UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

__________


FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)


[X]

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

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 1, 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 1-10435

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware

 

06-0633559

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. employer

incorporation or organization)

 

identification no.)

 

 

 

Lacey Place, Southport, Connecticut

 

06890

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)


 (203) 259-7843

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes    [ X ]            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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes    [ X ]               No    [    ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  Large accelerated filer  [    ] Accelerated filer  [ X ]     Non-accelerated filer  [    ]     Smaller reporting company     [    ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes    [    ]               No    [ X ]


The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock as of October 24, 2011: Common Stock, $1 par value –19,038,055.

Page 1 of 31







INDEX


STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.



PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed balance sheets – October 1, 2011 and December 31, 2010

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed statements of income – Three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 and  October 2, 2010

5

 

 

 

 

Condensed statement of stockholders’ equity – Nine months ended October 1, 2011

6

 

 

 

 

Condensed statements of cash flows Nine months ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010

7

 

 

 

 

Notes to condensed financial statements – October 1, 2011

8

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

17

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

28

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

29

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

29

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

29

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

30

 

 

 

Item 4.

Removed and Reserved

30

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

30

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

30

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

31



2


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)


 

October 1,
2011

December 31,
2010

 

  

(Note)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 53,344

$   5,132

Short-term investments

25,998

52,493

Trade receivables, net

33,421

31,565


Gross inventories


46,137


48,820

Less LIFO reserve

(37,101)

(37,448)

Less excess and obsolescence reserve

(1,281)

(1,545)

Net inventories

7,755

9,827

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

4,871

4,780

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

1,355

1,427

Total Current Assets

126,744

105,224

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

160,568

150,379

Less allowances for depreciation

(114,267)

(107,458)

Net property, plant and equipment

46,301

42,921


Deferred income taxes


3,976


5,443

Other assets

8,654

4,173

Total Assets

$185,675

$157,761



Note:


The balance sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.


See notes to condensed financial statements.



3


STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)


 

October 1,

2011

December 31, 2010

 

 

(Note)

 

 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 


 

 


Current Liabilities

 


Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses

$ 19,790

$  16,492

Product liability

1,062

449

Employee compensation and benefits

11,930

10,923

Workers’ compensation

4,466

4,893

Income taxes payable

1,729

582

Total Current Liabilities

38,977

33,339

 

 

 

Accrued pension liability

9,366

9,369

Product liability accrual

414

573

 

 

 

Contingent liabilities – Note 11

--

--   



Stockholders’ Equity


 

Common Stock, non-voting, par value $1:


 

Authorized shares 50,000; none issued

--

--   

Common Stock, par value $1:


 

Authorized shares – 40,000,000

2011 – 23,337,489 issued,

 19,038,055 outstanding

2010 – 23,003,285 issued,

 18,837,251 outstanding





23,337





23,003

Additional paid-in capital

9,966

9,885

Retained earnings

161,147

137,125

Less: Treasury stock – at cost

2011 – 4,299,434 shares

2010 – 4,166,034 shares



(37,884)



(35,885)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(19,648)

(19,648)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

136,918

114,480

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$185,675

$157,761


Note:


The balance sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.


See notes to condensed financial statements.



4


STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share data)


   


 

Three Months

Ended

Nine Months

Ended

 

October 1, 2011

October 2, 2010

October 1, 2011

October 2, 2010

 





 





Net firearms sales

$79,214

$57,505

$232,126

$188,396

Net castings sales

1,298

896

3,449

2,671

Total net sales

80,512

58,401

235,575

191,067

 

 


 

 

Cost of products sold

51,385

39,818

153,989

127,613

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

29,127

18,583

81,586

63,454

 

 


 

 

Operating expenses:

 


 

 

Selling

6,581

5,194

19,961

16,211

General and administrative

5,659

4,080

15,218

11,999

Other operating expenses, net

-

-

-

398

Total operating expenses

12,240

9,274

35,179

28,608

 

 


 

 

Operating income

16,887

9,309

46,407

34,846

 

 


 

 

Other income:

 


 

 

Interest expense, net

(21)

(18)

(54)

(75)

Other income, net

177

148

466

449

Total other income, net

156

130

412

374

 

 


 

 

Income before income taxes

17,043

9,439

46,819

35,220

 

 


 

 

Income taxes

6,306

3,398

17,323

12,679

 

 


 

 

Net income

 $10,737

$ 6,041  

$29,496

$22,541  

 




 

Basic earnings per share

$0.57

$0.32

$1.56

$1.18

 

 

 

 

 

Fully diluted earnings per share

$0.56

$0.31

$1.55

$1.17

 




 

Cash dividends per share

$0.142

$0.100

$0.289

$0.253



See notes to condensed financial statements.



5


STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


CONDENSED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)


 

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

$23,003

$9,885

$137,125

$(35,885)

$(19,648)

$114,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income and comprehensive income

 

 

29,496

 

 

29,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(5,474)

 

 

(5,474)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition of stock-based compensation expense

 

2,110

 

 

 

2,110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options and vesting of RSU’s

 

(4,782)

 

 

 

(4,782)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit realized from exercise of stock options and vesting of RSU’s

 

3,087

 

 

 


3,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued – compensation plans

334

(334)

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of 133,400 shares of common stock

 

 

 

(1,999)

 

(1,999)

Balance at October 1, 2011

$ 23,337

$9,966  

$161,147

$(37,884)

$(19,648)

$136,918



See notes to condensed financial statements.



6


STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)


 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

October 1,

2011

October 2,
2010

 



 

Operating Activities



 

Net income

$29,496

$ 22,541

 

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

 


 

Depreciation

8,792

6,863

 

Slow moving inventory valuation adjustment

(35)

(692

)

Stock-based compensation

2,110

1,711

 

Loss (Gain) on sale of assets

(82)

5

 

Deferred income taxes

1,376

649

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 


 

Trade receivables

(1,856)

(885

)

Inventories

2,107

(165

)

Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses

2,870

(1,477

)

Employee compensation and benefits

1,007

(3,905

)

Product liability

454

(995

)

Prepaid expenses, other assets and other liabilities

(4,419)

933

 

Income taxes payable

1,147

(1,085

)

Cash provided by operating activities

42,967

23,498

 

 

 


 

Investing Activities

 


 

Property, plant and equipment additions

(12,209)

(16,416

)

Proceeds from sale of assets

127

21

 

Purchases of short-term investments

(122,978)

(112,473

)

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

149,473

115,722

 

Cash provided by (used for) investing activities

14,413

(13,146

)

 

 


 

Financing Activities

 


 

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

3,087

698

 

Repurchase of common stock

Payment of employee withholding tax related to

     share-based compensation

(1,999)


(4,782)

(5,717


-

)

Dividends paid

(5,474)

(4,849

)

Cash used for financing activities

(9,168)

(9,868

 

 

 


 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

48,212

484

 

 

 


 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

5,132

5,008

 

 

 


 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$  53,344

$  5,492

 



See notes to condensed financial statements.



7


STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share)



NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION


The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.


In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods.  Operating results for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 are not indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2011.  These financial statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.



NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Organization:


Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is principally engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers.  Approximately 99% of the Company’s total sales for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 were firearms sales, and approximately 1% was investment castings sales.  Export sales represent approximately 5% of total sales.  The Company’s design and manufacturing operations are located in the United States and almost all product content is domestic.  


The Company’s firearms are sold through a select number of independent wholesale distributors principally to the commercial sporting market.  Two of these independent wholesale distributors merged in 2009.  Further consolidation of independent wholesale distributors would result in a greater concentration of credit risk.  


The Company manufactures investment castings made from steel alloys for internal use in its firearms and utilizes available investment casting capacity to manufacture and sell castings to unaffiliated, third-party customers.  


Fair Value of Financial Instruments:


The carrying amounts of financial instruments, including cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these items.



8


Short-term Investments:


Short-term investments consist principally of United States Treasury instruments, all maturing within one year, and are recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market. The income from short-term investments is included in other income, net.  The Company intends to hold these investments until maturity.


The Company evaluates securities for other than temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such evaluation.  The Company has determined that the carrying value of short-term investments has not been impaired.


Use of Estimates:


The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.


Reclassifications:


Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.



NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES


Inventories are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.  An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs existing at that time.  Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must necessarily be based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs.  Because these are subject to many factors beyond management's control, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.


During the nine month period ended October 1, 2011, inventory quantities were reduced.  If this reduction remains through year-end, it will result in a liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years as compared with the current cost of purchases.  Although the effect of such a liquidation cannot be precisely quantified at the present time, management believes that if a LIFO liquidation occurs in 2011, the impact may be material to the Company’s results of operations for the period but will not have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.


Inventories consist of the following:


 

October 1,

2011

December 31, 2010

Inventory at FIFO


 

Finished products

$  5,190

$   5,833

Materials and work in process

40,947

42,987

Gross inventories

46,137

48,820

Less: LIFO reserve

(37,101)

(37,448)

Less: excess and obsolescence reserve

(1,281)

(1,545)

Net inventories

$  7,755

$   9,827



9


NOTE 4 - LINE OF CREDIT


In December 2010, the Company renewed a $25 million credit facility with a bank. This facility is renewable annually and now terminates on December 12, 2011.  Borrowings under this facility bear interest at LIBOR (0.84% at October 1, 2011) plus 200 basis points. The Company is charged three-eighths of a percent (0.375%) per year on the unused portion.  At October 1, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with the terms and covenants of the credit facility, which remains unused.  



NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS


The Company has migrated its retirement benefit focus from defined benefit pension plans to defined contribution retirement plans, utilizing its current 401(k) plan.


In 2007, the Company amended its hourly and salaried defined benefit pension plans to freeze the benefits for current participants and to discontinue the plans for all future employees. All active participants became fully vested in the amount of benefit services accrued through December 31, 2007 and no benefits have accrued since that date. Currently, the Company provides supplemental discretionary contributions to substantially all employees’ individual 401(k) accounts.


In future years, the Company may be required to make cash contributions to the two defined benefit pension plans.  The annual contributions will be based on the amount of the unfunded plan liabilities derived from the frozen benefits and will not include liabilities for any future accrued benefits for any new or existing participants.  The total amount of these future cash contributions will depend on the investment returns generated by the plans’ assets and the then applicable discount rates used to calculate the plans’ liabilities.  


Minimum contributions of approximately $2.5 million are required for the defined benefit plans for 2011.  The Company contributed $2.0 million to the defined benefit plans in 2010.  Contributions in the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 totaled $0.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively.


The estimated cost of the frozen defined benefit plans for 2011 is insignificant.  


The supplemental discretionary contributions to the 401(k) plan totaled $0.5 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, respectively, and $0.4 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended October 2, 2010, respectively.  The Company plans to contribute approximately $0.5 million to the plan during the remainder of 2011.



NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES


The Company's 2011 and 2010 effective tax rates differ from the statutory federal tax rate due principally to state income taxes partially offset by tax benefits related to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  The effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 are 37.0% and 36.0%, respectively.

 

Income tax payments in the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 totaled $4.7 million and $11.7 million, respectively.  Income tax payments in the three and nine months ended October 2, 2010 totaled $3.6 million and $11.5 million, respectively.  



10


The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2007.


The Company does not believe it has included any “uncertain tax positions” in its federal income tax return or any of the state income tax returns it is currently filing. The Company has made an evaluation of the potential impact of additional state taxes being assessed by jurisdictions in which the Company does not currently consider itself liable. The Company does not anticipate that such additional taxes, if any, would result in a material change to its financial position. However, the Company anticipates that it is more likely than not that additional state tax liabilities in the range of $0.2 million to $0.4 million exist.  The Company has recorded $0.4 million relating to these additional state income taxes, including approximately $0.2 million for the payment of interest and penalties.  This amount is included in income taxes payable at October 1, 2011. The Company will include any future interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of its provision for taxes.



NOTE 7 - EARNINGS PER SHARE


Set forth below is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the periods indicated:


 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

October 1,
2011

October 2,
2010

October 1,
2011

October 2,
2010

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

Net income

$10,737

$6,041

$29,496

$22,541

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Basic


18,978,755


19,019,011


18,875,788


19,100,361

Dilutive effect of options and restricted stock units outstanding under the Company’s employee compensation plans




317,425




248,402




141,944




211,846

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Diluted


19,296,180


19,267,413


19,017,732


19,312,207


The dilutive effect of outstanding options and restricted stock units is calculated using the treasury stock method. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding has decreased from the comparable prior year periods as a result of the Company’s stock repurchase plans. See Note 8 for further information.


There were no stock options that were anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation.



11


NOTE 8 - STOCK REPURCHASES


In the nine months ended October 1, 2011 the Company repurchased shares of its common stock. Details of these purchases are as follows:


Period

Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Program

Maximum
Dollar
Value of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Program

1/4/11-1/29/11

133,400

$14.94

133,400

 

Total

133,400

$14.94

133,400

$8,000,000


These purchases were made with cash held by the Company and no debt was incurred.



NOTE 9 - COMPENSATION PLANS


In April 2007, the Company adopted and the shareholders approved the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 SIP”) under which employees, independent contractors, and non-employee directors may be granted stock options, restricted stock, deferred stock awards, and stock appreciation rights, any of which may or may not require the satisfaction of performance objectives.  Vesting requirements are determined by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors.  The Company has reserved 2,550,000 shares for issuance under the 2007 SIP of which 1,013,300 remain available for future grants as of October 1, 2011.


Compensation costs related to all share-based payments recognized in the statements of operations aggregated $0.9 million and $2.1 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, respectively, and $0.8 million and $1.7 million for the three and nine months ended October 2, 2010, respectively.


Stock Options


A summary of changes in options outstanding under the plans is summarized below:


 

Shares

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Grant Date

Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

1,172,150

$9.30

$4.46

Granted

-

-

-

Exercised

(738,436)

$9.80

$4.59

Expired

-

-

-

Outstanding at October 1, 2011

433,714

$8.45

$4.24


The aggregate intrinsic value (mean market price at October 1, 2011 less the weighted average exercise price) of options outstanding under the plans was approximately $7.6 million.



12


Restricted Stock Units


Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, the Company began granting restricted stock units to senior employees in lieu of incentive stock options. These awards vest dependent on the achievement of corporate objectives established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Beginning in 2011, a three year vesting period was added to the performance criteria, which had the effect of requiring both the achievement of the corporate performance objectives and the satisfaction of the vesting period.  


Restricted stock units issued during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 were 13,254 and 534,919, respectively.  Total compensation costs related to these restricted stock units are $0.4 million and $10.8 million, respectively. These costs are being recognized ratably over the vesting period which range from three to five years.  Compensation cost related to restricted stock units was $0.7 million and $3.0 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended October 2, 2010, respectively.


NOTE 10 - OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION


The Company has two reportable segments:  firearms and investment castings.  The firearms segment manufactures and sells rifles, pistols, revolvers, and shotguns principally to a select number of independent wholesale distributors primarily located in the United States.  The investment castings segment manufactures and sells steel investment castings.  


Selected operating segment financial information follows:


(in thousands)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

October 1, 2011

October 2, 2010

October 1, 2011

October 2, 2010

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

Firearms

$79,214

$57,505

$232,126

$188,396

Castings

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated

1,298

896

3,449

2,671

Intersegment

4,425

3,762

13,529

10,877

 

5,723

4,658

16,978

13,548

Eliminations

(4,425)

(3,762)

(13,529)

(10,877)

 

$80,512

$58,401

$235,575

$191,067

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

 

 

 

Firearms

$17,026

$9,725

$46,618

$ 35,637

Castings

(512)

(728)

(959)

(1,079)

Corporate

529

442

1,160  

662

 

$17,043

$9,439

$46,819

$35,220   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 1,

2011

December 31, 2010

Identifiable Assets

 

 

 

 

Firearms

 

 

$87,852

$  82,179

Castings

 

 

5,327

4,683

Corporate

 

 

92,496

70,899

 

 

 

$185,675

$157,761



13


NOTE 11 - CONTINGENT LIABILITIES


As of October 1, 2011, the Company was a defendant in approximately three (3) lawsuits and is aware of certain other such claims.  


Lawsuits involving the Company’s products generally fall into one of two categories:


(i)

Those that claim damages from the Company related to allegedly defective product design and/or manufacture which stem from a specific incident.  Pending lawsuits and claims are based principally on the theory of “strict liability” but also may be based on negligence, breach of warranty, and other legal theories; or


(ii)

Those brought by cities or other governmental entities, and individuals against firearms manufacturers, distributors and retailers seeking to recover damages allegedly arising out of the misuse of firearms by third-parties in the commission of homicides, suicides and other shootings involving juveniles and adults.


As to lawsuits of the first type, management believes that, in every case involving firearms, the allegations are unfounded, and that the shootings and any results therefrom were due to negligence or misuse of the firearms by third-parties or the claimant, and that there should be no recovery against the Company.  


The only remaining lawsuit of the second type is the lawsuit filed by the City of Gary.  The complaint in that case seeks damages, among other things, for the costs of medical care, police and emergency services, public health services, and other services as well as punitive damages.  In addition, nuisance abatement and/or injunctive relief is sought to change the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution practices of the various defendants.  The suit alleges, among other claims, negligence in the design of products, public nuisance, negligent distribution and marketing, negligence per se and deceptive advertising.  The case does not allege a specific injury to a specific individual as a result of the misuse or use of any of the Company’s products. Market share allegations have been held inapplicable by the Indiana Supreme Court.


The Trade Associations’ motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction was granted on October 12, 2000.  The remaining defendants’ (manufacturers’ and retailers’) motions to dismiss were granted on January 21, 2001.  The City filed a second amended complaint as a matter of right on January 22, 2001 and defendants renewed their motions to dismiss.  On March 13, 2001, the trial court dismissed the City’s Second Amended Complaint on the bases expressed in its original dismissal order.  On September 20, 2002, the Appellate Court affirmed dismissal of the City’s Complaint as to the manufacturers and some retailers, against whom no factual allegations of illegal conduct were pled.   On December 23, 2003, the Indiana Supreme Court reversed the appellate court and reinstated the case.


On November 23, 2005, a motion to dismiss was filed pursuant to the PLCAA. On October 23, 2006, Judge Pete issued an opinion holding the PLCAA unconstitutional as violating due process in its retroactive application and the separation of powers.  Defendants filed a motion to the Court of Appeals asking that it accept interlocutory appeal.  The motion was granted on February 15, 2007.  On October 29, 2007, the Indiana Appellate Court affirmed, holding that the PLCAA does not apply to the City’s claims.  A petition for rehearing was filed in the Appellate Court on November 28, 2007. The petition was denied on January 9, 2008.  A Petition to Transfer to the Supreme Court of Indiana was filed on February 8, 2008.  On January 12, 2009, the Indiana Supreme Court denied the Petition to Transfer.  A Petition for Writ of Certiorari asking for review of the Indiana Court of Appeals decision was not filed.  



14


In addition to the foregoing, on August 18, 2009, the Company was served with a complaint captioned Steamfitters Local 449 Pension Fund, on Behalf of Itself and All Others Similarly Situated v. Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc., et al. pending in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.  The complaint seeks unspecified damages for alleged violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a purported class action on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s common stock between April 23, 2007 and October 29, 2007.  On October 9, 2009, the Company waived service of a complaint captioned Alan R. Herrett, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc., et al. pending in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.  This matter is based upon the same facts and basic allegations set forth in the Steamfitters Local 449 Pension Fund litigation.  On October 12, 2009, a motion to consolidate the two actions was filed by counsel for the Steamfitters.  On January 11, 2010, the court entered an order consolidating the two matters.  A consolidated amended complaint was filed on March 11, 2010.  The defendants, including the Company, filed a motion to dismiss on April 26, 2010 and plaintiffs filed a response on June 18, 2010.  Defendants then filed a reply in support of the motion on July 19, 2010.  Oral argument was held on November 22, 2010.  On February 4, 2011, the Court entered an order granting the motion to dismiss in part and denying it in part.  The matter is ongoing.


Punitive damages, as well as compensatory damages, are demanded in certain of the lawsuits and claims.  Aggregate claimed amounts presently exceed product liability accruals and applicable insurance coverage.  For claims made after July 10, 2000, coverage is provided on an annual basis for losses exceeding $5 million per claim, or an aggregate maximum loss of $10 million annually, except for certain new claims which might be brought by governments or municipalities after July 10, 2000, which are excluded from coverage.


The Company management monitors the status of known claims and the product liability accrual, which includes amounts for asserted and unasserted claims.  While it is not possible to forecast the outcome of litigation or the timing of costs, in the opinion of management, after consultation with special and corporate counsel, it is not probable and is unlikely that litigation, including punitive damage claims, will have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company, but may have a material impact on the Company’s financial results for a particular period.


Product liability claim payments are made when appropriate if, as, and when claimants and the Company reach agreement upon an amount to finally resolve all claims.  Legal costs are paid as the lawsuits and claims develop, the timing of which may vary greatly from case to case.  A time schedule cannot be determined in advance with any reliability concerning when payments will be made in any given case.


Provision is made for product liability claims based upon many factors related to the severity of the alleged injury and potential liability exposure, based upon prior claim experience.  Because the Company’s experience in defending these lawsuits and claims is that unfavorable outcomes are typically not probable or estimable, only in rare cases is an accrual established for such costs.  In most cases, an accrual is established only for estimated legal defense costs.  Product liability accruals are periodically reviewed to reflect then-current estimates of possible liabilities and expenses incurred to date and reasonably anticipated in the future.  Threatened product liability claims are reflected in the Company’s product liability accrual on the same basis as actual claims; i.e., an accrual is made for reasonably anticipated possible liability and claims-handling expenses on an ongoing basis.


A range of reasonably possible loss relating to unfavorable outcomes cannot be made.  However, in product liability cases in which a dollar amount of damages is claimed, the amount of damages claimed, which totaled $0.0 million and $7.7 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, are set forth as an indication of possible maximum liability that the Company might be required to incur in these cases



15


(regardless of the likelihood or reasonable probability of any or all of this amount being awarded to claimants) as a result of adverse judgments that are sustained on appeal.



NOTE 12 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to October 1, 2011 and determined that there were no such events or transactions that would have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.



16


ITEM 2.

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


Company Overview


Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is principally engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers.  Approximately 99% of the Company’s total sales for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 were firearms sales, and approximately 1% was investment castings sales.  Export sales represent approximately 5% of total sales.  The Company’s design and manufacturing operations are located in the United States and almost all product content is domestic.  The Company’s firearms are sold through a select number of independent wholesale distributors, principally to the commercial sporting market.


The Company also manufactures investment castings made from steel alloys for internal use in its firearms and utilizes excess investment casting capacity to manufacture and sell castings to unaffiliated, third-party customers.  


Orders of many models of firearms from the independent distributors tend to be stronger in the first quarter of the year and weaker in the third quarter of the year.  This is due in part to the timing of the distributor show season, which occurs during the first quarter.


Results of Operations


Product Demand


The estimated sell-through of the Company’s products from distributors to retailers in the third quarter of 2011 increased by approximately 23% from the third quarter of 2010.  The estimated sell-through of the Company’s products from distributors to retailers in the first nine months of 2011 increased by approximately 19% from the first nine months of 2010.  


National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation) increased 12% in the third quarter of 2011 and 13% in the first nine months of 2011 from the comparable prior year periods.


We believe the growth in estimated sell-through of the Company’s products from distributors to retailers was greater than the growth in Adjusted NICS background checks in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 and was due to the popularity of several new products introduced in 2011.  



17


Estimated sell-through from distributors and total NICS background checks for the trailing seven quarters follows:


 
 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

Q3

Q2

Q1

 

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Units Sold from Distributors to Retailers (1)


244,700


264,400


284,300

 


235,200


198,700


213,400


254,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total adjusted NICS Background Checks (thousands) (2)


2,374


2,220


2,739

 


2,933


2,117


1,961


2,425





(1)

The estimates for each period were calculated by taking the beginning inventory at the distributors, plus shipments from the Company to distributors during the period, less the ending inventory at distributors. These estimates are only a proxy for actual market demand as they:


·

Rely on data provided by independent distributors that are not verified by the Company,

·

Do not consider potential timing issues within the distribution channel, including goods-in-transit, and

·

Do not consider fluctuations in inventory at retail.


(2)

While NICS background checks are not a precise measure of retail activity, they are commonly used as a proxy for retail demand.  NICS background checks are performed when the ownership of most firearms, either new or used, is transferred by a Federal Firearms Licensee.  NICS background checks are also performed for permit applications, permit renewals, and other administrative reasons.  


The adjusted NICS data presented above was derived by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (“NSSF”) by subtracting out NICS checks that are not directly related to the sale of a firearm, including checks used for concealed carry (CCW) permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases.  While not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provides a more accurate picture of current market conditions than raw NICS data.  


The Company launched the new LC9 pistol, SR1911 pistol, the Single-Ten revolver, the SP-101 double- action revolver chambered in 22LR, and the new SR40c pistol in the nine months ended October 1, 2011.  New product introductions remain a strong driver of demand and represented $26.2 million or 33% of sales in the third quarter of 2011, and $75.0 million or 32% of sales in the nine months ended October 1, 2011.



18


Orders Received and Ending Backlog


The value of orders received and ending backlog, net of excise tax, for the trailing seven quarters are as follows (in millions, except average sales price):  


(All amounts shown are net of Federal Excise Tax of 10% for handguns and 11% for long guns.)


 
 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

Q3

Q2

Q1

 

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orders Received

$49.6

$81.4

$134.7

 

$63.3

$45.6

$38.7

$81.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Sales Price of Orders Received


$294


$309


$268

 


$262


$291


$279


$270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending Backlog

$69.8

$97.4

$92.9

 

$34.9

$34.1

$44.9

$71.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Sales Price of Ending Backlog


$341


$309


$279

 


$326


$342


$304


$299


Production


Total unit production in the third quarter of 2011 increased 40% from the third quarter of 2010 and 3% from the second quarter of 2011.  The increased production was due in part to the Company’s previously disclosed strategy of changing production rates less frequently in 2011 in a more deliberate effort to “level load” production throughout the year.  


The intention of this planned change in production volumes is to build finished goods inventory during the period when we expect lesser demand (typically the third quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter) so that we have more finished goods inventory available to ship during the period when we expect greater demand (typically the end of the fourth quarter and the first quarter).  This should allow us to optimize the annual production of our manufacturing plants and enhance our sales opportunity during the peak sales period.


The Company continues to further implement lean manufacturing principles across its facilities. This ongoing process began in 2006, and includes the following current initiatives:


·

transitioning from batch production to single-piece flow manufacturing,

·

refining existing cells and, where practical, consolidating smaller cells into value-stream super cells,

·

developing pull systems and managing vendors,

·

increasing capacity for the products with the greatest unmet demand, and

·

re-engineering mature product designs for improved manufacturability.


The Company is transitioning to a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and converted one of its manufacturing facilities and a portion of its support functions, including sales and finance during the third quarter of 2011.  The Company expects to have the new system fully implemented in the first quarter of 2012.



19


Summary Unit Data


Firearms unit data for the trailing seven quarters are as follows:

                                                                                                                                  

 
 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

Q3

Q2

Q1

 

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units Ordered

168,700

263,500

503,500

 

241,900

156,500

138,400

305,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units Produced

289,700

281,200

241,800

 

218,300

207,100

238,900

241,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units Shipped

276,500

279,600

251,800

 

236,200

204,200

225,500

237,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Sales Price (3)

$286

$281

$296

 

$268

$282

$282

$283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units on Backorder

204,500

315,500

332,700

 

106,800

99,800

147,900

239,900


(3)

Net of Federal Excise Tax of 10% for handguns and 11% for long guns.


Inventories  


The Company’s finished goods inventory increased 13,300 units during the third quarter of 2011 and remains below optimal levels to support rapid fulfillment of distributor demand.  The Company anticipates that finished goods inventory could increase by as much as $15 million from the current level upon the attainment of the desired levels of finished goods inventory.  


Distributor inventories of the Company’s products increased 31,800 units during the third quarter of 2011 and, in the Company’s opinion, are still below the optimal level to support rapid fulfillment of retailer demand.  As the independent distributors continually attempt to increase their inventory turns without unduly hindering their ability to fulfill retail demand, further increases to distributor inventories of the Company’s products may occur at a slower rate, or not at all.  Distributor investments in other manufacturers’ products, some of which may not be turning as fast as the Company’s products turn, may further impede this inventory replenishment.  


Inventory data for the trailing seven quarters follows:


 
 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

Q3

Q2

Q1

 

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units – Company Inventory

28,800

15,500

13,700

 

23,600

40,600

37,700

24,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units – Distributor Inventory (4)


112,300


80,500


65,300

 


97,700


96,700


91,200


79,100

 


Total inventory (5)


141,100


96,000


79,000

 


121,300


137,300


128,900


103,500

 

             

           

           


             

             

             

             



20


(4)

Distributor ending inventory as provided by the Company’s independent distributors.  These numbers do not include goods-in-transit inventory that has been shipped from the Company but not yet received by the distributors.


(5)

This total does not include inventory at retailers.  The Company does not have access to data on retailer inventories of the Company’s products.


Net Sales


Consolidated net sales were $80.5 million for the three months ended October 1, 2011.  This represents an increase of $22.1 million or 37.9% from consolidated net sales of $58.4 million in the comparable prior year period.


For the nine months ended October 1, 2011, consolidated net sales were $235.6 million, an increase of $44.5 million or 23.3% from sales of $191.1 million in the comparable 2010 period.


Firearms net sales were $79.2 million for the three months ended October 1, 2011.  This represents an increase of $21.7 million or 37.8% from firearms net sales of $57.5 million in the comparable prior year period.


For the nine months ended October 1, 2011, firearms net sales were $232.1 million.  This represents an increase of $43.7 million or 23.2% from firearms net sales of $188.4 million in the comparable 2010 period.


Firearms unit shipments increased 35.4% and 21.1%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 from the comparable prior year periods.  


Casting net sales were $1.3 million for the three months ended October 1, 2011, an increase of $0.4 million or 44.9% from castings net sales of $0.9 million in the comparable prior year period.


For the nine months ended October 1, 2011, casting net sales were $3.4 million.  This represents an increase of $0.7 million or 29.1% from casting net sales of $2.7 million in the comparable prior year period.


Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit


Consolidated cost of products sold was $51.4 million for the three months ended October 1, 2011.  This represents an increase of $11.6 million or 29.1% from consolidated cost of products sold of $39.8 million in the comparable prior year period.


For the nine months ended October 1, 2011, consolidated cost of products sold was $154.0 million.  This represents an increase of $26.4 million or 20.7% from consolidated cost of products sold of $127.6 million in the comparable prior year period.


Gross margin was 36.2% and 34.6%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011.  This represents an increase from the gross margin of 31.8% in the three months and 33.2% in the nine months ended October 1, 2010 as illustrated below (in thousands):



21


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

October 1, 2011

 

October 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$80,512

 

100.0%

 

$58,401

 

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of products sold, before LIFO,
overhead and labor rate adjustments
to inventory and product liability

 

50,429

 

62.6%

 

38,881

 

66.6%

LIFO expense

 

-

 

-

 

632

 

1.1%

Overhead rate adjustments to inventory

 

369

 

0.5%

 

298

 

0.5%

Labor rate adjustments to inventory

 

32

 

-

 

(132)

 

(0.2)%

Product liability

 

544

 

0.7%

 

122

 

0.2%

Product recall

 

11

 

-

 

      17

 

   -

Total cost of products sold

 

51,385

 

63.8%

 

39,818

 

68.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

$29,127

 

36.2%

 

$18,583

 

31.8%



 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

October 1, 2011

 

October 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$235,575

 

100.0%

 

$191,067

 

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of products sold, before LIFO,
overhead and labor rate adjustments
to inventory and product liability

 

151,950

 

64.5%

 

127,767

 

66.9%

LIFO expense (income)

 

(252)

 

(0.1)%

 

225

 

0.1%

Overhead rate adjustments to inventory

 

841

 

0.4%

 

(34)

 

-

Labor rate adjustments to inventory

 

284

 

0.1%

 

(266)

 

(0.1)%

Product liability

 

1,124

 

0.5%

 

(141)

 

(0.1)%

Product recall

 

42

 

-

 

       62

 

  -

Total cost of products sold

 

153,989

 

65.4%

 

127,613

 

66.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

$81,586

 

34.6%

 

$ 63,454

 

33.2%



22


Cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, and product liability— During the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, and product liability decreased as a percentage of sales by 4.0% and 2.4%, respectively, compared with the comparable 2010 periods.  The main contributors to this decrease include the introduction of several new products which increased overall volume, thereby favorably leveraging manufacturing overhead, improved productivity from continued emphasis on lean manufacturing techniques, partially offset by a modest increase in input costs.


LIFO— During the three months ended October 1, 2011, gross inventories increased by $3.7 million.  However, based on the Company’s projected year-end inventory balance there was no LIFO income or expense recognized during the three months ended October 1, 2011.  In the comparable 2010 period, gross inventories increased $1.8 million and the Company recognized LIFO expense resulting in increased cost of products sold of $0.6 million.


During the nine months ended October 1, 2011, gross inventories decreased by $2.7 million and the Company recognized LIFO income resulting in decreased cost of products sold of $0.3 million.  In the comparable 2010 period, gross inventories increased $0.2 million and the Company recognized LIFO expense resulting in increased cost of products sold of $0.2 million.


Overhead Rate Adjustments— The Company uses actual overhead expenses incurred as a percentage of sales-value-of-production over a trailing six month period to absorb overhead expense into inventory.  During the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, the Company was more efficient in overhead spending and the overhead rates used to absorb overhead expenses into inventory decreased, resulting in decreases in inventory value of $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and corresponding increases to cost of products sold.  


During the three months ended October 1, 2010, the overhead rate used to absorb overhead into inventory decreased slightly, resulting in a decrease in inventory value of $0.3 million, and a corresponding increase to cost of products sold.  During the nine months ended October 1, 2010, the overhead rate used to absorb overhead into inventory was effectively unchanged and had an insignificant impact on cost of products sold.  


Labor Rate Adjustments— The Company uses actual direct labor expense incurred as a percentage of sales-value-of-production over a trailing nine month period to absorb direct labor expense into inventory.  During the three months ended October 1, 2011, the labor rate used to absorb direct labor was effectively unchanged and therefore had an insignificant impact on cost of products sold.  During the nine months ended October 1, 2011, the Company was more efficient in direct labor utilization and the labor rates used to absorb incurred labor expenses into inventory decreased, resulting in a decrease in inventory value of $0.3 million, and a corresponding increase to cost of products sold.  


During the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, the labor rates used to absorb incurred labor expenses into inventory increased, resulting in increases in inventory value of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and corresponding decreases to cost of products sold.  


Product Liability— This expense includes the cost of outside legal fees, insurance, and other expenses incurred in the management and defense of product liability matters.  These costs totaled $0.5 million and $1.1 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, respectively.  The income in 2010 reflects favorable experience in product liability matters during the first nine months of 2010.  See Note 11 to the notes to the financial statements “Contingent Liabilities” for further discussion of the Company’s product liability.



23


Gross Profit— As a result of the foregoing factors, for the three months ended October 1, 2011, gross profit was $29.1 million, an increase of $10.5 million from $18.6 million in the comparable prior year period.  Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 36.2% in the three months ended October 1, 2011 from 31.8% in the comparable prior year period.


For the nine months ended October 1, 2011, gross profit was $81.6 million, an increase of $18.1 million from $63.5 million in the comparable prior year period.  Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 34.6% in the nine months ended October 1, 2011 from 33.2% in the comparable prior year period.


Selling, General and Administrative


Selling, general and administrative expenses were $12.2 million and $35.2 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, an increase of $2.9 million and $7.0 million from the comparable prior year periods, and a decrease from 15.9% of sales to 15.2% of sales for the three month periods and an increase from 14.8% of sales to 14.9% of sales for the nine month periods.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable to the following:

·

increased promotional and advertising expenses, including the Million Gun Challenge to benefit the National Rifle Association,

·

increased equity-based and incentive compensation, and

·

increased expenses related to the implementation of a new information technology infrastructure.


Other Operating Expenses


In the nine months ended October 2, 2010, the Company recognized an expense of $0.4 million related to its frozen defined benefit pension plans.  No such expense was recorded in the nine months ended October 1, 2011.


Other income


Other income was $0.2 million and $0.4 million in the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 compared to $0.1 million and $0.4 million in three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, respectively.


Income Taxes and Net Income


The effective income tax rate in the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 was 37.0%, compared to 36.0% for the comparable prior year periods.  The increase in the income tax rate results from an increase in the estimated effective state tax rate.


As a result of the foregoing factors, consolidated net income was $10.7 million and $29.5 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, respectively.  This represents an increase of $4.7 million and $7.0 million from consolidated net income of $6.0 million and $22.5 million in the three and nine months ended October 2, 2010, respectively.



24


Financial Condition


Liquidity


At the end of the third quarter of 2011, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $79.3 million.  Our pre-LIFO working capital of $124.9 million, less the LIFO reserve of $37.1 million, resulted in working capital of $87.8 million and a current ratio of 3.3 to 1.  


The Company expects to replenish its finished goods inventory to levels that will better serve its customers.  This replenishment could increase the FIFO value of finished goods inventory by as much as $15 million from current depressed levels.  


Operations


Cash provided by operating activities was $43.0 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 compared to $23.5 million for the comparable prior year period.  The increase in cash provided by operations is primarily attributable to greater earnings in the nine months ended October 1, 2011 compared to the nine months ended October 2, 2010 and increased payables, accrued expenses, and employee compensation and benefits, partially offset by increased prepaid expenses and other assets and liabilities at October 1, 2011.


Third parties supply the Company with various raw materials for its firearms and castings, such as fabricated steel components, walnut, birch, beech, maple and laminated lumber for rifle stocks, wax, ceramic material, metal alloys, various synthetic products and other component parts.  There is a limited supply of these materials in the marketplace at any given time, which can cause the purchase prices to vary based upon numerous market factors.  The Company believes that it has adequate quantities of raw materials in inventory to provide ample time to locate and obtain additional items at then-current market cost without interruption of its manufacturing operations.  However, if market conditions result in a significant prolonged inflation of certain prices or if adequate quantities of raw materials can not be obtained, the Company’s manufacturing processes could be interrupted and the Company’s financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.


Investing and Financing


Capital expenditures for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 totaled $12.2 million.  In 2011, the Company expects to spend between $15 million and $18 million on capital expenditures to purchase tooling and fixtures for new product introductions, to increase production capacity, and to upgrade and modernize manufacturing equipment and its information technology infrastructure.  The Company finances, and intends to continue to finance, all of these activities with funds provided by operations and current cash and short-term investments.  


Dividends of $5.5 million were paid during the nine months ended October 1, 2011.  The amounts of these dividends were based on a percentage of operating profit after adjustment for certain items, the same approach used by the Company since 2009.  Under this approach, the amount per share of the quarterly dividend fluctuates directly with certain operating results of the Company.  The payment of future dividends depends on many factors, including internal estimates of future performance, then-current cash and short-term investments, and the Company’s need for cash.  The Company has financed its dividends with cash provided by operations and current cash and short-term investments.


In October, 2010, the Board of Directors expanded the Company’s authorization to repurchase shares of its common stock from $4.3 million to $10 million.  During the nine months ended October 1, 2011, the



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Company repurchased 133,400 shares of its common stock for $2.0 million in the open market.  The average price per share repurchased was $14.94.  These repurchases were funded with cash on hand.  As of October 1, 2011, $8.0 million remained available for future stock repurchases.


During the second quarter of 2011, the Company made a $969,000 minority investment in a pepper spray company for which it received a 12% interest.  This investment is included in Other Assets on the balance sheet.


The Company has migrated its retirement benefits from defined-benefit pension plans to defined-contribution retirement plans, utilizing its current 401(k) plan.


In 2007, the Company amended its hourly and salaried defined-benefit pension plans so that employees no longer accrue benefits under them effective December 31, 2007.  This action “froze” the benefits for all employees and prevented future hires from joining the plans, effective December 31, 2007.  Currently, the Company provides supplemental discretionary contributions to substantially all employees’ individual 401(k) accounts.


Minimum cash contributions of $1.7 million were required for the defined-benefit plans for 2010.  The Company contributed $2 million to the defined-benefit plans in 2010.  


In future years, the Company may again be required to make cash contributions to the two defined-benefit pension plans.  The annual contributions will be based on the amount of the unfunded plan liabilities derived from the frozen benefits and will not include liabilities for any future accrued benefits for any new or existing participants.  The total amount of these future cash contributions will depend on the investment returns generated by the plans’ assets and the then-applicable discount rates used to calculate the plans’ liabilities.  


The Company plans to contribute approximately $2 million in 2011, but will increase the amount of the contribution if required to do so.  The intent of these contributions is to reduce the amount of time that the Company will be required to continue to operate the frozen plans.  The ongoing cost of running the plans (even if frozen) is approximately $200,000 per year, which includes PBGC premiums, actuary and audit fees, and other expenses.


Based on its unencumbered assets, the Company believes it has the ability to raise substantial amounts of cash through issuance of short-term or long-term debt.  The Company’s unsecured $25 million credit facility, which expires on December 12, 2011, remains unused and the Company has no debt.  


Other Operational Matters


In the normal course of its manufacturing operations, the Company is subject to occasional governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to workplace safety, firearms serial number tracking and control, waste disposal, air emissions and water discharges into the environment.  The Company believes that it is generally in compliance with applicable BATFE, environmental, and safety regulations and the outcome of any proceedings or orders will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.


The Company self-insures a significant amount of its product liability, workers’ compensation, medical, and other insurance.  It also carries significant deductible amounts on various insurance policies.



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The valuation of the future defined-benefit pension obligations at December 31, 2010 and 2009 indicated that these plans were underfunded by $9.4 million and $12.2 million, respectively, and resulted in a cumulative other comprehensive loss of $19.6 million and $20.4 million on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


The Company expects to realize its deferred tax assets through tax deductions against future taxable income.


Adjustments to Critical Accounting Policies


The Company has not made any adjustments to its critical accounting estimates and assumptions described in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2011, or the judgments affecting the application of those estimates and assumptions.


Forward-Looking Statements and Projections

The Company may, from time to time, make forward-looking statements and projections concerning future expectations.  Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to certain qualifying risks and uncertainties, such as market demand, sales levels of firearms, anticipated castings sales and earnings, the need for external financing for operations or capital expenditures, the results of pending litigation against the Company, the impact of future firearms control and environmental legislation, and accounting estimates, any one or more of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date such forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent unanticipated events.



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ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


The Company is exposed to changing interest rates on its investments, which consist primarily of United States Treasury instruments with short-term (less than one year) maturities and cash.  The interest rate market risk implicit in the Company's investments at any given time is low, as the investments mature within short periods and the Company does not have significant exposure to changing interest rates on invested cash.


The Company has not undertaken any actions to cover interest rate market risk and is not a party to any interest rate market risk management activities.


A hypothetical ten percent change in market interest rates over the next year would not materially impact the Company’s earnings or cash flows.  A hypothetical ten percent change in market interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair value of the Company’s investments.



ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (the “Disclosure Controls and Procedures”), as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of October 1, 2011.


Based on the evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of October 1, 2011, such Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.  


Additionally, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended October 1, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


During the quarter ending October 1, 2011, the Company implemented an integrated suite of enterprise software at one of its manufacturing locations as part of a Company-wide implementation program that is expected to be completed in 2012.  It is anticipated that this implementation may result in changes to certain processes and related internal controls over financial reporting.  


The effectiveness of any system of internal controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, and, as a result, there can be no assurance that the Company’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures will detect all errors or fraud.  An internal control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal control system will be attained.



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PART II.  

OTHER INFORMATION



ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


The nature of the legal proceedings against the Company is discussed at Note 11 to this Form 10-Q report, which is incorporated herein by reference.


The Company has reported all cases instituted against it through July 2, 2011, and the results of those cases, where terminated, to the S.E.C. on its previous Form 10-Q and 10-K reports, to which reference is hereby made.


There was one lawsuit that was formally instituted against the Company during the three months ending October 2, 2011, captioned as Matthew and Michele Grindberg vs. Sturm, Ruger & Co., et al., and pending in Brazoria County, Texas.



ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS


There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from the information provided in Item 1A. Risk Factors included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.



ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


In the nine months ended October 1, 2011 the Company repurchased shares of its common stock. Details of these purchases are as follows:



Period

Total Number of Shares Purchased

Average Price Paid Per Share

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program

Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program

1/4/11-1/29/11

133,400

$14.94

133,400

 

Total

133,400

$14.94

133,400

$8,000,000


These purchases were made with cash held by the Company and no debt was incurred.



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ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


Not applicable



ITEM 4.

REMOVED AND RESERVED



ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION


None



ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS


(a)

Exhibits:


31.1

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


31.2

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


32.1

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


32.2

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002







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STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2011


SIGNATURES




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



 

 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  November 2, 2011

 

S/THOMAS A. DINEEN

 

 

Thomas A. Dineen

Principal Financial Officer,

Principal Accounting Officer,

Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










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