-----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, BILCVVyPZsx1Ht5B+ddCnD1lYg6oOYQXLaWymcCYoJulugVnHJJ0cpkVIJj5t9IW iQ9EfLRmf2Mbj5mwR+rXug== 0001104659-08-030660.txt : 20080507 0001104659-08-030660.hdr.sgml : 20080507 20080507140127 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-08-030660 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080507 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080507 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACCO BRANDS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000712034 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BLANKBOOKS, LOOSELEAF BINDERS & BOOKBINDING & RELATED WORK [2780] IRS NUMBER: 362704017 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1227 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-08454 FILM NUMBER: 08809304 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-484-4800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 TOWER PARKWAY CITY: LINCOLNSHIRE STATE: IL ZIP: 60069 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ACCO WORLD CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19830106 10-Q 1 a08-13549_110q.htm 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-Q

 

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

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2008

 

Commission File Number 001-08454

 

ACCO Brands Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

36-2704017

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification Number)

 

300 Tower Parkway

Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069

(Address of Registrant’s Principal Executive Office, Including Zip Code)

 

(847) 541-9500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x         Accelerated filer o          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 Exchange Act). Yes o No x

 

As of May 1, 2008, the registrant had outstanding 54,162,391 shares of Common Stock.

 

 



 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results of operations of the registrant could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors. For a discussion of important factors that could affect our results, please refer to PART I, ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the discussions set forth in PART I, ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements,”  below.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “ACCO Brands,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” and other similar terms refer to ACCO Brands Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Website Access To Securities and Exchange Commission Reports

 

The Company’s Internet website can be found at www.accobrands.com. The Company makes available free of charge on or through its website its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as practicable after the Company files them with, or furnishes them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

It is suggested that the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein in PART I, ITEM 1. Financial Information, be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

2




 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

38.6

 

$

42.3

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

356.2

 

415.3

 

Inventories, net

 

317.4

 

299.4

 

Deferred income taxes

 

35.0

 

35.1

 

Other current assets

 

40.5

 

29.8

 

Total current assets

 

787.7

 

821.9

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

243.2

 

238.3

 

Deferred income taxes

 

95.6

 

91.9

 

Goodwill

 

422.3

 

415.2

 

Identifiable intangibles, net

 

229.4

 

229.8

 

Other assets

 

109.5

 

101.4

 

Total assets

 

$

1,887.7

 

$

1,898.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to banks

 

$

81.1

 

$

6.4

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

1.1

 

0.4

 

Accounts payable

 

161.3

 

202.6

 

Accrued compensation

 

29.7

 

32.8

 

Accrued customer program liabilities

 

92.4

 

118.2

 

Other current liabilities

 

126.7

 

137.8

 

Total current liabilities

 

492.3

 

498.2

 

Long-term debt

 

748.8

 

768.5

 

Deferred income taxes

 

93.8

 

103.4

 

Postretirement and other liabilities

 

107.8

 

90.1

 

Total liabilities

 

1,442.7

 

1,460.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies — Note 14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

0.6

 

0.6

 

Treasury stock

 

(1.2

)

(1.1

)

Paid-in capital

 

1,390.2

 

1,388.9

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(1.8

)

(9.2

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(942.8

)

(940.9

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

445.0

 

438.3

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,887.7

 

$

1,898.5

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions of dollars, except per share data)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net sales

 

$

427.0

 

$

445.9

 

Cost of products sold

 

300.9

 

316.7

 

Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses

 

107.5

 

112.9

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

2.5

 

2.6

 

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

 

5.2

 

0.7

 

Operating income

 

10.9

 

13.0

 

Interest expense, net

 

16.1

 

14.9

 

Equity in (earnings) of joint ventures

 

(1.7

)

(1.1

)

Other (income) expense, net

 

(0.9

)

0.2

 

Loss before income taxes and minority interest

 

(2.6

)

(1.0

)

Income tax benefit

 

(0.8

)

(1.3

)

Minority interest

 

 

0.1

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1.8

)

$

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.03

)

$

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.03

)

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

54.1

 

53.9

 

Diluted

 

54.1

 

54.9

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1.8

)

$

0.2

 

Restructuring, impairment and other non-cash charges

 

1.0

 

0.3

 

Loss on sale of assets

 

0.2

 

 

Depreciation

 

9.3

 

8.2

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

1.8

 

1.1

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

2.5

 

2.6

 

Stock-based compensation

 

0.9

 

3.7

 

Gain on bond redemption

 

(1.4

)

 

Changes in balance sheet items:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

64.6

 

46.7

 

Inventories

 

(16.1

)

(9.3

)

Other assets

 

(11.1

)

(9.2

)

Accounts payable

 

(43.3

)

(6.8

)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(43.4

)

(52.5

)

Income taxes

 

(3.2

)

(2.7

)

Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net of dividends received

 

(1.1

)

(0.9

)

Net cash used by operating activities

 

(41.1

)

(18.6

)

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(16.3

)

(9.0

)

Proceeds from the disposition of assets

 

0.6

 

0.1

 

Net cash used by investing activities

 

(15.7

)

(8.9

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 

63.5

 

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(84.0

)

 

Borrowings of short-term debt, net

 

74.4

 

6.7

 

Cost of debt issuance

 

(1.2

)

 

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

 

0.2

 

1.9

 

Other financing activities

 

 

(0.1

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

52.9

 

8.5

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

 

0.2

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(3.7

)

(19.0

)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

42.3

 

50.0

 

End of period

 

$

38.6

 

$

31.0

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6



 

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1.  Basis of Presentation

 

The management of ACCO Brands Corporation is responsible for the accuracy and internal consistency of the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and footnotes contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2008, the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are unaudited. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required annually by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of only normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. Interim results may not be indicative of results for a full year.  Certain items in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

2.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 expands the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. This Statement requires entities to provide enhanced disclosures addressing the following: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  We are currently evaluating the disclosure implications of this Statement.

 

3.  Recently Adopted Accounting Principles

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157).  The Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 for all financial assets and liabilities and any other assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis.  For nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for those recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis, SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS 157 for financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value and the adoption did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  SFAS 157 is discussed further in Note 11 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on its consolidated financial statements, except for those recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS 159).  This Statement permits entities to choose to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value at specified election dates.  It also establishes presentation and disclosure

 

7



 

requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.  SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We have adopted SFAS 159 and have elected not to measure any additional financial instruments and other items at fair value.  The Company has not determined whether or not it will elect this option for financial instruments it may acquire in the future.

 

On January 1, 2008, we adopted the measurement date (the date at which plan assets and the benefit obligation are measured) provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” (SFAS 158). Under SFAS 158, the measurement date is required to be the Company’s fiscal year-end. Our international plans previously used a September 30 measurement date.  The adoption of the measurement date provisions of SFAS 158 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

4.  Restructuring and Restructuring-Related Charges

 

In August, 2005, the Company merged with General Binding Corporation (“GBC”).  Subsequent to the merger, significant restructuring actions have been initiated, which have resulted in the closure or consolidation of facilities that are engaged in manufacturing and distributing the Company’s products, primarily in North America and Europe. The Company recorded pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges of $5.2 million and $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, related to these actions. Additional charges are expected to be incurred throughout 2008 and 2009 as the Company continues to identify and implement the specific phases of its strategic and business integration plans.

 

A summary of the activity in the restructuring accounts and a reconciliation of the liability for, and as of, the three months ended March 31, 2008 are as follows:

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Balance at
December 31,
2007

 

Total Provision

 

Cash
Expenditures

 

Non-cash
Write-offs/
Currency Change

 

Balance at
March 31,
2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee termination costs

 

$

20.2

 

$

4.1

 

$

(9.2

)

$

0.5

 

$

15.6

 

Termination of lease agreements

 

2.8

 

0.8

 

(0.4

)

 

3.2

 

Subtotal

 

23.0

 

4.9

 

(9.6

)

0.5

 

18.8

 

Asset impairments and net loss on disposal of assets resulting from restructuring activities (1)

 

 

0.3

 

 

(0.3

)

 

Total rationalization of operations

 

$

23.0

 

$

5.2

 

$

(9.6

)

$

0.2

 

$

18.8

 

 


(1)  Included in the total restructuring provision recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2008, is a pre-tax charge of $0.3 million related to the exit of a facility meeting the criteria for recognition as an impaired disposal group as defined by SFAS 144, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.

 

Of the 1,442 positions planned for elimination under restructuring initiatives provided for through March 31, 2008, 1,166 had been eliminated as of the balance sheet date.

 

Management expects the $15.6 million employee termination costs balance to be substantially paid within the next twelve months.  Lease costs included in the $3.2 million balance are expected to continue until the last lease terminates in 2013.

 

In association with the Company’s restructuring activities, certain restructuring-related costs were expensed to cost of products sold and advertising, selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement. These charges were principally related to the implementation of the new company footprint, including internal and external project management costs, outside consulting and strategic product category exits. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 these charges totaled $5.6 million and $6.8 million, respectively. The Company expects to record additional amounts as it continues its restructuring initiatives.

 

5.  Acquisition

 

The determination of goodwill required in the purchase price allocation related to the acquisition included accruals for certain estimated costs, including those related to the closure of GBC facilities, the termination of GBC lease agreements and to GBC employee-related severance arrangements. The amount provided for these costs as of the date of acquisition was $31.1 million.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the activity by cost category from December 31, 2007 through March 31, 2008.

 

8



 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Balance at
December 31,
2007

 

Adjustments to
Reserve

 

Cash
Expenditures

 

Non-cash
Write-offs/
Currency Change

 

Balance at
March 31,
2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee termination costs

 

$

1.2

 

$

 

$

(0.3

)

$

 

$

0.9

 

Termination of lease agreements

 

5.2

 

(0.1

)

(0.7

)

0.1

 

4.5

 

Other

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

Total

 

$

7.5

 

$

(0.1

)

$

(1.0

)

$

0.1

 

$

6.5

 

 

6.  Stock -Based Compensation

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation (including stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units (“PSUs”)) for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Stock option compensation expense

 

$

1.4

 

$

2.2

 

RSU compensation expense

 

1.0

 

0.8

 

PSU compensation expense (income)

 

(1.5

)

0.7

 

Total

 

$

0.9

 

$

3.7

 

 

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock compensation grant, which consisted of 442,895 stock options, 328,767 RSUs and 445,967 PSUs.

 

The Company grants PSUs in connection with long-term incentive awards.  An award of PSU grants is dependent on reaching predetermined performance measures as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors.  The Company generally recognizes compensation expense for its PSU awards ratably over the performance period based on management’s judgment of the likelihood that performance measures will be attained.  Based on current expectations, during the first quarter of 2008 management determined that performance measures related to 390,000 outstanding PSUs were not probable of being achieved.  As a result the Company reversed approximately $3.7 million of previously recognized compensation expense.  In addition the Committee modified the previously issued PSU grants reflecting changes to the performance measures for the 2006 – 2008 and 2007 – 2009 performance periods.  Since the performance targets of the outstanding PSUs associated with these grants were considered improbable under the original terms of the grants, but considered probable under the modified terms, in accordance with SFAS 123(R), compensation cost will be based on the number of awards expected to vest multiplied by the fair value of the modified award on the date of modification.  These costs shall be recognized ratably over the remaining performance period (based on the expected vesting date for each grantee).  PSU compensation income recorded during the first quarter of 2008 was $(1.5) million comprising $1.4 million of expense for the current year PSU grant (2008 – 2010 performance period) and $(2.9) million, net for the modified PSU grants.

 

Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options, RSUs and PSUs was approximately $5.6 million, $9.5 million and $8.1 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2008.

 

7.  Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. The components of inventories are as follows:

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

March 31,
 2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

Raw materials

 

$

33.9

 

$

32.9

 

Work in process

 

12.9

 

10.3

 

Finished goods

 

270.6

 

256.2

 

Total inventories

 

$

317.4

 

$

299.4

 

 

9



 

8.  Goodwill and Intangibles

 

The table below presents goodwill by segment:

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Balance at
December 31, 2007

 

Translation
and Other

 

Balance at
March 31, 2008

 

Reportable Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office Products Group

 

$

211.2

 

$

2.4

 

$

213.6

 

Document Finishing Group

 

137.0

 

3.2

 

140.2

 

Computer Products Group

 

6.8

 

 

6.8

 

Commercial Laminating Solutions Group

 

60.2

 

1.5

 

61.7

 

Total

 

$

415.2

 

$

7.1

 

$

422.3

 

 

Identifiable Intangible Assets

 

The gross carrying value and accumulated amortization by class of identifiable intangible assets as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Gross
Carrying
Amounts

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Book
Value

 

Gross
Carrying
Amounts

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Book
Value

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade names

 

$

198.6

 

$

(44.5

)(1)

$

154.1

 

$

196.9

 

$

(44.5

)(1)

$

152.4

 

Amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade names

 

71.1

 

(28.0

)

43.1

 

70.9

 

(27.2

)

43.7

 

Customer and contractual relationships

 

42.2

 

(18.2

)

24.0

 

41.5

 

(16.5

)

25.0

 

Patents/proprietary technology

 

12.1

 

(3.9

)

8.2

 

12.2

 

(3.5

)

8.7

 

Subtotal

 

125.4

 

(50.1

)

75.3

 

124.6

 

(47.2

)

77.4

 

Total identifiable intangibles

 

$

324.0

 

$

(94.6

)

$

229.4

 

$

321.5

 

$

(91.7

)

$

229.8

 

 


(1)  Accumulated amortization prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

 

The Company’s intangible amortization expense was $2.5 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Estimated 2008 amortization expense is $9.0 million, and is expected to decline by approximately $1.0 million for each of the five years following.

 

As more fully described in the Company’s 2007 annual report on Form 10-K, the Company must complete an annual assessment of the carrying value of its goodwill. The Company performed this assessment during the second quarter of 2007 and concluded that no impairment existed.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2007, based on events and underlying trends in its Commercial Laminating Solutions business, the Company determined that this business was unlikely to generate the necessary cash flows to support the recorded value of goodwill on the balance sheet.  As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $35.1 million pretax and after-tax to reduce the carrying value of its goodwill in this reporting unit to its implied fair value.

 

9.  Pension and Other Retiree Benefits

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and postretirement plans for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

International

 

Postretirement

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Service cost

 

$

1.2

 

$

2.2

 

$

1.0

 

$

1.5

 

$

0.1

 

$

0.1

 

Interest cost

 

2.2

 

2.1

 

4.3

 

3.7

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(2.9

)

(2.8

)

(5.3

)

(4.9

)

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

 

 

Amortization of net loss (gain)

 

 

0.3

 

0.2

 

0.7

 

(0.2

)

(0.2

)

Total net periodic benefit cost

 

$

0.5

 

$

1.8

 

$

0.3

 

$

1.1

 

$

0.1

 

$

0.1

 

 

10



 

The Company expects to contribute approximately $6.8 million to its pension plans in 2008. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company has contributed approximately $1.3 million to those plans.

 

10.  Long-term Debt and Short-term Borrowings

 

Notes payable and long-term debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007:

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

U.S. Dollar Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Facility (weighted-average floating interest rate of 4.92% at March 31, 2008 and 6.79% at December 31, 2007)

 

$

246.0

 

$

301.0

 

British Pound Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Facility (weighted-average floating interest rate of 7.48% at March 31, 2008 and 8.12% at December 31, 2007)

 

53.3

 

63.1

 

Euro Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Facility (weighted-average floating interest rate of 6.29% at March 31, 2008 and 6.51% at December 31, 2007)

 

46.0

 

53.3

 

U.S. Dollar Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (weighted-average floating interest rate of 4.50% at March 31, 2008)

 

75.0

 

 

Securitization borrowings (floating interest rate of 3.66% at March 31, 2008)

 

63.5

 

 

U.S. Dollar Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2015 (fixed interest rate of 7.625%)

 

339.9

 

350.0

 

Other borrowings

 

7.3

 

7.9

 

Total debt

 

831.0

 

775.3

 

Less: current portion

 

(82.2

)

(6.8

)

Total long-term debt

 

$

748.8

 

$

768.5

 

 

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company amended its senior secured credit facilities, providing the Company with greater financial flexibility, primarily through changes to certain definitions and provisions of the agreements.

 

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company acquired $10.1 million of outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes resulting in a gain of $1.4 million on the early extinguishment of debt that was included in Other (income) expense, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

As more fully described in the Company’s 2007 annual report on Form 10-K, the Company must meet certain restrictive debt covenants under the senior secured credit facilities. The indenture governing the senior subordinated notes also contains certain covenants. As of and for the periods ended March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants.

 

In January of 2008, the Company entered into a three-year accounts receivable securitization program with a financial institution.  The program allows the Company to sell, on a revolving basis, an undivided interest in up to $75 million of eligible U.S. receivables.  The eligible receivables are sold without recourse to a third-party conduit through a wholly-owned bankruptcy remote special purpose entity, ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC, that is consolidated for financial reporting purposes.  Because ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC has the right to repurchase the sold receivables, sales of receivables under the program are accounted for as a secured borrowing.  The receivables outstanding and the corresponding debt are included as “Accounts receivable, net” and “Long-term debt,” respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We record the financing costs associated with the program in “Interest expense, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Financing costs for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $0.7 million.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company’s borrowings under the program were $63.5 million.  Cash proceeds of $75 million received at the inception of the program were used to pay down the existing term loan facilities.  The accounts receivable securitization program contains certain financial covenants including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. As of March 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

11.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

   The Company adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008 for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis.  SFAS 157 applies to all financial assets and financial liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. There was no impact upon adoption of SFAS 157 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

SFAS 157 requires disclosure that establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).  SFAS 157 classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

 

11



 

Level 1

 

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

 

 

 

Level 2

 

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or

 

 

 

 

 

Unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or

 

 

 

 

 

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability

 

 

 

Level 3

 

Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

 

The Company utilizes the best available information in measuring fair value.  Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The Company has determined that its financial assets and liabilities are Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.  The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2008:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

Cross-currency swap

 

$

55.1

 

Forward currency contracts

 

4.9

 

 

The Company’s cross-currency swap is included in Postretirement and Other Liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and matures in August 2010.  The Company’s forward currency contracts are included in Other Current Assets and mature within 12 months.  The forward foreign currency exchange contracts and cross-currency swap are primarily valued based on the foreign currency spot and forward rates quoted by the banks or foreign currency dealers.  As such, these derivative instruments are classified within Level 2.

 

12.  Information on Business Segments

 

The Company’s four business segments are described below.

 

Office Products Group

 

The Office Products Group includes three broad consumer-focused product groupings throughout our global operations. These product groupings are: Workspace Tools (stapling and punch products and supplies), Visual Communication (dry erase boards, easels, laser pointers, overhead projectors and supplies) and Storage and Organization (storage bindery, filing systems, and business essentials). Our businesses, principally in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, distribute and sell such products on a regional basis.

 

Our office products are manufactured internally or sourced from outside suppliers. The customer base to which our office products are sold is made up of large global and regional resellers of our product. It is through these large resellers that the Company’s office products reach the end consumer.

 

Document Finishing Group

 

The Document Finishing Group provides document solutions throughout a document’s lifecycle.  Primary solutions include Finishing (binding, lamination and punching equipment, binding and lamination supplies, report covers, and custom and stock binders and folders), Archival (report covers), Destruction (shredders) and Services (machine maintenance and repair services).  Also included in this business is our Personal Planning Solutions business (personal organization tools, including time management products), primarily under the Day-Timer® brand name.

 

Document Finishing products are manufactured both internally and by third-party manufacturing partners.  Products are sold directly to high volume end-users, commercial reprographic centers and indirectly to lower volume consumers worldwide.

 

Our Day-Timers business which sell products regionally to consumers, utilizing their own manufacturing, customer service and

 

12



 

distribution structures and third-party manufacturing partners. Approximately two-thirds of the Day-Timers business is through the direct channel, which markets product through periodic sales catalogs and ships product directly to our end-user customers. The remainder of the business sells to large resellers and commercial dealers.

 

Computer Products Group

 

The Computer Products Group designs, distributes, markets and sells accessories for laptop and desktop computers and Apple® iPod® products. These accessories primarily include security locks, power adapters, input devices such as mice and keyboards, computer carrying cases, hubs and docking stations and technology accessories for iPods®. The Computer Products Group sells mostly under the Kensington brand name, with the majority of its revenue coming from the U.S. and Western Europe.

 

All of our computer products are manufactured to our specifications by third-party suppliers, principally in Asia, and are stored and distributed from our regional facilities. Our computer products are sold primarily to consumer electronic retailers, information technology value-added resellers, original equipment manufacturers and office products retailers.

 

Commercial Laminating Solutions Group

 

The Commercial Laminating Solutions Group (“CLSG”) targets book publishers, “print-for-pay” and other finishing customers who use our professional grade finishing equipment and supplies. CLSG’s primary products include thermal and pressure-sensitive laminating films, mid-range and commercial high-speed laminators and large-format digital print laminators. CLSG’s products and services are sold worldwide through direct, dealer and other channels.

 

Financial information by reportable segment is set forth below.

 

Net sales by business segment are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Office Products Group

 

$

200.9

 

$

217.3

 

Document Finishing Group

 

134.3

 

137.7

 

Computer Products Group

 

48.0

 

49.4

 

Commercial Laminating Solutions Group

 

43.8

 

41.5

 

Net sales

 

$

427.0

 

$

445.9

 

 

Operating income by business segment is as follows (a):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Office Products Group

 

$

6.7

 

$

11.4

 

Document Finishing Group

 

2.8

 

3.7

 

Computer Products Group

 

6.5

 

5.6

 

Commercial Laminating Solutions Group

 

0.9

 

0.6

 

Subtotal

 

16.9

 

21.3

 

Corporate

 

(6.0

)

(8.3

)

Operating income

 

10.9

 

13.0

 

Interest expense

 

16.1

 

14.9

 

Equity in (earnings) of joint ventures

 

(1.7

)

(1.1

)

Other (income) expense, net

 

(0.9

)

0.2

 

Loss before income taxes and minority interest

 

$

(2.6

)

$

(1.0

)

 


(a)   Operating income as presented in the segment table above is defined as i) net sales; ii) less cost of products sold; iii) less advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses; iv) less amortization of intangibles; and v) less restructuring charges.

 

13



 

13.  Earnings per Share

 

Total outstanding shares as of March 31, 2008 and 2007 were 54.2 million and 53.9 million, respectively.  The calculation of basic earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the year, or period, over which they were outstanding. The Company’s diluted earnings per common share assumes that any common shares outstanding were increased by shares that would be issued upon exercise of those stock units for which the average market price for the period exceeds the exercise price; less, the shares that could have been purchased by the Company with the related proceeds, including compensation expense measured but not yet recognized, net of tax.  Due to the loss during the three months ended March 31, 2008, the denominator in the diluted earnings per share calculation does not include the effects of options as it would result in a less dilutive computation.  As a result, diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2008 are the same as basic earnings per share.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic

 

54.1

 

53.9

 

Employee stock options

 

 

0.8

 

Restricted stock units

 

 

0.2

 

Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions (1) — diluted

 

54.1

 

54.9

 

 


(1)  The Company has dilutive shares related to stock options and restricted stock units that were granted under the Company’s stock compensation plans.  As of March 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately 5.9 million shares and 1.9 million shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

14.  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Pending Litigation

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in various claims and legal proceedings associated with their business and operations. It is not possible to predict the outcome of the pending actions, but management believes that there are meritorious defenses to these actions and that these actions, if adjudicated or settled in a manner adverse to the Company, would not have a material adverse effect upon the results of operations, cash flows or financial condition of the Company.

 

Environmental

 

The Company is subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. While it is not possible to quantify with certainty the potential impact of actions regarding environmental matters, particularly remediation and other compliance efforts that the Company’s subsidiaries may undertake in the future, in the opinion of management, compliance with the present environmental protection laws, before taking into account any estimated recoveries from third parties, will not have a material adverse effect upon the results of operations, cash flows or financial condition of the Company.

 

15.  Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income is defined as net income and other changes in stockholders’ equity from transactions and other events from sources other than stockholders, including currency translation gains and losses. Total comprehensive income recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $5.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively.  Total comprehensive income recognized in the current year was principally due to foreign currency translation adjustments and the net loss realized.

 

16.  Income Taxes

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $0.8 million versus an income tax benefit of $1.3 million in the prior year. The tax benefit of 30.8% in the current year compares to a tax benefit of 130.0% last year.  The tax benefit for the prior year was due to the pre-tax loss, and was increased by the excess foreign tax credit associated with a dividend received.

 

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions.  All tax returns filed by ACCO Brands legacy entities for tax years ended on or before August 15, 2005 are subject to a tax indemnification agreement between the Company and Fortune Brands, Inc. (“Fortune Brands”). Pursuant to that agreement,

 

14



 

Fortune Brands will reimburse ACCO Brands for cumulative taxes, interest, penalties, and out of pocket expenses incurred in excess of $1 million related to the examination of such tax returns.

 

The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for the year 2005 and onward.  Foreign and U.S. state jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from 3 to 5 years. Years still open to examination by foreign tax authorities in major jurisdictions include Canada (2000 onward) and the United Kingdom (2005 onward). The Company is currently under examination in various foreign jurisdictions.

 

17.  Joint Venture Investments

 

Summarized below is financial information for the Company’s joint ventures, which are accounted for under the equity method.  Accordingly, the Company has recorded its proportionate share of earnings or losses on the line entitled “Equity in earnings of joint ventures” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net sales

 

$

31.4

 

$

28.0

 

Gross profit

 

16.8

 

13.9

 

Operating income

 

4.2

 

3.2

 

Net income

 

3.1

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

Current assets

 

$

67.9

 

$

62.7

 

Non-current assets

 

23.1

 

22.4

 

Current liabilities

 

27.4

 

25.4

 

Non-current liabilities

 

12.7

 

13.2

 

 

18.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

 

The Company’s 100% owned domestic subsidiaries have jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guaranteed certain outstanding notes issued by the Company. Rather than filing separate financial statements for each guarantor subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company has elected to present the following consolidating financial statements, which detail the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and financial position as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 of the Company and its guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries (in each case carrying investments under the equity method), and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the reported consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

15



 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31, 2008

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non- Guarantors

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4.2

 

$

2.3

 

$

32.1

 

$

 

$

38.6

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

125.6

 

230.6

 

 

356.2

 

Inventory, net

 

 

166.8

 

150.6

 

 

317.4

 

Receivables from affiliates

 

340.0

 

4.1

 

21.5

 

(365.6

)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

15.9

 

8.4

 

10.7

 

 

35.0

 

Other current assets

 

0.4

 

24.5

 

15.6

 

 

40.5

 

Total current assets

 

360.5

 

331.7

 

461.1

 

(365.6

)

787.7

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1.1

 

120.1

 

122.0

 

 

243.2

 

Deferred income taxes

 

65.6

 

3.5

 

26.5

 

 

95.6

 

Goodwill

 

 

236.5

 

185.8

 

 

422.3

 

Identifiable intangibles, net

 

70.1

 

92.4

 

66.9

 

 

229.4

 

Other assets

 

15.2

 

28.3

 

66.0

 

 

109.5

 

Investment in, long-term receivable from, affiliates

 

896.0

 

748.4

 

197.9

 

(1,842.3

)

 

Total assets

 

$

1,408.5

 

$

1,560.9

 

$

1,126.2

 

$

(2,207.9

)

$

1,887.7

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to banks

 

$

75.0

 

$

 

$

6.1

 

$

 

$

81.1

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

0.1

 

1.0

 

 

1.1

 

Accounts payable

 

 

81.7

 

79.6

 

 

161.3

 

Accrued customer program liabilities

 

 

39.7

 

52.7

 

 

92.4

 

Other current liabilities

 

5.5

 

60.4

 

90.5

 

 

156.4

 

Payables to affiliates

 

7.1

 

486.0

 

308.5

 

(801.6

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

87.6

 

667.9

 

538.4

 

(801.6

)

492.3

 

Long-term debt

 

585.9

 

64.0

 

98.9

 

 

748.8

 

Long-term notes payable to affiliates

 

178.2

 

92.8

 

16.0

 

(287.0

)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

45.9

 

8.6

 

39.3

 

 

93.8

 

Postretirement and other liabilities

 

65.9

 

12.4

 

29.5

 

 

107.8

 

Total liabilities

 

963.5

 

845.7

 

722.1

 

(1,088.6

)

1,442.7

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

0.6

 

600.1

 

36.5

 

(636.6

)

0.6

 

Treasury stock

 

(1.2

)

 

 

 

(1.2

)

Paid-in capital

 

1,390.2

 

565.5

 

241.7

 

(807.2

)

1,390.2

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(1.8

)

(17.6

)

55.8

 

(38.2

)

(1.8

)

Accumulated (deficit) retained earnings

 

(942.8

)

(432.8

)

70.1

 

362.7

 

(942.8

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

445.0

 

715.2

 

404.1

 

(1,119.3

)

445.0

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,408.5

 

$

1,560.9

 

$

1,126.2

 

$

(2,207.9

)

$

1,887.7

 

 

16



 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-Guarantors

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

8.4

 

$

(0.3

)

$

34.2

 

$

 

$

42.3

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

175.2

 

240.1

 

 

415.3

 

Inventory, net

 

 

150.2

 

149.2

 

 

299.4

 

Receivables from affiliates

 

333.9

 

11.6

 

16.4

 

(361.9

)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

15.9

 

8.4

 

10.8

 

 

35.1

 

Other current assets

 

0.8

 

15.1

 

13.9

 

 

29.8

 

Total current assets

 

359.0

 

360.2

 

464.6

 

(361.9

)

821.9

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1.0

 

118.8

 

118.5

 

 

238.3

 

Deferred income taxes

 

64.1

 

4.8

 

23.0

 

 

91.9

 

Goodwill

 

 

237.3

 

177.9

 

 

415.2

 

Identifiable intangibles, net

 

70.1

 

93.7

 

66.0

 

 

229.8

 

Other assets

 

15.8

 

23.4

 

62.2

 

 

101.4

 

Investment in, long-term receivable from, affiliates

 

880.5

 

800.2

 

198.0

 

(1,878.7

)

 

Total assets

 

$

1,390.5

 

$

1,638.4

 

$

1,110.2

 

$

(2,240.6

)

$

1,898.5

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to banks

 

$

 

$

 

$

6.4

 

$

 

$

6.4

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

 

0.4

 

Accounts payable

 

 

115.4

 

87.2

 

 

202.6

 

Accrued customer program liabilities

 

 

58.6

 

59.6

 

 

118.2

 

Other current liabilities

 

13.7

 

67.1

 

89.8

 

 

170.6

 

Payables to affiliates

 

7.5

 

507.4

 

296.6

 

(811.5

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

21.2

 

748.7

 

539.8

 

(811.5

)

498.2

 

Long-term debt

 

651.0

 

0.5

 

117.0

 

 

768.5

 

Long-term notes payable to affiliates

 

178.2

 

92.7

 

15.3

 

(286.2

)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

51.9

 

9.4

 

42.1

 

 

103.4

 

Postretirement and other liabilities

 

49.7

 

12.7

 

27.7

 

 

90.1

 

Total liabilities

 

952.0

 

864.0

 

741.9

 

(1,097.7

)

1,460.2

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

0.6

 

600.9

 

36.5

 

(637.4

)

0.6

 

Treasury stock

 

(1.1

)

 

 

 

(1.1

)

Paid-in capital

 

1,388.9

 

623.8

 

241.8

 

(865.6

)

1,388.9

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(9.2

)

(17.8

)

39.4

 

(21.6

)

(9.2

)

Accumulated (deficit) retained earnings

 

(940.7

)

(432.5

)

50.6

 

381.7

 

(940.9

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

438.5

 

774.4

 

368.3

 

(1,142.9

)

438.3

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,390.5

 

$

1,638.4

 

$

1,110.2

 

$

(2,240.6

)

$

1,898.5

 

 

17



 

Condensed Consolidating Income Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2008

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-Guarantors

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Unaffiliated sales

 

$

 

$

191.9

 

$

235.1

 

$

 

$

427.0

 

Affiliated sales

 

 

14.2

 

8.0

 

(22.2

)

 

Net sales

 

 

206.1

 

243.1

 

(22.2

)

427.0

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

153.9

 

169.2

 

(22.2

)

300.9

 

Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses

 

6.6

 

53.2

 

47.7

 

 

107.5

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

1.3

 

1.2

 

 

2.5

 

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

 

 

2.1

 

3.1

 

 

5.2

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(6.6

)

(4.4

)

21.9

 

 

10.9

 

Interest (income) expense from affiliates

 

(1.3

)

(0.8

)

2.1

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

11.6

 

2.2

 

2.3

 

 

16.1

 

Equity in (earnings) of joint ventures

 

 

 

(1.7

)

 

(1.7

)

Other (income) expense, net

 

(0.9

)

(2.5

)

2.5

 

 

(0.9

)

(Loss) income before taxes, minority interest and earnings (losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries

 

(16.0

)

(3.3

)

16.7

 

 

(2.6

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(2.3

)

(1.5

)

3.0

 

 

(0.8

)

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before earnings (losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries

 

(13.7

)

(1.8

)

13.7

 

 

(1.8

)

Earnings (losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries

 

11.9

 

3.2

 

 

(15.1

)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1.8

)

$

1.4

 

$

13.7

 

$

(15.1

)

$

(1.8

)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2007

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-Guarantors

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Unaffiliated sales

 

$

 

$

223.2

 

$

222.7

 

$

 

$

445.9

 

Affiliated sales

 

 

16.0

 

11.4

 

(27.4

)

 

Net sales

 

 

239.2

 

234.1

 

(27.4

)

445.9

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

176.9

 

167.2

 

(27.4

)

316.7

 

Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses

 

10.4

 

55.1

 

47.4

 

 

112.9

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

1.5

 

1.1

 

 

2.6

 

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

 

 

(0.1

)

0.8

 

 

0.7

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(10.4

)

5.8

 

17.6

 

 

13.0

 

Interest (income) expense from affiliates

 

(0.3

)

(0.4

)

0.7

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

10.1

 

2.7

 

2.1

 

 

14.9

 

Equity in (earnings) of joint ventures

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

(1.1

)

Other (income) expense, net

 

(0.8

)

(2.4

)

3.4

 

 

0.2

 

(Loss) income before taxes and earnings (losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries

 

(19.4

)

5.9

 

12.5

 

 

(1.0

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(4.9

)

0.4

 

3.2

 

 

(1.3

)

Minority interest

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

0.1

 

(Loss) income before earnings (losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries

 

(14.5

)

5.5

 

9.2

 

 

0.2

 

Earnings (losses) of wholly owned subsidiaries

 

14.7

 

4.0

 

 

(18.7

)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

0.2

 

$

9.5

 

$

9.2

 

$

(18.7

)

$

0.2

 

 

18



 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-Guarantors

 

Consolidated

 

Net cash (used) provided by operating activities

 

$

(19.6

)

$

(32.5

)

$

11.0

 

$

(41.1

)

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(0.2

)

(11.1

)

(5.0

)

(16.3

)

Proceeds from the disposition of assets

 

 

0.4

 

0.2

 

0.6

 

Net cash used by investing activities

 

(0.2

)

(10.7

)

(4.8

)

(15.7

)

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany financing

 

4.8

 

(21.7

)

16.9

 

 

Intercompany dividends received (paid)

 

 

4.5

 

(4.5

)

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(63.7

)

 

(20.3

)

(84.0

)

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 

 

63.5

 

 

63.5

 

Borrowings of short-term debt

 

75.0

 

 

(0.6

)

74.4

 

Cost of debt issuance

 

(0.7

)

(0.5

)

 

(1.2

)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

15.6

 

45.8

 

(8.5

)

52.9

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(4.2

)

2.6

 

(2.1

)

(3.7

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

 

8.4

 

(0.3

)

34.2

 

42.3

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

$

4.2

 

$

2.3

 

$

32.1

 

$

38.6

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non- Guarantors

 

Consolidated

 

Net cash (used) provided by operating activities

 

$

(21.8

)

$

11.9

 

$

(8.7

)

$

(18.6

)

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(6.2

)

(2.8

)

(9.0

)

Proceeds from the disposition of assets

 

 

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

Net cash used by investing activities

 

 

(6.2

)

(2.7

)

(8.9

)

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany financing

 

11.5

 

(12.3

)

0.8

 

 

Net dividends received (paid)

 

 

3.5

 

(3.5

)

 

Borrowings of short-term debt

 

6.6

 

 

0.1

 

6.7

 

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.9

 

Other financing activities

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

19.9

 

(8.8

)

(2.6

)

8.5

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1.9

)

(3.1

)

(14.0

)

(19.0

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

 

2.6

 

6.5

 

40.9

 

50.0

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

$

0.7

 

$

3.4

 

$

26.9

 

$

31.0

 

 

19



 

ITEM 2.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

ACCO Brands Corporation is a global leader in select categories of branded office products (excluding furniture, computers, printers and bulk paper) to the office products resale industry. We design, develop, manufacture and market a wide variety of traditional and computer-related office products, supplies, binding and laminating equipment and consumable supplies, personal computer accessory products, paper-based time management products and presentation aids. We have leading market positions and brand names, including Swingline®, GBC®, Kensington®, Quartet®, Rexel, Nobo, Day-Timer® and Wilson Jones®, among others.

 

We also manufacture and market specialized laminating films for book printers, packaging and digital print lamination, as well as high-speed laminating and binding equipment targeted at commercial consumers.

 

Our customers include commercial contract stationers (such as Office Depot, Staples, Corporate Express and OfficeMax), retail superstores, wholesalers, distributors, mail order catalogs, mass merchandisers, club stores and dealers. We also supply our products to commercial and industrial end-users and to the educational market.

 

We seek to enhance shareholder value by building our leading brands to generate sales, earn profits and create cash flow. We do this by targeting the premium end of select categories, which are characterized by high brand equity, high customer loyalty and a reasonably high price gap between branded and private label products. Our participation in private label, or value categories, is limited to areas where we believe we have an economic advantage or where it is necessary to merchandise a complete category.  Through a focus on research, marketing and innovation, we seek to develop new products that meet the needs of our consumers and commercial end-users. In addition, we provide value-added features or benefits that enhance product appeal to our customers. This focus, we believe, increases the premium product positioning of our brands.

 

We continue to focus on realizing synergies from our merger with GBC. The Company began its 36-month merger integration process in 2006, and since that time we have made significant progress in streamlining operations and reducing costs.  Synergy savings of $15 million were realized in 2007, and an additional $25 million are expected in 2008, which, if achieved, will result in $40 million in total annual savings.  We expect that new projects now under way will yield a further $20 million in annual savings by the end of 2009.

 

While achieving cost efficiencies is an important outcome, we believe the integration of ACCO Brands and GBC is an opportunity to accomplish a permanent transformation of our business and create a platform for future growth.  First, we are developing a foundation for improving our customer relevance and response capabilities, primarily by unifying and strengthening our sales forces, customer service organizations, and supply chain operations.  Second, we are creating a simpler, streamlined business model, improving the way the Company conducts business globally, but particularly in Europe, where our new pan-European operating model is in place to better serve our larger customers.  Third, we continue to refine our product portfolio, eliminating low-return products, as well as the cost and complexity associated with maintaining excess inventory.  This allows us to focus the majority of our effort on future-growth, high-return, global products and categories with growth potential.  And fourth, we are significantly increasing our investment in our core brands and placing greater emphasis on driving consumer preference, as such we ramped up our go-to-market spend by $30 million.

 

Our already-strong free cash flow generation will improve as capital expenditures and restructuring costs subside, allowing us the flexibility to further reduce debt and take other actions that build shareholder value.  We expect to have the capacity to reduce our debt in the range of $90 to $110 million in 2008.

 

We completed the sale of the MACO® labels product line during the fourth quarter of 2007 and discontinued other low-margin products in the Office Products and Document Finishing Groups in 2007.  In aggregate, these businesses and products represented approximately $110 million of annual net sales.  The impact of the divestiture and exits on these segments is expected to continue throughout 2008 with a negative effect on net sales, but a positive impact on margins.  In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2007 the Company engaged BMO Capital Markets to assist in the completion of a strategic review of our Commercial Laminating Solutions business.  The review is expected to be completed during the second half of 2008.

 

The following discussion includes the consolidated financial results of ACCO Brands Corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The discussion of operating results at the consolidated level is followed by a more detailed

 

20



 

discussion of operating results by segment.

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements of ACCO Brands Corporation and the accompanying notes contained therein.

 

Overview

 

ACCO Brands’ results are dependent upon a number of factors affecting sales, including pricing and competition. Historically, key drivers of demand in the office products industry have included trends in white collar employment levels, gross domestic product (GDP) and growth in the number of small businesses and home offices together with increasing usage of personal computers. Pricing and demand levels for office products have also reflected a substantial consolidation within the global resellers of office products. This has led to multiple years of industry pricing pressure and a more efficient level of asset utilization by customers, resulting in lower sales volumes for suppliers of office products. We sell products in highly competitive markets, and compete against large international and national companies, regional competitors and against our own customers’ direct and private-label sourcing initiatives.

 

As much of our business is conducted in foreign markets (approximately 49% of revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007), foreign currency plays a major role in our reported results.  During the first three months of 2008, the U.S. dollar weakened relative to certain currencies.  This benefited ACCO Brands as the same amount of foreign (e.g. local) currency units were translated into more U.S. dollars.  Our foreign operations’ purchases of outsourced products are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, and as a result their costs of goods sold decreased as the value of the U.S. dollar has weakened.  A significant portion of these purchases are hedged with forward currency contracts which delays much of the effect of the weakening U.S. dollar in the short term.

 

We have completed the integration of our Office Products Group, making significant progress toward relocating our people, aligning our customer relationships and upgrading information technology systems.  Since the acquisition of GBC we have announced and moved ahead with plans to close, consolidate, downsize, or relocate more than 39 manufacturing, distribution and administrative operations.  The Company also successfully integrated key information technology systems in the U.S., France, Holland, Canada and Mexico, creating a common technology platform for its office products businesses, and consolidated its European office products sales force and several distribution centers. As a result of these actions, the Company expects to ultimately account for all of the previously announced cumulative $40 million of targeted annual cost synergies by the end of 2008 and expects an additional $20 million in annualized synergies to be realized by the end of 2009, which, if achieved, is expected to result in a cumulative total of $60 million in targeted annualized synergies that would be realized by the end of 2009.

 

Cash payments related to the Company’s restructuring and integration activities amounted to $14.8 million (excluding capital expenditures) during the first quarter of 2008.  It is expected that additional disbursements of approximately $40 million, net of expected proceeds from real estate held-for-sale, will be completed by the end of 2009 as the Company continues to implement additional phases of its strategic and business integration plans. The Company has adequate resources to finance the anticipated requirements.

 

Three Months Ended March 2008 versus 2007

 

Results

 

The following table presents the Company’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Restructuring and restructuring-related expenses have been noted where appropriate, as management believes that a comparative review of these costs and their relative impact on operating income allows for a better understanding of the underlying business performance from period to period.  Restructuring-related expenses represent costs related to restructuring projects which cannot be reported as restructuring under U.S. GAAP (e.g., losses on inventory disposal related to product category exits, manufacturing inefficiencies following the start of manufacturing operations at a new facility following closure of the old facility, SG&A reorganization and implementation costs, dedicated consulting, etc.).

 

21



 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Amount of Change

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

$

 

%

 

Net sales

 

$

427.0

 

$

445.9

 

$

(18.9

)

(4

)%

Gross profit

 

126.1

 

129.2

 

(3.1

)

(2

)%

Gross profit margin

 

29.5

%

29.0

%

 

 

0.5

pts

Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses

 

107.5

 

112.9

 

(5.4

)

(5

)%

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

 

5.2

 

0.7

 

4.5

 

NM

 

Operating income

 

10.9

 

13.0

 

(2.1

)

(16

)%

Operating income margin

 

2.6

%

2.9

%

 

 

(0.3

)pts

Interest expense, net

 

16.1

 

14.9

 

1.2

 

8

%

Equity in (earnings) of joint ventures

 

(1.7

)

(1.1

)

(0.6

)

(55

)%

Other (income) expense, net

 

(0.9

)

0.2

 

(1.1

)

NM

 

Income tax benefit

 

(0.8

)

(1.3

)

0.5

 

38

%

Effective tax rate

 

(30.8

)%

(130.0

)%

 

 

NM

 

Net income (loss)

 

(1.8

)

0.2

 

(2.0

)

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring-related expense included in cost of products sold

 

3.1

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring-related expense included in SG&A

 

2.5

 

3.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales decreased $18.9 million, or 4%, to $427.0 million.  The decrease reflects a significant decline in U.S. and U.K. sales volumes, particularly in the Office Products Group, driven by the previously reported loss of product placement, weak consumer demand and related customer inventory reductions.  Additionally, the impact of an earlier Easter Holiday further contributed to lower volumes in Europe and Australia. The loss of product placement impacted sales by $15.8 million and the exit of certain non-strategic businesses impacted sales by a further $6.9 million.  These decreases were partially offset by the positive impact of $23.9 million in currency translation as well as price increases.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit decreased $3.1 million, or 2%, to $126.1 million, principally due to lower sales volume, while gross profit margin increased to 29.5% from 29.0%.  Currency translation positively impacted gross profit by $13.2 million. The increase as a percentage of sales was attributable to the flow-through from price increases net of raw material cost increases and product outsourcing savings.

 

SG&A (Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses)

 

SG&A decreased $5.4 million, or 5%, to $107.5 million, and as a percentage of sales to 25.2% from 25.3%. Currency translation resulted in a $4.3 million increase in SG&A expenses.  The improvement was related to merger integration synergies, lower management incentive costs, lower pension costs and reduced overall spending.  As further discussed in Note 6, Stock-Based Compensation, during the first quarter of 2008 the Company modified certain of its performance-based equity compensation accruals resulting in a net reduction of $2.9 million in SG&A.

 

Operating Income

 

Operating income decreased $2.1 million, or 16%, to $10.9 million, and as a percentage of sales to 2.6% from 2.9%. The decrease in operating income was driven by increased restructuring and restructuring-related charges and reduced sales volume, partially offset by lower spending as discussed above.

 

Interest Expense, Equity in Earnings of Joint Ventures and Other (Income) Expense

 

Interest expense increased $1.2 million to $16.1 million reflecting accelerated debt amortization costs due to the loan prepayments and the impact of higher exchange rates on foreign borrowings.

 

Equity in earnings of joint ventures increased $0.6 million to $1.7 million reflecting higher income from our unconsolidated joint ventures compared to the prior-year quarter.

 

22



 

Other income increased $1.1 million to $0.9 million.  During the first quarter of 2008, the Company purchased $10.1 million of its outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes resulting in a gain of $1.4 million on the early extinguishment of debt.

 

Income Taxes

 

For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $0.8 million versus a tax benefit of $1.3 million recorded in the prior-year quarter. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 was (30.8)% compared to (130.0)% for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.  The tax benefit for the prior year was due to the pre-tax loss, and was increased by an excess foreign tax credit associated with a dividend received.

 

Net Income/(Loss)

 

Net loss was $(1.8) million, or $(0.03) per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. The decrease primarily reflects the significant decline in sales experienced during the first quarter of 2008 as discussed above.

 

Segment Discussion

 

Office Products Group

 

Results

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Amount of Change

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

$

 

%

 

Net sales

 

$

200.9

 

$

217.3

 

$

(16.4

)

(8

)%

Operating income

 

6.7

 

11.4

 

(4.7

)

(41

)%

Operating income margin

 

3.3

%

5.2

%

 

 

(1.9

)pts

Restructuring and related charges

 

5.6

 

4.4

 

1.2

 

27

%

 

Office Products net sales decreased $16.4 million, or 8%, to $200.9 million. The decrease reflects significant volume declines in the U.S. and U.K. driven by the previously reported loss of product placement and the exit and divestiture of certain non-strategic businesses as well as weaker consumer demand exacerbated by customer inventory reductions.  In addition, an earlier Easter holiday resulted in lower volume in Europe and Australia.  Favorable foreign currency translation of $10.7 million and price increases partially offset the volume declines.

 

Office Products operating income decreased $4.7 million to $6.7 million and operating income margin decreased to 3.3% from 5.2%.  The decreases in operating income and margin primarily resulted from the significant decline in sales volume and increased restructuring and related charges.  Partially offsetting the decline in operating income were the impacts of price increases and synergy savings.

 

Document Finishing Group

 

Results

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Amount of Change

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

$

 

%

 

Net sales

 

$

134.3

 

$

137.7

 

$

(3.4

)

(2

)%

Operating income

 

2.8

 

3.7

 

(0.9

)

(24

)%

Operating income margin

 

2.1

%

2.7

%

 

 

(0.6

)pts

Restructuring and related charges

 

4.4

 

2.1

 

2.3

 

110

%

 

Document Finishing net sales decreased $3.4 million, or 2%, to $134.3 million. Currency translation positively impacted net sales by $7.8 million.  Excluding the impact of currency translation, Document Finishing sales decreased 8%, primarily due to lower volumes in the indirect sales channel, principally caused by the previously reported lost product placements and the exit of certain non-strategic product categories as well as weaker consumer demand and related customer inventory reductions.  Lower volumes also

resulted from the timing of Easter and small declines in the direct sales channel.  Sales declines were partially offset by modest price

 

23



 

increases.

 

Document Finishing operating income decreased $0.9 million, or 24%, to $2.8 million, and operating income margin decreased to 2.1% from 2.7%.  The decline in operating income reflects lower sales volume as well as increased restructuring and related charges partially offset by the continued benefit from product outsourcing initiatives, lower operating expenses and the impact of price increases.

 

Computer Products Group

 

Results

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Amount of Change

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

$

 

%

 

Net sales

 

$

48.0

 

$

49.4

 

$

(1.4

)

(3

)%

Operating income

 

6.5

 

5.6

 

0.9

 

16

%

Operating income margin

 

13.5

%

11.3

%

 

 

2.2

pts

Restructuring and related charges

 

1.2

 

0.8

 

0.4

 

50

%

 

Computer Products sales decreased $1.4 million, or 3%, to $48.0 million. The decrease was primarily due to significantly lower U.S. sales volumes due to CompUSA store closings, weaker demand and related customer inventory reductions, the timing of the Easter holiday and declines in the iPod® accessory category. The sales decline was partially offset by $2.7 million of favorable currency translation and increased sales volumes in Asia and Latin America.

 

Operating income increased $0.9 million, or 16%, to $6.5 million, and operating income margin increased to 13.5% from 11.3%. The increase in operating income was due to an additional $0.8 million of royalty income resulting from the final resolution of audits relating to prior periods, as well as the launch of new higher-margin products, lower overall spending and favorable currency translation.

 

Commercial Laminating Solutions Group

 

Results

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Amount of Change

 

(in millions of dollars)

 

2008

 

2007

 

$

 

%

 

Net sales

 

$

43.8

 

$

41.5

 

$

2.3

 

6

%

Operating income

 

0.9

 

0.6

 

0.3

 

50

%

Operating income margin

 

2.1

%

1.4

%

 

 

0.7

pts

Restructuring and related charges

 

(0.4

)

0.2

 

(0.6

)

NM

 

 

Commercial Laminating net sales increased $2.3 million, or 6%, to $43.8 million.   Currency translation favorably impacted sales by $2.7 million.  Sales volumes decreased $0.7 million from short-term product availability issues in Europe resulting from a supply chain transition.

 

Operating income was $0.9 million, compared to operating income of $0.6 million in the prior-year quarter.  The increase was the result of lower restructuring and related costs, offset in part by severance expense unrelated to the Company’s restructuring program.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our primary liquidity needs are to fund capital expenditures, service indebtedness and support working capital requirements. Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under our credit agreements and long-term notes. We maintain adequate financing arrangements at competitive rates. Our priority for cash flow over the near term, after internal growth, is to fund integration and restructuring-related activities and the reduction of debt.

 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

 

Cash used by operating activities was $41.1 million and $18.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007,

 

24



 

respectively. Net loss in 2008 was $1.8 million compared to net income of $0.2 million in 2007.  Non-cash adjustments to net income were $14.3 million in 2008, compared to $15.9 million in 2007, on a pre-tax basis.  The increase in cash used in operations was attributable to:

 

·            lower accounts payable as a result of a slowdown of inventory purchases, due to weaker sales demand;

 

·            higher levels of inventory resulting from the lower sales volumes, principally in the U.S.; and

 

·            increased cash payments associated with restructuring programs.

 

This was partially offset by increased cash generation from accounts receivable collections reflective of the decrease in first quarter sales compared to the prior year.

 

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

 

Cash used by investing activities was $15.7 million and $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Gross capital expenditures were $16.3 million and $9.0 million in for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase was driven by the cost of new distribution facilities and continued information technology investments.

 

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $52.9 million in 2008 and was $8.5 million in 2007.  During the first three months of 2008, the Company entered into a three-year accounts receivable securitization program.  At the inception of the program the Company received cash proceeds of $75 million which was used to pay down the existing term loan facilities.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company’s borrowings under the program were $63.5 million.

 

Capitalization

 

Total debt at March 31, 2008 was $831.0 million. The ratio of debt to stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2008 was 1.9 to 1.

 

As of March 31, 2008 the amount available for borrowings under our revolving credit facilities was $62.2 million (allowing for $12.8 million of letters of credit outstanding on that date).

 

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company amended its senior secured credit facilities, providing the Company with greater financial flexibility, primarily through changes to certain definitions and provisions of the agreements.

 

As of and for the period ended March 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all applicable loan covenants.

 

In January of 2008, the Company entered into a three-year accounts receivable securitization program with a financial institution.  The program allows the Company to sell, on a revolving basis, an undivided interest in eligible U.S. receivables for up to $75 million.  The eligible receivables are sold without recourse to a third-party conduit through a wholly-owned bankruptcy remote special purpose entity, ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC, that is consolidated for financial reporting purposes.  Because ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC has the right to repurchase the sold receivables, sales of receivables under the program are accounted for as a secured borrowing.  The receivables outstanding and the corresponding debt are included as “Accounts receivable, net” and “Long-term debt,” respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We record the financing costs associated with the program in “Interest expense, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Financing costs for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $0.7 million.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company’s borrowings under the program were $63.5 million.  Cash proceeds of $75 million received at the inception of the program were used to pay down the existing term loan facilities.  The accounts receivable securitization program contains certain financial covenants including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

Adequacy of Liquidity Sources

 

The Company believes that its internally-generated funds, together with revolver availability under its senior secured credit facilities and its access to global credit markets, provide adequate liquidity to meet both its long-term and short-term capital needs with respect to operating activities, capital expenditures and debt service requirements. The Company’s existing credit facilities would

not be affected by a change in its credit rating.

 

25



 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this report contain, and other periodic reports and press releases of the Company may contain, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Because actual results may differ from those predicted by such forward-looking statements, you should not rely on such forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company’s securities. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future. Among the factors that could cause plans, actions and results to differ materially from current expectations are: fluctuations in cost and availability of raw materials; competition within the markets in which the Company operates; the effects of both general and extraordinary economic, political and social conditions; the dependence of the Company on certain suppliers of manufactured products; the effect of consolidation in the office products industry; the risk that businesses that have been combined into the Company as a result of the merger with General Binding Corporation will not be integrated successfully; the risk that targeted cost savings and synergies from the aforesaid merger and other previous business combinations may not be fully realized or take longer to realize than expected; disruption from business combinations making it more difficult to maintain relationships with the Company’s customers, employees or suppliers; the results of the strategic review being made by the Company of its Commercial Laminating Solutions business and whether any transaction will be completed, or any other action taken by the Company, as a result thereof; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; the development, introduction and acceptance of new products; the degree to which higher raw material costs, and freight and distribution costs, can be passed on to customers through selling price increases and the effect on sales volumes as a result thereof; increases in health care, pension and other employee welfare costs; as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITIATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

See Item 7A. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. There has been no material change to Foreign Exchange Risk Management or Interest Rate Risk Management through the period ended March 31, 2008 or through the date of this report.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of, and with the participation of the Company’s Disclosure Committee, the Company’s management, and including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

(b)  Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three month period ending March 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

26



 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in various claims and legal proceedings associated with their business and operations. It is not possible to predict the outcome of the pending actions, but management believes that there are meritorious defenses to these actions and that these actions if adjudicated or settled in a manner adverse to the Company, would not have a material adverse effect upon the results of operations, cash flows or financial condition of the Company.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The risk factors described in that annual report could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in that annual report are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

      None

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

27



 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Form of Amendment No. 1 to Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (2006 – 2008 Performance Period) issued under the ACCO Brands Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan. *

 

 

 

10.2

 

Form of Amendment No. 1 to Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (2007 – 2009 Performance Period) issued under the ACCO Brands Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan. *

 

 

 

10.3

 

Retirement Agreement for David D. Campbell effective as of May 1, 2008. *

 

 

 

10.4

 

Retirement Agreement for Neal V. Fenwick effective as of May 1, 2008. *

 

 

 

10.5

 

Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries, the lenders listed on the signature pages thereto, and Citicorp North America, Inc., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 22, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.6

 

Receivables Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated January 9, 2008, among ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC as Buyer and ACCO Brands USA LLC as Originator, Servicer and sole member of ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 10, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.7

 

Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated January 9, 2008, among ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC, as Seller, ACCO Brands USA LLC, as Servicer, Gotham Funding Corporation, as Purchaser, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 10, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.8

 

ACCO Brands Corporation (Frozen) Deferred Compensation Plan (formerly, General Binding Corporation Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan No. 2) as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on February 29, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.9

 

2008 Amended and Restated ACCO Brands Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on February 29, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.10

 

Interim Retirement Agreement between ACCO Brands Corporation and John E. Turner effective as of January 7, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on February 29, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **

 


*      Filed herewith.

 

**   Furnished herewith

 

28



 

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.

 

 

REGISTRANT:

 

 

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David D. Campbell

 

David D. Campbell

 

Chairman of the Board and

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

(principal executive officer)

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Neal V. Fenwick

 

Neal V. Fenwick

 

Executive Vice President

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

(principal financial officer)

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr.

 

Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr.

 

Vice President, Finance and Accounting

 

(principal accounting officer)

May 7, 2008

 

 

 

29



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Form of Amendment No. 1 to Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (2006 – 2008 Performance Period) issued under the ACCO Brands Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan. *

 

 

 

10.2

 

Form of Amendment No. 1 to Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (2007 – 2009 Performance Period) issued under the ACCO Brands Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan. *

 

 

 

10.3

 

Retirement Agreement for David D. Campbell effective as of May 1, 2008. *

 

 

 

10.4

 

Retirement Agreement for Neal V. Fenwick effective as of May 1, 2008. *

 

 

 

10.5

 

Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries, the lenders listed on the signature pages thereto, and Citicorp North America, Inc., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 22, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.6

 

Receivables Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated January 9, 2008, among ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC as Buyer and ACCO Brands USA LLC as Originator, Servicer and sole member of ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 10, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.7

 

Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated January 9, 2008, among ACCO Brands Receivables Funding LLC, as Seller, ACCO Brands USA LLC, as Servicer, Gotham Funding Corporation, as Purchaser, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 10, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.8

 

ACCO Brands Corporation (Frozen) Deferred Compensation Plan (formerly, General Binding Corporation Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan No. 2) as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on February 29, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.9

 

2008 Amended and Restated ACCO Brands Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on February 29, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

10.10

 

Interim Retirement Agreement between ACCO Brands Corporation and John E. Turner effective as of January 7, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on February 29, 2008 (File No. 001-08454)).

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **

 


*      Filed herewith.

 

**   Furnished herewith

 

30


EX-10.1 2 a08-13549_1ex10d1.htm EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

2005 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

(2006-2008 Performance Period)

 

This Amendment No. 1 is made and entered into this and effective March 19, 2008 by and between ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (collectively with all Subsidiaries, the “Company”) and                                                (“Grantee”)

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Grantee have previously entered into a Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement effective December 7, 2005 (the “Award Agreement”) pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan (formerly known as the Company’s 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan; “Plan”), and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Grantee mutually desire to amend the Award Agreement upon the terms and conditions stated herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:

 

1.

 

The first sentence of Section 2 of the Award Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following sentence:

 

 

 

 

 

“The Company hereby awards to Grantee on the Grant Date an Award of                                Performance Stock Units”.

 

 

 

2.

 

The words “Schedule I” as referred to in Section 3.(a) of the Award Agreement are hereby deleted and replaced with the words “Schedule I-A”. Schedule I-A is attached hereto.

 

 

 

3.

 

Any capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Award Agreement.

 

 

 

4.

 

This Amendment No. 1 to Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement is conditioned on Grantee signing this Amendment and returning it to the Company by                     , 2008, and is subject to all terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement as modified by this Amendment, which Grantee accepts upon signing and delivering this agreement to the Company.

 

 

 

5.

 

Except as altered and modified herein, the Award Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment No. 1 as of the date and year first above written.

 

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

David L. Kaput [s]

 

 

 

 

Name:

David L. Kaput

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its:

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grantee Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grantee Signature

 

2


EX-10.2 3 a08-13549_1ex10d2.htm EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

2005 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

(2007-2009 Performance Period)

 

This Amendment No. 1 is made and entered into this and effective March 19, 2008 by and between ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (collectively with all Subsidiaries, the “Company”) and                                                        (“Grantee”)

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Grantee have previously entered into a Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement effective March 16, 2007 (the “Award Agreement”) pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan (“Plan”), and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Grantee mutually desire to amend the Award Agreement upon the terms and conditions stated herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:

 

1.

 

The words “Schedule I” as referred to in Section 3.(a) of the Award Agreement are hereby deleted and replaced with the words “Schedule I-A”. Schedule I-A is attached hereto.

 

 

 

2.

 

Any capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Award Agreement.

 

 

 

3.

 

This Amendment No. 1 to Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement is conditioned on Grantee signing this Amendment and returning it to the Company by                     , 2008, and is subject to all terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement as modified by this Amendment, which Grantee accepts upon signing and delivering this agreement to the Company.

 

 

 

4.

 

Except as altered and modified herein, the Award Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment No. 1 as of the date and year first above written.

 

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

David L Kaput [s]

 

 

 

Name:

David L. Kaput

 

 

 

 

 

Its:

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grantee Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grantee Signature

 

2


EX-10.3 4 a08-13549_1ex10d3.htm EX-10.3

EXHIBIT 10.3

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
RETIREMENT AGREEMENT FOR DAVID D. CAMPBELL

 

This Retirement Agreement (“Agreement”) is made, entered into, and is effective as of May 1, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), by and between ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and David D. Campbell (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, from and after January 1, 1989 until the spin-off from Fortune Brands, Inc. occurring August 16, 2005, the Executive was employed by the Company and certain then-affiliates of the Company and in connection therewith participated in United States tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans, a foreign pension plan and a non-qualified defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plan (collectively, the “Former Employer Pensions”);

 

WHEREAS, the Executive has participated in the Company’s tax-qualified Pension Plan for Salaried and Certain Hourly-Paid Employees (“Pension”) and its non-qualified Supplemental Retirement Plan (“SRP”) (collectively, both such plans are sometimes referred to herein as the “ACCO Pensions”) since such spin-off;

 

WHEREAS, due to those separate periods of service, the sum of Executive’s accrued benefits under the Former Employer Pensions plus his accrued benefits under the ACCO Pensions is materially less than the accrued benefit the Executive would have accrued under the ACCO Pensions in the absence of such separate periods of service; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide the Executive with a non-qualified supplemental retirement benefit hereunder to compensate the Executive, in part, for the adverse effects of such break in service, as provided herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements of the parties set forth in this Retirement Agreement, and of other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1.             Definitions.  Any term not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the SRP or, if not defined under the SRP, as defined under the Pension and applicable under the SRP.

 

2.             Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefit.

 

(a)           The Company shall provide the Executive with a non-qualified supplemental retirement benefit (“Supplemental Retirement Benefit”) payable as of the first day of the month coincident with or next following the later of Executive’s attainment of age 55 and his Separation from Service with the Company and all Affiliated Employers (“Commencement Date”) in the amount equal to the positive difference (if any) between (x) the Tentative Benefit minus (y) the Offset Benefit.  For this purpose:

 



 

(i)            The Tentative Benefit, the ACCO Pension Benefit and the Former Employer Benefit each will be expressed in the normal form of benefit set forth under the Pension upon the attainment of normal retirement age.  For the avoidance of doubt, as of the date hereof, the normal form of benefit payable upon attainment of normal retirement age is a Life Annuity payable at age 65.

 

(ii)           The “Tentative Benefit” is the amount of benefit that the Executive would have accrued under the ACCO Pensions had the Executive been credited with eligibility, benefit and vesting service thereunder equal to the sum of the number of whole and partial years of service that were credited to the Executive under the Former Employer Pensions plus his whole and partial years of service credited to the Executive under the ACCO Pensions, but for such purpose (1) for such deemed benefit service accrued through August 15, 2005 under the Former Employer Pensions, by applying the formula for accrual of benefits under the Pension as in effect on January 1, 2007 and (2) for such benefit service accrued under the ACCO Pensions, by applying the benefit formula as in effect under the Pension from time to time after August 15, 2005, in each case applying such formula as is set forth in Article IV of the Pension (or any successor provision).  For the avoidance of doubt, through December 31, 2007, for purposes of the Executive’s Tentative Benefit the Executive is credited with 19 years and 0 months of benefit service and with sufficient eligibility service and vesting service to be fully vested in his Tentative Benefit.

 

(iii)          The “Offset Benefit” is the sum of the ACCO Pension Benefit plus the Former Employer Benefit as hereinafter defined.

 

(iv)          The “ACCO Pension Benefit” is the sum of the Pension Benefit plus the SRP Benefit accrued from and after August 16, 2005.  The “Pension Benefit” is the accrued and vested benefit payable to the Executive under the Pension as is determined as of the Commencement Date, based on the terms thereof as in effect from time to time after August 15, 2005.  The “SRP Benefit” is the accrued and vested benefit payable to the Executive under the SRP as is determined as of the Commencement Date, based on the terms thereof as in effect from time to time after August 15, 2005.

 

(v)           The “Former Employer Benefit” is the amount of $11,501.18 per month.

 

(b)           The Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be fully vested at all times and shall be paid out in any form for which benefits may be payable under the SRP on the Commencement Date, in accordance with the terms of the SRP as then in effect, (and may differ from the form of benefit elected or deemed elected by the Executive under the SRP) as if the Supplemental Retirement Benefit were paid thereunder (incorporating by reference such terms into this Agreement, including any conditions on electing a form of payment of the Supplemental Retirement Benefit thereunder in compliance with Section 409A of the Code); provided, on the date hereof, the Executive hereby elects to receive his benefit in the form of a joint and 50% survivor annuity if he is married on the Commencement Date and as a single life annuity if he is not then married; provided further, the foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Commencement Date is based on the date of Executive’s Separation from Service with the

 

2



 

Company and all Affiliated Employers, commencement of the Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be postponed until the earlier of (i) the date that is six months after the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service and (ii) the date of the Executive’s death following such Separation from Service, in which case the amount of Supplemental Retirement Benefit that is determined and postponed for six months (or such shorter period due to the death of the Executive) shall be paid to the Executive (or, if applicable, the Executive’s Surviving Spouse or beneficiary) in a lump sum, together with interest, accrued thereon (not compounded) at the applicable interest rate (within the meaning provided under the definition of Actuarial Equivalent as in effect at such time under the Pension) less 200 basis points on the date payment of the benefit hereunder commences.

 

(c)           In the event of the Executive’s death before his Separation from Service, the date of the Executive’s death shall be deemed to be his Commencement Date and his Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be paid to his Surviving Spouse (if any) in a lump sum that is the Actuarial Equivalent of the normal form of his benefit determined as of such Commencement Date.

 

(d)           The Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall commence (or, if applicable, the survivor’s benefit under Section 2(c) shall be paid) as soon as may be practicable, but not later than two and one-half months, after the Commencement Date, except as may be postponed under clause (i) or (ii) under Section 2(b).

 

(e)           Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the date of such Change of Control shall be deemed to be the “Commencement Date” and the Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum that is the Actuarial Equivalent of the normal form of his benefit, determined as of such Commencement Date, as soon as may be practicable thereafter, but not later than two and one-half months after such deemed Commencement Date.

 

3.             Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive, his Surviving Spouse and other beneficiary shall be an unsecured creditor, with no secured or preferential rights to any assets of the Company or any other party for payment of the Supplemental Retirement Benefit.  The Company’s obligation hereunder shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, at no time shall any asset of the Company or any Affiliate be restricted, set aside, reserved or transferred in trust for the benefit of the Executive as a result of a change in the financial health of the Company or any Affiliate at any time during a restricted period respecting any tax-qualified defined benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate (other than a multi-employer defined benefit plan for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Company or any Affiliate).  For such purpose, “applicable covered employee” and “restricted period” shall have the meanings set forth in section 409A(b)(3) of the Code.

 

(b)           Nothing herein shall be construed as giving the Executive the right to be retained in the employ of the Company.

 

3



 

(c)           This Agreement may be amended only in a writing entered into by the Company and the Executive (or his Surviving Spouse or beneficiary following the death of the Executive).

 

(d)           The Executive shall make appropriate arrangements for the satisfaction of any applicable federal, state or local taxes respecting his Supplemental Retirement Benefit. The Company shall be authorized to take such action as may be appropriate, including withholding from amounts due to the Executive or his Surviving Spouse or beneficiary hereunder, compensation to the Executive from the Company or otherwise in order to assure tax compliance.

 

(e)           This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.  The term successors as used herein shall include any corporate or other business entity which shall, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Company, and successors of any such corporation or other business entity.  The Supplemental Retirement Benefit may not be voluntarily or involuntarily assigned or alienated by the Executive, or his Surviving Spouse or beneficiary.

 

(f)            Except to the extent preempted by the law of the United States, this Agreement shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and Company, by its duly authorized representatives, have executed this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.

 

 

Executive:

 

 

 

/s/David D. Campbell

 

David D. Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands Corporation

 

 

 

/s/Steve Rubin

 

Senior Vice President, Secretary and

 

General Counsel

 

5


EX-10.4 5 a08-13549_1ex10d4.htm EX-10.4

EXHIBIT 10.4

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
RETIREMENT AGREEMENT FOR NEAL V. FENWICK

 

This Retirement Agreement (“Agreement”) is made, entered into, and is effective as of May 1, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), by and between ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and Neal V. Fenwick (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, from and after October 1, 1984 until March 31, 2006, the participated in a foreign pension plans of one or more affiliates of the Company  (“Former Employer Pension”);

 

WHEREAS, since April 1, 2006, the Executive has participated in the Company’s tax-qualified Pension Plan for Salaried and Certain Hourly-Paid Employees (“Pension”) and its non-qualified Supplemental Retirement Plan (“SRP”) (collectively, both such plans are sometimes referred to herein as the “ACCO Pensions”);

 

WHEREAS, due to those separate periods of service, the sum of Executive’s accrued benefit under the Former Employer Pension plus his accrued benefits under the ACCO Pensions is materially less than the accrued benefit the Executive would have accrued under the ACCO Pensions in the absence of such separate periods of service; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide the Executive with a non-qualified supplemental retirement benefit hereunder to compensate the Executive, in part, for the adverse effects of such break in service, as provided herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements of the parties set forth in this Retirement Agreement, and of other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1.             Definitions.  Any term not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the SRP or, if not defined under the SRP, as defined under the Pension and applicable under the SRP.

 

2.             Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefit.

 

(a)           The Company shall provide the Executive with a non-qualified supplemental retirement benefit (“Supplemental Retirement Benefit”) payable as of the first day of the month coincident with or next following the later of Executive’s attainment of age 55 and his Separation from Service with the Company and all Affiliated Employers (“Commencement Date”) in the amount equal to the positive difference (if any) between (x) the Tentative Benefit minus (y) the Offset Benefit.  For this purpose:

 

(i)            The Tentative Benefit, the ACCO Pension Benefit and the Former Employer Benefit each will be expressed in the normal form of benefit set forth under the Pension upon the attainment of normal retirement age.  For the avoidance of doubt, as of

 



 

the date hereof, the normal form of benefit payable upon attainment of normal retirement age is a Life Annuity payable at age 65.

 

(ii)           The “Tentative Benefit” is the amount of benefit that the Executive would have accrued under the ACCO Pensions had the Executive been credited with eligibility, benefit and vesting service thereunder equal to the sum of the number of whole and partial years of service that were credited to the Executive under the Former Employer Pensions plus his whole and partial years of service credited to the Executive under the ACCO Pensions, but for such purpose (1) for such deemed benefit service accrued through March 31, 2006 under the Former Employer Pension, by applying the formula for accrual of benefits under the Pension as in effect on January 1, 2007 and (2) for such benefit service accrued under the ACCO Pensions, by applying the benefit formula as in effect under the Pension from time to time after March 31, 2006, in each case applying such formula as is set forth in Article IV of the Pension (or any successor provision).  For the avoidance of doubt, through December 31, 2007, for purposes of the Executive’s Tentative Benefit the Executive is credited with 23 years and 3 months of benefit service and with sufficient eligibility service and vesting service to be fully vested in his Tentative Benefit.

 

(iii)          The “Offset Benefit” is the sum of the ACCO Pension Benefit plus the Former Employer Benefit as hereinafter defined.

 

(iv)          The “ACCO Pension Benefit” is the sum of the Pension Benefit plus the SRP Benefit accrued from and after April 1, 2006.  The “Pension Benefit” is the accrued and vested benefit payable to the Executive under the Pension as is determined as of the Commencement Date, based on the terms thereof as in effect from time to time after March 31, 2006.  The “SRP Benefit” is the accrued and vested benefit payable to the Executive under the SRP as is determined as of the Commencement Date, based on the terms thereof as in effect from time to time after March 31, 2006.

 

(v)           The “Former Employer Benefit” is the amount of $7,153.80 per month.

 

(b)           The Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be fully vested at all times and shall be paid out in any form for which benefits may be payable under the SRP on the Commencement Date, in accordance with the terms of the SRP as then in effect, (and may differ from the form of benefit elected or deemed elected by the Executive under the SRP) as if the Supplemental Retirement Benefit were paid thereunder (incorporating by reference such terms into this Agreement, including any conditions on electing a form of payment of the Supplemental Retirement Benefit thereunder in compliance with Section 409A of the Code); provided, on the date hereof, the Executive hereby elects to receive his benefit in the form of a joint and 100% survivor annuity if he is married on the Commencement Date and as a single life annuity if he is not then married; provided further, the foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Commencement Date is based on the date of Executive’s Separation from Service with the Company and all Affiliated Employers, commencement of the Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be postponed until the earlier of (i) the date that is six months after the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service and (ii) the date of the Executive’s death following such

 

2



 

Separation from Service, in which case the amount of Supplemental Retirement Benefit that is determined and postponed for six months (or such shorter period due to the death of the Executive) shall be paid to the Executive (or, if applicable, the Executive’s Surviving Spouse or beneficiary) in a lump sum, together with interest, accrued thereon (not compounded) at the applicable interest rate (within the meaning provided under the definition of Actuarial Equivalent as in effect at such time under the Pension) less 200 basis points on the date payment of the benefit hereunder commences.

 

(c)           In the event of the Executive’s death before his Separation from Service, the date of the Executive’s death shall be deemed to be his Commencement Date and his Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be paid to his Surviving Spouse (if any) in a lump sum that is the Actuarial Equivalent of the normal form of his benefit determined as of such Commencement Date.

 

(d)           The Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall commence (or, if applicable, the survivor’s benefit under Section 2(c) shall be paid) as soon as may be practicable, but not later than two and one-half months, after the Commencement Date, except as may be postponed under clause (i) or (ii) under Section 2(b).

 

(e)           Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the date of such Change of Control shall be deemed to be the “Commencement Date” and the Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum that is the Actuarial Equivalent of the normal form of his benefit, determined as of such Commencement Date, as soon as may be practicable thereafter, but not later than two and one-half months after such deemed Commencement Date.

 

3.             Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive, his Surviving Spouse and other beneficiary shall be an unsecured creditor, with no secured or preferential rights to any assets of the Company or any other party for payment of the Supplemental Retirement Benefit.  The Company’s obligation hereunder shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, at no time shall any asset of the Company or any Affiliate be restricted, set aside, reserved or transferred in trust for the benefit of the Executive as a result of a change in the financial health of the Company or any Affiliate at any time during a restricted period respecting any tax-qualified defined benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate (other than a multi-employer defined benefit plan for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Company or any Affiliate).  For such purpose, “applicable covered employee” and “restricted period” shall have the meanings set forth in section 409A(b)(3) of the Code.

 

(b)           Nothing herein shall be construed as giving the Executive the right to be retained in the employ of the Company.

 

(c)           This Agreement may be amended only in a writing entered into by the Company and the Executive (or his Surviving Spouse or beneficiary following the death of the Executive).

 

3



 

(d)           The Executive shall make appropriate arrangements for the satisfaction of any applicable federal, state or local taxes respecting his Supplemental Retirement Benefit. The Company shall be authorized to take such action as may be appropriate, including withholding from amounts due to the Executive or his Surviving Spouse or beneficiary hereunder, compensation to the Executive from the Company or otherwise in order to assure tax compliance.

 

(e)           This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.  The term successors as used herein shall include any corporate or other business entity which shall, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Company, and successors of any such corporation or other business entity.  The Supplemental Retirement Benefit may not be voluntarily or involuntarily assigned or alienated by the Executive, or his Surviving Spouse or beneficiary.

 

(f)            Except to the extent preempted by the law of the United States, this Agreement shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and Company, by its duly authorized representatives, have executed this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.

 

 

Executive:

 

 

 

/s/Neal V. Fenwick

 

Neal V. Fenwick

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands Corporation

 

 

 

/s/David D. Campbell

 

Chairman and CEO

 

4


EX-31.1 6 a08-13549_1ex31d1.htm EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, David D. Campbell, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ACCO Brands Corporation;

 

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 registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’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 registrant 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 registrant, 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 registrant’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; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

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 registrant’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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

/s/ David D. Campbell

 

David D. Campbell

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: May 7, 2008

 


EX-31.2 7 a08-13549_1ex31d2.htm EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Neal V. Fenwick, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ACCO Brands Corporation;

 

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 registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’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 registrant 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 registrant, 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 registrant’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; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

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 registrant’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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

/s/ Neal V. Fenwick

 

Neal V. Fenwick

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: May 7, 2008

 


EX-32.1 8 a08-13549_1ex32d1.htm EX-32.1

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

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of ACCO Brands Corporation on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2008, (the “Report”), I, David D. Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of ACCO Brands Corporation, hereby 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 Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of ACCO Brands Corporation.

 

 

By:

/s/ David D. Campbell

 

David D. Campbell

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

May 7, 2008

 


EX-32.2 9 a08-13549_1ex32d2.htm EX-32.2

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

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of ACCO Brands Corporation on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2008, (the “Report”), I, Neal V. Fenwick, Chief Financial Officer of ACCO Brands Corporation, hereby 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 Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of ACCO Brands Corporation.

 

 

By:

/s/ Neal V. Fenwick

 

Neal V. Fenwick

 

Executive Vice President and

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

May 7, 2008

 


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