2011 10K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
R
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 3, 2011
OR
£
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
Commission File Number 1-11024
 
CLARCOR Inc.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
DELAWARE
36-0922490
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
840 Crescent Centre Drive, Suite 600, Franklin, TN
37067
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
615-771-3100
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
None  
 
 
(Title of Class)
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes £     No R
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 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 R     No £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months.  Yes R     No £
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 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.  R
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer R
Accelerated filer £
Non-accelerated filer £
Smaller reporting company £
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  Yes £     No R

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the Common Stock was last sold as of the last business day of registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $2,096,506,866.
There were 50,263,104 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of January 23, 2012.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Proxy Statement”), currently anticipated to be held on March 27, 2012, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the conclusion of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 3, 2011 .


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
PART I
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Additional Item
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
 
Item 15.


2

Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1. Business.

(a) General Development of Business

CLARCOR Inc. (“CLARCOR”) was organized in 1904 as an Illinois corporation and in 1969 was reincorporated in the State of Delaware.  As used herein, the “Company” and terms such as “we,” “us” or “our” refers to CLARCOR and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to November 30.  For fiscal year 2011, the year ended on December 3, 2011 and included 53 weeks.  For fiscal year 2010, the year ended on November 27, 2010 and included 52 weeks.  For fiscal year 2009, the year ended on November 28, 2009 and included 52 weeks.  In this 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2011 Form 10-K”), all references to fiscal years are shown to begin on December 1 and end on November 30 for clarity of presentation.

Certain Significant Developments

Acquisitions

On December 29, 2010 (which is part of fiscal year 2011), the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding membership interests in TransWeb, LLC (“TransWeb”), a privately-owned manufacturer of media used in a variety of end-use applications, including respirators and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (“HVAC”) filters.  Founded in 1996 and based in Vineland, New Jersey, TransWeb has supplied media to a subsidiary of the Company for several years.  TransWeb was acquired to expand the Company’s technology capabilities in the area of media development and to enhance the product offerings of our filtration operating companies.  TransWeb’s results are included in the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition.

The base purchase price to acquire TransWeb was approximately $30.0 million, excluding cash acquired, plus a potential earn-out of approximately $1.0 million payable to one of the former owners.  The Company paid the purchase price with available cash. Of the base purchase price, the Company withheld $17.0 million pending resolution of the 3M litigation disclosed in Item 3 of this 2011 Form 10-K and referenced in Note L to our Consolidated Financial Statements, which funds may be used by the Company in connection with the same. The Company incurred legal charges of approximately $6.3 million in connection with this matter during fiscal year 2011, which were applied against the $17.0 million withheld amount.  


(b) Financial Information About Industry Segments

During fiscal year 2011, the Company conducted business in three principal industry segments: (1) Engine/Mobile Filtration, (2) Industrial/Environmental Filtration and (3) Packaging.  These segments are discussed in greater detail below.  Financial information for each of the Company’s reportable segments for the fiscal years 2009 through 2011 is included in Note O to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

(c) Narrative Description of the Business

Engine/Mobile Filtration

The Company’s Engine/Mobile Filtration segment sells filtration products for engines used in stationary power generation and for engines in mobile equipment applications, including trucks, automobiles, buses and locomotives, and marine, construction, industrial, mining and agricultural equipment.  The segment’s filters are sold throughout the world, primarily in the aftermarket. In addition, “first-fit” filters are sold to original equipment manufacturers.  At one of the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment plants, the Company also manufactures dust collection cartridges, including cartridges incorporating the Company’s Protura® nanofiber filtration media.  These cartridges are used in environmental filtration applications.

3

Table of Contents


The products in the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment include oil, air, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic fluid filters which are used in a wide variety of applications and in processes where filter efficiency, capacity and reliability are essential. Most of these applications involve a process where impure air or fluid flows through semi-porous paper, corrugated paper, cotton, synthetic, chemical or membrane filter media with varying filtration efficiency characteristics.  The impurities captured by the media are disposed of when the filter is changed.

Industrial/Environmental Filtration

The Company’s Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment centers around the manufacturing and marketing of filtration products used in industrial and commercial processes, and in buildings and infrastructures of various types.  The segment’s products are sold throughout the world, and include liquid process filtration products and air filtration products and systems used to maintain high interior air quality and to control exterior pollution.

The segment’s liquid process filtration products include specialty industrial process liquid filters; filters for pharmaceutical processes and beverages; filtration systems, filters and coalescers for the oil and natural gas industry; filtration systems for aircraft refueling, anti-pollution, sewage treatment and water recycling; bilge water separators; sand control filters for oil and gas drilling; and woven wire and metallic products for filtration of plastics and polymer fibers.  These filters use a variety of string wound, meltblown, porous and sintered and non-sintered metal media, woven wire and absorbent media.

The segment’s air filtration products represent air filters and cleaners, including antimicrobial treated filters and high efficiency electronic air cleaners.  These products are used in commercial buildings, hospitals, factories, residential buildings, residences, paint spray booths, gas turbine systems, medical facilities, motor vehicle cabins, aircraft cabins, clean rooms, compressors and dust collector systems.

Packaging

The Company’s Packaging segment is conducted by a wholly-owned subsidiary, J.L. Clark, Inc. (“J.L. Clark”).

J.L. Clark manufactures a wide variety of different types and sizes of containers and packaging specialties.  Metal, plastic and combination metal/plastic containers and closures manufactured by the Company are used in packaging a wide variety of dry and paste form products, such as food specialties (e.g., tea, coffee, spices, mints and other confections); smokeless tobacco products; lip balms; ointments; and consumer healthcare products.  Other packaging products include shells for dry cell batteries, canisters for film and candles, spools for insulated and fine wire, and custom decorated flat metal sheets.

Containers and packaging specialties are manufactured only upon orders received from customers, and individualized containers and packaging specialties are designed and manufactured, usually with distinctive decoration, to meet each customer’s marketing and packaging requirements and specifications.

Distribution

Products in both the Engine/Mobile Filtration and Industrial/Environmental Filtration segments are sold primarily through a combination of independent distributors, dealers for original equipment manufacturers, retail stores and directly to end-use customers such as truck and equipment fleet users, manufacturing companies and contractors.  In addition, both segments distribute products worldwide through their respective foreign subsidiaries and through export sales from the United States to independent distributors and end-use customers. In the Packaging segment, J.L. Clark uses an internal sales force and sells its products directly to customers for containers and packaging specialties.  

Financial information related to the geographic areas in which the Company operates and sells its products is included in Note O to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Class of Products

No class of similar products accounted for 10% or more of the total sales of the Company in any of the Company’s last three fiscal years.

4

Table of Contents


Raw Materials

The primary raw materials the Company uses to manufacture its products include various types of steel, adhesives, petrochemical-based materials and paper products and filter medias made from materials such as wood pulps, metals, polyester, polypropylene and other synthetic fibers, fiberglass and cotton.  All of these are purchased and are available from a variety of sources.  The Company experienced price volatility in fiscal year 2011 with raw material prices trending higher in all significant spend categories.  The Company was able to procure adequate supplies of raw materials throughout fiscal year 2011 and does not anticipate procurement problems in 2012, although the Company does believe that prices will generally continue to rise.

Patents, Trademarks and Trade names

Certain features of some of the Company’s products are covered by domestic and, in some cases, foreign patents or patent applications.  While these patents are valuable and important for certain products, the Company does not believe that its competitive position is dependent upon patent protection, although as discussed under the heading of “Risk Factors,” the Company believes that patent-related litigation may become more commonplace across all of its business segments, particularly with respect to its engine aftermarket business.

With respect to trademarks and trade names, the Company believes that the trademarks and trade names it uses in connection with certain products (such as “Baldwin,” “Purolator,” “Peco,” “Facet” and “TransWeb”) are valuable and significant to its business.

Seasonality

In general, the Company’s products and service offerings are not seasonal in nature, although certain of our operating companies in all our segments experience modest seasonal increases and decreases with respect to products and services supplied to particular end-use customers or industries.  These shifts are normally not material to the Company on a consolidated basis.

Customers

The 10 largest customers of the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment accounted for approximately 27% of the $510.0 million of fiscal year 2011 segment sales.

The 10 largest customers of the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment accounted for approximately 14% of the $523.0 million of fiscal year 2011 segment sales.

The 10 largest customers of the Packaging segment accounted for approximately 75% of the $93.6 million of fiscal year 2011 segment sales.

No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated fiscal year 2011 sales.

Backlog

At November 30, 2011, the Company had a backlog of firm orders for products of approximately $125.0 million.  The backlog figure for November 30, 2010 was approximately $118.1 million.  Substantially all of the orders on hand at November 30, 2011 are expected to be filled during fiscal year 2012.  The Company does not view its backlog as being insufficient, excessive or problematic, or a significant indication of fiscal year 2012 sales.

Competition

The Company encounters strong competition in the sale of all of its products.  The Company competes in a number of filtration markets against a variety of competitors.  The Company is unable to state its relative competitive position in all of these markets due to a lack of reliable industry-wide data.  However, in the replacement market for heavy-duty liquid and air filters used in internal combustion engines, the Company believes that it is among the top five companies worldwide measured by annual sales.  In addition, the Company believes that it is a leading manufacturer of liquid and air filters for diesel locomotives.  The Company believes that for industrial and environmental filtration products, it is among the top ten companies worldwide measured by annual sales, and is a market leader with respect to filtration products used in the oil and gas industries.

5

Table of Contents


In the Packaging segment, the Company’s principal competitors include several manufacturers that often compete on a regional basis only and whose specialty packaging segments are smaller than the Company’s.  Strong competition is also presented by manufacturers of paper, plastic and glass containers.  The Company’s competitors generally manufacture and sell a wide variety of products in addition to packaging products of the type produced by the Company and do not publish separate sales figures relative to these competitive products.  Consequently, the Company is unable to state its relative competitive position in those markets.

The Company believes that it is able to maintain its competitive position because of the quality and breadth of its products and services and the broad geographic scope of its operations.  The Company’s products primarily compete on the basis of price, performance, speed of delivery, quality and customer support.

Product Development

The Company develops products on its own and in consultation or partnership with its customers.  In addition to product testing and development that occurs at the Company’s various subsidiaries, the Company maintains the CLARCOR Filtration Research Center, a standalone research and development center in Forrest Park, Ohio (“CFRC”).  The Company’s laboratories, including the CFRC, test product components and completed products to insure high-quality manufacturing results, evaluate competitive products, aid suppliers in the development of product components, and conduct controlled tests of newly designed filters, filtration systems and packaging products for particular uses.  Product development is concerned with the improvement and creation of new filters and filtration media, filtration systems, containers and packaging products in order to increase their performance characteristics, broaden their respective uses and counteract obsolescence.

In fiscal year 2011, the Company employed approximately 152 professional employees on either a full-time or part-time basis on research activities relating to the development of new products or the improvement or redesign of its existing products.  During this period the Company spent approximately $11.0 million on such activities as compared with $9.8 million for fiscal year 2010 and $9.6 million for fiscal year 2009.

Environmental Factors

The Company is not aware of any facts which would cause it to believe that it is in material violation of existing applicable standards with respect to emissions to the atmosphere, discharges to waters, or treatment, storage and disposal of solid or hazardous wastes.

The Company is party to various proceedings relating to environmental issues.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or other responsible state agencies have designated the Company as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”), along with other companies, in remedial activities for the cleanup of waste sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“the federal Superfund statute”).

Although it is not certain what future environmental claims, if any, may be asserted, the Company currently believes that its potential liability for known environmental matters does not exceed its present accrual of $0.1 million.  However, environmental and related remediation costs are difficult to quantify for a number of reasons, including the number of parties involved, the difficulty in determining the extent, if any, of the contamination, the length of time remediation may require, the complexity of environmental regulation and the continuing advancement of remediation technology.  Applicable federal law may impose joint and several liability on each PRP for the cleanup of a contaminated site.

The Company does anticipate, however, that it may be required to install additional pollution control equipment to augment or replace existing equipment in the future in order to meet applicable environmental standards.  The Company is presently unable to predict the timing or the cost of any project of this nature and cannot give any assurance that the cost of such projects may not have a material adverse effect on earnings.  However, the Company is not aware, at this time, of any other additional significant current or pending requirements to install such equipment at any of its facilities.

Employees

As of November 30, 2011, the Company had approximately 5,447 employees.

6

Table of Contents


(d) Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales

Financial information relating to export sales and the Company’s operations in the United States and other countries is included in Note O to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  As noted therein, total international sales for the Company in fiscal year 2011 were $350.6 million.  In addition, see “Item 1A — Risk Factors” below for a discussion of certain risks of foreign operations.

(e) Available Information

Pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company files electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) required current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K and Form 11-K; proxy materials; ownership reports for insiders as required by Section 16 of the Exchange Act; and registration statements on Form S-8, as necessary; and any other form or report as required.

Our corporate headquarters are located at 840 Crescent Centre Drive, Suite 600, Franklin TN 37067, and our telephone number is (615) 771-3100.  The Company’s corporate Internet site is www.CLARCOR.com.   The Company makes available on that site, free of charge, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs, Form 8-Ks and amendments to such reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such forms are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.  The information contained on the Company’s website is not incorporated herein or otherwise considered to be a part of this 2011 Form 10-K.

The public may read and copy any materials that the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549.  Information regarding the SEC’s Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC also maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our business faces a variety of risks.  These risks include those described below and may include additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial.  If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risk factors occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations may suffer, and the trading price of our Common Stock could decline.  These risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other information in this 2011 Form 10-K.

Our business is affected by the health of the markets we serve.

Our financial performance depends, in large part, on varying conditions in the markets that we serve, particularly the general industrial and trucking markets.  Demand in these markets fluctuates in response to overall economic conditions and is particularly sensitive to changes in fuel costs, although the replacement nature of our products helps mitigate the effects of these changes.  In addition, a general economic downturn may have an adverse effect on sales of more expensive filtration systems and products, such as capital equipment sold by Perry Equipment Corporation (which may be affected by a decrease in the cost of oil and natural gas), United Air Specialists and our Facet companies.  An economic downturn in the markets we serve may result in reductions in sales and pricing of our products, which could materially reduce future earnings and cash flow.

Adverse macroeconomic and business conditions may materially and negatively affect our revenues, profitability and results of operations.

Economic conditions in the United States and in foreign markets in which we operate could substantially affect our sales and profitability.  Economic activity in the United States and throughout much of the world remains somewhat uncertain despite general improvement over the prior two to three years.

It is difficult to determine the breadth and duration of economic and financial market problems and the many ways in which such problems might affect our suppliers, customers and our business in general.  Nonetheless, worsening of these financial and macroeconomic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability and results of operations.

7

Table of Contents


We face customer concentration and related issues in China in our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment.

In the U.S., the vast majority of our sales in our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment are in the aftermarket, and no one customer represented more than 6% of our U.S. Engine/Mobile Filtration segment sales during fiscal year 2011. Our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment sales in China are predominantly to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), and one customer, Weichai Power Co. Ltd ("Weichai"), accounted for approximately 32% of our Engine/Mobile segment sales in China during fiscal year 2011. Our growth in China, a strategically important and potentially high growth market, currently depends on our ability to maintain a good and growing commercial relationship with Weichai. If we are unsuccessful in this regard, this would have a material adverse effect on our potential future results of operation and could significantly diminish the opportunities and growth in China for our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment.

We face heightened legal challenges from our competitors with respect to intellectual property, particularly in the area of patents, as evidenced by our lawsuits with Donaldson and 3M.

We face increasing exposure to claims by others for infringement of intellectual property rights, particularly with respect to patents, which claims could result in significant costs or losses. This is especially important with respect to our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment, where many of our competitors are suppliers of ‘‘first-fit’’ products to OEMs and seek to control or at least gain an advantage in the aftermarket through aggressive and comprehensive patent strategies, sometimes in conjunction with the OEMs. These strategies may involve attempting to obtain as many patents as possible, including particularly with respect to the systems for attaching or sealing filters to their respective housings, deliberately delaying the final issuance of patents so as to be able to modify them in response to competitive product designs, and seeking multiple ‘‘continuations’’ of their patents in an attempt to have their patents more clearly apply to competitive product designs.

This increased exposure to patent claims is also becoming more relevant to our Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment, where we face sophisticated competitors that are larger and better financed than we are and that have complex patent portfolios that present potential obstacles to our growth.

While we spend (and will continue to spend) significant resources to combat these risks, including by understanding the patent landscape applicable to our operating companies, creating alternative products and product designs that fall outside of our competitors’ claimed patent rights, challenging patents which we believe to be invalid and attempting to build our own patent portfolio, there can be no guaranty that we will be successful. Any such failure could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or prospects of the Company.

Examples of significant patent disputes that we face are the Donaldson and 3M/TransWeb litigations that are identified in Item 3 of this 2011 Form 10-K and referenced in Note L to our Consolidated Financial Statements.   While the Company believes in its positions with respect to these actions and is defending and pursuing them vigorously, doing so has required, and will continue to require, that we expend significant financial and human resources with no guaranty of success.

We face heightened legal challenges with respect to protecting our own intellectual property, particularly overseas.

We have developed and actively pursue developing proprietary technology in the industries in which we operate, and rely on intellectual property laws and a number of patents to protect such technology.  In doing so, we incur ongoing costs to enforce and defend our intellectual property.  Despite our efforts in this regard, we may face situations where our own intellectual property rights are ignored, invalidated or circumvented, to our material detriment.  This is of particular concern in China, where we anticipate the market for our products to develop substantially, and, with it, the incentive of third parties to infringe or challenge our intellectual property rights.

8

Table of Contents


Our access to borrowing capacity could be affected by the uncertainty impacting credit markets generally.

Some credit markets  are relatively tight such that the ability to obtain new capital could be challenging and more expensive  in comparison to past years.  Although we believe that the banks under our current credit facility have adequate capital and resources, we can provide no assurance that all of these banks will continue to operate as a going concern in the future.  If any of the banks in the lending group of our credit facility were to struggle or fail, it is possible that the borrowing capacity under our credit facility would be reduced.  In the event that the availability under our credit facility were reduced significantly, we could be required to obtain capital from alternate sources in order to finance our capital needs.  Our options for addressing such capital constraints would include, but not be limited to (i) obtaining commitments from the remaining banks in the lending group or from new banks to fund increased amounts under the terms of our credit facility, (ii) accessing the public capital markets, or (iii) delaying certain of our existing development projects. In addition, we plan to enter into a new revolving credit agreement prior to the December 2012 expiration date of our current credit facility.  At such time that it becomes necessary to access additional capital, it is possible that any such alternatives could be on terms less favorable than under our existing credit facility terms, which could have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

We could be adversely impacted by environmental matters and climate change and energy legislation and regulation.

Our operations are subject to U.S. and non-U.S. environmental laws and regulations governing emissions to air; discharges to water; the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste materials; and the cleanup of contaminated properties.  Currently, we believe that any potential environmental liabilities with respect to our former or existing operations are not material, but there is no assurance that we will not be adversely impacted by such liabilities, costs or claims in the future, either under present laws and regulations or those that may be adopted or imposed in the future.

Foreign, federal, state and local regulatory and legislative bodies have proposed various legislative and regulatory measures relating to climate change, regulating greenhouse gas emissions and energy policies.  Due to the uncertainty in the regulatory and legislative processes, as well as the scope of such requirements and initiatives, we cannot currently determine the effect such legislation and regulation may have on our operations.

The potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are also highly uncertain and would vary depending on type of physical impact and geographic location.  Climate change physical impacts could include changing temperatures, water shortages, changes in weather and rainfall patterns, and changing storm patterns and intensities.  The occurrence of one or more natural disasters, whether due to climate change or naturally occurring, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and other forms of severe weather in the U.S. or in a country in which we operate or in which our suppliers or customers are located could adversely impact our operations and financial performance.  Such events could result in:

physical damage to and complete or partial closure of one or more of our manufacturing facilities;
temporary or long-term disruption in the supply of raw materials from our suppliers;
disruption in the transport of our products to customers and end users; and/or
delay in the delivery of our products to our customers.

Our operations outside of the United States are subject to political, investment and local business risks.

Approximately 31% of our sales result from exports to countries outside of the United States and from sales of our foreign business units.  As part of our business strategy, we expect to expand our international operations through internal growth and acquisitions. Sales and operations outside of the United States, particularly in emerging markets, are subject to a variety of risks which are different from or additional to the risks the Company faces within the United States. Among others, these risks include:

local political and social conditions, including potential hyper-inflationary conditions and political instability in certain countries;
imposition of limitations on the remittance of dividends and payments by foreign subsidiaries;
adverse currency exchange rate fluctuations, including significant devaluations of currencies;
tax-related risks, including the imposition of taxes and the lack of beneficial treaties, that result in a higher effective tax rate for the Company;
difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems;
domestic and foreign customs, tariffs and quotas or other trade barriers;
increased costs for transportation and shipping;
difficulties in protecting intellectual property;
increased risk of corruption, self-dealing or other unethical practices that may be difficult to detect or remedy;

9

Table of Contents

risk of nationalization of private enterprises by foreign governments;
managing and obtaining support and distribution channels for overseas operations;
hiring and retaining qualified management personnel for our overseas operations;
imposition or increase of restrictions on investment; and
required compliance with a variety of local laws and regulations which may be materially different than those to which we are subject in the United States.

The occurrence of one or more of the foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on our international operations or on our financial condition and results of operations.

We face significant competition in the markets we serve.

The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and highly fragmented.  We compete worldwide with a number of other manufacturers and distributors that produce and sell similar products.  Our products primarily compete on the basis of price, performance, speed of delivery, quality and customer support. Some of our competitors are companies, or divisions or operating units of companies, that have greater financial and other resources than we do.  Any failure by us to compete effectively in the markets we serve could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Increasing costs for manufactured components, raw materials, transportation, energy and health care prices may adversely affect our profitability.

We use a broad range of manufactured components and raw materials in our products, including raw steel, steel-related components, filtration media, resins, plastics, paper and packaging materials.  Components and materials comprise the largest component of our costs.  Increases in the price of these items could further materially increase our operating costs and significantly adversely affect our profit margins.  Similarly, transportation, energy and health care costs have risen steadily over the past few years and represent an increasingly important burden for the Company.  Although we try to contain these costs wherever possible, and although we have historically been able to pass most increased costs in the form of price increases to our customers, we may be unsuccessful in doing so for competitive reasons, and even when successful, the timing of such price increases may lag significantly behind our incurrence of higher costs.

Our manufacturing operations are dependent upon third-party suppliers.

We obtain materials and manufactured components from third-party suppliers.  Although the majority of these materials and components can be obtained from multiple sources, and while we historically have not suffered any significant limitations on our ability to procure them, any delay in our suppliers’ abilities to provide us with necessary materials and components may affect our capabilities at a number of our manufacturing locations.  Delays in obtaining supplies may result from a number of factors affecting our suppliers, including capacity constraints, labor disputes, the impaired financial condition of a particular supplier, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers, weather emergencies or acts of war or terrorism.  Any delay in receiving supplies could impair our ability to deliver products to our customers and, accordingly, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our success depends in part on our development of improved products, and we may fail to meet the needs of customers on a timely or cost-effective basis.

Our continued success depends on our ability to maintain technological capabilities, machinery and knowledge necessary to adapt to changing market demands as well as to develop and commercialize innovative products, such as innovative filtration media and higher efficiency filtration systems.  We may not be able to develop new products as successfully as in the past or be able to keep pace with technological developments by our competitors and the industry generally.  In addition, we may develop specific technologies and capabilities in anticipation of customers’ demands for new innovations and technologies.  If such demand does not materialize, we may be unable to recover the costs incurred in such programs.  If we are unable to recover these costs or if any such programs do not progress as expected, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The introduction of new and improved products and services could reduce our future sales.

Substantial changes or technological developments in the industries in which our products are used could reduce sales if these changes negatively impact the need for our products.  For example, improvements in engine technology may reduce the need to make periodic filter changes and thus negatively impact our aftermarket filter sales for such engines.


10

Table of Contents

Our ability to operate effectively could be impaired if we fail to attract and retain key personnel.

Our ability to operate our business and implement our strategies depends, in part, on the efforts of our executive officers and other key employees.  Our management philosophy of cost-control means that we operate what we consider to be a very lean company with respect to personnel, and our commitment to a less centralized organization (discussed further below) also places greater emphasis on the strength of local management.  Our future success will depend on, among other factors, our ability to attract and retain other qualified personnel, particularly management, research and development engineers and technical sales professionals.  The loss of the services of any of our key employees or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel, domestically or abroad, could have a material adverse effect on our business or business prospects.

Our acquisition strategy may be unsuccessful.

As part of our growth strategy, we plan to pursue the acquisition of other companies, assets and product lines that either complement or expand our existing business.  We may be unable to find or consummate future acquisitions at acceptable prices and terms.  We continually evaluate potential acquisition opportunities in the ordinary course of business, including those that could be material in size and scope. Acquisitions involve a number of special risks and factors, including:

the focus of management’s attention to the assimilation of the acquired companies and their employees and on the management of expanding operations;
the incorporation of acquired products into our product line;
the increasing demands on our operational and information technology systems;
potentially insufficient internal controls over financial activities or financial reporting at an acquired company that could impact us on a consolidated basis;
the failure to realize expected synergies;
the potential loss of customers as a result of changes in control;
the possibility that we have acquired substantial undisclosed liabilities; and
the loss of key employees of the acquired businesses.

Although we conduct what we believe to be a prudent level of investigation regarding the operating and financial condition of the businesses we purchase, an unavoidable level of risk remains regarding the actual operating condition of these businesses.  Until we actually assume operating control of these business assets and their operations, we may not be able to fully ascertain the actual value or understand the potential liabilities of the acquired entities and their operations.  This is particularly true with respect to non-U.S. acquisitions.

We compete for potential acquisitions based on a number of factors, including price, terms and conditions, size and ability to offer cash, stock or other forms of consideration.  In pursuing acquisitions, we compete against other strategic and financial buyers, some of which are larger than we are and have greater financial and other resources than we have.  Increased competition for acquisition candidates could result in fewer acquisition opportunities for us and higher acquisition prices.  In addition, the negotiation of potential acquisitions may require members of management to divert their time and resources away from our operations.

We are a decentralized company, which presents certain risks.

The Company is relatively decentralized in comparison with its peers.  While we believe this practice has catalyzed our growth and enabled us to remain responsive to opportunities and to our customers’ needs, it necessarily places significant control and decision-making powers in the hands of local management.  This presents various risks, including the risk that we may be slower or less able to identify or react to problems affecting a key business than we would in a more centralized environment.  In addition, it means that we may be slower to detect compliance related problems (e.g., a rogue employee undertaking activities that are prohibited by applicable law or by our internal policies) and that “company-wide” business initiatives, such as the integration of disparate information technology systems, are often more challenging and costly to implement, and their risk of failure higher, than they would be in a more centralized environment.  Depending on the nature of the problem or initiative in question, such failure could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

The Company has no unresolved SEC comments.


11

Table of Contents

Item 2. Properties.

The various properties owned and leased by the Company and its operating units are considered by it to be in generally good repair and well maintained.  Plant asset additions in fiscal year 2012 are estimated to be between $45 and $55 million for land, buildings, furniture, production equipment and machinery, and computer and communications equipment.

The following is a description of the real property owned or leased by the Company or its affiliated entities, broken down by business segment.  All acreage and square foot measurements are approximate.

Corporate Headquarters

The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee, and housed in 23,000 sq ft of office space under lease to the Company.  The Company also owns a parcel of undeveloped land in Rockford, Illinois totaling 6 acres.  The Company also leases approximately 14,400 square feet of space in Forrest Park, Ohio, which is occupied by the CFRC.

Engine/Mobile Filtration Segment

United States Facilities

Location
 
Approximate Size
 
Owned or Leased
Gothenburg, NE
 
19 acre site with 100,000 sq ft of manufacturing space.
 
Owned
Kearney, NE
 
42 acre site with 516,000 sq ft of manufacturing and warehousing space, 25,000 sq ft of research and development space and 40,000 sq ft of office space.
 
Owned
Lancaster, PA
 
11.4 acre site with 160,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office space.
 
Owned
Yankton, SD
 
20 acre site with 170,000 sq ft of manufacturing space.
 
Owned

International Facilities

Location
 
Approximate Size
 
Owned or Leased
Warrington, Cheshire, England
 
4 acre site with two facilities totaling 71,000 sq feet for manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Weifang, People’s Republic of China
 
14 buildings, constituting 300,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Weifang, People’s Republic of China
 
105,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Queretaro, Mexico
 
3 acre site with 76,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
Casablanca, Morocco
 
4 acre site with 95,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned

In addition to the above properties, the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment leases and operates smaller facilities in Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United Kingdom in order to manufacture and/or distribute applicable filtration products.

12

Table of Contents


Industrial/Environmental Filtration Segment

United States Facilities

Location
 
Approximate Size
 
Owned or Leased
Auburn Hills, MI
 
44,222 sq ft of warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Blue Ash, OH
 
17 acre site with 157,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office space.
 
Owned
Campbellsville, KY
 
100 acre site with 242,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office space.
 
Owned
Corona, CA
 
84,000 sq feet of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Dallas, TX
 
83,500 sq feet of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Greensboro, NC
 
21 acre site with 88,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
Greensboro, NC
 
97,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
Goodlettsville, TN
 
35,000 sq ft of warehouse space.
 
Owned
Houston, TX
 
88,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Houston, TX
 
11,000 sq ft of warehouse space
 
Leased
Houston, TX
 
4,000 sq ft of warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Jeffersonville, IN
 
450,000 sq feet of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Lenexa, KS
 
18,000 sq feet of warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Mineral Wells, TX
 
46 acre site with 351,000 sq feet of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
Mineral Wells, TX
 
35,000 sq ft of warehousing space.
 
Leased
Mineral Wells, TX
 
36,000 sq ft of warehousing space.
 
Owned
Mineral Wells, TX
 
22,000 sq ft of manufacturing and warehousing space
 
Leased
Ottawa, KS
 
41,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office space.
 
Owned
Pittston, PA
 
250,000 sq feet of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Stilwell, OK
 
11 acre site with 132,000 sq feet of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Sacramento, CA
 
40,000 sq feet of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
Shelby, NC
 
48,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
Tulsa, OK
 
16 acre site with 142,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office space.
 
Owned
Vineland, NJ
 
55,492 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned/Leased

13

Table of Contents


International Facilities

Location
 
Approximate Size
 
Owned or Leased
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
 
25,000 sq feet of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
 
25,000 sq ft of warehouse space. Right to occupy 40,000 sq ft total (15,000 sq ft currently being sublet).
 
Leased
La Coruña, Spain
 
4 acre site with 61,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office space.
 
Owned
Pujiang City, People’s Republic of China
 
53,819 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Leased
Queretaro, Mexico
 
5 acre site with 108,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
Quzhou, People’s Republic of China
 
215,278 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space
 
Leased

In addition to the above properties, the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment leases and operates smaller facilities in the following locations in order to manufacture, distribute and/or service applicable filtration products: United States: Atlanta, GA; Auburn, WA; Birmingham, AL; Evansville, WY; Chantilly, VA; Hamilton, OH; Columbus, OH; Commerce City, CO; Carrollton, TX; Farmington, NM; Fresno, CA; Hayward, CA; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Kansas City, MO; Louisville, KY; Shakopee, MN; Phoenix, AZ; Portland, OR; Ontario, CA; Vernal, UT; Wichita, KS. International: Brazil; Canada; China; France; Germany; Italy; Malaysia; Netherlands; Singapore; United Kingdom.

Packaging Segment

Location
 
Approximate Size
 
Owned or Leased
Rockford, IL
 
34 acre site with buildings totaling 405,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
 
Owned
Lancaster, PA
 
11 acre site with 243,500 sq ft of manufacturing and office space.
 
Owned

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, the Company is subject to lawsuits, investigations and disputes (some of which involve substantial amounts claimed) arising out of the conduct of its business, including matters relating to commercial transactions, product liability, intellectual property, employee matters, worker's compensation claims and other matters.  The Company recognizes a liability for any contingency that is probable of occurrence and reasonably estimable.  The Company continually assesses the likelihood of adverse judgments of outcomes in these matters, as well as potential ranges of possible losses (taking into consideration any insurance recoveries), based on a careful analysis of each matter with the assistance of outside legal counsel and, if applicable, other experts. Included in these other matters are the following:

Antitrust/Qui Tam

On March 31, 2008, S&E Quick Lube, a filter distributor, filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut alleging that virtually every major North American engine filter manufacturer, including the Company's subsidiary, Baldwin Filters, Inc. (the “Defendant Group” and "Baldwin," respectively), engaged in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate U.S. customers for aftermarket filters.  The suit is a purported class action on behalf of direct purchasers of filters from the Defendant Group.  Parallel purported class actions, including on behalf of indirect purchasers of filters, have been filed by other plaintiffs against the Defendant Group in a variety of jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. In addition, the Attorneys General of the State of Florida and the County of Suffolk, New York filed complaints against the Defendant Group based on these same allegations, and the Attorney General of the State of Washington requested various documents, information and cooperation, which the Company agreed to provide. All of the U.S cases, including the actions brought by and/or on behalf of governmental entities, were consolidated into a single multi-district litigation in front of the Hon. Robert W. Gettleman in the Northern District of Illinois (the "Court"). The Company has consistently denied any wrongdoing whatsoever and vigorously defended the action at significant expense.  

14

Table of Contents


On June 24, 2011, William Burch, a former employee of two other defendants in the Defendant Group and the key initiator of the lawsuits, and key witness for the plaintiffs, pleaded guilty to a charge brought by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania of making false statements to the United States Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). In pleading guilty to this charge, Mr. Burch admitted that he fabricated certain key evidence relevant to the lawsuits at issue and thereafter lied about it to the DOJ. On October 26, 2011, Mr. Burch was sentenced to two years in prison for this crime.

On October 7, 2011, Baldwin entered into a settlement agreement ("Settlement Agreement") with the putative plaintiff classes involved in the action, including the State of Florida. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Baldwin denied any wrongdoing whatsoever but agreed to pay a total of $625 thousand to a settlement fund to be divided among the plaintiff classes in exchange for a full and complete release of all claims with prejudice. Two other members of the Defendant Group, Donaldson Company, Inc. ("Donaldson") and Cummins, Inc. ("Cummins"), also entered into substantially identical settlement agreements with the putative plaintiff classes at the same time as Baldwin.

The Company entered into the Settlement Agreement to free itself from the expense of ongoing litigation, which was anticipated to be many times greater than the agreed settlement amount. The $625 thousand settlement amount has been fully reserved by the Company. The Settlement Agreement will become effective after the Court enters a final judgment order approving the Settlement Agreement and dismissing the causes of action against Baldwin with prejudice and without costs, and the time for appealing the foregoing expires. The Company is unable to predict when these conditions will be satisfied, but the Company is unaware of any objections or obstacles, and believes that these conditions will be satisfied in due course and in keeping with normal judicial time lines. On October 10, 2011, the plaintiffs filed an omnibus motion for preliminary approval of the Settlement Agreement (and the settlement agreements with Donaldson and Cummins), certification of settlement classes, appointment of class counsel for the settlement classes, authorization to disseminate notice to settlement classes, and setting a hearing on final settlement approval, which motion is currently pending before the Court.

Donaldson

On May 15, 2009, Donaldson filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleging that certain “ChannelFlow®” engine/mobile filters manufactured and sold by a subsidiary of the Company infringe one or more patents held by Donaldson. Through this lawsuit Donaldson seeks various remedies, including injunctive relief and monetary damages of approximately $3 million. Management believes that the products in question do not infringe the asserted patents and that such patents are invalid. The Company is vigorously defending the action. The matter is currently scheduled to go to trial on or about February 14, 2012.

TransWeb/3M

Prior to the Company’s acquisition of TransWeb, 3M Company and 3M Innovative Properties Company (“3M”) filed a lawsuit against TransWeb in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota on May 21, 2010, alleging that certain TransWeb products infringed certain 3M patents.  TransWeb filed its own complaint against 3M in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on August 27, 2010, seeking a declaratory judgment that the asserted patents are invalid and that the products in question do not infringe.  3M withdrew its Minnesota action, and the parties are currently litigating the matter in New Jersey.  The Company intends to vigorously defend the action and pursue related claims.  In this regard, on June 3, 2011, TransWeb filed a Second Amended Complaint against 3M, (i) seeking declaratory judgment that the asserted 3M patents are invalid, the TransWeb products in question do not infringe, and the 3M patents are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct by 3M in obtaining the patents, (ii) alleging patent infringement by 3M of a patent held by TransWeb, and (iii) alleging antitrust violations by 3M in connection with the personal respirator market. The Company has since dropped its patent infringement allegations against 3M, but continues to allege and pursue its inequitable conduct and antitrust claims.

Other

The Company is party to various proceedings relating to environmental issues.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or other responsible state agencies have designated the Company as a potentially responsible party, along with other companies, in remedial activities for the cleanup of waste sites under the federal Superfund statute.  Although it is not certain what future environmental claims, if any, may be asserted, the Company currently believes that its potential liability for known environmental matters is not material.  However, environmental and related remediation costs are difficult to quantify for a number of reasons, including the number of parties involved, the difficulty in determining the nature and extent of the contamination at issue, the length of time remediation may require, the complexity of the environmental regulation and the continuing advancement of remediation technology.  Applicable federal law may impose joint and several liability on each potentially responsible party for the cleanup.

15

Table of Contents


Item 4. [Removed and Reserved].


ADDITIONAL ITEM: Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following individuals are the executive officers of the Company as of January 27, 2012:
Name
 
Age at 12/3/2011
 
Year Elected
to Office
Norman E. Johnson
 
63
 
2000
Executive Chairman. Mr. Johnson has been employed by the Company since 1990. He was elected President-Baldwin Filters, Inc. in 1990, Vice President-CLARCOR in 1992, Group Vice President-Filtration Products Group in 1993, President and Chief Operating Officer in 1995 and Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in 2000. Mr. Johnson stepped down from his positions of President and Chief Executive Officer and assumed the position of Executive Chairman in December 2011 as part of a management succession plan. Mr. Johnson has been a Director of the Company since June 1996.
 
 
 
 
Christopher L. Conway
 
56
 
2010
President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Conway has been employed by the Company or its affiliates since 2006, when he was named Vice President of Manufacturing of Baldwin Filters, Inc.  In September 2007, Mr. Conway was promoted to the position of President of Facet USA, Inc., another affiliate of the Company.  He was then named President of the Company’s PECOFacet division in December 2007 and continued in that role until being named as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in May 2010.  On December 13, 2011, Mr. Conway assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining the Company or its affiliates, Mr. Conway served for two years as the Chief Operating Officer of Cortron Corporation, Inc., a small manufacturing start-up based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
 
 
 
 
Sam Ferrise
 
55
 
2003
President, Baldwin Filters, Inc. Mr. Ferrise was appointed President of Baldwin Filters, Inc. in 2000. He became an executive officer of the Company in 2003 while retaining the same title with Baldwin Filters, Inc.
 
 
 
 
David J. Fallon
 
41
 
2010
Vice President – Finance & Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Fallon has been  employed by the Company since 2009, when he was elected Vice President-Finance.  He was elected Chief Financial Officer in 2010.    Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fallon held various positions for Noble International, Ltd. and its affiliates, including the position of Chief Financial Officer of Noble International, Ltd. immediately prior to his employment with the Company.
 
 
 
 
David J. Lindsay
 
56
 
1995
Vice President-Administration and Chief Administrative Officer. Mr. Lindsay has been employed by the Company in various administrative positions since 1987. He was elected Vice President-Group Services in 1991, Vice President-Administration in 1994 and Vice President-Administration and Chief Administrative Officer in 1995.
 
 
 
 
Richard M. Wolfson
 
45
 
2006
Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Wolfson was employed by the Company and elected Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in 2006. Prior to joining the Company, he was a principal of the InterAmerican Group, an advisory services and private equity firm, from 2001 until 2006.
 
 
 
 

Each executive officer of the Company is elected by the Board of Directors for a term of one year which begins at the Board of Directors Meeting at which he or she is elected, typically held at the time of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and ends on the date of the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or upon their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Company’s By-Laws.


16

Table of Contents

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities and Five-Year Performance of the Company.

The Company’s Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange; it is traded under the symbol CLC. The following table sets forth the high and low market prices as quoted during the relevant periods on the New York Stock Exchange and dividends per share paid for each quarter of the last two fiscal years.

 
 
Market Price
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
High
 
Low
 
Dividends
February 26, 2011
 
$
45.05

 
$
40.00

 
$
0.1050

May 27, 2011
 
$
45.74

 
$
40.24

 
$
0.1050

August 27, 2011
 
$
48.77

 
$
39.13

 
$
0.1050

December 3, 2011
 
$
49.60

 
$
39.50

 
$
0.1200

Total Dividends
 
 

 
 

 
$
0.4350


 
 
Market Price
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
High
 
Low
 
Dividends
February 27, 2010
 
$
35.25

 
$
30.72

 
$
0.0975

May 29, 2010
 
$
38.73

 
$
33.50

 
$
0.0975

August 28, 2010
 
$
38.59

 
$
33.58

 
$
0.0975

November 27, 2010
 
$
42.01

 
$
33.64

 
$
0.1050

Total Dividends
 
 

 
 

 
$
0.3975


As set forth above, the quarterly dividend rate was increased in fiscal year 2011, and the Company currently expects to continue making dividend payments to shareholders.  The Company’s right to make dividend payments is subject to restrictions contained in the credit agreement to which the Company is a party.  The Company has never been prevented from making dividend payments under its past credit agreements or its current credit agreement and does not anticipate being so restricted in the foreseeable future.

The approximate number of holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock at January 23, 2012 was 1,792.

On June 22, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a three-year, $250 million stock repurchase program.  Pursuant to the authorization, the Company may purchase shares from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions through June 22, 2013.  The Company has no obligation to repurchase shares under the authorization, and the timing, actual number and values of shares to be purchased will depend on our stock price and market conditions.

The Company repurchased 683,776 shares of its common stock, at an average price of $42.88 per share, and an aggregate cost of approximately $29.3 million during the fiscal year 2011.  As set forth in the table below, the Company repurchased 256,725 shares of its common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011.  The average price per share for the shares repurchased in the fourth quarter was $43.29 with an aggregate cost of approximately $11.1 million.  The Company had a balance of approximately $204.4 million available to repurchase shares as of December 3, 2011.

17

Table of Contents

COMPANY PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
Period
 
Total
Number of
shares
purchased
 
Average
price paid
per share
 
Total number of
shares purchased 
as part of
the Company's 
publicly
announced plan
 
Maximum 
approximate
dollar value of 
shares that
may yet be 
purchased
under the Plan
August 28, 2011 through September 30, 2011
 
140,888

 
$
41.55

 
140,888

 
$
209,664,790

October 1, 2011 through October 31, 2011
 
63,337

 
$
43.92

 
63,337

 
$
206,882,910

November 1, 2011 through December 3, 2011
 
52,500

 
$
47.18

 
52,500

 
$
204,405,799

Total
 
256,725

 
 

 
256,725

 
 



5-Year Performance of the Company

The following Performance Graph compares the Company’s cumulative total return on its Common Stock for a five-year period (December 3, 2006 to December 3, 2011) with the cumulative total return of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and the S&P 500 Industrial Machinery Index.

TOTAL RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return Among the Company, S&P SmallCap 600 Index and
S&P 500 Industrial Machinery Index - Assumes Initial Investment of $100 and Reinvestment of All Dividends


18

Table of Contents

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The information required hereunder is included as Exhibit 13 to this 2011 Form 10-K.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The information presented in this discussion should be read in conjunction with other financial information provided in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.  The analysis of operating results focuses on the Company’s three reportable business segments: Engine/Mobile Filtration, Industrial/Environmental Filtration and Packaging.  Except as otherwise set forth herein, references to particular years refer to the applicable fiscal year of the Company.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Management Discussion Snapshot
(In thousands except per share data)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011 vs 2010
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
Net sales
$
1,126,601

 
$
1,011,429

 
$
907,748

 
$
115,172

 
11%
 
Cost of sales
743,180

 
673,022

 
628,460

 
70,158

 
10%
 
Gross profit
383,421

 
338,407

 
279,288

 
45,014

 
13%
 
Selling and administrative expenses
202,154

 
193,758

 
173,555

 
8,396

 
4%
 
Operating profit
181,267

 
144,649

 
105,733

 
36,618

 
25%
 
Other income (expense)
41

 
(1,226
)
 
(84
)
 
1,267

 
 
 
Provision for income taxes
56,947

 
47,072

 
33,819

 
9,875

 
21%
 
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR
124,003

 
96,081

 
71,543

 
27,922

 
29%
 
Weighted average diluted shares
51,191

 
51,156

 
51,120

 
35

 
—%
 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR
$
2.42

 
$
1.88

 
$
1.40

 
$
0.54

 
29%
 
Percentages:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Gross margin
34.0
%
 
33.5
%
 
30.8
%
 
 

 
0.5
pt
Selling and administrative percentage
17.9
%
 
19.2
%
 
19.1
%
 
 

 
(1.3)
pt
Operating margin
16.1
%
 
14.3
%
 
11.6
%
 
 

 
1.8
pt
Effective tax rate
31.4
%
 
32.8
%
 
32.0
%
 
 

 
(1.4)
pt
Net earnings margin
11.0
%
 
9.5
%
 
7.9
%
 
 

 
1.5
pt

2011 versus 2010

Net Sales

Higher operating profit, net earnings and diluted earnings per share in 2011 compared with 2010 were primarily the result of a $115.2 million, or 11%, increase in net sales. Components of this 11% increase in net sales are as follows:

Volume
7
%
Pricing
2
%
Foreign exchange
1
%
TransWeb acquisition
1
%
 
11
%

19

Table of Contents


Net sales in our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment were 14% higher in 2011 than 2010 primarily on the strength of higher heavy-duty engine filter sales both in the U.S., where sales grew 12%, and internationally, where sales grew 15%. Net sales in our Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment were 11% higher in 2011 than 2010 primarily based upon higher net sales in the U.S. including sales from our acquisition of TransWeb, which was completed at the end of December 2010. Net sales at our Packaging segment were 1% lower in 2011 than 2010. However, excluding the impact of a no margin tooling and equipment sale to one of our customers in 2010, net sales at our Packaging segment increased $3.2 million, or 4%, in 2011 compared with 2010.

Cost of Sales

Our 2011 cost of sales increased $70.2 million, or 10%, from 2010. This 10% increase in cost of sales was primarily the result of the 11% increase in net sales. Our 34.0% gross margin percentage in 2011 was 0.5 percentage points higher than 2010. This increase in gross margin percentage was primarily the result of our ability to leverage manufacturing overhead while maintaining relatively stable raw material costs as a percentage of net sales as we were able to increase prices by approximately 2% in 2011 to effectively pass through higher commodity costs to our customers. Because a majority of our sales are into the aftermarket where we do not have long-term contracts, we had the ability to pass the impact of commodity cost increases onto our customers in 2011.

Selling and Administrative Expenses
    
Selling and administrative expenses increased $8.4 million, or 4%, in 2011 from 2010. This increase was the result of $7.9 million higher employee costs and $4.9 million higher other selling and administrative expenses to support our domestic and international growth. These higher selling and administrative expenses were partially offset by a $4.4 million decline in compensation related to our company-wide profit sharing program. With selling and administrative expenses growing only 4% while our net sales increased 11%, we reduced our selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales to 17.9% in 2011 from 19.2% in 2010.

2010 versus 2009

Our 2010 operating performance improved from 2009 primarily due to a $103.7 million, or 11%, increase in net sales. The incremental net sales allowed us to leverage our manufacturing overhead and increase our gross margin percentage to 33.5% from 30.8% in 2009. The $103.7 million increase in net sales was the result of a $72.8 million increase at our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment and a $21.5 million increase at our Packaging segment. The net sales increase at our Packaging segment included a no-margin $4.6 million tooling and equipment sale to one of our customers. Net sales at our Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment increased $9.4 million compared with 2009 despite a $13.7 million decline in HVAC filter sales to 3M as we were informed by 3M in the third quarter of 2009 that it would no longer be purchasing air filters from us.  Accordingly, we had no air filter sales to 3M in 2010.
    
The increase in operating margin to 14.3% in 2010 from 11.6% in 2009 was primarily the result of a 2.7 percentage point improvement in gross margin percentage. This 2.7 percentage point improvement was a result of the net sales increase and the associated leveraging of manufacturing overhead in addition to the cost benefits from the restructuring of our HVAC filter operations. The 33.5% gross margin percentage in 2010 was our highest annual gross margin percentage at that time in almost twenty years. Selling and administrative expenses in 2010 as a percentage of net sales were consistent with 2009 but increased $20.2 million primarily as a result of incremental employee compensation associated with our company-wide profit sharing program and additional legal expenses partially offset by a reduction in bad debt expense.

The 14.3% operating margin in 2010 not only was 2.7 percentage points greater than 2009, but it was equivalent to the operating margin from 2008 despite $48.2 million lower net sales. We were able to generate a 2010 operating margin equivalent to 2008 despite lower net sales in 2010 compared to 2008 as a result of various cost efficiencies implemented in 2009 including the benefits of the aforementioned restructuring program at our HVAC filter operations. As a result of this improved operating performance, diluted earnings per share of $1.88 in 2010 was 34% greater than diluted earnings per share of $1.40 in 2009 and $0.02 greater than diluted earnings per share of $1.86 in 2008.

20

Table of Contents


Other Items

Other significant items impacting the comparison between the years presented are as follows:

Fifty-third week

2011 included fifty-three weeks in its fiscal year while 2010 included fifty-two weeks in its fiscal year.

Significant acquisitions

The acquisition of TransWeb in the first quarter of 2011 increased our 2011 net sales (excluding $2.5 million of net sales to other CLARCOR companies) and operating profit as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2011
Net sales
$
13,022

Operating profit
2,552

     
Foreign exchange

The average exchange rate for foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar favorably impacted our translated U.S. dollar value of net sales and operating profit in both 2011 and 2010 as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2011
 
2010
Net sales
$
12,458

 
$
6,605

Operating profit
2,286

 
1,724


Other income (expense)

Interest expense

Interest expense was $0.5 million in both 2011 and 2010.

Interest expense declined $1.6 million in 2010 compared with 2009. $1.1 million of this decrease was due to the impact of a mark-to-market adjustment on an interest rate swap agreement in 2009. The remaining $0.5 million decline primarily resulted from lower interest expense on our line of credit primarily driven by lower average outstanding balances ($7.9 million in 2010 compared to $61.3 million in 2009).
   
Foreign currency gains and losses

Changes in foreign currency transaction gains and losses positively impacted other income (expense) by $0.8 million in 2011 versus 2010. We recognized a foreign currency gain of $0.1 million in 2011 and a foreign currency loss of $0.7 million in 2010. The foreign currency loss in 2010 was from the translation of cash accounts at certain foreign subsidiaries denominated in currencies other than their functional currencies.

Changes in foreign currency transaction gains and losses negatively impacted other income (expense) by $1.9 million in 2010 versus 2009. We recognized a foreign currency loss of $0.7 million in 2010 from the translation of cash accounts at certain foreign subsidiaries denominated in currencies other than their functional currency. As most foreign currencies strengthened against the U.S. dollar throughout 2009, we recognized approximately $1.2 million of foreign currency gains in 2009 mostly related to the translation of U.S. dollar denominated intercompany debt at our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Most of this U.S. dollar denominated intercompany debt was repaid by the first quarter of 2010.
   

21

Table of Contents


Provision for income taxes

The effective tax rate in 2011 was 31.4% compared with 32.8% in 2010. This lower effective tax rate was primarily due to the renewal of the research and development tax credit in 2011, a higher domestic production activities deduction in 2011 and the recognition of a $1.0 million tax benefit in 2011 from the release of a valuation allowance recorded against net operating loss carryovers at one of our foreign subsidiaries.

The effective tax rate in 2010 was 32.8% compared with 32.0% in 2009. This increase was primarily driven by the expiration of the research and development tax credit in 2010.
     
Shares outstanding

Average diluted shares outstanding have remained relatively flat in 2011, 2010 and 2009 as incremental dilutive shares related to the exercise of stock options and the issuance of restricted shares have been offset by our repurchase of common stock.


SEGMENT ANALYSIS

(Dollars in thousands)
2011
 
% Total
 
2010
 
% Total
 
2009
 
% Total
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Engine/Mobile Filtration
$
510,012

 
45
%
 
$
446,104

 
44
%
 
$
373,295

 
41
%
Industrial/Environmental Filtration
523,026

 
46
%
 
470,359

 
47
%
 
461,000

 
51
%
Packaging
93,563

 
9
%
 
94,966

 
9
%
 
73,453

 
8
%
 
$
1,126,601

 
100
%
 
$
1,011,429

 
100
%
 
$
907,748

 
100
%
Gross profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Engine/Mobile Filtration
$
189,511

 
49
%
 
$
165,384

 
49
%
 
$
129,560

 
46
%
Industrial/Environmental Filtration
173,731

 
45
%
 
154,098

 
46
%
 
136,546

 
49
%
Packaging
20,179

 
6
%
 
18,925

 
5
%
 
13,182

 
5
%
 
$
383,421

 
100
%
 
$
338,407

 
100
%
 
$
279,288

 
100
%
Operating profit:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Engine/Mobile Filtration
$
112,839

 
62
%
 
$
92,246

 
64
%
 
$
75,216

 
71
%
Industrial/Environmental Filtration
58,028

 
32
%
 
43,515

 
30
%
 
24,712

 
23
%
Packaging
10,400

 
6
%
 
8,888

 
6
%
 
5,805

 
6
%
 
$
181,267

 
100
%
 
$
144,649

 
100
%
 
$
105,733

 
100
%
Gross margin:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Engine/Mobile Filtration
37.2%
 
 
 
37.1%
 
 
 
34.7%
 
 
Industrial/Environmental Filtration
33.2%
 
 
 
32.8%
 
 
 
29.6%
 
 
Packaging
21.6%
 
 
 
19.9%
 
 
 
17.9%
 
 
 
34.0%
 
 
 
33.5%
 
 
 
30.8%
 
 
Operating margin:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Engine/Mobile Filtration
22.1%
 
 

 
20.7%
 
 

 
20.1%
 
 

Industrial/Environmental Filtration
11.1%
 
 

 
9.3%
 
 

 
5.4%
 
 

Packaging
11.1%
 
 

 
9.4%
 
 

 
7.9%
 
 

 
16.1%
 
 

 
14.3%
 
 

 
11.6%
 
 



22

Table of Contents

Engine/Mobile Filtration Segment

(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011 v 2010
 
 
2010 v 2009
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
Net sales
$
510,012

 
$
446,104

 
$
373,295

 
$
63,908

 
14
 %
 
 
$
72,809

 
20
%
 
Cost of sales
320,501

 
280,720

 
243,735

 
39,781

 
14
 %
 
 
36,985

 
15
%
 
Gross profit
189,511

 
165,384

 
129,560

 
24,127

 
15
 %
 
 
35,824

 
28
%
 
Selling and administrative expenses
76,672

 
73,138

 
54,344

 
3,534

 
5
 %
 
 
18,794

 
35
%
 
Operating profit
112,839

 
92,246

 
75,216

 
20,593

 
22
 %
 
 
17,030

 
23
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
37.2
%
 
37.1
%
 
34.7
%
 
 
 
0.1

pt
 
 
 
2.4

pt
Selling and administrative percentage
15.0
%
 
16.4
%
 
14.6
%
 
 
 
(1.4
)
pt
 
 
 
1.8

pt
Operating margin
22.1
%
 
20.7
%
 
20.1
%
 
 

 
1.4

pt
 
 

 
0.6

pt

Our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment primarily sells aftermarket filters for heavy-duty trucks and off-highway vehicles, locomotives and automobiles.  The largest market in this segment includes heavy-duty engine truck filters produced at our Baldwin business unit.

2011 versus 2010

Net Sales

The $63.9 million, or 14%, increase in net sales for our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment in 2011 from 2010 is detailed in the following tables:

Volume
11
%
Pricing
1
%
Foreign exchange
2
%
 
14
%

(Dollars in millions)
Net Sales
2010
$
446.1

 
 

U.S. net sales
32.3

Foreign net sales (including export)
24.2

Foreign exchange
7.4

Net increase
63.9

 
 

2011
$
510.0



23

Table of Contents


The net increase in U.S. sales for the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment in 2011 from 2010 is detailed as follows:

(Dollars in millions)
Net Sales
Heavy-duty engine filters
$
28.2

Locomotive filters
2.4

Other
1.7

Increase in U.S. net sales
$
32.3



Our sales of heavy-duty engine filters in the U.S. were positively influenced by the strength of the U.S. trucking industry compared with 2010. Heavy-duty truck tonnage in the U.S. as measured by the American Trucking Associations was approximately 5% higher in 2011 compared with 2010. Our 2011 sales in the U.S. were also positively influenced by market share gains which we estimate contributed approximately 4% to our sales growth. Our U.S. sales of locomotive filters increased approximately 7% in 2011 compared with 2010 as U.S. rail activity improved.

The increase in net sales outside the U.S. (including export sales and adjusted for changes in foreign currency) was driven by higher heavy-duty engine filter sales in many geographic locations including China where sales increased $7.2 million, or 29%, from 2010 primarily from additional sales of new parts to OEM engine manufacturers. Our export sales from the U.S. increased $11.4 million, or 20%, from 2010 as we increased our sales into South America and the Middle East of existing products to existing customers. Our heavy-duty engine filter sales in Europe increased $3.2 million, or 7%, from 2010 primarily due to market share gains.

Cost of Sales
 
Cost of sales increased $39.8 million, or 14%, in 2011 from 2010, consistent with the 14% increase in net sales. As a result, cost of sales as a percentage of sales remained relatively flat at 62.8% in 2011 compared with 62.9% in 2010. Our raw material costs at our manufacturing facilities increased approximately 3% in 2011 compared with 2010. However, we were able to pass through most of these higher raw material costs to our customers through approximately 1% higher pricing. Accordingly, our raw material cost as a percentage of net sales at our manufacturing facilities increased less than 1.0 percentage point in 2011 compared with 2010. Other components of cost of sales including direct labor and manufacturing overhead increased slightly less than the 14% increase in net sales, reflecting labor efficiencies and overhead absorption benefits driven by higher sales volume.
    
Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses increased $3.5 million, or 5%, in 2011 from 2010. This increase was the result of $3.1 million higher employee costs and $1.7 million higher various other selling and administrative expenses to support our domestic and international growth partially offset by a $1.3 million decline in compensation related to our profit sharing program. With selling and administrative expenses growing only 5% while our net sales increased 14%, we reduced our selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales to 15.0% in 2011 from 16.4% in 2010.

24

Table of Contents


2010 versus 2009

The net sales increases for our Engine/Mobile Filtration segment for 2010 compared with 2009 are detailed in the following table:

(Dollars in millions)
Net Sales
2009
$
373.3

 
 

U.S. net sales
36.8

Foreign net sales (including export)
30.0

Foreign exchange
6.0

Net increase
72.8

 
 

2010
$
446.1

 
The net increase in U.S. sales for the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment in 2010 compared with 2009 is detailed as follows:

(Dollars in millions)
Net Sales
Heavy-duty engine filters
$
33.7

Locomotive filters
3.1

Increase in U.S. net sales
$
36.8


Our sales of heavy-duty engine filters in the U.S. in 2010 were positively influenced by the strength in the U.S. trucking industry. Heavy-duty truck tonnage in the U.S. as measured by the American Trucking Associations was approximately 6% higher in 2010 compared with 2009. Our U.S. sales of railroad filtration products increased approximately 10% in 2010 compared with 2009 as U.S. rail activity improved.

Net sales (including export sales and adjusted for changes in foreign currency) outside the U.S. increased $30.0 million in 2010 from 2009. This increase was spread throughout our diverse international markets. However, approximately $12.0 million of this increase in 2010 was from sales in China which were positively impacted by market penetration with sales of heavy-duty engine filters to OEM engine manufacturers.

The increase in operating profit for the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment compared with 2009 was driven by the increase in heavy-duty engine filter sales. For 2010, selling and administrative expenses were approximately $18.8 million higher than 2009. This increase was the result of higher payments under our company-wide profit sharing program and incremental legal expenses. We estimate that the change in average foreign exchange rates from 2009 to 2010 positively influenced the translated U.S. dollar value of 2010 operating profit by $1.6 million.

25

Table of Contents


Industrial/Environmental Filtration Segment

(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011 v 2010
 
 
2010 v 2009
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
 
$ Change
 
%
Change
 
Net sales
$
523,026

 
$
470,359

 
$
461,000

 
$
52,667

 
11
 %
 
 
$
9,359

 
2
 %
 
Cost of sales
349,295

 
316,261

 
324,454

 
33,034

 
10
 %
 
 
(8,193
)
 
(3
)%
 
Gross profit
173,731

 
154,098

 
136,546

 
19,633

 
13
 %
 
 
17,552

 
13
 %
 
Selling and administrative expenses
115,703

 
110,583

 
111,834

 
5,120

 
5
 %
 
 
(1,251
)
 
(1
)%
 
Operating profit
58,028

 
43,515

 
24,712

 
14,513

 
33
 %
 
 
18,803

 
76
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
33.2
%
 
32.8
%
 
29.6
%
 
 
 
0.4

pt
 
 
 
3.2

pt
Selling and administrative percentage
22.1
%
 
23.5
%
 
24.3
%
 
 
 
(1.4
)
pt
 
 
 
(0.8
)
pt
Operating margin
11.1
%
 
9.3
%
 
5.4
%
 
 

 
1.8

pt
 
 

 
3.9

pt

Our Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment sells a large variety of filtration products to various end-markets.  Included in this market are HVAC filters, natural gas vessels and aftermarket filters, aviation fuel filters and filter systems, and other markets including oil drilling, aerospace, fibers and resins and dust collector systems.

2011 versus 2010

Net Sales    

The $52.7 million, or 11%, net sales increase for our Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment in 2011 from 2010 is detailed in the following tables:
Volume
5
%
Pricing
2
%
TransWeb acquisition
3
%
Foreign exchange
1
%
 
11
%

(Dollars in millions)
Net Sales
2010
$
470.4

 
 

U.S. net sales
50.7

Foreign net sales (including export)
(3.2
)
Foreign exchange
5.1

Net increase
52.6

 
 

2011
$
523.0


    

26

Table of Contents


The net increase in U.S. sales for the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment in 2011 from 2010 is detailed as follows:


(Dollars in millions)
Net Sales
Air filtration
$
12.3

Natural gas - vessels and aftermarket filters
9.8

TransWeb acquisition
9.5

Filter sales through Total Filtration Services ("TFS")
6.3

Aerospace, oil drilling and other industrial filters
6.0

Aviation - vessels and aftermarket filters
3.8

Dust collector systems
3.0

Increase in U.S. net sales
$
50.7



The increase in sales of air filtration products was due to the introduction of new product offerings including swine farm filters and housings, an increase in market share and a customer price increase in the second quarter of 2011.

Higher sales to the natural gas market in 2011 were due to an increase in natural gas vessel sales arising from additional pipeline construction, while sales of aftermarket filters were relatively flat.

U.S. net sales from TransWeb include only eleven months since the TransWeb acquisition was completed at the end of December 2010. TransWeb also had foreign net sales of $3.5 million in 2011.

Increased sales at TFS in 2011 was the result of higher filter sales to a variety of markets including aerospace, automotive, chemical and general industrial.

The increase in sales to the aerospace, oil drilling and other industrial markets in 2011 was primarily due to higher sales to the commercial aerospace market and of wire mesh filters to the fibers and plastics industries offset by lower sales to the oil drilling industry.

The increase in aviation vessels and aftermarket filters in 2011 was due in part to a large new vessel customer and higher order volume of aftermarket filters from existing customers.

Higher dust collector system sales in 2011 were the result of higher sales of kitchen emission systems and Dust Hog® and Smog Hog® products.


The $3.2 million decline in foreign net sales (adjusted for changes in foreign currency) in 2011 was primarily driven by $7.8 million lower aviation, marine and petrochemical filter and vessel sales in Europe due to less favorable Euro zone economic conditions and $6.7 million lower natural gas filter and vessel sales in Malaysia due to several large orders in 2010 that did not repeat in 2011 offset by $5.9 million higher sales of oil and gas products in Brazil as we entered that geographic market in 2011 and $3.8 million higher natural gas filter and vessel sales in Canada from the addition of sales resources in that geographic market in 2011.

Cost of Sales

Our 2011 cost of sales increased $33.0 million, or 10%, from 2010. This increase was primarily the result of the 11% increase in net sales. Since our percentage growth in cost of sales was lower than our percentage growth in net sales, our cost of sales as a percentage of net sales declined to 66.8% in 2011 compared with 67.2% in 2010. Our major components of cost of sales including raw material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead all remained relatively flat as a percentage of net sales compared with 2010. Although raw material costs increased about 4%, we were able to effectively pass through most of these higher raw material costs to our customers through 2% higher pricing.

27

Table of Contents


Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses increased $5.0 million, or 5%, in 2011 from 2010. This increase was the result of $3.0 million higher employee costs, $1.8 million higher compensation related to our profit sharing program and $0.2 million higher other selling and administrative expenses to support our domestic and international growth. With selling and administrative expenses growing only 5% while our net sales increased 11%, we reduced our selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales to 22.1% in 2011 from 23.5% in 2010.

2010 versus 2009

The net sales increase for our Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment for 2010 compared with 2009 is detailed in the following table:

(Dollars in millions)
Net Sales
2009
$
461.0

 
 

U.S. net sales
10.2

Foreign net sales (including export)
(1.4
)
Foreign exchange
0.6

Net increase
9.4

 
 

2010
$
470.4


The net increase in U.S. sales for the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment in 2010 as compared with 2009 is detailed as follows:

(Dollars in millions)
 
Air filtration - 3M
$
(13.7
)
Air filtration - retail trial
(3.6
)
Air filtration - commercial and industrial
9.8

Filter sales through Total Filtration Services ("TFS")
7.2

Aerospace, oil drilling and other industrial filters
6.3

Natural gas - vessels and aftermarket filters
2.0

Aviation - vessels and aftermarket filters
1.2

Other
1.0

Increase in U.S. net sales
$
10.2


In the third quarter of 2009, we were informed by 3M that it would no longer be purchasing air filters from us.  Accordingly, we had no air filter sales to 3M in 2010.  In 2009, we sold $3.6 million of our high-end Purolator® brand residential air filters to a large retail store chain on a trial basis.  These sales did not repeat in 2010. The remaining increase in air filter sales in the U.S. in 2010 was primarily due to improved general economic conditions.

The increase in U.S. net sales in 2010 at TFS was the result of increased filter sales to the automotive and other industrial markets including chemical, metals and power generation.  Filter sales to the automotive industry increased $2.3 million in 2010 compared with 2009 as the automotive industry recovered from the economic downturn in 2009.  These automotive industry sales were primarily air filters used in manufacturing and other facilities.

28

Table of Contents


The increase in 2010 U.S. sales to the aerospace, oil drilling and other industrial markets was driven in part by additional Parts Manufacturer Approvals (“PMAs”) from commercial aerospace customers and as a result of improved general economic conditions which supported net sales increases notably in the wire mesh filter and other industrial markets.

Net sales in the U.S. natural gas market increased slightly in 2010 compared with 2009 due to an increase in aftermarket filter sales offset by a similar reduction in vessel sales.  The increase in aftermarket filter sales was driven by a focused effort to build our market share in this segment.  The reduction in natural gas vessel sales was due to the lower price of natural gas and the related decrease in construction of new natural gas pipelines in 2010 compared with 2009.

The increase in U.S. aviation net sales in 2010 was primarily the result of a large military aviation aftermarket filter sale consummated in the third quarter of 2010.

The decline in foreign sales in 2010 was driven by a reduction in European sales primarily in Spain and Germany.  The reduction in Spain was caused by a reduction in military aviation orders. The reduction in Germany was caused by several large system orders consummated in 2009 that did not repeat in 2010.  In addition, a decline in natural gas vessel sales in Canada due to the lower price of natural gas contributed to the reduction in foreign sales in 2010.  These foreign sales reductions were partially offset by an increase in filter sales to the oil drilling market, primarily in Asia during 2010.

The increase in operating profit and margin at our Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment was the result of the continued improved operating results at our air filter operations (including TFS) where operating profit increased in 2010 compared with 2009.  Despite lower overall air filter sales in 2010, primarily from the loss of 3M sales, operating profit increased due to the benefits of our restructuring program which was substantially completed in 2009, lower material costs driven by lower commodity prices and improved material efficiency and lower selling and administrative expenses.  Driven by stronger sales, operating profit in our aerospace, oil drilling and other industrial markets increased in 2010 compared with 2009.  The operating profit at the remaining Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment markets, including aviation and natural gas, increased in 2010 compared with 2009.  The operating margin increase of 3.9 percentage points for 2010 was primarily influenced by the restructuring efforts at our air filter operations, lower material costs and a higher mix of aftermarket filters (which have higher operating margins than vessels) sold in our natural gas, aviation and marine markets.  We estimate that the change in average foreign exchange rates from 2009 to 2010 positively impacted operating profit by $0.1 million.

Packaging Segment

(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011 v 2010
 
 
2010 v 2009
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
Net sales
$
93,563

 
$
94,966

 
$
73,453

 
$
(1,403
)
 
(1
)%
 
 
$
21,513

 
29
%
 
Cost of sales
73,384

 
76,041

 
60,271

 
(2,657
)
 
(3
)%
 
 
15,770

 
26
%
 
Gross profit
20,179

 
18,925

 
13,182

 
1,254

 
7
 %
 
 
5,743

 
44
%
 
Selling and administrative expenses
9,779

 
10,037

 
7,377

 
(258
)
 
(3
)%
 
 
2,660

 
36
%
 
Operating profit
10,400

 
8,888

 
5,805

 
1,512

 
17
 %
 
 
3,083

 
53
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
21.6
%
 
19.9
%
 
17.9
%
 
 
 
1.7

pt
 
 
 
2.0

pt
Selling and administrative percentage
10.5
%
 
10.6
%
 
10.0
%
 
 
 
(0.1
)
pt
 
 
 
0.6

pt
Operating margin
11.1
%
 
9.4
%
 
7.9
%
 
 

 
1.7

pt
 
 

 
1.5

pt

Our Packaging segment manufactures and markets consumer and industrial packaging products.

29

Table of Contents


2011 versus 2010

Net Sales

The 1% reduction in net sales at our Packaging segment in 2011 from 2010 is detailed in the following table:

Volume
1
 %
Pricing
3
 %
No-margin tooling and equipment sale in 2010
(5
)%
 
(1
)%

Net sales at our Packaging segment declined $1.4 million, or 1%, in 2011 from 2010. However, this decline was influenced by a no-margin $4.6 million tooling and equipment sale to one of our customers in 2010. Excluding the impact of this tooling and equipment sale, net sales increased $3.2 million, or 4%, from 2010. This sales increase was driven by $2.2 million higher packaging sales to the confection market and $1.3 million higher sales to the smokeless tobacco market offset by lower sales to the film industry and of decorated flat sheet metal, including lower holiday promotional sales.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales declined $2.7 million, or 3%, in 2011 from 2010. However, this decline was influenced by costs for the $4.6 million no-margin tooling and equipment sale in 2010. All of the following comments and calculations exclude the impact of this tooling and equipment sale:

Cost of sales increased $1.9 million, or 3%, from 2010. This increase was driven by a 4% increase in net sales. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales declined slightly in 2011 to 78.4% from 79.1% in 2010. Even though our raw material costs increased approximately 8% in 2011, raw material cost as a percentage of net sales increased only 0.9 percentage point because we were able to pass a portion of these higher raw material costs to our customers through higher pricing. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased 0.7 percentage points despite the 0.9 percentage point increase in raw material cost primarily due to a 2.2 percentage point reduction in manufacturing overhead offset by a 0.6 percentage point increase in direct labor costs.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses declined $0.3 million, or 3%, in 2011 from 2010. This reduction was primarily the result of $0.3 million lower compensation related to our profit-sharing program.

2010 versus 2009

Net Sales

The $21.5 million, or 29%, increase in net sales at our Packaging segment in 2010 from 2009 included a no-margin $4.6 million equipment and tooling sale to one of our customers. Excluding the impact of this tooling and equipment sale, net sales increased $16.9 million, or 23%, in 2010 from 2009. This $16.9 million sales increase was primarily the result of $9.8 million additional sales from smokeless tobacco packaging and $5.4 million from decorated flat sheet metal.
 
Cost of Sales

Cost of sales increased $15.8 million, or 26%, in 2010 from 2009. However, this increase was influenced by $4.6 million of cost from the no-margin tooling and equipment sale to one of our customers in 2010. Excluding the impact of this tooling and equipment sale:

Cost of sales increased $11.2 million, or 19%, from 2010. This increase was driven by a 23% increase in net sales. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales declined in 2010 to 79.1% from 82.1% in 2009. Even though our raw material costs increased approximately 2% in 2010, we were able to maintain a relatively flat material cost as a percentage of sales because we were able to pass through a portion of these higher raw material costs to our customers with higher pricing. The reduction in cost of sales as a percentage of sales was primarily due to a reduction in manufacturing overhead as a percentage of net sales.

30

Table of Contents

   
Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses increased $2.7 million, or 36%, in 2010 from 2009. This increase was the result of $1.1 million higher compensation related to our profit-sharing program, higher employee costs and additional costs allocated from our corporate headquarters.


FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe we have adequate cash and sufficient borrowing capacity under our five-year multicurrency revolving credit agreement (“Credit Facility”) to finance our current operations and anticipated growth.  On December 8, 2007, we entered into our Credit Facility under which we may borrow up to $250.0 million under a selection of currencies and rate formulas.  We believe the financial institutions that are party to this arrangement have adequate capital resources and will be able to fund future borrowings under the Credit Facility.  At our election the interest rate is based upon either a defined base rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) interest rate plus or minus applicable margins.  At the end of each 2011 and 2010, the LIBOR interest rate on our Credit Facility including margin was 0.6%.  At the end of 2011, there were no amounts outstanding on the Credit Facility.  However, we had $16.0 million outstanding on a $75.0 million letter of credit subline.  Accordingly, we had approximately $234.0 million available for further borrowing at the end of 2011. We plan to enter into a new revolving credit agreement prior to the December 2012 expiration of the current Credit Facility.

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased $39.4 million to $157.1 million at the end of 2011 from $117.7 million at the end of 2010.  Of the $157.1 million of cash at the end of 2011, approximately $87.6 million was held at entities outside the U.S.  Although we plan to use this cash at our non-U.S. entities, if we repatriated this cash to the U.S., we could incur significant tax expense since most of this cash is considered permanently invested for U.S. tax purposes.  Cash and cash equivalents are held by financial institutions throughout the world. We regularly review the credit worthiness of these institutions and believe our funds at these institutions are not at significant risk.  The current ratio of 3.8 at the end of 2011 was greater than the current ratio of 3.2 at the end of 2010. This increase was primarily the result of a $74.6 million increase in total current assets including a $39.4 million increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, an $18.5 million increase in accounts receivable and a $17.9 million increase in inventory. 

Total long-term debt of $17.3 million at the end of 2011 included $15.8 million outstanding on industrial revenue bonds and $1.5 million of other long-term debt.  At the end of 2011 and 2010 we were in compliance with all financial covenants as included in our Credit Facility.  We expect to be in compliance with these covenants in the foreseeable future.  The ratio of total debt to total capitalization (defined as long-term debt plus total shareholders’ equity) was 2.0% at the end of 2011 compared to 2.3% at the end of 2010.

We had 50.1 million shares of common stock outstanding at the end of 2011 compared with 50.3 million at the end of 2010.  This 0.2 million decrease was due to our repurchase of 0.7 million shares during 2011 offset in part by the issuance of 0.5 million shares in conjunction with incentive plans.  Shareholders’ equity increased to $835.6 million at the end of 2011 from $757.5 million at the end of 2010.  This $78.1 million increase was driven by net earnings of $124.4 million, stock issued and stock compensation expense pursuant to incentive plans of $14.9 million offset by pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments of $7.6 million, dividend payments of $22.0 million, our repurchase of common stock of $29.3 million and currency translation adjustments of $2.0 million.

Cash Flow 2011 versus 2010

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $24.0 million in 2011 to $119.4 million from $143.4 million in 2010.  This decrease was primarily due to a $32.2 million decrease in cash generated from changes in short-term investments and $19.9 million of additional cash required for working capital to support higher net sales offset by a $28.0 million increase in net earnings.  

Net cash used in investing activities increased $17.2 million in 2011 from 2010 primarily due to $16.1 million of cash paid pursuant to the TransWeb acquisition.

31

Table of Contents


Net cash used in financing activities decreased $22.6 million to $39.9 million in 2011 from $62.5 million in 2010. The $39.9 million cash used in financing activities in 2011 was primarily due to payments of $29.3 million for our repurchase of common stock and $22.0 million for the payment of dividends partially offset by $8.4 million received for the issuance of stock pursuant to employee incentive plans. The $62.5 million cash used in financing activities in 2010 was primarily due to payments of $35.0 million on our Credit Facility, $20.1 million for the payment of dividends and $16.3 million for our repurchase of common stock partially offset by $7.3 million received for the issuance of stock pursuant to employee incentive plans.
  
Cash Flow 2010 versus 2009

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $29.7 million to $143.4 million in fiscal year 2010 from $113.7 million in 2009.  This increase was primarily driven by a $24.5 million increase in net earnings and $57.1 million of cash generated from changes in short-term investments offset by $51.4 million of additional cash required for working capital to support higher net sales.

Net cash used in investing activities declined $8.1 million in 2010 from 2009. This reduction was primarily the result of a reduction in cash used for business acquisitions of $7.3 million. We used $7.3 million of cash in 2009 for several smaller acquisitions while we completed no acquisitions in 2010.

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $7.5 million to $62.5 million in 2010 from $70.0 million in 2009. The $62.5 million cash used in financing activities in 2010 was primarily due to payments of $35.0 million on our Credit Facility, $20.1 million for the payment of dividends and $16.3 million for our repurchase of common stock partially offset by $7.3 million received for the issuance of stock pursuant to employee incentive plans. The $70.0 million cash used in financing activities in 2009 was primarily due to payments of $40.0 million on our Credit Facility, $19.8 million for our repurchase of common stock, $18.7 million for the payment of dividends offset by $8.4 million received from the re-issuance of an industrial revenue bond.

On December 29, 2010, we acquired all of the outstanding equity interests in TransWeb, a privately-owned manufacturer and supplier of media used in a variety of end-market applications, including respirators and HVAC filters.  The base purchase price to acquire TransWeb was approximately $30.0 million, excluding cash acquired, plus a potential earn-out payable to one of the former owners.  Of the base purchase price, we withheld $17.0 million pending resolution of certain patent litigation described in Item 3 of this 2011 Form 10-K and referenced in Note L to our Consolidated Financial Statements, which funds may be used by us in connection with the same.  We paid the balance of the purchase price with available cash. At the end of 2011, we have applied charges of approximately $6.3 million against the amount withheld, leaving a remaining balance of approximately $10.7 million.

Fiscal Year 2012

In 2011 we announced that we intend to invest approximately $28.0 million in 2011 through 2014 to expand our manufacturing facility in Yankton, South Dakota to add capacity to produce heavy-duty engine filters. We expect that this additional capacity will support sales growth in the U.S. and for export and that it will be operational before the end of 2012. We anticipate that additional equipment will be added through 2014.     

We believe that our current operations will continue to generate cash and that sufficient borrowings under the Credit Facility remain available to fund current operating needs, pay dividends, invest in the development of new products and filter media, fund planned capital expenditures and expansion of current facilities, provide for interest payments and required principal payments related to debt agreements, fund pension plan contributions and repurchase common stock.  We also continue to assess acquisition opportunities in related filtration businesses that would expand our market base, distribution coverage or product offerings.  Any such acquisitions potentially would affect operating cash flows and require changes in our debt and capitalization.   In addition, capital market disruptions may affect the cost or availability of future borrowings.  We have no material long-term purchase commitments.  

We will continue to assess repurchases of our common stock.  In June 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a $250.0 million stock repurchase program of our common stock in the open market and through private transactions over a three-year period.  During 2011, we repurchased and retired 0.7 million shares of our common stock for $29.3 million at an average price of $42.88 per share.  During 2010, we repurchased and retired 0.4 million shares of our common stock for $16.3 million at an average price of $36.50 per share.  At the end of 2011, there was approximately $204.4 million available for repurchase under the current authorization.  Future repurchases of our common stock may be made after considering cash flow requirements for internal growth, capital expenditures, acquisitions, interest rates and the market price of our common stock.

32

Table of Contents


The following table summarizes our current fixed cash obligations as of the end of fiscal year 2011 for the years indicated:

 
Payments Due by Period
(Dollars in millions)
Total
 
Less than 1
Year
 
1 - 3
Years
 
3 - 5
Years
 
More than 5
Years
Pension plan and other post-retirement contributions
$
54.4

 
$
19.7

 
$
29.6

 
$
2.4

 
$
2.7

Operating leases
52.4

 
10.7

 
17.9

 
10.8

 
13.0

Long-term debt (excluding line of credit)
17.3

 
1.3

 
0.1

 
8.4

 
7.5

Interest on long-term debt (excluding line of credit)
1.0

 
0.1

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
0.5

Contingent earnout
1.1

 

 

 
1.1

 

Payments for acquisitions
0.1

 
0.1

 

 

 

Investment in affiliate
0.1

 
0.1

 

 

 

Total
$
126.4

 
$
32.0

 
$
47.8

 
$
22.9

 
$
23.7


Anticipated payments pursuant to our pension plans and for other post-retirement benefits are based upon the assumption that we make the minimum required contributions and also make additional contributions to maintain a funded percentage of at least 80% for each plan.  Future estimates of our pension plan contributions may change significantly depending upon the actual rate of return on plan assets, discount rates and regulatory requirements.

Interest payments on our variable rate debt in the table above are determined based upon current interest rates as of the end of 2011 and assume that no additional borrowings or payments will be made on our Credit Facility during the periods presented.

At the end of fiscal year 2011, our gross liability for uncertain income tax provisions was $3.0 million including interest and penalties.  Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of potential future cash outflows associated with these liabilities, we were unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period in which these remaining liabilities might be paid.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our off-balance sheet arrangements relate to various operating leases as discussed in Note H to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  We had no variable interest entity or special purpose entity agreements during 2011 or 2010.
 
OTHER MATTERS

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our critical accounting policies, including the assumptions and judgments underlying them, are disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These policies have been consistently applied in all material respects and address such matters as revenue recognition, depreciation methods, inventory valuation, asset impairment recognition, business combination accounting and pension and postretirement benefits. These critical accounting policies may be affected by recent relevant accounting pronouncements discussed in the following section.

33

Table of Contents


While the estimates and judgments associated with the application of these critical accounting policies may be affected by different assumptions or conditions, we believe the estimates and judgments associated with the reported amounts are appropriate in the circumstances. The following lists the most critical accounting estimates used in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements which require us to use significant judgment and estimates of amounts that are inherently uncertain:

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets – We annually review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment during the fourth quarter and more often if an event occurs or circumstances that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  These reviews of fair value involve judgment and estimates of discount rates, terminal values, transaction multiples and future cash flows for the reporting units that may be impacted by future sales and operating results for the reporting units, market conditions and worldwide economic conditions.  All goodwill and intangibles are allocated to the reporting unit component at the time of acquisition.  We have determined that the reporting unit components meet the criteria for aggregation into five reporting units.  These reporting units are aggregated based upon similar economic characteristics, nature of products and services, nature of production processes, type of customers and distribution methods.  In performing our impairment reviews, we estimated the fair values of the aggregated reporting units using a present value method that discounted future cash flows using market participant based assumptions.  For our indefinite-lived intangibles, we performed annual impairment tests using the relief-from-royalty method to determine the fair value of our trademarks and trade names.  We further analyzed various discount rates, transaction and capital market multiples and cash flows for aggregated reporting units to assess the reasonableness of our estimates and assumptions.  We believe our valuation techniques and assumptions are reasonable for this purpose.  We have not materially changed our methodology for valuing goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.  The results of our analysis performed as of December 3, 2011 indicated that the estimated fair value of each reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value and, accordingly, no impairment existed.   There were no goodwill or indefinite lived intangible asset impairment charges recorded in fiscal years 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Allowance for Losses on Accounts Receivable – Allowances for losses on customer accounts receivable balances are estimated based on economic conditions in the industries to which we sell and on historical experience by evaluating specific customer accounts for risk of loss, fluctuations in amounts owed and current payment trends.  Our concentration of risk is also monitored and at the end of 2011, the largest outstanding customer account balance was $6.2 million and the five largest account balances totaled $23.2 million.  The allowances provided are estimates that may be impacted by economic and market conditions which could have an effect on future allowance requirements and results of operations.

Pensions – Our pension obligations are determined using estimates including those related to discount rates, asset values and changes in compensation.  The discount rate used for each plan was based on the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve.  The projected benefit payments in each year were discounted using the appropriate spot rate from the curve.  For each plan, a single discount rate was determined that produced the same total discounted value.  That rate, rounded to 25 basis points, was the discount rate selected for the plan.  The 4.5% discount rate used for the qualified plans for U.S. employees was selected as the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled on the measurement date taking into account the nature and duration of the benefit obligations of the plan using high-quality fixed-income investments currently available (rated Aa or better) and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits.  The 7.5% expected return on plan assets was determined based on historical long-term investment returns as well as future expectations given target investment asset allocations and current economic conditions.  The 4.0% rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for expected increases in salaries among continuing active participants accruing benefits under the qualified plan.  The mortality table for the qualified plans is determined based on the actuarial table that is most reflective of the expected mortality of the plan participants.  The mortality table adopted (RP 2000 Projected) was developed for pension plans by a Society of Actuaries study.  The mortality table used for the nonqualified pension plan is specified by the plan agreement.  The assumptions are similarly determined for each pension obligation.  Actual results and future obligations will vary based on changes in interest rates, stock and bond market valuations and employee compensation.

In 2012, a 0.25% reduction in the expected return on plan assets would result in additional expense of approximately $0.3 million, and a 0.25% reduction in the discount rate would result in additional expense of approximately $0.3 million for our qualified defined benefit pension plans for U.S. covered employees.  Interest rates and pension plan valuations may vary significantly based on worldwide economic conditions and asset investment decisions.  The unrecognized net actuarial loss of $72.7 million at year-end 2011 is due primarily to prior changes in assumptions related to discount rates and expected asset returns compared to actual asset returns.  This actuarial loss will be recognized as pension expense in the future over the average remaining service period of the employees in the plans.  See Note I to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

34

Table of Contents


Income Taxes – We are required to estimate and record income taxes payable for each of the U.S. and international jurisdictions in which we operate.  This process involves estimating actual current tax expense and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing accounting treatment between tax and book which result in deferred tax assets and liabilities.  In addition, accruals are also estimated for federal, state and international tax transactions for which deductibility is subject to interpretation.  Taxes payable and the related deferred tax differences may be impacted by changes to tax laws, changes in tax rates and changes in taxable profits and losses.  Reserves are also estimated for uncertain tax positions that are currently unresolved.  We routinely monitor the potential impact of such situations and believe that it is properly reserved.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amendments to its goodwill impairment testing guidance to simplify how entities test for goodwill impairments. The amendments are intended to reduce complexity and cost by providing a company the option of making an initial qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment in determining whether it should calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. The amendments also include examples of events and circumstances that a company should consider in evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance on December 1, 2012 to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amendments to its comprehensive income guidance to (a) improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting, (b) increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income and (c) facilitate the convergence of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The amendments require all non-owner changes in shareholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The required amendments, pursuant to the guidance, must be applied retrospectively. In December 2011, the FASB issued amendments to defer certain presentation requirements of the initial guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance on December 1, 2012 will affect the presentation of the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, but will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance amending fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in order to align U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Consequently, the amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Some of the amendments clarify the intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance on March 1, 2012 to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance which amends the pro-forma disclosure requirements for business combinations and specifies that if a public company presents comparative financial statements, the company should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though business combinations occurring during the year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only.  The guidance also expands the pro-forma disclosure requirements to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro-forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro-forma revenue and earnings.  We do not expect the adoption of this guidance on December 1, 2011 to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.



35

Table of Contents


Forward Looking Statements

This 2011 Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements made in this 2011 Form 10-K, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.  You can identify these statements from use of the words “may,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “plan,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intent,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target,” “is likely,” “will,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions.  These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements may include, among other things:

statements and assumptions relating to anticipated future growth, earnings, earnings per share and other financial performance measures;
statements regarding management's short-term and long-term performance goals;
statements regarding anticipated order patterns from our customers or the anticipated economic conditions of the industries and markets that we serve;
statements related to the performance of the U.S. and other economies generally;
statements relating to the anticipated effects on results of operations or financial condition from recent and expected developments or events, including acquisitions;
statements regarding the development of our core strategic initiatives, including growing our top-line through the introduction of innovative products while leveraging our technology and media development capabilities;
statements regarding our ability to continue our culture of cost containment and ongoing improvement in support of profitable growth;
statements regarding the introduction of new filtration solutions and leveraging the strength of our existing products and technologies;
statements regarding our current cost structure positions and ability to capitalize on anticipated growth initiatives; and
any other statements or assumptions that are not historical facts.

We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions.  However, these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from our expectations of future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  These factors include, but are not only limited to, risks associated with: (1) world economic factors and the ongoing economic uncertainty impacting many regions of the world, (2) reductions in sales volume and orders, (3) our customers’ financial condition, (4) currency fluctuations, particularly increases or decreases in the U.S. dollar against other currencies, (5) commodity price increases and/or limited availability of raw materials and component products, including steel, (6) compliance costs associated with environmental laws and regulations, (7) political factors, (8) our international operations, (9) highly competitive markets, (10) governmental laws and regulations  including the impact of the economic stimulus and financial reform measures being implemented by governments around the world, (11) the implementation of new information systems, (12) potential global events resulting in instability and unpredictability in the world’s markets, including financial bailouts of sovereign nations, political changes, military and terrorist activities, health outbreaks and other factors, (13) changes in accounting standards or adoption of new accounting standards, (14) adverse effects of natural disasters, (15) legal challenges with respect to intellectual property, and (15) other factors described in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of this 2011 Form 10-K.  In addition, our past results of operations do not necessarily indicate our future results.  Our future results may fluctuate as a result of these and other risk factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  These statements speak only as of the date of this 2011 Form 10-K.  Except as otherwise required by applicable laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or the risks described in this 2011 Form 10-K, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this 2011 Form 10-K.


36

Table of Contents


Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Our market risk is primarily related to the potential loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations.  In the normal course of business, we may also be exposed to various market risks that arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business related to items such as the cost of raw materials and changes in inflation.  Certain contractual relationships with customers and vendors mitigate risks from changes in raw material costs and currency exchange rate changes that arise from normal purchasing and normal sales activities.

Interest Rates

We are exposed to changes in interest rates, primarily due to our financing and cash management activities, which include long and short-term debt as well as cash, cash equivalents and certain short-term, highly liquid investments.  Interest rate fluctuations could affect earnings, cash flows or the fair value of our financial liabilities.  Our debt obligations are primarily at variable rates and are denominated in U.S. dollars.  To minimize the long-term costs of borrowing, we manage our interest rate risk by monitoring trends in rates as a basis for determining whether to enter into fixed rate or variable rate agreements and the duration of such agreements.  We mitigated our interest rate risk on our borrowing under our revolving line of credit in 2009 by entering into a fixed interest rate swap agreement at the beginning of 2008 which fixed our interest until January 2010.  Interest rate risk is not expected to be significant to us in fiscal year 2012 as amounts outstanding on our long-term debt agreements are more than offset by cash and cash equivalents.  The primary interest rate risk will be driven by our return on cash and cash equivalents.  Based upon the $156.0 million in cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2011, a 0.25% change in interest rates could impact annual interest income by approximately $0.4 million.  This change in interest income would increase or decrease as cash and cash equivalents increase or decrease.

Foreign Currency

Since we operate through subsidiaries in several countries around the world, our reported financial results of operations, including the reported value of assets and liabilities, are exposed to translation risk when the financial statements of our subsidiaries, as stated in their functional currencies, are translated into the U.S. Dollar.  The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries outside the U.S. are translated at period end rates of exchange for each reporting period.  Earnings and cash flow statements are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange. Although these translation changes have no immediate cash impact, the translation changes may impact the overall value of net assets.

We are also exposed to transaction risk from changes in foreign currency rates through sales and purchasing transactions when we sell products in functional currencies different from the currency in which product and manufacturing costs were incurred. The functional currencies of our worldwide facilities primarily include U.S. Dollar, Euro, British Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Chinese Yuan Renminbi, Malaysian Ringgit and Mexican Peso. As these currencies fluctuate against each other, and other currencies, we are exposed to foreign currency transaction risk on sales and purchasing transactions.

Currency exchange rates vary daily and often one currency strengthens against the U.S. Dollar while another currency weakens.  Because of the complex interrelationship of the worldwide supply chains and distribution channels, it is difficult to quantify the impact of a particular change in exchange rates.  However, if the U.S. dollar strengthened or weakened 10% relative to the currencies where our foreign income and cash flows are derived, the estimated effect on the consolidated results of operations would be $0.06 per diluted share based upon 2011 results.  The effect of changes in the average foreign currency translation rates in 2011 compared to 2010 positively impacted our operating profit by approximately $2.3 million in 2011.

Commodity Prices    

We are exposed to changing commodity prices, including but not limited to, steel, filter media, resins and other chemicals. Historically, since a large majority of our business units deal with aftermarket customers (as opposed to first-fit or OEM customers) where we have greater control of pricing, we have been able to successfully pass significant commodity price increases onto our customers. In addition, due to the nature of our aftermarket filtration products, we believe our customer demand is rather inelastic, meaning reasonable price increases do not significantly impact customer demand. In addition, our business units which manufacture filtration vessels or systems are typically able to time customer price quotations with steel purchases and are able to base quotations on actual steel costs. If we were not able to pass through commodity price increases to our customers, we estimate a 1% increase/decrease in the price of all the commodities we purchase would increase/decrease cost of sales and decrease/increase operating profit by approximately $5.0 million.

37

Table of Contents


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The Consolidated Financial Statements, the Notes thereto and the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, required hereunder with respect to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are included in this 2011 Form 10-K beginning on page F-1.


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.


Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act.  Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 3, 2011, the end of the period covered by this 2011 Form 10-K.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), for the Company.  Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was conducted based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 3, 2011.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 3, 2011, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 3, 2011, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears on page F-2 of this 2011 Form 10-K.


Item 9B. Other Information.

None.


PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

Certain information required hereunder is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Election of Directors — Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors”, and “Election of Directors — Information Concerning Nominees and Directors”, and “Corporate Governance — Committees of the Board of Directors”, and “Corporate Governance — Code of Ethics” and is incorporated herein by reference. Additional information required hereunder is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s Common Stock — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and is incorporated herein by reference.



38

Table of Contents


Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The information required hereunder is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Compensation of Executive Officers and Other Information”, and “Corporate Governance - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, and “Corporate Governance — Meetings and Fees”, and “Corporate Governance – Director Compensation for Fiscal Year 2011” and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information required hereunder is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s Common Stock” and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required hereunder is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Corporate Governance — Certain Transactions” and “Corporate Governance — Independence” and under the caption “Corporate Governance — Committees of the Board of Directors” and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

The information required hereunder is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Accounting Firm— Amounts Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP” and is incorporated herein by reference.


PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)(1) Financial Statements

 
Page No.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 30, 2011 and 2010
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedule
II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

Financial statements and schedules other than those listed above are omitted for the reason that they are not applicable, are not required, or the information is included in the financial statements or the footnotes therein.

39

Table of Contents


(a)(3) Exhibits
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 17, 2007, by and among the Company, PECO Acquisition Company, Perry Equipment Corp., and PECO Management LLC, as the Shareholder Representative. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2007.
3.1
The registrant’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 1, 2007.
3.2
The registrant’s By-Laws, as amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 19, 2007.
3.3
Certificate of Designation of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of CLARCOR as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 2, 1996. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed April 3, 1996.
4.1
Certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of CLARCOR and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K. CLARCOR hereby agrees to furnish copies of these instruments to the SEC upon request.
10.1
The registrant’s Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of CLARCOR dated January 1, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009. +
10.2
The registrant’s Amended and Restated CLARCOR Deferred Compensation Plan dated January 1, 2008.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009. +
10.2(a)
The registrant’s Supplemental Retirement Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1984. +
10.2(b)
The registrant’s Amended and Restated Executive Retirement Plan dated December 20, 1999 (the “Grandfathered Plan”).  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(b) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009. +
10.2(c)
The registrant’s Amended and Restated CLARCOR Executive Retirement Plan dated January 1, 2009 (the “Later ERP”).  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(c) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009. +
10.2(d)
Amendment No. 1 to the Grandfathered Plan effective as of December 14, 2009.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(d) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009. +
10.2(e)
Amendment No.1 to the Later ERP dated and effective as of December 14, 2009.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K on December 17, 2009. +
10.2(f)
The registrant’s Amended and Restated CLARCOR Supplemental Pension Plan dated January 1, 2008.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009. +
10.2(g)
The registrant’s Supplemental Retirement Plan (as amended and restated effective December 1, 1994).  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(c) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 3, 1994. +
10.4
Form of Change in Control Agreement with each of Norman E. Johnson, Sam Ferrise, David J. Fallon, David J. Lindsay, Richard M. Wolfson, Christopher L. Conway and other Company executives. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K on December 30, 2008 (the “2008 8-K”). +
10.4(a)
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Norman E. Johnson dated as of December 17, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(c)(1) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 2, 2000 (the “2000 10-K”). +
10.4(b)
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Norman E. Johnson dated as of January 19, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K on January 23, 2008. +
10.4(c)
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Norman E. Johnson dated as of December 29, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 2008 8-K. +
*10.4(d)
Letter Agreement with Norman E. Johnson dated as of October 4, 2011. +
10.4(e)
Trust Agreement dated December 1, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(d) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 29, 1997 (the “1997 10-K”). +
10.4(f)
Executive Benefit Trust Agreement dated December 22, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(e) to the 1997   10-K. +
10.5
The registrant’s 1994 Incentive Plan (the “1994 Plan”) as amended through June 30, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 2000 10-K. +

40

Table of Contents

10.5
Amendment to the 1994 Plan adopted December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5(a) to the 2000        10-K. +
10.5(a)
The registrant’s 2004 Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated February 20, 2003 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on March 24, 2003. +
10.5(b)
Amendment to the 1994 Plan and to the 2004 Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5(c) to the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended November 29, 2003. +
10.6
Credit Agreement dated as of December 18, 2007, by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders or affiliates thereof acting in the capacity of agent, book runner or arranger. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 19, 2007.
10.7
Form of Stock Option Agreement used by Company for all employees receiving stock option awards, including grants to executive officers made in FY 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 2, 2006 (the “2006 10-K”). +
10.7(a)
Form of Stock Option Agreement used by Company for executive officers and certain other senior members of Company management receiving stock option awards beginning in FY 2009. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 1, 2007. +
10.7(b)
Amended and Restated form of Restricted Stock Agreement used by Company for all employees receiving restricted stock units, including executive officers.   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(b) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2009. +
10.8
CLARCOR Value Added Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated February 9, 2007 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on March 26, 2007. +
10.9
CLARCOR Inc. 2009 Incentive Plan.  Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated February 13, 2009 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on March 23, 2009. +
*10.10
Summary of Compensation Paid to Non-Employee Directors and Named Executive Officers. +
*12.1
Statement Re Computation of Certain Ratios.
*13
The “11-Year Financial Review.”
*21
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
*23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
*31.1
Certification of Christopher L. Conway, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to Rule13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
*31.2
Certification of David J. Fallon, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
*32.1
Certification of Christopher L. Conway, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
*32.2
Certification of David J. Fallon, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
**101.INS
XBRL Instance Document ++
**101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document ++
**101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase ++
**101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase ++
**101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase ++
**101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase ++
___________________
*    Filed herewith.
**    Submitted electronically with this 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K
+    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
++
XBRL information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is not subject to liability under those sections, is not part of any registration statement or prospectus to which is relates and is not incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into any registration statement, prospectus or other document.


41

Table of Contents


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 27, 2012

 
CLARCOR Inc.
 
(Registrant)
 
By:
/s/ CHRISTOPHER L. CONWAY
 
 
Christopher L. Conway
 
 
President &Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ CHRISTOPHER L. CONWAY
 
 
Christopher L. Conway
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ DAVID J. FALLON
 
 
David J. Fallon
Chief Financial Officer &
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ NORMAN E. JOHNSON
 
 
Norman E. Johnson
Executive Chairman
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ J. MARC ADAM
 
 
J. Marc Adam
Director
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ JAMES W. BRADFORD, JR.
 
 
James W. Bradford, Jr.
Director
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ ROBERT J. BURGSTAHLER
 
 
Robert J. Burgstahler
Director
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ PAUL DONOVAN
 
 
Paul Donovan
Director
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ MARK A. EMKES
 
 
Mark A. Emkes
Director
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ ROBERT H. JENKINS
 
 
Robert H. Jenkins
Director
 
 
 
Date: January 27, 2012
By:
/s/ JAMES L. PACKARD
 
 
James L. Packard
Director

42

Table of Contents











CLARCOR Inc.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended November 30,
2011, 2010 and 2009

F-1

Table of Contents




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of CLARCOR Inc.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CLARCOR Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") at December 3, 2011 and November 27, 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 3, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 3, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Nashville, TN
January 27, 2012


F-2

Table of Contents

CLARCOR Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(Dollars in thousands except share data)

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Net sales
$
1,126,601

 
$
1,011,429

 
$
907,748

Cost of sales
743,180

 
673,022

 
628,460

Gross profit
383,421

 
338,407

 
279,288

 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative expenses
202,154

 
193,758

 
173,555

Operating profit
181,267

 
144,649

 
105,733

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense
(469
)
 
(546
)
 
(2,120
)
Interest income
649

 
288

 
278

Other, net
(139
)
 
(968
)
 
1,758

 
41

 
(1,226
)
 
(84
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings before income taxes
181,308

 
143,423

 
105,649

Provision for income taxes
56,947

 
47,072

 
33,819

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
124,361

 
96,351

 
71,830

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
(358
)
 
(270
)
 
(287
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.
$
124,003

 
$
96,081

 
$
71,543

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic
$
2.46

 
$
1.90

 
$
1.41

Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted
$
2.42

 
$
1.88

 
$
1.40

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic
50,501,842

 
50,678,617

 
50,851,933

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted
51,191,435

 
51,156,229

 
51,120,286

 














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

F-3

Table of Contents

CLARCOR Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
November 30, 2011 and 2010
(Dollars in thousands except share data)
 
2011
 
2010
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
155,999

 
$
117,022

Restricted cash
1,105

 
708

Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses of $9,795 for 2011 and $11,428 for 2010
206,664

 
188,186

Inventories
200,274

 
182,384

Deferred income taxes
25,974

 
25,081

Income taxes receivable
3,373

 
7,324

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
7,510

 
5,568

Total current assets
600,899

 
526,273

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation
184,992

 
181,175

Assets held for sale
2,000

 
2,000

Goodwill
235,530

 
228,105

Acquired intangibles, less accumulated amortization
98,674

 
91,174

Deferred income taxes
749

 
1,000

Other noncurrent assets
12,089

 
12,684

Total assets
$
1,134,933

 
$
1,042,411

LIABILITIES
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Current portion of long-term debt
$
1,289

 
$
146

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
155,585

 
160,206

Income taxes payable
3,176

 
3,105

Total current liabilities
160,050

 
163,457

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
15,981

 
17,331

Long-term pension and postretirement healthcare benefits liabilities
74,524

 
66,124

Deferred income taxes
36,194

 
31,266

Other long-term liabilities
11,069

 
5,138

Total liabilities
297,818

 
283,316

 
 
 
 
Contingencies (Note L)


 


Redeemable noncontrolling interests
1,557

 
1,568

 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

Capital stock:
 

 
 

Preferred, par value $1, authorized 5,000,000 shares, none issued

 

Common, par value $1, authorized 120,000,000 shares,  issued 50,144,928 at 2011 and  50,334,776 at 2010
50,145

 
50,335

Capital in excess of par value
19,453

 
33,698

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(44,391
)
 
(35,041
)
Retained earnings
809,520

 
707,478

Total CLARCOR Inc. equity
834,727

 
756,470

Noncontrolling interests
831

 
1,057

Total shareholders' equity
835,558

 
757,527

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
1,134,933

 
$
1,042,411


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

F-4



CLARCOR Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



 
CLARCOR Inc. Shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issued
 
Capital in Excess of Par Value
 
 
 
 
Total CLARCOR Inc. Equity
 
Non-
controlling Interests
 
 
 
Number
of Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
 
Total
Balance, December 1, 2008
50,794,422

 
$
50,794

 
$
48,025

 
$
(26,830
)
 
$
579,209

 
$
651,198

 
$
2,993

 
$
654,191

Net earnings (excludes redeemable noncontrolling interests)

 

 

 

 
71,543

 
71,543

 
359

 
71,902

Pension and other postretirement benefits liability adjustments, net of tax benefit of $11,850

 

 

 
(20,766
)
 

 
(20,766
)
 

 
(20,766
)
Translation adjustments, net of tax of $0

 

 

 
14,717

 

 
14,717

 
(79
)
 
14,638

Comprehensive earnings (excludes redeemable noncontrolling interests)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
65,494

 
280

 
65,774

Changes in noncontrolling interests ownership

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,417
)
 
(1,417
)
Stock options exercised
205,031

 
205

 
1,355

 

 

 
1,560

 

 
1,560

Tax benefit applicable to stock options

 

 
1,809

 

 

 
1,809

 

 
1,809

Issuance of stock under award plans
81,318

 
82

 
1,677

 

 

 
1,759

 

 
1,759

Purchase and retire treasury stock
(688,200
)
 
(688
)
 
(19,079
)
 

 

 
(19,767
)
 

 
(19,767
)
Stock option expense

 

 
3,027

 

 

 
3,027

 

 
3,027

Other

 

 

 

 
221

 
221

 

 
221

Cash dividends - $0.3675 per common share

 

 

 

 
(18,682
)
 
(18,682
)
 

 
(18,682
)
Balance, November 30, 2009
50,392,571

 
50,393

 
36,814

 
(32,879
)
 
632,291

 
686,619

 
1,856

 
688,475

Net earnings (excludes redeemable noncontrolling interests)

 

 

 

 
96,081

 
96,081

 
175

 
96,256

Pension and other postretirement benefits liability adjustments, net of tax of $(1,647)

 

 

 
2,170

 

 
2,170

 

 
2,170

Translation adjustments, net of tax of $0

 

 

 
(5,097
)
 

 
(5,097
)
 
(3
)
 
(5,100
)
Comprehensive earnings (excludes redeemable noncontrolling interests)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
93,154

 
172

 
93,326

Changes in noncontrolling interests ownership

 

 
190

 

 

 
190

 
(971
)
 
(781
)
Stock options exercised
336,189

 
336

 
4,718

 

 

 
5,054

 

 
5,054

Tax benefit applicable to stock options

 

 
2,457

 

 

 
2,457

 

 
2,457

Issuance of stock under award plans
52,007

 
52

 
1,718

 

 

 
1,770

 

 
1,770

Purchase and retire treasury stock
(445,991
)
 
(446
)
 
(15,831
)
 

 

 
(16,277
)
 

 
(16,277
)
Stock option expense

 

 
3,632

 

 

 
3,632

 

 
3,632

Other

 

 

 
765

 
(752
)
 
13

 

 
13

Cash dividends - $0.3975 per common share

 

 

 

 
(20,142
)
 
(20,142
)
 

 
(20,142
)
Balance, November 30, 2010
50,334,776

 
$
50,335

 
$
33,698

 
$
(35,041
)
 
$
707,478

 
$
756,470

 
$
1,057

 
$
757,527

(Continued)

F-5



CLARCOR Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(Dollars in thousands except share data)


 
CLARCOR Inc. Shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issued
 
Capital in Excess of Par Value
 
 
 
 
Total CLARCOR Inc. Equity
 
Non-
controlling Interests
 
 
 
Number
of Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Continued)

Balance, November 30, 2010
50,334,776

 
$
50,335

 
$
33,698

 
$
(35,041
)
 
$
707,478

 
$
756,470

 
$
1,057

 
$
757,527

Net earnings (excludes redeemable noncontrolling interests)

 

 

 

 
124,003

 
124,003

 
348

 
124,351

Pension and other postretirement benefits liability adjustments, net of tax benefit of $4,995

 

 

 
(7,614
)
 

 
(7,614
)
 

 
(7,614
)
Translation adjustments, net of tax of $(40)

 

 

 
(1,736
)
 

 
(1,736
)
 
(253
)
 
(1,989
)
Comprehensive earnings (excludes redeemable noncontrolling interests)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
114,653

 
95

 
114,748

Changes in noncontrolling interests ownership

 

 

 

 

 

 
(321
)
 
(321
)
Stock options exercised
439,582

 
440

 
2,944

 

 

 
3,384

 

 
3,384

Tax benefit applicable to stock options

 

 
5,100

 

 

 
5,100

 

 
5,100

Issuance of stock under award plans
54,346

 
54

 
1,947

 

 

 
2,001

 

 
2,001

Purchase and retire treasury stock
(683,776
)
 
(684
)
 
(28,633
)
 

 

 
(29,317
)
 

 
(29,317
)
Stock option expense

 

 
4,397

 

 

 
4,397

 

 
4,397

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends - $0.4350 per common share

 

 

 

 
(21,961
)
 
(21,961
)
 

 
(21,961
)
Balance, November 30, 2011
50,144,928

 
$
50,145

 
$
19,453

 
$
(44,391
)
 
$
809,520

 
$
834,727

 
$
831

 
$
835,558















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

F-6

Table of Contents

CLARCOR Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
124,361

 
$
96,351

 
$
71,830

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

 
 

Depreciation
26,826

 
26,119

 
26,005

Amortization
5,609

 
4,802

 
4,957

Other noncash items
281

 
(101
)
 
(332
)
Net loss (gain) on disposition of plant assets
452

 
337

 
(47
)
Impairment of long-lived assets
87

 
276

 
1,200

Stock-based compensation expense
5,477

 
4,602

 
4,088

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
(5,100
)
 
(2,500
)
 
(1,854
)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
 

 
 

 
 

Short-term investments

 
32,171

 
(24,902
)
Accounts receivable
(16,918
)
 
(26,442
)
 
38,194

Inventories
(16,782
)
 
(26,244
)
 
6,057

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(1,864
)
 
1,165

 
1,426

Other noncurrent assets
746

 
(376
)
 
1,060

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities
(16,054
)
 
36,790

 
(23,499
)
Pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities, net
(5,958
)
 
4,120

 
6,950

Income taxes
9,055

 
(6,823
)
 
3,422

Deferred income taxes
9,231

 
(845
)
 
(862
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
119,449

 
143,402

 
113,693

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

 
 

Restricted cash
149

 
(1,119
)
 
(289
)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(16,758
)
 

 
(7,326
)
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(22,486
)
 
(23,371
)
 
(21,740
)
Proceeds from disposition of plant assets
327

 
2,296

 
815

Investment in affiliate
(496
)
 
(199
)
 
(1,794
)
Proceeds from insurance claims
200

 
557

 
500

Other, net

 

 
(65
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(39,064
)
 
(21,836
)
 
(29,899
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

 
 

Net payments under multicurrency revolving credit agreement

 
(35,000
)
 
(40,000
)
Borrowings under long-term debt

 

 
8,410

Payments on long-term debt
(1,853
)
 
(164
)
 
(838
)
Sale of capital stock under stock option and employee purchase plans
8,449

 
7,290

 
3,616

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

 
(732
)
 
(4,592
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(29,317
)
 
(16,277
)
 
(19,767
)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
5,100

 
2,500

 
1,854

Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests
(321
)
 

 

Cash dividends paid
(21,961
)
 
(20,143
)
 
(18,682
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(39,903
)
 
(62,526
)
 
(69,999
)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(1,505
)
 
(1,295
)
 
4,767

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
38,977

 
57,745

 
18,562

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
117,022

 
59,277

 
40,715

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
155,999

 
$
117,022

 
$
59,277

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for interest
$
300

 
$
1,318

 
$
834

Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds
$
37,959

 
$
54,560

 
$
32,208

 
 
 
 
 
 


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

F-7

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)




A.    BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNFICIANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

CLARCOR Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “CLARCOR”) is a global provider of filtration products, filtration systems and services, and consumer and industrial packaging products.  As discussed further in Note O, the Company has three reportable segments: Engine/Mobile Filtration, Industrial/Environmental Filtration and Packaging.  The Consolidated Financial Statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries that were more than 50% owned and controlled as of each respective reporting period presented.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Accounting Period

The Company's fiscal year-end is the Saturday closest to November 30, typically resulting in a fifty-two week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a fifty-three week year.  The fiscal year ended December 3, 2011 was a fifty-three week year. The fiscal years ended November 27, 2010 and November 28, 2009 were comprised of fifty-two weeks.  For clarity of presentation in the Consolidated Financial Statements, all fiscal years are shown to begin as of December 1 and end as of November 30.

Use of Management's Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results will differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

Financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates, except that revenues, costs, expenses and cash flows are translated at average rates during each reporting period and equity accounts are translated at historical rates.  Net exchange gains or losses resulting from the translation of foreign financial statements are accumulated with other comprehensive earnings (losses) as a separate component of shareholders' equity and are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased and that are readily saleable are considered to be cash and cash equivalents.  Restricted cash represents funds held in escrow and cash balances held by German banks as collateral for certain guarantees of overseas subsidiaries.  Restricted cash classified as current corresponds to guarantees that expire within one year.  The Company also has $1,590 and $2,016 of noncurrent restricted cash recorded in Other noncurrent assets as of November 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, corresponding to guarantees and escrow agreements that expire longer than one year from the dates of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash represent financial instruments with potential credit risk.  The Company mitigates the risk by investing the assets with financially strong institutions.

Derivatives

From time-to-time, the Company may make use of derivative financial instruments to manage certain interest rate and foreign currency risks.  Fixed rate interest swap agreements may be utilized to convert certain floating rate debt into fixed rate debt.  Unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, and periodic settlement payments are a component of cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value (see Note E).  Derivatives that are not accounted for as hedges are adjusted to fair value through income.

F-8

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The Company documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions.  In addition, the Company assesses (both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis) the effectiveness of the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions.  If it is determined that a derivative is not (or has ceased to be) effective as a hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively.  Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges would be recognized in interest expense.  At November 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not have any derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge accounting.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Losses

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest.  Trade accounts receivable represent financial instruments with potential credit risk.  The allowance for losses is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in its existing accounts receivable.  The Company determines the allowance based on economic conditions in the industries to which the Company sells and on historical experience by evaluating specific customer accounts for risk of loss, fluctuations in amounts owed and current payment trends.  The allowances provided are estimates that may be impacted by economic and market conditions which could have an effect on future allowance requirements and results of operations.  The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts monthly.  Past due balances over ninety days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability.  Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market primarily determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method of inventory costing, which approximates current cost.  The Company periodically assesses its inventories for potential excess, slow movement and obsolescence and adjusts inventory values accordingly.  Inventories are summarized as follows:

 
2011
 
2010
Raw materials
$
72,289

 
$
67,011

Work in process
30,957

 
26,219

Finished products
97,028

 
89,154

 
$
200,274

 
$
182,384

 
Property, Plant and Equipment

Depreciation is determined by the straight-line method for financial statement purposes and by the accelerated method for tax purposes.  The provision for depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the assets (15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, the shorter of the asset life or the life of the lease for leasehold improvements and leased equipment and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment).  It is the Company’s policy to capitalize the cost of renewals and betterments and to charge to expense the cost of current maintenance and repairs.  When property or equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the net book value of the asset is removed from the Company’s books and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in operating profit.

Plant assets classified as Assets held for sale are initially measured at the lesser of the assets’ carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell.  Gains or losses are recognized for any subsequent changes in the fair value less cost to sell; however, gains are only recognized to the extent of cumulative losses previously recognized.  Plant assets classified as Assets held for sale are not depreciated.

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

The Company recognizes the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed as goodwill.  Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and between annual tests in certain circumstances.  Impairment losses would be recognized whenever the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value.

F-9

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The Company recognizes an acquired intangible asset apart from goodwill whenever the asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or whenever it is capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, either individually or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability.  An intangible asset other than goodwill is amortized over its estimated useful life unless that life is determined to be indefinite.  Most of the Company’s trade names and trademarks have indefinite useful lives and are subject to impairment testing.  All other acquired intangible assets, including patents (average 13 year life), and other identifiable intangible assets with lives ranging from 2 to 30 years, are being amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated periods to be benefited.  The Company reviews the lives of its definite-lived intangible assets at least annually during the fourth quarter, and if necessary, impairment losses are recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible subject to amortization is not recoverable from expected future cash flows and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company determines any impairment losses based on underlying cash flows related to specific groups of acquired long-lived assets, including plant assets, associated identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  For the years ended November 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded impairment charges of $87 and $276, included in Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, related to machinery and equipment. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,200, included in Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, for the year ended November 30, 2009, related to the discontinuation of production at a heating, ventilating and air conditioning ("HVAC") filter manufacturing plant in Henderson, North Carolina.

Income Taxes

The Company provides for income taxes and recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.   The Company does not provide deferred taxes on unremitted foreign earnings from certain foreign affiliates that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested to finance operations and expansion outside the United States.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).  This guidance applies broadly to all tax positions taken by a company, including decisions to not report income in a tax return or to classify a transaction as tax exempt.  The approach is a two-step benefit recognition model.  The amount of benefit to recognize is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement.  The tax position is derecognized when it is no longer more likely than not of being sustained.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized benefits in income tax expense.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and pension related gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and any remaining transition amounts that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit costs.  The components of the ending balances of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Pension liability, net of tax
$
(44,656
)
 
$
(37,042
)
 
$
(39,212
)
Translation adjustments, net of tax
265

 
2,001

 
6,333

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
(44,391
)
 
$
(35,041
)
 
$
(32,879
)
 

F-10

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based employee compensation cost is recognized using the fair-value based method for all awards granted on or after the beginning of fiscal year 2006.  The Company issues stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards to employees and issues stock option awards and restricted stock to non-employee directors under its stock-based incentive plans.  The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  Compensation cost related to restricted stock units is recorded based on the market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.  The Company recognizes compensation expense from the date of grant on a straight-line basis over a four year period or to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, whichever is shorter.  For those who are already retirement eligible on the date of grant, compensation expense is recognized immediately.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when product ownership and risk of loss have transferred to the customer or performance of services is complete and the Company has no remaining obligations regarding the transaction.  Estimated discounts, rebates and sales returns are recorded as a reduction of sales in the same period revenue is recognized.  Shipping and handling costs are recorded as revenue when billed to customers.  The related shipping and handling expenses are included in Cost of sales.

The Company acquired a business during 2008 which uses the percentage of completion accounting revenue recognition method for qualifying contracts under which products are manufactured to customer specifications.  Approximately $40,072, $40,500 and $35,600 of the Company’s total revenue for fiscal year 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, was recognized under the percentage of completion accounting method.  Revenue is recognized on contracts utilizing the percentage of completion method based on costs incurred as a percentage of estimated total costs.  Revenue recognized on uncompleted contracts in excess of amounts billed to customers is reflected as a current asset.  Amounts billed to customers in excess of revenue recognized on uncompleted contracts are reflected as a current liability. When it is estimated that a contract will result in a loss, the entire amount of the estimated loss is accrued. The effect of revisions in costs and profit estimated for contracts is reflected in the accounting period in which the facts requiring the revisions become known.

Product Warranties

The Company provides for estimated warranty costs when the related products are recorded as sales or for specific items at the time existence of the claims is known and the amounts are reasonably determinable.

Research and Development

The Company charges research and development costs, relating to the development of new products or the improvement or redesign of its existing products, to expense when incurred.  These costs were approximately $10,989 in 2011, $9,817 in 2010 and $9,595 in 2009.

Insurance

Insurance coverage is generally obtained for certain property and casualty exposures, workers’ compensation and general liability, as well as risks that require insurance by law or contract.  The Company self-insures for certain other insurable risks, primarily employee medical coverage, which the Company carries insurance for certain losses above specified amounts.  Liabilities are determined using estimates, including actuarial where applicable, of the aggregate liability for claims incurred and an estimate of incurred but not reported claims, on an undiscounted basis.

Guarantees

At November 30, 2011, the Company has letters of credit totaling $25,623 issued to various government agencies, primarily related to industrial revenue bonds, and to insurance companies and other entities in support of its obligations.  The Company believes that no payments will be required resulting from these obligations.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company also provides routine indemnifications and other guarantees whose terms range in duration and often are not explicitly defined.  The Company does not believe these will have a material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.


F-11

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



New Pronouncements

In September 2011, the FASB issued amendments to its goodwill impairment testing guidance to simplify how entities test for goodwill impairments. The amendments are intended to reduce complexity and cost by providing a company the option of making an initial qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment in determining whether it should calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. The amendments also include examples of events and circumstances that a company should consider in evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance on December 1, 2012 to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amendments to its comprehensive income guidance to (a) improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting, (b) increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income and (c) facilitate the convergence of U.S. GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The amendments require all non-owner changes in shareholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The required amendments, pursuant to the guidance, must be applied retrospectively. In December 2011, the FASB issued amendments to defer certain presentation requirements of the initial guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance on December 1, 2012 will affect the presentation of the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, but will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance amending fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in order to align U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Consequently, the amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Some of the amendments clarify the intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance on March 1, 2012 to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance which amends the pro-forma disclosure requirements for business combinations and specifies that if a public company presents comparative financial statements, the company should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though business combinations occurring during the year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only.  The guidance also expands the pro-forma disclosure requirements to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro-forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro-forma revenue and earnings.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance on December 1, 2011 to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2010, the FASB issued guidance which amended its subsequent events guidance issued in May 2009.  This guidance eliminated the requirement for a United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated and refined the scope of the disclosure requirement for reissued financial statements.  The impact of adopting this guidance affected disclosures in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance related to fair value measurements (see Note E) requiring new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 and requiring the gross presentation of activity within Level 3.  The guidance also clarifies existing disclosures of inputs and valuation techniques for Level 2 and 3 fair value measurements.  Additionally, the guidance includes conforming amendments to employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets.  The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009 (except for the disclosure of activity within Level 3 fair value measurements which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those years).  The impact of adopting this guidance resulted in additional disclosures in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In October 2009, the FASB issued guidance on revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables effective for the Company’s 2011 fiscal year.  The guidance revises the criteria for separating, measuring, and allocating arrangement consideration to each deliverable in a multiple element arrangement.  The guidance requires companies to allocate revenue using the relative selling price of each deliverable, which must be estimated if the company does not have a history of selling the deliverable on a stand-alone basis or third-party evidence of selling price.  The impact of adopting this guidance on December 1, 2010 was not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-12

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



In December 2008, the FASB expanded the required disclosures for pension and other postretirement plans by requiring disclosures about how investment allocation decisions are made by management, major categories of plan assets and significant concentration of risk.  Additionally, an employer is required to disclose information about the valuation of plan assets.  The impact of adopting this guidance on November 30, 2010 affected the disclosures in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2008, the FASB issued guidance that requires that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) be considered participating securities and be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.  The Company’s unvested restricted stock unit awards discussed in Note M qualify as participating securities under this guidance.  The impact of adopting this guidance on December 1, 2009 was not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance affecting the accounting for businesses acquired, the presentation of noncontrolling interests, previously called minority interests, and requiring that assets acquired or liabilities assumed in a business combination and arising from a contingency be recognized at fair value at the acquisition date if the acquisition date fair value can be determined during the measurement period.  The Company adopted this guidance on December 1, 2009.  The guidance dealing with noncontrolling interests was retroactively applied to all prior period information for presentation and disclosure requirements and resulted in the reclassification of certain prior year amounts.  For all periods presented, noncontrolling interests are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either a separate component of Total shareholders’ equity or as Redeemable noncontrolling interests.  Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR and the noncontrolling interests are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  Payments for the acquisition of noncontrolling interests in entities of which the Company did not previously have control are included in investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  Payments for acquisitions of noncontrolling interest in entities of which the Company did have previous control are treated as equity transactions and are included in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  Prior to the adoption of this guidance, payments related to controlled entities were included in investing activities.
 

B.    BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS, INVESTMENTS AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Business Acquisitions

On December 29, 2010, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding membership interests in TransWeb LLC (“TransWeb”), a privately-owned manufacturer of media used in a variety of end-use applications, including respirators and HVAC filters.  Founded in 1996 and based in Vineland, New Jersey, TransWeb supplied media to a subsidiary of the Company for several years.  TransWeb was acquired to expand the Company’s technology capabilities in the area of media development and to enhance the product offerings of the Company's filtration operating companies.  TransWeb’s results are included in the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition.  Net sales and Operating profit attributable to TransWeb for the year ended November 30, 2011 were $13,022 and $2,552, respectively.

The base purchase price to acquire TransWeb was $30,017, excluding cash acquired.  Of the base purchase price, the Company withheld payment of $17,000 pending resolution of 3M litigation, which funds may be used by the Company in connection with the same (see Note L).  A contingent liability for a potential earn-out payment to one of the former owners of $1,018, recorded on the acquisition date at fair value by applying the income approach, was also recognized and is included in Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company assumed existing long term debt of $1,544, which was immediately repaid in connection with the closing.  The Company paid the balance of the purchase price with available cash.  During the year ended November 30, 2011, the Company incurred legal charges of $6,329 in connection with this matter, which were applied against the $17,000 withheld payment.

F-13

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The following condensed balance sheet is based on the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.

Cash
$
14

Accounts receivable
1,153

Inventory
1,045

Other current assets
93

Property, plant and equipment
7,291

Goodwill
7,976

Acquired intangibles - indefinite lived
900

Acquired intangibles - finite lived
12,100

Other assets
100

Total assets acquired
30,672

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(641
)
Net assets acquired
$
30,031

 
The fair value of the assets acquired includes trade accounts receivable which have been collected.  The goodwill, which is deductible for income tax purposes, represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired.  Factors that contributed to a purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill included TransWeb’s strategic fit with the Company’s products and services as well as the ability to enhance the Company’s product offerings.

The fair value of the identifiable intangible assets and their respective lives are shown in the following table.

Identifiable Intangible Asset
 
Value
 
Estimated
Useful Life in Years
Trade names and trademarks
 
$
900

 
Indefinite
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
 
$
8,500

 
12
Developed technology
 
3,500

 
12
Non-compete agreements
 
100

 
2
Other acquired intangible assets - finite lived
 
$
12,100

 
 
 
The acquisition-date estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payment of $1,018 was recorded as a component of the consideration transferred in exchange for the equity interests of TransWeb in accordance with accounting guidance.  The contingent liability for the earn-out payment will continue to be accounted for and measured at fair value until the contingency is settled during fiscal year 2016.  The fair value measurement of the contingent liability is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined by accounting literature (see Note E).  The contingent consideration payment is revalued to its current fair value at each reporting date.  Any increase or decrease in the fair value, as a result of changes in significant inputs such as the discount rate, the discount period or other factors used in the calculation, is recognized in Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the period the estimated fair value changes. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model with a discount rate of 11.90%. At November 30, 2011, the fair value of the contingent consideration payment (see Note E) was $1,123.

Assuming this transaction had been made at the beginning of each of the periods presented, the consolidated pro-forma results would not be materially different from the results as reported. The Company incurred costs of $141 related to the acquisition of TransWeb which are included in Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

F-14

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



On June 8, 2010, the Company purchased the remaining 15% noncontrolling ownership interests in both Pujiang Novaeastern International Mesh Co., Ltd. (“Pujiang”) and Purolator Advanced Filtration (Quzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Quzhou”) for $732, thereby making the companies wholly owned subsidiaries of CLARCOR.  This transaction decreased Noncontrolling interests by $971 and increased Capital in excess of par value by $239 in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Legal fees of $49, incurred in connection with the transactions, decreased Capital in excess of par value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On April 20, 2009, prior to the Company’s adoption of the guidance affecting the accounting for businesses acquired and the presentation of noncontrolling interests, the Company purchased the remaining 20% minority interest in its consolidated subsidiary CLARCOR Filtration (China) Co Ltd., based in Weifang, China, for $4,592 including acquisition costs.  This subsidiary is part of the Company’s Engine/Mobile Filtration segment and manufactures heavy-duty engine filters, certain lines of environmental filters and filter systems and filters used in off-shore oil drilling.  An allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition has been made to major categories of assets and liabilities.  Acquired finite lived intangible assets of $1,960 were recorded in connection with the purchase.  The $222 excess of the initial purchase price over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill.

On April 6, 2009, the Company purchased 100% ownership interest in Weifang Yuhua Filters Ltd. ("Yuhua"), based in Weifang, China for $643, excluding cash acquired and including acquisition costs.  Yuhua manufactures heavy-duty engine filters.  The business is included in the Company’s Engine/Mobile Filtration segment from the date of acquisition.  The acquisition is not material to the results of the Company.  An allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition has been made to major categories of assets and liabilities.  The Company did not recognize any goodwill in connection with this acquisition.

On February 1, 2009, the Company purchased 85% ownership interests in Pujiang and Quzhou.  Both companies are based in China and were under common ownership.  Pujiang and Quzhou are manufacturers of wire mesh filtration products sold primarily to the fibers, resin and aerospace industries.  The combined purchase price for the ownership interests in both companies was $618, excluding cash acquired and including acquisition costs.  The businesses are included in the Company’s Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition.  The acquisition is not material to the results of the Company.  An allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition has been made to major categories of assets and liabilities.  Acquired finite lived intangible assets of $201 were recorded in connection with the purchase.  The Company did not recognize any goodwill in connection with this acquisition.

On January 16, 2009, the Company purchased certain assets of Meggitt (UK) Limited (“Meggitt”), for $578.  Meggitt was acquired to expand the Company’s product range of aerospace filters sold primarily to European aircraft manufacturers and aerospace parts distributors.  The purchased assets were combined into an existing Company subsidiary which is part of the Company’s Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment.  The acquisition is not material to the results of the Company.  An allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition has been made to major categories of assets.  Acquired intangible assets included customer relationships valued at $201 which are being amortized over their estimated useful life of 13 years.  The $231 excess of the initial purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.

On December 29, 2008, the Company purchased 100% ownership interest in the Keddeg Company (“Keddeg”), a manufacturer of aerospace filtration products based in Lenexa, Kansas.  The purchase price was $5,570, excluding cash acquired and including acquisition costs.  Keddeg’s results are included as part of the Company’s Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition.  The acquisition is not material to the results of the Company.  An allocation of the purchase price has been made to major categories of assets and liabilities assumed.  The $1,828 excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.

F-15

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The fair value of the Keddeg identifiable intangible assets and their respective lives are shown in the following table.

Identifiable Intangible Asset
 
Value
 
Estimated
Useful Life in Years
Trade names and trademarks
 
$
553

 
Indefinite
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
 
$
875

 
12
Developed technology
 
1,256

 
10
Non-compete agreements
 
86

 
5
Other acquired intangible assets - finite lived
 
$
2,217

 
 

In December 2007, the Company purchased a distributor of engineered filtration products in Canada for $1,402 including acquisition costs.  During fiscal year 2008, $811 of the purchase price was paid, $198 of the purchase price was paid during fiscal year 2009, $142 was paid during fiscal year 2010, $99 was paid during fiscal year 2011 and the remaining amount will be paid during fiscal year 2012.  The business is included in the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition and is not material to the results of the Company.

During fiscal year 2010, the Company accrued $666 pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement related to a 2006 Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment acquisition and recorded additional goodwill.  The amount was paid during fiscal year 2011.  Additional payments, not to exceed $257, may be required in future years based on the operating performance of the acquired entity.

Investments

Effective May 1, 2008, the Company acquired a 30% share in BioProcessH2O LLC (“BPH”), a Rhode Island-based manufacturer of industrial waste water and water reuse filtration systems, for $4,000.  During the year ended November 30, 2011, the Company invested an additional $150. Under the terms of the agreement with BPH, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to acquire additional ownership shares and eventually complete ownership of the BPH over several years at a price based on, among other factors, BPH’s operating income.  The investment, with a carrying amount of $3,229 and $3,266, at November 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, included in Other noncurrent assets, is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  The carrying amount is adjusted each period to recognize the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of BPH based on the percentage of ownership, as well as the receipt of any dividends.  The Company did not receive any dividends from BPH during the year ended November 30, 2011.  During the year ended November 30, 2010, the Company received dividends of $382 from BPH.  The Company did not receive any dividends from BPH during the year ended November 30, 2009. The equity investment is periodically reviewed for indicators of impairment.

The Company also owns a 15% share in BioProcess Algae LLC (“Algae”), a Delaware-based company developing technology to grow and harvest algae which can be used to consume carbon dioxide and also be used as a renewable energy source.  During the years ended November 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company invested an additional $300 and $398, respectively.  The investment, with a carrying amount of $698 and $398, at November 30, 2011 and November 30, 2010, respectively, included in Other noncurrent assets, is being accounted for under the cost method of accounting.  Under the cost method, the Company recognizes dividends as income when received and reviews the cost basis of the investment for impairment if factors indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred.  The Company has not received any dividends from Algae.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

In March 2007, the Company acquired an 80% ownership share in Sinfa SA (“SINFA”), a manufacturer of automotive and heavy-duty engine filters based in Casablanca, Morocco, which is included in the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment.  As part of the purchase agreement, the Company and the noncontrolling owners each have an option to require the purchase of the remaining 20% ownership shares by the Company after December 31, 2012 which would result in SINFA becoming a wholly owned subsidiary.  The remaining 20% of SINFA owned by the noncontrolling owners has been reported as Redeemable noncontrolling interests and classified as mezzanine equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Redeemable noncontrolling interests will be accreted to the redemption price, through equity, at the point at which the redemption becomes probable. The Company has not recorded any accretion to date.

F-16

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



C.    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment included the following assets at November 30, 2011 and 2010:

 
2011
 
2010
Land
$
8,763

 
$
8,669

Buildings and building fixtures
99,778

 
95,452

Machinery and equipment
358,763

 
324,757

Construction in process
10,799

 
27,669

 
478,103

 
456,547

Accumulated depreciation
(293,111
)
 
(275,372
)
 
$
184,992

 
$
181,175


At both November 30, 2011 and 2010, land of $398 and building and building fixtures of $1,602 related to one Kentucky plant are classified as Assets held for sale.

At November 30, 2011 and 2010, additions to property, plant and equipment totaling $2,315 and $645 were included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.  During the years ended November 30, 2011 and 2010, additions to property, plant and equipment of $14 and $437, respectively, were capitalized by incurring additional debt.


D.    GOODWILL AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table reconciles the activity for goodwill by segment for fiscal years 2011 and 2010.  All goodwill is stated on a gross basis, as the Company has not recorded any impairment charges against goodwill.

 
Engine/Mobile
Filtration
 
Industrial/
Environmental
Filtration
 
Packaging
 
Total
November 30, 2009
$
22,551

 
$
205,631

 
$

 
$
228,182

Acquisitions

 
666

 

 
666

Currency translation adjustments
(917
)
 
174

 

 
(743
)
November 30, 2010
$
21,634

 
$
206,471

 
$

 
$
228,105

Acquisitions

 
7,976

 

 
7,976

Currency translation adjustments
(547
)
 
(4
)
 

 
(551
)
November 30, 2011
$
21,087

 
$
214,443

 
$

 
$
235,530


The Company completed an annual impairment review at each fiscal year-end and concluded there was no impairment of goodwill.  In performing the impairment reviews, the Company estimated the fair values of the reporting units using a present value method that discounted future cash flows.  Such valuations are sensitive to assumptions associated with cash flow growth, discount rates, terminal value and the aggregation of reporting unit components.  The Company further assessed the reasonableness of these estimates by considering relevant market multiples.

F-17

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The following table summarizes acquired intangible assets by segment.  Other acquired intangible assets include parts manufacturer regulatory approvals, proprietary technology, patents and noncompete agreements.

 
Engine/Mobile
Filtration
 
Industrial/
Environmental
Filtration
 
Packaging
 
Total
November 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indefinite Lived Intangibles:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trademarks - indefinite lived
$
603

 
$
41,922

 
$

 
$
42,525

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finite Lived Intangibles:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trademarks, gross - finite lived
$
306

 
$
488

 
$

 
$
794

Accumulated amortization
(74
)
 
(302
)
 

 
(376
)
Trademarks, net - finite lived
$
232

 
$
186

 
$

 
$
418

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships, gross
$
4,256

 
$
42,694

 
$

 
$
46,950

Accumulated amortization
(1,535
)
 
(13,559
)
 

 
(15,094
)
Customer relationships, net
$
2,721

 
$
29,135

 
$

 
$
31,856

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other acquired intangibles, gross
$
243

 
$
39,632

 
$

 
$
39,875

Accumulated amortization
(243
)
 
(15,757
)
 

 
(16,000
)
Other acquired intangibles, net
$

 
$
23,875

 
$

 
$
23,875

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total finite lived intangible assets, net
$
2,953

 
$
53,196

 
$

 
$
56,149

Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization
$
3,556

 
$
95,118

 
$

 
$
98,674


 
Engine/Mobile
Filtration
 
Industrial/
Environmental
Filtration
 
Packaging
 
Total
November 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indefinite Lived Intangibles:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trademarks - indefinite lived
$
603

 
$
41,022

 
$

 
$
41,625

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finite Lived Intangibles:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trademarks, gross - finite lived
$
302

 
$
486

 
$

 
$
788

Accumulated amortization
(58
)
 
(287
)
 

 
(345
)
Trademarks, net
$
244

 
$
199

 
$

 
$
443

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships, gross
$
4,161

 
$
34,188

 
$

 
$
38,349

Accumulated amortization
(1,371
)
 
(10,562
)
 

 
(11,933
)
Customer relationships, net
$
2,790

 
$
23,626

 
$

 
$
26,416

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other acquired intangibles, gross
$
243

 
$
35,928

 
$

 
$
36,171

Accumulated amortization
(243
)
 
(13,238
)
 

 
(13,481
)
Other acquired intangibles, net
$

 
$
22,690

 
$

 
$
22,690

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total finite lived intangible assets, net
$
3,034

 
$
46,515

 
$

 
$
49,549

Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization
$
3,637

 
$
87,537

 
$

 
$
91,174


F-18

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The Company performed annual impairment tests on its indefinite-lived intangible assets at each fiscal year-end using the relief-from-royalty method to determine the fair value of its trademarks and trade names.  There was no impairment as the fair value was greater than the carrying value for these indefinite-lived intangible assets as of these dates.  In addition, the Company reassessed the useful lives and classification of identifiable finite-lived intangible assets at each year-end and determined that they continue to be appropriate.

The following tables summarize actual amortization expense for the past three fiscal years and estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years.

Amortization expense for the years ended:
 
2011
$
5,609

2010
4,802

2009
4,957


Estimated amortization expense for the next five years:
 
2012
$
5,610

2013
5,462

2014
5,274

2015
5,261

2016
5,129



E.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value as discussed throughout the notes to its Consolidated Financial Statements.  Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability, an exit price, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Fair value measurements are categorized in a hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques.  Observable inputs are the highest level and reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs are the lowest level and reflect internally developed market assumptions.  The Company classifies fair value measurements by the following hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted active market prices for identical assets
Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar (but not identical) instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets which are not active and model determined valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets
Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs, such as model determined valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable

F-19

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



Assets or liabilities that have recurring fair value measurements are shown below:

 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
November 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted trust, included in Other noncurrent assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mutual fund investments - equities
$
659

 
$
659

 
$

 
$

Mutual fund investments - bonds
472

 
472

 

 

Cash and equivalents

 

 

 

Total restricted trust
$
1,131

 
$
1,131

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TransWeb contingent earn-out, included in Other long-term liabilities
$
1,123

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,123

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 30, 2010
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Restricted trust, included in Other noncurrent assets
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Mutual fund investments - equities
$
879

 
$
879

 
$

 
$

Mutual fund investments - bonds
357

 
357

 

 

Cash and equivalents
22

 
22

 

 

Total restricted trust
$
1,258

 
$
1,258

 
$

 
$


There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended November 30, 2011 and 2010.  The restricted trust, which is used to fund certain payments for the Company’s U.S. combined nonqualified pension plans, consists of actively traded equity and bond funds. The TransWeb contingent earn-out payment was established in connection with the acquisition of TransWeb (see Note B).  There were no changes in the fair value determination methods or significant assumptions used in those methods during the year ended November 30, 2011.  The fair value of the TransWeb contingent earn-out payment increased by $105, based on changes in the remaining discount period, during the year ended November 30, 2011 and is included in Selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
 
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
 
The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, which are cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and the restricted trust, approximated the carrying values of those financial instruments at both November 30, 2011 and 2010.  An expected present value technique is used to estimate the fair value of long-term debt.  A fair value estimate of $16,716 and $16,892 for long-term debt at November 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, is based on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt with similar remaining maturities.  The carrying value for the long-term debt at November 30, 2011 and 2010 is $17,270 and $17,477, respectively.
 


F-20

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



F.    ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at November 30, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:

 
2011
 
2010
Accounts payable
$
64,701

 
$
64,630

Accrued salaries, wages and commissions
24,760

 
31,497

Compensated absences
8,530

 
8,172

Accrued insurance liabilities
9,017

 
11,473

Customer deposits
8,727

 
7,732

Other accrued liabilities
39,850

 
36,702

 
$
155,585

 
$
160,206

 
No amounts within the other accrued liabilities amount shown above exceed 5% of total current liabilities.

Warranties are recorded as a liability on the balance sheet and as charges to current expense for estimated normal warranty costs and, if applicable, for specific performance issues known to exist on products already sold.  The expenses estimated to be incurred are provided at the time of sale and adjusted as needed, based primarily upon experience.  Changes in the Company’s warranty accrual, which is included in Other accrued liabilities, for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Warranty accrual at beginning of period
$
3,499

 
$
3,989

 
$
2,494

Accruals for warranties issued during the period
622

 
825

 
2,324

Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties
(846
)
 
(308
)
 
39

Settlements made during the period
(316
)
 
(856
)
 
(965
)
Other adjustments, including currency translation
(379
)
 
(151
)
 
97

Warranty accrual at end of period
$
2,580

 
$
3,499

 
$
3,989



 G.    LONG-TERM DEBT AND INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT

Long-term debt at November 30, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following:
 
 
2011
 
2010
Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement
$

 
$

Industrial Revenue Bonds, at a weighted average interest rate of 0.35% and 0.50%, respectively
15,820

 
15,820

Note payable, due March 2012, at a fixed interest rate of 6.00% at both year ends
1,196

 
1,109

Other long-term debt
254

 
548

Total long-term debt
$
17,270

 
$
17,477

 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$
1,289

 
$
146

Long-term debt, less current portion
$
15,981

 
$
17,331


F-21

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



On December 18, 2007, the Company entered into a five-year multicurrency revolving credit agreement (“Credit Facility”) with a group of financial institutions under which it may borrow up to $250,000 under a selection of currencies and rate formulas.  The Credit Facility interest rate is based upon, at the Company’s election, either a defined Base Rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus or minus applicable margins.  Commitment fees, letter of credit fees and other fees are also payable as provided in the Credit Facility.  At November 30, 2011, there were no borrowings outstanding on the Credit Facility.  The Credit Facility includes a $75,000 letter of credit subline, against which $16,012 and $16,031 in letters of credit had been issued at November 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company anticipates entering into a new revolving credit agreement prior to the December 18, 2012 expiration of the current Current Facility.

Borrowings under the Credit Facility are unsecured, but are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.  The agreement contains certain restrictive covenants that include limiting new borrowings, maintaining minimum interest coverage and restricting certain changes in ownership.

As of November 30, 2011 and 2010, the industrial revenue bonds include $7,410 issued in cooperation with the Campbellsville-Taylor County Industrial Development Authority (Kentucky) due May 1, 2031 and $8,410 re-issued in cooperation with the South Dakota Economic Development Finance Authority due February 1, 2016.  The interest rates on these bonds are reset weekly.

Required principal maturities of long-term debt as of year-end 2011 for the next five fiscal years ending November 30 are as follows:

2012
$
1,289

2013
42

2014
11

2015
8

2016
8,413

Thereafter
7,507


On January 2, 2008, the Company entered into a fixed rate interest swap agreement (“the Swap Agreement”) to manage its interest rate exposure on certain amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility.  The Company’s accounting policies for derivatives are discussed in Note A.  The Swap Agreement expired January 1, 2010.  The Swap Agreement provided for the Company to receive interest at floating rates based on LIBOR and pay a 3.93% fixed interest rate plus an applicable margin on a notional amount of $100,000.  Payments pursuant to the Swap Agreement were settled on a net basis quarterly.  Hedge accounting was not applied to the Swap Agreement and therefore, unrealized gains or losses were recorded in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  Periodic settlement payments or receipts were recorded as a component of cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The following table reflects the loss and net settlement payments on the Swap Agreement for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments
 
Location 
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Fixed rate interest swap agreement unrealized losses
 
Interest expense
 
$

 
$

 
$
1,123

Fixed rate interest swap agreement net settlement payments
 
Cash flows from operating activities
 

 
961

 
2,169




F-22

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



H.    LEASES

The Company has various lease agreements for offices, warehouses, manufacturing plants and equipment that expire on various dates through January 2040.  Some of these lease agreements contain renewal options and provide for payment of property taxes, utilities and certain other expenses.

The following table summarizes rent expense for the past three fiscal years and commitments for minimum rentals under noncancelable leases having initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at November 30, 2011.

Rent expense for the years ended:
 
2011
$
16,518

2010
15,594

2009
16,139

 
 

 
 
Future minimum rentals under noncancelable leases:
 

2012
$
10,781

2013
9,818

2014
8,186

2015
6,540

2016
4,250

Thereafter
13,158



I.    PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS
 
The Company has defined benefit pension plans and a postretirement healthcare benefit plan covering certain current and retired employees.  The Company has frozen participation in its defined benefit plans.  For one of the plans, certain current plan participants continue to participate in the plan, while other current participants do not accrue future benefits under the plan but participate in an enhanced defined contribution plan which offers an increased Company match.

As discussed in Note A, the Company adopted accounting guidance expanding the required disclosures for pension and other postretirement plans by requiring disclosures about how investment allocation decisions are made by management, major categories of plan assets and significant concentration of risk.  The guidance also requires an employer to disclose information about the valuation of plan assets similar to that required under the accounting guidance on fair value measurements.  Additional FASB guidance regarding the change in the measurement date of pension and other postretirement plans from a November 1st date to the Company’s fiscal year-end date was effective for fiscal year 2009.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, the method of determining the amortization of unrealized gains and losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the U.S. combined nonqualifed plans was changed from a simple average of the remaining years of future service of participants to a weighted average approach to more accurately reflect the expense incurred related to participants over their remaining expected service with the Company.  Additionally, the gains and losses being amortized include gains or losses occurring during the year.  As a result of this change, a $2,000 charge was recorded which increased pension expense, included in Selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  This charge also reduced Earnings before income taxes and minority interests by $2,000 and reduced Net earnings by $1,266.  The Company determined that the retroactive effect of applying this change was not material to any prior periods or to fiscal year 2009 and therefore recorded the entire amount during fiscal year 2009.

F-23

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The Company’s policy is to contribute to its qualified U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans at least the minimum amount required by applicable laws and regulations, to contribute to the U.S. combined nonqualified plans when required for benefit payments, and to contribute to the postretirement healthcare benefit plan an amount equal to the benefit payments.  The Company, from time to time, makes voluntary contributions in excess of the minimum amount required as economic conditions warrant.  The Company did not make a voluntary contribution to its qualified U.S. pension plans in 2011, 2010 or 2009.  The Company expects to contribute $18,968 to its U.S. qualified plans, $219 to its U.S. combined nonqualified plans, $415 to its non-U.S. plan and $99 to its postretirement healthcare benefit plan to pay benefits during 2012.

The projected benefit obligation ("PBO"), accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) and fair value of plan assets for qualified pension plans with PBOs and ABOs in excess of plan assets were $164,820, $159,208 and $112,548, respectively, at November 30, 2011.

The U.S. combined nonqualified plans are unfunded; therefore, there are no plan assets; however, the Company has funded $1,131 and $1,258 at November 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, into a restricted trust for its U.S. combined nonqualified plans, see Note E.  This trust is included in Other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The PBO and ABO for the U.S. combined nonqualified plans were $22,022 and $19,750, at November 30, 2011, respectively.

The discount rate is used to calculate the present value of the PBO.  The Company’s objective in selecting a discount rate is to select the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled on the measurement date taking into account the nature and duration of the benefit obligations of the plan.  In making this estimate, the Company looks at rates of return on high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits.  This process includes looking at the bonds available on the measurement date with a quality rating of Aa or better.  Similar appropriate benchmarks are used to determine the discount rate for the non-U.S. plan.  The difference in the discount rates between the qualified, the nonqualified and the other postretirement plans is due to different expectations as to the period of time in which plan members will participate in the various plans.  In general, higher discount rates correspond to longer participation periods.  The assumptions for the discount rate, rate of compensation increase and expected rate of return and the asset allocations related to the non-U.S. plan are not materially different than for the U.S. qualified plans.

The rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for expected increases in salaries among continuing active participants accruing benefits in the pay-related plans.  The Company considers the impact of profit-sharing payments, merit increases and promotions in setting the salary increase assumption as well as possible future inflation increases and its impact on salaries paid to plan participants at the locations where the Company has facilities.
 
The following tables show reconciliations of the pension plans and other postretirement benefits plan as of November 30, 2011 and 2010.  The accrued pension benefit obligation includes an unfunded benefit obligation of $22,022 and $20,900 as of November 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to the Company’s U.S. combined nonqualified plans.

 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
168,644

 
$
163,069

 
$
663

 
$
843

Currency translation
(14
)
 
(374
)
 

 

Service cost
1,968

 
2,119

 

 

Interest cost
8,133

 
8,108

 
23

 
32

Plan participants' contributions
41

 
39

 

 

Plan amendments

 
(1,124
)
 

 

Actuarial losses (gains)
16,562

 
6,309

 
(24
)
 
(177
)
Benefits paid
(8,493
)
 
(9,502
)
 
(483
)
 
(500
)
Retiree contributions

 

 
371

 
465

Benefit obligation at end of year
$
186,841

 
$
168,644

 
$
550

 
$
663

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


F-24

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)


 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Change in plan assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
$
100,866

 
$
95,604

 
$

 
$

Currency translation
(13
)
 
(313
)
 

 

Actual return on plan assets
5,771

 
11,516

 

 

Employer contributions
14,376

 
3,522

 
483

 
500

Plan participants' contributions
41

 
39

 

 

Benefits paid
(8,493
)
 
(9,502
)
 
(483
)
 
(500
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
$
112,548

 
$
100,866

 
$

 
$

Funded status
$
(74,293
)
 
$
(67,778
)
 
$
(550
)
 
$
(663
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year
$
178,959

 
$
161,298

 
n/a
 
n/a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assumptions:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Discount rate - qualified plans
4.50%
 
5.25%
 
3.50%
 
3.75%
Discount rate - nonqualified plans
2.75%
 
2.25%
 
n/a
 
n/a
Rate of compensation increase - qualified plans
4.00%
 
4.00%
 
n/a
 
n/a
Rate of compensation increase - nonqualified plans
4.00%
 
4.00%
 
n/a
 
n/a
Measurement date
11/30/2011
 
11/30/2010
 
11/30/2011
 
11/30/2010


 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of November 30
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
(219
)
 
$
(2,194
)
 
$
(100
)
 
$
(123
)
Long-term pension and postretirement healthcare benefits liabilities
(74,074
)
 
(65,584
)
 
(450
)
 
(540
)
Funded status
$
(74,293
)
 
$
(67,778
)
 
$
(550
)
 
$
(663
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax
$
72,687

 
$
60,306

 
$
(1,887
)
 
$
(2,115
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, as of November 30
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrecognized net actuarial loss (gain)
$
72,717

 
$
60,731

 
$
(1,047
)
 
$
(1,153
)
Unrecognized net prior service credit
(30
)
 
(425
)
 
(840
)
 
(962
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax
72,687

 
60,306

 
(1,887
)
 
(2,115
)
Deferred taxes
(26,830
)
 
(21,924
)
 
686

 
775

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, after-tax
$
45,857

 
$
38,382

 
$
(1,201
)
 
$
(1,340
)
 

F-25

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The amounts affecting Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended November 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Amortization of unrecognized prior service (cost) credit, net of tax of $(149), $(147) and $(45), $(45), respectively
$
246

 
$
250

 
$
77

 
$
78

Amortization of unrecognized actuarial (losses) gains, net of tax of $2,403, $1,831 and $(47), $(47), respectively
(4,075
)
 
(3,175
)
 
83

 
82

Current year actuarial losses (gains), net of tax of $(6,825), $(716) and $9, $65, respectively
11,639

 
1,126

 
(15
)
 
(113
)
Plan amendments, net of tax of $0, $421 and $0, $0, respectively

 
(703
)
 

 

Effect of change in deferred tax rate
(335
)
 
287

 
(6
)
 
(2
)
Total
$
7,475

 
$
(2,215
)
 
$
139

 
$
45

 
The target allocation for the U.S. plans is 70% equity securities, 25% debt securities and 5% real estate.  The target allocation is based on the Company’s desire to maximize total return, considering the long-term funding objectives of the pension plans, but may change in the future.  Plan assets are diversified to achieve a balance between risk and return.  The Company does not invest plan assets in private equity funds or hedge funds.  The Company’s expected long-term rate of return considers historical returns on plan assets as well as future expectation given the current and target asset allocation and current economic conditions with input from investment managers and actuaries.  The expected rate of return on plan assets is designed to be a long-term assumption that may be subject to considerable year-to-year variance from actual returns.

As of the November 30th measurement dates, the fair values of actual pension asset allocations were as follows:

 
2011
 
2010
Equity securities
72.1
%
 
71.5
%
Debt securities
24.1
%
 
24.9
%
Real estate and other
3.8
%
 
3.6
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

The accounting guidance on fair value measurements specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques (Level 1, 2 and 3).  See Note E for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy.  The following table summarizes the fair value of the pension plans’ assets.

 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
November 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. equity securities funds
$
68,481

 
$

 
$
68,481

 
$

Non-U.S. equity securities funds
12,613

 
5,424

 
7,189

 

Fixed income securities funds
27,171

 
1,916

 
25,255

 

Real estate funds
3,782

 

 

 
3,782

Cash and equivalents funds
67

 
67

 

 

Total
112,114

 
$
7,407

 
$
100,925

 
$
3,782

Other items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets
434

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair value of plan assets
$
112,548

 
 

 
 

 
 



F-26

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
November 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. equity securities funds
$
60,386

 
$

 
$
60,386

 
$

Non-U.S. equity securities funds
11,747

 
5,475

 
6,272

 

Fixed income securities funds
25,094

 
1,786

 
23,308

 

Real estate funds
3,203

 

 

 
3,203

Cash and equivalents funds
16

 
16

 

 

Total
100,446

 
$
7,277

 
$
89,966

 
$
3,203

Other items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets
420

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair value of plan assets
$
100,866

 
 

 
 

 
 


U.S. equity securities funds consist primarily of large cap and small cap U.S. companies.  Non-U.S. equity securities funds consist primarily of equities of non-U.S. developed markets.  Funds that are traded on a national exchange are categorized as Level 1.  For fund units not traded on a national exchange, the funds are valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) as determined by the custodian of the funds.  The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities then divided by the number of units outstanding.

Fixed income securities funds consist primarily of bonds such as governmental agencies, investment grade credit, commercial mortgage backed, residential mortgage backed and asset backed.  Funds that are traded on a national exchange are categorized as Level 1.  For fund units not traded on a national exchange, the funds are valued at the NAV as determined by the custodian of the funds.  The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities then divided by the number of units outstanding.

Real estate funds consist of units of other private real estate funds, each of which have different pre-notification and valuation parameters.  The NAV for the funds is calculated on a lag of approximately 30 days and the funds only trade on a quarterly basis through the custodian of the funds.

Other items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets is the net of interest receivable, amounts due for securities sold, amounts payable for securities purchased and interest payable.

The following table summarizes changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets for the year ended November 30, 2011.
 
 
2011
 
2010
Balance at beginning of year
$
3,203

 
$
3,053

Unrealized gains
579

 
150

Balance at end of year
$
3,782

 
$
3,203

 

F-27

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The components of net periodic benefit cost for pensions are shown below.  Net periodic benefit cost is based on assumptions determined at the prior year-end measurement date.  Increases in the liability due to changes in plan benefits are recognized in the net periodic benefit costs through straight-line amortization over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits.

 
Pension Benefits
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Components of net periodic benefit cost
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
1,968

 
$
2,119

 
$
1,799

Interest cost
8,133

 
8,108

 
9,275

Expected return on plan assets
(7,674
)
 
(7,123
)
 
(6,938
)
Settlement costs
1,368

 

 

Amortization of unrecognized:
 

 
 

 
 

Prior service cost
(395
)
 
(394
)
 
127

Net actuarial loss
5,110

 
5,006

 
3,559

Net periodic benefit cost
$
8,510

 
$
7,716

 
$
7,822

 
 
 
 
 
 
Assumptions:
 

 
 

 
 

Discount rate - qualified plans
5.25%
 
5.50%
 
8.25%
Discount rate - nonqualified plans
2.75%
 
2.25%
 
7.50%
Expected return on plan assets
7.50%
 
7.75%
 
8.00%
Rate of compensation increase - qualified plans
4.00%
 
4.00%
 
4.00%
Rate of compensation increase - nonqualified plans
4.00%
 
4.00%
 
—%
Measurement date - qualified plans
11/30/2010
 
11/30/2009
 
11/1/2008
Measurement date - nonqualified plans
11/30/2011
 
11/30/2010
 
11/1/2008
 
For the determination of 2012 expense, the Company expects to change its assumptions as follows: (a) leave the long-term return on assets for its qualified plans unchanged, (b) decrease the discount rates on its qualified plans to 4.50%, and (c) leave the rate of compensation increase unchanged.  For its U.S. combined nonqualified plans, the Company expects to leave the discount rates and rate of compensation increase unchanged.

The changes in the fair value of plan assets and in the assumptions will result in a net decrease in fiscal year 2012 expense of approximately $(608) for the qualified U.S. pension plans. The Company also expects a net increase of approximately $594 for the U.S. combined nonqualified plans in fiscal year 2012.

The postretirement obligations represent a fixed dollar amount per retiree.  The Company has the right to modify or terminate these benefits.  The participants will assume substantially all future healthcare benefit cost increases, and future increases in healthcare costs will not increase the postretirement benefit obligation or cost to the Company.  Therefore, the Company has not assumed any annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits for future years.  The Company discontinued the prescription drug benefit portion of its plan effective January 31, 2006.

F-28

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The components of net periodic benefit income for postretirement healthcare benefits are shown below.

 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Components of net periodic benefit income
 
 
 
 
 
Interest cost
$
23

 
$
32

 
$
61

Amortization of unrecognized:
 

 
 

 
 

Prior service cost
(122
)
 
(123
)
 
(123
)
Net actuarial gain
(130
)
 
(129
)
 
(184
)
Net periodic benefit income
$
(229
)
 
$
(220
)
 
$
(246
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assumptions:
 

 
 

 
 

Discount rate
3.75
%
 
4.25
%
 
8.25
%
Measurement date
11/30/2010
 
11/30/2009
 
11/1/2008
 
The Company froze participation in the postretirement healthcare plan to eligible retirees effective January 1, 2007.  As a result, unrecognized prior service costs of $1,708 are being amortized over the average remaining years of service for active plan participants.  The Company expects to decrease its discount rate assumption to 3.50% in 2012 for its other postretirement benefits plan, which will not significantly affect the fiscal year 2012 expense.

The estimated amounts that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive loss at November 30, 2011 into net periodic benefit cost, pre-tax, in fiscal year 2012 are as follows:

 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Postretirement
Benefits
Prior service cost (credit)
$
12

 
$
(123
)
Actuarial loss (gain)
7,638

 
(121
)
Total
$
7,650

 
$
(244
)
 
The expected cash benefit payments from the plans for the next ten fiscal years are as follows:

 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Postretirement
Benefits
2012
$
7,162

 
$
99

2013
28,088

 
78

2014
8,063

 
72

2015
8,424

 
64

2016
8,754

 
52

2017-2021
51,142

 
170


F-29

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The Company also sponsors various defined contribution plans that provide employees with an opportunity to accumulate funds for their retirement.  The Company may match, at its discretion, the contributions of participating employees in the respective plans.  The Company recognized expense related to these plans for the past three fiscal years as follows:
 
2011
$
3,933

2010
3,597

2009
3,658

  

J.    INCOME TAXES

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, including positions which impact only the timing of tax benefits for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 1,
$
2,783

 
$
3,021

 
$
2,731

Additions for current period tax positions
591

 
574

 
258

Additions for prior period tax positions

 
57

 
90

Reductions for prior period tax positions
(193
)
 

 

Reductions for lapse of statue of limitations/settlements
(203
)
 
(809
)
 
(197
)
Changes in interest and penalties
37

 
(60
)
 
139

Unrecognized tax benefits at November 30,
$
3,015

 
$
2,783

 
$
3,021


At November 30, 2011and 2010, the amount of unrecognized tax benefit, that would impact the effective tax rate if recognized, was $2,123 and $1,697, respectively.  As of November 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had $495 and $470, respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties.

The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of November 30, 2011, will decrease by $110 over the next twelve months as a result of expected settlements with taxing authorities.  Due to the various jurisdictions in which the Company files tax returns and the uncertainty regarding the timing of settlements it is possible that there could be other significant changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in fiscal year 2012; however, the amount cannot be estimated.

The Company is regularly audited by federal, state and foreign tax authorities.  The Internal Revenue Service has completed its audits of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns through fiscal year 2009.  With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by state or foreign tax jurisdictions for years prior to 2006.

F-30

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The provision for income taxes consisted of:

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
34,374

 
$
35,292

 
$
25,938

State
1,558

 
2,526

 
970

Foreign
11,784

 
10,099

 
7,773

Deferred:
 

 
 

 
 

Federal
9,196

 
631

 
(1,564
)
State
1,086

 
(1,085
)
 
(53
)
Foreign
(1,051
)
 
(391
)
 
755

 
$
56,947

 
$
47,072

 
$
33,819


Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests included the following components:

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Domestic income
$
139,840

 
$
109,303

 
$
77,276

Foreign income
41,468

 
34,120

 
28,373

 
$
181,308

 
$
143,423

 
$
105,649

 
The provision for income taxes resulted in effective tax rates that differ from the statutory federal income tax rates.  The reasons for these differences are as follows:

 
Percent of Pre-Tax Earnings
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Statutory U.S. tax rates
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
1.3

 
1.0

 
0.6

Tax credits
(0.7
)
 

 
(0.7
)
Foreign taxes at different rates, net of credits
(2.5
)
 
(1.6
)
 
(1.7
)
Domestic production activities deduction
(2.4
)
 
(1.6
)
 
(1.3
)
Other, net
0.7

 

 
0.1

 
31.4
 %
 
32.8
 %
 
32.0
 %
 

F-31

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The components of the net deferred tax liability as of November 30, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:

 
2011
 
2010
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Deferred compensation
$
8,260

 
$
7,590

Loss carryforward and tax credit items
3,265

 
3,146

Accounts receivable
5,840

 
6,092

Inventories
5,069

 
4,532

Pensions
26,643

 
24,036

Accrued liabilities and other
9,591

 
9,181

Valuation allowance
(1,959
)
 
(1,658
)
Total deferred tax assets, net
56,709

 
52,919

Deferred tax liabilities:
 

 
 

Percentage of completion
(468
)
 
(413
)
Plant assets
(27,616
)
 
(21,202
)
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets
(37,483
)
 
(35,958
)
Other deferred tax liabilities
(613
)
 
(531
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(66,180
)
 
(58,104
)
Deferred tax liability, net
$
(9,471
)
 
$
(5,185
)
 
Of the foreign and state loss carryforwards and foreign and state tax credit items, $1,998 expires in 2012 through 2029 and $1,267 may be carried over indefinitely.  

The Company decreased the valuation allowance by $301 and $670 in 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to foreign and state net operating losses and foreign and state tax credit carryovers.  During the year ended November 30, 2011, the Company recognized $1,031 of tax benefit from the release of a valuation allowance recorded against net operating loss carryovers of one of its foreign subsidiaries.  The valuation allowance was released due to the successful completion of a subsidiary reorganization during the third quarter of 2011. The valuation allowance reflects the estimated amount of deferred tax assets due to foreign net operating losses that may not be realized.  The Company expects to realize the remaining deferred tax assets through the reversal of taxable temporary differences and future earnings.

The Company repatriated $21 of accumulated foreign earnings in 2011 related to one foreign subsidiary paying a dividend to another foreign subsidiary. The Company did not repatriate any accumulated foreign earnings in 2010.  The Company repatriated $991 of accumulated foreign earnings in 2009 related to a Canadian subsidiary due to favorable tax rates.  For the Company’s other foreign subsidiaries, the Company has not provided deferred taxes on unremitted foreign earnings from certain foreign affiliates of approximately $145,764 that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested to finance operations and expansion outside the United States.  If such earnings were distributed beyond the amount for which taxes have been provided, foreign tax credits could offset in part any incremental U.S. tax liability.  Determination of the unrecognized deferred taxes related to these undistributed earnings is not practicable.
 

K.    INSURANCE CLAIMS AND SETTLEMENTS

During August 2011, an Engine/Mobile Filtration segment manufacturing facility that the Company owns was damaged in a weather-related event. A loss of $250, representing the Company's deductible, was recorded in Cost of sales for the quarter ended August 27, 2011. During November 2011, the Company received $200 from the insurance company. The Company does not expect to collect any further amounts related to this claim.

F-32

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



During June 2009, an Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment warehouse that the Company leases was damaged by fire.  A loss of $250, representing the Company’s deductible, was recorded in Cost of sales for the quarter ended August 29, 2009.  During September 2009, the Company received $500 from the insurance company.  During February 2010, the Company received additional insurance proceeds of $557.  The Company does not expect to collect any further amounts related to this claim.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, four of the Company’s facilities in three states were damaged in weather-related events.  The Company’s Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment recognized a gain, resulting from the excess of insurance proceeds received over the net book value of the property, of $1,963 (net of the $500 deductible paid by the Company) as a reduction of Cost of sales.  The Company’s Engine/Mobile Filtration segment recognized a loss of $178 in Cost of sales, resulting from costs incurred below the Company’s deductible limit.  During fiscal year 2009, the Company received $654 from the insurance company. The Company does not expect to collect any further amounts related to these claims.
 

L.    CONTINGENCIES

Legal Contingencies
 
From time to time, the Company is subject to lawsuits, investigations and disputes (some of which involve substantial claimed amounts) arising out of the conduct of its business, including matters relating to commercial transactions, product liability, intellectual property and other matters.  Items included in these other matters are discussed below.  The Company believes recorded reserves in its Consolidated Financial Statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable outcomes of the items discussed below.  Any recorded liabilities were not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operation or liquidity and the Company does not currently believe that any pending claims or litigation, including those identified below, will materially affect its financial position, results of operation or liquidity.

Donaldson

On May 15, 2009, Donaldson Company, Inc. (“Donaldson”) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleging that certain “ChannelFlow®” engine/mobile filters manufactured and sold by a subsidiary of the Company infringe one or more patents held by Donaldson. Through this lawsuit Donaldson seeks various remedies, including injunctive relief and monetary damages of approximately $3,000. Management believes that the products in question do not infringe the asserted patents and that such patents are invalid. The Company is vigorously defending the action. The matter is currently scheduled to go to trial on or about February 14, 2012.

Antitrust/Qui Tam

On March 31, 2008, S&E Quick Lube, a filter distributor, filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut alleging that virtually every major North American engine filter manufacturer, including the Company's subsidiary, Baldwin Filters, Inc. (the “Defendant Group” and "Baldwin," respectively), engaged in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate U.S. customers for aftermarket filters.  The suit is a purported class action on behalf of direct purchasers of filters from the Defendant Group.  Parallel purported class actions, including on behalf of indirect purchasers of filters, have been filed by other plaintiffs against the Defendant Group in a variety of jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. In addition, the Attorneys General of the State of Florida and the County of Suffolk, New York filed complaints against the Defendant Group based on these same allegations, and the Attorney General of the State of Washington requested various documents, information and cooperation, which the Company agreed to provide. All of the U.S cases, including the actions brought by and/or on behalf of governmental entities, were consolidated into a single multi-district litigation in the Northern District of Illinois (the "Court"). The Company has consistently denied any wrongdoing whatsoever and vigorously defended the action at significant expense.  

On June 24, 2011, William Burch, a former employee of two other defendants in the Defendant Group and the key initiator of the lawsuits, and key witness for the plaintiffs, pleaded guilty to a charge brought by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania of making false statements to the United States Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). In pleading guilty to this charge, Mr. Burch admitted that he fabricated certain key evidence relevant to the lawsuits at issue and thereafter lied about it to the DOJ. On October 26, 2011, Mr. Burch was sentenced to two years in prison in respect of this crime.

F-33

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



On October 7, 2011, Baldwin entered into a settlement agreement ("Settlement Agreement") with the putative plaintiff classes involved in the action, including the State of Florida. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Baldwin denied any wrongdoing whatsoever but agreed to pay a total of $625 to a settlement fund to be divided among the plaintiff classes in exchange for a full and complete release of all claims with prejudice. Two other members of the Defendant Group, Donaldson Company, Inc. ("Donaldson") and Cummins, Inc. ("Cummins"), also entered into substantially identical settlement agreements with the putative plaintiff classes at the same time as Baldwin.

The Company entered into the Settlement Agreement to free itself from the expense of ongoing litigation, which was anticipated to be many times greater than the agreed settlement amount. The $625 settlement amount has been fully reserved by the Company and is included in Other accrued liabilities (see Note F) in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Settlement Agreement will become effective after the Court enters a final judgment order approving the Settlement Agreement and dismissing the causes of action against Baldwin with prejudice and without costs, and the time for appealing the foregoing expires. The Company is unable to predict when these conditions will be satisfied, but the Company is unaware of any objections or obstacles, and believes that these conditions will be satisfied in due course and in keeping with normal judicial time lines. On October 10, 2011, the plaintiffs filed an omnibus motion for preliminary approval of the Settlement Agreement (and the settlement agreements with Donaldson and Cummins), certification of settlement classes, appointment of class counsel for the settlement classes, authorization to disseminate notice to settlement classes, and setting a hearing on final settlement approval, which motion is currently pending before the Court.
  
TransWeb/3M

On May 21, 2010, 3M Company and 3M Innovative Properties (“3M”) brought a lawsuit against TransWeb in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleging that certain TransWeb products infringe certain 3M patents.  Shortly after receiving service of process in this litigation, TransWeb filed its own complaint against 3M in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, seeking a declaratory judgment that the asserted patents are invalid and that the products in question do not infringe.  3M withdrew its Minnesota action, and the parties are currently litigating the matter in New Jersey.  The litigation in question was filed and underway before the Company acquired TransWeb in December 2010, but the Company assumed the risk of this litigation as a result of the acquisition.  The Company intends to vigorously defend the action and pursue related claims.  In this regard, on June 3, 2011, TransWeb filed a Second Amended Complaint against 3M, (i) seeking declaratory judgment that the asserted 3M patents are invalid, the TransWeb products in question do not infringe, and the 3M patents are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct by 3M in obtaining the patents, (ii) alleging patent infringement by 3M of a patent held by TransWeb, and (iii) alleging antitrust violations by 3M in connection with the personal respirator market. The Company has since dropped its patent infringement allegations against 3M, but continues to allege and pursue its inequitable conduct and antitrust claims.

The Company acquired TransWeb on December 29, 2010 (see Note B).  Of the base purchase price, the Company withheld payment of $17,000 pending resolution of the 3M litigation, which funds may be used by the Company in connection with the same.  Any litigation related amounts incurred in excess of the amount withheld will be expensed and paid by the Company. The Company currently does not anticipate total litigation related amounts to exceed the amount withheld. During the year ended November 30, 2011, the Company applied legal charges of $6,329, against the withheld payment, leaving a remaining balance of $10,671.  At November 30, 2011, $6,149 is included in Other accrued liabilities (see Note F) and $4,522 is included in Other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Other

Additionally, the Company is party to various proceedings relating to environmental issues.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or other responsible state agencies have designated the Company as a potentially responsible party, along with other companies, in remedial activities for the cleanup of waste sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“the federal Superfund statute”).  Although it is not certain what future environmental claims, if any, may be asserted, the Company currently believes that its potential liability for known environmental matters is not material.  However, environmental and related remediation costs are difficult to quantify for a number of reasons, including the number of parties involved, the difficulty in determining the nature and extent of the contamination at issue, the length of time remediation may require, the complexity of the environmental regulation and the continuing advancement of remediation technology.  Applicable federal law may impose joint and several liability on each potentially responsible party for the cleanup.

F-34

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



In addition to the matters cited above, the Company is involved in legal actions arising in the normal course of business.  The Company records provisions with respect to identified claims or lawsuits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Claims and lawsuits are reviewed quarterly and provisions are taken or adjusted to reflect the status of a particular matter.  No such provisions have been taken in respect of the Donaldson, antitrust or TransWeb legal proceedings referred to above.

Other Contingencies

In the event of a change in control of the Company, termination benefits are likely to be required for certain executive officers and other employees.


M.    INCENTIVE PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On March 23, 2009, the shareholders of CLARCOR approved the 2009 Incentive Plan, which replaced the 2004 Incentive Plan.  The 2009 Incentive Plan allows the Company to grant stock options, restricted stock unit awards, restricted stock and performance awards to officers, directors and key employees of up to 3,800,000 shares during a ten-year period that ends in December 2019.  Upon share option exercise or restricted stock unit award conversion, the Company issues new shares unless treasury shares are available.

Stock Options

Nonqualified stock options are granted at exercise prices equal to the market price of CLARCOR common stock at the date of grant, which is the date the Company’s Board of Directors approves the grant and the participants receive it.  The Company’s Board of Directors determines the vesting requirements for stock options at the time of grant and may accelerate vesting.  In general, options granted to key employees vest 25% per year beginning at the end of the first year; therefore, they become fully exercisable at the end of four years.  Vesting may be accelerated in the event of retirement, disability or death of a participant or change in control of the Company.  Options granted to non-employee directors vest immediately.  All options expire ten years from the date of grant unless otherwise terminated.

The following table summarizes information related to stock options and stock option exercises during the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Pre-tax compensation expense
$
4,397

 
$
3,632

 
$
3,027

Deferred tax benefits
(1,616
)
 
(1,335
)
 
(969
)
Excess tax benefits associated with tax deductions over the amount of compensation expense recognized in the consolidated financial statements
5,100

 
2,500

 
1,881

Fair value of options granted
5,803

 
4,213

 
3,551

Total intrinsic value of options exercised
16,732

 
7,547

 
4,975

Cash received upon exercise of options
7,233

 
5,703

 
2,479

Tax benefit realized from exercise of options
5,100

 
2,457

 
1,809

Addition to capital in excess of par value due to exercise of stock options
8,045

 
7,313

 
3,164


F-35

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The following table summarizes activity with respect to nonqualified stock options granted by the Company and includes options granted under the 2009, 2004 and 1994 Incentive Plans.

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
Options
Granted
under
Incentive
Plans
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Options
Granted
under
Incentive
Plans
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Options
Granted
under
Incentive
Plans
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Outstanding at beginning of year
3,229,410

 
$
29.07

 
3,229,187

 
$
27.43

 
3,132,111

 
$
25.75

Granted
494,750

 
$
43.00

 
482,510

 
$
32.69

 
466,025

 
$
31.94

Exercised
(774,661
)
 
$
25.12

 
(443,810
)
 
$
20.76

 
(322,236
)
 
$
16.40

Surrendered
(41,966
)
 
$
36.06

 
(38,477
)
 
$
33.02

 
(46,713
)
 
$
35.45

Outstanding at end of year
2,907,533

 
$
32.39

 
3,229,410

 
$
29.07

 
3,229,187

 
$
27.43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercisable at end of year
1,971,197

 
$
30.00

 
2,347,852

 
$
27.48

 
2,372,757

 
$
25.02


At November 30, 2011, there was $4,068 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested option awards which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.44 years.

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable options at November 30, 2011.

 
 
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise
Prices
 
Number
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Intrinsic Value
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining Life
in Years
 
Number
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Intrinsic Value
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining Life
in Years
$13.75 - $18.13
 
98,100

 
$
16.72

 
$
3,145

 
1.02
 
98,100

 
$
16.72

 
$
3,145

 
1.02
$20.57 - $28.96
 
880,272

 
$
25.96

 
20,084

 
3.34
 
880,272

 
$
25.96

 
20,084

 
3.34
$31.96 - $38.23
 
1,449,961

 
$
33.85

 
21,650

 
6.49
 
931,725

 
$
34.28

 
13,509

 
5.98
$40.73 - $44.07
 
479,200

 
$
43.00

 
2,770

 
9.08
 
61,100

 
$
44.05

 
289

 
9.33
 
 
2,907,533

 
$
32.39

 
$
47,649

 
5.78
 
1,971,197

 
$
30.00

 
$
37,027

 
4.66

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions by grant year.

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Weighted average fair value per option at the date of grant for options granted
$
11.73

 
$
8.73

 
$
7.62

Risk-free interest rate
2.52
%
 
2.84
%
 
1.91
%
Expected dividend yield
0.98
%
 
1.02
%
 
1.25
%
Expected volatility factor
25.54
%
 
26.00
%
 
24.16
%
Expected option term in years
6.4

 
6.2

 
6.1


The expected option term in years selected for options granted during each period presented represents the period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding based on historical data of option holder exercise and termination behavior.  Expected volatilities are based upon historical volatility of the Company’s monthly stock closing prices over a period equal to the expected life of each option grant.  The risk-free interest rate is selected based on yields from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term approximately equal to the expected term of the options being valued.  Expected dividend yield is based on the estimated dividend yield determined on the date of issuance.

F-36

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



Subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2011, the Company issued 453,350 options under the 2009 Incentive Plan with exercise prices of $49.91.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

The Company’s restricted stock  unit awards are considered nonvested share awards.  The restricted stock unit awards require no payment from the employee.  Compensation cost is recorded based on the market price of the stock on the grant date and is recorded equally over the vesting period of four years.  During the vesting period, officers and key employees receive compensation equal to the amount of dividends declared on common shares they would have been entitled to receive had the shares been issued.  Upon vesting, employees may elect to defer receipt of their shares.  There were 103,390 and 108,800 shares which were vested and deferred at November 30, 2011 and 2010.

The following table summarizes information related to restricted stock unit awards during the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Pre-tax compensation expense
$
1,079

 
$
970

 
$
1,061

Deferred tax benefits
(396
)
 
(357
)
 
(339
)
Excess tax benefit (expense) associated with tax deductions under the amount of compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed financial statements
3

 
(111
)
 
(27
)
Fair value of restricted stock unit awards on date of grant
1,263

 
1,102

 
1,192

Fair value of restricted stock unit awards vested
905

 
983

 
790

 
The following table summarizes the restricted stock unit awards.

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of year
70,894

 
$
33.23

 
67,476

 
$
34.01

 
57,724

 
$
33.66

Granted
29,467

 
$
42.86

 
34,128

 
$
32.30

 
36,368

 
$
32.78

Vested
(26,937
)
 
$
33.61

 
(28,898
)
 
$
34.01

 
(25,135
)
 
$
31.42

Surrendered
(1,879
)
 
$
37.18

 
(1,812
)
 
$
32.30

 
(1,481
)
 
34.19

Nonvested at end of year
71,545

 
$
36.95

 
70,894

 
$
33.23

 
67,476

 
$
34.01


As of November 30, 2011, there was $786 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock unit awards that the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2011, the Company issued 29,839 restricted stock unit awards, each with a fair value of $49.91 at the date of grant.

F-37

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



Directors' Restricted Stock Compensation

The incentive plans provide for grants of shares of common stock to all non-employee directors equal to a one-year annual retainer in lieu of cash at the directors’ option. The directors’ rights to the shares vest immediately on the date of grant; however, the shares cannot be sold for a six-month period from the date of grant.  The following table summarizes compensation expense related to directors’ restricted stock and the number of shares issued under the plans during the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Pre-tax compensation expense
$
200

 
$
240

 
$
210

Shares of Company common stock issued under the plans
4,540

 
6,760

 
8,298

 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company sponsors an employee stock purchase plan which allows employees to purchase stock at a discount of 5%.  Effective January 1, 2006, the plan was amended to be in compliance with safe harbor rules so that the plan is not compensatory, and no expense is recognized related to the plan.  The Company issued stock under this plan as follows during the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Company stock issued under the plan
$
1,216

 
$
1,096

 
$
1,138



N.    EARNINGS PER SHARE AND TREASURY STOCK TRANSACTIONS

The Company calculates basic earnings per share by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the impact of outstanding stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based arrangements.  The following table provides a reconciliation of the denominators utilized in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
50,501,842

 
50,678,617

 
50,851,933

Dilutive effect of stock-based arrangements
689,593

 
477,612

 
268,353

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
51,191,435

 
51,156,229

 
51,120,286

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.
$
124,003

 
$
96,081

 
$
71,543

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic
$
2.46

 
$
1.90

 
$
1.41

Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted
$
2.42

 
$
1.88

 
$
1.40

 

F-38

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The following table provides additional information regarding the calculation of earnings per share and treasury stock transactions.
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Number of antidilutive options with exercises prices greater than the average market price excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share
60,000

 
646,349

 
1,297,675

Common stock repurchased and retired pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program
$
29,317

 
$
16,277

 
$
19,767

Number of shares repurchased and retired pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program
683,776

 
445,991

 
688,200

 
On June 22, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a three-year, $250,000 stock repurchase program.  Pursuant to the authorization, the Company may purchase shares from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions through June 22, 2013.  The Company has no obligation to repurchase shares under the authorization, and the timing, actual number and values of shares to be purchased will depend on the Company’s stock price and market conditions.  At November 30, 2011, there was $204,406 available for future purchase under the program.


O.    SEGMENT INFORMATION

Based on the economic characteristics of the Company’s business activities, the nature of products, customers and markets served and the performance evaluation by management and the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company has identified three reportable segments: Engine/Mobile Filtration, Industrial/Environmental Filtration and Packaging.

The Engine/Mobile Filtration segment manufactures and markets a complete line of filters used in the filtration of oils, air, fuel, coolant, hydraulic and transmission fluids in both domestic and international markets.  The Engine/Mobile Filtration segment provides filters for certain types of transportation equipment including automobiles, heavy-duty and light trucks, buses and locomotives, marine and mining equipment, industrial equipment and heavy-duty construction and agricultural equipment.  The products are sold to aftermarket distributors, original equipment manufacturers and dealer networks, private label accounts and directly to truck service centers and large national accounts.

The Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment manufactures and markets a complete line of filters, cartridges, dust collectors, filtration systems, engineered filtration products and technologies used in the filtration of air and industrial fluid processes in both domestic and international markets.  The filters and filter systems are used in commercial and industrial buildings, hospitals, manufacturing processes, pharmaceutical processes, clean rooms, airports, shipyards, refineries and other oil and natural gas facilities, power generation plants, petrochemical plants, residences and various other infrastructures.  The products are sold to commercial and industrial distributors, original equipment manufacturers and dealer networks, private label accounts, retailers and directly to large national accounts.

The Packaging segment manufactures and markets consumer and industrial packaging products including custom-designed plastic and metal containers and closures and lithographed metal sheets in both domestic and international markets.  The products are sold directly to consumer and industrial packaging customers.

Net sales represent sales to unaffiliated customers.  Intersegment sales were not material.  No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated sales for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.  Unallocated amounts consist of interest expense, interest income and other non-operating income and expense items.  Assets are those assets used in each business segment.  Corporate assets consist of cash, deferred income taxes, corporate facility and equipment and various other assets that are not specific to an operating segment.  The Company operates as a consolidated entity, including cooperation between segments, cost allocating and sharing of certain assets.  As such, the Company makes no representation, that if operated on a standalone basis, these segments would report net sales, operating profit and other financial data reflected below.

F-39

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



The following tables provides segment data for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
Engine/Mobile Filtration
$
510,012

 
$
446,104

 
$
373,295

Industrial/Environmental Filtration
523,026

 
470,359

 
461,000

Packaging
93,563

 
94,966

 
73,453

 
$
1,126,601

 
$
1,011,429

 
$
907,748

Operating profit:
 

 
 

 
 

Engine/Mobile Filtration
$
112,839

 
$
92,246

 
$
75,216

Industrial/Environmental Filtration
58,028

 
43,515

 
24,712

Packaging
10,400

 
8,888

 
5,805

 
181,267

 
144,649

 
105,733

Other income (expense), net
41

 
(1,226
)
 
(84
)
Earnings before income taxes
$
181,308

 
$
143,423

 
$
105,649

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Identifiable assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Engine/Mobile Filtration
$
338,197

 
$
292,196

 
$
252,747

Industrial/Environmental Filtration
693,266

 
650,530

 
629,488

Packaging
39,571

 
40,450

 
36,456

Corporate
63,899

 
59,235

 
55,199

 
$
1,134,933

 
$
1,042,411

 
$
973,890

Additions to property, plant and equipment:
 
 
 
 
 
Engine/Mobile Filtration
$
11,406

 
$
7,704

 
$
8,360

Industrial/Environmental Filtration
8,775

 
14,597

 
11,744

Packaging
3,824

 
2,152

 
1,399

Corporate
166

 

 
237

 
$
24,171

 
$
24,453

 
$
21,740

Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
Engine/Mobile Filtration
$
9,325

 
$
9,810

 
$
9,645

Industrial/Environmental Filtration
19,231

 
17,151

 
17,322

Packaging
3,166

 
3,260

 
3,308

Corporate
713

 
700

 
687

 
$
32,435

 
$
30,921

 
$
30,962


F-40

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except share data)



Financial data relating to the geographic areas in which the Company operates are shown for the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.  Net sales by geographic area are based on sales to final customers within that region.

 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
775,987

 
$
702,510

 
$
634,057

Europe
106,712

 
99,939

 
103,917

Other International
243,902

 
208,980

 
169,774

 
$
1,126,601

 
$
1,011,429

 
$
907,748

Property, plant and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation:
 

 
 

 
 

United States
$
164,712

 
$
161,000

 
$
170,398

Europe
2,924

 
3,375

 
4,157

Other International
17,356

 
16,800

 
13,536

 
$
184,992

 
$
181,175

 
$
188,091



P.    SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

The following table provides unaudited quarterly data for 2011 and 2010:

 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
245,720

 
$
288,533

 
$
284,819

 
$
307,529

Gross profit
$
80,953

 
$
99,462

 
$
95,874

 
$
107,132

Net earnings
$
21,921

 
$
32,881

 
$
32,159

 
$
37,400

Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.
$
21,881

 
$
32,808

 
$
32,070

 
$
37,244

Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic
$
0.43

 
$
0.65

 
$
0.63

 
$
0.74

Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted
$
0.43

 
$
0.64

 
$
0.63

 
$
0.73

Dividends declared and paid per common share
$
0.1050

 
$
0.1050

 
$
0.1050

 
$
0.1200

2010
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net sales
$
215,131

 
$
257,869

 
$
262,770

 
$
275,659

Gross profit
$
69,805

 
$
84,843

 
$
91,561

 
$
92,198

Net earnings
$
14,807

 
$
23,935

 
$
28,571

 
$
29,038

Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.
$
14,866

 
$
23,885

 
$
28,326

 
$
29,004

Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic
$
0.29

 
$
0.47

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.57

Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted
$
0.29

 
$
0.47

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.57

Dividends declared and paid per common share
$
0.0975

 
$
0.0975

 
$
0.0975

 
$
0.1050




F-41

Table of Contents

CLARCOR Inc.
SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
For the years ended November 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(Dollars in thousands)

Column A
 
Column B
 
Column C
 
Column D
 
Column E
 
 
 
 
Additions
 
 
 
 
Description
 
Balance at
beginning of
period
 
(1)
Charged to
costs and
expenses
 
(2)
Charged
to other
accounts
 
Deductions
 
Balance at
end of
period
2011:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for losses on accounts receivable
 
$
11,428

 
$
(312
)
 
$
1,217

(A)
$
(2,538
)
(B)
$
9,795

2010:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allowance for losses on accounts receivable
 
$
15,150

 
$
94

 
$
(727
)
(A) 
$
(3,089
)
(B)
$
11,428

2009:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allowance for losses on accounts receivable
 
$
13,267

 
$
3,099

 
$
557

(A)
$
(1,773
)
(B)
$
15,150

 
NOTES:
(A) Due to business acquisitions, reclassifications and currency translation.
(B) Bad debts written off during year, net of recoveries.



S-1