UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004
Commission File Number 0-09115

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
25-0644320
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
   
TWO NORTHSHORE CENTER, PITTSBURGH, PA
15212-5851
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(412) 442-8200


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
   
Name of each exchange
Title of each class
 
on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $1.00 par value
 
NASDAQ National Market System

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x    No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405a of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Yes x    No o

The aggregate market value of the Class A Common Stock outstanding and held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the Class A Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market System on March 31, 2004, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $1.1 billion.

As of November 30, 2004, shares of common stock outstanding were:
Class A Common Stock 32,250,872 shares

Documents incorporated by reference: Specified portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

The index to exhibits is on pages 68-70.

 

PART I

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

Any forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (specifically those contained in Item 1, "Business" and Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations") are included in this report pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from management's expectations. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include changes in domestic or international economic conditions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in death rates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of consolidation in the industries in which the Company operates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of domestic or international competitive pressures, unknown risks in connection with the Company's acquisitions, and technological factors beyond the Company's control.


ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews"), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions. Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze memorials and memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries. Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, merchandising solutions, and marking products. The Company's products and operations are comprised of six business segments: Bronze, York Casket, Cremation, Graphics Imaging, Marking Products and, as of July 19, 2004, Merchandising Solutions (see Note 16). The Bronze segment is a leading manufacturer of cast bronze memorials and other memorialization products, cast and etched architectural products and is a leading builder of mausoleums in the United States. The York Casket segment is a leading casket manufacturer in the United States and produces a wide variety of wood and metal caskets. The Cremation segment is a leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment and cremation caskets primarily in North America. The Graphics Imaging segment manufactures and provides printing plates, pre-press services and imaging services for the corrugated and primary packaging industries. The Marking Products segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking equipment and consumables for identifying various consumer and industrial products, components and packaging containers. The Merchandising Solutions segment designs and manufactures merchandising displays and systems and provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.

At November 30, 2004, the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries had approximately 3,600 employees. The Company's principal executive offices are located at Two NorthShore Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 and its telephone number is (412) 442-8200.
 
The following table sets forth reported sales and operating profit for the Company's business segments for the past three fiscal years. Detailed financial information relating to business segments and to domestic and international operations is presented in Note 15 (Segment Information) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
  
  2  

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, continued.
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
   
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers:
                       
Memorialization:
                                     
Bronze
 
$
197,377
   
38.8
%
$
186,950
   
40.8
%
$
185,883
   
43.4
%
York Casket
   
116,588
   
22.9
   
120,398
   
26.2
   
100,415
   
23.5
 
Cremation
   
22,476
   
4.4
   
20,189
   
4.4
   
18,306
   
4.3
 
     
336,441
   
66.1
   
327,537
   
71.4
   
304,604
   
71.2
 
Brand Solutions:
                                     
Graphics Imaging
   
113,226
   
22.2
   
99,065
   
21.6
   
94,814
   
22.1
 
Marking Products
   
37,990
   
7.5
   
32,263
   
7.0
   
26,668
   
6.7
 
Merchandising Solutions
   
21,144
   
4.2
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
     
172,360
   
33.9
   
131,328
   
28.6
   
123,482
   
28.8
 
Total
 
$
508,801
   
100.0
%
$
458,865
   
100.0
%
$
428,086
   
100.0
%
                                       
Operating profit:
                                     
Memorialization:
                                     
Bronze
 
$
54,337
   
55.6
%
$
50,433
   
63.0
%
$
46,589
   
68.3
%
York Casket
   
14,585
   
14.9
   
12,740
   
15.9
   
9,354
   
13.7
 
Cremation
   
1,475
   
1.5
   
1,242
   
1.6
   
(1,075
)
 
(1.6
)
     
70,397
   
72.0
   
64,415
   
80.5
   
54,868
   
80.4
 
Brand Solutions:
                                     
Graphics Imaging
   
19,287
   
19.7
   
11,562
   
14.4
   
9,724
   
14.3
 
Marking Products
   
6,539
   
6.7
   
4,107
   
5.1
   
3,595
   
5.3
 
Merchandising Solutions
   
1,571
   
1.6
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
     
27,397
   
28.0
   
15,669
   
19.5
   
13,319
   
19.6
 
Total
 
$
97,794
   
100.0
%
$
80,084
   
100.0
%
$
68,187
   
100.0
%


In fiscal 2004, approximately 75% of the Company's sales were made from the United States, and 22%, 2% and 1% were made from Europe, Canada and Australia, respectively. Bronze segment products are sold throughout the world with the segment's principal operations located in the United States, Italy, Canada and Australia. The York Casket segment products are primarily sold in the United States and Canada. The Cremation segment products and services are sold primarily in North America, as well as Asia, Australia, and Europe. Products and services of the Graphics Imaging segment are sold primarily in the United States and Europe. The Marking Products segment sells equipment and consumables directly to industrial consumers in the United States and internationally through the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada and Sweden and through other foreign distributors. Matthews owns a minority interest in Marking Products distributors in Asia, Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The Merchandising Solutions segment products and services are sold principally in the United States.


 
  3  

 

MEMORIALIZATION PRODUCTS AND MARKETS:

Bronze:

The Bronze segment manufactures and markets products principally in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia used primarily in the cemetery and funeral home industries. The segment's principal products include cast bronze memorials and other memorialization products used primarily in cemeteries. The segment also manufactures and markets cast and etched architectural products, that are produced from bronze, aluminum and other metals, which are used to identify or commemorate people, places, events and accomplishments.
 
Memorial products, which comprise the majority of the Bronze segment's sales, include flush bronze memorials, flower vases, crypt letters, cremation urns, niche units, cemetery features and statues, along with other related products and services. Flush bronze memorials are bronze plaques which contain personal information about a deceased individual such as name, birth date, death date and emblems. These memorials are used in cemeteries as an alternative to upright and flush granite monuments. The memorials are even or "flush" with the ground and therefore are preferred by many cemeteries for easier mowing and general maintenance. In order to provide products for the granite memorial and mausoleum markets, the Company's other memorial products include community and family mausoleums, granite monuments and benches, bronze plaques, letters, emblems, vases, lights and photoceramics that can be affixed to granite monuments, mausoleums, crypts and flush memorials. Matthews is a leading builder of mausoleums within North America. Principal customers for memorial products are cemeteries and memorial parks, which in turn sell the Company's products to the consumer.

Customers of the Bronze segment can also purchase memorials and vases on a “pre-need” basis. The “pre-need” concept permits families to arrange for these purchases in advance of their actual need. Upon request, the Company will manufacture the memorial to the customer’s specifications (e.g., name and birth date) and place it in storage for future delivery. All memorials in storage have been paid in full with title conveyed to each pre-need purchaser.

The Bronze segment manufactures a full line of memorial products for cremation, including urns in a variety of sizes, styles and shapes. The segment also manufactures bronze and granite niche units, which are comprised of numerous compartments used to display cremation urns in mausoleums and churches. In addition, the Company also markets "turnkey" cremation gardens, which include the design and all related products for a cremation memorial garden.

Architectural products include cast bronze and aluminum plaques, etchings and letters that are used to recognize, commemorate and identify people, places, events and accomplishments. The Company's plaques are frequently used to identify the name of a building or the names of companies or individuals located within a building. Such products are also used to commemorate events or accomplishments, such as military service or financial donations. The principal markets for the segment's architectural products are corporations, fraternal organizations, contractors, churches, hospitals, schools and government agencies. These products are sold to and distributed through a network of independent dealers including sign suppliers, awards and recognition companies, and trophy dealers.

Raw materials used by the Bronze segment consist principally of bronze and aluminum ingot, sheet metal, coating materials, photopolymers and construction materials and are generally available in adequate supply. Ingot is obtained from various North American, European and Australian smelters.

Competition from other bronze memorialization product manufacturers is on the basis of reputation, product quality, delivery, price and design availability. The Company also competes with upright granite monument and flush granite memorial providers. The Company believes that its superior quality, broad product lines, innovative designs, delivery
 

 
  4  

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, continued.
 
 
capability, customer responsiveness, experienced personnel and consumer-oriented merchandising systems are competitive advantages in its markets. Competition in the mausoleum construction industry includes various construction companies throughout North America and is on the basis of design, quality and price. Competitors in the architectural market are numerous and include companies that manufacture cast and painted signs, plastic materials, sand-blasted wood and other fabricated products.

York Casket:

The York Casket segment, acquired by Matthews in December 2001, is a leading manufacturer of caskets in the United States. The segment produces two types of caskets: metal and wood. Caskets can be customized with many different options such as color, interior design, handles and trim in order to accommodate specific religious, ethnic or other personal preferences.

Metal caskets are made from various gauges of cold rolled steel, stainless steel, copper and bronze. Metal caskets are generally categorized by whether the casket is non-gasketed or gasketed, and by material (i.e., bronze, copper, or steel) and in the case of steel, by the gauge, or thickness, of the metal.

The segment's wood caskets are manufactured from eight different species of wood, as well as from veneer. The species of wood used are poplar, pine, ash, oak, maple, cherry, walnut and mahogany. The York Casket segment is a leading manufacturer of all-wood constructed caskets, which are manufactured using pegged and dowelled construction, and include no metal parts. All-wood constructed caskets are preferred by certain religious groups.
 
The segment also produces casket components. Casket components include stamped metal parts, metal locking mechanisms for gasketed metal caskets, adjustable beds, interior panels and plastic ornamental hardware for the exterior of the casket.

Metal casket parts are produced by stamping cold rolled steel, stainless steel, copper and bronze sheets into casket body parts. Locking mechanisms and adjustable beds are produced by stamping and assembling a variety of steel parts. Certain ornamental hardware styles are produced from injection molded plastic. The segment purchases from sawmills and lumber distributors various species of uncured wood, which it dries and cures. The cured wood is processed into casket components.

The segment markets its casket products primarily through independent distributors. The segment provides assortment planning and merchandising and display products to funeral service businesses. These products assist funeral service professionals in providing value and satisfaction to their client families.

The primary materials required for casket manufacturing are cold rolled steel and lumber. The segment also purchases copper, bronze, stainless steel, cloth, ornamental hardware and coating materials. Purchase orders or supply agreements are typically negotiated with large, integrated steel producers that have demonstrated timely delivery, high quality material and competitive prices. Lumber is purchased from a number of sawmills and lumber distributors. The Company purchases most of its lumber from sawmills within 150 miles of its wood casket manufacturing facility in York, Pennsylvania.

The casket business is highly competitive. The segment competes with other manufacturers on the basis of product quality, price, service, design availability and breadth of product line. The segment provides a line of casket products that it believes is as comprehensive as any of its major competitors. Although there are a large number of casket industry
 

 
  5  

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, continued.
 
participants, the York Casket segment and its two largest competitors account for a substantial portion of the finished caskets produced in the United States.

Historically, the segment's operations have experienced seasonal variations. Generally, casket sales are highest in the second quarter and lowest in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. These fluctuations are due in part to the seasonal variance in the death rate, with a greater number of deaths generally occurring in cold weather months.
 
Cremation:

The Cremation segment consists of the Company's cremation equipment business located in Apopka, Florida (formerly part of the Bronze segment) and the Company's cremation casket business located in Richmond, Indiana (formerly part of the York Casket segment). The Cremation segment has four major groups of products and services: cremation equipment, cremation caskets, equipment service and repair, and supplies and urns. The objective of the Cremation segment is to focus on the fastest growing segment of the death care industry, which is cremation products and services, and increase the Company's participation in this market.

The Cremation segment is the leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment in North America. Cremation equipment includes systems for cremation of humans and animals, as well as equipment for processing the cremated remains and other related equipment such as handling equipment (tables, cooler racks, vacuums). Cremation equipment and products are sold primarily to funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, animal disposers and veterinarians within North America, Asia, Australia and Europe.


ITEM 1. BUSINESS, continued.

Cremation casket products consist primarily of three types of caskets: cloth-covered wood, cloth-covered corrugated material and veneer-covered particleboard. These products are used mainly, although not exclusively, in cremation. These products are marketed principally to funeral homes through independent distributors in the United States.

Service and repair consists of maintenance work performed on various makes and models of cremation equipment. This work can be as simple as routine maintenance or as complex as complete on-site reconstruction. The principal markets for these services are the owners and operators of cremation equipment. These services are marketed principally in North America through Company sales representatives.

Supplies and urns are consumable items associated with cremation operations. Supplies distributed by the segment include operator safety equipment, identification discs and combustible roller tubes. Urns distributed by the segment include products ranging from plastic containers to bronze urns for cremated remains. These products are marketed primarily in North America.

Raw materials used by the Cremation segment consist principally of structural steel, sheet metal, electrical components, cloth, wood, particleboard, corrugated materials, veneer and masonry materials and are generally available in adequate supply from numerous suppliers.

The Company competes with several manufacturers in the cremation equipment market principally on the basis of product quality and price. The Cremation segment and its three largest competitors account for a substantial portion of the domestic cremation equipment market. The cremation casket business is highly competitive. The segment competes with other cremation casket manufacturers on the basis of product quality, price and design availability. Although there are a large number of casket industry participants, the Cremation segment and its two largest competitors account for a substantial portion of the cremation caskets produced in the United States.

 
  6  

 
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS, continued.

Historically, the segment’s cremation casket operations have experienced seasonal variations. These fluctuations are due in part to the seasonal variance in the death rate, with a greater number of deaths generally occurring in cold weather months.

BRAND SOLUTIONS PRODUCTS AND MARKETS:

Graphics Imaging:

The Graphics Imaging segment provides printing plates, pre-press services and imaging services to the corrugated and primary packaging industries. The corrugated packaging industry consists of manufacturers of printed corrugated containers. The primary packaging industry consists of manufacturers of printed packaging materials such as boxes, folding cartons and bags commonly seen at retailers of consumer goods.

The principal products and services of this segment include printing plates, pre-press graphics services, print process assistance, print production management, digital asset and content management, and package design. These products and services are used by packaging manufacturers and brand owners to develop and print packaging graphics that identify and help sell the product. Other packaging graphics can include nutritional information, directions for product use, consumer warning statements and UPC codes. The corrugated packaging manufacturer produces printed containers from corrugated sheets. Using the Company's products, this sheet is printed and die cut to make a finished container. The primary packaging manufacturer produces printed packaging from paper, film, foil and other composite materials used to display, protect and market the product.

The Company works closely with manufacturers to provide the proper printing plates and tooling used to print the packaging to the user's specifications. The segment's printing plate products are made principally from photopolymer resin and sheet materials. Upon customer request, plates can be pre-mounted press-ready in a variety of configurations that maximize print quality and minimize press set-up time.

The segment offers a wide array of value-added services and products. These include print process and print production management services; pre-press preparation, which includes computer-generated art, film and proofs; plate mounting accessories and various press aids; and rotary and flat cutting dies used to cut out intricately designed containers and point-of-purchase displays. The segment also provides creative digital graphics services to advertising agencies and packaging markets.
 
The Graphics Imaging segment customer base consists primarily of packaging industry converters and "brand owners." Brand owners are generally large, well-known consumer products companies and retailers with a national or global presence. These types of companies tend to purchase their graphics needs directly and supply the printing plates, or the film to make the printing plates, to the packaging printer for their products. The Graphics Imaging segment serves customers primarily in the United States and Europe. In Europe, Matthews has wholly-owned subsidiaries in Leeds, England (acquired in August 2004) and Munich, Germany; a 50%-owned affiliate in Julich, Germany; and 75%-owned subsidiaries in Vienna, Austria; Nuremberg, Germany and Goslar, Germany. Products and services of these operations include pre-press packaging, digital and analog flexographic printing plates, design, artwork, lithography and color separation.

Major raw materials for this segment's products include photopolymers, film and graphic art supplies. All such materials are presently available in adequate supply from various industry sources.

Graphics Imaging is one of several manufacturers of printing plates and providers of pre-press services with a national presence in the United States and Europe. The segment competes in a fragmented industry consisting of a few
 

 
  7  

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, continued.
 
 multi-plant regional printing plate suppliers and a large number of local single-facility companies located across the United States and Europe. The combination of the Company's Graphics Imaging business in the United States and Europe is an important part of Matthews’ strategy to become a worldwide leader in the graphics industry and service multinational customers on a global basis. Competition is on the basis of product quality, timeliness of delivery, price and value-added services. The Company differentiates itself from the competition by consistently meeting customer demands, its ability to service customers nationally and globally and its ability to provide value-added services.


Marking Products:

The Marking Products segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking equipment and consumables used by customers to identify various consumer and industrial products, components and packaging containers. Marking products range from simple indent hand stamps made from a special alloy steel to a wide variety of sophisticated microprocessor-based ink-jet printing systems. The segment manufactures and markets products and systems that employ the following marking methods to meet customer needs: contact printing, indenting, etching, and ink-jet printing. Customers will often use a combination of these methods in order to achieve an appropriate mark. These methods apply product information required for identification and traceability as well as to facilitate inventory and quality control, regulatory compliance and brand name communication.

A significant portion of the revenue of the Marking Products segment is attributable to the sale of consumables and replacement parts in connection with the marking hardware sold by the Company. The Company develops inks, rubber and steel consumables in harmony with the marking equipment in which they are used, which is critical to assure ongoing equipment reliability and mark quality. Many marking equipment customers also use the Company's inks, solvents and cleaners.

The principal customers for the Company's marking products include food and beverage processors, metal fabricators, producers of health and beauty products and manufacturers of cloth, plastic, rubber and building products.

A large percentage of the segment's sales are outside the United States and are distributed through the Company's subsidiaries in Canada and Sweden in addition to other international distributors. Matthews owns a minority interest in distributors in Asia, Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The marking products industry is diverse, with many companies offering limited product lines focusing only on well-defined specialty markets. Other industry participants, like the Company, have broad product offerings and compete in various product markets and countries. In the United States, the Company has manufactured and sold marking products and related consumable items for over 150 years.

Major raw materials for this segment's products include printing components, tool steels, rubber and chemicals, all of which are presently available in adequate supply from various sources.

Competition for marking products is intense and based on product performance, service and price. The Company normally competes with specialty companies in specific marking applications. The Company believes that, in general, it offers the broadest line of marking products to address a wide variety of industrial marking applications.


 
  8  

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, continued.


Merchandising Solutions:

The Merchandising Solutions segment, acquired by Matthews in July 2004, provides merchandising and printing solutions for manufacturers and retailers. The segment designs, manufactures and installs merchandising and display systems, and also provides marketing and merchandising consulting services.
 
The majority of the segment’s sales are derived from the design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of merchandising and display systems. These systems include permanent and temporary displays, custom store fixtures, brand concept shops, interactive kiosks, custom packaging, and screen and digitally printed promotional signage. Design and engineering services include concept and model development, graphics design and prototyping. Merchandising and display systems are manufactured to specifications developed by the segment in conjunction with the customer. These products are marketed and sold to a variety of companies primarily in the United States.

The segment also provides consulting services in the areas of consumer research and strategy, retail design, merchandise planning, brand and product communications, marketing and product design. These services are provided to a wide variety of manufacturing, retail and consumer products and services customers, principally in the United States.

The segment operates in a fragmented industry consisting of a large number of small, locally operated companies. Industry competition is intense and the segment competes on the basis of reliability, creativity and providing a broad array of merchandising products and services. The segment is unique in its ability to provide in-depth marketing and merchandising consulting services as well as design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. These capabilities allow the segment to deliver complete turnkey merchandising solutions quickly and cost effectively.

Major raw materials for the segment’s products include wood, particleboard, corrugated materials, structural steel, plastic, laminates, inks, film and graphic art supplies. All of these raw materials are presently available in adequate supply from various sources.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES:

The Company holds a number of domestic and foreign patents and trademarks. However, the Company believes the loss of any or a significant number of patents or trademarks would not have a material impact on consolidated operations or revenues.


BACKLOG:

Because the nature of the Company's Bronze, Graphics Imaging and Merchandising Solutions businesses are primarily custom products made to order with short lead times, backlogs are not generally material except for mausoleums. Backlogs vary in a range of approximately one year of sales for mausoleums. The York Casket segment and the cremation casket business normally fill sales orders within one month and, therefore, do not have a significant backlog of unfilled orders. Cremation equipment sales backlogs vary in a range of eight to ten months of sales. Backlogs generally vary in a range of up to four weeks of sales in the Marking Products segment.


 
  9  

 
 
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS, continued.
 
REGULATORY MATTERS:

The Company's operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations impose limitations on the discharge of materials into the environment and require the Company to obtain and operate in compliance with conditions of permits and other government authorizations. As such, the Company has developed environmental, health and safety policies and procedures that include the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
 
The Company is party to various environmental matters. These include obligations to investigate and mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites. The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate. In addition, prior to its acquisition, the York Casket segment was identified, along with others, by the Environmental Protection Agency as a potentially responsible party for remediation of a landfill site in York, Pennsylvania. At this time, the Company has not been joined in any lawsuit or administrative order related to the site or its clean-up.

At September 30, 2004, an accrual of $11.5 million has been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $912,000 has been classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations. The accrual does not consider the effects of inflation and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value. While final resolution of these contingencies could result in costs different than current accruals, management believes the ultimate outcome will not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

  
  10  

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

Principal properties of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries as of November 30, 2004 were as follows (properties are owned by the Company except as noted):

Location
 
Description of Property
 
Square Feet
Bronze:
       
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Manufacturing / Division Offices
 
97,000    
Kingwood, WV
 
Manufacturing
 
121,000    
Melbourne, Australia
 
Manufacturing
 
26,000(1)
Milton, Ontario, Canada
 
Manufacturing
 
30,000    
Parma, Italy
 
Manufacturing / Warehouse
 
231,000(1)
Romoland, CA
 
Manufacturing
 
24,000    
Searcy, AR
 
Manufacturing
 
113,000    
Seneca Falls, NY
 
Manufacturing
 
21,000    
         
Graphics Imaging:
       
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Manufacturing / Division Offices
 
56,000    
Atlanta, GA
 
Manufacturing
 
16,000    
Dallas, TX
 
Manufacturing
 
15,000(1)
Denver, CO
 
Manufacturing
 
12,000(1)
Goslar, Germany
 
Manufacturing
 
39,000(1)
Kansas City, MO
 
Manufacturing
 
42,000(1)
Leeds, England
 
Manufacturing
 
64,000(1)
Munich, Germany
 
Manufacturing
 
10,000(1)
Nuremberg, Germany
 
Manufacturing
 
27,000(1)
Oakland, CA
 
Manufacturing
 
40,000(1)
St. Louis, MO
 
Manufacturing
 
25,000    
Vienna, Austria
 
Manufacturing
 
12,000(1)
         
Marking Products:
       
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Manufacturing / Division Offices
 
85,000    
Gothenburg, Sweden
 
Manufacturing / Distribution
 
28,000(1)
         
Merchandising Solutions:
       
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Manufacturing / Division Offices
 
45,000(1)
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Manufacturing / Warehouse
 
268,000(1)
Youngwood, PA
 
Warehouse
 
145,000(1)
         
York Casket:
       
York, PA
 
Manufacturing
 
307,000    
Marshfield, MO
 
Manufacturing
 
86,000    
Lynn, IN
 
Manufacturing
 
76,000    
Richmond, IN
 
Manufacturing / Metal Stamping
 
92,000    
Richmond, IN
 
Injection Molding
 
18,000(1)
         
Cremation:
       
Apopka, FL
 
Manufacturing
 
40,000    
Richmond, IN
 
Manufacturing
 
164,000(1)
         
Corporate Office:
       
Pittsburgh, PA
 
General Offices
 
48,000    

(1) These properties are leased by the Company under operating lease arrangements. Rent expense incurred by the Company for leased facilities was approximately $4,000,000 in fiscal 2004.

  
  11  

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES, continued.

All of the owned properties are unencumbered. The Company believes its facilities are generally well suited for their respective uses and are of adequate size and design to provide the operating efficiencies necessary for the Company to be competitive. The Company's facilities provide adequate space for meeting its near-term production requirements and have availability for additional capacity. The Company intends to continue to expand and modernize its facilities as necessary to meet the demand for its products.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

The Company is party to various legal proceedings, the eventual outcome of which are not predictable. Although the ultimate disposition of these proceedings is not presently determinable, management is of the opinion that they should not result in liabilities in an amount which would materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


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

No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2004.

  
  12  

 

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGISTRANT

The following information is furnished with respect to officers and executive management as of November 30, 2004:

Name
 
Age
 
Positions with Registrant
         
David M. Kelly
 
62
 
Chairman of the Board, President and
       
Chief Executive Officer
         
Joseph C. Bartolacci
 
44
 
Executive Vice President and President, York Casket Division
         
David F. Beck
 
52
 
Controller
         
Martin J. Beck
 
61
 
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Cloverleaf Group, Inc.
         
David J. DeCarlo
 
59
 
Group President, Bronze and York Casket Divisions and Director
         
Brian J. Dunn
 
47
 
President, Marking Products Division
         
Lawrence W. Keeley, Jr.
 
43
 
President, Packaging Graphics and Design Division
         
Ralph W. Murray
 
71
 
Chairman of the Board of Advisors, The Cloverleaf Group, Inc.
         
Steven F. Nicola
 
44
 
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
       
and Treasurer
         
Paul F. Rahill
 
47
 
President, Cremation Division
         
Franz J. Schwarz
 
56
 
Managing Director, Graphics Europe


 
  13  

 
 
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGISTRANT, continued

David M. Kelly has been Chairman of the Board since March 1996. He was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in October 1995.

Joseph C. Bartolacci was appointed President, York Casket Division in February 2004 and Executive Vice President of Matthews, effective January 1, 2004. He had been President, Matthews Europe since April 2002. He had also been President, Caggiati, S.p.A. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matthews International Corporation) since June 1999. Prior thereto, he was General Counsel of Matthews.

David F. Beck was appointed Controller effective September 15, 2003. He had been Vice President, Finance for the Company’s York Casket segment since December 2001. Prior thereto, he held various financial positions as an officer with The York Group, Inc.

Martin J. Beck joined the Company in July 2004 as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Cloverleaf Group, Inc., (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matthews International Corporation which represents the Company’s Merchandising Solutions segment). Mr. Beck served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Big Red Rooster, Inc., a marketing services company, from its founding in September 2002 until its acquisition as part of The Cloverleaf Group, Inc., by Matthews in July 2004. Prior thereto, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ten Worldwide from January 2001 to May 2002, and of Lighthouse Global Network from January 2000 to December 2000, both of which were integrated marketing services companies. Prior to joining Lighthouse Global Network, Mr. Beck was President and Chief Executive Officer of Fitch plc, a publicly traded marketing firm.

David J. DeCarlo, a Director of the Company since 1987, was appointed Group President, Bronze and York Casket Divisions in February 2004. Mr. DeCarlo had been President, Bronze Division since November 1993.
 
Brian J. Dunn was appointed President, Marking Products Division in 2002. Prior thereto, he was President, Marking Products, North America since November 2000. He had been National Sales Manager, Marking Products, North America since joining the Company in November 1998.

Lawrence W. Keeley, Jr. has been President, Packaging Graphics and Design Division, since joining the Company in 1999.

Ralph W. Murray joined the Company in July 2004 as Chairman of the Board of Advisors of  The Cloverleaf Group, Inc. Prior thereto, Mr. Murray served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iDL, Inc. (a part of The Cloverleaf Group, Inc.), a merchandising display and design services company.

Steven F. Nicola was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer effective December 1, 2003. Prior thereto, he was Vice President, Accounting and Finance since December 2001. He had been Controller of the Company since December 1995.
 
Paul F. Rahill rejoined the Company as President, Cremation Division in October 2002. He previously was President of Industrial Equipment and Engineering Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matthews International Corporation) until his retirement in April 2000. He performed independent consulting services from April 2000 until October 2002.

Franz J. Schwarz joined Matthews International GmbH (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matthews International Corporation) in 2000 as the Managing Director of the Company’s European Graphics business. Prior to joining the Company, he was the Managing Director and a partial owner of S+T Gesellschaft Fur Reprotechnik GmbH (“S+T GmbH”), a provider of printing plates and print services located in Julich, Germany. Matthews International GmbH acquired a 50% ownership interest in S+T GmbH in 1998.

  
  14  

 

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

(a) Market Information:

The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 70,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $1 par value. The Company's Class A Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol “MATW”. The following table sets forth the high, low and closing prices as reported by NASDAQ for the periods indicated:

   
High
 
Low
 
Close
 
Fiscal 2004:
             
Quarter ended:      September 30, 2004
 
$
36.81
 
$
30.31
 
$
33.88
 
June 30, 2004
   
33.09
   
28.10
   
32.94
 
March 31, 2004
   
33.39
   
28.98
   
33.20
 
December 31, 2003
   
30.37
   
26.00
   
29.59
 
                     
Fiscal 2003:
                   
Quarter ended:      September 30, 2003
 
$
28.46
 
$
24.10
 
$
26.42
 
June 30, 2003
   
25.00
   
22.56
   
24.76
 
March 31, 2003
   
25.65
   
21.51
   
23.10
 
December 31, 2002
   
25.00
   
20.94
   
22.33
 

The Company has a stock repurchase program, which was initiated in 1996. Under the program, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 10,000,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock, of which 7,829,668 shares have been repurchased as of September 30, 2004. The buy-back program is designed to increase shareholder value, enlarge the Company's holdings of its common stock, and add to earnings per share. Repurchased shares may be retained in treasury, utilized for acquisitions, or reissued to employees or other purchasers, subject to the restrictions of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.

All purchases of the Company’s common stock during fiscal 2004 were part of this repurchase program.


 
  15  

 
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, continued.

The following table shows the monthly fiscal 2004 stock repurchase activity:

Period
 
Total number of shares purchased
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced plan
 
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plan (1)
 
                   
October 2003
   
158,300
 
$
27.63
   
158,300
   
509,768
 
November 2003
   
60,700
   
28.62
   
60,700
   
449,068
 
December 2003
   
79
   
28.70
   
79
   
448,989
 
January 2004
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
448,989
 
February 2004
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
448,989
 
March 2004
   
12,300
   
32.03
   
12,300
   
436,689
 
April 2004
   
196,584
   
31.04
   
196,584
   
2,240,105
 
May 2004
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2,240,105
 
June 2004
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2,240,105
 
July 2004
   
15,000
   
32.29
   
15,000
   
2,225,105
 
August 2004
   
54,773
   
33.59
   
54,773
   
2,170,332
 
September 2004
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2,170,332
 
Total
   
497,736
 
$
30.00
   
497,736
       

(1) In April 2004 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of an additional 2,000,000 shares of Matthews common stock, bringing the total authorization for stock repurchases to 10,000,000 shares.

 
(b) Holders:

Based on records available to the Company, the number of registered holders of the Company's common stock was 549 at November 30, 2004.


(c) Dividends:

A quarterly dividend of $.045 per share was paid for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 to shareholders of record on October 31, 2004. The Company paid quarterly dividends of $.04 per share for the first three quarters of fiscal 2004 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. The Company paid quarterly dividends of $.0275 per share for the first three quarters of fiscal 2003.

Cash dividends have been paid on common shares in every year for at least the past forty years. It is the present intention of the Company to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on its common stock. However, there is no assurance that dividends will be declared and paid as the declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company and is dependent upon the Company's financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

  
  16  

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2004
 
2003 (1)
 
2002 (2)
 
2001(3)
 
2000
 
   
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
(Not Covered by Report of Independent Accountants)
 
Net sales
 
$
508,801
 
$
458,865
 
$
428,086
 
$
283,282
 
$
266,987
 
                                 
Gross profit
   
193,754
   
170,302
   
160,364
   
119,436
   
118,089
 
                                 
Operating profit
   
97,794
   
80,084
   
68,187
   
53,357
   
47,776
 
                                 
Interest expense
   
1,998
   
2,852
   
4,171
   
1,647
   
1,488
 
                                 
Income before income taxes
                               
and change in accounting
   
91,833
   
73,354
   
62,457
   
51,458
   
45,938
 
                                 
Income taxes
   
35,638
   
28,461
   
24,225
   
19,859
   
18,015
 
                                 
Income before change in accounting
   
56,195
   
44,893
   
38,232
   
31,599
   
27,923
 
                                 
Cumulative effect of change in
                               
accounting, net of tax
   
-
   
-
   
(3,226
)
 
-
   
-
 
Net income
 
$
56,195
 
$
44,893
 
$
35,006
 
$
31,599
 
$
27,923
 
                                 
Earnings per common share:
                               
Diluted, before change
                               
in accounting
 
$
1.72
 
$
1.39
 
$
1.20
 
$
1.01
 
$
.88
 
Diluted
   
1.72
   
1.39
   
1.10
   
1.01
   
.88
 
Basic
   
1.74
   
1.42
   
1.14
   
1.03
   
.90
 
                                 
Weighted-average common
                               
shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
32,217
   
31,686
   
30,765
   
30,560
   
31,031
 
Diluted
   
32,689
   
32,315
   
31,796
   
31,320
   
31,703
 
                                 
Cash dividends per share
 
$
.165
 
$
.123
 
$
.106
 
$
.101
 
$
.096
 
                                 
Total assets
 
$
530,542
 
$
440,182
 
$
422,601
 
$
288,952
 
$
220,665
 
Long-term debt, non-current
   
54,389
   
57,023
   
96,487
   
40,726
   
13,908
 

(1) Fiscal 2003 included a net pre-tax charge of approximately $1,000 from special items which consisted of a pre-tax gain of $2,600 on the sale of a facility and a goodwill impairment charge of $3,600 (see Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
(2) In fiscal 2002, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $5,255 for transitional goodwill impairment as a result of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets."
(3) The second quarter of fiscal 2001 included net pre-tax income of $500 from special items which consisted of a pre-tax gain of $7,099 on the sale of a subsidiary and asset impairments, restructuring costs and other special pre-tax charges totaling $6,600.

  
  17  

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Matthews International Corporation and related notes thereto. In addition, see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

The following table sets forth certain income statement data of the Company expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated and the percentage change in such income statement data from year to year.

   
Years Ended
         
   
September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
               
2004-
 
2003-
 
   
2004
 
2003(1)
 
2002
 
2003
 
2002
 
Sales
   
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
10.9
%
 
7.2
%
Gross profit
   
38.1
   
37.1
   
37.5
   
13.8
   
6.2
 
Operating profit
   
19.2
   
17.5
   
15.9
   
22.1
   
17.4
 
Income before taxes (2)
   
18.0
   
16.0
   
14.6
   
25.2
   
17.4
 
Net income (2)
   
11.0
   
9.8
   
8.9
   
25.2
   
17.4
 

(1) Fiscal 2003 included a net pre-tax charge of approximately $1.0 million from special items (see "Special Items").
(2) Before cumulative effect of change in accounting. In fiscal 2002, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $5.3 million for transitional goodwill impairment (see "Goodwill").


Comparison of Fiscal 2004 and Fiscal 2003:

Sales for the year ended September 30, 2004 were $508.8 million and were $49.9 million, or 10.9% higher than sales of $458.9 million in fiscal 2003. The increase resulted principally from the acquisitions of The Cloverleaf Group, Inc., which is reported as the Company’s Merchandising Solutions segment, The InTouch Group Limited (“InTouch”) and Holjeron Corporation (“Holjeron”) during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, higher foreign currency exchange rates and a full twelve months of activity for Reproservice Eurodigital GmbH Munchen (“Reproservice Munich”), which was acquired in August 2003. Sales for the Merchandising Solutions segment totaled $21.1 million from the acquisition date through September 30, 2004. The higher foreign currencies values against the U.S. dollar had a favorable impact on sales of approximately $12.5 million. Bronze segment sales for fiscal 2004 were $197.4 million compared to $187.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. The $10.4 million increase reflected the favorable impact of increases in the value foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, the effect of a temporary price surcharge (instituted in April 2004 in response to increases in the cost of bronze ingot) and higher sales of architectural products. These increases were partially offset by a decline in mausoleum sales. Sales for the York Casket segment were $116.6 million for fiscal 2004 compared to $120.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. The decline reflected the sale of a small manufacturing facility and several distribution operations in fiscal 2003 and lower volume in the fiscal 2004 fourth quarter. Fiscal 2004 sales for the Cremation segment were $22.5 million compared to $20.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. The $2.3 million increase reflected higher sales of cremation equipment and cremation caskets. Graphics Imaging segment sales were $113.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2004 compared to $99.1 million for fiscal 2003. The increase of $14.2 million, or 14.3%, primarily reflected the acquisitions of Reproservice Munich in August 2003 and
  
  18  

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.
 

 
Gross profit for the year ended September 30, 2004 was $193.8 million compared to $170.3 for the year ended September 30, 2003. The increase primarily reflected the acquisition of Reproservice Munich in August 2003 and the acquisitions of Holjeron, Cloverleaf and InTouch during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, higher sales, operational improvements and the impact of higher foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar. Bronze segment gross profit for fiscal 2003 was positively impacted by a reduction in the segment’s finishing cost liability as a result of manufacturing efficiency improvements. Bronze segment gross profit for fiscal 2004 was impacted by a charge for the cost of early retirement and other severance costs as well as increases in the cost of bronze ingot. York Casket segment gross profit for fiscal 2004 was impacted by the rising cost of cold rolled steel, stainless steel, copper and bronze, and an impairment charge on various assets. Graphics Imaging fiscal 2004 gross profit improved principally as a result of higher European sales and the closure of unprofitable operations in Southern California and North Carolina during fiscal 2003. Consolidated gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 38.1% for fiscal 2004 from 37.1% for fiscal 2003. The Company’s improvement in consolidated gross profit as a percent of sales reflected higher sales, cost reduction initiatives and improvements in manufacturing efficiency, which were partially offset by higher raw material costs, an asset impairment charge and the addition of the Merchandising Solutions segment revenues that have a lower gross margin than the Company’s other segments.

Selling and administrative expenses for the year ended September 30, 2004 were $96.0 million compared to $89.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. The increase of $6.8 million primarily reflected the acquisitions of Reproservice Munich in August 2003 and Holjeron, Cloverleaf and InTouch in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 and the impact of higher foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar. Consolidated selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 18.9% for the year ended September 30, 2004 compared to 19.4% for the year ended September 30, 2003. The reduction principally reflected the Company’s recent acquisitions, which have lower selling and administrative costs as a percentage of sales than most of the Company’s other businesses.

Operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2004 was $97.8 million compared to $80.1 million for fiscal 2003, an increase of $17.7 million, or 22.1%. The Cloverleaf acquisition, reported as the Company’s Merchandising Solutions segment, contributed $1.6 million of operating profit from the date of acquisition to September 30, 2004. Bronze segment operating profit for fiscal 2004 was $54.3 million compared to $50.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. The $3.9 million increase reflected higher sales, the increase in values of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, manufacturing improvements and other cost reduction initiatives. These improvements were partially offset by increases in the cost of bronze ingot as well as a charge for the cost of early retirement and other severance costs. Bronze segment operating profit for fiscal 2003 was positively impacted by a reduction in the segment’s finishing cost liability as a result of manufacturing efficiency improvements. York Casket segment operating profit for fiscal 2004 was $14.6 million compared to $12.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. The increase of $1.9 million reflected the divestiture of unprofitable distribution and manufacturing operations in fiscal 2003, improvements in manufacturing efficiency and continued reductions in administrative costs, partially offset by the increase in the cost of steel and other metal raw materials and an asset impairment charge. Fiscal 2004 operating profit for the Cremation segment increased to $1.5 million from $1.2 million in fiscal 2003. The increase primarily reflected higher sales. Graphics

 
  19  

 
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.
 
Imaging segment operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2004 was $19.3 million compared to $11.6 million for the prior year, an increase of $7.7 million, or 66.8%. The increase reflected the acquisition of Reproservice Munich in August 2003 and InTouch in August 2004, the impact of the higher value of the Euro against the U.S. dollar, higher sales by the segment’s other European operations and the closure of unprofitable operations in Southern California and North Carolina in fiscal 2003. Marking Products segment operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2004 was $6.5 million compared to $4.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. The increase of $2.4 million, or 59.2%, reflected the acquisition of Holjeron in July 2004, the higher value of the Swedish Krona against the U.S. dollar and higher demand with improvements in the U.S. economy. Higher foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar had a favorable impact of approximately $3.2 million on the Company’s consolidated operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2004 compared to fiscal 2003.

Investment income for the year ended September 30, 2004 was $1.6 million, compared to $1.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. The increase from the prior year primarily reflected higher levels of invested cash.

Interest expense for the year ended September 30, 2004 was $2.0 million, compared to $2.9 million a year ago. The decline in interest expense reflected a lower level of debt during fiscal 2004 combined with a reduction in the average borrowing rate. Other income (deductions), net, for the year ended September 30, 2004 represented a reduction in pre-tax income of $57,000, compared to $381,000 for fiscal 2003. Minority interest deduction for fiscal 2004 was $5.5 million, compared to $4.8 million for fiscal 2003. The higher minority interest deduction for fiscal 2004 resulted from an increase in operating income in the Company's less than wholly-owned European Graphics Imaging businesses combined with higher foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar.


The Company's effective tax rate for the year ended September 30, 2004 was 38.8%, which remained unchanged from fiscal 2003. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35% primarily reflected the impact of state and foreign income taxes.


Comparison of Fiscal 2003 and Fiscal 2002:

Sales for the year ended September 30, 2003 were $458.9 million and were $30.8 million, or 7.2%, higher than sales of $428.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2002. The increase primarily related to the acquisition of The York Group, Inc. ("York Casket") on December 3, 2001 and higher foreign currency exchange rates. Fiscal 2003 reflected twelve months of activity for the York Casket segment compared to ten months for fiscal 2002. Fiscal 2003 sales for the York Casket segment were $120.4 million compared to $100.4 million for fiscal 2002. For the year ended September 30, 2003, higher foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar had a favorable impact of approximately $14.7 million on the Company’s consolidated sales compared to fiscal 2002. Bronze segment sales for the year ended September 30, 2003 were $187.0 million compared to $185.9 million in fiscal 2002. The increase of $1.1 million in Bronze segment sales reflected the favorable impact of increases in the values of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar offset partially by a decline in mausoleums sales, the divestiture of the segment's granite import business in fiscal 2002 and the divestiture of a Canadian niche bank and columbarium business in October 2002. Sales for the Cremation segment were $20.2 million for fiscal 2003 compared to $18.3 million for fiscal 2002. The increase reflected two additional months of cremation casket sales compared to fiscal 2002 as a result of the acquisition of York Casket. Fiscal 2003 sales for the Graphics Imaging segment were $99.1 million, compared to $94.8 million for fiscal 2002. The increase primarily reflected higher sales in the segment's European operations, which included the acquisition of Reproservice Munich in August 2003, combined with an increase in the value of the Euro against the U.S. dollar. These increases were partially offset by lower sales in the segment's domestic operations, which primarily related to weak demand and price pressure in the United States packaging markets
  
  20  

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.
 
and the closure, in October 2002, of an unprofitable manufacturing business in Southern California. Marking Products segment sales for the year ended September 30, 2003 were $32.3 million, compared to $28.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2002. The increase of $3.6 million, or 12.5%, was principally due to higher volume, reflecting higher demand and the addition of new distributors in Europe, and higher foreign currency exchange rates.
 
Gross profit for the year ended September 30, 2003 was $170.3 million, compared to $160.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2002. The increase in consolidated gross profit primarily resulted from the acquisition of York Casket, higher sales in the Marking Products and European Graphics Imaging businesses and manufacturing improvements in the Bronze segment. Gross profit for all of the Company's segments increased for the year. In addition, gross profit for the Bronze segment reflected the benefit of a reduction in the segment's pre-need memorial finishing cost liability as a result of manufacturing efficiency improvements. Consolidated gross profit as a percent of sales declined slightly from 37.5% for fiscal 2002 to 37.1% for fiscal 2003. The reduction in the consolidated gross margin for fiscal 2003 principally related to the additional York Casket revenues, which generally have lower gross margins than other Matthews segments, and an increase in pension and health care costs over fiscal 2002. Pension costs were adversely affected by a decline in the Company’s pension fund assets during fiscal 2002. Pension costs for the Company's domestic defined benefit plans were $4.6 million for fiscal 2003, compared to $1.3 million for fiscal 2002.

Selling and administrative expenses for the year ended September 30, 2003 were $89.2 million, compared to $92.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2002. The decline of $3.0 million from the prior year primarily reflected lower selling and administrative costs in the Bronze segment and the domestic Graphics Imaging operations. Selling and administrative costs in the Bronze segment were favorably impacted by the divestiture of its granite import business in fiscal 2002 and the divestiture of a Canadian niche bank and columbarium business in October 2002. In addition, in the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $500,000 on the sale of its granite import business. Lower selling and administrative costs in the domestic Graphics Imaging operations resulted from a decline in sales and the closure, in October 2002, of an unprofitable manufacturing business in Southern California. Consolidated selling and administrative expenses as a percent of sales were 19.4% for the year ended September 30, 2003, compared to 21.5% for fiscal 2002. The reduction principally reflected the additional two months’ business of York Casket, which has the lowest ratio of selling and administrative costs of any of the Company's segments, as its products are sold primarily through independent distributors.

Operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2003 was $80.1 million, representing an increase of $11.9 million, or 17.4%, over operating profit of $68.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2002. Bronze segment operating profit for fiscal 2003 was $50.4 million, compared to $46.6 million for fiscal 2002. The increase of $3.8 million, or 8.3%, reflected the segment's higher sales for the year, a reduction in the segment's pre-need memorial finishing cost liability due to manufacturing efficiencies, and the favorable impact of increases in the values of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. The Bronze segment results were also favorably impacted by the divestiture of its granite import business and its Canadian niche bank and columbarium business. These two businesses generated a combined operating loss of approximately $700,000 in fiscal 2002. Operating profit for the York Casket segment for the year ended September 30, 2003 was $12.7 million, representing an increase of $3.4 million, or 36.2%, over fiscal 2002. The increase reflected two additional months of results in fiscal 2003 compared to fiscal 2002. Operating profit as a percent of sales for the York Casket segment increased to 10.6% for fiscal 2003 from 9.3% for fiscal 2002, reflecting improvements in certain of the segment's manufacturing processes and a lower percentage of administrative costs as a result of the integration with Matthews. Graphics Imaging operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2003 was $11.6 million compared to $9.7 million for fiscal 2002. The segment's fiscal 2003 operating profit reflected a net pre-tax charge of $1.0 million
  
  21  

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.

(classified under Special Items), representing a pre-tax gain of $2.6 million on the sale of the segment's building in Southern California and a pre-tax charge of $3.6 million for impairment of goodwill related to O.N.E. Color Communications (see “Special Items”). Fiscal 2003 operating profit for the Graphics Imaging segment was favorably impacted by sales growth in the Company's European operations, which included the acquisition of Reproservice Munich in August 2003, combined with an increase in the value of the Euro against the U.S. dollar. However, the European gains were partially offset by the adverse impact of lower domestic sales and costs related to the closure of the segment's operation in North Carolina. Fiscal 2003 operating profit for the Marking Products segment was $4.1 million, representing an increase of $500,000 over fiscal 2002 operating profit of $3.6 million. The increase of 14.2% resulted from higher sales combined with an increase in the value of the Swedish Krona against the U.S. dollar. Operating profit for the Cremation segment in fiscal 2003 was $1.2 million compared to an operating loss of $1.1 million for fiscal 2002. Fiscal 2002 operating results reflected costs of $2.2 million incurred in connection with a potential acquisition in the cremation equipment business, which was terminated and not completed. Higher foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar had a favorable impact of approximately $3.3 million on the Company’s consolidated operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2003 compared to fiscal 2002.

Investment income for the year ended September 30, 2003 was $1.3 million, compared to $1.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2002. The decline from the prior year reflected lower investment income rates and the prior year included a net gain on the sale of securities.

Interest expense for the year ended September 30, 2003 was $2.9 million, compared to $4.2 million for fiscal 2002. The decline in interest expense reflected a lower level of debt during fiscal 2003 combined with a reduction in the average borrowing rate. Other income (deductions), net, for the year ended September 30, 2003 represented a reduction in pre-tax income of $381,000, compared to $119,000 for fiscal 2002. Minority interest deduction for fiscal 2003 was $4.8 million, compared to $3.0 million for fiscal 2002. The higher minority interest deduction for fiscal 2003 resulted from an increase in operating income in the Company's European Graphics Imaging businesses combined with higher currency exchange rates.

The Company's effective tax rate for the year ended September 30, 2003 was 38.8%, which remained unchanged from fiscal 2002. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35% primarily reflected the impact of state and foreign income taxes.


Special Items:

In July 2003, the Company sold its Graphics Imaging segment facility (which was closed in October 2002) in Southern California for $3.2 million. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $2.6 million, which was recorded in Special Items on the Consolidated Statement of Income. In addition, Special Items for fiscal 2003 also included a pre-tax charge of $3.6 million for goodwill impairment. The impairment, which was recorded in the fiscal 2003 fourth quarter, related to O.N.E. Color Communications ("O.N.E."), a domestic Graphics Imaging business (see “Goodwill”).
 
Goodwill:

Under Statement of Financial Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, goodwill related to business combinations is no longer amortized, but is subject to periodic review for impairment. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value an impairment loss must be recognized. For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows.
  
  22  

 
 
Based on this assessment, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge under Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 for transitional goodwill impairment of $5.3 million ($3.2 million after-tax). The impairment was primarily related to a reporting unit within the Company’s Bronze segment and was determined based upon a comparison of carrying value to implied fair market value.

In fiscal 2003 the Company performed its annual impairment review in the second quarter and determined that no additional adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill were necessary at that time. However, due to the Company’s purchase of the remaining 50% interest in O.N.E. and its declining operating results during the second half of fiscal 2003, the Company determined that an impairment review of O.N.E. was necessary as of September 30, 2003. Based on this assessment, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $3.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 for goodwill impairment. In fiscal 2004, the Company reorganized the operations of O.N.E. and integrated it with the larger Graphics Imaging reporting unit for purposes of the annual impairment assessment. The Company performed its annual impairment review in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite lived intangibles was necessary at that time.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

Net cash provided by operating activities was $83.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2004, compared to $58.5 million and $55.5 million for fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively. Operating cash flow for fiscal 2004 primarily reflected net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization (non-cash items), a $1.5 million cash contribution to the Company's principal pension plan, and a tax benefit of $4.5 million from exercised stock options. Operating cash flow for fiscal 2003 primarily reflected net income adjusted for depreciation, amortization and a goodwill impairment charge, a $7.5 million cash contribution to the Company’s principal pension plan, and a tax benefit of $5.8 million from exercised stock options. In addition, fiscal 2003 operating cash flow included final payouts to customers under various rebate programs of the York Casket segment. Most of these programs were replaced in calendar 2003 with a new discount program. Operating cash flow for the year ended September 30, 2002 primarily reflected net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization and the impairment of goodwill resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 142. Operating cash flow for fiscal 2002 also included a tax benefit of $5.5 million from exercised stock options.

Cash used in investing activities was $82.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2004, compared to $13.3 million and $86.6 million for fiscal years 2003 and 2002, respectively. Investing activities for fiscal 2004 primarily included payments (net of cash acquired) of $74.5 million in connection with the acquisitions of InTouch, Cloverleaf and Holjeron and capital expenditures of $10.4 million. Investing activities for fiscal 2003 primarily included capital expenditures of $9.3 million, which was partially offset by proceeds of $5.6 million from sales of assets. Fiscal 2003 investing activities also included the acquisitions of Reproservice Munich in August 2003 and the remaining fifty percent interest in O.N.E. on July 31, 2003. Investing activities for fiscal 2002 included payments (net of cash acquired) of $88.8 million in connection with acquisitions, principally related to York Casket (December 2001) and Rudolf (July 2001). Although Rudolf was acquired in fiscal 2001, the purchase price (approximately $11.0 million) was paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. Fiscal 2002 investing activities also reflected capital expenditures of $10.1 million, proceeds of $9.0 million from the net disposition of investment securities and proceeds of $3.2 million from the sale of assets.

Capital expenditures were $10.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2004, compared to $9.3 million and $10.1 million for fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively. Capital expenditures in each of the last three fiscal years reflected reinvestment in the Company's business segments and were made primarily for the purchase of new manufacturing machinery, equipment and facilities designed to improve product quality, increase manufacturing efficiency, lower

 
  23  

 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.

production costs and meet regulatory requirements. Capital expenditures for the last three fiscal years were primarily financed through operating cash. Capital spending for property, plant and equipment has averaged $9.9 million for the last three fiscal years. The capital budget for fiscal 2005 is $23.9 million, which reflects projected capital spending in connection with establishing a lower cost casket manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico. The Company expects to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund all anticipated capital spending projects.
 
Cash used in financing activities for the year ended September 30, 2004 was $3.2 million, reflecting proceeds, net of repayments, from long-term debt of $6.5 million, treasury stock purchases of $14.9 million, proceeds of $10.6 million from the sale of treasury stock (stock option exercises) and dividends of $5.3 million ($0.165 per share) to the Company’s shareholders. Cash used in financing activities for the year ended September 30, 2003 was $41.7 million, reflecting payments on long-term debt of $44.0 million, treasury stock purchases of $6.6 million and dividends of $3.9 million ($0.123 per share) to the Company's shareholders. These payments were partially offset by proceeds of $12.8 million from the sale of treasury stock (stock option exercises). Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended September 30, 2002 was $58.5 million, reflecting proceeds from long-term debt of $126.4 million, debt repayments of $71.3 million, net proceeds of $6.7 million from the sale of treasury stock (stock option exercises), and dividends of $3.3 million ($0.106 per share) to the Company's shareholders.
 
On December 3, 2001, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Facility for $125.0 million with a syndicate of financial institutions. The facility was scheduled to mature on November 30, 2004. On April 21, 2004, the Company signed an amendment to the facility which extended its maturity to April 30, 2009. Borrowings under the amended facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from .50% to 1.00% based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .20% to .30% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility. The Revolving Credit Facility, as amended, requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. A portion of the facility (not to exceed $10.0 million) is available for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit.

Effective April 30, 2004, the Company increased its outstanding borrowings under the facility to $50.0 million and simultaneously entered into an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate on such borrowings at 3.16% for a five-year period. The interest rate swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge of the future variable interest payments under the revolving credit facility which are considered probable of occurring. Based on the Company’s assessment, all of the critical terms of the hedge match the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments and as such, these hedges are considered effective.

The fair value of the interest rate swap reflected an unrealized gain of $507,000 ($309,000 after tax) at September 30, 2004 that is included in equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at September 30, 2004, approximately $67,000 of the $309,000 gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income is expected to be recognized in earnings as a reduction of interest expense over the next twelve months.

At September 30, 2004 the outstanding balance on the Revolving Credit Facility was $52.5 million and the weighted-average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under this facility was 3.08%. Equal quarterly payments of $2.5 million plus interest are due on the facility until its final maturity in April 2009.


 
  24  

 
 
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.

The Company has financed the acquisition of Caggiati S.p.A and several acquisitions by Caggiati S.p.A. through loans with various Italian banks. Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled U.S.$14.3 million at September 30, 2004. Caggiati also has four lines of credit totaling approximately U.S.$13.4 million with the same Italian banks. Outstanding borrowings on these lines were U.S.$3.4 million and U.S.$3.6 million at September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings, which are collateralized by certain trade accounts receivable, was 3.6% at September 30, 2004.

The Company has a stock repurchase program, which was initiated in 1996. As of September 30, 2004, the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of a total of 10,000,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock under the program, of which 7,829,668 shares had been repurchased as of September 30, 2004. The buy-back program is designed to increase shareholder value, enlarge the Company's holdings of its common stock, and add to earnings per share. Repurchased shares may be retained in treasury, utilized for acquisitions, or reissued to employees or other purchasers, subject to the restrictions of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.

Consolidated working capital of the Company was $90.9 million at September 30, 2004, compared to $89.7 million and $68.8 million at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Working capital at September 30, 2004 reflected higher levels of accounts receivable and inventories, primarily due to acquisitions, an increase in current maturities of debt, and higher levels of current liabilities, also primarily the result of acquisitions. Working capital at September 30, 2003 reflected a higher level of cash and cash equivalents compared to September 30, 2002 and a reduction in current liabilities resulting from final payouts to customers under various rebate programs of the York Casket segment. Cash and cash equivalents were $65.8 million at September 30, 2004, compared to $67.0 million and $57.1 million at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company's current ratio at September 30, 2004 was 1.8, compared to 2.2 and 1.8 at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS:

The Company's operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations impose limitations on the discharge of materials into the environment and require the Company to obtain and operate in compliance with conditions of permits and other government authorizations. As such, the Company has developed environmental, health, and safety policies and procedures that include the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.

The Company is party to various environmental matters. These include obligations to investigate and mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites. The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate. In addition, prior to its acquisition, York Casket was identified, along with others, by the Environmental Protection Agency as a potentially responsible party for remediation of a landfill site in York, Pennsylvania. At this time, the Company has not been joined in any lawsuit or administrative order related to the site or its clean-up.

At September 30, 2004, an accrual of $11.5 million has been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $912,000 has been classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations. The accrual, which reflects previously established reserves assumed with the acquisition of York Casket and additional reserves recorded as a purchase accounting adjustment, does not consider the effects of inflation and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value. Changes in the accrued environmental remediation obligation from the prior fiscal year reflects payments charged against the accrual. While final resolution of these contingencies could result in costs different than current

  
  25  

 
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.

accruals, management believes the ultimate outcome will not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

ACQUISITIONS:

In August 2004, the Company acquired InTouch, a leading provider of reprographic services to the packaging industry in the United Kingdom. InTouch is headquartered in Leeds, England and has operations in London, Portsmouth, Manchester and Boston, Massachusetts. The transaction was structured as a stock purchase, at a cost of approximately $39.0 million. The acquisition is intended to further the Company’s position as a provider of reprographic services to the European packaging industry.

In July 2004, the Company acquired Cloverleaf, a provider of merchandising solutions. Cloverleaf was formed by the recent merger of iDL, Inc., a provider of merchandising systems and displays, headquartered near Pittsburgh, PA, and Big Red Rooster, a marketing and design services organization located in Columbus, OH. The transaction was structured as an asset purchase, at a cost of approximately $34.0 million. The transaction was also structured to include potential additional consideration during the next six years contingent on the future growth in value of the acquired operations. The acquisition is designed to expand the Company’s products and services into the merchandising solutions market.

In July 2004, the Company acquired Holjeron, an industrial controls manufacturer located in Wilsonville, OR. The acquisition was structured as a stock purchase, at a cost of approximately $1.7 million, plus potential additional consideration based upon calendar 2004 financial performance. The acquisition is a part of Matthews’ strategy to increase its presence in the marking products industry.

In August 2003, Matthews acquired Reproservice Munich, a German graphics and flexographic printing plate manufacturer located in Munich, Germany.  The transaction was structured as a stock purchase, at an acquisition price of 4.1 million Euros (U.S.$4.8 million). The combination of Matthews and Reproservice Munich is an important part of the Matthews strategy to increase its European presence in the graphics industry. Reproservice Munich, a family-owned business with annual sales of approximately U.S.$6.0 million, was established in 1983.  Products and services of Reproservice Munich include pre-press packaging, digital and analog flexographic printing plates, design, art work, lithography and color separation.

In May 1998, Matthews acquired a 50% interest in O.N.E. a digital graphics service company located in Oakland, California. The purchase price consisted of $2.0 million cash upon closing plus an additional $2.75 million in 2001, which was based on the attainment of certain operating performance levels of O.N.E. The purchase agreement also required Matthews to acquire the remaining 50% interest no later than May 2004, with the purchase price contingent on the attainment of certain operating performance levels of O.N.E., but not less than $4.5 million. The accounts of O.N.E. have been included in the consolidated financial statements of Matthews since May 1998 and a liability was recorded for the future minimum payout. Effective July 31, 2003, Matthews completed the purchase of the remaining 50% interest in O.N.E. for $5.7 million.
On May 24, 2001, Matthews and York Casket signed a merger agreement whereby Matthews would acquire 100% of the outstanding common shares of York Casket for $10 cash per share. Matthews also agreed to pay up to an additional $1 cash per share based on excess cash (as defined in the merger agreement) remaining on the balance sheet of York Casket as of October 31, 2001. On December 3, 2001, this transaction was completed at $11 per share. At December 3, 2001, there were 8,940,950 shares of York Casket common stock outstanding. The transaction was financed by Matthews through borrowings under a $125.0 million Revolving Credit Facility (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources").

 
  26  

 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.

 The acquisition of York Casket was designed to expand Matthews’ position in the death care industry. York Casket operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary and separate segment of Matthews.

Matthews has accounted for these acquisitions using the purchase method and, accordingly, recorded the acquired assets and liabilities at their estimated fair values at the acquisition dates. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.


DISPOSITIONS:

In July 2003, the Company sold its Graphics Imaging segment facility (which was closed in October 2002) in Southern California for $3.2 million. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $2.6 million, which was recorded in Special Items on the Consolidated Statement of Income.


FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

The Company’s objective with respect to operating performance is to increase annual earnings per share in the range of 12% to 15% over the long term. For the past ten fiscal years, the Company has achieved an average annual increase in earnings per share of 16.1%.

Matthews International Corporation has a three-pronged strategy to attain the annual growth rate objective, which has remained unchanged from the prior year. This strategy consists of the following: internal growth (which includes productivity improvements, new product development and the expansion into new markets with existing products), acquisitions and share repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources").
 
The significant factors impacting the Company’s fiscal 2004 results were the recent acquisitions of Cloverleaf, InTouch and Holjeron and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes. In addition, the growth in operating results by the European Graphics businesses exceeded the Company’s expectations and the Company does not currently anticipate similar growth in fiscal 2005. Additionally, the Company remains concerned with the continued high cost of bronze and steel. While fiscal 2004 cost initiatives and productivity improvements mitigated some of this impact, the significantly higher costs will be a challenge in fiscal 2005, particularly in the competitive markets which the Company serves. Finally, the Company is adding a new lower cost casket manufacturing plant in Mexico in fiscal 2005 and the costs associated with this expansion will negatively affect short-term operating results.

Based on anticipated internal growth, the impact of the Company’s recent acquisitions and the factors discussed above, the Company currently expects to achieve diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.80 to $1.85 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment based on various assumptions and other factors such as historical experience, economic conditions, and in some cases, actuarial techniques. Actual results may differ from those estimates. A discussion of market risks affecting the Company can be found in Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

  
  27  

 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued

The Company's significant accounting policies are included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables the Company to provide useful and reliable financial information about the company's operating results and financial condition. The following accounting policies involve significant estimates, which are considered critical to the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2004.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an evaluation of specific customer accounts in which available facts and circumstances indicate collectibility may be a problem. In addition, the allowance includes a general reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience.

Long-Lived Assets:

Property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets are carried at cost. Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill is no longer amortized, but is subject to periodic review for impairment. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, unless such lives are considered to be indefinite. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.

Pension Costs:

Pension assets and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets and the discount rate used to determine the present value of benefit obligations. Actual changes in the fair market value of plan assets and differences between the actual return on plan assets, the expected return on plan assets and changes in the selected discount rate will affect the amount of pension cost.

The Company's principal pension plan maintains a substantial portion of its assets in equity securities. Based on an analysis of the historical performance of the plan's assets and consultation with its independent investment advisor, the Company has maintained the long-term rate of return assumption for these assets at 9.0% for purposes of determining pension cost and funded status under SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions." The discount rate assumption used in determining the present value of the projected benefit obligation was reduced from 7.0% in fiscal 2002 to 6.5% in fiscal 2003, reflecting a decline in long-term bond rates. The discount rate remained at 6.5% in fiscal 2004.

Environmental Reserve:

Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company's obligation is probable and reasonably estimable. Accruals for losses from environmental remediation obligations do not consider the effects of inflation, and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.

Revenue Recognition:

Revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment. For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer’s specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery. A liability has been recorded in Estimated Finishing Costs for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery.


  
  28  

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.
 
In July 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued Issue No. 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” Issue No. 00-21 addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a vendor for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue generating activities. The provisions of Issue No. 00-21 were effective July 1, 2003 and have been applied prospectively by the Company to the finishing and storage elements of its pre-need sales. Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise. Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer. Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage.
 
At September 30, 2004, the Company held 342,316 memorials and 225,375 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program.

Construction revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost method. The Company offers rebates to certain customers participating in volume purchase programs. Rebates are estimated and recorded as a reduction in sales at the time the Company’s products are sold.


LONG-TERM CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS:

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at September 30, 2004, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

   
Payments due in fiscal year:
 
                   
After
 
   
Total
 
2005
 
2006 to 2007
 
2008 to 2009
 
2009
 
Contractual Cash Obligations:
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Revolving credit facility
 
$
52,500
 
$
10,000
 
$
20,000
 
$
22,500
 
$
-
 
Notes payable to banks
   
14,275
   
2,713
   
3,075
   
2,506
   
5,981
 
Short-term borrowings
   
3,437
   
3,437
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Capital lease obligations
   
1,180
   
853
   
327
   
-
   
-
 
Non-cancelable operating leases
   
24,620
   
5,169
   
8,030
   
5,786
   
5,635
 
Total contractual cash obligations
 
$
96,012
 
$
22,172
 
$
31,432
 
$
30,792
 
$
11,616
 

Benefit payments under the Company’s principal retirement plan are made from plan assets, while benefit payments under the supplemental retirement plan and postretirement benefit plan are made from the Company’s operating funds. Due to the IRS full funding limitations, the Company does not expect to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2005. The Company estimates that benefit payments to participants under its principal retirement plan (including its supplemental retirement plan) and postretirement benefit payments will be $4.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, in fiscal 2005. The amounts are not expected to change materially thereafter. The Company believes that its current liquidity sources, combined with its operating cash flow and borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to meet its capital needs for the foreseeable future. 

 

 
  29  

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, continued.
 
INFLATION:

Inflation has not had a material impact on the Company over the past three years nor is it anticipated to have a material impact for the foreseeable future.


ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”). This interpretation addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities with certain characteristics. In December 2003, the FASB revised the interpretation (“FIN 46-R”), which provided for various amendments to FIN 46. The adoption of FIN 46-R during 2004 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In December 2003, the FASB issued a revised version of SFAS No. 132 “Employer’s Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” This statement requires additional disclosures about assets, obligations, cash flows and net periodic benefit costs of defined benefit plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. The disclosure requirements are effective for annual financial statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003 and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. The disclosure requirements of the revised version of SFAS No. 132 have been adopted by the Company.
 
In May 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 106-2 ("FSP 106-2"), "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003" (the "Act"). The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit under Medicare as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of post-retirement health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. When adopted, FSP 106-2 will supersede FSP 106-1, "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003," which was issued in January 2004 and permitted a sponsor of a post-retirement health care plan that provides a prescription drug benefit to make a one-time election to defer accounting for the effects of the Act until more authoritative guidance on the accounting for the federal subsidy was issued. The Company elected the one-time deferral allowed under FSP 106-1 and, as a result, any measures of the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation or net periodic post-retirement benefit cost in the financial statements or accompanying notes do not reflect the effects of the Act on post-retirement health care benefit plans. FSP 106-2 provides authoritative guidance on the accounting for the federal subsidy and specifies the disclosure requirements for employers who have adopted FSP 106-2, including those who are unable to determine whether benefits provided under its plan are actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. FSP 106-2 was adopted by the Company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.


ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

The following discussion about the Company's market risk involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company has market risk related to changes in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not generally use derivative financial instruments in connection with these market risks, except as noted below.


 
  30  

 
 
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK, continued.

 
Interest Rates - The Company's most significant long-term debt instrument is the Revolving Credit Facility, as amended, which bears interest at variable rates based on LIBOR. Effective April 30, 2004, the Company increased its outstanding borrowings under the facility to $50.0 million and simultaneously entered into an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate on such borrowings at 3.16% for a five-year period. The interest rate swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility. The fair value of the interest rate swap reflected an unrealized gain of $507,000 ($309,000 after tax) at September 30, 2004 that is included in equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. A decrease of 10% in market interest rates (i.e. a decrease from 3.5% to 3.15%) would result in a decrease of approximately $421,000 in the fair value of the interest rate swap.

Commodity Price Risks - In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to commodity price fluctuations related to the purchases of certain materials and supplies (such as bronze ingot, steel and wood) used in its manufacturing operations. The Company obtains competitive prices for materials and supplies when available.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates - The Company is subject to changes in various foreign currency exchange rates, including the Euro, the British Pound, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and Swedish Krona, in the conversion from local currencies to the U.S. dollar of the reported financial position and operating results of its non-U.S. based subsidiaries. An adverse change of 10% in exchange rates would have resulted in a decrease in sales of $12.5 million and a decrease in operating income of $4.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2004.

  
  31  

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.


Description
 
Pages
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
33
     
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
34-35
     
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
36
     
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
 
37
     
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
38
     
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
39-59
     
Supplementary Financial Information
 
60
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   
on Financial Statement Schedule
 
61
     
Financial Statement Schedule
 
62


  
  32  

 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Shareholders and
Board of Directors of
Matthews International Corporation:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Matthews International Corporation and its subsidiaries at September 30, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). These standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." Accordingly, the Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill in 2002.



PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
November 16, 2004

  
  33  

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2004 and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

ASSETS
 
2004
 
2003
 
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
65,830
 
$
66,954
 
Short-term investments
   
858
   
4,588
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $7,717 and $6,013, respectively
   
87,490
   
62,883
 
Inventories
   
42,536
   
27,065
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1,462
   
1,517
 
Other current assets
   
4,302
   
3,047
 
Total current assets
   
202,478
   
166,054
 
               
               
               
Investments
   
7,694
   
4,561
 
               
               
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
72,714
   
69,633
 
               
               
               
Deferred income taxes
   
9,615
   
9,496
 
               
               
               
Other assets
   
16,745
   
22,686
 
               
               
               
Goodwill
   
189,016
   
154,690
 
               
               
               
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated
amortization of $1,135 and $638, respectively
   
32,280
   
13,062
 
               
               
Total assets
 
$
530,542
 
$
440,182
 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

  
  34  

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, continued
September 30, 2004 and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
2004
 
2003
 
Current liabilities:
             
Long-term debt, current maturities
 
$
17,003
 
$
6,029
 
Trade accounts payable
   
26,130
   
19,805
 
Accrued compensation
   
31,274
   
24,745
 
Accrued income taxes
   
13,018
   
1,274
 
Other current liabilities
   
24,147
   
24,470
 
Total current liabilities
   
111,572
   
76,323
 
               
Long-term debt
   
54,389
   
57,023
 
               
Estimated finishing costs
   
4,730
   
4,863
 
     
   
 
Postretirement benefits other than pensions
   
17,407
   
17,644
 
               
Deferred income taxes
   
4,225
   
3,441
 
     
       
Environmental reserve
   
10,604
   
11,154
 
               
Other liabilities and deferred revenue
   
15,365
   
13,506
 
               
Commitments and contingent liabilities
             
               
Shareholders' equity:
             
Class A common stock, $1.00 par value; authorized
70,000,000 shares; 36,333,992 shares issued
   
36,334
   
36,334
 
Preferred stock, $100 par value, authorized 10,000 shares, none issued
   
-
   
-
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
11,699
   
6,476
 
Retained earnings
   
308,435
   
257,559
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
11,538
   
6,643
 
Treasury stock, 3,923,418 and 4,171,943 shares, respectively, at cost
   
(55,756
)
 
(50,784
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
312,250
   
256,228
 
               
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
530,542
 
$
440,182
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

  
  35  

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
for the years ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

   
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
Sales
 
$
508,801
 
$
458,865
 
$
428,086
 
Cost of sales
   
(315,047
)
 
(288,563
)
 
(267,722
)
Gross profit
   
193,754
   
170,302
   
160,364
 
                     
Selling expense
   
(46,999
)
 
(43,334
)
 
(43,468
)
Administrative expense
   
(48,961
)
 
(45,840
)
 
(48,709
)
Special items
   
-
   
(1,044
)
 
-
 
Operating profit
   
97,794
   
80,084
   
68,187
 
                     
Investment income
   
1,612
   
1,283
   
1,587
 
Interest expense
   
(1,998
)
 
(2,852
)
 
(4,171
)
Other income (deductions), net
   
(57
)
 
(381
)
 
(119
)
Minority interest
   
(5,518
)
 
(4,780
)
 
(3,027
)
                     
                     
Income before income taxes and change in accounting
   
91,833
   
73,354
   
62,457
 
                     
Income taxes
   
(35,638
)
 
(28,461
)
 
(24,225
)
                     
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting
   
56,195
   
44,893
   
38,232
 
                     
                     
Cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of tax
   
-
   
-
   
(3,226
)
                     
Net income
 
$
56,195
 
$
44,893
 
$
35,006
 
                     
                     
Earnings per share before cumulative effect
of change in accounting:
                   
Basic
 
$
1.74
 
$
1.42
 
$
1.24
 
Diluted
 
$
1.72
 
$
1.39
 
$
1.20
 
Earnings per share:
                   
Basic
 
$
1.74
 
$
1.42
 
$
1.14
 
Diluted
 
$
1.72
 
$
1.39
 
$
1.10
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

  
  36  

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
for the years ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

               
Accumulated
         
               
Other
         
       
Additional
     
Comprehensive
         
   
Common
 
Paid-in
 
Retained
 
Income (Loss)
 
Treasury
     
   
Stock
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
(net of tax)
 
Stock
 
Total
 
                           
Balance, September 30, 2001
 
$
36,334
 
$
-
 
$
184,845
 
$
(8,983
)
$
(68,480
)
$
143,716
 
Net income
   
-
   
-
   
35,006
   
-
   
-
   
35,006
 
Unrealized gains (losses)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(342
)
 
-
   
(342
)
Minimum pension liability
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(10,042
)
 
-
   
(10,042
)
Translation adjustment
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
4,151
   
-
   
4,151
 
Total comprehensive income
                                 
28,773
 
Treasury stock transactions:
                                     
Purchase of 6,000 shares
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(124
)
 
(124
)
Issuance of 899,572 shares under stock plans
   
-
   
2,119
   
-
   
-
   
10,173
   
12,292
 
Dividends, $.106 per share
   
-
   
-
   
(3,282
)
 
-
   
-
   
(3,282
)
Balance, September 30, 2002
   
36,334
   
2,119
   
216,569
   
(15,216
)
 
(58,431
)
 
181,375
 
Net income
   
-
   
-
   
44,893
   
-
   
-
   
44,893
 
Unrealized gains (losses)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(17
)
 
-
   
(17
)
Minimum pension liability
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
10,011
   
-
   
10,011
 
Translation adjustment
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
11,865
   
-
   
11,865
 
Total comprehensive income
                                 
66,752
 
Treasury stock transactions:
                                     
Purchase of 256,468 shares
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(6,623
)
 
(6,623
)
Issuance of 1,251,111 shares under stock plans
   
-
   
4,357
   
-
   
-
   
14,270
   
18,627
 
Dividends, $.123 per share
   
-
   
-
   
(3,903
)
 
-
   
-
   
(3,903
)
Balance, September 30, 2003
   
36,334
   
6,476
   
257,559
   
6,643
   
(50,784
)
 
256,228
 
Net income
   
-
   
-
   
56,195
   
-
   
-
   
56,195
 
Unrealized gains (losses)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(37
)
 
-
   
(37
)
Minimum pension liability
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(737
)
 
-
   
(737
)
Translation adjustment
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
5,360
   
-
   
5,360
 
Fair value of derivative
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
309
   
-
   
309
 
Total comprehensive income
                                 
61,090
 
Treasury stock transactions:
                                     
Purchase of 497,736 shares
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(14,894
)
 
(14,894
)
Issuance of 746,261 shares under stock plans
   
-
   
5,223
   
-
   
-
   
9,922
   
15,145
 
Dividends, $.165 per share
   
-
   
-
   
(5,319
)
 
-
   
-
   
(5,319
)
Balance, September 30, 2004
 
$
36,334
 
$
11,699
 
$
308,435
 
$
11,538
 
$
(55,756
)
$
312,250
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
  37  

 


MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
for the years ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net income
$56,195 
 
$44,893 
 
$35,006 
           
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
         
Depreciation and amortization
15,628 
 
14,872 
 
13,856 
Change in deferred taxes
1,015 
 
5,128 
 
5,286 
Impairment charges
1,028 
 
3,840 
 
5,776 
Net (gain) loss on dispositions of assets
35 
 
(2,504)
 
401 
Net (gain) loss on investments
 
55 
 
(456)
Changes in working capital items
1,936 
 
(12,460)
 
(4,050)
(Increase) decrease in other assets
3,724 
 
5,594 
 
(3,786)
Decrease in estimated finishing costs
(133)
 
(1,948)
 
(590)
Decrease in other liabilities
(470)
 
(4,553)
 
(1,060)
Decrease in postretirement benefits
(203)
 
(263)
 
(376)
Tax benefit on exercised stock options
4,517 
 
5,832 
 
5,473 
Net cash provided by operating activities
83,272 
 
58,486 
 
55,480 
Cash flows from investing activities:
         
Capital expenditures
(10,403)
 
(9,280)
 
(10,063)
Proceeds from dispositions of assets
1,484 
 
5,572 
 
3,228 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(74,487)
 
(9,455)
 
(88,767)
Purchases of investment securities
(15,260)
 
(185)
 
(4,771)
Proceeds from dispositions of investments
15,829 
 
21 
 
13,730 
Net cash used in investing activities
(82,837)
 
(13,327)
 
(86,643)
Cash flows from financing activities:
         
Proceeds from long-term debt
55,478 
 
 
126,433 
Payments on long-term debt
(49,050)
 
(43,993)
 
(71,310)
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock
10,629 
 
12,795 
 
6,819 
Purchases of treasury stock
(14,894)
 
(6,623)
 
(124)
Dividends
(5,319)
 
(3,903)
 
(3,282)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(3,156)
 
(41,724)
 
58,536 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
1,597 
 
6,418 
 
1,037 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(1,124)
 
9,853 
 
28,410 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
66,954 
 
57,101 
 
28,691 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$65,830 
 
$66,954 
 
$57,101 
Cash paid during the year for:
         
Interest
$1,823 
 
$ 3,007
 
$3,952 
Income taxes
11,200 
 
20,902
 
10,080 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


 
  38  

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS:

Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews"), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions. Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze memorials and memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries. Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, merchandising solutions, and marking products. The Company's products and operations are comprised of six business segments: Bronze, York Casket, Cremation, Graphics Imaging, Marking Products and, as of July 19, 2004, Merchandising Solutions (see Note 16). The Bronze segment is a leading manufacturer of cast bronze memorials and other memorialization products, cast and etched architectural products and is a leading builder of mausoleums in the United States. The York Casket segment is a leading casket manufacturer in the United States and produces a wide variety of wood and metal caskets. The Cremation segment is a leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment and cremation caskets primarily in North America. The Graphics Imaging segment manufactures and provides printing plates, pre-press services and imaging services for the corrugated and flexible packaging industries. The Marking Products segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking equipment and consumables for identifying various consumer and industrial products, components and packaging containers. The Merchandising Solutions segment designs and manufactures merchandising displays and systems and provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.
 
The Company has manufacturing and marketing facilities in the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe.


2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Principles of Consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned foreign and domestic subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of the Company's 50%-owned affiliate, S+T Gesellschaft Fur Reprotechnik GmbH (“S+T GmbH”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates:

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

Foreign Currency:

Balance sheet accounts for foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. Gains or losses that result from this process are recorded in other comprehensive income. The revenue and expense accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates that prevailed during the period.




  
  39  

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company considers all investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

Inventories:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost generally determined under the average cost method.

Property, Plant and Equipment:

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Deprecia-tion is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from 10 to 45 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment. Gains or losses from the disposition of assets are reflected in operating profit. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged against income as incurred. Renewals and betterments of a nature considered to extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill is no longer amortized but is subject to annual review for impairment. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 17 years, unless such lives are considered to be indefinite. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.

Environmental:

Costs that mitigate or prevent future environmental issues or extend the life or improve equipment utilized in current operations are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Costs that relate to current operations or an existing condition caused by past operations are expensed. Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company’s obligation is probable and reasonably estimable. Accruals for losses from environmental remediation obligations do not consider the effects of inflation, and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.

Treasury Stock:

Treasury stock is carried at cost. The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.

Income Taxes:

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income taxes for U.S. tax purposes have not been provided on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. To the extent earnings are expected to be returned in the foreseeable future, the associated deferred tax liabilities are provided.



  
  40  

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________
 
Revenue Recognition:

Revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment. For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer’s specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery. A liability has been recorded in Estimated Finishing Costs for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery.

In July 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued Issue No. 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” Issue No. 00-21 addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a vendor for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue generating activities. The provisions of Issue No. 00-21 were effective July 1, 2003 and have been applied prospectively by the Company to the finishing and storage elements of its pre-need sales. Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise. Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer. Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage.

At September 30, 2004, the Company held 342,316 memorials and 225,375 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program.

Construction revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost method. The Company offers rebates to certain customers participating in volume purchase programs. Rebates are estimated and recorded as a reduction in sales at the time the Company’s products are sold.

Derivatives and Hedging:

Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program. All derivatives are straight forward and held for purposes other than trading. Matthews measures effectiveness by formally assessing, at least quarterly, the historical and probable future high correlation of changes in the fair value or future cash flows of the hedged item. If the hedging relationship ceases to be highly effective or it becomes probable that an expected transaction will no longer occur, gains and losses on the derivative will be recorded in other income (deductions) at that time.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax and are reclassified to earnings in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item. The cash flows from derivative activities are recognized in the statement of cash flows in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item.

Research and Development Expenses:

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and approximated $3,000, $4,200 and $2,800 for the years ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.


  
  41  

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

 
Earnings Per Share:

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes the issuance of common stock for all dilutive securities.

Reclassifications:

Certain reclassifications have been made to the financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 to conform to the current year presentation.
 
Stock Plan:

The Company has a stock incentive plan that provides for grants of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options and restricted share awards. The Company has elected to account for its stock incentive plan under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." If compensation cost had been determined under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company's net income and diluted earnings per share would have been as follows:

   
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
Net income, as reported
 
$
56,195
 
$
44,893
 
$
35,006
 
Net income, pro forma
   
54,533
   
43,504
   
33,620
 
Earnings per share, as reported
 
$
1.72
 
$
1.39
 
$
1.10
 
Earnings per share, pro forma
   
1.68
   
1.35
   
1.06
 

The weighted-average fair value of options granted was $9.33 per share in 2004, $7.19 per share in 2003 and $7.77 per share in 2002.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes based pricing model with the following assumptions:

   
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
Expected volatility
   
24.2
%
 
24.4
%
 
26.7
%
Dividend yield
   
1.0
%
 
1.0
%
 
1.0
%
Average risk-free interest rate
   
3.9
%
 
3.8
%
 
3.0
%
Average expected term (years)
   
7.9
   
8.0
   
7.6
 



 
  42  

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________
3. INVENTORIES:

Inventories at September 30 consisted of the following:

   
2004
 
2003
 
           
Materials and finished goods
 
$
38,005
 
$
25,165
 
Labor and overhead in process
   
4,141
   
1,489
 
Supplies
   
390
   
411
 
   
$
42,536
 
$
27,065
 


4. INVESTMENTS:

Investment securities are recorded at estimated market value at the consolidated balance sheet date and are classified as available-for-sale. Short-term investments consisted principally of corporate obligations with purchased maturities of over three months but less than one year. The cost of short-term investments approximated market value at September 30, 2004 and 2003. Investments classified as non-current consisted of securities of the U.S. government and its agencies and corporate obligations with purchased maturities in the range of one to five years. Accrued interest on all investment securities was classified with short-term investments.


At September 30, 2004 and 2003, investments classified as non-current were as follows:

   
Book Value
 
Gross
 
Gross
     
   
(Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
Market
 
   
Cost)
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Value
 
September 30, 2004:
                         
                           
U.S. government and its agencies
 
$
586
 
$
-
 
$
(16
)
$
570
 
Corporate obligations
   
5,552
   
29
   
-
   
5,581
 
Other
   
47
   
-
   
-
   
47
 
Total
 
$
6,185
 
$
29
 
$
(16
)
$
6,198
 
                           
September 30, 2003:
                         
                           
U.S. government and its agencies
 
$
986
 
$
19
 
$
-
 
$
1,005
 
Corporate obligations
   
2,055
   
64
   
-
   
2,119
 
Other
   
36
   
-
   
-
   
36
 
Total
 
$
3,077
 
$
83
 
$
-
 
$
3,160
 

Unrealized gains and losses on investment securities, including related deferred taxes, are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses are based on the specific identification method and are recorded in investment income. Realized gains for fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $0, $2, and $456, respectively. Bond premiums and discounts are amortized on the straight-line method, which does not significantly differ from the interest method.


 
  43  

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

In addition, investments included the Company's 49% ownership interest in Applied Technology Developments, Ltd. ("ATD"), which was $647 at September 30, 2004 and 2003. The investment in ATD is recorded under the equity method of accounting. Income under the equity method of accounting is recorded in investment income. Investments also included ownership interests in various entities of less than 20%, which totaled $849 and $754 at September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Investments of less than 20% ownership interest are recorded under the cost method of accounting.

5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

Property, plant and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:

   
2004
 
2003
 
Buildings
 
$
35,810
 
$
36,534
 
Machinery and equipment
   
116,598
   
96,978
 
     
152,408
   
133,512
 
Less accumulated depreciation
   
(85,222
)
 
(70,854
)
     
67,186
   
62,658
 
Land
   
4,802
   
5,283
 
Construction in progress
   
726
   
1,692
 
   
$
72,714
 
$
69,633
 

 
6. LONG-TERM DEBT:

Long-term debt at September 30, 2004 and 2003 consisted of the following:

   
2004
 
2003
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$
52,500
 
$
44,500
 
Note payable to bank
   
14,275
   
13,770
 
Short-term borrowings
   
3,437
   
3,575
 
Capital lease obligations
   
1,180
   
1,207
 
     
71,392
   
63,052
 
Less current maturities
   
(17,003
)
 
(6,029
)
   
$
54,389
 
$
57,023
 

On December 3, 2001, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Facility for $125,000 with a syndicate of financial institutions. The facility was scheduled to mature on November 30, 2004. On April 21, 2004, the Company signed an amendment to the facility which extended its maturity to April 30, 2009. Borrowings under the amended facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from .50% to 1.00% based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .20% to .30% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility. The Revolving Credit Facility, as amended, requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. A portion of the facility (not to exceed $10.0 million) is available for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit.


 
  44  

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________
 
Effective April 30, 2004, the Company increased its outstanding borrowings under the facility to $50,000 and simultaneously entered into an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate on such borrowings at 3.16% for a five-year period. The interest rate swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring. Based on the Company’s assessment, all of the critical terms of the hedge match the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments and as such, these hedges are considered effective.

The fair value of the interest rate swap reflected an unrealized gain of $507 ($309 after tax) at September 30, 2004 that is included in equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at September 30, 2004, approximately $67 of the $309 gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income is expected to be recognized in earnings as interest expense over the next twelve months.

Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2004 and 2003 were $52,500 and $44,500, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2004 was 3.08%. Equal quarterly payments of $2,500 plus interest are due on the facility until its maturity in April 2009.

The Company has financed the acquisition of Caggiati S.p.A and several acquisitions by Caggiati S.p.A. through loans with various Italian banks. Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled $14,275 and $13,770 at September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Caggiati also has four lines of credit totaling approximately $13,400 with the same Italian banks. Outstanding borrowings on these lines were $3,437 and $3,575 at September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings, which are collateralized by certain trade accounts receivable, was 3.6% at September 30, 2004.

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases, follows:

2005
 
$
17,003
 
2006
   
11,750
 
2007
   
11,652
 
2008
   
11,253
 
2009
   
13,753
 
Thereafter
   
5,981
 
   
$
71,392
 
 
The carrying amounts of the Company's borrowings under its financing arrangements approximated their fair value.


 
  45  

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________
 
7. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 70,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $1 par value.

The Company has a stock repurchase program, which was initiated in 1996. Under the program, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 10,000,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock, of which 7,829,668 shares have been repurchased as of September 30, 2004. The buy-back program is designed to increase shareholder value, enlarge the Company's holdings of its common stock, and add to earnings per share. Repurchased shares may be retained in treasury, utilized for acquisitions, or reissued to employees or other purchasers, subject to the restrictions of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.
Comprehensive income consists of net income adjusted for changes, net of any related income tax effect, in cumulative foreign currency translation, the fair value of derivatives, unrealized investment gains and losses and minimum pension liability.

Accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2004 and 2003 consisted of the following:

   
2004
 
2003
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation
 
$
11,969
 
$
6,609
 
Fair value of derivatives
   
309
   
-
 
Unrealized investment gains (losses)
   
28
   
65
 
Minimum pension liability
   
(768
)
 
(31
)
   
$
11,538
 
$
6,643
 


8. STOCK PLANS:

The Company has a stock incentive plan that provides for grants of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options and restricted share awards in an aggregate number not to exceed 15% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The option price for each stock option that may be granted under the plan may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The aggregate number of shares of the Company's common stock that may be issued upon exercise of stock options was 4,861,586 shares at September 30, 2004.

Outstanding stock options are exercisable in various share amounts based on the attainment of certain market value levels of Class A Common Stock but, in the absence of such events, are exercisable in full for a one-week period beginning five years from the date of grant. In addition, options granted after September 1996 generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the certain market value levels described above). The options expire on the earlier of ten years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.

 
 
  46  

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

The transactions for shares under options were as follows:

   
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
Outstanding, beginning of year:
                   
Number
   
2,455,572
   
3,216,433
   
3,698,866
 
Weighted-average exercise price
 
$
17.28
 
$
13.77
 
$
10.92
 
Granted:
                   
Number
   
518,050
   
607,525
   
459,700
 
Weighted-average exercise price
 
$
28.58
 
$
21.81
 
$
24.55
 
Exercised:
                   
Number
   
733,711
   
1,245,239
   
898,700
 
Weighted-average exercise price
 
$
13.85
 
$
10.28
 
$
7.58
 
Expired or forfeited:
                   
Number
   
166,414
   
123,147
   
43,433
 
Weighted-average exercise price
 
$
21.30
 
$
18.68
 
$
13.14
 
Outstanding, end of year:
                   
Number
   
2,073,497
   
2,455,572
   
3,216,433
 
Weighted-average exercise price
 
$
20.99
 
$
17.28
 
$
13.77
 
Exercisable, end of year:
                   
Number
   
436,153
   
561,135
   
1,187,077
 
Weighted-average exercise price
 
$
13.16
 
$
12.53