Industry Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Industry Segments

Industry Segments

Using the criteria of ASC 280 Segment Reporting, the Company has four operating segments: Material Handling, Lawn and Garden, Distribution and Engineered Products. Each of these operating segments is also a reportable segment under the ASC 280 criteria. None of the reportable segments include operating segments that have been aggregated. Some of these segments contain individual business components that have been aggregated on the basis of common management, customers, products, production processes and other economic characteristics. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers at cost plus a specified mark-up.

The Material Handling Segment includes a broad selection of plastic reusable containers, pallets, small parts bins, bulk shipping containers, and storage and organization products. This segment has primary operations conducted in the United States, but also operates in Canada and Brazil. Markets served encompass various niches of industrial manufacturing, food processing, retail/wholesale products distribution, agriculture, automotive, healthcare, appliance, bakery, electronics, textiles, consumer, and others. Products are sold both direct to end-users and through distributors.

The Lawn and Garden Segment serves the North American horticultural market with plastic products such as seedling trays, nursery pots, hanging baskets, and custom printed containers, as well as decorative resin planters. Markets/customers include professional growers, greenhouses, nurseries, retail garden centers, mass merchandisers, and consumers.

The Distribution Segment is engaged in the distribution of equipment, tools, and supplies used for tire servicing and automotive undervehicle repair. The product line includes categories such as tire valves and accessories, tire changing and balancing equipment, lifts and alignment equipment, service equipment and tools, and tire repair/retread supplies. The Distribution Segment operates domestically through sales offices, and four regional distribution centers in the United States and in foreign countries through export sales. In addition, the Distribution Segment operates directly in certain foreign markets, principally Canada and Central America, through foreign branch operations. Markets served include retail and truck tire dealers, commercial auto and truck fleets, auto dealers, general service and repair centers, tire retreaders, and government agencies.

The Engineered Products Segment engineers and manufactures plastic and rubber original equipment and replacement parts, rubber tire repair and retread products, and a diverse array of custom plastic and rubber products. Representative products include: plastic HVAC ducts, water/waste storage tanks, and interior/exterior vehicle trim components; rubber air intake hoses, vibration isolators, emissions tubing assemblies, and trailer bushings; and custom products such as plastic tool boxes and calendered rubber sheet stock. This segment serves a diverse group of niche markets including automotive, recreational vehicle, recreational marine, construction and agriculture equipment, healthcare, and transportation.

Total sales from foreign business units and export to countries outside the U.S. were approximately $127.6 million, $107.0 million, and $109.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Sales made to customers in Canada accounted for approximately 9% of total net sales in 2012, 9% in 2011 and 10% in 2010. There are no other individual foreign countries for which sales are material. Long-lived assets in foreign countries, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill, were approximately $43.6 million at December 31, 2012 and $18.8 million at December 31, 2011.

	2012			2011			2010
Net Sales
Material Handling	$	285,994		$	261,812		$	257,806
Lawn and Garden	205,814			217,140			223,809
Distribution	176,645			183,726			174,917
Engineered Products	141,658			116,243			104,763
Intra-segment elimination	(18,923		)	(23,267		)	(23,677		)
	$	791,188		$	755,654		$	737,618
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
Material Handling	$	47,483		$	34,123		$	22,577
Lawn and Garden	2,905			4,226			(74,650		)
Distribution	14,838			15,736			15,154
Engineered Products	14,481			10,810			8,865
Corporate	(27,851		)	(26,486		)	(15,762		)
Interest expense-net	(4,515		)	(4,722		)	(7,205		)
	$	47,341		$	33,687		$	(51,021	)
Identifiable Assets
Material Handling	$	238,500		$	164,738		$	169,599
Lawn and Garden	128,267			138,894			136,539
Distribution	44,913			48,100			47,234
Engineered Products	40,377			40,840			41,044
Corporate	32,799			36,185			37,979
	$	484,856		$	428,757		$	432,395
Capital Additions, Net
Material Handling	$	17,029		$	12,165		$	8,912
Lawn and Garden	5,240			6,411			8,017
Distribution	796			1,101			332
Engineered Products	3,342			1,831			1,861
Corporate	570			422			1,411
	$	26,977		$	21,930		$	20,533
Depreciation and Amortization
Material Handling	$	17,308		$	16,009		$	15,890
Lawn and Garden	11,370			13,911			13,171
Distribution	379			342			271
Engineered Products	3,185			3,230			3,543
Corporate	765			722			675
	$	33,007		$	34,214		$	33,550