to increases in compensation expense, including additional engineering and marketing personnel, and insurance. These increases were partially offset by decreased advertising and professional fees. The prior year period included higher audit and contract labor fees, including Sarbanes-Oxley 404 compliance, and a write-off of the remaining deferred loan costs related to the extinguishment of debt.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $0.3 million and $0.4 million, in 2006 and 2005, respectively. While average outstanding debt decreased $5.6 million, from $7.3 million in 2005 to $1.7 million in 2006, the average interest rate on variable debt increased from the period ended December 31, 2005, due to an increase in the LIBOR rate.

Foreign Currency Transaction (Gain) Loss

Foreign currency transaction loss in 2006 was $0.2, compared to a gain of $0.4 million in 2005. While the Euro, the Korean Won and the British Pound made gains against the U.S. dollar during 2006, the U.K. operations experienced losses related to sales conducted in U.S. dollars and from the revaluation of balance sheet items which were held in U.S. dollars.

Miscellaneous (Income) Expense

Miscellaneous income was $0.4 in 2006 compared to a minimal impact on net income in 2005. The increase was primarily a result of earnings from joint ventures and interest income.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 30, 2006, was 34.9% of pretax income compared to 33.1% for the year ended December 31, 2005. The change was primarily due to the relative

 

20


levels of income and different tax rates in effect among the countries in which the Company sells its products and an increase in the U.S. effective rate of almost 2%. The increase was primarily a result of additional U.S. income taxed at the higher incremental federal tax rate and an increase in state taxes. The prior year provision included a cumulative benefit for a deduction in the state tax rate and a benefit for the change in foreign valuation allowance.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2005 and December 25, 2004

Net Sales

Net sales were $116.8 million, an increase of $22.3 million, or 23.5%, compared to $94.5 million in 2004. Net sales increased 21% excluding the effect of exchange rates.

Net sales from the United States operation increased 23.7% with shipments to Asia up 14.0%, Canada up 38.1% and domestic shipments up 23.0%. Net sales from the United Kingdom operation increased 20.0%, primarily due to increases in domestic sales and sales to European distributors. German operation net sales increased 20.3%, with significant increases in domestic sales and sales to Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Net sales from the Korean operation increased 33.0%, due to increased domestic sales in Korea and sales to China.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased 29.4% to $36.9 million in 2005, compared to $28.5 million in 2004. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 31.6% in 2005, compared to 30.2% in 2004. A moderate and selective sales price increase in January of 2005, coupled with increased sales volume and improved productivity, more than offset the increased cost of materials and labor.

Selling, Engineering, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, engineering and administrative expenses in 2005 were $17.7 million, a $1.5 million, or 9.2%, increase, compared to $16.2 million in 2004. The increase was primarily due to increased audit and contract labor fees related to 2005, including Sarbanes-Oxley 404 compliance, personnel related expenses, foreign compensation expense, a write-off of the remaining deferred loan costs related to the extinguishment of debt and costs for a bi-annual European trade show.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $0.4 million and $0.5 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. While average outstanding debt decreased $7.9 million, from $15.2 million in 2004 to $7.3 million in 2005, the average interest rate on variable debt increased from the period ended December 25, 2004, due to an increase in the LIBOR rate.

Foreign Currency Transaction (Gain) Loss

Foreign currency transaction gain in 2005 was $0.4 million, compared to a minimal impact on net income in 2004. The gain was primarily a result of the revaluation of United Kingdom balance sheet items which were held in U.S. dollars.

Miscellaneous (Income) Expense

Miscellaneous (income) expense had a minimal impact on net income in 2005 and 2004.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2005, was 33.1% of pretax income compared to 33.3% for the year ended December 25, 2004. The decrease was due to a change in the relative levels of income and different tax rates in effect among the countries in which the Company sells its products.

 

21


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, the Company’s primary source of capital has been cash generated from operations, although short-term fluctuations in working capital requirements have been met through borrowings under revolving lines of credit as needed. The Company’s principal uses of cash have been to pay operating expenses, pay dividends to shareholders, make capital expenditures, and service debt.

Net cash flow from operations in 2006 was $19.6 million, compared to $17.0 million in 2005 and $14.7 million in 2004. The $2.6 million increase in the Company’s net cash flow from operations in 2006 was due primarily to the increase in net income of $3.4 million, the change in deferred taxes, increases to accrued expenses and other liabilities, and income taxes payable. These cash increases were partially offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventory. Cash on hand increased $3.7 million from $5.8 million in 2005 to $9.5 million in 2006. Days sales outstanding remained constant at 36 in 2006 and inventory turns decreased from 10.1 to 9.5. The increase in the Company’s net cash flow from operations in 2005, compared to 2004 was due primarily to the increase in net income of $5.0 million, which was partially offset by increases in tax assets, decreases in tax liabilities, and a decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities.

Capital expenditures, consisting primarily of purchases of machinery and equipment, were $9.5 million in 2006, compared to $8.8 million in 2005 and $5.0 million in 2004. Capital expenditures in 2007 are projected to be $10.0 million.

On August 11, 2005, the Company completed a refinancing of its existing debt in the U.S. with Fifth Third Bank (the “Bank”). The new financing consists of a secured revolving line of credit of $35 million (the “Line of Credit”). The Line of Credit is secured by the Company’s U.S. assets, including its manufacturing facilities, and requires monthly payments of interest. The Line of Credit has a floating interest rate based upon the Company’s leverage ratio. The Line of Credit is payable in full on August 1, 2011, but maturity may be accelerated by the Bank upon an Event of Default (as defined). Prepayment may be made without penalty or premium at any time upon the required notice to the Bank. At December 30, 2006, the Line of Credit had no outstanding balance.

The Line of Credit is subject to debt covenants including: 1) Debt (as defined) to Tangible Net Worth (as defined) ratio of not more than 1.5:1.0, 2) Funded Debt (as defined) to EBITDA (as defined) ratio of not more than 2.5:1.0, and 3) EBIT (as defined) to Interest Expense (as defined) ratio of not less than 1.1:1.0; and requires the Company to maintain its primary domestic deposit accounts with the Bank. As of December 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

The Company declared the following quarterly dividends to shareholders of record on the last day of the respective quarter:

 

     2006    2005    2004

First quarter

   $ 0.100    $ 0.050    $ 0.027

Second quarter

     0.100      0.050      0.033

Third quarter

     0.100      0.100      0.033

Fourth quarter

     0.100      0.100      0.050

These dividends were paid on the 15th day of each month following the date of declaration. In addition, the Company declared a 50% stock dividend on June 30, 2005.

The declaration and payment of future dividends is subject to the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, and any determination as to the payment of future dividends will depend upon the Company’s profitability, financial condition, capital needs, future prospects and other factors deemed pertinent by the Board of Directors.

The Company believes that cash generated from operations and its borrowing availability under the revolving Line of Credit will be sufficient to satisfy the Company’s operating expenses and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. In the event that economic conditions were to severely worsen

 

22


for a protracted period of time, the Company would have several options available to ensure liquidity in addition to increased borrowing. Capital expenditures could be postponed since they primarily pertain to long-term improvements in operations. Additional operating expense reductions also could be made. Finally, the dividend to shareholders could be reduced or suspended.

In June 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2007. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. The amount of the stock repurchased was used to continue to fund the Company’s employee stock ownership and employee stock purchase plans. Under the plan, which was completed in July, the Company had repurchased 135,382 shares at an average price of $18.47. All shares were retired during the year.

In December 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.0 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2007. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. The amount of the stock repurchases was set based upon the anticipated number of shares that were required to fund the Company’s ESOP, and employee stock purchase plan, through fiscal year 2006. The Company had repurchased 82,500 shares at an average cost of $18.87 per share and 22,698 shares at an average cost of $19.52 for the periods ending December 31, 2005 and December 30, 2006, respectively. Of the 82,500 shares purchased in 2005, 65,000 were retired prior to December 31, 2005. All remaining shares and purchases were retired during 2006.

In November 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2006. The amount of the stock repurchases was set based upon the anticipated number of shares that were required to fund the Company’s ESOP, and employee stock purchase plan, through fiscal year 2005. The Company purchased 8,700 shares at an average cost of $9.52 per share and 2,700 shares at an average cost of $9.80 per share for the periods ending December 25, 2004 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. All shares were retired during the year of purchase.

OTHER MATERIAL COMMITMENTS. Our contractual obligations and debt obligations as of December 30, 2006, are summarized in the table below (in thousands):

 

     Payments due by Period

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

   TOTAL   

LESS THAN

1 YEAR

   1-3
YEARS
   3-5
YEARS
   MORE THAN
5 YEARS

Debt

   $ 1,072      426      528      118      —  

Operating leases

     338      210      128      —        —  

Other long term liabilities (1)

     298      50      100      28      120
                                  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 1,708    $ 686    $ 756    $ 146    $ 120
                                  

(1) Other long term liabilities consist of deferred income of $178 and deferred compensation of $120. The deferred income is a result of the supply agreement with Mannesmann Rexroth, A.G., a German full-line hydraulic component and systems manufacturer, entered into during 1999. This agreement expires in 2010. Deferred compensation relates to Director compensation for attendance at Board meetings. Amounts will be paid upon an individual ceasing to be a Director of the Company.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company currently only applies judgment and estimates which may have a material effect on the eventual outcome of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses for impairment of long-lived assets, accounts receivable, inventory, goodwill and accruals. The following explains the basis and the procedure for each account where judgment and estimates are applied.

 

23


Revenue Recognition

The Company reports revenues, net of sales incentives, when title passes and risk of loss transfers to the customer. The effect of material non-recurring events is provided for when they become known.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 144, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets (“FAS 144”), long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the asset is measured by comparison of its carrying amount to future net cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value.

The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization under FAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“FAS 142”). See Goodwill below.

Accounts Receivable

The Company sells to most of its customers on a recurring basis, primarily through distributors with which the Company maintains long-term relationships. As a result, bad debt experience has not been material. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined on a specific identification basis by a review of those accounts that are significantly in arrears. There can be no assurance that a distributor or a large direct sale customer with overdue accounts receivable balances will not develop financial difficulties and default on payment. See Consolidated Balance Sheets for allowance amounts.

Inventory

The Company offers a wide variety of standard products and as a matter of policy does not discontinue products. On an ongoing basis, component parts found to be obsolete through design or process changes are disposed of and charged to material cost. The Company reviews on-hand balances of products and component parts against specific criteria. Products and component parts without usage or that have excess quantities on hand are evaluated. An inventory reserve is then established for the full inventory carrying value of those products and component parts deemed to be obsolete or slow moving. See Note 6 to the Financial Statements for inventory reserve amounts.

Goodwill

The Company acquired its Korean operations in September 1998 using the purchase method. As a result, goodwill is reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A valuation based on the cash flow method was performed at December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. It was determined that the value of the goodwill was not impaired. There is no assurance that the value of the acquired company will not decrease in the future due to changing business conditions. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for goodwill amounts.

Accruals

The Company makes estimates related to certain employee benefits and miscellaneous accruals. Estimates for employee benefit accruals are based on information received from plan administrators in conjunction with management’s assessments of estimated liabilities related to workers’ compensation, health care benefits and annual contributions to an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”), established in 2004 as part of the Company’s retirement plan. Estimates for miscellaneous accruals are based on management’s assessment of estimated liabilities for costs incurred.

As of July 1, 2003, the Company accrues for health care benefit costs under a self-funded plan utilizing estimates provided by a third party administrator and insurance company. The Company purchases re-insurance for both specific and aggregate stop losses on claims that exceed $85,000 on an individual basis and approximately $4.8 million on an aggregate basis.

 

24


New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, and Related Implementation Issues (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a Company’s financial statements in accordance with FASB No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this Statement, but does not expect it to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2006, the FASB issued FAS No.156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“FAS 156”), that provides guidance on accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. In accordance with the provisions of FAS No. 156, separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities must be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. Subsequent to initial recognition, the Company may use either the amortization method or the fair value measurement method to account for servicing assets and servicing liabilities within the scope of this Statement. FAS 156 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2006, the FASB issued FAS No.155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140 (“FAS 155”), to permit fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation in accordance with the provisions of FAS No.133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. FAS 155 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not engage in any off balance sheet financing arrangements. In particular, the Company does not have any interest in variable interest entities, which include special purpose entities and structured finance entities.

The Company uses the equity method of accounting to account for its investments in Sun China and WhiteOak. The Company does not have a majority ownership in or exercise control over either of the entities. The Company does not believe that its investments in Sun China or WhiteOak qualify as Variable Interest Entities, within the scope of FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 5, nor are they material to the financial statements of the Company at December 30, 2006.

Seasonality

The Company generally has experienced increased sales during the second quarter of the year largely as a result of the order patterns of our customers. As a result, the Company’s second quarter net sales, income from operations, and net income historically are the highest of any quarter during the year.

 

25


Inflation

The impact of inflation on the Company’s operating results has been moderate in recent years, reflecting generally lower rates of inflation in the economy. While inflation has not had, and the Company does not expect that it will have, a material impact upon operating results, there is no assurance that the Company’s business will not be affected by inflation in the future.

 

26


ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on borrowed funds, which could affect its results of operations and financial condition. The Company has managed this risk by its ability to select the interest rate on its debt financing at LIBOR plus 1.5% or the Bank’s Base Rate, whichever is more advantageous. Beginning in August 2006, the interest rate on its debt financing will remain variable based upon the Company’s leverage ratio. The Company had no variable-rate debt outstanding at December 30, 2006. At December 31, 2005, the Company had $1.1 million in variable-rate debt outstanding.

The Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange fluctuations relates primarily to the direct investment in its facilities in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Korea. The Company does not use financial instruments to hedge foreign currency exchange rate changes.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

Index to financial statements:     

Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm

   28

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   29

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

   30

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004

   31

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004

   32

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004

   33

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

   34

 

27


Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Sun Hydraulics Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Sun Hydraulics Corporation (a Florida corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 30, 2006, and the related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 the consolidated 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 audit provides 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 Sun Hydraulics Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 30, 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Sun Hydraulics Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our reported dated March 6, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ Kirkland, Russ, Murphy & Tapp, P.A.

Clearwater, Florida

March 6, 2007

 

28


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and

Shareholders of Sun Hydraulics Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Sun Hydraulics Corporation (a Florida corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sun Hydraulics Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tampa, Florida

March 6, 2006

 

29


Sun Hydraulics Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except for share information)

 

     December 30, 2006    December 31, 2005  

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9,379    $ 5,417  

Restricted cash

     118      413  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $140 and $110

     13,917      10,975  

Inventories

     10,386      7,870  

Income taxes receivable

     —        236  

Deferred income taxes

     219      782  

Other current assets

     986      864  
               

Total current assets

     35,005      26,557  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     50,355      45,181  

Other assets

     1,825      1,823  
               

Total assets

   $ 87,185    $ 73,561  
               

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 4,812    $ 4,822  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     4,059      3,857  

Long-term debt due within one year

     426      398  

Dividends payable

     1,085      1,089  

Income taxes payable

     608      —    
               

Total current liabilities

     10,990      10,166  

Long-term debt due after one year

     646      1,986  

Deferred income taxes

     4,451      4,688  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     298      281  
               

Total liabilities

     16,385      17,121  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 19)

     —        —    

Shareholders’ equity:

     

Preferred stock, 2,000,000 shares authorized, par value $0.001, no shares outstanding

     —        —    

Common stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, par value $0.001, 10,849,316 and 10,893,421 shares outstanding

     11      11  

Capital in excess of par value

     30,962      32,466  

Unearned compensation related to outstanding restricted stock

     —        (741 )

Retained earnings

     35,284      23,406  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     4,543      1,647  

Treasury stock (0 and 17,500 shares, at cost)

     —        (349 )
               

Total shareholders’ equity

     70,800      56,440  
               

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 87,185    $ 73,561  
               

The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

30


Sun Hydraulics Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     For the year ended
     December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005     December 25, 2004

Net sales

   $  142,282     $  116,757     $  94,503

Cost of sales

     98,350       79,839       65,968
                      

Gross profit

     43,932       36,918       28,535

Selling, engineering and administrative expenses

     18,881       17,738       16,241
                      

Operating income

     25,051       19,180       12,294

Interest expense

     312       441       527

Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss

     187       (362 )     0

Miscellaneous (income) expense

     (351 )     (36 )     35
                      

Income before income taxes

     24,903       19,137       11,732

Income tax provision

     8,680       6,329       3,902
                      

Net income

   $ 16,223     $ 12,808     $ 7,830
                      

Basic net income per common share

   $ 1.49     $ 1.18     $ 0.76

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

     10,878       10,827       10,269

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 1.48     $ 1.17     $ 0.76

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     10,939       10,918       10,346

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.400     $ 0.300     $ 0.143

The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

31


Sun Hydraulics Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income

(in thousands)

 

     Preferred
Shares
   Preferred
Stock
   Common
Shares
    Common
stock
   Capital in
excess of
par value
    Unearned
Compensation
related to
restricted
stock
    Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
    Treasury
stock
    Total  

Balance, December 27, 2003

   —      $ —      10,137     $ 10    $ 26,478     $ (601 )   $ 7,519     $ 1,657     $ —       $ 35,063  

Shares issued, Restricted Stock

         30          257       (7 )           250  

Shares issued, Stock Options

         284          1,711               1,711  

Shares issued, ESPP

                (74 )             (74 )

Shares retired, Repurchase Agreement

         (9 )        (83 )             (83 )

Purchase of treasury stock

                        (524 )     (524 )

Reissuance of treasury stock

                        513       513  

Stock option income tax benefit

                290               290  

Dividends issued

                    (1,482 )         (1,482 )

Comprehensive income:

                       

Net income

                    7,830           7,830  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                      1,909         1,909  
                             

Comprehensive income:

                          9,739  
                                                                         

Balance, December 25, 2004

   —      $ —      10,442     $ 10    $ 28,579     $ (608 )   $ 13,867     $ 3,566     $ (11 )   $ 45,403  

Shares issued, Restricted Stock

         26          475       (133 )           342  

Shares issued, Stock Options

         371       1      2,510               2,511  

Shares issued, ESPP

         12          157               157  

Shares issued, ESOP

         110          1,058               1,058  

Shares retired, Repurchase Agreement

         (68 )        (1,250 )           11       (1,239 )

Purchase of treasury stock

                        (349 )     (349 )

Tax benefit of stock-based compensation

                937               937  

Dividends issued

                    (3,269 )         (3,269 )

Comprehensive income:

                       

Net income

                    12,808           12,808  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                      (1,919 )       (1,919 )
                             

Comprehensive income:

                          10,889  
                                                                         

Balance, December 31, 2005

   —      $ —      10,893     $ 11    $ 32,466     $ (741 )   $ 23,406     $ 1,647     $ (349 )   $ 56,440  
                                                                         

Adjustment of unearned compensation, restricted stock

                (741 )     741             —    

Forfeitures, restricted stock

         (2 )               

Shares issued, Restricted Stock

         30                    —    

Shares issued, Stock Options

         31          162               162  

Shares issued, ESPP

         14          238               238  

Shares issued, ESOP

         58          1,183               1,183  

Shares retired, Repurchase Agreement

         (175 )        (3,300 )           923       (2,377 )

Purchase of treasury stock

                        (574 )     (574 )

Stock-based compensation

                573               573  

Tax benefit of stock-based compensation

                381               381  

Dividends issued

                    (4,345 )         (4,345 )

Comprehensive income:

                       

Net income

                    16,223           16,223  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                      2,896         2,896  
                             

Comprehensive income:

                          19,119  
                                                                         

Balance, December 30, 2006

   —      $ —      10,849     $ 11    $ 30,962     $ —       $ 35,284     $ 4,543     $ —       $ 70,800  
                                                                         

The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

32


Sun Hydraulics Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

     For the year ended  
     December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005     December 25, 2004  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 16,223     $ 12,808     $ 7,830  

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

      

Depreciation and amortization

     5,849       5,604       5,465  

Loss on disposal of assets

     12       22       73  

Stock-based compensation expense

     573       365       289  

Stock options income tax benefit

     (381 )     —         —    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     30       (60 )     (17 )

Provision for slow moving inventory

     157       (96 )     110  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     326       (688 )     138  

(Increase) decrease in:

      

Accounts receivable

     (2,972 )     (2,304 )     (2,379 )

Inventories

     (2,673 )     (669 )     (594 )

Income tax receivable

     236       (236 )     —    

Other current assets

     (122 )     (88 )     (252 )

Other assets, net

     (29 )     39       149  

Increase (decrease) in:

      

Accounts payable

     (10 )     2,286       97  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     1,385       306       2,392  

Income taxes payable

     989       (261 )     1,437  

Other liabilities

     17       (19 )     (28 )
                        

Net cash from operating activities

     19,610       17,009       14,710  

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Investment in WhiteOak

     —         (400 )     —    

Capital expenditures

     (9,525 )     (8,813 )     (4,987 )

Proceeds from dispositions of equipment

     28       5       61  
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (9,497 )     (9,208 )     (4,926 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from debt

     7,000       11,599       —    

Repayment of debt

     (8,312 )     (21,469 )     (5,953 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     162       2,487       1,672  

Stock options income tax benefit

     381       —         —    

Proceeds from stock issued

     238       157       —    

Payments for purchase of treasury stock

     (2,951 )     (1,588 )     (781 )

Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock

     —         —         613  

Dividends to shareholders

     (4,349 )     (2,701 )     (1,230 )
                        

Net cash used in financing activities

     (7,831 )     (11,515 )     (5,679 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     1,385       (218 )     438  
                        

Net (decrease) increase in restricted cash

     (295 )     (49 )     37  

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     3,962       (3,883 )     4,506  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     5,830       9,762       5,219  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 9,497     $ 5,830     $ 9,762  
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Cash paid:

      

Interest

   $ 312     $ 441     $ 527  

Income taxes

   $ 7,510     $ 8,451     $ 2,617  

Supplemental disclosure of noncash transactions:

      

Common stock issued to ESOP through accrued expenses and other liabilities

   $ 1,183     $ 1,058     $ —    

The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

33


SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

1. BUSINESS

Sun Hydraulics Corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures, design, manufacture, and sell screw-in cartridge valves and manifolds used in hydraulic systems. The Company has facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, France, and China. Sun Hydraulics Corporation (“Sun Hydraulics”), with its main offices located in Sarasota, Florida, designs, manufactures, and sells primarily through distributors. Sun Hydraulik Holdings Limited (“Sun Holdings”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Hydraulics, was formed to provide a holding company for the European market operations; its wholly-owned subsidiaries are Sun Hydraulics Limited (a British corporation, “Sun Ltd.”) and Sun Hydraulik GmbH (a German corporation, “Sun GmbH”). Sun Ltd. operates a manufacturing and distribution facility located in Coventry, England, and Sun GmbH operates a manufacturing and distribution facility located in Erkelenz, Germany. Sun Hydraulics Korea Corporation (“Sun Korea”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Hydraulics, located in Inchon, South Korea, operates a manufacturing and distribution facility. Sun Hydraulics, SARL (“Sun France”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Hydraulics, located in Bordeaux, France, operates a sales and engineering support facility. Sun Hydraulics Systems (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Sun China”), a 50/50 joint venture between Sun Hydraulics and Links Lin, the owner of Sun Hydraulics’ Taiwanese distributor, is located in Shanghai, China, and operates a manufacturing and distribution facility. Sun Hydraulics acquired a 40% equity method investment in WhiteOak Controls, Inc. (“WhiteOak”), on June 28, 2005 (see Note 3). WhiteOak, located in Mediapolis, Iowa, designs and produces complementary electronic control products.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements is set forth below:

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Sun Hydraulics and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company uses the equity method of accounting to account for its investments in Sun China and WhiteOak. The Company does not have a majority ownership in or exercise control over either of the entities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company currently only applies judgment and estimates, which may have a material effect on the eventual outcome of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, for impairment of long-lived assets, accounts receivable, inventory, goodwill and accruals. The following explains the basis and the procedure for each account where judgment and estimates are applied.

Revenue Recognition

The Company reports revenues, net of sales incentives, when title passes and risk of loss transfers to the customer. The effect of material non-recurring events is provided for when they become known.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 144, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets (“FAS 144”), long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the asset is measured by comparison of its carrying amount to future net cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair market value.

The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization under FAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“FAS 142”). See Goodwill below.

 

34


Accounts Receivable

The Company sells to most of its customers on a recurring basis, primarily through distributors with which the Company maintains long-term relationships. As a result, bad debt experience has not been material. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined on a specific identification basis by a review of those accounts that are significantly in arrears. There can be no assurance that a distributor or a large direct sale customer with overdue accounts receivable balances will not develop financial difficulties and default on payment. See the consolidated balance sheets for allowance amounts.

Inventory

The Company offers a wide variety of standard products and as a matter of policy does not discontinue products. On an ongoing basis, component parts found to be obsolete through design or process changes are disposed of and charged to material cost. The Company reviews on-hand balances of products and component parts against specific criteria. Products and component parts without usage or that have excess quantities on hand are evaluated. An inventory reserve is then established for the full inventory carrying value of those products and component parts deemed to be obsolete or slow moving. See Note 6 to the Financial Statements for inventory reserve amounts.

Goodwill

The Company acquired its Korean operations in September 1998 using the purchase method. As a result, goodwill is reflected on the consolidated balance sheet. A valuation based on the cash flow method was performed at December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. It was determined that the value of the goodwill was not impaired. There is no assurance that the value of the acquired company will not decrease in the future due to changing business conditions. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for goodwill amounts.

Accruals

The Company makes estimates related to certain employee benefits and miscellaneous accruals. Estimates for employee benefit accruals are based on information received from plan administrators in conjunction with management’s assessments of estimated liabilities related to workers’ compensation, health care benefits and annual contributions to an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”), established in 2004 as part of the Company’s retirement plan. Estimates for miscellaneous accruals are based on management’s assessment of estimated liabilities for costs incurred.

As of July 1, 2003, the Company accrues for health care benefit costs under a self-funded plan utilizing estimates provided by a third party administrator and insurance company. The Company purchases re-insurance for both specific and aggregate stop losses on claims that exceed $85,000 on an individual basis and approximately $4.8 million on an aggregate basis.

Stock Split

On June 10, 2005, the Company declared a three-for-two stock split, effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend, to shareholders of record on June 30, 2005, payable on July 15, 2005. The Company issued approximately 3,600,000 shares of common stock as a result of the stock split. The effect of the stock split on outstanding shares, earnings per share and dividends per share has been retroactively applied to all periods presented.

Management Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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.

 

35


52-53 Week Fiscal Year

The Company reports on a fiscal year that ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st. Each quarter generally consists of two 4-week periods and one 5-week period. As a result of the 2005 fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, the quarter-ended April 2, 2005 consisted of one 4-week period and two 5-week periods, resulting in a 53-week year.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Obsolete and slow moving inventory is evaluated and reserves are established based on specific criteria determined by management.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Expenditures for repairs and improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity or extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight line method over the following useful lives:

 

      Years

Computer equipment

   3 - 5  

Machinery and equipment

   4 - 12

Furniture and fixtures

   4 - 10

Leasehold and land improvements

   5 - 15

Buildings

   40

Gains or losses on the retirement, sale, or disposition of property, plant, and equipment are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which the assets are taken out of service.

Valuation Assessment of Long-Lived Assets

Management periodically evaluates long-lived assets for potential impairment and will provide for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Assets are reviewed for utilization on a monthly basis by management in conjunction with employees who work directly with the assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired and other acquisition costs, is carried at cost. In accordance with FAS 142, goodwill is not amortized by the Company. Instead, FAS 142 requires goodwill to be reviewed for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate possible impairment.

Other Assets

Other assets consist of equity investments in the Company’s joint ventures in China and WhiteOak. The equity investments were recorded at cost and have been adjusted for investment income or loss and dividend distributions for each quarterly period since their origin.

Revenue Recognition

Sales are recognized when products are shipped and title to the products is passed to the customer. Sales incentives are granted to customers based upon the volume of purchases. These sales incentives are recorded at the time of sales as a reduction of gross sales.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs billed to distributors and customers are recorded in revenue. Shipping costs incurred by the Company are recorded in cost of goods sold.

 

36


Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

The Company follows the translation policy provided by FAS No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation. The Pound Sterling is the functional currency of Sun Ltd. The Euro is the functional currency of Sun GmbH. The South Korean Won is the functional currency of Sun Korea. The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency for Sun Hydraulics and the reporting currency for the consolidated group. The assets and liabilities of Sun Ltd., Sun GmbH, and Sun Korea are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, and income and expense items are translated at the average annual rate of exchange for the period. The resulting unrealized translation gains and losses are included as a component of shareholders’ equity designated as “accumulated other comprehensive income.” Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Income Taxes

The Company follows the income tax policy provided by FAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FAS 109”). This Statement provides for a liability approach under which deferred income taxes are provided for based upon enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the taxes become payable. These differences result from items reported differently for financial reporting and income tax purposes, primarily depreciation, accrued expenses and reserves.

Stock-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, (“FAS 123R”) for its share-based compensation plans. The Company previously accounted for these plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, (“APB 25”) and related interpretations and disclosure requirements established by FAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, (“FAS 123”), as amended by FAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.

Under APB 25, no compensation expense was recorded in earnings for the Company’s stock options and awards granted under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). The pro forma effects on net income and earnings per share for stock options were instead disclosed in a footnote to the financial statements. Compensation expense was recorded in earnings for restricted stock awards. Under FAS 123R, all share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense in earnings over the requisite service period.

The Company adopted FAS 123R using the modified prospective method. Under this transition method, compensation cost recognized in fiscal year 2006 includes the cost for all share-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006. This cost was based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of FAS 123. Results for prior periods have not been restated.

The compensation cost for stock options will be based on the grant-date fair value of those awards as calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Compensation for restricted stock awards is measured at fair value on the date of grant based on the number of shares expected to vest and the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock. Compensation cost for stock options and restricted stock awards is recognized in earnings, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Compensation cost for shares granted under the ESPP is calculated based on actual quarterly purchases.

Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R, benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs were reported as operating cash flows. FAS 123R requires excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid.

 

3. ACQUISITIONS

On June 28, 2005, Sun Hydraulics acquired shares of common stock representing 40% of the outstanding shares of WhiteOak. WhiteOak designs and produces electronic amplifiers and other control products. The Company, together with WhiteOak, will co-develop products to be used in and in conjunction with other Company products. The acquisition price paid by the Company was $400. The excess paid over pro rata share of net assets of $270 is classified as developed technology and is being amortized over a period of 10 years.

 

37


4. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate fair value based on their short-term status.

The carrying amount of long-term debt approximates fair value, as the interest rates on the debt approximate rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

 

5. RESTRICTED CASH

On December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company had restricted cash of $118 and $413, respectively. The restricted cash balance consisted of reserves for customs and excise taxes in the U.K. operation. The restricted amount was calculated as an estimate of two months of customs and excise taxes for items coming into the Company’s U.K. operations and was held with Lloyd’s TSB in the U.K.

 

6. INVENTORIES

 

     December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005  

Raw materials

   $ 3,585     $  2,353  

Work in process

     3,481       2,988  

Finished goods

     3,715       2,767  

Provision for slow moving inventory

     (395 )     (238 )
                

Total

   $  10,386     $ 7,870  
                

 

7. PROPERTY, PLANT, and EQUIPMENT

 

     December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005  

Machinery and equipment

   $ 60,244     $ 53,632  

Office furniture and equipment

     9,008       7,116  

Buildings

     25,477       22,347  

Leasehold and land improvements

     1,797       1,666  

Land

     2,940       2,759  
                
   $ 99,466     $ 87,520  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (55,557 )     (48,481 )

Construction in progress

     6,446       6,142  
                

Total

   $ 50,355     $ 45,181  
                

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 24, 2004 totaled $5,822, $5,591, and $5,465, respectively.

 

8. GOODWILL

On December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company had $715 of goodwill related to its acquisition of Sun Korea.

 

38


Valuation models reflecting the expected future cash flow projections were used to value Sun Korea at December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. The analysis indicated that there was no impairment of the carrying value of the goodwill.

 

9. OTHER ASSETS

 

     December 30, 2006    December 31, 2005

Goodwill

   $ 715    $ 715

Equity investment in joint venture

     

Sun China

     555      462

WhiteOak Controls, Inc.

     80      117

Loan acquisition costs, net of amortization of $37 and $9

     133      161

Developed technology, net of accumulated amortization of $40 and $13

     230      257

Deposits with suppliers

     73      73

Other

     39      38
             

Total

   $ 1,825    $ 1,823
             

On August 11, 2005, the Company completed a refinancing of its existing debt in the U.S. As a result of the refinancing, the Company wrote-off previously capitalized loan acquisition costs of $174. The new financing resulted in the capitalization of $170 of loan acquisition costs.

 

10. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES

 

     December 30, 2006    December 31, 2005

Compensation and benefits

   $  2,353    $  2,259

Insurance

     866      806

Other

     840      792
             

Total

   $ 4,059    $ 3,857
             

 

39


11. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

     December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005  

$35,000 revolving line of credit, collateralized by U.S. assets, interest rate Libor + 1.5% or Bank’s Base Rate at Company’s discretion, due August 1, 2011.

   $ —       $ 999  

$2,400 12-year mortgage note on the German facility, fixed interest rate of 6.05%, due September 30, 2008.

     464       623  

10-year notes, fixed interest rates ranging from 3.5-5.1%, collateralized by equipment in Germany, due between 2009 and 2011.

     593       707  

Other

     15       55  
                
     1,072       2,384  

Less amounts due within one year

     (426 )     (398 )
                

Total

   $ 646     $ 1,986  
                

The remaining principal payments are due as follows: 2007—$426; 2008—$390; 2009—$138; 2010—$88; 2011 and thereafter—$30.

On August 11, 2005, the Company completed a refinancing of its existing debt in the U.S. with Fifth Third Bank (the “Bank”). The new financing consists of a secured revolving line of credit of $35 million (the “Line of Credit”). The Line of Credit is secured by the Company’s U.S. assets, including its manufacturing facilities, and requires monthly payments of interest. The Line of Credit has a floating interest rate based upon the Company’s leverage ratio. The Line of Credit is payable in full on August 1, 2011, but maturity may be accelerated by the Bank upon an Event of Default (as defined). Prepayment may be made without penalty or premium at any time upon the required notice to the Bank. At December 30, 2006, there was no outstanding balance on the Line of Credit.

The Line of Credit is subject to debt covenants including: 1) Debt (as defined) to Tangible Net Worth (as defined) ratio of not more than 1.5:1.0, 2) Funded Debt (as defined) to EBITDA (as defined) ratio of not more than 2.5:1.0, and 3) EBIT (as defined) to Interest Expense (as defined) ratio of not less than 1.1:1.0; and requires the Company to maintain its primary domestic deposit accounts with the Bank. As of December 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

 

12. DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The Company declared dividends of $4,345, $3,269, and $1,482 to shareholders in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

The Company declared the following quarterly dividends to shareholders of record on the last day of the respective quarter:

 

     2006    2005    2004

First quarter

   $ 0.100    $ 0.050    $ 0.027

Second quarter

     0.100      0.050      0.033

Third quarter

     0.100      0.100      0.033

Fourth quarter

     0.100      0.100      0.050

These dividends were paid on the 15th day of each month following the date of declaration. In addition, the Company declared a 50% stock dividend on June 30, 2005.

 

40


13. INCOME TAXES

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are provided to reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.

For financial reporting purposes, income before income taxes includes the following components:

 

     For the year ended
     December 30,
2006
   December 31,
2005
   December 25,
2004

United States

   $ 16,341    $ 12,827    $ 7,865

Foreign

     8,562      6,310      3,867
                    

Total

   $ 24,903    $ 19,137    $ 11,732
                    

The components of the income tax provision (benefit) are as follows:

 

     For the year ended
     December 30,
2006
    December 31,
2005
    December 25,
2004

Current tax expense:

      

United States

   $ 5,355     $ 5,038     $ 2,318

State and local

     269       158       195

Foreign

     2,730       1,821       1,251
                      

Total current

     8,354       7,017       3,764
                      

Deferred tax expense (benefit):

      

United States

     324       (601 )     112

State and local

     (7 )     (136 )     24

Foreign

     9       49       2
                      

Total deferred

     326       (688 )     138
                      

Total income tax provision

   $ 8,680     $ 6,329     $ 3,902
                      

The reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate is as follows:

 

     For the year ended  
     December 30,
2006
    December 31,
2005
    December 25,
2004
 

U.S. federal taxes at statutory rate

   $ 8,467     $ 6,507     $ 3,966  

Increase(decrease)

      

Net residual tax on foreign distributions

     169       264       —    

Foreign tax credit

     —         —         (309 )

Benefit of ETI exclusion

     (217 )     (170 )     (136 )

Domestic production activity deduction

     (110 )     (121 )     —    

Foreign income taxed at lower rate

     (172 )     (64 )     (38 )

Change in foreign valuation allowance

     —         (212 )     —    

Nondeductible items

     —         —         200  

Benefit of state rate change

     —         (118 )     —    

Other

     281       104       —    

State and local taxes, net

     262       139       219  
                        

Income tax provision

   $ 8,680     $ 6,329     $ 3,902  
                        

 

41


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 taxes. The temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are presented below:

 

    

December 30,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 

Deferred tax assets:

    

Current:

    

Accrued expenses and other

   $ 219     $ 263  

Foreign tax credit carryforward

     —         437  

Deferred royalty income

     —         82  
                

Total current deferred tax assets

     219       782  
                

Noncurrent:

    

Accrued expenses and other

     88       —    

Deferred royalty income

     64       —    
                

Total noncurrent deferred tax assets

     152       —    
                

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Noncurrent:

    

Depreciation

     (4,521 )     (4,688 )

Other

     (82 )     —    
                

Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities

     (4,603 )     (4,688 )
                

Net noncurrent deferred tax liability

   $ (4,451 )   $ (4,688 )
                

A valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets reported is required if, based on the weight of the evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. For the fiscal years ended 2006 and 2005, management has determined that a valuation allowance is not required.

The Company intends to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries, which reflect full provision for non-U.S. income taxes, to expand its international operations. These earnings relate to ongoing operations and, at December 30, 2006, cumulative earnings were approximately $17 million. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. income taxes that might be payable upon repatriation of such earnings. In the event any earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are repatriated, the Company will provide U.S. income taxes upon repatriation of such earnings, which will be offset by applicable foreign tax credits, subject to certain limitations. During the years ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company repatriated $5.0 million and $4.6 million, respectively, from its foreign subsidiaries. U.S. income taxes due based on the repatriations have been provided for in the above income tax provisions.

 

14. STOCK OPTION PLANS

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair-value recognition provisions of FAS 123 to all of its share-based compensation awards for periods prior to the adoption of FAS 123R. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with weighted average assumptions as set forth below.

 

42


     December 31,
2005
    December 25,
2004
 

Net Income as Reported

   $ 12,808     $ 7,830  

Stock-based compensation reported in net income, net of related taxes

     215       165  

Stock compensation expense calculated under FAS 123, net of related taxes

     (336 )     (256 )
                

Pro Forma Net Income

   $ 12,687     $ 7,739  
                

Basic net income per common share:

    

As reported

   $ 1.18     $ 0.76  

Pro forma

   $ 1.17     $ 0.75  

Diluted net income per common share:

    

As reported

   $ 1.17     $ 0.76  

Pro forma

   $ 1.16     $ 0.75  

Assumptions

    

Risk-free interest rate

     4.54 %     4.22 %

Expected lives (in years)

     6.5       6.5  

Expected volatility

     35.71 %     40.00 %

Dividend yield

     1.83 %     1.89 %

During 1996, the Company adopted the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”), which provides for the grant of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options for the purchase of up to an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock by officers, employees and directors of the Company. Under the terms of the plan, incentive stock options may be granted to employees at an exercise price per share of not less than the fair value per common share on the date of the grant (not less than 110% of the fair value in the case of holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock). Nonqualified stock options may be granted at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The maximum term of an option may not exceed 10 years, and options become exercisable at such times and in such installments as determined by the Board of Directors.

A summary of the Company’s stock option plan for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004 is summarized as follows:

 

43


     Number
of shares
   

Exercise

price

range

   Weighted
average
exercise price
     (share amounts are in thousands)

Under option, December 27, 2003 (569 shares exercisable)

   734     $ 2.00  -  11.17    $ 5.69

Granted

   36     $ 8.23  -    8.23    $ 8.23

Exercised

   (283 )   $ 2.00  -  11.17    $ 5.91

Forfeitures

   (14 )   $ 4.50  -    6.67    $ 6.10
                   

Under option, December 25, 2004 (335 shares exercisable)

   473     $ 4.00  -  11.17    $ 6.51

Granted

   4     $ 18.41  -  18.41    $ 18.41

Exercised

   (370 )   $ 4.00  -  11.17    $ 6.70

Forfeitures

   —         
                   

Under option, December 31, 2005 (41 shares exercisable)

   107     $ 4.50  -  18.41    $ 6.36

Granted

   —       $ —    -     —      $ —  

Exercised

   (31 )   $ 4.50  -    8.23    $ 5.41

Forfeitures

   (1 )   $ 8.23  -    8.23    $ 8.23
                   

Under option, December 30, 2006 (56 shares exercisable)

   75     $ 4.50  -  18.41    $ 6.70
                   

All options listed above vest over three to five years with a maximum term of seven to ten years.

A summary of outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2006 is summarized as follows:

 

Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable
         Weighted-average          

Range of

exercise prices

 

Number of

shares

  

Remaining

contractual life

  

Exercise

price

  

Number of

shares

  

Weighted

average exercise price

$  4.50     8    3.83    4.50    8    4.50
  4.67   11    4.83    4.67    11    4.67
  4.73   21    3.75    4.73    21    4.73
  5.33     2    3.67    5.33    2    5.33
  5.51     5    5.42    5.51    —      5.51
  8.23   24    4.75    8.23    13    8.23
  18.41     5    5.92    18.41    1    18.41

The weighted average estimated fair value of stock options granted during 2005 and 2004 was $6.67 and $3.72 per share, respectively. There were no stock options granted during 2006.

In September 2006, the Company adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan (“2006 Plan”), which provides for the grant of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options for the purchase of up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock by officers, employees and directors of the Company. The Company adopted the 2006 Plan due to the expiration of the Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan in 2006. Under the terms of the plan, incentive stock options may be granted to employees at an exercise price per share of not less than the fair value per common share on the date of the grant (not less than 110% of the fair value in the case of holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock). Nonqualified stock options may be granted at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The maximum term of an option may not exceed 10 years, and options become exercisable at such times and in such installments as determined by the Board of Directors. No awards have been granted under the 2006 Plan, and any awards granted prior to the 2007 Annual Meeting will be conditioned upon stockholder approval of the 2006 Plan at such meeting.

 

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During 2001, the Company adopted the 2001 Restricted Stock Plan, which provides for the grant of restricted stock of up to an aggregate of 412,500 shares of the Company’s common stock to officers, employees, consultants and directors of the Company. Under the terms of the plan, the minimum period before any shares become non-forfeitable may not be less than six months. Restricted stock granted prior to January 1, 2006, was accounted for using the measurement and recognition principles of APB 25. Accordingly, compensation cost was measured at the date of the grant and is recognized in earnings over the period in which the shares vest. Restricted stock expense for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004 totaled $413, $342, and $250, respectively. At December 30, 2006, 128,040 shares remained available to be issued through the Restricted Stock Plan.

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock plan for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004 is summarized as follows:

 

     Number
of shares
    Weighted
average
grant-date
fair value

Nonvested balance at December 27, 2003

   144     $ 4.95

Granted

   36       8.23

Vested

   (50 )     4.91

Forfeitures

   (1 )     4.94
            

Nonvested balance at December 25, 2004

   129     $ 5.85

Granted

   26       18.41

Vested

   (53 )     5.66

Forfeitures

   (7 )     4.83
            

Nonvested balance at December 31, 2005

   95     $ 9.45

Granted

   30       20.22

Vested

   (61 )     7.38

Forfeitures

   (2 )     12.32
            

Nonvested balance at December 30, 2006

   62     $ 16.71
            

The Company has $914 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards granted under the Plan as of December 30, 2006. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.95 years. Pursuant to FAS 123R, the $741 of unearned compensation recorded as a reduction to stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2005, was reversed against the Company’s additional paid-in-capital.

During 2001, the Company adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), which became effective August 1, 2001. Most employees are eligible to participate. Employees who choose to participate are granted an opportunity to purchase common stock at 85 percent of market value on the first or last day of the quarterly purchase period, whichever is lower. The ESPP authorizes the issuance, and the purchase by employees, of up to 487,500 shares of common stock through payroll deductions. No employee is allowed to buy more than $25,000 of common stock in any year, based on the market value of the common stock at the beginning of the purchase period. Employees purchased approximately 13,789 shares at an average price of $17.08 and 12,017 shares at an average price of $14.72, under the ESPP during 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company recognized $48 of compensation expense during 2006 in accordance with FAS 123R. At December 30, 2006, 401,152 shares remained available to be issued through the ESPP.

During 2004, the Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders approved the Nonemployee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). Directors who are not officers of the Company are paid $4,000 for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors, as well as each meeting of each Board Committee on which they serve when the committee meeting is not held within one day of a meeting of the Board of Directors. Directors receive $1,500 of the $4,000 Director fee in shares of Company stock under the Plan. Directors also may elect under the Plan to receive all or part of the remainder of their fees in Company stock and to defer receipt of their fees until a subsequent year. The Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 120,000 shares of common stock.

 

45


On September 9, 2006, the board approved an increase in the total amount paid for each such meeting to $5,000, and also amended the 2004 Plan to make $2,500 of the $5,000 fee payable in shares of the company’s common stock. The amendment to the 2004 Plan is subject to approval by the company’s stockholders at the 2007 Annual Meeting. If stockholder approval is not obtained at the 2007 Annual Meeting, the additional $1,000 will be paid in cash instead of shares, and the amendment to the 2004 Plan will automatically terminate.

Directors were granted 2,839 and 3,561 shares during 2006 and 2005, respectively. Of the shares granted in 2006, 283 shares are subject to shareholder approval. At December 30, 2006, there were 5,853 deferred stock units outstanding. Deferred stock units are treated as liabilities in accordance with FAS 123R. At December 30, 2006, 110,312 shares remained available to be issued through the Plan.

 

15. STOCK REPURCHASE PLANS

In June 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2007. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. The amount of the stock repurchased was used to continue to fund the Company’s employee stock ownership and employee stock purchase plans. Under the plan, which was completed in July, the Company had repurchased 135,382 shares at an average price of $18.47. All shares were retired during the year.

In December 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.0 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2007. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. The amount of the stock repurchases was set based upon the anticipated number of shares that were required to fund the Company’s ESOP, and employee stock purchase plan, through fiscal year 2006. The Company had repurchased 82,500 shares at an average cost of $18.87 per share and 22,698 shares at an average cost of $19.52 for the periods ending December 31, 2005 and December 30, 2006, respectively. Of the 82,500 shares purchased in 2005, 65,000 were retired prior to December 31, 2005. All remaining shares and purchases were retired during 2006.

In November 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2006. The amount of the stock repurchases was set based upon the anticipated number of shares that were required to fund the Company’s ESOP, and employee stock purchase plan, through fiscal year 2005. The Company purchased 8,700 shares at an average cost of $9.52 per share and 2,700 shares at an average cost of $9.80 per share for the periods ending December 25, 2004 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. All shares were retired during the year of purchase.

 

16. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table represents the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share as required by FAS No. 128 “Earnings Per Share” (in thousands, except per share data):

 

46


     December 30,
2006
   December 31,
2005
   December 25,
2004

Net income

   $ 6,223    $ 2,808    $ 7,830

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     10,878      10,827      10,269

Basic net income per common share

   $ 1.49    $ 1.18    $ 0.76

Effect of dilutive stock options

     61      91      77

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     10,939      10,918      10,346

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 1.48    $ 1.17    $ 0.76

Diluted net income per common share excludes antidilutive stock options of approximately 67,500 during 2004.

 

17. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan covering substantially all of its eligible United States employees. Employer contributions under the retirement plan amounted to approximately $2,452, $2,205, and $2,346 during 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

The Company provides supplemental pension benefits to its employees of foreign operations in addition to mandatory benefits included in local country payroll tax statutes. These supplemental pension benefits amounted to approximately $425, $437, and $437 during 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

In June 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) as the discretionary match portion of its 401(k) retirement plan. Prior to 2004, discretionary matches to the 401(k) plan were made in cash. The Company contributes to the ESOP for all eligible United States employees. Under the ESOP, which is 100% company funded, the Company allocates common stock to each participants account. The allocation is generally a percentage of a participant’s compensation as determined by the Board of Directors on an annual basis. The ESOP is accounted for under Statement of Position 93-6 Employer’s Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

In September 2004, the Company made an initial one-time contribution of 48,000 shares of its common stock to the ESOP. The Company made annual contributions to the ESOP of 68,659, 57,746, and 109,935 shares in January of 2007, 2006 and 2005, related to fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Contributions were based on annual compensation. All shares receive regular quarterly dividends payable to the ESOP to cover plan expenses.

The Company incurred compensation expense under the ESOP of approximately $1,407, $1,180 and $1,572 during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Beginning January 1, 2007, there are no restrictions on the shares contributed to the ESOP. This allows participants to sell their shares to enable diversification within their individual 401(k) accounts. The Company does not have any repurchase obligations under the ESOP.

The Company awards deferred cash bonuses to key employees of its foreign operations. The deferred cash bonuses are similar to phantom stock units, in that such bonuses are tied to the value of the Company’s common stock. Awards are recognized over the deferral period as variable plan awards. The Company recognized approximately $219 and $181 of compensation expense in 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to the awards.

 

18. SEGMENT REPORTING

The individual subsidiaries comprising the Company operate predominantly in a single industry as manufacturers and distributors of hydraulic components. The Company is multinational with operations in the United States, and subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, and France. Amounts for France, due to their immateriality, are included with the U.S. In computing operating profit for the foreign subsidiaries, no allocations of general corporate expenses have been made. Management bases its financial decisions by the geographical location of its operations.

 

47


Identifiable assets of the foreign subsidiaries are those assets related to the operation of those companies. United States assets consist of all other operating assets of the Company. Segment information is as follows:

 

     United
States
   Korea    United
Kingdom
   Germany    Elimination     Consolidated

2006

                

Sales to unaffiliated customers

   $ 89,077    $ 16,368    $ 17,709    $ 19,128    $ —       $ 142,282

Intercompany sales

     25,809      —        2,990      106      (28,905 )     —  

Operating income

     16,608      2,212      2,330      4,046      (145 )     25,051

Identifiable assets

     59,505      7,580      13,756      8,187      (1,843 )     87,185

Depreciation and amortization

     4,206      150      983      510        5,849

Capital expenditures

     8,408      122      757      238        9,525

2005

                

Sales to unaffiliated customers

   $ 73,998    $ 11,604    $ 16,054    $ 15,101    $ —       $ 116,757

Intercompany sales

     21,239      —        2,873      80      (24,192 )     —  

Operating income

     13,443      1,520      1,260      3,145      (188 )     19,180

Identifiable assets

     50,019      4,958      12,403      8,777      (2,596 )     73,561

Depreciation and amortization

     3,944      149      1,025      473      —         5,591

Capital expenditures

     7,007      29      934      843      —         8,813

2004

                

Sales to unaffiliated customers

   $ 59,847    $ 8,723    $ 13,375    $ 12,558    $ —       $ 94,503

Intercompany sales

     15,702      —        1,812      66      (17,580 )     —  

Operating income

     8,417      926      483      2,399      69       12,294

Identifiable assets

     44,765      4,449      13,742      10,062      (1,210 )     71,808

Depreciation and amortization

     3,792      137      1,061      475      —         5,465

Capital expenditures

     4,264      42      540      141      —         4,987

Operating income is total sales and other operating income less operating expenses. Segment operating income does not include interest expense, foreign currency transaction gain/loss, and net miscellaneous income/expense.

Included in U.S. sales to unaffiliated customers were export sales of $23,110, $15,353, and $12,147, during 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Export sales to Canada and Asia/Pacific totaling, $15,853, $12,681, and $10,162, during 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, make up the majority of these export sales.

 

19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company.

OPERATING LEASES — The Company leases a manufacturing facility in Lenexa, Kansas and production support facilities in Sarasota, Florida under operating leases having initial terms expiring between 2007 and 2008. The lease for the manufacturing facility in Kansas has a term of 5 years, expiring on November 14, 2008, and represents approximately 17,000 square feet of space. The leases for the production support facilities in Florida range from one to two years and represent approximately 10,000 square feet. Total rental expense for the years ended December 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was approximately $226, $182 and $172, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments on operating leases are as follows:

 

2007

   $  210

2008

     128
      

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 338
      

 

48


INSURANCE — On July 1, 2003, the Company changed its group health insurance plan that covers U.S. employees and their families from a fully-insured policy to a self-funded plan. The Company purchases re-insurance for both specific and aggregate stop losses on claims that exceed $85,000 on an individual basis and approximately $4.8 million on an aggregate basis. The Company records a liability for all unresolved claims at the anticipated cost to the Company at the end of the period based on the estimates provided by a third party administrator and insurance company, plus an estimate for amounts incurred but not recorded. The Company believes it has adequate reserves for all self-insurance claims.

 

20. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this Statement.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, and Related Implementation Issues (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a Company’s financial statements in accordance with FASB No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2006. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2006, the FASB issued FAS No.156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“FAS 156”), that provides guidance on accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. In accordance with the provisions of FAS No. 156, separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities must be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. Subsequent to initial recognition, the Company may use either the amortization method or the fair value measurement method to account for servicing assets and servicing liabilities within the scope of this Statement. FAS 156 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2006, the FASB issued FAS No.155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140 (“FAS 155”), to permit fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation in accordance with the provisions of FAS No.133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. FAS 155 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

49


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH

ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Consistent with its philosophy that it is desirable to change auditors periodically, the Audit Committee requested proposals from accounting firms to serve as the Registrant’s independent auditors for 2006. After a review of the written proposals and oral presentations by the firms, the Audit Committee began negotiations with Kirkland, Russ, Murphy and Tapp, P.A to audit the Registrant’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2006.

The Audit Committee dismissed Grant Thornton LLP on June 14, 2006, as the Registrant’s principal accountant, effective immediately.

Grant Thornton LLP’s audit reports on the Registrant’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004, contain no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

During fiscal years 2005 and 2004 and the subsequent interim period through June 14, 2006 (date of dismissal), there were no disagreements with Grant Thornton LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Grant Thornton LLP, would have caused Grant Thornton LLP to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports on the Registrant’s consolidated financial statements for any such periods. Grant Thornton LLP has furnished the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating that it agrees with the above statements.

During fiscal years 2005 and 2004 and the subsequent interim period through June 14, 2006 (date of dismissal), there were no reportable events as defined in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(v).

On July 19, 2006, the Audit Committee engaged Kirkland, Russ, Murphy and Tapp, P.A. to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2006. The Company did not consult Kirkland, Russ, Murphy and Tapp, P.A during the two most recent prior fiscal years, or the interim period between December 31, 2005 and July 19, 2006, regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on its financial statements or any matter that was subject to any disagreement or reportable event under Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective and are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the necessary time periods. Our disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.

 

50


There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 30, 2006, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The 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. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded, as necessary, to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with 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

 

   

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. Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation under the Internal Control - Integrated Framework, management concluded that the internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 30, 2006.

Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2006 has been audited by Kirkland, Russ, Murphy and Tapp, P.A., an independent registered certified public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Sun Hydraulics Corporation:

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting that Sun Hydraulics Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Sun Hydraulics Corporation’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. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of 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, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

51


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 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, management’s assessment that Sun Hydraulics Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also in our opinion, Sun Hydraulics Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2006, based on the COSO criteria.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet and related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows of Sun Hydraulics Corporation and subsidiaries and our report dated March 6, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion.

 

/s/ Kirkland, Russ, Murphy & Tapp, P.A.

Clearwater, Florida

March 6, 2007

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORAMTION

None.

 

52


PART III.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

The Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Company currently consists of nine members. The Board is divided into three classes of Directors serving staggered three-year terms. Directors hold their positions until the annual meeting of shareholders in the year in which their terms expire, and until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, removal from office or death. The Executive Officers are those key leadership personnel who are influential and participate in the strategic and tactical decision-making of the Company. They do not typically hold titles customarily used in most business. The Company’s horizontal management approach discourages formal titles and reporting responsibilities, instead favoring an approach that it believes fosters better collaboration and contribution among, between and from all areas of the organization. Therefore, except for the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Executive Officers in the U.S. are simply called Officers. Executive Officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

The following table sets forth the names and ages of the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers and the positions they hold with the Company.

 

Name

  Age   

Position

Clyde G. Nixon

  71    Chairman of the Board of Directors (term expiring in 2007)

Allen J. Carlson

  56    President, Chief Executive Officer, Director (term expiring in 2009)

Jeffrey Cooper

  65    Officer

Tricia L. Fulton

  40    Chief Financial Officer

Peter G. Robson

  62    General Manager, Sun Hydraulics Limited

Tim A. Twitty

  40    Officer

Marc Bertoneche

  60    Director (term expiring in 2007), and a member of the Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert

John S. Kahler

  67    Director (term expiring in 2009), and a member of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees

Christine L. Koski

  49    Director (term expiring in 2008)

Robert E. Koski

  77    Director (term expiring in 2009)

Ferdinand E. Megerlin

  68    Director (term expiring in 2007) and a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees

Hirokatsu Sakamoto

  63    Director (term expiring in 2008) and a member of the Nominating Committee

David N. Wormley

  67    Director (term expiring in 2008) and a member of the Compensation and Nominating Committees

 

53


Mr. Nixon joined the Company in January 1988, and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer from November 1988 until May 2000, at which time he was named Chairman of the Board. Mr. Nixon retired as an employee in January 2007. From September 1985 to January 1988, he served as Vice President of Cross & Trecker Corporation and was President of Warner & Swasey Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary. From 1964 to 1985, he served in various management capacities with Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Corporation, most recently as Vice President of its fluid power division and President of Double A Products Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary. Mr. Nixon is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard Business School, and is Past Chairman of the Board of the National Fluid Power Association. Mr. Nixon has over 35 years experience in the fluid power industry.

Mr. Carlson joined the Company in March 1996 and served as Vice President from January 2000 until May 2000, when he was named President and Chief Executive Officer. From October 1977 to March 1996, Mr. Carlson held various engineering, marketing and management positions for Vickers Incorporated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trinova Corporation. He is a graduate of the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. Mr. Carlson serves on the board of regents to the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is a National Fluid Power Association board member. Mr. Carlson has over 35 years experience in the fluid power industry.

Mr. Cooper joined the Company in December 1990 as an engineer and has been an Officer since September 1991. He is primarily involved with product development and marketing. From August 1987 to December 1990, he was Engineering Manager, Mobile Valves, of Vickers, Incorporated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trinova Corporation, and from September 1979 to August 1986, he served as Vice President of Engineering for Double A Products Company. Mr. Cooper is an engineering graduate of Willesden College of Technology, London, England. Mr. Cooper has over 35 years experience in the fluid power industry.

Ms. Fulton joined the Company in March 1997 and has held positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as the Corporate Controller. Ms. Fulton was named Chief Financial Officer on March 4, 2006. From July 1995 to March 1997, Ms. Fulton served as the Director of Accounting for Plymouth Harbor. From November 1991 to July 1995, she served in various financial capacities for Loral Data Systems. From September 1989 to September 1991, Ms. Fulton was an auditor with Deloitte & Touche. Ms. Fulton is a graduate of Hillsdale College and the General Management Program at the Harvard Business School.

Mr. Twitty joined the Company in November 1993, and was named an Officer on March 3, 2007. He is primarily involved with our U.S. manufacturing operations and factory automation. Mr. Twitty is a graduate of Vincennes University.

Mr. Robson has served as a Director of Sun Hydraulics Limited, Coventry, England, since May 1993, and has been employed by the Company as the General Manager of its United Kingdom operations since 1982. Mr. Robson is a Chartered Engineer and a graduate of Coventry University. Mr. Robson has over 36 years experience in the fluid power industry.

Dr. Bertoneche holds a chair as Professor in Business Administration at the University of Bordeaux in France, and was on the Faculty of INSEAD, the European Institute of Business Administration in Fontainebleau, France, for more than 20 years. He is a Visiting Professor at the Harvard Business School and an Associate Fellow at the University of Oxford. He is a graduate of University of Paris and earned his MBA and PhD from Northwestern University. Dr. Bertoneche has served as a Director of the Company since August 2001.

Mr. Kahler retired as the President, CEO and a Director of Cincinnati Incorporated as of February 28, 2005. Mr. Kahler served in various management positions with Cincinnati Incorporated since 1989. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and the Harvard Business School. Mr. Kahler has served as a Director of the Company since May 1998.

Ms. Koski founded Koski Consulting Group, Inc. in June 2001 to work with start-up companies in the area of business strategy and marketing. In May 2001, Ms. Koski completed an Executive MBA degree from Southern Methodist University. From 1980 through 2000, Ms. Koski held various positions in sales, product management, purchasing, sales management, and international marketing management with

 

54


Celanese A.G. or its former affiliates, including Celanese Ltd., Hoechst AG and Hoechst Celanese Chemical Group Ltd. Ms. Koski currently holds the position of Vice President of Marketing for nMetric LLC. Ms. Koski has served as a Director of the Company since May 2000.

Mr. Koski is a co-founder of the Company and served as its Chairman of the Board from the Company’s inception in 1970 until his retirement as an executive officer in May 2000. He was also its President and Chief Executive Officer from 1970 until November 1988. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and past Chairman of the Board of the National Fluid Power Association. Mr. Koski has over 40 years experience in the fluid power industry, and has served as Chairman of the Fluid Power Systems and Technology Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Dr. Megerlin retired in March 2003 as a member of the Executive Board of Linde AG and Chairman and Managing Director of the Linde Material Handling Division of Aschaffenburg, Germany. Prior to such time, he also was Chairman of Linde’s U.S. subsidiaries Linde Hydraulics Corp., Canfield, Ohio, and Linde Lift Truck Corp., Sommerville, South Carolina. Within VDMA, Germany’s association for mechanical and plant engineering, Dr. Megerlin formerly was Chairman and a member of the Executive Board of the German Fluid Power Association. He is a mechanical engineer and received his Dipl-Ing (M.S.) degree from the Technical University of Karlsruhe, Germany, and his Dr.-Ing. (Ph.D.) from TH Aachen, Germany. Dr. Megerlin has over 35 years of experience in the fluid power industry. Dr. Megerlin has served as a Director of the Company since May 1998.

Mr. Sakamoto has been the President of Kawasaki Precision Machinery, Ltd. since October 2002. From April 2000 to September 2002, he served as the General Manager of the Precision Machinery Division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and from July 1998 through March 2000, he was Deputy General Manager of the Precision Machinery Division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. Mr. Sakamoto has served in various management positions with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. since entering its engineering department in April 1968. He is a graduate of Kyoto Institute of Technology, and an executive board member of The Japan Fluid Power System Society since April 2002. Mr. Sakamoto has over 36 years of experience in the fluid power industry.

Dr. Wormley is the Dean of the Engineering School at Pennsylvania State University, where he has taught since 1992. He previously was a member of the engineering faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Wormley has served as a Director of the Company since December 1992. He is an engineer and earned his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

No family relationships exist between any of the Company’s Directors and executive officers, except that Ms. Koski is the daughter of Mr. Koski. There are no arrangements or understandings between Directors and any other person concerning service as a Director.

The Board of Directors has Audit, Compensation, and Nominating Committees.

The Audit Committee, which consists of John Kahler, Ferdinand Megerlin, and Marc Bertoneche, held seven meetings in 2006. The Board of Directors determined, under applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules, that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent and that Mr. Bertoneche meets the qualifications as an Audit Committee Financial Expert and he has been so designated. The functions of the Audit Committee are to select the independent public accountants who will prepare and issue an audit report on the annual financial statements of the Company, to establish the scope of and the fees for the prospective annual audit with the independent public accountants, to review the results thereof with the independent public accountants, to review and approve non-audit services of the independent public accountants, to review compliance with existing major accounting and financial policies of the Company, to review the adequacy of the financial organization of the Company, to review management’s procedures and policies relative to the adequacy of the Company’s internal accounting controls, to review compliance with federal and state laws relating to accounting practices and to review and approve transactions, if any, with affiliated parties.

The Compensation Committee, which consists of David Wormley, Ferdinand Megerlin, and John Kahler, reviews, approves and recommends to the Board of Directors the terms and conditions of all

 

55


employee benefit plans or changes thereto, administers the Company’s restricted stock and stock option plans and carries out the responsibilities required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee met five times during 2006.

The Nominating Committee, which consists of John Kahler, Hirokatsu Sakamoto, and David Wormley held four meetings in 2006. The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, and for selecting the director nominees to stand for election at each annual meeting of shareholders.

The Board of Directors held four meetings during 2006. Each Director attended all of the meetings of the Board and of each committee of which he or she was a member in 2006, except the following:

 

   

Clyde G. Nixon was absent from the September 2006 Board meeting.

 

   

Ferdinand E. Megerlin was absent from the March 2006 Compensation Committee and Audit Committee meetings.

The Company has adopted a code of ethics, which applies to all directors, officers and employees. The code of ethics is monitored by the Company’s Audit Committee and is available on its website, www.sunhydraulics.com. A copy of the code of ethics will be provided to any person without charge, upon request, by writing to the Company at 1500 West University Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34243, Attention: Investor Relations.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s Directors, officers and holders of more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and any other equity securities of the Company. To the Company’s knowledge, based solely upon a review of the forms, reports and certificates filed with the Company by such persons, other than as set forth below, all of them complied with the Section 16(a) filing requirements in 2006.

The Koski Family Partnership filed late one Form 4 reporting one transaction; John Kahler filed late one Form 4 reporting one transaction; Clyde Nixon filed late one Form 4 reporting one transaction; and Jeffrey Cooper filed late one Form 4 reporting four transactions.

 

56


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The goals of our compensation program are to attract and retain highly qualified leadership personnel, providing them attractive long-term career opportunities. Our compensation philosophy is to provide executives with a competitive total compensation package which motivates superior job performance, the achievement of our business objectives, and the enhancement of shareholder value. Rather than basing compensation on a series of specific performance objectives, we encourage initiative, teamwork and innovation, and each executive is empowered to use his or her abilities and particular area of responsibility to strengthen our overall performance. Our general approach to compensating executive officers is to pay cash salaries which generally are competitive within ranges of salaries paid to executives of other manufacturing companies, particularly those of similar size and those in our geographic areas. Our compensation committee sets overall compensation at a level it believes to be fair, based upon an analysis of the individual executive’s experience and past and potential contributions to us.

The Compensation Process

Our compensation program is overseen by a compensation committee (the “Committee”) comprised of independent directors which operates pursuant to a charter, the most recent version of which was approved by the board of directors on March 3, 2007. The Committee makes all compensation decisions concerning the executive officers and makes equity awards to all of our other key management employees upon the recommendation of the chief executive officer.

Compensation of our executive officers on an individual basis is reviewed annually by the Committee. The Committee sets the compensation of the chief executive officer, and the chief executive officer proposes changes for the other executive officers. After discussion, the Committee approves or modifies the chief executive officer’s recommendations in executive session.

To assist in determining appropriate overall compensation, the Committee reviews information regarding revenues, income, and executive compensation for other public manufacturing companies and for other businesses operating in Florida and the southeast United States and selected businesses in the U.S. of similar size and scope. The Committee also considers selected information regarding compensation practices, including employee benefits, from manufacturing companies in other countries in which we operate in an effort to ensure that we maintain competitiveness locally in the markets in which our executive officers reside.

Components of Executive Compensation

Salary. Our general approach to compensating executive officers is to pay cash salaries which generally are competitive within ranges of salaries paid to executives of other manufacturing companies, particularly in our geographic areas. Bonuses have been utilized infrequently in the past and, therefore, salary is the primary component of executive compensation. None of the Company’s executive officers other than Peter Robson has an employment contract. See “Employment Contract with Peter Robson” below. Our overall financial performance influences the general level of salary increases and there are no pre-arranged annual increases or established ranges for salary increases. The chief executive officer, after seeking input from other key managers and reviewing selected market data, recommends increases for the other executive officers, based upon his analysis of the individual executive’s experience and past and potential contributions.

Equity Compensation. We utilize equity awards as long-term compensation incentives for executive officers and other key managers. In 2003, the Committee solicited recommendations from Mercer Human Resource Consulting in connection with establishing a long-term compensation program. The Committee used the consultant’s recommendations as guidance with respect to the level and elements of long-term compensation for executive officers. The Committee determined that the long-term compensation program would be related to company performance but that it would not move automatically in lock-step with

 

57


such performance. The Committee has recognized that, at different periods in the economic cycle, long-term compensation might have greater or lesser importance in relationship to salary adjustments. Each year, the Committee establishes a monetary pool, the level of which varies with our performance, to be used for long-term compensation. The chief executive officer recommends awards for executive officers and other key employees. The Committee reviews those recommendations, approves or revises them, and determines long-term compensation for the chief executive officer.

The two elements of our long-term compensation program are restricted shares of Company common stock and stock options, granted under written plans approved by our shareholders. The mix of restricted shares and stock options is entirely within the discretion of the Committee and has varied from year to year. Criteria used by the Committee in these awards include individual responsibilities and individual performance. The Committee’s practice is to determine the dollar amount of equity compensation to be provided and then, with respect to restricted stock awards, to grant a number of shares of stock that have a fair market value equal to that amount on the date of grant. Fair market value is determined based on the closing price of our stock on the day of determination. Equity awards are “time based” so that, in order to earn the full award, an employee must remain in our employ for a specified period of time, typically three to five years.

In 2006, given the problems experienced by many public companies with excessive awards and restatements as a result of grant date issues, as well as the new stock compensation accounting rules, the Committee did not make any option grants and used only restricted shares as equity awards. However, in order to preserve the ability to award options in the future, the Committee recommended that the board of directors adopt a new stock option plan to replace the plan that expired on September 30, 2006. The board approved a new stock option plan, and it will be submitted to the shareholders for approval at the annual meeting on June 19, 2007.

Because of the differences in tax treatment for employees of our foreign subsidiaries, stock appreciation rights (referred to in our plan document as performance shares) are used generally for long-term compensation purposes for non-US. employees, including executive officers, rather than stock options or restricted shares.

Retirement Plan and ESOP. All of our U.S. executives, along with all of our other U.S. employees, are eligible to participate in the Sun Hydraulics Corporation 401(k) and ESOP Retirement Plan (the “Plan”). Under the tax-qualified Plan, all U.S. based employees are able to contribute the lesser of up to 100% of their annual salary or the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service to the Plan on a before-tax basis. Based on years of service, we match 100% of up to the first 6% of pay that is contributed to the Plan. All employee contributions are fully vested upon contribution. Our matching contributions vest over a five year period – 20% after one year, 40% after two years, 60% after three years, 80% after four years and 100% after five years. Each year, the board of directors determines, based on the Company’s performance and other factors it deems relevant, whether to make an additional contribution, and if so, in what amount. Since 2004, when an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) was incorporated into the Plan, these additional contributions are made in shares of Company common stock and all eligible employees, regardless of whether they make voluntary contributions to the Plan, participate pro rata, based upon their pay as a percentage of total pay for all U.S. employees. In 2006, the additional contribution, funded by newly-issued shares of Company common stock, was equal to approximately six percent of the U.S. based employee payroll. Our sole executive officer who resides outside of the U.S., Peter Robson, maintains his own individual retirement plan under the laws of the United Kingdom. We contribute to such plan each year an amount equal to 10% of Mr. Robson’s base salary, pursuant to the terms of Mr. Robson’s employment agreement.

Other Compensation. We do not use other forms of compensation on a regular basis. Relatively small cash and equity bonuses have been used sporadically to reward significant and unusual contributions. Because of the broad responsibilities given to employees and the encouragement of individual initiative, we have educational assistance policies for all employees, including executive officers. Educational assistance has been given to executive officers in the past for graduate study leading to masters and other degrees, and more specialized training, including management training at the Harvard Business School. Senior management participates in our benefit plans on the same terms as other employees. These plans include medical and dental insurance, group life insurance, and a charitable gift matching program. Under our

 

58


employee stock purchase plan, approved by the shareholders in 2001, employees including executive officers may purchase shares of Company common stock at a discount of 15% from market price on the first or last day of the quarterly purchase period, whichever is lower, on a tax-favored basis under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.

We provide only limited perquisites and other personal benefits.

2006 Executive Compensation

At the September 2006 meeting of the Compensation Committee, the chief executive officer at the Committee’s request reviewed our 2006 performance projected through the end of the year and the general level of anticipated executive compensation adjustments. The Committee indicated that it would set the amount of the long-term compensation pool and the chief executive officer agreed to provide his recommendations for individual awards no later than October 2, 2007. The Committee then set a meeting for October 10 and agreed that, unless it was unable to finalize the awards at that time, October 10 would be the determination date for 2006 long term compensation grants. The Committee discussed generally with the chief executive officer salary issues for executive officers but agreed that salary adjustments would be deferred until the December meeting.

Following the departure of the chief executive officer from the meeting, the Committee reviewed our financial performance and particular successful initiatives over the past five years. The Committee reviewed selected compensation information derived from a number of surveys and other published information. Long term compensation awards for the two prior years were reviewed, and the Committee agreed that the 2006 long term compensation pool for key U.S. employees should not exceed $500,000 and the pool for European employees should not exceed $200,000.

At the Committee’s meeting on October 10, held by conference telephone, the chief executive officer reviewed his long term compensation recommendations for key employees, including executive officers, provided to the Committee on October 2 and explained his reasoning with respect to the individual awards. During discussion, the Committee confirmed that the recommended long term compensation grantees were recognized key performers with long-term potential. Following the departure of the chief executive officer from the meeting, the Committee, after further discussion, determined that $470,000 in dollar value of long term compensation would be awarded to U.S. employees, including two executive officers, and $175,000 in dollar value would be awarded to European employees, including one executive officer. It was agreed that all of the awards to U.S. employees would be made in shares of the Company’s stock based on the closing price of the stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date. The share awards are subject to divestiture ratably over a three year period, if the employee leaves the Company during the term. For European employees, the compensation will be paid pursuant to performance share agreements, pursuant to which a cash payment is made on each of the three anniversaries of the grant date equal to the closing bid price of the stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date multiplied by the number of performance shares vesting on such date.

On December 8, 2006, the Committee at a regularly-scheduled meeting considered new annual salaries for the executive officers. After reviewing the salary adjustments and equity awards over the past two years and the anticipated salary and wage increases for our hourly and salaried employees, and considering selected data derived from various surveys and published reports covering manufacturing and other companies deemed comparable or relevant by the Committee, the chief executive officer was invited to join the meeting to present his recommendations for salary adjustments for the other executive officers. In formulating his recommendations, which he explained were based on his review of individual performance, he reviewed each executive’s salary history, solicited information from peers within the company, reviewed the same surveys as the Committee for benchmarking purposes and considered the Committee’s October LTC awards. He explained that his recommendation for a second increase for Ms. Fulton in 2006 was based both on her performance and her increased responsibilities as chief financial officer. After responding to questions, he departed the meeting.

After extensive discussion, the Committee determined to increase the salaries of the executive officers as follows:

 

59


Name and Title

   2006 Compensation    2007 Compensation  

Allen J. Carlson

   $ 312,000    $ 345,000  

Chief Executive Officer

     

Jeffrey Cooper

   $ 156,000    $ 161,000  

Officer

     

Tricia Fulton

   $ 110,000    $ 120,000  

Chief Financial Officer

     

Peter Robson

   $ 173,000    $ 180,000  */

General Manager

     

Sun Hydraulics Limited

     

*/ Based on estimated conversion from pounds sterling

The salary of Clyde Nixon, Chairman, was not adjusted due to his pending retirement as a full-time employee. In addition, the Committee awarded the chief executive officer shares of restricted company stock with a value of $140,000, based on the closing price of the stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date. The shares are subject to divestiture ratably over a three year period, if the chief executive officer leaves our employ during the term.

Tax and Accounting Implications

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the tax deduction to $1.0 million for compensation paid to a corporation’s key executive officers unless certain requirements are met, including that the compensation qualify as performance-based compensation. While the Compensation Committee may from time to time approve awards which would vest upon the passage of time or other compensation which would not result in qualification of those awards as performance-based compensation, it is not anticipated that compensation realized by any executive officer under any of our plans now in effect will result in a material loss of tax deductions.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

David N. Wormley, Chairman

 John S. Kahler                          

Ferdinand E. Megerlin            

 

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Summary Compensation Table

The table below summaries the total compensation paid or earned by each of the named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006. The Company has not entered into any employment agreements with any of the named executive officers except for Peter Robson. Mr. Robson’s agreement, entered into in 1981, set initial salary, which has been adjusted thereafter from time to time by the Company at its discretion. See “Employment Agreement with Peter Robson” below. When setting total compensation for each of the named executive officers, the Committee reviews the executive’s current compensation, including equity and non-equity-based compensation.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year    Salary ($)    Stock
Awards
($) (3)
    Option
Awards
($) (5)
   All Other
Compensation
($)
   

Total

($)

Clyde G. Nixon

   2006    100,000    17,636     —      14,142 (6)   131,778

Chairman of the Board of Directors

               

Allen J. Carlson

   2006    312,000    80,854     19,934    40,628 (7)   453,416

President and Chief Executive Officer

               

Jeffrey Cooper

   2006    156,000    31,720     4,747    21,853 (8)   214,320

Officer

               

Tricia L. Fulton

   2006    108,218    20,583     2,474    14,296 (9)   145,571

Chief Financial Officer

               

Richard J. Dobbyn (1)

   2006    121,875    22,193     5,771    16,904 (10)   166,743

Former Chief Financial Officer

               

Peter G. Robson (2)

   2006    169,834    43,000 (4)   —      21,355 (11)   234,185

General Manager,

Sun Hydraulics Limited

               

(1) Mr. Dobbyn retired as Chief Financial Officer on March 4, 2006.
(2) Amounts are paid in pounds sterling, which are converted to U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate.
(3) Amounts represent the compensation expense relating to restricted stock recorded during 2006 in accordance with FAS 123R, with the exception of Mr.Robson.
(4) Amount represents $8,028 of compensation expense relating to restricted stock recorded during 2006 in accordance with FAS 123R. Remaining $34,972 represents compensation expense relating to phantom stock grants recorded during 2006, in accordance with FAS 123R.
(5) Amounts represent the compensation expense relating to stock options during 2006 in accordance with FAS 123R.
(6) Amount represents contributions made by the Company on behalf of the employee to the Company’s 401(k) and ESOP plan equal to $12,000 and dividends received on unvested restricted stock equal to $2,142.
(7) Amount represents contributions made by the Company on behalf of the employee to the Company’s 401(k) and ESOP plan equal to $33,720 and dividends received on unvested restricted stock equal to $6,908.
(8) Amount represents contributions made by the Company on behalf of the employee to the Company’s 401(k) and ESOP plan equal to $18,720 and dividends received on unvested restricted stock equal to $3,133.
(9) Amount represents contributions made by the Company on behalf of the employee to the Company’s 401(k) and ESOP plan equal to $12,986 and dividends received on unvested restricted stock equal to $1,310.
(10) Amount represents contributions made by the Company on behalf of the employee to the Company’s 401(k) and ESOP plan equal to $14,625 and dividends received on unvested restricted stock equal to $2,279.
(11) Amount represents contributions made by the Company on behalf of the employee to the employee’s individual retirement plan equal to $20,380 and dividends received on unvested restricted stock equal to $975.

 

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

 

Name

  

Grant

Date

  

All Other

Stock Awards:

Number of

Shares of

Stock or

Units

(#)

   

Grant Date Fair Value of

Stock and Option

Awards ($)

Clyde G. Nixon

   —      —       —  

Allen J. Carlson

   December 9, 2006    6,639  (1)   140,017

Jeffrey Cooper

   October 10, 2006    1,252  (1)   25,002

Tricia L. Fulton

   October 10, 2006    1,753  (1)   35,007

Richard J. Dobbyn

   —      —       —  

Peter G. Robson

   October 10, 2006    1,252  (2)   25,002

(1) Amounts represent the number of restricted shares of stock granted under the 2001 Restricted Stock Plan . The shares vest in annual installments over three years. Dividends will be paid on the shares of restricted stock.
(2) Amounts represent the number of phantom shares granted during 2006. The phantom shares vest in annual installments over three years.

 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

 

     Option Awards    Stock Awards

Name

  

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(#)

Exercisable

  

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(#)

Unexercisable

   

Option

Exercise

Price

($)

  

Option

Expiration

Date

  

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested

(#)

   

Market

Value of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested

($)

Clyde G. Nixon

   —      —       —         —       —  

Allen J. Carlson

   —      3,000 (1)   5.51    5/17/2012    13,529 (4)   277,480
   4,800    —       4.73    9/29/2010     
   2,429    2,429 (2)   8.23    10/15/2011     
   899    3,599 (3)   18.41    12/9/2012     

Jeffrey Cooper

   —      1,500 (1)   5.51    5/17/2012    3,671 (5)   75,292
   1,225    —       4.73    9/29/2010     
   —      675 (2)   8.23    10/15/2011     

Tricia L. Fulton

   1,500    —       4.73    9/29/2010    3,426 (6)   70,267
   405    405 (2)   8.23    10/15/2011     

Richard J. Dobbyn

   —      945 (2)   8.23    10/15/2011    945 (2)   19,382

Peter G. Robson

   —      —       —         2,968 (7)   60,874

(1) These awards will fully vest on May 17, 2007.
(2) These awards will fully vest on October 15, 2007.
(3) This award will vest 25% on December 9, 2007, 25% on December 9, 2008, 25% on December 9, 2009 and 25% on December 9, 2010.
(4) Awards represent restricted stock that will vest as follows: 1,200 on September 14, 2007, 2,430 on October 15, 2007, 3,843 on December 9, 2007, 3,843 on December 9, 2008, and 2,213 December 9, 2009.
(5) Awards represent restricted stock that will vest as follows: 1,200 on September 14, 2007, 417 on October 10, 2007, 675 on October 15, 2007, 272 on December 9, 2007, 417 on October 10, 2008, 272 on December 9, 2008, and 418 on October 10, 2009.
(6) Awards represent restricted stock that will vest as follows: 584 on October 10, 2007, 405 on October 15, 2007, 634 on December 9, 2007, 584 on October 10, 2008, 634 on December 9, 2008, and 585 on October 10, 2009.
(7) Awards represent phantom stock units that will vest as follows: 417 on October 10, 2007, 810 on October 15, 2007, 453 on December 9, 2007, 417 on October 10, 2008, 453 on December 9, 2008, and 418 on October 10, 2009.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

 

     Option Awards    Stock Awards

Name

  

Number of Shares

Acquired on Exercise

(#)

  

Value Realized

on Exercise

($)

  

Number of Shares

Acquired on Vesting

(#)

  

Value Realized

on Vesting

($)

Clyde G. Nixon

   —      —      7,140    143,014

Allen J. Carlson

   3,000    38,900    12,488    253,750

Jeffrey Cooper

   5,225    91,886    6,902    137,930

Tricia L. Fulton

   —      —      1,789    37,259

Richard J. Dobbyn

   —      —      6,021    122,357

Peter G. Robson

   —      —      3,251    65,118

 

63


2006 ALL OTHER COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name

 

Year

 

Perquisites

and Other

Personal

Benefits ($) (1)

 

Company

Contributions to

Retirement and

401(k) Plans

($)

 

Total ($)

Clyde G. Nixon

  2006   2,142   12,000   14,142

Allen J. Carlson

  2006   6,908   33,720   40,628

Jeffrey Cooper

  2006   3,133   18,720   21,853

Tricia L. Fulton

  2006   1,310   12,986   14,296

Richard J. Dobbyn

  2006   2,279   14,625   16,904

Peter G. Robson

  2006   975   20,380   21,355

(1) Amounts represent dividends received on unvested restricted stock shares.

Pension Benefits

The Company does not maintain a pension plan for any of its U.S.-based executive officers, other than the Sun Hydraulics Corporation 401(k) and ESOP Retirement Plan. Our sole executive officer who resides outside of the U.S., Peter Robson, maintains his own individual retirement plan under the laws of the United Kingdom. We contribute to such plan each year an amount equal to 10% of Mr. Robson’s base salary, pursuant to the terms of Mr. Robson’s employment agreement.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Company does not maintain a nonqualified deferred compensation program.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

The Company has not entered into agreements with any of its executive officers, other than Peter Robson, relating to payments in connection with the termination of their employment, a change in control of the Company or a change in the officer’s responsibilities. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Robson’s employment agreement, the Company is required to provide Mr. Robson with six months’ prior written notice of his termination of employment. In the event that the Company were to give Mr. Robson less than six months’ prior written notice, it would likely be required to pay him his base salary for six months after such notice is delivered to him.

Employment Agreement with Peter Robson

The Company entered into an employment agreement with Peter Robson on April 22, 1981, in connection with his initial employment with the Company. The agreement set Mr. Robson’s initial salary, which has been adjusted thereafter from time to time by the Company at its discretion. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company provides Mr. Robson with family heath insurance and a retirement supplement equal to 10% of Mr. Robson’s base salary. The agreement provides that it may be terminated by either party upon six months’ prior written notice to the other.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The Company uses a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board. Through the September 2006 Board meeting, Directors who

 

64


are not officers of the Company were paid $4,000 for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors, as well as each meeting of each Board Committee on which they serve when the committee meeting is not held within one day of a meeting of the Board of Directors. In 2004, the Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders approved the Nonemployee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which $1,500 of the $4,000 Director fee is paid in shares of Company stock under the Plan. Directors also may elect under the Plan to receive all or part of the remainder of their fees in Company stock and to defer receipt of their fees.

The objective of the Nonemployee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide deferred benefits to non-employee Directors, increase the Director’s beneficial ownership in the Company and more closely align the Director’s interests in the long-term growth and profitability of the Company with that of the shareholders.

Pursuant to the Plan, a deferred stock account is established for each non-employee Director and credited with a number of share units on the date of each Board meeting. The value of the share units so credited is equivalent to the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the date of grant, for the dollar amount of Directors fees payable in stock that the individual Director elects to be deferred, and such additional amount of Director fees payable in cash that the individual Director elects to be paid in stock and deferred. Share units are equivalent to shares of the Company’s Common Stock, except that share units have no voting rights and receive dividend equivalents rather than dividends.

Each Director receives dividend equivalents on the share units contained in his or her deferral account, which are equal in value to dividends paid on the Company’s Common Stock. The dividend equivalents granted are then reinvested in the non-employee Director’s stock deferral account in the form of additional share units. Upon retirement or termination of services as a Director, each non-employee director receives a share of Common Stock for each share unit awarded. Such shares are received either in a lump sum or over a period not to exceed 10 years, as elected in advance by each Director.

In June 2006, the Compensation Committee began deliberations regarding an increase in director compensation. At the September 2006 meeting of the Committee, survey data from the National Association of Corporate Directors, Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Pearl Meyer & Partners, and Towers Perrin HR Services was reviewed, along with publicly available information from selected companies and other surveys. The data confirmed that the Company’s director compensation is well below the mid-point of companies considered in the surveys. Given the Company’s culture and management style, it was agreed that director compensation did not need to fall within any particular percentile of comparable companies. However, it was agreed that, to attract new directors, compensation needed to be adequate and reasonable. An increase in fees of $1,000 per meeting would result in director compensation at a level of approximately 1/3 of that of public companies with revenues of between $50-200 million, as reflected in the materials reviewed by the Committee. Nevertheless, given the current level of fees it was agreed that a greater increase at the time would send the wrong signal. However, to bring compensation more within the mainstream, the Committee agreed to review the issue again next year and that an additional increase could be considered at that time. The Committee agreed that compensation divided approximately equally between stock and cash, as reflected in surveys of comparable companies, would be desirable for Sun. Accordingly, the Committee recommended to the Board a $1,000 increase in meeting fees for non-management directors, payable entirely in stock. At its September 2006 meeting, the Board approved the recommendation so that, beginning with the December 2006 meeting, directors who are not officers of the Company are paid at the rate of $5,000 for attendance at each meeting of the Board, as well as each meeting of each Board committee on which they serve when the committee meeting is not held within one day of a meeting of the Board. The payment of the increase in fees in Company stock is subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s 2007 Annual Meeting. If shareholder approval is not obtained, the increase in fees will be paid in cash.

Directors also are reimbursed for their expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at such meetings. Directors who are employees of the Company receive no compensation for their service as directors.

 

65


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Name

  

Fees Earned or

Paid in Cash

($)

  

Stock Awards

($) (5)

  

All Other

Compensation

($) (6)

   

Total

($)

Marc Bertoneche (1)

   10,000    9,689    1,089     20,778

John S. Kahler (2)

   10,000    7,990    411     18,401

Christine L. Koski

   10,000    7,000    —       17,000

Robert E. Koski

   —      —      33,600 (7)   33,600

Ferdinand E. Megerlin (3)

   10,000    8,330    546     18,876

Hirokatsu Sakamoto

   10,000    7,000    —       17,000

David N. Wormley (4)

   10,000    7,000    —       17,000

(1) Marc Bertoneche has elected to receive and defer cash fees in the form of stock units. Mr. Bertoneche has also elected to defer stock awards in the form of stock units. The stock awards represent the compensation for 2006 in accordance with FAS 123R. All deferred stock units will be paid in shares upon Mr. Bertoneche ceasing to be a Director of the Company. The total grant date fair value of deferred stock units issued during 2006 was $17,000. At December 30, 2006, Mr. Bertoneche had 3,094 deferred stock units.
(2) John S. Kahler has elected to defer stock awards in the form of stock units. The stock awards represent the compensation for 2006 in accordance with FAS 123R. All deferred stock units will be paid in shares upon Mr. Kahler ceasing to be a Director of the Company. The total grant date fair value of deferred stock units issued during 2006 was $7,000. At December 30, 2006, Mr. Kahler had 1,189 units.
(3) Ferdinand E. Megerlin has elected to receive and defer $2,000 of his cash fees in the form of stock units. Mr. Megerlin has also elected to defer all of his stock awards in the form of stock units. The stock awards represent the compensation for 2006 in accordance with FAS 123R. All deferred stock units will be paid in shares upon Mr. Megerlin ceasing to be a Director of the Company. The total grant date fair value of deferred stock units issued during 2006 was $9,000. At December 30, 2006, Mr. Megerlin had 1,570 units.
(4) David N. Wormley has elected to receive $2,000 of his cash fees in the form of Company common stock. The common stock was issued during 2006 in accordance with attendance at Board meetings.
(5) Please see the Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management schedule under Item 12. regarding the number of shares beneficially owned by each of the directors.
(6) Amounts represent the value of dividends received on the outstanding deferred stock units during 2006. Dividends are also deferred in the form of stock units and will be payable in shares of stock.
(7) Amount represents compensation of $30,000 received for services performed as an employee of the Company and $3,600 in Company contributions to Mr. Koski’s 401(K).

 

66


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN

BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth as of March 2, 2007, information as to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock by (i) each person or entity known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each Director, (iii) Each Named Executive Officer of the Company, and (iv) all Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)

  

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership (2)

  

Percent of

Class

 

Robert E. Koski (3)(4)(5)

   3,330,949    30.5 %

Beverly Koski (3)(4)(5)

   3,330,949    30.5 %

Christine L. Koski (3)

     

3070 South Bristol Street, Suite 100 Costa Mesa, CA 92626

   3,167,859    29.0 %

Robert C. Koski (3)(5)

     

24 Lenox Pointe Atlanta, GA 30324

   3,099,175    28.4 %

Koski Family Limited Partnership

     

3525 Turtle Creek Boulevard #19B Dallas, Texas 75219

   3,070,309    28.1 %

Thomas L. Koski (3)

     

100 Seaview Avenue #1F Norwalk, Connecticut 06855

   3,070,309    28.1 %

Royce & Associates, LLC (6)

     

1414 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019

   951,360    8.7 %

Allen J. Carlson (7)

   72,928      *

Clyde G. Nixon

   55,017      *

Jeffrey Cooper (8)

   22,793      *

Tim A. Twitty (9)

   13,854      *

Tricia L. Fulton (10)

   11,121      *

David N. Wormley

   7,387      *

John S. Kahler (11)

   6,362      *

Marc Bertoneche

   3,094      *

Ferdinand E. Megerlin

   1,570      *

Hirokatsu Sakamoto

   1,108      *

Peter G. Robson

   —        *

All Directors and Executive Officers as

a Group (12 persons)

   3,623,733    33.1 %

* Less than 1%.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons listed who own more than 5% of the Company’s Common Stock is 1500 West University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243.
(2) This column sets forth shares of the Company’s Common Stock which are deemed to be “beneficially owned” by the persons named in the table under Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons listed have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock owned by them, except to the extent such power may be shared with a spouse.
(3) Includes 3,070,309 shares owned by the Koski Family Limited Partnership, over which Christine L. Koski, Robert C. Koski, Thomas L. Koski, Robert E. Koski and Beverly Koski share voting and investment power as the general partners in the Partnership. Christine L. Koski, Robert C. Koski and Thomas L. Koski are the adult children of Robert E. Koski and Beverly Koski.
(4) Includes 141,216 shares owned by Beverly Koski and 90,558 shares owned by Robert E. Koski. Beverly Koski is the spouse of Robert E. Koski.

 

67


(5) Includes 28,866 shares owned by the Koski Family Foundation, Inc., over which Robert E. Koski, Beverly Koski and Robert C. Koski share voting and investment power.
(6) According to the Schedule 13G, filed January 25, 2007, by Royce & Associates, LLC (“Royce”), Royce has sole voting and investment power with respect to the 951,360 shares.
(7) Includes 11,128 shares subject to currently exercisable options and 13,529 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(8) Includes 1,500 shares subject to currently exercisable options and 3,671 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(9) Includes 3,945 shares subject to currently exercisable options and 3,966 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(10) Includes 1,905 shares subject to currently exercisable options and 3,426 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(11) Includes 4,423 shares owned by Mr. Kahler’s spouse.

 

68


Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes the Company’s equity compensation plan information as of December 30, 2006. Information is included for both equity compensation plans approved by the Company’s shareholders and equity compensation plans not approved by the shareholders.

 

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))

    (a)   (b)   (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders   81,299   $6.70   1,139,504
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders   —     —     450

Total

  81,299   $6.70   1,139,954

Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders include the 1996 Stock Option Plan, the 2001 Restricted Stock Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and the 2004 Nonemployee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan. In September 2006, the Company adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan due to the expiration of the Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan in 2006. No awards have been granted under the 2006 Plan, and any awards granted prior to the 2007 Annual Meeting will be conditioned upon stockholder approval of the 2006 Plan at such meeting.

All shares to be issued upon exercise in column (a) and the weighted average exercise price in column (b) represent shares issued under the 1996 Stock Option Plan. The number of securities available for future issuance in column (c) were: zero shares under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, 500,000 shares under the 2006 Stock Option Plan, 401,152 shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 128,040 shares under the 2001 Restricted Stock Plan, and 110,312 shares under the 2004 Nonemployee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan.

The only equity compensation plan not approved by shareholders was the 1999 Stock Award Plan. 4,500 shares were authorized for grant under the 1999 Stock Award Plan, which was approved by the Board of Directors on May 21, 1999. The general purpose of the Plan is to recognize and acknowledge extraordinary contributions of employees through the grant of shares of common stock, thereby providing them with a more direct stake in the future welfare of the Company and encouraging them to continue to demonstrate leadership and commitment to the Company. Subject to supervision by the Board and the provisions of the Plan, the Company’s president has the authority to determine the employees to whom awards shall be granted and the number of shares of common stock to be the subject of each award. As of December 30, 2006, there were 450 shares remaining for future grants, and there were no outstanding options, warrants, or rights associated with this plan.

In June 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2007. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. The amount of the stock repurchased was used to continue to fund the Company’s employee stock ownership and employee stock purchase plans. Under the plan, which was completed in July, the Company had repurchased 135,382 shares at an average price of $18.47. All shares were retired during the year.

 

69


In December 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.0 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2007. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. The amount of the stock repurchases was set based upon the anticipated number of shares that were required to fund the Company’s ESOP, and employee stock purchase plan, through fiscal year 2006. The Company had repurchased 82,500 shares at an average cost of $18.87 per share and 22,698 shares at an average cost of $19.52 for the periods ending December 31, 2005 and December 30, 2006, respectively. Of the 82,500 shares purchased in 2005, 65,000 were retired prior to December 31, 2005. All remaining shares and purchases were retired during 2006.

In November 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2006. The amount of the stock repurchases was set based upon the anticipated number of shares that were required to fund the Company’s ESOP, and employee stock purchase plan, through fiscal year 2005. The Company purchased 8,700 shares at an average cost of $9.52 per share and 2,700 shares at an average cost of $9.80 per share for the periods ending December 25, 2004 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The stock purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for the Company’s securities. All shares were retired during the year of purchase.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Company has determined that the following Directors are independent under the independence standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC: Marc Bertoneche, John S. Kahler, Ferdinand E. Megerlin, Hirokatsu Sakamoto and David N. Wormley.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Audit Fees

The Company incurred aggregate audit fees of $450,000 to Kirkland, Russ, Murphy and Tapp P.A. during fiscal year 2006, and of $40,538 and $528,625 to Grant Thornton LLP during fiscal years 2006 and 2005, respectively. These fees were for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-Q for fiscal years 2006 and 2005, respectively, and the statutory audit of Sun Hydraulik Holdings Limited, Sun Hydraulics Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary for its European market operations, Sun Hydraulics Limited, and Sun Hydraulik GmbH, both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sun Hydraulik Holdings Limited. The Audit Committee has not adopted any pre-approval policies and approves all engagements with the Company’s auditors prior to the performance of services by them. As a matter of policy, the Audit Committee has determined generally not to request any new non-audit services from its auditors.

 

     Kirkland, Russ, Murphy and Tapp, P.A.    Grant Thornton LLP
     2006    2005    2006    2005

Audit Fees

   $ 412,000    —      $ 23,350    $ 505,000

Audit Related Fees

     38,000    —        31,865      23,625

Tax Services

     —      —        —        —  

All Other Fees

     —      —        24,050      —  

 

70


PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

  1. The following financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8:

 

Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm

   28

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   29

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005

   30

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004

   31

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004

   32

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 25, 2004

   33

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   34

All other schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Item 8 above.

  

 

  2. Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number
 

Exhibit Description

3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 in the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on December 19, 1996 (File No. 333-14183) and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 in the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 2, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2.1   Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2.1 in the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 27, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1+   Form of Indemnification Agreement (previously filed as Exhibit 10.4 in the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on December 19, 1996 (File No. 333-14183) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2   Form of Distributor Agreement (Domestic) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 15, 1996 (File No. 333-14183) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3   Form of Distributor Agreement (International) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 15, 1996 (File No. 333-14183) and incorporated herein by reference).

 

71


10.4   Mortgage, dated April 11, 1996, between Sun Hydraulik GmbH and Dresdner Bank (previously filed as Exhibit 4.19 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 15, 1996 (File No. 333-14183) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5   Credit and Security Agreement dated August 11, 2005, between the Company, as Borrower, and Fifth Third Bank, as Lender (previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6   Renewal and Future Advance Revolving Line of Credit Promissory Note dated August 11, 2005, between the Company, as Borrower, and Fifth Third Bank, as Lender (previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7   Renewed, Amended and Restated Mortgage and Security Agreement dated August 11, 2005, between the Company, as Mortgagor, and Fifth Third Bank, as Mortgagee (previously filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8   Credit and Security Agreement dated July 23, 2003, between the Company, Sun Hydraulik Holdings Limited and Sun Hydraulics Limited as Borrower, and SouthTrust Bank as Lender (previously filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 28, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9   Master Loan Documents Modification Agreement dated as of November 18, 2003, between the Company, Sun Hydraulik Holdings Limited and Sun Hydraulics Limited as Borrower, and SouthTrust Bank as Lender (previously filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10+   1996 Sun Hydraulics Corporation Stock Option Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 in the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on December 19, 1996 (File No. 333-14183) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.11+   Amendment No. 1 to 1996 Stock Option Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12+   Forms of agreement for grants under the Sun Hydraulics Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 10.12+ to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13+   Sun Hydraulics Corporation 2006 Stock Option Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.14+   Sun Hydraulics Corporation Employee Stock Award Program (previously filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed on July 20, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

72


10.15+   2001 Sun Hydraulics Corporation Restricted Stock Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed on June 12, 2001 (file No. 333-62816), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.16+   Sun Hydraulics Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed on July 27, 2001 (file No. 333-66008), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.17+   Sun Hydraulics Corporation 2004 Nonemployee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2005) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1+ to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.18+   Sun Hydraulics Corporation Amended and Restated 2004 Nonemployee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.19+   Form of Performance Share Agreement (previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.20+   The Sun Hydraulics Corporation 401(k) and ESOP Retirement Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
14   Code of Ethics (previously filed as Exhibit 14 in the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
21   Subsidiaries of the Registrant (previously filed as Exhibit 21 in the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
23.1  

Grant Thornton LLP Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

23.2  

Kirkland, Russ, Murphy and Tapp, P.A. Consent of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm

31.1  

CEO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2  

CFO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1  

CEO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.

32.2  

CFO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.

 

+ Executive management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

73


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, in the City of Sarasota, State of Florida on March 13, 2007.

 

SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Allen J. Carlson

  Allen J. Carlson, President and
  Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated as of March 13, 2007.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Allen J. Carlson

  
Allen J. Carlson    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

/s/ Tricia L. Fulton

  
Tricia L. Fulton    Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Marc Bertoneche

  
Marc Bertoneche    Director

/s/ John S. Kahler

  
John S. Kahler    Director

/s/ Christine L. Koski

  
Christine L. Koski    Director

/s/ Robert E. Koski

  
Robert E. Koski    Director

/s/ Ferdinand E. Megerlin

  
Ferdinand E. Megerlin    Director

/s/ Clyde G. Nixon

  
Clyde G. Nixon    Chairman of the Board of Directors

/s/ Hirokatsu Sakamoto

  
Hirokatsu Sakamoto    Director

/s/ David N. Wormley

  
David N. Wormley    Director

 

74