Industry Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Industry Segments [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.

Myers Industries’ 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 Company’s 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.

In the Engineered Products Segment, the Company 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 $107.0 million, $109.7 million, and $100.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Sales made to customers in Canada accounted for approximately 9% of total net sales in 2011, 10% in 2010 and 10% in 2009. 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 $18.8 million at December 31, 2011 and $27.0 million at December 31, 2010.

	2011			2010			2009
Net Sales
Material Handling	$	261,812		$	257,806		$	254,045
Lawn and Garden		217,140			223,809			220,312
Distribution		183,726			174,917			162,991
Engineered Products		116,243			104,763			86,030
Intra-segment elimination		(23,267	)		(23,677	)		(21,544	)
	$	755,654		$	737,618		$	701,834
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
Material Handling	$	34,123		$	22,577		$	13,625
Lawn and Garden		4,226			(74,650	)		16,686
Distribution		15,736			15,154			13,660
Engineered Products		10,810			8,865			787
Corporate		(26,486	)		(15,762	)		(27,621	)
Interest expense-net		(4,722	)		(7,205	)		(8,304	)
	$	33,687		$	(51,021	)	$	8,833
Identifiable Assets
Material Handling	$	164,738		$	169,599		$	183,435
Lawn and Garden		138,894			136,539			227,274
Distribution		48,100			47,234			43,870
Engineered Products		40,840			41,044			42,770
Corporate		36,185			37,979			12,617
	$	428,757		$	432,395		$	509,966
Capital Additions, Net
Material Handling	$	12,165		$	8,912		$	5,617
Lawn and Garden		6,411			8,017			9,577
Distribution		1,101			332			90
Engineered Products		1,831			1,861			711
Corporate		422			1,411			—
	$	21,930		$	20,533		$	15,995
Depreciation
Material Handling	$	14,308		$	14,200		$	14,668
Lawn and Garden		13,306			12,587			12,916
Distribution		342			271			309
Engineered Products		2,855			3,200			4,831
Corporate		434			370			408
	$	31,245		$	30,628		$	33,132