-----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, JBWbmRCkcLHroW3r+RONuGVpEXHwnlnVWHu2z5gDSkJU7243tRJB3f8M5QeSJJ6f FlYk8jRJ3TwVzBUaLLoYDg== 0000089439-10-000008.txt : 20100421 0000089439-10-000008.hdr.sgml : 20100421 20100421164515 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000089439-10-000008 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100327 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100421 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100421 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MUELLER INDUSTRIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000089439 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ROLLING DRAWING & EXTRUDING OF NONFERROUS METALS [3350] IRS NUMBER: 250790410 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1227 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-06770 FILM NUMBER: 10762155 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: SUITE 150 STREET 2: 8285 TOURNAMENT DRIVE CITY: MEMPHIS STATE: TN ZIP: 38125 BUSINESS PHONE: (901)753-3200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: SUITE 150 STREET 2: 8285 TOURNAMENT DRIVE CITY: MEMPHIS STATE: TN ZIP: 38125 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SHARON STEEL CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19910103 10-Q 1 q1_2010form10-q.htm FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 26, 2010 q1_2010form10-q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10–Q

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

For the quarterly period ended March 27, 2010
Commission file number 1–6770

MLI Logo

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

Delaware
25-0790410
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)

8285 Tournament Drive, Suite 150
 
Memphis, Tennessee
38125
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(901) 753-3200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes o  Noo
 

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   o
Non-accelerated filer   o
Smaller reporting company   o

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

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 20, 2010, was 37,686,933.

 
 
 
 

 

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

FORM 10–Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 27, 2010
__________________________

As used in this report, the terms “Company,” “Mueller,” and “Registrant” mean Mueller Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole, unless the context indicates otherwise.

__________________________

INDEX


   
Page Number
Part I.  Financial Information
 
     
   
     
 
3
     
 
4
     
 
5
     
 
6
     
 
14
     
 
18
     
 
20
     
Part II.  Other Information
 
     
 
20
     
 
24
     
 
25
     
 
25
     
26




 
 
 
 
2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

   
For the Quarter Ended
 
   
March 27, 2010
   
March 28, 2009
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
     
             
Net sales
 
$
485,268
   
$
326,558
 
                 
Cost of goods sold
   
413,048
     
287,383
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
10,348
     
10,480
 
Selling, general, and administrative expense
   
37,323
     
31,158
 
Insurance gain
   
(22,506
)
   
 
                 
Operating income (loss)
   
47,055
     
(2,463
)
                 
Interest expense
   
(2,532
)
   
(2,636
)
Other income, net
   
140
     
627
 
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
44,663
     
(4,472
)
                 
Income tax (expense) benefit
   
(9,864
)
   
1,962
 
                 
Consolidated net income (loss)
   
34,799
     
(2,510
)
                 
Less net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
(841
)
   
18
 
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.
 
$
33,958
   
$
(2,492
)
                 
Weighted average shares for basic earnings (loss) per share
   
37,588
     
37,143
 
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards
   
94
     
 
                 
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings (loss) per share
   
37,682
     
37,143
 
                 
                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share
 
$
0.90
   
$
(0.07
)
                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
$
0.90
   
$
(0.07
)
                 
Dividends per share
 
$
0.10
   
$
0.10
 
                 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 



 
 
 
3


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

   
March 27, 2010
   
December 26, 2009
 
(In thousands, except share data)
     
       
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
397,180
   
$
346,001
 
Accounts receivable, less allowance of doubtful accounts of $4,747 in 2010 and $5,947 in 2009
   
256,950
     
228,739
 
Inventories
   
185,828
     
191,262
 
Other current assets
   
33,478
     
42,841
 
                 
Total current assets
   
873,436
     
808,843
 
                 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
   
242,796
     
250,395
 
Goodwill
   
102,250
     
102,250
 
Other assets
   
19,652
     
18,653
 
                 
Total Assets
 
$
1,238,134
   
$
1,180,141
 
                 
Liabilities
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of debt
 
$
27,739
   
$
24,325
 
Accounts payable
   
89,061
     
73,837
 
Accrued wages and other employee costs
   
25,788
     
24,829
 
Other current liabilities
   
73,518
     
60,379
 
                 
Total current liabilities
   
216,106
     
183,370
 
                 
Long-term debt, less current portion
   
158,226
     
158,226
 
Pension and postretirement liabilities
   
42,843
     
44,320
 
Environmental reserves
   
23,862
     
23,268
 
Deferred income taxes
   
28,675
     
31,128
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
   
923
     
887
 
                 
Total liabilities
   
470,635
     
441,199
 
                 
Equity
               
Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock - $1.00 par value; shares authorized 5,000,000; none outstanding
   
     
 
Common stock - $.01 par value; shares authorized 100,000,000; issued 40,091,502; outstanding 37,686,933 in 2010 and 37,649,584 in 2009
   
401
     
401
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
262,782
     
262,166
 
Retained earnings
   
570,412
     
540,218
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(40,085
)
   
(36,104
)
Treasury common stock, at cost
   
(52,695
)
   
(53,514
)
                 
Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders’ equity
   
740,815
     
713,167
 
Noncontrolling interest
   
26,684
     
25,775
 
                 
Total equity
   
767,499
     
738,942
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
   
     
 
                 
Total Liabilities and Equity
 
$
1,238,134
   
$
1,180,141
 
                 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 


 
 
 
4


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 
For the Quarter Ended
 
 
March 27, 2010
   
March 28, 2009
 
(In thousands)
     
       
Cash flows from operating activities
             
    Net income (loss) attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.
 $
33,958
   
$
 (2,492
)
    Reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
            Depreciation and amortization
 
10,389
     
10,521
 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
841
     
(18
)
Stock-based compensation expense
 
704
     
607
 
Insurance gain
 
(22,506
)
   
 
Insurance proceeds – noncapital related
 
5,561
     
 
Gain on disposal of properties
 
(6
)
   
(87
)
Deferred income taxes
 
(3,623
)
   
(248
)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
 
(11
)
   
 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
             
Receivables
 
(30,689
)
   
28,010
 
Inventories
 
3,748
     
38,657
 
Other assets
 
6,938
     
3,070
 
Current liabilities
 
30,899
     
(42,167
)
Other liabilities
 
155
     
(620
)
Other, net
 
280
     
(261
)
               
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
36,638
     
34,972
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities
             
Capital expenditures
 
(4,479
)
   
(4,842
)
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment
 
17,703
     
 
Net withdrawals from restricted cash balances
 
2,524
     
5,852
 
Proceeds from the sales of properties
 
8
     
402
 
               
Net cash provided by investing activities
 
15,756
     
1,412
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities
             
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.
 
(3,759
)
   
(3,714
)
Issuance (repayment) of debt by joint venture, net
 
3,436
     
(10,152
)
    Issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans from treasury
 
720
     
 
    Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
 
11
     
 
               
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
408
     
(13,866
)
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(1,623
)
   
(1,042
)
               
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
51,179
     
21,476
 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
 
346,001
     
278,860
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
$
397,180
   
$
300,336
 
               
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.




 
 
 
5


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

General

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted.  Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.  This Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10–K, including the annual financial statements incorporated therein.

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.


Note 1 – Earnings per Common Share
 
   Basic per share amounts have been computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted per share amounts reflect the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, computed using the treasury stock method.  Approximately 1.2 million stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended March 27, 2010, since the options’ exercise price was higher than the average market price of the Company’s stock.  For the first quarter of 2009, basic average shares outstanding and diluted average shares outstanding were the same because the effect of dilutive securities was anti-dilutive since the Company generated a loss.  As a result, 73 thousand stock options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share during such quarter.


Note 2 – Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.  The Company may also realize the benefit of certain legal claims and litigation in the future; these gain contingencies are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Environmental Matters

There have been no material changes with respect to environmental matters involving the Company since December 26, 2009.

Health and Safety Matters

On January 25, 2010, the Company received Citations and a Notification of Penalties from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposing civil penalties totaling approximately $0.7 million for various health and safety violations following inspections in 2009 of certain plants operated by subsidiaries in Fulton, Mississippi.  Additionally, plants in Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee have been inspected by OSHA and/or the Tennessee Division of Occupational Safety and Health (TOSHA) resulting in proposed penalties.  The Company has worked closely with OSHA and TOSHA in the course of its inspections and will continue to do so to resolve any issues at these plants or any other plants.  The Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its financial condition as a result of these matters.

 
 
 
6


Copper Tube Antitrust Litigation

The Company is named as a defendant in several pending litigations (the Copper Tube Actions) brought by direct and indirect purchasers of various forms of copper tube.  The Copper Tube Actions allege anticompetitive activities with respect to the sale of copper plumbing tubes and/or copper tubes used in, among other things, the manufacturing of air-conditioning and refrigeration units.  All of the Copper Tube Actions seek monetary and other relief.  The Company believes that the claims for relief in the Copper Tube Actions are without merit.  Due to the procedural stage of the Copper Tube Actions, the Company is unable to determine the likelihood of a materially adverse outcome in the Copper Tube Actions or the amount or range of a potential loss in the Copper Tube Actions.

Employment Litigation

On June 1, 2007, the Company filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Dupage County, Illinois against Peter D. Berkman and Jeffrey A. Berkman, former executives of the Company and B&K Industries, Inc. (B&K), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, relating to their alleged breach of fiduciary duties and contractual obligations to the Company through, among other things, their involvement with a supplier of B&K during their employment with B&K.  The lawsuit alleges appropriation of corporate opportunities for personal benefit, failure to disclose competitive interests or other conflicts of interest, and unfair competition, as well as breach of employment agreements in connection with the foregoing.  The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, and other appropriate relief.  In Augu st 2007, the defendants filed an answer to the complaint admitting Peter Berkman had not sought authorization to have an ownership interest in a supplier, and a counterclaim against the Company, B&K and certain of the Company’s officers and directors alleging defamation, tortious interference with prospective economic relations, and conspiracy, and seeking damages in unspecified amounts.  In September 2007, Homewerks Worldwide LLC, an entity formed by Peter Berkman, filed a complaint as an intervenor based on substantially the same allegations included in the Berkmans’ counterclaim.  In October 2007, the Company also filed a motion seeking to have the Berkmans’ counterclaim dismissed as a matter of law.  On January 3, 2008, the Court overruled that motion and the case proceeded to discovery of the relevant facts.  Since that time, depositions and document productions have been ongoing.  However, on September 5, 2008, Peter Berkman withdr ew prior responses to discovery requests and asserted the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination as to all requests directed to him.  By that assertion, he took the position that his testimony about his actions would have the potential of exposing him to a criminal charge or criminal charges.  On October 3, 2008, in response to a motion to compel filed by the Company, the Court held that Peter Berkman could not withhold documents on Fifth Amendment grounds, amongst other things.  Peter Berkman moved for reconsideration of that order and his request was denied on November 19, 2008.  On December 10, 2008, Peter Berkman moved for the opportunity to file an interlocutory appeal regarding the Court’s ruling on the Company’s motion to compel.  On January 7, 2009, the motion for interlocutory appeal was granted, the Court found Peter Berkman in contempt for resisting discovery, and Peter Berkman has since filed a notice of appeal with the I llinois Appellate Court, Second Judicial District.  All appellate briefs were submitted, oral argument took place on September 29, 2009, and a publicly available decision was rendered on March 23, 2010.  In that decision, the Illinois Appellate Court concluded that (i) Peter Berkman was not entitled to withhold documents on attorney-client privilege grounds that were created during the period that Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP represented both the Company and Peter Berkman, (ii) documents withheld on attorney-client privilege grounds needed to be submitted to the trial court for an in camera review to assess the applicability of the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege, and (iii) documents Peter Berkman withheld on Fifth Amendment grounds needed to be submitted to the trial court for an in camera review. On October 24, 2008, the defendants filed a motion seeking leave to interpose an Amended Answer and Amended Counterclaims.  On December 19, 2008, the Company file d an answer to the Amended Counterclaims that included a new affirmative defense based on the assertion of the Fifth Amendment by Peter Berkman.  On December 15, 2009, the parties exchanged reports created by their respective damages experts wherein the Company asserted a claim totaling $17.2 million and defendants asserted a claim totaling $41.0 million.  The parties also exchanged rebuttal damages expert reports on March 5, 2010.  On February 9, 2010, the Court ordered the parties to mediate their claims by May 17, 2010 and the parties are in the process of scheduling that mediation.  The Company believes that the counterclaims are without merit and that defendants are not entitled to the damages being sought.  Consequently, the Company intends to defend the counterclaims vigorously.  The Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its business or financial condition as a result of this litigation.

 
 
 
7


United States Department of Commerce Antidumping Review

  On December 24, 2008, the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico to determine the final antidumping duties owed on U.S. imports during the period November 1, 2007 through October 31, 2008 by certain subsidiaries of the Company.  On April 19, 2010, DOC published the final results of this review and assigned Mueller Comercial de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mueller Comercial) an antidumping duty rate of 48.33 percent.  The Company has until June 21, 2010 to appeal the final determination.  The Company anticipates that certain of its subsidiaries w ill incur additional antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review.  The Company has established a reserve for approximately $4.2 million for this matter.
 
  On December 23, 2009, DOC initiated an antidumping administrative review for the November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009 period of review.  DOC has selected Mueller Comercial as a respondent for this period of review.  At this time, the Company is unable to estimate the impact, if any, this matter will have on our financial statements.
 

Other

Guarantees, in the form of letters of credit, are issued by the Company generally to guarantee the payment of insurance deductibles and certain retiree health benefits.  The terms of the Company’s guarantees are generally one year but are renewable annually as required.  These letters are primarily backed by the Company’s line of credit facility.  The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could have been required to make under its guarantees at March 27, 2010 was $9.7 million.


Note 3 – Insurance Claims

U.K. Copper Tube Facility

In November 2008, the Company’s copper tube facility in Bilston, United Kingdom, was damaged by fire.  Production was curtailed for approximately four weeks to make certain necessary temporary repairs.  Additionally, certain production equipment and portions of building structures were extensively damaged.  These losses were covered by property and business interruption insurance.  During the first quarter of 2010, the Company settled the claim with its insurer for total proceeds of $35.3 million, net of the deductible of $0.5 million.  As a result of the settlement with its insurer, all proceeds received and all costs previously deferred (which were recorded as a receivable in prior periods) were recognized, resulting in a net pre-tax gain of $22.5 million.  The Compan y received cash advances of $4.7 million in 2008 and $7.3 million in 2009 from its insurer, and received $23.3 million of proceeds in the first quarter of 2010 with the final settlement.  Of the $23.3 million proceeds received in 2010, $17.7 million was classified as investing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows representing the estimated amount of proceeds received for damaged building structures and equipment.  All other receipts were classified as operating activities as they reflect the estimated amounts received for business interruption insurance and reimbursement of incremental cleaning and other noncapital costs.

Although the Company has settled the claim with its insurer, the Company is continuing to perform rehabilitation activities related to the facility, including structural repairs, cleanup of environmental contaminants, and other activities.  The Company expects these activities will be completed by the end of 2010.  The Company expects to incur up to approximately $2.3 million of additional expenditures related to the remaining rehabilitation of this facility, of which approximately $1.4 million is expected to be capitalized and approximately $0.9 million is expected to be expensed in future periods.


 
 
 
8


Fulton, Mississippi Copper Tube Facility

In July 2009, there was an explosion at the Company’s copper tube facility in Fulton, Mississippi.  Production was curtailed for approximately one week for cleanup and repairs to building structures.  Certain production equipment was also extensively damaged.  The total value of the loss, including business interruption, cannot be estimated at this time, but is expected to be covered by property and business interruption insurance.  During 2009, the Company received an advance of $1.0 million from its insurer to cover incremental expenses (net of the insurance deductible of $0.5 million).  The Company recorded this cash advance in other current liabilities net of cleanup and repair costs of approximately $1.1 million.  The Company has not recognized potential gains aris ing from property damage or business interruption insurance in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during 2010 related to this matter, and will not do so until final settlement of the insurance claim.


Note 4 – Inventories

   
March 27, 2010
   
December 26, 2009
 
(In thousands)
     
                 
Raw materials and supplies
 
$
17,844
   
$
32,593
 
Work-in-process
   
48,657
     
37,923
 
Finished goods
   
123,686
     
126,184
 
Valuation reserves
   
(4,359
)
   
(5,438
)
                 
Inventories
 
$
185,828
   
$
191,262
 
                 

The Company has deferred recognizing potential gains resulting from liquidation of LIFO inventories during the first quarter of 2010.  The Company expects to replenish these inventories by the end of 2010 and, as such, has not recognized the effects of liquidating LIFO layers.  In the event these inventories are not replenished, due to lack of availability or operational reasons, the Company would recognize a non-cash gain of approximately $15.6 million from the liquidation of LIFO layers based on quarter-end quantities.


Note 5 – Industry Segments

The Company’s reportable segments are Plumbing & Refrigeration and OEM.  For disclosure purposes, as permitted under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 280, Segment Reporting, certain operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments.  The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment is composed of Standard Products Division (SPD), European Operations, and Mexican Operations.  The OEM segment is composed of Industrial Products Division (IPD), Engineered Products Division (EPD), and Mueller-Xingrong.  These segments are classified primarily by the markets for their products.  Performance of segments is generally evaluated by their operating income.  Intersegment transactions are generally conducted on an arms-length basis.

SPD manufactures copper tube and fittings, plastic fittings, plastic pipe, and line sets.  These products are manufactured in the U.S.  Outside the U.S., the Company’s European Operations manufacture copper tube, which is sold in Europe and the Middle East.  SPD also imports and resells brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets, and plumbing specialty products.  Mexican Operations consist of pipe nipple manufacturing and import distribution businesses including product lines of malleable iron fittings and other plumbing specialties.  The European Operations consist of copper tube manufacturing and the import distribution of fittings, valves, and plumbing specialties primarily in the U.K. and Ireland.  The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment 217;s products are sold primarily to plumbing, refrigeration, and air-conditioning wholesalers, hardware wholesalers and co-ops, and building product retailers.

 
 
 
9


IPD manufactures brass rod, impact extrusions, and forgings as well as a variety of end products including plumbing brass, automotive components, valves, and fittings. EPD manufactures and fabricates valves and assemblies for the refrigeration, air-conditioning, gas appliance, and barbecue grill markets and specialty copper, copper-alloy, and aluminum tubing.  Mueller-Xingrong manufactures engineered copper tube primarily for air-conditioning applications.  These products are sold primarily to OEM customers.

Summarized segment information is as follows:

 (In thousands)
 
For the Quarter Ended March 27, 2010
 
   
Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment
   
OEM
Segment
   
Corporate and Eliminations
   
Total
 
                         
Net sales
 
$
256,662
   
$
232,204
   
$
(3,598
)
 
$
485,268
 
                                 
Cost of goods sold
   
212,869
     
203,612
     
(3,433
)
   
413,048
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
6,513
     
3,571
     
264
     
10,348
 
Selling, general, and administrative expense
   
19,327
     
8,890
     
9,106
     
37,323
 
Insurance gain
   
(22,506
)
   
     
     
(22,506
)
                                 
Operating income
   
40,459
     
16,131
     
(9,535
)
   
47,055
 
                                 
Interest expense
                           
(2,532
)
Other income, net
                           
140
 
                                 
Income before income taxes
                         
$
44,663
 
                                 


 (In thousands)
 
For the Quarter Ended March 28, 2009
 
   
Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment
   
OEM
Segment
   
Corporate and Eliminations
   
Total
 
                         
Net sales
 
$
190,393
   
$
138,392
   
$
(2,227
)
 
$
326,558
 
                                 
Cost of goods sold
   
153,289
     
136,023
     
(1,929
)
   
287,383
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
6,624
     
3,586
     
270
     
10,480
 
Selling, general, and administrative expense
   
20,149
     
5,049
     
5,960
     
31,158
 
                       
 
       
Operating income (loss)
   
10,331
     
(6,266
)
   
(6,528
)
   
(2,463
)
                                 
Interest expense
                           
(2,636
)
Other income, net
                           
627
 
                                 
Loss before income taxes
                         
$
(4,472
)
                                 



 
 
 
10


Note 6 – Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:

   
For the Quarter Ended
 
   
March 27, 2010
   
March 28, 2009
 
(In thousands)
     
             
Consolidated net income (loss)
 
$
34,799
   
$
(2,510
)
                 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
               
Foreign currency translation
   
(5,590
)
   
(3,316
)
        Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities
   
277
     
3,023
 
        Other, net
   
1,400
     
364
 
                 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(3,913
)
   
71
 
                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
   
30,886
     
(2,439
)
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
(909
)
   
(679
)
                 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.
 
$
29,977
   
$
(3,118
)
                 

The change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment primarily relates to the Company’s investment in foreign subsidiaries and fluctuations in exchange rates between their local currencies and the U.S. dollar.  The value of the British pound sterling declined approximately 7 percent relative to the U.S. dollar during the first quarter of 2010.  The decrease was partially offset by an increase in the value of the Mexican peso of 4 percent relative to the U.S. dollar.


Note 7 – Employee Benefits

The Company sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees.  The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) are as follows:

   
For the Quarter Ended
 
   
March 27, 2010
   
March 28, 2009
 
(In thousands)
     
       
Pension benefits: 
           
Service cost
 
$
99
   
$
364
 
Interest cost
   
2,215
     
2,562
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(2,821
)
   
(3,198
)
Amortization of prior service cost
   
74
     
76
 
Amortization of net loss
   
399
     
160
 
                 
Net periodic benefit income
 
$
(34
)
 
$
(36
)
                 
Other benefits:
               
Service cost
 
$
65
   
$
54
 
Interest cost
   
306
     
338
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
1
     
1
 
Amortization of net loss
   
38
     
41
 
                 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
410
   
$
434
 
                 

The Company anticipates contributions to its pension plans for 2010 to be approximately $1.5 million.  During the first quarter of 2010, contributions of approximately $0.4 million have been made to certain pension plans.

 
 
 
11


Note 8 – Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2010 was 22 percent compared with 44 percent for the same period last year.  Factors that explain the difference between the effective tax rate and what would be computed using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the first quarter of 2010 were: (i) reductions related to the release of a valuation allowance due to the expectation that certain foreign deferred tax assets will be utilized of $5.4 million; (ii) the release of a domestic valuation allowance of $0.4 million; (iii) the effect of foreign tax rates lower than statutory tax rates of $1.8 million; (iv) recognition of a foreign deferred tax asset due to the expiration of statutes of $0.9 million; and (v) the U.S. production activities deduction of $0.6 million.  These items were partially offs et by increases in tax contingencies of $2.6 million and the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $0.7 million.

Tax contingency reserves increased by $3.2 million during the first quarter of 2010.  This increase was the net result of a $3.9 million increase primarily for reserves in foreign jurisdictions, and a $0.7 million decrease primarily for statute expirations during the first quarter of 2010.  The Company includes interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense.  Due to ongoing federal and state income tax audits and potential lapses of the statutes of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that this reserve may decrease in the next twelve months by up to $5.7 million.  Total unrecognized tax benefits including derecognized deferred tax assets at the end of first quarter were $13.7 million, without consideration of any applicable federal benefit, including $2.1 million of accrued interest and penalties.  Of the $13.7 million, approximately $10.9 million would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized.  

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and files numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in many state, local, and foreign jurisdictions.  The statute of limitations is still open for the Company’s federal tax return and most state income tax returns for the 2006 return and all subsequent years.  The Internal Revenue Service concluded an audit of the Company’s 2007 federal income tax return during 2010, the results of which were immaterial.  The Company is also under audit in Mexico for its 2004 and 2005 tax years and is under audit in various state jurisdictions.  While the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for possible audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined with certainty and could resu lt in final settlements that differ from current estimates.


Note 9 – Other Income, Net

   
For the Quarter Ended
 
   
March 27, 2010
   
March 28, 2009
 
(In thousands)
     
             
Interest income
 
$
100
   
$
498
 
Gain on disposal of properties, net
   
6
     
87
 
Environmental expense, non-operating properties
   
(124
)
   
(139
)
Other
   
158
     
181
 
                 
Other income, net
 
$
140
   
$
627
 
                 


Note 10 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Copper and brass represent the largest component of the Company’s variable costs of production.  The cost of these materials is subject to global market fluctuations caused by factors beyond the Company’s control.  The Company occasionally enters into forward fixed-price arrangements with certain customers; the risk of these arrangements is generally managed with commodity futures contracts.  The Company accounts for these futures contracts in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815).  These futures contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges.  The fair value of open futures contracts are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the position is closed which cor responds to the period when the related hedged transaction is recognized in earnings.  Should these contracts no longer meet hedge criteria in accordance with ASC 815, either through lack of effectiveness or because the hedged transaction is no longer probable of occurring, all deferred gains and losses related to the hedge would be immediately reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings.  In the next twelve months, the Company will reclassify into earnings realized gains or losses of cash flow hedges; at March 27, 2010, the net fair value of these contracts was approximately a $0.7 million gain.

 
 
 
12

 
At March 27, 2010, the Company held open futures contracts to purchase approximately $11.0 million of copper over the next nine months related to fixed price sales orders.  The fair value of those futures contracts was a $0.7 million gain position, which was determined by obtaining quoted market prices (Level 1 hierarchy as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures).

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges under ASC 815 are reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements as follows:

 
March 27, 2010
 
 
Location
 
Fair value
 
(In thousands)
   
         
Commodity contracts
Other current assets:
Gain positions
  $ 710  


 
December 26, 2009
 
 
Location
 
Fair value
 
(In thousands)
   
         
Commodity contracts
Other current assets:
Gain positions
  $ 374  


The following tables summarize activities related to the Company’s derivative instruments, classified as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815:

 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated OCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
   
For the Quarter Ended
 
 
 
March 27, 2010
 
 
March 28, 2009
 
(In thousands)
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts (1)
 
$
385
   
$
732
 
                 
(1) Includes $88 thousand and $57 thousand attributable to noncontrolling interest for the quarters ended March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, respectively.
 


 
(Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
 
   
For the Quarter Ended
 
 
 
March 27, 2010
 
 
March 28, 2009
 
(In thousands)
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts:
               
Cost of goods sold
 
$
(108
)
 
$
2,291
 


 
 
 
13


The Company enters into futures contracts that closely match the terms of the underlying transactions.  As a result, the ineffective portion of the open hedge contracts at March 27, 2010 is not material to the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company does not offset fair value of amounts for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral.  At March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, the Company had recorded restricted cash of $0.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, related to open futures contracts.


Note 11 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  At March 27, 2010 and December 26, 2009, the fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated at $185.3 million and $181.8 million, respectively, primarily using market yields and taking into consideration the underlying terms of the debt.  Such fair value was less than the carrying value of debt at March 27, 2010 and December 26, 2009 by $0.7 million.


Note 12 – Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Any new accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective have been deemed not to be relevant to the operations of the Company.  Accordingly, the effects of any such undisclosed new accounting pronouncements are not expected to have any impact on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.




General Overview

The Company is a leading manufacturer of copper, brass, plastic, and aluminum products.  The range of these products is broad:  copper tube and fittings; brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; plastic pipe, fittings and valves; refrigeration valves and fittings; fabricated tubular products; and steel nipples.  The Company also resells imported brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets and plumbing specialty products.  Mueller’s operations are located throughout the United States, and in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and China.

The Company’s businesses are aggregated into two reportable segments: the Plumbing & Refrigeration segment and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) segment.  For disclosure purposes, as permitted under ASC 280, Segment Reporting, certain operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments.  The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment is composed of the Standard Products Division (SPD), European Operations, and Mexican Operations.  The OEM segment is composed of the Industrial Products Division (IPD), Engineered Products Division (EPD), and Mueller-Xingrong, the Company’s Chinese joint venture.  Certain administrative expenses and expenses related primarily to retiree benefits at inactive operations are combined in to the Corporate and Eliminations classification.  These reportable segments are described in more detail below.

SPD manufactures and sells copper tube, copper and plastic fittings, plastic pipe, and valves in North America and sources products for import distribution in North America.  European Operations manufacture copper tube in Europe, which is sold in Europe and the Middle East; activities also include import distribution in the U.K. and Ireland.  Mexican Operations consist of pipe nipple manufacturing and import distribution businesses including product lines of malleable iron fittings and other plumbing specialties.  The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment sells products to wholesalers in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning), plumbing, and refrigeration markets, to distributors to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries, and to building material retailers.


 
 
 
14


The OEM segment manufactures and sells brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; refrigeration valves and fittings; fabricated tubular products; and gas valves and assemblies.  Mueller–Xingrong manufactures engineered copper tube primarily for air-conditioning applications; these products are sold primarily to OEM’s located in China.  The OEM segment sells its products primarily to original equipment manufacturers, many of which are in the HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration markets.

New housing starts and commercial construction are important determinants of the Company’s sales to the HVAC, refrigeration, and plumbing markets because the principal end use of a significant portion of the Company’s products is in the construction of single and multi-family housing and commercial buildings.  Repairs and remodeling projects are also important drivers of underlying demand for these products.

The majority of the Company’s manufacturing facilities operated at significantly below capacity during 2009 due to the reduced demand for the Company’s products arising from the general economic conditions in the U.S. and foreign markets that the Company serves.  There has seen some improvement in overall demand in 2010 but the Company’s overall production levels are still significantly less than capacity.  The U.S. housing and residential construction market was adversely affected in the recent economic downturn; however, 2010 reflects modest improvement.  Per the U.S. Census Bureau, new housing starts in the U.S. were 146 thousand in the first quarter of 2010, which was a 29 percent increase compared with 113 thousand in the first quarter of 2009.  The March 2010 seasonally a djusted annual rate of new housing starts was 626 thousand compared with 521 thousand for March 2009, which is a 20 percent increase.  The decline in commercial construction lagged behind the residential construction decline and recovery is more likely to occur in 2011.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the February 2010 seasonally adjusted annual rate of Nonresidential Value of Construction Put in Place was $302.7 billion, which was a 24 percent decrease from the February 2009 rate of $400.1 billion.  Business conditions in the U.S. automotive industry have begun to improve from the recent economic downturn, which has positively affected the demand for various products in the Company’s OEM segment.

Profitability of certain of the Company’s product lines depends upon the “spreads” between the cost of raw material and the selling prices of its completed products.  The open market prices for copper cathode and scrap, for example, influence the selling price of copper tubing, a principal product manufactured by the Company.  The Company attempts to minimize the effects on profitability from fluctuations in material costs by passing through these costs to its customers.  The Company’s earnings and cash flow are dependent upon these spreads that fluctuate based upon market conditions.

Earnings and profitability are also impacted by unit volumes that are subject to market trends, such as substitute products and imports, and market share.  In core product lines, the Company intensively manages its pricing structure while attempting to maximize its profitability.  From time-to-time, this practice results in lost sales opportunities and lower volume.  Plastic plumbing systems are the primary substitute product; these products represent an increasing share of consumption.  U.S. consumption of copper tubing is still predominantly supplied by U.S. manufacturers, although imports from Mexico are a significant factor.  Brass rod consumption in the U.S. has steadily declined over the past several years, due to the outsourcing of many manufactured products from offshore regions.


Results of Operations

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company’s net sales were $485.3 million, which compares with net sales of $326.6 million over the same period of 2009.  The increase was due primarily to increased selling prices resulting from the increased average cost of raw material during the period, which is generally passed on to customers.  The Comex average price of copper, the Company’s principal raw material, was $3.28 per pound in the first quarter of 2010, compared with $1.57 in the same period of 2009.  The Company also experienced moderate increases in unit sales volume in the OEM segment’s products.


 
 
 
15


Cost of goods sold increased from $287.4 million in the first quarter of 2009 to $413.0 million in the same period of 2010.  The increase was primarily due to the increased average cost of raw material, moderate volume increases, and increased aggregate conversion costs as a result of increased production.  Depreciation and amortization remained consistent.  Selling, general, and administrative expense was $37.3 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared with $31.2 million for the same period of 2009.  The increase was primarily due to increased employment costs, increased foreign currency transaction losses, and increased bad debt expense.  During the first quarter of 2010, the Company settled the insurance claim related to a fire at the U.K. copper tube facility, resulting in a n et gain of $22.5 million.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 totaled $2.5 million, which is comparable with $2.6 million for the same period of 2009.  Other income, net was $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared with $0.6 million for the same period of 2009, due primarily to reduced interest income resulting from lower interest rates.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2010 was 22 percent compared with 44 percent for the same period last year.  Factors that explain the difference between the effective tax rate and what would be computed using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the first quarter of 2010 were: (i) reductions related to the release of a valuation allowance due to the expectation that certain foreign deferred tax assets will be utilized of $5.4 million; (ii) the release of a domestic valuation allowance of $0.4 million; (iii) the effect of foreign tax rates lower than statutory tax rates of $1.8 million; (iv) recognition of a foreign deferred tax asset due to the expiration of statutes of $0.9 million; and (v) the U.S. production activities deduction of $0.6 million.  These items were partially offs et by increases in tax contingencies of $2.6 million and the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $0.7 million.


Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment

Net sales by the Plumbing and Refrigeration segment were $256.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, which was approximately a 35 percent increase from $190.4 million for the same period in 2009.  The increase was due to increased selling prices resulting from higher average raw material costs.  This increase was partially offset by lower unit volumes, mainly in copper tube and fittings, resulting primarily from continuing adverse conditions in the commercial construction markets.  Of the $66.3 million increase in net sales, approximately $70.7 million was attributable to higher selling prices in the segment’s core product lines consisting primarily of copper tube, line sets, and fittings; this increase was partially offset by approximately $9.1 million related to unit volume decreases in these sam e core product lines.  Cost of goods sold increased from $153.3 million in the first quarter of 2009 to $212.9 million in the first quarter of 2010.  This increase primarily resulted from increased raw material costs, partially offset by volume declines.  Depreciation and amortization remained relatively consistent.  Selling, general, and administrative expense decreased moderately to $19.3 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $20.1 million in the first quarter of 2009.  During the first quarter of 2010, the Company settled the insurance claim related to a fire at its U.K. copper tube facility, resulting in a net gain of $22.5 million.  Operating income for the segment increased from $10.3 million in the first quarter of 2009 to $40.5 million in the first quarter of 2010 due primarily to the insurance settlement gain at the U.K copper tube facility and improved unit spreads in many of the segment’s core product lines, offset partially by lower unit sales volume.

OEM Segment

Net sales for the OEM segment increased approximately 68 percent to $232.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $138.4 million in the first quarter of 2009.  The increase was due primarily to higher selling prices resulting from increased average costs of raw material and increased volume resulting from improving economic conditions.  Of the $93.8 million increase in net sales, approximately $31.0 million was attributable to increased unit volume and $57.5 million was due to increased selling prices in the segment’s core product lines consisting primarily of brass rod, forgings, and commercial tube.  Cost of goods sold increased from $136.0 million in the first quarter 2009 to $203.6 million in the first quarter of 2010.  The increase was due primarily to increased sales volume, highe r raw material costs, and higher aggregate conversion costs resulting from increased production.  Depreciation and amortization remained relatively consistent.  Selling, general, and administrative expense increased $3.8 million to $8.9 million in the first quarter of 2010 due primarily to increased bad debt expense and increased employment costs.  Operating income for the segment improved from an operating loss of $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2009 to operating income of $16.1 due primarily to increased sales volumes and improved unit spreads across all of the segment’s core product lines.

 
 
 
16

 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash provided by operating activities during the first quarter of 2010 totaled $36.6 million, which was primarily attributable to net income plus depreciation, decreased inventories and other assets, increased current liabilities partially offset by increased receivables.  The Company also received the remaining insurance proceeds related to the fire at its U.K. copper tube facility, of which approximately $5.6 million represented coverage for business interruption and reimbursement of cleaning and other noncapital expenditures.  Fluctuations in the cost of copper and other raw materials affect the Company’s liquidity.  Changes in material costs directly impact components of working capital, primarily inventories and accounts receivable.  During the first quarter of 2010, the average Comex copper price was approximately $3.28 per pound, which represents a 109 percent increase over the average price during the first quarter of 2009.  This increase in the price of cathode has also resulted in sharp increases in the open market price for copper scrap and, to a lesser extent, the price of brass scrap.

During the first quarter of 2010, cash provided by investing activities totaled $15.8 million, which was primarily affected by the receipt of the insurance proceeds of approximately $17.7 million related to the property and equipment damage claim with respect to the Company’s U.K. copper tube facility.  Other factors impacting investing activities were net reductions to restricted cash deposits of $2.5 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $4.5 million.  Cash provided by financing activities during the first quarter of 2010 totaled $0.4 million, which consisted of the net increase in Mueller-Xingrong’s working capital debt facility of $3.4 million, proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $0.7 million, offset by dividends paid totaling $3.8 million.

The Company has a $200 million unsecured line-of-credit (Credit Facility) which expires in December 2011.  At March 27, 2010, the Company had no borrowings against the Credit Facility.  The Credit Facility backed approximately $9.7 million in letters of credit at the end of the first quarter of 2010.  As of March 27, 2010, the Company’s total debt was $186.0 million or 20 percent of its total capitalization.

Covenants contained in the Company’s financing obligations require, among other things, the maintenance of minimum levels of tangible net worth and the satisfaction of certain minimum financial ratios.  As of March 27, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

The Company declared and paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of ten cents per common share in the first quarter of 2010.  Payment of dividends in the future is dependent upon the Company’s financial condition, cash flows, capital requirements, earnings, and other factors.  On May 1, 2010, the Company will pay approximately $4.4 million in interest on the Debentures that remain outstanding.

Management believes that cash provided by operations and currently available cash of $397.2 million will be adequate to meet the Company’s normal future capital expenditures and operational needs.  The Company’s current ratio was 4.0 to 1 at March 27, 2010.

The Company’s Board of Directors has extended, until October 2010, its authorization to repurchase up to ten million shares of the Company’s common stock through open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions.  The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares and may cancel, suspend, or extend the time period for the repurchase of shares at any time.  Any repurchases will be funded primarily through existing cash and cash from operations.  The Company may hold any shares repurchased in treasury or use a portion of the repurchased shares for employee benefit plans, as well as for other corporate purposes.  From its initial authorization in 1999 through March 27, 2010, the Company had repurchased approximately 2.4 million shares under this authorization. 60; In addition, the Company may repurchase portions of its 6% Subordinated Debentures through open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions.

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s contractual cash obligations reported at December 26, 2009.

 
 
 
17


Non-GAAP Measurements
 
        During the first quarter of 2010, the Company recognized a gain of $22.5 million (or 62 cents per diluted share after tax) on the settlement of an insurance claim pertaining to the 2008 fire at its U.K. copper tube facility.  The following table shows the Company’s computation of earnings without insurance gain for the first quarter of 2010.  Earnings without insurance gain is a measurement not derived in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP).  Excluding the insurance gain is useful as it measures the operating results that are the outcome of daily operating decisions made in the normal course of business.  The insurance gain resulted from final settlement for losses claimed as a result of the fire, the results of which are n ot impacted by daily operations and are not expected to recur in future periods.  Reconciliation of earnings with insurance gain to net income attributable to the Company is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
For the Quarter Ended March 27, 2010
 
   
As Reported
   
Impact of Insurance Gain
   
Pro forma Without Insurance Gain
 
                         
Operating income
 
$
47,055
   
$
(22,506
)
 
$
24,549
 
                         
Interest expense
   
(2,532
)
   
     
(2,532
)
Other income, net
   
140
     
     
140
 
                         
Income before income taxes
   
44,663
     
(22,506
)
   
22,157
 
Income tax expense (a)
   
(9,864
)
   
(819
)
   
(10,683
)
                         
Consolidated net income
   
34,799
     
(23,325
)
   
11,474
 
                         
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
(841
)
   
     
(841
)
                         
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.
 
$
33,958
   
$
(23,325
)
 
$
10,633
 
                         
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.90
   
$
(0.62
)
 
$
0.28
 
                         
(a) 
Realization of this insurance gain resulted in a tax benefit primarily from the utilization of U.K. net operating losses that were previously
unrecognized.
 
                         



The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in raw material and energy costs, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates.  To reduce such risks, the Company may periodically use financial instruments.  All hedging transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to policies and procedures.  Further, the Company does not buy or sell financial instruments for trading purposes.

Cost and Availability of Raw Materials and Energy
 
  Copper and brass represent the largest component of the Company’s variable costs of production.  The cost of these materials is subject to global market fluctuations caused by factors beyond the Company’s control.  Significant increases in the cost of metal, to the extent not reflected in prices for the Company’s finished products, or the lack of availability could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.

The Company occasionally enters into future fixed-price arrangements with certain customers.  The Company may utilize futures contracts to hedge risks associated with these fixed-price arrangements.  The Company may also utilize futures contracts to manage price risk associated with inventory.  Depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the futures contracts will either be offset against the change in fair value of the inventory through earnings or recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reflected in earnings upon the sale of inventory.  Periodic value fluctuations of the contracts generally offset the value fluctuations of the underlying fixed-price transactions or inventory.  At March 27, 2010, the Company held open futures cont racts to purchase approximately $11.0 million of copper through December 2010 related to fixed-price sales orders.

 
 
 
18

 
Futures contracts may also be used to manage price risk associated with natural gas purchases.  The effective portion of gains and losses with respect to these positions are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reflected in earnings upon consumption of natural gas.  Periodic value fluctuations of the contracts generally offset the value fluctuations of the underlying natural gas prices.  At March 27, 2010, the Company held no open futures contracts to purchase natural gas.

Interest Rates

At March 27, 2010, the Company had variable-rate debt outstanding of $37.8 million, the majority of which related to the debt issued by Mueller-Xingrong.  At these borrowing levels, a hypothetical 10 percent increase in interest rates would have had an insignificant unfavorable impact on the Company’s pretax earnings and cash flows.  The primary interest rate exposure on floating-rate debt is based on LIBOR and on the base-lending rate published by the People’s Bank of China.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Foreign currency exposures arising from transactions include firm commitments and anticipated transactions denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency.  The Company and its subsidiaries generally enter into transactions denominated in their respective functional currencies.  Foreign currency exposures arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are generally not material; however, the Company may utilize certain futures or forward contracts to hedge such transactional exposures.  Gains and losses with respect to these positions are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of comprehensive income and reflected in earnings upon collection of receivables.  At March 27, 2010, the Company had open forward contracts with a financial institution to sell approximately 0.8 million Canadian dollars through June 2010.

The Company’s primary foreign currency exposure arises from foreign-denominated revenues and profits and their translation into U.S. dollars.  The primary currencies to which the Company is exposed include the Canadian dollar, the British pound sterling, the Euro, the Mexican peso, and the Chinese renminbi.  The Company generally views as long-term its investments in foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar.  As a result, the Company generally does not hedge these net investments.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, which involve risks and uncertainties.  These include economic and currency conditions, continued availability of raw materials and energy, market demand, pricing, competitive and technological factors, and the availability of financing, among others, as set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  The words "outlook," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "target," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  The Company has no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this report.

 
 
 
19



Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 27, 2010 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company's principal executive officer and principal fina ncial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s fiscal quarter ending March 27, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


General

The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business.  Additionally, the Company may realize the benefit of certain legal claims and litigation in the future; these gain contingencies are not recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Health and Safety Matters

On January 25, 2010, the Company received Citations and a Notification of Penalties from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposing civil penalties totaling approximately $0.7 million for various health and safety violations following inspections in 2009 of certain plants operated by subsidiaries in Fulton, Mississippi.  Additionally, plants in Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee have been inspected by OSHA and/or the Tennessee Division of Occupational Safety and Health (TOSHA) resulting in proposed penalties.  The Company has worked closely with OSHA and TOSHA in the course of its inspections and will continue to do so to resolve any issues at these plants or any other plants.  The Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its financial condition as a result of these matters.

 
 
 
20


Copper Tube Antitrust Litigation

The Company has been named as a defendant in several pending litigations (the Copper Tube Actions) brought by direct and indirect purchasers of various forms of copper tube.  The Copper Tube Actions allege anticompetitive activities with respect to the sale of copper plumbing tubes (copper plumbing tubes) and/or copper tubes used in, among other things, the manufacturing of air-conditioning and refrigeration units (ACR copper tubes).  All of the Copper Tube Actions seek monetary and other relief.

Carrier ACR Tube Action

A Copper Tube Action (the Carrier ACR Tube Action) was filed in March 2006 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee by Carrier Corporation, Carrier S.A., and Carrier Italia S.p.A. (collectively, Carrier).  The Carrier ACR Tube Action alleges anticompetitive activities with respect to the sale to Carrier of ACR copper tubes.  The Company and Mueller Europe Limited (Mueller Europe) are named in the Carrier ACR Tube Action.

In July 2007, the Carrier ACR Tube Action was dismissed in its entirety for lack of subject matter jurisdiction as to all defendants.  In August 2007, plaintiffs filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit a notice of appeal from the judgment and order dismissing the complaint in the Carrier ACR Tube Action.  The Company and Mueller Europe filed notices of cross-appeal in August 2007.

In October 2007, Carrier filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit a motion to dismiss the cross-appeals, which the Court denied in December 2007.  All appeals in the Carrier ACR Tube Action remain pending.  Briefing on the appeals occurred in May 2009 and oral argument took place in October 2009.

Indirect-Purchaser ACR Tube Action

Two Copper Tube Actions were filed in June and August 2006 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and were consolidated to become the Indirect-Purchaser ACR Tube Action.  The Indirect-Purchaser ACR Tube Action is a purported class action brought on behalf of indirect purchasers of ACR copper tubes in the United States and alleges anticompetitive activities with respect to the sale of ACR copper tubes.  The Company and Mueller Europe are named in the Indirect-Purchaser ACR Tube Action.  The Company and Mueller Europe have been served, but have not yet been required to respond, in the Indirect-Purchaser ACR Tube Action.

Indirect-Purchaser Copper Tube Action

A Copper Tube Action (the Indirect-Purchaser Copper Tube Action) was filed in July 2006 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.  The Indirect-Purchaser Copper Tube Action is a purported class action brought on behalf of indirect purchasers of copper plumbing tubes and ACR copper tubes in the United States and alleges anticompetitive activities with respect to the sale of both copper plumbing tubes and ACR copper tubes.

The Company, Mueller Europe, WTC Holding Company, Inc. (WTC Holding Company), Deno Holding Company, Inc. (Deno Holding Company), and Deno Acquisition Eurl are named in the Indirect-Purchaser Copper Tube Action.  The Company, Mueller Europe, WTC Holding Company, and Deno Holding Company have been served, but have not yet been required to respond, in the Indirect-Purchaser Copper Tube Action.  Deno Acquisition Eurl has not been served with the complaint in the Indirect-Purchaser Copper Tube Action.
 
On April 20, 2010, plantiffs filed with the court overseeing the Indirect-Purchaser Copper Tube Action a Stipulation for Dismissal with Prejudice (the Stipulation) pursuant to the class-action settlement filed in the Indirect Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action discussed in the following section.  The Stipulation seeks a court order of dismissal, which is currently before the court.

Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action

Four Copper Tube Actions were filed in October 2004 in state court in California and were consolidated to become the Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action.  The Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action is a purported class action brought on behalf of indirect purchasers of copper plumbing tubes in California and alleges anticompetitive activities with respect to the sale of copper plumbing tubes.  The Company, Mueller Europe, WTC Holding Company, Deno Holding Company, and Deno Acquisition Eurl are named in the Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action.  Deno Acquisition Eurl has not been served with the complaint in the Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action.

 
 
 
21


The claims against WTC Holding Company and Deno Holding Company have been dismissed without prejudice in the Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action.  Mueller Europe has not yet been required to respond in the Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action.  The Company’s demurrer to the complaint has been filed in the Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action.

In February 2010, the court overseeing the Indirect-Purchaser Plumbing Tube Action granted the plaintiffs’ motion for final approval of a class-action settlement and entered judgment in accordance therewith.  On April 9, 2010, the time to appeal the judgment, which finally approved the class-action settlement, expired without appeal.

Although the Company believes that the claims for relief in the Copper Tube Actions are without merit, due to the procedural stage of the Copper Tube Actions, the Company is unable to determine the likelihood of a material adverse outcome in the Copper Tube Actions or the amount or range of a potential loss in the Copper Tube Actions.

Canadian Dumping and Countervail Investigation

In June 2006, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) initiated an investigation into the alleged dumping of certain copper pipe fittings from the United States and from South Korea, and the dumping and subsidizing of these same goods from China.  The Company and certain affiliated companies were identified by the CBSA as exporters and importers of these goods.

On January 18, 2007, the CBSA issued a final determination in its investigation.  The Company was found to have dumped subject goods during the CBSA’s investigation period.  On February 19, 2007, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) concluded that the dumping of the subject goods from the United States had caused injury to the Canadian industry.

As a result of these findings, exports of subject goods to Canada by the Company made on or after October 20, 2006 have been subject to antidumping measures.  Under Canada’s system of prospective antidumping enforcement, the CBSA has issued normal values to the Company.  Antidumping duties will be imposed on the Company’s Canadian customers only to the extent that the Company’s future exports of copper pipe fittings are made at net export prices which are below these normal values.  If net export prices for subject goods exceed normal values, no antidumping duties will be payable.  These measures will remain in place for five years, at which time an expiry review will be conducted by Canadian authorities to determine whether these measures should be maintained for another five years or allowed to expire.

On April 1, 2010, the CBSA completed a review process pursuant to which revised normal values were issued to exporters of subject goods, including the Company.  Depending on the level of these normal values relative to the normal values and selling prices of the Company's competitors in Canada, the Company's sales of subject goods in Canada may increase or decrease relative to prior levels.  In any event, given the small percentage of its products that are sold for export to Canada, the Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its financial condition as a result of the antidumping case in Canada.

The Company's normal values are subject to potential review and revision in the future.  Depending on the level of these revised normal values, the Company's ability to compete in Canada could be affected,  although, as discussed above, export sales of subject goods to Canada comprise only a small percentage of the Company’s total sales.  The “sunset review” process, pursuant to which Canadian authorities will examine whether the dumping order should be revoked or maintained for another five years, will initiate in April 2011.

United States Department of Commerce Antidumping Review

On December 24, 2008, the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico to determine the final antidumping duties owed on U.S. imports during the period November 1, 2007 through October 31, 2008 by certain subsidiaries of the Company.  On April 19, 2010, DOC published the final results of this review and assigned Mueller Comercial de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mueller Comercial) an antidumping duty rate of 48.33 percent.  The Company has until June 21, 2010 to appeal the final determination.  The Company anticipates that certain of its subsidiaries will incur additional antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review.  The Company has established a reserve for approximately $4.2 million for this matter.
 
        On December 23, 2009, DOC initiated an antidumping administrative review for the November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009 period of review.  DOC has selected Mueller Comercial as a respondent for this period of review.  At this time, the Company is unable to estimate the impact, if any, this matter will have on our financial statements.
 

 
 
 
22

 
United States Department of Commerce and United States International Trade Commission Antidumping Investigations

On September 30, 2009, two subsidiaries of Mueller Industries, Inc., along with Cerro Flow Products, Inc. and KobeWieland Copper Products, LLC (collectively, Petitioners) jointly filed antidumping petitions with the DOC and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that imports of seamless refined copper tube from China and Mexico (subject imports) were being sold at less than fair value and were causing material injury (and threatening material injury) to the domestic industry.  On October 21, 2009, the DOC announced its decision to initiate antidumping investigations, corroborating Petitioners' allegations that imports from China were being dumped at a rate of 60.5 percent, and that imports from Mexico were being dumped at rates in the 76.5 to 85.7 percent range.  On November 13, 2009, the ITC announ ced its unanimous determination that there is a reasonable indication that the domestic industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of subject imports.

As a result of these determinations, the DOC has commenced antidumping investigations of Chinese and Mexican producers, and it is expected to issue both preliminary and final determinations later this year.  If the DOC issues final affirmative determinations, then the ITC will be required to issue a final determination of whether unfairly traded imports from China and Mexico caused material injury (or threaten material injury) to the domestic industry.  If the final ITC decision is affirmative, then antidumping orders are expected to be issued by the end of 2010, resulting in the imposition of antidumping duty deposits on subject imports.

Employment Litigation

On June 1, 2007, the Company filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Dupage County, Illinois against Peter D. Berkman and Jeffrey A. Berkman, former executives of the Company and B&K Industries, Inc. (B&K), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, relating to their alleged breach of fiduciary duties and contractual obligations to the Company through, among other things, their involvement with a supplier of B&K during their employment with B&K.  The lawsuit alleges appropriation of corporate opportunities for personal benefit, failure to disclose competitive interests or other conflicts of interest, and unfair competition, as well as breach of employment agreements in connection with the foregoing.  The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, and other appropriate relief.  In Augu st 2007, the defendants filed an answer to the complaint admitting Peter Berkman had not sought authorization to have an ownership interest in a supplier, and a counterclaim against the Company, B&K and certain of the Company’s officers and directors alleging defamation, tortious interference with prospective economic relations, and conspiracy, and seeking damages in unspecified amounts.  In September 2007, Homewerks Worldwide LLC, an entity formed by Peter Berkman, filed a complaint as an intervenor based on substantially the same allegations included in the Berkmans’ counterclaim.  In October 2007, the Company also filed a motion seeking to have the Berkmans’ counterclaim dismissed as a matter of law.  On January 3, 2008, the Court overruled that motion and the case proceeded to discovery of the relevant facts.  Since that time, depositions and document productions have been ongoing.  However, on September 5, 2008, Peter Berkman withdr ew prior responses to discovery requests and asserted the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination as to all requests directed to him.  By that assertion, he took the position that his testimony about his actions would have the potential of exposing him to a criminal charge or criminal charges.  On October 3, 2008, in response to a motion to compel filed by the Company, the Court held that Peter Berkman could not withhold documents on Fifth Amendment grounds, amongst other things.  Peter Berkman moved for reconsideration of that order and his request was denied on November 19, 2008.  On December 10, 2008, Peter Berkman moved for the opportunity to file an interlocutory appeal regarding the Court’s ruling on the Company’s motion to compel.  On January 7, 2009, the motion for interlocutory appeal was granted, the Court found Peter Berkman in contempt for resisting discovery, and Peter Berkman has since filed a notice of appeal with the I llinois Appellate Court, Second Judicial District.  All appellate briefs were submitted, oral argument took place on September 29, 2009, and a publicly available decision was rendered on March 23, 2010.  In that decision, the Illinois Appellate Court concluded that (i) Peter Berkman was not entitled to withhold documents on attorney-client privilege grounds that were created during the period that Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP represented both the Company and Peter Berkman, (ii) documents withheld on attorney-client privilege grounds needed to be submitted to the trial court for an in camera review to assess the applicability of the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege, and (iii) documents Peter Berkman withheld on Fifth Amendment grounds needed to be submitted to the trial court for an in camera review. On October 24, 2008, the defendants filed a motion seeking leave to interpose an Amended Answer and Amended Counterclaims.  On December 19, 2008, the Company file d an answer to the Amended Counterclaims that included a new affirmative defense based on the assertion of the Fifth Amendment by Peter Berkman.  On December 15, 2009, the parties exchanged reports created by their respective damages experts wherein the Company asserted a claim totaling $17.2 million and defendants asserted a claim totaling $41.0 million.  The parties also exchanged rebuttal damages expert reports on March 5, 2010.  On February 9, 2010, the Court ordered the parties to mediate their claims by May 17, 2010 and the parties are in the process of scheduling that mediation.  The Company believes that the counterclaims are without merit and that defendants are not entitled to the damages being sought.  Consequently, the Company intends to defend the counterclaims vigorously.  The Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its business or financial condition as a result of this litigation.

 
 
 
23

 
Environmental Matters

There have been no material changes with respect to environmental matters involving the Company since December 26, 2009.



The Company is exposed to risk as it operates its businesses.  To provide a framework to understand the operating environment of the Company, we have provided a brief explanation of the more significant risks associated with our businesses in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The following represents an update to the risk factors previously identified.  Although we have tried to identify and discuss key risk factors, others could emerge in the future.  These risk factors should be considered carefully when evaluating the Company and its businesses.

We are subject to numerous federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations and future compliance may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

In March 2010, Congress passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (the Acts).  Among other things, the Acts contain provisions that will affect employer-sponsored health care plans, impose excise taxes on certain plans, and reduce the tax benefits available to employers that receive the Medicare Part D subsidy.  The Company is currently reviewing provisions of the Acts and their impact on its company-sponsored plans.  Costs associated with compliance of the Acts, are currently unable to be estimated.

 
 
 
24



Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s Board of Directors has extended, until October 2010, its authorization to repurchase up to ten million shares of the Company’s common stock through open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions.  The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares and may cancel, suspend, or extend the time period for the repurchase of shares at any time.  Any repurchases will be funded primarily through existing cash and cash from operations.  The Company may hold any shares repurchased in treasury or use a portion of the repurchased shares for employee benefit plans, as well as for other corporate purposes.  From its initial authorization in 1999 through March 27, 2010, the Company had repurchased approximately 2.4 million shares under this authorization. 60; Below is a summary of the Company’s stock repurchases for the period ended March 27, 2010.

   
(a)
   
(b)
   
(c)
   
(d)
 
   
Total  Number of Shares Purchased
   
Average Price Paid per Share
   
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
                     
7,647,030
(1)
December 27, 2009 – January 23, 2010
   
 —
   
 $
 —
                 
                                 
January 24 – February 20, 2010
   
 —
     
 —
                 
                                 
February 21 – March 27, 2010
   
 —
     
 —
                 
                                 
(1) Shares available to be purchased under the Company's ten million share repurchase authorization until October 2010.  The extension of the authorization was announced on October 21, 2009.
 
 
 


 
19.1
Mueller Industries, Inc.’s Quarterly Report to Stockholders for the quarter ended March 27, 2010.  Such report is being furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange Commission only and is not to be deemed filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
       
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
       
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
       
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
       
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
       

Items 3, 4, and 5 are not applicable and have been omitted.

 
 
 
25





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.



 
MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
   
   
 
/S/ Kent A. McKee                                         
 
Kent A. McKee
April 21, 2010
Executive Vice President and
Date
Chief Financial Officer
   
   
 
/S/ Richard W. Corman                                 
April 21, 2010
Richard W. Corman
Date
Vice President – Controller
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   









 
 
 
26



EXHIBIT INDEX
   
Exhibits
Description
   
19.1
Mueller Industries, Inc.’s Quarterly Report to Stockholders for the quarter ended March 27, 2010.  Such report is being furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange Commission only and is not to be deemed filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
   
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
 




EX-19.1 2 ex19-1.htm QUARTERLY REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS ex19-1.htm

Exhibit 19.1
To Our Stockholders, Customers, and Employees
 
    Mueller’s net income was $34.0 million, or 90 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010.  This compares with a net loss of $2.5 million, or 7 cents per diluted share, for the same period of 2009.  First quarter net sales for 2010 were $485.3 million compared with $326.6 million in 2009.
 
    During the first quarter of 2010, the Company recognized a gain of $22.5 million (or 62 cents per diluted share after tax) on the settlement of an insurance claim pertaining to the 2008 fire at its U.K. copper tube operation.  Further, the realization of this gain resulted in a tax benefit primarily from the utilization of U.K. net operating losses that were previously reserved.
 
    Net sales increased to $485.3 million primarily due to higher selling prices that reflect increased raw material costs.  The Comex average price of copper was $3.28 per pound in the first quarter of 2010, which compares with $1.57 in the first quarter of 2009.  Gross profit was $72.2 million in the first quarter which is the best of the last six consecutive quarters.
 
    Our Plumbing & Refrigeration segment posted operating earnings of $40.5 million that includes a $22.5 million gain on the settlement of an insurance claim as discussed above.  Net sales for the first quarter of 2010 were $256.7 million.  In the same period a year ago, segment earnings were $10.3 million on net sales of $190.4 million.  Volumes were mixed; tube volumes were lower, while fittings volume improved slightly.
 
    Our OEM segment posted operating earnings of $16.1 million during the first quarter of 2010 on net sales of $232.2 million, which compares with an operating loss of $6.3 million on net sales of $138.4 million for the same period in 2009.  The increase in earnings was primarily due to higher volume and better spreads as demand improved.
 
    Business conditions have shown signs of improvement as the economic recovery in the United States takes hold. Although the commercial construction sector remains sluggish, residential construction has improved somewhat from the trough.  We expect that residential construction gains will be modest for the remainder of the year, while improvement in commercial construction is more likely to occur in 2011.
 
    Our Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be held at Mueller’s headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee on May 6, 2010.  We hope you can attend, but if you cannot, we urge you to sign and return your proxy card.
 
    Very Truly Yours,
 
   /S/ Harvey L. Karp /S/ Gregory L. Christopher
    Harvey L. Karp    Gregory L. Christopher
    Chairman of the Board   Chief Executive Officer
   
 
    April 20, 2010

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be “forward-looking” statements, which involve risks and uncertainties.  These include economic and currency conditions, continued availability of raw materials, market demand, pricing, and competitive and technological factors, among others, as set forth in the Company’s SEC filings.

 
1

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
             
   
For the Quarter Ended
 
   
March 27,
   
March 28,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Net sales
  $ 485,268     $ 326,558  
                 
Cost of goods sold
    413,048       287,383  
Depreciation and amortization
    10,348       10,480  
Selling, general, and administrative expense
    37,323       31,158  
Insurance gain
    (22,506 )     -  
                 
Operating income (loss)
    47,055       (2,463 )
Interest expense
    (2,532 )     (2,636 )
Other income, net
    140       627  
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    44,663       (4,472 )
                 
Income tax (expense) benefit
    (9,864 )     1,962  
                 
Consolidated net income (loss)
    34,799       (2,510 )
                 
Less net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (841 )     18  
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
  $ 33,958     $ (2,492 )
                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
         
Weighted average shares outstanding
    37,588       37,143  
                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.90     $ (0.07 )
                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
         
Weighted average shares outstanding plus assumed conversions
    37,682       37,143  
                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.90     $ (0.07 )
                 
Dividends per share   $ 0.10     $ 0.10  
                 
 

 
2

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In thousands)
 
             
             
   
March 27,
   
December 26,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 397,180     $ 346,001  
Accounts receivable, net
    256,950       228,739  
Inventories
    185,828       191,262  
Other current assets
    33,478       42,841  
                 
    Total current assets
    873,436       808,843  
                 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
    242,796       250,395  
Other assets
    121,902       120,903  
                 
    $ 1,238,134     $ 1,180,141  
                 
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
         
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 27,739     $ 24,325  
Accounts payable
    89,061       73,837  
Other current liabilities
    99,306       85,208  
                 
Total current liabilities
    216,106       183,370  
                 
Long-term debt, less current portion
    158,226       158,226  
Pension and postretirement liabilities
    42,843       44,320  
Environmental reserves
    23,862       23,268  
Deferred income taxes
    28,675       31,128  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    923       887  
                 
Total liabilities
    470,635       441,199  
                 
Stockholders' equity
    740,815       713,167  
Noncontrolling interest
    26,684       25,775  
                 
Total equity
    767,499       738,942  
                 
    $ 1,238,134     $ 1,180,141  
                 
                 

 
3

 


EX-31.1 3 ex31-1.htm SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO ex31-1.htm

Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION

I, Gregory L. Christopher, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Mueller Industries, Inc.;

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

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

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

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

 
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

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

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

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

 
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 
Date: April 21, 2010
 
   
/S/ Gregory L. Christopher
   
Gregory L. Christopher
   
Chief Executive Officer
     


EX-31.2 4 ex31-2.htm SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CFO ex31-2.htm

Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION

I, Kent A. McKee, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Mueller Industries, Inc.;

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

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

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

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

 
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

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

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

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

 
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 
Date: April 21, 2010
 
/S/ Kent A. McKee
 
Kent A. McKee
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   



EX-32.1 5 ex32-1.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CEO ex32-1.htm

Exhibit 32.1

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

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Mueller Industries, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 27, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Gregory L. Christopher, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

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



 
/S/ Gregory L. Christopher
 
Gregory L. Christopher
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
April 21, 2010
   



EX-32.2 6 ex32-2.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CFO ex32-2.htm

Exhibit 32.2

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

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Mueller Industries, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 27, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Kent A. McKee, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

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



 
/s/ Kent A. McKee
 
Kent A. McKee
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
April 21, 2010
   



GRAPHIC 7 mli_logo.jpg MLI LOGO begin 644 mli_logo.jpg M_]C_X``02D9)1@`!`0$`8`!@``#_VP!#``@&!@<&!0@'!P<)"0@*#!0-#`L+ M#!D2$P\4'1H?'AT:'!P@)"XG("(L(QP<*#7J#A(6&AXB)BI*3E)66EYB9FJ*CI*6FIZBIJK*SM+6VM[BYNL+#Q,7& MQ\C)RM+3U-76U]C9VN'BX^3EYN?HZ>KQ\O/T]?;W^/GZ_\0`'P$``P$!`0$! M`0$!`0````````$"`P0%!@<("0H+_\0`M1$``@$"!`0#!`<%!`0``0)W``$" M`Q$$!2$Q!A)!40=A<1,B,H$(%$*1H;'!"2,S4O`58G+1"A8D-.$E\1<8&1HF M)R@I*C4V-S@Y.D-$149'2$E*4U155E=865IC9&5F9VAI:G-T=79W>'EZ@H.$ MA8:'B(F*DI.4E9:7F)F:HJ.DI::GJ*FJLK.TM;:WN+FZPL/$Q<;'R,G*TM/4 MU=;7V-G:XN/DY>;GZ.GJ\O/T]?;W^/GZ_]H`#`,!``(1`Q$`/P#WR:&.XA>& M:-9(W4JZ.,A@>H(KS3Q-\+U??=:"=C=3:2-P?]UCT^AXYZBO3J*F4%+ZA>&9#ADD4@C\*AKZ+USPYIOB"V\J_MPS`?)*O# MI]#_`$Z5Y'XE^'^IZ%YEQ;@WEB,GS(Q\Z#_:7^HXX[5RSI..Q]7@LXI8BT9^ M[+\'Z'(49HHK(]<****`#-%%%`!1FK>G:9>ZO=BUL+9YYCSA1P!ZD]`/ M5%10J*%4#``X`IU=4*2B?)XW-*V*]W:/9?J%%%%:'FA17S5_PM/QI_T&C_X" MP_\`Q%'_``M/QI_T&C_X"P__`!%>C_9E;NOZ^1Q?7Z?9GTK28KYK_P"%I^-/ M^@T?_`6'_P"(H_X6GXT_Z#1_\!8?_B*/[,K=U_7R#Z_3[,]?\3?#K3M9\RYL M=ME>GDE1^[D/^TO8^X_6O)=8T+4=!NOL^H6S1$D['ZHX'=3W[>_/-,C^*OC) M)4=M6$BJ7<12IM4YZQ\]_DSR>BO1_$OPPF@+W6A,9HNIM7/SK_ M`+I/WOH>?K7,:'X-UG7;DQQ6S01(VV2:=2JH1U&#R3QT'XXKRW3DG:Q]A2S# M#5*?M%+1;W,``LP5022<`#J37>>&_AG>ZB4N-7+V=L>1$!^]W)]^U=N&P%2J]%_D?.YEQ&H>Y0T\^OR70]GTS2+'1[46UA;) M!$.H4Z_KY'R\LPA)WE=L^E:KWKS1V,[VZAIEC)0%=W...!C/TSS7SE_PM/QI M_P!!H_\`@+#_`/$4?\+2\:?]!H_^`L/_`,13_LVMW7X_Y$_7Z?9GO/ANYU2X MMW_M)6W!5.YTV'<1W)'4$`KE/A-XGUCQ+#JK:O>?:3`T0C_`'2) MMSNS]T#/045QUJ;IU'%G52FIP4D>`T445]2?/H****0!1110!W/A'XFZMX<\ MNTN2;[35PHBD;YXQ_L-Z8['CTQ7<:[\:--AT]/[#MI+B[D0'_2$*)"?1N[$> M@X]Z\.HKEG@J,Y5,OZOK6HZ[>M=ZG=R7$QX!8\*/11T`]A5"BB MNE)15D8-MN["BBBF(*.]%'>@#V?X%?\`'OKG^]!_)Z*/@5_Q[ZY_O0?R>BOG M<=_O$OZZ'N87^#$\8HHHKZ,\-!1112`****`"BBB@`HHHH`****`"CO11WH` M]G^!7_'OKG^]!_)Z*/@5_P`>^N?[T'\GHKYW'?[Q+^NA[F%_@Q/&****^C/# M04444@-R#PCK%YX<_MVTM3E>:LP4*LH5%HGN=_U-RIJ M<-SYRHK=\2>$-9\+7&S4;8B%CB.XC^:-_H>QZ\'!XK$2-Y75(T9W8X55&23Z M`5Z$9QDN:+T.*47%V:&U?TG1M1UR]6STVTDN9SSA!PH]2>@'N:]`\)?!^^U$ M)=Z\SV5L>1;KCSG'OV3MZGJ,#K7LVDZ+IVA60M--M([:$XT#6;C2[IXVG@VAS&25R5#<9`]:SJZSXF?\ ME$U?_?3_`-%K7)UVTI.4(R?5'+42C-I!1WHHJR#V?X%?\>^N?[T'\GHH^!7_ M`![ZY_O0?R>BOG<=_O$OZZ'N87^#$LV7P]^'>IW(M]/UE;N<@MY=OJ$JB@EF:X```[DXKY4T6_U'2=3AU/2GDBNK,B998QG8`< M9/LM>I>.OC+>^+_"]EHNDVTEO- M!M6A:;3K^6\B5MK26]XDBANN"5!YY'YU\]>&O^1'\:_]>MK_`.E,=>X?LX?\ MB%J/_83?_P!%14?6:W\S#ZO2_E1W6F_\(QX$LUTAM8M+0$F98[R[17()QGDC MCC]*T;GQ5X>L[B2VNM>TN">,X>*6\C5E/H03D5\Z_M&?\E$LO^P7'_Z-EK`\ M=II\GQLU--6E>+3FU%1=21@[EC^7<1@'G&>QK%MR=V:I)*R/J0:_X8UG_B7K MJ^D7QG!7[,+F.0R>VW)S63X6TKP+::G,_AV;3)[U@7/DW2SO&O0[1N)4<\X] M?I7F_@32OA0GC/3G\.:UJEQJR%V@BF1@C81LYS&/X<]Q7,_LZ_\`)1[[_L&2 M_P#HV*FI22:3T8.*;NT?3=Q<06EO)<7,L<,,:EGDD8*J@=22>`*JZ?K6E:OY M@TS4K.]\K'F?9IUDV9SC.TG&<'\JQ_B+_P`DW\1_]@Z;_P!`->3_`+,O_,T? M]NG_`+6J1GH?B?P#X3NKZXUO6[R2T,[+ODDNEBCS@`#+#':N=_X0WX6_]#-: M_P#@UBJ_\??^273_`/7U#_,UX?X*L?AK&VGH<9&<= M,TV+P/\`#*XE6*'Q#!)(QPJ)J<1)/L!7E_Q3M-!M/!?@M/#-S/[(('\0/:J/B3P_X%L_AWI6I:7K)D\1310&>S2=9!N9$DN5TTSXN2I?S7W?=SC'`]317*?`J^U.^^&EN= M2,C+#/)#:O)G+0C&,$]0&W*/3;CM164I.3O)W9K&*BK(\7^!,$5U\1UMKB)) M8);*=)(W&5=2N"".X(KUJ'X3Z+X*TCQ=JUNQGEFL;D6@D&?LL1C;*@]SU&[K M@`=SGN;*7PO:Z7;:_9P6%K9W"QF*[6W$65D(5><`C)8#GUYK6-Q:7-W<::Q6 M25(4DEB9';CQ5HWC'1[0C[3-I\;0@G`9TE5P MN>V2N,^]6OA]\2;_`.%KZAH^IZ1--%)+YC6[MY4D,N,$\CG("\'T&*^D-$N? M#KWLL6DVL-O<8;(%DUN9%5L,5)4;U!(!*Y'(]13]3_X1[41,-3M;2[%KQH`^8[U];^-GQ$2:VL6AB;9"2N72UA&22S8`SR MQ[9)P*A\:W5C9?''4+K4[4.3ZR! M"HZ9.2,#D\9^$O'OPPN_%-A;:'X3N++4YW,<%Q]CA0(6!!R1(2!@D<#O M7D7PV\;Q>`?$UQJTUB]XLMJ]OY:2!",NC9R0?[OZU]4[?"^GZ]#IZZ=9P:@5 M65"EC@*&+!?W@7:I)1L`D$XXJ9=&\-/?S6*Z1IIN88DFD3[&G".6"G.W')C? M\J`/*9?C!;^/O"_BC28='ELVCT6YN#(\X<$`!<8P/[WZ5YO\+?B7!\._[5\[ M3)+W[=Y.-DH39LW^H.<[_P!*^FM)A\.7QNAIVDPH%!BE8Z:T*R*200&9`'7* M\X)'3VINGV'A;4WF6UT:R;R3AF?3MBMR1E69`''!Y7(]Z`/%_&WQ*@^(GPMU MDPZ9)9?8;NU!WRA]^\OZ`8QM_6N6\`>+/A]H?A^2U\4^&Y=2OVN&=9DM8Y`( MRJ@+EG!ZANW>OJ)=!T=(9(4TJQ6*0@O&+=-K$=,C'.,G\ZHII?A>0WH72=-) MLG\NX_T-?D;8LF/N\_*ZGC/6@#YU^+.M:'KWA7PC=>';"2PTQ'O8X[=XU3:0 MT1.`I(P22>O>M/Q7\+],7X/Z-XIT:U:*^CLH)[X*[,)E=%W/@YP03GC`QNST M%>\K:^&;FUTX)9:=-;71)L]MNK(VY"Y*X&!E5SGOBI;K4](L6729(V92@1H( M+1Y4C0\`/L4JBD9^]@8![`T`._;VHH`CLO"]Q#X!T?P]<- M;RR6BV:SYR8W$4B,X&1R"$(&1WYJWHOA^;2-=9RVUO!;(^2\2QM*V MTD_>`\W@]<<'IDE%`$6EZ-J27-G]O%I';V$DKP>1*SO*S[@"V57:`K-\HW9) M!R-O++G0=0EU*\1#;&PO-1MM0>9I6$L;0B'Y`FW#`F!?FW#&\\'')10!8UO2 M]0O=1LY;-;9!$R_Z29WBFA&X%P`H(E5@!\C;1E03GC;I75F\^H6-P"NVW=V8 M'J29&BCB@A^S/*X5@K3%F*C@LOF*5)ST8<9##5 MATZ6/Q+?:D63RKBSM[=5!.X-&\S$GV_>KCZ&BB@"GX;TN]TM+F*ZAA52V8Y( M[V2;>-S'E'4"/J.%)_04F@Z7J-A>7LMVMK##*%VPVLSM&SY8M($8`1;LC*J2 M,Y))/)**`-+2+_\`M72+34!'Y:W42S(A.2%89&??!&??UZU3@TF>)O$!+QG^ MT;CS8L$_*/L\47S<=..VAD,MS;8.#*8G0O& M>VXME@>"?FX.[=:^PZK8ZM>S6$=E/;W\R32F>9HWA8(D9P`C!QM13@E><\X/ @!10!J20>;
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----