Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM lO-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarter ended September 30, 2008

OR

 

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

Commission file number 1-5869-1

 

 

SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

Incorporated - Florida   Employer Identification No.
  11-1385670

10055 Seminole Boulevard

Seminole, Florida 33772-2539

Telephone No.: 727-397-9611

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller Reporting Company  x

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

As of October 23, 2008, the Registrant had 6,266,604 shares of common stock outstanding, which is registrant’s only class of common stock.

 

 

 


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(Unaudited)

 

     2008     2007  

Net sales

   $ 30,613,175     $ 30,391,919  
                

Costs and expenses:

    

Cost of goods sold

     20,548,954       20,450,821  

Selling and administrative expenses

     8,470,924       8,169,454  

Interest expense

     68,511       79,367  
                
     29,088,389       28,699,642  
                

Earnings from continuing operations before taxes on income

     1,524,786       1,692,277  

Taxes on income

     540,000       340,000  
                

Earnings from continuing operations

     984,786       1,352,277  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $10,000 and $70,000, respectively

     (8,641 )     (134,905 )
                

Net earnings

   $ 976,145     $ 1,217,372  
                

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period                     (Basic)

     6,459,751       6,656,214  

(Diluted)

     6,472,142       6,676,054  

Per Share Data:

    

Basic

    

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.15     $ 0.20  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefits

     0.00       (0.02 )
                

Net earnings

   $ 0.15     $ 0.18  
                

Diluted

    

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.15     $ 0.20  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefits

     0.00       (0.02 )
                

Net earnings

   $ 0.15     $ 0.18  
                

Cash dividends per common share

   $ 0.135     $ 0.135  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

2


SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     2008     2007  

Net sales

   $ 95,595,090     $ 89,043,720  
                

Costs and expenses:

    

Cost of goods sold

     63,964,391       59,761,409  

Selling and administrative expenses

     26,380,440       25,695,311  

Interest expense

     249,861       255,840  
                
     90,594,692       85,712,560  
                

Earnings from continuing operations before taxes on income

     5,000,398       3,331,160  

Taxes on income

     1,890,000       930,000  
                

Earnings from continuing operations

     3,110,398       2,401,160  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $90,000 and $210,000, respectively

     (154,610 )     (399,150 )
                

Net earnings

   $ 2,955,788     $ 2,002,010  
                

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period                     (Basic)

     6,580,554       6,642,178  

(Diluted)

     6,586,108       6,674,418  

Per Share Data:

    

Basic

    

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.47     $ 0.36  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefits

     (0.02 )     (0.06 )
                

Net earnings

   $ 0.45     $ 0.30  
                

Diluted

    

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.47     $ 0.36  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefits

     (0.02 )     (0.06 )
                

Net earnings

   $ 0.45     $ 0.30  
                

Cash dividends per common share

     0.405       0.405  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

3


SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007 (1)
 
     (Unaudited)        
ASSETS  

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 219,099     $ 769,715  

Accounts receivable and other current assets

     22,172,895       22,195,580  

Inventories*

     45,630,943       46,463,662  

Assets held for sale

     —         558,476  
                

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     68,022,937       69,987,433  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     13,049,885       13,320,218  

GOODWILL

     1,617,411       1,617,411  

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

     595,397       774,016  

OTHER ASSETS

     2,154,623       2,204,434  
                
   $ 85,440,253     $ 87,903,512  
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 5,411,924     $ 6,635,412  

Other current liabilities

     3,273,196       2,549,680  

Current portion of long-term debt

     1,048,482       1,551,202  
                

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     9,733,602       10,736,294  

LONG-TERM DEBT

     3,277,000       2,445,604  

LONG-TERM PENSION LIABILITY

     972,593       923,184  

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     635,000       603,000  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     145,000       750,000  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred stock, $1 par value - authorized 300,000 shares (none issued)

     —         —    

Common stock, $.001 par value - authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding - 6,417,698 and 6,670,650 shares, respectively.

     6,418       6,670  

Additional paid-in capital

     16,404,573       16,763,987  

Retained earnings

     54,726,318       56,178,511  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

    

Cash flow hedges

     (7,000 )     (30,000 )

Pensions

     (453,251 )     (473,738 )
                

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     70,677,058       72,445,430  
                
   $ 85,440,253     $ 87,903,512  
                

 

* Inventories consist of the following:

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
     (Unaudited)     

Finished goods

   $ 34,811,044    $ 35,613,513

Work in process

     247,594      171,842

Raw materials

     10,572,305      10,678,307
             
   $ 45,630,943    $ 46,463,662
             

 

(1) The balance sheet as of December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited balance sheet as of that date and has been condensed.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

4


SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(Unaudited)

 

     2008     2007  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net earnings

   $ 2,955,788     $ 2,002,010  

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     2,436,564       2,596,236  

Provision for bad debts

     113,303       82,388  

Share-based compensation expense

     263,146       539,915  

Deferred income tax benefit

     (617,000 )     (249,000 )

Gain on sales of property, plant and equipment

     (15,267 )     (76,640 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable and other current assets

     58,140       637,252  

Inventories

     832,719       (3,106,563 )

Other assets

     183,268       (201,703 )

Accounts payable

     (1,223,488 )     1,812,159  

Accrued expenses

     746,516       (10,874 )

Pension liability

     49,409       22,785  

Other long-term liabilities

     32,000       (77,000 )
                

Net cash provided from operating activities

     5,815,098       3,970,965  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (1,990,167 )     (1,099,222 )

Disposals of property, plant and equipment

     17,822       84,834  

Other assets

     5,000       10,000  

Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale

     233,870       —    

Proceeds from notes receivable collections

     69,878       —    
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,663,597 )     (1,004,388 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from long-term debt

     51,438,000       10,420,000  

Repayment of long-term debt

     (51,109,324 )     (11,825,588 )

Payment of cash dividends

     (2,673,847 )     (2,691,169 )

Proceeds received on exercise of stock options

     29,168       455,086  

Common stock reacquired and retired

     (2,386,114 )     —    
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (4,702,117 )     (3,641,671 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (550,616 )     (675,094 )

Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of year

     769,715       3,920,276  
                

Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period

   $ 219,099     $ 3,245,182  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

5


SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 AND 2007

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – Summary of Significant Interim Accounting Policies:

a) Basis of presentation

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of Superior Uniform Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries Fashion Seal Corporation and Superior Office Solutions, and their jointly owned subsidiary, The Office Gurus. Intercompany items have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The interim financial information contained herein is not certified or audited; it reflects all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the operating results for the periods presented, stated on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements. The unaudited financial information included in this report as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 has been reviewed by Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, and their review report thereon accompanies this filing. Such review was made in accordance with established professional standards and procedures for such a review. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

b) Revenue recognition

The Company records revenue when goods are shipped and title passes. A provision for estimated returns and allowances is recorded based on historical experience and current allowance programs.

c) Recognition of costs and expenses

Costs and expenses other than product costs are charged to income in interim periods as incurred, or allocated among interim periods based on an estimate of time expired, benefit received or activity associated with the periods. Procedures adopted for assigning specific cost and expense items to an interim period are consistent with the basis followed by the registrant in reporting results of operations at annual reporting dates. However, when a specific cost or expense item charged to expense for annual reporting purposes benefits more than one interim period, the cost or expense item is allocated to the interim periods.

d) Advertising expenses

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively were $44,835 and $35,852. Advertising costs for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively were $147,931 and $135,173.

e) Shipping and handling fees and costs

The Company follows EITF 00-10, Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs, which requires shipping and handling fees billed to customers to be classified as revenue and shipping and handling costs to be either classified as cost of sales or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with in-bound and out-bound freight are generally recorded in cost of goods sold. Other shipping and handling costs are included in selling and administrative expenses and totaled $1,773,629 and $1,747,638 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Other shipping and handling costs included in selling and administrative expenses totaled $5,591,519 and $5,491,545, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

f) Inventories

Inventories at interim dates are determined by using both perpetual records on a first-in, first-out basis and gross profit calculations.

 

6


g) Accounting for income taxes

The provision for income taxes is calculated by using the effective tax rate anticipated for the full year.

h) Employee Benefit Plan Settlements

The Company recognizes settlement gains and losses in its financial statements when the cost of all settlements in a year is greater than the sum of the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic pension cost for the plan for the year.

i) Earnings per share

Historical basic per share data is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Historical diluted per share data is reconciled by adding to weighted average shares outstanding the dilutive impact of the exercise of outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Earnings used in the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share:

        

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 984,786     $ 1,352,277     $ 3,110,398     $ 2,401,160  
                                

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefits

     (8,641 )     (134,905 )     (154,610 )     (399,150 )

Net earnings used in the computation ofbasic and diluted earnings per share

   $ 976,145     $ 1,217,372     $ 2,955,788     $ 2,002,010  
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic

     6,459,751       6,656,214       6,580,554       6,642,178  

Common stock equivalents

     12,391       19,840       5,554       32,240  
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

     6,472,142       6,676,054       6,586,108       6,674,418  
                                

Per Share Data :

        

Basic

        

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.15     $ 0.20     $ 0.47     $ 0.36  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefits

     0.00       (0.02 )     (0.02 )     (0.06 )
                                

Net earnings

   $ 0.15     $ 0.18     $ 0.45     $ 0.30  
                                

Diluted

        

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.15     $ 0.20     $ 0.47     $ 0.36  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefits

     0.00       (0.02 )     (0.02 )     (0.06 )
                                

Net earnings

   $ 0.15     $ 0.18     $ 0.45     $ 0.30  
                                

Awards to purchase 796,300 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $13.39 per share were outstanding during the three-month period ending September 30, 2008 but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the awards’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares. Awards to purchase 761,875 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $13.86 per share were outstanding during the three-month period ending September 30, 2007, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the awards’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

Awards to purchase an average of 870,642 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $13.34 per share were outstanding during the nine-month period ending September 30, 2008 but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the awards’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares. Awards to purchase an average of 585,342 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $14.29 per share were outstanding during the nine-month period ending September 30, 2007, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the awards’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

j) Use of Estimates

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.

 

7


k) Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net earnings. For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income are the change in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges and pension costs.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2008    2007     2008    2007

Net earnings

   $ 976,145    $ 1,217,372     $ 2,955,788    $ 2,002,010

Other comprehensive income:

          

Net unrealized gain (loss) during the period related to cash flow hedges

     12,000      (7,000 )     23,000      10,000

Pensions - reclassification to net earningsduring the period

     6,829      2,757       20,487      7,265
                            
   $ 994,974    $ 1,213,129     $ 2,999,275    $ 2,019,275
                            

l) Operating Segments

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 131 Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information requires disclosures of certain information about operating segments and about products and services, geographic areas in which the Company operates, and their major customers. The Company has evaluated the effect of this standard and has determined that currently it operates in one segment, as defined in this statement.

m) Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company has only limited involvement with derivative financial instruments. The Company has one interest rate swap agreement to hedge against the potential impact on earnings from increases in market interest rates associated with interest payments on a variable rate term loan. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company receives or makes payments on a monthly basis, based on the differential between a specified interest rate and one month LIBOR. The interest rate payments associated with the term loan of $1,048,482 are designated as a hedged item for interest rate swaps at September 30, 2008.

This interest rate swap is accounted for as a cash flow hedge in accordance with FAS No. 133 and FAS No. 138. As of the report date, the swap met effectiveness tests and, as such, no gains or losses were included in net income during the quarter related to hedge ineffectiveness and there was no income adjustment related to any portion excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. A gain of $12,000 and a loss of $7,000 were included in other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Gains of $23,000 and $10,000 were included in other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The original term of the contract is ten years.

n) Share-Based Compensation

The Company awards share-based compensation as an incentive for employees to contribute to the Company’s long-term success. Historically, the Company has issued options and stock settled stock appreciation rights. At September 30, 2008, the Company had 1,595,400 shares of common stock authorized for awards of share-based compensation under its 2003 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan.

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted FAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“FAS No. 123(R)”). Accordingly, the Company is now recognizing share-based compensation expense for all awards granted to employees, which is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant. Under FAS No. 123(R), the Company’s reported stock compensation expense includes expense related to stock compensation awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, which is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS No. 123(R). All share-based awards previously granted by the Company were fully vested prior to the adoption of FAS No. 123(R). Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock compensation awards requires the input of certain highly complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock compensation awards, the Company’s common stock price volatility, and the rate of employee forfeitures. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock compensation awards represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company deems it necessary to use different assumptions, stock compensation expense could be materially different from what has been recorded in the current period.

 

8


For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, the Company recognized $60,069 and $114,096 of pre-tax share-based compensation expense under FAS No. 123(R), recorded in selling and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, the Company recognized $263,146 and $539,915 of pre-tax share-based compensation expense under FAS No. 123(R), recorded in selling and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. This expense was offset by a $21,000 and a $42,000 deferred tax benefit for non-qualified share–based compensation for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had no unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized for prior share-based awards. The Company’s standard vesting policies provide for immediate vesting at the date of grant.

Stock options and stock settled stock appreciation rights. The Company grants stock options and stock settled stock appreciation rights to employees that allow them to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Options are also granted to outside members of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company determines the fair value of stock options and stock settled stock appreciation rights at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

All options and stock appreciation rights vest immediately at the date of grant. Awards generally expire five years after the date of grant with the exception of options granted to outside directors, which expire ten years after the date of grant. The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of stock options and stock settled stock appreciation rights.

During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, the Company received $10,848 and $135,675 in cash from stock option exercises. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, the Company received $29,168 and $455,086 in cash from stock option exercises. No tax benefit was recognized for these exercises, as the options exercised were qualified incentive stock options.

A summary of options transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 follows:

 

     No. of
Shares
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding December 31, 2007

   798,975     $ 13.26

Granted

   210,150       9.13

Exercised

   (3,200 )     9.12

Lapsed

   (162,650 )     12.37

Cancelled

   (67,775 )     13.37
            

Outstanding September 30, 2008

   775,500     $ 12.34
            

At September 30, 2008, options outstanding, all of which were fully vested and exercisable, had an aggregate intrinsic value of $170,585.

Options exercised during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 had intrinsic values of $1,647 and $28,316, respectively. Options exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 had intrinsic values of $3,307 and $271,283, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of the Company’s options granted during the three month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $1.04 and $2.14, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of the Company’s options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $1.05 and $2.26, respectively.

A summary of stock-settled stock appreciation rights transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 follows:

 

     No. of
Shares
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding December 31, 2007

   232,000    $ 13.02

Granted

   41,400      9.16

Exercised

   —        —  

Lapsed

   —        —  

Cancelled

   —        —  
           

Outstanding September 30, 2008

   273,400    $ $12.44
           

At September 30, 2008, stock appreciation rights outstanding, all of which were fully vested and exercisable, had an aggregate intrinsic value of $47,686.

 

9


There were no stock appreciation rights exercised during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. There were no stock appreciation rights granted during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. The weighted average grant date fair value of the Company’s stock appreciation rights granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $1.03 and $2.34, respectively.

The following table summarizes significant assumptions utilized to determine the fair value of share-based compensation awards.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     SARS    Options     SARS     Options

Exercise price

         

2008

   N/A    $ 9.04     $ 9.16     $9.04 - $9.22

2007

   N/A    $ 12.35     $ 12.74     $12.35 - $12.74

Market price

         

2008

   N/A    $ 9.04     $ 9.16     $9.04 - $9.22

2007

   N/A    $ 12.35     $ 12.74     $12.35 - $12.74

Risk free interest rate (1)

         

2008

   N/A      3.2 %     2.8 %   2.8% - 3.8%

2007

   N/A      4.6 %     4.7 %   4.6% - 4.8%

Expected award life (2)

   N/A      5 years       5 years     5-10 years

Expected volatility (3)

         

2008

   N/A      23.5 %     23.5 %   23.5% - 26.6%

2007

   N/A      23.5 %     24.6 %   23.0% - 26.0%

Expected dividend yield (4)

         

2008

   N/A      6.0 %     5.9 %   5.9% - 6.0%

2007

   N/A      4.4 %     4.2 %   4.2% - 4.4%

 

(1) The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of a U.S. treasury bond with a similar maturity as the expected life of the awards.
(2) The expected life in years for awards granted was based on the historical exercise patterns experienced by the Company when the award is made.
(3) The determination of expected stock price volatility for awards granted in each of the three and nine month periods ending September 30, was based on historical Superior common stock prices over a period commensurate with the expected life.
(4) The dividend yield assumption is based on the history and expectation of the Company’s dividend payouts.

NOTE 2 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes: an Interpretation of FAS No. 109 (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48, which clarifies FAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, establishes the criterion that an individual tax position has to meet for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in the Company’s financial statements.

We adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48, and FASB Staff Position No. FIN 48-1, on January 1, 2007. Only tax positions that met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the adoption date were recognized or continued to be recognized. As a result of the implementation of FIN No. 48, we recognized a $133,000 increase to the liability for uncertain tax positions, which was accounted for as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings.

As of the date of adoption, including the increase in the liability noted above, we had approximately $728,000 of unrecognized tax benefits. Included in the balance at January 1, 2007, are $728,000 of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the annual effective income tax rate. As of September 30, 2008, we have $635,000 of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would favorably affect the annual effective income tax rate.

We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, we recognized approximately $11,000 of accrued interest associated with uncertain tax positions. As of September 30, 2008, we have approximately $111,000 of accrued interest and $50,000 of accrued penalties related to uncertain tax positions, which are included in the $635,000 noted above. The earliest tax year open to examination by a major taxing jurisdiction is 2002.

 

10


In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS No. 157”). FAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements required under other accounting pronouncements, but does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. The Company adopted FAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2008. The adoption of FAS No. 157 did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP FAS 157-2”), which delays the effective date of FAS No.157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on at least an annual basis, until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting FSP FAS 157-2, if any, on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“FAS No. 159”), which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The Company adopted FAS No. 159 effective January 1, 2008. The adoption of FAS No. 159 did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 141 (revised 2007) (FAS No. 141(R)), Business Combinations, which is a revision of FAS No. 141, Business Combinations. The primary requirements of FAS No. 141(R) are as follows: (I.) Upon initially obtaining control, the acquiring entity in a business combination must recognize 100% of the fair values of the acquired assets, including goodwill, and assumed liabilities, with only limited exceptions even if the acquirer has not acquired 100% of its target. As a consequence, the current step acquisition model will be eliminated. (II.) Contingent consideration arrangements will be fair valued at the acquisition date and included on that basis in the purchase price consideration. The concept of recognizing contingent consideration at a later date when the amount of that consideration is determinable beyond a reasonable doubt, will no longer be applicable. (III.) All transaction costs will be expensed as incurred. FAS No. 141(R) is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2008. Adoption is prospective and early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of this standard will affect the consolidated financial statements in the event of a future business combination.

In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“FAS No. 161”). The new standard is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. FAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that FAS No. 161 may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. SFAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP SFAS 142-3”). FSP SFAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“FAS No. 142”). The intent of FSP SFAS 142-3 is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under FAS No. 141(R) (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“FAS No. 141(R)”) and other applicable accounting literature. FSP SFAS 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and must be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of FSP SFAS 142-3 on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 162, Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“FAS No. 162”). This statement is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP. This statement will be effective 60 days following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendment to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of FAS No. 162 on its consolidated financial statements.

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under study by standard-setting organizations and various regulatory agencies. Because of the tentative and preliminary nature of these proposed standards, management has not determined whether implementation of such proposed standards would be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

11


NOTE 3 – Long-Term Debt:

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007

Note payable to Wachovia, pursuant to revolving credit agreement, maturing June 30, 2010

   $ 3,277,000    $ 1,795,000

6.75% term loan payable to Wachovia, with monthly payments of principal and interest, maturing April 1, 2009

     1,048,482      2,201,806
             
     4,325,482      3,996,806

Less payments due within one year included in current liabilities

     1,048,482      1,551,202
             

Long-term debt less current maturities

   $ 3,277,000    $ 2,445,604
             

On March 26, 1999, the Company entered into a 3-year credit agreement with Wachovia Bank that made available to the Company up to $15,000,000 on a revolving credit basis. Interest is payable at LIBOR plus 0.60% based upon the one-month LIBOR rate for U.S. dollar based borrowings (3.9% at September 30, 2008). The Company pays an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on the average unused portion of the commitment. The available balance under the credit agreement is reduced by outstanding letters of credit. As of September 30, 2008, approximately $85,000 was outstanding under letters of credit. On March 27, 2001, on April 27, 2004, and again on June 25, 2007, the Company entered into agreements with Wachovia Bank to extend the maturity of the revolving credit agreement. The revolving credit agreement matures on June 30, 2010. At the option of the Company, any outstanding balance on the agreement at that date will convert to a one-year term loan. The remaining terms of the original revolving credit agreement remain unchanged. The Company also entered into a $12,000,000 10-year term loan on March 26, 1999 with the same bank. The term loan is an amortizing loan, with monthly payments of principal and interest, maturing on April 1, 2009. The term loan carries a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.80% based upon the one-month LIBOR rate for U.S. dollar based borrowings. Concurrent with the execution of the term loan agreement, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with the bank under which the Company receives a variable rate of interest on a notional amount equal to the outstanding balance of the term loan from the bank and the Company pays a fixed rate of 6.75% on a notional amount equal to the outstanding balance of the term loan to the bank.

The credit agreement and the term loan with Wachovia contain restrictive provisions concerning liabilities to tangible net worth ratios (.75:1), other borrowings, capital expenditures; working capital ratio (2.5:1), and fixed charges coverage ratio (2.5:1). The Company is in full compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants of the various credit agreements.

NOTE 4 – Periodic Pension Expense:

The following table presents the net periodic pension expense under our plans for the following periods:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Service cost - benefits earned during the period

   $ 153,000       163,000     $ 458,000       491,000  

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     244,000       249,000       732,000       748,000  

Expected return on plan assets

     (351,000 )     (341,000 )     (1,052,000 )     (1,023,000 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     9,000       10,000       25,000       28,000  

Recognized actuarial loss (gain)

     2,000       (5,000 )     8,000       (16,000 )
                                

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 57,000     $ 76,000     $ 171,000     $ 228,000  
                                

There were no contributions made to the Company’s benefit plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. A contribution of $500,000 was made to the Company’s benefit plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

12


NOTE 5 – Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

The Company received a note receivable for $324,606 as partial payment related to the sale of the Sope Creek business.

Cash paid for income taxes was $1,438,492 and $1,037,687, respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. Cash paid for interest was $254,243 and $264,443, respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company received 28,685 shares of its common stock as payment for the issuance of 40,525 shares of its common stock related to the exercise of stock option agreements.

NOTE 6 – Discontinued Operations:

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company made a decision to divest its Sope Creek operations. As a result, the related assets of Sope Creek were classified as held for sale at December 31, 2007 and were written down to their estimated fair value less selling costs. The write down to fair value resulted in a charge to loss from discontinued operations of approximately $596,000, net of tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2007. Additionally, the results of operations of Sope Creek have been reported as a loss from discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The table below summarizes financial results for the Sope Creek business:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30
   Nine Months Ended
September 30
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Net sales

   $ —      $ 843,612    $ 281,171    $ 2,484,135

Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes

   $ 18,641    $ 204,905    $ 244,610    $ 609,150

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ 8,641    $ 134,905    $ 154,610    $ 399,150

Assets held for sale at December 31, 2007 includes $442,889 of inventory, $70,890 of prepaid expenses and other current assets, and $44,697 of property, plant and equipment.

NOTE 7 – Contingencies:

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The Company maintains director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from its obligation to indemnify its directors and officers in certain circumstances. No claims have ever been filed under these agreements.

It is not possible to determine the aggregate maximum potential loss under these indemnification agreements. Historically, the Company has not incurred any costs as a result of obligations under these agreements and it has not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in its condensed consolidated financial statements for any period presented.

The Company is involved in various legal actions and claims arising from the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.

 

13


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Superior Uniform Group, Inc.

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Superior Uniform Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2008, and the related condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements that contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company’s adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Tampa, Florida
October 24, 2008

 

14


ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain matters discussed in this Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as we “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect” or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives, strategies or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may materially adversely affect the anticipated results. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited, to the following: general economic conditions in the areas of the United States in which the Company’s customers are located; changes in the healthcare, resort and commercial industries where uniforms and service apparel are worn; the impact of competition; the availability of manufacturing materials, and other factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements made herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this Form 10-Q and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of the financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate the estimates that we have made. These estimates are based upon our historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our critical accounting estimates are those that we believe require our most significant judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. A discussion of our critical accounting estimates, the underlying judgments and uncertainties used to make them and the likelihood that materially different estimates would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions is as follows:

Allowance for Losses on Accounts Receivable

These allowances are based on both recent trends of certain customers estimated to be a greater credit risk as well as general trends of the entire customer pool. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. An additional impairment in value of one percent of net accounts receivable would require an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts and would result in additional expense of approximately $192,000.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that new goods on hand can be sold to customers. Historical inventory usage and current revenue trends are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventories. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Goodwill Impairment

The Company has approximately $1,617,000 of goodwill on its balance sheet related to its largest reporting unit. The Company reviews this goodwill for impairment at least on an annual basis. The Company completed its most recent valuation in the fourth quarter of 2007. These reviews of fair value involve judgment and estimates of discount rates, transaction multiples and future cash flows for the reporting unit that may be impacted by future sales and operating results for the reporting unit, market conditions and economic conditions. The Company analyzed various discount rates, transaction multiples and cash flows for the reporting unit. We believe that we have made reasonable estimates and judgments in determining that our goodwill has not been impaired. However, if there is a material change in the assumptions used in our determination of fair value or if there is a material change in the conditions or circumstances influencing fair value, we could be required to recognize a material impairment charge.

Insurance

The Company self-insures for certain obligations related to health insurance programs. The Company also purchases stop-loss insurance policies to protect it from catastrophic losses. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the potential value associated with reported claims and for losses that have occurred, but have not been reported. The Company’s estimates consider historical claim experience and other factors. The Company’s liabilities are based on estimates, and, while the Company believes that the accrual for loss is adequate, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the amounts recorded. Changes in claim experience, the Company’s ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments used by management could have a material impact on the amount and timing of expense for any period.

 

15


Pensions

The Company’s pension obligations are determined using estimates including those related to discount rates, asset values and changes in compensation. The discount rates used are determined based on the Moody’s rating on AA bonds with maturity of 20 years and beyond. This rate was selected as the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled on the measurement date taking into account the nature and duration of the benefit obligations of the plan using high-quality fixed-income investments currently available (rated AA or better) and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits. The 8.0% expected return on plan assets was determined based on historical long-term investment returns as well as future expectations given target investment asset allocations and current economic conditions. The 4.5% rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for expected increases in salaries among continuing active participants accruing benefits under the plans. Interest rates and pension plan valuations may vary significantly based on worldwide economic conditions and asset investment decisions.

Income Taxes

The Company is required to estimate and record income taxes payable for federal and state jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax expense and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing accounting treatment between tax and book that result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. In addition, accruals are also estimated for federal and state tax matters for which deductibility is subject to interpretation. Taxes payable and the related deferred tax differences may be impacted by changes to tax laws, changes in tax rates and changes in taxable profits and losses. Reserves are also estimated for uncertain tax positions that are currently unresolved. The Company routinely monitors the potential impact of such situations and believes that it is properly reserved. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense, and the related liability is included in the total liability for unrecognized tax benefits under FIN No. 48.

Share-based Compensation

We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) (“FAS No. 123(R)”) on January 1, 2006. FAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. This statement revises FAS No. 123, and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 25. Share-based compensation expense that was recorded in 2007 and 2006 includes the compensation expense for the share-based payments granted in those years. In our share-based compensation strategy we utilize a combination of stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARS”) that fully vest on the date of grant. Therefore, the fair value of the options and SARS granted is recognized as expense on the date of grant. We used the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model to value any share-based compensation under FAS No. 123(R). Option valuation methods, including Black-Scholes-Merton, require the input of assumptions including the risk free interest rate, dividend rate, expected term and volatility rate. The Company determines the assumptions to be used based upon current economic conditions. The impact of changing any of the individual assumptions by 10% would not have a material impact on the recorded expense.

Results of Operations

Net sales increased 0.7% from $30,391,919 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 to $30,613,175 for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Net sales increased 7.4% from $89,043,720 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $95,595,090 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increases in sales in the three and nine-month periods are primarily attributed to several large new customer uniform programs that were distributed in the current periods offset by softer demand from existing customers.

Cost of goods sold, as a percentage of sales, approximated 67.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 67.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Cost of goods sold, as a percentage of sales, approximated 66.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 67.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease as a percentage of sales in the three-month period is primarily attributed to an increase in direct product costs as a percentage of sales of (0.1%) offset by the impact of more efficient operations in our value added services area and spreading our overhead over higher sales (0.3%). The decrease in the nine-month period is primarily attributed to an increase in direct product costs as a percentage of sales of (0.6%) offset by the impact of more efficient operations in our value added services area and spreading our overhead over higher sales (0.8%). The Company’s gross margins may not be comparable with other entities, since some entities include all of the cost related to their distribution network in cost of goods sold. As disclosed in Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company includes a portion of the costs associated with its distribution network in selling and administrative expenses. The amounts included in selling and administrative expenses for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were $1,773,629 and $1,747,638. The amounts included in selling and administrative expenses for the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were $5,591,519 and $5,491,545.

 

16


Selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, approximated 27.7% and 26.9% respectively, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. Selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were approximately 27.6% and 28.9%, respectively, for the first nine months of 2008 and 2007. The increase as a percentage of sales in the three-month period is primarily attributed to miscellaneous increases in other selling and administrative expenses in excess of the percentage increase in net sales. The decrease as a percentage of sales in the nine-month period is attributed to the following items: increased sales volume (2.0%) offset by miscellaneous increases in other selling and administrative expenses (0.7%).

Interest expense of $68,511 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008 decreased from $79,367 for the similar period ended September 30, 2007. Interest expense of $249,861 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 decreased from $255,840 for the similar period ended September 30, 2007.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was 35.4% versus 20.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 37.8% versus 27.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three-month period is attributed primarily to an audit by the Internal Revenue Service completed during the third quarter of 2007 which had a favorable impact reducing the 2007 third quarter effective tax rate (9.0%), a decrease in the benefit from expiring statutes of limitations relative to uncertain tax positions (2.0%), the impact of a reduction in tax exempt interest income (0.5%), an increase in the effective rate for state income taxes (0.5%), and increased provisions for uncertain tax positions in the current period of (1.5%). The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine-month period is attributed primarily to the favorable impact of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service completed during the third quarter of 2007 (4.6%), a decrease in the benefit from expiring statutes of limitations relative to uncertain tax positions (1.9%), the impact of a reduction in tax exempt interest income (0.7%), an increase in the effective rate for state income taxes (0.5%), and increased provisions for uncertain tax positions in the current period of (2.2%).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Accounts receivable and other current assets decreased 0.1% from $22,195,580 on December 31, 2007 to $22,172,895 as of September 30, 2008 due primarily to lower sales in the current quarter in comparison to the fourth quarter of 2007.

Inventories decreased 1.8% from $46,463,662 on December 31, 2007 to $45,630,943 as of September 30, 2008 as we have continued to focus our efforts on inventory reduction.

Accounts payable decreased 18.4% from $6,635,412 on December 31, 2007 to $5,411,924 on September 30, 2008 primarily due to lower inventory purchases as we have continued to focus on inventory reduction.

Other current liabilities increased 28.4% from $2,549,680 on December 31, 2007 to $3,273,196 on September 30, 2008 primarily due to increased accruals for salaries and wages due to the timing of the end of the respective periods.

Other long-term liabilities increased 5.3% from $603,000 on December 31, 2007 to $635,000 on September 30, 2008 as a result of an increase in the accruals for uncertain tax positions.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $550,616 from $769,715 on December 31, 2007 to $219,099 as of September 30, 2008. The Company generated $5,815,098 in cash from operating activities, and utilized $1,663,597 in investing activities primarily related to net fixed asset additions of $1,990,167 which were offset by proceeds from sale of assets held for sale of $234,000, and used $4,702,117 in financing activities. Financing activities included the payment of cash dividends as discussed below, net proceeds from long-term debt of $328,676, offset by the reacquisition of the Company’s common stock of $2,386,114. The Company is in full compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants of the various credit agreements.

In the foreseeable future, the Company will continue its ongoing capital expenditure program designed to maintain and improve its facilities. The Company at all times evaluates its capital expenditure program in light of prevailing economic conditions.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, the Company paid cash dividends of approximately $2,674,000 and $2,691,000. The Company reacquired 256,152 shares of its common stock in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 at a total cost of $2,386,114. The Company did not reacquire any shares of its common stock in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007. The Company anticipates that it will continue to pay dividends and that it will repurchase and retire additional shares of its common stock in the future as financial conditions permit.

The Company believes that its cash flow from operating activities together with other capital resources and funds from credit sources will be adequate to meet all of its funding requirements for the remainder of the year and for the foreseeable future.

 

17


ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, which may adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition. The Company seeks to minimize the risks from these interest rates when considered appropriate, through the limited use of derivative financial instruments. The Company’s policy is not to use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes and the Company is not a party to any leveraged financial instruments. The Company has debt obligations with variable interest rates tied to LIBOR which are described in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company estimates that a hypothetical increase in interest rates of 1% would have resulted in an insignificant change in the Company’s interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008.

The Company has one interest rate swap agreement to hedge against the potential impact on earnings from increases in market interest rates of a variable rate term loan. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company receives or makes payments on a monthly basis, based on the differential between a specified interest rate and one month LIBOR. The interest rate payments associated with a term loan of $1,048,482 are designated as a hedged item at September 30, 2008. This interest rate swap is accounted for as a cash flow hedge in accordance with FAS No. 133 and FAS No. 138. As of the report date, all swaps met effectiveness tests, and as such no gains or losses were included in net income during the quarter related to hedge ineffectiveness and there was no income adjustment related to any portion excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. A gain of $12,000 and a loss of $7,000 were included in other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Gains of $23,000 and $10,000 were included in other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The original term of the contract is ten years.

The Company is also exposed to changes in prevailing market interest rates affecting the return on its investments but does not consider this interest rate market risk exposure to be material to its financial condition or results of operations. The Company invests primarily in highly liquid debt instruments with strong credit ratings and short-term (less than three months) maturities.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

The Principal Executive Officer, Michael Benstock, and the Principal Financial Officer, Andrew D. Demott, Jr., evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”), and, based on such evaluation, concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with this evaluation that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

We are exposed to certain risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors described in Part I, Item 1A-Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Superior Uniform Group, Inc. or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act), of our common shares during the three months ended September 30, 2008.

 

18


Period

   (a) Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   (b) Average Price Paid
per Share
   (c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part
of Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
   (d) Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)

Month #1 (July 1, 2008 to July 31, 2008)

   13,908    $ 8.95    13,908   

Month #2 (August 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008)

   8,561    $ 9.47    8,561   

Month #3 (September 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008)

   41,880    $ 10.40    41,880   

TOTAL

   64,349    $ 9.96    64,349    949,559

 

(1)    In July 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase 750,000 shares of its common stock. Through May 4, 2006, the Company repurchased 728,098 shares of its common stock under such repurchase program. On May 5, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved additional repurchases of 750,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. Through July 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 625,881 shares of its common stock under such repurchase program. On August 1, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the outstanding authorization to allow for the repurchase of 1,000,000 additional shares of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. There is no expiration date or other restriction governing the period over which the Company can make share repurchases under the program. All such purchases were open market transactions.

 

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Inapplicable.

 

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders

None.

 

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index.

 

19


SIGNATURES

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

 

Date: October 24, 2008   SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC.
  By  

/s/ Michael Benstock

    Michael Benstock
    Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
  By  

/s/ Andrew D. Demott, Jr.

    Andrew D. Demott, Jr.
    Sr. Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

20


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

15   Letter re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information.
31.1   Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2   Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32   Certification of Periodic Financial Report by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.