-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, MgXAvkf0DmG4e57Hl8p1+IXTPs11CicFONVbKXEfVhVvwQM2IuTxjHmxN+IjTtss nHNW1smyMBlwfDOsbaPoSg== 0001144204-10-013862.txt : 20100316 0001144204-10-013862.hdr.sgml : 20100316 20100316171320 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001144204-10-013862 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 13 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20091231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100316 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100316 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STONERIDGE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001043337 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES [3714] IRS NUMBER: 341598949 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OH FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-13337 FILM NUMBER: 10686397 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 9400 EAST MARKET ST CITY: WARREN STATE: OH ZIP: 44484 BUSINESS PHONE: 3308562443 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 9400 EAST MARKET ST CITY: WARREN STATE: OH ZIP: 44484 10-K 1 v177500_10k.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

OR

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

For the transition period from ________to ________

Commission file number: 001-13337

STONERIDGE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio
34-1598949
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)

9400 East Market Street, Warren, Ohio
44484
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(330) 856-2443
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 Shares, without par value
New York Stock Exchange

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.
 o Yes x No

  Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
o Yes x No

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.
x Yes o No

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
o Yes o No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) 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.
o

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 “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

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

As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Shares, without par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $72.1 million.  The closing price of the Common Shares on June 30, 2009 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $4.80 per share.  As of June 30, 2009, the number of Common Shares outstanding was 25,175,801.

The number of Common Shares, without par value, outstanding as of February 19, 2010 was 25,968,765.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2010, into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.
 


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX
 
   
Page No.
PART I
Item 1.
Business
1
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
7
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
10
Item 2.
Properties
11
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
12
Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)
12
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
13
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
15
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
16
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
32
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
33
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
75
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
75
Item 9B.
Other Information
77
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
77
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
77
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
77
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
78
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
78
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules                                                                                                                          
78
     
 
Signatures                                                                                                                          
79


 
PART I

Item 1.  Business.

Overview

Founded in 1965, Stoneridge, Inc. (the “Company”) is an independent designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems for the medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.  Our custom-engineered products are predominantly sold on a sole-source basis and consist of application-specific control devices, sensors, vehicle management electronics and power and signal distribution systems.  These products comprise the elements of every vehicle’s electrical system, and individually interface with a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems to (i) activate equipment and accessories, (ii) display and monitor vehicle performance and (iii) control and distribute electrical power and signals.  Our products improve the performance, safety, convenience and environmental monitoring capabilities of our customers’ vehicles.  As such, the growth in many of the product areas in which we compete is driven by the increasing consumer desire for safety, security and convenience.  This is coupled with the need for original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) to meet safety requirements in addition to the general trend of increased electrical and electronic content per vehicle.  Our technology and our partnership-oriented approach to product design and development enables us to develop next-generation products and to excel in the transition from mechanical-based components and systems to electrical and electronic components, modules and systems.

Products

We conduct our business in two reportable segments: Electronics and Control Devices. The Company’s operating segments are aggregated based on sharing similar economic characteristics.  Other aggregation factors include the nature of the products offered and management and oversight responsibilities.   The core products of the Electronics reportable segment include vehicle electrical power and distribution systems and electronic instrumentation and information display products. The core products of the Control Devices reportable segment include electronic and electrical switch products, control actuation devices and sensors.  We design and manufacture the following vehicle products:

Electronics. The Electronics reportable segment produces electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units, driver information systems and electrical distribution systems, primarily wiring harnesses and connectors for electrical power and signal distribution.  These products collect, store and display vehicle information such as speed, pressure, maintenance data, trip information, operator performance, temperature, distance traveled and driver messages related to vehicle performance.  In addition, power distribution systems regulate, coordinate and direct the operation of the entire electrical system within a vehicle compartment.  These products use state-of-the-art hardware, software and multiplexing technology and are sold principally to the medium- and heavy-duty truck, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.

Control Devices. The Control Devices reportable segment produces products that monitor, measure or activate a specific function within the vehicle.  Product lines included within the Control Devices segment are sensors, switches, actuators, as well as other electronic products.  Sensor products are employed in most major vehicle systems, including the emissions, safety, powertrain, braking, climate control, steering and suspension systems.  Switches transmit a signal that activates specific functions.  Hidden switches are not typically seen by vehicle passengers, but are used to activate or deactivate selected functions.  Customer activated switches are used by a vehicle's operator or passengers to manually activate headlights, rear defrosters and other accessories.  In addition, the Control Devices segment designs and manufactures electromechanical actuator products that enable users to deploy power functions in a vehicle and can be designed to integrate switching and control functions.  We sell these products principally to the automotive market.
 
1

 
The following table presents net sales by reportable segment, as a percentage of total net sales:

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Electronics
    63 %     69 %     61 %
Control Devices
    37       31       39  
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %

For further information related to our reportable segments and financial information about geographic areas, see Note 12, “Segment Reporting,” to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Production Materials

The principal production materials used in the manufacturing process for both reportable segments include: copper wire, zinc, cable, resins, plastics, printed circuit boards, and certain electrical components such as microprocessors, memory devices, resistors, capacitors, fuses, relays and connectors.  We purchase such materials pursuant to both annual contract and spot purchasing methods.  Such materials are available from multiple sources, but we generally establish collaborative relationships with a qualified supplier for each of our key production materials in order to lower costs and enhance service and quality.  As demand for our production materials increases as a result of a recovering economy, we may have difficulties obtaining adequate production materials from our suppliers to satisfy our customers.  Any extended period of time, which we cannot obtain adequate production material or which we experience an increase in the price of the production material could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Patents and Intellectual Property

Both of our reportable segments maintain and have pending various U.S. and foreign patents and other rights to intellectual property relating to our business, which we believe are appropriate to protect the Company's interests in existing products, new inventions, manufacturing processes and product developments. We do not believe any single patent is material to our business, nor would the expiration or invalidity of any patent have a material adverse effect on our business or ability to compete. We are not currently engaged in any material infringement litigation, nor are there any material infringement claims pending by or against the Company.

Industry Cyclicality and Seasonality

The markets for products in both of our reportable segments have historically been cyclical. Because these products are used principally in the production of vehicles for the medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets, sales, and therefore results of operations, are significantly dependent on the general state of the economy and other factors, like the impact of environmental regulations on our customers, which affect these markets. A decline in medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle production of our principal customers could adversely impact the Company.  Approximately 67%, 70% and 60% of our net sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were derived from the medium- and heavy-duty truck, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.  Approximately 33%, 30% and 40% of our net sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were made to the automotive market.

 
2

 
 
Customers

We are dependent on several customers for a significant percentage of our sales. The loss of any significant portion of our sales to these customers or the loss of a significant customer would have a material adverse impact on the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.  We supply numerous different parts to each of our principal customers.  Contracts with several of our customers provide for supplying their requirements for a particular model, rather than for manufacturing a specific quantity of products. Such contracts range from one year to the life of the model, which is generally three to seven years. Therefore, the loss of a contract for a major model or a significant decrease in demand for certain key models or group of related models sold by any of our major customers could have a material adverse impact on the Company. We may also enter into contracts to supply parts, the introduction of which may then be delayed or not used at all.  We also compete to supply products for successor models and are therefore subject to the risk that the customer will not select the Company to produce products on any such model, which could have a material adverse impact on the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.  In addition, we sell products to other customers that are ultimately sold to our principal customers.

The following table presents the Company’s principal customers, as a percentage of net sales:

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Navistar International
    27 %     26 %     20 %
Deere & Company
    12       10       7  
Ford Motor Company
    9       6       8  
General Motors
    5       4       6  
Chrysler LLC
    4       6       5  
MAN AG
    3       4       6  
Other
    40       44       48  
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %

Backlog

Our products are produced from readily available materials and have a relatively short manufacturing cycle; therefore our products are not on backlog status.  Each of our production facilities maintains its own inventories and production schedules.  Production capacity is adequate to handle current requirements and can be expanded to handle increased growth if needed.

Competition

Markets for our products in both reportable segments are highly competitive.  The principal methods of competition are technological innovation, price, quality, service and timely delivery.  We compete for new business both at the beginning of the development of new models and upon the redesign of existing models.  New model development generally begins two to five years before the marketing of such models to the public.  Once a supplier has been selected to provide parts for a new program, an OEM customer will usually continue to purchase those parts from the selected supplier for the life of the program, although not necessarily for any model redesigns.

Our diversity in products creates a wide range of competitors, which vary depending on both market and geographic location.  We compete based on strong customer relations and a fast and flexible organization that develops technically effective solutions at or below target price.  We compete against the following primary competitors:

Electronics.  Our primary competitors include Actia Automotive, AEES Platinum Equity Bosch, Continental AG, Delphi, Leoni, Nexans and Yazaki.

Control Devices.  Our primary competitors include BEI Duncan Electronics, Bosch, Continental AG, Delphi, Denso, Hella, Methode Electronics and TRW.

 
3

 

Product Development

Our research and development efforts for both reportable segments are largely product design and development oriented and consist primarily of applying known technologies to customer generated problems and situations.  We work closely with our customers to creatively solve problems using innovative approaches.  The majority of our development expenses are related to customer-sponsored programs where we are involved in designing custom-engineered solutions for specific applications or for next generation technology.  To further our vehicles platform penetration, we have also developed collaborative relationships with the design and engineering departments of key customers.  These collaborative efforts have resulted in the development of new and complimentary products and the enhancement of existing products.

Development work at the Company is largely performed on a decentralized basis.  We have engineering and product development departments located at a majority of our manufacturing facilities.  To ensure knowledge sharing among decentralized development efforts, we have instituted a number of mechanisms and practices whereby innovation and best practices are shared.  The decentralized product development operations are complimented by larger technology groups in Canton, Massachusetts, Lexington, Ohio and Stockholm, Sweden.

We use efficient and quality oriented work processes to address our customers’ high standards.  Our product development technical resources include a full complement of computer-aided design and engineering (“CAD/CAE”) software systems, including (i) virtual three-dimensional modeling, (ii) functional simulation and analysis capabilities and (iii) data links for rapid prototyping.  These CAD/CAE systems enable the Company to expedite product design and the manufacturing process to shorten the development time and ultimately time to market.

We have further strengthened our electrical engineering competencies through investment in equipment such as (i) automotive electro-magnetic compliance test chambers, (ii) programmable automotive and commercial vehicle transient generators, (iii) circuit simulators and (iv) other environmental test equipment.  Additional investment in product machining equipment has allowed us to fabricate new product samples in a fraction of the time required historically.  Our product development and validation efforts are supported by full service, on-site test labs at most manufacturing facilities, thus enabling cross-functional engineering teams to optimize the product, process and system performance before tooling initiation.

We have invested, and will continue to invest in technology to develop new products for our customers.  Product development costs incurred in connection with the development of new products and manufacturing methods, to the extent not recoverable from the customer, are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses, as incurred.  Such costs amounted to approximately $33.0 million, $45.5 million and $45.2 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, or 6.9%, 6.0% and 6.2% of net sales for these periods.

We will continue shifting our investment spending toward the design and development of new products rather than focusing on sustaining existing product programs for specific customers.  The typical product development process takes three to five years to show tangible results.  As part of our effort to shift our investment spending, we reviewed our current product portfolio and adjusted our spending to either accelerate or eliminate our investment in these products, based on our position in the market and the potential of the market and product.

Environmental and Other Regulations

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharge to water and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste and other materials. We believe that our business, operations and facilities have been and are being operated in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations.

Employees

As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately 5,200 employees, approximately 1,500 of whom were salaried and the balance of whom were paid on an hourly basis.  Except for certain employees located in Mexico, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, our employees are not represented by a union. Our unionized workers are not covered by collective bargaining agreements.  We believe that relations with our employees are good.

 
4

 

Joint Ventures

We form joint ventures in order to achieve several strategic objectives including gaining access to new markets, exchanging technology and intellectual capital, broadening our customer base and expanding our product offerings.  Specifically we have formed joint ventures in Brazil, PST Eletrônica S.A. (“PST”) and India, Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd. (“Minda”) and continue to explore similar business opportunities in other global markets.  We have a 50% interest in PST and a 49% interest in Minda.  We entered into our PST joint venture in October 1997 and our Minda joint venture in August 2004.  Each of these investments is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

Our joint ventures have contributed positively to our financial results in 2009, 2008 and 2007.  Equity earnings by joint venture for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
PST
  $ 7,385     $ 12,788     $ 10,351  
Minda
    390       702       542  
Total equity earnings of investees
  $ 7,775     $ 13,490     $ 10,893  

In Brazil, our PST joint venture, which is an electronic system provider focused on security and convenience applications primarily for the vehicle and motorcycle industry, generated net sales of $140.7 million, $174.3 million and $133.0 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  We received dividend payments of $7.3 million, $4.2 million and $5.6 million from PST in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Executive Officers of the Company

Each executive officer of the Company is appointed by the Board of Directors, serves at its pleasure and holds office until a successor is appointed, or until the earlier of death, resignation or removal.  The Board of Directors generally appoints executive officers annually.  The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

Name
 
Age
 
Position
John C. Corey
 
62
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
George E. Strickler
 
62
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
Thomas A. Beaver
 
56
 
Vice President of the Company and Vice President of Global Sales and Systems Engineering
 
Mark J. Tervalon
Michael D. Sloan
 
43
53
 
Vice President of the Company and President of the Stoneridge Electronics Division
Vice President of the Company and President of the Control Devices Division
 

John C. Corey, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Corey has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since being appointed by the Board of Directors in January 2006.  Mr. Corey has served as a Director on the Board of Directors since January 2004.  Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Corey served from October 2000, as President and Chief Executive Officer and Director of Safety Components International, a supplier of airbags and components, with worldwide operations.   Mr. Corey has served as a director and Chairman of the Board of Haynes International, Inc., a producer of metal alloys since 2004. 

George E. Strickler, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Strickler has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since joining the Company in January of 2006.  Mr. Strickler was appointed Treasurer of the Company in February 2007.  Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Strickler served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Republic Engineered Products, Inc. (“Republic”), from February 2004 to January of 2006.  Before joining Republic, Mr. Strickler was BorgWarner Inc.’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from February 2001 to November 2003.
 
 
5

 
 
Thomas A. Beaver, Vice President of the Company and Vice President of Global Sales and Systems Engineering. Mr. Beaver has served as Vice President of the Company and Vice President of Global Sales and Systems Engineering since January of 2005.  Prior to that, Mr. Beaver served as Vice President of Stoneridge Sales and Marketing from January 2000 to January 2005.

Mark J. Tervalon, Vice President of the Company and President of the Stoneridge Electronics Division.  Mr. Tervalon has served as President of the Stoneridge Electronics Division and Vice President of the Company since August of 2006.  Prior to that, Mr. Tervalon served as Vice President and General Manager of the Electronic Products Division from May 2002 to December 2003 when he became Vice President and General Manager of the Stoneridge Electronics Group until August 2006.

Michael D. Sloan, Vice President of the Company and President of the Control Devices Division.  Mr. Sloan has served as President of the Control Devices Division since July of 2009 and Vice President of the Company since December of 2009.  Prior to that, Mr. Sloan served as Vice President and General Manager of Stoneridge Hi-Stat from February 2004 to July 2009.

Available Information

We make available, free of charge through our website (www.stoneridge.com), our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, all amendments to those reports, and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC.  Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, Whistleblower Policy and Procedures and the charters of the Board’s Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are posted on our website as well.  Copies of these documents will be available to any shareholder upon request.  Requests should be directed in writing to Investor Relations at 9400 East Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44484.

The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F. Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company.

 
6

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

Set forth below are some of the principal risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual business results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report. In addition, future results could be materially affected by general industry and market conditions, changes in laws or accounting rules, general U.S. and non-U.S. economic and political conditions, including a global economic slow-down, fluctuation of interest rates or currency exchange rates, terrorism, political unrest or international conflicts, political instability or major health concerns, natural disasters, commodity prices or other disruptions of expected economic and business conditions. These risk factors should be considered in addition to our cautionary comments concerning forward-looking statements in this Annual Report, including statements related to markets for our products and trends in our business that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Our separate section to follow, "Forward-Looking Statements," on page 31 should be considered in addition to the following statements.

Our business is cyclical and seasonal in nature and downturns in the medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets could reduce the sales and profitability of our business.
 
The demand for our products is largely dependent on the domestic and foreign production of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicles.  The markets for our products have historically been cyclical, because new vehicle demand is dependent on, among other things, consumer spending and is tied closely to the overall strength of the economy. Because our products are used principally in the production of vehicles for the medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets, our net sales, and therefore our results of operations, are significantly dependent on the general state of the economy and other factors which affect these markets.  A decline in medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle production could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. In 2009, approximately 67% of our net sales were derived from the medium- and heavy-duty truck, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets and approximately 33% were made to the automotive market.  Seasonality experienced by the automotive industry also impacts our operations.

We may not realize sales represented by awarded business.

We base our growth projections, in part, on commitments made by our customers.  These commitments generally renew annually during a program life cycle.  If actual production orders from our customers do not approximate such commitments, it could adversely affect our business.

The prices that we can charge some of our customers are predetermined and we bear the risk of costs in excess of our estimates.
 
Our supply agreements with some of our customers require us to provide our products at predetermined prices.  In some cases, these prices decline over the course of the contract and may require us to meet certain productivity and cost reduction targets.  In addition, our customers may require us to share productivity savings in excess of our cost reduction targets.  The costs that we incur in fulfilling these contracts may vary substantially from our initial estimates.  Unanticipated cost increases or the inability to meet certain cost reduction targets may occur as a result of several factors, including increases in the costs of labor, components or materials.  In some cases, we are permitted to pass on to our customers the cost increases associated with specific materials. Cost overruns that we cannot pass on to our customers could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are dependent on the availability and price of raw materials.
 
We require substantial amounts of raw materials and substantially all raw materials we require are purchased from outside sources.  The availability and prices of raw materials may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, new laws or regulations, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers, interruptions in production by suppliers, changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels. As demand for our raw materials increases as a result of a recovering economy, we may have difficulties obtaining adequate raw materials from our suppliers to satisfy our customers.  Any extended period of time, which we cannot obtain adequate raw material or which we experience an increase in the price of the raw material could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
 
7

 
 
The loss or insolvency of any of our major customers would adversely affect our future results.
 
We are dependent on several principal customers for a significant percentage of our net sales.  In 2009, our top three principal customers were Navistar International, Deere & Company and Ford Motor Company, which comprised 27%, 12% and 9% of our net sales respectively.  In 2009, our top ten customers accounted for 69% of our net sales.  The loss of any significant portion of our sales to these customers or any other customers would have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.  The contracts we have entered into with many of our customers provide for supplying the customers’ requirements for a particular model, rather than for manufacturing a specific quantity of products. Such contracts range from one year to the life of the model, which is generally three to seven years.  These contracts are subject to renegotiation, which may affect product pricing and generally may be terminated by our customers at any time.  Therefore, the loss of a contract for a major model or a significant decrease in demand for certain key models or group of related models sold by any of our major customers could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition by reducing cash flows and our ability to spread costs over a larger revenue base. We also compete to supply products for successor models and are subject to the risk that the customer will not select us to produce products on any such model, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.  In addition, we have significant receivable balances related to these customers and other major customers that would be at risk in the event of their bankruptcy.  
 
Consolidation among vehicle parts customers and suppliers could make it more difficult for us to compete favorably.
 
The vehicle part supply industry has undergone a significant consolidation as OEM customers have sought to lower costs, improve quality and increasingly purchase complete systems and modules rather than separate components. As a result of the cost focus of these major customers, we have been, and expect to continue to be, required to reduce prices. Because of these competitive pressures, we cannot assure you that we will be able to increase or maintain gross margins on product sales to our customers.  The trend toward consolidation among vehicle parts suppliers is resulting in fewer, larger suppliers who benefit from purchasing and distribution economies of scale.  If we cannot achieve cost savings and operational improvements sufficient to allow us to compete favorably in the future with these larger, consolidated companies, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Adverse effects from the bankruptcy emergence of significant competitors.

Recently, a few of our significant competitors filed and emerged from bankruptcy protection.  The bankruptcy of these competitors has allowed them to eliminate or substantially reduce contractual obligations, including significant amounts of debt and avoid liabilities.  The elimination or reduction of these obligations has made these competitors stronger financially, which could have an adverse effect on our competitive position and results of operations.

Our physical properties and information systems are subject to damage as a result of disasters, outages or similar events.
 
Our offices and facilities, including those used for design and development, material procurement, manufacturing, logistics and sales are located throughout the world and are subject to possible destruction, temporary stoppage or disruption as a result of any number of unexpected events.  If any of these facilities or offices were to experience a significant loss as a result of any of the above events, it could disrupt our operations, delay production, shipments and revenue, and result in large expenses to repair or replace these facilities or offices.

In addition, network and information system shutdowns caused by unforeseen events such as power outages, disasters, hardware or software defects; computer viruses and computer security breaks pose increasing risks.  Such an event could also result in the disruption of our operations, delay production, shipments and revenue, and result in large expenditures necessary to repair or replace such network and information systems. 

 
8

 

We must implement and sustain a competitive technological advantage in producing our products to compete effectively.
 
Our products are subject to changing technology, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to alternative products introduced by competitors.  Our success will depend on our ability to continue to meet customers’ changing specifications with respect to quality, service, price, timely delivery and technological innovation by implementing and sustaining competitive technological advances.  Our business may, therefore, require significant ongoing and recurring additional capital expenditures and investment in product development and manufacturing and management information systems.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve the technological advances or introduce new products that may be necessary to remain competitive.  Our inability to continuously improve existing products, to develop new products and to achieve technological advances could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We may experience increased costs associated with labor unions that could adversely affect our financial performance and results of operations.
 
As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately 5,200 employees, approximately 1,500 of whom were salaried and the balance of whom were paid on an hourly basis. Certain employees located in Mexico, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are represented by a union but not collective bargaining agreements.  We cannot assure you that our employees will not be covered by collective bargaining agreements in the future or that any of our facilities will not experience a work stoppage or other labor disruption.  Any prolonged labor disruption involving our employees, employees of our customers, a large percentage of which are covered by collective bargaining agreements, or employees of our suppliers could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition by disrupting our ability to manufacture our products or the demand for our products.
 
Compliance with environmental and other governmental regulations could be costly and require us to make significant expenditures.
 
Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things:
 
 
·
the discharge of pollutants into the air and water;
 
 
·
the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of waste and other materials;
 
 
·
the cleanup of contaminated properties; and
 
 
·
the health and safety of our employees.
 
We believe that our business, operations and facilities have been and are being operated in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations.  The operation of our manufacturing facilities entails risks and we cannot assure you that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with these operations.  In addition, potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with evolving environmental, health and safety laws, regulations or requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future.
 
We may incur material product liability costs.
 
We are subject to the risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the failure of any of our products results in personal injury or death and we cannot assure you that we will not experience material product liability losses in the future.  We maintain insurance against such product liability claims, but we cannot assure you that such coverage will be adequate for liabilities ultimately incurred or that it will continue to be available on terms acceptable to us.  In addition, if any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to participate in government-imposed or customer OEM-instituted recalls involving such products.  A successful claim brought against us that exceeds available insurance coverage or a requirement to participate in any product recall could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
 
9

 

Disruptions in the financial markets are adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit which could negatively affect our business.
 
Our senior notes with a face value of $183.0 million at December 31, 2009 mature on May 1, 2012.  Our asset-based credit facility with a maximum borrowing level of $100.0 million expires on November 1, 2011.  Collectively these (“debt instruments”) will need to be refinanced prior to their respective maturities.  Disruptions in the financial markets, including the bankruptcy, insolvency or restructuring of certain financial institutions, and the general lack of liquidity continue to adversely impact the availability and cost of credit for many companies, including us.  We may be required to refinance these debt instruments at terms and rates that are less favorable than our current rates and terms, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to risks related to our international operations.
 
Approximately 19.1% of our net sales in 2009 were derived from sales outside of North America. Non-current assets outside of North America accounted for approximately 8.1% of our non-current assets as of December 31, 2009.  International sales and operations are subject to significant risks, including, among others:
 
 
·
political and economic instability;
 
 
·
restrictive trade policies;
 
 
·
economic conditions in local markets;
 
 
·
currency exchange controls;
 
 
·
labor unrest;
 
 
·
difficulty in obtaining distribution support and potentially adverse tax consequences; and
 
 
·
the imposition of product tariffs and the burden of complying with a wide variety of international and U.S. export laws.
 
Additionally, to the extent any portion of our net sales and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  

We face risks through our equity investments in companies that we do not control.

Our consolidated results of operations include significant equity earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recognized $7.8 million of equity earnings and received $7.3 million in cash dividends from our unconsolidated subsidiaries.  Our equity investments may not always perform at the levels we have seen in recent years.

Our annual effective tax rate could be volatile and materially change as a result of changes in mix of earnings and other factors.

The overall effective tax rate is equal to our total tax expense as a percentage of our total earnings before tax.  However, tax expense and benefits are not recognized on a global basis but rather on a jurisdictional or legal entity basis.  Losses in certain jurisdictions provide no current financial statement tax benefit.  As a result, changes in the mix of earnings between jurisdictions, among other factors, could have a significant impact on our overall effective tax rate.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
None.

 
10

 

Item 2.  Properties.

The Company and its joint ventures currently own or lease 17 manufacturing facilities that are in use, which together contain approximately 1.6 million square feet of manufacturing space.  Of these manufacturing facilities, 11 are used by our Electronics reportable segment, three are used by our Control Devices reportable segment and three are owned by our joint venture companies.  The following table provides information regarding our facilities:

   
Owned/
     
Square
Location
 
Leased
 
Use
 
Footage
Electronics
           
Juarez, Mexico
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing/Division Office
 
183,854
Portland, Indiana
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing
 
182,000
Chihuahua, Mexico
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing
 
135,569
Tallinn, Estonia
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing
 
85,911
Walled Lake, Michigan
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing/Division Office
 
78,225
Orebro, Sweden
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing
 
77,472
Mitcheldean, England
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing (Vacant)
 
74,790
Monclova, Mexico
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing
 
68,436
Chihuahua, Mexico
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing
 
61,619
El Paso, Texas
 
Leased
 
Warehouse
 
50,000
Chihuahua, Mexico
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing
 
49,805
Stockholm, Sweden
 
Leased
 
Engineering Office/Division Office
 
37,714
Dundee, Scotland
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing/Sales Office/Engineering Office
 
32,753
Portland, Indiana
 
Leased
 
Warehouse
 
25,000
Warren, Ohio
 
Leased
 
Engineering Office/Division Office
 
24,570
Chihuahua, Mexico
 
Leased
 
Engineering Office/Manufacturing
 
10,000
Bayonne, France
 
Leased
 
Sales Office/Warehouse
 
9,655
Madrid, Spain
 
Leased
 
Sales Office/Warehouse
 
1,560
Rome, Italy
 
Leased
 
Sales Office
 
1,216
             
Control Devices
           
Lexington, Ohio
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing/Division Office
 
219,612
Canton, Massachusetts
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing
 
132,560
Sarasota, Florida
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing (Vacant)
 
115,000
Suzhou, China
 
Leased
 
Manufacturing/Warehouse/Division Office
 
25,737
Sarasota, Florida
 
Owned
 
Warehouse (Vacant)
 
7,500
Lexington, Ohio
 
Leased
 
Warehouse
 
5,000
Lexington, Ohio
 
Leased
 
Warehouse
 
4,000
             
Corporate
           
Novi, Michigan
 
Leased
 
Sales Office/Engineering Office
 
9,400
Warren, Ohio
 
Owned
 
Headquarters
 
7,500
Stuttgart, Germany
 
Leased
 
Sales Office/Engineering Office
 
1,000
Seoul, South Korea
 
Leased
 
Sales Office
 
330
Shanghai, China
 
Leased
 
Sales Office
 
323
             
Joint Ventures
           
Manaus, Brazil
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing
 
102,247
Pune, India
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing/Engineering Office/Sales Office
 
80,000
São Paulo, Brazil
 
Owned
 
Manufacturing/Engineering Office/Sales Office
 
52,178
Buenos Aires, Argentina
 
Leased
 
Sales Office
 
3,551
 
 
11

 
 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.

We are involved in certain legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business.  However, we do not believe that any of the litigation in which we are currently engaged, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position or results of operations.  We are subject to the risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the failure of any of our products causes personal injury or death to users of our products and there can be no assurance that we will not experience any material product liability losses in the future.  We maintain insurance against such product liability claims.  In addition, if any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to participate in a government-imposed or customer OEM-instituted recall involving such products.

Item 4.  (Removed and Reserved)
 
 
12

 

PART II

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

Our shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SRI.”  As of February 19, 2010, we had 25,968,765 Common Shares without par value, issued and outstanding, which were owned by approximately 300 registered holders, including Common Shares held in the names of brokers and banks (so-called “street name” holdings) who are record holders with approximately 1,600 beneficial owners.

The Company has not historically paid or declared dividends, which are restricted under both the senior notes and the asset-based credit facility, on our Common Shares.  We may only pay cash dividends in the future if immediately prior to and immediately after the payment is made, no event of default shall have occurred and outstanding indebtedness under our asset-based credit facility is not greater than or equal to $20.0 million before and after the payment of the dividend.  We currently intend to retain earnings for acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate purposes and reduction in outstanding indebtedness.  Accordingly, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

High and low sales prices (as reported on the NYSE composite tape) for our Common Shares for each quarter ended during 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

   
Quarter Ended
 
High
   
Low
 
2009
 
March 31
  $ 4.76     $ 1.51  
   
June 30
  $ 4.80     $ 2.04  
   
September 30
  $ 7.08     $ 3.85  
   
December 31
  $ 9.28     $ 6.78  
2008
 
March 31
  $ 14.15     $ 6.97  
   
June 30
  $ 17.98     $ 13.04  
   
September 30
  $ 19.06     $ 11.25  
   
December 31
  $ 10.32     $ 2.42  
 
The Company did not repurchase any Common Shares in 2009 or 2008.

 
13

 
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative total return of a hypothetical investment in our Common Shares with the cumulative total return of hypothetical investments in the Hemscott Group–Industry Group 333 (Automotive Parts) Index and the NYSE Market Index based on the respective market price of each investment at December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 assuming in each case an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2004, and reinvestment of dividends.
  
commonshares

   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
   
2009
 
Stoneridge, Inc
  $ 100     $ 44     $ 54     $ 53     $ 30     $ 60  
Hemscott Group–Industry Group 333 Index
  $ 100     $ 109     $ 132     $ 143     $ 87     $ 112  
NYSE Market Index
  $ 100     $ 89     $ 100     $ 108     $ 47     $ 102  
 
For information on “Related Stockholder Matters” required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, refer to Item 12 of this report.
 
 
14

 
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

The following table sets forth selected historical financial data and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto and other financial information included elsewhere herein.  The selected historical data was derived from our consolidated financial statements.

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Statement of Operations Data:
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Net sales:
                             
Electronics
  $ 311,268     $ 533,328     $ 458,672     $ 456,932     $ 401,663  
Control Devices
    176,815       236,038       289,979       271,943       291,434  
Eliminations
    (12,931 )     (16,668 )     (21,531 )     (20,176 )     (21,513 )
Consolidated
  $ 475,152     $ 752,698     $ 727,120     $ 708,699     $ 671,584  
                                         
Gross profit
  $ 87,985     $ 166,287     $ 167,723     $ 158,906     $ 148,588  
                                         
Operating income (loss) (A)
  $ (18,243 )   $ (43,271 )   $ 34,799     $ 35,063     $ 23,303  
                                         
Equity in earnings of investees
  $ 7,775     $ 13,490     $ 10,893     $ 7,125     $ 4,052  
                                         
Income (loss) before income taxes (A)
                                       
Electronics
  $ (13,911 )   $ 38,713     $ 20,692     $ 20,882     $ (216 )
Control Devices
    (5,712 )     (78,858 )     15,825       13,987       19,429  
Corporate interest
    (21,782 )     (20,708 )     (21,969 )     (21,622 )     (22,994 )
Other corporate activities
    8,079       10,078       8,676       6,392       8,217  
Consolidated.
  $ (33,326 )   $ (50,775 )   $ 23,224     $ 19,639     $ 4,436  
                                         
Net income (loss) (A), (B)
  $ (32,323 )   $ (97,527 )   $ 16,671     $ 14,513     $ 933  
                                         
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    82       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.
                                       
and Subsidiaries (A), (B)
  $ (32,405 )   $ (97,527 )   $ 16,671     $ 14,513     $ 933  
                                         
Basic net income (loss) per share (A), (B)
  $ (1.37 )   $ (4.17 )   $ 0.72     $ 0.63     $ 0.04  
                                         
Diluted net income (loss) per share (A), (B)
  $ (1.37 )   $ (4.17 )   $ 0.71     $ 0.63     $ 0.04  
                                         
Other Data:
                                       
Product development expenses
  $ 32,993     $ 45,509     $ 45,223     $ 40,840     $ 39,193  
Capital expenditures.
  $ 11,998     $ 24,573     $ 18,141     $ 25,895     $ 28,934  
Depreciation and amortization (C)
  $ 19,939     $ 26,399     $ 28,503     $ 26,180     $ 26,157  
                                         
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
                                       
Working capital
  $ 142,896     $ 160,387     $ 184,788     $ 135,915     $ 116,689  
Total assets
  $ 362,525     $ 382,437     $ 527,769     $ 501,807     $ 463,038  
Long-term debt, less current portion
  $ 183,431     $ 183,000     $ 200,000     $ 200,000     $ 200,000  
Shareholders' equity
  $ 74,057     $ 91,758     $ 206,189     $ 178,622     $ 153,991  
 

(A)
Our 2008 operating loss, loss before income taxes, net loss, net loss attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries and related basic and diluted loss per share amounts includes a non-cash, pre-tax goodwill impairment loss of $65,175.
 
(B)
Our 2008 net loss, net loss attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries and related basic and diluted loss per share amounts includes a non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $62,006.
 
(C)
These amounts represent depreciation and amortization on fixed and certain finite-lived intangible assets.

 
15

 

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

Overview

The following Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of Stoneridge, Inc. (the “Company”).  This MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements.

We are an independent designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems for the medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, net sales were $475.2 million, a decrease of $277.5 million compared with $752.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The decrease in our net sales was primarily due to the severe reduction in sales volumes that we experienced in all of our markets in 2009.  Our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $32.4 million, or $(1.37) per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $97.5 million, or $(4.17) per diluted share, for 2008.  In 2008, we recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $65.2 million and a non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $62.0 million.  There was no goodwill impairment recognized in 2009.

Our 2009 results were negatively affected by the decline in the North American and European commercial and North American automotive vehicle markets as well as the economy as a whole.  Production volumes in the North American automotive vehicle market declined by 32.3% during the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year.  These automotive market production volume reductions had a negative effect on our North American automotive market net sales of approximately $41.9 million, primarily within our Control Devices segment.  Net sales to the automotive market outside of North America declined by approximately $19.0 million between the current and prior years due to volume reductions.  The commercial vehicle market production volumes in Europe and North America declined by 64.1% and 39.8%, respectively, during the current year when compared to the prior year, which resulted in lower net sales of approximately $158.5 million, primarily within our Electronics segment.  Our agricultural net sales also decreased during the current year due to volume reductions.  These volume reductions had a negative effect on our net sales of approximately $26.6 million, which was primarily within our Electronics segment.  In aggregate, production declines had an unfavorable effect on our consolidated net sales of approximately $246.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.  In addition, our results were affected by foreign currency exchange rates.  Foreign exchange translation adversely affected our net sales by approximately $15.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2008.  Product pricing had a minimal effect on our current year net sales when compared to our net sales for the 2008 year.  Our gross margin percentage decreased from 22.1% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 18.5% for the current year, primarily due to the significant reductions in customer production schedules for the markets that we serve.

Our selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased from $136.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $102.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.  This $33.4 million or 24.6% decrease in SG&A, was primarily due to reduced compensation and compensation related expenses incurred during the year ended December 31, 2009 of approximately $21.0 million as a result of lower headcount and incentive compensation expenses.  These reduced compensation and compensation related expenses are largely due to cost benefits realized in the current year from prior period restructuring initiatives.  In addition, our design and development costs decreased between periods due to customers delaying new product launches in the near term as well as planned reductions in our design activities.  Our design and development costs declined by approximately $8.8 million between the two periods, excluding compensation and compensation related expenses.  In addition to our restructuring initiatives, we reduced discretionary spending in 2009, which has reduced our current year cost structure.

Affecting our profitability were restructuring initiatives that began in the fourth quarter of 2007 to improve the Company’s manufacturing efficiency and cost position by ceasing manufacturing operations at our Sarasota, Florida and Mitcheldean, United Kingdom locations.  These restructuring initiatives continued throughout 2008 and 2009, primarily in the form of headcount reductions to adjust our headcount levels to reflect current market conditions.  The related 2009 expenses of $3.7 million were primarily comprised of one-time termination benefits.  The 2008 expenses of $15.4 million were primarily comprised of one-time termination benefits, line-transfer expenses and contract termination costs.  Restructuring expenses that were general and administrative in nature were included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as restructuring charges, while the remaining restructuring related expenses were included in cost of goods sold.

 
16

 
 
In 2009, our PST Eletrônica S.A. (“PST”) joint venture in Brazil, which is an electronic system provider focused on security and convenience applications primarily for the vehicle and motorcycle industry also experienced declines in net sales as a result of the world-wide economic recession, resulting in equity earnings declining from $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $7.4 million in the current year.  However, our dividend payments received from PST increased from $4.2 million in 2008 to $7.3 million in 2009.  We currently hold a 50% equity interest in PST.  Foreign currency fluctuations did not have a significant effect on the results of PST.

On October 13, 2009, we acquired a 51% membership interest in Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC (“BCS”) for a purchase price of approximately $6.0 million, net of cash acquired.  Results of operations of BCS were included in our consolidated results from the date of acquisition within our Electronics reportable segment.  As a result of the acquisition, we have preliminarily allocated the BCS purchase price to net tangible assets acquired, intangible assets, goodwill and noncontrolling interest, of $0.9 million, $1.1 million, $9.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively as of the acquisition date.

Outlook

During the second half of 2009 the North American automotive vehicle market began to recover, which had a favorable effect on our Control Devices segment’s results.  While we do not expect a full recovery within the domestic automotive vehicle market in 2010, we do expect volumes to increase from 2009 levels.

The North American commercial vehicle market improved slightly during the latter part of 2009, however the European commercial vehicle market continued to decline throughout 2009.  We believe that net sales will increase slightly in 2010 due to increased demand for the products we produce.

Through our restructuring initiatives initiated in prior years, we have been able to reduce our cost structure.  Our fixed overhead costs are lower due to the cessation of manufacturing at our Sarasota, Florida and Mitcheldean United Kingdom locations while our selling, general and administrative costs are lower due to an overall reduction in employees.  As sales volumes increase in 2010, we expect our operating margin will benefit from our reduced cost structure.

Results of Operations

We are primarily organized by markets served and products produced.  Under this organizational structure, our operations have been aggregated into two reportable segments: Electronics and Control Devices.  The Electronics reportable segment includes results of operations that design and manufacture electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units, driver information systems and electrical distribution systems, primarily wiring harnesses and connectors for electrical power and signal distribution.  The Control Devices reportable segment includes results from our operations that design and manufacture electronic and electromechanical switches, control actuation devices and sensors.

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2008

Net Sales. Net sales for our reportable segments, excluding inter-segment sales, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
             
   
2009
   
2008
   
$ Decrease
   
% Decrease
Electronics
  $ 301,424       63.4 %   $ 520,936       69.2 %   $ (219,512 )     (42.1 ) %
Control Devices
    173,728       36.6       231,762       30.8       (58,034 )     (25.0 ) %
Total net sales
  $ 475,152       100.0 %   $ 752,698       100.0 %   $ (277,546 )     (36.9 ) %

Our Electronics segment was adversely affected by reduced volume in our served markets by approximately $198.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year.  The decrease in net sales for our Electronics segment was primarily due to volume declines in our North American and European commercial vehicle production.  Commercial vehicle market production volumes in Europe and North America declined by 64.1% and 39.8%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior year.   The reductions in European and North American commercial vehicle production negatively affected net sales in our Electronics segment for the year ended December 31, 2009 by approximately $65.3 million or 42.3% and $88.7 million or 37.3%, respectively.  The balance of the decrease was primarily related to volume declines in the agricultural and automotive vehicle markets of approximately $22.6 million and $21.5 million, respectively.  In addition, our Electronics segment net sales were unfavorably affected by foreign currency fluctuations of approximately $15.3 million in 2009 when compared to 2008.

 
17

 
 
Our Control Devices segment was adversely affected by reduced volume in our served markets by approximately $49.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year.  The decrease in net sales for our Control Devices segment was primarily attributable to production volume reductions at our major customers in the North American automotive vehicle market.  Production volumes in the North American automotive vehicle market declined by 32.3% during the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2008.  Volume reductions within the automotive market of our Control Devices segment reduced net sales for the year ended December 31, 2009 by approximately $39.4 million, or 20.7%, when compared to the prior year.  In addition, our current year net sales were adversely affected by sales losses during the year ended December 31, 2009 of approximately $10.0 million.  These sales losses were primarily a result of our products being decontented or removed from certain customer products.  The balance of the decrease was related to volume declines in the agricultural and commercial vehicle markets of approximately $5.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively during the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year.

Net sales by geographic location for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
 
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
             
   
2009
   
2008
   
$ Decrease
   
% Decrease
North America
  $ 384,467       80.9 %   $ 557,990       74.1 %   $ (173,523 )     (31.1 ) %
Europe and other
    90,685       19.1       194,708       25.9       (104,023 )     (53.4 ) %
Total net sales
  $ 475,152       100.0 %   $ 752,698       100.0 %   $ (277,546 )     (36.9 ) %
 
The North American geographic location consists of the results of our operations in the United States and Mexico.

The decrease in North American net sales was primarily attributable to lower sales volume in our North American commercial vehicle, automotive and agricultural markets.  These lower volume levels had a negative effect on our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2009 of $93.1 million, $41.9 million and $25.8 million for our North American commercial vehicle, automotive vehicle and agricultural markets, respectively.  Our decrease in net sales outside North America was primarily due to lower sales volumes in the European commercial and automotive vehicle markets, which had a negative effect on net sales for the year ended December 31, 2009 of approximately $65.4 million and $19.0 million, respectively.  In addition, our 2009 net sales outside of North America were negatively affected by foreign currency fluctuations of approximately $15.3 million.
 
 
18

 

Consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are presented in the following table (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
   
$ Increase /
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
(Decrease)
 
Net Sales
  $ 475,152       100.0 %   $ 752,698       100.0 %   $ (277,546 )
                                         
Costs and Expenses:
                                       
Cost of goods sold
    387,167       81.5       586,411       77.9       (199,244 )
Selling, general and administrative
    102,583       21.6       135,992       18.1       (33,409 )
Goodwill impairment charge
    -       -       65,175       8.7       (65,175 )
Restructuring charges
    3,645       0.8       8,391       1.1       (4,746 )
                                         
Operating Loss
    (18,243 )     (3.9 )     (43,271 )     (5.8 )     25,028  
                                         
Interest expense, net
    21,965       4.6       20,575       2.7       1,390  
Equity in earnings of investees
    (7,775 )     (1.6 )     (13,490 )     (1.8 )     5,715  
Other expense, net
    893       0.2       419       0.1       474  
                                         
Loss Before Income Taxes
    (33,326 )     (7.1 )     (50,775 )     (6.8 )     17,449  
                                         
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (1,003 )     (0.2 )     46,752       6.2       (47,755 )
                                         
Net Loss
    (32,323 )     (6.9 ) %     (97,527 )     (13.0 ) %     65,204  
                                         
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
    82       - %     -       - %     82  
                                         
Net Loss Attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries
  $ (32,405 )     (6.9 ) %   $ (97,527 )     (13.0 ) %   $ 65,122  

Cost of Goods Sold.  The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales was due to the significant decline in volume of our European and North American commercial and automotive vehicle markets net sales during 2009.  A portion of our cost structure is fixed in nature, such as overhead and depreciation costs.  These fixed costs combined with significantly lower net sales have increased our cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales.  In addition, our cost of goods sold for 2008 included approximately $7.0 million of restructuring charges.  In 2009, there was approximately $0.1 million of restructuring costs included in cost of goods sold.  Our material cost as a percentage of net sales for our Electronics segment for 2009 and 2008 was 55.4% and 51.8%, respectively.  This increase is primarily due to significantly lower volume from our military related commercial vehicle products in the current year.  Our materials cost as a percentage of sales for the Control Devices segment increased from 50.7% for 2008 to 52.9% for 2009.  Our material costs as a percent of sales increased during the current period due to the outsourcing of a stamping operation and inventory related charges.  As a result of outsourcing the stamping operation, the entire cost of the stamping was included in direct material.  Prior to outsourcing the stamping operation, the cost was split between direct labor, direct material and overhead.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Design and development expenses included in SG&A were $33.0 million and $45.5 million for 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Design and development expenses for our Electronics and Control Devices segments decreased from $29.5 million and $16.0 million for 2008 to $19.5 million and $13.5 million for 2009, respectively.  The decrease in design and development costs for both segments was a result of our customers delaying new product launches in the near term as well as planned reductions in our design activities.  As a result of our product platform launches scheduled for 2010 and in the future, we believe that our design and development costs will increase in 2010 from our 2009 level.  The decrease in SG&A costs excluding design and development expenses was due to lower employee related costs of approximately $17.3 million caused by reduced headcount and lower incentive compensation expenses, company-wide.  These current year cost reductions are benefits related to a combination of restructuring initiatives incurred in prior periods and temporary cost control measures, such as wage and benefit freezes and unpaid leaves.  Our SG&A costs increased as a percentage of net sales because net sales declined faster than we were able to reduce our SG&A costs.

Goodwill Impairment Charge.  A goodwill impairment charge of $65.2 million was recorded during 2008.  During the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the deterioration of the global economy and its effects on the automotive and commercial vehicle markets, we recognized the goodwill impairment charge within our Control Devices reportable segment.  There were no similar impairment charges taken in 2009.

 
19

 

Restructuring Charges. Costs from our restructuring initiatives for 2009 decreased compared to 2008. Costs incurred during 2009 related to restructuring initiatives amounted to approximately $3.7 million and were primarily comprised of one-time termination benefits.  Restructuring related expenses of $3.6 million that were general and administrative in nature were included in our consolidated statement of operations as restructuring charges, while the remaining $0.1 million of restructuring related expenses was included in cost of goods sold.  These restructuring actions were in response to the depressed conditions in the European and North American commercial vehicle markets as well as the North American automotive vehicle market.  Restructuring charges for 2008 were approximately $15.4 million and were comprised of one-time termination benefits and line-transfer expenses related to our initiative to improve the Company’s manufacturing efficiency and cost position by ceasing manufacturing operations at our Control Devices segment facility in Sarasota, Florida and our Electronics segment facility in Mitcheldean, United Kingdom.  Restructuring related expenses of $8.4 million that were general and administrative in nature were included in our consolidated statements of operations as restructuring charges, while the remaining $7.0 million of restructuring related expenses were included in cost of goods sold.  These initiatives were substantially completed in 2009.

Restructuring charges, general and administrative in nature, recorded by reportable segment during the year ended December 31, 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

   
Electronics
   
Control Devices
   
Total Consolidated Restructuring Charges
 
Severance costs
  $ 2,237     $ 1,034     $ 3,271  
Contract termination costs
    374       -       374  
Total restructuring charges
  $ 2,611     $ 1,034     $ 3,645  
 
Severance costs relate to a reduction in workforce.  Contract termination costs represent expenditures associated with long-term lease obligations that were cancelled as part of the restructuring initiatives.

Restructuring charges, general and administrative in nature, recorded by reportable segment during the year ended December 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

   
Electronics
   
Control Devices
   
Total Consolidated Restructuring Charges
 
Severance costs
  $ 2,564     $ 2,521     $ 5,085  
Contract termination costs
    1,305       -       1,305  
Other exit costs
    23       1,978       2,001  
Total restructuring charges
  $ 3,892     $ 4,499     $ 8,391  
 
Other exit costs include miscellaneous expenditures associated with exiting business activities, such as the transferring of production equipment.

Equity in Earnings of Investees.  The decrease in equity earnings of investees was predominately attributable to the decrease in equity earnings recognized from our PST joint venture.  Equity earnings for PST declined from $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The decrease was caused by a 19.3% decline in PST’s net sales.

 
20

 
 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes.  Income (loss) before income taxes is summarized in the following table by reportable segment (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended
December 31,
   
$ Increase /
   
% Increase /
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
(Decrease)
   
(Decrease)
 
Electronics
  $ (13,911 )   $ 38,713     $ (52,624 )     (135.9 ) %
Control Devices
    (5,712 )     (78,858 )     73,146       92.8 %
Other corporate activities
    8,079       10,078       (1,999 )     (19.8 ) %
Corporate interest expense, net
    (21,782 )     (20,708 )     (1,074 )     (5.2 ) %
Loss before income taxes
  $ (33,326 )   $ (50,775 )   $ 17,449       34.4 %


The decrease in our profitability in the Electronics reportable segment was primarily related to the significant decline in net sales, primarily related to volume declines in 2009 when compared to 2008.  Volume reductions reduced our net sales within the Electronics segment by approximately $198.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year.

The decrease in loss before income taxes in the Control Devices reportable segment was primarily due to the goodwill impairment charge of $65.2 million recognized in 2008.  Additionally, the Control Devices segment recognized an additional $7.8 million of restructuring related expenses in 2008 as compared to 2009.  Volume reductions reduced our net sales within the Control Devices segment by approximately $49.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year.

The increase in interest expense, net from 2008 to 2009 was a result of a lower amount of interest income realized in the current year to offset our interest expense.  The decreased interest income is attributable to lower yields on investments during 2009 when compared to 2008.

The decrease in income before income taxes from other corporate activities was primarily due to a decrease in equity earnings from our PST joint venture of $5.4 million in 2009 when compared to 2008.  This was partially offset by reduced compensation and compensation related costs recognized during 2009 when compared to 2008, due to cost reduction initiatives.  Compensation and compensation related costs were approximately $1.7 million lower in 2009 than they were in 2008.

Loss before income taxes by geographic location for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
   
$ Increase
   
% Increase
   
2009
   
2008
   
(Decrease)
   
(Decrease)
North America
  $ (16,715 )     50.2 %   $ (47,795 )     94.1 %   $ 31,080       65.0 %
Europe and other
    (16,611 )     49.8       (2,980 )     5.9       (13,631 )  
NM
 
Loss before income taxes
  $ (33,326 )     100.0 %   $ (50,775 )     100.0 %   $ 17,449       34.4 %
 
NM - not meaningful

North America loss before income taxes includes interest expense of approximately $21.4 million and $21.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Our North American 2008 profitability was adversely affected by the $65.2 million goodwill impairment charge.  Excluding the goodwill impairment charge, the decrease in our profitability in North America was primarily attributable to lower commercial and automotive vehicle sales volumes during the year ended December 31, 2009 of approximately $93.1 million and $41.9 million, respectively, when compared to 2008.  The decrease in profitability outside North America was primarily due to lower sales volumes within our European commercial vehicle market of approximately $65.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008.

 
21

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes.  We recognized a provision (benefit) for income taxes of $(1.0) million, or 3.0% of our pre-tax net loss, and $46.8 million, or (92.1) % of pre-tax net income, for federal, state and foreign income taxes for 2009 and 2008, respectively. The effective tax rate for 2009 decreased compared to 2008 primarily as a result of the difference in the amount of valuation allowance recorded against our domestic deferred tax assets. Prior to 2008 the Company had not provided a valuation allowance against its domestic deferred tax assets, therefore the amount of valuation allowance provided in 2008 was based on the total domestic deferred tax asset amount. The amount of valuation allowance provided in 2009 is significantly less than 2008 as it relates only to the change in domestic deferred tax assets from 2008 to 2009.   Due to the impairment of goodwill in 2008, the Company is in a cumulative loss position for the period 2007-2009 and has provided a valuation allowance offsetting federal, state and certain foreign net deferred tax assets.  Additionally, the 2008 effective tax rate was negatively affected by non-deductible goodwill.

Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2007

Net Sales. Net sales for our reportable segments, excluding inter-segment sales, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
   
$ Increase /
   
% Increase /
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
(Decrease)
   
(Decrease)
 
Electronics
  $ 520,936       69.2 %   $ 441,717       60.7 %   $ 79,219       17.9 %
Control Devices
    231,762       30.8       285,403       39.3       (53,641 )     (18.8 ) %
Total net sales
  $ 752,698       100.0 %   $ 727,120       100.0 %   $ 25,578       3.5 %

The increase in net sales for our Electronics segment was primarily due to new business sales of military related products and increased sales volume in 2008.  Contractual price reductions and foreign currency exchange rates negatively affected net sales by approximately $2.0 million in 2008.

The decrease in net sales for our Control Devices segment was primarily attributable to production volume reductions at our major customers in the North American automotive market.  Additionally, our 2008 net sales were $3.3 million lower than 2007 net sales due to a customer cancelation of our pressure sensor product at our Sarasota, Florida, facility.  The contract for this business was scheduled to expire in 2009.

Net sales by geographic location for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
  
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
   
$ Increase /
   
% Increase /
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
(Decrease)
   
(Decrease)
 
North America
  $ 557,990       74.1 %   $ 522,730       71.9 %   $ 35,260       6.7 %
Europe and other
    194,708       25.9       204,390       28.1       (9,682 )     (4.7 ) %
Total net sales
  $ 752,698       100.0 %   $ 727,120       100.0 %   $ 25,578       3.5 %

The increase in North American sales was primarily attributable to new business sales of military related electronics products.  The increase was partially offset by lower sales volume in our North American automotive market.  Our decrease in sales outside North America was primarily due to reduced European commercial vehicle sales volume and reduced volume in automotive products.
 
 
22

 
 
Consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are presented in the following table (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
   
$ Increase /
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
(Decrease)
 
Net Sales
  $ 752,698       100.0 %   $ 727,120       100.0 %   $ 25,578  
                                         
Costs and Expenses:
                                       
Cost of goods sold
    586,411       77.9       559,397       76.9       27,014  
Selling, general and administrative
    136,563       18.1       133,708       18.4       2,855  
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment, net
    (571 )     (0.1 )     (1,710 )     (0.2 )     1,139  
Goodwill impairment charge
    65,175       8.7       -       -       65,175  
Restructuring charges
    8,391       1.1       926       0.1       7,465  
 
                                       
Operating Income (Loss)
    (43,271 )     (5.7 )     34,799       4.8       (78,070 )
                                         
Interest expense, net
    20,575       2.7       21,759       3.0       (1,184 )
Equity in earnings of investees
    (13,490 )     (1.8 )     (10,893 )     (1.5 )     (2,597 )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
    770       0.1       -       -       770  
Other (income) expense, net
    (351 )     -       709       0.1       (1,060 )
                                         
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
    (50,775 )     (6.7 )     23,224       3.2       (73,999 )
                                         
Provision for income taxes
    46,752       6.2       6,553       0.9       40,199  
                                         
Net Income (Loss)
  $ (97,527 )     (12.9 ) %   $ 16,671       2.3 %   $ (114,198 )

Cost of Goods Sold. The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales was primarily due to $7.0 million of restructuring expenses included in cost of goods sold for 2008.  The negative impact of restructuring expenses was partially offset by a more favorable product mix and new business sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Product development expenses included in SG&A were $45.5 million and $45.2 million for 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The increase was primarily related to development spending in the areas of instrumentation and wiring.

The Company intends to reallocate its resources to focus on the design and development of new products rather than primarily focusing on sustaining existing product programs.  The increase in SG&A expenses, excluding product development expenses was due primarily to compensation related items in 2008.

Gain on Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment, net.  The gain for 2008 was primarily a result of selling manufacturing lines which was part of the line transfer initiative at our Mitcheldean, United Kingdom facility.  The gain for the year ended December 31, 2007 was primarily attributable to the sale of non-strategic assets including two idle facilities and the Company airplane.

Goodwill Impairment Charge.  A goodwill impairment charge of $65.2 million was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2008.  During the fourth quarter, as a result of the deterioration of the global economy and its effects on the automotive and commercial vehicle markets, we were required to perform an additional goodwill impairment test subsequent to our annual October 1, 2008 test.  The result of the December 31, 2008 impairment test was that our goodwill was determined to be significantly impaired and was written off.  The goodwill related to two reporting units in the Control Devices segment.

Restructuring Charges. The increase in restructuring charges that were general and administrative in nature, were primarily the result of the ratable recognition of one-time termination benefits that were due to employees and the cancellation of certain contracts upon the closure of our Sarasota, Florida, and Mitcheldean, United Kingdom, locations.  Additionally, in 2008, we announced additional restructuring initiatives at our Canton, Massachusetts, Orebro, Sweden and Tallinn, Estonia locations.  The majority of this charge resulted in the recognition of one-time termination benefits that were due to affected employees.  No fixed-asset impairment charges were incurred because the assets were transferred to our other locations for continued production.  Restructuring expenses that were general and administrative in nature were included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as restructuring charges, while the remaining restructuring related expenses were included in cost of goods sold.

 
23

 

Restructuring charges recorded by reportable segment during the year ended December 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

   
Electronics
   
Control Devices
   
Total Consolidated Restructuring Charges
 
Severance costs
  $ 2,564     $ 2,521     $ 5,085  
Contract termination costs
    1,305       -       1,305  
Other exit costs
    23       1,978       2,001  
Total restructuring charges
  $ 3,892     $ 4,499     $ 8,391  
 
Severance costs relate to a reduction in workforce.  Contract termination costs represent expenditures associated with long-term lease obligations that were cancelled as part of the restructuring initiatives.  Other exit costs include miscellaneous expenditures associated with exiting business activities, such as the transferring of production equipment.

Restructuring charges recorded by reportable segment during the year ended December 31, 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

   
Electronics
   
Control Devices
   
Total Consolidated Restructuring Charges
 
Severance costs
  $ 542     $ 357     $ 899  
Other exit costs
    -       27       27  
Total restructuring charges
  $ 542     $ 384     $ 926  
 
Restructuring related expenses, general and administrative in nature, for the year ended December 31, 2007 were primarily severance costs as a result of the ratable recognition of one-time termination benefits that were due to employees upon the closure of our Sarasota, Florida and Mitcheldean, United Kingdom locations that were announced in 2007.

Equity in Earnings of Investees. The increase was predominately attributable to the increase in equity earnings recognized from our PST joint venture.  The increase primarily reflects higher volume for PST’s security product lines and favorable exchange rates throughout most of 2008.

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes.  Income (loss) before income taxes is summarized in the following table by reportable segment (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended
December 31,
   
$ Increase /
   
% Increase /
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
(Decrease)
   
(Decrease)
 
Electronics
  $ 38,713     $ 20,692     $ 18,021       87.1 %
Control Devices
    (78,858 )     15,825       (94,683 )  
NM
 
Other corporate activities
    10,078       8,676       1,402       16.2 %
Corporate interest expense
    (20,708 )     (21,969 )     1,261       5.7 %
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (50,775 )   $ 23,224     $ (73,999 )     (318.6 ) %
 
NM - not meaningful

 
24

 

The increase in income before income taxes in the Electronics segment was related to higher net sales, which  increased by $79.2 million in  2008.  This was partially offset by increased restructuring related expenses of $3.4 million in 2008 when compared to 2007.

The decrease in income before income taxes in the Control Devices reportable segment was primarily due to the goodwill impairment charge of $65.2 million recognized in 2008.  Additionally, net sales reduced by $53.6 million and the segment recognized an additional $4.1 million of restructuring related expenses in 2008.

The increase in income before income taxes from other corporate activities was primarily due to an increase in equity earnings from our PST joint venture of $2.4 million in 2008.

Income (loss) before income taxes by geographic location for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
             
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Decrease
   
% Decrease
North America
  $ (47,795 )     94.1 %   $ 12,405       53.4 %   $ (60,200 )     (485.3 ) %
Europe and other
    (2,980 )     5.9       10,819       46.6       (13,799 )     (127.5 ) %
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (50,775 )     100.0 %   $ 23,224       100.0 %   $ (73,999 )     (318.6 ) %

Our North American 2008 profitability was adversely affected by the $65.2 million goodwill impairment charge, which was offset by new business sales of electronic products.  Other factors impacting the 2008 results were increased restructuring related expenses of $8.9 million and lower North American automotive production.  The decrease in profitability outside North America was primarily due to increased restructuring related expenses of $6.5 million and design and development expenses.  The decrease was partially offset by increased European commercial vehicle production during the first half of 2008.

Provision for Income Taxes. We recognized a provision for income taxes of $46.8 million, or (92.1)% of pre-tax loss, and $6.6 million, or 28.2% of pre-tax income, for federal, state and foreign income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for 2008 was primarily attributable to the recording of a valuation allowance against our domestic deferred tax assets. Due to the impairment of goodwill the Company was in a cumulative loss position for the period 2006-2008. Pursuant to the accounting guidance the Company was required to record a valuation allowance. Additionally, the effective tax rate was unfavorably affected by the costs incurred to restructure our United Kingdom operations. Since we do not believe that the related tax benefit of those losses will be realized, a valuation allowance was recorded against the foreign deferred tax assets associated with those foreign losses. Finally, offsetting the impact of the current year valuation allowances, the effective tax rate was favorably impacted by a combination of audit settlements, successful litigation and the expiration of certain statutes of limitation.  We believe that we should ultimately generate sufficient U.S. taxable income during the remaining tax loss and credit carry forward periods in order to realize substantially all of the benefits of the net operating losses and credits before they expire.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Summary of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

               
$ Increase /
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
(Decrease)
 
Cash provided by (used for):
                 
Operating activities
  $ 13,824     $ 42,456     $ (28,632 )
Investing activities
    (17,764 )     (23,901 )     6,137  
Financing activities
    336       (16,231 )     16,567  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    2,819       (5,556 )     8,375  
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (785 )   $ (3,232 )   $ 2,447  
 
 
25

 

The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower earnings, partially offset by lower inventory balances at December 31, 2009 when compared to December 31, 2008.  In particular, we reduced inventories in 2009 because of lower production requirements and the reduction of inventory safety stock resulting from the transfer of production from our Sarasota, Florida and Mitcheldean, United Kingdom factories to other Stoneridge facilities during the last six months of 2008.

The decrease in net cash used for investing activities reflects a decrease in cash used for capital projects of approximately $12.6 million offset by an increase in business acquisitions of $5.0 million in 2009.  We acquired a 51% membership interest in BCS during 2009.  Capital expenditures were lower for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year due to our customers delaying new product launches.  We believe that our capital expenditures will increase as the markets that we serve continue to recover.

The decrease in net cash used by financing activities was primarily due to cash used to purchase and retire $17.0 million in face value of the Company’s senior notes during 2008.  There was no similar activity during 2009.

Summary of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

               
$ Increase /
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
(Decrease)
 
Cash provided by (used for):
                 
Operating activities
  $ 42,456     $ 33,525     $ 8,931  
Investing activities
    (23,901 )     (5,826 )     (18,075 )
Financing activities
    (16,231 )     900       (17,131 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (5,556 )     1,443       (6,999 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (3,232 )   $ 30,042     $ (33,274 )
 
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower accounts receivable balances in the current year due to lower fourth quarter net sales.

The increase in net cash used for investing activities reflects an increase in cash used for capital projects.  The increase was due in part to the expansion of our Lexington facility during 2008.  In addition, 2007 net cash used for investing activities includes the proceeds from the sale of non-strategic assets, including two idle facilities and the Company airplane.

The increase in net cash used by financing activities was primarily due to cash used to purchase and retire $17.0 million in par value of the Company’s senior notes during 2008.

As discussed in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements, we have entered into foreign currency forward contracts with a notional value of $52.2 million and $44.2 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The purpose of these investments is to reduce exposure related to our British pound and Swedish krona-denominated receivables and Mexican peso-denominated payables.  The estimated fair value of the British pound contract at December 31, 2009 and 2008, per quoted market sources, was approximately $30 thousand and $2.1 million, respectively.  The estimated fair market value of the Mexican peso-denominated contracts at December 31, 2009 and 2008, per quoted market sources, was approximately $1.7 million and $(2.9) million, respectively.

The following table summarizes our future cash outflows resulting from financial contracts and commitments, as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

   
Total
   
Less than
1 year
   
2-3 years
   
4-5 years
   
After 5 years
 
Debt
  $ 183,704     $ 273     $ 183,407     $ 24     $ -  
Operating leases
    21,361       5,516       7,642       5,111       3,092  
Employee benefit plans
    8,809       727       1,552       1,681       4,849  
Total contractual obligations
  $ 213,874     $ 6,516     $ 192,601     $ 6,816     $ 7,941  
 
 
26

 

These future cash outlows for benefit plans were prior to placing our wholly owned subsidiary, Stoneridge Pollak Limited into administration in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2010.

Management will continue to focus on reducing its weighted average cost of capital and believes that cash flows from operations and the availability of funds from our asset-based credit facility will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our future growth and operating needs.  We expect working capital levels to increase to coincide with higher expected future sales levels.

As outlined in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements, our asset-based credit facility, permits borrowing up to a maximum level of $100.0 million.  This facility provides us with lower borrowing rates and allows us the flexibility to refinance our outstanding debt.  At December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings on this asset-based credit facility.  The available borrowing capacity on this credit facility is based on eligible current assets, as defined.  At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had borrowing capacity of $54.1 million and $57.7 million, respectively, based on eligible current assets.  The Company was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2009 and 2008.  We believe that we will be in compliance with all covenants in 2010.

On October 13, 2009, BCS entered into a master revolving note (the “Revolver”), which permits borrowing up to a maximum level of $3.0 million.  At December 31, 2009, BCS had approximately $0.7 million in borrowings outstanding on the Revolver, which are included on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of accrued expenses and other.  The Revolver expires on October 1, 2010.  Interest is payable monthly at the prime referenced rate plus a 2.25% margin.  At December 31, 2009, the interest rate on the revolver was 5.5%.  The Company is a guarantor as it relates to the Revolver.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s $183.0 million senior notes were redeemable at 101.917%.  Given the Company’s senior notes are redeemable, we may seek to retire the senior notes through a redemption, cash purchases, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.  Such redemptions, purchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors.  The amounts involved may be material.

BCS had an installment note (“installment note”) of approximately $0.5 million and other notes payable for the purchase of various fixed assets (“fixed asset notes”) of approximately $0.2 million as of the acquisition date.  Interest on the installment notes is the prime referenced rate plus a 2.25% margin.  At December 31, 2009, the interest rate on the installment note was 5.5%.  The installment note calls for monthly installment payments of principal and interest and matures in 2012.  The weighted average interest rate on the fixed asset notes was 6.6% at December 31, 2009.  At December 31, 2009, the principal amounts due on the installment and fixed asset notes was approximately $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively.    The Company is a guarantor as it relates to the installment note.

As outlined in Note 2, the October 13, 2009 BCS purchase agreement provides that the Company may be required to make additional payments to the previous owners of BCS for its 51% membership interest based on BCS achieving financial performance targets as defined by the purchase agreement.  The maximum amount of additional payments to the prior owners of BCS is $3.2 million per year in 2011, 2012 and 2013 are contingent upon BCS achieving profitability targets based on earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In addition, the Company may be required to make additional payments to BCS of approximately $0.5 million in 2011 and 2012 based on BCS achieving annual revenue targets in 2010 and 2011, respectively.  The purchase agreement provides the Company with the option to purchase the remaining 49% interest in BCS in 2013 at a price determined in accordance with the purchase agreement.  If the Company does not exercise this option then the minority owners of BCS have the option in 2014 to purchase the Company’s 51% interest in BCS at a price determined in accordance with the purchase agreement or to jointly market BCS for sale.  BCS’s results of operations are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from its date of acquisition.

At December 31, 2009, we had a cash and cash equivalents balance of approximately $91.9 million, of which $57.1 million was held domestically and $34.8 million was held in foreign locations.  None of our cash balance was restricted at December 31, 2009.

 
27

 

Inflation and International Presence

Given the current economic climate and recent fluctuations in certain commodity prices, we believe that an increase in such items could significantly affect our profitability.  Furthermore, by operating internationally, we are affected by foreign currency exchange rates and the economic conditions of certain countries.  Based on the current economic conditions in these countries, we believe we are not significantly exposed to adverse exchange rate risk or economic conditions.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates and assumptions used in our financial statements.  We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

We believe the following are “critical accounting policies” – those most important to the financial presentation and those that require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

Revenue Recognition and Sales Commitments.  We recognize revenues from the sale of products, net of actual and estimated returns of products sold based on authorized returns, at the point of passage of title, which is generally at the time of shipment.  We often enter into agreements with our customers at the beginning of a given vehicle’s expected production life.  Once such agreements are entered into, it is our obligation to fulfill the customers’ purchasing requirements for the entire production life of the vehicle.  These agreements are subject to renegotiation, which may affect product pricing.  In certain limited instances, we may be committed under existing agreements to supply products to our customers at selling prices which are not sufficient to cover the direct cost to produce such products.  In such situations, we recognize losses immediately.  There were no such significant instances of this in 2009.  These agreements generally may also be terminated by our customers at any time.

On an ongoing basis, we receive blanket purchase orders from our customers, which include pricing terms.  Purchase orders do not always specify quantities.  We recognize revenue based on the pricing terms included in our purchase orders as our products are shipped to our customers.  We are asked to provide our customers with annual cost reductions as part of certain agreements.  In addition, we have ongoing adjustments to our pricing arrangements with our customers based on the related content, the cost of our products and other commercial factors.  Such pricing adjustments are recognized as they are negotiated with our customers.

Warranties. Our warranty reserve is established based on our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet dates.  This estimate is based on historical trends of units sold and payment amounts, combined with our current understanding of the status of existing claims.  To estimate the warranty reserve, we are required to forecast the resolution of existing claims as well as expected future claims on products previously sold.  Although we believe that our warranty reserve is adequate and that the judgment applied is appropriate, such amounts estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what will actually transpire in the future.  Our customers are increasingly seeking to hold suppliers responsible for product warranties, which could negatively impact our exposure to these costs.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We have concentrations of sales and trade receivable balances with a few key customers. Therefore, it is critical that we evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors.  In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet their financial obligations, a specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected.  Additionally, we review historical trends for collectability in determining an estimate for our allowance for doubtful accounts.  If economic circumstances change substantially, estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to the Company could be reduced by a material amount.  We do not have collateral requirements with our customers.
 
 
28

 

Contingencies. We are subject to legal proceedings and claims, including product liability claims, commercial or contractual disputes, environmental enforcement actions and other claims that arise in the normal course of business.  We routinely assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as ranges of probable losses, by consulting with internal personnel principally involved with such matters and with our outside legal counsel handling such matters.

We have accrued for estimated losses when it is probable that a liability or loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  Contingencies by their nature relate to uncertainties that require the exercise of judgment both in assessing whether or not a liability or loss has been incurred and estimating that amount of probable loss.  The reserves may change in the future due to new developments or changes in circumstances.  The inherent uncertainty related to the outcome of these matters can result in amounts materially different from any provisions made with respect to their resolution.

Inventory Valuation. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the last-in, first-out method for U.S. inventories and by the first-in, first-out method for non-U.S. inventories.  Where appropriate, standard cost systems are utilized for purposes of determining cost and the standards are adjusted as necessary to ensure they approximate actual costs.  Estimates of the lower of cost or market value of inventory are determined based upon current economic conditions, historical sales quantities and patterns and, in some cases, the specific risk of loss on specifically identified inventories.

Goodwill. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  The valuation methodologies employed by the Company use subjective measures including forward looking financial information and discount rates that directly impact the resulting fair values used to test the Company’s business units for impairment.  See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for more information on our application of this accounting standard, including the valuation techniques used to determine the fair value of goodwill.

Share-Based Compensation. The estimate for our share-based compensation expense involves a number of assumptions.  We believe each assumption used in the valuation is reasonable because it takes into account the experience of the plan and reasonable expectations.  We estimate volatility and forfeitures based on historical data, future expectations and the expected term of the share-based compensation awards.  The assumptions, however, involve inherent uncertainties.  As a result, if other assumptions had been used, share-based compensation expense could have varied.

Pension Benefits.  The amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to pension benefits are determined from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which the liabilities could be settled at December 31, 2009, rate of increase in future compensation levels and mortality rates.  These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.

The expected long-term return on assets is determined as a weighted average of the expected returns for each asset class held by the defined-benefit pension plan at the date.  The expected return on bonds has been based on the yield available on similar bonds (by currency, issuer and duration) at that date.  The expected return on equities is based on an equity risk premium of return above that available on long-term government bonds of a similar duration and the same currency as the liabilities.

Discount rates for our defined benefit pension plan in the United Kingdom are determined using the weighted average long-term sterling AA corporate bond.  On December 31, 2009, the yield was approximately 5.7%.

Deferred Income Taxes.  Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the basis of such assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws and regulations.  Our deferred tax assets include, among other items, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits that can be used to offset taxable income in future periods and reduce income taxes payable in those future periods.  These deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits will begin to expire, if unused, no later than 2026 and 2021, respectively.  The Company believes that it should ultimately generate sufficient U.S. taxable income during the remaining tax loss and credit carry forward periods in order to realize substantially all of the benefits of the net operating losses and credits before they expire.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (ASC Topic 740), requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on all available evidence, it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods.  This assessment requires significant judgment, and in making this evaluation, the Company considers available positive and negative evidence, including past results, the existence of cumulative losses in recent periods, and our forecast of taxable income for the current year and future years and tax planning strategies.

 
29

 

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company concluded that it was no longer more-likely-than-not that we would realize our U.S. deferred tax assets. As a result we provided a full valuation allowance, net of certain future reversing taxable temporary differences, with respect to our U.S. deferred tax assets. This conclusion did not change for 2009. To the extent that realization of a portion or all of the tax assets becomes more-likely-than-not to be realized based on changes in circumstances a reversal of that portion of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance will be recorded.

The Company does not provide deferred income taxes on unremitted earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries, which are deemed permanently reinvested.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (ASC Topic 815-10) which expands the quarterly and annual disclosure requirements about the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities.  The adoption of ASC Topic 815 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Restructuring.  We have recorded restructuring charges in the recent period in connection with improving manufacturing efficiency and cost position by transferring production to other locations.  These charges are recorded when management has committed to a plan and incurred a liability related to the plan.  Also in connection with this initiative, we recorded liabilities for severance costs.  No fixed-asset impairment charges were incurred because assets are primarily being transferred to our other locations for continued production.  Estimates for work force reductions and other costs savings are recorded based upon estimates of the number of positions to be terminated, termination benefits to be provided and other information as necessary.  Management evaluates the estimates on a quarterly basis and will adjust the reserve when information indicates that the estimate is above or below the initial estimate.  For further discussion of our restructuring activities, see Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

New accounting standards to be implemented:

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (ASC Topic 810-10).  This updated guidance requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity; to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; to eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; to add an additional reconsideration event for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights of those investments to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and to require enhanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. This update became effective for the Company on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

New accounting standards implemented:

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (ASC Topic 820-10), which provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC Topic 820-10 was effective for financial assets and financial liabilities in years beginning after November 15, 2007 and for nonfinancial assets and liabilities in years beginning after November 15, 2008.  The provisions of ASC Topic 820-10 were applied prospectively.  The Company adopted ASC Topic 820-10 for financial assets and liabilities in 2008 and for nonfinancial assets and liabilities in 2009 with no material impact to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
30

 
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (ASC Topic 805).  This standard improves reporting by creating greater consistency in the accounting and financial reporting of business combinations.  Additionally, ASC Topic 805 requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination.  ASC Topic 805 was effective for financial statements issued for years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of ASC Topic 805 did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements-an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (ASC Topic 810-10-65).  This guidance improves the relevance, comparability and transparency of financial information provided to investors by requiring all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way.  Additionally, it eliminates the diversity that currently exists in accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests by requiring they be treated as equity transactions.  We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009.  In connection with our acquisition of BCS during 2009, we recorded $4.4 of noncontrolling interest as a component of shareholders’ equity as of the acquisition date.

In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets (ASC Topic 715-20-65).  This guidance requires entities to provide enhanced disclosures about how investment allocation decisions are made, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period and significant concentrations of risk within plan assets.  This guidance was effective for the Company beginning with its year ending December 31, 2009.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Forward-Looking Statements

Portions of this report contain “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear in a number of places in this report and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, our directors or officers with respect to, among other things, our (i) future product and facility expansion, (ii) acquisition strategy, (iii) investments and new product development, and (iv) growth opportunities related to awarded business.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words “will,” “may,” “designed to,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “continue,” and similar words and expressions.  The forward-looking statements in this report are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors:

 
·
the loss or bankruptcy of a major customer;
 
 
·
the costs and timing of facility closures, business realignment, or similar actions;
 
 
·
a significant change in medium- and heavy-duty, automotive, agricultural or off-highway vehicle production;
 
 
·
our ability to achieve cost reductions that offset or exceed customer-mandated selling price reductions;
 
 
·
a significant change in general economic conditions in any of the various countries in which we operate;
 
 
·
labor disruptions at our facilities or at any of our significant customers or suppliers;
 
 
·
the ability of our suppliers to supply us with parts and components at competitive prices on a timely basis;
 
 
·
the amount of debt and the restrictive covenants contained in our credit facility;
 
 
·
customer acceptance of new products;
 
 
·
capital availability or costs, including changes in interest rates or market perceptions;
 
 
·
the successful integration of any acquired businesses;
 
 
·
the occurrence or non-occurrence of circumstances beyond our control; and
 
 
·
those items described in Part I, Item IA (“Risk Factors”).
 
 
31

 
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Interest Rate Risk

From time to time, we are exposed to certain market risks, primarily resulting from the effects of changes in interest rates.  Our senior notes with a face value of $183.0 million have a fixed rate.  We currently have no amounts outstanding on our revolving credit facility.  At this time, we do not use financial instruments to manage this risk.

Commodity Price Risk

Given the current economic climate and recent fluctuations in certain commodity costs, we currently are experiencing an increased risk, particularly with respect to the purchase of copper, zinc, resins and certain other commodities.  In the past, we managed this risk through a combination of fixed price agreements, staggered short-term contract maturities and commercial negotiations with our suppliers.  In the future if we believe that the terms of a fixed price agreement become beneficial to us, we will enter into another such instrument.  We may also consider pursuing alternative commodities or alternative suppliers to mitigate this risk over a period of time.  The recent increase in certain commodity costs has negatively affected our operating results.

In September 2008, we entered into a fixed price swap contract for 1.4 million pounds of copper, which lasted through December 2009.  We continue to monitor the fixed price commodity market and will pursue a contract if we believe that the terms of the contract become beneficial to us.  The purpose of this contract was to reduce our price risk as it relates to copper prices.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We use derivative financial instruments, including foreign currency forward contracts, to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates by reducing the effect of such fluctuations on foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions and other foreign currency exposures.  As discussed in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements, we have entered into foreign currency forward contracts that had a notional value of $52.2 million and $44.2 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The purpose of these foreign currency contracts is to reduce exposure related to the Company’s British pound and Swedish krona-denominated receivables as well as to reduce exposure to future Mexican peso-denominated purchases.  The estimated fair value of these contracts at December 31, 2009 and 2008, per quoted market sources, was approximately $1.7 million and $(0.8) million, respectively.  The Company’s foreign currency option contracts expire during 2010.  We do not expect the effects of this risk to be material in the future based on the current operating and economic conditions in the countries in which we operate.

A hypothetical pre-tax gain (loss) in fair value from a 10.0% favorable or adverse change in quoted currency exchange rates would be approximately $0.7 million or $(0.9) million for the Company’s British pound and Swedish krona-denominated receivables, as of December 31, 2009.  A hypothetical pre-tax gain (loss) in fair value from a 10.0% favorable or adverse change in quoted currency exchange rates would be approximately $4.2 million or $(5.2) million for the Company’s Mexican peso-denominated payables as of December 31, 2009.  It is important to note that gains and losses indicated in the sensitivity analysis would generally be offset by gains and losses on the underlying exposures being hedged.  Therefore, a hypothetical pre-tax gain or loss in fair value from a 10.0% favorable or adverse change in quoted foreign currencies would not significantly affect our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
 
32

 

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

   
Page
Consolidated Financial Statements:
   
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
34
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
35
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
36
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
37
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
38
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
39
     
Financial Statement Schedule:
   
     
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
74

33



The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries


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.


As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2009 the Company changed its method of accounting for business combinations.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 16, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
March 16, 2010

 
34

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
ASSETS
           
             
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 91,907     $ 92,692  
Accounts receivable, less reserves of $2,350 and $4,204, respectively
    81,272       96,535  
Inventories, net
    40,244       54,800  
Prepaid expenses and other
    17,247       10,564  
Total current assets
    230,670       254,591  
                 
Long-Term Assets:
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    76,991       87,701  
Investments and other, net
    54,864       40,145  
Total long-term assets
    131,855       127,846  
Total Assets
  $ 362,525     $ 382,437  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 50,947     $ 50,719  
Accrued expenses and other
    36,827       43,485  
Total current liabilities
    87,774       94,204  
                 
Long-Term Liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    183,431       183,000  
Other long-term liabilities
    17,263       13,475  
Total long-term liabilities
    200,694       196,475  
                 
Shareholders' Equity:
               
Preferred Shares, without par value, authorized 5,000 shares, none issued
    -       -  
Common Shares, without par value, authorized 60,000 shares, issued 25,301 and 24,772
               
shares and outstanding 25,000 and 24,665 shares, respectively, with no stated value
    -       -  
Additional paid-in capital
    158,748       158,039  
Common Shares held in treasury, 301 and 107 shares, respectively, at cost
    (292 )     (129 )
Accumulated deficit
    (91,560 )     (59,155 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    2,669       (6,997 )
Total Stoneridge Inc. and Subsidiaries shareholders’ equity
    69,565       91,758  
Noncontrolling interest
    4,492       -  
Total shareholders' equity
    74,057       91,758  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 362,525     $ 382,437  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
35

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net Sales
  $ 475,152     $ 752,698     $ 727,120  
                         
Costs and Expenses:
                       
Cost of goods sold
    387,167       586,411       559,397  
Selling, general and administrative
    102,583       135,992       131,998  
Goodwill impairment charge
    -       65,175       -  
Restructuring charges
    3,645       8,391       926  
                         
Operating Income (Loss)
    (18,243 )     (43,271 )     34,799  
                         
Interest expense, net
    21,965       20,575       21,759  
Equity in earnings of investees
    (7,775 )     (13,490 )     (10,893 )
Other expense, net
    893       419       709  
                         
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
    (33,326 )     (50,775 )     23,224  
                         
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (1,003 )     46,752       6,553  
                         
Net Income (Loss)
    (32,323 )     (97,527 )     16,671  
                         
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
    82       -       -  
                         
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries
  $ (32,405 )   $ (97,527 )   $ 16,671  
                         
Basic net income (loss) per share
  $ (1.37 )   $ (4.17 )   $ 0.72  
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
    23,626       23,367       23,133  
                         
Diluted net income (loss) per share
  $ (1.37 )   $ (4.17 )   $ 0.71  
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    23,626       23,367       23,548  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
36

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ (32,323 )   $ (97,527 )   $ 16,671  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by
                       
operating activities -
                       
Depreciation
    19,875       26,196       28,299  
Amortization
    1,053       1,320       1,522  
Deferred income taxes
    (3,200 )     46,239       3,823  
Earnings of equity method investees, less dividends received
    (474 )     (9,277 )     (5,299 )
Loss (Gain) on sale of fixed assets
    219       (571 )     (1,710 )
Share-based compensation expense
    1,252       3,425       2,431  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
    -       770       -  
Goodwill impairment charge
    -       65,175       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities -
                       
Accounts receivable, net
    16,619       20,087       (13,424 )
Inventories, net
    17,255       (1,786 )     933  
Prepaid expenses and other
    (1,060 )     2,656       1,474  
Accounts payable
    (2,111 )     (14,769 )     (4,881 )
Accrued expenses and other
    (3,281 )     518       3,686  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    13,824       42,456       33,525  
                         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (11,998 )     (24,573 )     (18,141 )
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
    201       1,652       12,315  
Business acquisitions
    (5,967 )     (980 )     -  
Net cash used by investing activities
    (17,764 )     (23,901 )     (5,826 )
                         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Repayments of long-term debt
    -       (17,000 )     -  
Revolving credit facility borrowings
    336       -       -  
Share-based compensation activity
    -       1,322       2,119  
Premiums related to early extinguishment of debt
    -       (553 )     -  
Other financing costs
    -       -       (1,219 )
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    336       (16,231 )     900  
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    2,819       (5,556 )     1,443  
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (785 )     (3,232 )     30,042  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    92,692       95,924       65,882  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 91,907     $ 92,692     $ 95,924  
                         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid for interest, net
  $ 20,981     $ 20,048     $ 20,637  
Cash paid for income taxes, net
  $ 2,319     $ 4,466     $ 3,672  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
37

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)

   
Number of Common Shares
   
Number of Treasury Shares
   
Additional Paid-in Capital
   
Common Shares Held in Treasury
   
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Noncontrolling Interest
   
Total Shareholders' Equity
 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2006
    23,804       186     $ 150,078     $ (151 )   $ 21,701     $ 6,994     $ -     $ 178,622  
                                                                 
Net income
    -       -       -       -       16,671       -       -       16,671  
Pension liability adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       1,039       -       1,039  
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
    -       -       -       -       -       44       -       44  
Unrealized loss on derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -       (37 )     -       (37 )
Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       5,987       -       5,987  
Comprehensive income
                                                            23,704  
                                                                 
Exercise of share options
    164       -       1,552       -       -       -       -       1,552  
Issuance of restricted Common Shares
    447       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Forfeited restricted Common Shares
    (181 )     181       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Repurchased Common Shares for treasury
    (25 )     25       -       (232 )     -       -       -       (232 )
Share-based compensation matters
    -       -       2,543       -       -       -       -       2,543  
                                                                 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2007
    24,209       392       154,173       (383 )     38,372       14,027       -       206,189  
                                                                 
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       (97,527 )     -       -       (97,527 )
Pension liability adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       (1,531 )     -       (1,531 )
Unrealized loss on marketable securities
    -       -       -       -       -       (10 )     -       (10 )
Unrealized loss on derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -       (4,977 )     -       (4,977 )
Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       (14,506 )     -       (14,506 )
Comprehensive loss
                                                            (118,551 )
                                                                 
Exercise of share options
    88       -       795       -       -       -       -       795  
Issuance of restricted Common Shares
    462       (379 )     -       383       -       -       -       383  
Forfeited restricted Common Shares
    (73 )     73       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Repurchased Common Shares for treasury
    (21 )     21       -       (129 )     -       -       -       (129 )
Share-based compensation matters
    -       -       3,071       -       -       -       -       3,071  
                                                                 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2008
    24,665       107       158,039       (129 )     (59,155 )     (6,997 )     -       91,758  
                                                                 
Net income (loss)
    -       -       -       -       (32,405 )     -       82       (32,323 )
Pension liability adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       (3,130 )     -       (3,130 )
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
    -       -       -       -       -       6       -       6  
Unrealized gain on derivatives
    -       -       -       -       -       6,724       -       6,724  
Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       6,066       -       6,066  
Comprehensive loss
                                                            (22,657 )
                                                                 
Business acquisition
    -       -       -       -       -       -       4,410       4,410  
Exercise of share options
    7       -       3       -       -       -       -       3  
Issuance of restricted Common Shares
    522       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Forfeited restricted Common Shares
    (153 )     153       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Repurchased Common Shares for treasury
    (41 )     41       -       (163 )     -       -       -       (163 )
Share-based compensation matters
    -       -       706       -       -       -       -       706  
                                                                 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2009
    25,000       301     $ 158,748     $ (292 )   $ (91,560 )   $ 2,669     $ 4,492     $ 74,057  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
38

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

1. Organization and Nature of Business

Stoneridge, Inc. and its subsidiaries are independent designers and manufacturers of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems for the medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stoneridge, Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”).  Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Company accounts for investments in joint ventures in which it owns between 20% and 50% of equity or otherwise acquires management influence using the equity method (Note 3).

Accounting Standards Codification

During 2009, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) - Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-01, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), which establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM (“ASC” or “Codification”) as the official single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP.  All existing accounting standards were superseded.  All other accounting guidance not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative.  The Codification also includes all relevant Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections within the Codification.  In order to ease the transition to the Codification, the Company is providing the Codification cross-reference alongside the references to the standards issued and adopted prior to the adoption of the Codification.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, due to the highly liquid nature and short-term duration of the underlying securities.

Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk

Revenues are principally generated from the medium- and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.  The Company’s largest customers were Navistar International and Deere & Company, which accounted for approximately 27%, 26% and 20% and 12%, 10% and 7% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
 
39

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for approximately 69% and 72% of the Company’s inventories at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and by the first-in, first-out method for all other inventories.  The Company adjusts its excess and obsolescence reserve at least on a quarterly basis.  Excess inventories are quantities of items that exceed anticipated sales or usage for a reasonable period.  The Company uses guidelines and judgment for calculating provisions for excess inventories based on the number of months of inventories on hand compared to anticipated sales or usage.  Inventory cost includes material, labor and overhead. Inventories consist of the following at December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Raw materials
  $ 26,118     $ 32,981  
Work-in-progress
    9,137       8,876  
Finished goods
    8,226       15,890  
Total inventories
    43,481       57,747  
Less: LIFO reserve
    (3,237 )     (2,947 )
Inventories, net
  $ 40,244     $ 54,800  

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and consist of the following at December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Land and land improvements
  $ 3,131     $ 3,872  
Buildings and improvements
    34,610       35,325  
Machinery and equipment
    132,936       131,061  
Office furniture and fixtures
    7,163       6,586  
Tooling
    63,566       62,163  
Information technology
    24,070       21,714  
Vehicles
    431       314  
Leasehold improvements
    2,904       2,359  
Construction in progress
    11,779       14,878  
Total property, plant and equipment
    280,590       278,272  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (203,599 )     (190,571 )
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 76,991     $ 87,701  

As a result of the restructuring plan approved on October 29, 2007 (See Note 11), the manufacturing facility located in Sarasota, Florida was closed in 2008.  This facility was included within the Control Devices segment.  In 2009, the Company classified the Sarasota, Florida facility as an asset held for sale and has included the net book value of the facility of $3,757 within the December 31, 2009 consolidated balance sheet as a component of prepaid expenses and other.

 
40

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $19,875, $26,196 and $28,299, respectively.  Depreciable lives within each property classification are as follows:

Buildings and improvements
 
10–40 years
Machinery and equipment
 
3–20 years
Office furniture and fixtures
 
3–10 years
Tooling
 
2–5 years
Information technology
 
3–5 years
Vehicles
 
3–5 years
Leasehold improvements
 
3–8 years

Maintenance and repair expenditures that are not considered improvements and do not extend the useful life of the property, plant and equipment are charged to expense as incurred.  Expenditures for improvements and major renewals are capitalized.  When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on the disposition is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as a component of selling, general and administrative.

Impairment of Finite-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets and identifiable intangible assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  No significant impairment charges were recorded in 2009, 2008 or 2007 for finite lived assets.  Impairment would be recognized when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recovered.  Measurement of the amount of impairment may be based on appraisal, market values of similar assets or estimated discounted future cash flows resulting from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset.

Acquisitions

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 141(R), Business Combinations (ASC Topic 805) which requires, among other things, the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed; the recognition of acquisition-related costs in the consolidated statement of operations and contingent purchase consideration to be recognized at their fair values on the acquisition date with subsequent adjustments recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

On October 13, 2009, the Company acquired a 51% membership interest in Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC (“BCS”) for a purchase price of $5,967, net of cash acquired.  BCS designs and manufactures a wide variety of electrical solutions for the military, automotive, marine and specialty vehicle markets and is based in Walled Lake, Michigan.  The Company acquired a majority interest in BCS in order to expand its presence in the military channel.  The Company may be required to make an additional payment to the prior owners of BCS for its 51% membership interest based on BCS achieving financial performance targets as defined by the purchase agreement.  The maximum amount of additional payments to the prior owners of BCS is $3,200 per year in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and is contingent upon BCS achieving profitability targets based on earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In addition, the Company may be required to make additional payments to BCS of $450 in 2011 and $500 in 2012 based on BCS achieving annual revenue targets in 2010 and 2011, respectively.  Per ASC Topic 805, the Company recorded $893; the fair value of the estimated future additional payments to the prior owners of BCS as of the acquisition date on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of other long-term liabilities.  The estimated future additional payments to the prior owners of BCS were based upon an analysis of forecasted operating results and the probability of achieving the forecasted targets.  The purchase agreement provides the Company with the option to purchase the remaining 49% interest in BCS in 2013 at a price determined in accordance with the purchase agreement.  If the Company does not exercise this option then the minority owners of BCS have the option in 2014 to purchase the Company’s 51% interest in BCS at a price determined in accordance with the purchase agreement or to jointly market BCS for sale.  BCS’s results of operations are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from its date of acquisition.

 
41

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

The Company has preliminarily allocated the consideration transferred to net tangible assets acquired, intangible assets, goodwill and noncontrolling interest, of $927, $1,144, $9,199 and $4,410, respectively as of the acquisition date.

The Company incurred approximately $300 of acquisition costs related to the BCS purchase.  These costs are included in selling, general and administrative on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.

On March 31, 2008, the Company acquired Magnum Trade AB, a commercial vehicle aftermarket distributor operating in northern Europe for $980.

Noncontrolling Interest

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (ASC Topic 810-10-65).  ASC Topic 810-10-65 requires that noncontrolling interests be reported as a component of equity; net income (loss) attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest be separately identified in the consolidated statement of operations; changes in a parent's ownership interest be treated as equity transactions if control is maintained; and upon a loss of control, any gain or loss on the interest be recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.  ASC Topic 810-10-65 also requires expanded disclosures to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of BCS during 2009, it recorded $4,410 of noncontrolling interest as a component of shareholders’ equity as of the acquisition date.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is subject to an annual assessment for impairment (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) by applying a fair value-based test.

The Company performs its annual impairment test of goodwill as of the beginning of the fourth quarter.  The Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, which include consideration of a market-based approach (guideline company method) and an income approach (discounted cash flow method), in determining the fair value of the Company’s applicable reporting units in the annual impairment test of goodwill.  The Company believes that the combination of the valuation models provides a more appropriate valuation of the Company’s reporting units by taking into account different marketplace participant assumptions.  Both methods utilize market data in the derivation of a value estimate and are forward-looking in nature.  The guideline assessment of future performance and the discounted cash flow method utilize a market-derived rate of return to discount anticipated performance.

These methodologies are applied to the reporting units’ historical and projected financial performance.  The impairment review is highly judgmental and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.  These estimates and assumptions have a significant impact on the amount of any impairment charge recorded.  Discounted cash flow methods are dependent upon assumption of future sales trends, market conditions and cash flows of each reporting unit over several years.  Actual cash flows in the future may differ significantly from those previously forecasted.  Other significant assumptions include growth rates and the discount rate applicable to future cash flows.

As of the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company’s goodwill balance of $65.2 million was related to the Control Devices reportable segment.  The Company completed its annual assessment of any potential goodwill impairment as of October 1, 2008 and determined that no impairment existed.

Due to significant declines in the automotive sector and the world economy as a whole during the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company performed an additional impairment test as of December 31, 2008.  The initial December 31, 2008 impairment test indicated that the carrying value of the Company’s reporting units significantly exceeded the corresponding fair value of the reporting units.  The implied fair value of goodwill in these reporting units were then determined through the allocation of the fair value to the underlying assets and liabilities.  At December 31, 2008, the carrying value of the reporting units was greater than the implied fair value; therefore the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $65.2 million, within the Control Devices reportable segment as a component of operating loss in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 
42

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

The goodwill impairment charge resulted primarily from the significant deterioration in the global economic environment including tightening credit markets, stock market declines and significant reductions in current and forecasted production volumes for light and commercial vehicles during the quarter ended December 31, 2008.  This lead to a significant decline in the Company’s stock price, which resulted in a market capitalization less than the Company’s carrying value at December 31, 2008 prior to the impairment test.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company allocated $715 of the BCS purchase price to intangible assets related to customer relationships, with a weighted average useful life of 8.1 years and $429 to trademarks with a useful life of 3.0 years.  These intangible assets are included on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of investments and other, net.  The Company recognized $64 of amortization expense in 2009 from the BCS intangible assets, which is included as a component of selling, general and administrative on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Amortization expense for these intangible assets is estimated to be $231, $231, $201, $88 and $75 for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

The Company recorded goodwill of $9,199 within the Electronics segment from the BCS acquisition.  Goodwill is included on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of investments and other, net.  This goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.

In 2008, the Company recorded $544 of goodwill from the Magnum Trade AB acquisition, which is included in investments and other, net on the consolidated balance sheet.

The change in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment during 2009 and 2008 was as follows:

   
2009
   
2008
 
         
Control
         
Control
 
   
Electronics
   
Devices
   
Electronics
   
Devices
 
Goodwill at beginning of period
  $ 494     $ -     $ -     $ 65,176  
Goodwill acquired
    9,199       -       544       -  
Translation adjustment
    50       -       (50 )     -  
Impairment charge
    -       -       -       (65,176 )
Goodwill at end of period
  $ 9,743     $ -     $ 494     $ -  
 
The Company fully amortized its patents during the year ended December 31, 2008.  Aggregate amortization expense on patents was $203 and $204 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively and was included on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of selling, general and administrative.

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following at December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Compensation related obligations
  $ 13,553     $ 18,027  
Warranty and recall related obligations
    4,764       5,527  
Other (1)
    18,510       19,931  
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities
  $ 36,827     $ 43,485  
 

 (1)           “Other” is comprised of miscellaneous accruals; none of which contributed a significant portion of the total.

 
43

 
 
STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not to occur.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of the goodwill impairment charge incurred, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that the Company would not be able to realize its deferred tax asset in the U.S..  As a result, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $62,006 in 2008.  The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance in 2009.

The Company's policy is to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management's assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities.  At December 31, 2009, the Company believes it has appropriately accounted for any unrecognized tax benefits.  To the extent the Company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is established or is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, the Company's effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be affected.

Currency Translation

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each reporting period for the results of operations.  Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Foreign currency transactions are remeasured into the functional currency using translation rates in effect at the time of the transaction, with the resulting adjustments included on the consolidated statement of operations.

Revenue Recognition and Sales Commitments

The Company recognizes revenues from the sale of products, net of actual and estimated returns, at the point of passage of title, which is generally at the time of shipment.  Estimated returns are based on authorized returns.  The Company often enters into agreements with its customers at the beginning of a given vehicle’s expected production life.  Once such agreements are entered into, it is the Company’s obligation to fulfill the customers’ purchasing requirements for the entire production life of the vehicle.  These agreements are subject to renegotiation, which may affect product pricing.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors.  In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected.  Additionally, the Company reviews historical trends for collectability in determining an estimate for its allowance for doubtful accounts.  If economic circumstances change substantially, estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to the Company could be reduced by a material amount.  The Company does not have collateral requirements with its customers.

Product Warranty and Recall Reserves

Amounts accrued for product warranty and recall claims are established based on the Company’s best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet dates.  These accruals are based on several factors including past experience, production changes, industry developments and various other considerations.  The Company can provide no assurances that it will not experience material claims in the future or that it will not incur significant costs to defend or settle such claims beyond the amounts accrued or beyond what the Company may recover from its suppliers.
 
44

 
STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
The following provides a reconciliation of changes in product warranty and recall liability for the years ended December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Product warranty and recall at beginning of period
  $ 5,527     $ 5,306  
Accruals for products shipped during period
    2,166       5,487  
Aggregate changes in pre-existing liabilities due to claims developments
    1,945       1,157  
Settlements made during the period (in cash or in kind)
    (4,874 )     (6,423 )
Product warranty and recall at end of period
  $ 4,764     $ 5,527  

Product Development Expenses

Expenses associated with the development of new products and changes to existing products are charged to expense as incurred.  These costs amounted to $32,993, $45,509 and $45,223 in years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively or 6.9%, 6.0% and 6.2% of net sales for these periods.

Share-Based Compensation

At December 31, 2009, the Company had three types of share-based compensation plans: (1) Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), (2) Directors’ Share Option Plan and (3) the Directors’ Restricted Shares Plan.  One plan is for employees and two plans are for non-employee directors.  The Incentive Plan is made up of the Long-Term Incentive Plan that was approved by the Company's shareholders on September 30, 1997 and expired on June 30, 2007 and the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan that was approved by the Company's shareholders on April 24, 2006 and expires on April 24, 2016. 

Total compensation expense recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative on the consolidated statements of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $1,252, $3,425 and $2,431 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  There was no share-based compensation expense capitalized as inventory in 2009, 2008 or 2007.

Financial Instruments and Derivative Financial Instruments

Financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, held by the Company include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable is considered to be representative of fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.  Refer to Note 9 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for fair value disclosures of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts.

Common Shares Held in Treasury

The Company accounts for Common Shares held in treasury under the cost method and includes such shares as a reduction of total shareholders’ equity.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, including certain self-insured risks and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because actual results could differ from those estimates, the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.
 
45


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share was computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of Common Shares outstanding for each respective period.  Diluted net income per share was calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average of all potentially dilutive Common Shares that were outstanding during the periods presented.  For all periods in which the Company recognized a net loss, the Company has recognized zero dilutive effect from securities as no anti-dilution is permitted.  Actual weighted-average shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted net income (loss) per share were as follows:

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
    23,625,923       23,366,515       23,132,814  
Effect of dilutive securities
    -       -       415,669  
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
    23,625,923       23,366,515       23,548,483  

Options not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share to purchase 169,750, 74,000 and 89,500 Common Shares at an average price of $9.57, $14.86 and $14.61 per share were outstanding at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  These outstanding options were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share because their respective exercise prices were greater than the average market price of Common Shares.

 There were 395,925 and 628,275 performance-based restricted Common Shares outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These shares were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share because not all vesting conditions were achieved as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.  These shares may or may not become dilutive based on the Company’s ability to exceed future earnings thresholds.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes foreign currency translation adjustments and gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions, the effective portion of gains and losses on certain hedging activities, pension liability adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale marketable securities.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), as reported on the consolidated statement of other comprehensive income (loss) and shareholders’ equity as of December 31, net of tax were as follows:

   
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   
Pension
Liability
Adjustments
   
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Marketable
Securities
   
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Derivatives
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balance, January 1, 2007
  $ 8,525     $ (1,467 )   $ (64 )   $ -     $ 6,994  
Current year change
    5,987       1,039       44       (37 )     7,033  
Balance, December 31, 2007
    14,512       (428 )     (20 )     (37 )     14,027  
Current year change
    (14,506 )     (1,531 )     (10 )     (4,977 )     (21,024 )
Balance, December 31, 2008
    6       (1,959 )     (30 )     (5,014 )     (6,997 )
Current year change
    6,066       (3,130 )     6       6,724       9,666  
Balance, December 31, 2009
  $ 6,072     $ (5,089 )   $ (24 )   $ 1,710     $ 2,669  
 
46


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
     
The tax effects related to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

   
Before Tax
Amount
   
Benefit /
(Provision)
   
After-Tax
Amount
 
2007
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 5,987     $ -     $ 5,987  
Pension liability adjustments
    1,039       -       1,039  
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
    68       (24 )     44  
Unrealized loss on derivatives
    (57 )     20       (37 )
Other comprehensive income
  $ 7,037     $ (4 )   $ 7,033  
                         
2008
                       
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ (14,506 )   $ -     $ (14,506 )
Pension liability adjustments
    (1,531 )     -       (1,531 )
Unrealized loss on marketable securities
    (16 )     6       (10 )
Unrealized loss on derivatives
    (4,977 )     -       (4,977 )
Other comprehensive loss
  $ (21,030 )   $ 6     $ (21,024 )
                         
2009
                       
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 6,066     $ -     $ 6,066  
Pension liability adjustments
    (3,130 )     -       (3,130 )
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
    9       (3 )     6  
Unrealized gain on derivatives
    6,724       -       6,724  
Other comprehensive income
  $ 9,669     $ (3 )   $ 9,666  
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded valuation allowances of $1,675 and $675, respectively, which fully offset the deferred tax asset related to the pension liability adjustments.

Deferred Finance Costs

Deferred finance costs are being amortized over the life of the related financial instrument using the straight-line method. The annual amortization for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $989, $1,117 and $1,318, respectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (ASC Topic 810-10).  This updated guidance requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity; to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; to eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; to add an additional reconsideration event for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights of those investments to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and to require enhanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. This update became effective for the Company on January 1, 2010.  The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to their 2009 presentation in the consolidated financial statements.
 
47


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
3. Investments

PST Eletrônica S.A.

The Company has a 50% interest in PST Eletrônica S.A. (“PST”), a Brazilian electronic system provider focused on security and convenience applications primarily for the vehicle and motorcycle industry.  The investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  The Company’s investment in PST was $35,824 and $31,021 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Condensed financial information for PST is as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,246     $ 5,678  
Accounts receivable, net
    21,427       12,533  
Inventories, net
    25,952       21,091  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    27,592       18,379  
Other assets
    9,489       4,272  
Total Assets
  $ 85,706     $ 61,953  
                 
Current liabilities
  $ 30,306     $ 17,268  
Long-term liabilities
    6,266       10,183  
Equity of:
               
Stoneridge
    24,567       17,251  
Others
    24,567       17,251  
Total Liabilities and Equity
  $ 85,706     $ 61,953  

The difference between the Company’s carrying amount of its investment in PST and the Company’s underlying equity in the net assets of PST is primarily due to a net goodwill balance of $11,296 at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 140,690     $ 174,305     $ 133,039  
Cost of goods sold
  $ 69,291     $ 80,924     $ 61,575  
                         
Total pre-tax income
  $ 15,623     $ 31,788     $ 25,152  
The Company's share of pre-tax income
  $ 7,812     $ 15,894     $ 12,576  

Equity in earnings of PST included in the consolidated statements of operations was $7,385, $12,788 and $10,351 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  During 2009, 2008 and 2007, PST declared dividends payable to its joint venture partners, which included the Company.  The Company received dividend payments from PST of $7,301, $4,213 and $5,594 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which decreased the Company’s investment in PST.

Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd.

The Company has a 49% interest in Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd. (“Minda”), a company based in India that manufactures electronics and instrumentation equipment for the motorcycle and commercial vehicle market.  The investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  The Company’s investment in Minda was $5,220 and $4,808 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Equity in earnings of Minda included in the consolidated statements of operations was $390, $702 and $542, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
48


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
     
4. Long-Term Debt

Senior Notes

The Company had $183.0 million of senior notes outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  During 2008, the Company purchased and retired $17.0 million in face value of the senior notes. The $183.0 million senior notes bear interest at an annual rate of 11.50% and mature on May 1, 2012.  The senior notes are redeemable, at the Company’s option, at 101.917% of the principal amount until April 30, 2010.  After April 30, 2010, the senior notes will remain redeemable at par until the maturity date.  Interest is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year.  The senior notes do not contain restrictive financial performance covenants.  The Company was in compliance with all non-financial covenants at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Credit Facilities

On November 2, 2007, the Company entered into an asset-based credit facility, which permits borrowing up to a maximum level of $100.0 million.  At December 31, 2009 and 2008, there were no borrowings on this asset-based credit facility.  The available borrowing capacity on this credit facility is based on eligible current assets, as defined.  At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had borrowing capacity of $54.1 million and $57.7 million, respectively, based on eligible current assets.  The credit facility does not contain financial performance covenants which would constrain the Company’s borrowing capacity. However, restrictions do include limits on capital expenditures, operating leases, dividends and investment activities in a negative covenant which limits investment activities to $15.0 million minus certain guarantees and obligations.  The credit facility expires on November 1, 2011 and requires a commitment fee of 0.375% on the unused balance.  Interest is payable quarterly at either (i) the higher of the prime rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, plus a margin of 0.00% to 0.25% or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.75%, depending upon the Company’s undrawn availability, as defined.  The Company was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

On October 9, 2009, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Amendment”) to the asset based credit facility.  The Amendment enabled the Company to acquire a 51% equity interest in BCS and have an option to purchase the remaining 49% of BCS, with BCS being excluded from certain restrictive covenants in the asset based credit facility applicable to subsidiaries.  The acquisition of BCS is discussed within Note 2.  In addition, the Amendment redefines certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company as non borrowers and permits certain internal transactions that will facilitate the implementation of a more efficient cash management structure.  The Amendment did not change the Company’s borrowing capacity.

On October 13, 2009, BCS entered into a master revolving note (the “Revolver”), which permits borrowing up to a maximum level of $3.0 million.  At December 31, 2009, BCS had $688 in borrowings outstanding on the Revolver, which are included on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of accrued expenses and other.  The revolver expires on October 1, 2010.  Interest is payable monthly at the prime referenced rate plus a 2.25% margin.  At December 31, 2009, the interest rate on the revolver was 5.5%.  The Company is a guarantor of BCS as it relates to the Revolver.

Installment Notes

BCS had an installment note (“installment note”) in the amount of $527 and other notes payable for the purchase of various fixed assets (“fixed asset notes”) in the amount of $231 as of the acquisition date.  Interest on the installment notes is the prime referenced rate plus a 2.25% margin.  At December 31, 2009, the interest rate on the installment note was 5.5%.  The installment note calls for monthly installment payments of principal and interest and matures in 2012.  The weighted average interest rate on the fixed asset notes was 6.6% at December 31, 2009.  At December 31, 2009, the principal amounts due on the installment and fixed asset notes was $483 and $221, respectively.  The installment and fixed asset notes require annual principal payments of $273, $250, $157, $16 and $8 in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company is a guarantor of BCS on the installment note.
 
49


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
5. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements represents federal, state and foreign income taxes.  The components of income (loss) before income taxes and the provision (benefit) for income taxes consist of the following:

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Income (loss) before income taxes:
                 
Domestic
  $ (21,282 )   $ (52,320 )   $ 9,186  
Foreign
    (12,044 )     1,545       14,038  
Total income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (33,326 )   $ (50,775 )   $ 23,224  
                         
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
                       
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ 9     $ (1,434 )   $ (55 )
State and foreign
    2,188       1,947       2,785  
Total current provision
    2,197       513       2,730  
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    (1,242 )     47,590       3,450  
State and foreign
    (1,958 )     (1,351 )     373  
Total deferred provision (benefit)
    (3,200 )     46,239       3,823  
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ (1,003 )   $ 46,752     $ 6,553  

A reconciliation of the Company’s effective income tax rate to the statutory federal tax rate is as follows:

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate
    (35.0 ) %     (35.0 ) %     35.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    1.2       (1.8 )     (1.0 )
Tax credits
    (2.8 )     (2.0 )     (4.0 )
Foreign rate differential
    0.7       (4.4 )     (10.9 )
Reduction of income tax accruals
    (0.1 )     (1.2 )     (2.4 )
Tax on foreign dividends, net of foreign tax credits
    24.4       1.8       1.8  
Reduction (increase) of deferred taxes
    2.3       (2.8 )     1.3  
Valuation allowances
    7.1       129.2       7.4  
Non-deductible goodwill
    -       9.0       -  
Other
    (0.8 )     (0.7 )     1.0  
Effective income tax rate
    (3.0 ) %     92.1 %     28.2 %

The Company recognized a provision (benefit) for income taxes of $(1,003), or 3.0%, $46,752, or (92.1)% of pre-tax loss and $6,553 or 28.2% of pre-tax income, for federal, state and foreign income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The effective tax rate for 2009 decreased compared to 2008 primarily as a result of the difference in the amount of valuation allowance recorded against our domestic deferred tax assets.  Prior to 2008 the Company had not provided a valuation allowance against its domestic deferred tax assets, therefore the amount of valuation allowance provided in 2008 was based on the total domestic deferred tax asset amount as of December 31, 2008.  The amount of valuation allowance provided in 2009 is significantly less than 2008 as it relates only to the change in domestic deferred tax assets from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009.  Due to the impairment of goodwill in 2008, the Company is in a cumulative loss position for the period 2007 to 2009 and has provided a valuation allowance offsetting federal, state and certain foreign deferred tax assets.  Additionally, the 2008 effective tax rate was negatively affected by non-deductible goodwill.
 
50


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
During 2009, the Company reorganized its European legal structure and remitted earnings to the U.S..  Due to the Company’s U.S. tax position, a full U.S. tax was provided on the remittance. The reorganization did not have an impact on the overall tax benefit provided and resulting effective tax rate as without the reorganization the Company would have provided an additional valuation allowance equal to the amount of tax provided on the remittance.

Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries were $2,590, $24,155 and $22,451 as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Because these earnings have been indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations, no provision has been made for U.S. income taxes.  It is impracticable to determine the amount of unrecognized deferred taxes with respect to these earnings; however, foreign tax credits may be available to reduce U.S. income taxes in the event of a distribution.

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Inventories
  $ 2,049     $ 1,606  
Employee benefits
    2,461       2,568  
Insurance
    1,290       1,306  
Depreciation and amortization
    28,390       35,735  
Net operating loss carryforwards
    38,228       32,169  
General business credit carryforwards
    8,973       8,550  
Reserves not currently deductible
    6,971       7,204  
Gross deferred tax assets
    88,362       89,138  
Less: Valuation allowance
    (83,963 )     (82,379 )
Deferred tax assets less valuation allowance
    4,399       6,759  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    (1,347 )     (4,293 )
Other
    (9,297 )     (7,973 )
Gross deferred tax liabilities
    (10,644 )     (12,266 )
                 
Net deferred tax liability
  $ (6,245 )   $ (5,507 )

The valuation allowance represents the amount of tax benefit related to U.S., state and foreign net operating losses, credits and other deferred tax assets. This valuation allowance has no impact on the Company’s ability to utilize the U.S. net operating losses and credits to offset future U.S. taxable income. The Company believes that it should ultimately generate sufficient U.S. taxable income during the remaining tax loss and credit carry forward periods in order to realize substantially all of the benefits of the net operating losses and credits before they expire.

The Company has deferred tax assets for net operating loss carry forwards of $0 net of a valuation allowance of $38,228.  The net operating losses relate to U.S. federal, state and foreign tax jurisdictions.  The U.S. federal net operating losses expire beginning in 2026, the state net operating losses expire at various times and the foreign net operating losses have indefinite expiration dates.  The Company has a deferred tax asset for general business credit carry forwards of $633 net of a valuation allowance of $8,340.  The U.S. federal general business credit carry forwards begin to expire in 2021 and the state tax credits expire at various times.
 
51


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (ASC Topic 740).  ASC Topic 740 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements.  This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  The Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 740 as of January 1, 2007.  The adoption of ASC Topic 740 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s total gross unrecognized tax benefits:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Balance at January 1
  $ 2,599     $ 4,618  
                 
Tax positions related to the current year:
               
Additions
    369       362  
Tax positions related to prior years:
               
Reductions
    (26 )     (84 )
                 
Settlements
    (104 )     (1,683 )
Expiration of statutes of limitation
    -       (614 )
                 
Balance at December 31
  $ 2,838     $ 2,599  
 
The liability for uncertain tax benefits is classified as a non-current liability unless it is expected to be paid within one year.  At December 31, 2009 the Company has classified $719 as a current liability and $2,119 as a reduction to non-current deferred income tax assets. Through a combination of anticipated state audit settlements and the expiration of certain statutes of limitation, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $100 within the next 12 months.  Management is currently unaware of issues under review that could result in a significant change or a material deviation in this estimate.

If the Company’s tax positions are sustained by the taxing authorities in favor of the Company, approximately $2,707 would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.

Consistent with historical financial reporting, the Company has elected to classify interest expense and, if applicable, penalties which could be assessed related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized approximately $104 and $(246) of gross interest and penalties, respectively.  The Company has accrued approximately $530 and $426 for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions.  In the normal course of business the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. The following table summarizes the open tax years for each important jurisdiction:
 
Jurisdiction
 
Open Tax Years
U.S. Federal
 
2006-2009
France
 
2005-2009
Mexico
 
2004-2009
Spain
 
2005-2009
Sweden
 
2004-2009
United Kingdom
 
2005-2009
 
52


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
6. Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases equipment, vehicles and buildings from third parties under operating lease agreements.

The Estate of the late D.M. Draime, former Chairman of the Board of Directors, owned 50% of Hunters Square, Inc. (“HSI”), an Ohio corporation, which owns Hunters Square, an office complex and shopping mall located in Warren, Ohio.  The estate sold its investment in HSI in 2007.  The Company leases office space in Hunters Square.  The Company pays all maintenance, tax and insurance costs related to the operation of the office.  Lease payments made by the Company to HSI were $342 in 2007.  The Company believes the terms of the lease were no less favorable to it than would be the terms of a third-party lease.

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, lease expense totaled $6,461, $7,206 and $7,114, respectively.

Future minimum operating lease commitments at December 31, 2009 are as follows:

2010
  $ 5,516  
2011
    4,394  
2012
    3,248  
2013
    2,970  
2014
    2,141  
Thereafter
    3,092  
Total
  $ 21,361  
 
7. Share-Based Compensation Plans

In October 1997, the Company adopted a Long-Term Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”). The Company reserved 2,500,000 Common Shares for issuance to officers and other key employees under the Incentive Plan.  Under the Incentive Plan, as of December 31, 2009, the Company granted cumulative options to purchase 1,594,500 Common Shares to management with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Shares on the date of grant. The options issued cliff-vest from one to five years after the date of grant and have a contractual life of 10 years.  In addition, the Company has also issued 1,553,125 restricted Common Shares under the Incentive Plan, of which 814,250 are time-based with either graded or cliff vesting using the straight-line method while the remaining 738,875 restricted Common Shares are performance-based.  Restricted Common Shares awarded under the Incentive Plan entitle the shareholder to all the rights of Common Share ownership except that the shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of during the vesting period.  The Incentive Plan expired on June 30, 2007.

In May 2002, the Company adopted the Director Share Option Plan (“Director Option Plan”).  The Company reserved 500,000 Common Shares for issuance under the Director Option Plan.  Under the Director Option Plan, the Company granted cumulative options to purchase 93,000 Common Shares to directors of the Company with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Shares on the date of grant.  The options granted cliff-vested one year after the date of grant and have a contractual life of 10 years.

In April 2006, the Company’s shareholders approved the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan").  There are 1,500,000 Common Shares reserved for awards under the 2006 Plan of which the maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued subject to Incentive Stock Options is 500,000.  Under the 2006 Plan, as of December 31, 2009, the Company has issued 853,934 restricted Common Shares, of which 657,900 are time-based with cliff- vesting using the straight-line method and 223,800 are performance based.
 
53


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
In 2005, pursuant to the Incentive Plan, the Company granted time-based restricted Common Share awards and performance-based restricted Common Share awards.  The time-based restricted Common Share awards vest over a one to four year period in equal increments on the grant-date anniversaries.  Approximately one-half of the performance-based restricted Common Share awards vest and are no longer subject to forfeiture upon the recipient remaining an employee of the Company for three years from date of grant and upon achieving certain net income per share targets established by the Company.  The remaining one-half of the performance-based restricted Common Share awards also vest and are no longer  subject to forfeiture upon the recipient remaining an employee for three years from date of grant and upon the Company attaining  certain targets of performance measured against a peer group’s performance in terms of total return to shareholders.  The actual number of restricted Common Shares to ultimately vest will depend on the Company’s level of achievement of the targeted performance measures and the employees’ attainment of the defined service requirements.

In 2006, pursuant to the Incentive Plan, the Company granted time-based restricted Common Share and performance-based restricted Common Share awards.  Certain time-based restricted Common Share awards cliff-vest three years after the grant date.  Other time-based restricted Common Share awards are subject to graded vesting using the straight-line method over a three or four year period.  The performance-based restricted Common Share awards vest and are no longer subject to forfeiture upon the recipient remaining an employee of the Company for three years from date of grant and upon achieving certain net income per share targets established by the Company.

In 2007 pursuant to the Incentive Plan and in 2008, pursuant to the 2006 Plan, the Company granted time-based restricted Common Share and performance-based restricted Common Share awards.  The time-based restricted Common Share awards cliff-vest three years after the grant date.  The performance-based restricted Common Share awards vest and are no longer subject to forfeiture upon the recipient remaining an employee of the Company for three years from date of grant and upon achieving certain net income per share targets established by the Company.

In 2009, pursuant to the 2006 Plan, the Company granted time-based restricted Common Share awards.  These restricted Common Share awards cliff-vest three years after the grant date.

In April 2005, the Company adopted the Directors’ Restricted Shares Plan (“Director Share Plan”).  The Company reserved 300,000 Common Shares for issuance under the Director Share Plan.  Under the Director Share Plan, the Company has cumulatively issued 225,000 restricted Common Shares.  Shares issued under the Director Share Plan during 2008 and certain shares in 2009 will cliff vest one year after the grant date.  Other shares issued under the Director Share Plan during 2009 will cliff vest six months after the date of grant.

Options

A summary of option activity under the plans noted above as of December 31, 2009, and changes during the year ended are presented below:

   
Share Options
   
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    197,750     $ 11.26        
Expired
    (21,000 )     12.19        
Exercised
    (7,000 )     7.93        
Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2009
    169,750       11.28       2.99  

There were no options granted during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and all outstanding options have vested.
 
54


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
The intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable is the difference between the fair market value of the Company’s Common Shares on the applicable date (“Measurement Value”) and the exercise price of those options that had an exercise price that was less than the Measurement Value. The intrinsic value of options exercised is the difference between the fair market value of the Company’s Common Shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $9, $471 and $482, respectively.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the aggregate intrinsic value of both outstanding and exercisable options was $57 and $15, respectively.  The total fair value of options that vested during the year ended December 31, 2007 was $62.  

Restricted Shares

The fair value of the non-vested time-based restricted Common Share awards was calculated using the market value of the shares on the date of issuance.  The weighted-average grant-date fair value of time-based restricted Common Shares granted during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $1.84, $10.81 and $12.00, respectively.

The fair value of the non-vested performance-based restricted Common Share awards with a performance condition, requiring the Company to obtain certain net income per share targets, was estimated using the market value of the shares on the date of grant.

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested restricted Common Shares as of December 31, 2009 and the changes during the year then ended, are presented below:

   
Time-Based Awards
   
Performance-Based Awards
 
   
Shares
   
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
   
Shares
   
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Non-vested at December 31, 2008
    626,261     $ 10.18       628,275     $ 10.33  
Granted
    522,404       1.84       -       -  
Vested
    (285,796 )     8.27       (101,039 )     8.39  
Forfeited
    (21,865 )     5.53       (131,311 )     8.77  
Non-vested at December 31, 2009
    841,004       5.77       395,925       11.34  

As of December 31, 2009, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested time-based restricted Common Share awards granted was $1,374.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.48 years.  For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the total fair value of time-based restricted Common Share awards vested was $1,595, $1,366 and $1,541, respectively.

As of December 31, 2009, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested performance-based restricted Common Share awards granted was $0.  As noted above, the Company has issued and outstanding performance-based restricted Common Share awards that use different performance targets.  The awards that use net income per share as the performance target will not be expensed until it is probable that the Company will meet the underlying performance condition.

Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0, $575 and $1,409, respectively.  There was no actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from the vesting of restricted Common Shares and option exercises of the share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
55


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
8. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has certain defined contribution profit sharing and 401(k) plans covering substantially all of its employees in the United States and United Kingdom. Company contributions are generally discretionary.  The Company’s policy is to fund all benefit costs accrued. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, expenses related to these plans amounted to $649, $2,743 and $3,800, respectively.

Effective June 1, 2009 the Company discontinued matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan covering substantially all of its employees in the United States.

The Company has a single defined benefit pension plan that covers certain former employees in the United Kingdom.  As of December 31, 2003, employees covered under the United Kingdom defined benefit pension plan no longer accrue benefits related to future service and wage increases.

The following table sets forth the benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, and the funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan; amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements; and the principal weighted average assumptions used:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Change in projected benefit obligation:
           
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 13,620     $ 22,301  
Service cost
    62       128  
Interest cost
    951       1,154  
Actuarial loss (gain)
    4,895       (2,730 )
Benefits paid
    (686 )     (1,118 )
Settlement
    -       (861 )
Translation adjustments
    1,639       (5,254 )
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 20,481     $ 13,620  
                 
Change in plan assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ 11,209     $ 20,946  
Actual return on plan assets
    2,604       (3,628 )
Employer contributions
    109       238  
Benefits paid
    (686 )     (1,118 )
Settlement
    -       (696 )
Translation adjustments
    1,264       (4,533 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $ 14,500     $ 11,209  
                 
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 20,481     $ 13,620  
Funded status at end of year
    (5,981 )     (2,411 )
                 
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance
               
sheet consist of:
               
Other long-term liabilities
    (5,981 )     (2,411 )
 
56


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Weighted average assumptions used to
           
determine benefit obligation at December 31:
           
Discount rate
    5.70 %     6.70 %
Rate of increase to pensions in payment
    3.80 %     3.30 %
Rate of future price inflation
    3.60 %     2.90 %
Measurement date
 
12/31/09
   
12/31/08
 
                 
Weighted average assumptions used to
               
determine net periodic benefit cost for the
               
years ended December 31:
               
Discount rate
    6.70 %     5.80 %
Expected long-term return on plan assets
    6.10 %     6.90 %
Rate of increase to pensions in payment
    3.30 %     3.30 %
Rate of future price inflation
    2.90 %     3.20 %
Measurement date
 
12/31/09
   
12/31/08
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company’s only change in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) was a result of net actuarial gains incurred in 2009 for $3,009.  The Company recognized $3,492 in net periodic pension cost and other comprehensive income (loss) for 2009.

No net amortization on actuarial gains or losses will be recognized in the next year.

The Company’s expected long-term return on plan assets assumption is based on a periodic review and modeling of the plan’s asset allocation and liability structure over a long-term horizon.  Expectations of returns for each asset class are the most important of the assumptions used in the review and modeling and are based on comprehensive reviews of historical data and economic / financial market theory.  The expected long-term rate of return on assets was selected from within the reasonable range of rates determined by (a) historical real returns, net of inflation, for the asset classes covered by the investment policy, and (b) projections of inflation over the long-term period during which benefits are payable to plan participants.

Components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) are as follows:

   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Service cost
  $ 62     $ 128     $ 140  
Interest cost
    951       1,154       1,180  
Expected return on plan assets
    (717 )     (1,300 )     (1,420 )
Amortization of actuarial loss
    187       -       80  
Net periodic cost (benefit)
  $ 483     $ (18 )   $ (20 )
 
In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets (ASC Topic 715-20-65).  This guidance requires that entities provide enhanced disclosures about how investment allocation decisions are made, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period and significant concentrations of risk within plan assets.  This Company adopted ASC Topic 715-20-65 beginning with its year ended December 31, 2009.  The adoption of ASC Topic 715-20-65 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
57


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
The Company’s defined benefit pension plan fair value weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2009 and 2008 by asset category are as follows:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Asset Category:
           
Equity securities
    81 %     69 %
Debt securities
    18       30  
Other
    1       1  
Total
    100 %     100 %

The Company’s target asset allocation, with a permitted range of ± 7.50%, as of December 31, 2009, by asset category, is as follows:

Asset Category:
     
Equity securities
    75 %
Debt securities
    25 %

The Company’s investment policy for the defined benefit pension plan includes various guidelines and procedures designed to ensure assets are invested in a manner necessary to meet expected future benefits earned by participants.  The investment guidelines consider a broad range of economic conditions.  Central to the policy are target allocation ranges (shown above) by major asset categories.  The objectives of the target allocations are to maintain investment portfolios that diversify risk through prudent asset allocation parameters, achieve asset returns that meet or exceed the plans’ actuarial assumptions, and achieve asset returns that are competitive with like institutions employing similar investment strategies. The Company and a designated third-party fiduciary periodically review the investment policy.  The policy is established and administered in a manner so as to comply at all times with applicable government regulations.

Prior to placing Stoneridge Pollak Limited (“SPL”) into administration in the United Kingdom, which is disclosed in note 15, the Company expected to contribute $97 to its defined benefit pension plan in 2010.  The following pension payments were expected to be paid prior to SPL being placed into administration:

2010
  $ 727  
2011
    760  
2012
    792  
2013
    824  
2014
    857  
2015 to 2019
    4,849  
 

The fair values of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan assets at December 31, 2009, utilizing the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 9 are as follows:

         
Fair Value Estimated Using
 
   
Fair Value
   
Level 2 inputs
 
Equities:
           
   Common collective trusts
  $ 11,843     $ 11,843  
                 
Debt:
               
   Common collective trusts
    2,657       2,657  
Total
  $ 14,500     $ 14,500  
 
 
58


STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
In March 2009, the Company adopted the Stoneridge, Inc. Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (“LTCIP”) and granted awards to certain officers and key employees.  For 2009, the awards under the LTCIP provide recipients with the right to receive cash three years from the date of grant depending on the Company’s actual earnings per share performance for a performance period comprised of 2009, 2010 and 2011 fiscal years.  The Company will record an accrual for an award to be paid in the period earned based on anticipated achievement of the performance goal.  If the participant voluntarily terminates employment or is discharged for cause, as defined in the LTCIP, the award will be forfeited.  In May 2009, the LTCIP was approved by the Company’s shareholders.  The Company has not recorded an accrual for the awards granted under the LTCIP at December 31, 2009 as the achievement of the performance goal is not considered probable at this time.

9. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

A financial instrument is cash or a contract that imposes an obligation to deliver, or conveys a right to receive cash or another financial instrument.  The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered to be representative of fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.  The estimated fair value of the Company’s senior notes (fixed rate debt) at December 31, 2009 and 2008, per quoted market sources, was $180.3 million and $124.4 million, respectively.  The carrying value at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $183.0 million.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (ASC Topic 815) which expands the quarterly and annual disclosure requirements about the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities.  The adoption of ASC Topic 815 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company makes use of derivative instruments in foreign exchange and commodity price hedging programs.  Derivatives currently in use are foreign currency forward contracts.  These contracts are used strictly for hedging and not for speculative purposes.  Management believes that its use of these instruments to reduce risk is in the Company’s best interest. The counterparties to these financial instruments are financial institutions with strong credit ratings.

The Company conducts business internationally and therefore is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk.  The Company uses derivative financial instruments as cash flow hedges to mitigate its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates by reducing the effect of such fluctuations on foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions and other foreign currency exposures.  The currencies hedged by the Company include the British pound, Swedish krona and Mexican peso.  In certain instances, the foreign currency forward contracts are marked to market, with gains and losses recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as a component of other expense (income), net.  The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts substantially offset gains and losses on the underlying foreign currency denominated transactions.  As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company held foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the exposure related to the Company’s British pound-denominated intercompany receivables.  This contract expires in January 2010.  In addition, at December 31, 2009 the Company held a foreign currency hedge contract to reduce the exposure related to the Company’s Swedish krona-denominated intercompany receivables.  This contract expires in February 2010.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recognized a $902 loss related to the British pound and Swedish krona contracts in the consolidated statement of operations as a component of other expense (income), net.  The Company also holds contracts intended to reduce exposure to the Mexican peso.  These contracts were executed to hedge forecasted transactions, and therefore the contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges.  These Mexican peso-denominated foreign currency option contracts expire during 2010.  The effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss is deferred and reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The Company’s expectation is that the cash flow hedges will be highly effective in the future.  The effectiveness of the transactions has been and will be measured on an ongoing basis using regression analysis.
 
59

 
STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
 
In prior years, to mitigate the risk of future price volatility and, consequently, fluctuations in gross margins, the Company has entered into fixed price commodity swaps with a financial institution to fix the cost of copper purchases.   In December 2007, the Company entered into a fixed price swap contract for 1.0 million pounds of copper, which expired on December 31, 2008.  In September 2008, the Company entered into a fixed price swap contract for 1.4 million pounds of copper, which expired on December 31, 2009.  Because these contracts were executed to hedge forecasted transactions, the contracts were accounted for as cash flow hedges.  The unrealized gain or loss for the effective portion of the hedge was deferred and reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Company deemed these cash flow hedges to be highly effective.  The effectiveness of the transactions was measured on an ongoing basis using regression analysis.

The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
 
   
Notional amounts1
   
Prepaid expenses
and other assets
   
Accrued expenses and
other liabilities
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
    December 31,  
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Derivatives designated as hedging
                                   
instruments:
                                   
Forward currency contracts
  $ 43,877     $ 35,457     $ 1,710     $ -     $ -     $ 2,910  
Commodity contracts
    -       4,085       -       -       -       2,104  
      43,877       39,542       1,710       -       -       5,014  
                                                 
Derivatives not designated as hedging
                                               
instruments:
                                               
Forward currency contracts
    8,363       8,762       34       2,101       -       -  
Total derivatives
  $ 52,240     $ 48,304     $ 1,744     $ 2,101     $ -     $ 5,014  


1 - Notional amounts represent the gross contract / notional amount of the derivatives outstanding.
 
Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity and in net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 are as follows:

   
Amount of gain recorded in other comprehensive income (loss)
   
Amount of loss reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) into net loss
 
Location of loss reclassified from other comprehensive income into net loss
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
             
Forward currency contracts
  $ 2,862     $ 1,758  
Cost of goods sold
Commodity contracts
    1,290       814  
Cost of goods sold
    $ 4,152     $ 2,572    
 
These derivatives will be reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statement of operations over the next twelve months.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (ASC Topic 820-10) as it relates to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis.  The Company adopted ASC Topic 820 for financial assets and financial liabilities on January 1, 2008.  This guidance clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements.  The adoption of ASC Topic 820 did not have a material effect on the Company’s fair value measurements.
 
60

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
The following table presents our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.  The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value.
 
      December 31, 2009    
December 31,
 
         
Fair Value Estimated Using
   
2008
 
   
Fair Value
   
Level 1 inputs(1)
   
Level 2 inputs(2)
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Financial assets carried
                       
at fair value
                       
Available for sale security
  $ 261     $ 261     $ -     $ 252  
Forward currency contracts
    1,744       -       1,744       2,101  
Total financial assets
                               
carried at fair value
  $ 2,005     $ 261     $ 1,744     $ 2,353  
                                 
Financial liabilities carried
                               
at fair value
                               
Forward currency contracts
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 2,910  
Commodity hedge contracts
    -       -       -       2,104  
Total financial liabilities
                               
carried at fair value
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 5,014  
 

(1)
Fair values estimated using Level 1 inputs, which consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. The available for sale security is an equity security that is publically traded.

(2)
Fair values estimated using Level 2 inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly and include among other things, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active or inactive as well as inputs other than quoted prices that are observable. For forward currency and commodity hedge contracts, inputs include foreign currency exchange rates and commodity indexes.
 
10. Commitments and Contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings, workers’ compensation and product liability disputes.  The Company is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flows or the financial position of the Company.
 
61

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
11. Restructuring

On October 29, 2007, the Company announced restructuring initiatives to improve manufacturing efficiency and cost position by ceasing manufacturing operations at its Sarasota, Florida and Mitcheldean, United Kingdom locations.  During 2008, the Company began additional restructuring initiatives in our Canton, Massachusetts, Orebro, Sweden and Tallinn, Estonia locations.  In response to the depressed conditions in the North American and European commercial vehicle and automotive markets, the Company also began restructuring initiatives in our Juarez, Monclova and Chihuahua, Mexico, Orebro and Bromma, Sweden, Tallinn, Estonia, Lexington, Ohio and Canton, Massachusetts locations during 2009.  In addition, during the third quarter of 2009, as part of the Company’s continuing overall restructuring initiatives the Company consolidated certain management positions at its Lexington, Ohio and Canton, Massachusetts facilities.   In connection with these initiatives, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3,668, $15,382 and $1,027 in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Restructuring expenses that were general and administrative in nature were included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as part of restructuring charges, while the remaining restructuring related charges were included in cost of goods sold.

The expenses related to the restructuring initiatives that belong to the Electronics reportable segment include the following:

         
Contract
             
   
Severance
   
Termination
   
Other Exit
       
   
Costs
   
Costs
   
Costs
   
Total
 
Total expected restructuring charges
  $ 5,671     $ 2,079     $ 2,504     $ 10,254  
2007 charge to expense
  $ 468     $ -     $ 103     $ 571  
Cash payments
    -       -       (103 )     (103 )
Accrued balance at December 31, 2007
    468       -       -       468  
2008 charge to expense
    2,830       1,305       2,401       6,536  
Cash payments
    (2,767 )     -       (2,221 )     (4,988 )
Accrued balance at December 31, 2008
    531       1,305       180       2,016  
2009 charge to expense
    2,237       374       -       2,611  
Foreign currency translation effect
    -       400       -       400  
Cash payments
    (2,641 )     (656 )     (180 )     (3,477 )
                                 
Accrued balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 127     $ 1,423     $ -     $ 1,550  
Remaining expected restructuring charge
  $ 136     $ -     $ -     $ 136  
 
 
62

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
The expenses related to the restructuring initiatives that belong to the Control Devices reportable segment include the following:
 
   
Severance
   
Other Exit
       
   
Costs
   
Costs
   
Total (A)
 
Total expected restructuring charges
  $ 3,912     $ 6,447     $ 10,359  
2007 charge to expense
  $ 357     $ 99     $ 456  
Cash payments
    -       -       -  
Accrued balance at December 31, 2007
    357       99       456  
2008 charge to expense
    2,521       6,325       8,846  
Cash payments
    (1,410 )     (6,024 )     (7,434 )
Accrued balance at December 31, 2008
    1,468       400       1,868  
2009 charge to expense
    1,034       23       1,057  
Cash payments
    (2,463 )     (164 )     (2,627 )
Accrued balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 39     $ 259     $ 298  


(A)
Total expected restructuring charges does not include the expected gain from the future sale of the Company’s Sarasota, Florida facility.

All restructuring charges, except for asset-related charges, result in cash outflows.   Severance costs relate to a reduction in workforce. Contract termination costs represent costs associated with long-term lease obligations that were cancelled as part of the restructuring initiatives.  Other exit costs include premium direct labor, inventory and equipment move costs, relocation expense, increased inventory carrying cost and miscellaneous expenditures associated with exiting business activities.  No fixed-asset impairment charges were incurred because assets were transferred to other locations for continued production.

12. Segment Reporting

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that are evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.  The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the chief executive officer.

The Company has two reportable segments: Electronics and Control Devices.  The Company’s operating segments are aggregated based on sharing similar economic characteristics.  Other aggregation factors include the nature of the products offered and management and oversight responsibilities.   The Electronics reportable segment produces electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units, driver information systems and electrical distribution systems, primarily wiring harnesses and connectors for electrical power and signal distribution.  The Control Devices reportable segment produces electronic and electromechanical switches and control actuation devices and sensors.

The accounting policies of the Company’s reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”  The Company’s management evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based primarily on revenues from external customers, capital expenditures and income (loss) before income taxes.  Inter-segment sales are accounted for on terms similar to those to third parties and are eliminated upon consolidation.
 
 
63

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
A summary of financial information by reportable segment is as follows:
 
   
For the Years Ended
 
   
  December 31,
 
Net Sales
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Electronics
  $ 301,424     $ 520,936     $ 441,717  
Inter-segment sales
    9,844       12,392       16,955  
Electronics net sales
    311,268       533,328       458,672  
Control Devices
    173,728       231,762       285,403  
Inter-segment sales
    3,087       4,276       4,576  
Control Devices net sales
    176,815       236,038       289,979  
Eliminations
    (12,931 )     (16,668 )     (21,531 )
Total consolidated net sales
  $ 475,152     $ 752,698     $ 727,120  
                         
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
                       
Electronics
  $ (13,911 )   $ 38,713     $ 20,692  
Control Devices
    (5,712 )     (78,858 )     15,825  
Other corporate activities
    8,079       10,078       8,676  
Corporate interest expense
    (21,782 )     (20,708 )     (21,969 )
Total consolidated income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (33,326 )   $ (50,775 )   $ 23,224  
                         
Depreciation and Amortizaton
                       
Electronics
  $ 9,061     $ 12,189     $ 13,392  
Control Devices
    10,591       14,130       14,823  
Corporate activities
    287       80       288  
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization (A)
  $ 19,939     $ 26,399     $ 28,503  
                         
Interest Expense (Income), net
                       
Electronics
  $ 187     $ (117 )   $ (203 )
Control Devices
    (3 )     (16 )     (7 )
Corporate activities
    21,781       20,708       21,969  
Total consolidated interest expense, net
  $ 21,965     $ 20,575     $ 21,759  
                   
Capital Expenditures
                 
Electronics
  $ 5,139     $ 11,374     $ 8,777  
Control Devices
    5,975       13,306       8,699  
Corporate activities
    884       (107 )     665  
Total consolidated capital expenditures
  $ 11,998     $ 24,573     $ 18,141  

   
  December 31,
 
Total Assets
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Electronics
  $ 163,414     $ 183,574     $ 214,119  
Control Devices
    91,631       98,608       180,785  
Corporate activities(B)
    236,110       239,425       282,695  
Eliminations
    (128,630 )     (139,170 )     (149,830 )
Total consolidated assets
  $ 362,525     $ 382,437     $ 527,769  


(A)
These amounts represent depreciation and amortization on fixed and certain intangible assets.
 
(B)
Assets located at Corporate consist primarily of cash, intercompany receivables and equity investments.
 
 
64

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
The following table presents net sales and non-current assets for the geographic areas in which the Company operates:
 
   
  For the Years Ended
 
      December 31,  
Net Sales
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
North America
  $ 384,467     $ 557,990     $ 522,730  
Europe and other
    90,685       194,708       204,390  
Total consolidated net sales
  $ 475,152     $ 752,698     $ 727,120  

      December 31,  
Non-Current Assets
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
North America
  $ 121,149     $ 110,507     $ 204,556  
Europe and other
    10,706       17,339       21,854  
Total non-current assets
  $ 131,855     $ 127,846     $ 226,410  
 
13. Guarantor Financial Information

Our senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries (Guarantor Subsidiaries). The Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries and non-wholly owned domestic subsidiaries do not guarantee the senior notes (Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries).

Presented below are summarized condensed consolidating financial statements of the Parent (which includes certain of the Company’s operating units), the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Company on a consolidated basis, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

These summarized condensed consolidating financial statements are prepared under the equity method.  Separate financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented based on management’s determination that they do not provide additional information that is material to investors.  Therefore, the Guarantor Subsidiaries are combined in the presentation below.
 
65

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
ASSETS
                             
Current Assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 59,693     $ 18     $ 32,196     $ -     $ 91,907  
Accounts receivable, net
    42,804       18,136       20,332       -       81,272  
Inventories, net
    21,121       6,368       12,755       -       40,244  
Prepaid expenses and other
    (313,004 )     308,571       21,680       -       17,247  
Total current assets
    (189,386 )     333,093       86,963       -       230,670  
Long-Term Assets:
                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
    45,063       20,152       11,776       -       76,991  
Investments and other, net
    41,567       23       13,274       -       54,864  
Investment in subsidiaries
    395,041       -       -       (395,041 )     -  
Total long-term assets
    481,671       20,175       25,050       (395,041 )     131,855  
Total Assets
  $ 292,285     $ 353,268     $ 112,013     $ (395,041 )   $ 362,525  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                       
Current Liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 27,147     $ 15,136     $ 8,664     $ -     $ 50,947  
Accrued expenses and other
    4,172       9,952       22,703       -       36,827  
Total current liabilities
    31,319       25,088       31,367       -       87,774  
Long-Term Liabilities:
                                       
Long-term debt
    183,000       -       431       -       183,431  
Other liabilities
    8,401       360       8,502       -       17,263  
Total long-term liabilities
    191,401       360       8,933       -       200,694  
Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries Shareholders' Equity
    69,565       327,820       67,221       (395,041 )     69,565  
Noncontrolling Interest
    -       -       4,492       -       4,492  
Total Shareholders' Equity
    69,565       327,820       71,713       (395,041 )     74,057  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 292,285     $ 353,268     $ 112,013     $ (395,041 )   $ 362,525  
 
 
66

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
    
Supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements (continued):

   
  December 31, 2008
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
ASSETS
                             
Current Assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 55,237     $ 27     $ 37,428     $ -     $ 92,692  
Accounts receivable, net
    51,274       15,888       29,373       -       96,535  
Inventories, net
    28,487       10,927       15,386       -       54,800  
Prepaid expenses and other
    (304,638 )     301,387       13,815       -       10,564  
Total current assets
    (169,640 )     328,229       96,002       -       254,591  
Long-Term Assets:
                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
    50,458       24,445       12,798       -       87,701  
Investments and other, net
    38,984       319       842       -       40,145  
Investment in subsidiaries
    407,199       -       -       (407,199 )     -  
Total long-term assets
    496,641       24,764       13,640       (407,199 )     127,846  
Total Assets
  $ 327,001     $ 352,993     $ 109,642     $ (407,199 )   $ 382,437  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                       
Current Liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 23,778     $ 13,652     $ 13,289     $ -     $ 50,719  
Accrued expenses and other
    21,429       5,065       16,991       -       43,485  
Total current liabilities
    45,207       18,717       30,280       -       94,204  
Long-Term Liabilities:
                                       
Long-term debt
    183,000       -       -       -       183,000  
Other long-term liabilities
    7,036       401       6,038       -       13,475  
Total long-term liabilities
    190,036       401       6,038       -       196,475  
Total Shareholders' Equity
    91,758       333,875       73,324       (407,199 )     91,758  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 327,001     $ 352,993     $ 109,642     $ (407,199 )   $ 382,437  
 
67

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
Supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements (continued):

   
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net Sales
  $ 273,494     $ 132,867     $ 139,430     $ (70,639 )   $ 475,152  
Costs and Expenses:
                                       
Cost of goods sold
    236,881       109,199       109,087       (68,000 )     387,167  
Selling, general and administrative
    46,688       23,322       35,212       (2,639 )     102,583  
Restructuring charges
    1,065       684       1,896       -       3,645  
Operating Loss
    (11,140 )     (338 )     (6,765 )     -       (18,243 )
Interest expense (income), net
    22,263       -       (298 )     -       21,965  
Other expense (income), net
    (12,539 )     2,645       3,012       -       (6,882 )
Equity deficit from subsidiaries
    10,810       -       -       (10,810 )     -  
Loss Before Income Taxes
    (31,674 )     (2,983 )     (9,479 )     10,810       (33,326 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    649       -       (1,652 )     -       (1,003 )
Net Loss
    (32,323 )     (2,983 )     (7,827 )     10,810       (32,323 )
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
    -       -       82       -       82  
Net Loss Attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries
  $ (32,323 )   $ (2,983 )   $ (7,909 )   $ 10,810     $ (32,405 )
 
68

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
Supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements (continued):

   
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net Sales
  $ 409,577     $ 185,747     $ 255,153     $ (97,779 )   $ 752,698  
                                         
Costs and Expenses:
                                       
Cost of goods sold
    339,871       147,154       194,301       (94,915 )     586,411  
Selling, general and administrative
    54,006       31,657       53,193       (2,864 )     135,992  
Goodwill impairment charge
    44,585       20,590       -       -       65,175  
Restructuring charges
    3,675       824       3,892       -       8,391  
Operating Income (Loss)
    (32,560 )     (14,478 )     3,767       -       (43,271 )
Interest expense (income), net
    21,468       -       (893 )     -       20,575  
Other income, net
    (12,648 )     -       (423 )     -       (13,071 )
Equity deficit from subsidiaries
    10,887       -       -       (10,887 )     -  
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
    (52,267 )     (14,478 )     5,083       10,887       (50,775 )
Provision for income taxes
    45,260       -       1,492       -       46,752  
Net Income (Loss)
    (97,527 )     (14,478 )     3,591       10,887       (97,527 )
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries
  $ (97,527 )   $ (14,478 )   $ 3,591     $ 10,887     $ (97,527 )

69

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
Supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements (continued):

   
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net Sales
  $ 345,212     $ 205,384     $ 256,357     $ (79,833 )   $ 727,120  
                                         
Costs and Expenses:
                                       
Cost of goods sold
    286,419       160,501       189,624       (77,147 )     559,397  
Selling, general and administrative
    54,658       30,225       49,801       (2,686 )     131,998  
Restructuring charges
    458       -       468       -       926  
Operating Income
    3,677       14,658       16,464       -       34,799  
Interest expense (income), net
    23,058       -       (1,299 )     -       21,759  
Other expense (income), net
    (10,545 )     -       361       -       (10,184 )
Equity earnings from subsidiaries
    (28,673 )     -       -       28,673       -  
Income Before Income Taxes
    19,837       14,658       17,402       (28,673 )     23,224  
Provision for income taxes
    3,166       17       3,370       -       6,553  
Net Income
    16,671       14,641       14,032       (28,673 )     16,671  
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
    -       -       -       -       -  
Net Income Attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries
  $ 16,671     $ 14,641     $ 14,032     $ (28,673 )   $ 16,671  
 
70

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
Supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements (continued):

   
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Consolidated
 
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
  $ 18,391     $ 2,175     $ (6,742 )   $ 13,824  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Capital expenditures
    (8,070 )     (2,241 )     (1,687 )     (11,998 )
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets
    102       57       42       201  
Business acquisitions
    (5,967 )     -       -       (5,967 )
Net cash used for investing activities
    (13,935 )     (2,184 )     (1,645 )     (17,764 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Revolving credit facility borrowings
    -       -       336       336  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    -       -       336       336  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                               
and cash equivalents
    -       -       2,819       2,819  
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    4,456       (9 )     (5,232 )     (785 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
                               
of period
    55,237       27       37,428       92,692  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 59,693     $ 18     $ 32,196     $ 91,907  
 
   
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Consolidated
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 37,167     $ 4,889     $ 400     $ 42,456  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Capital expenditures
    (14,679 )     (5,121 )     (4,773 )     (24,573 )
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
    275       4       1,373       1,652  
Business acquisitions
    -       -       (980 )     (980 )
Net cash used for investing activities
    (14,404 )     (5,117 )     (4,380 )     (23,901 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Repayments of long-term debt
    (17,000 )     -       -       (17,000 )
Share-based compensation activity
    1,322       -       -       1,322  
Other financing costs
    (553 )     -       -       (553 )
Net cash used for financing activities
    (16,231 )     -       -       (16,231 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                               
and cash equivalents
    -       -       (5,556 )     (5,556 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    6,532       (228 )     (9,536 )     (3,232 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
                               
of period
    48,705       255       46,964       95,924  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 55,237     $ 27     $ 37,428     $ 92,692
 
 
71

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
 Supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements (continued):
 
   
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
  $ 20,239     $ (505 )   $ 14,091     $ (300 )   $ 33,525  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Capital expenditures
    (9,034 )     (3,895 )     (5,212 )     -       (18,141 )
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
    7,663       4,643       9       -       12,315  
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
    (1,371 )     748       (5,203 )     -       (5,826 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Repayments of long-term debt
    -       -       (300 )     300       -  
Share-based compensation activity
    2,119       -       -       -       2,119  
Other financing costs
    (1,219 )     -       -       -       (1,219 )
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
    900       -       (300 )     300       900  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                                       
and cash equivalents
    -       -       1,443       -       1,443  
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    19,768       243       10,031       -       30,042  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
                                       
of period
    28,937       12       36,933       -       65,882  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 48,705     $ 255     $ 46,964     $ -     $ 95,924  
 
72

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
   
14. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data

The following is a summary of quarterly results of operations for 2009 and 2008:

      Quarter Ended
   
Dec. 31
   
Sep. 30
   
Jun. 30
   
Mar. 31
 
2009
                       
Net sales
  $ 133,785     $ 117,992     $ 102,290     $ 121,085  
Gross profit
    28,031       27,083       13,596       19,275  
Operating income (loss)
    2,176       2,634       (14,293 )     (8,760 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (594 )     1,502       197       (2,108 )
Net loss
    (136 )     (843 )     (19,764 )     (11,580 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    82       -       -       -  
Net loss attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    (218 )     (843 )     (19,764 )     (11,580 )
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic (A)
    (0.01 )     (0.04 )     (0.84 )     (0.49 )
Diluted (A)
    (0.01 )     (0.04 )     (0.84 )     (0.49 )
 
      Quarter Ended  
   
Dec. 31
   
Sep. 30
   
Jun. 30
   
Mar. 31
 
2008
                               
Net sales
  $ 157,965     $ 178,434     $ 213,229     $ 203,070  
Gross profit
    29,771       35,345       49,354       51,817  
Goodwill impairment charge
    65,175       -       -       -  
Operating income (loss)
    (69,076 )     935       10,757       14,113  
Provision for income taxes
    36,723       855       4,062       5,112  
Net income (loss)
    (108,394 )     (364 )     4,684       6,547  
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic (A)
    (4.63 )     (0.02 )     0.20       0.28  
Diluted (A)
    (4.63 )     (0.02 )     0.20       0.28  

(A)
Earnings per share for the year may not equal the sum of the four historical quarters earnings per share due to changes in basic and diluted shares outstanding.
  
15. Subsequent Event

On February 23, 2010 the Company placed its wholly owned subsidiary, Stoneridge Pollak Limited (“SPL”) into administration in the United Kingdom.  The Company had previously ceased operations at the facility as of December 2008 as part of the restructuring initiatives announced on October 29, 2007, see Note 11.  All SPL customer contracts were transferred to other subsidiaries of the Company at the time that SPL filed for administration.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect that this filing will have on its consolidated results.  The Company anticipates recognizing a gain on the reversal of certain items included within other comprehensive income during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as a result of the administration process.
 
73

 
STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
 
   
Balance at Beginning of Period
   
Charged to Costs and Expenses
   
Write-offs
   
Balance at End of Period
 
Accounts receivable reserves:
                       
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 5,243     $ 905     $ (1,412 )   $ 4,736  
Year ended December 31, 2008
    4,736       151       (683 )     4,204  
Year ended December 31, 2009
    4,204       917       (2,771 )     2,350  

   
Balance at Beginning of Period
   
Net Additions Charged to Income
   
Exchange Rate Fluctuations and Other Items
   
Balance at End of Period
 
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:
                       
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 17,380     $ (1,104 )   $ (256 )   $ 16,020  
Year ended December 31, 2008
    16,020       66,271       88       82,379  
Year ended December 31, 2009
    82,379       2,245       (661 )     83,963  
 
74

 
Item 9.  Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants On Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

There has been no disagreement between the management of the Company and its independent auditors on any matter of accounting principles or practices of financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedure.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of December 31, 2009, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer (“PEO”) and principal financial officer (“PFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s PEO and PFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2009.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 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

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f).  In evaluating the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, management has adopted the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2009.  Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009.

Because of 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.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

75

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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, Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, other comprehensive income (loss) and shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 of Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries and our report dated March 16, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Cleveland, Ohio
March 16, 2010
 
76

 
Item 9B.  Other Information.

None.

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The information required by this Item 10 regarding our directors is incorporated by reference to the information under the sections and subsections entitled, “Proposal One: Election of Directors,” “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,” “Audit Committee,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Corporate Governance Guidelines” contained in the Company's Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2010.  The information required by this Item 10 regarding our executive officers appears as a Supplementary Item following Item 1 under Part I hereof.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the information under the sections and subsections “Compensation Committee,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,”  “Compensation Committee Report” and “Executive Compensation” contained in the Company's Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2010.

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

The information required by this Item 12 (other than the information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K which is set forth below) is incorporated by reference to the information under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” contained in the Company's Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2010.

In October 1997, we adopted a Long-Term Incentive Plan for our employees, which expired on June 30, 2007. In May 2002, we adopted a Director Share Option Plan for our directors.  In April 2005, we adopted a Directors’ Restricted Shares Plan.  In April 2006, we adopted an Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan.  Our shareholders approved each plan.  Equity compensation plan information, as of December 31, 2009, is as follows:

   
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon the Exercise of Outstanding Share Options
   
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Share Options
   
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (1)
 
Equity compensation plans
                 
approved by shareholders
    169,750     $ 11.28       712,762  
Equity compensation plans not
                       
approved by shareholders
    -     $ -       -  
 

(1)
Excludes securities reflected in the first column, “Number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding share options.”  Also excludes 1,194,059 restricted Common Shares issued and outstanding to key employees pursuant to the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan and 59,400 restricted Common Shares issued and outstanding to directors under the Directors’ Restricted Shares Plan as of December 31, 2009.

77

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

The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the information under the sections and subsections “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Director Independence” contained in the Company's Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2010.

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the information under the sections and subsections “Service Fees Paid to Independent Registered Accounting Firm” and “Pre-Approval Policy” contained in the Company's Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2010.

PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
 
 
   
Page in
Form 10-K
(a)   The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K.    
(1)  Consolidated Financial Statements:
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
34
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
35
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
36
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
37
Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
38
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
39
(2)  Financial Statement Schedule:
   
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
74
(3)  Exhibits:
   
See the list of exhibits on the Index to Exhibits following the signature page.
   
(b)   The exhibits listed on the Index to Exhibits are filed as part of or incorporated by reference into this report.
   
(c)   Additional Financial Statement Schedules.
   
None.
   
 
78


 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the 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.

  STONERIDGE, INC.
   
Date:  March 15, 2010
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER
 
George E. Strickler
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date:  March 15, 2010
/s/ JOHN C. COREY
 
John C. Corey
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
Date:  March 15, 2010
 /s/ WILLIAM M. LASKY
 
William M. Lasky
Chairman of the Board of Directors
   
Date:  March 15, 2010
/s/ JEFFREY P. DRAIME
 
Jeffrey P. Draime
Director
   
Date:  March 15, 2010
/s/ DOUGLAS C. JACOBS
 
Douglas C. Jacobs
Director
   
Date:  March 15, 2010
/s/ IRA C. KAPLAN
 
Ira C. Kaplan
Director
   
Date:  March 15, 2010
/s/ KIM KORTH
 
Kim Korth
Director
   
Date:  March 15, 2010
/s/ PAUL J. SCHLATHER
 
Paul J. Schlather
Director

79

 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit
2.1
 
Asset Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated October 9, 2009, by and among the Company and Bolton Conductive Systems LLC, Martin Kochis, Joseph Malecke, Bolton Investments LLC, William Bolton and New Bolton Systems, filed herewith.
     
3.1
 
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-33285)).
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-33285)).
     
4.1
 
Common Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).
     
4.2
 
Indenture dated as of May 1, 2002 among Stoneridge, Inc. as Issuer, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. and Stoneridge Electronics, Inc., as Guarantors, and Fifth Third Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2002).
     
10.1
 
Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-33285)).
     
10.2
 
Directors’ Share Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-96953))*.
     
10.3
 
Form of Long-Term Incentive Plan Share Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004)*.
     
10.4
 
Form of Directors’ Share Option Plan Share Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004)*.
     
10.5
 
Form of Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Shares Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004)*.
     
10.6
 
Director’s Restricted Shares Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-127017))*.
     
10.7
 
Form of Director’s Restricted Shares Plan Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005)*.
     
10.8
 
Form of Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Shares Grant Agreement including Performance and Time-Based Restricted Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005)*.
     
10.9
 
Amendment to Restricted Shares Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005)*.
     
10.10
 
Employment Agreement between the Company and John C. Corey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2006)*.
     
10.11
 
Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2006)*.
     
10.12
 
Form of 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Shares Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2006)*.
     
10.13
 
Form of 2006 Directors’ Restricted Shares Plan Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2006)*.
 
80

 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit
10.14
 
Annual Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2006)*.
     
10.15
 
Annual Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007)*.
10.16
 
Credit Agreement dated as of November 2, 2007 among Stoneridge, Inc., as Borrower, the Lending Institutions Named Therein, as Lenders, National City Business Credit, Inc., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and National City Bank, as Lead Arranger and Issuer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 8, 2007).
     
10.17
 
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007)*.
     
10.18
 
Amended Employment Agreement between Stoneridge, Inc. and John C. Corey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008)*.
     
10.19
 
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008)*.
     
10.20
 
Amendment No. 1 dated April 24, 2009 to Credit and Security Agreement dated as of November 2, 2007 by and among the Company as Borrower, the Lending Institutions Named Therein, as Lenders, National City Business Credit, Inc., Comerica Bank, JP Morgan Chase, PNC Bank, National Association and Fifth Third Bank, as lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2009).
     
10.21
 
Amendment No. 2 dated April 24, 2009 to Credit and Security Agreement dated as of November 2, 2007 by and among the Company as Borrower, the Lending Institutions Named Therein, as Lenders, National City Business Credit, Inc., Comerica Bank, JP Morgan Chase, PNC Bank, National Association and Fifth Third Bank, as lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2009).
     
10.22
 
Form of Stoneridge, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan – Restricted Shares Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009)*.
     
10.23
 
Form of Stoneridge, Inc. Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan – Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009)*.
     
10.24
 
Form of Stoneridge, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan – 2007 amendment to the restricted shares grant agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009)*.
     
10.25
 
Form of Stoneridge, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan – 2008 amendment to the restricted shares grant agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009)*.
     
10.26
 
Stoneridge, Inc. Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009)*.
     
10.27
 
Stoneridge, Inc. Officers’ and Key Employees’ Severance Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 9, 2009)*.
     
10.28
 
Stoneridge, Inc. Retention Award between the Company and John C. Corey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 9, 2009)*.
 
81

 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit
10.29
 
Stoneridge, Inc. Form of the Retention Awards between the Company and George E. Strickler, Mark J. Tervalon, Thomas A. Beaver and Michael D. Sloan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 9, 2009)*.
     
10.30
 
Amendment No. 3 dated October 9, 2009 to Credit and Security Agreement dated as of November 2, 2007 by and among the Company as Borrower, the Lending Institutions Named Therein, as Lenders, National City Business Credit, Inc., Comerica Bank, JP Morgan Chase, PNC Bank, National Association and Fifth Third Bank, as lenders, filed herewith.
     
10.31
 
Stoneridge, Inc. Form of indemnification agreement between the Company and John C. Corey, George E. Strickler, Kenneth A. Kure and James E. Malcolm filed herewith.
     
14.1
 
Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003).
     
21.1
 
Principal Subsidiaries and Affiliates of the Company, filed herewith.
     
23.1
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
     
23.2
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
     
31.1
 
Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
     
31.2
 
Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
     
32.1
 
Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
     
32.2
 
Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
     
99.1
 
Financial Statements of PST Eletrônica S.A., filed herewith.
     
   
*  - Reflects management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
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EXHIBIT 2.1
 
Note:      The following schedules and similar attachments have been omitted from the exhibit and the Company will furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the SEC upon request:  New BCS Operating Agreement appendix, exhibits for forms of escrow agreement, allocation of consideration, raw material cost savings, bill of sale, assignment and assumption agreement, mutual non-competition agreement, and non-competition agreement and the Disclosure Schedules.
 
ASSET PURCHASE
AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
 
 This Asset Purchase and Contribution Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 9, 2009, by and among Stoneridge, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Stoneridge”), Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company (“Old BCS”), Martin Kochis (“Kochis”), Joseph Malecke (“Malecke”), Bolton Investments, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company (each of Kochis, Malecke and Bolton Investments, LLC, a “Member” and together the “Members” of Old BCS), William Bolton (“Bolton”), the sole member and owner of Bolton Investments, LLC, and New Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company (“New BCS”).
 
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Appendix A.  The Members, Bolton, Old BCS, New BCS and Stoneridge may be referred to herein each as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
 
RECITALS
 
WHEREAS, the Members formed Old BCS as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Michigan by filing Articles of Organization with the Corporation Division of the Bureau of Commercial Services of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth on July 20, 2004;
 
WHEREAS, Old BCS was organized for the purpose of manufacturing, assembling and selling wire harnesses for the marine, recreational, automotive, military and specialty vehicle markets, and engaging in any related or ancillary activity within the purposes for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act, being Act No. 23, Public Acts of 1993, MCLA §§ 450.4101 - .5200, as amended;
 
WHEREAS, Old BCS is an electrical system supplier that designs and manufactures a wide variety of electrical solutions for the automotive, marine and specialty vehicle markets and is a manufacturer of wire harnesses, panels and electronic modules (the “Business”);
 
WHEREAS, Bolton and the Members, either individually or collectively, have owned, managed and operated Old BCS since July 20, 2004;
 
WHEREAS, the Members, Bolton, Stoneridge and Old BCS desire to conduct the Business of Old BCS under a new Michigan limited liability company, New BCS, with Old BCS contributing and selling all assets and liabilities of Old BCS and the Business, except the Retained Assets (as hereinafter defined) and Excluded Liabilities (as hereinafter defined), to New BCS in exchange for a 49% membership interest in New BCS and the Formation Payment and Earnout Payments, if any, and Stoneridge receiving a 51% membership interest in New BCS in exchange for contributing cash;
 
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to treat the transaction contemplated by this Agreement for federal income tax purposes, in part as a contribution transaction pursuant to Section 721 of the Code, and in part a sale of assets;
 
WHEREAS, the Parties, on or before the date of this Agreement, have formed New BCS as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Michigan by filing Articles of Organization with the Corporation Division of the Bureau of Commercial Services of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; and
 

 
WHEREAS, on the terms and subject to the conditions herein, including the representations and warranties of the Parties, the Members, Bolton and Old BCS desire Old BCS to acquire a 49% membership interest in New BCS and Stoneridge desires to acquire a 51% membership interest in New BCS.
 
TERMS OF AGREEMENT
 
In consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
 
ARTICLE 1
 
CONTRIBUTION AND PURCHASE AND SALE OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
 
1.1           Initial Transactions.  On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing:
 
(a)           Stoneridge agrees to contribute capital in the form of cash as specified in Section 1.3 to New BCS and New BCS agrees to issue in exchange therefor, free and clear of all liens, claims or encumbrances, except those set forth in the Operating Agreement of New BCS (the “Operating Agreement”), which is to be entered into by Old BCS and Stoneridge at the Closing, a 51% membership interest in New BCS represented by 510 Units (as defined in the Operating Agreement);
 
(b)           As described in greater detail in Section 0 below, in exchange for a 49% membership interest in New BCS, free and clear of all liens, claims or encumbrances, except those set forth in the Operating Agreement, represented by 490 Units, and the Formation Payment and the Earnout Payments, if any, Old BCS agrees to contribute, sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to New BCS, and New BCS agrees to purchase from Old BCS and accept the contribution, conveyance, transfer, assignment and delivery from Old BCS, all of Old BCS’s right, title and interest in and to the Business and all of Old BCS’s assets, property and rights (the “Purchased and Contributed Assets”), including, but not limited to those items listed below (but excluding the Retained Assets, as defined below):
 
(1)           Accounts Receivable and Prepaid Expenses.  All accounts receivable and prepaid expenses;
 
(2)           Cash and Cash Equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents, loan receivables, marketable securities, and investments;
 
(3)           Customer Lists, Sales and Marketing Materials.  All current customer lists, sales data, catalogs, brochures, suppliers’ names, mailing lists, photographs and advertising materials that relate to the Business, whether in electronic form or otherwise;
 
(4)           Goodwill.  All right, title and interest of Old BCS in and to the goodwill incident to the Business and the name “Bolton Conductive Systems;”
 
(5)           Inventory.  All Inventory of the Business, other than the Excluded Inventory, (the “Contributed Inventory”);
 
(6)           Leases.  All Leases of the Business;
 
(7)           Equipment.  All packaging, tooling, machinery, fixtures, equipment, office supplies and other property owned by Old BCS for use in the Business, including but not limited to property and equipment in transit or stored at suppliers’ or customers’ facilities;
 
(8)           Records and Files. All records and files related to the Business;
 
2

 
(9)           Personal Property.  All personal property of Old BCS used in or related to the Business;
 
(10)         Intellectual Property.  All intellectual property of Old BCS used in or related to the Business;
 
(11)         Permits.  All franchises, licenses, permits, consents, authorizations, approvals and certificates of any regulatory, administrative or other governmental agency or body (to the extent the same are transferable) related to the operation of the Business;
 
(12)         Executory Contracts. All Executory Contracts of Old BCS used in or related to the Business; and
 
(13)         Other Assets.  All other tangible assets owned by Old BCS and used in the Business (the “Other Assets”).
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.1(b), the transfer of the Purchased and Contributed Assets pursuant to this Agreement shall not include the assumption of any Liability or obligation related to the Purchased and Contributed Assets, unless such Liability or obligation is expressly included in the Assumed Liabilities.  Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.1(b), the following assets (collectively, the “Retained Assets”) shall not be sold, assigned, transferred or contributed to New BCS:
 
(1)           The medical-related business and the assets and equipment used exclusively in the medical related business;
 
(2)           The CAM Logic business and the membership interest in CAM Logic Technologies, LLC;
 
(3)           Old BCS’s limited liability company minute books and membership books and records;
 
(4)           Insurance policies (including any life insurance policies for Old BCS’s senior employees);
 
(5)           Tax returns and tax and accounting papers and records; provided, however, copies of those portions of the same (and only such portions) that are necessary in order to determine tax basis or other tax attributes of New BCS are to be provided to any Party upon reasonable request;
 
(6)           Claims for tax refunds and other refunds from any governmental authority;
 
(7)           The Slow Moving and Obsolete Inventory determined by Old BCS and Stoneridge during the physical inventory conducted or to be conducted prior to the Closing and marked as “Excluded Inventory” with a book value on the Most Recent Financial Statements (defined below) not to exceed $1,100,000 (the “Excluded Inventory”);
 
(8)           Accounts receivable from Dynamic Supply Solutions Inc;
 
(9)           All artwork located in Old BCS’s facility; and
 
(10)         All furniture located in Bolton’s office.
 
3

 
1.2           Formation Payment and Earnout Payments.  As contemplated in the Operating Agreement, at the Closing, New BCS shall make a one-time purchase consideration payment to Old BCS of $3,350,000 (the “Formation Payment”) and thereafter, if earned, under Section 1.3(b) hereof, 100% of all contingent amounts earned, as determined pursuant to Section 1.3(b) and Section 1.3(c) hereof (the “Earnout Payments”).
 
1.3           Stoneridge Contribution Payments.
 
(a)           Stoneridge shall deliver (i) to New BCS at the Closing the sum of $4,850,000 and (ii) to the escrow $1,000,000 as provided in Section 1.5 (together, the “Initial Contribution”), in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
 
(b)           In addition to the Initial Contribution made pursuant to Section 1.3(a), above, if earned based on New BCS’s performance as set forth below, Stoneridge shall contribute additional capital in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to New BCS, no later than March 31 of each of 2011, 2012 and 2013, the amounts, if any, determined in accordance with the following formula based on New BCS’s EBITDA (“Actual EBITDA” as contrasted to the Target EBIDTA set forth below) in each of 2010, 2011 and 2012:
 
The target EBITDA (“Target EBITDA”) for 2010 is $13,000,000, for 2011 is $16,700,000 and for 2012 is $11,138,000.
 
Actual EBITDA versus Target EBITDA for Each Year
 
Additional Capital Contribution of Stoneridge and Earnout Payment to Old BCS
     
Below 50%
 
$0
50% to 64.99%
 
$0.94 million
65% to 79.99%
 
$1.44 million
80% to 89.99%
 
$1.94 million
90% to 104.99%
 
$2.44 million
Above 104.99%
 
$3.19 million

For purposes of this Agreement, “EBITDA” for any period shall mean the sum of (i) after tax Net Income of New BCS for such period and (ii) (a) any federal, state, local or foreign income or similar taxes, including the Michigan Business Tax imposed on New BCS, for such period, (b) Net Interest Expense (as defined below) for such period, (c) Net Other Income (as defined below) for such period, and (d) amortization and depreciation of New BCS for such period determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied with New BCS’s audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal year end.  For purposes hereof, (A) “Net Interest Expense” means, for any period, the aggregate of all interest expense accrued, net of interest income received, of New BCS during such period and the interest portion of capitalized lease payments, all as determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied with New BCS’s audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal year end and (B) “Net Other Income” means, for any period, the net income (or loss) (such as  foreign currency gains and losses, non-recurring, non-operating or extraordinary gains) not attributable to the Business, the Purchased and Contributed Assets and the Assumed Liabilities for such period determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied with New BCS’s audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal year end.  To the extent that New BCS financial results include the impact of GAAP fair value/purchase accounting related to the Purchased and Contributed Assets and/or the Assumed Liabilities of New BCS, the impact, if any, to actual EBITDA, shall be adjusted accordingly.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, EBITDA of New BCS shall be determined without taking into account any income, loss, expense or other impact of any business that may be acquired by New BCS after the Closing by merger or purchase of the equity interest of any entity or the purchase of substantially all of the assets of another entity.
 
4

 
In addition, if Bolton is terminated by New BCS as an employee of New BCS by reason other than cause, death or disability prior to December 31, 2012, each as determined in accordance with Bolton’s employment agreement with New BCS, then Stoneridge shall promptly, but in no event later than ten (10) days from such termination, contribute additional capital in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to New BCS, in an amount (to the extent not already previously contributed pursuant to the above provisions of this Section 1.3(b)) equal to the potential Earn Out Payments assuming that the EBITDA Target for any fiscal year not completed for each of 2010, 2011 and 2012 was met.  In addition, in the event of Bolton’s termination of employment under his employment agreement for good reason pursuant to Section 3.d. of his employment agreement then Stoneridge shall promptly, but in no event later than ten (10) days from such termination, contribute additional capital in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to New BCS, in an amount (to the extent not already previously contributed pursuant to the above provisions of this Section 1.3(b)) equal to the potential Earn Out Payment assuming that the EBITDA Target for the year of termination and the following year, as applicable, was met.
 
(c)           In addition to the Initial Contribution made pursuant to Section 1.3(a) and the amounts paid, if any, pursuant to Section 1.3(b), Stoneridge shall contribute additional capital in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to New BCS, in the amount of (i) $450,000 within seven (7) days of receipt of audited financial statements but in no event later than March 31, 2011 if New BCS’s net revenue determined in accordance with GAAP for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010 exceeds $35,000,000 and (ii) $500,000 within seven (7) days of receipt of audited financial statements but in no event later than March 31, 2012 if New BCS’s net revenue determined in accordance with GAAP for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011 exceeds $35,000,000.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, the net revenue of New BCS shall be determined without taking into account any revenue, income, loss, expense or other impact of any business that may be acquired by New BCS after the Closing by merger or purchase of the equity interest of any entity or the purchase of substantially all of the assets of another entity.
 
1.4           Net Working Capital, Estimates and Audits.
 
(a)           Net Working Capital.  As used herein, the term “Net Working Capital” shall mean the aggregate current assets of Old BCS conveyed to New BCS pursuant to Section 1.1(b) hereof (excluding those Retained Assets (as defined in Section 1.1(b)) which would otherwise be included in current assets), minus the aggregate current liabilities of Old BCS assumed by New BCS pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof (excluding those Excluded Liabilities (as defined in Section 2.1(b)) which would otherwise be included in current liabilities), all as determined in accordance with GAAP as applied consistently with Old BCS’s financial statements.  In any case with respect to the computation of Net Working Capital (i) the following shall be included in current assets: accounts receivable (net of allowances for contractual adjustments and uncollectibles based upon a reasonable evaluation of historical collections to gross revenues), notes receivable, cash and cash equivalents, Contributed Inventory, prepaid expenses, and inventories and supplies, and (ii) the following shall be included in current liabilities: accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued salaries and wages, and accrued paid time off with respect to employees who accept employment with New BCS.
 
(b)           Estimates and Adjustments.  Schedule 1.4(b) sets forth the Net Working Capital of Old BCS as of May 31, 2009, subject to the Obsolete and Slow Moving Inventory reserves referenced in Section 4.1(j) (the “Estimated Net Working Capital”), together with the principles, specifications and methodologies for determining the Estimated Net Working Capital.  Old BCS and Stoneridge both acknowledge and agree that the amount set forth on the Estimated Net Working Capital for accrued salaries, wages and paid time off is based on an assumption of which employees of Old BCS will accept employment with New BCS and, if necessary, will be adjusted after the Closing Date to reflect the correct amount for those employees who actually accept such employment.  If any such adjustment is made, then, for purposes of this Agreement, the Estimated Net Working Capital will be the amount calculated after such adjustment.  Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing, Stoneridge shall deliver to Old BCS its determination of the Net Working Capital as of the Closing Date (following the same principles, specifications and methodologies used to determine the Estimated Net Working Capital as set forth on Schedule 1.4(b)).  Each party shall have full access to the financial books, records and working papers of the other parties and their representatives to confirm or audit Closing Date Net Working Capital computations.  Should Old BCS disagree with Stoneridge’s determination of the Closing Date Net Working Capital, it shall notify Stoneridge within thirty (30) days after Old BCS’s receipt of Stoneridge’s determination of the Closing Date Net Working Capital.  If Old BCS and Stoneridge fail to agree within thirty (30) days after Old BCS’s delivery of notice of disagreement on the amount of the Closing Date Net Working Capital, such disagreement shall be resolved in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section 1.4(d) which shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for resolving accounting disputes relative to the determination of the Closing Date Net Working Capital.
 
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(c)           Payments of Adjustments.  If the Closing Date Net Working Capital, as finally determined, is more than $200,000 less than the Estimated Net Working Capital, then within five (5) business days after determination thereof (the “Post-Closing Adjustment Date”), Old BCS shall pay Stoneridge by wire transfer of immediately available funds the amount by which (i) the Estimated Net Working Capital exceeds the Closing Date Net Working, as finally determined, less (ii) $200,000.  If the Closing Date Net Working Capital, as finally determined, is more than $200,000 greater than the Estimated Net Working Capital, then within five (5) business days after the Post-Closing Adjustment Date, Stoneridge shall pay Old BCS by wire transfer of immediately available funds the amount by which (i) the Closing Date Net Working Capital, as finally determined, exceeds the Estimated Net Working Capital, less (ii) $200,000.  The difference between the Estimated Net Working Capital and the Closing Date Net Working Capital is the “Net Working Capital Difference.”  If a party fails to make any payment required of it hereunder by the Post-Closing Adjustment Date, then within ten (10) days after the Post-Closing Adjustment Date, until such payment is made, Stoneridge or Old BCS, as applicable, will be deemed to have transferred to the other party that number of Units as equals the total number of Units then owned by Stoneridge or Old BCS, as applicable, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the Net Working Capital Difference that should have been paid and the denominator of which equals $5,100,000.
 
(d)           Dispute of Adjustments.  In the event that Old BCS and Stoneridge are not able to agree on the actual Closing Date Net Working Capital within thirty (30) days after Old BCS’s delivery of notice of disagreement, Old BCS and Stoneridge shall each have the right to require that such disputed determination be submitted to an independent certified public accounting firm of national standing as Old BCS and Stoneridge may then mutually agree upon in writing (the “Accounting Firm”) for computation or verification in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.  The Accounting Firm shall review the matters in dispute and, acting as arbitrators, shall promptly decide the proper amounts of such disputed entries (which decision shall also include a final calculation of both the Estimated Net Working Capital and the Closing Date Net Working Capital).  The submission of the disputed matter to the Accounting Firm shall be the exclusive remedy for resolving accounting disputes relative to the determination of Net Working Capital Difference.  The Accounting Firm’s determination shall be binding upon Old BCS and Stoneridge.  The Accounting Firm’s fees and expenses shall be borne equally by Old BCS and Stoneridge.
 
1.5           Escrow.  In accordance with Section 1.3(a), at the Closing, Stoneridge shall pay over to escrow $1,000,000 pursuant to an escrow agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.5.
 
1.6           Allocation of Consideration.  The consideration received by Old BCS from New BCS shall be allocated in accordance with Exhibit 1.6.  After the Closing, the Parties shall make consistent use of the allocation specified in Exhibit 1.6 for all tax purposes and in all filings, declarations, and reports with the Internal Revenue Service, including reports required to be filed under Section 1060 of the Code.  Stoneridge shall prepare on behalf of New BCS and deliver a draft of IRS Form 8594 to Old BCS and New BCS within 60 days after the Closing for review. Stoneridge shall prepare on behalf of New BCS and deliver an updated IRS Form 8594 to Old BCS and New BCS within 30 days after the final determination of Closing Date Net Working Capital pursuant to Section 1.4 for approval by the Parties and to be duly executed and filed by them with the Internal Revenue Service.  In any proceeding related to the determination of any tax, neither Old BCS, New BCS nor Stoneridge shall contend or represent that such allocation is not a correct allocation.
 
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1.7           Form of Transaction.  The transfer of the Purchased and Contributed Assets described in Section 1.1(b) shall be deemed to have occurred as follows: (i) Old BCS shall have sold to New BCS an undivided interest in 51% of the Purchased and Contributed Assets in a taxable transaction, in exchange for the Formation Payment, the Earnout Payments and the assumption of 51% of the Assumed Liabilities, and (ii) Old BCS shall have contributed to New BCS an undivided interest in the remaining 49% of the Purchased and Contributed Assets, in a tax-free contribution under Section 721 of the Code, in exchange for a 49% membership interest in New BCS represented by 490 Units and the assumption of the remaining 49% portion of the Assumed Liabilities not assumed pursuant to clause (i).  The Parties agree to treat the transaction contemplated by this Agreement on their respective federal income tax returns in a manner that is consistent with the foregoing.  In applying Section 704(c) of the Code to the contribution described in clause (ii) above, New BCS shall use the “traditional method” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(b)).  No Party has relied on any other Party for any tax advice related to the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.  
 
1.8           Prorations.  Except as otherwise reflected in Net Working Capital, within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Old BCS and New BCS shall prorate as of the Closing Date any amounts which become due and payable on or after the Closing Date with respect to (i) the Executory Contracts, (ii) ad valorem taxes, if any, on the Purchased and Contributed Assets (which shall be prorated at the Closing), (iii) personal property taxes on the Purchased and Contributed Assets (which shall be prorated at the Closing), (iv) all utilities servicing any of the Purchased and Contributed Assets, including water, sewer, telephone, electricity and gas service (any such amounts which are not available within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date shall be similarly prorated as soon as practicable thereafter), and (v) all prepayments made by Old BCS that benefit New BCS that are not included in Closing Date Net Working Capital.
 
1.9           The Closing.  The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Jaffe Raitt Heuer and Weiss, Professional Corporation, 27777 Franklin Road, Suite 2500, Southfield, Michigan 48034, commencing at 9:00 a.m. local time on the second business day following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (other than conditions with respect to actions the respective Parties will take at the Closing itself) or such other place, date and time as Parties may mutually agree (the “Closing Date”).
 
1.10           Deliveries at the Closing. At the Closing, (a) the Members, Bolton, Old BCS and New BCS will deliver to Stoneridge the various certificates, instruments, and documents referred to in Section 6.1, (b) Stoneridge will deliver to New BCS the various certificates, instruments, and documents referred to in Section 6.2, (c) Stoneridge and Old BCS will enter into the Operating Agreement in the form attached as Appendix A, (d) Stoneridge will deliver to New BCS the cash capital contribution specified in Section 1.3(a), and (e) New BCS will make the Formation Payment to Old BCS specified in Section 1.2.
 
ARTICLE 2
 
ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES; EMPLOYEE MATTERS
 
2.1           General Limitation on Assumption of Liabilities.
 
(a)           New BCS shall not, by virtue of the transfer of the Purchased and Contributed Assets or otherwise, assume or become responsible for any liabilities or obligations of Old BCS or any other person, except for the Assumed Liabilities.  For purposes of this Article 2, the terms “liabilities” and “obligations” shall include, without limitation, any direct or indirect indebtedness, guaranty, endorsement, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, cost, expense, obligation or responsibility, fixed or unfixed, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, choate or inchoate, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured.
 
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(b)           In addition to Section 2.1(a), except for the Assumed Liabilities (as defined in Section 2.2), New BCS shall not assume and under no circumstances shall New BCS be obligated to pay or assume, and none of the assets of New BCS shall be or become liable for or subject to any Liability, indebtedness, commitment, or obligation of Old BCS, whether known or unknown, fixed or unfixed, asserted or unasserted, choate or inchoate, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured (collectively, the “Excluded Liabilities”), including, without limitation, the following Excluded Liabilities:  (i) any debt, obligation, expense or liability that is not an Assumed Liability; (ii) any liabilities or obligations associated with or arising out of any of the Retained Assets; (iii) liabilities and obligations of Old BCS in respect of periods prior to the Closing Date; (iv) federal, state or local tax liabilities or obligations of Old BCS or its members in respect of periods prior to the Closing or resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein including, without limitation, any income tax, any franchise tax, any tax recapture, any sales and/or use tax, any state and local recording fees and taxes which may arise upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, and any FICA, FUTA, workers’ compensation, and any and all other taxes or amounts due and payable as a result of the exercise by the employees at the Business of such employee’s right to vacation, sick leave, and holiday benefits accrued while in the employ of Old BCS (provided, however, that this clause (iv) shall not apply to any and all taxes payable with respect to any accrued paid time off benefits constituting Assumed Liabilities under Section 2.2); (v) liability for any and all claims by or on behalf of Old BCS’s employees relating to periods prior to and including the Closing including, without limitation, liability for any pension, profit sharing, change in control, severance, deferred compensation, or any other employee health and welfare benefit plans, liability for any EEOC claim, ADA claim, FMLA claim, wage and hour claim, unemployment compensation claim, or workers’ compensation claim, and any liabilities or obligations to former employees of Old BCS under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (provided, however, that this clause (v) shall not apply to any and all employee benefits constituting Assumed Liabilities under Section 2.2 hereof); (vi) liabilities or obligations arising as a result of any breach by Old BCS at any time of any contract or commitment, regardless of whether it is assumed by New BCS; (vii) all obligations of Old BCS and its Affiliates with respect to any loans payable, promissory notes, mortgages, bonds, indentures, debentures, capitalized leases, guaranties, credit agreements and other indebtedness for borrowed money; (viii) any liability arising solely by virtue of the assignment by Old BCS of any Executory Contract to New BCS at Closing; (ix) any liability related to or arising under the lease between Old BCS and BMK Investments, LLC; and (x) Old BCS’s obligations under its promissory note to Bolton.
 
2.2           Assumed Liabilities and Obligations.  On the Closing Date, New BCS shall assume and thereafter discharge the following liabilities (the “Assumed Liabilities”): (i) all obligations and liabilities of Old BCS under the Executory Contracts, listed on Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, in relation to the operation of the Business first accruing or arising after the Closing Date; (ii) the trade accounts payable and current liabilities (excluding Excluded Liabilities) of Old BCS as of the Closing Date, but only to the extent such accounts payable and current liabilities are incurred in the ordinary course of business and are included in Closing Date Net Working Capital, as calculated in accordance with Section 1.4; and (iii) obligations and liabilities as of the Closing Date in respect of accrued paid time off benefits of Old BCS’s employees at the Business who accept employment with New BCS as of the Closing Date, and related taxes, but only to the extent such accrued paid time off benefits and related taxes are included in the Closing Date Net Working Capital and (iv) and those obligation and liabilities assumed pursuant to Section 2.4.  Except for the obligations expressly assumed by New BCS pursuant to this section and except as otherwise expressly agreed by the Parties in writing, it is understood and agreed that New BCS does not and will not assume or become obligated to pay or perform with respect to third parties any debts, liabilities, contracts or other obligations of Old BCS, the Members or Bolton or any of their respective Affiliates, whether now existing or hereafter arising, for which Old BCS, the Members or Bolton or any of their Affiliates are or may become liable however arising, including, without limitation, obligations arising pursuant to the law of contracts, tort, strict liability, product liability or other applicable laws, rules, regulations, or ordinances including, without limitation, any debts, liabilities, contracts or other obligations relating to any employer – employee laws or regulations or laws or regulations relating to health and safety of employees (including the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and ERISA and the NLRA) and any laws or regulations relating to pollution of the environment or hazardous materials.  In addition, New BCS shall not be liable for (i) any claims arising from Old BCS’s assignment and New BCS’s assumption of the Assumed Liabilities; (ii) uncured defaults in the payment or performance of the Assumed Liabilities for periods prior to the Closing; or (iii) rights or remedies claimed by third parties under any of the Assumed Liabilities which broaden or vary the rights and remedies such third parties would have had against Old BCS if the transfer of the Purchased and Contributed Assets were not to occur.
 
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2.3           Employees.  New BCS shall be obligated to (i) offer employment to the employees of Old BCS, on substantially the same terms and conditions existing on the date hereof, who are involved in the operation of the Business and maintain substantially the same terms of employment for a period of no less than twelve (12) months, and (ii) provide service credit for the time of employment at Old BCS, provided, however, there shall be no obligation to offer employment to those Old BCS employees primarily engaged in the business related to Old BCS’s medical-related business, Dynamic Supply Solutions, or to the business of CAM Logic.  Old BCS shall assist New BCS in hiring such employees.  Old BCS covenants and agrees not to change the compensation or benefits of any Old BCS employee between the date hereof and Closing without the prior consent of Stoneridge.  Further, the Parties agree that after the Closing they shall cooperate in all efforts by New BCS and Stoneridge to cause the New BCS employee compensation and benefit plan programs to be operated efficiently and cost effectively under the new organizational structure, but any changes in such compensation and benefit plan programs shall not increase any respective costs unless agreed to and done so in the ordinary course of the operations of New BCS.  Old BCS will be responsible for any severance payments owing to the employees of Old BCS, if any, arising as a result of their termination from employment with Old BCS or their determination not to become employed by New BCS.  In addition, Old BCS agrees and acknowledges that it shall be solely responsible for compliance, if required, with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C. Section 2101 et seq., the “WARN Act”) prior to and in connection with the Closing, but not for any actions of New BCS following the Closing, and shall indemnify New BCS and Stoneridge for all liability with respect thereto without regard to the limitations of Article 9 hereof.  It is expressly understood and agreed that Old BCS is not responsible for compliance, if required, with the WARN Act arising from any actions taken by New BCS following the Closing, any such compliance being the obligation of New BCS, and New BCS shall indemnify Old BCS for all liability with respect thereto without regard to the limitations of Article 9 hereof.
 
2.4           Employee Benefits.  The Employee Benefit Plans listed on Section 2.4 of the Disclosure Schedule can and shall be transferred from Old BCS to New BCS, and in connection therewith New BCS shall assume sponsorship of those Employee Benefit Plans, as appropriate, shall receive any assets (maintained under insurance contacts,  trusts or otherwise) with respect to such Employee Benefit Plans, and the liabilities with respect to such Employee Benefit Plans, including but not limited to future severance payments owed to Old BCS employees, if any, but only with respect to those Old BCS employees who become employees of New BCS and only after their employment is terminated with New BCS.
 
ARTICLE 3
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION
 
3.1           Representations and Warranties of Each Member, Bolton and Old BCS.  Each Member, Bolton and Old BCS represents and warrants to Stoneridge and New BCS regarding themselves and not to each other that the statements contained in this Section 3.1 are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct, in all material respects, as of the Closing Date as though made again as of such date:
 
(a)           Capacity and Authorization.  Each of Kochis, Malecke and Bolton is a natural person with the legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform his obligations hereunder.  Bolton Investments, LLC is a limited liability company duly formed and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan.  This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of each Member, Bolton and Old BCS, enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws affecting or relating to enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.
 
(b)           Noncontravention.  Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge or other restriction of any government, governmental agency or court to which any Member, Bolton or Old BCS is subject, or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license or instrument to which any Member, Bolton or Old BCS is a party, including the operating agreement of Old BCS, or by which any of them is bound or to which any of their assets are subject, except where such breaches, conflicts, results or rights would not separately or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Old BCS or New BCS,  and that no such breaches, conflicts, results or rights will impose any Liability or obligation on Stoneridge.  Except for any filings required by the rules and regulations of the Small Business Administration, to the Knowledge of each Member, Bolton and Old BCS, Old BCS is not required to give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent or approval of any government or governmental agency in order for the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except to the extent that the failure to obtain any such consent, approval or authorization, or to make any such filing, separately or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on his/its or New BCS’s business or financial condition and no such failure by him/it will impose any Liability or obligation upon Stoneridge.
 
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(c)           Brokers’ Fees.  Except for the fees payable to Seneca Partners (“Seneca”) listed on Section 3.1(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, defined below, which the Members will cause Old BCS to pay after the receipt of the Formation Payment, neither the Members, Bolton nor Old BCS shall have any Liability or obligation to pay any finder’s fees or commissions to any broker, financial adviser, finder, or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Stoneridge or New BCS could become liable or obligated.
 
(d)           Investment.  Old BCS is acquiring the 49% membership interest in New BCS solely for its own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
(e)           Stoneridge Equity.  None of the Members or Bolton or any Affiliate thereof, nor any immediate family member of any of them, or a trust for the benefit for any of the foregoing, currently has, or in the prior 12 months has had, any ownership, beneficial or legal, direct or indirect, in Stoneridge’s securities.
 
3.2           Representations and Warranties of Stoneridge.  Stoneridge represents and warrants to the Members, Bolton, Old BCS and New BCS that the statements contained in this Section 3.2 are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date as though made again as of such date:
 
(a)           Organization of Stoneridge.  Stoneridge is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio, and is duly qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which Stoneridge owns or leases real property, maintains an office or has employees residing, except where the failure to be so qualified, separately or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Stoneridge.
 
(b)           Authorization of Transaction.  Stoneridge has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.  This Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of Stoneridge and constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of Stoneridge, enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws affecting or relating to enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.
 
(c)           Noncontravention.  Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge or other restriction of any government, governmental agency or court to which Stoneridge is subject or any provision of Stoneridge articles of incorporation or code of regulations, or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license or instrument to which Stoneridge is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets is subject, except where such breaches, conflicts, results or rights would not separately or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Stoneridge or New BCS, and that no such breaches, conflicts, results or rights will impose any Liability or obligation on Stoneridge will impose any Liability or obligation on the Members, Bolton or Old BCS.  To the Knowledge of Stoneridge, Stoneridge is not required to give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent or approval of any government or governmental agency in order for the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except to the extent that the failure to obtain any such consent, approval or authorization, or to make any such filing, separately or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Stoneridge or New BCS and no such failure by Stoneridge will impose any Liability or obligation upon the Members, Bolton or Old BCS.
 
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(d)           Brokers’ Fees.  Stoneridge has no Liability or obligation to pay any finder’s fees or commissions to any broker, financial adviser, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which any of the Members, Bolton, Old BCS or New BCS could become liable or obligated.
 
(e)           Investment.  Stoneridge is acquiring the 51% membership interest in New BCS solely for its own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
(f)           Financing.  Stoneridge has sufficient funds available to purchase the 51% membership interest of New BCS pursuant to this Agreement without violating any solvency requirements currently applicable to Stoneridge.
 
(g)           Complete Disclosure.  No representation or warranty made by Stoneridge in this Agreement contains or will contain, any untrue statement of material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statement contained herein and therein not misleading.
 
ARTICLE 4
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING OLD BCS
 
4.1           Each Member, Bolton and Old BCS, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to Stoneridge and New BCS that the statements in this Article 4 are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date as though made again as of such date.
 
(a)           Organization, Qualification, and Power. Old BCS is a limited liability company, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan and is duly qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which Old BCS owns or leases real property, maintains an office or has employees residing, except where the failure to be so qualified, separately or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Old BCS.  Section 4.1(a) of the disclosure schedule delivered by the Members, Bolton and Old BCS to Stoneridge on the date hereof, a copy of which is attached hereto and acknowledged by the Parties (the “Disclosure Schedule”), lists the Managers and Members of Old BCS.
 
(b)           Noncontravention.  To the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (a) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge or other restriction of any government, governmental agency or court to which Old BCS is subject, or (b) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license or instrument to which Old BCS is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets is subject, except where such breaches, results, rights, violations, conflicts or defaults would not separately or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Old BCS, provided, however, that no such failure by Old BCS will impose any Liability or obligation upon New BCS.
 
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(c)           Financial Statements; Liabilities.  Attached hereto as Schedule 4.1(c) of the Disclosure Schedule are the following financial statements of Old BCS (collectively the “Financial Statements”):  (a) balance sheets and statements of income, statements of members’ interest and statement of cash flow as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, reviewed by a certified public accountant, and (b) unaudited balance sheets and related statements of income (the “Most Recent Financial Statements”) as of and for each of the months from January 2009 through June 30, 2009 (the “Most Recent Fiscal Period End”).  The Financial Statements (other than the Most Recent Financial Statements), including the notes thereto, have been prepared from and are in accordance with Old BCS’s books and records and are in accordance with GAAP, and fairly present the financial condition of Old BCS as of the dates stated and the results of operations of Old BCS for such periods.  The Most Recent Financial Statements have been prepared from and are in accordance with Old BCS’s books and records in accordance with Old BCS’s accounting policies and procedures consistently applied, which, except as set forth in Section 4.1(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, are in accordance with GAAP, and fairly present the financial condition of Old BCS as of the date stated and the results of operations of Old BCS for such period, except that the Most Recent Financial Statements contain estimates of certain accruals, lack footnotes and other presentation items, and are subject to normal year-end adjustments.  All accounts payable of Old BCS have been incurred in the ordinary course of Business, except for accounts payable not incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000.  Except as set forth on Section 4.1(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of Members, Bolton and Old BCS, Old BCS does not have, and New BCS will not have, any material Liability or obligation of any nature except:
 
(i)           those set forth or reflected in the Most Recent Financial Statements that have not been paid or discharged since the date hereof;
 
(ii)           those arising under agreements or other commitments described or identified on the Disclosure Schedule or in the ordinary course of business;
 
(iii)           those incurred since the dates of the Most Recent Financial Statements in the ordinary course of business; and
 
(iv)           those not required under GAAP to be reflected on the financial statements of Old BCS.
 
(d)           Events Subsequent to Most Recent Fiscal Period End.  Since the Most Recent Fiscal Period End, except (i) as set forth on Section 4.1(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, (ii) as permitted or contemplated by this Agreement, or (iii) as consented to by Stoneridge in writing, there has not been:
 
(i)           any material adverse change in the business or financial condition of Old BCS;
 
(ii)           any transaction entered into or carried out by Old BCS other than in the ordinary course of business;
 
(iii)           any material borrowing or agreement to borrow funds by Old BCS; any incurring by Old BCS of any other material obligation or Liability, contingent or otherwise, except liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business that would not, separately or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Old BCS; or any endorsement, assumption or guarantee of payment or performance of any material loan or obligation of any other person by Old BCS;
 
(iv)           any material change in Old BCS’s method of doing business or any material change in its accounting principles or practices or its method of application of such principles or practices;
 
(v)           any material mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, hypothecation, charge or other encumbrance imposed or agreed to be imposed on or with respect to the properties or assets of Old BCS;
 
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(vi)           any material lien, mortgage, security interest, pledge, hypothecation, charge or other encumbrance of Old BCS discharged or satisfied, or any material obligation or Liability, absolute or contingent, paid, except as contemplated in this Agreement;
 
(vii)           any sale, lease or other disposition of, or any agreement to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, any of the material properties or assets of Old BCS, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
 
(viii)           any material loan or advance made by Old BCS to any person;
 
(ix)              any elimination of any material reserve established on Old BCS’s books or any changing of the method of accrual unless there is any change of significant facts or circumstances pertaining to such reserve which would justify its elimination or change in method of accrual; or
 
(x)               any increase in the base compensation or other payment to any director, officer or employee, whether now or hereafter payable or granted, other than payment of bonuses or increases in base compensation in the ordinary course of business, or entry into or amendments of the terms of any employment or incentive agreement with any such person.
 
(e)           Legal.  Set forth in Section 4.1(e) of the Disclosure Schedule is a list of all material governmental permits, variances, licenses, registrations, certificates and other governmental authorizations (the “Permits”) held by Old BCS and used in the conduct of the Business.  The Permits constitute all governmental permits, variances, licenses, registrations certificates and other governmental authorizations necessary for Old BCS to conduct its business as presently conducted and conducted during the period covered by the Financial Statements, except where the failure to possess any such governmental permit, variance, license, registration, certificate or other governmental authorization would not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Old BCS.  To the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, Old BCS is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations, codes, plans, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees, rulings and charges thereunder of federal, state, local and foreign courts or governmental authorities (and all agencies thereof) (collectively, the “Applicable Laws”), and Old BCS is not under investigation with respect thereto, nor has it been charged with or given notice of any material violation of, any of the Applicable Laws.
 
(f)           Tax Matters.  Except as set forth on Section 4.1(f) of the Disclosure Schedule, Old BCS has filed or caused to be filed all Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to Old BCS.  All such Tax Returns at the time of filing complied with all applicable Tax laws in all material respects.  All Taxes owed by Old BCS shown on any Tax Return have been paid.  Old BCS is not currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return.  No claim has been made against Old BCS by an authority in a jurisdiction where Old BCS does not file Tax Returns that it is subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.  There are no Security Interests on the Purchased and Contributed Assets that arose in connection with any failure or alleged failure to pay any Tax.
 
There is no dispute or claim concerning any Tax Liability of Old BCS (i) claimed or raised by any Taxing authority in writing, or (ii) as to which the Members, Bolton or Old BCS have Knowledge based upon personal contact with any agent of such authority.  Old BCS has delivered to Stoneridge true and correct copies of all federal income Tax Returns filed with respect to Old BCS since December 31, 2005.
 
                Old BCS has not waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
 
Effective January 1, 2005, Old BCS made a valid election to be taxed as an S Corporation under Section 1362(a) of the Code, and such election has not been terminated under Section 1362(d) of the Code or otherwise.  Since January 1, 2005, Old BCS has met all applicable requirements of the Code to maintain Old BCS’s election to be taxed as an S Corporation thereunder.
 
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(g)           Real Property.
 
(i)           Owned Real Property.  Old BCS does not own any real property.
 
(ii)          Leased Real Property.  Section 4.1(g) of the Disclosure Schedule lists all real property leased or subleased to or by Old BCS and the leases or subleases in respect thereof.  Each lease and sublease listed in Section 4.1(g) of the Disclosure Schedule is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect.  With respect to each lease and sublease listed in Section 4.1(g) of the Disclosure Schedule, except as described in the Disclosure Schedule:
 
(a)           No party to the lease or sublease is in material breach or default, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time, would constitute a material breach or default or permit termination, material modification or acceleration thereunder;
 
(b)           no party to the lease or sublease has repudiated any material provision thereof, and there are no material disputes, oral agreements or forbearance programs in effect as to the lease or sublease; and
 
(c)           Old BCS has not assigned, transferred, conveyed, mortgaged or encumbered its interest in the leasehold or subleasehold.
 
(h)           Assets.  Except as described in Section 4.1(h) of the Disclosure Schedule, Old BCS has good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all material, tangible, personal property assets used in the conduct of the Business, including all fixtures, furniture, equipment, machinery and leasehold improvements (the “Fixed Assets”), subject to no material liens, mortgages, pledges, encumbrances or charges, except for such exceptions which separately and in the aggregate are not material in character, amount or extent and do not materially detract from the value of or interfere with the use of the tangible assets subject thereto or affected thereby.  Except as set forth in Section 4.1(h) of the Disclosure Schedule, no financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar law naming Old BCS as debtor has been filed in any jurisdiction in respect of the Fixed Assets.  Old BCS is not a party to or, to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, bound by any agreement or legal obligation authorizing any person to file any such financing statements in respect of the Fixed Assets, other than agreements or obligations authorizing the filing of a financing statement by lessors as a precautionary matter with respect to true leases.  All Fixed Assets are in good condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to be maintained in such good condition and repair would not, separately or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Old BCS.
 
(i)           Intellectual Property.  Section 4.1(i) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each patent, trademark, trade name, copyright and application therefor owned or licensed by Old BCS as licensee, and identifies each license, agreement or other permission which Old BCS has granted to any third party with respect to any of the foregoing.  Old BCS owns or possesses enforceable licenses or other rights to use all material patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, inventions, formulas and processes necessary to the operation of its business as presently conducted and as conducted during the period covered by the Financial Statements and, to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, such present use does not conflict with the lawful rights of others in any material respect.  No proceedings are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS threatened which challenge the validity or the ownership by Old BCS of the patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights and applications set forth in Section 4.1(i) of the Disclosure Schedule.  The manufacture and sale of Old BCS’s products does not result in a material infringement of any U.S. patent owned by a third party, and the Members, Bolton and Old BCS have no Knowledge of facts which would invalidate the patents disclosed in Section 4.1(i) of the Disclosure Schedule.
 
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(j)           Inventory.  The inventory of supplies, raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods as reflected in the balance sheet included in the Most Recent Financial Statements is valued at the lower of cost or market value on a basis consistent with past practices.  Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, all such inventories are good and merchantable in the ordinary course of business and of a quality and quantity generally presently usable, net of reserves established on Old BCS’s books and records.  Either adequate reserves, but not more than $1,100,000, have been (or will be following the physical inventory being conducted pursuant Section 0) established on Old BCS’s books of account with respect to Obsolete and Slow Moving Inventory, or such Obsolete and Slow Moving Inventory has been written off.
 
(k)           Contracts.  Section 4.1(k) of the Disclosure Schedule lists the following contracts and other agreements, other than those of a type disclosed in another Section to the Disclosure Schedule, to which Old BCS is a party:
 
(i)           each sales agency, dealer, representative, distributorship or brokerage agreement or franchise;
 
(ii)          each contract, agreement or commitment in respect of the sale of products or the performance of services, or for the purchase of inventories, equipment, raw materials, supplies, services or utilities which (i) involves payments or receipts by Old BCS of $10,000 or more and is not terminable by Old BCS at any time upon notice of 90 days or less, or (ii) is not to be fully performed within one year from the date of this Agreement;
 
(iii)         any agreement for the lease of personal property to or from any person providing for lease payments in excess of $25,000 per annum;
 
(iv)          each partnership, joint venture, joint operating or similar agreement;
 
(v)           any agreement relating to indebtedness for borrowed money, or any capitalized lease obligation, in excess of $25,000 or under which there is a Security Interest on any of Old BCS’s assets, tangible or intangible;
 
(vi)          any agreement concerning confidentiality or noncompetition;
 
(vii)         any agreement with any of the Members or Bolton or an Affiliate of any them;
 
(viii)       any deferred compensation, severance or other plan or arrangement for the benefit of its current or former directors, officers or employees;
 
(ix)         any collective bargaining agreement;
 
(x)           any agreement under which Old BCS has advanced or loaned money to members, managers, officers or employees outside the ordinary course of business; and
 
(xi)         any agreement restricting the right of Old BCS to do business anywhere in the world.
 
Old BCS has delivered to Stoneridge a true and correct copy of each written agreement listed in Section 4.1(k) of the Disclosure Schedule (other than the leases and subleases with Old BCS) and a written summary setting forth the terms and conditions of each oral agreement referred to therein.  With respect to each such agreement: (i) to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, no party thereto is in material breach or default, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time would constitute a material breach or default, or permit termination, material modification or acceleration, under the agreement; (ii) no party has repudiated any material provision of the agreement;  (iii) to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, the agreement is legally valid and binding against the parties thereto, and (iv) to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS all certificates provided by Old BCS pursuant to the agreement to the other party or parties to the agreement were true and correct in all material respects when provided.
 
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(l)           Accounts and Notes Receivable.  All notes and accounts receivable of Old BCS at the Most Recent Fiscal Period End represent sales actually made in the ordinary course of business and are properly reflected in the Most Recent Financial Statements.  Adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP have been established on Old BCS’s books of account with respect to uncollectible notes and accounts receivable.
 
(m)          Insurance.  To the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, Old BCS is insured by financially sound and reputable insurers, unaffiliated with Old BCS, with respect to its properties and the conduct of its business in such amounts and against such risks as are sufficient for compliance with law and as are adequate to protect the properties and business of Old BCS in accordance with normal industry standards.  Section 4.1(m) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the following information with respect to each insurance policy to which Old BCS is a party, a named insured, or otherwise the beneficiary of coverage: (1) the name, address, and telephone number of the agent; (2) the name of the insurer, the name of the policyholder and the name (or group designation) of each covered insured; and (3) the policy number and the period of coverage.  With respect to each such insurance policy to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS: (i) neither Old BCS nor any other party thereto is in material breach or default (including with respect to the payment of premiums), and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a material breach or default, or permit termination, material modification or acceleration, under the policy; and (ii) no party to the policy has repudiated any material provision thereof.
 
(n)           Material Litigation.  Section 4.1(n) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth each instance in which Old BCS (a) is subject to any outstanding or unsatisfied judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge of any court of competent jurisdiction (of other than general application), or (b) is a party or, to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton or Old BCS, is threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit, proceeding, hearing or investigation of, in or before any court or administrative agency of any federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction or before any arbitrator, seeking either (i) injunctive or similar relief, or (ii) damages in excess of $25,000.  There is no claim, litigation, action, arbitration, suit, or judicial proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton or Old BCS, threatened, nor any governmental investigation pending or to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton or Old BCS threatened, against Old BCS, at law or equity, before any federal, state or local court or regulatory agency, or other governmental authority, which is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Old BCS or New BCS.
 
(o)           Employees.  Except as set forth in Section 4.1(o) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of the Members and Bolton, no executive, key employee or group of employees has any plans to not accept New BCS’s offer of employment and each employee of Old BCS is a U.S. citizen or otherwise a legal resident of the United States.
 
(p)           Employee Benefits.  Section 4.1(p) of the Disclosure Schedule lists each Employee Benefit Plan that is or was at any time during the last five years maintained, administered or contributed to by Old BCS or any Affiliate thereof.  Solely for purposes of this Section 4.1(p) an “Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person which, together with such Person, would be treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.  With respect to each such Employee Benefit Plan:
 
(i)           Each such Employee Benefit Plan (and each related trust, insurance contract, or fund) complies, in all material respects, in form and in operation with all applicable legal requirements, including ERISA and the Code and the terms of the plan documents;
 
(ii)           All required reports and descriptions (including Form 5500 Annual Reports, summary annual reports, and summary plan descriptions) have been filed or distributed appropriately with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan.  The requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and of Code Section 4980B have been met with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan which is an Employee Welfare Benefit Plan;
 
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(iii)           All contributions (including all employer contributions and employee salary reduction contributions) which are due have been paid to each such Employee Benefit Plan which is an Employee Pension Benefit Plan and which is a “qualified plan” under Code Section 401(a), and all such contributions for any period ending on or before the Closing Date which are not yet due have been paid to each such Employee Pension Benefit Plan or accrued in accordance with the past custom and practice of Old BCS.  All premiums or other payments for all periods ending on or before the Closing Date have been paid with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan which is an Employee Welfare Benefit Plan;
 
(iv)           The only Employee Pension Benefit Plan maintained by Old BCS for its employees was the Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust (the “401(k) Plan”), which 401(k) Plan was terminated in 2008, all in accordance with ERISA and applicable law and the 401(k) Plan assets properly distributed to 401(k) Plan participants and beneficiaries, and a favorable determination letter was requested or has been received from the IRS in connection with such 401(k) Plan termination.  No other Employee Pension Benefit Plan, subject to Title IV of ERISA, or otherwise, has ever been maintained by or contributed to by Old BCS (or any other entities with which they may be controlled group members under Code Section 414) on behalf of the employees of Old BCS, or any other such employees or individuals;
 
(v)           There have been no Prohibited Transactions with respect to any such Employee Benefit Plan, and no Fiduciary has any Liability for breach of fiduciary duty or any other failure to act or comply in connection with the administration or investment of the assets of any such Employee Benefit Plan.  No action, suit, proceeding, hearing or governmental investigation of any such Employee Benefit Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) is pending or, to the Knowledge of Members, Bolton and Old BCS, threatened;
 
(vi)          Neither Old BCS nor any Affiliate has incurred any Liability to the PBGC or otherwise under Title IV of ERISA (including any withdrawal Liability) with respect to any such Employee Benefit Plan which is an Employee Pension Benefit Plan;
 
(vii)         Old BCS has delivered to Stoneridge with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan to which Old BCS or its employees contribute or in which employees of Old BCS participate, true and correct copies of the plan documents and summary plan descriptions, the most recent determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service, the three most recent Form 5500 Annual Reports, and all related trust agreements, insurance contracts, and other funding agreements which implement each such Employee Benefit Plan;
 
(viii)       Full payment has been made of all amounts which Old BCS is required to have paid as benefits under any Employee Benefit Plan;
 
(ix)         There is no Liability in respect of post-retirement health and medical benefits for current or retired employees of Old BCS or any of its Affiliates.  Old BCS has reserved its right to amend or terminate any Employee Benefit Plan providing health or medical benefits in respect of any employee or former employee of Old BCS under the terms of any such plan and descriptions thereof given to employees or former employees;
 
(x)           There has been no amendment to, written interpretation or announcement (whether or not written) by Old BCS or any of its Affiliates relating to any Employee Benefit Plan which would materially increase the expense of maintaining such Employee Benefit Plan above the level of the expense incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended last prior to the Closing Date;
 
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(xi)          Except as set forth in Section 4.1(p) of the Disclosure Schedule, the execution, delivery and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not constitute a triggering event under any Employee Benefit Plan, whether or not legally enforceable, which, either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent event, will or may result in any payment of severance pay or otherwise, acceleration, increase in vesting, or increase in benefits to any current or former participant or employee of Old BCS;
 
(xii)        Neither Old BCS nor any of its Affiliates has any plan or commitment to create any additional Employee Benefit Plan or benefit arrangement that would affect any employee or former employee of Old BCS or any of its Affiliates;
 
(xiii)       All Employee Benefit Plans are and remain fully terminable by Old BCS or its Affiliates at any time (subject only to the payment of benefits accrued to date of such plan termination); and
 
(xiv)        Old BCS does not have and has not had any severance plan, severance policy or severance agreement with respect to any current or past Old BCS employee.
 
(q)           Guaranties.  Except as set forth in Section 4.1(q) of the Disclosure Schedule, Old BCS is not a guarantor of any Liability or obligation (including indebtedness) of any other person.
 
(r)           Environment, Health and Safety. Except as set forth in Section 4.1(r) of the Disclosure Schedule and except as disclosed in the environmental reports provided to Stoneridge and set forth on Schedule 4.1(r):
 
(i)           Old BCS has been, and currently is, in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental, Health and Safety Laws, and there is no material contingent liability of Old BCS relating to any Environmental, Health and Safety Laws;
 
(ii)          Old BCS has and is in compliance in all material respects with all Permits required under applicable Environmental Health and Safety Laws necessary to operate the Business and all Permits are in full force and effect except to the extent that the timely renewal applications have been filed but not yet acted upon and Old BCS is not aware of any fact or circumstance that would prohibit the transfer of any required permits to New BCS;
 
(iii)         Old BCS has not received any written notice of violation of Environmental Health or Safety Laws or other written or verbal communication alleging any violation of Environmental Health or Safety Laws, including any investigatory, remedial, or corrective obligations relating to Old BCS, or any facility or property currently or formerly owned, leased or otherwise operated by Old BCS;
 
(iv)          To the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, Old BCS has no liability (i) for damage to any site, location or body of water (surface or subsurface), or (ii) for any illness of or personal injury to any employee or other Person under any Environmental, Health and Safety Laws and there are no hazardous materials, substances or wastes, in, on or under any of Old BCS’s facilities in violation of Environmental Health and Safety Laws or in quantities that could subject Old BCS or New BCS to any obligation to investigate, remediate, or take other action under any Environmental Health and Safety Law;
 
(v)           Old BCS has not received notice that it is a potentially responsible party for a federal or state environmental cleanup site or for corrective action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., as amended, or any other applicable Environmental, Health and Safety Laws;
 
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(vi)          To the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, all properties, machinery, equipment and product used or produced in the Business are free of asbestos, PCB’s, dioxins, dibenzofurans and Hazardous Substances, except to the extent their presence is in compliance in all material respects with the Environmental, Health and Safety Laws; and
 
(vii)        Old BCS has delivered or made available to Stoneridge all material environmental reports in its, its Members, or its Members’ Affiliates or its consultants’ or agents’ possession, including, by way of example only, any Phase I, Phase II or other reports that document, memorialize, summarize, or otherwise assess or evaluate the environmental condition of any material parcel of property currently or formerly owned, operated, and/or leased by Old BCS.
 
(s)           Certain Business Relationships with Company.  Except as described in Section 4.1(s) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Members or Bolton or any of their respective Affiliates has been involved in any material business arrangement or relationship with Old BCS within the past 12 months and no Member or Bolton or any of their respective Affiliates (other than Old BCS) owns any material asset, tangible or intangible, which is used in the Business.  All transactions between any Member or Bolton or any of their respective Affiliates on one hand, and Old BCS, on the other hand, have been at arm’s length and on terms not materially less or more favorable to any party than would have been obtainable from an unrelated third party.
 
(t)           Labor Relations.  There is no unfair labor practice complaint against Old BCS pending before any governmental authority, and there is no labor strike, dispute, slowdown or stoppage, or any union-organizing effort or campaign, pending against or involving Old BCS.  Old BCS is not a party to a collective bargaining agreement and no union or collective bargaining unit represents any employees of Old BCS.
 
(u)           Product Liability and Recalls; Product Warranty.
 
(i)           Except as set forth on Section 4.1(u) of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no (i) claim, action, suit, inquiry or proceeding by or before any court or other governmental authority pending, or (ii) to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton or Old BCS, any such claim, action, suit, inquiry or proceeding or governmental investigation threatened, against Old BCS, relating to any product alleged to have been designed, manufactured or sold by Old BCS and alleged to have been defective or improperly designed or manufactured.
 
(ii)          Except as set forth on Section 4.1(u) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS there is no pending or threatened government-mandated recall of any product sold by Old BCS.
 
(iii)         To the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, each product manufactured, sold, leased or delivered by Old BCS has been in conformity in all material respects with all contractual commitments and all express and implied warranties.
 
(v)           Customers.  Except as set forth in Section 4.1(v) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS none of Old BCS’ top ten (10) customers measured by revenue to Old BCS for the fiscal year 2008 and for the interim period ended July 31, 2009 has given notice to Old BCS that any contracts or orders will not be renewed or will be terminated or canceled prior to their expiration date.
 
(w)           Member, Bolton and Affiliated Party Claims.  As of the Closing Date, no Member nor Bolton will have and, to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS, no Affiliate of any Member or of Bolton will have, any claim, demand, cause of action or right, contractual or otherwise, known or unknown, at law or in equity, against Old BCS that may be asserted against New BCS, other than (i) claims for benefits arising in the ordinary course under, out of, or resulting from participation in an Employee Benefit Plan described in the Section 4.1(p) of the Disclosure Schedule, or (ii) claims for payment of current salary and reimbursement of reasonable business expenses incurred through the Closing Date, to the extent incurred in the ordinary course of business.
 
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(x)           Complete Disclosure.  No representation or warranty made by the Members, Bolton and Old BCS in this Agreement and no exhibit or schedule related to Old BCS contains or will contain, any untrue statement of material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statement contained herein and therein not misleading.
 
ARTICLE 5
 
COVENANTS
 
Except for Section 0 (which covenant applies following the Closing), the Parties agree as follows with respect to the period between the execution of this Agreement and the Closing.
 
5.1           General; Timing of Closing.  Each of the Parties will use reasonable best efforts to take all action and to do all things necessary to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including satisfaction, but not waiver, of the closing conditions set forth in Article 6, including, but not limited to, the use of reasonable best efforts to cause the satisfaction of all closing conditions set forth in Article 6 on or before October 31, 2009.
 
5.2           Notices and Consents.  The Members, Bolton and Old BCS will cause Old BCS to give any notices to third parties and to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain any third party consents that Stoneridge reasonably may request or that are required pursuant to the terms of any material agreement or contract listed on the Disclosure Schedule to assign the Executory Contracts to New BCS.
 
5.3           Operation of Business.  The Members will not cause or permit Old BCS to (i) merge or consolidate with any other person or acquire a material amount of assets of any other person, or (ii) engage in any practice, take any action or enter into any transaction outside the ordinary course of business.
 
5.4           Preservation of Business.  The Members will cause Old BCS to use reasonable best efforts to keep its business and properties substantially intact, including its present operations, physical facilities, working conditions and relationships with lessors, licensors, suppliers, customers and employees, and to conduct the business, operations, activities and practices of the Business only in the ordinary course of business.
 
5.5           Full Access. Upon written notice received by Old BCS or the Members of not less than one business day, the Members will cause Old BCS to permit representatives of Stoneridge to have reasonable access during normal business hours, but only in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal business operations of Old BCS, to the premises, properties, personnel, books, records, contracts and documents of or pertaining to Old BCS.  Old BCS and Stoneridge will comply with the terms and conditions of the confidentiality letter agreement between Old BCS and Stoneridge dated February 3, 2009 with respect to information received in the course of the reviews contemplated by this Section 5.5 and will not use any such information except in connection with this Agreement or as permitted by such confidentiality letter agreement
 
5.6           Notice of Developments.  The Members, Bolton and Old BCS will give prompt written notice to Stoneridge of any development causing a material breach of any of the representations and warranties in Article 4, whether relating to the Members, Bolton, Old BCS or Stoneridge, and Stoneridge will give prompt written notice to the Members, Bolton and Old BCS of any development causing a material breach of any of the representations and warranties in Article 4, whether relating to the Members, Bolton, Old BCS or Stoneridge; provided, however, no disclosure by any Party pursuant to this Section 5.6 shall be deemed to amend or supplement the Disclosure Schedule or to prevent or cure any misrepresentation or breach of any warranty.  If before the Closing, any breach is material and uncured and it gives Stoneridge or Old BCS, as applicable, the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article 11, then before exercise of the right to terminate or before Closing, notwithstanding any breach, the Parties agree to discuss in good faith, but are not obligated to agree upon, an equitable adjustment to the Initial Contribution.  Any adjustment shall be agreed to in writing.  If an adjustment to the Initial Consideration is agreed to then the Parties agree that there shall be no right to indemnification under Article 8 with respect to the breach or the asserted breach that gave rise to the good faith negotiations of an equitable adjustment to the Initial Contribution.
 
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5.7           Exclusivity.  None of the Members will, nor will the Members of Old BCS cause or permit Old BCS to (a) solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any person relating to the acquisition of all or substantially all of the membership interests or assets of Old BCS (including any acquisition structured as a merger, consolidation or share exchange), or (b) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, furnish any information with respect to, assist or participate in, or facilitate in any other manner any effort or attempt by any person to do or seek any of the foregoing.
 
5.8           Employee Benefit Plans.  Except (i) to the extent required by applicable law, or (ii) as contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or the Operating Agreement of New BCS, Old BCS shall not, and the Members will cause Old BCS not to, do or agree to do any of the following without the prior written consent of Stoneridge, grant any material increase in compensation or benefits to any employee; adopt or materially amend the terms of any severance or termination agreements, plans, programs, policies or procedures, with or for its employees; or materially effect any change in retirement or any other benefit plans, programs, policies, or procedures for any of its employees (unless such change is required by applicable law or as a condition to obtaining a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to an Employee Benefit Plan) that would increase the liabilities of Stoneridge or New BCS hereunder and the Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall consult with Stoneridge regarding matters relating to such changes in applicable law or maintaining the tax qualified status of such Employee Benefit Plans in advance of effecting any such change.
 
5.9          Compensation Arrangements; Extraordinary Payments.  Except as otherwise contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 5.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, Old BCS shall not, and the Members shall cause Old BCS not to declare or pay distribution of any kind (whether in cash, property or a combination thereof).
 
5.10        Debt.  Old BCS shall not, and the Members shall cause Old BCS not to (i) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money in addition to indebtedness outstanding on the date of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement, (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse, or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other person; or (iii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person.
 
5.11        Accounts Payable and Inventory.  Prior to the Closing, Old BCS shall, and the Members shall cause Old BCS to, maintain its accounts payable and inventory in the ordinary course of business such that, as of the Closing, the accounts payable and inventory of Old BCS shall have been maintained at levels in the ordinary course of business.
 
5.12        Inventory.  Prior to the Closing, Old BCS shall conduct a physical inventory and will permit Stoneridge to participate.  During such physical inventory, Old BCS and Stoneridge shall determine and appropriately mark the Excluded Inventory.
 
5.13        Bank Line.  Prior to or concurrently with the Closing, Old BCS shall pay down its bank line of credit by that amount equal to 50% of the amount of Excluded Inventory, but in no event more than $550,000.
 
5.14        Raw Material Savings.  The Parties acknowledge that an intended benefit of the formation of New BCS is the potential to generate significant raw material cost savings for New BCS as a result of Stoneridge’s purchasing power or negotiations.  The Parties therefore agree that Old BCS, New BCS and Stoneridge shall work cooperatively with the goal of reducing New BCS’s raw material costs.  On or shortly after the Closing, Stoneridge and New BCS shall appoint personnel to attempt to negotiate new and more favorable raw material prices and terms for New BCS with New BCS’s suppliers.  Stoneridge and New BCS shall share in any raw materials cost savings as calculated pursuant to the principles set forth on Exhibit 5.14.
 
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ARTICLE 6
 
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
 
6.1           Conditions to Obligation of Stoneridge. The obligation of Stoneridge to consummate the transactions to be performed by it in connection with the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:
 
(a)           the representations and warranties of set forth in Section 3.1 and 4.1 that are qualified by reference to “materiality” or a “material adverse effect” shall be true and correct, disregarding all such qualifications, in all respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Old BCS or New BCS, as applicable.  All other representations and warranties contained in Section 3.1 and 4.1 in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects, except for such inaccuracies as are de minimis in the aggregate, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date.
 
(b)           the Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall have performed and complied with all of their covenants hereunder in all material respects through the Closing;
 
(c)           no action, suit, or proceeding shall be pending or, to the Knowledge of Stoneridge, threatened prior to the Closing, before any federal or state court wherein an unfavorable injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge has been or may be issued (i) preventing consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) causing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following consummation;
 
(d)           Stoneridge and Old BCS shall have executed the Operating Agreement;
 
(e)           Old BCS shall have delivered to New BCS, with a copy to Stoneridge, a bill of sale, fully executed by Old BCS, conveying to New BCS good, valid, marketable, and legal and equitable title to all tangible assets which are part of the Purchased and Contributed Assets and good, valid, marketable, legal and equitable title to all intangible assets which are part of the Purchased and Contributed Assets, free and clear of all Liabilities, claims, liens security interests and restrictions other than the Assumed Liabilities, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 6.1(e) (the “Bill of Sale”), and all certificates of title and other documents evidencing an ownership interest conveyed as part of the Purchased and Contributed Assets;
 
(f)           Old BCS and New BCS shall have executed and delivered to each other (with a copy to Stoneridge) an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 6.1(f) (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”);
 
(g)           there shall not have been any Material Adverse Change in the Business, operations, assets or financial position of Old BCS since the Most Recent Fiscal Period End;
 
(h)           New BCS and Stoneridge shall have delivered to each other a Mutual Non-Competition Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 6.1(h) (the “Mutual Non-Compete”);
 
(i)           Old BCS shall have delivered to New BCS a Non-Competition Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 6.1(i) and which contains appropriate carve-outs for Old BCS’s sale of the Excluded Inventory, and both the operation and the ownership of CAM Logic Technologies LLC, Dynamic Supply Solutions Inc. and Bolton Medical Devices LLC.;
 
(j)           Old BCS shall have changed its name so that New BCS can file an amendment to its Articles of Organization changing its name to “Bolton Conductive Systems LLC”;
 
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(k)           the Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall have delivered to Stoneridge a certificate to the effect that each of the conditions specified in clauses 0, 0, 0 and 0 of Section 6.1 is satisfied;
 
(l)            Stoneridge’s Board of Directors shall have approved the closing of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;
 
(m)          New BCS shall have obtained financing satisfactory to both Old BCS and Stoneridge;
 
(n)           Stoneridge and certain of its subsidiaries, on one hand, and various financial institutions, on the other hand, shall have entered into an amendment to the credit agreement among them in which National City Bank, a national banking association, is the lead arranger, and National City Business Credit, Inc., an Ohio corporation, is the administrative agent and collateral agent, satisfactory to such parties, and such amendment shall have become effective,
 
(o)           New BCS shall have obtained hazard and liability insurance and employee benefits substantially the same as those currently maintained by Old BCS, or commitments for such insurance and benefits to be effective as of the commencement of business by New BCS;
 
(p)           BMK Investments, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company, and New BCS shall have entered into a lease for the premises currently leased to Old BCS;
 
(q)           Stoneridge and New BCS shall have entered into a tax sharing agreement; and
 
(r)           all other material governmental approvals or consents, if any, required by Applicable Law, and all applicable third party consents, if any, required under any material contract to which Old BCS is a party identified on the Disclosure Schedule, required to assign such contracts to New BCS or for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, shall have been received, satisfied or waived.
 
Stoneridge may waive any condition specified in this Section 6.1 if it executes a writing so stating at or prior to the Closing.
 
6.2           Conditions to Obligation of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS.  The obligation of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS to consummate the transactions to be performed by them in connection with the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:
 
(a)           the representations and warranties of set forth in Section 3.2 that are qualified by reference to “materiality” or a “material adverse effect” shall be true and correct, disregarding all such qualifications, in all respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Old BCS or New BCS, as applicable.  All other representations and warranties contained in Section 3.2 in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects, except for such inaccuracies as are de minimis in the aggregate, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date;
 
(b)           Stoneridge shall have performed and complied with all of its covenants hereunder in all material respects through the Closing;
 
(c)           no action, suit, or proceeding shall be pending or to the Knowledge of the Members, Bolton or Old BCS, threatened, before any federal or state court wherein an unfavorable injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge has been or may be issued (i) preventing consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) causing any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following consummation;
 
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(d)           Stoneridge and Old BCS shall have executed the Operating Agreement;
 
(e)           New BCS and Stoneridge shall have delivered to each other the Mutual Non-Compete;
 
(f)           New BCS shall have obtained financing satisfactory to both Old BCS and Stoneridge;
 
(g)           BMK Investments, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company, and New BCS shall have entered into a lease for the premises currently leased to Old BCS;
 
(h)           New BCS shall have entered into sublease agreements with both Dynamic Supply Solutions, Inc., a Michigan corporation, and Bolton Medical Devices, LLC; and
 
(i)           Stoneridge shall have delivered to the Members, Bolton and Old BCS a certificate executed by an officer of Stoneridge to the effect that each of the conditions specified in Section 6.2 is satisfied.
 
Each of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS may waive any condition specified in this Section 6.2 if they execute a writing so stating at or prior to the Closing.
 
ARTICLE 7
 
OPTIONS TO PURCHASE ALL OF NEW BCS AND RELATED MATTERS
 
7.1          Stoneridge Option and Old BCS Option.
 
(a)           Stoneridge Option.  Subject to the terms of this Section 0, if at any time from January 1, 2013 and through December 31, 2013 (the “Stoneridge Option Period”) Stoneridge desires to purchase all, but not less than all, of Old BCS’s membership interests (Units) in New BCS, then, within the Stoneridge Option Period, Stoneridge shall deliver to Old BCS a written notice (“Stoneridge Notice”) to purchase Old BCS’s Units in New BCS at the price and upon the terms set forth or determined in accordance with Section 0 of this Agreement (the “Section 0 Terms”).  Upon Old BCS’s receipt of the Stoneridge Notice from Stoneridge, Old BCS shall, sell all of its Units in New BCS to Stoneridge at the Section 0 Terms.
 
(b)           Old BCS Option.  If Stoneridge has not exercised its option pursuant to Section 7.1(a), subject to the terms of this Section 0, if at any time from January 1, 2014 and through December 31, 2014 (the “Old BCS Option Period”) Old BCS desires to purchase all, but not less than all, of Stoneridge’s membership interests (Units) in New BCS, then, within the Old BCS Option Period, Old BCS shall deliver to Stoneridge a written notice (“Old BCS Notice”) to purchase Stoneridge’s Units in New BCS at the Section 0 Terms.  Upon Stoneridge’s receipt of the Old BCS Notice from Old BCS, Stoneridge shall, sell all of its Units in New BCS to Old BCS at the Section 0 Terms.  Old BCS may waive its rights under this Section 0 at any time by providing written notice to Stoneridge.
 
(c)           Terms of Purchase.  The sale of Units pursuant to the Stoneridge Option pursuant to Section 7.1(a) and the Old BCS Option pursuant to Section 7.1(b) shall take place no later than ten (10) days after the delivery of the Stoneridge Notice or the Old BCS Notice, as the case may be.  The purchase price for the Units pursuant to the Stoneridge Option or the Old BCS Option (either Old BCS’s or Stoneridge’s Units, as applicable) will be calculated on the value of New BCS and the percentage of Units being purchased.  For purpose of calculating the purchase price the value of New BCS shall determined by multiplying “average EBITDA” by 4.3, plus cash, less Funded Debt (the “Calculated Valuation”).
 
For Stoneridge the average EBITDA of New BCS shall be equal to the average of New BCS’s actual EBITDA for the fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and, on a pro rata basis, that portion of 2013 that has elapsed prior to delivery of the Stoneridge Notice.
 
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For Old BCS the average EBITDA of New BCS shall be equal to the average of New BCS’s actual EBITDA for the fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and, on a pro rata basis, that portion of 2014 that has elapsed prior to delivery of the Old BCS Notice.
 
In both cases EBITDA shall be adjusted to the extent, if any, that New BCS financial results include the effect of the GAAP fair value/purchase accounting related to the Business, the Purchased and Contributed Assets and the Assumed Liabilities).  For purposes of this Section 7.1 EBITDA shall be determined as set forth in Section 1.3(b), above.
 
Payment for the Units by Stoneridge or Old BCS, as applicable, will be made by certified or official bank check or wire transfer in immediately available funds, payable to the order of, or sent to the designated account(s) of, Old BCS or Stoneridge, as applicable.  The Parties shall execute reasonable and customary agreements to effect the sale of Units pursuant to this Article 7.
 
7.2           Option in the Event of Bolton Incapacity or Death.  If, on or before December 31, 2013, Bolton becomes incapacitated and, as a result, is unable to perform his duties as President and Chief Executive Officer of New BCS, or if he dies (a “Triggering Event”), then Stoneridge shall have the option (“Stoneridge Second Option”) to purchase all, but not less than all, of Old BCS’s Units in New BCS on the Section 0 Terms (except that “average EBITDA” shall mean the average of New BCS’s actual EBITDA for those full calendar years specified in Section 0 that have elapsed prior to the Triggering Event and, on a pro rata basis, that portion of the calendar year in which the Triggering Event occurs).  Stoneridge may exercise the Stoneridge Second Option by delivering to Old BCS and to Bolton, his guardian or representative, as applicable, written notice of its exercise within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of a Triggering Event.
 
7.3           Expiration of Certain Article 7 Options.  At any time after December 31, 2014, either Old BCS or Stoneridge, subject to any restrictions of the Operating Agreement, may sell, at one time or from time to time, all or any portion of its Units to any Person or Persons chosen by it on such terms and conditions as it may determine in its absolute sole discretion.
 
7.4           Bolton Option to Sell Company.  If Stoneridge does not exercise its option provided in Section 0 above, then, at any time during the 2014 calendar year after which Old BCS waives its option as provided in Section 0 above, and, if New BCS has not been sold and has not entered into an agreement pursuant to which it is to be sold prior to such date, then, during the month of June of any year after 2014, Old BCS may send Stoneridge written notice (“Sale Notice”) that it desires to sell New BCS.
 
Stoneridge and Old BCS will then cause New BCS to engage the services of an appraiser with expertise in appraising the going-concern value of companies such as New BCS.  The mutually chosen appraiser shall provide both Old BCS and Stoneridge such appraiser’s written determination of the going-concern fair market value of New BCS (“New BCS Value”) within forty–five (45) days after such appraiser’s appointment.
 
If Old BCS and Stoneridge are unable to agree on a single appraiser within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Sale Notice, then, within ten (10) days after such 30-day period, they each shall appoint an appraiser who is a member of an appraisal institute or business valuation society that is held in repute in the State of Michigan.  If either of them fails to make such appointment, then the New BCS Value will be determined solely by the appraiser appointed by the other.  Within forty-five (45) days of their appointment, each of such appointed appraisers shall provide both Old BCS and Stoneridge their written determinations of the going-concern fair market value of New BCS, determined in accordance with recognized methods of business valuation.  If the higher of the two appraised values (“Higher Appraisal”) exceeds the lower of the two appraised values (“Lower Appraisal”) by ten percent (10%) or less of the Lower Appraisal, the New BCS Value will be the average of the Higher Appraisal and the Lower Appraisal.
 
If the Higher Appraisal exceeds the Lower Appraisal by more than ten percent (10%) of the Lower Appraisal, the two appraisers shall select a third qualified business appraiser (“Neutral Appraiser”), which Neutral Appraiser shall establish, within forty-five (45) days after his/her/ its appointment, a going-concern fair market value (“Neutral Appraisal”) for New BCS in accordance with recognized methods of business valuation and shall give prompt notice of such value to both Old BCS and Stoneridge.  If the Neutral Appraisal is equal to or greater than the Higher Appraisal, the New BCS Value will be the Higher Appraisal and if the Neutral Appraisal is equal to or less than the Lower Appraisal the New BCS Value will be the Lower Appraisal and if the Neutral Appraisal is between the Higher Appraisal and the Lower Appraisal, the New BCS Value will be the Neutral Appraisal.
 
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If the New BCS Value is determined to be less than the Calculated Valuation, Stoneridge shall have the option (“Stoneridge Third Option”) to purchase all, but not less than all, of Old BCS’s Units in New BCS on the Section 0 Terms, except that the purchase price will be the percentage of Units being purchased multiplied by the New BCS Value.  Stoneridge may exercise the Stoneridge Third Option by delivering to Old BCS written notice of its exercise within ten (10) days after the New BCS Value has been determined.  If Stoneridge does not exercise the Stoneridge Third Option, then Old BCS shall have the option (“Old BCS Second Option”) to purchase all, but not less than all, of Stoneridge’s Units in New BCS on the Section 0 Terms, except that the purchase price will be the percentage of Units being purchased multiplied by the New BCS Value.  Old BCS may exercise the Old BCS Second Option by delivering to Stoneridge written notice of its exercise within ten (10) days after the expiration of the Stoneridge Third Option.
 
If Stoneridge does not exercise the Stoneridge Third Option and Old BCS does not exercise the Old BCS Second Option, or if the New BCS Value is determined to be greater than or equal to the Calculated Value, then, within thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Stoneridge Third Option and the Old BCS Second Option, if applicable, or, if not, the determination of the New BCS Value, either Old BCS or Stoneridge may cause New BCS to engage an investment banker or other person or entity with experience selling companies such as New BCS (“Selling Agent”) to sell substantially all of the assets of or all of the membership interests in New BCS.  The Selling Agent shall have not more than nine (9) months within which to present a willing and able buyer, after which the Selling Agent’s authority to seek a buyer will terminate.  Old BCS and Stoneridge will cooperate in all reasonable manner to consummate any sale proposed pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph.
 
ARTICLE 8
 
INDEMNIFICATION
 
8.1           Survival of Representations and Warranties.  Subject to Article 9 of this Agreement, all covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Members, Bolton, Old BCS and Stoneridge pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have survived the Closing and shall remain effective; provided, however, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, including Section 9.1(c), the representations and warranties shall remain effective for a period of eighteen (18) months following the Closing Date.
 
8.2           Indemnification Provisions for Benefit of Stoneridge.  Subject to Article 9, following the Closing the Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall jointly and severally indemnify and save and hold Stoneridge harmless from and against any Adverse Consequences suffered or incurred by Stoneridge arising out of or resulting from:
 
(a)           the inaccuracy or alleged inaccuracy in any representation or the breach or alleged inaccuracy of any warranty made by the Members, Bolton and Old BCS in this Agreement;
 
(b)           the failure of any Members, Bolton and Old BCS duly to perform or observe any covenant or agreement in this Agreement required on the part of the  Members, Bolton and Old BCS to be performed or observed prior to, at or after the Closing Date;
 
(c)           any federal, state or local income taxes or payroll, sales and use taxes of Old BCS or the Members or Bolton for the period from July 1, 2004 through the Closing Date and attributed to the Business (unless an Assumed Liability);
 
(d)           any claim asserted or made by any person against New BCS or Stoneridge in respect of the Excluded Liabilities; and
 
(e)           any claim made by any Members, Bolton, Old BCS or any of their Affiliated Parties against New BCS described in Section 4.1(w), other than those items excepted therefrom.
 
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8.3           Indemnification Provisions for Benefit of Members, Bolton and Old BCS.  Subject to Article 9, following the Closing, Stoneridge shall indemnify and save and hold harmless each of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS from and against any Adverse Consequences suffered or incurred by any one or more of them arising out of or resulting from:
 
(a)           the inaccuracy or alleged inaccuracy in any representation or the breach or alleged breach of any warranty made by Stoneridge in this Agreement; and
 
(b)           the failure of Stoneridge duly to perform or observe any covenant or agreement in this Agreement required on the part of Stoneridge to be performed or observed prior to, at or after the Closing Date.
 
New BCS shall indemnify and save and hold harmless each of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS from and against any Adverse Consequences suffered or incurred by any one or more of them arising out of or resulting from any claim asserted or made by any person against Old BCS, Bolton or any Member in respect of the Assumed Liabilities.
 
8.4           Exclusive Remedy.  After the Closing occurs, Article 8, as limited by the provisions of Article 9, shall provide the sole and exclusive remedy for any and all Adverse Consequences sustained or incurred by a Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that the Parties shall continue to have rights and/or remedies which may arise as a result of failure to perform or observe the covenants contained in Article 5 and absent fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Party or Parties against whom damages are sought.
 
ARTICLE 9
 
LIMITATIONS ON INDEMNIFICATION
 
9.1           Term.
 
(a)           Except with respect to covenants, taxes and Excluded Liabilities pursuant to Section 8.2 (b), 8.2(c) and 8.2(d), respectively, any rights of Stoneridge to indemnification under this Agreement (including under Section 8.2) shall apply only to those claims written notice of which shall have been delivered by Stoneridge to the Members, Bolton and Old BCS on or before eighteen (18) months following the Closing Date.
 
(b)           Except with respect to covenants and Assumed Liabilities pursuant to Section 8.3(b) and 8.3(c), respectively, any rights of any of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS to indemnification under this Agreement (including under Section 8.3) shall apply only to those claims written notice of which shall have been delivered by the Members, Bolton or Old BCS to Stoneridge on or before eighteen (18) months following the Closing Date.
 
(c)           Notwithstanding anything in this Article 9 to the contrary, the representations and warranties of the Members, Bolton and Old BCS contained in Sections 3.1(a), 3.2(a), 4.1(a) and the first sentence of Section 4.1(h) shall survive indefinitely and those contained in Sections 4.1(f), 4.1(p), 4.1(r) for thirty (30) days after the applicable statute of limitations, and the covenants of the Parties shall survive according to their respective terms.  The rights of Old BCS to be indemnified in respect of Assumed Liabilities shall survive indefinitely.  The rights of Stoneridge to be indemnified in respect of Excluded Liabilities shall survive indefinitely.
 
9.2           Indemnification Basket.  Stoneridge’s rights to indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2, and the Members’, Bolton’s and Old BCS’s rights to indemnification pursuant to Section 8.3 shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 9.2, so that any right of a Party to indemnification under this Agreement shall not apply to any claim until the aggregate of all such claims which have become final totals $150,000 (the “General Basket”), in which event such indemnity shall apply to all such claims which become final, but only to the extent to the amount in excess of the General Basket; provided, however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no claim asserted or made by any Person in respect of the Assumed Liabilities or Excluded Liabilities shall be subject to the General Basket in this Section 9.2 or the limitation on liability in Section 9.3.  In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement this Section 9.2 shall not apply to breaches of representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.1(a), 3.2(a), 4.1(a), the first sentence of Section 4.1(h) or 4.1(f).
 
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9.3           Limited Recourse.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all rights of a Party to indemnification under this Agreement shall be limited to the aggregate sum of $750,000.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement this Section 9.3 shall not apply to breaches of representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.1(a), 3.2(a), 4.1(a), 4.1(f) and the first Sentence of Section 4.1(h) or to claims with respect to Assumed Liabilities or Excluded Liabilities.
 
ARTICLE 10
 
COOPERATION
 
10.1           Notice of Claims.  Each Party will give prompt written notice to the other Parties of any claim by a third party or by any governmental body, or any legal, administrative or arbitration proceeding (“Third Party Claim”) which such Party (“Indemnified Party”) discovers or of which it receives notice after the Closing and which might give rise to a claim against any other Party or Parties (“Indemnifying Party”) under Section 8.2 or 8.3, as the case may be.  All notices shall state in reasonable detail the nature, basis and amount of such Third Party Claim.  No delay on the part of the Indemnified Party in notifying the Indemnifying Party shall relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation hereunder unless (and then, subject to Article 9, solely to the extent) the Indemnifying Party thereby is prejudiced.
 
10.2           Right to Defend.
 
(a)           The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend the Indemnified Party against the Third Party Claim with counsel of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party so long as (i) the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party in writing within fifteen (15) days after the Indemnified Party has given notice of the Third Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party will, subject to the limitations set forth in Article 9, indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against any Adverse Consequences the Indemnified Party may suffer resulting from, arising out of, relating to, in the nature of, or caused by the Third Party Claim, and (ii) the Indemnifying Party provides the Indemnified Party with evidence reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party will have the financial resources to defend against the Third Party Claim and fulfill its indemnification obligations hereunder.  The Indemnified Party shall make available to the Indemnifying Party, its attorneys and accountants, at all reasonable times, all books and records of the Indemnified Party or New BCS, as the case may be, relating to any Third Party Claim and the Parties will render to each other such assistance as may reasonably be required in order to insure proper and adequate defense of any Third Party Claim.
 
(b)           So long as the Indemnifying Party is conducting the defense of the Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party may retain separate co-counsel at its sole cost and expense and participate in the defense of the Third Party Claim.  Neither the Indemnified Party nor the Indemnifying Party will consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that where the Indemnified Party is Stoneridge: (i) if Stoneridge shall desire to effect a compromise or settlement of any Third Party Claim and the Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall refuse to consent to such compromise or settlement, then Stoneridge shall be excused from the defense and the Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall bear all further responsibility for the defense of the Third Party Claim, provided that such compromise or settlement is solely for the payment of money and does not require an admission of liability, responsibility or wrong-doing on the part of the Members, Bolton or Old BCS and requires the claimant or plaintiff to give a release from all liability in respect of such Third Party Claim to the parties named as liable or responsible; (ii) if the Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall desire to effect a compromise or settlement of any Third Party Claim pursuant to an offer or compromise or settlement by the claimant or plaintiff and Stoneridge shall refuse to consent to such compromise or settlement, then the Members’, Bolton’s and Old BCS’s Liability with respect to such Third Party Claim shall be limited to the amount so offered in compromise or settlement, provided that such compromise or settlement is solely for the payment of money and does not require an admission of liability, responsibility or wrong-doing on the part of Stoneridge and requires the claimant or plaintiff to give a release from all liability in respect of such Third Party Claim to the parties named as liable or responsible; and (iii) if the Members, Bolton and Old BCS desire to effect a compromise or settlement where no offer has been made by the claimant or plaintiff the Members’, Bolton’s and Old BCS’s Liability shall be limited to an amount determined by agreement between the Parties.
 
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10.3           Determination of Adverse Consequences. The Parties shall make appropriate adjustments for Tax benefits and insurance coverage in determining Adverse Consequences for purposes of this Agreement.
 
ARTICLE 11
 
TERMINATION
 
11.1           Termination of Agreement.  The Parties may terminate this Agreement at any time prior to Closing as provided below:
 
(a)           Stoneridge and Bolton and Old BCS may terminate this Agreement by mutual written consent;
 
(b)           Stoneridge may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the Members, Bolton and Old BCS in the event that (i) any of the Members, Bolton or Old BCS has breached any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement in any material respect, Stoneridge has notified the Members, Bolton and Old BCS of the breach, and the breach has continued without cure for a period of five (5) days after the notice of breach, (ii) Stoneridge reasonably determines that new or changed information regarding the Business reflects a material adverse change in the business or financial condition of Old BCS taken as a whole and Stoneridge gives written notice to the Members, or (iii) the Closing shall not have occurred on or before October 31, 2009 by reason of the failure of any condition precedent under Section 6.1 (unless the failure results primarily from Stoneridge breaching any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement); and
 
(c)           The Members, Bolton and Old BCS may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Stoneridge in the event that (i) Stoneridge has breached any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement in any material respect, the Members, Bolton and Old BCS have notified Stoneridge of the breach, and the breach has continued without cure for a period of five (5) days after the notice of breach, (ii) or the Closing shall not have occurred on or before October 31, 2009 by reason of the failure of any condition precedent under Section 6.2 (unless the failure results primarily from any of the Members, Bolton or Old BCS breaching any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement).
 
11.2           Effect of Termination.
 
(a)           If Stoneridge or the Members, Bolton and Old BCS terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1, all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate without any Liability of any Party to any other Party; provided, however, that the confidentiality provisions contained in the confidentiality letter agreement between Old BCS and Stoneridge shall survive termination, and provided further that Stoneridge and Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall have Liability to the extent set forth in Section 11.2(b) and Section 11.2(c).
 
(b)           If Stoneridge terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i) or (iii) because of the failure of the Closing to occur and such failure results primarily from the Members, Bolton and Old BCS breaching any material representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement, the Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall have Liability for all direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Stoneridge up to $100,000 in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and expenses) through the date of such termination, and Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall deliver such amount to Stoneridge by wire transfer of immediately available funds as liquidated damages (and not as a penalty) within two (2) business days after receipt of a written request therefor received from Stoneridge (which shall include a reasonably detailed itemized statement of such direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Stoneridge in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement).  This Liability is not subject to the indemnification limitations set forth in Article 9.
 
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(c)           If the Members, Bolton and Old BCS terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(c)(i) or (ii) because of the failure of the Closing to occur and such failure results primarily from Stoneridge breaching any material representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement, Stoneridge shall have Liability for all direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Members, Bolton and Old BCS up to $100,000 in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and expenses) through the date of such termination, and Stoneridge shall deliver such amount to Old BCS by wire transfer of immediately available funds as liquidated damages (and not as a penalty) within two (2) business days after receipt of a written request therefor received from the Members, Bolton and Old BCS (which shall include a reasonably detailed itemized statement of such direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Members, Bolton and Old BCS in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement).  This Liability is not subject to the indemnification limitations set forth in Article 9.
 
ARTICLE 12
 
AGREEMENTS CONCERNING CERTAIN TAX MATTERS
 
12.1           Mutual Cooperation.  Members, Bolton and Old BCS, on one hand, and Stoneridge, on the other hand, shall provide each other with such assistance as may reasonably be requested by any of them in connection with the preparation and execution of any Tax Return, any audit or other examination by any Taxing authority, or any judicial or administrative proceedings relating to Liability for Taxes, and each will retain and, not later than thirty (30) days from the written request of any other Party, provide such other Party with any records or information which may be relevant to such return, audit, examination or proceedings.  Such assistance shall include making employees or other representatives available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder and shall include providing copies of any relevant Tax Returns (or portions thereof) and supporting work schedules.  The Party requesting such assistance hereunder shall reimburse the others for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the others in providing such assistance.
 
ARTICLE 13
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
13.1           Press Releases and Public Announcements.  Neither the Members, Bolton or Old BCS shall issue any press release or make any public announcement relating to the subject matter of this Agreement prior to the Closing without the prior written approval of Stoneridge; provided, however, the Parties agree that Stoneridge may be obligated to make public disclosures with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to federal and state securities laws and applicable listing or trading agreements concerning its publicly traded securities, and Stoneridge may make any such public disclosure required by applicable federal or state securities laws or such listing or trading agreement and disclosures to and discussions with securities analysts and financial institutions (and Stoneridge shall use reasonable best efforts to advise the Members, Bolton and Old BCS prior to making any such disclosure and to consult with Bolton regarding the form and content thereof), and verbal replies in response thereto by representatives of Stoneridge in the ordinary course of business.
 
13.2           Stoneridge Consolidation.  The Parties acknowledge that Stoneridge intends, if permitted by GAAP, to include the financial statements of New BCS in the consolidated financial statements of Stoneridge; provided, however, any such consolidation shall not, by itself, be construed to mean that Stoneridge owns, directly or indirectly, membership interests in New BCS constituting a majority of the outstanding membership interests, or that Stoneridge owns, directly or indirectly, membership interests in New BCS constituting a majority of the voting power in any election of officers.
 
30

 
13.3           No Solicitation.  Without the prior written consent of Stoneridge or New BCS, as applicable, neither New BCS or Stoneridge, nor any representatives of them, shall for a period of six years from the date of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment any person who is employed by the other: provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not preclude Stoneridge and New BCS from making good faith generalized solicitations for employees through advertisements which utilize a public medium or non-directed executive searches, and are not directly or indirectly targeted at employees of the other, or any of its subsidiaries or from hiring any employee of Stoneridge or New BCS, who has been terminated by the Stoneridge or New BCS, as applicable, prior to commencement of employment discussions between either Stoneridge or New BCS, as applicable, and such employee.
 
13.4           Non-Assignable Contracts.  If any Executory Contract, by virtue of its subject matter, or by operation of law, is not assignable to New BCS without the consent of a third party (“Non-Assignable Contract”), and if Stoneridge either waives the requirement that Old BCS obtain such consent or Old BCS is unable to obtain such consent before Closing, Old BCS will use its best efforts to provide New BCS with the same economic and other benefits of any such Non-Assignable Contract as if it had been assigned.  Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed as an attempt or an agreement to assign or cause the assignment of any Non-Assignable Contract, unless such consent has been given.
 
13.5           No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement and the other agreements, certificates and instruments contemplated hereby shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any Person (including any employee or agent of Old BCS) other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
 
13.6           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including the documents referred to herein, constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements and representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, to the extent relating in any way to the subject matter hereof, provided, however, that the confidentiality letter agreement Stoneridge and Old BCS dated February 3, 2009 shall not be deemed superseded hereby.
 
13.7           Succession and Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  No Party may assign either this Agreement or any rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Parties; provided, however, Bolton may provide the consent of the Members.
 
13.8           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
 
13.9           Headings.  The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
 
13.10          Notices.  All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing.  Any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given if (and then two business days after) it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the intended recipient as set forth below:
 
If to Members or Bolton:
 
Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC
1164 Ladd Rd.
Walled Lake, MI  48390
Attn:  William Bolton, Martin Kochis and Joseph Malecke
bbolton@bbolton.com, mkochis@bcsllc.biz, and jmalecke@bcsllc.biz
248.669.7080
 
31

 
With a Copy to:
 
Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C.
27777 Franklin Road
Suite 2500
Southfield, MI 48034
Attn:  Robert J. Gordon
rgordon@jaffelaw.com
248.351.3082
 
If to Old BCS:
 
Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC
1164 Ladd Rd.
Walled Lake, MI  48390
Attn:  William Bolton, Martin Kochis and Joseph Malecke
bbolton@bbolton.com, mkochis@bcsllc.biz, and jmalecke@bcsllc.biz
248.669.7080
 
With a Copy to:
 
Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C.
27777 Franklin Road
Suite 2500
Southfield, MI 48034
Attn:  Robert J. Gordon
rgordon@jaffelaw.com
248.351.3082
 
If to Stoneridge:
 
Stoneridge, Inc.
9400 East Market Street
Warren, Ohio  44484
Attn: George E. Strickler, Executive Vice President and CFO
gstrickler@stoneridge.com
330.856.2443
 
With a Copy to:

Baker & Hostetler LLP
3200 National City Center
1900 East Ninth Street
Cleveland, Ohio  44114-3485
Attn: Robert M. Loesch Esq.
rloesch@bakerlaw.com
216.861.7594
 
Any Party may send any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication hereunder to the intended recipient at the address set forth above using any other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service, telecopy, telex, ordinary mail, or electronic mail), but no such notice, request, demand, claim or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly given unless and until it actually is received by the intended recipient.  Any Party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other Parties notice in the manner herein set forth.
 
32

 
13.11          Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Michigan without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Michigan or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Michigan.
 
THE PARTIES HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT LOCATED IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOLELY WITH RESPECT TO ACTIONS RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.  EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER, AND CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE COURT.  NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
 
13.12          Amendments and Waivers. No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Stoneridge and the Members, Bolton and Old BCS.  No waiver by any Party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall be valid unless it is in writing nor shall any waiver be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent such occurrence.
 
13.13          Severability.  Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction, except to the extent that giving effect to this Section 13.12 would produce inequitable results.
 
13.14          Expenses.  Stoneridge shall bear its own costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.  The Members, Bolton and Old BCS shall bear their own costs and expenses (including all legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
13.15          Construction.  The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
 
13.16          Incorporation of Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits, Schedules and Appendices identified in this Agreement (including the Disclosure Schedule) are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
 
[signatures are on following page]
 
33

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.
 
By: /s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER 

Its: Executive Vice President , Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
BOLTON CONDUCTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC
 
By: /s/ WILLIAM P. BOLTON

William P. Bolton, Manager
 
BOLTON INVESTMENTS, LLC
 
By: /s/ WILLIAM P. BOLTON

William P. Bolton, Manager
 
NEW BOLTON CONDUCTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC
 
By: Stoneridge, Inc., member
 
By:


 
By:      Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC, member
 
By: /s/ WILLIAM P. BOLTON

William P. Bolton, Manager
 
/s/ MARTIN KOCHIS

MARTIN KOCHIS
 
 
/s/ JOSEPH MALECKE

JOSEPH MALECKE
 
 
/s/ WILLIAM BOLTON

WILLIAM BOLTON

34


Attachments
 
Appendices
   
     
Appendix A
 
Definitions
     
Appendix B
 
New BCS Operating Agreement
     
Exhibits
   
     
Exhibit 1.5
 
Form of Escrow Agreement
     
Exhibit 1.6
 
Allocation of Consideration
     
Exhibit 5.14
 
Raw Material Cost Savings
     
Exhibit 6.1 (e)
 
Bill of Sale
     
Exhibit 6.1 (f)
 
Assignment and Assumption Agreement
     
Exhibit 6.1 (h)
 
Mutual Non-Competition Agreement between New BCS and Stoneridge
     
Exhibit 6.1 (i)
 
Non-Competition Agreement from Old BCS to New BCS
     
Disclosure Schedule
 
Schedule 1.4 (b) –
 
Net Working Capital
     
Schedule 2.2 –
 
Executory Contracts
     
Schedule 2.4 –
 
Employee Benefit Plans Being Assumed by New BCS
     
Schedule 3.1 (c) –
 
Brokers’ Fees
     
Schedule 4.1 (a) –
 
Managers and Members of Old BCS
     
Schedule 4.1 (c) –
 
Financial Statements; Obligations
     
Schedule 4.1 (d) –
 
GAAP Exceptions; Subsequent Events
     
Schedule 4.1 (e) –
 
Permits and Licenses
     
Schedule 4.1 (f) –
 
Tax Matters
     
Schedule 4.1 (g)–
 
Leased Real Property
     
Schedule 4.1 (h)–
 
Title to Assets
     
Schedule 4.1 (i)–
 
Intellectual Property
     
Schedule 4.1 (j)–
 
Inventory
     
Schedule 4.1 (k)–
 
Contracts
     
Schedule 4.1 (m)–
 
Insurance
     
Schedule 4.1 (n)–
 
Material Litigation
     
Schedule 4.1 (o)–
 
Employees
     
Schedule 4.1 (p)–
 
Employee Benefit Plans
     
Schedule 4.1 (q)–
 
Guaranties
     
Schedule 4.1 (r)–
 
Environmental, Health and Safety
     
Schedule 4.1 (s)–
 
Certain Relationships
     
Schedule 4.1 (t)–
 
Product Liability
     
Schedule 4.1 (u)–
 
Customers
     
Schedule 5.9 –
 
Compensation Arrangements

 

 
Appendix A
 
Definitions
 
“Adverse Consequences” means all actions, suits, proceedings, hearings, investigations, charges, complaints, claims, demands, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, damages, dues, penalties, fines, costs, amounts paid in settlement, Liabilities, obligations, Taxes, liens, losses, expenses and fees, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses.
 
“Affiliate” means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is in common control with, any other Person.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, “control’ means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause direction of management and policies through ownership of voting securities, contract, voting trust or otherwise.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely for purposes of Section 4.1(p), the term “Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(p).

“Applicable Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(e).

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Employee Benefit Plan” means any (a) nonqualified deferred compensation or retirement plan or arrangement which is an Employee Pension Benefit Plan, (b) qualified defined contribution retirement plan or arrangement which is an Employee Pension Benefit Plan, (c) qualified defined benefit retirement plan or arrangement which is an Employee Pension Benefit Plan (including any Multiemployer Plan), or (d) Employee Welfare Benefit Plan or material fringe benefit plan or program, including any employment agreement or severance policy.

“Employee Pension Benefit Plan” has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 3(2).

“Employee Welfare Benefit Plan” has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 3(1).

“Environmental, Health, and Safety Laws” means any federal, state, or local statute, law, ordinance, code, order, injunction, decree, ruling; any regulations promulgated thereunder, which regulates or controls pollution or protection of the environment, public health and safety, or employee health and safety, including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened release of pollutants, contaminants, or chemical, industrial, toxic or Hazardous Substances or waste into ambient air, surface water, ground water or lands or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, or chemical, industrial, toxic or Hazardous Substances or waste.  The term specifically includes, without limitation:  CERCLA; RCRA; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (“HMTA”), 49 U.S.C. §5101 et seq., as amended; the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”), 15 U.S.C. §2601 et seq., as amended; the Clean Air Act (“CAA”), 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq., as amended; the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq., as amended; the Safe Water Drinking Act, 42 U.S.C. §300f et seq., as amended; the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (“EPCRA”), 42 U.S.C. §11001 et seq., as amended; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”), 7 U.S.C. §136 et seq., as amended; the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., as amended; the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), 42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq., as amended; any similar state or local statutes or ordinances and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

“Executory Contracts” shall mean those contracts, agreements, contract rights, license agreements, franchise rights and agreements, policies, purchase and sales orders, quotations and executory commitments, instruments, third party guaranties, indemnifications, arrangements, and understandings, whether oral or written, related to the operation of the Business to which Old BCS is a party or which it is bound, and which are listed on Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule.

“Fiduciary” has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 3(21).
 

 
“Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

“Fixed Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(h).

“Funded Debt” means New BCS’s bank debt, debt to Members (including any obligations to pay Tax Distributions under the Operating Agreement) and the obligations under a capital lease.

“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time.

“General Basket” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2.

“Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state, provincial, regional, local or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
 
“Hazardous Substances” means any toxic substance, hazardous substance, hazardous waste, hazardous material, solid waste, residual waste, infectious waste, contaminant, pollutant, or constituent thereof, whether solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous, which are regulated, listed or controlled by any Environmental, Health and Safety Laws.

“Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

“Inventory” shall mean all saleable and usable component parts and finished goods related to the Business, including inventory ordered and prepaid.

“Knowledge” and all similar phrases relating to facts designated herein as known to the parties identified means the actual knowledge of any one of the parties identified, or the party identified, as applicable, after reasonable inquiry or investigation.  Knowledge of Old BCS means the Knowledge of the Members and Bolton.

“Leases” means all rights, title and interests in leases held by Old BCS related to the Business.

“Liability” means any liability (whether known or unknown, whether asserted or unasserted, whether absolute or contingent, whether accrued or unaccrued, whether liquidated or unliquidated, and whether due or to become due), including any liability for Taxes.

“Material Adverse Change” shall mean any set of circumstances or events which is or could be reasonably expected to be material and adverse with respect to the Business or the Purchased and Contributed Assets or to the operations or prospects of the Business or the Purchased and Contributed Assets.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Material Adverse Change shall have deemed to have occurred in the event of the death or disability of William Bolton.

“Multiemployer Plan” has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 3(37).

“Obsolete Inventory” means Inventory as to which there have been no sales during the past three years or which is otherwise known to be obsolete.

“Ordinary Course of Business” means the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and practice (including with respect to quantity and frequency).

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

“Permits” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(e).
 

 
“Person” or “person” means a natural person, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity (or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof).

“Prohibited Transaction” has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 406 and Code Section 4975.

“Reportable Event” has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 4043.

“Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge or other security interest, other than (a) mechanic’s and similar liens, (b) liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or for Taxes that the taxpayer is contesting in good faith through appropriate proceedings, (c) purchase money liens and liens securing rental payments under capital lease arrangements, and (d) other liens arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money.

“Slow Moving Inventory” means Inventory as to which there has been no sales during the past two years and no sales are currently forecasted.

“Tax” means any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, gross income, capital gains, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security, unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty or addition thereto.

“Tax Return” means any declaration, estimate, return, report, information statement, schedule or other document (including any related or supporting information) with respect to Taxes that is required to be filed with any Governmental Authority.
 
“Third Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

“Treasury Regulation” means the Income Tax Regulations, including Temporary Regulations, promulgated under the Code, as such may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
 


EX-10.30 4 v177500_ex10-30.htm Unassociated Document

EXHIBIT 10.30

EXECUTION VERSION

AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 
This Amendment No. 3 to Credit and Security Agreement (this “Amendment”), dated as of October 9, 2009, is made by and among STONERIDGE, INC., an Ohio corporation (the “Parent”), STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS, INC., a Texas corporation (“Electronics”), STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC., a Massachusetts corporation (“Controls”), STONERIDGE-POLLAK LIMITED, an English corporation (the “English Borrower”), STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS LIMITED., a Scottish corporation (the “Scottish Borrower” and together with the English Borrower, the “UK Borrowers”), STONERIDGE FAR EAST LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Far East”), as Guarantor, various financial institutions which are a party hereto, NATIONAL CITY BANK, a national banking association (“National City Bank”), as Lead Arranger and the Issuer (as hereinafter defined), and NATIONAL CITY BANK, successor to National City Bank Business Credit, Inc, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Agent”).
 
WITNESSETH:
 
WHEREAS, the Borrowers (as hereinafter defined) have been extended certain financial accommodations pursuant to that certain Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2007, among the Borrowers, various financial institutions (the “Lenders”), National City Bank, as Lead Arranger and LC Issuer and National City Business Credit, Inc., an Ohio corporation , as Agent, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Credit and Security Agreement and that certain Amendment No. 2 to Credit and Security Agreement (as so amended, and as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);
 
WHEREAS, the UK Borrowers (as hereinafter defined) have not borrowed any Revolving Advances (as hereinafter defined) under the Credit Agreement and therefore are not  currently liable to repay and  have never been liable to repay any Obligations (as hereinafter defined) under the Credit Agreement or the Other Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined), the Borrowers have requested that each UK Borrower be removed from the Credit Agreement and the Other Loan Documents as a “Borrower”, “Guarantor”, “Loan Party” and “Obligor”;
 
WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested modification of the Credit Agreement to permit Parent to enter into an asset purchase and contribution agreement pursuant to which Parent would purchase a fifty-one percent (51%) membership interest in a limited liability company, plus an option to purchase the remaining forty-nine percent (49%) membership interest in such limited liability company as described in this Amendment;
 
WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested modification of the Credit Agreement to permit Parent to guarantee certain obligations of such limited liability company; and
 
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement as outlined herein;
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the parties hereto hereby agrees as follows:
 
Section 1.                                DEFINED TERMS.
 
Each capitalized term used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.
 
 
S-1

 
 
Section 2                                AMENDMENT TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
The Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
 
2.1           Amendment of Certain Defined Terms.  Section 1.3 (Definitions) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the existing definitions of “Cash Concentration Account” and “Cash Concentration Account Agreement” with the following definitions in proper alphabetical order:
 
Cash Concentration Account” shall mean, with respect to the Borrowers, at the discretion of the Agent, either: (i) any of those certain commercial deposit accounts at National City Bank (including, in each instance where named in this Agreement, any successor of National City Bank), in the name of the Agent, designated as “National City Business Credit, Inc. (for the benefit of itself and the Issuer) Borrowing Agent Cash Concentration Account” pursuant to a Cash Concentration Account Agreement (a “Non-Borrower Titled Cash Concentration Account”); or (ii) such other depository accounts as may be established and maintained by any of the Borrowers, the Borrowing Agent or any other applicable Domestic Obligor at National City Bank from time to time, pursuant to a Deposit Account Agreement and/or a Blocked Account Agreement, each of which, in either case, shall be: (a) without liability by the Agent or National City Bank to pay interest thereon, (b) the funds within which shall immediately become the sole and exclusive property of the Agent for the pro rata benefit of the Secured Creditors and subject to the sole and exclusive control off the Agent, and (c) from which account the Agent shall have the irrevocable and exclusive right to withdraw funds.
 
Cash Concentration Account Agreement” shall mean an agreement entered into by the Agent and National City Bank with respect to each Non-Borrower Titled Cash Concentration Account, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and acknowledged by the Borrowers, the Borrowing Agent or other Domestic Obligor, as applicable, whereby National City Bank will agree to maintain the Non-Borrower Titled Cash Concentration Account on behalf of the Agent.
 
2.2           Addition of Certain Defined Terms.  Section 1.3 (Definitions) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add the following definition in proper alphabetical order:
 
New Bolton” shall mean New Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company.
 
New Bolton Acquisition” shall mean the transaction, to be consummated on the  New Bolton Acquisition Date , whereby the Parent acquires, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the New Bolton Acquisition Documents, (i) fifty-one percent (51%) of all of the outstanding membership interest of New Bolton, and (ii) an option, exercisable on or after January 1, 2013, but not later than December 31, 2013, to acquire forty-nine percent (49%) of the outstanding membership interest of New Bolton from Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC.
 
New Bolton Acquisition Agreement” shall mean the Asset Purchase and Contribution Agreement among the Parent, Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC, Martin Kochis, Joseph Malecke, Bolton Investments, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company, William Bolton and New Bolton, as in existence as of the New Bolton Acquisition Date.
 
New Bolton Acquisition Date” shall mean the date, not later than October 16, 2009, of the closing of the New Bolton Acquisition, as determined by the Parent and the other parties to the New Bolton Acquisition Documents.
 
New Bolton Acquisition Documents” shall mean the New Bolton Acquisition Agreement, and all agreements, instruments and documents executed or to be executed pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, as in existence as of the New Bolton Acquisition Date.

 
S-2

 
 
New Bolton Loan Documents” shall mean that certain loan agreement, to be dated on or about the New Bolton Acquisition Date, between New Bolton and Comerica Bank, pursuant to which New Bolton will borrow an aggregate principal amount of up to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) from Comerica Bank, and all agreements, instruments and documents executed pursuant thereto or in connection therewith.
 
Parent Guaranty” shall mean that certain guaranty agreement of the Parent, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, to be dated as of the date of the New Bolton Loan Documents, in favor of Comerica Bank, pursuant to which the Parent guarantees the obligations of New Bolton owing to Comerica Bank pursuant to the New Bolton Loan Documents.
 
2.3           Addition of New Section 1.11 Regarding Removal of UK Borrowers.  Section 1.11 of the Credit Agreement is hereby added as follows:
 
1.11           Removal of UK Borrowers.
 
Due to the fact that no Foreign Borrower other than the UK Borrowers has existed hereunder, and no UK Borrower  has borrowed or intends to borrow any Revolving Advances hereunder nor incurred or intends to incur any Obligations, and notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each UK Borrower is hereby deleted and removed from this Agreement and shall no longer constitute, and shall not have any of the rights or obligations of, a “Borrower”, “Guarantor”, “Loan Party” or “Obligor” hereunder or under the Other Loan Documents.  All references to “UK Borrower”, “Eligible UK Inventory”, “Eligible UK Receivables”, “Foreign Borrower”, “Foreign Borrower Sublimit”, “UK Assets”, “UK Borrower Sublimit”, “UK Collateral”, “UK Collateralized Loan Amount”, “UK Formula Amount” or “UK Security Documents” contained herein or in any Other Loan Document shall have no meaning, force or effect.  There shall be no UK Borrowers or Foreign Borrowers under this Agreement.
 
2.4           Addition of New Section 1.12 Regarding Classification of New Bolton.  Section 1.12 of the Credit Agreement is hereby added as follows:
 
1.12           Classification of New Bolton as a Non-Subsidiary.
 
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, including, without limitation, the definition of “Subsidiary” hereunder, New Bolton will not be deemed for any purpose to be, and shall not have any of the rights or obligations of, a “Subsidiary”, “Borrower”, “Guarantor”, “Loan Party” or “Obligor” hereunder.
 
2.5           Amendment to Section 2.5.  Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing subsection (c) thereof with the following subsection (c) to read as follows:
 
(c)           Each Borrower recognizes that the amounts evidenced by checks, notes, drafts or any other items of payment relating to and/or proceeds of Collateral may not be collectible by the Agent on the date received.  In consideration of the Agent’s agreement to conditionally credit the Loan Account as of the next Business Day following the Agent’s receipt of those items of payment, each Borrower agrees that, in computing charges under this Agreement, all items of payment shall be deemed applied by the Agent on account of the Obligations one (1) Business Day after (i) the Business Day Agent receives such payments via wire transfer or electronic depository check, or (ii) in the case of payments received by Agent in any other form, the Business Day such payment constitutes good funds in the Agent’s account.  The Agent is not, however, required to credit the Loan Account for the amount of any item of payment which is unsatisfactory to Agent and Agent may charge the Loan Account for the amount of any item of payment which is returned to Agent unpaid or otherwise not collected.

 
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2.6           Further Amendment to Section 2.5.  Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by replacing subsection (d) thereof with the following subsection (d) to read as follows:
 
(d)           All credits (other than federal wire transfers) shall be provisional, subject to verification and final settlement.  Each Borrower agrees that any information and data reported to the Borrowers pursuant to any service which is received prior to final posting and confirmation is subject to correction and is not to be construed as final posting information.  The Agent and the Lenders shall have no liability for the content of such preliminary service related information.
 
2.7           Further Amendment to Section 2.5.  Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by adding a new sentence to the end of subsection (e) thereof to read as follows:
 
The Agent shall have the right to effectuate payment on any and all Obligations due and owing hereunder by charging such amounts to the Loan Account as Revolving Advances to the Borrowers.
 
2.8           Amendment to Section 3.2.  Section 3.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the grid set forth therein with the following grid to read as follows:
 
Tier
 
Undrawn Availability
 
Applicable Libor
Rate Margin
   
Applicable Base
Rate Margin
   
Applicable
Letter of Credit
Fee Percentage
   
Applicable Unused Facility
Fee Percentage
 
I
 
< $25,000,000
    1.75 %     0.25 %     1.75 %     0.375 %
II
 
> $25,000,000 but
< $50,000,000
    1.50 %     0 %     1.50 %     0.375 %
III
 
> $50,000,000 but
< $70,000,000
    1.25 %     0 %     1.25 %     0.375 %
IV
 
> $70,000,000
    1.00 %     0 %     1.00 %     0.375 %
 
2.9           Amendment to Section 4.14(h).  Section 4.14(h) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the following sentence, which is the penultimate sentence of the second paragraph thereof
 
The Agent and National City Bank shall have entered into an agreement, such agreement to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and acknowledged by the Borrowing Agent (or other applicable Obligor) (the “Cash Concentration Accounts Agreement”), whereby National City Bank will agree to maintain the Cash Concentration Accounts on behalf of the Agent.
 
2.10         Amendment to Section 7.1(a).  Section 7.1(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing clause (viii) thereof with the following clause (viii) to read as follows:
 
(viii)                      the transfer, lease, sale or other disposition of any property by a Foreign Subsidiary to the Parent, to any Loan Party, or to any Foreign Subsidiary which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary for cash or an intercompany note, including, without limitation, any transfer, lease, sale or other disposition for cash or an intercompany note of (A) any equity interest in a Foreign Subsidiary, or(B) any rights in respect of intercompany indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary (whether evidenced by a promissory note or otherwise).
 
 
S-4

 
 
2.11                      Further Amendment to Section 7.1.  Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by adding a new clause (g) thereto to read as follows:
 
(g)           The Parent and, if applicable, its Subsidiaries shall be permitted (i) to enter in to the New Bolton Acquisition Agreement and, to the extent such documents are in form and substance substantially similar to the draft form delivered to the Agent at the time of the delivery of the New Bolton Acquisition Agreement, the other New Bolton Acquisition Documents and (ii) to consummate the New Bolton Acquisition.
 
2.12                      Amendment to Section 7.3.  Section 7.3 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the word “and” at the end of clause (d) thereof, (ii) replacing the “.” at the end of clause (e) thereof with the phrase “, and” and (iii) adding a new clause (f) thereto to read as follows:
 
(f)           the Parent Guaranty so long as the maximum amount of all obligations guaranteed thereby does not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000) in the aggregate, whether such obligations constitute principal, interest, fees or other Indebtedness;
 
2.13                      Amendment to Section 7.4.  Section 7.4 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Section 7.4 in its entirety and by replacing it with the following Section 7.4 to read as follows:
 
7.4         Investments.
 
Purchase or acquire obligations or stock of, or any other interest in, any Person, except (a) investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.4, (b) investments made in New Bolton to consummate the New Bolton Acquisition in accordance with the New Bolton Acquisition Documents, (c) Permitted Acquisitions and any related Permitted Acquisition Assumed Indebtedness in connection therewith, (d) investments in any Foreign Subsidiary or in any joint venture or partnership so long as the aggregate amount of all such investments under this clause (d), together with any guarantees by a Loan Party of any Foreign Subsidiary permitted under Section 7.3(d) and any extensions of credit from any Loan Party to a Foreign Subsidiary  permitted under Section 7.5(d), does not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) in the aggregate, (e) at any time during a Permitted Period, additional investments in any Foreign Subsidiary or in any joint venture or partnership, (f) investments in any Domestic Obligor, (g) purchases by any Foreign Subsidiary of, or acquisitions by any Foreign Subsidiary of obligations or stock of, or any other interest in, any other Foreign Subsidiary which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, including any purchases, acquisitions or investments contemplated pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(viii), (h) cash and Cash Equivalents; provided, however, the Borrowers and any of their Subsidiaries may invest in cash and Cash Equivalents as follows:  (A) during any time that Revolving Advances are outstanding to the Domestic Borrowers and an Activation Notice has not been delivered by the Agent pursuant to Section 4.14(g), the aggregate amount of all cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Domestic Borrowers or any of their Domestic Subsidiaries permitted by this subsection (h) shall not exceed Forty-Six Million Dollars ($46,000,000) for any period of three consecutive Business Days; (B) during any time that Revolving Advances are outstanding to the UK Borrowers or any other Foreign Borrowers and an Activation Notice has not been delivered by the Agent pursuant to Section 4.14(g), the aggregate amount of all such investments held by any of the UK Borrowers or any other Foreign Borrowers permitted by this subsection (h) of this Section 7.4 shall not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) for any period of three consecutive Business Days; (C) the aggregate amount of all cash and Cash Equivalents held by Foreign Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties (other than the UK Borrowers, any other Foreign Borrowers, or any Subsidiaries of the UK Borrowers or any other Foreign Borrowers) shall not be restricted, and (D) during any time that Revolving Advances are outstanding to any Borrowers and an Activation Notice has been delivered by the Agent pursuant to Section 4.14(g), the aggregate amount of all such investments held by the Borrowers or any of their Domestic Subsidiaries permitted by subsection (h) of this Section 7.4 shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for any period of three consecutive Business Days.
 
 
S-5

 
 
2.14                      Amendment to Section 7.5.  Section 7.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing clause (a) thereof with the following clause (a) to read as follows:
 
(a)           advances loans or extensions of credit (i) to any Domestic Obligor, or (ii) from any Foreign Subsidiary to any Foreign Subsidiary which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary,
 
2.15                      Amendment to Section 7.7.  Section 7.7 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing clause (ii) thereof with the following clause (ii) to read as follows:
 
(ii) any Foreign Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends to its shareholders or members in cash or other property or assets, and
 
2.16                      Amendment to Section 7.10.  Section 7.10 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Section 7.10 in its entirety and by replacing it with the following Section 7.10 to read as follows:
 
7.10           Transactions with Affiliates.
 
Directly or indirectly, purchase, acquire or lease any property from, or sell, transfer or lease any property to, or otherwise deal with, any Affiliate, except (a) transactions in the ordinary course of business, on an arm’s length basis on terms no less favorable than terms which would have been obtainable from a Person other than an Affiliate, and (b) transactions otherwise permitted pursuant to Sections 7.1(a)(viii), 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5.
 
2.17                      Amendment to Article IX.  Article IX of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new Sections 9.16, 9.17 and 9.18, respectively, to read as follows:
 
9.16           Certified Copies of the New Bolton Loan Documents.
 
Promptly, and in any event within Five Business Days of the New Bolton Acquisition Date, copies of all of the executed and delivered New Bolton Loan Documents and the Parent Guaranty, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, certified as being true, correct and complete by an officer of the Parent.
 
9.17           Certified Copies of the New Bolton Charter Documents.
 
Promptly, and in any event within Five Business Days of the New Bolton Acquisition Date, copies of all of the certificate of formation of New Bolton, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Michigan, and a copy of the Operating Agreement of New Bolton, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and certified as being true, correct and complete by an officer of the Parent;
 
9.18           Certified Copies of the New Bolton Acquisition Documents.  Promptly, and in any event within Five Business Days of the New Bolton Acquisition Date, copies of all of the executed and delivered New Bolton Acquisition Documents other than the New Bolton Acquisition Agreement, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and certified as being true, correct and complete by an officer of the Parent.

 
S-6

 
 
Section 3                                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders, the Agent, the Swingline Lender and the LC Issuer as follows:

3.1           The Amendment.  This Amendment has been duly and validly executed by an authorized executive officer of such Borrower and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Borrower enforceable against such Borrower in accordance with its terms.  The Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, remains in full force and effect and remains the valid and binding obligation of such Borrower enforceable against such Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally or by equitable principles including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (whether enforceability is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
 
3.2           No Default or Event of Default.  No Default or Event of Default exists under the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof and no Default or Event of Default will occur as a result of the effectiveness of this Amendment.
 
3.3           Restatement of Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of such Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, and the Other Loan Documents are true and correct on and as of the Amendment Effective Date (as defined below) of this Amendment as though made on the Amendment Effective Date, unless and to the extent that any such representation and warranty is stated to relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date.
 
Section 4                                CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS.
 
The date and time of the effectiveness of this Amendment (the “Amendment Effective Date”) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
 
4.1           Execution.  The Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amendment duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of Parent, each other Borrower, Guarantor, Issuer and each of the Required Lenders, respectively;
 
4.2           Certified Copies of the New Bolton Acquisition Agreement.  The Agent shall have received from the Borrowers a copy of the executed and delivered New Bolton Acquisition Agreement and all exhibits and schedules thereto, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and certified as being true, correct and complete by an officer of the Parent;
 
4.3           Payment of Costs and Expenses.  The Borrowers shall have paid all outstanding and reasonable costs, expenses and the disbursements of the Agent and its advisors, service providers and legal counsels incurred in connection with the documentation of this Amendment, to the extent invoiced, as well as any other fees payable on or before the Amendment Effective Date pursuant to any fee letter or agreement, if any, with the Agent;
 
4.4           Payment of Amendment Fee.  The Borrowers shall have paid to the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders which have executed and delivered this Amendment on or before September 25, 2009, a non-refundable amendment fee, which shall be fully earned when paid, in an amount of up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000); provided, however, (i) each such signing Lender’s share of such fee shall be equal to its respective Revolving Percentage of such Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), and (ii) to the extent that any Lender does not execute and deliver this Amendment on or before September 25, 2009, the Agent shall receive an additional amount equal to such non-signing Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000);
 
4.5           Other.  All corporate and other proceedings, and all documents, instruments and other legal matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent and its counsel.
 
 
S-7

 
 
Section 5                                MISCELLANEOUS.
 
5.1           Governing Law.  This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio with out giving effect to the conflict of laws rules thereof.
 
5.2           Severability.  Any provision of this Amendment which is prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Amendment.
 
5.3           Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
 
5.4           Headings.  Section headings used in this Amendment are for the convenience of reference only and are not a part of this Amendment for any other purpose.
 
5.5           Negotiations.  Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that all of the provisions contained herein were negotiated and agreed to in good faith after discussion with the Agent, the Swingline Lender the LC Issuer and the Lenders.
 
5.6           Nonwaiver. The execution, delivery, performance and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as, or be deemed or construed to be, a waiver: (i) of any right, power or remedy of the Lenders, the Swingline Lender, the LC Issuer or the Agent under the Credit Agreement or the Other Loan Documents, or (ii) of any term, provision, representation, warranty or covenant contained in the Credit Agreement or any Other Loan Document.  Further, none of the provisions of this Amendment shall constitute, be deemed to be or construed as, a waiver of any Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
 
5.7           Reaffirmation.  Each Borrower, other than the UK Borrowers, hereby (i) ratifies and reaffirms all of its payment and performance obligations, contingent or otherwise, under the Credit Agreement and each of the Other Loan Documents to which it is a party and (ii) ratifies and reaffirms its grant of security interests and Liens under such documents and confirms and agrees that such security interests and Liens hereafter secure all of the Obligations.
 
5.8           Release of Claims.  In consideration of the Lenders’ and the Agent’s agreements contained in this Amendment, each Borrower hereby irrevocably releases and forever discharge the Lenders, the Swingline Lender, the LC Issuer and the Agent and their Affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, assigns, directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants and attorneys (each, a “Released Person”) of and from any and all claims, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings or demands, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law of any kind or character, known or unknown, which such Borrower ever had or now has against Agent, any Lender or any other Released Person which relates, directly or indirectly, to any acts or omissions of Agent, any Lender or any other Released Person relating to the Credit Agreement or any Other Loan Document on or prior to the date hereof.
 
5.9           Reference to and Effect on the Credit Agreement.  Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “herein,” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment and each reference to the Credit Agreement in any other document, instrument or agreement executed and/or delivered in connection with the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.
 
 
S-8

 
 
[SIGNATURES FOLLOW]
 
Each of the parties has signed this Amendment No. 3 as of the day and year first above written.
 
 
BORROWERS:
 
     
 
STONERIDGE, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER  
   
Name: George E. Strickler
 
   
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
       
 
STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER
 
   
Name: George E. Strickler
 
   
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
       
 
STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER
 
   
Name: George E. Strickler
 
   
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
       
 
STONERIDGE-POLLAK LIMITED
 
       
 
By:
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER
 
   
Name: George E. Strickler
 
   
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
       
 
STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS LIMITED
 
       
 
By:
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER
 
   
Name: George E. Strickler
 
   
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
       
 
By:
(Witness) /s/ KENNETH A KURE
 
   
(Print Full Name) Kenneth A Kure
 
   
(Address) 9400 East Market Street
 
   
Warren, Ohio 44484
 

S-9

 
  GUARANTOR:  
     
 
STONERIDGE FAR EAST LLC
 
       
 
By:
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER
 
   
Name: George E. Strickler
 
   
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
       
 
AGENT:
 
     
 
NATIONAL CITY BANK, successor to National City Business Credit, Inc., as Agent
 
       
 
By:
/s/ ANTHONY D. ALEXANDER
 
   
Name: Anthony D. Alexander
 
   
Title: Vice President
 
       
 
ISSUER:
 
     
 
NATIONAL CITY BANK, as Issuer
 
       
 
By:
/s/ ANTHONY D. ALEXANDER
 
   
Name: Anthony D. Alexander
 
   
Title: Vice President
 
       
 
S-10

 
 
LENDERS:
 
     
 
NATIONAL CITY BANK, successor to National City Business Credit, Inc., as a Lender
 
       
 
By:
/s/ ANTHONY D. ALEXANDER
 
   
Name: Anthony D. Alexander
 
   
Title: Vice President
 
       
   
Revolving Commitment:  $28,000,000
 
       
   
Notice Information:
 
       
   
National City Bank
 
   
1965 East Sixth Street
 
   
4th Floor
 
   
Locator 01-3049
 
   
Cleveland, OH 44114
 
   
Attention:  Anthony Alexander or
 
   
Stoneridge Account Manager
 
   
Telephone:  (216)222-9302
 
   
Telecopier:  (216)222-8155
 
   
Email:  anthony.alexander@nationalcity.com
 
       
 
S-11

 
 
COMERICA BANK, as a Lender
 
       
 
By:
/s/ BRANDON WELLING
 
   
Name: Brandon Welling
 
   
Title: Account Officer – Large Corporate Lending, Midwest
 
       
   
Revolving Commitment:  $20,000,000
 
       
   
Notice Information:
 
       
   
Comerica Bank
 
   
500 Woodward
 
   
9th Floor
 
   
Detroit, MI
 
   
Attention:  Brandon Welling
 
   
Title:  Account Officer – Large Corporate Lending, Midwest
 
   
Telephone:  (313) 222-5066
 
   
Telecopier:  (313) 222-9516
 
   
Email:  bdwelling@comerica.com
 
       
 
S-12


 
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as a Lender
 
       
 
By:
/s/ MAC A. BANAS
 
   
Name: Mac A. Banas
 
   
Title: Assistant Vice President
 
       
   
Revolving Commitment:  $20,000,000
 
       
   
Notice Information:
 
       
   
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
   
1300 E. Ninth Street
 
   
13th Floor
 
   
Cleveland, Ohio. 44114
 
   
Mac Banas, Assistant Vice President
 
   
Tel: 216-781-2058
 
   
Fax: 216-781-2071
 
   
Email: mac.a.banas@chase.com
 
 
S-13


 
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
 
       
 
By:
/s/ THOMAS HUMBYRD
 
   
Name: Thomas Humbyrd
 
   
Title: Vice President
 
       
   
Revolving Commitment:  $20,000,000
 
       
   
Notice Information:
 
       
   
PNC Bank, National Association
 
   
One PNC Plaza, Sixth Floor
 
   
249 Fifth Ave.
 
   
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
 
   
Attention:  Eric L. Moore
 
   
Telephone:  (412) 768-1332
 
   
 Facsimile:  (412) 768-4369
 
 
S-14

 
FIFTH THIRD BANK, as a Lender
 
       
 
By:
 /s/ ROY LANCTOT
 
   
Name: Roy Lanctot
 
   
Title: Vice President
 
       
   
Revolving Commitment:  $12,000,000
 
       
   
Notice Information:
 
       
   
Fifth Third Bank
 
   
600 Superior Ave East
 
   
Cleveland, Ohio. 44114
 
   
Roy Lanctot, Vice President
 
   
Tel: 216-274-5473
 
   
Fax: 216-274-5621
 
   
Email: roy.lanctot@53.com
 
 
S-15







EX-10.31 5 v177500_ex10-31.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 10.31
 
Indemnification agreement between Stoneridge, Inc. and John C. Corey, George E. Strickler, Kenneth A. Kure and James E. Malcolm.
 
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
 
This Indemnification Agreement is made ________ __, 2009 by and between Stoneridge, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), and                                 (the “Employee”).

Background Information
 
A.           The Employee is a key employee and/or officer of the Company and is a director of Stoneridge Pollak Holdings Ltd. and/or Stoneridge Pollak Ltd. and/or Stoneridge International Financial Services Company and, in those capacities and others, is performing valuable services for the Company.

B.           The shareholders of the Company adopted an Amended and Restated Code of Regulations (the “Regulations”) providing, among other things, for indemnification of the officers or employees of the Company in accordance with Section 1701.13 of the Ohio Revised Code (the “Statute”), including indemnification of a person who was or is party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the Company, by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign.
 
C.           The Regulations and the Statute specifically provide that they are not exclusive, and contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and officer and/or employees with respect to indemnification of officer and/or employees.
 
D.           The Company and Employee recognize the substantial cost of carrying directors and officers liability insurance (“D&O Insurance”) and that the Company may elect not to carry D&O Insurance from time to time.
 
E.           The Company and Employee further recognize that directors, officers and employees may be exposed to certain risks not covered by D&O Insurance.
 
F.           These factors with respect to the coverage and cost to the Company of D&O Insurance and issues concerning the scope of indemnity under the Statute and Regulations generally have raised questions concerning the adequacy and reliability of the protection presently afforded to certain officers and employees.
 
G.           In order to address such issues and induce the Employee to continue to serve as an officer and/or employee of the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries, the Company has determined to enter into this Indemnification Agreement with the Employee.
 

 
Statement of Agreement
 
In consideration of the Employee’s continued service as an officer and/or employee of the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries after the date of this Indemnification Agreement, the Company and the Employee hereby agree as follows:
 
Section 1.                      Indemnity of Employee.  Subject only to the limitations set forth in Section 2, below, the Company shall indemnify the Employee to the full extent not otherwise prohibited by the Statute or other applicable law, including without limitation indemnity:
 
(a)           Against any and all costs and expenses (including travel, legal, expert, and other professional fees and expenses), judgments, damages, fines (including excise taxes with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the Employee (collectively, “Expenses”), in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, or arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether domestic or foreign, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, (each a “Proceeding”) to which the Employee is or at any time becomes a party, or is threatened to be made a party, as a result, directly or indirectly, of serving at any time: (i) as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company; or (ii) at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, trustee, fiduciary, manager, member, or agent of a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise or entity, whether domestic or foreign; and
 
(b)           Otherwise to the fullest extent that the Employee may be indemnified by the Company under the Regulations and the Statute, including without limitation the non-exclusivity provisions thereof.
 
Section 2.                      Limitations on Indemnity.  No indemnity pursuant to Section 1 shall be paid by the Company:
 
(a)           Except to the extent that the aggregate amount of losses to be indemnified exceed the aggregate amount of such losses for which the Employee is actually paid or reimbursed pursuant to D&O Insurance, if any, which may be purchased and maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
 
(b)           On account of any Proceeding in which judgment is rendered against the Employee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
 
(c)           On account of the Employee’s conduct which is determined (pursuant to the Statute) to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest, or willful misconduct, except to the extent such indemnity is otherwise permitted under the Statute;
 
(d)           With respect to any remuneration paid to the Employee determined, by a court having jurisdiction in the matter in a final adjudication from which there is no further right of appeal, to have been in violation of law;
 
(e)           If it shall have been determined by a court having jurisdiction in the matter, in a final adjudication from which there is no further right of appeal, that indemnification is not lawful;
 
(f)           On account of the Employee’s conduct to the extent it relates to any matter that occurred prior to the time such individual became an employee of the Company; or
 
(g)           With respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by the Employee and not by way of defense, except pursuant to Section 8 with respect to proceedings brought to enforce rights or to collect money due under this Indemnification Agreement; provided however that indemnity may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate.
 
Page 2

 
In no event shall the Company be obligated to indemnify the Employee pursuant to this Indemnification Agreement to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law.
 
Section 3.                      Advancement of Expenses.  Subject to Section 7 of this Indemnification Agreement, the Expenses incurred by the Employee in connection with any Proceeding shall be promptly reimbursed or paid by the Company as they become due; provided that the Employee submits a written request to the Company for such payment together with reasonable supporting documentation for such Expenses; and provided further that the Employee, at the request of the Company, submits to the Company an undertaking to the effect stated in Section 7, below, and to reasonably cooperate with the Company concerning such Proceeding.
 
Section 4.                      Insurance and Self Insurance.  The Company shall not be required to maintain D&O Insurance in effect if and to the extent that such insurance is not reasonably available or if, in the reasonable business judgment of the Board of Directors, either (a) the premium cost of such insurance is disproportionate to the amount of coverage, or (b) the coverage provided by such insurance is so limited by exclusions that there is insufficient benefit from such insurance.  To the extent the Company determines not to maintain D&O Insurance, the Company shall be deemed to be self-insured within the meaning of Section 1701.13(E)(7) of the Statute and shall, in addition to the Employee’s other rights hereunder, provide protection to the Employee similar to that which otherwise would have been available to the Employee under such insurance.
 
Section 5.                      Continuation of Obligations.  All obligations of the Company under this Indemnification Agreement shall apply retroactively beginning on the date the Employee commenced as, and shall continue during the period that the Employee remains, an officer, employee or agent of the Company or is, as described above, a director, officer, employee, trustee, fiduciary, manager, member, or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, whether domestic of foreign, and shall continue thereafter as long as the Employee (whether still employed by the Company or not) may be subject to any possible claim or any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding as a result, directly or indirectly, of being such a director, officer, employee, trustee, fiduciary, manager, member, or agent.
 
Section 6.                      Notification and Defense of Claim.  Promptly after receipt by the Employee of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, if a claim is to be made against the Company under this Indemnification Agreement, the Employee shall notify the Company of the commencement thereof, but the delay or omission to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to the Employee under this Indemnification Agreement, except to the extent the Company is materially prejudiced by such delay or omission.  With respect to any such Proceeding of which the Employee notifies the Company of the commencement:
 
(a)           The Company shall be entitled to participate therein at its own expense;
 
(b)           The Company shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, with counsel selected by the Company and approved by the Employee, which approval shall not unreasonably be withheld.  After notice from the Company to the Employee of the Company’s election to assume such defense, the Company shall not be liable to the Employee under this Indemnification Agreement for any legal or other Expenses subsequently incurred by the Employee in connection with the defense thereof except as otherwise provided below.  The Employee shall have the right to employ his own counsel in such Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of such defense shall be the expenses of the Employee unless (i) the employment of such counsel by the Employee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) the Employee, upon the advice of counsel, shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Employee in the conduct of such defense, or (iii) the Company has not in fact employed counsel to assume such defense, in any of which cases the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be the expense of the Company.  The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which the Employee, upon the advice of counsel, shall have made the conclusion described in (ii), above.  In the event the Company assumes the defense of any Proceeding as provided in this Section 6(b), the Company may defend or settle such Proceeding as it deems appropriate; provided, however, the Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on the Employee without the Employee’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
 
Page 3

 
(c)           The Company shall not be required to indemnify the Employee under this Indemnification Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding without the Company’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
 
(d)           The Employee shall cooperate with the Company in all ways reasonably requested by it in connection with the Company fulfilling its obligations under this Indemnification Agreement.
 
Section 7.                      Repayment of Expenses.  The Employee shall reimburse the Company for all Expenses paid by the Company pursuant to Section 3 of this Indemnification Agreement or otherwise in defending any Proceeding against the Employee if and only to the extent that a determination shall have been made by a court in a final adjudication from which there is no further right of appeal that the Employee is not entitled to indemnification by the Company for such Expenses under the Statute, the Regulations, this Indemnification Agreement or otherwise.
 
Section 8.                      Enforcement.  The Company expressly confirms that it has entered into this Indemnification Agreement and has assumed the obligations of this Indemnification Agreement in order to induce the Employee to continue as a Employee and employee of the Company and acknowledges that the Employee is relying upon this Indemnification Agreement in continuing in that capacity.  If the Employee is required to bring an action to enforce rights or to collect money due under this Indemnification Agreement, the Company shall reimburse the Employee for all of the Employee’s reasonable fees and expenses (including legal, expert, and other professional fees and expenses) in bringing and pursuing such action, unless the court determines that each of the material assertions made by the Employee as a basis for such action were not made in good faith or were frivolous.  The Company shall have the burden of proving that indemnification is not required under this Indemnification Agreement, unless a prior determination has been made by the shareholders of the Company or a court of competent jurisdiction that indemnification is not required hereunder.
 
Section 9.                      Rights Not Exclusive.  The indemnification provided by this Indemnification Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the Employee may be entitled under the Company’s articles of incorporation, Regulations, any vote of the shareholders or disinterested Employees of the Company, the Statute, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
 
Section 10.                      Separability.  Each of the provisions of this Indemnification Agreement is a separate and distinct agreement and independent of the others so that, if any provisions of this Indemnification Agreement shall be held to be invalid and unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Indemnification Agreement.
 
Section 11.                      Modification to Applicable Law.  In the event there is a change, after the date of this Indemnification Agreement, in any applicable law (including without limitation the Statute) which: (a) expands the right of an Ohio corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an Employee, such change shall be automatically included within the scope of the Employee’s rights and Company’s obligations under this Indemnification Agreement; or (b) narrows the right of an Ohio corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, such change, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, shall have no effect on this Indemnification Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder.
 
Section 12.                      Partial Indemnity.  If the Employee is entitled under any provision of this Indemnification Agreement to indemnity by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses actually or reasonably incurred by him in the investigation, defense, appeal, or settlement of any Proceeding, but not for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify the Employee for the portion of such Expenses to which the Employee is entitled.
 
Page 4

 
Section 13.                      Governing Law.  This Indemnification Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to choice of law principles.
 
Section 14.                      Venue.  The parties agree that venue for any litigation arising out of this Indemnification Agreement or any document delivered in connection herewith shall be in a court with subject matter jurisdiction located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
 
Section 15.                      Successors.  This Indemnification Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by and against the Employee and the Company and their respective heirs, successors, and assigns.  The Company shall require any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, expressly, absolutely, and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform this Indemnification Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place.
 
Section 16.                      Notices.  All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when received, if personally delivered; when transmitted, if transmitted by electronic fax, telecopy or similar electronic transmission method; the day after it is sent, if mailed, first-class mail, postage prepaid.
 
Section 17.                      Amendment and Modification.  This Indemnification Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by a written agreement executed by the Company and the Employee.
 
Section 18.                      Assignment.  This Indemnification Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Indemnification Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, nor is this Indemnification Agreement intended to confer upon any other person except the parties any rights or remedies hereunder.
 
Section 19.                      Prior Agreements.  This Indemnification Agreement shall supersede any other agreements entered into prior to the date of this Indemnification Agreement between the Company and the Employee concerning the subject matter of this Indemnification Agreement.
 
Section 20.                      Consent to Jurisdiction.  The Company and the Employee each hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Ohio for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Indemnification Agreement and hereby waives any objections or defenses relating to jurisdiction with respect to any lawsuit or other legal proceeding initiated in or transferred to such courts.

Section 21.                      Counterparts.  This Indemnification Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 
STONERIDGE, INC.
 
       
 
By:
   
    William M. Lasky  
   
Chairman of the Board of Directors
 
       

 
EMPLOYEE:
   ___________________________________
  Printed Name __________________________
 
Page 5

EX-21.1 6 v177500_ex21-1.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 21.1

PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES

Name of Subsidiary    Jurisdiction in Which Organized or Incorporated
     
Consolidated Subsidiaries of Stoneridge, Inc.:
   
Stoneridge Electronics AB
 
Sweden
Stoneridge Electronics AS
 
Estonia
Stoneridge Electronics Ltd.
 
Scotland, United Kingdom
Stoneridge Pollak Ltd.
 
England, United Kingdom
Stoneridge International Financial Services Company
 
Ireland, United Kingdom
Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
 
Massachusetts, United States
Stoneridge Electronics, Inc.
 
Texas, United States
Alphabet de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
Alphabet de Mexico de Monclova S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
TED de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
Stoneridge Asia Pacific Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.
 
China
Bolton Conductive Systems, LLC.
 
Michigan, United States
     
Equity Method Investees of Stoneridge, Inc.:
   
PST Eletrônica S.A.
 
Brazil
Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd.
 
India

 
 

 
 
EX-23.1 7 v177500_ex23-1.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries listed below of our reports dated March 16, 2010, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2009:

 Registration    Description of Registration Statement
     
333-149436
 
Form S-8 – Stoneridge, Inc. Amended And Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan
333-127017
 
Form S-8 – Stoneridge, Inc. Director’s Restricted Shares Plan
333-96953
 
Form S-8 – Stoneridge, Inc. Director’s Share Option Plan
333-72176
 
Form S-8 – Stoneridge, Inc. Director’s Share Option Plan

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Cleveland, Ohio
March 16, 2010
 
 
 

 
EX-23.2 8 v177500_ex23-2.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated March 16, 2010, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of PST Eletrônica S.A. included in this Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, in the following Registration Statements:

Registration Number
 
Description of Registration Statement
333-149436
 
Form S-8 – Stoneridge, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan
333-127017
 
Form S-8 – Stoneridge, Inc. Director’s Restricted Shares Plan
333-96953
 
Form S-8 – Stoneridge, Inc. Director’s Share Option Plan
333-72176
 
Form S-8 – Stoneridge, Inc. Director’s Share Option Plan

Campinas, Brazil
March 16, 2010

ERNST & YOUNG
Auditores Independentes S.S.
CRC 2SP015199/O-6-S-AM
/s/ JOSE ANTONIO DE. A. NAVARRETE
José Antonio de A. Navarrete
Accountant CRC1SP198698/O-4-S-AM

 
 

 
EX-31.1 9 v177500_ex31-1.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES–OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, John C. Corey, certify that:

(1)
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company;

(2)
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3)
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4)
The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a – 15(f) and 15d – 15(f)) for the Company and we have:

(a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

(c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;

(d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;

(5)
The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors:
 
(a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
       
 
  
/s/ JOHN C. COREY  
    John C. Corey  
    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director  
   
March 15, 2010
 
 

EX-31.2 10 v177500_ex31-2.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES–OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, George E. Strickler, certify that:

(1)
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company;

(2)
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3)
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4)
The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a – 15(f) and 15d – 15(f)) for the Company and we have:
 
(a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
(c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;
 
(d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;
 
(5)
The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors:
 
(a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
       
 
  
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER  
    George E. Strickler  
    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  
   
March 15, 2010
 
 

 
EX-32.1 11 v177500_ex32-1.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, John C. Corey, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, of Stoneridge, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) 
 the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2009 (“the Report”) which this certification accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and

(2) 
 the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ JOHN C. COREY  
    John C. Corey  
   
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
   
March 15, 2010
 
 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 

EX-32.2 12 v177500_ex32-2.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, George E. Strickler, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, of Stoneridge, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) 
 the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2009 (“the Report”) which this certification accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and

(2) 
 the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ GEORGE E. STRICKLER  
    George E. Strickler  
   
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
   
March 15, 2010
 
 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 

EX-99.1 13 v177500_ex99-1.htm Unassociated Document
EXHIBIT 99.1

Consolidated financial statements

PST Eletrônica S.A.

December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
With Report of Independent Auditors

 
 

 
 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
Contents
 
Report of independent auditors
 
1
Consolidated balance sheets
 
2
Consolidated statements of income
 
4
Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income
 
5
Consolidated statements of cash flows
 
6
Notes to consolidated financial statements
 
7

 
 

 

Report of independent auditors

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
PST Eletrônica S.A.
Manaus - AM

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PST Eletrônica S.A. and subsidiary at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. 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 auditing standards generally accepted in the 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of PST Eletrônica S.A. and subsidiary at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Campinas, March 16, 2010

ERNST & YOUNG
Auditores Independentes S.S.
CRC 2SP015199/O-6-S-AM

/s/ José Antonio de A. Navarrete
 
José Antonio de A. Navarrete
Accountant CRC 1SP198698/O-4-S-AM

 
1

 
 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Consolidated balance sheets
December 31, 2009 and 2008
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share/quota data)
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,246       5,678  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $468 and $497 in 2009 and 2008, respectively
    21,427       12,533  
Inventories, net
    25,952       21,091  
Taxes recoverable
    3,945       925  
Accounts receivable from related parties
    40       156  
Prepaid expenses and other
    822       475  
Deferred income taxes
    1,941       1,020  
Total current assets
    55,373       41,878  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    27,592       18,379  
Other assets:
               
Deferred income taxes
    2,525       1,607  
Other
    216       89  
Total assets
  $ 85,706     $ 61,953  
 
2

 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
           
Current liabilities:
           
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 8,923     $ 1,838  
Accounts payable
    8,226       4,181  
Wages and salaries
    4,648       3,117  
Taxes payable
    898       735  
Due to related parties
    8       6  
Dividends payable
    3,181       3,902  
Employee profit sharing and management bonuses
    2,603       2,035  
Warranty reserve
    598       515  
Commissions payable
    859       452  
Accrued expenses and other
    362       487  
Total current liabilities
    30,306       17,268  
                 
Long-term liabilities:
               
Long-term debt, net of current portion
    2,565       7,661  
Provision for contingencies
    3,701       2,522  
Total long-term liabilities
    6,266       10,183  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
               
                 
Shareholders equity:
               
Capital, $ 0.3691, per value, 45,000,000 common shares authorized and issued at December 31, 2009 and 2008
    16,610       12,702  
Retained earnings
    24,258       24,629  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    8,266       (2,829 )
Total shareholders equity
    49,134       34,502  
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
    85,706     $ 61,953  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 
 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Consolidated statements of income
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
 
   
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 140,690     $ 174,305     $ 133,039  
                         
Costs and expenses:
                       
Cost of goods sold and services rendered
    69,291       80,924       61,575  
Product design and engineering expenses
    8,861       9,405       5,094  
Selling, general and administrative
    45,636       51,698       39,292  
                         
Operating income
    16,902       32,276       27,078  
                         
Exchange losses (gains), net
    (508 )     (348 )     468  
Financial expense, net
    1,787       836       1,458  
                         
Income before income taxes
    15,623       31,788       25,152  
                         
Income taxes
    1,032       6,829       4,803  
                         
Net income
  $ 14,591     $ 24,959     $ 20,349  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for the number of shares/quotas)

   
Number of
         
Retained earnings
   
Accumulated
other comprehensive
   
Total shareholders
 
   
shares/quotas
   
Capital
   
Appropriated
   
Unappropriated
   
 income
   
 equity
 
Balance, December 31, 2006
    11,117,280       4,712       2,769       10,825       3,103       21,409  
                                                 
Capitalization of tax incentive reserve
    6,219,570       3,175       (3,175 )     -       -       -  
Dividends
    -       -       -       (11,468 )     -       (11,468 )
Conversion of quotas into shares
    27,663,150       -       -       -       -       -  
Net income
    -       -       -       20,349       -       20,349  
Transfer to appropriated retained earnings
    -               5,399       (5,399 )     -       -  
Dividends payable
    -       -       -       (4,228 )     -       (4,228 )
Other comprehensive income:
                                               
Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       6,151       6,151  
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    45,000,000     $ 7,887     $ 4,993     $ 10,079     $ 9,254     $ 32,213  
                                                 
Capitalization of tax incentive reserve
    -       4,815       (4,815 )     -       -       -  
Dividends
    -       -       -       (6,685 )     -       (6,685 )
Net income
    -       -       -       24,959       -       24,959  
Transfer to appropriated retained earnings
    -       -       4,466       (4,466 )     -       -  
Dividends payable
    -       -       -       (3,902 )     -       (3,902 )
Other comprehensive income:
                                               
Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       (12,083 )     (12,083 )
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    45,000,000     $ 12,702     $ 4,644     $ 19,985     $ (2,829 )   $ 34,502  
                                                 
Capitalization of tax incentive reserve
    -       3,908       (3,908 )     -                  
Dividends
    -       -       -       (7,873 )     -       (7,873 )
Net income
    -       -       -       14,591       -       14,591  
Transfer to appropriated retained earnings
    -       -       3,540       (3,540 )     -       -  
Dividends payable
    -       -       -       (3,181 )     -       (3,181 )
Other comprehensive income:
                                               
Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       11,095       11,095  
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2009
    45,000,000     $ 16,610     $ 4,276     $ 19,982     $ 8,266     $ 49,134  

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

 
5

 
 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Consolidated statements of cash flows
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)

   
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income
  $ 14,591     $ 24,959     $ 20,349  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
                       
Exchange losses and interest expenses
    1,143       878       -  
Depreciation
    5,523       4,193       1,496  
Deferred income taxes
    (867 )     (339 )     (913 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
                       
Accounts receivable, net
    (4,237 )     (4,163 )     1,534  
Inventories, net
    2,168       (7,560 )     (6,698 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (2,501 )     (67 )     (230 )
Other assets
    (157 )     77       (177 )
Accounts payable
    2,406       511       (117 )
Wages and salaries
    427       754       820  
Employee profit sharing and management bonuses
    (118 )     488       929  
Commissions payable
    232       (519 )     138  
Warranty reserve
    (86 )     (233 )     232  
Provision for contingencies
    360       (199 )     527  
Accrued expenses and others
    (351 )     (646 )     1,083  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    18,533       18,134       18,973  
                         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (8,185 )     (11,625 )     (5,987 )
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
    (28 )     165       (30 )
Net cash used by investing activities
    (8,213 )     (11,460 )     (6,017 )
                         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Borrowings
    1,107       11,666       315  
Repayments
    (3,410 )     (1,464 )     (2,422 )
Decrease in amounts due to related parties
    -       -       -  
Dividends paid
    (13,882 )     (16,514 )     (9,616 )
Net cash used by financing activities
    (16,185 )     (6,312 )     (11,723 )
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    1,433       (1,808 )     1,106  
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (4,432 )     (1,446 )     2,339  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    5,678       7,124       4,785  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 1,246     $ 5,678     $ 7,124  
                         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid for interest
  $ 1,289     $ 425     $ 472  
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 4,554     $ 7,014     $ 4,935  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
6

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
1.
Organization and nature of business

PST Eletrônica S.A., with head office in the city of Manaus, State of Amazonas, is a non-public Brazilian Stock Corporation engaged in the production and trading of electronic equipment for automobiles (alarms, power windows, door lock sets, instrument clusters, blocking and tracking devices, antennas and accessories) and in the rendering of tracking services within the domestic and foreign markets. PST Eletrônica S.A. holds a 99.98% interest in PST Industrial Ltda. (“subsidiary”). At December 31, 2009, the subsidiary does not have any operations. PST Eletrônica S.A. and its subsidiary are hereinafter referred to as the “Company”.

The Company’s administrative and financial headquarters are located in the city of Campinas, State of São Paulo. There are also branches in the cities of Rio de Janeiro (responsible for after-sale customer services), Campinas (dedicated to tracking and vehicle block services), and Buenos Aires, Argentina (focused on product trading activities).

Part of the manufacturing activity is carried out in the Campinas facility. However the manufacturing facility established in the Manaus Free-Trade Zone accounts for most of the production and billing activities with the aim of obtaining the tax incentives offered by the Federal and State Governments, as follows:

·
Exemption of IPI (Federal Value-added tax, “VAT”) on products;
 
·
Suspension of import duties on imports of capital assets and reduction of 88% on the current tax rate applied to foreign consumable inputs;
 
·
Refund of 55% of the ICMS (State VAT) charged on such product lines as antennas, alarms, remote control for alarms, wires and cables;
 
·
Refund of 90.25% of the ICMS charged on assembled electronic circuit plates;
 
·
Refund of 55%, with 45% additional refund, reviewed by State Government each three years, totaling 100% of the ICMS charged on other items of the Company’s product lines;
 
·
75% income tax reduction for the amount calculated on sales of products manufactured at the Manaus plant, under appropriate tax incentives. Such tax reduction is valid until 2012, when the benefit may be reduced. The income tax incentive amount cannot be distributed to shareholders, but remains as a tax incentive reserve invested in the Company itself or used for capital increase.

The referred to tax benefits will be effective until the end of 2023, when the Manaus Free-Trade Zone will be extinguished, according to the Federal Constitution.
 
7

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
2.
Summary of significant accounting policies

a)
Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which differ in certain respects from accounting practices applied by the Company in its statutory financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with accounting practices adopted in Brazil.

Based on an analysis of the Company’s revenues, expenses and financial structure, management has concluded that the Company’s functional currency for its Brazilian operations is the Brazilian real.

The financial statements are translated into US dollars using exchange rates in effect at the year end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each reporting period for the statements of income. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Foreign currency transactions are remeasured into functional currency using translation rates in effect at the time of the transaction, with the resulting adjustments included in the results of operations.

b)
Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost plus interest earned through the balance sheet date, when applicable, which approximates fair value, due to the highly liquid nature and short-term duration of the underlying investments.
 
8

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
2.
Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

c)
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts and concentration of credit risk

Revenues are principally generated from the automotive vehicle markets, with approximately 25% from auto dealers (original equipment services), 8% from the original equipment manufacturers and the remaining portion from aftermarket customers. The Company’s products are sold through distributors and resellers. Two customers accounted for 11.6% and 8.5% of the Company’s sales in 2009, 11.3% and 10.5% in 2008, and 9.70% and 8.1% in 2007. Trade accounts receivable are not secured by collateral.

The Company evaluates the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors.  In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts overdue to write down the recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. Additionally, the Company reviews historical trends for collectibility in determining an estimate for its allowance for doubtful accounts.

Bad debt expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $832, $438 and $219, respectively.

d)
Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined at the average cost of purchase or production, which includes material, labor and overhead. Inventories consist of the following at December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Raw materials
  $ 11,955     $ 8,713  
Inventory in transit
    3,556       3,232  
Work-in-progress
    3,221       2,787  
Finished goods
    7,822       6,724  
Total inventories
    26,554       21,456  
Less: Provision for lower of cost or market valuation and slow-moving inventories
    (602 )     (365 )
Inventories, net
  $ 25,952     $ 21,091  
 
9

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
2.
Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

e)
Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and consist of the following at December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Land and improvements
  $ 847     $ 631  
Buildings and improvements
    8,304       4,976  
Machinery and equipment
    10,549       6,527  
Computer equipment and software
    7,053       4,317  
Office furniture and fixtures
    1,852       1,291  
Tooling
    8,913       6,445  
Vehicles
    2,254       1,606  
Tracking devices for rent
    6,525       2,572  
Other
    2,528       1,362  
Total property, plant and equipment
    48,825       29,727  
Less: accumulated depreciation
    (21,233 )     (11,348 )
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 27,592     $ 18,379  

Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Depreciable lives within each property classification are as follows:

Buildings and improvements
 
25 years
Machinery and equipment
 
10 years
Computer equipment and software
 
5 years
Office furniture and fixtures
 
10 years
Tooling
 
3-10 years
Vehicles
 
5 years
Tracking devices for rent
 
5 years

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, and 2008 amounted to $5,523 and $4,193 respectively.

Maintenance and repair expenditures that are not considered improvements and do not extend the useful life of property are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements and major renewals are capitalized.  When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on the disposal is credited or charged to the statements of income.
 
10


PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

2.
Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

e)
Property, plant and equipment--Continued

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, property, plant and equipment includes vehicles and equipment held under capital leasing arrangements with total cost of $ 1,174 and $2,117 and accumulated depreciation of $ 251 and $653, respectively.

 
f)
Impairment of assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment is recognized when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recovered. Measurement of the amount of impairment may be based on appraisal, market values of similar assets or estimated discounted future cash flows resulting from the use and ultimate disposal of the asset. No impairment charges were recorded in 2009, 2008 and 2007.

g)
Income taxes

Current income tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable on the tax returns for the current year. Deferred income tax assets or liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences that result from events that have been recognized in either the financial statements or the tax returns, but not both. The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets is based on provisions of enacted tax laws. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent the realization of such benefits is more likely than not. Current and non-current components of deferred income tax balances are reported separately based on financial statement classification of the related asset or liability giving rise to the temporary difference. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are not offset unless attributable to the same tax jurisdiction. The Company classifies interest on tax positions as Financial expenses and penalties as selling, general and administrative expenses.

h)
Revenue recognition and sales commitments

Revenues and expenses are recognized on the accrual basis. Revenues from sales of products are recognized, net for actual and estimated returns, upon their date of delivery to the customers. Actual and estimated returns are based on authorized returns. No revenue is recognized if there are significant uncertainties regarding its realization.
 
11


PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
2.
Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

i)
Freight expenses

Shipping and handling costs incurred for delivering products sold are reported in selling expenses and were $ 4,671, $5,167 and $4,092, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

j)
Warranty reserve

The Company’s warranty reserve is established based on the Company’s best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. The following is a reconciliation of the changes in the Company’s warranty reserve at December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Warranty reserves at beginning of year
  $ 515     $ 917  
Payments made
    (646 )     (422 )
Costs recognized for warranties issued during the year
    550       669  
Changes in estimates for preexisting warranties
    179       (649 )
Warranty reserve at end of year
  $ 598     $ 515  

k)
Product development expenses

Expenses associated with the development of new products and changes to existing products are charged to expense as incurred. These costs amounted to $8,861, $9,407 and $5,094 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 
l)
Accounting estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, including disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because actual results could differ from those estimates, the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.
12

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
2.
Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

m)
Comprehensive income

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” establishes standards for the reporting of comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments. Balances of each after-tax component of accumulated other comprehensive income, as reported in the Statement of Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity at December 31, are as follows:

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net income
  $ 14,591     $ 24,959     $ 20,349  
Other comprehensive income:
                       
Currency translation adjustments
    11,095       (12,083 )     6,151  
Comprehensive income
  $ 25,686     $ 12,876     $ 26,500  

n)
Recently issued accounting standards

New accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) which will be effective for the Company in or after fiscal year 2010, are the following:

SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“SFAS No. 166”): In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, which removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”) from SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities-a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125. The QSPE concept had initially been established to facilitate off-balance sheet treatment for certain securitizations. SFAS No. 166 also removes the exception from applying FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN No. 46(R)”), to QSPEs. SFAS No. 166 has not been incorporated into the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 166 will have an impact on its financial statements.
 
13

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
2.
Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

n)
Recently issued accounting standards--Continued

SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS No. 167”): In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, which amends FIN 46(R) to among other things, require an entity to qualitatively rather than quantitatively assess the determination of the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This determination should be based on whether the entity has 1) the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and 2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Other key changes include: the http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/874761/000119312509167427/d10q.htm - - tocrequirement for an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary, the criteria for determining whether service provider or decision maker contracts are variable interests, the consideration of kick-out and removal rights in determining whether an entity is a VIE, the types of events that trigger the reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE and the expansion of the disclosures previously required under FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) SFAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R), Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities. SFAS No. 167 has not been incorporated into ASC and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 166 will have an impact on its financial statements.

SFAS No. 168, FASB Codification and the Hierarchy of GAAP (“SFAS No. 168”): In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, which identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP. SFAS No. 168 replaces SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“the Codification”) as the single source of authoritative guidance recognized by the FASB. Under the Codification, all guidance carries an equal level of authority. SFAS No. 168 has not been incorporated into ASC and is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company do not expect any impact on the results of operations or financial position.

o)
Subsequent events

The Company evaluated subsequent events through March 16, 2010, the issuance date of these financial statements.
 
14

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
3.
Long-term debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

Type
 
Index
 
Final
maturity
 
2009
   
2008
 
Working capital loans:
                   
 National Bank for
                       
 Economic and Social Development
                       
(BNDES) financing
 
Long-term Interest Rate (TJLP) + 3% p.y.
 
2011
      9,443         8,032  
      Import financing (Finimp)
 
Libor + 3.75% p.y. + Dollar exchange rate
 
2010
    291       598  
      Itau Bank
 
CDI + interests of 3.3% p.y.
 
2010
    1,152       -  
Capital lease obligations
 
Monthly interest from 1.06% to 1.65% p.m.
 
2012
    602       869  
              11,488       9,499  
Noncurrent
            (8,923 )     (1,838 )
Current
          $ 2,565     $ 7,661  

The long term portion of the debt at December 31, 2009 refers to working capital loans that will mature in 2011 and 2012.

The Company has additional revolving credit facilities in the amount of $10,336 ($10,368 in 2008) (no balance outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2008) with Brazilian financial institutions. These facilities expire throughout 2010.
 
15

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
4.
Capital lease obligations

The Company has entered into certain capital lease agreements, most of them containing purchase options, as a form to finance its acquisition of vehicles and equipment.

During 2009, $630 of principal and interest of $131 were paid on the lease (in 2008, $983 and $178 respectively).

Future payments under those agreements having a remaining term in excess of one year at December 31 are as follows:

   
2009
 
2010
  $ 484  
2011
  $ 232  
2012
  $ 37  
    $ 753  
         
Imputed interest amount
  $ (151 )
Present value of lease payments
  $ 602  
(-) Amount recorded in current liabilities
  $ (388 )
(=) Amount due in the long term
  $ 214  

5.
Advertising costs

The cost of advertising is expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $530, $868 and $832, in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
6.
Income taxes

Under Brazilian tax law income taxes are paid monthly based on the actual or estimated monthly taxable income. Income taxes in Brazil include federal income tax and social contribution (which is an additional federal income tax). The applicable statutory income tax and social contribution rates were 25% and 9%, respectively, during the Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The composite tax rate is 34%. There are no State or local income taxes in Brazil.

The Company’s Manaus plant operates in an economic development area (Free-Trade Zone) and, therefore, its operating income from the production at that plant is exempt from federal income tax through 2023, as commented in Note 1.
 
16

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
6.
Income taxes (Continued)

The provisions for taxes on income included in the consolidated financial statements represent Brazilian federal and other foreign income taxes. The components of income before income taxes and the provision for income taxes consist of the following:

   
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Income (loss) before income taxes:
                 
Brazilian
  $ 16,190     $ 31,026     $ 24,510  
Other foreign
    (567 )     762       642  
    $ 15,623     $ 31,788     $ 25,152  
                         
Income tax expense (credit)
                       
Current:
                       
Brazilian federal
  $ 1,963     $ 7,013     $ 5,434  
Other foreign
    (111 )     309       282  
      1,852       7,322       5,716  
Deferred:
                       
Brazilian federal
    (820 )     (493 )     (913 )
    $ 1,032     $ 6,829     $ 4,803  
 
17

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
6.
Income taxes (Continued)

The reconciliation of the Company’s effective income tax rate to the statutory federal tax rate is as follows:

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Brazilian federal income tax rate
    34.0 %     34.0 %     34.0 %
Earnings of foreign branch
    0.5 %     0.2 %     0.2 %
Manaus free-tax zone income tax incentives
    (16.1 %)     (14.1 )%     (16.0 )%
Other tax incentives (*)
    (13.8 %)     -       -  
Other
    2.0 %     1.4 %     0.9 %
Effective income tax rate
    6.6 %     21.5 %     19.1 %
 

(*)
Refers to tax incentive calculated based on Law nº 11196/05 on research and development expenses. From the total amount of the tax incentives used during the fiscal year of 2009, amounting $2,150, $1,160 refer to expenses incurred in 2008 and $990 refer to expense incurred in 2009.

Deferred income tax assets consist of the following at December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Inventory reserves and provision for losses on other assets
  $ 204     $ 124  
Provision for product warranties
    203       175  
Provision for contingency losses
    1,285       877  
Product design and development costs deferred for tax purposes
    1,211       697  
Deferred revenues subject to current taxation
    474       198  
Depreciation rate differences
    684       218  
Provision for bonuses payment
    117       153  
Other nondeductible reserve
    288       185  
Net deferred income tax assets
    4,466       2,627  
Less: Current assets
    (1,941 )     (1,020 )
Non-current assets
  $ 2,525     $ 1,607  
 
18

 
PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
7.
Commitments and contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings, principally related to tax and labor claims. Respective provisions for contingencies were recorded considering those cases in which the likelihood of loss has been rated as probable.

The recorded provisions are comprised as follows at December 31, 2009 and 2008:

   
2009
   
2008
 
PIS and COFINS on commissions expenses
  $ 3,604     $ -  
PIS and COFINS on exchange gains
    -       1,067  
IPI extemporaneous credits offset
    -       1,399  
Labor claims
    97       56  
Total
  $ 3,701     $ 2,522  

During 2009, PST used PIS and COFINS credits amounting to $3,604 (including penalty and interest) to offset PIS and COFINS payable. These credits are related to commissions expense on sales for the period from July 2004 to December 2009. The related tax credits were offset against current PIS and Cofins payable and will be maintained as a provision for contingencies until the Company is judicially granted the right to recognize it.

During 2009, the Company and its legal counsel assessed the progress of legal cases related to the increase in the calculation base for the PIS and the COFINS on exchange gains as provided in Law No. 9718/98 and revoked by Law No. 11941/09. Based on the results of this assessment, revocation of the legal provision which created the increased calculation base and the existence of favorable case law related to this matter, the Company reversed its provision of $ 1,067. The adjustment was recorded as a reduction in financial expenses.

The Company has taken Federal VAT (IPI) credit related to purchases of raw materials and other materials that are tax exempt, non-taxed or taxed at zero rate. The related tax credits were offset against current IPI payable. The provision recorded for these credits in 2008, in the amount of $1,399 was reversed in 2009, based on legal opinion, where the Company’s legal advisors concluded that a favorable outcome is more likely than an unfavorable one on this subject.

In addition to the said amounts, the Company has other civil, labor and tributary contingencies for which the outcome is deemed to be of a possible loss by its legal advisors, and, therefore, were not recorded. Such contingencies amount to approximately $4,795 at December 31, 2009 ($944  at December 31, 2008).

19


PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
8.
Related party transactions

Related party transactions and balances with Stoneridge, Inc. for years ended December 31 are as follows:

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Transactions
                 
Commissions/royalties
  $ 193     $ 238     $ 231  
                         
Balances
                       
Accounts receivable
  $ 40     $ 156     $ 189  
Accounts payable
  $ 39     $ 6     $ 9  
 
9.
Shareholders’ equity

The following table sets forth the ownership and the percentages of the Company’s common shares at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

   
% of shares
 
Stoneridge, Inc.
    25.56 %
Alphabet do Brasil Ltda.
    24.44 %
Sérgio de Cerqueira Leite
    16.67 %
Potamotryngi Participações Ltda.
    16.67 %
Marcos Ferretti
    8.33 %
Brienzer Participações Ltda.
    8.33 %
      100.00 %

On September 10, 2007, the quotaholders made capital increase of $3,175 through capitalization of tax incentive reserve, corresponding to issuance of 6,219,570 new quotas.

On October 19, 2007 the Company was converted into a non-public stock corporation (sociedade anônima) and was renamed PST Eletrônica S.A.. As a result, all existing quotas were converted into shares and 27,663,150 additional shares were issued by the Company with no change to the total amount of the capital.

On April 30, 2008 the shareholders made a capital increase of $4,815 through capitalization of the tax incentive reserve, without issuance of new shares.

On March 25, 2009 the shareholders made a capital increase of $3,908 through capitalization of the tax incentive reserve, without issuance of new shares.

20


PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
9.
Shareholders’ equity (Continued)

At December 31, 2009 and 2008 the Company had 45,000,000 shares of common stock, issued and outstanding, which is the maximum amount allowed by the Company’s bylaws. In the end of 2009 The total amount of capital recorded was $16,610 ($12,702 in 2008).

Appropriated retained earnings

a)
Legal reserve

Under Brazilian Corporation Law and according to its bylaws, the Company is required to maintain a “legal reserve” to which it must allocate 5% of its net income, less accumulated losses as determined on the basis of the statutory financial statements for each fiscal year until the amount of the reserve equals 20% of capital. Accumulated losses, if any, may be charged against the legal reserve. The legal reserve can only be used to increase the capital of the Company. The legal reserve is subject to approval by the shareholders voting at the annual shareholders meeting and may be transferred to capital however it is not available for the payment of dividends in subsequent years. The shareholders allocated $813 as “legal reserve” at December 31, 2009 ($1,010 in 2008 and $890 in 2007).

b)
Incentive reserve

As commented in Note 1, the amount corresponding to the computed income tax incentive may not be distributed to the shareholders and should be kept as a tax incentive reserve, invested in the Company itself or used for capital increase. At December 31, 2009, the allocation of retained earning to tax incentives was $2,727 ($3,456 in 2008 and $4,509 in 2007).

Unappropriated retained earnings

The Company management will propose at the next shareholders’ meeting that unappropriated earnings be retained in order to support the ongoing operations of the Company and to fund planned growth and expansion of the business.

Dividends

Payment of dividends is limited to the amount of retained earnings in the Company's local currency financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles adopted in Brazil.
 
21


PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
9.
Shareholders’ equity (Continued)

Dividends (Continued)

On October 15, 2007, April 30, 2008, October 17, 2008 and April 30, 2009, the shareholders approved the distribution of retained earnings in the amount of $11,468, $4,562, $2,123 and $7,873, respectively.

According to the Company’s bylaws, shareholders are entitled to minimum compulsory dividends of 25% of the year’s net income, adjusted in accordance with article 202 of Law 6,404/76 (Brazilian Corporate Law). At December 31, 2009, the Company allocated $3,181 ($3,902 in 2008) to those compulsory dividends to be paid in 2010.

Dividends are payable in Brazilian reais and may be remitted to shareholders abroad, provided the foreign capital is registered with the Brazilian Central Bank.

10.
Risk management and financial instruments

The Company has operational policies and strategies aiming at liquidity, profitability and safety, as well as procedures to monitor financial instrument balances. Additionally, the Company operates with established financial institutions.

The main risk factors affecting the Company and its subsidiary business, other than concentration of credit risk as commented in Note 2c, are as follows:

a)
Exchange rate risk

In 2009 and 2008 asset amounts surpassed the liabilities in foreign currency. Variation of exchange rate has not materially affected the Company’s business. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company and its subsidiary have the following net exposure to the exchange rate variation:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets – substantially related to Argentinean pesos
           
Trade receivables
  $ 3,130     $ 3,170  
Trade receivables from related party
    40       156  
Liabilities- substantially related to the American dollars and Euro
               
Debt
    (291 )     (598 )
Trade accounts payable
    (3,499 )     (3,020 )
Royalties payable
    (39 )     (6 )
    $ (659 )   $ (298 )
 
22


PST ELETRÔNICA S.A.

Notes to consolidated financial statements (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
 
10.
Risk management and financial instruments (Continued)

a)
Exchange rate risk (Continued)

The Company did not enter into derivative financial instruments for hedging or other purposes in 2009 and 2008.

b)
Fair value of financial instruments

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and payables and loans and financing are considered to be representative of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

11.
Share-based payment

On November 23, 2007, the Company authorized a share option scheme (the “Stock Option Plan”) that provides for the issuance of options to purchase up to 3% of the total common shares of the Company. Under the Stock Option Plan, the Board of directors may, at their discretion, grant any officers (including directors) options to subscribe for common shares. These awards vest over a five year period starting the 13th month after the grant date of the options, with 25% of the options to vest on each of the first (from the 13th to the 24th month as from the grant date), second (25th to 36th), third (37th to 48th) and fourth (49th to 72nd month) anniversaries of the award date as stipulated in the Stock Option Plan. The options expire (a) upon their full exercise, (b) after 6 years from the grant date, (c) after cancellation of the individual contracts, (d) upon dissolution and bankruptcy of the Company or (e) upon the employee or management termination.

Until December 31, 2009, no individual contracts have been entered by the Company with any officers or employees and, as a result, no options have been granted by the Company under the plan. Therefore, no compensation cost was recognized in 2009 and 2008 with respect to the Stock Option Plan.

 
23

 

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