-----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, UGzPN3VZ0gEGxtvNd2v0KXzVZvLrfzJPKl1lW8SHwj358onHvDkBXt/zLRMFr98w bpxUYZPlQeWtlRnyBvkWbg== 0001157523-08-003981.txt : 20080508 0001157523-08-003981.hdr.sgml : 20080508 20080508134322 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001157523-08-003981 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080330 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080508 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080508 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ROGERS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000084748 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PLASTICS, MATERIALS, SYNTH RESINS & NONVULCAN ELASTOMERS [2821] IRS NUMBER: 060513860 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1230 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-04347 FILM NUMBER: 08813096 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: P.O. BOX 188 STREET 2: ONE TECHNOLOGY DRIVE CITY: ROGERS STATE: CT ZIP: 06263-0188 BUSINESS PHONE: 860-779-5756 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE TECHNOLOGY DRIVE CITY: ROGERS STATE: CT ZIP: 06263 10-Q 1 a5679529.htm ROGERS CORPORATION 10-Q a5679529.htm


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 30, 2008

or

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

For the transition period from ________________ to _______________________


Commission file number 1-4347
_______________________________

ROGERS CORPORATION
 (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________________
 
Massachusetts
 
06-0513860
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I. R. S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
     
P.O. Box 188, One Technology Drive, Rogers, Connecticut
 
06263-0188
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                         60;                                                                                                              
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (860) 774-9605
_______________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes X   No___

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

Large Accelerated Filer  _X_            Accelerated Filer  

Non-accelerated filer  ____(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)           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__ No  X

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock as of April 25, 2008 was 17,928,691.
 

 


ROGERS CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
March 30, 2008
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
     
     
 
     
Exhibits:
   
Exhibit 10r-10
Amendment No. 10 to Summary of Director and Executive Officer Compensation
 
Exhibit 10aaa-1
Amendment No. 1 to Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement with Citizens Bank of Connecticut
 
Exhibit 10aad
Guaranty to Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement with Citizens Bank of Connecticut
 
Exhibit 10aad-1
Guaranty Confirmation Agreement in connection with Amendment No. 1 to Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement with Citizens Bank of Connecticut
 
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of National Economic Research Associates, Inc.
 
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Marsh U.S.A., Inc.
 
Exhibit 31(a)
Certification of President and CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Exhibit 31(b)
Certification of Vice President, Finance and CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Exhibit 32
Certification of President and CEO and Vice President, Finance and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
2


 


ROGERS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
             
Net sales
  $ 102,333     $ 115,071  
Cost of sales
    69,940       79,994  
Gross margin
    32,393       35,077  
                 
Selling and administrative expenses
    18,385       19,291  
Research and development expenses
    5,297       5,680  
Operating income
    8,711       10,106  
                 
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures
    1,093       1,268  
Other income, net
    386       587  
Interest income, net
    855       425  
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    11,045       12,386  
                 
Income tax expense
    3,225       2,945  
                 
Income from continuing operations
    7,820       9,441  
                 
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
    -       70  
                 
Net income
  $ 7,820     $ 9,511  
                 
Basic net income per share:
               
      Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.48     $ 0.56  
      Income from discontinued operations, net
    -       -  
      Net income
  $ 0.48     $ 0.56  
                 
Diluted net income per share:
               
      Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.48     $ 0.55  
      Income from discontinued operations, net
    -       -  
      Net income
  $ 0.48     $ 0.55  
                 
Shares used in computing:
               
      Basic
    16,133,527       16,834,431  
      Diluted
    16,151,785       17,160,159  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.
3

 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
   
March 30,
2008
   
December 30,
2007
 
Assets
           
  Current assets
           
       Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 21,974     $ 36,328  
       Short-term investments
    -       53,300  
       Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
          of $1,468 and $1,433
    73,885       76,965  
       Accounts receivable from joint ventures
    3,637       3,368  
       Accounts receivable, other
    1,934       2,319  
       Inventories
    47,954       51,243  
       Prepaid income taxes
    3,847       5,160  
       Deferred income taxes
    8,432       10,180  
       Asbestos-related insurance receivables
    4,303       4,303  
       Other current assets
    5,455       3,888  
  Total current assets
    171,421       247,054  
                 
      Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
          of $168,582 and $160,396
    148,277       147,203  
      Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
    32,988       30,556  
      Deferred income taxes
    13,670       9,984  
      Pension asset
    2,173       2,173  
      Goodwill and other intangibles
    10,131       10,131  
      Asbestos-related insurance receivables
    19,149       19,149  
      Long-term marketable securities
    53,261       -  
      Other long-term assets
    4,780       4,698  
  Total assets
  $ 455,850     $ 470,948  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
  Current liabilities
               
      Accounts payable
  $ 18,945     $ 22,127  
      Accrued employee benefits and compensation
    15,975       14,991  
      Accrued income taxes payable
    9,494       6,326  
      Asbestos-related liabilities
    4,303       4,303  
      Other current liabilities
    16,498       20,539  
  Total current liabilities
    65,215       68,286  
                 
      Pension liability
    8,009       8,009  
      Retiree health care and life insurance benefits
    6,288       6,288  
      Asbestos-related liabilities
    19,341       19,341  
      Other long-term liabilities
    5,277       5,043  
                 
  Shareholders’ Equity
               
      Capital Stock - $1 par value; 50,000,000 authorized shares; 15,536,881 and
          16,414,918 shares issued and outstanding
    15,537       16,415  
      Additional paid-in capital
    11,381       37,636  
      Retained earnings
    304,648       296,828  
      Accumulated other comprehensive income
    20,154       13,102  
  Total shareholders' equity
    351,720       363,981  
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 455,850     $ 470,948  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.
4

 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
Operating Activities:
           
  Net income
  $ 7,820     $ 9,511  
  Loss (income) from discontinued operations
    -       (70 )
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by
       operating activities:
               
        Depreciation and amortization
    4,891       5,177  
        Stock-based compensation expense
    2,138       2,635  
        Excess tax benefit related to stock award plans
    (39 )     (170 )
        Deferred income taxes
    (1,505 )     (3,507 )
        Equity in undistributed income of unconsolidated joint ventures, net
    (1,093 )     (1,268 )
        Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures
    1,300       1,138  
        Other non-cash activity
    (569 )     -  
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities excluding effects of
      acquisition and disposition of businesses:
               
        Accounts receivable
    4,795       2,093  
        Accounts receivable, joint ventures
    (269 )     768  
        Inventories
    4,442       (1,127 )
        Other current assets
    486       (2,797 )
        Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
    (4,550 )     (13,596 )
        Other, net
    (365 )     (307 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations
    17,482       (1,520 )
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations
    -       927  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    17,482       (593 )
                 
Investing Activities:
               
  Capital expenditures
    (2,962 )     (7,407 )
  Purchases of short-term investments
    (132,690 )     (352,847 )
  Proceeds from short-term investments
    131,590       383,320  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (4,062 )     23,066  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations
    -       (312 )
Net cash provided by investing activities
    (4,062 )     22,754  
                 
Financing Activities:
               
  Proceeds from sale of capital stock, net
    115       621  
  Excess tax benefit related to stock award plans
    39       170  
  Proceeds from issuance of shares to employee stock purchase plan
    561       381  
  Purchase of stock from shareholders
    (30,000 )     (13,937 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (29,285 )     (12,765 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash
    1,511       44  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (14,354 )     9,440  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    36,328       13,638  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter
  $ 21,974     $ 23,078  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:
               
Contribution of shares to fund employee stock purchase plan
  $ 482     $ 492  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.
5



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of income and cash flows include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for their fair presentation in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  For further information regarding our accounting policies, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007.

We use a 52- or 53-week fiscal calendar ending on the Sunday closest to the last day in December of each year.  Fiscal 2008 is a 52-week year ending on December 28, 2008.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period classification.
 
Note 2 –Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157).  SFAS 157 replaces multiple existing definitions of fair value with a single definition, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies only to fair value measurements that already are required or permitted by other accounting standards and does not require any new fair value measurements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  Although the adoption of SFAS 157 on December 31, 2007 did not materially impact our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, we are now required to provide additional disclosures as part of our financial statements.

SFAS 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.
·  
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·  
Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
·  
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

At year-end 2007, we classified our auction rate securities as available-for-sale and recorded them at fair value as determined in the active market at the time.  However, due to recent events in the credit markets, the auction events failed during the first quarter of 2008 for the auction rate securities that we held at the end of the first quarter.  Accordingly, the securities changed from a Level 1 valuation to a Level 3 valuation within SFAS 157’s hierarchy since our adoption of this standard on the first day of fiscal 2008.

As of the end of the first quarter 2008, we held auction rate securities with a par value of $54.4 million.  Due to the failure of auctions during the first quarter, a fair value assessment of these securities was performed in accordance with SFAS 157.  The assessment was performed on each security based on a discounted cash flow model, utilizing various assumptions that included estimated interest rates, probabilities of successful auctions, the timing of cash flows, and the quality and level of collateral of the securities.  This fair value analysis resulted in a decline in the fair value of our auction rate securities of $1.1 million. We have concluded that the impairment is temporary, due primarily to the fact that the investments we hold are high quality AAA/Aaa-rated securities and are government-backed or over-collateralized and, based on our expected operating cash flows and other sources of cash, we do not anticipate that the current lack of liquidity of these investments will affect our ability to execute our current business plan.  Therefore, we have the intent and ability to hold the securities until the temporary impairment is recovered.  Based on this conclusion, we have recorded this charge as an unrealized loss in other comprehensive income in the equity section of our condensed consolidated statements of financial position.  Additionally, due to our belief that it may take over twelve months for the auction rate securities market to recover, we have reclassified the auction rate securities balance from short-term investments to long-term assets.  For the securities that we hold, with the exception of one security valued at $2.3 million which matures in June 2009, all other securities have maturities ranging from 6 to 39 years.
 
6

 
The reconciliation of our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Auction Rate
Securities
 
Balance at December 30, 2007
  $ -  
Transfers to Level 3
    54,400  
Reported in other comprehensive income
    (1,100 )
Balance at March 30, 2008
  $ 53,300  

These securities typically earn interest at rates ranging from 3% to 7%.  Upon the failure of these securities at auction, a penalty interest rate is triggered.  However, as the securities that we hold are high quality securities, the penalty rates are market-based, therefore the aggregate interest rate that we earned in the first quarter has remained effectively unchanged due to the effect of lower market interest rates substantially offsetting the market-based penalty rates.
 
Note 3 - Inventories

Inventories were as follows:
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 30,
2008
   
December 30,
2007
 
             
Raw materials
  $ 11,996     $ 11,102  
Work-in-process
    7,144       6,172  
Finished goods
    28,814       33,969  
    $ 47,954     $ 51,243  

Note 4 - Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Comprehensive income for the periods ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007 was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
             
Net income
  $ 7,820     $ 9,511  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    7,758       (1,564 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax of $433
    (706 )     -  
Comprehensive income
  $ 14,872     $ 7,947  

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income at March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007 were as follows:

 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 30,
2008
   
December 30,
2007
 
             
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 25,560     $ 17,802  
Funded status of pension plans and other postretirement benefits
    (4,700 )     (4,700 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax of $433
    (706 )     -  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 20,154     $ 13,102  
 
 
7


Note 5 - Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share in conformity with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share, for the periods indicated:

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30, 2008
   
April 1, 2007
 
Numerator:
           
     Income from continuing operations
  $ 7,820     $ 9,441  
     Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes
    -       70  
     Net income
  $ 7,820     $ 9,511  
                 
Denominator:
               
     Denominator for basic earnings per share -
     Weighted-average shares
    16,134       16,834  
                 
     Effect of dilutive stock options
    18       326  
                 
     Denominator for diluted earnings per share - Adjusted
               
     weighted—average shares and assumed conversions
    16,152       17,160  
                 
Basic net income per share:
               
      Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.48     $ 0.56  
      Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net
    -       -  
      Net income
  $ 0.48     $ 0.56  
                 
Diluted net income per share:
               
      Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.48     $ 0.55  
      Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net
    -       -  
      Net income
  $ 0.48     $ 0.55  

Note 6 – Stock-Based Compensation
 
On January 2, 2006 (the first day of the 2006 fiscal year), we adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R), using the modified prospective application as permitted under SFAS 123R.  SFAS 123R supersedes APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows.  Under FAS 123R, compensation cost recognized includes compensation cost for all share-based payments, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R.
 
Equity Compensation Awards
 
Stock Options

We currently grant stock options under various equity compensation plans.  While we may grant options to employees that become exercisable at different times or within different periods, we have generally granted options to employees that vest and become exercisable in one-third increments on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th anniversaries of the grant dates.  The maximum contractual term for all options is generally ten years.
 
8


We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of an option.  The fair value of options granted during the three month periods ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007 were calculated using the following weighted- average assumptions:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
Options granted
    300,350       207,150  
Weighted average exercise price
  $ 31.38     $ 52.61  
Weighted-average grant date fair value
    14.75       25.04  
Assumptions:
               
    Expected volatility
    39.87 %     36.62 %
    Expected term (in years)
    7.00       7.00  
    Risk-free interest rate
    3.24 %     4.72 %
    Expected dividend yield
    --       --  

Expected volatility – In determining expected volatility, we have considered a number of factors, including historical volatility and implied volatility.

Expected term – We use historical employee exercise data to estimate the expected term assumption for the Black-Scholes valuation.

Risk-free interest rate – We use the yield on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury securities for a period commensurate with the expected term assumption as its risk-free interest rate.

Expected dividend yield – We do not issue dividends on our common stock; therefore, a dividend yield of 0% was used in the Black-Scholes model.

We recognize expense using the straight-line attribution method for both pre- and post-adoption grants.  The amount of stock-based compensation recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest.  SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  The term “forfeitures” is distinct from “cancellations” or “expirations” and represents only the unvested portion of the surrendered option.  We currently expect, based on an analysis of our historical forfeitures, a forfeiture rate of approximately 3% and applied that rate to grants issued subsequent to adoption of SFAS 123R.  This assumption will be reviewed periodically and the rate will be adjusted as necessary based on these reviews.  Ultimately, the actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those shares that vest.

A summary of the activity under our stock option plans as of March 30, 2008 and changes during the three month period then ended, is presented below:
   
 
 
Options
Outstanding
   
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
   
Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual
Life in Years
   
 
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
Options outstanding at December 30, 2007
    1,989,646     $ 40.39              
    Options granted
    300,350       31.38              
    Options exercised
    (12,699 )     16.29              
    Options cancelled
    (11,584 )     47.39              
Options outstanding at March 30, 2008
    2,265,713       39.29       6.5     $ 4,216,153  
Options exercisable at March 30, 2008
    1,682,818       38.67       5.6       3,918,939  
Options vested or expected to vest at March 30, 2008 *
    2,248,387       39.28       6.5       4,207,236  
*  In addition to the vested options, we expect a portion of the unvested options to vest at some point in the future.  Options expected to vest is calculated by applying an estimated forfeiture rate to the unvested options.

During the three month period ended March 30, 2008, the total intrinsic value of options exercised (i.e., the difference between the market price at time of exercise and the price paid by the individual to exercise the options) was $0.1 million and the total amount of cash received from the exercise of these options was $0.2 million.
 
9


Restricted Stock

In 2006, we began granting restricted stock to certain key executives.  This restricted stock program is a performance based plan that awards shares of common stock of the Company at the end of a three-year measurement period.  Awards associated with this program cliff vest at the end of the three-year period and eligible participants can be awarded shares ranging from 0% to 200% of the original award amount, based on defined performance measures associated with earnings per share.

We will recognize compensation expense on these awards ratably over the vesting period.  The fair value of the award will be determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date.  The amount of compensation expense recognized over the vesting period will be based on our projections of the performance of earnings per share over the requisite service period and, ultimately, how that performance compares to the defined performance measure.  If, at any point during the vesting period, we conclude that the ultimate result of this measure will change from that originally projected, we will adjust the compensation expense accordingly and recognize the difference ratably over the remaining vesting period.

   
Restricted Shares Outstanding
 
Non-vested shares outstanding at December 30, 2007
    44,800  
    Awards granted
    31,850  
Non-vested shares outstanding at March 30, 2008
    76,650  

Based on adjustments to our performance projections, we reduced previously recognized compensation expense related to these awards by $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2008.  For the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, we recognized $0.1 million of income and $0.3 million of compensation expense, respectively, related to restricted stock.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We have an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) that allows eligible employees to purchase, through payroll deductions, shares of our common stock at 85% of the fair market value.  The ESPP has two six-month offering periods per year, the first beginning in January and ending in June and the second beginning in July and ending in December. The ESPP contains a look-back feature that allows the employee to acquire stock at a 15% discount from the underlying market price at the beginning or end of the respective period, whichever is lower.  Under SFAS 123R, we recognize compensation expense on this plan ratably over the offering period based on the fair value of the anticipated number of shares that will be issued at the end of each respective period.  Compensation expense is adjusted at the end of each offering period for the actual number of shares issued.  Fair value is determined based on two factors: (i) the 15% discount amount on the underlying stock’s market value on the first day of the respective plan period, and (ii) the fair value of the look-back feature determined by using the Black-Scholes model.  We recognized approximately $0.1 million of compensation expense associated with the plan in the three month periods ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007.


Note 7 – Pension Benefit and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the periods indicated are:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Pension Benefits
   
Retirement Health and Life
Insurance Benefits
 
   
March 30, 2008
   
April 1, 2007
   
March 30, 2008
   
April 1, 2007
 
Change in benefit obligation:
                       
                         
Service cost
  $ 1,286     $ 1,153     $ 142     $ 207  
Interest cost
    1,989       1,794       105       149  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2,608 )     (2,490 )     -       -  
Amortization of prior service cost
    129       121       (174 )     -  
Amortization of net loss
    36       79       42       25  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 832     $ 657     $ 115     $ 381  


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Employer Contributions

We did not make any voluntary contributions to our qualified defined benefit pension plans during the first three months of 2008 or 2007.  We made approximately $0.2 million in contributions (benefit payments) to our non-qualified defined benefit plans during the first three months of 2008 and 2007.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Retiree Medical Plan Amendments

On July 16, 2007, we announced to our employees and retirees that the defined benefit pension and retiree medical plans would be amended effective January 1, 2008.  As of January 1, 2008, newly hired and rehired employees are no longer eligible for the defined benefit pension plan.  However, the amendment to the defined benefit pension plan did not impact the benefits to plan participants as of December 31, 2007.  The amendment to the retiree medical plan did not impact the benefits for employees who were age 50 or older as of December 31, 2007, as long as they met certain eligibility requirements.  However, employees who were less than age 50 as of December 31, 2007 are no longer eligible for retiree medical benefits.  This plan amendment has resulted in a reduction to the accumulated benefit obligation, which beginning in the third quarter of 2007 is being accounted for as a reduction to prior service cost based on a plan amendment and amortized over the expected remaining service period of the ongoing active plan participants until they become fully eligible. In the first quarter of 2008, we recognized approximately $0.1 million as a reduction to prior service cost as a result of the amendment.


Note 8 – Equity

Common Stock Repurchase

From time to time, our Board of Directors authorizes the repurchase, at management’s discretion, of shares of our common stock.  On February 15, 2008, the Board of Directors approved a buyback program, which authorized us to repurchase up to an aggregate of $30 million in market value of common stock over a twelve-month period.  This repurchase plan was scheduled to expire on February 14, 2009.  Under this buyback program, we repurchased approximately 907,000 shares of common stock for $30.0 million in the first quarter of 2008, which completed this buyback program.  Under a prior buyback program, 287,000 shares of common stock were repurchased for $14.0 million in the first quarter of 2007.
 
 
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Note 9 – Segment Information

The following table sets forth the information about our reportable segments in conformity with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” for the periods indicated:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008 (1)
   
April 1,
2007 (1)
 
             
Printed Circuit Materials
           
Net sales
  $ 32,968     $ 39,025  
Operating income
    3,066       3,241  
                 
High Performance Foams
               
Net sales
  $ 29,301     $ 26,001  
Operating income
    4,805       3,968  
                 
Custom Electrical Components
               
Net sales
  $ 28,010     $ 39,264  
Operating income
    1,915       3,136  
                 
Other Polymer Products (2)
               
Net sales
  $ 12,054     $ 10,781  
Operating (loss) income
    (1,075 )     (239 )
                 
(1)  
These amounts represent the results of continuing operations.  The 2007 amounts have been adjusted to exclude the results of the polyolefin foams operating segment, which had been aggregated in the Other Polymer Products reportable segment.  See Note 13 “Discontinued Operations” for further information.
(2)  
In the first quarter of 2008, we created a new operating segment called NuFlex, which will report certain distribution activities for our flexible circuit material products that we historically produced, but that has been outsourced to our joint venture, RCCT, as well as certain residual manufacturing related to our wholly-owned flexible circuit material business. The operating segment did not meet the aggregation criteria in SFAS 131 and is therefore being included in our Other Polymer Products reportable segment.

 
Inter-segment sales have been eliminated from the sales data in the previous table.


Note 10 – Joint Ventures

As of March 30, 2008, we had four joint ventures, each 50% owned, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

 
Joint Venture
Location
Reportable Segment
Fiscal Year-End
       
Rogers Inoac Corporation (RIC)
Japan
High Performance Foams
October 31
Rogers Inoac Suzhou Corporation (RIS)
China
High Performance Foams
December 31
Rogers Chang Chun Technology Co., Ltd. (RCCT)
Taiwan
Printed Circuit Materials
December 31
Polyimide Laminate Systems, LLC (PLS)
U.S.
Printed Circuit Materials
December 31

Equity income of $1.1 million and $1.3 million for the three month periods ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively, is included in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  In addition, commission income from PLS of $0.6 million and $0.4 million for the three month periods ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007, respectively, is included in “Other income, net” on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
 
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The summarized financial information for these joint ventures for the periods indicated is as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 30, 2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
             
Net sales
  $ 26,233     $ 22,104  
Gross profit
    5,843       4,063  
Net income
    2,186       2,536  

The effect of transactions between us and our unconsolidated joint ventures were accounted for on a consolidated basis.  Receivables from and payables to joint ventures arise during the normal course of business from transactions between us and the joint ventures, typically from the joint venture purchasing raw materials from us to produce end products, which are sold to third parties, or from us purchasing finished goods from our joint ventures, which are then sold to third parties.


Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies

We are currently engaged in the following environmental and legal proceedings:

Environmental Remediation in Manchester, Connecticut

In the fourth quarter of 2002, we sold our Moldable Composites Division located in Manchester, Connecticut to Vyncolit North America, Inc., at the time a subsidiary of the Perstorp Group, located in Sweden.  Subsequent to the divestiture, certain environmental matters were discovered at the Manchester location and we determined that under the terms of the arrangement, we would be responsible for estimated remediation costs of approximately $0.5 million and recorded this reserve in 2002 in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies (SFAS 5).  The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) accepted our Remedial Action Plan in February 2005.  We completed the remediation activities in December 2005 and started post-remediation groundwater monitoring in 2006.  The cost of the remediation approximated the reserve originally recorded in 2002.  We have completed all of the required groundwater monitoring with favorable results.  In the second quarter of 2008, we plan to issue to the CT DEP a final verification that the site has been remediated in accordance with the CT Remediation Standard.

Superfund Sites

We are currently involved as a potentially responsible party (PRP) in four active cases involving waste disposal sites.  In certain cases, these proceedings are at a stage where it is still not possible to estimate the ultimate cost of remediation, the timing and extent of remedial action that may be required by governmental authorities, and the amount of our liability, if any, alone or in relation to that of any other PRPs.  However, the costs incurred since inception for these claims have been immaterial and have been primarily covered by insurance policies, for both legal and remediation costs.  In one particular case, we have been assessed a cost sharing percentage of approximately 2% in relation to the range for estimated total cleanup costs of $17 million to $24 million.  We believe we have sufficient insurance coverage to fully cover this liability and have recorded a liability and related insurance receivable of approximately $0.4 million as of March 30, 2008, which approximates our share of the low end of the range.

In all our superfund cases, we believe we are a de minimis participant and have only been allocated an insignificant percentage of the total PRP cost sharing responsibility.  Based on facts presently known to us, we believe that the potential for the final results of these cases having a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows is remote.  These cases have been ongoing for many years and we believe that they will continue on for the indefinite future.  No time frame for completion can be estimated at the present time.

PCB Contamination

We have been working with the CT DEP and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region I in connection with certain polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the soil beneath a section of cement flooring at our Woodstock, Connecticut facility.  We completed clean-up efforts in 2000 in accordance with a previously agreed upon remediation plan.  To address the residual contamination at the site, we proposed a plan of Monitored Natural Attenuation, which was subsequently rejected by the CT DEP.  We subsequently submitted a revised plan to the CT DEP, which was also rejected.  We have submitted an amendment to the revised plan, which includes the installation and maintenance of a pump and treat system for a well at the location.  We are awaiting a decision from the CT DEP on the amendment to the revised plan; however, we have estimated the cost of the system to be approximately $0.1 million and have accrued for this liability.    Since inception, we have spent approximately $2.5 million in remediation and monitoring costs related to the site.  We cannot estimate the range of future remediation costs based on facts and circumstances known to us at the present time.  We believe that this situation will continue for several more years and no time frame for completion can be estimated at the present time.
 
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Asbestos Litigation

Over the past several years, there has been a significant increase in certain U.S. states in asbestos-related product liability claims brought against numerous industrial companies where the third-party plaintiffs allege personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing products. We have been named, along with hundreds of other companies, as a defendant in some of these claims. In virtually all of these claims filed against us, the plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages, or, if an amount is specified, it merely represents jurisdictional amounts or amounts to be proven at trial.  Even in those situations where specific damages are alleged, the claims frequently seek the same amount of damages, irrespective of the disease or injury.  Plaintiffs’ lawyers often sue dozens or even hundreds of defendants in individual lawsuits on behalf of hundreds or even thousands of claimants.  As a result, even when specific damages are alleged with respect to a specific disease or injury, those damages are not expressly identified as to us.

We did not mine, mill, manufacture or market asbestos; rather, we made some limited products, which contained encapsulated asbestos.  Such products were provided to industrial users.  We stopped manufacturing these products in 1987.

·   Claims

We have been named in asbestos litigation primarily in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Mississippi.  As of March 30, 2008, there were approximately 185 pending claims compared to 175 pending claims at December 30, 2007.  The number of open claims during a particular time can fluctuate significantly from period to period depending on how successful we have been in getting these cases dismissed or settled.  In addition, most of these lawsuits do not include specific dollar claims for damages, and many include a number of plaintiffs and multiple defendants.  Therefore, we cannot provide any meaningful disclosure about the total amount of the damages sought.

The rate at which plaintiffs filed asbestos-related suits against us increased in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 because of increased activity on the part of plaintiffs to identify those companies that sold asbestos containing products, but which did not directly mine, mill or market asbestos.  A significant increase in the volume of asbestos-related bodily injury cases arose in Mississippi in 2002.  This increase in the volume of claims in Mississippi was apparently due to the passage of tort reform legislation (applicable to asbestos-related injuries), which became effective on September 1, 2003 and which resulted in a higher than average number of claims being filed in Mississippi by plaintiffs seeking to ensure their claims would be governed by the law in effect prior to the passage of tort reform.  The number of asbestos-related suits filed against us declined in 2005 and in 2006, but increased slightly in 2007.  As of the first quarter, the number of suits filed in 2008 is similar to the number filed in 2007 at that time.

·  Defenses

In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable loss as a result of exposure to our asbestos-containing products.  We continue to believe that a majority of the claimants in pending cases will not be able to demonstrate exposure or loss.  This belief is based in large part on two factors: the limited number of asbestos-related products manufactured and sold by us and the fact that the asbestos was encapsulated in such products.  In addition, even at sites where the presence of an alleged injured party can be verified during the same period those products were used, our liability cannot be presumed because even if an individual contracted an asbestos-related disease, not everyone who was employed at a site was exposed to the asbestos-containing products that we manufactured.  Based on these and other factors, we have and will continue to vigorously defend ourselves in asbestos-related matters.

·  Dismissals and Settlements

Cases involving us typically name 50-300 defendants, although some cases have had as few as one and as many as 833 defendants.  We have obtained dismissals of many of these claims.  In the three month period ended March 30, 2008, we were able to have approximately 13 claims dismissed and did not have to settle any claims.  For the full year 2007, approximately 59 claims were dismissed and 12 were settled.  The majority of costs have been paid by our insurance carriers, including the costs associated with the small number of cases that have been settled.  Such settlements totaled approximately $2 million in 2007.  Although these figures provide some insight into our experience with asbestos litigation, no guarantee can be made as to the dismissal and settlement rate that we will experience in the future.

Settlements are made without any admission of liability.  Settlement amounts may vary depending upon a number of factors, including the jurisdiction where the action was brought, the nature and extent of the disease alleged and the associated medical evidence, the age and occupation of the claimant, the existence or absence of other possible causes of the alleged illness of the alleged injured party and the availability of legal defenses, as well as whether the action is brought alone or as part of a group of claimants.  To date, we have been successful in obtaining dismissals for many of the claims and have settled only a limited number.  The majority of settled claims were settled for immaterial amounts, and the majority of such costs have been paid by our insurance carriers.  In addition, to date, we have not been required to pay any punitive damage awards.
 
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·  Potential Liability

In late 2004, we determined that it was reasonably prudent, based on facts and circumstances known to us at that time, to have a formal analysis performed to determine our potential future liability and related insurance coverage for asbestos-related matters.  This determination was made based on several factors, including the growing number of asbestos-related claims at the time and the related settlement history.  As a result, National Economic Research Associates, Inc. (NERA), a consulting firm with expertise in the field of evaluating mass tort litigation asbestos bodily-injury claims, was engaged to assist us in projecting our future asbestos-related liabilities and defense costs with regard to pending claims and future unasserted claims.  Projecting future asbestos costs is subject to numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict, including the number of claims that might be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, costs of medical treatment, the financial resources of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards, including potential tort reform.  Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens.  In light of these inherent uncertainties, our limited claims history and consultations with NERA, we believe that five years is the most reasonable period for recognizing a reserve for future costs, and that costs that might be incurred after that period are not reasonably estimable at this time.  As a result, we also believe that our ultimate net asbestos-related contingent liability (i.e., our indemnity or other claim disposition costs plus related legal fees) cannot be estimated with certainty.

·  Insurance Coverage

Our applicable insurance policies generally provide coverage for asbestos liability costs, including coverage for both resolution and defense costs.  Following the initiation of asbestos litigation, an effort was made to identify all of our primary and excess insurance carriers that provided applicable coverage beginning in the 1950s through the mid-1980s.  There appear to be three such primary carriers, all of which were put on notice of the litigation.  In late 2004, Marsh Risk Consulting (Marsh), a consulting firm with expertise in the field of evaluating insurance coverage and the likelihood of recovery for asbestos-related claims, was engaged to work with us to project our insurance coverage for asbestos-related claims. Marsh’s conclusions were based primarily on a review of our coverage history, application of reasonable assumptions on the allocation of coverage consistent with industry standards, an assessment of the creditworthiness of the insurance carriers, analysis of applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, the experience of NERA and a review of NERA’s reports.

·  Cost Sharing Agreement

To date, our primary insurance carriers have provided for substantially all of the settlement and defense costs associated with our asbestos-related claims.  However, as claims continued, we determined, along with our primary insurance carriers, that it would be appropriate to enter into a cost sharing agreement to clearly define the cost sharing relationship among such carriers and ourselves.  A definitive cost sharing agreement was finalized on September 28, 2006.  Under the definitive agreement, the primary insurance carriers will continue to pay essentially all resolution and defense costs associated with these claims until the coverage is exhausted.
 
· Impact on Financial Statements

Given the inherent uncertainty in making future projections, we have had the projections of current and future asbestos claims periodically re-examined, and we will have them updated if needed based on our experience, changes in the underlying assumptions that formed the basis for NERA’s and Marsh’s models and other relevant factors, such as changes in the tort system, the number of claims brought against us and our success in resolving claims.  Based on the assumptions employed by and the report prepared by NERA and other variables, NERA and Marsh updated their respective analyses for year-end 2007 and the estimated liability and estimated insurance recovery, for the five-year period through 2012, is $23.6 and $23.5 million, respectively.  These amounts are currently reflected in our financial statements at March 30, 2008 as no material changes occurred during the quarter that would cause us to believe that an additional update to the analysis was required.
 
The amounts recorded for the asbestos-related liability and the related insurance receivables described above were based on facts known at the time and a number of assumptions.  However, projecting future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of such claims, coverage issues among insurers and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation in the United States, could cause the actual liability and insurance recoveries for us to be higher or lower than those projected or recorded.

There can be no assurance that our accrued asbestos liabilities will approximate our actual asbestos-related settlement and defense costs, or that our accrued insurance recoveries will be realized. We believe that it is reasonably possible that we will incur additional charges for our asbestos liabilities and defense costs in the future, which could exceed existing reserves, but such excess amount cannot be estimated at this time.  We will continue to vigorously defend ourselves and believe we have substantial unutilized insurance coverage to mitigate future costs related to this matter.
 
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Other Environmental and Legal Matters

In 2005, we began to market our manufacturing facility in Windham, Connecticut to find potential interested buyers.  This facility was formerly the location of the manufacturing operations of our elastomer component and float businesses prior to the relocation of these businesses to Suzhou, China in the fall of 2004.  As part of our due diligence in preparing the site for sale, we determined that there were several environmental issues at the site and, although under no legal obligation to voluntarily remediate the site, we believed that remediation procedures would have to be performed in order to successfully sell the property.  Therefore, we obtained an independent third-party assessment on the site, which determined that the potential remediation cost range would be approximately $0.4 million to $1.0 million.  In accordance with SFAS 5, we determined that the potential remediation would most likely approximate the mid-point of this range and recorded a $0.7 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2005, which remains recorded at March 30, 2008.

On May 16, 2007, CalAmp Corp. (CalAmp) filed a lawsuit against us for unspecified damages.  In the lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California, CalAmp alleges performance issues with certain printed circuit board laminate materials we had provided for use in certain of their products.  Although the lawsuit does not quantify the amount of damages CalAmp is seeking against us, CalAmp had disclosed in various SEC filings that it had settled claims asserted by its largest customer (EchoStar Technologies Corp.) due to performance problems with EchoStar’s customer's direct broadcast satellite television equipment allegedly caused by our laminate materials.  CalAmp has also disclosed that it has established reserves as of November 30, 2007 of $18.1 million to cover the costs of its settlement with EchoStar.  We believe that CalAmp's lawsuit against us is likely to seek recovery of most or all of its settlement costs and possibly additional losses that have not yet been quantified.  CalAmp’s suit against us is proceeding, although a trial date has not yet been set.  We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these allegations.  Based on facts and circumstances known to us at the present time, including the fact that CalAmp has not quantified the amount of damages it is seeking against us, we cannot determine the probability of success in such defenses or the range of any potential loss that may occur as a result of these proceedings.

In addition to the above issues, the nature and scope of our business bring us in regular contact with the general public and a variety of businesses and government agencies.  Such activities inherently subject us to the possibility of litigation, including environmental and product liability matters that are defended and handled in the ordinary course of business.  We have established accruals for matters for which management considers a loss to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is the opinion of management that facts known at the present time do not indicate that such litigation, after taking into account insurance coverage and the aforementioned accruals, will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.


Note 12 – Restructuring Charges

Beginning in the second quarter of 2007, we underwent significant restructuring activities which resulted in net charges of $13.8 million for the year of 2007.  Such activities, and the related charges, were substantially completed by the end of 2007.  The financial impact of these activities on the first quarter of 2008 was insignificant, except for a reduction in inventory reserves of approximately $0.5 million due to the sale of inventory that had previously been specifically reserved in the second quarter of 2007.  No restructuring charges were recorded in the first quarter of 2007.

Severance

In the second quarter of 2007, we took a number of actions to reduce costs, including a company-wide headcount reduction.  In accordance with SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, and SFAS No. 112, Employers’ Accounting for Postemployment Benefits, we recorded $2.6 million of severance charges in the second quarter of 2007, which were included in restructuring and impairment charges on our condensed consolidated statements of income.  In the first three months of 2008, we made severance payments of $0.6 million and we expect to pay the remainder of these amounts over the fiscal 2008 year.

A summary of the activity in the accrual for severance is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
     
Balance at December 30, 2007
  $ 1,572  
Provisions
    31  
Payments
    (647 )
Balance at March 30, 2008
  $ 956  


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Note 13 – Discontinued Operations

On July 27, 2007, we completed the closure of the operations of the polyolefin foams operating segment, which had been aggregated in the Company’s Other Polymer Products reportable segment.  For the three months ended March 30, 2008, there was no activity associated with the discontinued operations.  For the three months ended April 1, 2007, $0.8 million of net sales and $0.1 million of operating income, net of tax, has been reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.


Note 14 – Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate was 29.2% and 23.8%, respectively, for the three month periods ended March 30, 2008, and April 1, 2007, as compared with the statutory rate of 35.0%.  For the three month period ended March 30, 2008, our tax rate continued to benefit from favorable tax rates on certain foreign business activity.  For the three month period ended April 1, 2007, our tax rate benefited from favorable tax rates on certain foreign business activity, research and development tax credits and certain discrete rate items.

Our accounting policy is to account for interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.  As of March 30, 2008, we had approximately $0.7 million of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions included in the $9.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits.  It is reasonably possible that a reduction of tax benefits in a range of $3 million to $5 million may occur within 12 months as a result of projected resolutions of world wide tax disputes or the expiration of the statute of limitations.  All of the unrecognized tax benefits would have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate if recognized.

We are subject to numerous tax filings, including U.S. Federal, various state and foreign jurisdictions.  Currently, the following tax years remain open to audit, by jurisdiction: U.S. Federal - 2004 – 2007, various states - 2003 – 2007, and foreign - 2004 – 2007.


Note 15 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting for Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 replaces multiple existing definitions of fair value with a single definition, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies only to fair value measurements that already are required or permitted by other accounting standards and does not require any new fair value measurements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 on December 31, 2007, see Note 2 “Fair Value Measurements”.

Accounting for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  SFAS 159 is effective in the first quarter of 2008, and the adoption has not had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Accounting for Business Combinations and Noncontrolling Interests

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R) Business Combinations (SFAS 141(R)), and SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS 160).  SFAS 141(R) will change how business acquisitions are accounted for and will impact financial statements both on the acquisition date and in subsequent periods. SFAS 160 will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. SFAS 141(R) and SFAS 160 are required to be adopted concurrently and are effective for fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.

Disclosures about Derivative Instruments

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 161), as an amendment to SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 161 requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation. The fair value of derivative instruments and their gains and losses will need to be presented in tabular format in order to present a more complete picture of the effects of using derivative instruments. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.
 
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Business Overview

We are a global enterprise that provides our customers with innovative solutions and industry leading products in a variety of markets, including portable communications, communications infrastructure, consumer products, consumer electronics, healthcare, semiconductors, mass transit, automotive, ground transportation, aerospace, defense and alternative energy.  We generate revenues and cash flows through the development, manufacture, and distribution of specialty material-based products that are sold to multiple customers, primarily original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s) and contract manufacturers that, in turn, produce component products that are sold to end-customers for use in various applications.  As such, our business is highly dependent, although indirectly, on market demand for these end-user products.  Our ability to forecast future sales growth is largely dependent on management’s ability to anticipate changing market conditions and how our customers will react to these changing conditions; it is also highly limited due to the short lead times demanded by our customers and the dynamics of serving as a relatively small supplier in the overall supply chain for these end-user products.  In addition, our sales represent a number of different products across a wide range of price points and distribution channels that do not always allow for meaningful quantitative analysis of changes in demand or price per unit with respect to the effect on net sales.

Our current focus is on worldwide markets that have an increasing percentage of materials being used to support growing high technology applications, such as cellular base stations and antennas, handheld wireless devices, satellite television receivers and automotive electronics.  We continue to focus on business opportunities around the globe and particularly in the Asian marketplace, as evidenced by the continued investment in and expansion of our manufacturing facilities in Suzhou, China, which functions as our manufacturing base to serve our customers in Asia.  Our goal is to become the supplier of choice for our customers in all of the various markets in which we participate.  To achieve this goal, we strive to make the best products in these respective markets and to deliver the highest level of service to our customers.

First quarter 2008 sales were $102.3 million, a decrease of $12.8 million, or 11%, from the first quarter of 2007.  This decrease in sales was driven primarily by the decline in sales in both the Custom Electrical Components reportable segment, which experienced a 29% decrease in sales in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007, and the Printed Circuit Materials reportable segment, which experienced a sales decline of approximately 15% in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007.  These declines were partially offset by an increase in sales in the High Performance Foams reportable segment, which reported a 13% increase in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007.  Operating income decreased 14% from $10.1 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $8.7 million in the first quarter of 2008.  Earnings per diluted share also declined from $0.55 in the first quarter of 2007 to $0.48 in the first quarter of 2008.  These declines are primarily due to program terminations in the portable communications market related to Custom Electrical Components products, which occurred at a pace greater than initially expected, as well as the continued decline in our flexible circuit materials business.  However, due in part to the restructuring activities undertaken in 2007, as well as focused efforts to control discretionary spending, we have been able to reduce our operating costs and increase our manufacturing margins, which has helped mitigate the impact of these declines on the profitability of our business.  These results are discussed in the “Results of Operations” section below.
 
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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
             
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Manufacturing margins
    31.6       30.5  
                 
Selling and administrative expenses
    17.9       16.8  
Research and development expenses
    5.2       4.9  
Operating income
    8.5       8.8  
                 
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures
    1.1       1.1  
Other income, net
    1.2       0.9  
Income before income taxes
    10.8       10.8  
                 
Income tax expense
    3.2       2.6  
                 
Net income from continuing operations
    7.6       8.2  
                 
Income from discontinued operations, net
    -       0.1  
                 
Net income
    7.6 %     8.3 %

Net Sales

Net sales for the three month period ended March 30, 2008 were $102.3 million as compared to $115.1 million in the three month period ended April 1, 2007, a decrease of 11%.  The decrease was primarily the result of sales declines in our Custom Electrical Components and Printed Circuit Material reportable segments, partially offset by a sales increase in our High Performance Foams reportable segment.   See “Segment Sales and Operations” below for further discussion on segment performance.

Manufacturing Margins

Manufacturing margins as a percentage of sales increased from 30.5% in the first quarter of 2007 to 31.6% in the first quarter of 2008. These improved margins are partially a result of the restructuring efforts initiated in 2007, which have resulted in lower manufacturing costs, as well as an improved product mix.  Out three strategic business segments, Printed Circuit Materials, High Performance Foams and Custom Electrical Components, all experienced improved margins in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007.  See “Segment Sales and Operations” discussion below for additional information.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased from $19.3 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $18.4 million in the first quarter of 2008.  As a percentage of sales, first quarter 2008 selling and administrative expenses were 17.9% as compared to 16.8% in the first quarter of 2007.  The decrease in selling and administrative expenses is primarily due to a decrease in equity compensation expense of $0.5 million, combined with a decrease in overall spending in 2008 as a result of the company-wide cost reduction efforts that were initiated in conjunction with our restructuring activities in 2007.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development (R&D) expense declined 6.7% from $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2008.  As a percentage of sales, research and development expenses were 4.9% in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to 5.2% in the first quarter of 2008.  We continue to target a reinvestment percentage of approximately 6% of sales into R&D activities each year.  We are focused on continually investing in R&D, both in our efforts to improve the technology and products in our current portfolio, as well as researching new business development opportunities to further expand and grow the business.  We believe that technology is one of the cornerstones of our past success and that our future success is dependent on our continued focus on research and development initiatives.
 
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Equity Income in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures decreased in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007 from $1.3 million to $1.1 million due primarily to the lower profitability at our flexible circuit material joint venture in Taiwan, Rogers Chang Chun Technology Co., Ltd. (RCCT).

Other Income, Net

Other income decreased approximately $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007 from $0.6 million to $0.4 million.  This decrease is primarily attributable to foreign currency losses related to the devaluation of the dollar as compared to other foreign currencies, particularly the Euro.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate was 29.2% and 23.8%, respectively, for the three month periods ended March 30, 2008, and April 1, 2007, as compared with the statutory rate of 35.0%.  For the three month period ended March 30, 2008 our tax rate continued to benefit from favorable tax rates on certain foreign business activity.  For the three month period ended April 1, 2007 our tax rate benefited from favorable tax rates on certain foreign business activity, research and development tax credits and certain discrete rate items.

Restructuring Charges

Beginning in the second quarter of 2007, we underwent significant restructuring activities that resulted in net charges of $13.8 million for the year of 2007.  Such activities, and the related charges, were substantially completed by the end of 2007.  The financial impact of these activities on the first quarter of 2008 was insignificant, except for a reduction in inventory reserves of approximately $0.5 million due to the sale of inventory that had previously been specifically reserved in the second quarter of 2007.  No restructuring charges were recorded in the first quarter of 2007.

Discontinued Operations

On July 27, 2007, we completed the closure of the operations of the polyolefin foams operating segment, which had been aggregated in our Other Polymer Products reportable segment.  For the three months ended March 30, 2008, there was no activity associated with the discontinued operations.  For the three months ended April 1, 2007, $0.8 million of net sales and $0.1 million of operating income, net of tax, has been reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Segment Sales and Operations

Printed Circuit Materials

(Dollars in millions)
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 33.0     $ 39.0  
Operating income
    3.0       3.2  

Our Printed Circuit Materials (PCM) reportable segment is comprised of our high frequency circuit material products.  Net sales in this segment decreased by 15% in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007; however, operating profits declined only 6% from $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2008.  In the first quarter of 2008, we established a new business model related to our flexible circuit materials operating segment in which much of our production related to this segment was outsourced to our joint venture, RCCT.  Going forward, we will act as a distributor for production out of RCCT and retain some residual manufacturing related to this segment.  These results will be reported in a new operating segment, NuFlex, which will be reported in our Other Polymer Products reportable segment.  Therefore, the sales decline in PCM is almost entirely attributable to these actions, which resulted in a more favorable product mix, as evidenced by the increased returns on sales experienced in the first quarter of 2008, as operating income, as a percentage of net sales, was 9.1% in the first quarter of 2008, as compared to 8.2% in the first quarter of 2007.
 
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High Performance Foams

(Dollars in millions)
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 29.3     $ 26.0  
Operating income
    4.8       4.0  

Our High Performance Foams (HPF) reportable segment is comprised of our Poron® polyurethane and Bisco® silicone foams products.  Net sales in this segment increased by 13% in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007 and operating income increased 20% over the comparable period.  Quarter-over-quarter improvements were experienced in both sales and operating profits for both the Poron® polyurethane and Bisco® silicone foams operating segments, with the Poron® polyurethane foams operating segment benefiting from the recently established manufacturing line in our Suzhou, China facility that will help us better serve our customers in Asia.  This segment continues to perform well with consistent quarter-over-quarter growth driven by strong demand in the portable communications and transportation markets.

Custom Electrical Components

(Dollars in millions)
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 28.0     $ 39.3  
Operating income
    1.9       3.1  

Our Custom Electrical Components reportable segment is comprised of electroluminescent (EL) lamps, inverters, and power distribution systems products.  Net sales in this segment decreased by 29% in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the comparable period in 2007 and operating income declined 39% over the same comparable periods.  The sales and operating result declines are primarily driven by the diminishing demand for EL backlighting in the portable communications market, as program terminations accelerated at a greater pace than initially expected.  In order to maximize the residual lamp business, we shifted the majority of our EL lamp production to China in 2007, leaving only a small amount of manufacturing in the U.S.  We believe the demand for EL lamps will continue to decline in the portable communications market and we are currently exploring other potential opportunities for this technology in other markets, such as advertising, as well as in the automotive and consumer electronics markets, among others.  These declines were partially offset by increased sales volumes in the power distribution systems business, as strong demand for these products in mass transit applications helped drives sales, particularly in the Asian marketplace.

Other Polymer Products

(Dollars in millions)
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 12.1     $ 10.8  
Operating (loss) income
    (1.1 )     (0.2 )

Our Other Polymer Products (OPP) reportable segment consists of elastomer rollers, floats, non-woven materials, polyester-based industrial laminates, thermal management products and flexible circuit material products.  Net sales in this segment increased by 12% in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007; however, operating losses also increased from a loss of $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2008.  As discussed in the PCM section above, this segment now includes our NuFlex operating segment which contributed to both the sales volumes and operating losses in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of 2007.  Also contributing to the operating losses in the first quarter of 2008 was our Thermal Management System operating segment, which began operations and achieved its first sales in the first quarter of 2008.
 
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Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position

We believe that our ability to generate cash from operations to reinvest in the business is one of our fundamental strengths, as demonstrated by our continued strong financial position at the end of the first quarter of 2008.  We have remained debt free since 2002 and continue to finance our operating needs through internally generated funds.  We believe that over the next twelve months, internally generated funds plus available lines of credit will be sufficient to meet the capital expenditures and ongoing financial needs of the business.  However, we continually review and evaluate the adequacy of our lending facilities and relationships.

(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 30,
2008
   
December 30,
2007
 
Key Balance Sheet Accounts:
           
  Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
  $ 21,974     $ 89,628  
  Accounts receivable
    73,885       76,965  
  Inventory
    47,954       51,243  
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 30,
2008
   
April 1,
2007
 
Key Cash Flow Measures:
               
  Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
  $ 17,482     $ (1,520 )
  Cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations
    (4,062 )     23,066  
  Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (29,285 )     (12,765 )

At March 30, 2008, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $22.0 million as compared to $89.6 million at December 30, 2007.  The decline is primarily due to the change in classification of our investments in auction rate securities.  At year-end 2007, we held approximately $53.3 million of such securities that were classified as short-term investments.  As of the first quarter 2008, approximately $53.3 million (par value of $54.4 million) of these investments have been reclassified to a long term asset (see Note 2 “Fair Value Measurements” for further discussion).  Cash decreased $14.4 million from year-end 2007 due to the repurchase of approximately 907,000 shares of common stock for $30.0 million in the first quarter of 2008, partially offset by strong cash generation from operations.

Significant changes in our balance sheet accounts from December 30, 2007 to March 30, 2008 are as follows:

o  
Accounts receivable decreased by $3.1 million from $77.0 million at December 30, 2007 to $73.9 million at March 30, 2008, primarily due to lower sales volumes in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2007, as well as strong cash collections.

o  
Inventory decreased by $3.3 million, or 6.4%, from December 30, 2007 to March 30, 2008, primarily due to our continued focus on reducing inventory levels to improve cash flows and strengthen our working capital position.

o  
Accounts payable decreased by $3.2 million from $22.1 million at December 30, 2007 to $18.9 million at March 30, 2008, primarily due to lower inventory purchases during the first quarter of 2008, which is consistent with our lower sales volumes, as well as the timing of payments.

o  
Shareholders equity decreased by $12.3 million from $364.0 million at December 30, 2007 to $351.7 million at March 30, 2008 primarily as a result of the common stock repurchase of $30.0 million, partially offset by current period earnings.

We, together with certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rogers Technologies (Barbados) SRL, Rogers (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Rogers N.V., and Rogers Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., have a Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement with Citizens Bank of Connecticut (Credit Agreement).  The Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured five-year revolving multi-currency credit facility of $75 million (Credit Facility A), and an unsecured 364-day revolving multi-currency credit facility of $25 million (Credit Facility B). The Credit Agreement includes a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $75 million.  Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, we have the right to incur additional indebtedness outside of the Credit Agreement through additional borrowings in an aggregate amount of up to $25 million.

In addition, certain of our subsidiaries that are not borrowers under the Credit Agreement, including Rogers KF, Inc., Rogers Specialty Materials Corporation, Rogers Japan Inc., Rogers Southeast Asia, Inc., Rogers Taiwan, Inc., Rogers Korea, Inc., Rogers Technologies Singapore, Inc., and Rogers Circuit Materials Incorporated, made guaranties in favor of Citizens Bank of Connecticut to guarantee the borrowers' obligations under the Credit Agreement.
 
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Credit Facility A expires on November 13, 2011.  Credit Facility B was renewed on November 11, 2007 and is expected to be renewed annually.  The rate of interest charged on any outstanding loans can, at our option and subject to certain restrictions, be based on the prime rate or at rates from 40 to 87.5 basis points over a LIBOR loan rate.   The spreads over the LIBOR rate are based on our leverage ratio.  Under the arrangement, the ongoing commitment fee varies from zero to 25 basis points of the maximum amount that can be borrowed, net of any outstanding borrowings and the maximum amount that beneficiaries may draw under outstanding letters of credit.  There were no borrowings pursuant to the Credit Agreement at March 30, 2008 and December 30, 2007.

Additionally, we were obligated under an irrevocable standby letter of credit, which guarantees our self- insured workers compensation plan in the amount of $1.1 million at March 30, 2008.  There were no amounts outstanding on this letter of credit as of March 30, 2008.

As of March 30, 2008, we held auction rate securities with a par value of $54.4 million.  These securities have an auction reset feature which began to fail in February 2008 due to a disruption in the credit markets and each auction since then has failed, thus limiting liquidity.  A fair value analysis was performed on these securities that resulted in a decline in the fair value of $1.1 million.  The fair value analysis was based on a discounted cash flow model for each security, utilizing various assumptions including estimated interest rates, probabilities of successful auctions, the timing of cash flows, and the quality and level of collateral of the securities.  We have concluded that the impairment is temporary, due primarily to the fact that the investments we hold are high quality AAA/Aaa-rated and are government-backed or over-collateralized and, based on our expected operating cash flows and other sources of cash, we do not anticipate that the current lack of liquidity on these investments will affect our ability to execute our current business plan.  Therefore, we have the intent and ability to hold the securities until the temporary impairment is recovered.  Based on this conclusion, we have recorded this charge as an unrealized loss in other comprehensive income in the equity section of our condensed consolidated statements of financial position.  Additionally, due to our belief that it may take over twelve months for the auction rate securities market to recover, we have reclassified the auction rate securities balance from short-term investments to long-term assets.

These securities typically earn interest at rates ranging from 3% to 7%.  Upon the failure of these securities at auction, a penalty interest rate is triggered.  However, as the securities that we hold are high quality securities, the penalty rates are market-based, therefore the aggregate interest rate that we earned in the first quarter has remained effectively unchanged due to the effect of lower market interest rates substantially offsetting the market-based penalty rates.


Contingencies

During the first quarter of 2008, we did not become aware of any new material developments related to environmental matters or other contingencies.  We have not had any material recurring costs and capital expenditures related to environmental matters.  Refer to Note 11 “Commitments and Contingencies”, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, for further discussion on ongoing environmental and contingency matters.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no significant changes outside the ordinary course of business in our contractual obligations during the first quarter of 2008.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are, in the opinion of management, likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting for Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 replaces multiple existing definitions of fair value with a single definition, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies only to fair value measurements that already are required or permitted by other accounting standards and does not require any new fair value measurements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  See Note 2 “Fair Value Measurements”.

Accounting for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  SFAS 159 is effective in the first quarter of 2008, and the adoption has not had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
 
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Accounting for Business Combinations and Noncontrolling Interests

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), Business Combinations (SFAS 141(R)) and SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS 160). SFAS 141(R) will change how business acquisitions are accounted for and will impact financial statements both on the acquisition date and in subsequent periods. SFAS 160 will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. SFAS 141(R) and SFAS 160 are required to be adopted concurrently and are effective for fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.

Disclosures about Derivative Instruments

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 161), as an amendment to SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 161 requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation. The fair value of derivative instruments and their gains and losses will need to be presented in tabular format in order to present a more complete picture of the effects of using derivative instruments. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.


Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies during the first quarter of 2008.

Forward-Looking Statements

This information should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 30, 2007.

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions.  Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changing business, economic, and political conditions both in the United States and in foreign countries; increasing competition; changes in product mix; the development of new products and manufacturing processes and the inherent risks associated with such efforts; the outcome of current and future litigation; the accuracy of the Company’s analysis of its potential asbestos-related exposure and insurance coverage; changes in the availability and cost of raw materials; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and any difficulties in integrating acquired businesses into the Company’s operations.  Such factors also apply to the Company’s joint ventures.  The Company makes no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events, or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Additional information about certain factors that could cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those items described in Item 1A, Risk Factors, to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 30, 2007.


There has been no significant change in our exposure to market risk during the first quarter of 2008.  For discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, contained in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


The Company, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as of March 30, 2008.  Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed (i) to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed and summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 30, 2008 in alerting management on a timely basis to information required to be included in our submissions and filings under the Exchange Act.
 
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There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.



See a discussion of environmental, asbestos and other litigation matters in Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies”, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.


There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 
 
 
 
Period
 
 
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
   
 
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
As Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
   
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
may yet be
Purchased under the
Plans or Programs
 
December 31, 2007 through January 27, 2008
    -       -       -     $ 14,460,306  
January 28, 2008 through February 24, 2008
    41,200     $ 30.24       41,200     $ 28,754,067  
February 25, 2008 through March 30, 2008
    865,634     $ 33.22       865,634     $ 20  
   Total
    906,834     $ 33.08       906,834     $ 20  

On February 15, 2007, the Board of Directors approved a buyback program, under which we are authorized to repurchase up to an aggregate of $50 million in market value of common stock over a twelve-month period.  This buyback program expired on February 14, 2008.  On February 15, 2008, the Board of Directors approved a buyback program, under which we are authorized to repurchase up to an aggregate of $30 million in market value of common stock over a twelve-month period. This buyback program is scheduled to expire on February 14, 2009.  Through the three months ended March 30, 2008 we have repurchased 906,834 shares of common stock, for $30.0 million, which completed this buyback program.
 
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List of Exhibits:

3a
Restated Articles of Organization of Rogers Corporation were filed as Exhibit 3a to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 filed on February 27, 2007*.
   
3b
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rogers Corporation, effective February 21, 2007 filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2007*.
   
4a
Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2007, between Rogers Corporation and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2007*.
   
4b
Certain Long-Term Debt Instruments, each representing indebtedness in an amount equal to less than 10 percent of the Registrant’s total consolidated assets, have not been filed as exhibits to this report on Form 10-Q.  The Registrant hereby undertakes to file these instruments with the Commission upon request.
   
10r-9
 Amendment No. 9 to Summary of Director and Executive Officer Compensation**, filed as Exhibit 10r-9 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007 filed on February 27, 2008*.
   
10r-10
Amendment No. 10 to Summary of Director and Executive Officer Compensation**, filed herewith.
   
10aaa-1
Amendment No. 1 dated November 10, 2007 to Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement with Citizens Bank of Connecticut, filed herewith.
   
10aad
Guaranty to Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement by Rogers KF, Inc., Rogers Specialty Materials Corporation, Rogers Japan Inc., Rogers Southeast Asia, Inc., Rogers Taiwan, Inc., Rogers Korea, Inc., Rogers Technologies Singapore, Inc., and Rogers Circuit Materials Incorporated, dated November 10, 2006, filed herewith.
   
10aad-1
Guaranty Confirmation Agreement by Rogers KF, Inc., Rogers Specialty Materials Corporation, Rogers Japan Inc., Rogers Southeast Asia, Inc., Rogers Taiwan, Inc., Rogers Korea, Inc., Rogers Technologies Singapore, Inc., and Rogers Circuit Materials Incorporated, dated November 10, 2007, filed herewith.
   
23.1
Consent of National Economic Research Associates, Inc., filed herewith.
   
23.2
Consent of Marsh U.S.A., Inc., filed herewith.
   
31(a)
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
   
31(b)
Certification of Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
   
32
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
 
   
*
In accordance with Rule 12b-23 and Rule 12b-32 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, reference is made to the documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which documents are hereby incorporated by reference.
**
Management Contract.
   
   
Part II, Items 3, 4 and 5 are not applicable and have been omitted.
 
26



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

 
/s/  Dennis M. Loughran
 
/s/ Paul B. Middleton
Dennis M. Loughran
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer
 
Paul B. Middleton
Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer

Dated:  May 8, 2008
 
27
EX-10 2 a5679529ex10r-10.htm EXHIBIT 10R-10 a5679529ex10r-10.htm


Exhibit 10r-10


AMENDMENT NO. 10 TO SUMMARY OF DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER
COMPENSATION

As of May 8, 2008




Summary of Director and Executive Officer Compensation, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2005, and amended as of May 9, 2005, August 10, 2005, February 22, 2006, March 31, 2006, May 12, 2006, November 20, 2006, February 27, 2007, May 4, 2007, and February 27, 2008, is hereby amended and restated in its entirety:


I.      DIRECTOR COMPENSATION.

Directors who are employees of Rogers receive no additional compensation for their services as directors. The Compensation and Organization Committee periodically reviews non-management director compensation policies with the assistance of outside compensation consultant Pearl Meyer & Partners. In 2007, compensation for non-management directors consisted of an annual retainer and meeting fees (“Fees Earned or Paid”) and stock options (“Option Awards”). Each of these components is shown in the following table and described in more detail below.
 
 
Name  
Fees Earned or Paid (1)
   
Option Awards (2)
   
Total
 
Leonard M. Baker  
$54,872
   
$87,953
   
$142,825
 
Walter E. Boomer  
$51,000
 
 
$87,953
   
$138,953
 
Charles M. Brennan, III  
$54,250
   
$87,953
   
$142,203
 
Edward L. Diefenthal (3)  
$17,718
   
$31,414
   
$ 49,132
 
Gregory B. Howey  
$61,250
   
$87,953
   
$149,203
 
J. Carl Hsu (3)  
$23,000
   
$46,530
   
$ 69,530
 
Leonard R. Jaskol  
$62,000
   
$87,953
   
$149,953
 
Carol R. Jensen  
$54,128
   
$87,953
   
$142,081
 
Eileen S. Kraus  
$65,178
   
$87,953
   
$153,131
 
William E. Mitchell (3)  
$17,968
   
$31,414
   
$ 49,382
 
Robert G. Paul  
$80,250
   
$87,953
   
$168,203
 
 

1.  
Includes meeting fees and the annual retainer. Certain directors elected to receive compensation in Rogers common stock instead of cash.  The conversion of the cash amount into shares of Rogers common stock was made at fair market value.  Fractional shares were rounded up to whole shares.
 
 


 
2.  
The fair value of option awards is the same as the compensation cost realized in financial statements because all options awarded to directors are immediately vested at grant.  For non-management directors who served for the entire year, there were two stock option grants for each individual: June 15, 2007 and December 17, 2007.

3.  
Messrs. Diefenthal and Mitchell did not stand for re-election at the 4/26/2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and their 2007 compensation was pro-rated, as was that for Dr. Hsu who joined the board of directors in June of 2007.

 

 

 
Annual Retainer
 
Non-management directors earned an annual retainer of $35,000 in 2007. The lead director and chairperson of each board committee earned an additional annual retainer as follows: (i) Lead Director (Mr. Paul) - $15,000; (ii) Audit Committee Chairperson (Mr. Paul) - $10,000; (iii) Compensation and Organization Committee Chairperson (Ms. Kraus) - $7,500; (iv) Nominating and Governance Committee Chairperson (Mr. Jaskol) - $5,000; (v) Finance Committee Chairperson (Mr. Howey) - - $5,000 and (vi) Safety and Environment Committee Chairperson  - $3,500. (Dr. Baker was chairperson of this committee until April 26, 2007 when Dr. Jensen became this committee’s chairperson. Each of Drs. Baker and Jensen received a pro-rata share of the $3,500. Specifically in 2007, Dr. Baker received $36,121.75 and Dr. Jensen received $37,416.68.) The retainer is pro-rated for non-management directors who serve for only a portion of the year. The annual retainer is normally paid in June and December. Directors may elect to defer the annual retainer pursuant to a non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
 
 
Meeting Fees
 
Directors currently earn $1,500 for each board meeting attended. Committee chairpersons currently earn $1,500 for each committee meeting attended and other committee members currently earn $1,000 for each committee meeting attended. Fees for telephonic meetings are reduced by 50%. Meeting fees are paid in cash unless Rogers stock compensation is elected. Directors may also elect to defer this compensation pursuant to a non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
 
 

Elections
 
For 2008, certain of Rogers’ current non-management directors made the following elections:
 
Charles M. Brennan, III:  Receive the annual retainer in Rogers stock on a current basis.
 
J. Carl Hsu:  Receive the annual retainer in Rogers stock on a current basis.
 
 
2

 
Rogers’ other non-management directors, Leonard M. Baker,  Walter E. Boomer, Gregory B. Howey, Leonard R. Jaskol, Carol R. Jensen, Eileen S. Kraus and Robert G. Paul, by not making any such special election, will receive cash for the 2008 annual retainer on a current basis  and will receive their meeting fees in cash on a current basis (as will  Messrs. Brennan and Hsu).
 
 
Stock Options
 
Stock options were granted to non-management directors in June and December of 2007. Each regular semi-annual grant was for 2,250 shares with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock at the time of the grant. Options granted to non-management directors are immediately exercisable and expire ten years after the grant date even if the individual ceases to be a director.
 
 
Perquisites
 
Rogers does not provide its non-management directors any additional benefits and/or perquisites beyond what is reported in the table above. Rogers does reimburse its directors for expenses associated with attending any board or committee meetings and attending certain meetings in their capacity as board or committee members.
 
3

 

II. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The table below sets forth the base salaries provided to the following executive officers of Rogers as of the dates shown below.

Executive Officer  
 
2007
Annual
Salary
   
Annual
Salary
Effective
3/31/08
 
             
Robert D. Wachob
  $ 466,132     $ 500,032  
President and Chief Executive Officer
               
                 
Dennis M. Loughran
  $ 270,250     $ 283,920  
Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer
               
                 
John A. Richie
  $ 212,178     $ 225,576  
Vice President, Human Resources
               
                 
Frank J. Gillern
Vice President, Advanced Circuit Materials Division
  $ 210,262     $ 220,688  
                 
Michael L. Cooper
  $ 203,939     $ 220,454  
Vice President, Asia
               
 
 
Executive Officers are also eligible to receive a bonus each year under the Rogers Annual Incentive Compensation Plan.  The Annual Incentive Compensation Plan has target bonuses of 60% to 75% of base salary for the CEO, and between 25% and 45% for the other executive officers.  In general, the broader the responsibility of the executive, the larger the portion of his or her award which is based upon company-wide, rather than segment results.  Actual bonuses may vary from 0% to 300% of the target bonuses depending on performance relative to annual profit improvement objectives. For the executive officers that are employed at Rogers headquarters (Messrs. Wachob, Loughran, and Richie), performance for the year is based on 100% company-wide performance (Net Income per Share). For Messrs. Gillern and Cooper, who are Vice Presidents of the Printed Circuit Materials Reportable Segment and Asia, respectively, performance for the year is based on 50% company-wide performance and 50% on their operating segments’ performance.
 
For 2006, overall company-wide performance exceeded the 300% target amount, and, as a result, all of the following executive officers received a bonus at the 300% level except for Mr. Gillern and Mr. Cooper.
 
 
4


 
For 2007, overall company-wide performance and the Printed Circuit Materials Reportable Segment did not meet the threshold amount and, as a result, Messrs. Wachob, Loughran, Richie and Gillern did not receive a bonus.  One of Mr. Cooper’s operating segments did exceed the threshold and therefore he did receive a bonus.


 Executive Officer
 
Bonus
 Amount at 300% Level for 2006 (1)
   
Bonus
Earned for
2007 (2)
 
             
Robert D. Wachob
  $ 909,308     $ 0  
President and Chief Executive Officer
               
                 
Dennis M. Loughran
  $ 312,000     $ 0  
Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer
               
                 
John A. Richie
  $ 211,384     $ 0  
Vice President, Human Resources
               
                 
Frank J. Gillern
Vice President, Advanced Circuit Materials Division
  $ 118,258     $ 0  
                 
Michael L. Cooper
  $ 173,782     $ 24,770  
Vice President, Asia
               

 

(1)  
In 2006, with respect to Mr. Gillern, Rogers’ Printed Circuit Materials Reportable Segment’s financial performance earned him a bonus of 54% of his target bonus for operating segment performance.  With respect to Mr. Cooper, the Elastomer Components Operating Segment did not exceed threshold and therefore did not pay a bonus.  As stated above, Mr. Gillern’s and Mr. Cooper’s target bonus is based 50% on company-wide performance and 50% on operating segment performance.

(2)  
In 2007, with respect to Mr. Cooper, Rogers’ Power Distribution Systems Operating Segment financial performance earned him a bonus of 300% on that portion of his overall bonus target.  As stated above, Mr. Cooper’s target bonus is based 50% on company-wide performance and 50% on his operating segment performance.


5



III. A. EXECUTIVE OFFICER STOCK OPTION GRANTS.

Executive officers of Rogers are eligible to receive stock option grants each year, based on the individual's level in the organization and, the same performance criteria used to determine salary adjustments. These criteria are not weighted. Options generally have an exercise price equal to at least the fair market value of the Rogers stock as of the date of grant. Regular options generally have a ten-year life and generally vest in one-third increments on the second, third and fourth anniversary dates of the grant.

On February 14, 2007 and February 14, 2008, the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Board of Directors approved grants of stock options for a number of Rogers employees including the following executive officers; except for Mr. Wachob whose grants were approved on February 15, 2007 and February 15, 2008.


 
 
 
Executive Officer
   
2007
Number of
Shares in
Non-
Qualified
Stock
Option
Grant
   
2008
Number of
Shares in
Non-
Qualified
Stock
Option
Grant
 
               
Robert D. Wachob
President and Chief Executive
Officer
      33,550       53,250  
 
                 
Dennis M. Loughran
Vice President Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
      10,350       16,600  
 
                 
John A. Richie
Vice President, Human Resources
      8,550       13,700  
                   
Frank J. Gillern
Vice President, Advanced
Circuit Materials Division 
      7,750       11,650  
                   
Michael L. Cooper
Vice President, Asia
      7,750       12,450  


6

 
All of the above 2007 non-qualified stock options permit the purchase, for up to ten years (unless previously terminated), of the number of shares of common stock shown above. Such 2007 grants were at an exercise price of $52.51, except in the case of Mr. Wachob, whose exercise price was $53.10.  All such options vest in one-third increments on the second, third, and fourth anniversary of the grant date, February 14, 2007, except Mr. Wachob whose grant date was February 15, 2007.  None of the above individuals received an incentive stock option in February of 2007.

All of the above 2008 non-qualified stock options permit the purchase, for up to ten years (unless previously terminated), of the number of shares of common stock shown above. Such 2008 grants were at an exercise price of $31.31, except in the case of Mr. Wachob, whose exercise price was $31.69.  All such options vest in one-third increments on the second, third, and fourth anniversary of the grant date, February 14, 2008, except Mr. Wachob whose grant date was February 15, 2008.
 
 
III. B. EXECUTIVE OFFICER RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTS.
 


On February 14, 2007, the Committee approved awards of restricted stock to certain executive officers and a restricted stock award was made to Mr. Wachob on February 15, 2007 (collectively, the "2007 Awards").  The 2007 Awards, except Mr. Loughran’s award, are subject to the achievement of a pre-established performance goal relating to the cumulative annual growth in earnings per share of Rogers capital stock during fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009 as set by the Committee. No shares of restricted stock will be issued unless and until such performance goal is met.  Mr. Loughran’s award is a time based award.

On February 14, 2008, the Committee approved awards of restricted stock to certain executive officers and a restricted stock award was made to Mr. Wachob on February 15, 2008 (collectively, the "2008 Awards").  The 2008 Awards are subject to the achievement of a pre-established performance goal relating to the cumulative annual growth in earnings per share of Rogers capital stock during fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009 as set by the Committee. No shares of restricted stock will be issued unless and until such performance goal is met.


7


The 2007 and 2008 targeted restricted stock awards were granted to the following executive officers:
 
Executive Officer
 
Target Number of Shares in 2007
   
Target Number of Shares in 2008
 
             
Robert D. Wachob
    5,200       8,550  
President and Chief Executive Officer
               
                 
Dennis M. Loughran
    (1) 1,450       2,400  
Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer
               
                 
John A. Richie
    1,350       2,200  
Vice President, Human Resources
               
                 
Frank Gillern
Vice President, Advanced
Circuit Materials Division
    1,200       1,600  
                 
Michael L. Cooper
    1,200       2,000  
Vice President, Asia
               
 
(1) A time based award.

The exact number of shares of restricted stock that will be issued to each of the executive officers listed above will depend upon where the actual performance achieved during the three subsequent fiscal years from each grant falls on a performance scale set by the Committee, which ranges from 0% to 200% of the target number of shares specified above.
   
8


IV. RETIREMENT PLANS.

 
The table below sets forth information regarding the present value as of December 31, 2007 of the accumulated benefits of the executive officers listed below under the Rogers Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”) and the Rogers Corporation Amended and Restated Pension Restoration Plan (the “Pension Restoration Plan”). The present values were determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those outlined in footnote 5 in the Companys financial statements, which were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2008 as part of Rogers Annual Report on Form 10-K and which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
           
 Present Value 
 
 Payments 
       
 Number of Years 
 
 of Accumulated 
 
 During the Last 
Name 
 
 Plan Name 
 
 Credited Service 
 
 Benefit 
 
 Fiscal Year 
Robert D. Wachob
 
Rogers Corporation Pension Plan
   
24
   
$786,940
 
 —
   
Rogers Corporation Restoration Plan
   
24
   
$2,138,548
 
 —
                     
Dennis M. Loughran
 
Rogers Corporation Pension Plan
   
2
   
$41,155
 
 —
   
Rogers Corporation Restoration Plan
   
2
   
$9,233
 
 —
  
                   
John A. Richie
 
Rogers Corporation Pension Plan
   
31
   
$871,261
 
 —
   
Rogers Corporation Restoration Plan
   
31
   
$411,981
 
 —
                     
Frank J. Gillern
 
Rogers Corporation Pension Plan
   
30
   
$809,576
 
 —
   
Rogers Corporation Restoration Plan
   
30
   
$526,644
 
 —
                     
Michael L. Cooper
 
Rogers Corporation Pension Plan
   
9
   
$198,923
 
 —
   
Rogers Corporation Restoration Plan
   
9
   
$0
 
 —

 
Pension Plan
 
 
The basic formula for determining an employees annual pension benefit at normal retirement under the Pension Plan is equal to the sum of a participants base benefit, excess benefit, 30 year service benefit and the prior service benefit, where:
 
 
·  
Base Benefit - 1.25% of the product of Average Monthly Compensation and Credited Service for periods after 2001.
 
·  
Excess Benefit - 0.5% of Average Monthly Compensation in excess of 75% of Covered Compensation multiplied by Credited Service for periods after 2001.
 
·  
30 Year Service Benefit - 0.5% of Average Monthly Compensation for periods after 2001 multiplied by Credited Service in excess of 30 years.
 
 
9

 
·  
Prior Service Benefit – 55% of Average Monthly Compensation for periods before 2002 less 50% of the 12/31/2001 Social Security Benefit multiplied by the 12/31/2001 Year of Service Ratio and the Pay Ratio Increase.
 
·  
12/31/2001 Year of Service Ratio - Years of Service as of December 31, 2001 divided by 30.
 
·  
Pay Ratio Increase - current Average Monthly Compensation divided by Average Monthly Compensation as of 12/31/2001.
 
Compensation and period of employment are recognized under the Pension Plan as follows:
 
·  
Average Monthly Compensation for a salaried employee is based on the monthly base rate of salary in effect on June 1st over a 10-year period. Average Monthly Compensation is equal to the highest five consecutive June 1st amounts divided by 5. Bonuses and other special pay are disregarded under the Pension Plan.
 
·  
Credited Service means the period during which a participant is employed by Rogers as an eligible employee (rounded up to the next highest whole number of years) as determined under tax-qualified plan rules.
 
·  
Covered Compensation is generally the average of the Social Security taxable wage bases in effect for each calendar year during the 35 year period ending with the last day of the calendar year in which the participant would have reached his or her Social Security retirement age.
 
A participant may commence payment of early retirement benefits at any time after attaining age 55 and completing five years of Vesting Service. Mr. Wachob, Mr. Gillern and Mr. Richie are currently eligible to take early retirement. The early retirement benefit equals the normal retirement benefit described above reduced by 0.333% for each month (4% per year) that a participant commences benefits before attaining normal retirement age.

Available forms of payment under the Pension Plan are as follows:
 
·  
Single Life Annuity
 
·  
Joint and Survivor Annuity (50%, 66 2/3% and 100%)
 
·  
10 Year Certain Annuity
 
A lump sum form of payment is unavailable under the Basic Pension Plan (except for a single lump sum benefit if the actuarially equivalent value is $5,000 or less).

Annuity features providing for continued payment to a survivor or guaranteed payments to beneficiaries are not subsidized by Rogers. Employees may elect their form of payment under the Pension Plan when they begin to collect their pension benefit.
 
10


If a participant dies before commencing payments under the Pension Plan, a death benefit is payable to the participants surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, the participants surviving children under the age of 21. In general, this benefit equals the amount payable under the survivor portion of the 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity beginning in no event before the participants 55th birthday.

A participant who becomes disabled while employed at Rogers will continue to be treated as an active employee for purposes of the Pension Plan until age 65. As such, a disabled participant will continue to be credited with years of service and with the compensation rate in effect at the beginning of the disability. If a disabled participant retires after age 55 and commences payment of benefits, no additional credited service is granted.

Pension Restoration Plan

The Pension Plan limits the amount of pension benefits that may be provided to participants under the basic formula described above in accordance with certain limits under federal tax laws. The limits restrict the amount of compensation that can be taken into account under the Pension Plan to $225,000 (for 2007) and impose a maximum annual pension benefit commencing at age sixty-five to $180,000 (for 2007). To the extent that these limits reduce the benefits that one of the executive officers listed above earns under the Pension Plans retirement formula, Rogers provides an additional benefit under the Pension Restoration Plan. The Pension Restoration Plan is intended to make a participant whole for the benefits under the basic formula that could not be provided under the Pension Plan due to these limits or deferrals being made under the Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan.

In addition, the Pension Restoration Plan provides for:
 
·  
Average Monthly Compensation to include annual bonuses paid to certain senior executives over age 55 that have been specified by the Compensation and Organization Committee, (a) on or after January 1, 2004 in all events, and (b) paid before January 1, 2004 in the event of a covered executive’s death, disability, or termination of employment that results in the payment of severance. The only executive officers listed above currently entitled to this benefit are Messrs. Wachob, Gillern and Richie.
 
·  
An executive officer at the time of a change of control will have benefits calculated under the Pension Restoration Plan (a) as if such officer had attained age 55 on the change of control and completed at least one day of service after attaining age 55 and (b) by including all annual bonuses as part of Average Monthly Compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 280G limitations discussed below.
 
·  
A lump sum payment will be made if there is a change of control. For amounts accrued and vested prior to 2005 a lump sum payment will be made if (a) the ratio of current assets to current liabilities falls below 1.4 to 1 for two consecutive quarters or (b) Rogers’ long-term debt for borrowed money exceeds 85% of Rogers’ net worth as reflected in Rogers’ financial statements.
 
 
11

 
·  
Other supplemental benefits determined from time to time by the Compensation and Organization Committee, including crediting of service to new hires. To date, no supplemental benefits have been provided to the executive officers under this provision, except for Mr. Gillern who received credited service for the time that he was employed at one of the Company’s 50% owned joint ventures.
 
Except in the event of a change of control (as discussed above), benefit payments under the Pension Restoration Plan shall generally commence at the same time as under the Pension Plan. The form of payment will either be in annual installments or a lump sum depending upon the value of the plan benefit as follows:

 
Lump Sum Actuarial Equivalent Value of Benefits 
 Number of Annual Installments
 
$50,000 or less 
 Lump Sum
 
$100,000 or less, but greater than $ 50,000 
2
 
$150,000 or less, but greater than $100,000 
3
 
$200,000 or less, but greater than $150,000 
4
 
Greater than $200,000 
5

The Pension Restoration Plan has not yet been amended to comply with the final regulations under  Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.


V. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS.

Rogers’ severance policy for regular, full-time salaried employees provides, in general, for continuation of salary payments, health insurance and certain other benefits for employees whose employment has been involuntarily terminated. The number of weeks of salary and benefits continuance is based on length of service. The policy may be amended, modified or terminated at any time by Rogers, except in the case of the executive officers of Rogers as of November 1991. Such officers may elect the benefits of either the policy in effect in November 1991, or the severance policy, if any, which may be in existence at the time each such individual’s employment terminates. The right of these executive officers to make such an election may be cancelled by Rogers or the executive on three years written notice. Mr. Wachob  would be entitled to 78 weeks of salary and benefit continuance upon termination of employment covered by the policy in effect in November 1991.

The board of directors determined that it would be in the best interests of Rogers to ensure that the possibility of a change in control of Rogers would not interfere with the continuing dedication of Rogers executive officers to their duties to Rogers and its shareholders. Toward that purpose, Rogers has agreements with its Chief Executive Officer and certain of its other executive officers which provide certain severance benefits to them in the event of a termination of their employment during a 36 month period following a change in control, as defined in the agreements. The initial term of each agreement is three years and the term is automatically extended for additional one-year periods each anniversary date of the agreements, unless either party objects to such extension. If within a 36 month period following a change in control, an executive’s employment is terminated without cause, as defined in the agreements, or if such executive resigns in certain specified circumstances, then the executive is generally entitled to the following severance benefits: (i) twice his annual base salary plus bonus; (ii) two years of additional pension benefits; and (iii) the continuation of health and life insurance plans and certain other benefits for up to two years. The agreements provide that severance and other benefits be reduced to an amount so that such benefits would not constitute so-called “excess parachute payments” under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.  In the event that circumstances occur which would invoke the provisions of both the November 1991 policy described in the preceding paragraph and the change in control agreement, Mr. Wachob is entitled to select one or the other, but not both, to apply in that situation.
 
12
EX-10 3 a5679529ex10aaa-1.htm EXHIBIT 10AAA-1 a5679529ex10aaa-1.htm
Exhibit 10aaa-1

AMENDED AND RESTATED
REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE B


 
$25,000,000.00 
November 10, 2007
                                                                                                          
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Rogers Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation, Rogers Technologies (Barbados) SRL, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Barbados, Rogers (China) Investment Co., Ltd., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the People's Republic of China, Rogers N.V., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, and Rogers Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the People's Republic of China (individually, a "Borrower" and collectively, the "Borrowers") hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to the order of Citizens Bank of Connecticut (the "Bank"), a Connecticut stock savings bank, at the Bank's Head Office at 90 State House Square, 10th Floor, Hartford, Connecticut 06103:

(a)           prior to or on the Revolving Credit B Maturity Date, the principal amount of TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($25,000,000.00) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Loans advanced by the Bank to the Borrowers under Revolving Credit Facility B pursuant to the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of November 13, 2006 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated and in effect from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrowers and the Bank; and
 
(b)           interest on the principal balance hereof from time to time outstanding, from the Closing Date under the Credit Agreement through and including the repayment in full hereof and termination of all commitments under the Credit Agreement, at the times and at the rates set forth in the Credit Agreement.

This Revolving Credit Note B (the "Note") evidences borrowings under and has been issued by the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.  The Bank and any holder hereof is entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and may enforce the agreements of the Borrowers contained therein, and any holder hereof may exercise the respective remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect thereof, all in accordance with the respective terms thereof.  All capitalized terms used in this Note and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower irrevocably authorizes the Bank to make or cause to be made, at or about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment of principal of this Note, an appropriate notation on the grid attached to this Note, or the continuation of such grid, or any other similar record, including computer records, reflecting the making of such Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such payment.  The outstanding amount of the Loans set forth on the grid attached to this Note, or the continuation of such grid, or any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by the Bank with respect to any Loans shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to the Bank, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on any such grid, continuation or other record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder or under the Credit Agreement to make payments of principal of and interest on this Note when due.
 
1
 

 
 

The Borrowers have the right in certain circumstances and the obligation in certain other circumstances to prepay the whole or part of the principal of this Note on the terms and conditions specified in the Credit Agreement.

If any one or more of the Events of Default shall occur, the entire unpaid principal amount of this Note and all of the unpaid interest accrued thereon may become or be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

No delay or omission on the part of the Bank or any holder hereof in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such right or of any other rights of the Bank or such holder, nor shall any delay, omission or waiver on any one occasion be deemed a bar or waiver of the same or any other right on any further occasion.

Each Borrower and every endorser and guarantor of this Note or the obligation represented hereby waives presentment, demand, notice, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and assents to any extension or postponement of the time of payment or any other indulgence, to any substitution, exchange or release of collateral and to the addition or release of any other party or person primarily or secondarily liable.

THIS NOTE AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWERS HEREUNDER SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW).  EACH BORROWER AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS NOTE MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND CONSENTS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON SUCH BORROWER BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN §19 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.  EACH BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH SUIT IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.
 
2
 

 
 

This Note amends, restates, and supersedes in its entirety that certain Revolving Credit Note B dated as of November 13, 2006 in the original principal amount of $25,000,000 from the Borrowers to Citizens Bank of Connecticut, as predecessor in interest to Lender (as amended and in effect from time to time, the "2006 Note"). This Note is in substitution for and not in repayment of the 2006 Note. Nothing contained herein shall constitute a novation of the 2006 Note. Any principal, interest, fees, costs and other sums owing under the 2006 Note on this date shall be deemed due and owing under this Note.

This Note shall be deemed to take effect as a sealed instrument under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

[Signatures on next page]
 
3
 

 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Revolving Credit Note to be signed in their corporate names by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
 
 
  ROGERS CORPORATION  
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob  
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       
  By:  /s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
ROGERS TECHNOLOGIES (BARBADOS) SRL
 
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob  
    President  
       
  By:  /s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Manager  
       
  ROGERS (CHINA) INVESTMENT CO., LTD.  
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob  
    Chairman  
       
  By:  /s/ Paul B. Middleton  
    Paul B. Middleton   
    Director   
 
 
4
 

 
 
 
 
ROGERS N.V.
 
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob  
    Director  
       
  By:  /s/ Robert M. Soffer  
    Robert M. Soffer  
   
Director
 
       
 
ROGERS TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO. LTD.
 
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob   
    Chairman   
       
  By:  /s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran   
    Director   

 
5
 

 
 

 
 
Date
 
Amount
of Loan
Amount of
Principal Paid
or Prepaid
Balance of
Principal
Unpaid
 
Notation
Made By:
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
 
 
6
 

 
 
AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment Agreement”) dated as of November 10, 2007, by and among Rogers Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation having its principal place of business at One Technology Drive, Rogers, Connecticut 06263 ("Rogers US"), Rogers Technologies (Barbados) SRL, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Barbados having its principal place of business at Fidelity House, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael, Barbados ("Rogers Barbados"), Rogers (China) Investment Co., Ltd., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the People's Republic of China having its principal place of business at 338 Shenshu Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, People's Republic of China 215122 ("Rogers China"), Rogers N.V., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Belgium having its principal office at Afrikalaan 188, B-9000, Gent, Belgium ("Rogers Belgium"), Rogers Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the People's Republic of China having its principal place of business at 399 Suhong Zhong Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, People's Republic of China 215122 ("Rogers Suzhou"; Rogers US, Rogers Barbados, Rogers China, Rogers Belgium, and Rogers Suzhou are hereinafter referred to individually as a "Borrower" and collectively as the "Borrowers"), and RBS Citizens, National Association (the “Bank”), a national banking association with offices at 90 State House Square, 10th Floor, Hartford, Connecticut 06103, successor in interest to Citizens Bank of Connecticut, amending a certain Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of November 13, 2006 (as amended from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Lender has made loans and various other financial accommodations to the Borrowers; and

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Lender amend certain terms of the Credit Agreement in certain respects; and

WHEREAS, the Lender is willing to amend certain terms of the Credit Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

§1.           Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition that are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as therein.

§2.           Ratification of Existing Agreements. All of the Borrowers’ obligations and liabilities to the Lender as evidenced by or otherwise arising under the Credit Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, except as otherwise expressly modified in this Amendment Agreement upon the terms set forth herein, are, by each Borrower’s execution of this Amendment Agreement, ratified and confirmed in all respects. In addition, by each Borrower’s execution of this Amendment Agreement, each Borrower represents and warrants that no counterclaim, right of set-off, right of recoupment, or defense of any kind exists or is outstanding with respect to such obligations and liabilities. Each of the Borrowers acknowledges and agrees that this Amendment Agreement shall be included in the definition of Loan Documents under the Credit Agreement.
 
7
 

 

§3.           Representations and Warranties. Each of the Borrowers hereby represents and warrants to the Lender as follows:

(a)           All of the representations and warranties made by the Borrowers in the Credit Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents are true and correct on the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that any of such representations and warranties relate by their terms to a prior date and for matters previously disclosed to the Lender in writing.

(b)           No Event of Default under and as defined in the Credit Agreement or any of the Loan Documents has occurred and is continuing on the date hereof.

§4.           Conditions Precedent. The effectiveness of the amendments contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction on or before the date hereof of each of the following conditions precedent:

(a)           Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties made by the Borrowers herein, whether directly or incorporated by reference, shall be true and correct on the date hereof, except as provided in §3(a) hereof.

(b)           Performance; No Event of Default. The Borrowers shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all terms and conditions herein required to be performed or complied with by them prior to or at the time hereof, and there shall exist no Event of Default or condition which, with either or both the giving of notice or the lapse of time, would result in an Event of Default upon the execution and delivery of this Amendment Agreement.

(c)           Delivery. The Borrowers and Guarantors shall have executed and delivered this Amendment Agreement, Amended and Restated Revolving Note B, a Guaranty Confirmation signed by all Guarantors, and all documents, instruments, agreements reasonably required by the Lender in connection with any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Documents”).

(d)           Corporate Action. The Lender shall have received a copy of the resolutions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender, of the Board of Directors (or other governing body) of each Borrower and Guarantor authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Documents.

(e)           Proceedings and Documents. All proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment Agreement and the Documents shall be satisfactory in substance and form to the Lender, and the Lender shall have received all information and such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as it may request.

(f)           Good Standing Certificates.  The Lender shall have received a good standing certificate for each Borrower dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the date hereof, issued by the appropriate governmental authority of each Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization and each of the Foreign Jurisdictions.
 
8
 

 

(g)           Incumbency Certificates.  The Lender shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (or comparable officer) of each Borrower and each Guarantor, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender, as to the incumbency and signature of each officer executing any of the Documents, together with evidence of the incumbency of such Secretary, Assistant Secretary or comparable officer; the Lender acknowledges that a certificate indicating no changes in incumbency since November 13, 2006 for any entity will be satisfactory to the Lender.

§5.           Amendment to the Credit Agreement.   The definition of "Revolving Credit B Maturity Date” in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

"Revolving Credit B Maturity Date:  November 10, 2008.”

§6.           No Waiver by Lender. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, nothing in this Amendment Agreement shall extend to or affect in any way the Borrowers’ obligations or the Lender’s rights and remedies arising under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and the Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any of its remedies with respect to any Event of Default or event or condition which, with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default and which upon the Borrowers’ execution and delivery of this Amendment Agreement might otherwise exist or which might hereafter occur.

§7.           Expenses. The Borrowers agree to pay to the Lender upon demand (a) an amount equal to any and all out-of-pocket costs or expenses (including reasonable legal fees and preparation of this Amendment Agreement and related matters and (b) from time to time any and all out-of-pocket costs or expenses (including commercial examiner fees and legal fees and disbursements) hereafter incurred or sustained by the Lender in connection with the administration of credit extended by the Lender to the Borrowers or the preservation of or enforcement of the Lender’s rights under the Credit Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Borrowers’ other obligations to the Lender.

§8.           Miscellaneous.

(a)           This Amendment Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an instrument under seal.

(b)           Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Amendment Agreement, all of the respective terms, conditions and provisions of the Credit Agreement shall remain the same. It is declared and agreed by each of the parties hereto that the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, shall continue in full force and effect, and that this Amendment Agreement and the Credit Agreement be read and construed as one instrument, and all references in the Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement shall hereafter refer to the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment Agreement.
 
9
 

 

(c)           This Amendment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto. A facsimile or other electronic transmission of an executed counterpart shall have the same effect as the original executed counterpart.



[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
 
 
10
 

 



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized officer as of the date first written above.
 
  RBS CITIZENS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION  
       
  By:  /s/ Patricia D. Donnelly  
  Name:  Patricia D. Donnelly   
  Title:  Vice President   
       
  ROGERS CORPORATION  
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
       
  By:  /s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran   
   
Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer
 
       
  ROGERS TECHNOLOGIES (BARBADOS) SRL  
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob   
    President   
       
  By:  /s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran   
   
Manager
 
 
 
11
 

 

 
 
ROGERS (CHINA) INVESTMENT CO., LTD.
 
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob  
   
Chairman
 
       
  By:  /s/ Paul B. Middleton  
    Paul B. Middleton  
   
Director
 
       
 
ROGERS N.V.
 
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob  
    Director  
       
  By:  /s/ Robert M. Soffer  
    Robert M. Soffer  
   
Director
 
       
 
ROGERS TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO. LTD.
 
       
  By:  /s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob  
   
Chairman
 
       
  By: /s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran   
   
Director 
 
 
12
EX-10 4 a5679529ex10aad.htm EXHIBIT 10AAD a5679529ex10aad.htm
Exhibit 10aad
GUARANTY



This GUARANTY dated as of November 10, 2006 is made by Rogers KF, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Specialty Materials Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Rogers Japan Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Southeast Asia, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Taiwan, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Korea, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Technologies Singapore, Inc., a Delaware corporation and Rogers Circuit Materials Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (together, the "Guarantors") in favor of Citizens Bank of Connecticut, a Connecticut stock savings bank (the "Bank").

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Guarantors are members of a group of related corporations, the success of any one of which is dependent in part on the success of the other members of such group;

WHEREAS, the Guarantors expect to receive direct and indirect benefits from the extensions of credit to the Borrower by the Bank pursuant to the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof among Rogers Corporation, Rogers Technologies (Barbados) SRL, Rogers (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Rogers N.V., Rogers Technologies (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (collectively the "Borrowers"), and the Bank (the "Credit Agreement") (which benefits are hereby acknowledged);

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Bank to make any loans or otherwise extend credit to the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement that the Guarantors execute and deliver to the Bank this Guaranty; and

WHEREAS, the Guarantors wish to guaranty the Borrowers' obligations to the Bank under or in respect of the Credit Agreement as provided herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree with the Bank as follows:

1. Definitions. The term “Obligations” or “Obligation” and all other capitalized terms used herein without definition that are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the respective meanings provided therefor in the Credit Agreement.

2. Guaranty of Payment and Performance. The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantee to the Bank the full and punctual payment when due (whether at stated maturity, by required pre-payment, or by acceleration after the occurrence of an Event of Default or when otherwise due), as well as the performance, of all of the Obligations including all such which would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay pursuant to §362(a) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and the operation of §§502(b) and 506(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. This Guaranty is an absolute, unconditional and continuing guaranty of the full and punctual payment and performance of all of the Obligations and not of their collectibility only and is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that the Bank first attempt to collect any of the Obligations from the Borrowers or resort to any collateral security or other means of obtaining payment. Should the Borrowers default in the payment or performance of any of the Obligations, the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder with respect to such Obligations in default shall, upon demand by the Bank, become immediately due and payable to the Bank, without further demand or notice of any nature, all of which are expressly waived by the Guarantors. Payments by the Guarantors hereunder may be required by the Bank on any number of occasions. All payments by the Guarantors hereunder shall be made to the Bank, in the manner and at the place of payment specified therefor in the Credit Agreement, for the account of the Bank.


 
3. Guarantors’ Agreement to Pay Enforcement Costs, etc. The Guarantors further jointly and severally agree, as principal obligors and not as guarantors only, to pay to the Bank, on demand, all costs and expenses (including court costs and reasonable legal expenses) reasonably incurred or expended by the Bank in connection with the Obligations, this Guaranty and the enforcement thereof, together with interest on amounts recoverable under this §3 from the time when such amounts become due until payment, whether before or after judgment, at the rate of interest for overdue principal set forth in the Credit Agreement, provided that if such interest exceeds the maximum amount permitted to be paid under applicable law, then such interest shall be reduced to such maximum permitted amount.

4. Waivers by Guarantors; Bank’s Freedom to Act. The Guarantors jointly and severally agree that the Obligations will be paid and performed strictly in accordance with their respective terms, regardless of any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Bank with respect thereto. The Guarantors waive promptness, diligences, presentment, demand, protest, notice of acceptance, notice of any Obligations incurred and all other notices of any kind, all defenses which may be available by virtue of any valuation, stay, moratorium law or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, any right to require the marshalling of assets of the Borrowers or any other entity or other person primarily or secondarily liable with respect to any of the Obligations, and all suretyship defenses generally. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guarantors agree to the provisions of any instrument evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any Obligation and agree that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be released or discharged, in whole or in part, or otherwise affected by (i) the failure of the Bank to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Borrowers or any other entity or other person primarily or secondarily liable with respect to any of the Obligations; (ii) any extensions, compromise, refinancing, consolidation or renewals of any Obligation; (iii) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of any of the Obligations or any rescissions, waivers, compromise. refinancing, consolidation or other amendments or modifications of any of the terms or provisions of the Credit Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any of the Obligations, (iv) the addition, substitution or release of any entity or other person primarily or secondarily liable for any Obligation; (v) the adequacy of any rights which the Bank may have against any collateral security or other means of obtaining repayment of any of the Obligations; (vi) the impairment of any collateral securing any of the Obligations, including without limitation the failure to perfect or preserve any rights which the Bank might have in such collateral security or the substitution, exchange, surrender, release, loss or destruction of any such collateral security; or (vii) any other act or omission which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the Guarantors or otherwise operate as a release or discharge of the Guarantors, all of which may be done without notice to the Guarantors. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Guarantors hereby expressly waive any and all rights or defenses arising by reason of (A) any “one action” or “anti-deficiency” law which would otherwise prevent the Bank from bringing any action, including any claim for a deficiency, or exercising any other right or remedy (including any right of set-off), against the Guarantors before or after the Bank’s commencement or completion of any foreclosure action, whether judicially, by exercise of power of sale or otherwise, or (B) any other law which in any other way would otherwise require any election of remedies by the Bank.

2

 
5. Unenforceability of Obligations Against Borrowers. If for any reason any Borrower has no legal existence or is under no legal obligation to discharge any of the Obligations, or if any of the Obligations have become irrecoverable from any Borrower by reason of such Borrower’s insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization or by other operation of law or for any other reason, this Guaranty shall nevertheless be binding on the Guarantors to the same extent as if each Guarantor at all times had been the principal obligor on all such Obligations. In the event that acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, or for any other reason, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any Obligation shall be immediately due and payable by the Guarantors.

6.       Subrogation: Subordination.

6.1.           Waiver of Rights Against Borrower. Until the final payment and performance in full of all of the Obligations, the Guarantors shall not exercise and hereby waive any rights against the Borrowers arising as a result of payment by the Guarantors hereunder, by way of subrogation, reimbursement, restitution, contribution or otherwise, and will not prove any claim in competition with the Bank in respect of any payment hereunder in any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization case or proceedings of any nature; the Guarantors will not claim any setoff, recoupment or counterclaim against any Borrower in respect of any liability of the Guarantors to such Borrower; and the Guarantors waive any benefit of and any right to participate in any collateral security which may be held by the Bank.

6.2.           Subordination. The payment of any amounts due with respect to any indebtedness of any Borrower for money borrowed or credit received now or hereafter owed to the Guarantors is hereby subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of the Obligations; provided that so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any amounts due to the Guarantors from the Borrowers may continue to be paid when due. The Guarantors agree that, after the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Guarantors will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any such indebtedness of any Borrower to the Guarantors until all of the Obligations shall have been paid in full. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Guarantors shall collect, enforce or receive any amounts in respect of such indebtedness while any Obligations are still outstanding, such amounts shall be collected, enforced and received by the Guarantors as trustees for the Bank and be paid over to the Bank, on account of the Obligations without affecting in any manner the liability of the Guarantors under the other provisions of this Guaranty.

3

 
6.3.           Provisions Supplemental. The provisions of this §6 shall be supplemental to and not in derogation of any rights and remedies of the Bank under any separate subordination agreement which the Bank may at any time and from time to time enter into with the Guarantors for the benefit of the Bank.

7. Setoff. Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral security or other means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations, the Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, without notice to the Guarantors (any such notice being expressly waived by the Guarantors) and to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply such deposits and other sums against the obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty, whether or not the Bank shall have made any demand under this Guaranty. The Bank shall provide notice to the applicable Guarantor promptly after the exercise of any such right of setoff.

8. Further Assurances. The Guarantors agree that they will from time to time, at the written request of the Bank, do all such things and execute all such documents as the Bank may consider reasonably necessary or desirable to give full effect to this Guaranty and to perfect and preserve the rights and powers of the Bank hereunder. The Guarantors acknowledge and confirm that the Guarantors have established their own adequate means of obtaining from the Borrowers on a continuing basis all information desired by the Guarantors concerning the financial condition of the Borrowers and that the Guarantors will look to the Borrowers and not to the Bank in order for the Guarantors to keep adequately informed of changes in the Borrowers' financial condition.

9. Termination; Reinstatement. This Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect until the Bank is given written notice of the Guarantors’ intentions to discontinue this Guaranty, notwithstanding any intermediate or temporary payment or settlement of the whole or any part of the Obligations. No such notice shall be effective unless received and acknowledged by an officer of the Bank at the address of the Bank for notices set forth in §19 of the Credit Agreement. No such notice shall affect any rights of the Bank hereunder, including without limitation the rights set forth in §§4
and 6, with respect to any Obligations incurred or accrued prior to the receipt of such notice or any Obligations incurred or accrued pursuant to any contract or commitment in existence prior to such receipt. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, notwithstanding any such notice, if at any time any payment made or value received with respect to any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Bank upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made or value received.

4

 
10. Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty shall be binding upon the Guarantors, their successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Bank and its successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, subject to and in accordance with §18 of the Credit Agreement, the Bank may assign or otherwise transfer the Credit Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement or note held by it evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with the Obligations, or sell participations in any interest therein, to any other entity or other person, and such other entity or other person shall thereupon become vested, to the extent set forth in the agreement evidencing such assignment, transfer or participation, with all the rights in respect thereof granted to the Bank herein. The Guarantors may not assign any of their obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Bank.

11. Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty nor consent to any departure by the Guarantors therefrom shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Bank. No failure on the part of the Bank to exercise, and no delay in exercising. any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

12. Notices. All notices and other communications called for hereunder shall be made in accordance with §19 of the Credit Agreement and shall be addressed as follows: if to the Guarantors, at the addresses set forth beneath their signatures hereto, and if to the Bank, at the address for notices to the Bank set forth in §19 of the Credit Agreement, or at such address as either party may designate by notice in writing to the other.

13. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. THIS GUARANTY IS INTENDED TO TAKE EFFECT AS A SEALED INSTRUMENT AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. The Guarantors agree that any suit for the enforcement of this Guaranty may be brought in the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any federal court sitting therein and consent to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such court and to service of process in any such suit being made upon the Guarantors by mail at the address referred to in §12. The Guarantors hereby waive any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit or any such court or that such suit was brought in an inconvenient court.

5

 
14.           Waiver of Jury Trial. THE GUARANTORS HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY OF SUCH RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS. Except as prohibited by law, the Guarantors hereby waive any rights which they may have to claim or recover in any litigation referred to in the preceding sentence any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any damages other than, or in addition to, actual damages. The Guarantors (i) certify that neither the Bank nor any representative, agent or attorney of the Bank has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Bank would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers and (ii) acknowledge that, in entering into the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Bank is a party, the Bank is relying upon, among other things, the waivers and certifications contained in this §14.

15. Miscellaneous. This Guaranty constitutes the entire agreement of the Guarantors with respect to the matters set forth herein. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law or any other agreement, and this Guaranty shall be in addition to any other guaranty of or collateral security for any of the Obligations. The invalidity or unenforceability of any one or more sections of this Guaranty shall not affect the validity or enforceability of its remaining provisions. Captions are for the ease of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of the relevant provisions. The meanings of all defined terms used in this Guaranty shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.

6

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantors have caused this Guaranty to be executed and delivered as an instrument under seal as of the date first written above.

 
ROGERS KF, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob  
   
Robert D. Wachob
 
    President and Chief Executive Officer  
       

 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
   Address:   One Technology Drive  
   
P.O. Box 188
 
    Rogers, CT 06263-0188  
 
Telecopier No.: (860) 779-5585
 

  ROGERS SPECIALTY MATERIALS CORPORATION  
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob  
    Robert D. Wachob  
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       

 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
   Address:   One Technology Drive  
   
P.O. Box 188
 
    Rogers, CT 06263-0188  
 
Telecopier No.: (860) 779-5585
 
 
7


 
ROGERS JAPAN, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob  
   
Robert D. Wachob
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       

 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
   Address:   One Technology Drive  
   
P.O. Box 188
 
    Rogers, CT 06263-0188  
 
Telecopier No.: (860) 779-5585
 
 

 
ROGERS SOUTHEAST ASIA, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob  
   
Robert D. Wachob
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       

 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
   Address:   One Technology Drive  
   
P.O. Box 188
 
    Rogers, CT 06263-0188  
 
Telecopier No.: (860) 779-5585
 
8



 
ROGERS TAIWAN, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob  
   
Robert D. Wachob
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       

 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
   Address:   One Technology Drive  
   
P.O. Box 188
 
    Rogers, CT 06263-0188  
 
Telecopier No.: (860) 779-5585
 

 
ROGERS KOREA, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob  
   
Robert D. Wachob
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       

 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
   Address:   One Technology Drive  
   
P.O. Box 188
 
    Rogers, CT 06263-0188  
 
Telecopier No.: (860) 779-5585
 
9


 
ROGERS TECHNOLOGIES SINGAPORE, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob  
   
Robert D. Wachob
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       

 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
   Address:   One Technology Drive  
   
P.O. Box 188
 
    Rogers, CT 06263-0188  
 
Telecopier No.: (860) 779-5585
 

 
ROGERS CIRCUIT MATERIALS INCORPORATED
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob  
   
Robert D. Wachob
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       

 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran  
    Dennis M. Loughran  
    Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
   Address:   One Technology Drive  
   
P.O. Box 188
 
    Rogers, CT 06263-0188  
 
Telecopier No.: (860) 779-5585
 
 
10
EX-10 5 a5679529ex10aad-1.htm EXHIBIT 10AAD-1 a5679529ex10aad-1.htm
Exhibit 10aad-1

GUARANTY CONFIRMATION AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, dated as of November 10, 2007, by and among Rogers KF, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Specialty Materials Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Rogers Japan Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Southeast Asia, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Taiwan, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Korea, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rogers Technologies Singapore, Inc., a Delaware corporation and Rogers Circuit Materials Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (together, the "Guarantors"), and RBS Citizens, National Association, a national banking association (the “Lender”), successor in interest to Citizens Bank of Connecticut, a Connecticut stock savings bank.

R E C I T A L S

The Guarantors executed and delivered to Citizens Bank of Connecticut, predecessor in interest to Lender, a Guaranty dated as of November 13, 2006 (the “Guaranty”), pursuant to which the Guarantors absolutely and unconditionally guaranteed to Lender the full and prompt payment and performance when due of the “Obligations” of Rogers Corporation, Rogers Technologies (Barbados) SRL, Rogers (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Rogers N.V., and Rogers Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. (collectively, the "Borrowers") to Citizens Bank of Connecticut, all as set forth in more detail therein. The Lender and the Borrowers now desire to enter into a certain Amendment No. 1 to Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement dated of even or substantially even date herewith (the “Amendment”).

Guarantors shall derive substantial benefits, financial and otherwise, from the execution and delivery of the Amendment and any agreements or instruments executed in connection therewith (including without limitation any and all amended and restated revolving credit notes).

The Lender is only willing to enter into the Amendment if, among other things, Guarantor execute and deliver this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and to induce the granting of any further credit by the Lender to the Borrower, Guarantors hereby agree as follows:

1.           Each Guarantor hereby represents, warrants, confirms and covenants to the Lender that (i) the Guaranty remains in full force and effect, (ii) the Guaranty remains the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, (iii) such Guarantor has no claims, counterclaims, defenses or offsets against the Lender, whether relating to the Guaranty or otherwise and (iv) pursuant to the provisions of the Guaranty, the obligations of the Borrowers guaranteed by such Guarantor pursuant to the Guaranty include, without limitation, all principal, interest, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) under the Note and any and all obligations under any swap or hedging agreements.  Pursuant to the applicable terms and provisions of the Guaranty, none of the modifications set forth or to be set forth in the Amendment (or in any other agreement or instrument) shall impair the obligations of Guarantors under the Guaranty.

 
1

 
 
2.           The execution and delivery of this Agreement (or any other confirmation (past, present or future)) shall not be construed or interpreted to create a custom or course of dealing or performance (or any duty or obligation) pursuant to which the Lender is required to obtain a confirmation or consent from the Guarantors, or to notify the Guarantors, with respect to any modification or other event or circumstance.  No such consent or confirmation or notice shall be necessary in connection with any such modification or other event or circumstance in order to keep the obligations of Guarantors under the Guaranty in full force and effect, said obligations being unconditional as set forth therein.

3.           No amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement shall be effective against a party hereto unless set forth in writing signed by such party.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts.

4.           This Agreement shall (i) be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and (ii) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Connecticut.


[Signatures begin on next page]

 
2

 
 
           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
 
 
ROGERS KF, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob
   
Robert D. Wachob
   
President
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
   
Dennis M. Loughran
   
Vice President
     
     
     
 
ROGERS SPECIALTY MATERIALS CORPORATION
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob
   
Robert D. Wachob
   
President
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
   
Dennis M. Loughran
   
Vice President
     
     
 
ROGERS JAPAN, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob
   
Robert D. Wachob
   
President
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
   
Dennis M. Loughran
   
Vice President
     
 
 
3

 
 
 
ROGERS SOUTHEAST ASIA, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob
   
Robert D. Wachob
   
President
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
   
Dennis M. Loughran
   
Vice President
     
     
 
ROGERS TAIWAN, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob
   
Robert D. Wachob
   
President
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
   
Dennis M. Loughran
   
Vice President
     
     
 
ROGERS KOREA, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob
   
Robert D. Wachob
   
President
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
   
Dennis M. Loughran
   
Vice President
 
 
4

 
 
 
ROGERS TECHNOLOGIES SINGAPORE, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob
   
Robert D. Wachob
   
President
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
   
Dennis M. Loughran
   
Vice President
     
     
 
ROGERS CIRCUIT MATERIALS INCORPORATED
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert D. Wachob
   
Robert D. Wachob
   
President
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
   
Dennis M. Loughran
   
Vice President
     
     
     
 
RBS CITIZENS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Patricia D. Donnelly
   
Patricia D. Donnelly
   
Vice President
     
     
 
5
EX-23.1 6 a5679529ex231.htm EXHIBIT 23.1 a5679529ex231.htm
Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF NATIONAL ECONOMIC RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.

We hereby consent to the references to our firm with respect to the economic analysis we performed regarding Rogers Corporation’s projected liability for its asbestos-related liabilities and defense costs contained in the Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2008 of Rogers Corporation and any amendments thereto, and to all references to us as having conducted such analysis.  In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, nor do we admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such Form 10-Q within the meaning of the term “experts” as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 
National Economic Research Associates, Inc.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Mary Elizabeth Stern  
  Name:  Mary Elizabeth Stern  
  Title:  Vice President  
       


New York, New York
May 5, 2008




EX-23.2 7 a5679529ex232.htm EXHIBIT 23.2 a5679529ex232.htm
Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF MARSH USA, INC.

We hereby consent to the references to our firm with respect to the analysis we performed regarding Rogers Corporation’s insurance coverage for its asbestos-related liabilities and defense costs contained in the Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2008 of Rogers Corporation and any amendments thereto, and to all references to us as having conducted such analysis.  In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, nor do we admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such Form 10-Q within the meaning of the term “experts” as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 
 
MARSH USA, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ John H. Denton  
  Name:  John H. Denton  
  Title: Senior Vice President  
       

New York, New York
May 5, 2008



EX-31 8 a5679529ex31a.htm EXHIBIT 31(A) a5679529ex31a.htm
Exhibit 31(a)
CERTIFICATIONS

I, Robert D. Wachob, certify that:

 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rogers 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 officers 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 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 officers 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 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.
 

Date:  May 8, 2008


/s/ Robert D. Wachob
 
Robert D. Wachob
President and Chief Executive Officer
 

EX-31 9 a5679529ex31b.htm EXHIBIT 31(B) a5679529ex31b.htm
Exhibit 31(b)
 
CERTIFICATIONS

I, Dennis M. Loughran, certify that:

 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rogers 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 officers 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 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 officers 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 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.
 

Date:  May 8, 2008


/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
 
Dennis M. Loughran
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
 

EX-32 10 a5679529ex32.htm EXHIBIT 32 a5679529ex32.htm
Exhibit  32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned officers of Rogers Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that:

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2008 (the “Form 10-Q”) of the Corporation fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.



/s/ Robert D. Wachob
Robert D. Wachob
President and Chief Executive Officer
May 8, 2008



/s/ Dennis M. Loughran
Dennis M. Loughran
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
May 8, 2008


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